Briefs | 197 MUST students receive scholarships

On Tuesday, the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) organized a ceremony at which 197 of its students were presented with awards, as announced in a notice published by MUST. The monetary awards were supported by companies from Macau and from neighboring regions. In total, 26 forms of financial support were awarded, in particular to students who stood out in academic achievement, in social services, and in other fields. MUST Rector Liu Liang said during his speech, that the awards were offered to encourage students. He thanked the sponsors for continuing to support MUST’s development.

Giordano sales plunge in third quarter

Giordano International announced its sales value decreasing by 3 percent from a year earlier to RMB1.197 billion in the third quarter, which ended September. The figure for comparable outlets dropped by 3 percent, according to Sinocast. The company’s gross profit inched down three percent to CNY698 million. Sales value decreased by four percent in Hong Kong and Macau, due to the company closing outlets with high rentals in 2015. Gross profit for comparable outlets inched up five percent, in contrast to 11 percent growth recorded a year ago. Records created at the end of September show that the company operates in 2388 outlets in more than 30 nations , covering 2.2929 million square feet. Most outlets are located in Greater China, South Korea, Southeast Asia and in the Middle East.

Solidarity Cup: Macau faces Brunei on Saturday

Macau will play against Brunei this Saturday in the semi-final of the Asia Solidarity Cup Soccer Championship, after drawing with Sri Lanka on Wednesday at the Sarawak Stadium in Negiri, Kuching. According to reports, Sri Lanka dominated the game with an early goal by Kavindu Ishan, following a superb pass from Mohamed Rifnaz in the fifth minute. Yet Macau’s Voi Weing found the equalizer in the 85th minute, enabling them to go trough the semi-finals. Nepal will also compete with Mongolia in the semi-finals this Saturday. The winners will battle for the Asia Solidarity Cup at the final on November 15.

Gov’t spends MOP6.6 million per month renting storage

The Financial Services Bureau (DSF) revealed, in a reply to lawmaker Kwan Tsui Hang’s written inquiry, that the government has been paying MOP6.6 million per month in rented storage. According to DSF, if accounting for all public services departments, the Macau government has been renting 58,700 square meters of storage space. DSF informed that in the planned new governmental multiple function building, to be located at Estrada de Pac On in Taipa, a 25,000 square meter storage area will be built. This space will enable the government to rent less, and is estimated to help the government to save MOP2.8 million per month.

Former SJM employees accuse company

Several former employees of SJM, who proclaim to have been unreasonably fired by the company, visited the Office for Personal Data Protection (GPDP) to report the gaming operator for having violated their privacy. According to a report by All About Macau, one of the complainants, surnamed Lei, said that SJM attached their personal information, including the full story behind their dismissal, on all 18 of SJM’s casino bulletin boards. The complainants believe that this behavior can have a negative influence on their future employment as well as over their reputation. They require SJM to clarify the incident and apologize to them.

DSSOPT pledges to combat illegal construction

The Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) called on the public not to build extra houses on top of common roofs, stairs, corridors and other spaces which are shared by all property owners within each independent building. The announcement was triggered by a report regarding incidents that occurred at a five-story building located on Travessa Do Mata Tigre. DSSOPT, after having received complaints from the public, inspected the aforementioned building. The department found that illegal houses on the building’s roof were blocking the emergency exits to the roof. DSSOPT pledges to fiercely combat these illegal incidents.

Tigerair flight in forced return to Macau

A Tigerair flight departing Macau and bound for Singapore on Tuesday was forced to return to Macau after an engine issue which affected cabin pressure, according to Shin Min Daily News. Some 172 passengers were on board the flight, which departed from Macau at around 7 p.m. According to the Straits Times, one passenger recalls that the plane “shook violently” 15 minutes into the journey, before the captain announced they were returning to Macau. The incident marks the third problem in four days for the airline. On November 5, a bird struck an airplane causing it to return to its origin in Hong Kong while on Monday passengers were subject to a 5-hour delay at Changi Airport due to another problem.

Telecommunication exhibition opens today

The “Telecommunication over Decades” special exhibition at the gallery of Carmo Post Office will be open to the public starting from today. The opening hours are from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays, and public holidays. The exhibition reflects the development of communication methods and equipment that greatly influenced the lives of the residents over the past 50 years.