It’s time for another round-up of the latest news from around the capital. Read on to find out about the latest weird, wonderful, good and bad happenings in Beijing.

1) Animal lovers save dogs from certain death

A truck carrying hundreds of dogs squashed into cages was stopped at a toll-station after an animal-lover saw it and alerted other canine-carers through a Chinese micro-blogging website. Over 200 concerned people responded, and subsequently the truck was detained at the toll station while they negotiated the dogs’ release for the princely sum of $17,000. The dogs were due to be slaughtered and served in restaurants in the region. See more here.

2) Foot and mouth season is upon us, Municipal Health Bureau warns

Beijing authorities have increased vigilance after the first reported foot and mouth deaths of the year. Checkpoints are being set up in nursery and primary schools around the capital to check students for signs of the infectious disease. Any students with suspected symptoms are being sent to community health centres for immediate treatment, and teachers or nurses who show signs of the disease are exempt from work.

3) The Butcher Steakhouse closes after two years of business

Those seeking a bigger burger in Sanlitun will have certainly heard of The Butcher Steakhouse (TBS), which famously offered to reimburse customers the 138 RMB for successfully finishing their monster 5-pound (over 2 kilos!) “butcher’s burger”. Sadly though, competitive eaters, meataholics and gluttons alike will no longer be able to indulge in such heady fare, as the restaurant closed earlier this month. It follows the closing of a neighbouring Japanese restaurant and coffee bar.

4) Uproar over Dongzhimen bomber’s 7 year sentence 

The adoptive father of the Dongzhimen Bomber has criticized the court’s decision of a seven year jail sentence, stating that the boy has “severe psychological problems” and that he is being unfairly treated. The sentence follows his trial last month after the bomber, 22 year old Lei Sen, detonated a home-made device in downtown Beijing that injured an American student. Read more here.

5) Artist apps now available at Sanlitun Apple store

Art fans now no longer have to leave the comfort of their own home after Apple have made available a new ‘Artist’ application for iPhones and iPads, which allows users to download spotlight info on Chinese artists including previews of their work, critiques, and artist bios. Just don’t go looking for Ai Weiwei…

6) Lorry ‘Swallowed’ by Huge Crack in Road

On Tuesday an HGV loaded with sand suddenly disappeared in a crack in the ground. The incident, which occurred during the early hours in Fengtai District is thought to have resulted from a combination of weakened structural integrity in the road, which collapsed when the heavy lorry passed over it. The two men inside at the time were rescued unharmed.

7) Gruelling Northface 100® Race Returns to Changping County

The world-famous Northface 100® challenge returns to Beijing for a third year, and is once again to be held in Changping County. Budding contestants can choose from three race categories: 10k, 50k or 100k. For the first time in China, all three events will feature off-road sections: each discipline will cover a mixture of paved road, river bed and off-road track terrain. It is expected that more runners than ever before will enter this year’s race, and there are cash prizes for the top ten finishers in each discipline.

For more information, click here

8) First Rental Supermarket Opens

Only staying in Beijing for a short while? Got no cash to splash on pricey commodities? Want the joys of a microwave oven without the heavy burden of ownership? Then we have good news for you: the capital’s first rental supermarket has opened in Beijing! Check it out.

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Keywords: weird news Beijing Beijing watchdog April news round-up Beijing