The new, smart alternative to divorce

Relationship sabbaticals suddenly seem to be A Thing. As usual, celebrities lead the way - Emma Thompson recommends them for us all ("Every marriage should have a kind of a sabbatical," she has said. "Couples should be forced to take a break from each other every so often, if just for a year or so").

Competition among six methods for raising 'super-siblings'

In a recent issue of Time magazine, Charlotte Alter interviewed nine families. All the children are now extremely successful adults, each in different ways, and none as the result of great wealth or fortune but through their own efforts. They come from all across America, and they're leading their fields in a wide range of endeavours including medicine, politics, music, law and architecture.

Moscow: Probe is politicized

Moscow on Wednesday described as "biased" and "politically motivated" the Dutch-led inquiry into the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine, which concluded the plane was shot down by a missile transported from Russia.

Duterte to scrap future war games with US

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he was giving notice to the United States, his country's long-standing ally, that joint exercises of Filipino and US troops next week will be the last such drills.

Official says action plan benefits all

China's human rights action plan, released on Thursday, aims to extend the benefits of development to all, promising greater support for vulnerable groups, an official with the State Council Information Office said.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Officer guns down man in 'shooting stance'

The fatal police shooting of a black man who drew something from his pocket and extended his hands in a "shooting stance" happened about a minute after officers in a San Diego suburb arrived where a distraught man was reportedly walking in traffic, a police spokesman said on Wednesday.

9/11 families get OK to sue Saudi Arabia

Congress on Wednesday overwhelmingly rejected President Barack Obama's veto of legislation allowing relatives of the victims of the Sept 11, 2001, attacks to sue Saudi Arabia, the first veto override of his presidency, just four months before it ends.

UK hotel brand launched with affordable luxury

HK CTS Hotels Co Ltd launched its British-style hotel brand Kew Green Hotels in Beijing on Sept 13, aiming to expand in the Chinese market with its "affordable luxury" hotel service.

Azur brings je ne sais quoi to Beijing

The closing of STAY French restaurant came as a sad shock to Beijing's lovers of fine French cuisine.

French restaurant serves weekend brunch

Shangri-La Hotel Beijing's new French restaurant, Azur, officially unveiled a weekend brunch menu featuring healthy, authentic French cuisine using fresh ingredients this Saturday.

Shangri-La offers guests a taste of the northeast

Tourists will be able to indulge in a taste of northeastern China during early October's National Day holiday, thanks to the special services offered by Shangri-La hotels located in the region.