A decision by Beijing authorities to impose tax on mooncakes, a delicacy given as gifts for the Mid-Autumn Festival, has sparked an outcry in the Chinese capital.
The cakes – heavy pastries containing sweet lotus seed paste – will from this year be considered a non-cash benefit and subject to income tax, the Global Times said, citing the Beijing Local Taxation Bureau.
A poll conducted by the microblogging service Weibo found that 96 per cent of users opposed the tax on the sweetmeat, and many Chinese said they would prefer not to receive them at all.
The tax authorities gave no reason for the move, but the price of mooncakes has soared in recent years as retailers have come up with increasingly elaborate ways to make the traditional gifts more desirable.
The most famous story linked to mooncakes is that they were used to conceal secret messages sent among Chinese revolutionaries who plotted to overthrow the Mongol invaders in the 14th century. (AFP)
Rubbish idea
Town Hall bosses have been accused of insulting taxpayers with plans to give binmen £400 iPads to do their rounds.
Bury Council, facing budget cuts of £18 million, is reportedly to buy 22 of the tablet computers to guide bin wagons around the town in Greater Manchester.
The council claims it will help save cash by improving collection rates and customer service standards and boost recycling. (PA)
Leg pull
Two members of staff at a private security firm have been sacked after an electronic tag was put on an offender’s false leg.
Christopher Lowcock, 29, wrapped his prosthetic limb in a bandage and fooled G4S staff who failed to carry out the proper tests when they set up the tag and monitoring equipment at his Rochdale home. Lowcock could then simply remove his leg – and the tag – whenever he wanted to breach his court-imposed curfew for driving, drug and weapons offences.
Managers became suspicious last month, but when they returned to the address Lowcock had already been arrested and was back in custody accused of driving while banned and without insurance. (PA)
Disco for deaf
A multi-sensory club night designed to bring deaf and hearing revellers together is coming to London.
The UK’s newest ultra-high-tech disco, Sencity, features a vibrating dance floor which responds to the base frequency of the music, sign dancers who visually interpret the music, deaf rapper Signmark, video jockeys and aroma jockeys who spread smells in a bid to convert the music into scent. In addition there will be free masseurs, hair stylists, make-up artists and circus performers. (PA)
Gloomy Britain
Britons are among the most pessimistic in the world about their country’s economic prospects.
Just nine per cent of respondents in an Ipsos MORI survey expect an improvement in the economy in six months’ time, a figure beaten only by the French with three per cent.
Of the other G8 countries, people in Canada, Germany and the United States are the most optimistic, although only a quarter believe there will be a strengthening in their economy. (PA)
Caught in the web
A US motorcycle rider has discovered the long arm of the law now reaches into cyberspace.
The incident began when a man on a motorcycle outran pursuing deputies late last week near Moxee, Washington. Sheriff’s officers later noticed a Facebook posting by a 19-year-old man boasting about eluding officers, as well as a photo of a motorcycle like to the one sought.
Police chiefs said that when the suspect was arrested by deputies with a search warrant and a printout of the page, he acknowledged he was the rider. He has been charged with reckless driving. (PA)
Raining cash
The fantasy of seeing banknotes fluttering down from the sky came true for Dutch motorists after a package containing cash apparently fell from a bank transport truck and broke open.
The incident triggered a dangerous scramble for the euro bills on the busy A2 highway near Maastricht as people parked cars on the roadside and ran to scoop up loose notes.
Police in the southern Dutch province of Limburg confirmed in their Twitter feed “it briefly rained bank bills”. It is not clear how much cash was lost, or how it could have fallen from the truck. (PA)
Fund raising rescue
Up to 80 swimmers had to be rescued after getting swept out to sea during a fund-raising swim ... for the RNLI.
Strong currents led to many of the competitors being pulled away by the tide during the 2.4-mile event in Joss Bay, Broadstairs, Kent. Dover Coastguard said 80 people out of the 93 who had entered the race had to be rescued.
Peter Barker, from Margate RNLI lifeboat station, said: “Our inshore lifeboat at Margate was on exercise in the area when they spoke with people and it seemed very clear that a number of swimmers were experiencing difficulties in swimming against the tide.
“We went and picked up the swimmers and there were no injuries or problems.” (PA)