And I don't mean all Germans when I make such a broad statement. Take a look at these photos from the 8th World Beard Championship in Berlin ...
Picture of the week
Declared Monuments in Hong Kong
Old Wan Chai Post Office
The Old Wan Chai Post Office is the oldest surviving post office building in Hong Kong. This L-shaped building situated at the junction of Wan Chai Gap Road and Queen's Road East, was erected between 1912 and 1913, and opened on 1 March 1915 as the Wan Chai Post Office. It is a simple pitched-roof structure with attractive gable ends and mouldings. The building is now operated by the Environmental Protection Department as a resource centre.
Source: Leisure and Cultural Services Department
News Headlines
Rail merger can save MTRC $450m CHESTER YUNG, The Standard 23 May 2006 Hong Kong's publicly listed rail operator can save about HK$450 million per year after it merges with the Kowloon- Canton Railway Corp, MTR Corp chief executive Chow Chung-kong has told legislators.
On-site plan to prevent Tamar bugs Leslie Kwoh, The Standard 23 May 2006 Security fears have prompted the government to stipulate that all concrete structural units for its proposed headquarters at Tamar must be made on-site, despite the potentially higher costs of such a process.
Tamar work plan hit by security concerns CHLOE LAI , SCMP 23 May 2006 Security concerns, including bugging, have led to the government abandoning prefabrication work for the Tamar development that would have been done outside Hong Kong . The decision has created an additional 100 jobs, the administration says.
Harbor activists have intensified pressure on the government to release further details on the proposed administrative complex at Tamar, unveiling a HK$300,000 three-dimensional vision for the prime waterfront site and its surrounding areas.
Local flavour urged to lure visitors to West Kowloon MAY CHAN , 22 May 2006
Snack shops, fortune-telling counters and jade markets should be featured alongside world-class arts facilities at the West Kowloon Cultural District to attract overseas visitors, the tourism sector says.
Land auction complaints rejected AMBROSE LEUNG , SCMP 20 May 2006 The chief executive dismissed property developers' complaints that it was difficult to trigger land auctions, saying they were just making excuses for failing to lodge bids high enough to meet government valuations.
The fung shui at the Central Government Offices is far better than at the Tamar site and moving the headquarters to a spot with poor fung shui could dent people's confidence in the government, a report by activist group Save Our Shorelines says.
Government meets interested groups on Tamar project Hong Kong Government, 19 May 2006 The Director of Administration, Ms Elizabeth Tse and representatives from the Housing, Planning and Lands Bureau, Architectural Services Department, Transport Department, Environmental Protection Department and Planning Department today (May 19) discussed the Tamar development project with 24 groups and individuals.
Dickson Construction fined for wage offences Hong Kong Government, 19 May 2006 Dickson Construction Company Limited was fined $114,000 for wage offences under the Employment Ordinance at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (May 19). The prosecution was taken out by the Labour Department.
Approved Yau Ma Tei Outline Zoning Plan referred back for amendment Hong Kong Government, 19 May 2006 The Town Planning Board announced today (May 19) that the Chief Executive in Council had referred the approved Yau Ma Tei Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) to the Town Planning Board for amendment.
Rattled by cultural confusion The Standard, 15 May 2006
The debate over the proposed West Kowloon cultural district boiled over in February and the government finally yielded to public opinion and pressure from legislators.
Developers want to build Tamar complex on huge podium CHLOE LAI , SCMP 15 May 2006
The proposed government headquarters at Tamar may be built on top of a huge two-storey podium, with a highway running underneath.
Legislators have described the proposed government headquarters at Tamar as " Hong Kong 's White House", after the project's tender document reveals that there will be dozens of function halls, dining rooms and conference rooms for receptions, banquets and meetings.
Star Ferry says the outlook remains bleak for its new ferry terminal in Central, scheduled to open mid-July, as the company faces the prospect of losing more than a third of its passengers.
Housing body avoids millions in taxes on property purchases CHLOE LAI and QUINTON CHAN , SCMP 10 May 2006
The Urban Renewal Authority is avoiding tens of millions of dollars in taxes by registering only part of what it pays for old flats.
Developers face tighter controls YVONNE LIU , SCMP 10 May 2006 Hong Kong developers will face more barriers to new projects as the government reviews development restrictions in all districts, resulting in tighter planning and building controls.
Henderson cool to hot land auctions SANDY LI , SCMP 9 May 2006
Henderson Land Development chairman Lee Shau-kee has warned high prices will dampen the developer's appetite for land.
Government says Tamar critics err on estimates NG KANG-CHUNG , SCMP 8 May 2006 Critics of the controversial Tamar development project have misunderstood the estimated costs, says the government.
Upcoming Events
29 May 2006
2-day Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software training
29 May to 30 May OR 1 June to 2 June, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (Registration starts at 9:00 am)
Venue
:
Auditorium, G/F, Jockey Club Environmental Building, 77 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon
Details
:
To register, please click the organizer to download the form.
For enquiry, please contact Ms Mavis Leung by email mavis@bec.org.hk or call (+852) 2784-3924
Become a member of the community and register today: the 20% discount on Electronic Passport Forum delegate packages expires on April 26th, 2006. Click on the organizer for more detail
Distribution: The Skyline-Technologies.com website averages well over 9000 hits per day. The SKYLINE e-newsletter reaches over 6600 recipients on a weekly basis. Our distribution list predominantly covers recipients in the Asian region, but there is also a global reach. To find out more about advertising /promotional opportunities please contact us at info@skyline-technologies.com
Please click here if you would like to send us your questions or comments or would like to have your name added to or removed from our mailing list.
If you have found this issue of the SKYLINE e-newsletter useful and interesting please use the e-mail "Forward" button to forward it onto your colleagues and friends. Or better still, get them to freely Subscribe to the fully automated SKYLINE iNews Circulation List.
