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Macau grabs a record level of gold medals since the formation of official sports delegations at the East Asian Games, which is at its second day of competitions.

As at today (30 October), Macau has gained six gold medals, ranking second between the participating delegations, after mainland China.

Six silver and four bronze medals are also grabbed by Macau during the Games so far.

The Macau delegation gained three gold medals respectively at dragon boat and wushu (Chinese martial arts) races.

A man from mainland China is arrested over the theft of the residence of the Consul-General of Portugal in Macau.

A camera, a mobile phone and cash was lost from the scene, worth about 7,000 Patacas (US$900) in total.

The man admitted that he lost his money at casinos, and decided to break into the residence of the Consul-General of Portugal in Macau “when he passed by”.

He will be charged with serious theft.

A body of a woman was found at the Inner Harbour.

It was discovered at the seas off the South Sampan Pier at about 14:00 this afternoon (30 October).

The woman was aged about 30 years old, and it is estimated that she did not pass away for a long time.

The case has now been referred to the Judiciary Police, which believed at this stage that the cause of her death is unsuspicious.

Macau's Legislative Assembly aproves bills combating terrorist and money-laundering crimes, with maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Secretary for the Administration and Justice Florinda Chan explained to legislators that current legislations concerning anti-terrorism safeguards interal public security only, and a separate law is needed to define terrorist acts are crimes.

The law classified terrorist crimes as internal and international crimes, in an attempt to expand the scope of applicability of the Criminal Code of Macau by clearly establishing that the Macau Special Administrative Region has the obligation to protect China and its citizens from damages caused by terrorist acts.

Meanwhile, the anti-money-laundering bill aims to perfect the existing financial regulations and to fulfill the relevant international olbigations.

Money-laundering activities linked to organised crimes, especially terrorist crimes, will result in more severe penalties that previous legislations, Chan said.

Chief Executive Ho Hau Wah hosted a welcome dinner this evening for the distinguished guests attending the 4th East Asian Games.

They included senior government officials from the Central Government, the Pan-Pearl River Delta region and representatives from the Olympic Committees of the countries and regions participating in the Games.

Addressing the guests, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Chui Sai On, said, “With the strong Government support and the dedication and hard work of the people involved with the preparation of the Games over the last few years, I am happy to note that Macau has certainly reached new heights in its sporting development.”

“It is the common goal of Macau to ensure the successful organinsation of one of the most memorable Games,” he said.

“Most encouraging of all is to see the enthusiastic participation of the whole community of Macau in the preparation work leading to the opening of the 4th East Asian Games,” he said.

“Without the continuous and unfailing support of the Macau citizens, it is impossible to have come this far and achieved what we have done in our preparation work,” he said.

Chui praised the contribution from the different government departments, private organisations and business enterprises.

He also vowed for Macau's full commitment to continue to support East Asian Games Association in its development and activities, the Olympic movement within the Asian region, and the development of the local sporting community.

Macau considers issuing e-passport from 2007 or 2008, according to the Director of the Identification Services, Lai Ieng Kit, who was interviewed by the Jornal Tribuna de Macau.

The Macanese community is to form a delegation to visit Portugal in November.

The delegation, with members including the the Association for Promoting Macanese Education (Associação Promotora da Instrução dos Macaenses), the Standing Committee of the Macanese Community Council and the Holy House of Mercy, will visit Portugal on 15 November.

Mrs. Jorge Sampaio, of the President of the Republic, will receive the delgation.

Vice-Premier of China Wu Yi will visit Macau for half a day tomorrow (29 October) to participate the opening ceremony of the East Asian Games.

She will meet the Chief Executive Ho Hau Wah and other principal officials. She will also receive delegations at dusk.

Wu will leave Macau immediately after the opening ceremony of the Games that evening.

A chauffeur at the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) appeared in court in suspicion of using his Director's bank card to withdraw money to gamble.

The chauffeur worked at MGTO between November 1987 and October 2003, who was once responsible for taking Director João Manuel Costa Antunes.

The assistant of Antunes told the chauffeur to withdraw 35,000 Patacas (US$4,375) on Antunes' behalf, but he took the money instead to gamble at a casino, and lost the money.

Antunes reported to the police that evening.

In defence, the chauffeur claimed that his wife was ill and needed money to conduct and operation. He used the money in an attempt to win back some medical costs, but he lost in the end.

Antunes, who also appeared in court, said that the entry of the accused into a casino is against the ban on public sector workers according to law. He decided to report to the police because he could not play favouritism in this circumstance.

The court will deliver the verdict on 8 November.

The PTA of the Macau Portuguese School (EPM) is unhappy with the Government's decision over the ownership of the land plot of the school's new campus.

They oppose the Association for Promoting Macanese Education (Associação Promotora da Instrução dos Macaenses) for permanently owning the land plot as before.

The PTA deems that the ownership should go to the EPM Foundation, the managing body of the school, rather than a shareholder of the foundation.

They also accuse the Association for no longer sponsoring EPM, and no longer expressing concern over the usage of Portuguese language in Macau.

The PTA points out that financial assistance of students coming from disadvantaged groups is now from the Holy House of Mercy (Santa Casa de Misericórdia), a local Portuguese charity, and other associations.