The Chief Executive John Lee has fended off criticism that his plan to cut waiting times for public housing does not actually solve the SAR's housing shortage. In his maiden Policy Address on Wednesday, he said the government would slash the waiting time by building 30,000 "light public rental homes" in the next five years. As Maggie Ho reports, he told a radio phone-in programme that those on the waiting list wanted to leave their current homes as soon as possible:

The Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, has expressed confidence that the government can provide more than enough homes for people here. Chan is tasked to oversee land and housing and says the administration has identified over 3,000 hectares of developable land for the next decade. Frank Yung reports:

The former president of the Medical Association says working conditions and pay should be improved in order to attract doctors to the public sector. Choi Kin was commenting on proposals made in Wednesday's Policy Address to try to ease a manpower shortage, such as requiring doctors to do a stint in public healthcare. Dr Choi told Samantha Butler that local graduates already did around six to 12 years public sector service to become qualified as specialists:

A pay trend survey by several organisations and universities has suggested that pay rises in Hong Kong could take a hit, if the government maintains its current Covid control policies. The survey covered nearly 100 organisations across 11 sectors in Hong Kong, and found the average pay rise in the SAR this year was just 3.2 percent. It had also surveyed 158 firms in 10 sectors in Guangdong cities, and over 25 enterprises in Macau between July and September this year. Felix Yip, from the Baptist University's Centre for Human Resources Strategy and Development - which led the study - said reopening the border was a key driver for pay to increase. He spoke to Kelly Yu:

The founder of a group that organises outdoor activities has welcomed plans for a so-called ‘Round-the-Island’ trail, announced in John Lee's Policy Address. The 60-kilometre trail would connect Hong Kong Island’s northern shore and countryside walking trails in the Southern district. Roland Sharman from HKOutsider told Ben Tse that many coastal trails lacked decent access and connection points:

The High Court says it will announce on Friday its decision on whether the government's bid to cancel some 20,000 Covid vaccine exemption certificates will be upheld. Judge Russell Coleman made the announcement after submissions were made at a hearing. The exemptions were issued by seven doctors suspected of issuing the certificates without properly examining the patients. Damon Pang reports:

After just 45 days, British Prime Minister Liz Truss has resigned, marking a tumultuous and historically brief term that roiled financial markets and caused a rebellion in her political party. Her resignation leaves Britain's leadership in limbo as the country faces a cost-of-living crisis and looming recession. RTHK's UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Samantha Butler that the Tories have set a tight schedule to choose another leader:

Hong Kong big band leader, Tony Carpio, has died this week at the age of 82. Annemarie Evans looks back at a musician and composer who had a big influence on the city's music scene over the decades: