Sex, violence widespread online

Tens of millions of primary and middle school students see widespread pornography and cyberviolence, a recent survey shows, as China has ratcheted up its efforts to eliminate such content over the last decade.

Village recovers after flood; many lifted out of poverty

Tourism has invigorated the outlying area - Hongqi village - in Antu county, Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture in Jilin province, which has been poverty-stricken for years.

In Shanghai, people told to stand still on escalators

Save your look of judgment for anyone blocking your path as you try to walk past them on an escalator in Shanghai. The new safety notices posted in every metro station in the city tell you to stand still.

City will stop planting certain trees to curtail catkins

Beijing will ban the planting of female poplar trees in the future to prevent the mess of willow and poplar catkins - fuzzy reproductive tufts - that blow throughout the city every spring, creating problems for traffic, street cleaners and people with allergies.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Govt moves to cut chemical plant risks

Authorities said special experts will be designated to help govern the hazardous chemical industry in key areas, while ramping up efforts to move plants out of densely populated areas.

Test tube baby grows up, gives birth

The first test-tube baby on the Chinese mainland, a female born in 1988, is now an adult and gave birth to a healthy boy on Monday, Peking University Third Hospital announced.

Country to prohibit or restrict several polluting compounds

China has banned or restricted certain chemicals that have been identified as persistent organic pollutants in order to fulfill its international obligations, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

Turtle species nears extinction as last known female dies

The Yangtze giant softshell turtle, a critically endangered species that has populated the earth for 270 million years - outliving the dinosaurs - has taken a step closer to extinction following the death of the only known female.

Scientists get new molecular insights on bone loss

Scientists for the first time have clearly seen the molecular structure where a hormone related to osteoporosis attaches to the body, providing valuable insight into potential therapies.

Govt pledges to boost coal mine safety

The country's top coal mine safety watchdog has pledged to "fundamentally improve" safety by enhancing the quality of workers and promoting automation.

Authorities probe Mercedes-Benz brouhaha

The market regulatory authority in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, has urged a local Mercedes-Benz dealer to give a customer a refund after she claimed the new car's engine was defective on the day she bought it.