https://www.scmp.com/rss/512788/feed Chester joined the City Desk of the Post as an intern in summer 2022. He is currently an undergraduate student of Media and Communication and English at City University of Hong Kong. Previously, he worked as a part-time reporter in the Property Desk in Cable TV. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. The Hong Kong Observatory will downgrade Severe Tropical Storm Ma-on to No 3 signal between 9am and 11am, leaving all morning and full-day schools suspended on Thursday. The Education Bureau announced at 5am that classes of all morning and whole-day schools would be suspended on Thursday. It added that if the No 8 signal was downgraded to No 3 before 10.30am,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3189953/hong-kong-issue-no-3-typhoon-warning-signal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3189953/hong-kong-issue-no-3-typhoon-warning-signal?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Aug 2022 00:38:42 +0000 Environmental advisers have failed to reach a consensus on backing a controversial plan to build public housing flats for about 33,600 people on part of a luxury golf course in Hong Kong, pushing back any decision on the project by at least seven months. The Advisory Council on the Environment deferred its decision on whether to approve the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report, chairman Stanley Wong Yuen-fai on Friday said following a meeting that lasted nearly 10 hours. But he argued... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3189427/environmental-panel-asks-government-more-information?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3189427/environmental-panel-asks-government-more-information?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Aug 2022 11:14:51 +0000 Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has found hygiene issues in six out of 30 brands of disposable face masks tested, with the worst model exceeding bacterial limits by more than six times, while 60 per cent of the products also fell short on filtration claims. The Consumer Council’s findings were based on tests on 21 brands of flat masks and nine 3D types sold in Hong Kong, with an average retail price of HK$1.50 to HK$9.80 each. All were produced locally aside from two models made in mainland... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3188906/hygiene-issues-found-6-out-30-mask-brands-tested?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3188906/hygiene-issues-found-6-out-30-mask-brands-tested?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Aug 2022 05:53:50 +0000 The Hong Kong fire service has boosted the cleaning regime for its ambulances in the wake of a recent surge in coronavirus cases that sparked an increase in emergency calls to about 2,000 a day. Calls to the 999 number hit about 2,700 a day at the height of the fifth wave in March, according to the Fire Services Department. The department said its emergency fleet would use scientific methods to check the effectiveness of cleaning and improved disinfectant techniques. It explained it would use... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3188587/new-ambulance-cleaning-methods-be-used-wake?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3188587/new-ambulance-cleaning-methods-be-used-wake?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Aug 2022 23:00:17 +0000 Several travellers flying into Hong Kong on Tuesday said they felt fortunate to be among the first people set to undergo quarantine for only three days as part of the government’s “3+4” scheme. Authorities on Monday announced they would slash the week-long hotel isolation period to three days from Friday, with inbound arrivals allowed to spend the remaining four days at home or in other accommodation with limited freedom of movement. Businessman James Luk, 47, who works for a firm with... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3188329/travellers-hong-kong-say-they-feel-lucky-qualify-reduced?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3188329/travellers-hong-kong-say-they-feel-lucky-qualify-reduced?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Aug 2022 12:39:44 +0000 Living conditions in Hong Kong’s subdivided flats have failed to improve over the past five years despite a series of measures designed to protect vulnerable tenants from exploitation, a pressure group has revealed. A survey by the Kwai Chung Subdivided Flat Residents Alliance released on Friday found that tenants still complained about squalid conditions, including infestations of cockroaches and rats, regular power cuts and living spaces with no windows. Yung Yik moved from Mong Kok three... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3187923/conditions-hong-kong-subdivided-flats-still-bad-despite?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3187923/conditions-hong-kong-subdivided-flats-still-bad-despite?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Aug 2022 14:33:06 +0000 Jerusha Bal, 21, attended Chinese lessons throughout primary and secondary school in Hong Kong, but admits that she is neither proficient nor confident in speaking the language. She recalled lessons conducted at only a basic level throughout her school days, and although she passed the IGCSE exam, she has only a limited command of Chinese. “Our foundation was so poor that our teachers never thought we could do the DSE Chinese exam,” she said, referring to the higher level Diploma of Secondary... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3187137/can-hong-kongs-ethnic-minority-children-master-chinese-its?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3187137/can-hong-kongs-ethnic-minority-children-master-chinese-its?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Jul 2022 03:30:18 +0000 Engineering experts have said human negligence contributed to an accident at a concert by superstar Canto-pop boy band Mirror, while officials have placed the main responsibility for ensuring safety during the show on its organiser. Authorities on Friday said one of two metal cords connected to a massive video screen snapped during the group’s performance on Thursday night, which caused the monitor to crash onto the stage below and injure two dancers, one of them seriously. But two experts told... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3187114/hong-kong-engineers-say-human-error-played-part-mirror?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3187114/hong-kong-engineers-say-human-error-played-part-mirror?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Jul 2022 14:45:23 +0000 An An, the world’s oldest male giant panda in captivity, was put down on Thursday morning at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park. The park said the animal, which was 35 – the equivalent of 105 human years – had refused solid food and had only drank water or liquids fortified with electrolytes in the run-up to the decision to end its life. The park added that the panda had been mostly inactive before its death and that staff had provided veterinary care to ensure it did not suffer. “An An is an indispensable... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3186015/goodbye-hong-kongs-beloved-giant-panda-euthanised-ocean-park?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3186015/goodbye-hong-kongs-beloved-giant-panda-euthanised-ocean-park?