New subsidy inevitable because of policy backlash: academic Listen
The government's announced that a new monthly "employment support supplement" of a little over one-thousand dollars will be given to welfare recipients aged 60 to 64. The new subsidy was announced by Chief Executive Carrie Lam, after a week of intense criticism from lawmakers on both side of the political divide and an uproar in the wider community about changes to the Comprehensive Social Security Allowance. From next month, the minimum age of eligibility for elderly welfare payments will rise from 60 to 65. Chung Kim-wah, a social policy expert from the Polytechnic University, told Annemarie Evans that the Chief Executive had little choice but to act given the backlash.
Kindergartens to suspend classes over flu outbreak Listen
Almost 200 kindergartens and childcare centres will be suspended for seven days from Saturday because of the flu outbreak. The Centre for Health Protection says it's now a "critical time" in trying to prevent the situation from worsening. Jim Gould asked a University of Hong Kong virologist, Malik Peiris, whether this year's flu season was particular severe.
'Second Trump-Kim summit on the cards' Listen
A senior North Korean negotiator has arrived in Washington, and he's believed to be carrying a message to US President Donald Trump from the North's leader Kim Jong-un. Kim Yong-chul is also expected to hold talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during his visit to the US capital. RTHK's correspondent in Seoul, Frank Smith, told Annemarie Evans that this signals a summit between the two leaders is imminent.