Video raises hotel hygiene concerns

More travelers have been bringing along their own sheets, sleeping bags, kettles and bathrobes after a video posted online raised public concern about the hygienic condition of hotel rooms.

Beijing draws line on shared bicycles

The Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport decided on Thursday to stop adding new shared bikes to the city's streets and to strengthen the management of existing bikes.

First lesson takes place in a real courtroom

As the new semester began this week, freshmen at a college in Dengfeng, Henan province, got their first lesson - a public trial in a telecommunications fraud case.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

State Council amends rules governing religion

The State Council passed a revised regulation on religious affairs on Thursday to further protect people's freedom of religious belief while combating religious extremism and related crimes.

Father, son unite across borders

HARBIN - Russian doctor Alexey Zhao comes to China twice a year - once for Chinese New Year and the other for his father's birthday.

Shanghai has a new way to pick judges

Shanghai will begin selecting new judges from the ranks of its judge assistants - a position created five years ago as part of the city's wide-ranging judicial reform.

Chinese universities gain global prestige

Two of China's leading universities have been ranked among the world's top 30 educational institutions.

Chengdu doctor helps his patients stand tall

Doctor Liang Yijian returned to his office on Thursday afternoon after operating on a patient with a bent spine, only to find two other patients waiting for him.

Voices rise for painless childbirth

The suicide of a pregnant woman after her plea for a C-section was rejected has sparked a public outcry across China, with people calling for the promotion of pain-free delivery options.

UN: China's success against soil loss could be replicated in other countries

China's success in fighting desertification, or soil loss, is a model that can be replicated in other parts of the world, delegates to a United Nations conference said on Wednesday.

Teacher suspended for slapping students

A middle school teacher from Hefei, Anhui province, was suspended and given an administrative warning after being videotaped slapping 38 students in the face, according to the local education authority.