First typhoon signal of year issued

The Hong Kong Observatory issued the Standby Signal No 1 at 4:15pm yesterday as Typhoon Neoguri approached within 800 kilometers (km) of Hong Kong.

At 5pm the typhoon was approximately 570km south-southwest of Hong Kong, near 16.1 degrees north and 111.9 degrees east. The Observatory said the chance of issuing the Strong Wind Signal No 3 this morning is low. However, occasional strong winds are expected offshore under the combined effect of Neoguri and the northeast monsoon.

31 down with flu-like illness

The Centre for Health Protection said yesterday it had received four reports of influenza-like illness involving two primary schools in Quarry Bay and Wan Chai, a Diamond Hill kindergarten and a correctional institution in Lai Chi Kok, affecting 31 people.

The patients are 22 males and nine females aged three to 45. Influenza was yet to be confirmed. No report was received yesterday under the flu surveillance arrangement set up by the center with private and public hospitals.

Two-thirds of eateries to go out of business

Wong Ka-wo, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said yesterday he saw the possibility of 200 to 300 eateries here going out of business in the next three months due to rising costs and the current down season.

Speaking on a radio program yesterday morning, Wong said he did not see the prices of raw materials going down any time before June. However, he did not offer an estimate as to how many people might lose their jobs because of the closures.

Man convicted of unlawful sex in Mrs V case

A 45-year-old man was convicted of two counts of procuring unlawful sex yesterday in the High Court.

Danny Chan, the married defendant, and Wong Wai-sun, his mistress and co-defendant, drugged a friend of Wong's, referred to as Mrs V in court, last year in January. Chan raped Mrs V and coerced her into having sex with him again in the following months.

Sentence will be delivered today.

China Daily

(HK Edition 04/18/2008 page1)