Over the past couple of days I have caught a couple of interesting news stories coming out of China.  Every once-in-a-while, we get the chance to hear some really odd news stories from that part of the world.

On Saturday I was watching an English translation of CCTV (Chinese) news.  There was a story of some government official (named Bi Yuxi, a highway official) who was convicted of accepting bribes and helping himself to around $360,000 of state funds.  A link to a story on this.

So one would say: "Sure...  Corruption happens.  I am sure that this guy will be punished."  That's the thing:  This guy was sentenced to death.  Of course this guy was convicted of a crime, but the punishment is awfully harsh.

The second item was something I heard on CBS radio news this morning.  Apparently there had been an attraction at safari parks in China where guests were treated to watching big cats hunt and kill their own dinners.  For a fee, patrons were allowed to watch the lions and tigers go after a horse or a cow at feeding time.  (I know that is a natural thing, but I can't imagine wanting to watch it live.)

It seems that now an animal advocacy group has won a battle to end this practice.  The animals need the fresh meat, and the simulated hunt and kill is probably good for the animals' mental health, but somehow it is a little disturbing to charge admission.