A man abandoned his penniless 75-year-old father in a mainland hospital. The son took his father to Guangzhou for an eye surgery in early December. He then said he would return to Hong Kong to get money. He took all the cash and his father’s identity and travel documents. The old man spent three weeks in the corridor of a Guangzhou hospital with his broken legs untreated. In Hong Kong, there is no law against abuse of the elderly.
一名男子遺棄75歲身無分文老父在內地醫院，本月初他帶父親到廣州做眼手術，其子以回港籌錢為由，將所有現金和父親的證件帶走。老翁三周以來住在醫院大堂，雙腿骨折未有被駁回。香港現時沒有虐待老人法例。

A senior nursing assistant at a home for the elderly who forced a woman with dementia to eat her own faeces as punishment for soiling herself was jailed for six months yesterday. The magistrate described her actions as "disgusting and unethical," telling her she had "deprived elderly people of their dignity." He said a stiff sentence was necessary to act as a deterrent.
安老院舍女護理主任因老婦弄髒自己而逼患老人癡呆症的老婦食屎作為懲罰，昨日被判入獄半年。裁判官形容被告行為令人極度噁心和缺德，貶低長者尊嚴，判刑須以阻嚇性。

The Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, on his duty visit to Beijing met President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. Mr. Hu told the Chief Executive to handle the issue of political development "properly", and to maintain Hong Kong's "harmony and stability". Mr. Wen called on the SAR government to deal "better" with the deep-rooted conflicts.
行政長官曾蔭權到北京述職，分別會見國家主席胡錦濤及總理溫家寶。胡錦濤要 求行政長官妥善處理好政制發展問題，保持香港和諧穩定。溫家寶要求特區政府應更好地解決深層次矛盾。

High-profile lawyer and political activist Gavin Kwai Sze-kit was in intensive care last night after an attack left him with a deep chest wound and cuts to his jaw and left hand. His beautiful girlfriend was charged with wounding. A police source said Kwai had told his girlfriend late on Saturday that he wanted to end their relationship.
高姿態律師及政治活躍分子季詩傑受襲，昨晚被送入深切治療病房，胸口有深傷口，下顎及左手均有刀傷，他的美麗女友已被落案傷人罪。警方消息指，季在星期日晚告訴女友，他想結束兩人的關係。

The mainland yesterday launched the world's fastest high-speed rail link between Wuhan and Guangzhou -- at an average speed of 350 kilometres an hour. The super-high-speed train reduces the 1,069 kilometre journey from 10 hours to just three. The Ministry of Railways hoped work on the section linking Hong Kong to Guangzhou could begin soon and urged the parties to set aside their differences.
全球時速最高的武廣高速鐵路正式通車，武廣高鐵全長1069公里，平均時速高達三百五十公里，把原本十小時的車程縮短至三小時內。鐵道部期望本港停止爭拗，盡早落實建成廣深港高鐵。

The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection, Thomas Tsang, said about 600 private clinics had bought swine flu vaccines from the government to be able to give people shots from Monday. The government will provide a HK$129 subsidy for patients in one of five high-risks groups.
衛生防護中心總監曾浩輝表示，私家醫生下周一起，亦可為市民注射人類豬流感疫苗，目前已有600間私家診所已向政府訂購疫苗。政府提供129元資助，為五類高危人士完成注射。

A man was arrested for drink driving after his car mounted the pavement and hit two pedestrians in Sau Mau Ping, killing a male secondary school teacher and injuring a woman. The police said the driver was arrested after a breath test found he was over the alcohol limit. They said the area where the accident happened is not a traffic blackspot.
一名醉酒駕駛的司機，在秀茂坪剷上行路，撞倒二名途人，其中一名中學男教師不治，女途人受傷。警方表示，司機酒精測試超標被捕，而現場並非交通黑點。

The head of the Anglican Church in Hongkong has urged the community to be more tolerant towards disadvantaged groups. In a Christmas message, Archbishop Paul Kwong said that the "not in my backyard" mentality had gradually spread in recent years. He called on people to show greater concern for the disadvantaged and deprived.
天主教香港教區主教湯漢發表聖誕賀詞，他表示，近年香港充斥一股「不要在我家後院」的心態，他要求社會關心和包容弱小社群。

A postman who tried to redirect mail packages to himself and his girlfriend was jailed for a year. He was arrested after a senior postman noticed that he had tampered with several mail packets. The magistrate said it was a serious crime and his behaviour had undermined public trust in the postal service.
一名郵差企圖轉寄郵包予自己及女友，被判入獄一年。一名高級郵差注意到被告竄改數個郵包，報警後拘捕被告。裁判官表示，被告的罪行嚴重，損害公眾對郵政服務的信任。

A police sergeant was jailed for 10 months for hitting a suspect after he refused to undergo a body cavity search inside a police station. The police sergeant officer punched the man on the head as he was recovering from an injury. The magistrate said the sergeant had abused his power by committing an evil act, which would destroy people's trust in the police force.
一名警長在警署內因疑犯拒絕接受肛門檢查，揮拳打向事主曾受傷的頭部，被判監禁10個月。裁判官表示，警長濫權，犯下惡行，會令人失去對警隊的信心。

According to a survey, a growing number of teenage girls engage in compensated dating, with their schoolmates acting as their pimps. The pimps are paid HK$200 to HK$300 for each introduction. One third of the girls said they need money to buy brand name products. And although some of the girls suffered violent attacks or were blackmailed, only a few filed a police report.
調查發現，少女援交風氣日盛，身邊同學甚至擔任馬伕，可抽取二百至三百元佣金。三分之一少女是貪圖名牌而從事援交。雖然有援交少女受暴力侵襲或被勒索，僅少數事主報警。

A Hong Kong journalist was barred from entering Macau to cover official events marking the 10th anniversary of the handover of the former Portuguese territory. The Ming Pao reporter was refused entry when she arrived at the Macau ferry terminal yesterday morning. Immigration officials cited security laws for the refusal, but did not give further explanation.
《 明 報 》一名記者前往澳門採訪回歸10周年慶祝活動，被拒絕入境。她在昨天早上抵達澳門口岸，被入境部門引用公安法拒絕入境，澳方人員沒有進說明。

According to a Hong Kong Polytechnic University survey, Hong Kong's transportation system, immigration staff and tourist attractions are rated as top class by visitors. Hotels are fourth on the tourist satisfaction index, followed by restaurants and retail stores. The university said that language training in the service industries must be improved.
理工大學一項調查顯示，訪港旅客對交通、入境部門、旅遊景點及酒店服務滿意程度最高，但餐飲及零售業的評分較低。理大認為應改善服務業的語言培訓。

A hair test for drug abuse – said to be 1,000 times more sensitive than existing methods - has been developed by experts at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The method needs only five to ten strings of hair and can trace a person's drug-taking history as far back as three months. It may also identify the type and amount of drugs taken.
香港科技大學研發出新的頭髮驗毒技術，測試毒品的靈敏度更高出一千倍。新的驗毒技術只需取得五至十條頭髮，即可追溯一個人過去三個月以上的吸毒歷史，並可鑑定毒品種類和每次劑量。

The Consumer Council warned about text messages which offer free services such as personality tests, IQ tests, friend matching and ringtones. Many who sign up do not notice conditions that state they will be sent costly text messages. Whether the recipients reply to or ignore the messages, they can be charged for them for up to HK$10,000. 
消委會警告市民小心短訊，聲稱提供免費服務例如性格測試、IQ測驗、交友配對服務及手機鈴聲。市民不知道登記後，附有條款，公司可向登記者發出昂貴的短訊，無論用戶是否開啟短訊，他們都要支付費用，費用可高達一萬元。

Parents are not satisfied with the new school profiles which only list the medium of instruction for each subject in more than 400 secondary schools, but give no information on the number of English classes in each school. The Education Bureau said the absence of references is to ensure schools are not labeled as "Chinese medium" or "English medium."
家長不滿意學校《概覽》內只列出四百多間中學每科的教學語言，而沒有透露各中學英文班的數目。教育局表示，缺少這些參考資料為是免標籤中文中學或英文中學。

Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen condemned the acid attack on Saturday in Causeway Bay as outrageous. Six people were hurt when a bottle of acid was thrown from a building on to the pedestrian area. The undersecretary for security, Lai Tung-kwok, said the bureau needed to conduct a study of the area before deciding whether to install “sky-eye” surveillance cameras.
行政長官曾蔭權譴責星期六銅鑼灣擲腐蝕性液體案兇徒行為是可恥的。一個盛載腐蝕性液體膠樽從建築物高處投下行人專用區，六人受傷。保安局副局長黎棟國表示，保安局會研究銅鑼灣區情況，是否需要安裝天眼。

Hong Kong won the football gold medal at the East Asian Games after beating Japan 4-2 on penalties. The match had finished 1-1 after extra-time. Cheered on by Chief Executive Donald Tsang and a capacity crowd at the stadium, Wong Chin-hung scored the winning penalty as the host won 4-2. Donald Tsang hailed the performance as "outstanding, brave and engaging".
香港足球隊在東亞運足球決賽憑互射十二碼四比二擊敗日本，贏得金牌。兩隊經加時後，打成 1:1平手。在行政長官曾蔭權及全場球喝采下，黃展鴻為港隊主射中的，港隊最終以4﹕2勝出。曾蔭權讚揚港隊表現出色、勇敢及扣人心弦的表演。

President Obama defended the right of the United States to wage what he called just wars, as he received his Nobel peace prize. In his acceptance speech, he said he would not stand idle in the face of threats to the American people. He also said that there were times when the use of force was not only necessary but morally justified.
美國總統奧巴馬領取諾貝爾和平獎後發表演說，為美國發動他所謂正義戰爭作了辯護，他說對於威脅美國人民的事，他不會袖手旁觀。他又認為有時無可避免要使用軍事力量，這是公義的。

Customs officers have arrested 19 people, including a housewife and her 18-year-old daughter, for selling fake goods on internet auction sites. The number of young people arrested for selling fake products on the internet has risen by almost a third this year. People mistakenly believe they are unlikely to get caught selling counterfeit goods if they do it online, a customs official said.
海關官員拘捕19人，包括一名家庭主婦及其18歲女兒，他們在拍賣網站售賣冒牌貨。今年在網上售賣冒牌貨被捕的年青人上升近三分一。一名海關官員表示，有人以為在網站售賣冒牌物品可減低被拘捕的風險，是存在謬誤的。

At the climate conference, China accused the developed nations of making “empty promises” and putting impossible demands on their developing counterparts. China said the United States had set a goal that was not notable, the European Union's target was not enough, and Japan had set impossible preconditions.
中國在聯合國氣候變化大會上指責發達國家作出兌現不了的承諾，並為發展中國家設下不可能的要求。美國設定的減排目標「不顯著」、歐盟的減排目標「不足夠」、日本更設下了「不可能」的減排前提條件。

A senior nursing assistant who fed human faeces to a helpless elderly woman in her care will be "punished and condemned by heaven," a magistrate said yesterday. Witnesses said the elderly woman was fed her own faeces, slapped and verbally abused for a year by the nursing assistant. The accused was remanded in custody for sentencing on December 29, pending background reports.
一名護理主任餵無助老婦吃糞便，被裁判官直斥她「必遭天譴」。証人指護理主任餵老婦吃糞便，掌摑她及責罵她，歷時約一年。裁判官下令還押她至本月二十九日先取背景報告後判刑。

The annual happiness index for 2009 rose slightly to 70.6 from 69.3 last year. The survey shows financial stress is a key factor behind unhappiness. Lower income groups felt happier because they may have benefited more from the economic recovery. Those who do voluntary community work and have stronger religious beliefs are happier, as are retirees, females and the elderly.
Ｏ九年港人快樂指數為七十點六分，較去年微升一點三分。調查顯示，財政壓力是不太快樂的重要因素。低收入組別較為快樂，因為他們較受惠經濟復甦。擔任義工及擁有宗教信仰的人較為快樂，退休者、女性及長者亦較為快樂。

