EU leaders sign unity pledge on 60th birthday

ROME - European Union leaders on Saturday marked the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Treaty of Rome, with a major ceremony in the Italian capital.

Thousands demonstrate in London against Brexit

Thousands of people marched through London on Saturday to protest against Britain leaving the European Union, just four days before Prime Minister Theresa May launches the start of the formal divorce process from the bloc it joined 44 years ago.

Iraqi military cast doubt on airstrike claims in Mosul

BAGHDAD - The Iraqi military on Sunday blamed the Islamic State militant group for the killing of dozens of civilians at a house in western Mosul.

Death reported at immigration center

TOKYO - A Vietnamese man held in a Japanese immigration detention center died on Saturday, six people told Reuters, drawing fresh attention to conditions in the country's detention system.

Australia braces for 'destructive' cyclone

SYDNEY - Australians are bracing for the worst cyclone in the country's northeast in several years, with residents evacuated and schools closed amid forecasts of destructive winds and rain.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

IHG to bolster local presence

Having become the international hospitality group with the largest number of hotels in China in 2016 - 292 properties in total - Inter-Continental Hotels Group plans to continue to advance its position by almost doubling its presence in the country, the firm announced on Tuesday.

Upgrades for club members

InterContinental Hotels Group, one of the world's leading hotel companies, announced that IHG Rewards Club Spire Elite Members - the company's highest level of elite membership - can now enjoy tier-exclusive benefits when staying at any IHG hotel in China.

Hilton announces expansion into mid-range segment

Hilton has announced that it will expand its brand portfolio and double the number of hotels under its banner in China to cater to a wider range of consumer groups during the country's consumption upgrading and supply-side economic reforms.

Roundup

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30 Chinese winners make Forbes rating list

Forbes Travel Guide released its annual Star Rating list in February, featuring 30 five-star winners from China.

Water crisis threat to world's children

NEW YORK - About 600 million children, or one in four worldwide, will be living in areas with extremely limited water resources by 2040, according to a report released by the United Nations Children's Fund on Wednesday to mark World Water Day.