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Shanghai Wildlife Park has promptly suspended the trainer caught on video beating and kicking a bear cub. According to the park, the trainer was "not a staff member with the park, but was with a circus team from neighboring Anhui Province, which provides shows to visitors under contract with the park. The bear was also brought by the circus team." more ›

After hearing loud cries coming from inside a building, a visitor at the Shanghai Wildlife Park decided to check out what was happening and record what they saw. Inside, one trainer is seen using a metal pipe (it's not entirely clear whether they are using the pipes to beat the cubs or whether they are simply a part of the performance?) as he tugs and kicks a young black bear. The cub is obviously distressed, and the trainer is obviously accustomed to using force. more ›

One unbearable side effect to the opening of borders between Russia and China has been the rise in sales of illegal animal parts, says the New York Times. And though tiger bones, deer musk and frogs are smuggled in as well, the most popular item in this underground market is bear paws. more ›

By Richard Yu more ›

This may get to you too late (unfortunately we have a 9 to 5 and can't blog on demand), but tonight, instead of sitting on your ass in front of the computer, stop by The Shelter and witness their first experiment with a four-piece (or more) band. Angry Jerks (last seen playing in Shanghai in March of 2007) from Nanjing, one of the tightest punk outfits this side of the Pacific, will be joined by those always pleasant Boys Climbing Ropes (we hear they like to climb ropes because of that special tingling sensation they get in their pants). more ›

Late last year, Shanghaiist ran several stories on the abhorrent Animal Olympics event held in Shanghai. Such was the media and public backlash against this event, we didn't expect to see performances of its ilk again in Shanghai. Optimists like us are often proven wrong. Shanghai Wild Animal Park, the organisers of last year's Animal Olympics, appear to be up to their old tricks. more ›

Sunday. Usually, a quiet, contemplative day in the Blogosphere. But not here in the Ist-a-Verse. Nonono! Just look below and see all of the wild and crazy stuff our staffs are up to. more ›

-Bostonist discussed two big state issues-- what sort of math constitutes a marriage and what kind of alcohol can be sold in most grocery stores. And the politically minded Curt Schilling went on "Jeopardy!". more ›

Austinist was in an entertainment state of mind as they covered the dickens out of the Austin Film Festival, depicted all the Big 12 football coaches as South Park characters, and interviewed Jose Gonzalez. more ›