

Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Janice Wong and Ben Tse2025-08-18
Monday
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Classes cancelled as heavy rain lashes Hong Kong
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Classes for all AM and whole-day schools have been suspended for Monday, as the territory was lashed by heavy rain early in the morning. But as Cecil Wong reports, students of afternoon schools will probably have to go to class as usual, because a Red Rain Warning Signal that was up early has been downgraded to amber, before it was cancelled at 7:20am.
Govt to probe bottled drinking water procurement procedures
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The government said it will launch an investigation and a review, a day after officials announced the partial termination of a contract for the supply of bottled drinking water to government offices on Hong Kong Island and parts of the outlying islands. Priscilla Ng reports:
Two more arrested in suspected ride-hailing fraud
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Police say they have arrested two more people in connection with a case involving suspected offering of ride-hailing services for payment using illegal workers. The force have arrested seven people in connection with the case so far. Elvis Yu reports:
19 arrested in illegal employment crackdown
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Immigration officials said they have arrested 19 people on suspicion of working illegally in Hong Kong and hiring those without the right to work. Priscilla Ng has more:
'Risk of chikungunya fever outbreak remains'
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Health director Ronald Lam says the risk of a local outbreak of chikungunya fever here remains, and he expects to see more imported cases in the near future. Hong Kong has recorded nine imported cases of the mosquito-borne disease so far this year. Elvis Yu reports:
People can now express patriotism in public: CE
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Chief Executive John Lee says Hong Kong has undergone a positive change as people can now openly express their affection for the country. Damon Pang reports:
All eight metals warehouses in operation: FS
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Financial Secretary Paul Chan says all eight warehouses that have been approved by the London Metal Exchange, or LME, to store metals and issue trade documents are now in operation. The idea was first floated in the Chief Executive's Policy Address last year. Lauren Kee reports:
'Dental support programme vital in health system revamp'
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The government's announced expanding its Community Dental Support Programme. From next year, homeless people will be able to get free dental care. Under the new arrangement, registered social workers at designated NGOs serving the homeless will be able to certify and refer them for treatment. The president of the Hong Kong Dental Association, Spencer Chan, said expanding the scheme is important as the health system shifts its focus to prevention from treatment. And he's suggested the government team up with private dentists to offer the services. Dr Chan spoke to Wendy Wong.
European leaders to join Zelensky at White House meeting
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European leaders say they will join the president of Ukraine in a visit to Washington later on Monday. They're seeking to shore up Volodymyr Zelensky’s position as the US presses Ukraine to accept a quick peace deal to end Europe’s deadliest war in eighty years. Donald Trump is leaning on his Ukrainian counterpart to strike an agreement after he met Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin last Friday. Trump emerged from those talks more aligned with Moscow on seeking a peace deal instead of a ceasefire first - as Jamie Clarke reports:
'Trump no longer interested in short-term truce or ceasefire'
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Meanwhile RTHK's Washington correspondent, Simon Marks told Ben Tse how the Trump-Putin summit went, and how US President Donald Trump is seemingly siding with his Russian counterpart's wish to kick start peace negotiations, instead of brokering a ceasefire:
Thousands protest in Israel calling for end to Gaza war
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Tens of thousands of people have taken part in nationwide protests in Israel to call for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages. Police have made dozens of arrests in one of the largest and fiercest days of demonstrations Israel has seen in 22 months of war. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have killed another 17 aid seekers in Gaza, as fears mount among Palestinians over the coming Israeli military offensive. Jamie Clarke has more:
Air Canada halts restart plans as staff defy order to resume work
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Air Canada has suspended plans to restart operations on Sunday, local time, after flight attendants refused to comply with a federal return-to-work order. In a statement, the airline said that flights would resume Monday evening local time instead, and that approximately 240 flights scheduled for Sunday had been cancelled. Operations were initially suspended after unsuccessful negotiations between Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees. Here's the union's vice-president, Henly Larden speaking at a demonstration outside Vancouver International Airport:
Hundreds killed and missing from flash floods in Pakistan
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Officials in Pakistan say rescuers are still recovering dozens of bodies from mud and rubble, after flash floods that have lashed the country since last Thursday. More than 340 people were killed, and around 150 others are still missing. Authorities have warned of more rain and possible landslides over the next two days. Jamie Clarke reports:
Flash flood kills 10 in Mongolia, two others unaccounted for
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A search and rescue operation involving more than 700 people are under way, after at least 10 people were killed in a flash flood in Inner Mongolia. Two others remain missing. As Lau Hon-ting reports, China has suffered weeks of extreme weather since July.
China top medals table as World Games conclude in Chengdu
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China wrapped up the World Games in Chengdu on Sunday by topping the medals table with 36 golds. The SAR, meanwhile, finished the tournament with its best-ever result. Damon Pang reports:
Ancient city of Alexandria slowing crumbling into the sea
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The 2,300-year-old Egyptian city of Alexandria is slowly sinking into the sea. Over the past decade, the rate at which buildings have collapsed along the seafront has increased from around one per year to as many as 40 a year, according to a study published in the journal Earth's Future. As Raymond Yeung reports, it not only threatens the livelihoods of residents, but also historical monuments and cultural heritage: