The Beijing News
September 21, 2007

The front page photo shows Macao gambling tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun standing next to a bronze horse head, which was looted from Yuanmingyuan (the Old Summer Palace) in the 19th century by British and French troops. Mr. Ho bought the statue prior to its scheduled auction for HK$69.1 million (US$8.9 million) yesterday, and then returned it to the motherland. The price sets a new record for Qing Dynasty sculpture.

Other headlines:
• Starting today, people can pay bills using their bus farecards at convenience stores;
• High school students in Beijing must perform 10 days of volunteer work over 3 school years, according to a new regulation from the Beijing Education Committee;
• China's women's soccer team beat New Zealand 2:0 yesterday to enter the quarterfinals;
• English soccer team Chelsea FC announced the departure of former coach Jose Mourinho; his successor hasn't been decided yet.