Identity of Nobel Institute hackers a mystery
Mystery hackers have successfully broken into the e-mail system of the Norwegian Nobel Institute. Lawmakers Albert Ho Chun-yan and Lee Cheuk-yan have been invited by the wife of jailed Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo to attend the presentation ceremony in Oslo on December 9. The organisers prepared tickets to be e-mailed to the pair. But Lee said yesterday he and Ho were notified they would only get their tickets upon landing in Oslo, because unidentified cyber-warriors had hacked into the institute's e-mail system and sent off bogus invitations. Lee said he had no idea who was behind the system intrusion. 'But such acts are really meaningless and trivial,' he said.
Bishop urged to uphold gospel of social justice
The Catholic Church's expression of regret may have placated tycoon Li Ka-shing, but it angered many of its faithful. Li was understandably upset at being likened by Father Thomas Law Kwok-fai to the devil during a Halloween party. But despite the church's stance, the senior priest has stubbornly stood behind his remark. Many members of the church expressed support for Law. In an open letter to be published in a Chinese-language newspaper tomorrow, a group of Catholic activists will call on Bishop John Tong Hon to follow the church's teachings. They have collected more than 100 signatures. 'To the rich who exploit the general public through loopholes found in the law, our church should not keep silent,' the statement will say. '[It] should also provide sufficient room for pastors to express their views towards social justice through words and actions. We insist that the diocese, led by Bishop John Tong, should continue to take the role and mission as a prophet in society.' It is still early to say if Father Michael Yeung Ming-cheung, the vicar-general who conveyed the diocese's regret to Li, will say amen to their prayers.
Liberal pals clash after 40 discord-free years
The 40-year-old friendship between Tommy Cheung Yu-yan and Michael Tien Puk-sun is being tested. The two Liberal Party leaders are reportedly at loggerheads over their opposing stances in the Cafe de Coral saga. Cheung sided with the fast-food chain which initially raised worker wages but cancelled their mealtime pay. However, Tien joined activists in denouncing the fast-food chain, which has backed down from the effective pay cut. There is now speculation that Tien might be ready to quit the party. A press conference was scheduled on Tuesday but was cancelled. 'I have known Tien for 40 years and we never argued once,' Cheung said. 'Parties hold different positions along the political spectrum; it is the same for members within a party.' While he insisted nothing special had happened, party chairwoman Miriam Lau Kin-yee appeared to be in a hurry every time she was approached by reporters in the corridors of the Legco Council about the row.
