3 h. ago Hong Kong professions ready for new child abuse law but ‘some challenges remain’

Hong Kong professionals mandated to report suspected child abuse cases under a new law taking effect on Tuesday are largely ready, but some have said challenges remain in working with parents from different cultural backgrounds and detecting online crimes targeting youngsters. Under the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance, more than 100,000 people across 25 professions in the social welfare, education and medical sectors are required to report suspected maltreatment of those aged under...

Society

3 h. ago ‘No room for refusal’: Hong Kong professionals brace for tough calls under child abuse law

Hong Kong professionals mandated to report suspected child abuse cases under a new law taking effect on Tuesday are largely ready, but some have said challenges remain in working with parents from different cultural backgrounds and detecting online crimes targeting youngsters. Under the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance, more than 100,000 people across 25 professions in the social welfare, education and medical sectors are required to report suspected maltreatment of those aged under...

Society

26 h. ago Hong Kong eyes slice of booming ‘NewSpace’ economy as professional services hub

Hong Kong aims to develop its “NewSpace” economy by positioning itself as a leading hub for finance, insurance, legal and arbitration services, and materials application in alignment with the nation’s development plan. The Chief Executive’s Policy Unit revealed on Sunday that it had hosted a high-level round table on the space economy last week, inviting academics, investors and experts from mainland China and overseas to discuss Hong Kong’s strategic positioning and opportunities amid a global...

Politics

4 d. ago Tougher building checks may add costs, slow projects, Hong Kong lawmaker says

Extra costs and the use of public resources may be incurred under the Hong Kong government’s proposed moves to increase professional scrutiny of building maintenance projects following the deadly Tai Po inferno, a lawmaker has said, calling for further discussion. Election Committee lawmaker Andrew Lam Siu-lo, a town planner by training, said on Thursday that expanding the Urban Renewal Authority’s (URA) role in such projects might require extra time and money, urging the government and...

Politics

5 d. ago ‘One of a kind’: tributes pour in for David Webb, Hong Kong’s ‘voice of integrity’

Hong Kong activist investor David Webb, who has died aged 60, has been remembered for his integrity, courage and rigour as a “true pioneer” of the city’s corporate governance. Tributes have poured in online for Webb, who died in Hong Kong on Tuesday of metastatic prostate cancer. He revealed his diagnosis in 2020, saying at the time that one of his final wishes was to live beyond 60. The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Professionals Association said on Wednesday that Webb was deeply respected...

Politics

1 week ago Housing anxiety impeding Hong Kong fire trauma recovery: mental health experts

Anxiety over housing has hindered the psychological healing of residents affected by the deadly Tai Po fire, mental health professionals have said, as Hong Kong authorities begin polling flat owners on their preferences for long-term resettlement. The inferno that broke out on November 26 at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court claimed 161 lives, injured 79, and displaced almost 5,000 residents, most of whom are now living in hotels, youth hostels or transitional housing. The government said on Friday that...

Events

1 week ago Hong Kong rugby player charged with indecent assault and criminal damage

A Hong Kong professional rugby player has been accused of molesting a patron at a bar and damaging a door bolt inside a police station while he was held in custody. Faizal Solomona Penesa, 33, on Friday appeared at Eastern Court for the first time over a count of indecent assault and another of criminal damage. Prosecutors accused the Samoan national of indecently assaulting an individual at Bobby’s Rabble bar in Central on September 28 last year. On the same day, he was taken to the Central...

Events

2 w. ago French professor arrested in Hong Kong over drug possession as wife found dead in flat

A woman was found dead in a Hong Kong flat, while her husband – who called police for help – was arrested on suspicion of possessing dangerous drugs, with a source confirming the man is an associate professor at City University. The force said it received a call at 4.13pm on Wednesday from the 48-year-old Frenchman, saying his 30-year-old Filipino wife had passed out in their home at Avignon in So Kwun Wat, Tuen Mun. Both were Hong Kong residents. Officers and emergency personnel arrived at the...

Events

3 w. ago Hong Kong could take ‘lead in supporting Greater Bay Area children with autism’

Hong Kong could take a leading role in supporting children with autism in the Greater Bay Area, a former medical faculty dean has said, ahead of plans for a comprehensive care platform to come into operation within a year. Professor Francis Chan Ka-leung of the Chinese University of Hong Kong said the one-stop platform would comprise professionals from the medical, education, insurance and finance sectors, among others. The academic said that a research team from the university’s medical school...

Politics

3 w. ago Young people’s input needed on pressing Hong Kong issues, incoming lawmaker says

Hong Kong’s incoming social welfare lawmaker has vowed to actively engage young people in policy discussions and strengthen communications with frontline workers to plug a “knowledge gap” in professional conduct. Grace Chan Man-yee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, a statutory body representing local welfare groups, also expressed confidence that there would be critical voices in the legislature although not always in front of the cameras. Chan won the social welfare...

Politics