Blind activist Chen tells US lawmakers China breaking promise

Published April 09, 2013

Associated Press

Blind activist Chen Guangcheng says China is violating its promise not to persecute his family.

Speaking before a congressional panel Tuesday, Chen said his nephew has been threatened by Yinan County officials with life imprisonment if he appeals his three-year sentence for assault.

Chen Kegui was sentenced in November in a summary trial, seen as retaliation by local officials angered by his uncle's daring escape from house arrest last April. That set off a diplomatic tussle between Beijing and Washington before the elder Chen, a self-taught rights lawyer, was allowed to leave for America.

The U.S. has said Beijing gave assurances Chen's relatives would be treated in accordance with Chinese law.

Chen says local authorities have also intimidated his nephew's family.

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New Mexico donut shop cooks up 'Breaking Bad' treat with meth-like sprinkles

One donut shop in New Mexico has cooked up the essence of television’s “Breaking Bad” with treats covered with fake blue crystal meth.

Rebel Donut in Albuquerque have concocted  the “Breaking Bad” donut featuring blue frosting topped with what looks like blue crystal methamphetamine. The meth-like sprinkles mimic the highly potent blue meth made famous by the AMC’s  hit show about a high school physics teacher turned drug dealer to support his fight against cancer, KOAT reports.

"Obviously we don't call it the Blue Meth Donut," Rebel Donut owner Carrie Mettling told the station.

Actor Aaron Paul, a star of the show, was actually the first to bite into the Rebel Donut creation. Customers have been quite addicted to the creation ever since, Mettling said.

"People kept coming in (asking), ‘Do you have the Breaking Bad donuts?’" she said.

Steinar Smith, a regular at the donut shop, said there are “pluses and minuses” to playing off the illicit drug but said it was a “fun spin” on the show.

But because the name of the pastry doesn't give away what the rock candy really represents, Mettling said kid customers are left in the dark.

"People who know the show know what it is, but it's equally popular among people that don't know what the show is,” Mettling said. 

Click for more from KOAT.com.

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