Fifteen per cent of social workers have symptoms of major depression, a survey has found. About 20 per cent reported insufficient sleep and excessive workloads. Social welfare lawmaker Peter Cheung Kwok-che suggestd the government assess the pressures on social workers and provided counselling.
有調查發現，有一成半社工出現嚴重抑鬱症徵狀，有兩成二聲稱睡眠不足及工作量大。立法會社福界議員張國柱建議政府評估社工壓力及提供輔導服務。

The Fifth East Asian Games Opening Ceremony took place in Tsim Sha Tsui. The Chief Executive Donald Tsang said Hong Kong is privileged to be the host of the Fifth East Asian Games, adding the city has opened a new chapter in its sporting history.
第5屆東亞運動會開幕典禮在尖沙嘴舉行，行政長官曾蔭權致辭時表示，香港榮幸以東道主身分舉辦第五屆東亞運動會，為香港的體育歷史揭開重要一頁。

Queen Mary hospital has pledged to do more to relieve the pressure on front-line staff, after half the nurses serving in operating theatres took sick leave to protest against their workload. The hospital said that Wednesday's protest delayed 30 non-urgent operations. The government has also called for better communication between hospital management and staff.
瑪麗醫院手術室護士擬不堪超時工作壓力，星期三一半護士集體請病假，導致30宗非緊急手術要延期。瑪麗醫院承諾減輕前線員工壓力。政府要求院方及員工加強溝通。

A former aide of Democratic Party lawmaker, Kam Nai-wai, has broken her silence over her controversial dismissal. In a written statement, Kimmie Wong, said Mr Kam asked her out alone for a dinner in a high-end restaurant and he expressed his feelings for her. She was sacked three months after she had rejected Mr Kam's romantic advances.
民主黨立法會議員甘乃威解僱女助理王麗珠事件，女事主打破沈默，發表聲明。她表示，甘乃威單獨與她在一間高檔餐廳約會，並向她表白，表示有好感。女事主拒絕他的追求後三個月被解雇。

A seven-year-old girl on her way to school was struck on the head by a falling hammer at a Tuen Mun public estate. She is now in a stable condition after the wound was stitched. Surveillance teams have stepped up patrols to prevent a repeat of the incident. Closed-circuit TV will also be installed.
屯門一公共屋?，一名七歲女生上學途中遭高處墮下一柄鐵槌擊中頭頂，她被送院縫針，治理後幸無大礙。高空擲物特別巡查隊將加強巡查，防止意外重演，並增設閉路電視。

A drunken truck driver who killed six men in a crash changed his plea from dangerous driving causing death to manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of life. His wife said her husband had been having a difficult time since the tragedy and knew he had to seek redemption by admitting his guilt. She said his husband can set a good example for his eight-year-old daughter.
一名醉酒駕駛的貨車司機，與的士迎頭相撞，結果六人喪命。他改變主意，由承認危險駕駛導致他人死亡罪，改為承認誤殺罪，最高刑期為終身監禁。被名妻子稱，悲劇發生後，其夫境況很慘，決定贖罪承認過失，也為自己的八歲女兒樹立一個負責任榜樣。

The parents of a 10-year-old boy have been found guilty of not complying with an Education Bureau order to send their son to a proper school. The father had earlier told the court he could not accept what he called the "nine sins" of the school, which included confusing management and corruption. The magistrate said the parents and the boy's school could not work together for the boy's benefit.
拒讓10歲兒子上學的父母被裁定違反教育局入學令罪成。父親早前在法庭上指兒子就讀的小學犯下「九宗罪」，行政失當及貪污。裁判官表示，涉案父母及兒子就讀的小學未能為男童的利益而共同合作。

Two sick dogs in the mainland tested positive for human swine flu. Chinese University associate dean of medicine Joseph Sung Jao-yiu said the risk of swine flu to humans will be great if highly mobile animals such as dogs and cats are infected. But infectious disease specialist Lo Wing-lok said the virus' ability to transmit to dogs and cats will make the virus less likely to mutate.
內地發現兩宗狗隻感染人類豬流感。中大醫學院副院長沈祖堯說，自由走動的動物如貓狗感染人類豬流感，會增加人類傳染風險。但傳染病專家勞永樂表示，病毒有能力傳染貓狗，令病毒變種的機會減低。

Police Commissioner Tang King-shing apologised to a Fanling school after its name was leaked as the scene of an undercover drugs operation. Mr Tang said a thorough investigation was underway and disciplinary action would be taken if necessary. He has reminded officers to be more sensitive when carrying out their duties.
警務處處長鄧竟成就臥底調查最終校名曝光的事件事，向粉嶺一中學表示歉意。鄧竟成表示，詳細調查在進行中，如有需要，會進行紀律行動。他已提醒警員，執法時要提高敏感度。

Researchers at the Chinese University have found that young children face a greater risk of becoming obese if they don't get enough sleep. Children who regularly sleep for only a few hours are twice as likely to be overweight than those who get the recommended 10 hours a night. It's thought lack of sleep causes a hormonal upset which makes children want to eat more.
中文大學研究人員發現，兒童睡眠不足，會增加肥胖風險。持續睡眠較少的學童，較有十小時睡眠的學童，肥胖風險高兩倍多。睡眠不足影響內分秘，令學童想吃多。

A headmistress has accused police of breaking their promise not to name her school after it took part in an undercover anti-drugs operation. The school in Fan Ling joined the operation, in which a 24-year-old undercover cop posed as a Secondary Three student. A total of 36 people, including 23 students, were caught. But newspaper reports published the school's name after a court hearing on Wednesday.
粉嶺一中學校長指責警方違反保密協議，參與臥底警花追查校園販毒案行動後，被公開校名。警方早前派24歲警花臥底，假扮中三學生，成功拘捕36人，包括23名學生。但在星期三法庭審訊後，報章刊登校名。

The police are investigating a site on the social network Facebook called "I Need To Practise Killing Myself" on which 188 people have pledged to a mass suicide on December 21. A student who joined the death group attempted suicide earlier this month. The police stressed that anyone encouraging people to commit suicide can be jailed for up to 14 years.
警方正調查社交網站Facebook「我要練習自殺」群組，已有一百八十八人約定十二月二十一日集體自殺。一名已登記為會員的學生，本月初企圖輕生。警方強調，任何人教唆他人自殺，最高可被判入獄 14年。

Veteran actor Chan Hung-lit collapsed during shooting of TVB soap opera Off Pedder and died in hospital from a suspected heart attack. The 66-year-old star was playing the part of a tycoon who survived a stroke in the long-running prime-time series. Chan earned fame by impressive performances as villains during the 1960s and 1970s.
老牌演員陳鴻烈在拍攝電視連續劇《畢打自己人》期間心絞痛暈倒，送院後不治。66 歲的陳鴻烈在黃金時間連續劇中飾演大亨，曾心臟病發，治理後無礙。陳鴻烈於60、70年代演奸角突出而出名。

The results of Primary One discretionary places were released yesterday. Some parents jumped with joy while others felt disappointed. Out of 41,554 children applying for Primary One discretionary places, 49.2 percent got offers - a 12-year low. The low success rate was attributed to Hong Kong's low birth rate and small-class teaching.
小一自行分配學位結果昨日公布，有家長高興得跳起來，也有家長感到失望。在四萬一千多申請小一分配學位的學童中，只有四成九獲派位，創下十二年以來的新低。低成功率是由於出生率低和實施小班教學。

A survey conducted by the Boys' & Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong has found that many children from poor families have low self-esteem.  More than half feel useless. More than a fifth said they had not taken part in extra-curricular activities because of financial difficulties. Social workers said the children lack self-esteem and confidence because they lack opportunities to take part in activities.
小童群益會調查發現，很多基層兒童自我形象低落，過半數基層兒童認為自己「沒用」，超過兩成半數因「無錢」而沒有參加課外活動。社工認為，基層兒童缺乏參加活動的機會，是令他們自信心低落的原因。

The Chief Secretary Henry Tang said the 2012 electoral reform package would lay a solid foundation for full universal suffrage later. He said he realised some people advocated rejecting the package over the lack of a roadmap to universal suffrage, but he said the arrangements for the 2017 and 2020 elections require in-depth discussions.
政務司司長唐英年表示，2012年政改方案會為全面普選提供穩固基礎。對於部分人指沒有普選路線圖而拒絕政改方案，唐英年表示，2017及2020年兩個選舉安排需要深入討論。

The government has announced new measures to enhance the transparency of transactions of uncompleted first-hand residential properties. Under the new measures, transactions of uncompleted flats must be made public within five working days. Developers must show the price per square foot in "saleable area" of individual flats on the price lists and provide floor numbering information in a more prominent manner in the sales brochures.
政府公布新措施，提高樓花物業交易的透明度。新措施中，發展商須在五個工作天內，公布樓花交易資料。發展商在價單上，須列出每個單位實用面積的呎價及在售樓書內，須用合理模式訂定樓層編號。

Hong Kong's Exchange Fund made a record quarterly investment gain of HK$72 billion in the third quarter. The chief executive of the Monetary Authority, Norman Chan estimates more than HK$500 billion of hot money has been pouring into Hong Kong in the past 12 months, which is "unprecedented". He warned that a huge asset bubble could be on the way.
香港外匯基金第三季投資收益超過700億，是有紀錄以來賺得最多的一季。金管局總裁陳德霖估計，過去一年，流入的熱錢超過5000億，是「聞所未聞」。他警告，資產泡沫即將出現。

The government has unveiled its proposals for political reform in 2012. The plans include an expansion of the election committee that chooses the Chief Executive from 800 to 1,200 members. The number of seats in the Legislative Council in 2012 will be increased from 60 to 70. The Chief Secretary, Henry Tang, said the reform was a "crucial step" for universal suffrage in elections ahead.
政府發表2012年政改方案，建議 2012年行政長官選舉，選舉委員會人數由現時800人，增至1200人﹔立法會議席增加10個至70席。政務司司長唐英年表示，政改是邁向普選重要的一步。

The government has set aside HK$50-million to help schools set up kitchen facilities,  and employ reusable lunch containers as well as adopt "central portioning" in which meals will be made up on site. The plan aims to reduce food waste and disposable lunch boxes. But lack of space might prevent schools from building kitchens.
政府已預留5000萬元資助學校改善廚房設施，使用可重複使用的餐盒，及推行「現場派飯」。計劃旨在減少廚餘及即棄飯盒。不過，校舍空間不足會妨礙學校建立廚房。

According to a Consumer Council study, Yakult topped the list of drinks for sweetness. Drinking three to four bottles of Yakult might exceed the daily recommended intake limit. The survey also found that some drinks claimed to have "less sugar" or "low sugar" were not low in sugar content.
消委會的測試發現，「益力多」的糖含量最高，每日飲3至4支，可能超出每日攝糖量上限。調查又發現，一些聲稱無糖或低糖的飲品，含糖量並不低。

US President Barack Obama arrived in Shanghai last night on a three-day mission aimed at convincing Beijing that Washington is its partner, not its rival. Trade tensions, the value of the yuan and efforts to combat global warming are some of the many issues expected to come up in Obama's talks with China.
美國總統奧巴馬昨晚抵達上海展開3日訪華之旅，旨在說服中國，華盛頓是中國的伙伴，不是對手。預料奧巴馬將向中方提及貿易緊張關係、人民幣匯率、全力對付全球氣溫上升等議題。

Speaking after meeting President Hu in Singapore, the Chief Executive Donald Tsang said he had reported to the president on Hong Kong's latest situation. He said that the government is sincere in its consultation exercise for constitutional reform. He hoped the public, including political parties, could be rational and have an open attitude on taking the city forward.
行政長官曾蔭權在會見國家主席胡錦濤後表示，他己向胡錦濤匯報了香港的最新情況。他表示，政府誠意就政改進行諮詢，希望社會各界，包括政黨能以理性、開放態度聽取意見，令香港發展能邁進一步。

The government released its latest growth figures - which showed that the economy grew a lower than expected 0.4 percent from the previous three months. On an annual basis, the economy contracted 2.4 percent in the third quarter. The government economist expects the economy to return to positive growth in the fourth quarter, on a yearly basis.
政府公布最新經濟數據，第三季經濟按季增長0.4%，比市場預期為低，本港按年收縮 2.4%。政府經濟顧問預期今年第四季經濟會按年回復正增長。

