The right to vote will be extended to all eligible prisoners under a government proposal. The Acting Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam said the key rationale to remove restrictions was that voting is a fundamental political right enjoyed by every person (1:03).
Raymond Li joins us on the line from Beijing to report on the detainment of a Shanghai migrant worker who made internet postings about what he considered illegal land grabs by provincial authorities in his home county (4:35). In international news, Catherine Walbridge reports on the end of a sensational case from Malaysia that involves sex, violence and politics. (9:18).
It's Good Friday today, and James Whittle from Art and Karly Cox from Young Post are in the studio to be quizzed on all things Easter-related (14:04). AUDIO AFTER JUMP.
In the news summary: Citic Pacific co-founders Larry Yung and Henry Fan have resigned after the high-profile search of Citic Pacific's offices on Friday by the Commercial Crime Bureau, a Tibet court has sentenced two people to death for their part in the Lhasa riots in March last year, the drive to make Hong Kong a low carbon city gains momentum, and the MTR steps up action to tackle fare dodgers (0:45).
Dennis Eng is here to speak about the Hong Kong Jockey Club's plans to include additional race dates and scrap the summer break for horse-racing (4:36). In international news, Andrew London reports on the violent protests in Moldova, the effects of sonar on marine life, and another gaffe from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in the wake of central Italy's deadly earthquake (8:37).
Film Editor Clarence Tsui then joins us in the studio to discuss the latest computer-animated film from DreamWorks: Monsters vs Aliens. The film can be viewed in its 3D format in a number of cinemas across the city and Clarence talks to us about the development of this technology (12:07). AUDIO AFTER JUMP.
French firm Veolia has just acquired a 50 per cent stake in Hong Kong's iconic tram system and will jointly operate with Hong Kong Tramways. It also announced it plans to seek government permission to build a new line on the Central-Wanchai reclamation area (0:59).
People's confidence in the chief executive has risen slightly but it was a big thumbs down for chief secretary York Chow as his popularity plunged to new lows according to poll by the University of Hong Kong. Elsewhere, it's been revealed that four Chinese citizens were among those killed in last week's shooting rampage in New York (0:40).
In Thailand, anti-government protesters have attacked the prime minister's motorcade in the run-up to today's rally, but he was uninjured in the confrontation (6:50). Meanwhile, as we approach the first-year anniversary of the Sichuan earthquake, some benevolent Hongkongers are reaching out to its victims one year on (10:56). AUDIO AFTER JUMP.
The High Court yesterday allowed telecoms giant PCCW permission go private, after a US$2.2 billion buyout deal was opposed by the securities regulator over allegations of vote-rigging. A pleased Alexander Arena, the company's group managing director, held the judgement as he posed for photographers when leaving the court (pictured left). Hear the details of this story as well as Edison Chen and Jill Vidal updates at 0:59sec.
The local market staged another rally yesterday dragging itself up through 15,000 points for the first time in three months. Reporter Nick Westra has the details (3:42). Former presidential candidate John McCain was in Hong Kong this weekend and we have audio from the Republican before boarding his flight yesterday morning (6:17).
Presenting the international summary is Andrew London who has stories on an intriguing discovery in underground Rome, a promising pledge by Harare officials and the unearthing of a Schindler's List transcript in an Australian library (9:37). AUDIO AFTER JUMP.
A difference of opinion over Hong Kong and Macau threatened to derail the G20 summit. French President Nicolas Sarkozy wanted the two SARs to be put on a list of tax havens, greatly displeasing Chinese President Hu Jintao. Our chief business reporter looks behind the details and sets the record straight.
Staying with the G20, President Hu Jintao has returned to the Beijing with a number of victories under his belt. This includes more clamping down on protectionism and expanding the International Monetary Fund's currency reserve which would reduce the world's over-reliance on the US currency.
Around the world, Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged while, a court in Malawai has ruled against Madonna's request to adopt a second child. Test your knowledge of April Fools stories this week, which ones were real and which were actual pranks by the media? AUDIO AFTER JUMP.
