Wooden library lures bookworms outside Beijing
Beijing: Deep in the heart of a valley surrounded by rocky hills, a wooden library sits just over a creek on the outskirts of Beijing, seemingly in the middle of nowhere.
Every weekend, hundreds of bookworms flock to Liyuan Library in Jiaojiehe village, a book sanctuary surrounded by chestnut, walnut and peach trees whose branches were used to decorate the building.
The lush environment is what first drew architect Li Xiaodong to the village — the library has a steel and glass base but its facade is cladded with branches and twigs arranged in vertical rows. Visitors cross a narrow wooden bridge which leads to a bright and airy space, sunlight seeping in through gaps in the uneven wood, a design feature.
Bookshelves that double up as walls line the reading area — basically one large room — and readers lounge with tomes on the floor or on elevated platforms.
With space for just 40 people at a time, visitors stand in line to enter the library, which only opens on weekends.
The library, which opened in April 2012, draws hundreds of visitors every weekend, many of whom are attracted by the design, which makes for great pictures on social media.
“We have now banned taking pictures inside, as some people come here just for taking pictures. They even come in costumes, that’s really disturbing,” owner Pan Xi told AFP. “We still want to give those who love reading a conducive environment.” (AFP)
China executes man who stabbed nine children to death
Beijing: A man whose brutal knife attack left nine schoolchildren dead and injured 12 others was executed in China on Thursday.
Zhao Zewei was sentenced to death in July for the massacre — reportedly motivated by a grudge against the school in northern Shaanxi province, which he had attended as a child.
The defendant “intentionally deprived others of their lives,” the court that handed down the decision said in a statement on its official social media account.
“Because his work and life were not going well, Zhao Zewei held a grudge in his heart and took it out on innocents,” it said.
The April attack on the Number Three Middle School came as children were heading home from class. At the time, Zhao told police he had been “bullied” when he attended the school as a child, “hated” his classmates and decided to use a “dagger” to exact revenge. Knife attacks are not uncommon in China. Incidents have targeted schoolchildren in the past, forcing authorities to increase security around schools. (AFP)
Late passenger tries to halt plane at Dublin, arrested
Dublin: A passenger was arrested for trying to flag down an aircraft after reaching late at the Dublin Airport on Thursday. According to an airport spokesperson, the man and another woman arrived after the departure gate for a Ryanair flight for Amsterdam had been closed.
The spokesperson said that as the two passengers spoke to Ryanair staff at the gate, the man became agitated and started to bang on the window looking out onto the flight, the Irish Mirror reported.
He then broke through a door and went out onto the tarmac, shouting at the pilot of the departing plane to wait for him.
The passenger made it to the taxiing Ryanair aircraft before being arrested by the police. He did not make it on board and the flight departed 21 minutes behind schedule, according to the BBC. (IANS)