

Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Samantha Butler and Ben Tse2023-09-29
Friday
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Selected audio segments:
Two men held for manslaughter over gas leak deaths
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Police have reclassified an industrial accident that happened underneath Elements shopping mall in West Kowloon as manslaughter. A 62-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday over the incident, in which two men died from apparent gas poisoning at the weekend. They were replacing pipes of the mall, which is owned by the MTR Corporation. Police on Thursday also arrested a 40-year-old man in Sha Tin for manslaughter. The case will be mentioned at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on Friday morning. Authorities have pledged to inspect all enclosed construction spaces in the territory within the next two weeks. Violet Wong reports:
Court grants bail to engineer over mega-bridge deaths
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An engineer has been released on bail after appearing in Sha Tin Court to face a manslaughter charge over an accident at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge six-and-a-half years ago. Remi Pierre Brouillet, who is French, was apprehended at the airport and will not be allowed to leave Hong Kong. Altis Wong reports:
Over 100 schools raise tuition fees by up to 5.5 percent
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The Education Bureau says it has approved fee increases at 180 schools. The rise in tuition, at private, international and semi-private schools, ranges between four to five-and-a-half percent, and takes effect in the current academic year. Kelly Yu reports:
Voting time cut by an hour at district polls
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Polls will open for 14 hours on the second Sunday in December for the upcoming District Council elections - slightly shorter than in 2019. Electoral officials say this 14-hour window was sufficient for Legco elections in 2021. Frank Yung reports:
Heart, hypertension patients have drug 'misconceptions'
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A cardiologist says a survey shows patients with high cholesterol and hypertension wrongly believe their medication can hurt their liver and kidney function. Dr Godwin Leung, president of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology, was commenting on its study of 320 patients. He said 21 percent of them stopped or adjusted their medication on their own. He told Ben Tse about the increased risk of a heart attack or stroke if patients stop their treatment:
Educators welcome poetic Tang feature film
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An animated film featuring over 40 Tang poems could boost interest in Chinese culture among students. Several school heads made the comments after attending a film screening event co-organised by RTHK and the Hong Kong Rosalind Foundation. Priscilla Ng reports:
Evergrande confirms chairman under police watch
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Embattled developer China Evergrande says its chairman has been subject to "mandatory measures" on the mainland on suspicion of "illegal crimes". It follows unverified reports this week that other current and former executives were also detained. The crisis-hit property giant said in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange that trading of its shares would be suspended until further notice. Kelly Yu reports:
Mainland domestic travel disappoints travel agents
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A record number of Chinese are choosing to travel within the mainland this Golden Week holiday, which could potentially boost domestic consumption. But it has disappointed travel agents who were waiting for big-spending tourists to go abroad since the pandemic ended. Kelly Yu reports:
US soldier freed from North Korea now in Texas
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The US soldier who crossed the border into North Korea from South Korea two months ago is back in American custody. He was taken to a Texas Army base for medical checks and interviews. Travis King ran into the North while on a civilian tour of a border village in July. Beijing said it offered "humanitarian" assistance in King's release. Annemarie Evans spoke to RTHK's correspondent in Seoul, Frank Smith, about the negotiations for King's release:
Mooncake traditions around the region
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The Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner - a time for moon-gazing and mooncake eating. This year, the full moon is on Friday. Hong Kong's neighbours also hold their own festivities - Friday is Moon-viewing Festival in Japan and Thanksgiving in Korea. Natale Ching spoke to a local baker, a Japanese blogger, and a Korean chef, who live in Hong Kong to learn about their lunar traditions: