City Digest

ATV legal bid to gag report on management

The High Court yesterday began hearing, in camera, a legal bid by ATV to prevent the Communications Authority from releasing the final version of a report critical of its operation. The authority's preliminary report accuses ATV executive director James Shing Pan-yu of letting a big investor interfere in operations and recommends a HK$1 million fine. The report concludes that Shing improperly ceded much of his day-to-day responsibility to investor Wong Ching, who he passed off as a personal consultant.

Probation for beating daughter with pipe

A 55-year-old Ma On Shan man who beat his 15-year-old daughter with a water pipe was placed on probation for a year. The unemployed man earlier pleaded guilty in Sha Tin Court to wilfully assaulting a child in his charge. The assault occurred during an argument after he confiscated his daughter's computer because it was distracting her during examination preparation.

Ocean Park balloon to fly no more

Ocean Park is to scrap the helium balloon in which five people were injured in June when it plunged to the ground after a hole developed and allowed gas to escape. Chairman Allan Zeman said the area occupied by the balloon, which went into operation in 2007, would be redeveloped for performances and exhibitions.

Baby boy dies on flight from Paris to HK

A five-month-old boy born to a mainland immigrant father in Venezuela died on an Air France flight from Paris to Hong Kong. A police spokeswoman said the boy was declared dead on board and initial investigation found nothing suspicious. An autopsy would be carried out.