RTHK：Video News podcast

#Video News #Hong Kong #RTHK.HK #News #Video #RTHK

33:19

What’s the secret to lasting friendships? How does queer community show up through the ebbs and flows of life? And what’s the REAL story behind the “YMCA” song? In the first episode of Silver Linings, The Old Gays dive into an essential part of queer life: chosen family. They discuss the vital love, support, and sense of belonging that community provides, especially during life's toughest moments. They open up about what “queer” means to them, how chosen family has impacted their lives, and how to maintain close bonds over time–including their love for each other! “We’ve come a long way, baby.” Family isn’t just what you’re born with; it’s the people who show up, shape you, and stick around. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

RTHK：Video News

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Video news from Hong Kong and around the world.

228 episodes

RTHK：Video News

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updated about 2 hours ago

Series home•Feed

Video news from Hong Kong and around the world.

228 episodes

#Video News #Hong Kong #RTHK.HK #News #Video #RTHK

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RTHK：Video News

1
Xiaomi set to let the good times roll with YU7 launch

2 hours ago

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Xiaomi rolled out its new sports utility vehicle in Beijing on Thursday, as the firm best known for smartphones and consumer electronics gears up to further challenge Tesla in the world's largest auto market. Xiaomi launched the YU7 at 13 of its Beijing showrooms and will start taking orders for the vehicle in July. It is keen to repeat the success of the sporty SU7 sedan, which launched last year and has outsold Tesla's Model 3 on a monthly basis since December. Analysts have said the YU7 could pose a major threat to Tesla's best-selling Model Y but its launch comes at a time when Xiaomi, a relative newcomer to China's highly-competitive EV market, has seen new EV orders fall after a series of controversies. Chinese authorities have been investigating a fatal highway crash at the end of March involving an SU7 in driving-assistance mode and Xiaomi has apologised for "not clear enough" marketing after customer complaints of false advertising. Liu Jiaxing, a 34-year-old tech worker, was among the first visitors to Xiaomi's flagship showroom in Beijing Oriental Plaza on Thursday, eager to catch a glimpse of the emerald green YU7. Liu said he was fond of the styling and colour as well as the fact that Xiaomi vehicles connect with the firm's personal gadgets and smart home products, which he felt pointed to how local brands understood Chinese consumers better than their foreign counterparts. "I used to be more prone to US, German and French car marques, but the fast progress of China's EV sector prompts me to focus more on the products rather than brands," he said. Another visitor was Tom van Dillen, managing partner at German management consultancy Greenkern in Beijing, who said he was not a fan of some of the YU7's intelligent features, which he described as "unnecessary", but said the YU7 was a formidable challenger to the Model Y. He cited a "physical ecosystem advantage in the showroom where there is a dedicated area with accessories that only fit into Xiaomi cars" and their competitive price. Xiaomi has said that it will only announce the YU7's pricing in July. HSBC Qianhai estimated in a note last week that the new SUV will be priced between 230,000 yuan and 330,000 yuan and that Xiaomi could ship 100,000 YU7 units this year and 249,000 units in 2026. The Model Y is priced from 263,500 yuan in China. (Reuters)…

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US urged to 'fully cancel wrongful tariffs'

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China urged the United States on Thursday to "fully cancel the wrongful unilateral tariff measures" after a US federal court blocked most of President Donald Trump's sweeping levies from going into effect. "China urges the United States to heed the rational voices from the international community and domestic stakeholders and fully cancel the wrongful unilateral tariff measures," Ministry of Commerce spokeswoman He Yongqian said. The call came soon after the Trump administration filed an appeal against a three-judge Court of International Trade ruling earlier in the day that Trump had overstepped his authority, barring most of the restrictions announced since he took office in January. (AFP)…

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Beijing slams 'unreasonable' student visa revocations

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Beijing criticised the US decision to "unreasonably" revoke the visas of Chinese students, saying on Thursday it had lodged protests with Washington following the announcement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. "The US has unreasonably cancelled Chinese students' visas under the pretext of ideology and national rights," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said. "China firmly opposes this and has lodged representations with the US." President Donald Trump's administration vowed a day earlier to revoke the visas of Chinese students, one of the largest sources of revenue for US universities. Rubio said the United States would "aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields". "We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong," he said. Young Chinese people have long been crucial to US universities, which rely on international students paying full tuition. The Foreign Ministry hit back at the move, with Mao saying it had "seriously damaged the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and disrupted the normal cultural exchanges between the two countries". "This political and discriminatory practice of the US has exposed the lies of the so-called freedom and openness that the US has always advertised, and further damaged the US's own international image, national image and national credibility," she said. (AFP)…

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S Koreans turn out in strength for early voting

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Early voting in South Korea's presidential elections kicked off on Thursday, with both main candidates set to cast ballots in a poll triggered by ex-leader Yoon Suk-yeol's ill-fated effort to suspend civilian rule last year. All major polls have placed liberal Lee Jae-myung as the clear frontrunner in the race, with a recent Gallup survey showing 49 percent of respondents viewed him as the best candidate. Trailing behind him is conservative ex-labour minister Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party – Yoon's former party – at 35 percent. While election day is set for June 3, those who want to vote early can do so on Thursday and Friday – part of an initiative introduce in 2013 to help those unable to cast ballots on polling day or planning to travel. South Koreans have in recent years turned out in larger and larger numbers for early voting, with 37 percent casting their ballots ahead of polling day in the 2022 presidential election. Voting began at 6 am for 12 hours, taking place again on Friday. According to the National Election Commission, as of 9 am the early voting turnout rate was 3.55 percent, the highest record yet for that time in South Korean election history. "Some say power comes from the barrel of a gun, but I believe a vote is more powerful than a bullet," Lee told a rally on Wednesday. According to a Gallup poll, more than half of Lee's supporters said they planned to vote early, compared to just 16 percent of Kim's supporters. Kim has said he will cast his vote in Incheon, west of Seoul, with his campaign framing it as "the beginning of a dramatic turnaround", a nod to General Douglas MacArthur's landing there during the Korean War. Kim's decision to vote early has surprised many on the right, where conspiracy theories about electoral fraud – particularly during early voting – are rife. The 73-year-old however reassured his supporters that there is "nothing to worry about." "If you hesitate to vote early and end up missing the main election, it would be a major loss," said Kim on Wednesday. "Our party will mobilise all its resources to ensure strict monitoring and oversight of early voting," he said. (AFP)…

