If you think the British are barking mad and liable to doing weird and wonderful things, think again. For it seems the people of Taiwan can beat anything the crazy Brits can do.
In a bid to get themselves a freebie – in this case an ‘all-you-can-eat sushi meal – scores of Taiwanese have been bombarding government officials with requests to change their name to ‘salmon’.

Why? Because the sushi restaurant chain, Akindo Sushiro, said anyone with the name Gui Yu (which translates to ‘salmon’) on their official ID card can get free food for themselves and up to five friends.

Now the government has issued an SOS pleading with people to stop changing their names, according to local media. Unimpressed officials said the rush is wasting important bureaucratic time.
Salmon-themed names
According to the Taipei Times, applicants pay around $3 for a new ID card and a registration certificate. It discovered one student in Taichung had changed her name to ‘Kuo Salmon Rice Bowl’ but admitted ...

Pubs and restaurants have been devastated during the course of the last 12 months. But two innovative and community-focused Leicestershire businesses have used the pandemic to change their working practices, making them more customer-focussed and COVID-proof. As Louis Mason reveals.
 

I can’t wait to get back in the pub. The bubbling chatter of friends enjoying the company of one another; the raucous football banter over a cold pint; and, the unbeatable feeling of communal support you get over a game of pool with the locals. You can’t beat it.

The local pub is the real definition of community. It is a safe haven for people to meet up with friends and strangers. It is a place where you can bond over a shared appreciation for socialising, friendship, and relaxation. I think I can safely say the communities we live in are ‘poorer’ because the local hostelry is closed.

Sadly, it is estimated that over 2,500 UK pubs and restaurants closed in 2020.

'So what?' I hear many of...

A Christian minister and charity leader believes the fallout from last week’s bombshell TV interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could pave the way for ‘lasting racial reconciliation’.
The Reverend Alton Bell, who oversees the work of the Movement for Justice and Reconciliation, is urging the monarchy to use the opportunity address historical issues – using models of Christian forgiveness and repentance.

His pleas come after Harry and Megan sparked controversy and fury in the UK and US by levelling allegations of racism at Buckingham Palace and members of the Royal Family.
Show a lead
‘Instead of further denial, surely there should be deep reflection to see if the many accounts of racism, of which this is one, actually have merit, said the Reverend Bell.

‘I would implore the Royal Family to take this opportunity to show a lead by addressing the issues to bring about real and lasting racial reconciliation.’

The Movement for Justice and Reconciliation believes that on...

A Zoom filter blunder has accidentally turned a Warwickshire Vicar into a Blues Brother – and a social media sensation to boot!
During a church service streamed live to churchgoers, Reverend Vaughan Roberts was turned into the spitting image of Joliet Jake Blues from the hit 1980 movie.

As he begins to address the congregation at St Mary's Church in Warwick, the hilarious filter appears. 

A video published on The Daily Mail’s website shows Rev Roberts welcoming online Church members, wearing a black fedora hat and sunglasses.
Wife to 'blame'
He believes his wife, Mandy, inadvertently selected the filter while setting up his mobile phone to record the service.

Rev Roberts laughed off the gaffe, saying a button must have accidentally been pressed while setting up for the Sunday service.

'At least it wasn't Rambo or the Godfather,' he quipped.

...

Justin Welby, The Archbishop of Canterbury and most senior cleric in the Anglican Church, has joined a growing army of politicians and community leaders in speaking out in the wake of Sarah Everard’s brutal murder.
The 33-year-old’s remains were found in woodland in Kent towards the end of last week – an act that has clearly moved the Archbishop.

He has taken to Twitter, where he has posted several messages to almost 160,000 followers.

In his latest Tweet, published at the weekend, he said: ‘I am heartbroken for the family, partner and friends of Sarah Everard, and all those whose lives she touched. They are in my prayers. May they know the suffering God alongside them in this unimaginable pain.

‘Testimony after testimony from women over recent days have shown us something we have known and ignored for far too long: the profound impact of the sin of male violence, intimidation, harassment, sexism and abuse carried out against women.

‘It is these sins – and the culture that...

Tomorrow, many families whose finances are suffering due to the effects of Lockdown and the global pandemic, will struggle to buy their mothers a bunch of flowers to celebrate Mothering Sunday.
If you don't believe me, just speak to the millions of people now relying on foodbanks to put food on their table. They will tell you they can't even afford the cheapest bunch of daffodils, such is their financial plight at the present time.

But the American woman, who created the day just over a century ago, may have been delighted to learn of the difficulties many will face to afford such minimalist celebrations. For Anna Jarvis, who survived many epidemics, was opposed to anything she felt clouded the purity of her original vision. Indeed, such was her opposition to the way big business ‘hijacked’ the day, she even campaigned to have it rescinded!

Anna Jarvis (pictured, above) was one of 13 children, only four of whom lived to adulthood. Her campaign for a special day to celebrate moth...