27% youngsters contemplate suicide

A study by the University of Hong Kong found 27 percent of local youths had contemplated suicide.

Researchers interviewed more than 500 people aged 15 to 19 between June and August 2004 and concluded the suicide rate here was low compared to many foreign countries.

They suggested parents communicate with their children as often as possible.

U-Right staff and liquidator reach wage settlement

Dozens of former employees of the newly-folded garment retail chain U-Right met with representatives of the liquidator yesterday morning for two hours to discuss wage settlement. The liquidator agreed to pay those who lost their jobs before July 3 their wages no later than next Friday and the rest of them by November 3. About 400 former employees are owed a total of some HK$1 million.

Winning youth art entries to go on show

Winning entries in the 33rd Hong Kong Youth Cultural & Arts Competitions will be displayed in Central Library Saturday and Sunday.

The exhibition will feature more than 300 winning pieces, including photography, painting, Chinese calligraphy, slogan and poster design, and horse statue design.

Calligraphists and painters will hold demonstrations on the first day.

Five arrested for smuggling silver, phones, hard drives

Five men, aged 34 to 37, were arrested yesterday for allegedly smuggling nearly 1,000 kg of silver, over 300 second-hand cellphones, and 800 laptop hard drives worth an estimated total of HK$4.5 million.

The men's fishing boat was intercepted by Marine Police off east of Hong Kong Island in the morning.

China Daily

(HK Edition 10/17/2008 page1)