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New round of free breast cancer screenings kicks off

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Thousands of women at high risk of breast cancer will enjoy free screenings as the government rolls out a new round of the Breast Cancer Screening Pilot Programme on June 10. Women aged 35 to 74 who carry genetic mutations leading to a higher risk of breast cancer or those with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer are eligible to participate in the scheme. They should also be asymptomatic and have no history of breast cancer. Those eligible will receive assessments and mammograms at seven designated clinics operated by three non-governmental organisations – Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service and Haven of Hope Christian Service Clinic. Registrations start on Friday. Additional ultrasound tests will also be arranged for those in need. The head of the Centre for Health Protection's non-communicable disease branch, Anne Chee, said programme participants will not have to pay for the screening tests, which could cost up to HK$3,000 in the private sector. She said the three service providers have long-standing histories of providing health services for women. "We believe that through the collaboration with the NGOs, we can mobilise our community power in promoting health and offer an alternative service model to women in Hong Kong," she said, adding that the scheme will last for three years. Chee said breast cancer is the most common cancer among Hong Kong women, with more than 5,000 new cases being recorded in 2022 alone. She added that early detection could significantly bring down the mortality rate.…

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Mediation body will strengthen HK's growth: CE

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Foreign Minister Wang Yi has arrived in Hong Kong to attend Friday's signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation. Representatives from more than 60 countries will be on hand for the ceremony. Chief Executive John Lee said on Thursday that the authorities are willing to recommend talent to join the international mediation body that will be based in Hong Kong. At a question-and-answer session in the legislature, Lee stressed that the body will allow Hong Kong to strengthen its collaborative role in the international community, while also bringing major economic benefits. "This is a momentous event. The organisation will help us bring together talent from different places," he said. "We will also be able to expand the influence of the organisation across the world. We can recommend talent to our country or to the organisation... if people have talent in mind, they're welcome to recommend such talent to us." Separately, lawmakers said Hong Kong could boost its status as an education hub, noting a recent legal tussle between the US government and Harvard University. Election Committee lawmaker William Wong, who's also an academic, said the SAR can host more international academic conferences. Lee said in response that as a pluralistic society, all sorts of conferences should be held here. The CE also said he agreed with a suggestion from the DAB's Edward Lau that the authorities should prioritise the development of a university town in Hung Shui Kiu, as part of the Northern Metropolis development. Lau also proposed the setting up of a statutory authority to manage the development of the metropolis, mirroring the situation in Qianhai, Shenzhen. He also called for enacting a specific Northern Metropolis law, so that the legislature would not have to go through amendments of different laws related to the area in future. Lee thanked Lau for his proposals.…

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Chan hopes US ruling brings reason to tariff chaos

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Financial Secretary Paul Chan has expressed hope that a US federal court ruling against recent tariff measures would bring President Donald Trump back "to reason". Chan's comments came soon after a US trade court blocked Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs on Wednesday, ruling that the American president exceeded his authority by imposing blanket duties on imports from countries that export more to the United States than they import. Speaking at a fireside chat during the Capital Markets Forum, Chan stressed the importance of countries maintaining an open mind in new trade negotiations. "We have our value to bring to the negotiation table," he said. "Say, for example, the mainland is the only country in the world that has the whole complete manufacturing chain. "Also, it is not just about low cost, no more, but it is about the quality of the products and the capacity to serve huge overseas markets and the responsiveness to the change in market taste and style. "So I think this is a core competitiveness of the mainland." Chan also noted that mainland companies are increasingly relocating parts of their supply chains to southeast Asia, a shift he said that could significantly alter the international trade landscape. He also said the SAR's IPO market is experiencing a resurgence, solidifying its position as a global leader in new listings. The city has raised around US$10 billion through initial public offerings so far this year, equivalent to approximately 90 percent of the total funds raised in all of 2024. Chan said more than 100 major companies are currently in the IPO pipeline. "We welcome both mainland and international companies," he said. "I think only we welcome them with open arms. "So there is also a process for people to do some pre-IPO consultation on a confidential basis with the stock exchange, and going back to the earlier point about the vibrancy of this market, truly the valuations have been quite reasonable. "So people are looking for bargains. "In my engagements with overseas fund managers, I think they have underweight their allocation to this part of the world. So they need to catch up. That gives this additional liquidity. "And also given the current geopolitics, Hong Kong is a safe haven for international capital. So all the more the reason to support the coming IPOs here." Chan further added that Hong Kong continues to attract both mainland and foreign companies, pointing to growing collaboration between the SAR and Middle East markets.…

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Sensors to be installed to tackle water pipe bursts

8 hours ago

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Director of Water Supplies Roger Wong on Thursday said sensors will be installed by 2027 to monitor the change of water pressure in water mains. Wong was speaking on an RTHK radio programme after a leak from a fresh water main temporarily closed parts of Tuen Mun Road and left residents without water earlier this week. He said workers took 1.5 hours to repair the main. The director said ground vibration due to vehicles passing nearby may have been one of the reasons for the main bursting, adding that installing sensors would help monitor the situation underground. "The sensors will monitor the changes in pressure in real time. If there are any abnormal conditions, we can make detailed predictions in advance and solve the problem," he said. On the same programme, Tuen Mun district councillor Chung Kin-fung praised the authorities for repairing the water main speedily and arranging water tanks for residents. But he said there have been a few water pipe bursts in the district in the past few years and the government should expand the scope of regular checks. "For example, they should not only check whether the leakage is normal, but also do inspections based on the age of a water main. They can also use technology to see which parts of a water main are vulnerable to damage," he said. Following this week's burst, the Yuen Long-bound middle and fast lanes of Tuen Mun Road near Siu Hong MTR Station will be closed from 11pm on Thursday to 5.30am on Friday for resurfacing works.…

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HK 'eminently suited to host global mediation body'

