Briefs | Inflation rises fastest since March 2016

The Composite Consumer Price Index (CPI) in February 2018 rose by 3.12 percent year-on-year to 112.18, according to information released by the Statistics and Census Bureau (DSEC), marking the largest year-on-year growth since March 2016. The Bureau attributes the abnormally high increase to the fact that the Lunar New Year fell in February this year but in January last year. Aside from that, the rise came about due to dearer charges for eating out, increased rental charges, as well as increasing parking meter rates and prices of women’s clothing. Compared with January 2018, February’s CPI stood 0.93 percent higher. Meanwhile, for the 12 months ending February 2018, the average Composite CPI grew by 1.46 percent from the previous period, led by notable growth in the prices for good and services in the education and health sectors.

Tse to return as MGTO deputy director

The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, hopes that Cecilia Tse can serve as deputy director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) after she recovers from her illness. The position has been vacant for nearly four months. MGTO director Helena Senna Fernandes noted that Tse returned to work after Chinese New Year but still needs rest.

Land subsidence appeared at San Ma Lou 

On Tuesday morning, a ground subsidence (a downwards shift in the surface of land) appeared in one of Macau’s busiest avenues, the Av. De Almeida Ribeiro. The subsidence is about one square meter and located in the middle lane in front of the Circle Square. Both transportation police officers and officers from the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) went to inspect the scene. The subsidence was repaired yesterday. It was most likely caused by soil erosion, according to IACM, which also spotted ground subsidence at San Ma lou in February.