US President Barack Obama is named the world's most powerful person in Forbes' new "World's Most Powerful People" list, with President Hu Jintao in second place. Li Ka-shing is flying high - at 23rd place. Li's companies are still the world's largest operator of container terminals, major health and beauty retailer, supplier of electricity to Hong Kong and a lucrative real estate developer.
美國財經雜誌《福布斯》公布全球權力榜，美國總統奧巴馬名列第一，中國國家主席胡錦濤名列第二。李嘉誠排第上升至二十三。《福布斯》指出，李嘉誠仍是全球最大的貨櫃碼頭營運商、主要的健康及美容用品零售商、香港電力供應商和房地產發展商。

The High Court ruled that Cathay Pacific behaved wrongly in the firing 18 pilots in 2001. The judge awarded each pilot more than HK$3.4 million for being sacked and having defamatory remarks made about them by the airline's management. The airline accused them of "holding Hong Kong to ransom".
高等法院裁定國泰 01 年解僱 18 名機師，屬無理解僱，國泰指機師「脅迫香港」是誹謗機師，每名機師可以得到340萬元賠償。

The father of the eight-year-old boy severely injured in the bus crash in Tseung Kwan O says he is urging him to take a positive outlook. He told his son not to think about the past and to look forward to the future. The father said he had not thought about compensation. His most important concern is his son, not money.
將軍澳車禍重傷的八歲男童父親鼓勵兒子做人要樂觀，凡事都要向前看，不要想過去。他沒想追討賠償的事，他現時最關心的是兒子，不是金錢。

A seventeen-year-old student was killed and 35 injured when a KMB double-decker flipped over on a roundabout in Tseung Kwan O around midnight on Sunday. The bus driver was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death. The police say they can't rule out speeding as the cause of the tragedy.
一輛九巴雙層巴士星期日凌晨在將軍澳一個迴旋處翻側，一名17歲女學生死亡，35人受傷。巴士司機涉嫌危險駕駛導致他人死亡被捕。警方指，不排除車禍因超速所導致。

A survey conducted by the Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association has found that 75.2 percent of youngsters believe they are morally upright but think their peers are not good enough. The survey results implied that youngsters adopted double standards. The organisation suggested that moral education should be enhanced from kindergarten to secondary school.
基督教女青年會調查發現，75.2%受訪青少年對自我品格評價為「尚可」，卻認為同輩品格未達標準。調查結果顯示青少年持有雙重標準。團體建議提升由幼稚園至中學的品格教育。

A former doctor at Tuen Mun Hospital was jailed for nine months after being convicted of molesting a 15-year-old girl at the hospital's emergency department. Passing sentence, the magistrate said the doctor had shown no remorse, and criticised him for taking advantage of a vulnerable girl. He said the court had a responsibility to pass a deterrent sentence to protect the public.
一名前屯門醫院醫生在急症室非禮一名15歲女病人罪名成立，判囚 9 個月。裁判官判刑時批評被告無悔意，乘人之危，非禮女事主，法庭有責任判阻嚇刑罰以保護公眾。

Hong Kong workers received an average pay rise of 0.6 percent this year - the lowest rise since 2005. Employers are cautious in making decisions on pay increases and the average pay increase next year is expected to be 2 percent. High-tech industries and insurance companies are among those suggesting pay increases.
香港工人今年平均加薪僅百分之零點六，自05年以來最低。僱主對加薪採審慎態度，預算明年加薪百分之二。建議加薪公司包括高科技及保險公司。

China has given the green light for Walt Disney to build its first theme park on the mainland in Shanghai. The Shanghai park will be four times bigger than its Hong Kong counterpart. Hong Kong is worried about losing the mainland visitors as one-third of visitors to Hong Kong Disneyland are from the mainland.
中國已批准迪士尼在上海興建內地第一個主題樂園，上海迪士尼樂園較港樂園大四倍。香港憂慮會失去內地遊客，香港迪士尼樂園三分一遊客來自內地。

The Hong Kong National Geopark was opened yesterday. It is made up of eight geo-areas distributed across the Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region and Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region. The park boasts one of the world’s biggest collections of hexagonal rock column. Authorities hope the new geopark will help promote eco-tourism in Hong Kong.
香港國家地質公園昨日開幕。地質公園包括新界東北沉積岩及西貢火山岩兩大園區共八大景區。地質公園擁有全球最大群六方柱石而自豪。政府希望地質公園會增進香港綠色旅遊。

The Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, has pledged that the government will act to prevent serious overheating of the housing market. Mr. Tsang said action by the Monetary Authority had shown the government did not want to see a property bubble. However, he stressed that any new policy must take into account the interests of existing property owners.
行政長官曾蔭權保證港府會採取措施防止樓市過熱。曾蔭權表示，金管局的措施顯示政府不想樓市出現泡沫，但他強調推行任何新政策前，均會先顧及業主的利益。

About 1,000 gays and lesbians and their supporters yesterday took part in the annual Hong Kong Pride Parade urging an end to discrimination against homosexuals. Some marchers dressed in pink and carried rainbow flags.  The Hong Kong Pride Parade Committee, the organiser of the event, says society should respect and accept homosexuals.
一千多名男女同性戀人士及支持者參加一年一次的「香港同志遊行」，希望社會消除對同性戀者的歧視。參加者穿上粉紅色衣服，手持彩虹旗幟。發起遊行的香港同志遊行籌委會表示，社會應該尊重及接納同性戀者。

Qian Xuesen , known as China 's father of space technology, died in Beijing yesterday, aged 98. He left China in 1935 to study in the United States . He returned to China in 1955. He was widely known for his contributions to China 's "two bombs and one satellite mission" in the 1960s. The effort developed atomic and hydrogen bombs and a satellite.
「中國航天之父」錢學森在北京逝世，享年98歲。錢學森三五年赴美留學，五五年回國。眾所周知，錢學森在60年代參與「兩彈一星」 — 原子彈、 氫彈和人造衛星 － 研發的貢獻很大。

Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's fifth policy address failed to win approval from the Legislative Council. The motion of thanks was voted down - for the third time since Mr Tsang became Hong Kong 's leader in 2005. Many members expressed dissatisfaction about the state of the property market and the government's failure to tackle the wealth gap.
行政長官曾蔭權第五份施政報告未能獲得立法會贊成， 致謝議案遭到否決， 這是曾蔭權 05年任特首以來第三份施政報告不獲立法會致謝。 多名議員表示不滿地產市場狀況及政府未能解決貧富懸殊問題。

The Ombudsman said that staff of the Social Welfare Department showed a lack of care and responsibility when assessing claims for disability allowances. Although in many cases the recommendations by doctors contradicted the eligibility criteria, SWD staff blindly granted approvals. The Ombudsman said approvals should be granted in a fair, objective and consistent manner.
申訴專員表示，社會福利署審批傷殘津貼申請漫不經心又不負責任，儘管在很多個案中，醫生的建議不符合領取傷殘津貼資格，但社署職員輕率地批出津貼。申訴專員表示，傷殘津貼審核應要公平、客觀和一致性。

An unemployed man was sentenced to six weeks' jail for pocketing his friend's HK$38,880 Mark Six win. The man’s friends entrusted him to buy Mark Six tickets for them. When they realized they had won the third prize, they could not get back the ticket. The magistrate said despite the clear evidence against him, the accused continued to claim he was innocent, revealing his greedy nature.
一名無業男子獨吞友人3.88萬元六合彩三獎彩金，被判囚6星期。被告受朋友委託投注六合彩，當朋友發現自己中了三獎，欲取回彩票但不果。裁判官表示，儘管證據明顯，被告仍堅稱清白，顯示他的貪念。

The Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, condemned what he called "a groundless smear campaign" against him. Mr. Tsang said he knew nothing in advance of the compensation agreement reached by his sister-in-law with a bank and the proposed cash voucher scheme for householders who buy energy-saving light bulbs was open to all suppliers.
特首曾蔭權譴責針對他的無事實根據的「誹謗浪潮」。曾蔭權表示，他弟婦與銀行達成賠償協議，事前他全不知情﹔提出「現金券」給家庭購買「慳電膽」的措施，所有供應商都可以公開參與。

World champion cyclist Wong Kam-po secured Hong Kong's first gold medal at the 11th National Games yesterday. Wong said teamwork and strategy were the keys to bringing home gold in the men's individual road race. The 36-year-old cyclist has not decided whether he will take part in the next National Games, saying he hoped a new generation of racers could take over.
世界冠軍單車手黃金寶昨日勇奪今屆全運首面金牌。黃金寶表示，團隊合作和戰略是奪取個人公路賽冠軍的關鍵。三十六歲的黃金寶還未決定是否參加下一屆全運，他希望新一代的車手能接班。

Dozens of people marched in Central yesterday to call on the government to address the problem of soaring property prices. The rally was led by the organisation, Caring Hong Kong. The protesters wanted the Home Ownership Scheme to be re-introduced, and for land to be made available for development at lower prices.
逾百名市民昨日在中環遊行， 要求政府對付樓價高企的問題 ，遊行由「關懷香港」發起， 遊行人士 要求復建居屋， 保障中低價樓宇供應充足。

A sister-in law of the Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, received a 60 percent repayment on a purchase of products related to the failed American bank Lehman Brothers, in advance of the official minibond buy-back scheme announced in July. Mr Tsang's office said he had not lobbied for any settlement on anyone's behalf.
行政長官曾蔭權的弟婦，在雷曼產品和解方案公布前，獲得提早賠償六成 。特首辦表示，特首本人並無協助個別人士追討賠償。

The Monetary Authority has introduced new curbs on mortgage lending which may cool the red hot luxury housing market. It has asked banks to cap mortgage loans to 60-percent for properties valued above HK$20-million. Banks have also been told to improve their risk assessment and to be prudent when valuing properties.
金管局推出按揭貸款新限制，以冷卻熾熱的豪宅市場，樓價 2000萬元以上的按揭成數最高六成， 銀行要加強風險管理及審慎的估價。

A government working group suggests textbooks should be sold separately to ease the financial burden on parents. It said school books should be revised every five years, as opposed to the current three. The working group also proposed a three-year "promoting e-learning" pilot scheme in 20 to 30 primary and secondary schools.
政府一個專責小組建議分拆課本售賣，以減輕家長財政負擔；並把教科書由每三年改版一次延長至五年才可改版。小組又建議推動電子學習，在二、三十所中小學推行先導計畫。

A legislator said that the mislabelling of floor numbers as a sales tactic is not only misleading to consumers, but also poses many problems. The issue arises from a luxury block at the Mid-Levels, where flats were sold on 'lucky-numbered floors' such as 88, even though the building is only 49 storeys high.
有立會議員表示，失實的樓層編排的方法作為銷售策略，不但誤導消費者，而且造成許多問題。事件是由一個半山豪宅引起，住宅樓層以幸運號碼出售，例如 88，實際建築物只有49層。

The Executive Council has approved the construction of the Hong Kong-Guangzhou high-speed rail link. The government says the new line is a crucial part of fostering closer economic ties with the mainland. But some critics have argued that the project - estimated to cost over HK$65 billion - is too expensive.
行政會議昨日通過建造廣深港高鐵項目。政府表示，新鐵路線是促進香港與內地經濟聯繫重要的一部份。有批評者認為高鐵估計造價650多億，十分昂貴。

Teenagers who are told they are too thin or too fat by their parents - even if the comments are well- intentioned - suffer headaches, feel stress or get depressed, a study has found. The researchers said parents should realize the potential adverse effects of inaccurate weight comments about their children and give only objective and constructive advice.
一項調查發現，青少年被父母評論體形，即使出於好意的，都會令他們感到頭痛，有壓力，甚至抑鬱。研究員表示，家長應該了解，不正確的體重評論對子女會有壞的影響，家長應提供客觀及有建設性的忠告。

