Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Janice Wong and Samantha Butler2023-10-24
Tuesday
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Selected audio segments:
Govt criticised for cost overruns on new MTR station Listen
Roundtable lawmaker Michael Tien has criticised the government for increasing its cost estimate for the construction of a new MTR station in the New Territories by almost 70 percent, saying the cost overruns are "outrageous". In a paper submitted to LegCo last week, the government revealed that construction of the new Kwu Tung station would cost an estimated $5.9 billion - $2.4 billion more than an estimate two years ago. Tien, a member of Legco's transport panel, told Elvis Yu why he was so upset about the cost overruns:
CE urged to set timetable to phase out cage homes Listen
An NGO advocating for the underprivileged says the top priority for the Chief Executive's Policy Address should be rehousing those who live in subdivided flats and cage homes. Sze Lai-shan, deputy director of the Society for Community Organisation, was commenting ahead of John Lee's speech on Wednesday. She said she hoped the waiting time for public housing would be shortened, as some families and elderly queued for up to 10 years. She also told Janice Wong that more should be done to improve childcare and mental healthcare services:
Ex-HKO director says no need to halt trading in typhoons Listen
A former director of the Hong Kong Observatory says the city's stock exchange should continue trading during typhoons and torrential rains, as extreme weather is becoming more frequent. Lam Chiu-ying's comments come after the bourse was closed four times this year due to black rainstorm warnings or high typhoon signals, and officials are considering whether to keep the market open in future. Lam said there was a misconception among the public that the forecaster had commercial considerations when issuing warnings. He told Hailey Yip that he hoped this misconception could be dispelled, by "decoupling" the weather from the operation of the stock exchange:
Sleep studies introduced at former Covid hospital Listen
The Hospital Authority will start offering endoscopy procedures and sleep studies at a makeshift hospital in the Lok Ma Chau Loop area from the end of this month. That is in addition to radiology services which the Central Government-Aided Emergency Hospital has been providing since April. The hospital itself was initially built to serve Covid patients and is expected to cease operations in 2026. A microbiology laboratory there will also screen multi-drug resistant organisms. Dr Sin Ngai-chuen, clinical stream coordinator of the New Territories East Cluster, told Frank Yung about the new services:
California governor kicks off China trip in HK Listen
The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has begun a week-long visit to China by stressing that his state will remain an ally in the fight against climate change. He made the remarks at a seminar here in Hong Kong, kicking off a tour of the country that he says will focus on cooperation rather than contentious political issues. Jacqueline Guico reports:
Customs seize tonnes of smuggle hairy crabs Listen
Customs officers say they have seized a record 48,000 smuggled hairy crabs at the Lok Ma Chau checkpoint. The Chinese mitten crabs, weighing a total of over 10 tonnes and worth about $7 million, were found in a truck coming to Hong Kong. Wendy Wong reports:
HK scoops five medals on Day 1 of Para Games Listen
Former Paralympic champion, Tang Wai-lok, took the SAR's first gold in the 100 metres S14 freestyle, leading home a Hong Kong 1-2-3 ahead of teammates Cheung Tsun-lok and Wong Hon-yin. Earlier, Ng Cheuk-yan snatched bronze in the women's 100 metre S6 backstroke, marking the first medal for the SAR squad. And veteran Alison Yu won bronze in the women's foil individual category A in wheelchair fencing. Elvis Yu reports:
Major pile-up mars Hong Kong cyclothon Listen
Thousands of riders took to the roads of Kowloon on Sunday as Hong Kong's biggest mass cycling event returned for the first time since the pandemic. But the return of the Hong Kong Cyclothon was marred by a major pile-up during one of the races which organisers said had left 11 riders injured. Natale Ching reports:
Biden warns Israel to avoid 9/11 'mistakes' Listen
The US has pledged its unwavering support to Israel in its war against Hamas and backed that up with military aid. But President Biden has also warned Israel not to be consumed by rage and make the same mistakes that the US made in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. RTHK's Washington correspondent, Barry Wood, says it is likely a reminder to Israel to be mindful of the millions of Palestinians who are suffering under Israeli bombardment in Gaza. He also told Samantha Butler that Biden's Mideast trip did not produce much beyond giving a psychological boost to Israel: