Peninsula's new private cruiser plies the river

The Peninsula Shanghai is upgrading its fleet of luxury vehicle services by including an Italian yacht at the cost of $1 million.

Roundup

Vip Guest

Direct flight from Chengdu to Auckland to be launched in June

Sichuan Airlines announced earlier this month that it will open a non-stop flight linking Chengdu, Sichuan province, and Auckland, New Zealand. This route will operate three times a week and be served by A330 aircraft.

Debate focuses on security, DPRK

SEOUL - The second TV debate of five major presidential candidates of the Republic of Korea focused on issues related to security and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea amid tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Two protesters injured in clash at THAAD site

SEOUL - Two protesters were injured by police on Thursday when they tried in vain to block construction equipment from entering the deployment site for the United States Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile system in the southeast of the Republic of Korea.

Thousands evacuated after weekend bombing in Syria

RASHIDIN, Syria - Thousands of Syrians were evacuated from besieged towns on Wednesday with tight security in place after a weekend bombing against those leaving government-held areas killed dozens, including 70 children.

Former UK chancellor George Osborne quits as MP

George Osborne, who as chancellor of the exchequer was part of the drive by David Cameron's government to boost economic ties with China, said on Wednesday he will not seek re-election as an MP.

Standard raised for Australian citizenship

SYDNEY - Australia plans to raise the bar for handing out citizenships by lengthening the waiting period, adding a new "Australian values" test and raising the standard for English language as part of a shake up of its immigration program.

Chinese, Iranian firms to renovate nuke plant

Chinese and Iranian enterprises have agreed to renovate the Arak heavy water reactor, a key part of an international deal over Iran's nuclear program, and the first commercial contracts will be signed this weekend, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in Beijing on Thursday.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Chinese investors breathe new life into rural Ukraine

KIEV, Ukraine - Newly sown fields, well-kept houses and modern farms - the rural area surrounding Koryukovka settlement shines like a pearl among the string of abandoned villages in a remote corner of Ukraine's northern Chernigov region.

Gunman targeting whites chose three men at random

FRESNO, California - A 39-year-old man went on a shooting spree in the central California city of Fresno on Tuesday, killing three people and injuring another before being arrested, authorities said.