Romanian witches complain of political persecution

News you can lose, our digest of the week's oddities from the taxation of Romanian witches to the hairstylist behind the beehive.

In an attempt to crack down on tax evasions, Romania has declared witchcraft a profession.

The government has also added astrologers, embalmers, valets and driving instructors to a list of occupations covered by labour laws.

The move has brought protests from the country's witches, some of whom protested by throwing mandrake plants in the Danube to put a spell on politicians "so evil will befall them".

One witch asked: "What is there to tax, when we hardly earn anything? The lawmakers don't look at themselves, at how much they make, their tricks; they steal and they come to us asking us to put spells on their enemies."

Stalker, 75; duchess, 90

The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire has obtained a restraining order to stop the attentions of a love-struck pensioner.

At 90, the former Nancy Mitford asked a court to intervene after she was stalked by 75-year-old Michael Andrews, who proposed marriage.

Mr Andrews has also been banned from visiting Chatsworth, the ancestral home of the Earls of Devonshire.

The duchess is the author of Love in a Cold Climate and the sister of Unity, a close friend of Hitler.

Mr Andrew's lawyer told the court: "My client was sincere in his affections but unfortunately they were not reciprocated."

Vulture detained

A vulture has been seized in Saudi Arabia after suspicions arose because of tag it carried.

According to local newspaper reports, the bird was taken into captivity after it was discovered to be carrying a transmitter and a tag bearing the words "Tel Aviv University." Another possibility is that the vulture had been tagged as part of a long-term research project to map the path of migrating birds.

Superheroes of Seattle

A gang of real-life superheroes has begun fighting crime on the streets of a Seattle suburb.

One, known as "Phoenix Jones", wears a bulletproof suit with anti-stab plates and carries a can of mace and a Taser.

Most recently, he prevented an attempt to break into a car. The motorist, who did not want to be identified, said: "From the right, this guy comes dashing in, wearing this skintight rubber, black and gold suit, and starts chasing him away."

According to Phoenix: "When I walk into a neighbourhood, criminals leave because they see the suit. I symbolise that the average person doesn't have to walk around and see bad things and do nothing."

Other members of the Rain City Superhero Movement include Thorn, Buster Doe, Green Reaper, Gemini, No Name, Catastrophe, Thunder 88 and Penelope.

From fez to Marge Simpson

The creator of the beehive has been honoured for a hairstyle adopted by 1960s' popstars, Amy Winehouse and Marge Simpson.

Margaret Vinci Heldt, now 92, created the beehive in 1960, inspired by the way her hair stayed in place after she took off a fez-shaped hat.

To mark her achievement, the local cosmetologist association in her hometown of Chicago has created a scholarship in her name, while the Chicago History Museum has plans to add her fez to its collection.

Mrs Heldt says that in order to preserve her styling she told clients, "I don't care what your husband does from the neck down, but I don't want him to touch you from the neck up."