The Hong Kong Youth Association's poll has found that 82 per cent of the respondents expected public figures to take responsibility for observing and upholding morals. The Youth Association urged entertainment companies not to neglect the moral behaviour of celebrities. It also called on civil servants and politicians to be honest with the public if they had made a mistake.
香港青年會調查發現，八成二受訪市民期望公眾人物有責任維護及遵守社會道德標準。香港青年會呼籲娛樂公司不要忽視名人的道德行為，又要求公務員及政治人物若犯錯要對市民坦誠。

A Hong Kong environmental group, Green Sense, staged demonstrations at seven McDonald's outlets, as part of a global campaign calling on the public to boycott the fast food chain. The group has accused McDonald's of damaging the environment by giving out massive amounts of plastic knives and forks and disposable containers every day. The group hoped to persuade the burger chain to switch to re-usable containers.
響應「全球反麥當勞行動」， 環保觸覺在麥當勞 7間分店門外示威 ， 號召市民抵制有關快餐店。環保觸覺指責麥當勞大量派發塑膠刀叉及即棄餐盒 ，破壞環境。 環保觸覺希望勸服麥當勞改用可多次使用的餐盒。

The Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, says there is no conflict of interest in his plan to promote the use of energy-saving light bulbs. In his policy address, Mr Tsang announced a HK$100 cash coupon scheme to encourage people to switch to the bulbs. But his son's father-in-law is a major dealer in the lighting business.
行政長官曾蔭權表示，他提倡用慳電膽計劃並沒有利益衝突問題。 曾蔭權在施政報告提出派發「百元慳電膽現金券」計劃，以鼓勵市民轉 換慳電膽，但他的姻親是慳電膽主要分銷商。

Legislators criticised the Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, for failing to take steps to alleviate poverty. They said that while unemployment was rising and the gap between rich and poor was widening, the policy address failed to address the problem. Mr. Tsang said that short-term measures were not sustainable and the government aimed to find long-term solutions.
立法會議員批評行政長官曾蔭權沒有採取措施減輕貧窮問題，本港失業問題嚴重，貧窮懸殊，而政府施政報告並沒有處理貧窮問題。曾蔭權表示短期措施不能持久，政府致力尋找長久解決辦法。

A woman abandoned by her live-in boyfriend tried to kill herself and her two children by burning charcoal in their Tuen Mun flat. The brother and sister, aged 12 and 13, died while the mother survived. The woman had developed a relationship with the married man and gave birth to three children. The woman was arrested for murder.
一名女子被同居男友拋棄，在屯門住所與兩名子女燒炭自殺，一對僅十三及十二歲兄妹終告死亡，女子獲救，她涉嫌謀殺被捕。女子早年戀上一名已婚男子，為他誕下三名子女。

A middle-aged senior fireman who is broke and divorced because of his gambling habit held two workers at an antique store hostage in order to meet with the store's owner, Stanley Ho Hung-sun's third wife. He wanted to ask Ho's wife to persuade her husband to get out of the gambling business.
中年消防隊目因爛賭而破產及離婚，到何鴻燊三太經營的古董店，扣押兩名職員作人質，要求會見三太，希望她可勸何鴻燊不再經營賭業。

Primary Six students in two schools in Shenzhen for children of Hong Kong parents will be able to join the Secondary One allocation program next year. The Education Bureau and Shenzhen education authorities are discussing opening three more such schools. It is hoped that the programme can ease the problem of cross-border students.
深圳兩所港人子弟學校小六畢業生可於明年參加本港的升中派位，教育局與深圳教育局正相討，開辦多三所港人子弟學校，期望此計劃可紓緩跨境學童問題。

The Liberal Party would oppose any move to set a minimum wage higher than HK$24 per hour. The party estimated that setting a minimum hourly wage of HK$32 would cause about 170,000 layoffs. Party chairwoman Lau Kin-yee said a minimum wage was not intended to eliminate poverty but it would provide basic protection.
自由黨將會反對任何措施將最低工資定於24元以上，自由黨估計最低時薪若訂於 32元，失業人數多達17萬。自由黨主席劉健儀表示，最低工資並不是為消除貧窮而設的，但會提供基本的保障。

President Barack Obama said he was "honoured and humbled" to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee praised the president's creation of a "new climate in international politics" and his work on nuclear disarmament. But critics say Obama is just nine months into his presidency and has yet to score any major achievements promoting world peace.
美國總統對自己獲得諾貝爾和平獎感到榮幸及謙卑。諾貝爾委員會讚揚奧巴馬為全球國際政治氣候帶來新氣象，並表揚他推動無核化 。不過， 評論家指出，奧巴馬上任只有九個月， 尚未對世界和平作出實質貢獻 。

A Form Five pupil working as a helper during his school's sports day needed four stitches on the back of his head after he was struck by a discus. The school said he breached guidelines by taking his eye off the thrower, a Form One pupil, and did not see the discus coming when it slipped out of the other boy's hand.
一名中五男生在學校陸運會擔當擲鐵餅工作人員，被鐵餅擊中，需要縫四針。校方表示，他沒依指引面向投擲 選手 ，未察 一名中一男生 擲出鐵餅時脫手，鐵餅飛來。

Nobel Prize winner for physics Charles Kao Kuen said he finds communication hard because of Alzheimer's disease. He and his wife are considering donating part of the prize money to the elderly centre of St James' Settlement in Hong Kong and an Alzheimer's association in the United States.
諾貝爾物理學獎得主高錕因患上老人癡呆症，思想交流困難。他和太太正考慮將部分獎金捐給香港聖雅各福群會老人中心和美國一個老人癡呆症研究協會。

A woman who hired an Indonesian maid to care for more than 150 homeless dogs in a shelter was sentenced to 180 hours of community service. The magistrate said that the accused had committed the offence out of her love of animals but she had exploited the maid and robbed a local person of an employment opportunity.
一名女子僱用印尼籍女傭照顧狗場內150 多隻流浪狗，被判180 小時社會服務令。裁判官指，被告出於對動物的愛心而犯法，但她剝削外傭的權益及非法剝奪本地勞工就業機會。

Charles Kao Kuen, the retired vice chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong who is called "the father of fiber optics", won the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics. The Nobel jury praised Professor Kao for groundbreaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibers for optical communication.
有「光纖之父」之稱的中大前校長高錕獲得今年諾貝爾物理學獎。諾貝爾委員會表揚高錕教授在光通訊上取得了突破性的成就。

The body of a teenager who went missing after going swimming in Shek O on Sunday was found. The 18-year old man spent Saturday night at the beach with friends celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival and went swimming the next day around 7am. His mother was in tears and said he ignored her advice not to go swimming.
星期日在石澳泳灘游水失蹤青年的屍體被發現。十八歲青年與友人在中秋節晚上到石澳泳灘度節，早上七時游泳。死者母親哭泣，並說死者忽視她不可游泳的忠告。

Democratic Party legislator Kam Nai-wai yesterday denied allegations he sexually harassed a female assistant and then fired her after she refused his advances. Mr Kam, who's married, declined to reveal the actual reason for terminating her contract. But he did admit having a bad temper.
民主黨立法會議員甘乃威否認性騷擾女助理的指控，並沒有因求愛不遂而解僱女助理。已婚的甘乃威拒絕透露解僱女助理的原因，但他承認自己個性暴燥。

The Financial Secretary, John Tsang, was released from hospital after making a swift recovery from heart surgery. Mr Tsang said he hoped to be back at his desk as soon as possible. He said he would pay more attention to his health and diet in future.
財政司司長曾俊華心臟手術迅速痊癒出院，曾俊華表示，他希望盡快上班， 將來會更注意健康，留心飲食。

Well-behaved young people could suddenly go astray without warning, a magistrate said yesterday as he sentenced two university students who stole a friend's credit card to buy computers . One was placed on probation for a year, while another was ordered to perform 120 hours of community service. The two students came from good backgrounds, had supportive families and performed well academically.
兩名大學生因為偷竊朋友信用卡，以購買手提電腦，分別被判一年感化及 120 小時社會服務令。 裁判官說， 很多乖巧的年青人，會在毫無徵兆下， 忽然誤入歧途。兩名大學生有良好的家庭背景，有支持他們的家庭和學業表現良好。

A host of activities were held yesterday in Hong Kong to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China . Speaking at the National Day reception, Acting Chief Executive Wong Yan-Lung said Hong Kong has had an irreplaceable role to play in the nation's reform and opening-up process over the last 30 years.
香港昨天舉行多項活動，慶祝中華人民共和國成立 60 周年。署理行政長官黃仁龍在國慶酒會表示，香港在國家改革開放 30 年過程中扮演不可取代的角色。

Joseph Yam Chi-kwong stepped down yesterday after 16 years as head of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. During his long tenure, Yam was keen on promoting closer financial links with the mainland. Yam has always been a strong defender of the Hong Kong-United States dollar peg exchange rate that has strengthened the city as an international financial centre.
金管局總裁任志剛昨日退休。在任 16 年間， 任志剛致力促進香港與內地金融更緊密聯繫 ，他堅決捍衛港元掛勾美元的聯繫匯率制度，鞏固香港作為國際金融中心的地位。

A civil servant made a complaint to the Ombudsman about receiving promotional mail almost every day. It not only encourages paper consumption but also infringes the Bill of Rights. The Ombudsman said the circular service of Hongkong Post was an abuse of the postal service which brought unwanted nuisance to the public.
一名公務員向申訴專員公署投訴經常收到商業宣傳單張，這不但是鼓勵他人浪費紙張，更觸犯《人權法》。申訴專員公署認為郵政署的「通函郵寄服務」是濫用郵政服務，以及對市民構成不必要的滋擾。

The co-founder of Ever Learning Jackie Lai Man-yip was killed in a car accident early yesterday morning when his Porsche lost control and smashed into a road divider. He is known for his ever-shifting images to deliver lectures in a lively, vibrant and clear manner. Ever Learning was co-owned by his wife Amanda Tann, often referred to as the "tutor queen."
「活學教育中心」補習社創辦人之一黎文業，昨日凌晨撞車身亡，他駕駛的保時捷跑車失控，猛撞路中石壆。黎以教學百變形象見稱，生動、充滿生氣和易明。 其妻陳如敏亦是「活學教育中心」創辦人，有補習天后之稱。

A survey has found that 75 percent of Octopus Card users are worried about being overcharged. It found that more than 16 percent of them have been overcharged, and the refund process could take as long as seven months. It was suggested that the operator of the Octopus Card should scrap the fees for users to check their transaction records.
一項調查發現，75%八達通使用者憂慮被多扣錢，16%受訪者曾被八達通多扣錢，追回多扣款項可長達7個月。有建議八達通公司取消查核交易紀錄的收費規定。

The number of sexual assaults on trains has risen 57% in the first half of this year. But surveys by a women's rights group revealed that more than half of the victims chose not to speak up. Most women chose to remain silent because they did not want trouble or to cause themselves more embarrassment.
今年頭半年在鐵路系統發生的非禮案飆升五成五。 但婦女團體調查發現，五成以上受害者選擇啞忍，因為她們不想惹麻煩或令她們更難堪。

HSBC is to move its chief executive 's office from London to Hong Kong . The move is aimed at redirecting the bank's business away from sluggish markets in Europe and North America and towards Asia 's more dynamic economies. The switch also signals a return to its Asian roots for HSBC , which was founded in Hong Kong in 1865.
匯豐控股將集團行政總裁辦公室由倫敦搬到香港，此舉是重新調配集團業務發展，由歐美蕭條的市場，轉移至更生氣勃勃的亞洲經濟。這調動亦標誌匯豐回歸亞洲根基， 匯豐於1865年在香港成立 。

Singers Justin Lo Ting-wai and Gary Cao Ge apologized publicly for a street fight in the early hours of Wednesday. Video footage of the blows was an instant hit on the internet, much to the disappointment of their fans, some of whom went online to say they were poor role models for Hong Kong's youth.
歌手側田及曹格星期三凌晨街頭打鬥一事，兩人向社會大眾道歉。他們互毆短片在網上熱播，令他們的歌迷十分失望，有歌迷在網上表示，他們是香港青年的壞榜樣。

A 14-month-old girl died after falling from a building in Yau Ma Tei. Police say the child's mother was cooking when the baby fell out of a seventh floor window of the building. The girl's bed was said to be a foot and a half below the window ledge. The Police arrested the baby's 24-year-old mother on suspicion of neglect.
油麻地一座大廈七樓一個單位， 一名 14 個月大女嬰 墮樓死亡 。警方表示 ，女嬰的床與窗戶距離只有 1呎半。女嬰的24歲母親涉嫌疏忽照顧被捕。

The Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, and many of his cabinet ministers, did not use their private transport yesterday morning as they supported World Carfree Day. The event, organised by the environmental group, Greenpeace, encouraged people to travel on public transport for the day. However, the city's first car-free day only met with limited success and the heavy traffic flow was little changed.
行政長官曾蔭權及多名內閣局長昨日早上不使用 私家車，以響應「國際無車日」。發起行動的團體綠色和平，呼籲市民在無車日乘搭公共交通工具上班。 然而，香港首個無車日只獲得不多的成功 ， 交通流量仍然大。

Three men and one woman who illegally submitted multiple applications to boost their chances of subscribing for shares in initial public offerings were jailed for nine months. They had used different addresses of vacant or rented flats for registration. In sentencing, the judge said the scam was unfair to other IPO applicants.
四名男女在公開招股中非法重複提交多份申請表被判囚九個月。他們用空置或出租物業的地址登記。法官判案時表示，詐騙案對其他認購新股申請者不公平。

A woman who suffered from depression attempted to commit suicide on Saturday. Three firemen who subdued and rescued her from a high-rise ledge were yesterday described as heroes or brutes by various sections of the community. Residents praised them for doing a very good job but some media blamed them for using excessive violence.
星期六一名患抑鬱症女子企圖跳樓，三名消防員在大廈高層窗臺將女子制服及拯救她，昨日社會各階層有不同的描述，他們被稱為英雄或殘暴的人。居民大讚他們工作出色，但有傳媒指責他們使用過分的暴力。

The Caritas Medical Centre is accused of delaying giving treatment to a seven-year-old boy who had suffered eye injuries. The hospital had required the boy's family to pay a $700 registration fee before receiving treatment, as the boy had not brought along his identity card and could not prove he was a local resident.
明愛醫院被指責延誤治療一名七歲眼睛受傷的男童，男童因未有帶身分證明文件，未能證明是本地居民 ，需要家人先繳付七百元 登記費 ，才能接受治療。

The mix-up of two babies at Queen Elizabeth Hospital last month was likely the result of multiple human errors with underlying system factors, according to an investigation panel's report. The panel recommended the hospital reinforce training and guidance, engage mothers in baby identification, and streamline the baby identification process to prevent recurrence.
伊利沙伯醫院公布，上月調錯新生嬰兒事件的成因，涉及多重人為錯誤及潛在系統因素。建議醫院增加員工培訓及指導、鼓勵母親參與核實嬰兒身分，並簡化核實嬰兒身分程序以防止問題重現。

Food prices in Sai Kung and Sha Tin wet markets are the most expensive in the territory, according to a new index compiled by the Consumer Council. The index tracks meat, vegetables, fish, and fruit prices across 18 districts. It found the cheapest prices in Tai Po and Eastern, which were up to 22-percent lower than in Sai Kung and Sha Tin.
消委會推出街市行情指數，追蹤十八區街市魚、肉和新鮮蔬果的價格變動資料。消委會發現，西貢區和沙田區的街市，食品價格最貴；大埔區和東區的價格最便宜，相差高達二成二。

There have been 86 complaints to the Consumer Council about slimming treatment in the first eight months of this year. The Consumer Council warned customers against free courses offered by slimming agencies for acting as spokeswomen. As a Consumer Council official put it, there is no free lunch when it comes to the slimming business.
消委會今年首8個月收到86宗涉及減肥療程的投訴，消委會提醒消費者小心纖體公司所提供的代言人免費纖體計劃。正如消委會一名幹事所言，當涉及纖體行業時，世上沒有免費午餐。

Attending the last policy address consultation session with nine hundred students yesterday, Chief Executive Donald Tsang assured a student that he would get to vote for the chief executive in 2017. Mr. Tsang praised the students' keenness for political and economic affairs, and willingness to express their views and propose solutions.
有 900 名學生昨日出席最後一場施政報告諮詢會，行政長官曾蔭權向一名學生保證， 2017 年他便可以投票選特首。曾蔭權稱讚學生對經濟、社會及政治均有濃厚興趣，並能對有關問題提出解決方法。

Six cleaning workers were killed in an accident in a lift shaft at the International Commerce Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. They were on a temporary platform inside a lift shaft on the 27th floor when it collapsed, plunging 17 storeys down to the 10th floor. A union leader wonders whether the temporary platform was bearing too much of a load.
尖沙咀環球貿易廣場發生意外，6名在升降機槽臨時工作台清潔的工人，由 27樓連跌17層至10樓，全部死亡。有工會領袖想知道是否臨時工作台負荷過重導致。

Police have charged a man with criminal intimidation over a letter sent to the judge hearing the court battle for the estate of late billionaire Nina Wang Kung Yu-sum. The letter contained statements that reminded the judge to pay attention to his personal safety. Police were investigating the motive behind the letter.
警方檢控一名男子，他涉嫌恐嚇審理龔如心千億遺產案法官，該封恐嚇信內容提醒法官小心人身安全。警方正深入查明恐嚇信的動機。

The former president of Taiwan , Chen Shui-bian, and his wife, Wu Shu-chen, were jailed for life for corruption. The court ruled that Chen used his power as president to create wealth while putting aside integrity and loyalty to the country. A spokesman for Taipei District Court said they were important figures in society, and the sentences corresponded to the damage that they had done.
台灣的前總統陳水扁及妻子吳淑珍因貪污同被判無期徒刑， 法院裁決指陳水扁在任總統卻以權生錢，把正直及忠誠撇開不理。 台北地方法院言人表示，陳水扁夫婦是社會重要人物，對台灣造成的傷害而作判刑。

Six school girls were sentenced to probation terms of 18 to 24 months for bullying a schoolmate for six hours. The six girls took revenge on their classmate because she told school authorities that one of them might have been responsible for a missing mobile phone. The magistrate warned the parents against the use of violence, saying it would only set a bad example.
6 名女生因為欺凌女同學 6 小時，被判感化18至24個月。事主因為向學校告發一名同學涉嫌偷取手機，被 6 名女生報復。裁判官勸喻父母不要用暴力解決問題，否則會樹立壞榜樣。

Yesterday was a fortunate day for weddings. All the nines added up to everlasting love as 131 couples rushed to register at the marriage registry offices. One couple rushed to get married at exactly 9.45am. "Having five nines means extra longevity. I hope I can be with my wife forever," the groom said.
昨日是結婚吉日，09年 9月 9日代表「長長久久」，昨日有 131對新人趕往婚姻登記處登記結婚。一對新人剛好趕及9時45分結婚，新郎說：「五條九表示更長久，我希望與太太永久在一起。」

The number of young female drug abusers has jumped by 15 percent in the first half of the year, according to government figures. Teenage girls have easy access to free drugs and they wrongly think taking drugs can help them lose weight. Teenage girls are more vulnerable to drugs when they suffer from emotional problems.
政府數字顯示，今年上半年吸毒少女急升百分之十五，少女常獲免費毒品，他們誤信吸毒可以減肥，少女較易因感情問題吸毒。

About 40 Hong Kong journalists held a protest outside the Central Government Liaison Office to decry the shameful treatment of Hong Kong reporters covering the unrest in Urumqi. They demanded that mainland officials stop all violent behaviour towards reporters and respect press freedom.
約40名本港新聞工作者到中聯辦，抗議本港記者到烏魯木齊採訪動亂時遭可恥對待，要求內地官員停止暴力對待記者，尊重新聞自由。

An acid attack in Tung Choi Street has left a couple with severe burns and injured nine other people. A man went to the couple's stall to collect HK$300,000 he was owed for supplies of handbags. In the heat of an argument, the man threw corrosive liquid on the couple. Two off- duty policemen arrested the attacker.
通菜街發生潑腐蝕液體案件，一對夫婦嚴重灼傷，另外9人受傷。一名男子向攤檔夫婦追討手袋生意錢銀三十萬元，在激烈的爭論中，男子向夫婦潑腐蝕液體，疑兇被 2名休班警員拘捕。

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department removed 17 alligator gars found in five of the artificial lakes in its parks. A spokesman for the LCSD said the fish would be put down humanely, as they have a low conservation value. He called on the public to think thoroughly before keeping pets and not to abandon animal or fish.
康樂及文化事務署在五個公園的人工湖移除共十七條福鱷。康文署發言人表示，福鱷沒有保育價值，將會把捕捉到的福鱷人道毀滅。他呼籲市民在飼養動物和魚類前應作充分考慮，切勿中途棄養。

A Labour Department officer, who spent time in a mahjong parlour while on duty, has been ordered to perform 240 hours of community service. The accused pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct in public office. He said he went to play mahjong because he found his job boring after failing to get a promotion.
一名勞工處主任，在工作時間到麻雀館打麻雀，被判 240小時社會服務令。被告承認一項公職人員行為失當罪名，他表示，由於工作沉悶及晉升失敗，所以犯案。

A survey suggests that one-in-three young people would consider engaging in compensated dating full-time to make a living. Among those, 60 percent said their purpose would be to earn quick cash. The survey organisers called on parents and teachers to strengthen communication with their children and students and to alert them to the dangers of compensated dating.
一項調查顯示，受訪的三成四青少年表示會考慮以援交謀生，當中六成基於「搵快錢」。調查機構請求家長和老師加強與子女和學生交流， 提醒他們援交的危險。

A survey conducted by Breakthrough has found that more than 60 percent of the interviewees aged between 10 and 24 are affected by their emotions when spending. Factors include bad moods, peer pressure and impulsive desires. Breakthrough suggests that education on consumption should include emotion management.
突破機構一項調查發現，有超過 6成受訪10至24歲的青少年表示，消費行為受到情緒主導，包括心情不佳、同 輩 壓力及及 衝動慾望 而購物。機構建議，有關消費的教育應包含情緒管理。

A woman's body was found at her home in Tin Shui Wai. She had slipped and hit her head. The woman's twin sister, who is mentally ill and unable to care for herself, was also inside the apartment when police broke in. It is thought the woman died three days ago, and the body had started to decay.
一名女子，被發現死於天水圍住所內，死者是意外跌倒，撞到頭致死。警察破門入屋，發現有精神病及不能自我照料的孿生妹妹在單位內。死者屍身開始腐爛，相信已死去 3 天 。

The Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, says the government will focus on the economy in the coming year. Mr Tsang said Hong Kong had to stay cautious despite steady improvements in the stock and property markets, because the outlook for the global economy was still unclear.
行政長官曾蔭權表示，政府今年以經濟為主軸， 儘管股市樓市穩上揚，但全球經濟前景仍未明朗，本港仍需步步為營。

A sex criminal with 30 crime-riddled years behind him is facing the rest of his life behind bars. The man, who has been convicted several times of rape, robbery, burglary and drug offenses , was described by a judge yesterday as being "dangerous to women."
一名色魔三十年來 案底纍纍，面臨會判處終身監禁。他過去因強姦、行劫 、 爆竊及 毒品等罪多次入獄 ，法官形容被告「對女性是一個危險人物」。

A Hong Kong teenager was arrested at the airport for attempting to smuggle six kilograms of liquid cocaine soaked into his clothing. T he suspect had 'soaked' six kilos of liquid cocaine in 35 articles of clothing in a bid to evade detection. However, the 18 year-old was stopped at the airport, after officers noticed he was acting 'suspiciously.'
一名青年試圖用所攜帶衣服滲透可卡因毒品偷運入境被拘捕，涉嫌 18歲青年將六公斤可卡因滲透三十五件衣物， 以逃避偵查 。青年在機場神色顯得慌張閃縮， 被海關人員截停。

The Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, has vowed to devote as many resources as necessary to the pilot drug tests to be introduced in secondary schools in Tai Po. The Catholic Church has suggested deferring it for a year, but Mr Tsang said society can't afford to wait any longer. He said the aim is not to punish students, but to try and help those who are in trouble.
行政長官曾蔭權誓言投入更多資源，以推行 大埔區校園自願驗毒先導計劃 。天主教香港教區建議延遲推行校園自願驗毒計劃，曾蔭權表示， 計劃不能再延遲，必須立即推行。 校園自願驗毒計劃的目的，是幫助而非懲戒學生。

The Education Secretary, Michael Suen, says the drug testing is entirely voluntary, he emphasized. "We are not aiming at penalizing students - we just want to help them."
教育局局長孫明揚表示， 即使家長已簽署同意書，學生仍有權拒絕驗毒 。他強調 驗毒是完全自願性，計畫目標非為懲罰學生，而是幫助他們。

A hearing- impaired girl scored nine A's and one B in Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination. No one could be prouder than her father, whose message to other youngsters who might be facing special challenges was to show determination in the face of adversity.
一名聽障女生在中學會考取得 9 優1良，沒人更比她的爸爸自豪的，他給與面對特殊挑戰的年青人的信息是：以決心面對逆境。

The Catholic Church has warned that the government's plan for a voluntary drug -testing scheme in schools risks stigmatising the teenagers who are chosen. The government says drug-testing in schools is useful in preventing abuse, and that it will try to persuade the Catholic Church to accept it.
天主教區警告 ，政府校本驗毒計劃會給被挑選青少年帶來恥辱 。政府表示，校本驗毒計劃有效防止濫毒，政府會盡力 說服天主教區接受計劃。

A 22-year-old single mother was put on probation for a year after her one-year-old son apparently sniffed the drug 'ice.' A straw the woman had used for taking the drug at home was picked up by her son who imitated her. He appeared to be affected by the substance and was taken to hospital. His mother then turned herself in to the police.
一名22歲單親母親，在寓所吸食毒品「冰」，飲管被一歲大兒子檢獲模仿，兒子之後出現反常情況，被送院治療，母親向警方自首，被判接受感化一年。

According to the latest government statistics, there are now 10 percent more women than men in Hong Kong - the largest gap yet recorded. Men still generally earn more and are better educated, but women are slowly catching up.
政府最新統計數字顯示，港女較港男多一成，這是有記錄以來最大的差距。 男性較女性收入多及受教育更佳 ， 但女性慢慢趕上 。

The police urge people not to use the Internet for unlawful acts, noting 15% of rape and 4% of indecent assault victims in the first six months got acquainted with their attackers online. Those using the Internet to promote sex services can be charged with soliciting for immoral purposes.
警方呼籲市民切勿利用互聯網作非法行為，上半年發生的強姦和非禮案中分別有 15 ％和 4 ％的案件，受害人是透過互聯網認識疑犯。任何人假如透過互聯網 提供性服務 ， 可被控「為不道德目的而唆使他人」。

An elderly woman claims UBS advisers talked her into buying an equity accumulator package and did not tell her of the risks and nature of the investments. She has lost nearly HK$260 million and is taking UBS to court. She has a primary 3 level of education and does not understand English.
一名不諳英文及只有小三教育程度的老婦，被瑞士銀行職員游說購入「累計股票期權」，職員沒有提醒她投資的性質及風險，令她虧損二億六千萬，她入稟高院要求瑞銀賠償。

A man who murdered and dismembered a teenage compensated-dating girl was sentenced to life in prison. The man said he had been under the influence of drugs at the time. The judge told the killer that it was no exaggeration to describe his conduct as barbaric.
一名男子謀殺及肢解援交少女，被判處終身監禁。被告稱在犯案時受毒品影響。 法官指以野蠻人形容被告一點都不誇張。

Mui Wo residents still voice opposition to the relocation of the Christian Zheng Sheng College to their neighbourhood. At a residents meeting, emotional residents again demanded the site be reserved for local students in Mui Wo. They said residents should have priority over establishing a school there.
梅窩居民仍然反對正生書院搬遷至梅窩。在居民大會上，有情緒激動的居民要求，中學舊址優先權應先給予梅窩居民，以續辦學校。

Three people died and 14 were injured when a minibus ran into the back of an overloaded container truck in Yuen Long in the early morning yesterday. Police are also investigating whether the driver fell asleep as there were no skid marks at the scene. Police arrested the truck driver on suspicion of dangerous driving after his truck was found overloaded.
元朗昨日清晨發生車禍，釀成 3死14傷。一輛專線小巴 撞向一輛貨櫃車 的車尾。由於現場沒有留下小巴的煞車痕，警方調查 小巴司機是否 打瞌睡出事。警方調查後，發現貨櫃車超載，貨櫃車司機涉嫌危險駕駛被捕。

A woman became depressed and went on a spending spree after suspecting that her boyfriend was having an affair. She accumulated HK$1.5 million in debts and later attempted to commit suicide by burning charcoal with her eight-year-old son. However, she changed her mind after the boy complained of feeling unwell and vomited.
一名婦人疑男友有外遇，於是藉瘋狂購物減壓，最終欠下一百五十萬元債務，令她企圖與八歲兒子一起燒炭自殺。後來兒子向被告表示嘔吐不適，被告改變主意，放棄自殺。

A three-year old boy died three months after he mistakenly drank a bottle of potassium cyanide. Upon the request of the parents and after assessment by a doctor, the boy was granted home leave. He collapsed suddenly at his Tai Po home, and was pronounced dead in hospital shortly afterwards.
一名於三月前錯誤飲用山埃後中毒的 3歲男童，於大埔家中昏迷，送院後證實死亡。因應家人要求，及在醫生評估後，男童早前獲批准回家渡假。

Hong Kong was last night bracing for the first typhoon of the year. The Observatory hoisted typhoon signal No.9 at about 1.30am when Typhoon Molave was 70 kilometres east-northeast of Hong Kong . Before Molave hit, the Observatory recorded the highest temperature this year - 34.3 degrees Celsius。
香港昨晚防備今年首個颱風，天文台在清晨一時三十分發出九號風球，颱風「莫拉菲」 集結在香港之東北約 70 公里 。受颱風影響天文台錄得今年最高氣溫攝氏三十四點三度。

A survey has found that about 20 percent of children accessed pornographic websites before 10. It also revealed that the practice is widespread among students of secondary 2 to 4 , with nearly 80 percent having done it at one time or another - mostly on home computers.
一項調查發現， 約兩成學童於十歲前已瀏覽色情網 站，近八成中二至中四學生普遍有瀏覽色情網站的習慣， 大多在家中電腦接觸有關的資訊。

A 37-year-old Filipino maid had fallen ill a day after arriving in Hong Kong from the Philippines two weeks ago. She is critically ill in hospital after being diagnosed with swine flu. She is being supported by a breathing machine in the intensive care unit. This is the most serious case of the illness reported here so far.
一名兩星期前抵港的 37歲菲律賓女傭確診感染人類豬流感，目前在進深切治療部，須靠人工儀器維持呼吸， 情況危殆。這是本港出現甲型 H1N1 流感病情最嚴重的個案 。

The MTRC plans to open its new Kowloon Southern Link by the end of September. The line will link East Rail and West Rail. There will be one new station - called Austin . The link will shorten travel time between the northwest New Territories and Tsimshatsui by about 20 minutes.
港鐵九龍南線預計於九月下旬通車，屆時東西鐵線將連接，西鐵線將新增新站柯士甸站。由新界西北到尖東站車程節省 20 分鐘。

Two students with dyslexia have overcome their learning difficulties to win university places after scoring top grades in their A-levels. John Tung, who always failed in dictation tasks, gained two A grades and one B grade. He thought confidence was the most important factor in his success, and his teachers' support was also very important.
兩名讀寫障礙生克服學習障礙，在高級程度會考中取得優異成績，有望取得大學學位。董立竣 經常默書不及格 ，取得 2A1B的成績，他認為成功因素在信心及老師的支援。

The Centre for Health Protection say swine flu has taken over as the predominant flu strain in Hong Kong and the virus was now so widespread that quarantining patients was no longer useful in preventing infections. People whose conditions were mild would be given medicine so they could recover at home.
衛生防護中心說，人類豬流感病毒已經成為本港主流流感病毒，人類豬流感病毒已廣泛流傳，隔離措施意義不大。症狀輕微患者，可在家服藥康復。

About 100 car park security guards, working for Link Reit, staged a strike in protest against new 12-hour shifts instead of the current eight hours. The guards say their pay of $23 an hour pay is inadequate given the longer working hours they face. They are also concerned that the new policy will lead to about 400 job losses.
近100名領匯停車場保安員罷工， 抗議領匯將保安工作由 8 小時三更制改為 12 小時兩更制，增加工時，但時薪只有 23 元， 他們亦擔心新政策會引起裁員四百人。

The Consumer Council has received more than 15,000 complaints in the first five months of this year, up 10 per cent from the same period in 2008. The Council's Chairman, Anthony Cheung, said there had been a significant increase in the number of complaints related to unfair, misleading and deceptive sales tactics. He called for legislation to crackdown on undesirable sales tactics.
消費者委員會截至今年首五個月為止，共接獲一萬五千多宗消費者投訴，較去年同期上升 一成。消委會主席張炳良表示 ，投訴涉及不公平 、 誤導及欺詐的營銷手法有顯著的上升， 他促請政府盡快立法規管不良銷售手法。

A government source has warned that the number of local swine flu cases could double in the next few days. The source also warned that -- based on similar past epidemics that have two peak seasons -- swine flu could worsen further this winter. The government is still undecided whether all schools should shut early for the summer break.
政府消息指，確診豬流感人數未來數日倍增。消息人士說，本港每年有兩個流感高峰期，豬流感在今年冬季會較目前嚴重。政府仍未決定學校會否提前放暑假。

The Under Secretary for Health, Gabriel Leung, called on foreign domestic helpers to take flexible day-off. He made the appeal after three Fillipinos were confirmed to have swine flu in Hong Kong . He also said domestic helpers should consider avoiding gathering in large groups.
三名菲律賓人確診豬流感，食物及衛生局副局長梁卓偉呼籲僱主，彈性安排外傭放假，外傭避免到人多的地方聚集。

Dozens of parents and children queued up outside the Disneyland theme park yesterday morning, to take advantage of a promotion targeting primary school and kindergarten students, whose classes had been suspended. The government warned that children should be kept away from large crowds during the swine flu outbreak.
迪士尼樂園推出推廣優惠予停課學童，昨晨有不少家長帶子女排隊購票 。政府警告，在豬流感爆發期間，兒童避免聚集。

To illustrate the effects of global warming, Oxfam Hong Kong placed two ice blocks shaped as human beings in Theatre Lane in Central. The group said Hong Kong people have both a moral responsibility and the capability to reduce the impacts of climate change. In Hong Kong , each individual contributes an average of six tonnes of carbon dioxide a year - twice the world average.
樂施會在中環放置兩個人形冰雕，表達對氣候暖化的關注。樂施會指， 香港人有道義責任和能力減少氣候變化的禍害 。每名香港人一年平均排放 6噸二氧化碳，高出世界平均水平一倍。

The Committee on Youth Smoking Prevention has urged the government to change pictorial health warnings on cigarette packets on a regular basis. This came after a survey of nearly 47,000 secondary school students showed that less than half of them felt the pictures currently displayed on the packets were effective enough to discourage them from smoking.
防止青少年吸煙委員會訪問了 4萬多名中學生，半數以下學生認為煙包上的健康警告圖像能有效地勸阻他們不吸煙，委員會促請政府定期更換煙包上的圖像。

The government has unveiled plans for fine-tuning the medium of instruction for Hong Kong 's secondary schools. They will end the segregation of schools into Chinese and English streams, and give them greater flexibility in deciding which language to teach in.
政府公佈中學教學語言微調方案，放棄「中文中學」、「英文中學」二分法，並給與學校更靈活性決定教學語言。

