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Society

US Election 2024: Voters in Washington DC hope for unity and change

  • 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 …

Society

Hongkongers celebrate Halloween spirit despite struggles for local vendors

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 …

Society

Popfest brings the community together to support local talent

  • 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 …

Society

Reduced liquor tax makes merry for Wine and Dine Festival

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.

Culture & Leisure

Gen Z Brings Back The Aussie Mullet

  • 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.

Society

Digital Nomads: A journey of discovery between freedom and challenge

  • 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 …

Culture & Leisure

Gen Z preserves Hong Kong’s nostalgia

  • 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 …

Health & Environment

Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival stops plastic cups following single-use plastic ban

The Wine and Dine Festival last weekend stopped serving plastic cups following the government's plastic ban and encouraged guests to bring their own glasses or buy them on-site, as visitors increased by 10% from last year. The move aligned with the city’s' plastic-free initiatives, said Raymond Chan Chun-man, the Hong Kong Tourism Board's general manager of event and product development, “We encourage people to bring their own wine glasses. Instead, each visitor will receive a souvenir glass sleeve," he said. Wine glasses were also sold for $50. Participating restaurants and bars were allowed to pass out their own cutlery and cups to customers. “While we do recommend them to use the cups we provided, it is not within our purview to decide how they use them,” said Wong, a staff worker at the event who asked not to disclose his full name. Last year, plastic cups were sold at the festival for HK$5 each. The five-day festival at the Central Harbourfront expanded its opening hours until 11pm for the first time, with more than 300 participating booths offering thousands of global wines and cuisine, attracting about 155,000 visitors. Some visitors said the use of wine glasses enhanced their tasting experience, in terms of flavour and convenience. “Paper cups produce more bubbles in the middle of the drink and indirectly distort the flavour of the wine, whereas glasses do not,” said Kelvin Lee, a clerk at a non-profit organisation that supports children’s mental health. “If you finish a drink from one store and you want to go to the next one, the booth holder just needs to help you to swish the glass with water and then you can continue to use it,” said Jo Man, the CEO of the same NGO. “After guests have finished their wine, we clean their …

Society

Gen Z entrepreneurs give new life to waste fabric

Several toy bears in cute uniforms sat at a booth at Rethink HK 2024. Many passersby stopped to take photos and touched them gently.  These bears were wearing clothes made from discarded old school uniforms. Their handbags and hats were also made from waste fabrics. Dress Green, a social enterprise founded by 29-year-old Emma Yu and her husband, has partnered with around 30 local schools to recycle used school uniforms into the UNI Green Series.  The Series offers a wide variety of souvenirs for student graduation gifts, including bears wearing old uniforms, pencil bags, tote bags, pouch shoulder bags, fisherman’s hats, cushions etc.  Since the startup's inception in 2021, it has recycled over 3,000 uniforms and pieces of clothing, and produced more than 4,500 upcycling products, according to Dress Green. The growth of Hong Kong's fast fashion industry has resulted in tons of textile waste being sent to landfills, and many Gen Z members have discovered the serious impact of textile industry pollution on the environment and have created sustainable brands in the hope of combating excessive fabric waste and drawing more attention to the issue. “I felt that Gen Z are more focused on sustainability issues than the previous generation,” said Howard Ling, 49, a social enterprise consultant and Professor of Practice at Baptist University. “This is because they are getting more information about environmental protection from diversified media channels and also from schools and communities.”  With the rise of fast fashion, the amount of clothing produced and thrown away has skyrocketed. According to the European Parliament, the global fashion industry generated nearly 20% of the wastewater and about 10% of the carbon emissions in 2023.  In Hong Kong, 404 tons of textile waste were sent to landfills each day in 2021, accounting for 3.6% of municipal solid waste, …

Business

Hong Kong Fintech Week 2024: Virtual banks call for customised policy rollout to enhance competitiveness

  • By: ZHAO Runtong、BO ChuxuanEdited by: Chi On LIU
  • 2024-10-29

Hong Kong's virtual banks need more regulations that would make them more competitive compared to the conventional brick-and-mortar banks, the experts said on Tuesday. "HKMA treats us the same as traditional banks, and its policies are based more on the status quo of traditional banks, which took a lot of our time and manpower and affected our normal business operations," said Tobie Marais, the head of the Information and Cyber Security of Mox Bank, in the Hong Kong Fintech Week. Marais's call follows the latest decision from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to stop issuing licences for branchless banks in August, which will give the city's current eight virtual banks more space to grow. The eight licensed digital banks together gained HK$49.9 billion in assets last year, which accounts for only 0.3% of the total market shares, according to the HKMA's data. Paul Tang, the chief operating officer of Payment Asia, echoed the proposal that virtual banks need more pertinent regulations to support their business expansion in the short term. "The investment cost of virtual banks is high in the early stage, while the operation mode is also different from traditional banks," said Tang. The virtual banks in Hong Kong were established with the mission of stimulating more innovations, fintech adaptations, and competitiveness. Nonetheless, all eight licences haven't started to make profits and have to follow the exact requirements as brick-and-mortar banks, according to the city's de facto central bank. Virtual banks, such as Air Star, provide up to 6.88% of annual interest rates, offering higher interest rates to attract people's deposits. "Digital banks are different from traditional banks, so old ways don't fit. Only with new policies can digital banks leverage their unique advantages," said Oliver Hughes, Head of International Business at TBC Bank Group, highlighting that virtual banks …