Briefs, September 28, 2012

Icebreaker back from landmark Arctic trip

An icebreaker docked at Shanghai yesterday after becoming the first vessel from China to cross the Arctic Ocean. With melting ice caps accelerating the opening of new shipping routes and the exploration of oil, gas and mineral deposits in the Arctic, China has been eager to gain a foothold in the region. The Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, returned to Shanghai after a three-month mission that took it from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic via the Arctic. The 119 crew completed an oceanic survey around Iceland. AP

Bo's immunity from prosecution retained

Chongqing's disgraced former Communist Party secretary Bo Xilai may be spared prosecution - for now. Cqnews.net reported that the city had wrapped up its local legislature's four-day standing committee meeting without mentioning a review of Bo's membership at the national legislature, which makes him immune from prosecution. The meeting also approved the appointment of Li Weichao to head the city's supervision bureau, succeeding Xu Hairong , who had been promoted as Chongqing's propaganda chief . Choi Chi-yuk

School library collapse leaves 11 hurt in Henan

The main building of a middle school's six-floor library, still under construction, collapsed in Qinyang city, Henan , injuring at least 11 people, Dahe.cn reported. The building collapsed around 3.30pm, when thousands of students were at the school. He Huifeng

Opera-bikini fusion sparks fierce debate

Bikini-clad women wearing headpieces styled after Peking Opera attire sparked debate after photos were made public this week. Organisers of the Miss Bikini International Committee defended the use of the traditional opera elements as a bold artistic move. AP