IN BRIEF (Page 4)

N. China is breathing a little easier

A government action plan addressing air pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has achieved better-than-expected results, the country's top environmental authority said on Thursday.

Ban on solid waste imports extended

China will ban the import of 32 types of solid waste, as part of its latest move to reduce environmental pollution, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said on Thursday.

Sewage in 'secret pipes' probed in Jiangsu

Authorities have launched an investigation into a sewage discharge in three industrial parks in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, the provincial environmental protection bureau said on Thursday.

Kangaroo dies after zoo visitors throw rocks at it; second animal injured later

A kangaroo at an animal park in South China died after being pelted with jagged stones by visitors, while another was injured in a separate incident days later.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)

High-end getaway 'is worth it'

White-collar workers in big cities are turning to the natural beauty of the countryside on weekends to enjoy a break, and decompress from the pressures of urban life in the process.

Two new lung cancer medicines offer hope

Late-stage lung cancer patients who have built up a tolerance to some drugs may have new hope thanks to two domestically developed medicines, doctors from Shanghai Chest Hospital said on Thursday.

To dampen jaywalking, city turns to water spray

Traffic police in Daye, Hubei province, set up water-spraying equipment near a crosswalk on Monday to stop people from jaywalking. The targeted mists have an obvious effect, local police said.

Number of UAV pilots takes off

The number of civilian pilots certified to operate unmanned aerial vehicles - known as UAVs or drones - and training centers has soared over the past four years, according to an industry report released on Wednesday.

Drones help ease China's labor shortage in rural areas

NANCHANG - Aerial drones have become a new source of income for 41-year-old Xin Jianying, a resident of Jiangxi province, who has only a primary school education.

Airline produces manual for in-flight medical emergencies

The nation's first manual for in-flight first-aid was published on Wednesday by China Eastern Airlines, which hopes to set the standard for handling medical emergencies in the air.