Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Janice Wong and Raymond Yeung2024-10-07
Monday
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Selected audio segments:
Israel pounds Lebanon ahead of Oct 7 anniversary Listen
Israel is on high alert as Monday marks the first anniversary of the attacks by Hamas militants into southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. That conflict has now spilled over into Lebanon. Israel is pressing ahead with its offensives on both fronts, with the UN refugee chief saying there was a major displacement crisis taking place in Lebanon. Jamie Clarke reports:
Gaza memorials, protests, held worldwide Listen
Memorial events marking the October 7 anniversary are expected to peak on Monday, with thousands around the world calling for an end to the fighting in Gaza and Lebanon. Crowds in Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Middle East have been rallying in pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protests, as Jamie Clarke reports:
Mainland visitor numbers up by more than a third Listen
Director of Immigration, Benson Kwok, says around 980,000 mainland visitors entered Hong Kong during last week's Golden Week holiday. That is about 35 percent more than the same period last year. He said he believed the city was on course to reach pre-pandemic levels of visitors by the end of the year. Charlie Chun reports:
Classic car parade marks 75th celebrations Listen
75 vintage cars have roared through Hong Kong in a parade to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Among the participants were the transport minister as well as the police chief. Kelly Yu reports:
'New ideas needed to encourage foreign talent to stay' Listen
The government should consider different ways to unlock the potential of the local workforce while encouraging foreign talent to stay in the city. That is according to the Institute of Human Resource Management, which made the suggestions to the government ahead of the upcoming policy address this month. Their ideas include strengthening policies to attract expats, raising the participation rate of the local workforce, and implementing measures to prepare for an ageing workforce. Roy Ying, who co-chairs the advocacy and policy research committee at the institute, told Charlie Chun how the city could continue to attract global talent:
Hopes that China stimulus will boost local flat prices Listen
The head of the Real Estate Developers Association, Stewart Leung, says the local property market should rebound but any improvement will not happen overnight. He was commenting after second-hand property prices in August dropped to their lowest level in eight years. Charlie Chun reports:
Lawmakers visit subdivided flats for World Habitat Day Listen
A community activist group is urging lawmakers to put more pressure on the government to improve living standards in subdivided flats. The Society for Community Organisation arranged for several legislators to visit three households who live in poor-quality flats in Sham Shui Po on Sunday. It comes as the United Nations marks World Habitat Day, which raises awareness over sustainable urban development. SoCo's deputy director Sze Lai-shan described the living conditions of the households they visited to Elvis Yu:
FS says 10 more 'strategic' firms will set up shop here Listen
Financial Secretary Paul Chan says a new list of strategic enterprises will be announced next month. The list will include over 10 companies which will set up shop in Hong Kong, with more than half of them in AI and big data. As Kelly Yu reports, he also expressed optimism about the SAR's economic outlook:
China vows to deepen cooperation with North Korea Listen
President Xi Jinping has told North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that Beijing wants to "deepen friendly cooperation" with Pyongyang. The two leaders exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Aaron Tam reports:
Toddler believed trampled to death in channel crossing Listen
An investigation continues after four people, including a two-year-old child, died while attempting to cross the English Channel. The authorities said they were found "unconscious" and were likely "trampled to death" in two separate boats that had engine failures. RTHK's UK correspondent Peter Anderson told Janice Wong that the illegal crossings were an ongoing challenge for French and UK authorities. He said more than 26,500 had crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year - which was already higher than last year's figure:
Xinhua: EU's China EV tariffs 'sabotage' green partnership Listen
Mainland state media says a ruling by the European Union on Chinese electric vehicles reveals a "deep-seated protectionist impulse." The report in Xinhua came after the EU said it would press ahead with hefty tariffs on China-made EVs - even though the bloc's largest economy, Germany, rejected them. Xinhua said the move risks sabotaging a global green partnership for political gain. Todd Harding reports:
US jobs report defies fears of economic slowdown Listen
The US labour market added far more jobs than projected in September while the unemployment rate unexpectedly ticked lower, reflecting a stronger picture of the jobs market than Wall Street had expected. The key question entering Friday's report was whether the data would reflect significant cooling in the labour market, which could prompt another large Fed interest rate cut. RTHK's US economics correspondent, Barry Wood, told Raymond Yeung that the figures were "extraordinary" and showed that the US economy had coped with the high interest rate environment without a glitch:
Wynn Resorts gets UAE's first gambling licence Listen
US casino operator Wynn has received the first commercial gaming operator's licence to be issued in the United Arab Emirates where gambling is currently banned. Elvis Yu reports:
Erik ten Hag's job in jeopardy following winless match Listen
In football, there were plenty of big matches and storylines from around the Premier League over the weekend. A sixth victory from seven matches on Saturday kept Liverpool one point ahead at the top of the table with 18 points. Meanwhile, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag's job remains in jeopardy following a nil-nil draw away with Aston Villa on Sunday night. RTHK's football correspondent, Tim Bredbury, told Carlos Escueta more about that fixture and other action from over the weekend:
Chonky penguin becomes social media's favourite animal Listen
Pesto, a huge king penguin chick, has drawn hundreds of visitors to his home in an Australian aquarium. The chocolate-brown and fluffy nine-month-old chick weighs more than twice the combined weight of his parents and is fast becoming the internet's latest viral sensation. Samantha Butler reports: