The New People’s Party has urged the government to spend carefully on major infrastructure projects over the next two decades, saying officials must ensure Hong Kong's economy is capable of handling impending developments. The caution came after the group set out an array of demands to Financial Secretary Paul Chan for his budget, which he will deliver on February 22. Sean Kennedy reports:

A lawmaker for the New People's Party has called on the government to do more targeted relief measures to help those in need, instead of just handing more consumption vouchers to everyone. Adrian Ho made the comments after his party's leader called on the government to spend carefully over the next two decades. He told Ben Tse that measures that the party's suggesting include rent waivers for low-income families and cash subsidies for those living in sub-divided homes:

A government pandemic adviser has called for an independent inquiry into Hong Kong’s response to Covid-19. Top Hong Kong University microbiologist, Yuen Kwok-yung, said it's important to hold such inquests, so the authorities can learn and make better preparations for when the next pandemic comes. Maggie Ho has more:

A University of Macau academic says tourism is picking up again in the SAR, especially in the Lunar New Year, which will help revitalise the gambling enclave's economy. With most Covid restrictions now lifted in Macau, the number of visitors from Hong Kong and the mainland has increased significantly. Associate Professor Glenn McCartney told Hailey Yip that businesses there are prepared for the incoming rush, and that visitors can expect to see a new-look Macau when they arrive:

Many Hong Kong people who are on holiday in Japan have had their itineraries changed, because of a blizzard that has been raging across much of the country. The chairman of travel agency WWPKG Holdings, Yuen Chun-ning, said around 1,300 tourists, or more than 50 of its tour groups, are currently in Japan. He told Maggie Ho the holidaymakers have all been affected to differing extents:

The Hong Kong Rabbit Society has warned that the number of pet rabbits abandoned by their owners could go up, with more people buying them in this Year of the Rabbit. Bonnie Luk, who's a volunteer with the organisation, says people should understand the commitment that's required before they decide to adopt. She spoke to Hailey Yip:

Protests have erupted at universities in India after the government invoked emergency laws this week to block a documentary examining the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during riots in the western state of Gujarat in 2002. The first episode of the two-part BBC programme - "India: The Modi Question" - tracks the Indian leader's rise through the ranks of the BJP party and his appointment as chief minister of Gujarat. The documentary also uncovered memos showing that Modi’s conduct was criticised at the time by western diplomats. Hundreds of people, mostly Muslims, died in the Gujarat riots. Annemarie Evans spoke to RTHK's India correspondent Murali Krishnan about the banning of the documentary: