Briefs | Eight died in traffic accidents this year

Eight people have died in traffic accidents during the first nine months of this year, commissioner of the transportation department of the Public Security Police Force, Leong Wa Chi said yesterday. A total of 11,000 traffic accidents were recorded during this period, Leong informed. He also mentioned that there have been a total of 2,245 cases where drivers were caught using their cellphones while driving. This is a 20 percent decline compared to the same period last year. He reminded that drivers are only allowed to use their phones if they are on speakers.

Tickets refunded for two FIMM concerts

Due to adverse weather conditions, the Reunion and Roy Hargrove concerts which were a part of the 30th Macao International Music Festival were postponed and cancelled respectively. Spectators who acquired tickets for the abovementioned concerts can request a refund at the Macau Ticketing Network until November 13 by presenting the original tickets intact.

Inflation continues to grow

For the 12 months ending September, the average Consumer Prices Index (CPI) increased by 2.98 percent from the previous period. Price index of alcoholic beverages and tobacco (+29.38 percent) and education (+8.80 percent) showed marked increases. The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) informed in a statement that the Composite CPI increased by 1.59 percent year-on-year to 108.18 in September, down from the 1.65 percent growth that was recorded in August. The increment was attributable to higher rentals for parking spaces, dearer charges for eating out, as well as increases in property management fees, tuition fees in the new academic year and motor car prices.

Mainlanders arrested for cheating in casinos

Two mainland residents have been arrested for cheating while playing mahjong in a casino located at Zona de Aterros do Porto Exterior. Another suspect is still on the run. The two detained suspects, a 51-year-old male and a 48-year-old female, were arrested last week. The trio of cheaters pretended to not know each other when entering the casino’s mahjong area. While gambling, they used eye contact to inform each other about the number they possessed in their hands. By doing this repeatedly, the three won some money from the casino and then left the scene.

Government retakes two land plots

The government has reclaimed two lands located at Avenida Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues which occupy an area of approximately 10,195 square meters. Part of one of the lands has already been planned as a site for the future prosecution office’s building, while the rest will be reserved for public facilities. The two land plots occupy 3,415 and 6,780 square meters respectively. One had been previously occupied by primarily construction materials. The other one had held a great number of abandoned cars and cargos. One month has been estimated to be enough time to clean both spaces.