Woman wins 'China's best job'

Yesterday, Huang Peipei, 23, of Beijing, won the contest for "China's best job" after making a speech, competing in a talent show and taking a written test. Her job is to write blogs, shoot promotion videos and recruit and organize netizens to visit the Nanhu Lake Senic Spot in Xinyang City, Henan Province. She will be named "master" of the 61 islands that form the scenic spot and her yearly salary will be 300,000 yuan, local media reported.

[Background] Briton wins 'Best Job in the World'

Ben Southall, 34, a British charity worker, beat out nearly 35,000 applicants from around the world for a six-month dream assignment, reported the Fox News on May 6, 2009. He will earn AU$150,000 to swim, explore and relax on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef while writing a blog to promote the area. The job is part of a tourism campaign to publicize the charms of northeastern Queensland of Australia.

Banks raise service fees

Chinese banks are raising service fees for interbank ATM cash withdrawals in the same city. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China and Bank of China all raised the minimum charge of this service from 2 to 4 yuan. Bank of Communications and Guangdong Development Bank also said they will raise this charge soon.

China to invest to protect dolphins

The Guangzhou Daily reported today that based on the advice of experts, construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge will face restrictions between April and August, the reproductive season of the Chinese white dolphin. To minimize the impact on marine life, particularly the rare Chinese white dolphin, many new measures, which will cost about 3.67 billion yuan, have been adopted. To build fewer piers, heights of the non-navigation channels in shoal water and deep water have been readjusted from 70 meters to 85 meters and 70 meters to 110 meters, respectively. Offshore operation has been replaced by onshore operation.

EU retirees drive to China in RVs

20 RVs with EU license plates arrived in Beijing Friday, the Beijing Times reported. About 40 Europeans, who have an average age of 65, are the drivers. All retirees said they want to entertain themselves by traveling the world. They started their journey from Germany on May 15 and have passed through Poland, Austria, Russia and Mongolia. On July 16, they entered China through Inner Mongolia's Erenhot. Reportedly, they will head to Xi'an, a city along the Silk Road, after four nights in Beijing. They are expected to finish the half-year journey in Istanbul by November.

Model spy now a topless doll

Russian spy Anna Chapman has been made into two action figures: the topless "The Spy I Could Love" (L) and the Predator (R) spy girl.

Russian spy Anna Chapman has been made into two action figures, including a topless doll armed with a gun, the Daily Mail of London reported. Models of the redhead are being sold for US$29.95 (RMB203). The doll manufacturer Herobuilders.com has produced the topless "The Spy I Could Love" and curvy "Predator" figures. The Predator spy girl is muscular with a white vest, high-waisted jeans and a pistol in her left hand. The Spy I Could Love wears a tartan skirt, white schoolgirl socks and not a lot else. Orders for the dolls are already flooding in, with the semi-nude version the favorite, according to the New York Daily News.

German festival stampede kills 19

At least 19 people died in a stampede at the Love Parade dance music festival in the western German city of Duisburg on July 24, the BBC reported. Police had been trying to stop people from reaching the parade area because of overcrowding. But the spectators panicked at a tunnel entrance. About 100 people were also injured, dozens seriously. More than 1 million people are believed to have attended the event.

Unexpected data charges for iPhone

Some British iPhone users have complained of large and unexpected bills when they return from vacation, the Telegraph reports. One user said she was charged almost ￡1,500 even though she had turned off data roaming on her phone throughout her trip to the US. Many users who have complained to their network have been given refunds.

'Sorry' gets shorter jail sentences

Tens of thousands of British criminals may be able to reduce their sentences by apologizing to their victims, the Guardian reported. Crispin Blunt, the prisons minister, is considering implementing this policy so victims can come face-to-face with the person who committed the crime against them. Two charities, Victim Support and the Restorative Justice Consortium, released a report suggesting the policy could save ￡185m in two years by cutting reoffending.

Most pet dogs are too fat

A majority of pet dogs are too fat, according to a report by the Telegraph. A recent study found that 6 out of 10 adult dogs are classified as overweight or obese. A lack of exercise, being fed table scraps and being given too many snacks or treats are three factors for the rise in dog obesity. Researchers also found that dogs were more likely to be overweight if their owners were elderly, poor or if the owners were obese. Researchers took the measurements of 700 dogs and their owners at 5 veterinary practices around Glasgow, Britain. The results were published in the British Journal of Small Animal Practice.

Beer served in road kill

BrewDog, a brewer from Scotland, has created a bottle of ale which costs ￡500 and will be sold inside dead stuffed animals, the Daily Mail reported. The animals are not killed for packaging purposes but died in road accidents. The 12 bottles of The End Of History ale have been made and placed inside 7 dead stoats, 4 squirrels and 1 hare. Outfits featured on some of the animals include a kilt and a top hat. Containing 55 percent alcohol, the brewing firm says it is the world's strongest beer.

(China.org.cn July 28, 2010)