China Wants to Encourage More Babies

China is set to impose a value-added tax on contraceptive drugs and devices – including condoms – for the first time in three decades, its latest bid to reverse plunging birth rates. 

Under the newly revised Value-Added Tax (VAT) Law, consumers will pay a 13 percent levy on items that had been VAT-exempt since 1993, when China enforced a strict one-child policy and actively promoted birth control. 

At the same time, the revision carves out new incentives for prospective parents by exempting childcare services – from nurseries to kindergartens – as well as eldercare institutions, disability service providers and marriage-related services. The changes take effect in January. 

Liverpool fought back to earn a 1-1 draw with Sunderland in a hugely disjointed performance at Anfield on Wednesday.

The latter took the lead in the 67th minute but the Reds earned a share of the spoils when luck smiled on them. Florian Wirtz’s off-target effort flew into the net off a Black Cat player in the eighty-first minute and saved Arne Slot's blushes.

TBH, the reigning Premier League champions looked like mid-table fodder. Never mind, let's see how they fare against Leeds United on Saturday.