Saudi women celebrate end of driving ban

RIYADH - Women in Saudi Arabia took to the roads at midnight on Sunday, ushering in the end of the world's last ban on female drivers

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Hotel sector attracts unconventional owners

With increased consumer spending on premium goods and services, the so-called consumption upgrade and the trend toward establishing different levels of hotels, targeting different classes guests - the hospitality industry's segmentation - a growing number of brands from other sectors are making forays into the hotel market, bringing it new, diverse features.

Customized cruise ship to set sail next year

Royal Caribbean International announced in Shanghai last week that it will launch a new cruise ship with upgraded facilities, as well as new itineraries tailor-made for the Chinese market, in 2019.

Shangri-La serves up sustainable seafood

Global hotel chain Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts announced recently that it is to only serve sustainable seafood in 53 of its hotels in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong this month, as part of its effort to protect the environment and species diversity in the ocean.

Roundup

APPOINTMENT

Peace prospect boosts hopes for growth

Seoul, Moscow and Pyongyang may join hands on a number of major projects involving infrastructure and energy if peace is in place in the region, said the Republic of Korea President Moon Jaein, who paid a visit to Moscow from Thursday to Saturday.

EU and Turkey fight back in trade dispute with US

Turkey introduced new trade tariffs on imports from the United States on Thursday in response to the extra taxes its steel exports now face at the US border.

Trump backs down on immigration policy but legal challenges remain

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on Wednesday backed down and abandoned his policy of separating immigrant children from their parents on the US-Mexico border, after images of youngsters in cages sparked outrage at home and abroad.

UN urges deal on refugees as 68.5m displaced

ROME - A global deal on refugees is urgently needed as the number of people forcibly driven from their home by war, persecution and violence reached 68.5 million in 2017, the UN refugee agency said on Wednesday.

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Russia to slap duties on US goods after higher metals tariffs

MOSCOW - Russia will soon impose duties on imports of United States goods in response to US tariffs on steel and aluminum, Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Oreshkin said on Tuesday.