News Programme | Hong Kong Today(2023-03-30) - RTHK
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Hong Kong Today
Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Vicky Wong and Samantha Butler

2023-03-30
Thursday

Now playing: 足本播放 Play full episode
Selected audio segments:
Labour importation scheme could be broadened  Listenfacebook
The labour secretary says the government could import builders and transport workers in a similar way to how non-local carers will soon be brought into Hong Kong. Chris Sun said it would come up with proposals in the next few months. Frank Yung reports:
Checks and balances needed over importing labour  Listenfacebook
The Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management say it welcomes initiatives to bridge the talent gap in Hong Kong. Roy Ying, the institute's co-chair of the advocacy and policy research committee, says there is a 'war for talent' here, with a severe labour shortage across a number of industries. But he told Samantha Butler that checks and balances were needed when importing labour, including imposing a quota, minimising the social impact, and upskilling the existing workforce in Hong Kong:
New measures aimed at mainland budget tours  Listenfacebook
The Travel Industry Authority says from Thursday, the tourism and catering industries will adopt measures to minimise the impact of mainland tour groups on the community, especially in To Kwa Wan. This comes after residents of the district complained about crowded streets, noise and litter left by visitors joining so-called “budget tours”. Vanessa Cheng reports:
Transports, logistics trades concerned over toll charges  Listenfacebook
Transport and logistics industry representatives have petitioned the government over proposed toll changes for the three harbour crossings, urging it to reconsider the plan. The administration has put forward a uniform charge of $50 for all goods vehicles, which is higher than most of them now have to pay to use the Cross-Harbour and Eastern Harbour tunnels. Lawmaker Lam Chun-sing, chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions, told Elvis Yu that the new toll scheme - which is currently before Legco - will place a burden on the industry, especially on self-employed drivers:
Experts advise revising Covid vaccine guidelines  Listenfacebook
Experts advising the government say the days of compulsory vaccination against Covid-19 are long gone, but high-risk individuals – such as those aged 50 or above and chronic disease patients – are still advised to take a booster shot. This comes after the World Health Organisation revised its vaccine recommendation, saying healthy children and teenagers may need not get jabbed, while high-risk groups should get a booster shot six to 12 months after their last dose. Local experts say children are still recommended to be triple-jabbed. Professor Lau Yu-lung, who chairs the scientific committee on vaccine preventable diseases, told Kelly Yu about the recommendations:
More products included in efficiency labelling scheme  Listenfacebook
Mandatory energy efficiency labels are to be introduced for more electrical and other appliances. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department said that from September, the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme – or "Meels" – will include gas cookers, LED lights and instant gas water heaters. Violet Wong reports:
Lingnan professor believes AI can enhance learning process  Listenfacebook
Local tertiary institutions are divided on whether to encourage students to embrace artificial intelligence and take advantage of the new generation of chatbots. Lingnan University and the University of Hong Kong are among those that have taken a firm stand against the AI chatbot. But the associate vice-president of Lingnan University says there has not been a thorough discussion among faculty and students on the matter, and the policy may change in the new academic year starting September. Professor Lau Chi-pang, who is also a lawmaker, spoke to Ada Au.
Observatory opens backup tsunami centre  Listenfacebook
The Hong Kong Observatory has opened its Backup South China Sea Tsunami Advisory Centre. It is meant to support the main advisory centre in Beijing in providing early tsunami warnings to nine countries in the region, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand. The observatory's Senior Scientific Officer, Mok Hing-yim, says the risk of tsunamis in the region is not very high, with the new facility recording only one minor wave since it began trials in March last year. He told Vicky Wong that the best way to enhance the region's resilience to natural disasters was through this type of cooperation:
Home prices hit four-month high  Listenfacebook
Official figures show home prices hit a four-month high last month. The Rating and Valuation Department said February home prices were up 2.2 percent, after gaining 1.1 percent in January. But compared to February last year, prices were still down nearly 10 percent. Rents for private flats increased around one percent, reversing five months of falls. The founder and chief executive of Centaline Property Group, Shih Wing-ching, told Maggie Ho that he believed the rebound may be short lived, unless Hong Kong's economy improves:
Beijing cautions Taiwan's leader over visit  Listenfacebook
Beijing says any meeting between US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen, during her planned transit in the United States, would be a "provocation". Tsai has departed for a 10-day trip to Guatemala and Belize, transiting through New York and Los Angeles, where she is expected to meet McCarthy. Natale Ching reports:
Suu Kyi's party among 40 dissolved in Myanmar  Listenfacebook
The party of Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi is to be dissolved for failing to re-register under a new electoral law. State television, Myawaddy TV, said the military-controlled election commission announced that the National League for Democracy was among 40 political parties that failed to meet a registration deadline for an election set by the country's military rulers, although there has been no date set for the polls. RTHK's Southeast Asia correspondent, Larry Jagan, told Annemarie Evans that he was not surprised by the move:

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