Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Janice Wong and Samantha Butler2024-09-03
Tuesday
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Selected audio segments:
Cathay grounds A350 fleet over engine glitch Listen
Cathay Pacific says it cancelled 48 flights after discovering an engine glitch in one of its A350 aircraft. The airline says it is the first problem of its kind involving the A350. Anne Chan reports:
Customs officer dies after vehicle falls into sea Listen
A Customs officer has died after his vehicle fell into the sea from Shenzhen Bay Bridge. Officials said the accident happened on Monday night as the officer was heading to work. Vanessa Cheng reports:
Housing chief unveils age-friendly public housing Listen
Housing secretary Winnie Ho says public housing tenants will soon be able to enjoy a living environment that is more age-friendly. Raymond Yeung reports:
'Double ageing' of public housing and its tenants Listen
A researcher with the Our Hong Kong Foundation think-tank says it is the right time for the government to shift its focus from quantity to quality when it comes to public housing. Calvin Au was responding after housing officials unveiled eight new concepts for public housing as part of a well-being guide aimed at improving the living conditions at public estates. Au also says it is important to cater to the needs of elderly residents amid Hong Kong's ageing population. He spoke to Anne Chan:
Hong Kong adds two Paralympic golds to medals haul Listen
Team Hong Kong China has seen its best day yet at the Paris Paralympics, winning two gold and two silver medals in boccia and badminton. Kelly Yu has more on Day Five of the Games:
Lawmaker urges govt to broadcast LA Games for free Listen
The Liberal Party has called on the government to offer the broadcasting rights of the next Olympic Games free of charge to all major broadcasters in Hong Kong. The party surveyed around 1,000 people, with 70 percent of them backing the idea of the government buying the rights, such as for the Paris Olympics. Southern District Councillor Jonathan Leung, who is from the Liberal Party, said the free broadcasting rights sparked Olympic fever across the city. He told Anne Chan that the government should ensure that everyone here had the opportunity to watch the next games, to be held in Los Angeles, for free:
Mixed feelings over resumption of new school year Listen
Students in Hong Kong say they have mixed feelings about going back to school. At the start of the new academic year on Monday, some said they wanted to see their friends again while others said they were nervous about meeting new people. Kelly Yu reports:
UN rolls out mass polio vaccination campaign in Gaza Listen
The United Nations, in collaboration with Palestinian health authorities, has begun its polio vaccination programme for about 640,000 children in the Gaza Strip. The programme kicked off over the weekend after Israel and Hamas agreed to brief pauses in their 11-month-old war. Hailey Yip reports:
'No threat to Hong Kong from polio virus' Listen
A paediatrician says it is very concerning that the highly-infectious virus, polio, has re-emerged in Gaza, as there is no available treatment. Dr Mike Kwan from the University of Hong Kong's Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine says the virus was mostly eradicated around the world, except in countries with a poor health infrastructure. He said it re-appeared in Gaza due to the war there. He said the virus could lead to irreversible paralysis in some people and could affect the breathing muscles, leading to death. But he told Samantha Butler that Hong Kong was safe as most children in the city were vaccinated against polio:
Israeli PM stands firm over Gaza ceasefire deal Listen
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed back against a new wave of pressure to reach a ceasefire deal in Gaza. It comes as President Biden said Netenyahu needed to do more after nearly 11 months of fighting, while hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested across the country, demanding he step down. Jamie Clarke reports:
Beijing official hails Hong Kong's R&D environment Listen
The director of Beijing's Liaison Office in Hong Kong says the SAR is the most suitable place to develop new quality productive forces. It is the new term coined by Beijing to refer to advanced productivity and breaking free from traditional economic growth models. Frank Yung reports:
Tropical storm Yagi kills 11 in Philippines Listen
Philippine authorities say floods and landslides killed 11 people after a fierce tropical storm dumped heavy rain for a second day. Tropical Storm Yagi slammed into the main island of Luzon after brushing past the Bicol region southeast of Manila. More heavy rain is expected. Jacqueline Guico reports:
Scholz expresses concern over AfD election victory Listen
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged mainstream parties not to lend support to the far-right, which won a big victory in Sunday's regional election. It is the first time a far-right party has won state elections since World War Two. As Jamie Clarke reports, the German leader called the results "bitter" and "worrying":
Pope departs Rome for 12-day Southeast Asia tour Listen
Indonesia is gearing up to welcome Pope Francis, who is scheduled to arrive in Jakarta on Tuesday on the first leg of the longest trip of his papacy. Jacqueline Guico reports:
South Korea opens Telegram deepfake porn probe Listen
South Korean police say they have launched an investigation into encrypted messaging platform Telegram for allegedly "abetting" the distribution of so-called deepfake porn. It comes after a broadcaster reported last month that university students were running an illegal Telegram chatroom, sharing deepfake pornographic material of female classmates. As Frank Yung reports, it is one of a slew of high-profile cases that have stoked public anger:
Alleged beluga spy whale found dead Listen
A beluga whale that was alleged to have spied for Russia is dead. The news was broken by Marine Mind, a Norwegian non-profit organisation that was tracking its movements. Jacqueline Guico reports:
Shares of NWD slump to 21-year low Listen
Shares of New World Development have slumped to a 21-year low after it issued its first loss warning in two decades. The developer ended the day nearly 13 percent lower, at HK$6.83. Raymond Yeung reports:
Private manufacturing survey beats estimates Listen
A private sector survey shows mainland manufacturing activity swinging back into growth last month, as new orders drove production. But a decline in new export orders is adding to concerns about the outlook for Christmas goods shipments. Jacqueline Guico reports:
Australia de-lists biggest casino operator Listen
Resort and casino operator Star Entertainment has been temporarily de-listed from the Australian Securities Exchange after failing to post its annual financial results. The firm is trying to recover from a series of scandals over lax safeguards against money laundering. In October 2022, the company's licence to operate its Sydney casino was suspended. Natale Ching reports:
Volkswagen considers historic German plant closures Listen
Volkswagen is weighing whether to close factories in Germany for the first time in its 87-year history, as it moves to deepen cost cuts amid rising competition from China’s electric vehicle makers. Azam Khan reports:
Machine learning helping develop Parkinson's treatment Listen
Researchers in the United States are developing new treatment for people suffering from Parkinson's disease. It uses machine learning to understand how patients' brains deteriorate over time, before devising targeted treatment using electrical pulses to counter specific symptoms. Study participants reportedly displayed fewer side effects, such as shaking hands or body tremors. So how does this groundbreaking technology work, and how safe is it? Elvis Yu and Raj Shroff find out in Tech Tuesday: