City Briefs
Child care keeps single parents out of work
Single parents on social welfare want to work, even in a volunteer capacity, but cannot because of the need to take care of their children, a Christian Family Service Centre survey of 101 single parents in Kwun Tong and Wong Tai Sin has found. More than half had worked in the past half year. Those who had not worked said the need to look after children under 15 was the reason. The centre also interviewed 55 business and found they had no plans to hire part-time helpers, indicating few jobs were available despite the economic rebound.
West Island line taking too long, say residents
Residents in Sai Ying Pun and Kennedy Town think the MTR West Island Line project, scheduled to be completed in 2012, is taking too long, a survey has found. More than 80 per cent of 1,742 residents living near the extension believe the project is taking too long and is affecting their daily life. They believe only a fare lower than $4 will be able to draw passengers from buses. They hope exits will be planned near the densely residential areas in Sai Ying Pun and Kennedy Town.
$8m drug haul
More than $8 million worth of ketamine was seized in an ambush laid by Narcotics Bureau officers outside a flat in Kwong Wa Street, Mongkok. A 36-year-old drug trafficker was intercepted with 25kg of the drug at about 7.45pm and arrested.
wife turns herself in
A woman turned herself in to police after attacking her husband with a knife during a dispute over money at their home in Chun Cheung Court at the Sha Tin Racecourse. The 49-year-old man suffered minor injuries.
gambling ring smashed
More than $2.4 million worth of betting slips were seized in Kowloon Tong at midnight when police smashed an illegal football gambling operation and arrested two people.
