

Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Janice Wong and Janice Lo2025-02-17
Monday
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Crowds flock to Ocean Park to meet panda cubs
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Ocean Park's panda twin cubs made their highly-anticipated public debut on Sunday in front of hundreds of delighted locals and tourists. Many visitors arrived extra early to make sure they could meet the baby pandas as soon as possible. Charlie Chun spoke to some of them, and filed this report.
'Funding infrastructure with bonds is common practice'
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The Financial Secretary says issuing bonds to finance the mega Northern Metropolis project is one way to ensure that Hong Kong's budget deficit will not affect development. Paul Chan says bonds are routinely used to fund infrastructure projects, and international investors have traditionally been receptive to the SAR's debt securities. Damon Pang reports.
Govt mulls longer grace period for basic housing units
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Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho said authorities are thinking about extending a grace period for landlords to convert subdivided flats, after new laws are introduced to regulate these housing units. As Damon Pang reports, Ho said some people have said they needed more time to make the transition.
Woman arrested for carrying suspected space oil drug
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Customs officers have arrested a 28-year-old woman on suspicion of carrying the space oil drug in a vape stick on arrival to Hong Kong from Macau. This was the department’s first arrest since etomidate - a key ingredient of the space oil drug - was included in the Dangerous Drug Ordinance. Elvis Yu reports.
Make good use of Hetao to boost biotech sector: DAB
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DAB lawmakers say Hong Kong should make good use of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone to boost the nation’s biotech development. The suggestion is among dozens of others the party is planning to propose during the annual sessions of the nation's legislature and top political advisory body in Beijing next month. Starry Lee, Hong Kong’s sole member of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, spoke to Elvis Yu.
University enrolment ceiling for non-local student doubles
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The government wants to turn Hong Kong into a hub for international talent and part of this involves plans to attract more non-local students to the city's universities. Starting this academic year, the enrolment ceiling for these students will double to 40 percent, up from the previous quota of 20 percent. So, how are these students adjusting to life here? And what efforts are being made to help them integrate? Elvis Yu spoke to several students as well as the warden of the University of Hong Kong’s oldest residential hall.
US delegation en-route to Saudi Arabia for Ukraine talks with Russia
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A delegation from the United States will be in Saudia Arabia by the end of today to hold talks on how to end Russia’s war with Ukraine. The upcoming talks will be among the first high-level in-person discussions between Russian and US officials in years and are meant to precede a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.This news has come alongside the close of the Munich Security Conference - leaving an unsettled Europe in its wake. Ukrainian leaders and officials in other European countries have publicly expressed frustration that the US has excluded them from some negotiations with the Russians. While Ukrainian officials have said they were not invited to the upcoming meeting in Saudi Arabia, and that they would not be bound by any agreement that comes out of any dialogue there. Jamie Clarke has more.
US and Russian officials haven't met in 'a very long time'
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Our Washington correspondent, Barry Wood says the two sides have not met for at least four years.
Asian American women celebrated in the US
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In the West, and especially in countries like the US, we hear a lot about various award shows. But seldom do they celebrate the achievements of Asian American women. Our San Francisco correspondent Mark Niu takes us to a special event that believes this cause is more important than ever.
Delhi station still overcrowded a day after 18 die in stampede
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Overcrowding has persisted at New Delhi’s main railway station the morning after a fatal stampede in which at least eighteen people were killed. Despite the deadly crush, crowds could again be seen pushing into a train yesterday morning. Eyewitnesses and the families of victims have been recounting their ordeal. Many of them are angry at authorities and police officials at the railway station, who they say did not act in time. Jamie Clarke reports.
Cabbage prices skyrocket in Japan
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The price of cabbage made headlines in Japan in February, after climbing to 1,000 yen, or about US$6.5 - roughly equivalent to an hourly wage in Japan. The staple crop is just one of the everyday items pushing the cost of living up in a country where prices, and wages, have remained stagnant for decades. But as Vanessa Cheng reports, one Tokyo resident has taken matters into his own hands.
'World's first openly gay imam' shot dead
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A man dubbed “the world’s first openly gay imam” has been shot dead in South Africa. The 57-year-old was killed on Saturday morning after the car in which he was travelling was ambushed. Jamie Clarke reports.
Ne Zha 2 smashes mainland box office records
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Chinese film Ne Zha 2 has smashed box office records on the mainland , becoming the first movie to cross the 10 billion-yuan mark. As Jacqueline Guico tells us, the animated tale about a youthful, dragon-defying deity is set to be released in Hong Kong soon.
Hotspur secure victory over Manchester United
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After being knocked out of both the English League Cup and the FA Cup in their two previous match-ups, Tottenham Hotspur secured a much-needed victory as they came away 1-0 winners against Manchester United. That result moved Ange Postecoglou's side into 12th in the table, as they inflict another dismal result on United boss Ruben Amorim. RTHK's football correspondent, Tim Bredury, takes a look at that match-up and more.