GENEVA / AP The number of Syrians who have fled their country after six years of war has surpassed the 5 million mark, the UN refugee agency said on Thursday. UNHCR announced the milestone a year after participating countries at a Geneva conference pledged to “resettle and facilitate pathways for 500,000 refugees” from Syria — but that only half …

  DUJIANGYAN / AP Failing eyesight, poor digestion, bad teeth, limbs no longer so limber: With captive giant pandas living longer than ever, the list of their physical and even emotional needs is growing. China, the pandas’ native home, is seeking to cater to those requirements with a special home for the old timers along with customized diets, exercise and other …

  Bloomberg China’s state-owned enterprise regulator has asked coal mining giant Shenhua Group Corp. and power generator China Datang Corp. to discuss a possible merger, according to people with knowledge of the situation. The talks are at an early stage and there’s no guarantee of a deal, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the information isn’t …