China says no to funeral strippers, a new country is founded and more: This week's weird business news
This week in weird business news…
A new way to mourn
China says no more strippers at funerals. A statement from the Ministry of Culture on Thursday said the government is working with local police to stop suggestive funeral performances, which are intended to draw more mourners to the events. The problem mostly affects rural areas and according to CCTV there are a number of troupes in China offering these services for about $322 an event and put on as many as 20 shows a month. This has been a problem that the Chinese government has been working to eradicate since at least 2006. The practice is also common in Taiwan, where scantily-clad females dance at memorial services in order to placate spirits who are unsettled.
Introducing Liberland
If you miss the days of Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus, here’s your chance to explore and charter a new country. Introducing the Free Republic of Liberland, located on about 2.7 square miles of disputed territory between Serbia and Croatia. Neither country officially owns the territory so it’s considered no man’s land. Czech citizen Vit Jedlicka had the idea of forming the land into a country as a political stunt and protest. But after 260,000 people applied for citizenship Jedlicka began to take the plan seriously. Jedlicka plans to make the area tax-free and is currently looking for wealthy potential residents who feel threatened by regulations imposed on them.
Groupon isn't keeping it safe
Finally—you might want to think twice before you use Groupon (GRPN) to keep things safe. The Australian branch of the deal-scoring website is recalling a number of condoms sold between March 12th and April 10th. The condoms, labeled as Durex turned out to be counterfeit and the Australian Government Department of Health warns that they could have holes poked in them. Groupon Australia is contacting customers who bought the fake Durex condoms and offering a full refund.
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