City Digest, December 6, 2012

ATV warned over Scholarism comments

The Communications Authority issued a warning to ATV yesterday after ruling that its ATV Focus programme had contravened the TV Programme Code. It said the five episodes - which featured a voice-over making harsh comments on the Scholarism pupil group that campaigned against national education lessons - failed to provide an opportunity for response and to allow a broad range of views to be expressed on the issue. The episodes also contained factual inaccuracies. The government scrapped guidelines for the curriculum in September after protests.

Robbers escape with a HK$2m haul

Police are hunting five robbers who threatened two men with a knife and hammers before escaping with more than HK$2 million worth of cameras and electronic parts in an open-air car park in Hoi Wah Road, Tuen Mun, at around noon yesterday. The two victims, one a 23-year-old mainland visitor, were not hurt.

Columbariums may get time to meet rules

Private columbariums which fail to meet statutory requirements will be allowed to operate conditionally under a licensing scheme that could spare their owners from prosecution. The arrangement was proposed by the Food and Health Bureau after 85 private columbariums were identified by the government as violating either planning rules or land leases. However, whether their businesses would be allowed to continue would depend on them meeting strict conditions.

Quick ruling sought on rice-cooker fortune

The children of late rice-cooker tycoon William Mong Man-wai by his first wife applied to the High Court for summary judgment of their claim to a US$142 million share of his estate. Lawyers for Mong's second wife and their daughter said the application implied misconduct on the part of their clients and was misconceived. Mr Justice Jeremy Poon Shiu-chor reserved judgment.