Shanxi's Youyu wins the battle to create forests from barren land

Sixty years ago, Youyu county in North China's Shanxi province was a place known for its sandstorms, and barren land and hills. Now, however, it is a national ecological demonstration zone and a 4A-level tourism area.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

EU urged to play larger role to solve DPRK issue

A senior European Union official has urged the bloc to join the diplomatic effort to ease the tensions threatening security in Northeast Asia.

Manila calls for breakthrough to reach free trade agreement

MANILA - The Philippines on Thursday urged ASEAN's member states and dialogue partners to expedite talks on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, saying the proposed pact will "tremendously" benefit Southeast Asia.

Ministers test response in cyber war game

TALLINN, Estonia - European Union defense ministers were scheduled to hold a cyber war game for the first time on Thursday to test their ability to respond to a potential attack by computer hackers on one of the bloc's military missions abroad.

Ex-envoy: Washington accepts fact that Assad winning, staying

DAMASCUS, Syria - The United States has accepted the fact that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is winning and staying, as his administration is in its strongest military position in six years, former US ambassador to Syria Robert Ford said on Wednesday, the pan-Arab Mayadeen TV reported.

British city eyes closer links with China

CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom - The mayor of the British city of Cambridge on Wednesday hailed the Belt and Road Initiative, saying he is looking forward to closer relations with China in an effort to boost economic development.

George starts first day at school

LONDON - Britain's Prince George began his first day at school on Thursday. Holding hands with his father Prince William, 4-year-old George arrived at Thomas's Battersea school, a preparatory school in southwest London.

Deadly hurricane pounds Caribbean

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms in a century, killed at least 10 people and plunged Puerto Rico into darkness on Thursday as it swept through Caribbean islands while aiming for Florida.

IMF warns of aging populations in Asia

SEOUL - The chief of the International Monetary Fund warned on Thursday that aging populations in key Asian economies will drag on their growth, urging policymakers to step up their response to shifting demographics.

Merkel vows to press on with rallies despite jeers

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed on Thursday to press on with election campaign rallies in places where she has been greeted with choruses of jeers and whistles, saying she intended to take a stand against hate.

Kubuqi desert turns over a new leaf, as planting program blossoms

The Kubuqi, China's seventh largest desert, is turning into a land of green - after years of effort and innovation using desertification control methods.