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A legal expert says Hong Kong is well suited to be a base for the world's first global mediation centre with its legal system and expertise, while having the body headquartered here can boost the territory's appeal. Former Law Society president CM Chan told RTHK that having the International Organisation for Mediation in Hong Kong would be beneficial to the SAR's image and pool of legal professionals. "It gives a very good perception to the world that Hong Kong remains very open, remains very international, and we are all welcoming international visitors and, more importantly, to bring their disputes to Hong Kong to have them mediated in Hong Kong," Chan said. "We need to hire staff for this organisation, and [there will be] more work for lawyers and supporting staff, and many of them may be from overseas. "From a very practical point of view, we have more international lawyers flying into Hong Kong or even based in Hong Kong to work on cases." Chan noted that the city has "all the required expertise" needed for the mediation centre, along with its common law practice. "We have a whole host of legal experts, including an international legal network working in the public international law arena and also the private international law arena," he said. Chan also pointed to the rise of mediation as a dispute resolution method focused on reaching a mutually agreeable solution to a problem without a third party imposing a decision on the two sides. "The last thing we want is using violence to resolve the disputes," he said. "All the leaders in the world understand that mediation is a very efficient way to resolve their disputes."…

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UN, Israel clash over new US-backed aid system in Gaza

12 hours ago

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Israel accused the United Nations on Wednesday of seeking to "block" Gaza aid distribution, as the global body said it was doing its utmost to gather the limited assistance greenlighted by Israel's authorities. The humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel has imposed a two-month aid blockade, is dire, with food security experts saying starvation is looming for one in five people. "While the UN spreads panic and makes declarations detached from reality, the state of Israel is steadily facilitating the entry of aid into Gaza," Israel's United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon told the Security Council. He said the assistance was entering by trucks - under limited authorisation by Israel at the Kerem Shalom crossing since last week following the blockade - and via a "new distribution mechanism developed in coordination with the US and key international partners." Danon was referring to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private, US-backed aid group that has established its own distribution system, one the United Nations considers contrary to its humanitarian principles. A chaotic distribution of aid at a GHF centre on Tuesday left 47 people wounded. Israel's ambassador blamed Hamas for the tumult, saying the Palestinian group set up roadblocks and checkpoints to block access to the distribution centre. He accused the UN of "trying to block" the aid. The United Nations "is using threats, intimidation and retaliation against NGOs that choose to participate in the new humanitarian mechanism," Danon added. Danon specifically accused the United Nations of having removed these nongovernmental organisations from a database listing groups working in Gaza, an accusation rejected by the UN. "There are no differences between the current list and the one from before the launch of the GHF," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. But the UN reiterated its opposition to coordinating with GHF. "We will not participate in operations that do not meet our humanitarian principles," insisted Dujarric. Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed at least 54,804 people, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry there. Israel launched its operations in response to the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which killed over 1,200 people. (AFP)…

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Russia speaks to Rubio about Ukraine talks proposal

13 hours ago

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday about the preparation of "concrete proposals" for a new round of direct talks with Ukraine, the Russian foreign ministry said. A statement on the ministry's website said Lavrov told Rubio about the implementation of agreements between the Russian and U.S. presidents during their telephone call a week ago "and preparations by the Russian side of concrete proposals for the next round of direct Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul." Lavrov earlier said Russia was proposing that the next round of direct talks take place in Istanbul on June 2 with a view to achieving a sustainable peace settlement. A foreign ministry statement published later on Telegram said Lavrov had spoken by telephone to his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, with "an exchange of views" about efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict. The statement gave no further details. (Reuters)…

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French surgeon sentenced for raping young patients

13 hours ago

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A retired French surgeon, who sexually abused hundreds of young patients over more than two decades, received a 20-year jail sentence on Wednesday. In France's worst ever child abuse case to go to trial, Joel Le Scouarnec stood accused of aggravated rape or sexual assault of 299 victims, including the rape of some children who were under anaesthetic. The 74-year-old told the court he had committed "despicable acts" over a 25-year period while working as a doctor in western France. His trial shocked France and raised uncomfortable questions for its publicly run healthcare system about how he was allowed to continue abusing his young patients for so long. Presiding Judge Aude Buresi, whose voice at times appeared to choke with emotion, said Le Scouarnec had preyed on victims at their most vulnerable, including whilst under anaesthesia. "Your acts were a blind spot in the medical world, to the extent that your colleagues, the medical authorities, were incapable of stopping your actions," the judge told him. Le Scouarnec is already serving jail time for earlier rape convictions. In 2020, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the rape and sexual assault of a child neighbour, as well as his two nieces and a four-year-old patient. The judge barred Le Scouarnec from practising medicine or having contact with minors. The court also ordered that he be placed on the sex offenders register. (Reuters)…

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Germany, Ukraine to jointly produce long-range weapons

14 hours ago

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Germany and Ukraine aim to jointly develop the industrial production of long-range missiles, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday. "There will be no range restrictions, allowing Ukraine to fully defend itself, even against military targets outside its own territory," Merz said in a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. "We want to enable long-range weapons, we also want to enable joint production, and we will not speak about details publicly but will intensify cooperation." Zelenskiy said the two leaders had agreed to cooperate in the production of weapons in Ukraine, including drones. Government officials had signed agreements on the construction and development of production facilities, he said. "These new projects already exist," he said. "We just want them to be in the amount that we need." Zelenskiy's visit to Berlin comes after Ukrainian and Russian officials met this month for face-to-face negotiations, under pressure from US President Donald Trump to end the conflict. The talks failed however to produce a ceasefire agreement and Russia unleashed three nights of massive Russian aerial attacks on Ukraine over the weekend. Moscow has also gathered 50,000 troops near Ukraine's northern Sumy region, Zelenskiy told reporters. The military moves do not "speak the language of peace", Merz said. "This is a slap in the face for all those who are struggling for a ceasefire, in Ukraine itself, but also in Europe and the USA," he said. When asked about Merz's weapons announcement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "all these actions naturally hinder peace efforts". Russia has accused Ukraine of significantly increasing drone and missile attacks on Russian territory over the past week using Western-supplied munitions. Merz also said Europe would continue to increase pressure on Russia to engage in peace talks to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two - including ensuring that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline could not go into operation. (Reuters, AFP)…

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Chelsea thump Real Betis to win Conference League

