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HKU student wins judicial review bid

Sat, 22 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

A University of Hong Kong student arrested during a pro-Tibet demonstration at the city?s Olympic torch relay has won her bid for a court hearing into the incident. Christina Chan Hau-man (pictured), filed for a judicial review earlier this month, following...

Private sales lure shoppers with huge discounts

Fri, 21 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Bargain hunters are on high alert. Since the beginning of November, invitations to designer brands private sales have been bombarding many people?s email inbox. Designer brands have already staged private sales with discount for as low as 90 per cent...

Concern as HK grain ship hijacked by buccaneers

Thu, 20 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

A Hong Kong-flagged ship loaded with wheat bound for Iran was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. The Delight, with 25 crew members on board, was captured off the Yemen coast. Phyllis Tsang reveals the SAR's reaction to the incident...

HK's unemployment rate rises to 3.5pc

Wed, 19 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

With the economy now feeling the impact of the international financial crisis, the jobless rate has risen by 0.1 per cent, to 3.5 per cent of the workforce. However, the underemployment rate ? which measures those who only work a few hours a week ? decreased...

Viva Pataca top favourite for Hong Kong Cup

Wed, 19 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Viva Pataca confirmed his status as Hong Kong?s top horse and probably secured favouritism for the Hong Kong Cup at the same time with his effortless win in Sunday?s Cathay Pacific International Cup Trial.

The Asian Racing Conference is over for...

Court asks if judges can change their minds

Tue, 18 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Court reporter Peter Brieger calls the show with news from the Court of Final Appeal. Yesterday, five CFA judges deliberated on arguments surrounding a ruling that was handed down earlier in the year, only for it to be changed by the presiding judge....

EB pushes industry to clean up its act

Sun, 16 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges used the international platform of this week?s Asian Racing Conference in Tokyo to issue a general call to arms to combat the use of drugs.

Entries closed for the Cathay Pacific...

Hong Kong slips into recession

Sat, 15 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Hong Kong entered its first recession since the outbreak of SARS after the government announced that gross domestic product shrank a seasonally adjusted 0.5 per cent in the third quarter (0:52).

With financial turmoil sweeping the globe, all eyes...

20,000 Hongkongers likely to lose jobs in Macau

Fri, 14 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

More than 20,000 Hongkongers working in Macau's construction sector will lose their jobs in the next few months as the financial crisis takes its toll, according to a union leader (1:03).

Raymond Li joins us on the line from Beijing to discuss the...

Legislative Council invokes special powers

Thu, 13 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

As expected, the Legislative Council voted in favour of a motion calling for the use of special powers to question bankers and others about the sale of Lehman Brothers-related products. Hundreds of investors had demonstrated outside LegCo calling on legislators...

Government to extend maid levy suspension

Wed, 12 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

The Chief Executive has ordered the two-year suspension of the controversial foreign domestic to be extended to five years, in effect shooting down an impending vote on the absolute abolition of the levy. Political reporter Albert Wong joins us in the...

ICAC charges four in Jockey Club bribery scam

Tue, 11 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

The ICAC yesterday arrested four people in four separate cases of alleged bribery and deception regarding applications for Jockey Club membership. One of those arrested was a 70-year-old honorary voting member of the Jockey Club, who was alleged to have...

DBS plans job cuts in Hong Kong and Singapore

Sat, 08 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Singaporean bank DBS plans to fire about 900 workers, primarily in Singapore and here in Hong Kong. The job cuts come amid a severe downturn in the financial industry with bank officials saying the cuts were needed to improve production and efficiency...

Trainer Moore aims to keep 'best start' going

Sat, 08 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

It was John Moore to the fore again at Happy Valley on Wednesday night as he landed a double to stretch his Trainers' Championship lead in what he described as his 'best start for twenty years.'

Promising apprentice jockey Matthew Chadwick is being...

History made as Ma meets with mainland envoy

Fri, 07 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

History was made yesterday when Ma Ying-jeou, the president of Taiwan, met with the mainland's top negotiator on cross-strait affairs, Chen Yunlin. The pair met for about five minutes while an estimated 100,000 pro-independence supporters took to the...

Joy, elation as Obama makes history

Thu, 06 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

This special edition of SCMP Today is devoted to the historic American presidential election. We begin with excerpts from US president-elect Barack Obama's victory speech and outtakes from the gracious concession speech given by John McCain (0:07).

Greg...

Barack Obama's full victory speech

Wed, 05 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Barack Obama has seized victory as the first black president of the United States. Speaking before a hometown crowd in Chicago, Mr Obama said: 'Change has come'.

Mr Obama will become the 44th president in the US in January and his Democratic Party...

Trade deal warms ties between mainland and Taiwan

Wed, 05 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

The mainland and Taiwan have signed trade agreements that will bring the two sides of the Strait closer together. The deal was signed by the mainland's negotiator, Chen Yulin, and his Taiwan counterpart, Chiang Ping-kung (0:25).

Hong Kong's last...

Melbourne Cup, the race that stops a nation

Tue, 04 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

John Egan's appearance before the Racing Appeals Disciplinary in Melbourne yesterday for calling official veterinary surgeons 'tin-pot Hitlers' added one more chapter to an already brightly-coloured career.

The Jockey Club racing stewards have again...

Historic day for cross-strait relations

Tue, 04 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

In our news summary, we take a look at the historic visit by Beijing's top negotiator with Taiwan to the island. Also in the summary are reports about the first meeting of Chief the Task Force on Economic Challenges, and surveys about Hongkongers willingness...

Kenny Lee confident of market rebound (audio)

Mon, 03 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Kenny Lee is a veteran stockbroker who is now the chairman of the Hong Kong Stockbrokers Association.

