UN warns world must take 'unprecedented' steps to avert worst effects of global warming

INCHEON, Republic of Korea - Society would have to enact "unprecedented" changes to how it consumes energy, travels and builds to meet a lower global warming target or it risks increases in heat waves, flood-causing storms and the chances of drought in some regions as well as the loss of species, a UN report said on Monday.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Sayonara Tsukiji as exodus of famed fish market begins

TOKYO - Hundreds of fishmongers on forklifts and trucks rose before dawn in Tokyo to join a mammoth exodus of vendors as the world-famous Tsukiji market relocates to a new site.

New UK theater comedy dramatizes Brexit breakups

LONDON - Friends shunned, lovers torn apart and emotions exploding: a new play running in London this month tackles the very personal divisions in British society caused by Brexit.

French ham fans bring pigs back from the brink

LA CHAPELLE-DU-BARD, France - A breed of hairy Hungarian pig which had nearly disappeared in Europe is once again thriving in the hills of southeast France - ironically thanks to ham lovers who have high hopes for the animal's famed fat.

Festival eyes China-US progress in film, tech

LOS ANGELES - "The US has been leading the world with her technological innovation and cultural creativity, while China has abundant human resources and a vast market," Wang Hanguang, chairman of Hanhai Studios, told the third Hollywood Entertainment Technology Festival.

Sydney Opera House 'advertising' sparks uproar

SYDNEY - A government push to use the Sydney Opera House's sails to advertise a horse racing event over the wishes of the building's management has sparked uproar among many Australians over the commercialization of an iconic landmark.

African students set their sights on China

An increasing number of African students are choosing universities in China to study medicine.

Early start made on road to traditional Chinese medicine

A pale light seeped through the window of a small room where a man sat at a table next to a curtained-off bed.

THRONE ROOM

This hall feels like an Ikea store, but in a Chinese royal style.

RUNNERS WITH VISION

Running a marathon takes determination, courage, perseverance. It is an arduous undertaking that requires months of dedicated training. But for some of the runners on the Beijing marathon on Sept 16, they had to overcome challenges far greater than the majority of those they competed against. For 21 of the runners pounding the capital's roads were visually impaired and had to compete "tied" to another runner for guidance.

Blood thicker than water for top liver surgeon

Over four days in Beijing last year, Taiwan surgeon Chen Chao-long performed 13 liver transplant operations. Each lasted several hours, and he had to survive on just four hours of sleep a night, sometimes less.