Briefs: Merchandise imports rise by 9pct

The total value of merchandise imports reached MOP6.93 billion in June, representing an increase of 9 percent year-on-year. Data collected by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) also showed that the merchandise trade deficit amounted to MOP6.14 billion. Furthermore, the total value of merchandise exports for June reached MOP792 million, an increase of 7 percent year-on-year.

Physical altercation outside Macau Square

An elderly man was sent to hospital after he was engaged in a fight with a mainland tourist yesterday afternoon outside Macau Square. The tourist, whose surname is Zhou, told the Times his side of the story. He claimed that he was walking on the Avenida Infante D. Henrique when the old man suddenly kicked him. Zhou alleged that the man also insulted him with obscene language in Cantonese and was going to assault him. Zhou then got into a fistfight with the man and claimed that his opponent was eventually injured. The Times also talked to a witness, Ms Batalha, who claimed that Zhou kept kicking the old man even though he was already on the ground. Zhou said that he simply wanted to tell the police what had happened and then continue on his visit to the casinos, the officer insisted that he had to take the tourist back to the police station in order to make further enquiries into the incident.

Resident arrested over drug abuse related theft

A Macau resident, aged 40, has been preventively arrested after he stole MOP500 from a 19-year-old student in a food store. The suspect later admitted that he had committed the crime because of his issues with substance abuse.  The case dates back to May, when the student was paying his bill at a local food store at Avenida Coronel Mesquita. The perpetrator was able to escape at the time, but was later caught by police near the Hotel Royal.