The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 is 104.4 (down 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     A spokesperson for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department today (September 19) announced that URBTIX outlets at all Tom Lee Music branches and at the HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity will have special opening hours for the Mid-Autumn Festival (September 24) and the following day (September 25).
 
     The URBTIX outlets at all Tom Lee Music branches will close at 5.30pm on September 24 and will resume normal opening hours the following day. The URBTIX outlet at HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity will close at 3pm on September 24 and remain closed the following day, and will resume normal opening hours on September 26.
 
     The opening hours of all other URBTIX outlets will remain normal for the Mid-Autumn Festival and the following day. Tickets can also be purchased via the website www.urbtix.hk and the mobile ticketing app (Android and iPhone versions) throughout the day, and through the credit card telephone booking hotline 2111 5999 from 10am to 8pm. The ticketing enquiries hotline 3761 6661 will operate as usual from 10am to 8pm.

     The Transport Department (TD) announced today (September 19) that eligible Hong Kong operators are invited to apply for the quota for operating hire car services between Hong Kong and Macao using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) starting from 10am on September 24. The deadline for application is 5pm on October 15.
      
     The Hong Kong and Macao Governments will issue a quota of 100 for eligible operators in Hong Kong and Macao to operate Hong Kong/Macao cross-boundary hire car services. An operator allocated under the quota can operate hire car services for carriage of passengers for reward between Hong Kong and Macao via the HZMB. A quota of 60 will be issued by the Hong Kong Government. The Macao Government will also issue a quota of 40 for operators from Macao, and will announce the details separately.
      
     Applicants should have at least two years' experience in operating local or cross-boundary hire car services, or have possessed a permit for at least two years for operating cross-boundary services between Hong Kong and Guangdong Province. Applications should be submitted in the name of the hire car operators.
      
     The application form and details can be downloaded from the website of the TD (www.td.gov.hk) starting from 10am on September 24.

     Veteran Cantonese opera stars Sun Kim-long and Tang Mi-ling will collaborate with local Cantonese opera performers including Liu Kwok-sum, Kwok Kai-fai, Lam Tsz-ching, Song Hong-bo, Chan Kei-ting and Ng Sin-hang in a new production of "The Magic Cup". This version is adapted from the film of the same title produced in 1961. Details are as follows:
 
7.30pm, November 14 (Wednesday)
Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall
Tickets: $120, $160, $220 and $280
 
2.30pm, November 18 (Sunday)
Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre
Tickets: $120, $220 and $280
 
     The story centres on Cheung Tat, who gets thrown into an old well when he finds his wife committing adultery with the sorcerer Chow Kam. The ghost of Cheung's deceased wife appears and directs their daughter Ah-bo to rescue him. Ah-bo finds a magic cup inside the well, which allows her to summon a genie who can cast a spell to save her father. Later Cheung meets Princess Po Ling, who is tired of life in the palace and has escaped to live among the commoners. The two fall in love and pledge to remain together.
 
     Knowing that the King has offered a reward to find the Princess, Chow discovers the Princess' whereabouts and accuses Cheung of harbouring her. The King wants to behead Cheung. Chow steals the magic cup but fortunately Ah-bo manages to get the cup back and saves all those in danger. However, as the secret is revealed, Ah-bo has no choice but to melt the cup and bid farewell to the genie forever.
 
     "The Magic Cup" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_636.html.
 
        A pre-performance talk will be held at 7.30pm on November 6 (Tuesday) at AC2, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Speakers include Sun Kim-long and Tang Mi-ling. Another post-performance talk will take place after the November 18 performance at Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre. Speakers include Tang Mi-ling, To Wing-sum and Lee Ting-fung. The talks will be held in Cantonese. Admission is free. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

     Hongkong Post announced today (September 19) that, as advised by the postal administration of the United States, due to the impact of a hurricane, mail delivery services (including Speedpost, parcels and letter post items) to North Carolina, South Carolina and southwest Virginia with postcodes from 27000 to 29999 and 23000 to 23999 are subject to delay.