Thief gets six years for stealing fake ring

A man surnamed Lu was sentenced to six years in jail in Jiaozuo, Henan province, last Monday. His crime? Stealing a fake ring.

He was also fined 1,000 yuan (about $143).

After being caught, Lu was overcome with regret when he learned the ring he had stolen was worth just 15 yuan.

Lu spotted a local resident surnamed Zhang wearing a large, shiny ring on her finger last June. He decided to follow her and then stole it.

Jiaozuo Intermediate People's Court said Lu had committed robbery even though his target was not what he thought it was.

(Dongfang Jinbao)

Penguin couple ready for the crowds in Hunan

A pair of penguins made their debut at Changsha Lieshi Park in this Hunan provincial capital last Thursday.

Da Yong and his wife Xiao Ya were flown to the central metropolis from Dalian, Liaoning province, on Tuesday.

The pair will stay in Changsha for six months.

Da Yong is eight years old, and Xiao Ya is six. Both stand about 120 cm high and weigh 25 kg each.

The two are the first penguins ever to go on display in Hunan province.

(Xiaoxiang Morning Post)

Police to keep eye on vehicles used for weddings

Starting this week, traffic police in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province, will fine drivers who cover up license plates on vehicles used to fetch brides for wedding ceremonies.

The fine will be 200 yuan ($29).

The authorities came up with the fine after a growing number of vehicles used for this purpose were reported violating traffic rules in the central metropolis.

Some of the vehicles used in wedding ceremonies have been reported to be fake or stolen.

(Henan Commercial News)

(China Daily 05/09/2008 page5)