One of Germany’s most famous biscuit-makers has appealed to an extortionist dressed as the “Cookie Monster” to return its prized golden biscuit emblem.
The Bahlsen biscuit company’s emblem has hung above its headquarters in Hanover since 1913 and was first reported stolen a week ago.
Just days after it went missing, a ransom note arrived at the local newspaper which included a photo of the thief dressed as the “Cookie Monster” from children’s television series Sesame Street, pretending to take a bite from the golden biscuit.
In a message posted on Facebook on Thursday and addressed to the monster, Bahlsen promised to donate 52,000 packets of biscuits to charities if the 20 kg golden biscuit was returned.
Norway suffers nappy shortage
Southern Norway is in the midst of a nappy shortage after a supermarket price war lured enterprising bulk shoppers from eastern Europe who have cleaned out the shelves, customs officials and retailers said.
Norway is one of the world’s most expensive countries. However, supermarkets in the south trying to lure local customers by undercutting rivals on the price of nappies inadvertently made it profitable enough for residents of nearby countries to start trading in them.
“They buy every last diaper, I mean everything we have on the shelves, throw it in the back of their car and take them home, where they sell it for a nice profit,” says Terje Ragnar Hansen, a regional director for retail chain Rema 1000.
All things Barbie at Taipei cafe
Tea, tutus and an overdose of pink are prominent on the menu at a just-opened Taipei cafe dedicated to all things Barbie.
Aficionados of the world’s most famous doll can now gather to feast on light meals and an array of desserts adorned with the Barbie logo while seated at pink tables on chairs decorated with pink corsets and frothy tutus – pink, of course.
“Every little girl has a Barbie in childhood,” said Henry Chiu, president of Sinlaku Taiwan Co Ltd and the owner of the cafe. “
The store opened in the Taiwanese capital on Wednesday after years of preparation and an investment of more than 50 million Taiwan dollars – the first such cafe authorised by Barbie-maker Mattel Inc.
Prince Charles takes a Tube ride
Four million Londoners cram onto the city’s Underground passenger railway nearly every day, but it is a rarer event for Prince Charles. He rode the British capital’s bustling commuter network on Wednesday for the first time since 1986.
The heir to the British throne and his wife Camilla took a one-stop journey from Farringdon to King’s Cross on the Metropolitan Line as part of celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of a transport service affectionately known to Britons as the “Tube”.