TOP STORIES
Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is back after 7 years
- 2024-11-07
- The Young Reporter
- By: ALISHIBA MATLOOBEdited by: Jemima Badajos
- 2024-11-07
The Hong Kong Sixes tournament organised by Hong Kong Cricket Club and Kowloon Cricket Club was held from Nov 1 to 3 at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground. The tournament features 12 international teams including the Hong Kong team competing in a six-a-side, the fastest format in the sport.
Bar owners call for tax cut on low cost alcohol after recent to boost sales
- 2024-11-06
- By: WONG Hong Ni、LAI Uen LingEdited by: Ngai Fung NG、Jemima Badajos
- 2024-11-06
Knutsford Terrace in Tsim Sha Tsui was alive with Halloween celebrations. Despite the reduction in spirit tax, drink prices at bars remained unchanged, but that hasn't dampened the celebratory mood. Parties were still in full swing.
2024 US Election: American voters’ concerns soar over inflation impact
- 2024-11-06
- Business
- By: Junzhe JIANGEdited by: Robin Ewing
- 2024-11-06
Washington, DC – The economy is a driving issue in today’s presidential election in the United States, voters at the polls said. This is tracked by a September report that said around 81% of U.S. voters cited the economy and high inflation as their top concern, followed by healthcare and Supreme Court appointments, according to a survey from Pew Research Centre. Ben Frank, 34, a resident of Pennsylvania, said he has to pay more to raise a family of seven: “The food prices went incredibly high after the pandemic,” Frank said. “I used to pay US$150 (HK$1166.2) for one week, and it cost me US$200 (HK$1554.92) now.” James Wright, who works at mega retail outlet Target in Pennsylvania, said, “Food and gas are so much more expensive than before.” In the last month, he spent around US$1,000 (HK$7774.76) on food, gas and other bills, over half his salary. Trump inaccurately blamed Biden’s government in the debate with Kamala Harris: “We have inflation like very few people have ever seen before. Probably the worst in our nation's history.” The inflation rate in the world’s biggest economy reached a three-year-low of 2.4% in September from a peak of 8% in 2022, according to the CoinNews Media Group. The inflation averaged 1.9% from 2017 to 2021 when Donald Trump was president, while the average rate has been on track at 5.6% in the past three years. Frank said that Donald Trump could solve the issue, although no further policies were given by the former president except to levy more tax on Chinese and other imported goods. People love Trump because he can bring something special, Frank said, and he thinks Trump’s policy may work if Americans consume more from nearby countries with lower transportation fees. Harris proposed tackling high prices by fighting against …
US Election 2024: Voters in Washington DC hope for unity and change
- 2024-11-06
- Society
- By: Yau To LUM、Wai Sum CHEUNGEdited by: Wai Sum CHEUNG、Yau To LUM
- 2024-11-06
Washington, DC – US presidential election voting ended on Tuesday at 8 pm here in Washington, DC. At Dunbar High School, one of the district’s polling stations, around 70 people were seen lining up inside at 10 am, waiting to cast their ballot. Citizens said they wished there could be less conflict in the country. David Dempsey, 30, voted for the first time in Washington DC after moving here two years ago. He registered to vote at the same time as casting his ballot. It went smoothly, he said. The Black American voted for Kamala Harris because of concerns over women’s rights and the safety of black communities. “I have a lot of sisters and aunties, so I just want to make sure that they’re safe and I’m safe too,” he said. “I remember the 2016 election and the next day; it was just so dark and depressing, I just want to make a difference this time, [so] I was back,” he said. “I hope [the next president] can listen to the people, unify instead of dividing it,” he said. James Conway, 29, also voted for Kamala Harris because of her “decent” image and overall policy plans. “She has a very good way of dealing with people in a decent way. She would be a very respected foreign policy leader,” Conway said, adding that her immigration policy will not be “archaic”. He hoped the country would be free and fair, instead of divided and polarised. “[I hope] we can get back to being the America, the country that the world relies on and being decent, normal people. I’m looking forward to that,” he said. Joe Levesque, who cast a ballot through postal voting three weeks ago, said one of the reasons he voted for the vice president was because of …
