A seasonal preoccupation

They are a curiosity - fresh-water crabs with claws coated with a pelt of "hair". Because of that, eriocheir sinensis is also known as the mitten crab.

'Customized' crustaceans

Hairy crabs, or Chinese mitten crabs, are widely distributed along the estuarine deltas, inland lakes and waterways as far north as the Korean Peninsula and as far south as the river mouths in Fujian province of southeastern China.

Places less traveled

The first place we recommend is in western Jiyuan, Henan province, where the alpine splendor of the Taihang Mountains and the mighty Yellow River combine to create a spectacular scene.

Watching over fallen comrades

In 1980, Chen Jungui was dispatched with a team of soldiers to build roads in the Tianshan Mountains. The team was snowed in by a blizzard. As their food ran out, team leader Zheng Linshu sent them in different directions to find help. All died except for Chen.

Helping to keep the peace

The People's Liberation Army, which regards safeguarding world peace and promoting common prosperity as important missions, has been actively undertaking peacekeeping tasks, disaster relief as well as anti-terrorist operations.

Golden age for the 'everyday' photographer

You can see people capturing scenes of festivals, rainbows after the rain, smiling children or quirky behavior that surprises them, no matter what mobile devices they are holding in hand - be it camera, cellphone or tablet.

Death, hunger stalk workers as tea estates close in India

Death arrived soon after the Bundapani tea estate closed last year.

Advanced sonar joins MH370 hunt

The search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 enters a new underwater phase this week with two specialist ships joining to locate the jetliner almost seven months after it disappeared.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Outrage as security is tightened in Washington

The possibility that more of the US capital city could be closed off after a lone intruder got into the White House has set off a debate in Washington, where public spaces have been eroded over time by barricades and bollards.

Clooney marries human rights lawyer in Venice extravaganza

The world's most famous bachelor, George Clooney, broke a vow to remain single on Saturday and married human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin during a weekend of lavish celebrations in Venice.

Italy fights Mafia with a new strategy: banishing sons

First Italy fought its Mafia mobsters by confiscating their wealth. Now judges are taking away something more precious: their sons.