A toy story in Chinese culture

Even after two months, Wang Zhenhua is furious with the tour guide at Hemudu Neolithic cultural site in Zhejiang province for opening her remarks on the ancient Chinese mortise-and-tenon joint (sun mao) culture by asking the 30-odd about-12-year-old visitors whether they have played with Lego building toys.

Secondhand toy market remains tepid

Most parents might have faced one thorny question: What to do with the toys their children no longer like or have no use for?

China vows to boost ties with Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan, - Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, and Kazakh leaders have agreed to boost mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas.

US deemed winner in trade pact, but Japan also gains

The United States has come out ahead in a trade agreement struck with Japan on Wednesday, but Japan gains by avoiding extra tariffs on automobiles and keeps its rice market protected, some experts said.

Amazon rainforest blazes raging out of control

Firefighters in Bolivia are losing their battle against fires that are burning huge tracts of the rainforest, as the international support they are receiving appears insufficient.

Iran demands US 'pay more' for wider deal

UNITED NATIONS - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani demanded on Wednesday that the United States "pay more" for any agreement that goes beyond the 2015 Iran nuclear deal that Washington abandoned.

Wang Yi: Ancient wisdom can fix today's problems

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has suggested looking to ancient civilizations to solve today's problems.

Johnson under fire over heated Brexit rhetoric

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been accused of stoking dangerous divisions over Brexit after angry exchanges dominated the first House of Commons debate since the United Kingdom Supreme Court ruled his five-week prorogation, or suspension of Parliament, unlawful.

IMF has first leader from 'emerging market'

Bulgarian economist Kristalina Georgieva was confirmed as the new chief of the International Monetary Fund, or IMF, on Wednesday, becoming the first person from an emerging-market economy to lead the fund since its inception in 1944, the fund's executive board noted in a statement.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

More funds, but hopes stretched in food crisis

One meal a day is the harsh reality of life for people in some towns of Argentina, even though the country is both a major grain producer and exporter of farm produce.

Rescuers battle to find Pakistan quake victims

MIRPUR, Pakistan-controlled Kashmir - Rescue workers battled on Wednesday to reach people affected by a shallow earthquake that rocked northeast Pakistan a day earlier, killing at least 28 people and injuring hundreds more as it tore roads apart and felled buildings.