Death toll reaches 19 in coach accident

The death toll in the coach accident that took place last Thursday rose to 19 yesterday after a critically injured woman died in hospital. Thirty-one injured were still hospitalized as of yesterday.

The 32-year-old tour bus driver is still in police custody for suspected reckless driving.

The Transport Department, Highways Department and police have formed a joint working group to improve road safety. It is to show members of the Legislative Council Communication Affairs Committee the site of the accident today.

MPF injection schedule ready by year's end

The Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) Schemes Authority will fully complement the government in implementing its proposed HK$6,000 injection into the accounts of eligible members of MPF schemes and MPF-exempted Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance-registered schemes. It hopes to announce the injection schedule by year's end.

After lawmakers' endorsement of legislative amendments, the authority will need to handle the data of over five million accounts.

Man given service order for slapping actress

A man was sentenced yesterday to 160 hours of community service by an Eastern District magistrate for battery and assault causing injury. He was arrested in January after he slapped actress Angela Tong Ying-ying in the face in public.

The defendant pleaded guilty and said he had been paid by a man to attack the victim and warn her against "badmouthing" others.

The magistrate described the defendant's violent act as cowardly, but decided against a jail term because he had shown genuine remorse.

HK$30b set aside for

Kwun Tong facelift

The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) will spend HK$30-plus billion to implement the Kwun Tong Town Centre project in phases and acquire all affected 1,656 property interests in one go.

The Development Bureau welcomed the decision and said it will assist the URA in its preparatory work and has formed an inter-departmental committee to help the authority proceed with the phased redevelopment smoothly and expeditiously.

China Daily

(HK Edition 05/06/2008 page1)