Growth in China’s services sector slipped to a six-month low in July as new orders rose at their weakest rate in at least a year, taking some of the shine off an industry that has been a bright spot in the Chinese economy this year.

Scientists have found a region in the brain that controls ageing — opening up possibilities for slowing age-related diseases and increasing lifespan.

China’s communists called the scandal surrounding disgraced politician Bo Xilai a “profound lesson” for the ruling party, as delegates gathered in Beijing on the eve of a key leadership congress.

China completed an unprecedented clean sweep of gold medals to end their controversial London 2012 tournament with an emphatic statement.

Families living in one of Shanghai's many industrial suburbs say their children are suffering from lead poisoning from nearby factories and recycling facilities.

A 71-year-old grandmother has become a local celebrity in China for her valiant efforts to control traffic at a busy pedestrian crossing.

WELSH side Ospreys could suffer a Magners League points deduction as the fallout continues from their request to postpone a rescheduled match with Ulster.

Soldiers blew up wooden houses and other debris today in a lake formed by China’s deadly earthquake to speed the flow of water into a diversion channel and ease the threat of flooding for more than 1 million people in the sprawling disaster zone.

DUBLIN-based Treasury Holdings yesterday announced a €1.2 billion joint venture to develop a 900-acre island site off the coast of China.

THE World Health Organisation lifted its travel warning against Beijing yesterday, giving a clean bill of health to the capital of the nation where the SARS outbreak began.

Struggling to contain Sars, Beijing officials sealed off a third hospital today, closed college dormitories and ordered 4,000 people who might have been exposed to the killer virus to stay at home under quarantine.

A six-year-old Singaporean girl is believed to be the youngest person admitted to Mensa.