City Digest
Teachers perform poorly in writing, speaking tests
Only 37 per cent of the 1,369 people who took the English writing section of the language proficiency assessment for teachers passed this year, while half of 1,322 candidates in the spoken test failed, the Examinations and Assessment Authority said yesterday. Of the 1,149 who sat the reading test, 89 per cent passed, and 83 per cent of 1,137 candidates passed the listening paper. The classroom language assessment had the highest pass rate, 95.5 per cent of the 290 candidates. For Putonghua papers, 51.6 per cent of 960 people passed the speaking test.
Driver pleads not guilty over death of officer
A minibus driver accused of killing a policeman when he jumped a red light and hit with his motorcycle pleaded not guilty yesterday in the District Court to dangerous driving causing death. Cho Shu-hing, 61, was driving a 56A green minibus on August 17 last year when the accident happened at about 7pm at the junction of Fan Leng Lau Road and Wo Muk Road, Fanling. Cho allegedly hit 34-year-old traffic police officer Raymond Leung Tinglun when he turned into the junction against a red light. The trial continues.
Airport Authority board chairman reappointed
The government has reappointed Airport Authority board chairman Dr Marvin Cheung Kin-tung for three years from June 1. Five board members were reappointed - Dr Raymond Ho Chung-tai, Benjamin Hung Pi-cheng, the director general of civil aviation and the ministers for transport and financial services. Edward Cheng Wai-sun, Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, Miriam Lau Kin-yee, Lee Shing-see, Caroline Mak Sui-king and Albert Wong Kwai-huen, were also appointed.
Woman sues unions over fire extinguisher blast
A 58-year-old woman seriously injured when a fire extinguisher exploded during a training course in 2009 is suing the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions, which ran the course, for undisclosed damages.
Website calculator helps check minimum wage
The Labour Department has added a 'minimum wage reference calculator' programme to its website to help bosses and workers compute whether wages paid and conditions meet the statutory minimum wage.