A driver with a record of committing more than ten traffic offences faces a heavy jail term after he was found guilty of causing a crash last August which left two people dead. A district court judge told the man that the maximum jail term for dangerous driving causing death was increased from five years to ten.
已有逾 10項駕駛罪 行 紀錄的司機， 去年 8月 因超速駕駛以致撞車，導致兩人死亡，在區域法院被判一項危險駕駛導致他人死亡罪名成立， 法官稱勢必判囚。 而新法例已經將罪行的最高刑期已由 5 年提高至10年。

The government has unveiled a HK$16.8 billion relief package, including increasing salaries tax concessions, two months' rent-free for public housing tenants and an extra month's payment for CSSA and Old Age Allowance recipients. The Financial Secretary, John Tsang, said the measures would provide speedy help to people during uncertain economic times.
政府公佈168億元的舒困措施，包括增加退稅上限、公屋免租兩個月及綜援及老人金多發一個月。財政司司長曾俊華表示，希望有關措施能能盡快幫助市民紓困。

A local study has found that six out of 10 youngsters who abuse drugs have problems with their brain functions and suffer from depression. The study found that many of the drug users had problems with concentration and memory.
一項本地調查發現，近六成濫藥青少年大腦功能受損及出現抑鬱症狀。濫藥者專注程度及記憶出現問題。

Hong Kong has confirmed its fourth imported case of swine flu. The patient is a 19-year-old student, who returned from New York City on board flight CX831 on Monday. Another confirmed swine flu patient from Taiwan , had been sitting just two rows away from her. The student developed a fever on Thursday.
本港確診第四宗人類豬流感個案，患者是一名 19歲女學生，與台灣首宗確診病例，乘坐同一班航班CX831，星期一從紐約抵港。在航班上她與台灣確診患者，只相隔兩行。 這名女學生星期四才開始發燒。

More than 30 people were injured by corrosive liquid from two bottles which fell from a building onto Mongkok pedestrian precinct . A number of people had injuries to their face, arms, back and chests. Police found two bottles on the street, suspected of containing corrosive liquid.
旺角行人專區發生大廈高處跌落兩樽腐蝕液體，導致 30人受傷， 一些人臉、背和手和胸受灼傷 ， 警方找到兩個懷疑盛載腐蝕液 體的膠樽。

Hong Kong 's economy has suffered its worst contraction since the Asian financial crisis with GDP falling 7.8% . The Financial Secretary, John Tsang, expects the economy to shrink by up to 6.5 percent for the whole of 2009. He says a new economic relief package will be unveiled soon.
今年首季本地生產總值，大幅倒退 7.8%，是98年亞洲金融危機以來，最大跌幅。財政司司長曾俊華預料， 全年經濟料收縮 6.5 ％。他 表示，政府將於短 期內推出舒困措施。

The sixth supplement to the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement was signed yesterday. Among the new provisions, mainland tourists will be able to visit Hong Kong and Taiwan on a single permit, and there will be stronger financial cooperation between the SAR and the mainland.
內地與香港昨日簽署《更緊密經貿關係安排》第六份補充協議，新條款包括，內地旅客可以一個簽證，同時旅遊香港及台灣，此外還有加強兩地金融合作措施。

More than 280 guests and staff at the Metropark Hotel in Wanchai were released last night after being quarantined there for a week. The Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, warned that although everyone who had been quarantined in connection with the territory's first infection is now free, this is merely the beginning of the battle against swine flu.
在灣仔維景酒店內被隔離檢疫 7 天的 286名住客及職員昨晚獲釋 。 行政長官曾蔭權警告，雖然由香港首宗確診 H1N1 甲型流感病人引起的隔離告一段落，但這只是對抗豬流感的開始。

The Secretary for Education Michael Suen said there is no need to close schools at this stage, unless the H1N1 Influenza A virus spreads .  He said the authority will closely monitor Influenza A H1N1 developments. Immediate and resolute actions will be taken if the situation worsens.     
教育局局長孫明揚表示 ，此階段 學校暫時毋須停課，除非 H1N1甲型流感傳播 。他表示，政府繼續密切留意疫情發展，如情況轉壞，便立即採取果斷措施。

The government has raised the swine flu alert here to emergency, after a Mexican person was confirmed as Hong Kong 's first person to be confirmed with the disease. The Mexican arrived from Shanghai and stayed at a hotel in Wanchai. The chief executive, Donald Tsang pledged to try to contain the virus before it spreads.
一名墨西哥人確診為本港第一宗豬流感個案，港府將流感的警戒級別提升至「緊急」。病人經上海來港，曾入住灣仔一間酒店。行政長官曾蔭權承諾， 爭取在病毒擴散之前，把病毒有效控制。

More than 467,000 students enjoyed nutritious fruit yesterday in support of "430 Fruit Day 2009". The event is aimed at fostering the cooperation of schools and parents to develop a school environment conducive to healthy eating as well as fruit and vegetable consumption to protect children from developing chronic diseases.
超過467 000名學生昨日一同在校園內享用美味而營養豐富的水果，以行動支持「4．30開心果日2009」。這項活動目的是鼓勵學校和家長締造有利於健康飲食及多吃水果蔬菜的校園環境，以促進學童健康，減低他們患上 慢性病 的機會。

Hong Kong has raised its influenza alert level to 'serious' in response to the swine flu outbreak in Mexico and the United States . The Health Secretary York Chow urged residents to avoid travelling to affected cities.
因應美國及墨西哥爆發豬型流感 ，香港已將應變流感戒備級別提升至嚴重。食物及衛生局局長周一嶽呼籲市民避免到受影響的地方。

The Centre for Heatlh Protection is to step up surveillance at entry points to the territory following the outbreak of a new type of swine flu H1N1 in Mexico and the southern United States . It is also advising travellers heading to the affected areas to take precautions.
美國及墨西哥爆發新型豬型流感 H1N1個案，衛生防護中心在入境口岸加強監測，並提醒前往受影響地方的旅客採取防範措施。

Popular football commentator `Uncle Spencer' Lam Seung-yi died at the age of 75. Lam was one of the most popular football commentators on both radio and television for more than 20 years, amusing fans with his colorful comments about players' performances and vivid descriptions of play.
著名足球評述員 「阿叔」 林尚義逝世，終年七十四歲。林尚義在電台及電視台講波二十多年 ， 深受球迷愛戴，阿叔評論球員表現富有趣味的 ，講波生動。

New World China Land chairman Henry Cheng told a Legco inquiry that the row over his hiring of ex-housing chief Leung Chin-man had been politicised ahead of last year's Legislative Council election. He thought Mr Leung was an honest and reliable person suitable to take up the role offered him.
新世界中國地產主席鄭家純在立法會研訊上稱，聘請前房屋及規劃地政局常任秘書長梁展文的 爭論，是由於 在去年立法會選舉前，有人將事件政治化。他認為梁 展文忠誠可靠，是適當人選。

Cathay Pacific has announced further cost-cutting measures, after revenue dropped 22 percent in the first quarter of the year. All 17,000 employees are being asked to take unpaid leave ranging from one to four weeks in the next 12 months.
國泰航空首季營利下跌 22% ，國泰宣佈節省成本措施，下月起要求一萬七千名員工，未來一年放一至四星期無薪假。

The new leader of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong Bishop John Tong has expressed support for China to reverse its verdict on the 1989 pro-democracy movement. He said religious freedoms and human rights in the mainland are far from ideal though there has been progress in other areas.
新任香港教區主教湯漢表示，他支持中國平反八九民運， 湯漢指中國雖然中國在多方面已有進步，但宗教及人權事上一點也不理想。

The Consumer Council has accused ParknShop and Wellcome of increasing prices before offering discounts. The two major supermarket chains have been using these tactics to lure shoppers into buying products at higher prices. The Council called on the government to consider regulating such sales tactics.
消委會指控百佳和惠康在給予優惠價前先加價，兩大超市連鎖店用此等策略吸引顧客買貴貨。 消委會促請政府考慮監管此等銷售策略。

A three-year-old boy who drank cyanide he found in his mother's purse remains critical. The previous day, a two-year-old boy drank kerosene while playing with his brother. There have been calls for parents to keep dangerous liquids out of sight and out of reach of children.
一名三歲男童誤飲 放在母親手提包內的山埃，情況危殆。一日前，一名二歲男童與哥哥玩耍時，誤飲火水。有人 呼籲父母將 危險的液體遠離兒童視線和放在孩子拿不到的地方。

In view of the further worsening situation in Bangkok , the SAR government issued travel warnings yesterday to strongly urge residents to avoid traveling to Thailand. Many Hong Kong travel agencies have already cancelled their package tours to Thailand.
由於曼谷局勢進一步惡化，特區政府昨日強烈呼籲香港市民，應避免前赴泰國。多個旅行社已取消赴泰國之旅行團。

Educators criticized the government's education policy as incompatible for long-term development. The laws governing private universities were outdated and unclear, and it took too long for an institute of learning to acquire the "university" designation. The government policy hampered the efforts of institutions when it came to recruitment and fund-raising.
多名教育界人士批評政府政策未能配合教育長期的發展。現行有關私立大學的法例過時亦欠清晰，私立大學正名需時過長，有礙聘請優質教師、招生和籌款等工作。

The Undersecretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Greg So, has apologised for not being careful enough in the way he handled his domestic helper's contract renewal. He gave the Immigration Department his official name card instead of giving his income statements. Mr. So said he never had any intention of seeking special treatment.
商務及經濟發展局副局長蘇錦樑向入境處申請外傭續約時，以卡片代替入息證明文件。蘇錦樑表示歉意，他在處理這件事務上有粗疏，但無意得到任何特別對待。

Chief Executive Donald Tsang has welcomed the State Council's decision to introduce a pilot scheme for using renminbi for cross-border trade settlements in Shanghai and four Guangdong cities. He said the pilot programme would help local businesses to reduce currency risks.
國務院決定，在上海市和廣東省 4 個城市，開展跨境貿易人民幣結算試點，行政長官曾蔭權表示歡迎，並表示，人民幣結算 可減低企業兌匯風險。

Textbook prices for the new three- year senior secondary system will increase more than 50 percent. Publishers have estimated that arts students will pay HK$2,600 and science students HK$3,000 for one year. Officials urge publishers to reduce textbook prices to alleviate burden on parents.
新高中教科書的價格將增加超過一半，書商估計文科生 支付 二千六百元，理科生三千元購買教科書。政府官員呼籲書商下調書價以 減輕家長的負擔 。

About 100 people protested in Central calling on the government to do more to help poor children. The rally led by the Society for Organisation coincided with Children's Day in Hong Kong . The spokesman said many underprivileged children suffer because their parents were either laid off because of the financial crisis or had suffered wage cuts.
大約 100名市民，趁昨日兒童節，在中環參加社區組織協會遊行， 要求政府關注貧窮兒童。發言人表示，很多貧窮兒童的父母受金融海嘯影響而被解雇或減薪 。

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has published a blacklist of non-cooperative tax havens. China opposed labeling Macau and Hong Kong as tax havens in the list . However, the group notes that the two SARs have yet to implement the internationally agreed tax standards.
「經濟合作發展組織」公布「避稅天堂名單」，中國反對將香港和澳門列在名單內。但組織列明香港和澳門承諾履行國際同意的稅務標準，但未做到。

The Hospital Authority has been urged to get tough with drug markers. Three pharmacist groups proposed that drug makers should be required to provide a quality certificate on their products sold to public hospitals. The provision of a certificate would deter drug makers to alter the expiry date of a certain drug.
三個藥劑師學會要求醫管局採取強硬手段段對付藥廠，藥劑師學建議，規定藥廠所有售賣給公立醫院的藥物，都要提供質量證明書，以防止藥廠更改藥物到期日。

The South China Morning Post laid off 17 workers, and imposed pay-cuts on over a thousand others. The newspaper said the moves were necessary to cut costs, as its advertising revenue has dwindled as a result of the economic slowdown.
南華早報裁員 17人，千多名員工要減薪。公司表示，由於金融海嘯，廣告收益減少，需要裁員縮減開支。

