

Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Janice Wong and Samantha Butler2022-12-06
Tuesday
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Selected audio segments:
Train services disrupted over 'coupling' failure
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The MTR Corporation says it is deeply concerned about two recent incidents involving its trains that severely disrupted services. In a statement issued on Monday night, after the breakdown of a train during the morning rush-hour, the rail company announced it would carry out a comprehensive review of its asset management and maintenance regime. Hundreds of passengers were forced to abandon the train and walk along the tracks for the second time in less than a month, following a partial derailment in November. Joanne Wong reports:
Lawmaker cites manpower shortages at MTRC
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Lawmaker Gary Zhang, a former MTR engineer, told RTHK the accident might have something to do with manpower shortages. He said it is too early to say what exactly led to Monday's problem. But he told Ada Au what he thought might have happened:
Govt urged to improve monitoring of rail firm
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A veteran mechanical engineer has agreed with suggestions that the government should improve monitoring of the MTR Corporation on rail safety after a train accident saw severe delays on the Tseung Kwan O line. Louis Szeto said compared to November's partial derailment, this incident was less serious, as it appeared that a cable supplying power between the carriages had broken. He spoke to Samantha Butler:
Jiang cremated ahead of memorial service
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Former President Jiang Zemin has been cremated in Beijing, ahead of Tuesday's memorial service that will see the entire nation observe three minutes of silence to mourn the late leader. He died last Wednesday in Shanghai, at the age of 96. Natale Ching reports:
Paul Chan pledges 'prudent' spending
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The Financial Secretary says the government will be prudent in its fiscal spending, as it looks for ways to boost economic recovery. Paul Chan told lawmakers he was optimistic about the economy but expected Hong Kong's fiscal reserves to shrink to about 11 months' worth of government spending this financial year. Frank Yung reports:
Housing chief defends cost of light public housing
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Housing Secretary Winnie Ho has denied that light public housing units will be expensive to build, saying the average cost will be similar to that of traditional public housing or transitional housing. She spoke after an estimate was released that the total costs to design and construct 30,000 of the modular units in the next five years would be $26.8 billion. Violet Wong reports:
Promising hep B drug raises hopes of functional cure
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The University of Hong Kong has been working on a new hepatitis B drug, with the aim of freeing patients from lifelong medication. Currently, patients have to take pills continuously to prevent the viral infection causing cirrhosis or liver cancer. Professor Yuen Man-fung, who leads the university's hepatology department and the research, spoke to Natale Ching about the significance of the new drug its developing:
DAB calls for better menopause support and services
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The DAB party has urged the government to provide better support for women going through menopause, while also appealing to the media to stop what it said was "negative coverage" of the issue. The party also said there were no medical services in the SAR to help women deal with menopause. Ada Au reports:
Mainland daily Covid numbers dip below 30,000
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The daily Covid-19 caseload on the mainland has dropped below 30,000 as authorities relaxed coronavirus restrictions. It comes amid reports suggesting Beijing may announce new Covid management measures this week. Frank Yung reports:
Remains of last Tasmanian tiger found in museum
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The remains of the last Tasmanian tiger - thought lost for 85 years - have been found stashed in a cupboard at an Australian museum. The thylacine, as it's properly known, died in captivity at Hobart Zoo in 1936 and its body was given to the local museum. But what happened to its skeleton and skin afterwards had been an enduring mystery. The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery lost track of the remains and they were believed to have been thrown out. But they have now been rediscovered. Annemarie Evans spoke to RTHK Australia correspondent, Gerry Gannon, about the discovery and how it could even bring back the Tasmanian Tiger: