US state focuses on business, not politics

Regardless of what is going on in Washington, business communities across North Carolina want to continue to grow their business relations with China.

IN BRIEF (Page 8)

China shows way out of poverty

Images of China's achievements in poverty reduction are now on show at the United Nations.

World's top teacher uses $1m prize to bring artists to schools

The London art teacher who won this year's global teacher prize has been lauded for founding a charity that will bring artists into schools.

China and the World Trade Organization

Editor's note: The State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China on Thursday published a white paper titled "China and the World Trade Organization". Following is the full text:

Tropical fish playground comes back from brink

SAN PEDRO, Belize - Beneath the crystalline waters off the coast of Belize, colorful fish weave through the arms of the world's second-largest barrier reef, an environmental treasure that UNESCO removed from its list of endangered World Heritage Sites on Tuesday.

British industry hit by CO2 drought

The high point of Britain's summer has fallen somewhat flat after a shortage of food-grade carbon dioxide gas CO2 saw wholesalers introduce restrictions on bulk buying of drinks.

Palm oil 'decimating' wildlife, solutions elusive, report says

PARIS - Palm oil production has "decimated" animal and plant life in Malaysia and Indonesia and threatens pristine forests in Central Africa and South America, a leading international conservation group warned on Tuesday.

Silk Road project offers insight

KIEV - The Silk Road cultural project "Experience China 2018 - the culture of western China in Ukraine "kicked off in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev on Tuesday, offering a glance into the art, music and traditions of western China.

Surfer attempts to foster better ties

HAVANA - Armed with only a surfboard and paddle, US athlete Victoria Burgess on Tuesday began her attempt to cross the Florida Straits between the United States and Cuba, about 170 kilometers wide.

'Green gold' spreads fast in Pakistan

HEROSHAH, Pakistan - The change is drastic: Around the region of Heroshah, previously arid hills are now covered with forest as far as the eye can see. In northwestern Pakistan, hundreds of millions of trees have been planted to fight deforestation.

Bird images suggest early trade route between Australia, Europe

SYDNEY - Images of an Australian cockatoo parrot in a 13th century Italian manuscript suggest an extensive trade route reaching from the waters around Australia's north to Europe, centuries earlier than previously thought.