An investigation is underway to find out why a police constable shot dead an unarmed homeless man in a park in Ho Man Tin. The officer arrived to deal with a nuisance complaint about the man. The officer had been repeatedly attacked with a wooden chair and was unable to subdue the man with his baton and pepper spray.
警方正調查一名警員為什麼在何文田一公園內開槍擊斃一名無武器的流浪漢。警員到事發地點處理一宗滋擾投訴，警員被人用木椅襲擊，警員以警棍及胡椒噴霧企圖制服對方，但不成功。

Pharmacists have called on the government to take action against the drug company found to have printed wrong expiry dates on its products. The president of the Practising Pharmacists Association, Iris Chang, said the Department of Health should punish the firm, Marching Pharmaceutical, to serve a deterrent.
藥劑師要求政府對藥廠印錯產品過期日採取行動。執業藥劑師協會會長鄭綺文表示，衛生署應該處罰萬輝藥業以起阻嚇作用。

The High Court overturned a commission of inquiry's finding that a former Permanent Secretary for Education, Fanny Law, improperly interferred in the academic freedom of the Hong Kong Institute of Education. The court said the fact that a senior government official had privately confronted an academic to criticise his published opinions didn't violate the Basic Law or his freedom of expression.
高等法院推翻教院風波的調查報告，指前教統局常任秘書長羅范椒芬不適當干預學術自由。判詞指，政府高層官員私下批評學者發表的意見，並不違犯基本法 ，或學術自由。

The Consumer Council has warned customers not to buy too many prepaid coupons at a time, despite discounts offered by companies. If the businesses closed, it was unlikely that customers who had bought coupons would be compensated. The council said pre-paid services should be regulated.
消委會警告， 預繳式消費券雖然可享折扣優惠，消費者不要大量買入。 商戶一旦清盤，他們甚難得到賠償。 政府實有需要監管預繳式服務。

A 52-year-old father is fighting for his life in hospital after he ran into his burning home in Sha Tin to save his daughter. The girl was too frightened and unable to walk. The father carried her on his back out of the burning unit.
沙田一個住宅單位發生火警， 52歲父親衝入火場救女，女兒受驚不能走，父親揹起軟弱的女兒逃離火場。父親送院治理，情況危殆。

Five schoolgirls of Sheung Shui Government Secondary School were arrested on suspicion of taking illegal drugs. The girls had spent HK$20 each to buy a packet of suspected ketamine from a teenage drug courier during lunchtime. They took it in the staircase of a public housing block in the district before returning to school.
上水官立中學 5名女生 涉嫌 服食俗稱「 K仔」的毒品氯胺酮被扣查。女生在午膳時每人以二十元向一名少年拆家購買一小包「K仔」，在公屋梯間吸食後才回校。

Legco's president, Tsang Yok-sing, said the council is considering more stringent rules of conduct as a means to deal with disruptive behaviour by some legislators. Three legislators from the League of Social Democrats interrupted the financial secretary's budget speech on Wednesday.
立法會主席曾鈺成表示，立法會考慮是否需更多嚴格的行為規則，對付搗亂秩序的立法會議員。周三，社民連三名議員干擾財政司長宣讀財政預算案。

A Hong Kong Christian Service study has found that 60 percents of youths interviewed are unemployed. Some youngsters have been jobless for up to seven years, raising concern they might withdraw from society. Those with low academic qualifications will be badly hit by the financial tsunami.
基督教服務處一項調查發現，六成受訪青年正在失業，最長的更已失業七年；機構擔心，求職失敗的青年會脫離社會。低學歷青年最受金融海嘯打擊。

Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing says the Government supports the development of Cantonese opera and is planning to provide $100,000 each month to subsidise the rental of Sunbeam Theatre as a regular venue for Cantonese opera shows. The government will also help find sponsors for the venue. 
民政事務局局長曾德成表示，政府一直支持粵劇發展，政府計劃每月提供 10 萬元公帑補貼新光戲院租金。政府亦協助找尋 贊助者 ，資助新光粵劇的演出。

A powerful anti-drug advertising campaign is underway to raise awareness of the harmful effects of drug abuse. The message - "No drugs, no regrets. Not now, not ever" - is broadcast in public announcements on radio and television, in advertisements in MTR stations and on taxis and buses.
一個大規模禁毒宣傳運動正在進行中 ，使人認識到濫用毒品的害處。「不可一、不可再，向毒品說不、向遺憾說不」的信息，在電台及電視廣播， 還有港鐵站內、的士和巴士的廣告。

The Labour Secretary, Matthew Cheung, said about 10,000 jobs had been lost in Hong Kong since the financial crisis began. He said that while it's difficult to predict when the unemployment rate will peak, there will be more pressure on the labour market when graduates leave schools in May.
勞工及福利局局長張建宗表示，自金融風暴後，香港已失去一萬個職位，政府難以預測何時為失業率高峰期，但 5 月時畢業生將投入勞動市場，會對失業率造成壓力。

The Hospital Authority says the number of consultations for flu-like illnesses has more than doubled in recent weeks. The coming six to eight weeks will be the peak flu season, which may bring an upsurge in demand for medical services.
醫管局表示，最近數週，有關流感求診個案倍增 。醫管局預計，未來六至八個星期，本港會進入流感高峰期，醫療服務需求會增加。

A primary school in Mong Kok will suspend classes for one week after a flu outbreak. The Centre for Health Protection said so far 25 students were reported to have mild symptoms of influenza-like illness. The school will be thoroughly disinfected to prevent further spreading of the flu.
旺角一間小學發生 流感，下周一起停課一星期。衛生防護中心表示 ， 該校有 25名小學生 出現輕微流感徵狀， 校方決定進行徹底消毒，防止流感 繼續擴散 。

Learner drivers who apply to take their driving tests from Monday will have to display probationary - or "P" - plates for a year after they pass. Drivers caught commiting minor offences will have their probation period extended, with repeat offenders losing their licences. The new regulation is aimed at minimizing accidents involving new license holders.
由下周一起，報考車牌者，考得車牌後的一年內若要駕車，便要在車掛「 P牌」。若輕微違反交通條例，即要延長暫准期；而屢次觸犯交通條例者，則會被取消駕駛資格。新例旨在 減少 新牌司機發生意外。

The body of a 22-year-old woman missing for 10 days was found dumped in a drain in Lok Ma Chau. Police arrested her former boyfriend in connection with the case.  Initial investigations revealed that the 37-year-old married man was suspected to have killed the woman after a dispute.
一名失蹤十日女子的屍體被發現棄置於落馬洲引水道， 她的前男友涉嫌與案件有關被警方拘捕。初步調查顯示，該名三十七歲已婚男子懷疑曾與該名女子爭執，並將其殺害。

An American car owner refused to identify the driver who jumped red lights while behind the wheel of his car. The Court of Appeal ruled that the law requiring drivers to disclose their identity was constitutional. The rights of an individual do not come before the public interest.
一名美籍車主，拒絕透露涉嫌衝紅燈的司機資料。上訴庭裁定，法例要求車主提供司機身分資料是 符合憲法的，個人權利不應凌駕公眾利益上。

The third day of the Lunar New Year is traditionally regarded as unlucky to visit other people's homes. So tens of thousands of people sought good fortune at Che Kung and Wong Tai Sin temples yesterday, but spent less on buying pinwheels this year because of the financial crisis. Many worshippers hope that they can keep their jobs.
農曆年初三赤口不宜拜年，昨日數以千計市民到車公廟及黃大仙祠祈福。不過，金融危機令他們購買風車時十分謹慎，祈福者多希望今年保得住份工。

Lau Wong-fat, chairman of rural affairs body the Heung Yee Kuk, yesterday drew the unlucky fortune stick No 27 on the city's behalf at the Che Kung temple. Fung shui master James Lee Shing-chak called on the administration to listen to community views to avoid misunderstandings.
新界鄉議局主席劉皇發，在沙田車公廟為香港求得一支下籤。 堪輿學家李丞責要求政府聽從民意，以避免不和。

About 100,000 people watched the annual Lunar New Year parade in Tsim Sha Tsui East last night. The parade was highlighted by colourful floats, dragon dancers, street entertainers and music and dance performers from all over the world. Many people who attended the parade said they could experience the joy of the Lunar New Year.
約有 10萬人到尖東觀賞新春花車巡遊，巡遊最精彩的有色彩繽紛的花車、舞龍、街頭表演者及音樂舞蹈表演。出席的市民表示，他們能感受過年的歡樂。

Chief Executive Donald Tsang says in his Chinese New Year message that Hong Kong people are no strangers to adversity. He called on the people of Hong Kong to pull together, adding that no challenge will be too great for the city to overcome. He wishes Hong Kong people a joyous and prosperous Year of the Ox.
行政長官曾蔭權在農曆新年賀辭中表示， 但香港人擅長「打逆境波」，他勉勵港人要同舟共濟 ，香港可以跨越挑戰。曾蔭權祝願香港市民牛年事事順景，如意吉祥。

The Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims has urged the government to amend labour laws to cover workers going to and from work. The Labour Secretary, Matthew Cheung, said the previous day that the workers who died in the crash weren't covered by employee compensation even though they were on their way to work.
工業傷亡權益會促請政府盡快修例， 將工人返工放工時遇到意外，都納入保障範圍。勞工及福利局局長張建宗日前表示，車禍喪身的工人，雖然在返工途中遇到意外，但不能涵蓋在僱員 賠償 法例。

Six people were killed when a container truck and a taxi full of construction workers collided near the Lok Ma Chau border crossing yesterday morning. The driver of the truck was arrested for drink-driving. There are renewed calls for toughening penalties for drink-driving.
昨晨落馬洲過境站附近發生貨車與一輛滿載建築工人的士相撞，六人死亡。貨車司機涉嫌酒後駕駛被捕。 事發後， 再度有要求嚴懲酒後駕駛。

The Labour Secretary, Matthew Cheung, expects the unemployment rate to worsen. Mr Cheung says hardest hit sectors include finance, catering, real estate and construction. The government will use 300 million dollars to refurbish more than 70 youth centres around Hong Kong in a bid to create more job opportunities.
勞工及福利局局長張建宗預期，失業率會進一步上升，金融、飲食、地產及建造等行業最受影響。政府會用 3億元為70多個青少年中心進行翻新工程， 試圖創造更多就業機會。

Linguaphone , the language institute that has been operated in Hong Kong for more than 30 years, has closed. The financial crisis is the reason behind the institute's closure, as many people reduce spending on educational programs because of uncertain job security.
在港經營逾30 年的語言學習機構靈格風關閉。金融危機是靈格風關閉的原因，因為很多人工作不穩定，而減少教育課程的開銷。

The internationally renowned pianist, Liu Shih-kun, appeared in Eastern Court for allegedly assaulting his wife during an argument yesterday. The 69-year-old pianist claimed that he is an artist and has never assaulted anybody.
國際著名鋼琴家劉詩昆涉嫌爭吵後打傷妻子，昨日在東區裁判法院提堂。 69 歲鋼琴家聲言，他是一名藝術家，從未打過任何人。

The chairman of the Elderly Commission, Dr Leong Che-hung, has urged the government to simplify the medical voucher scheme for people over the age of 70. Some doctors have complained that they have not had enough time to familiarise themselves with the software used for registering patients.
安老事務委員會主席梁智鴻 要求政府簡化給 70 歲老人的醫療券計劃。有醫生抱怨他們沒有時間熟悉登記病人的軟件。

The government will make amendments to proposed rules on idling engines. The first five taxis in a queue and the first two green minibuses at mini bus stop would be exempted. But the taxi sector said it is difficult to comply with the ban.
政府就「停車熄匙」立法作出修訂，建議停泊在站頭的首 5 輛的士，及首 2 輛專線小巴，可獲豁免。但的士業界表示， 遵守有關禁例有困難 。

A poll carried out by information group TNS and Gallup International has found that Hongkongers are the most pessimistic about 2009 in the world, just 12 months after it came first in the global ranking for optimism. Sixty-seven per cent of Hongkongers said they believed this year would be worse than 2008.
市場資訊公司 TNS & Gallup International的一項調查發現，前一年被稱為全球最樂觀的港人，對09年卻成為全球最悲觀。67％港人預計09年會較08年差。