HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge feasibility report studied

Officials from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Development & Reform Commission and Department of Communications of Guangdong started vetting the feasibility report of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge yesterday in Zhuhai and will decide today whether to approve it.

If endorsed, the proposal will be submitted to the State Council for approval this August.

A consensus on the financing of the bridge was reached among governments of the three cities involved in February.

Nearly 10,000 summons for law-breaking smokers

Between January 2007, when a city-wide smoking ban came into effect, and the end of May this year, police and the Tobacco Control Office issued over 9,850 summons to people smoking in no-smoking zones.

Of these cases, 6,635 were dealt with in court and the fines involved ranged from HK$50 to HK$2,000.

So far, 226 persons convicted of the offence have failed to pay their fines, said Secretary for Food and Health York Chow in a written reply to lawmaker Albert Chan yesterday.

Cabbies press for strict rules over fare-bargaining

The Motor Transport Workers General Union yesterday afternoon organized a slow drive from Wan Chai to Central to protest against the Transport Advisory Committee's refusal to prohibit taxi passengers from bargaining over taxi fares. About 20 taxis took part in the protest.

The union accused the TAC of disregarding their livelihoods and indirectly abolishing the practice of charging by the meter.

The drivers handed a petition letter to a representative of the bureau in Central before dispersing.

Teen collapses and dies while playing basketball

A 15-year-old boy died in hospital after he fainted in a public basketball court.

The teenager, a student of Tang King Po College, was playing basketball in Southorn Playground, Wan Chai when he suddenly lost consciousness. He was sent to Ruttonjee Hospital where he died later.

The school principal said that the boy was a good student in terms of both academic performance and conduct, and that there was no apparent problem with his health.

Social workers and teachers of the school had started providing counseling to students who were upset by the boy's death.

Guests forced to quit Yaumatei hotel

Around 100 guests at Tatami Hampton Hotel on Chang Sha Street, Yaumatei were asked to vacate the building last night when it was closed down by court bailiffs.

The hotel, involved in financial litigation with the Bank of East Asia, was supposed to be taken over by the bank yesterday, but the hotel continued to check in guests.

Some residents came into dispute with hotel staff when being evicted and called the police. The Yau Tsim Mong District Office was looking into the matter.

China Daily

(HK Edition 06/19/2008 page1)