Realty sector to remain relatively stable

Real estate investment remained high in the first half of this year. The total real estate investment nationwide from January to June was 6.16 trillion yuan ($892.89 billion), up 10.9 percent year on year. In June alone, real estate investment reached 1.55 trillion yuan, an increase of 31.01 percent from the previous month, indicating high market investment enthusiasm.

How many lives is Notre Dame worth?

Just a little more than 24 hours after the fire that seriously damaged Notre-Dame de Paris on April 15, donations to rebuild the 850-year-old cathedral had crossed e1 billion ($1.1 billion). Most of the money came from some of France's wealthiest people. Untec, the national union representing construction economists in France, has indicated that the cost of the reconstruction is likely to be between e300 and e600 million, far less than the amount raised.

The strange case of fans creating celebrities

John Lennon, formerly of the Beatles, was shot by a crazed fan on Dec 8, 1980, reflecting the ugliest side of the mostly intense, sometimes intractable, relationship between fans and their idols.

Equities tumble on Asian bourses

China's A-share market, together with other Asian peers, tumbled on Friday, after the unexpected tariff threat from the United States overnight rattled investors globally.

ChinaJoy gaming expo attracts foreign players

While a growing number of overseas game industry leaders are reaching into the Chinese market, more Chinese game developers and publishers are looking beyond the domestic market to a bigger arena.

Shanghai and Bangkok look to forge closer ties

Shanghai and Bangkok are expected to build closer economic ties due to the extended development of the Belt and Road Initiative, the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, as well as Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), officials said.

Upbeat words in Bangkok need corresponding actions

The messages from the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Bangkok, as well as that between the top diplomats of China and the United States appear more positive than anticipated.

Fed's rate cut shows US economy suffering

That the US Federal Reserve decided on Wednesday to cut its key interest rate for the first time since December 2008 during the depths of the global financial crisis suggests that the US economy is facing a possible downturn, and it is not doing as well as some would have us believe.

Investments by private enterprises can resuscitate Northeast China

NORTHEAST CHINA, the country's rust belt, has recently seen a batch of investments by big companies. China Daily writer Li Yang comments:

Sweaters in 30 C, are the kids OK?

SOME CHILDREN that appeared to be under the age of 10 were seen being photographed wearing heavy sweaters on the Bund in Shanghai recently, even though the outdoor temperature was 30 C. China Daily writer Zhang Zhouxiang comments:

Shanghai talks produce some positive energy

Editor's note: China and the United States held their 12th round of high-level economic and trade consultations in Shanghai on Tuesday and Wednesday - a concrete action to implement the consensus reached between the heads of the two countries on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka in June. Zhong Sheng, a columnist for People's Daily, comments:

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