This is the first price adjustment since the Ministry of Railways was dismantled to make way for market fluctuations in ticket pricing.

 

　　Since the end of the National Peoples Congress on Sunday, the new state-owned company China Railway Corporation is in charge of the country's ticket pricing.

 

　　Discounts are available on services including the Z56, the T76 and the T295 until December 31.

 

　　However, the offer will be suspended during the National Day holiday, from September 30 to October 7.

 

　　The policy means that passengers taking short trips can save almost half the price on some tickets.

 

　　For example, a bottom berth on the T295 Shanshan-Urumqi service is 30.5 yuan, a reduction of 48 percent.

 

　　Earlier at the mid of last year, business class at some high speed rail trains from Shanghai to Hangzhou, from Shanghai to Nanjing offered 30% discounted ticket price.

 

　　China Daily

 

　　"38% of Chinese Suffer From Sleep Disorder"

 

　　Chinese Sleep Research Society (CSRS) says nearly 40 percent of Chinese people suffer from various kinds of sleep problems.

 

　　The world average stands at 27 percent.

 

　　Han Fang, head of CSRS, says sleep apnea can raise the death risk of heart disease.

 

　　Currently there are over 80 kinds of sleep disorders, and most people are not aware that sleep disorder can trigger heart disease.

 

　　Every day, more than 3,000 people die of disease related to sleep apnea.

 

　　The annual World Sleep Day is March 21, and this year the theme in China is "Focus on sleep, focus on heart".

 

　　In research led by the Chinese Medical Doctors Association Beijing and Dongguan in Guangdong province are listed as "sleepless cities".

 

　　Zhengzhou and Xiamen are the best for sleeping.

 

　　The research shows the two cities haven't provided a comfortable environment for their residents to sleep.

 

　　At the same time, most residents are not taking sleep seriously.

 

　　The Guardian

 

　　"UK Increased Recycling Rates Fastest in Europe over Past Decade"

 

　　Official statistics published on Tuesday showed recycling rates in the UK rose faster in the first decade of the millennium than any other country in Europe.

 

　　The UK started from a low base in 2001 – recycling rates were just 12% for all municipal waste.

 

　　However, it increased by the greatest amount by 2010, reaching 39%, on a par with the average for the EU.

 

　　But the European Environment Agency, which released the figures, warned that many countries will fail to meet a European directive of recycling 50% of waste by 2020. Some countries, such as Germany, Austria and Belgium, already recycle more than half of their waste.

 

　　Others, in particular those in south-eastern Europe, are straggling far behind: Greece only recycles 18%, up from 9% in 2001, while Romania recycles just 1%. In a few cases, countries have gone backwards, with Norway's rates falling from 44% to 42%, and Finland's dropping from 34% to 33%.

 

　　Australia Network News

 

　　"Concussion Treatment to Bring Football Heads Together"

 

　　The heads of Australia's four football codes will meet in Melbourne tomorrow to discuss how to deal with concussion in their sports.

 

　　They are hoping to work out a common plan of attack for treating and researching the condition.

 

　　The move comes as US sporting bodies enact new guidelines to ensure US athletes suspected of concussion are removed from play immediately.

 

　　Clinical neuropsychologist Dr Andrew Gardner, who will speak at the two-day Melbourne meeting, says Australian sporting bodies are heading in a similar direction.

 

　　The Melbourne conference will hear from all codes about their current practice in dealing with concussion.

 

　　Most are using similar assessment tools and will not let players back on the field until they are cleared.

 

　　The AFL is finalising new guidelines, which are expected to be released tomorrow.

 

　　Meanwhile the NRL recently changed its protocols to make sure players showing signs of concussion do not return to the game that day or thereafter until they are cleared by the club doctor.