Panda killer jailed

A farmer from western China has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for shooting a giant panda cub and selling its pelt. Five other people involved in the sale of the panda fur were given prison sentences of 12 years, said the official Xinhua News Agency.

Yang Shicheng from the Chongqing region killed the cub in 1999 and sold its pelt for 200 yuan ($41) to a man from neighbouring Sichuan province.

That man resold the fur for 2000 yuan to another man, who in turn tried to peddle it at a higher price.