

Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Janice Wong and Samantha Butler2022-06-21
Tuesday
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Selected audio segments:
Jumbo Floating Restaurant capsizes
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The Jumbo Floating Restaurant has capsized in the South China Sea, south of Hainan Island. It is not clear if the long-serving Hong Kong tourist attraction has sunk, but it is said to be in very deep waters. Mike Weeks reports:
Public hospitals ready for Covid cases
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The Hospital Authority says it is well-prepared to treat more Covid patients if necessary, after Hong Kong recorded more than 1,000 new infections for a sixth straight day. As Frank Yung reports, it says so far there has been no need for extra beds:
Macau due to complete mass Covid testing
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Long queues have formed outside Covid-19 testing centres in Macau as the SAR continues a mass screening exercise and the number of local infections rise. There were 36 on Saturday and 31 found the next day. The testing of Macau's roughly 600,000 residents is expected to end on Tuesday but analysts say the impact of the strict measures may be longer lasting. Wendy Wong reports:
Macau 'well-prepared' for Covid surge
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A former Macau legislator says there have been mixed feelings over government efforts to curb the latest Covid outbreak, with some fearing the rise in infections while others are upset over business closures. Agnes Lam, an associate professor at the University of Macau, told Samantha Butler that the government responded quickly and systematically to the Covid surge and pledged to help businesses cope:
Pandemic-induced laziness fuels weight gain
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A group set up to raise awareness of obesity says many people have become even more unhealthy in their eating habits during the fifth wave of the pandemic, and have found it harder to pick up exercising as restrictions were eased. The Hong Kong Obesity Society spoke to 500 adults and found that many admitted their weight has increased by an average of 10 percent since Covid-19 first hit Hong Kong. Its founding president, Dr Michele Yuen, told Joanne Wong that more than two years of pandemic have diminished people's willingness to move:
New administration needs to 'walk the walk'
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Hong Kong's sole member of China's top legislative body, Tam Yiu-chung, says the SAR's new governing team needs to "walk the walk", or risk annoying the public. The National People's Congress Standing Committee member also spoke about the importance of team spirit and communicating with the public, as Damon Pang reports:
Carrie Lam admits her government isn't popular
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The Chief Executive Carrie Lam has conceded the government does not have the best of relationships with the people of Hong Kong. But she does not believe she is to blame for that, adding that she takes criticism in her stride. Timmy Sung reports:
Call to raise income limit for elderly allowance
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The Society for Community Organization says the government should raise the income limit so more elderly people can qualify for the monthly old-age living allowance. The group's deputy director, Sze Lai-shan, was commenting after the government announced changes from September, which would mean people aged 65 and over who meet income and asset limits can get $3,915 each month. Sze praised the policy change, but told Janice Wong that the income limit for families should be increased:
Music producer jailed for rioting
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A 36-year-old music producer has been jailed for five years for taking part in a riot, described by a District Court judge as a moment of grief for Hong Kong people. Mok Chun-yu was earlier found guilty of throwing bricks during the protest in Admiralty on September 29, 2019. Mike Weeks reports:
Police campaign targets bomb-makers
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The government's Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit is stepping up publicity in shops that sell chemicals to try to make it harder for terrorists to buy raw materials for making bombs. Officials from the unit hope this campaign, "Safe Community Pledge", will raise awareness of the terrorism threat among staff of hardware stores and logistics companies, as well as labs at universities and secondary schools. Police senior superintendent Peter Leung spoke to Timmy Sung:
Diablo Immortal's mainland release delayed
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Internet and gaming giant, NetEase, has delayed the rollout of its highly-anticipated video game, Diablo Immortal, in China, one of the world's largest gaming markets. The decision comes just after the game's official account on Weibo was banned from making new posts. Aaron Tam reports:
Macron loses parliamentary majority
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The French President Emmanuel Macron has suffered a major political setback, after his centrist coalition lost its parliamentary majority. His coalition, "Ensemble", lost about 100 seats, with major gains for both Marine Le Pen’s far-right party and a new alliance led by far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon. He was Macron's opponent in April's presidential election and is now the main opposition leader. RTHK's Europe correspondent Peter Anderson told Annemarie Evans the scale of the defeat for the ruling coalition was unexpected, and is a huge blow for President Macron: