1.China drops stamp tax:
The Chinese government decided to cancel tax on share purchases, effective Friday, in a move to shore up ailing markets roiled further by global financial turmoil. A 0.1% stamp tax on buying shares would be abolished, although an equivalent tax on share sales would remain. Meanwhile, a government investment arm plans to buy shares in 3 major Chinese banks in order to boost their share prices.
2. Zhou to stand trial on Sep 23:
Shaanxi man Zhou Zhenglong, who was arrested for doctoring photos of a South China tiger, will stand trial in Xunyang County on September 23 on charges of fraud and unlawfull possession of ammunition, the Chengdu Business Daily reported Thursday. Local police found 93 bullets for a halt-auto rifle at Zhou's home when he was arrested this June.
3.Melamine found in liquid milk:
Most liquid milk products nationwide are safe, but melamine has been found in some batches of liquid milk, CCTV reported Thursday night, citing the results of a nationwide inspection on liquid milk by the Chinese quality watchdog. The products were made by famous companies, including Meng Niu, Yili and BrightDairy. The AQSIQ has ordered companies to recall all the tainted milk.
4. Mayor quits over milk scandal
Ji Chuntang, the mayor of Shijiazhuang, resigned over a tainted powder scandal. Hebei police have so far arrested 18 suspects connected to the baby milk powder scandal and seized some 300 kg of suspicious chemicals, of which 222.5 kg proved to be melamine.
5. 6 central banks pump $180b
The world's major central banks joined with the Fed Thursday to inject $180$ into money markets in a bid to stave off the growing global financial crisis, including the European Central bank, the Bank of Japan, the Bank of England, the Bank of Canada and the Swiss National Bank."The central banks continue to work together closely,"the Fed said.
6. Merkel dreams to be gymnast:
People in power often admit to dreaming of what they will do when they leave office. Some dream of making millions with memoirs and speech tours, but Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel, has a more ambitious dream - mastering the balance beam. However, she admitted, "I have long ago come to terms with the fact that it is not my forte."
7. Yao and Liu to hold a dinner:
Chinese Shanghai athletes Yao Ming and Liu Xiang will jointly hold a banquet for Olympic athletes in Shanghai on September 19. Those Olympic athletes who won glory for their countries will be treated like stars during the dinner party. As one of hosts, Liu Xiang hopes to get rid of the shadow of quitting the 110-meter hurdles game after this festive banquet.
8. Liu Ye to marry soon:
Actor Liu Ye revealed that he will marry his French girlfriend soon at the press conference of the film Ying Han recently. Liu said he is a traditional man, so he will go back to hometown Changchun to hold the ceremony rather than following Tony Leung's suit, who married in Bhutan. The ceremony will be of Chinese style though his girlfriend is French.
9. Virginity offered for EUR1M
Italian model Raffella Fico, 20, has planned to sell her virginity for EUR1M. Fico told an Italian magazine Chi that she would use the cash to buy a house in Rome and pay for acting classes
from China Mobile (China Daily)
