Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Ben Tse and Carol Musgrave2024-12-05
Thursday
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Impeachment proceedings begin in S Korea Listen
South Korea’s parliament has begun impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk-yeol over his failed attempt to impose martial law. His declaration of martial law late on Tuesday attempted to ban political activity and censor the media in South Korea. Yoon’s shock move unleashed six hours of political chaos. He’s now at serious risk of being ousted from his job. Jamie Clarke reports.
Boost education on Constitution: SJ Listen
Justice Secretary Paul Lam says people should start learning about the Constitution from a young age, as it provides the fundamental legal protection for the "One Country, Two Systems" framework. He was speaking during an event marking Constitution Day, as Kelly Yu reports.
Transport services boosted ahead of cruise liner arrival Listen
Authorities have announced ways they'll boost the transportation network at the Kai Tak cruise terminal on Friday, when Asia's largest cruiseship sails into Hong Kong. As Anne Chan reports, the terminal may also lure taxi drivers by giving them $100 gas coupons.
Flight thefts hit seven-year high Listen
The government says the number of theft cases on board Hong Kong-bound aircraft for the first 10 months of the year has reached a seven-year high, involving over $4 million of property. Damon Pang reports.
Time-varying tolls planned for Tai Lam Tunnel Listen
The government says it plans to charge time-varying tolls for the Tai Lam Tunnel at the end of May, next year. That's after it takes over control of the tunnel in the New Territories. Elvis Yu reports.
Transport sector lawmaker welcomes Tai Lam Tunnel toll plan Listen
Transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick welcomed the move to set up time-varying tolls for the Tai Lam Tunnel, saying the new tolls that have been proposed are acceptable. Yick said he understands people want to pay less or enjoy toll-free journeys during non-peak hours, but stressed that the priority is to ease traffic congestion. He spoke to Elvis Yu.
'Minimise impact of development on wildlife' Listen
The Hong Kong Biodiversity Expert Group is urging the government and developers to minimise the impact of development on wildlife. The group says the current approach, which is prioritise development and then try to mitigate the environmental damage, has been ineffective in conserving marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Christine Loh, a former under secretary for the environment who now chairs the group spoke with Ben Tse.
Govt tightens subsidy scheme for car accident victims Listen
The government says it's looking into lowering the maximum amount of sick leave allowed under a subsidy scheme for people involved in car accidents. It comes amid recent arrests of people accused of "staging" accidents to obtain the allowance. Damon Pang has details.
CUHK develops new way to diagnose bowel diseases Listen
Researchers from the Chinese University says they've developed a new and non-invasive method of identifying bowel diseases without the need for an endoscopy. Using faecal samples from about six thousand subjects, the researchers found about 20 bacteria species associated with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. Francis Chan, professor of medicine and therapeutics, told Vanessa Cheng how the new method can test stool samples and determine whether the patient has IBD, or just a common gut disorder.
HK students continue to do well in maths, science: study Listen
Hong Kong students have continued to excel in mathematics and science, according to a major international study which takes place every four years. The latest edition of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, or Timss, was conducted last year, with more than 8,500 primary and secondary students from the SAR taking part. They finished among the top 10 out of dozens of economies. Professor Hau Kit-tai from the Chinese University coordinated the research. He described Hong Kong students' performance as satisfactory, but their confidence levels remain low. He spoke to Charlie Chun.
Immersive Notre Dame exhibition to open in WKCD Listen
An augmented reality exhibition is to be held at the West Kowloon Cultural District to showcase France's Notre-Dame cathedral, which was devastated by a fire in 2019. The immersive exhibit launches on Sunday, to coincide with the Paris cathedral's reopening, after extensive rebuilding works. Lydie Blandeau is the co-founder and CEO of Visionairs, a French cultural and educational group. She said the exhibition not only shows the cathedral's 850-year history through technology and artefacts, but also fosters cultural exchanges between France and Hong Kong. She told Hailey Yip that the exhibition allows people to explore the iconic landmark without having to go to Paris.
Lawmakers oust France PM Listen
French lawmakers have voted to oust the government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier after just three months in office. It's a historic move which hurls the country further into political uncertainty.
For the first time in over sixty years, the National Assembly lower house toppled the incumbent government, approving a no-confidence motion that had been proposed by the hard left, and crucially, backed by the far-right. It leaves President Emmanuel Macron now with the unenviable choice of picking a viable successor with over two years of his presidential term left. Carol Musgrave spoke to our UK correspondent Gavin Grey.
For the first time in over sixty years, the National Assembly lower house toppled the incumbent government, approving a no-confidence motion that had been proposed by the hard left, and crucially, backed by the far-right. It leaves President Emmanuel Macron now with the unenviable choice of picking a viable successor with over two years of his presidential term left. Carol Musgrave spoke to our UK correspondent Gavin Grey.
Myanmar rebel group ready to talk with military Listen
A second Myanmar rebel group says it's ready for Beijing-mediated talks with the ruling military. It could end more than a year of renewed fighting that's ravaged areas along the Chinese border. Vanessa Cheng reports.
Philippines VP again faces impeachment complaints Listen
Activists in the Philippines have filed a second impeachment complaint against the country’s vice president. It comes just days after the first was filed on Monday over alleged misuse of public funds. The activists have demanded that she be permanently barred from holding public office - as Jamie Clarke reports.
Shelling continues in Sudan Listen
Shelling has continued at a famine-stricken displacement camp in eastern Sudan. According to the medical aid agency, Doctors Without Borders, seven people were injured. Aside from the attacks themselves, a major concern is the impact they will have on access for aid convoys, which are already struggling to reach those in most need. Jamie Clarke reports.
Tech firms race to create first AI humanoid robot Listen
The race is on to produce the first humanoid robot that we will welcome into our homes, with companies, including Tesla vying to be the first to get a viable android into our daily lives. Jacqueline Guico reports.
India-Bangladesh relations under strain Listen
Tensions between India and Bangladesh are threatening to spiral out of control. Relations have been frayed since August, when a student-led uprising toppled Bangladesh's former leader Sheikh Hasina - who now lives in India. Delhi has been demanding better protection of Bangladesh's minority Hindu community, which saw reprisal attacks after Hasina's ouster, because of their perceived support for her government. The latest trigger was the arrest of a Hindu monk last week, which has set off protests in India, with Hindu activists attempting to storm a Bangladeshi consulate. RTHK's South Asia correspondent, Murali Krishnan, told Raymond Yeung that India has been asking its neighbour to do more to protect the minority Hindu population there.
Fact Focus: Can specific soundwaves kill parasites? Listen
Claims are spreading across the globe that listening to soundwaves of a specific frequency can get rid of parasites and help our bodies detox. But is there any truth to this? Find out more in this edition of Fact Focus hosted by Vanessa Cheng and Tony Sabine.
Manchester City snaps losing streak Listen
Manchester City have snapped a seven-game winless streak with a 3-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest. League-leaders Liverpool, meanwhile, saw their seven-game winning run come to a dramatic end after settling for a thrilling 3-3 draw at Newcastle. Our football correspondent, Tim Bredbury, reports.