Transformers crew blackmailed twice while filming in Hong Kong
US director Michael Bay (right) and his crew were blackmailed twice by alleged triad members while shooting the latest Transformers movie in Hong Kong in October. Nonetheless, the cheery director wasn't put off; instead, he found humour in the seemingly grim situation. On his blog, Bay wrote: "It was like a zombie in Brad Pitt's movie World War Z: he lifted seven guys up and tried to bite them."
US whistle-blower Snowden hides in Hong Kong
Whistle-blower and former National Security Agency (NSA) employee Edward Snowden revealed in June that he was in Hong Kong. He had leaked documents to the British newspaper, The Guardian, a series of allegedly unlawful hacking activities committed by the American agency. He later told South China Morning Post that Chinese University of Hong Kong was also among the institutions the NSA had hacked. Snowden fled from Hong Kong to Russia later that month and has remained there since.
The doll of 2013
Lufsig, a cuddly plush toy from Ikea, came under the spotlight after one was hurled at Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and his ministers at a local district forum on December 7. Within two days, the wolf doll was sold out in all Ikea stores across Hong Kong. Young Post did a spot search in Mong Kok last week and found that Lufsig was still available at some toy stores, but the price had doubled.
Two-tin limit
In March, the government introduced a two-tin limit on infant milk formula for travellers leaving Hong Kong. This was the result of a serious shortage of milk formula during the Lunar New Year, with mainland visitors and parallel-goods traders buying up much of the city's stock.
Hongkongers killed in Egyptian hot-air balloon disaster
Nine Hong Kong holidaymakers died near Luxor, Egypt, when their hot-air balloon burst into flames on February 26.
Students from Modern College caught cheating on DSE exam
Twenty-three students from Modern College were caught plagiarising by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority. The group said their teacher told them the school-based assessment was not important, so they copied other people's works without citing the original authors in their projects for the HKDSE. The grades for their school-based projects were invalidated.
Dockworkers' strike succeeds
About 400 dockworkers at Kwai Tsing Container Terminals went on strike in March, demanding a 20 per cent pay rise and better working conditions. The walkout - which was held against Hongkong International Terminals, a subsidiary that is part of Hong Kong's richest man Li Ka-shing's Hutchison Whampoa Limited - lasted for 40 days. Strikers were eventually given a 9.8 per cent pay rise and the toilet breaks they demanded.
Court of Final Appeal says disallowing new immigrants access to CSSA is unlawful
The Court of Final Appeal ruled in December requiring new arrivals to live in the city for seven years before being eligible to apply for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance is unconstitutional.
Primary school teacher hurls insults at police officer
A video that documented primary school teacher Alpais Lam Wai-sze shouting abuse at police officers on July 14 stirred up a media storm. Lam was filmed losing her temper while watching a clash between Falun Gong and the Hong Kong Youth Care Association in Mong Kok. Her act later led to a protest staged by both her supporters and critics. At a public forum, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying asked the Education Bureau to submit a report about the incident. The findings were not publicised.
HKTV denied free-to-air TV licence
On October 15, the future of businessman Ricky Wong Wai-kay's Hong Kong Television Network (HKTV) was left in limbo, after its free-to-air licence application was turned down by the Hong Kong government. The saga later prompted tens of thousands of people to take to the streets to protest against the government's refusal to explain its decision. Wong (above) has since shifted focus and is running online programmes downloadable on mobile devices. He also said he would file a judicial review.