Teacher says sexual orientation led to firing

A former kindergarten teacher in Qingdao, Shandong province, has taken the school to labor arbitration, alleging discrimination because he is homosexual.

Extra trains haul parcels from shopping spree

China Railway Corp put on extra high-speed trains and cargo routes to meet the increased demand for parcel delivery following the Chinese shopping festival known as Double 11, or Singles Day.

Preschool squabble triggers official's removal

An official who was thrust into the spotlight over a conflict at his daughter's kindergarten has been expelled from the Communist Party of China and removed from his post for graft, according to the Sichuan provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection on Tuesday.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Homework is high-tech, with caveats

On a recent Thursday evening, Zhang Yu, a fifth-grade student in Tianjin, braced himself for math assignments.

Inspectors find porpoise protection efforts were undermined in Anhui

Efforts to save the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise in Anhui province have been undermined by unapproved changes to protected habitats, a high-level environmental inspection found.

Protecting mangroves a priority for city

Beihai, a coastal city in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, has made great efforts to preserve mangrove trees, which play a key role in protecting marine biodiversity.

Insulting nicknames are a no-no in Guangdong schools

Parents and teachers in Guangdong province are welcoming new school guidelines that deem insulting nicknames to be a form of bullying.

Regulation of patent agents to improve services

Patent agents will be ordered to cease doing business and pay fines if it's found that they are working without a license, under a newly revised regulation.

Preschool headmasters get training

Kindergarten heads and teachers in Beijing have completed government-provided security training to improve safety for young children, local authorities said.

Cold is coming to northern regions

Cold fronts are forecast to affect northern parts of China until Saturday this week, bringing precipitation and clearing up the air pollution around Beijing, authorities said.

Water in barrier lake being discharged

Water began to be discharged on Monday from a lake that had formed behind a landslide on the border of Sichuan province and the Tibet autonomous region.