14 hours ago

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Chelsea roared back to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the Uefa Conference League final in Wroclaw to become the first club to claim all four major European trophies. Manuel Pellegrini's enterprising Betis caught the favourites cold in Poland through an early goal from Abde Ezzalzouli but Enzo Maresca's team were a changed side in the second half. Two goals in five minutes changed the complexion of the game, with man-of-the-match Cole Palmer creating both openings for Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson. Substitute Jadon Sancho made the game safe in the 83rd minute, finishing from an tight angle and Moises Caicedo added gloss to the scoreline. It means Chelsea become the first club to win the full set of Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup. It is also the first silverware for the club since Todd Boehly's consortium took over from former owner Roman Abramovich in 2022, following an era of unprecedented success for the club. After a bright start from both sides, Betis broke the deadlock in the ninth minute through Ezzalzouli, who scored the goal against Fiorentina that took his side to the final. Malo Gusto lost the ball in midfield and Betis surged forward. Captain Isco produced a clever pass to find Ezzalzouli on the edge of the box and the Moroccan drilled a left-footed shot across Filip Jorgensen. Minutes later Marc Bartra tried his luck from distance as Betis pressed for a second, but this time Jorgensen was equal to the task, producing a flying save. Urged on by their massed ranks of fans at Wroclaw stadium, Betis went close again when Johnny Cardoso's shot from inside the box was deflected behind by Benoit Badiashile, with Chelsea clinging on. The Premier League side were enjoying the bulk of possession but struggling to create meaningful chances, with Betis defending well and Isco, a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, pulling the strings. As half-time approached Betis goalkeeper Adrian raced off his line to deny Enzo Fernandez but Chelsea went in at half-time goalless. Maresca brought on Chelsea captain Reece James for the struggling Gusto at the break. The Betis boss was forced a change when goalscorer Ezzalzouli was forced off, with Jesus Rodriguez coming on to replace him. Chelsea were level in the 65th minute following a fine move down the right after Cole Palmer produced a fine cross to pick out Fernandez. The midfielder got between two defenders to head the ball down and past Adrian. Suddenly Chelsea's tails were up and the fans behind the goal were in full voice. In the 70th minute Palmer produced some magic on the edge of the box before producing a delightful cross which hit Jackson's chest and went in. Jackson should have scored a second goal but a heavy touch allowed Adrian to gather. But Sancho made it 3-1 when he combined with fellow substitute Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Caicedo added a fourth. Victory for Chelsea breaks an astonishing cycle of wins for Spanish teams. Taking into account World Cups, European Championships, Champions League and the Uefa Cup/Europa League, of the previous 27 men's finals involving Spanish teams, all 27 had had Spanish winners. Four Spanish club sides had been defeated in that time, but in all cases by fellow La Liga sides. Earlier, the centre of Wroclaw was packed with fans from both clubs, with green-and-white clad Betis fans outnumbering their English rivals. Poland's interior minister said police made 28 arrests after supporters clashed in the city's market square. (AFP)…

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Legco passes bill to raise air passenger departure tax

1 day ago

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Lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill to raise the air passenger departure tax from the current HK$120 to HK$200 from October. The bill was supported by 77 lawmakers, while two voted against it and five abstained. Undersecretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Joseph Chan said the authorities earlier accepted a recommendation by lawmaker Perry Yiu that passengers who fly in and out of Hong Kong within 48 hours be exempt from the charge. But officials rejected Yiu's suggestion to only increase the departure tax to HK$160. Yiu, who is also an Airport Authority board member, said Hong Kong faces a lot of competition from other nearby airports. "With the three-runway system, the target is to serve 120 million passengers per year," he said. "It's a crucial time for Hong Kong to step up efforts to attract travellers and develop the tourism industry. Measures to raise the tax are contrary to this goal." Yiu voted against the bill. Other lawmakers who voted in favour described the tax increase as "reasonable" and "mild" when compared with fees at other airports. Frankie Yick, who represents the transport sector, urged the government to review the impact of the increased tax on the aviation sector, and roll out measures to enhance the airport's competitiveness. The increased duty is expected to raise an extra HK$1.6 billion for the government each year.…

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Meet Jia Jia and De De – HK's very own panda twins

2 days ago

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The names of the giant panda twin cubs that were born in Hong Kong have been revealed on Tuesday. In a ceremony, the judges announced that "big sister" will take the name of Jia Jia while "little brother" will be named De De. Officials said the name "Jia Jia" conveys the message of support. It also features an element of family, embodying the prosperity of families and the nation as well as the happiness of its people. Meanwhile, "De De" means "to succeed", expressing hope that Hong Kong can do well in everything. It also represents virtue in Chinese, suggesting that giant pandas, as national treasures, possess the virtues cherished by the Chinese people. More than 35,000 submissions were received after the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and Ocean Park called on the public to submit ideas for the names of the panda cubs in February. In the ceremony, Director of Immigration Benson Kwok presented a "birth certificate" to each cub. "The pair of giant pandas are actually not qualified to get a birth certificate, but we will present them with a birth memorial certificate," he said. "The certificate will have their photos printed and some basic information, along with their [official] names." The twin pandas will move with their mother Ying Ying to Alpine Zone at the Giant Panda Adventure, where the public will be able to see the pandas without a glass barrier. "It is a very positive pair of names," Ocean Park chairman Paulo Pong said. "Jia Jia is the mandarin version, it means home, and sounds like home. "In terms of De De, some people may pronounce as Di Di, which is younger brother in Cantonese. "We have to be a bit creative here with the names, the sounds like, and there are also different meanings."…

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Mediation body to boost SAR's global appeal, says CE

2 days ago

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An international mediation body to be inaugurated in Hong Kong will bring significant benefits and boost the city's appeal globally, Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday. Lee said the decision to set up the International Organisation for Mediation in the territory reflected the central government's full backing for Hong Kong becoming a leading centre for international legal and dispute resolution services. Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to arrive for Friday's signing ceremony of the convention on establishing the mediation body, alongside dignitaries from nearly 60 countries and 20 international organisations. "It all shows that the central authorities fully support Hong Kong's efforts to establish an international legal and dispute resolution centre in the Asia-Pacific region," Lee said. The chief executive said the mediation body will bring "various advantages" to the SAR. "Through the [organisation], Hong Kong will see its role elevated in mediation. Hong Kong's international influence will be boosted," he said. "The [organisation] will bring about various economic benefits, will create a large number of jobs, including mediators, interpreters and researchers. A number of international organisations, non-governmental organisations and academic agencies will be attracted to set up their offices in Hong Kong." Lee also described the mediation body as a "high-level international organisation", which is on a par with the International Court of Justice and Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. The government earlier said the organisation's headquarters, at the site of the old Wan Chai Police Station, could open as soon as the end of the year.…

