Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Janice Wong and Hailey Yip2024-10-21
Monday
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Selected audio segments:
11th monkey dies at Zoological Gardens Listen
Another monkey has died at the Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Central, bringing the total to 11. It comes after autopsies earlier revealed most of the deceased primates had melioidosis, an infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria found in soil. Officials confirmed that workers had dug up soil near the monkeys' habitat earlier this month and may have brought contaminated soil into the enclosure on their shoes. Robert Kemp reports:
Primate deaths pose little threat to human health Listen
An infectious disease expert says melioidosis is usually found deep in soil but may have been brought to the surface by recent digging works. Doctor Wilson Lam also told Vanessa Cheng that there was no threat to human health from the outbreak:
CE defends plan to revise allocation of subsidised flats Listen
Chief Executive John Lee says giving public housing tenants a greater chance to buy Home Ownership Scheme units is a step towards helping them climb the housing ladder. And he rejected suggestions that the government was pushing people into buying private homes in order to bolster the housing market. Elvis Yu reports:
One-year registration period mooted for subdivided flats Listen
The housing chief says the government could start prosecuting landlords of illegal subdivided flats by the end of 2026 at the earliest, with the possibility of jail terms. Officials made it clear that everyone would have a roof over their heads amid efforts to phase out those substandard shoebox homes. Damon Pang reports:
Public suggestions welcomed for new tourist hotspots Listen
A new government working group to develop tourist hotspots will hold its first meeting next month. The official leading the group says it welcomes suggestions from the public. Charlie Chun reports:
EOC hopes to boost jobs for ethnic minorities Listen
The chairwoman of the Equal Opportunities Commission says they are working on boosting jobs for ethnic minorities. At a jobs fair it staged, Linda Lam said society had to break existing stereotypes that ethnic minorities here do only low-skilled work. Charlie Chun reports:
Grace period for first phase of plastics ban ends Listen
A six-month grace period on single-use plastics ends on Monday. Since April 22, restaurants have been banned from using and selling polystyrene utensils, plastic straws, cutlery and plates. Hotels are banned from freely distributing bathroom items made of plastic, such as plastic-handled toothbrushes, plastic-packed toothpaste and shower caps. It is the first phase of Hong Kong's laws against disposable plastic products. Edwin Lau, founder and executive director of The Green Earth, told Elvis Yu that he believed businesses were adapting well and were ready for the second phase, which would include items such as plastic cups and food containers:
Study finds riverbank waste comprised mostly of plastic Listen
As the grace period ends, it is hoped there will be a reduction in plastic waste in the city's landfills. A recent study by Greenpeace found more than 3,200 pieces of rubbish collected in clean-up operations along two of Hong Kong's riverbanks in the past four months, with 97 percent of it being plastic. The top items found in the Lam Tsuen and Pui O Rivers were food and beverage packaging, disposable plastic tableware, and shipping materials. Greenpeace campaigner Leanne Tam said microplastics from these sources can enter ecosystems and food chains, potentially affecting human health. She told Kelly Yu that individuals and companies could play a part in tackling plastic waste:
FS sees great growth potential in gold trading Listen
The financial secretary says gold trading in Hong Kong has great room for growth amid global market developments. Paul Chan made it clear that building up the SAR's market was of great strategic significance. Damon Pang reports:
Displaced Lebanese recount their ordeal Listen
Hundreds of Beirut residents have fled their homes after Israel said it was preparing attacks on sites linked to the financial operations of Lebanon's Hezbollah group. Soon after the Israeli warning, several blasts were heard and a large fire was seen in Beirut's southern suburbs. Since the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began over a year ago, more than 2,400 people are reported to have been killed in Lebanon, along with nearly 60 people in northern Israel. Amid the ongoing war, displaced Lebanese families are finding something resembling normalcy in a shelter centre in a region to the southeast of the capital, Beirut. Jamie Clarke reports:
Israeli nurse among thousands displaced by fighting Listen
As well as the hundreds of thousands of Lebanese displaced by the fighting, residents north of the border in Israel have had to escape bombardment from Hezbollah. As Jamie Clarke reports, one Israeli nurse among those being displaced is a 62-year-old grandmother of six, who has treated casualties of Israel's numerous clashes with Lebanon for over four decades. Jamie Clarke reports:
Prabowo's free lunches boosting health and attendance Listen
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto has been sworn in as president. The inauguration ceremony in Jakarta was attended by several foreign dignitaries. Even before officially taking office, Prabowo launched the pilot phase of one of his big and ambitious projects - an eye-catching US$28 billion free meal plan to feed over 83 million kids daily. His mega-scheme is a campaign promise drawing from successful models overseas which he hopes will address a nationwide problem of stunted growth in children. Azam Khan reports:
Delhi river blanketed in toxic white foam Listen
An environmentalist has declared one of India’s most sacred rivers completely dead. The Yamuna River, a revered waterway for Hindus, has been blanketed in a thick layer of toxic white froth since Friday. According to India’s Central Pollution Control Board, the water quality is not even fit for animals. Jamie Clarke reports:
Boeing workers to vote on 36 percent pay rise offer Listen
Embattled plane manufacturer Boeing reports its results for the third quarter on Wednesday. That is also the same day that striking machinists at Boeing vote on a new contract proposal that could bring an end to a five-week dispute. RTHK's US economics correspondent, Barry Wood, told Janice Wong that the deal came as a surprise and includes a significant pay rise of 36 percent over four years:
Liverpool reclaim top spot in Premier League Listen
Liverpool have reclaimed their top spot in the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea. Liverpool manager Arne Slot called his side's clash against Chelsea one of their "hardest" tests so far. RTHK's football correspondent, Tim Bredbury, has a round-up of the action:
Global vigils held for One Direction's Liam Payne Listen
Fans in cities across the world have gathered to mourn the death of One Direction singer Liam Payne, who died last week. Directioners, as supporters of the massively successful boy band are known, left tributes in London, Manila, Sydney and New York over the weekend as they celebrated the life of the 31-year-old. Jamie Clarke reports: