CHINA'S HIGH COURT UPHOLDS DEATH SENTENCES FOR FOUR CONVICTS

China's highest court has approved four death sentences for violent crimes in its first rulings since being handed the power of final approval on capital punishment earlier this year, state press said. Yu Maoge was convicted of killing a taxi driver in Shanghai in November 2005, Zhao Guiyong was convicted of kidnapping and killing a 10 year old boy in June 2006, Liu Shilin was convicted of rape and murder, and Li Shumu was convicted of murder and arson. "If the the supreme court approves the death penalty, they will be executed within seven days of local courts receiving the notice of the supreme court," the report said. No dates were given on when the high court rulings were handed down, nor was it clear if any of the convicts had been executed.