Mom, son saved in suicide bid

A 46-year-old woman and her son, 12, were rescued after an apparent murder-suicide attempt at their Tai Po home on Friday morning.

Police received a report around 2 am from a 50-year-old man saying his ex-wife and her son were collapsed in the bedroom of their residence in Tung Tsz Tsuen in Tai Po.

Police sped to the scene and found that the woman and the boy were lying unconscious in the bedroom. A basin of burnt charcoal was located in the living room.

The mother and son were taken to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital for medical treatment where they regained consciousness later.

Initial investigation revealed that the boy had been administered some pills before he collapsed.

Thailand tours carry on as usual

The Travel Industry Council (TIC) has received no requests for assistance from Hong Kong tourists in Thailand, which is fighting its worst flood in half a century.

Joseph Tung, TIC executive director, said there are around 30 tour groups, totaling some 1,000 tourists, in the country, adding that some tourist attractions were closed because of the flood.

But travel agencies said the tour groups departing for Thailand next week won't be cancelled, saying popular attractions in Bangkok and Pattaya remain open.

Maid arrested for suspected abuse

A foreign domestic helper has been arrested on suspicion of child abuse after a 3-year-old girl complained to her family on Thursday night about pains in her genital area.

The girl told her family the pain was caused by the maid, 38, with her hand. Police arrested the woman at the family's home in the luxury compound Baguio Villa.

'Money is not the problem'

The costs of the Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme are comparable to extending free education to kindergartens, said Secretary for Education Michael Suen in a Legislative Council meeting on Friday.

Responding to demands that the government provide 15 years of free education starting from pre-primary level, Suen explained the authorities are working on implementation of the new academic structure and provision of 12-year free education.

EV exhibition in science park

An electric vehicle (EV) exhibition featuring the latest models and charging technologies available in Hong Kong will be staged at the Atrium Link at Hong Kong Science Park, Sha Tin on Monday and Tuesday.

Co-organized by the Environment Bureau and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), the exhibition aims to promote the wider use of EVs locally.

A total of 15 participating organizations will showcase a variety of EVs ranging from motorcycles and saloon cars to vans, trucks and buses, as well as EV charging facilities.

The exhibition will be open to the public free of charge.

China Daily

(HK Edition 10/22/2011 page1)