Hongkongers celebrate Halloween spirit despite struggles for local vendors
- 2024-11-02
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: Chun Lim LEUNGEdited by: James Ezekiel Kalaw MODESTO
- 2024-11-02
Stores and stalls in several shopping hotspots, such as Fuk Wing Street in Sham Shui Po, have been selling costumes and decorations, such as pumpkins and ghosts as Halloween approached. Reiko Leung Hei-nga, 21 has been going to Fuk Wing Street to purchase items for her Halloween costume for almost four years. “I enjoy getting together with my friends and showcasing our costumes,” Leung said. “The hardest part each year is probably finding new ideas and inspiration for a costume.” Many of those costumes showed up at Lan Kwai Fong. “A Hauntingly Good Time in Lan Kwai Fong”, is the theme for the week in the popular nightlife area. Retiree Leung Run-hei, 67, has been visiting Lan Kwai Fong for three consecutive years. “I’ve had a blast coming here with my friends and socialising with others. Although I’m old now, my mind keeps telling me to stay young and enjoy as much as I can,” she said. Ocean Park is hosting a Halloween Fest that started on Sept. 7 until Nov. 3,. Visitors can enjoy six haunted house experiences, namely Dreadful Walled City, Prison Escape, Netherworld Wedding, Hotel Morte, Horror of Homesteak and Forbidden Zone 274. There are also performances, such as Too Hot to K-Oppa, by a group of Korean dancers. “Even though I work here full-time, the unique events and decorations never cease to amaze me, said Park employee, Diamond Chan Sang-shu, 21, who has been working at the theme park for over two years. But the festivities did not benefit some shops, such as a stall owner surnamed Poon, who operates on Fuk Wing Street. She said sales that have gone down by 60% in the past few years. "The only time that my shop has been active is during festivals. For instance, during Halloween, I would …
Popfest brings the community together to support local talent
- 2024-11-02
- Society
- By: Chun Hei LUKEdited by: Yau To LUM
- 2024-11-02
Popfest returned to the West Kowloon Cultural District on Oct. 31, 2024, Thursday as independent singers and bands collaborated to inspire and uplift the crowd with their unique musical aptitude and performances during the first day of the festival. The HKT x WESTK POPFEST was designed to create a musical environment and attract more local artists to share their talents. It promotes community engagement through a showcase of music and the arts. Last year, the festival attracted thousands of attendees and provided a platform for emerging artists, reinforcing the importance of arts and culture in community wellbeing. This year, the organizer invited well-known local music groups such as MIRROR and COLLAR and local singers Chow Yan-ting to perform during the four day event. Independent singers and bands were invited on the first day to perform in front of the crowd. Tomii Chan, vocalist and guitarist of Stranded Whales and Majestic G, said the festival brought the audience together. "I want to share my passion for music and create a memorable experience for the audience,” Chan said. “Every note and lyric I sing brings us together, and I hope my performance encourages others to support local talent with his own style.” "We are thrilled to engage in a local event that fosters a deeper connection between music and community,” said Feng Yi, a local guitarist and singer-songwriter“The atmosphere at the festival every year is lit, and we can't wait to share our sense of art with everyone.” “It’s more than just a performance for us. It’s about connecting with the audience and creating a memorable experience together,” said Gill Mok, drummer of local band Wantamnam. Li Yun-kit, 33, a local resident was in the audience. “The music was incredible, and it felt great to support local talent in such a beautiful …
Reduced liquor tax makes merry for Wine and Dine Festival
- 2024-11-01
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: CHEN Yik Nam、MAO AnqiEdited by: Yi Yin CHOW
- 2024-11-01
The Chief Executive proposed to reduce liquor tax from 100% to 10% in this year’s policy address. This festival serves as a platform to help merchants advertise their liquors, as their costs are reduced from import duty adjustment.
