Trending: Pigs killed by thunderbolt

A lightning strike kills hundreds of pigs. Pandas and other animals at a zoo don't like the sound of square dancing. And an angry tour guide dumps a group of Chinese tourists in a suburb when they won't go shopping.

Hundreds of pigs killed by thunderbolt

171 pigs were killed and another 110 were hurt after a thunderbolt hit a pig farm in a village in Chaling county, Hunan province on July 26, according to rednet.cn on Monday.

The owner reported that the lightning strike caused a direct economic loss of nearly 300,000 yuan ($48,683). The farm's owner buried the dead pigs in a bio-safe way and claimed the insurance.

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Bikini show arouses debate

Bikini show has aroused heated debate online after photos of models wearing makeup and accessories typically used in the traditional Chinese Min Opera (or Fujian Opera) went public on Sina Weibo, a popular social networking site in China. The combination of bikini and the traditional Chinese elements became target of attack. Many Internet users slammed it as neither fish nor fowl and said it showed disrespect for the traditional art.

Animals suffer from square dancing in zoo

Giant pandas and other animals in Nanjing Hongshan Forest zoo act agitated when hearing the sound of square dancing, The Modern Express reported on Tuesday.

Neighbors living near the zoo complain that square dancing is always accompanied by loud music and some seniors singing the chorus in the center of the zoo, which may clearly disturb people. Most of the square dancers are seniors aged over 60 who can enter the zoo for free.

According to the zoo's director, animals can be harmed by loud noises.

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A man detained for lying about a bomb on a plane

A 21-year-old man surnamed Huang, who tried to stop his girlfriend from leaving him to fly to Guangzhou, called police and claimed there was a bomb on that plane, according to Chengdu Business Daily on Tuesday.

Huang's allegation triggered alarm at the airport and among police. After passengers went through security a second time, the flight safely took off, 2 hours later than its scheduled time.

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Chinese tourists dumped in Thailand suburb

A group of 19 tourists went on a package tour to Thailand through a travel agency in Xi'an, and were dumped in a desolate suburb because they said "No" to a shopping stop required by the tour guide, Hua Shang Daily reported on Tuesday.

The package tour charged 2,500 yuan ($405) per person and the optional program charges more than the total package tour fee.

The tourists had to call the Chinese embassy for help in Thailand, and after a five-hour wait returned safely to their hotel.

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Thailand exempts Chinese tourists from visa fees for three months

2 officials get prison terms for taking bribes

Two officials in Zhanjiang have been imprisoned for taking bribes, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported on Monday.

Liang Bizhi, the former director of the city's Potou district, received corrupt payments totaling 2.6 million yuan ($423,300) plus $50,000 between 2003 and 2012. Li Guoxing, the former deputy chief of the district, received 150,000 yuan in 2010 and 2011. Liang was given 13 years in prison and Li was sentenced to 10 years and two months.

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Petitioners arrested in demolition case

Seven petitioners have been arrested after drinking pesticide at the gate of the China Youth Daily on July 16, while 14 officials from Sihong county, Jiangsu province, were punished for irregularities in a demolition project.

The protesters had petitioned repeatedly about what they considered to be unjust treatment during the project. All survived, but have since been arrested for suspected provocation, according to the State Bureau of Letters and Calls.

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Wife imprisoned for beating husband

A woman has been jailed for a year and 10 months for beating his husband and causing him to suffere a detached retina,  the Beijing Times reported on Monday.

The woman, surnamed Zong, married the victim, Yu, in 2010. Yu's colleagues said he often turned up at the office with injuries after being attacked by his wife. Zong was convicted of assault.

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Guilin starts 72-hour visa-free program

Guilin, the transport hub for the backpacker haven of Yangshuo county, began offering 72-hour visa-free stays to international transit passengers on Monday.

The policy covers travelers from 51 countries, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia and a number of European Union nations.

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