Briefs | UM to confer honorary doctorate on Nobel laureate

The University of Macau (UM) will confer the Doctor of Science honoris causa on physics Nobel laureate Carl Edwin Wieman today. After the ceremony, Wieman will give a Doctor honoris causa Lecture titled, ‘Taking a Scientific Approach to Science Education’. The university said in a statement that the scholar will share his views on scientific education and discuss ways to increase students’ knowledge in the field. Wieman received the Nobel Prize in physics in 2001. He is a renowned physicist in the United States and an educator at Stanford University.

High school students lose thousands to fraud

Three local high school girls have lost around MOP6,700 to a fraud, after attempting to purchase show tickets. The three students wanted to buy tickets for a Korean band’s concert scheduled to take place in Hong Kong. Through a Macau based social network platform, these students booked four tickets from an individual who claimed to be able to buy the tickets for them. The students transferred money to a Hong Kong bank account on the instructions of the individual, but subsequently lost contact with him or her. They then reported the matter to the police.

Fire leaves woman with first-degree burns

A 63-year-old Hong Kong woman sustained first-degree burns after a fire broke out at an apartment where she was staying last Sunday.  The Fire Bureau rescued the woman from a second floor bathroom in the two story building located on Rua do Ervanários. Both the woman’s forearms and chest suffered burns. Two other people in the building managed to reach ground level after spotting the fire. The cause of the  fire is suspected to be by a television short circuit.

Jobs to fill quotas reported to DSAL

The Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) received complaints from four local people regarding violation of their employment rights, according to a report by TDM. DSAL’s director Wong Chi Hong disclosed this information yesterday, stating that the complainants claimed they had signed employment contracts with a local hotel, but the hotel later withdrew their offer of employment. The victims claim that they were hired just to fill locals’ job quotas. Wong added that any local residents’ employment will not be affected by importing foreign workers. He further stated that the DSAL will complete its investigation on the case within the next several months, after which they will inform the media.

Financial companies increased 14 fold in Nansha

The China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone Nansha Area of Guangzhou has increased the number of registered financial companies over 14-fold since its opening, according to a report by Macao Daily News. At present, Nansha holds more than 1,700 registered financial groups. Last year, Nansha welcomed 56 financial projects, and the region’s loan and deposit balance increased by nearly 40 percent. According to Guangzhou’s 13th five-year plan regarding the city’s finance industry development, Nansha is planned to be developed into China’s or even the world’s largest offshore RMB’s onshore-integrated service center.