Gen Z Brings Back The Aussie Mullet
- 2024-10-31
- Culture & Leisure
- By: KURNIAWAN Trista VaniaEdited by: Yee Ling TSANG、Tsz Wing CHAN
- 2024-10-31
Generation Z is bringing back an iconic Australian hairstyle, redefining its style and challenging old stereotypes. In the '80s, the mullet rose to fame through rock stars and athletes. Now, it’s making a bold comeback in Australia, with Generation Z embracing and reinventing the iconic hairstyle. With a fresh, modern twist and the power of social media, Gen Z is changing the mullet’s rebellious stereotype into a symbol of individuality and confidence.
Digital Nomads: A journey of discovery between freedom and challenge
- 2024-10-31
- Society
- By: CAO Jiawen、WANG JingEdited by: Wai Sum CHEUNG、Lisheng CHENG
- 2024-10-31
In April 2019, Yung Yi-fu, 27, a YouTuber with 185,000 subscribers, published his first video on YouTube—“Nepal Mountaineering ABC”. His short escapades into the landscape of tourism snowballed into a full-time career as he garnered more subscribers. “At that time, I didn’t realize I was a digital nomad,” Yung said, “I just happened to start a YouTube channel when people couldn’t travel abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. Digital nomads refer to people who rely entirely on the Internet to earn income, thereby breaking the strong relationship between work itself and time at work and moving around the world. According to Pumble, the number of digital nomads worldwide will exceed 40 million in 2024. “Digital Nomadism represents an attempt to ‘escape the cubicle’. These people create personalized and innovative life journeys and lifestyles,” said Olga Hannonen, a visiting researcher of social science at the University of Eastern Finland who studies lifestyle mobilities. “I have been to 66 countries up to now,” Yung said. “It’s fun for me to adapt to a different pace of life and make new friends whenever I go to a new country.” He plans to live in Ethiopia, Japan, and Turkey in the future. Hu Yicheng, 25, is a postgraduate student in Hong Kong. Once an employee for a well-known Chinese internet company, Hu left the company after it made a personnel adjustment. She originally wanted to take a break before returning to work, but she met a recruiter from a foreign company by chance. “He introduced the concept of being a digital nomad to me and said it could give me a work and life balance,” Hu said. She started working there for marketing duties. Hu once went to Dali, a city in Yunnan popular among digital nomads for its beautiful natural scenery, convenient …
Gen Z preserves Hong Kong’s nostalgia
- 2024-10-31
- Culture & Leisure
- By: LAI Uen Ling、WONG Hong NiEdited by: Wai Sum CHEUNG
- 2024-10-31
Deep in the heart of Kwun Tong is a treasure trove filled with vintage items, each with a Hong Kong story. From classic toys, school cabinets to piggy banks, each corner offers a glimpse into the past. The owner is 25-year-old Albert Lee. He was inspired by his father, who enjoys treasure hunting in flea markets with his family. Lee himself began his journey into nostalgia when he discovered a made-in-Hong Kong yoyo in Singapore. “Finding this Coca-Cola yo-yo reminded me of the one I used to have. Those memories were incredibly precious, which is why I wanted to continue collecting more toys like that,” he said. He found many nostalgia shops in Hong Kong gravitate towards items related to Japan, namely Shōwa Modan, a fusion between Japanese and Western styles. “I wondered why no young people started a Hong Kong nostalgia shop. Why do we have to buy nostalgic items from other places?” said Lee. To pay for his passion for collecting, Lee juggles with several part-time jobs. He originally focused on toys made in Hong Kong, but he now welcomes all sorts of items. Lee’s customers come from all ages. While Gen Z tend to look for pieces that evoke a certain aesthetic for decoration, older customers prefer items with historical value or things that bring back memories. Sometimes, he purchases items that seem valuable, only to realize they are not worth much. However, he believed it’s all about uncovering the stories behind them and learning from mistakes. “As I discover more about old stories of these items in my 20s, I can share them with the next generation, ensuring they aren’t lost,” Lee said. Lee is among the increasing number of Gen Zers who are keen to look into Hong Kong’s past. While some collect items, others …