Mother and son vanish from cruise liner

Costa Crociere has confirmed that two passengers from Hong Kong have gone missing from the cruise ship Costa Classica. In accordance with international procedures, the company has notified relevant authorities and conducted an on board search. Authorities on shore have begun an investigation. The passengers, a mother and son, joined an eight-day cruise that departed on July 4 to the mainland, Japan and Korea. The pair were discovered to be missing in Korea on July 7, and their disappearance was reported when the cruise arrived in Japan.

Models defend right to appear at book fair

Pseudo models, or teen models, defended their rights to promote their book yesterday after Internet users demanded that the models be kicked out of the Hong Kong Book Fair. The demand for the removal of the models spread through the personal networking site, Facebook. The protestors complained the book fair, which starts Wednesday, should promote reading culture.

One objector said the intent was not to discriminate against the models, but added that the behavior of the models' fans could disrupt the book fair for those actually interested in reading. The models insisted that they have the right to have their books published and they had earned the approval of the book fair organizer, the Trade Development Council, to hold a promotional event at the book fair.

Decision to cut down tree faces opposition

The decision by Maryknoll Fathers' School to chop down a 50-year-old tree on the warrant that it could pose a danger to the public has met with opposition. Alumni and conservation experts argue the tree is in good condition and is worthy of preservation.

C. Y. Jim, chair professor of Geography at the University of Hong Kong, said the tree is a Norfolk Island Pine and it is more precious than two others of the same species in the city. "You could find such trees on earth 200 millions years ago," Jim stated.

The school will meet with representatives of relative government governments on July 21 to have further discussions on the fate of the old tree.

China Daily - Agencies

(HK Edition 07/17/2009 page1)