City Digest

Worker wins HK$0.5m for exposure to chemical

British underwater construction worker Andrew Maxwell, 45, won HK$557,850 in compensation in the Court of First Instance yesterday for exposure to toxic chemicals during repair work on a sewage tunnel that led to asthma. Maxwell said the exposure had shattered his dream of becoming a commercial diver. Mr Justice Mohan Bharwaney found the exposure and the site's poor working conditions contributed to Maxwell's asthma. He found the employers, Keliston Marine (Far East) and contractor Paul Y - Seli Joint Venture, were negligent.

Tests find government HQ clear of Legionella

The Centre for Health Protection declared the government headquarters in Admiralty free of Legionella after a final round of tests.

Man dies after drinker runs car into back of van

A passenger in a van died after a car driven by a drink-driver ran into the back of the van on the Yuen Long Highway near Fu Tai Estate, Tuen Mun, at about 5.15am, police said. The driver was arrested.

CPI stays steady at 5.7pc in December

Consumer prices remained steady at 5.7 per cent in December from a year ago, the same as November's figure. Year-on-year increases were recorded for alcoholic drinks and tobacco (20.3 per cent), food (11.5 per cent), housing (8.5 per cent), clothing and footwear (6.1 per cent) and meals bought away from home (6 per cent). Price pressures on the external and domestic fronts were likely to ease this year, with recent falls in global food and commodity prices and the slowing growth of the local economy, a government spokesman said.