Briefs

Missing American's family believe he will be found

The family of an American man who has been missing in Hong Kong for a fortnight are still convinced he can be found. Gregory Brooks Winston, (pictured) disappeared after visiting a Buddhist temple in Sung Shan New Village, Yuen Long, with his wife. About 1.7 metres tall, weighing 76 kilograms and bald, Winston, 49, was wearing a yellow-and-green T-shirt, white shorts, white socks and white slippers. His sister Leslie said Winston started showing signs of extreme paranoia about three weeks ago and appeared to have suffered some form of nervous breakdown. A HK$40,000 reward has been offered for information that leads to Winston being found safe. People with information can contact investigating officers on 2860 1045 or 9886 0034 or call any police station, while the family can be contacted at helpfindgregb @gmail.com.

Typhoon warnings lowered as storm passes

The Hong Kong Observatory lowered all typhoon signals about 8am after tropical storm Doksuri weakened and moved away from the city. A No 8 storm signal was in effect for more than four hours from late on Friday as Doksuri brought winds gusting to 100km/h on high ground and offshore while passing 70 kilometres southwest of the city. The storm caused no reported injuries but several roads were blocked by fallen trees. Part of Prince Edward Road East, in Wong Tai Sin, was sealed off about 1am when a 30-metre section of scaffolding was in danger of collapsing.

Dragonair pilots in no-confidence vote

Dragonair Pilots Association members, who were due to vote on an immediate work-to-rule at a meeting last Wednesday that might have disrupted summer holiday flights, instead passed a vote of no confidence in the airline's management. The action came after Dragonair introduced a new contract which the union said denied pilots equality in pay and remuneration. The union is now seeking an immediate start to talks.

Stranded German held at immigration centre

A penniless German citizen who forced to squat in a Lamma Island building after being stranded in Hong Kong for more than a year due to passport problems has been detained at Castle Peak Bay Immigration Centre since May 14. In March, Ewald Widiner, 62, told the South China Morning Post that the German consulate in Hong Kong had cited an unpaid tax bill when it refused to give him the new passport he needed to return to the mainland, where he has taught English and German since 2004. Widiner's girlfriend, Maya, last week contacted the Sunday Morning Post and told of his detention. A German Consulate General spokesman said it was aware of the case but could not disclose any information regarding individual passport applications.

Florence Hui to stay where she is - for now

Florence Hui Hiu-fai, widely tipped to be the city's first culture minister, would remain as undersecretary for home affairs until a decision is made on the new government's structure, the Chief Executive-Elect's office said. Julia Leung Fung-yee would also remain as undersecretary for financial services and the treasury.

Two more patients show respiratory symptoms

Another two patients, aged 54 and 55, in a male long-stay ward of Castle Peak Hospital are showing symptoms of respiratory illness. On Thursday, five patients in the ward tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus. The patients are in isolation.