IN BRIEF (Page 25)

Men jailed for abandoning friend

Two men who left their drunken friend outside in cold weather, leading to his death, were sentenced to one year in jail and ordered to pay compensation of 390,000 yuan ($57,000) by Dongcheng court on Tuesday, the Beijing Evening News reported yesterday. The two men and their 22-year-old friend, surnamed Song, ate their dinner with a large amount of alcohol on March 12. The two men left Song who was said to be completely drunk in an unfinished building and at 7 am the following morning, Song was discovered frozen to death.

Autumn hiking festival

The 2009 Beijing International Long Distance Walk Carnival will be held along the Ming Tombs Reservoir in Changping district on Nov 1. Enrolment for participants began on Monday, the Beijing Youth reported yesterday. The 16 km's walk highlights this year's theme of "Creating jobs in Changping and walking toward health". Anyone who can successfully finish the 16 km will get a Changping apple. It is estimated that around 2,000 people will join the long distance walk. Interested hikers can sign up at any of the 8 branches of Tai Kang Life Company.

Heart attack on subway

A British man on his way to Beijing Capital International Airport suffered a heart attack in the subway on Monday, the Beijing Youth Daily reported yesterday. The man aged is in his 60s was found at Dongzhimen station on Line 13. He could hardly walk at that time. People who work in the subway gave him some water and sugars because they thought he had hypoglycemia. Subway employees accompanied the man to the airport. He was sent to hospital after arriving at the airport, and doctors diagnosed a heart attack. He is in stable condition after a surgery.

Pet murder costs 50,000 yuan

A man, who claims he was looking after a Siberian husky for a friend, is being sued for almost 50,000 yuan from a neighbor who says his dog was bitten to death by the animal.

In the case, accepted by Shijingshan district court yesterday, Mr Wang said his Pomeranian was killed when walking in his community after the husky bit its neck. The dog later died. The defendant, Mr Hou, said the dog belonged to a friend and the incident was not his responsibility. The court has asked both parties to submit more evidence.

(China Daily 10/28/2009 page25)