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Jul 2022 02:21:04 +0000 Hong Kong will continue to be shielded from the heat of rising inflation if its border with mainland China remains closed, economists have said as they predicted a slow increase in consumer prices of between 1.5 per cent and 1.8 per cent for June. But experts also warned that homebuyers and borrowers were likely to shoulder a heavier financial burden on mortgage payments and loans as they forecast local banks would increase interest rates by a range of 0.125 per cent to 0.5 per cent by the end... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3185858/hong-kong-protected-inflation-closed-border?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3185858/hong-kong-protected-inflation-closed-border?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Jul 2022 23:30:25 +0000 The ringleader and a core member of a cross-border syndicate that made more than HK$10 million by arranging at least 150 bogus marriages between Hongkongers and mainland Chinese have each been jailed for 33 months. The pair were sentenced on Wednesday after the 45-year-old male ringleader and the core member – a 52-year-old woman – were convicted of five counts of conspiracy to defraud at the District Court last month. The man was also convicted of one count of conspiracy to obtain services by... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3185184/ringleader-core-member-hong-kong-mainland-china-fake?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3185184/ringleader-core-member-hong-kong-mainland-china-fake?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Jul 2022 13:17:23 +0000 Hongkongers and Japanese citizens visited the country’s consulate in Hong Kong on Monday to pay their respects to Shinzo Abe, a former prime minister who was murdered last Friday. Dozens of people dressed in black, some with flowers, attended the consulate to sign a book of condolence. One Hong Kong man, who asked to be identified only as Kenny, and his daughter were among those who left flowers. He said Abe was not only a major political figure but a great man. “He was a great politician, as he... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3184880/people-city-and-japan-pay-tribute-murdered-former-pm-shinzo-abe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3184880/people-city-and-japan-pay-tribute-murdered-former-pm-shinzo-abe?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Jul 2022 09:09:52 +0000 Hundreds of fans of Anson Lo Hon-ting, a member of boy band Mirror, celebrated the 27th birthday of their idol with the public on Thursday by sponsoring free ferry and bus rides. The pink-clad legions formed up on both sides of Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui and Central just before noon and took a free trip on the Star Ferry sponsored for the day by Lo’s official fan club. The club explained the free rides were to “give back to society and spread positivity”. People can also enjoy a free ride... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3184445/ferry-special-day-hong-kong-cantopop-star-anson-lo-fans-mark?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3184445/ferry-special-day-hong-kong-cantopop-star-anson-lo-fans-mark?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Jul 2022 08:26:09 +0000 Hong Kong’s new government must take concrete action in tackling the city’s housing shortage and improving young people’s upward mobility, legislators and residents said after Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a detailed to-do list for John Lee Ka-chiu’s administration. In his 3,700-word speech on Friday, Xi laid down four expectations for the next administration to work on. The president said Lee’s administration had to improve governance, strengthen the momentum of development, solve... https://www.scmp.com/hong-kong-25/society/article/3183867/hong-kong-leader-john-lee-just-got-do-list-xi-jinping-now-he?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/hong-kong-25/society/article/3183867/hong-kong-leader-john-lee-just-got-do-list-xi-jinping-now-he?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Jul 2022 14:00:42 +0000 More than 40 quarantine hotels in Hong Kong have raised their room rates by up to 80 per cent since the launch of the scheme more than 1½ years ago as growth in the number of arrivals outpaced the increase in available places, the Post has found. The hike in prices continued this summer as travellers scrambled to secure rooms as most of the designated hotels were already booked up for July and August. The authorities have increased the number of available rooms from 12,000 to 23,000 for between... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3183054/coronavirus-hong-kong-hotels-raise-rates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3183054/coronavirus-hong-kong-hotels-raise-rates?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Jun 2022 05:58:56 +0000 CLP Power will investigate how its backup system failed to prevent Hong Kong’s worst power outage in decades, a legislator with ties to the firm has said, after up to 160,000 households were forced to sweat out a hot night without electricity or water. Lawmaker Chan Siu-hung, a senior adviser to the firm’s parent company, CLP Holdings, on Wednesday defined the scope of the probe into the outage which affected Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai and Tuen Mun as the Environment Bureau called for an... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3182614/power-supply-fully-restored-hong-kong-districts-hit-worst?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3182614/power-supply-fully-restored-hong-kong-districts-hit-worst?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Jun 2022 05:56:48 +0000 The Cheng family has had some hard knocks. Chris Cheng Wai-yiu, 44, who has two sons, suffers from muscular dystrophy and will use a wheelchair for life. His wife died of leukaemia when his older son, Matthew, was in kindergarten. “When my sons were younger, I could still take care of them, since I could still stand temporarily and do various sorts of things,” Cheng said of his boys, now aged 10 and 11. “However, now I am in a wheelchair, so I often cannot attend to their needs immediately. If... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3182220/wheelchair-friendly-places-and-foster-homes-fathers-love?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3182220/wheelchair-friendly-places-and-foster-homes-fathers-love?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Jun 2022 02:00:23 +0000 Some patrons of Hong Kong’s best-known nightlife districts have been ignoring a new rapid Covid-19 test requirement for entry to premises, while the city recorded more than 1,000 cases for the second day in a row. A visit by the Post to Lockhart Road in Wan Chai found several customers did not show negative rapid antigen test (RAT) results to staff in at least five venues, as required under the new rule that took effect from 5am on Thursday. Employees at each venue were not seen asking patrons... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3181907/customers-should-not-take-rapid-covid-tests?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3181907/customers-should-not-take-rapid-covid-tests?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Jun 2022 06:34:50 +0000