Local film effort aims to boost industry growth

A large-scale project has been launched promoting the local film industry's long-term growth by developing the mainland and Southeast Asian markets and introducing the new generation of Hong Kong directors to these markets.

Launching a project yesterday called Hong Kong Film: New Action, Film Development Council Chairman Jack So said that, through a direct exchange of ideas between local movie workers and investors and distributors outside Hong Kong, mutual understanding can be fostered and market networks established to boost demand for local productions and attract foreign investment.

Tis the season for Chicken Pox: 800 cases in Nov

The Health Department's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) yesterday called on Hong Kong residents, particularly school administrators, to be on heightened alert against chickenpox.

Official statistics show that the city recorded 800 cases of the highly contagious viral infection in November, even though the overall infections are down, year-on-year.

The center recorded 7,962 cases of chickenpox from January through November this year.

That's compared with 14,415 in the same period in 2006 and 17,940 last year.

HK$41m worth of drugs found in speakers

Customs officers have seized 307 kg of ketamine and 10 kg of "ice" worth HK$41.3 million at Hong Kong International Airport.

Officers on Nov 22 checked a cargo shipment declared to contain 40 speakers from Singapore and found the drugs concealed inside them.

Through cooperation with Singaporean authorities, it was found the shipment originated in India.

The department vowed to step up inspection and surveillance around the Christmas-New Year holiday season and maintain close contact with its overseas and mainland counterparts.

Latest illegal-worker sting results in 109 arrests

The Immigration Department has arrested 109 people, including 65 illegal workers and 30 employers, in the latest anti-illegal-employment drive. It also seized six suspected fake smart ID cards and refused entry for 180 travelers.

Assistant Director Chan Kwo-kei said yesterday some employers may be tempted to hire illegal workers amid the economic downturn to reduce operating costs, adding that it is possible that some employers hired illegal workers without knowing their real status.

China Daily

(HK Edition 12/05/2008 page1)