Farmer fails to buy insurance for pigs

A farmer in Sichuan Province who wanted to buy accident insurance for his pigs was refused by insurance companies, reports Chengdu Commercial News.

Chen, a native of Guihua Village, spent 15,000 yuan (US$1,800) on 32 young hogs at the beginning of this year; and worried about a loss should an unforeseen event occur, Chen planned to buy insurance.

But a local insurance company said it had no such coverage.

Tamer attacked by tigers dies in hospital

A tamer who was seriously injured by tigers at a wildlife park in Ya'an, Sichuan Province, on Tuesday died in hospital, reports Tianfu Morning Post.

Tang Mingli, 22, entered the animals' enclosure alone while herding them back and was attacked by around 20 Siberian tigers.

He was rushed to a hospital immediately but died on Wednesday of serious wounds to his head and chest.

The park's officials said Tang, according to regulations, should have only entered the enclosure in a group of two or three.

Trio try to grab transsexual's card

Three culprits who molested a transsexual woman in the news and grabbed her credit card were detained by police in Sichuan Province for robbery on Wednesday, reports China West Metropolis News.

The three businessmen, all natives of Fujian Province, said they were at a hotel at Monday midnight when Chen Lili, 24, gave them a call and arrived at their room to seduce them.

But Chen argued she just wanted to chat and was harassed by the three, who took away her credit card.

Chen won fame after her application to join the Miss Universe-China competition was turned down earlier this month because she was born a man.

Asia's 'biggest man' seeks challenger

A huge man who stands 2.4 metres tall and weighs about 130 kilograms arrived in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, on Wednesday to seek fame by challenging others to compete with him in appearance and eloquence, reports Chengdu Commercial News.

Huang Chengqiu, 36, a native of Central China's Hunan Province, instantly attracted attention when he appeared in an exhibition centre that afternoon.

Dubbed the biggest man in Asia, Huang reportedly excels in many aspects and is ready to challenge anyone more than 2 metres tall to a personality contest.

Top ticket for epicpriced at US$12,000

The highest price of a ticket to a song-and-dance epic, set to open on April 30 in Sichuan Province, is a staggering 99,999 yuan (US$12,000), reports Tianfu Morning Post.

The epic, Yixingjingtian, or Awakening Jolted the Heaven, is about a legendary love story set some 5,000 years ago and it's believed that a top Hong Kong pop singer will be in the show.

Of the 20 tickets, eight have been bought by well-known entrepreneurs, the producer said.

Student seeks eye surgery companions

A college student in Chongqing is seeking two mates to undergo eye surgery because three patients or more enjoy a 600 yuan (US$73) discount each in medical fees, reports Chongqing Morning Post.

Xiao Lan, a junior student, put up the notice on campus recently, looking for at least two fellow students who also want an operation to cure their shortsightedness.

She wants to get rid of her glasses as graduation is around the corner; and she would be looking for a job.

(China Daily 03/19/2004 page4)