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Doors 'wide open' for affected Harvard students: CE

2 days ago

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Hong Kong's doors are "wide open" for those potentially affected by the US government's efforts to block Harvard University from enrolling foreign students, according to the SAR's leader who called the policy "discriminatory and unfair". Chief Executive John Lee also said on Tuesday that he would consider further raising the ceiling for non-local student intake at the city's eight higher education institutions funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC). The Trump administration sought to revoke the Massachusetts-based Ivy League school's ability to enrol international students, which was later blocked temporarily by a judge after the university sued to stop the decision. "Hong Kong will welcome any students who have been discriminated by the US policy, who face difficulties to study or continue their studies in US universities," Lee told reporters ahead of an Executive Council meeting. "The Hong Kong SAR government, together with the eight UGC-subsidised universities, will do all our best to facilitate and assist any students who suffered from this discriminatory and unfair treatment, so that they will find a way to study in Hong Kong." The chief executive announced in his 2023 Policy Address that public universities would be allowed to double the number of non-local undergraduate admissions, raising the enrolment ceiling from 20 percent to 40 percent. "We have room in this quota to accept students who have problems studying in the US to come to these eight UGC-funded universities. If there's the need, I will consider further raising this ceiling," Lee said.…

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MTRC told to work on contingency planning and response

2 days ago

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The Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday the MTR Corporation has to enhance its contingency planning and responses in the wake of three service disruptions so far this year. These include the more than five-hour suspension along the entire Tseung Kwan O line on Thursday that began with the evening rush hour. Ahead of the Executive Council meeting, Lee said the stoppages show there are inadequacies in the operator's response and contingency planning. "We have been focusing on rectification, in which we have systems to impose punishment on MTRC," he said. "But I think it is more important to focus on prevention so that there will be [no more disruptions]. "And we should also focus on the responses when there are, unfortunately, such incidents." Lee said he has requested the MTRC carry out a comprehensive and systemic review to enhance operations. The subway operator, he said, also needs to strengthen its contingency capabilities and responses by conducting drills and setting up a team dedicated to coping with emergencies. Lee went on to say the MTRC has to improve on its arrangements for alternative transport during service suspensions and come up with a timely information dissemination system. The Transport and Logistics Bureau, Transport Department and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department have to lead and guide the operator in implementing its five-year plan in enhancing management and maintenance of its railway assets, he said. The Transport and Logistics Bureau has told the railway giant to submit a report regarding last week's incident within a month. There were two other disruptions in February and April. The operator will offer HK$19.2 million in compensation to the public over the raft of incidents, as well as give commuters a day of half-price discounts on fares for last week's disruption.…

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City to unveil measures to tap into silver economy

2 days ago

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Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday the government will reveal a raft of new measures to boost the city's "silver economy" as part of efforts to drive growth. A government working group established last year led by Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk will publish initiatives and policies this afternoon at 4.30pm, he added. The policies will cover five areas: boosting "silver consumption"; developing the "silver industry"; promoting "quality assurance of silver products"; enhancing "silver financial and security arrangements"; and unleashing "silver productivity". "Hong Kong is one of the cities with the longest average life expectancy," Lee said ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting. "The elderly population is constantly increasing in the city, and it is expected that by 2043, over one-third of the city's population will be people aged 65 or above. "In other words, by then, more than one-third of the consumer market in Hong Kong will be the silver-haired market," he said, stressing an urgent need to tap into the market. The establishment of the Working Group on Promoting Silver Economy was announced by Lee in his Policy Address in October. Lee said the working group will coordinate with the public and private forces from various sectors to respond to and serve the needs of the senior residents, enhancing their quality of life, while driving the city's economic development.…

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King Charles arrives in Canada to open Parliament

3 days ago

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Britain's King Charles III arrived in Ottawa Monday for a visit to open Canada's parliament, a brief trip seen as part of the pushback against US President Donald Trump's annexation threats. The 76-year-old monarch, who is Canada's head of state, was greeted at the airport by Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has invited him to give an address opening Canada's new legislature. The so-called throne speech outlining the government's priorities is typically given by the British monarch's representative in Canada, the governor general. Queen Elizabeth II, the king's late mother, delivered a throne speech in Canada just twice during her long reign, in 1957 and 1977. Charles, making his first visit to Canada since his coronation, will be closely watched for any comments on Canada's sovereignty, and on trade. Trump has slapped tariffs on Canadian goods including sector-specific levies on autos, steel and aluminium, rattling the Canadian economy, although he has suspended some of them pending negotiations. Carney has said his newly-elected government has been given a mandate "to define a new economic and security relationship with the United States," a neighbour he believes Canada "can no longer trust." He has promised to curb reliance on trade with the United States by boosting internal commerce while forging deeper economic ties with allies overseas. The government's path to build up Canada and create new relationships will be outlined in Charles's speech, Carney said Monday. "This historic honour matches the weight of our times," he said in a statement. A government statement described the visit as "a momentous and historic occasion that underscores Canada's identity and sovereignty as a constitutional monarchy". (Reuters)…

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Hundreds take a spin at cheese rolling contest

3 days ago

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Hundreds of thrill-seekers descended Monday on one notorious hill near a small town in the southwest of England for an unusual annual tradition: a cheese rolling contest. The traditional British competition sees participants hurl themselves down a hill to chase a wheel of cheese. A series of races featured daring competitors hurling themselves down Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire in pursuit of a four-kilogram wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. The winner is the first to cross the finish line at the bottom of the steep 180-metre hill with a 26.6-degree incline. The event, which dates back to the nineteenth century, saw German YouTuber Tom Kopke emerge the overall winner for a second year in a row. The final men’s downhill race of the day was won by New Zealander Byron Smith. "Oh, it feels great… Tom Kopke is a very quick guy, I didn't want to race him again, so I went in the third race and I'm happy I did," Smith said after his race. The annual race is notorious for its high risk of injury. Participants suffer a range of harm, from broken limbs to concussions. Despite the dangers, organisers maintain that no fatalities have ever been recorded, and all competitors are required to acknowledge that they take part at their own risk. The first written evidence of the event dates back to 1826, but the tradition was established long before – some suggest perhaps as a pagan ritual. (Reuters)…

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Tien not on board with MTR over need for shutdown

1 day ago

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A lawmaker has questioned why the MTR Corporation had to shut down the entire Tseung Kwan O line last Thursday, when power and signalling failures halted services for five hours starting from the evening rush hour. Roundtable's Michael Tien quoted the railway company as telling him that it couldn't switch to manual operation and use the one available track for trains to go both ways because the section was still running on the old signalling system. Tien, who chaired the Kowloon–Canton Railway Corporation before the merger of the two rail companies, said he didn't find the explanation acceptable. "When you look at the past two, three years, service disruptions didn't affect the whole Tsuen Wan and Island lines – with both of them also running on the old signalling system," he told RTHK's In the Chamber programme. "They just switched to manual. "The design is that, once the automated system isn't safe enough, you can go manual so that the trains would go at a slower speed." The government has said the MTR has to spend more than HK$19 million on passenger rebates because of the service disruption. As a result of the Tseung Kwan O stoppage and two others earlier in February and April, the MTRC will be having a day of half-priced fares on a Saturday or Sunday. Tien said he found it "a bit funny" that passengers across the entire network would benefit, when it was mostly those taking the Tseung Kwan O line trains that bore the brunt of the shutdown.…

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'Recycling surged even after waste scheme was shelved'

1 day ago

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Environment chief Tse Chin-wan on Wednesday said the public have become more aware of the importance of recycling since the shelving of a planned "pay-as-you-throw" system last year. On RTHK's Overview Policy programme, the minister said while many people agreed the policy should not be introduced at that time, the "controversy and discussions" did lead to big changes in behaviour. "We see that our recyclables in our community recycling network doubled within a short period of time, and the food waste collected even jumped eight-fold," he said. "We also see that this trend is still continuing." Tse added that the amount of waste dumped in landfills has dropped 7.5 percent since John Lee became chief executive. The secretary also said there has been rapid growth in the number of electric vehicles in Hong Kong, with the current 110,000 cars almost eight times the amount five years ago. He said around four in five new cars purchased in Hong Kong are now electric.…

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More law protections in the offing for food deliverers

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Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said on Wednesday the government will consider reinforcing protection of food delivery platform workers' rights through legislative means. Responding to lawmakers' questions on protections for digital platform workers, Sun said workers were most concerned about compensation for injuries incurred when they are on the job, according to surveys and consultations conducted by the Labour Department. He said current legislation lays out conditions that guide the classification of people as a self-employed person, an independent contractor or an employee. Sun said the authorities will introduce a proposal for further enhancing the rights and benefits of digital platform workers within this year. "We will continue to monitor the policies and measures on the mainland and other places on protections for platform workers," he said. "We will contemplate how to formulate appropriate policies to strengthen protections for platform workers with regard to local circumstances." Sun said there is currently a liaison group comprising representatives from the government, platforms and labour organisations that is exploring possibilities over enhanced protections for workers.…

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'New global centre shows support for using mediation'

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The setting up of an international mediation body in Hong Kong demonstrates the confidence the country and the international community have in using mediation as a means to settle disputes, Justice Secretary Paul Lam said on Wednesday. Lam also said all parties and states are welcome to be part of the International Organisation for Mediation, especially given the current geopolitical situation, even if they are not signatories of the treaty on establishing the global body. "I'm sure that no country would disagree that peace is important, or peaceful settlement of disputes is something not of great significance, in particular in the light of the present, rather complicated geopolitical situation," Lam told reporters. "There's more the reason why people should be more willing and eager to resort to peaceful means, including mediation, as a way to resolve disputes. Unlike other traditional means, for example, litigation or arbitration, [mediation] as a matter of fact is less hostile." Foreign Minister Wang Yi is to attend Friday's signing ceremony of the convention on establishing the mediation body, with the justice chief calling the senior Beijing official's arrival "symbolic". "It would be a very important milestone to have, for the very first time in human history, an intergovernmental organisation devoted to mediation. That represents the country's and the international community's confidence and support to use mediation as means to resolve different types of disputes," Lam said. "The importance attached to use mediation has been raised to a much higher level." The organisation is expected to help handle a broad scope of disputes in three key areas, according to the secretary, including conflicts between countries, those concerning a state and a foreign national, as well as international commercial disputes of private entities. Located at the site of the old Wan Chai Police Station, the body could open its office as early as the end of this year following renovation works that are expected to be completed in one to two months' time. "We are hoping that [the organisation] can start its actual operations at the end of this year, and if not, perhaps early next year. That's our target. We are working towards that goal, but it really depends on the outcome of discussions among the countries which are going to sign the convention," Lam said.…

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Elderly 'key to taking economy to next level'

1 day ago

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Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau said on Wednesday it is crucial to make it appealing for the silver-haired population to spend locally. Yau made the remarks a day after the government announced 30 measures to further develop Hong Kong's silver economy, such as having restaurants roll out dishes that suit the needs of the elderly and offering them exclusive discounts at expos. Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, he said the SAR has to actively tackle the challenges brought about by its ageing population in ways that will also lead to opportunities. With Hong Kong facing a need to restructure its economy, Yau said this demographic offers new stimulus capable of boosting overall economic development. "We hope that industries will develop more products for the silver market, so elderly people can have a comfortable living environment in Hong Kong," he said. "So when they go out, the places they go to will have the products they want and the food they may want to eat." Yau added that as caretakers and families of the elderly will also have certain requirements, he hopes further developments of the silver economy will also get them to spend more. For his part, Simon Wong, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said many eateries have already offered discounts to the elderly even before the latest attempt to take development of the silver economy to the next level. He believes more than 100 eateries will join the government's "Friends & Flavours" campaign, which will see restaurants offering meal options suitable for the elderly. This is because these options have been made available in recent months and become very popular among older consumers, Wong added.…

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Harvard students make a stand after US$100m cuts

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Harvard students protested after the US government said it intends to cancel all remaining financial contracts with the university, President Donald Trump's latest attempt to force the prestigious institution to submit to unprecedented oversight. Hundreds of students gathered to oppose Trump's widening offensive, including Tuesday's measures estimated to be worth US$100 million, against the university that has drawn his ire for refusing to give up control of curriculum, admissions and research. "Trump = traitor" read one student placard, while the crowd chanted "who belongs in class today, let them stay" in reference to Harvard's international students whose status Trump has upended by summarily revoking the university's accreditation to the country's Student and Exchange Visitor programme. A judge issued a restraining order pending a hearing on the matter scheduled for Thursday, the same day as the university's commencement graduation ceremony for which thousands of graduating students and their families had gathered in Cambridge, Massachusetts near Boston. The White House, meanwhile, doubled down in its offensive, saying that instead of Harvard public money should go to vocational schools that train electricians and plumbers. "The president is more interested in giving that taxpayer money to trade schools and programmes and state schools where they are promoting American values, but most importantly, educating the next generation based on skills that we need in our economy and our society," press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Fox News Tuesday evening. "We need more of those in our country, and less LGBTQ graduate majors from Harvard University." Tuesday's protest unfolded as news helicopters hovered overhead and graduating students in academic attire and their guests ate finger food at a reception on the lawns of Harvard Square nearby. "All my international friends and peers and professors and researchers are at risk and [are] threatened with being deported – or their option is to transfer" to another university, said Alice Goyer, who attended the protest wearing a black academic gown. "As a US student, it's my responsibility to speak out for them." One history of medicine student from Britain graduating this week who gave his name only as Jack said that the policies pursued by Trump would make US universities less attractive to international students, even if the courts overturn the most damaging measures. "The cloud may pass, but the damage will be done," said Jack, whose parents had travelled from Britain for the graduation ceremony. Foreign students "who are here don't know where they stand, those overseas don't know if they'll be able to get back in... I don't know if I'd pursue a PhD here, six years is a long time," he added. Alumni plan to file a lawsuit against Trump on June 9, filmmaker Anurima Bhargava told a virtual meeting staged by Crimson Courage, a grassroots alumni group that held a mass webinar to raise awareness and a fighting fund from former students. The cutting of contracts announced on Tuesday – estimated by US media to be worth US$100 million – would mark the slashing of business ties between the government and a university that is the country's oldest and a research powerhouse. (AFP)…

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Shenzhou-20 crew sends video greetings from space

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The Shenzhou-20 crew on board China's orbiting space station on Wednesday extended greetings to children in celebration of the upcoming International Children's Day on June 1. The crew, made up of astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, reflected on their childhood aspirations as young pioneers to contribute to China’s space exploration. They expressed hope that today’s youth would actively play a role in the nation's progress. The Chinese Young Pioneers (CYP) is a national organisation for Chinese children. "I still remember the first time I put on the [young pioneer's] red scarf. It was then that I made a silent vow to become someone who could contribute to society. That childhood dream has guided me through my journey in the aerospace field, and it's what has brought me to space today," said Chen Dong. "Back when I was a young pioneer, I was fascinated by the blue sky and curious about what was beyond Earth. When China's first manned spacecraft, Shenzhou-5, was launched, I was thrilled, and it strengthened my determination. Today, I've finally realised my dream and am able to work aboard China's space station," said Chen Zhongrui. "I have been remembering clearly the first line of the CYP anthem: 'We are the successors of communism.' This song has inspired generations of young pioneers to honour the legacy of our revolutionary predecessors, following in their footsteps with courage and striving toward our ideals," Wang said. "When I sang this as a child, it always filled me with a sense of strength. Today, I'm proud to be an astronaut, contributing to our country's space endeavours. In the future, I hope you, the younger generation, will carry the baton and help China's space exploration to take steadier and farther steps." Chen Dong added: "This time, we brought the CYP flag to China's space station.... We believe you will take up the baton of history, starting by learning from the pioneers and growing into true pioneers, with the ambition to serve and strengthen our nation, and to be resolute and responsible strivers." The crew declared a "happy Children's Day to all the children" as they waved a Chinese Young Pioneers flag. The Shenzhou-20 manned spacecraft was successfully launched on April 24, 2025. (CCTV)…

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SpaceX launches Starship on ninth attempt

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A SpaceX Starship rocket roared into space from Texas on Tuesday on its ninth uncrewed test launch, flying farther than the last two attempts. The two-stage spacecraft, consisting of the Starship vessel mounted atop a towering SpaceX Super Heavy rocket booster, blasted off at about 7:36pm from the company's Starbase launch site on the Gulf Coast of Texas near Brownsville. A live SpaceX webcast of the liftoff showed the rocketship rising from the launch tower into the early evening sky as the Super Heavy's cluster of powerful Raptor engines thundered to life in a ball of flame and billowing clouds of exhaust and water vapour. SpaceX launched the Starship system with a previously flown Super Heavy booster for the first time, aiming to achieve a key demonstration of its reusability. As expected, the 71m first-stage rocket separated from the upper-stage Starship vehicle several minutes after launch and headed back toward Earth. But SpaceX controllers lost contact with the booster during its descent before it presumably plunged into the sea instead of making the controlled splashdown the company planned. The upper-stage Starship vehicle continued to climb to space, reaching its planned suborbital trajectory about nine minutes into the flight. In one test-flight mishap, Starship's payload doors failed to open in order to release a group of simulated satellites. Plans called for Starship to complete its experimental flight of less than 90 minutes with a controlled descent and splashdown in the Indian Ocean. But about a half-hour after launch, SpaceX said its flight team had lost attitude control over Starship, leaving the vehicle in a spin as it continued to head for atmospheric re-entry. "We will not be aligned as we wanted it to be aligned for re-entry," a SpaceX commentator said during the livestream. "Our chances of making it all the way down are pretty slim." Its last two test flights - in January and March - were cut short moments after liftoff as the vehicle blew to pieces on its ascent, raining debris over parts of the Caribbean and disrupting scores of commercial airline flights in the region. The US Federal Aviation Administration expanded debris hazard zones around the ascent path for Tuesday's launch. The previous back-to-back failures occurred in early test-flight phases that SpaceX had easily achieved before, dealing a striking setback to a programme that Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who founded the rocket company in 2002, had sought to accelerate this year. Musk is counting on Starship to fulfil his goal of producing a large, multipurpose next-generation spacecraft capable of sending people and cargo to the moon later this decade and ultimately flying to Mars. (Reuters)…

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Water supplies to parts of Tuen Mun being restored

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The Water Supplies Department says fresh water is gradually being restored to affected areas of Tuen Mun from 6:30am. Overnight, thousands of residents in north Tuen Mun saw their supplies cut off, as authorities rushed to complete emergency works to fix a burst water main on Tuen Mun Road. In a post on its Facebook page, the Water Supplies Department said an engineering team had worked overnight, fixing the water main at around 3am. It thanked the public and road users for their understanding. It also said it was grateful to the Home Affairs Department for coordinating with district councillors and care teams in the area. Earlier, the New Territories West Cluster of the Hospital Authority said water wagons were sent to Tuen Mun, Castle Peak and Siu Lam hospitals, while services there weren't affected. Road repair work has also been carried out the affected lanes were reopened at about 6am.…

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King Charles highlights Canadian 'self-determination'

2 days ago

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King Charles III stressed Canada's proud independence on Tuesday as he delivered a major speech to open parliament in Ottawa set against US President Donald Trump's repeated threats to take over the country. "Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the Government is determined to protect," Charles said, adding Canada was facing a "critical moment." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney invited the 76-year-old British monarch – who is the Canadian head of state – to the capital, accompanied by Queen Camilla. King Charles's "speech from the throne" was the first by a monarch in nearly half a century. The king has never publicly commented on Trump's repeated talk of making Canada the 51st US state, but his language was closely watched for any reference. Although the speech was read by the king as if his own words, it was in fact written by the prime minister's office to set out the government's priorities to "build Canada strong" and how it aims to achieve them. Trump has also ripped up the world trade order and launched tariff wars against friends and foes alike, particularly targeting Canada, a member of the British Commonwealth. "The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing. Canada's relationships with partners are also changing," Charles said, in cautious words. "We must be clear-eyed: the world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War. Canada is facing challenges that are unprecedented in our lifetimes." Thousands gathered along a parade route early Tuesday morning for a chance to see their monarch. The atmosphere was festive with people waving Canadian flags. Kirsten Hanson, 44, said she welcomes the king's show of support amid the pressure coming from Canada's southern neighbor. "I think if there's anything that he can do to demonstrate Canada's sovereignty I think that that's fantastic," she told AFP. "Nobody wants to be absorbed into the US," she said. (AFP)…

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Asean expresses 'deep concern' over US tariffs

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Southeast Asian leaders expressed "deep concern" over US tariffs on Tuesday, as they held a summit with China and Gulf states hailed as "a response to the call of the times" in a geopolitically uncertain world. The trade-dependent economies are looking to insulate themselves after US President Donald Trump blew up global trade norms by announcing a slew of levies targeting countries around the world, then paused most for 90 days. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) released a statement on Tuesday night expressing "deep concern over... the imposition of unilateral tariff measures, which pose complex and multidimensional challenges to Asean's economic growth, stability, and integration". In another statement, the bloc stressed "our strongest resolve to stand together" in the face of the levies, and pledged to expand cooperation with other partners. Malaysian premier Anwar Ibrahim further said the leaders had reached an understanding that any bilateral agreements they might strike with the United States on trade tariffs would not harm the economies of fellow members. "While proceeding with bilateral negotiations ..., the consensus rose to have some sort of understanding with Asean that decisions should not be at the expense of any other country," said Anwar, who on Monday said he had written to Trump requesting an Asean-US meeting on the tariffs. "So we will have to protect the turf of 650 or 660 million people," he said of Asean. Earlier in the day Malaysia, which holds the bloc's rotating chairmanship, hosted the inaugural summit between Asean, China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – a regional bloc made up of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Premier Li Qiang told the meeting that "against the backdrop of a volatile international situation", the summit was "a pioneering work of regional economic cooperation". "This is not only a continuation of the course of history, but also a response to the call of the times," he said. Later, at a dinner event, Li urged Gulf and Asean countries to remove trade barriers and expand liberalisation in the face of rising protectionism and unilateralism. "We all need to firmly maintain the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization as the core, and promote the creation of a stable and orderly international market environment," he said. (Agencies)…

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Govt unveils 30 measures to promote 'silver economy'

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The government on Tuesday unveiled a total of 30 new measures to promote the "silver economy" and tap into the "favourable financial conditions and purchasing power" of the city's elderly population. Officials announced measures in five areas: boosting "silver consumption", developing the "silver industry", promoting "quality assurance of silver products", enhancing "silver financial and security arrangements" and unleashing "silver productivity". To get elderly people to spend more, there'll be a "Friends & Flavours" drive involving restaurants introducing suitable meal options, while the retail sector will be urged to offer discounts to older customers. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau said he expects more than 100 restaurants to join the "Friends & Flavours" campaign. Measures will also be introduced to encourage "post-50s" to participate in training and rejoin the labour market, including new placement-tied courses which will be launched in the second quarter of the year. "In 2024, the elderly spending of people aged 60 and above amounted to HK$342 billion. In 10 years' time, it is predicted to grow to HK$496 billion, so that is the kind of magnitude of silver spending," said Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk, who chairs the Working Group on Promoting Silver Economy. "If we can achieve a five percent growth a year, and if we just take the first year in illustration, that would amount to HK$17 billion, which is quite substantial." Five different government bureaus will be responsible for promoting and collaborating with various industries to launch the new measures.…

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Deadly blast rocks chemical plant in Shandong

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At least five people have been killed and 19 injured in an explosion at a chemical plant in Shandong province. Authorities also said six people were unaccounted for. The blast happened shortly before noon on Tuesday at the Gaomi Youdao Chemical Co., which is located in an industrial park in the city of Weifang. Upon receiving a report of the blast, the Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a work team and specialised personnel, including firefighters, medical experts and work safety specialists, to aid local rescue efforts. Youdao was set up in August 2019 in the Gaomi Renhe chemical park in the provincial city of Weifang, its website says, with more than 300 employees. It develops, produces and sells technology for pesticides, pharmaceuticals and related fine chemical intermediates. (Agencies) _____________________________ Last updated: 2025-05-27 HKT 21:35…

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Police arrest two in illegal ride-hailing crackdown

2 days ago

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Undercover police officers on Tuesday arrested two people suspected of providing illegal ride-hailing services. The pair, aged 35 and 48, were arrested on suspicion of illegally carrying passengers for hire and not having third party liability insurance. Two vehicles were seized in the operation, which saw officers posing as customers. "According to the Road Traffic Ordinance, no person shall use a car to carry passengers for hire unless a hire car permit is issued," noted inspector Ho Kin-pong, adding that the offence carries a maximum punishment of HK$10,000 or a six-month prison term for a first conviction. Ho urged people to use legal means of transport.…

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Tin Shui Wai warehouse hit by No 3 alarm fire

2 days ago