With many analysts saying we are facing the most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression, we have asked Mr Lee to share his views on...

Passport swap for Citizen Zeman (audio)

Mon, 03 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

By renouncing his Canadian passport and applying for a Hong Kong SAR passport, Allan Zeman felt proud and honoured. Having lived in his adopted home for 38 years, he claims that it was about time to make it 'official'.

In this podcast, reporter...

Kip Deville leads American invasion

Sun, 02 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Breeders' Cup Mile runner-up Kip Deville (pictured) will head a record-sized American party for the Cathay Pacific International Races on December 14.

The Jockey Club has slammed a senior Australian racing official for allegedly attempting to influence...

Citic Pacific shares soar amid hopes for a rescue

Sat, 01 November 2008 12:00:00 +0800

There is speculation that the parent of embattled Citic Pacific could come to the rescue with either a cash infusion or buyout. Shares of the company soared before a suspension pending an announcement (0:26).

Neil Gough explains how mainland visitor...

Investors smile as stocks post huge gain

Fri, 31 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

The blue-chip gauge gained 12.7 per cent yesterday as investors responded to key rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Investors growing confident that the proper steps are being take to shore up the global economy...

Wen snubs Donald and scripts HK support plan

Thu, 30 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

In today's show, the local news summary takes a look at Beijing's answer to the financial crisis in Hong Kong. Wallaby winger Lote Tuqiri takes to the streets and Sands' Cotai plans are curbed (0:56).

Reporter Celine Sun reveals that that tax loans...

Prebble flown down for Melbourne Cup

Wed, 29 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Brett Prebble has received a huge compliment from leading Australian owner Lloyd Williams, who has booked Hong Kong's number two jockey to ride leading chance C'est La Guerre in next Tuesday's A$5.5 million Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Peter Law Kin-sang...

Stunning market rise leaves investors breathless

Wed, 29 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

The Hang Seng Index surged 14.35 per cent, reversing course from Monday's massive sell off. The big drop brought out the bargain hunters, but with billions being lost and regained in a day few believe the volatility is over (0:25).

In the news summary,...

Stunning market drop leaves investors breathless

Tue, 28 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

The Hang Seng Index plummeted 12.7 per cent yesterday thanks to a stunning drop in key constituent HSBC Holdings. Nick Westra reviews the market action and provides insight as to whether further losses are forthcoming (0:24).

Doughnut chain Krispy...

Schutz plays down Good Ba Ba's chances

Sun, 26 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Trainer Andreas Schutz has warned fans of the 'almost impossible' task facing Horse of the Year Good Ba Ba in his return to action at Sha Tin today. A gaggle of stars will be stepping out in either the Premier Bowl at 1,200 metres or the Mission Hills...

ESF chief anxious for new beginning

Sat, 25 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

The English Schools Foundation's chief executive, Heather Du Quesnay, has fired the first salvo in the battle for the future of its subvention, claiming that it would be 'political suicide' to take away the funding overnight.

In this podcast, reporter...

Donald Tsang caves to pressure over fruit money

Sat, 25 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Chief Executive Donald Tsang will raise the amount of 'fruit money' given to the city's elderly to $1,000 per month. He will also remove the means test. The reversal of his position follows public pressure so strong that not even the DAB would stand by...

EU awards Hu Jia top human rights award

Fri, 24 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

The European Union has awarded HIV/AIDS activist its top award for human rights. The decision is likely to anger mainland officials. Prior to the announcement, ambassador Song Zhe warned EU officials against such a move, saying it would damage EU-China...

John Legend, in his own time

Fri, 24 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Five-time Grammy award winner John Legend was recently in Hong Kong to promote his upcoming third album Evolver, which he describes as more progressive than his previous releases.

The singer-songwriter played tracks from the new album and then moved...

US Treasury Undersecretary defends America's role (audio)

Thu, 23 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Yesterday afternoon, David McCormick, US Treasury Department Under-Secretary for International Affairs, spoke at a luncheon hosted by the Better Hong Kong Foundation.

In a question-and-answer session, Mr McCormick talked about how he saw the role...

Ho promises protections in security law

Thu, 23 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Chief Executive Edmund Ho (pictured) has set Macau on course to adopt security legislation, as required by its Basic Law. Mr Ho has promised that rights and freedoms will be protected, including political freedoms for groups banned on the mainland (0:24).

David...

Investors pummel Citic Pacific shares

Wed, 22 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Shares of Citic Pacific fell 55 per cent yesterday and haven't been this low since 1990. Investors questioned whether executives might have sold ahead of the bad news, given that the company waited a month to disclose potential losses resulting from bad...

Citic Pacific reeling from staggering currency losses

Tue, 21 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Citic Pacific reveals that it is facing up to HK$15.5 billion in losses due to what it claims were unauthorised currency hedging positions. Chairman Larry Yung (pictured) apologised to investors yesterday. He said there was no fraud or other wrongdoing...

Hong Kong's spirit of small enterprise (audio)

Tue, 21 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

In times of economic crisis, SMEs are often thought as the first, and worst, hit. White Collar host Enoch Yiu talks to Briton Mark Fenlon, the co-founder of design company Markimage and the speaker business Markaudio, about the effects of the current...

Fellowship to take on big guns Good Ba Ba, Viva Pataca

Sun, 19 October 2008 12:00:00 +0800

Paul O'Sullivan has no reservations about asking National Day Cup hero Fellowship to take the next step on the road to the top at Sha Tin next weekend, even though it means a clash with superstars Good Ba Ba and Viva Pataca.

Mark du Plessis has...