Maid charged over toddler's fatal fall

A domestic helper was charged with neglect of a child following the death of a two-year-old Nepalese girl. The girl fell to her death from a flat in Yau Ma Tei on Saturday. No plea was entered by Lepcha Ronita, 30. Kowloon Magistrates' Court adjourned the case until Oct 20, pending a police investigation. According to the prosecution, the toddler, living on the fifth-floor flat in Tai On Building at 820 Canton Road, climbed onto a window without a grille and fell to the ground on Sept 6.

Strike to affect 37 beaches, pools

The Hong Kong Government Lifeguards General Union estimate 700 members will participate in a strike today. This will seriously affect services at at least 20 beaches and swimming pools and partially affect another 17. The union said the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will probably use fresh life-saving training course graduates to work as lifeguards and double wages to attract lifeguards to work. An LCSD announcement urged lifeguards to prioritize the public interest and swimmers' safety. A contingency plan is in place to deal with the strike. The public are advised to check LCSD announcements before going to beaches and swimming pools today.

'Talk didn't target Lu twins'

Development Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po and his wife Frieda Hui Po-ming weren't trying to vilify Jonathan and Caitlin Lu, two former Chinese International School (CIS) students, or their father Carl Lu when they discussed the cheating incident with the school and other parents, Chan and Hui's defense counsel claimed. The Lu family is suing Chan and Hui for defamation for allegedly spreading the rumor that the twins cheated during an economics test. But the twins were rumored to be unconcerned about this because their father is a board member. Chan's defense counsel said that the couple only wanted the school to clarify the issue. This was because a rumor was already circulating on campus.

CGO forecourt to re-open

The Administration Wing of the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office announced on Monday that the East Wing forecourt of the Central Government Offices (CGO) in Tamar would re-open on Sept 10 following completion of perimeter fencing work. Once re-opened there will be no change to access arrangements for the forecourt. Visitors to the CGO and the Legislative Council (LegCo) complex will be allowed to enter or pass through the forecourt pavement as a passageway during the daytime. Access to the forecourt will close between 11 pm and 6 am daily. LegCo members and personnel holding valid staff and media permits issued by the CGO or LegCo will be allowed access as usual.

China Daily

(HK Edition 09/09/2014 page7)