

Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Janice Wong and Samantha Butler2022-12-05
Monday
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Selected audio segments:
Police probe anthem blunder at power-lifting event
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Police are investigating why a song linked to violent protests in 2019 was played in place of the national anthem at the Asian Classic Powerlifting Championships in Dubai on Friday. That is according to acting sports commissioner, Paul Cheng. Vicky Wong reports:
Top officials mark Constitution Day
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Chief Executive John Lee says it is his constitutional duty to ask the central government to clarify whether overseas lawyers can handle national security cases in Hong Kong. He made the request over a week ago, after the government lost its legal bid to prevent former media mogul, Jimmy Lai, from hiring a top British barrister for his national security trial. The trial, which was due to start last Thursday, was adjourned until next Tuesday to wait for an interpretation. Joanne Wong reports:
Flag-raising for 40th anniversary of constitution
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In honour of Sunday's Constitution Day, Hong Kong's six disciplinary services held a flag-raising ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the national constitution. At the event, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam underlined the importance for young people learning about and respecting the Chinese constitution. Kelly Yu reports:
Mainland official cites 'big challenge' from HK's unrest
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A Beijing official has said China has gone through a few major challenges in the past five years, including the pandemic and the unstable situation in Hong Kong back in 2019. Shen Chunyao, who chairs the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said the Hong Kong situation had been a big challenge for the country. Todd Harding reports:
Debate continues over traffic congestion charge
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The Transport Secretary, Lam Sai-hung, says the government will analyse changes in traffic flow before considering to impose any peak-hour congestion charges. The government has proposed revamping tolls at the three cross-harbour tunnels to bring them more in line with each other. Ownership of the Western Crossing transfers to the government next August, meaning all three tunnels will be publicly-owned. Frank Yung reports:
Covid surge in HK 'expected, but not worrisome'
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A medical professor is recommending people get another Covid vaccine dose, if their last jab was several months ago. Vijay Dhanasekaran, an associate professor from the University of Hong Kong’s School of Public Health, said Hong Kong was witnessing a seasonal surge in case numbers. Authorities on Sunday reported 9,487 new cases, including 657 imported ones, and 16 Covid-related deaths. Professor Dhanasekaran said he expected case numbers to rise as social interactions increased, and improved vaccination rates meant more asymptomatic cases in the community. But he said hospital admissions were not shooting up. He spoke to Janice Wong:
WHO sounds warning over Covid cases in China
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The World Health Organisation says there is a risk the Covid virus could surge in China as Beijing relaxes restrictions, because the level of immunity is relatively low, especially among older people. The WHO's special envoy on Covid, David Nabarro, urged the Chinese government to use whatever vaccines were available to protect the elderly - including those made abroad. The comments came as the mainland reported 31,601 new local Covid cases and two more Covid-related deaths. Maggie Ho reports:
Shenzhou-14 crew return to Earth
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The return capsule of China's manned spaceship Shenzhou-14 has touched down safely in the Gobi Desert, marking an end to the 183-day mission for the three taikonauts aboard. Xinhua News Agency says the trio are in good physical condition. Joanne Wong reports:
Mechanical horse provides stable therapy ride
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Operation Santa Claus - RTHK's annual charity drive organised with the South China Morning Post - has been well underway now for several weeks. This year, we are supporting 15 NGOs, including Riding for the Disabled (RDA), which runs a therapeutic horse-riding programme, mainly for children but also for adults. RDA will use the funds from Operation Santa to buy a new dressage simulator - a mechanical horse - similar to one they have been borrowing from the Jockey Club. Jim Gould went to RDA’s centre in Tuen Mun to speak to rider Leong Pui-yee, and supervising instructor Sabine Behrendt:
Georgia senate run-off smashes voting records
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In the American state of Georgia, voters have set a new record for single-day early in-person turnout ahead of Tuesday's run-off election between Democratic Senator, Raphael Warnock, and Republican challenger, Herschel Walker. It is the fifth time in four years that voters are going to the polls. America's midterm elections have already decided 99 of the 100 seats in the Senate and the Democrats have 50 to the Republicans 49. And given that the vice-president can break a tied vote in the chamber, Georgia's run-off will not change who has control. RTHK’s Washington correspondent, Barry Wood, told Samantha Butler why the run-off election was significant: