Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Samantha Butler and Ben Tse2024-08-29
Thursday
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Selected audio segments:
Officials probe conservation worker's death Listen
Authorities are investigating the death of a conservation worker, who died after losing consciousness at Tai Mo Shan Country Park. The man had wounds on his hand. Hailey Yip reports:
One man cleared over Yuen Long attacks Listen
The Court of Appeal has ordered a retrial over one of the men involved in a mob attack at Yuen Long MTR station in July 2019. And as Vanessa Cheng reports, it cleared another man who was earlier convicted in the case:
Rare otters sighted in Ng Tung River in Sheung Shui Listen
Conservation experts are urging people to keep an eye out next time they are walking by a river, as they may catch a rare glimpse of an endangered Eurasian Otter. Researches from the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden say they have found traces of the mammal's faeces by the Ng Tung River near Sheung Shui. But Yang Jianhuan, the Conservation Manager of Kadoorie Conservation, told Janice Lo that development projects, such as the Northern Metropolis, could pose a threat to the natural habitat of these otters:
Panda twins might meet the public in February Listen
People wishing to catch a glimpse of the giant panda twins born nearly two weeks ago may have to wait until February. The Ocean Park chairman said pandas would not usually meet the public until they are at least six months old. Vanessa Cheng reports:
Top officials discuss possible Xi-Biden phone call Listen
Top Chinese and US officials have discussed holding fresh talks between Presidents Xi and Biden in the near future, as the two countries held high-level meetings in Beijing. State broadcaster CCTV said foreign minister Wang Yi had constructive talks with visiting US national security advisor, Jake Sullivan. The two sides said they spoke about range of bilateral, regional, and global issues. Damon Pang reports:
Ex-Macau top judge makes formal bid for CE Listen
Macau's former top judge, Sam Hou-fai, has formally declared he is standing for election to become chief executive. As Kelly Yu reports, Sam is promising to deliver stability to the enclave during these turbulent times:
Telegram head formally under probe, released on bail Listen
French authorities have handed Telegram CEO, Pavel Durov, preliminary charges, accusing him of allowing criminal activity on his messaging app. The Russian has also been barred from leaving France pending further investigation. Durov was detained on Saturday at an airport outside Paris, as part of a sweeping judicial inquiry which opened last month. Jamie Clarke reports:
Gaza polio vaccine drive affected by latest combat Listen
The United Nations has launched its vaccination campaign against polio in Gaza, but Israeli orders for Palestinians to evacuate have hindered the operation. Gaza has recorded its first case of polio in over two decades, and disinformation about the vaccine is making the rounds on the Internet. Jacqueline Guico reports:
UN body suspends movement amid Gaza gunfire Listen
The United Nations World Food Programme has temporarily suspended movement of its employees across the Gaza Strip. It says at least 10 bullets struck one of its clearly marked vehicles as it approached an Israeli military checkpoint late on Tuesday, but no one was hurt. Jamie Clarke reports:
Indian police, protesters clash over murdered doctor Listen
Police in India have fired tear gas and water cannon in the latest clashes with protesters, angry over the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata earlier this month. The latest demonstration saw thousands march to a government building to demand the resignation of the chief minister of West Bengal state. Protesters also blocked train tracks and stopped buses. RTHK's correspondent in Delhi, Murali Krishnan, told Aaron Tam that the situation was becoming highly politicised:
Youth science expo provides rare glimpse into North Korea Listen
A National Youth Scientific Technology Exhibition has opened in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang. It gives a rare insight into a public convention in the country. Azam Khan reports:
Fisherman catches decades-old toy 'shark' in England Listen
A fisherman in Devon, England, has netted an almost 30-year-old shark made of Lego. Richard West discovered the plastic toy on the top of his fishing nets when he was 30 kilometres out to sea. RTHK's UK correspondent, Gavin Grey, told Annemarie Evans that this was the first-ever reported shark from almost 52,000 Lego sharks which vanished off a cargo ship in 1997:
Thousands join annual tomato fight in Spain Listen
Thousands of people have taken to the streets of a town in eastern Spain for an annual food fight. At the La Tomatina festival, participants hurl tomatoes at each other. The event attracts visitors from across the globe, as Jamie Clarke reports:
Rents rise while home prices continue to fall Listen
Official figures show home prices continued to fall in July with the overall value of private units down by nearly five percent over the first seven months of the years. But as Raymond Yeung reports, rents are getting more expensive as prices fall:
BYD reports 24-percent jump in first-half profit Listen
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD says first-half profits for 2024 went up more than 24 percent compared with the same period last year. It also posted strong second-quarter profits. Analysts expect it to overtake US carmarker, Tesla, as the world's largest producer of EVs this year. Tony Sabine reports:
Paralympic Games hold opening ceremony in Paris Listen
The Paris Paralympic Games are officially under way after a glorious ceremony on a perfect summer evening in the French capital. Much like the Olympics, the spectacular is the first Paralympics curtain-raiser to be held outside a stadium. Frank Yung reports on the grand opening:
Hong Kong sprinter hoping for fast-track to success Listen
The SAR's para sprinter Yam Kwok-fan will be joining the women's 100m and 200m races in Paris. In this year's Para Athletics World Championships, the 27-year-old achieved her personal best in the 100m event. And as she prepares to enter her third Paralympics, she told Natale Ching that she was going full steam ahead:
HKFA names Westwood as head coach Listen
Former English Premier League player Ashley Westwood has been named as the new head coach of the SAR's men's football team. Westwood has signed a two-year contract, as Hailey Yip reports:
Japanese food festival makes it way through NY streets Listen
It is billed as the largest Japanese food festival in the world, which the organisers estimate will attract some half-a-million people to its 33 events throughout this year. JAPAN Fes features around 1,500 vendors and has taken over the streets of New York this year, showcasing over 200 Japanese food options. Over the weekend, the outdoor festival arrived in New York's East Village. Jacqueline Guico reports:
Fusing Western and Chinese instruments with mahjong Listen
Now to a fusion of music involving guitars, drums, the guzheng and mahjong tiles. On RTHK's arts and culture podcast, Broadstrokes, Ben Tse and Jacqueline Guico catch up with a 16-member ensemble of Chinese and Western instrumentalists. They also take a trip down the Silk Road to find out more about one of the economic pillars of China: