Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Carol Musgrave and Ben Tse2025-03-20
Thursday
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Selected audio segments:
Govt moves to boost healthcare data sharing 
Listen
ListenThe government says it plans to amend the law to help boost the development of its one-stop "eHealth" platform. Health providers may face fines if they don't meet the requirements. Elvis Yu has the story:
Lawmaker welcomes changes to eHealth platform Listen
ListenMeanwhile, medical sector lawmaker David Lam told Ben Tse that reforms to the eHealth data management system were necessary and long overdue:
New cybersecurity law passed to protect infrastructure Listen
ListenLawmakers have passed a bill that aims to protect the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure in society. These include facilities delivering "essential services" in areas such as banking, financial and healthcare services, IT, as well as communications and broadcasting. Operators of such infrastructure will be subject to a maximum fine of HK$500,000, if they're found guilty of non-compliance. Commerce sector lawmaker Martin Liao was among those who spoke in support of the bill:
Sports minister urges focused effort ahead of Rugby 7s Listen
ListenSports chief Rosanna Law has urged all parties involved in the Rugby Sevens tournament to liaise and communicate closely to make the event a success. The annual extravaganza is moving to the Kai Tak Sports Park for the first time, after being staged at the Hong Kong Stadium near Causeway Bay for decades. Damon Pang has the details:
More local firms planning to hire rather than cut staff Listen
ListenA survey has found that about 30 percent of Hong Kong companies are planning to hire more staff in the coming three months. And as Chloe Feng reports, companies are cautiously optimistic about pay rises.
PolyU 'to shoulder cost of third medical school' Listen
ListenPolytechnic University says it will shoulder the cost of developing Hong Kong's third medical school when necessary. The publicly funded university in Hung Hom is one of three tertiary institutions that have submitted proposals to the government. Frank Yung reports:
Price adjustment can help those most in need: HA Listen
ListenThe Hospital Authority hopes an increase in the Accident and Emergency service fee will ensure resources are reserved for those most in need. A review of public hospital fees is underway, and sources suggest the results could be announced by the end of this month. The fee could be waived or reduced for the most critical patients, while less urgent cases may have to pay more than HK$180. Axel Siu, who chairs the authority's A&E corodinating committee, told Charlie Chun more about usage situation at A&E departments.
Eleven injured after bus hits exit ramp divider Listen
ListenEleven people including the driver were injured when a KMB bus hit an exit ramp road divider on Tolo Highway on Wednesday. As Kelly Yu reports, the union representing KMB has claimed that the driver was overworked and that it would meet with the bus company later on Thursday to discuss drivers' working conditions.
Over 60 cabbies penalised under demerit points system Listen
ListenSixty-six taxi drivers have been slapped with demerit points for overcharging, refusing passengers and not taking the most direct route under a new penalty points system that was implemented around half a year ago. But as Frank Yung reports, none of them have racked up the 15 penalty points or more needed to be disqualified from working.
Shau Kei Wan community living room opens Listen
ListenAuthorities have opened the first community living room on Hong Kong Island. The Shau Kei Wan facility is expected to serve households from more than 300 subdivided flats. And as Kelly Yu reports, the chief secretary announced at the event the administration plans to report the results of a consultation on the regulatory regime for Basic Housing Units to the Legislative Council at the end of this month.
Trump suggests US takeover of Ukraine's power plants Listen
ListenThe leaders of the United States and Ukraine say they've had a constructive call about moving toward a partial ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow, with the White House suggesting the US could take control of Ukrainian power plants to ensure their security. This was the two presidents' first conversation since an Oval Office meeting descended into a shouting match at the end of February. Jamie Clarke has more:
'US-Ukraine relations appear to be stabilising' Listen
ListenMeanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says officials from Ukraine and the US would meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss broadening a ceasefire agreed on Tuesday. RTHK's Washington correspondent Simon Marks told Carol Musgrave the call between Zelensky and Trump signalled that relations between the two sides were stabilising.
Israel steps up its renewed assault on Gaza Listen
ListenThe Gaza civil defence agency says at least 470 people have been killed in the Palestinian territory since Israel began large-scale air strikes this week. This comes as the Israeli military resumed ground operations in central and southern Gaza. The offensive is one of the deadliest episodes since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023. Israeli officials say the latest operations are aimed at creating a partial buffer zone between Gaza¡¦s north and south, as Jamie Clarke reports:
Turkish opposition leader arrested Listen
ListenTurkish authorities have detained the mayor of Istanbul, just days before he was due to be selected as a presidential candidate. A key rival to the Turkish president, the arrest of the popular opposition leader marks a dramatic escalation in an ongoing crackdown in Turkey, which has targeted members of the opposition and other dissenting voices. Despite authorities temporarily banning protests, hundreds of people gathered to voice their discontent. Jamie Clarke reports:
AI startup creates robot dog Listen
ListenA Swedish AI startup has created a robot dog named Luna that has a functional digital nervous system. It's capable of learning and adapting like humans and many animals. Jacqueline Guico reports:
Dolphins greet Nasa astronauts upon return to Earth Listen
ListenAfter an unexpected nine-month stay in space, a pair of Nasa astronauts are finally back on Earth, concluding a mission that captured global attention and became a political flashpoint. As Aaron Tam reports, while astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams waited for the recovery team to pull their SpaceX capsule from the water, they were greeted by unexpected visitors.
HK, China team focused on peak performance at Sevens Listen
ListenThe Hong Kong, China men's rugby team says they are looking to feed off the energy from the home crowd, when the Rugby Sevens are held for the first time at the Kai Tak Sports Park. Natale Ching reports:
Hong Kong art lovers spoilt for choice in March Listen
ListenHong Kong is flooded with arts events this month. As part of what's become known as "Art March", two major fairs will be taking place - the annual Art Basel and Art Central gatherings. In this week's "Broad Strokes", presented by Ben Tse and Jacqueline Guico, we'll look at one artist who's reducing design to its simplest elements at his Art Basel installation. We'll also find out how the historic PMQ site in Central will be getting a new look, and tune in to an immersive space opera.
