Author: Wynna Wong

The Sky is Not the Limit: Protecting Yourself from In-Flight Thieves Have you ever wondered how aeroplane thieves operate? Recent reports show an alarming increase in in-flight theft cases since the reopening of borders. Thieves target passengers’ valuables, such as cash and credit cards, often rummaging through bags stowed in overhead compartments while passengers are unaware. 1. The Rise of In-Flight Thefts In 2023, 13 in-flight theft cases were reported, indicating a concerning trend. Some thefts have even been linked to organized crime syndicates, making it crucial for passengers to be vigilant. 2. How Thieves Operate Thieves target bags in…

After a recent earthquake in Japan, minor injuries were reported and a tsunami advisory was issued, with small waves recorded in some areas. Following this, a “megaquake advisory” was also issued, warning of a potential major earthquake in the coming week. Hong Kong updated its travel alert for Japan, urging caution and monitoring of the situation. Travellers were advised by the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers to check their insurance policies for coverage related to the earthquake. Policies purchased before August 8 were more likely to be covered, while those bought after may not cover related incidents. Cancellation policies due…

The Hong Kong government has denounced Taiwanese authorities for politicizing the national security law by issuing a second-highest travel warning for the city. The government spokesman emphasized the necessity of safeguarding national security, drawing parallels with other common law jurisdictions. He criticized Taiwan for spreading misinformation and disparaging the national security law. In response, Taiwan raised concerns about Hong Kong’s national security laws and cases of Taiwanese citizens being detained in mainland China, prompting an “orange” travel warning. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council highlighted the risks faced by Taiwanese travelers in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau due to recent judicial…

Welcome July 1 Celebration with Hong Kong’s Discounted Dining Offers As Hong Kong gears up to celebrate the July 1 handover, the dining sector is offering exciting discounts, including HK$7.1 egg tarts and special hotel buffets, despite the challenging environment. Around 2,000 restaurants are participating in the celebratory campaign, with major hotels like Fullerton Ocean Park also joining in this year. However, the numbers fell short of expectations, with food and catering lawmaker Tommy Cheung Yu-yan expressing hopes to attract more participants. Amid challenges faced by the industry, selective offerings instead of blanket discounts are being observed. Despite this, the…

A surge in people bringing prohibited food items into Hong Kong from mainland China without proper health certificates has prompted lawmaker Peter Shiu Ka-fai to call for increased border inspections. The number of violations has increased by 55% compared to last year, leading to concerns about safety risks and impacts on local businesses. Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan reported 431 non-compliance cases and 503 prosecutions this year, up by 51.5%. Shiu emphasized the need for improved public education and stricter checks at the border to prevent further violations. He suggested deploying sniffer dogs, X-ray machines, and manual inspections…

A recent survey conducted by the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO) revealed that 6.2% of respondents opposed government plans to eliminate subdivided flats due to various concerns. These concerns include the fear of becoming homeless, difficulties in meeting relocation requirements, and disruptions to their children’s education and social support networks. The Society for Community Organisation reveals the results of a survey of people living in low-quality housing on government plans to end subdivided flats. Photo: Xiaomei Chen SoCO’s survey of 497 individuals living in substandard housing also found that the majority aspire to move into government housing but face challenges…

A Hong Kong secondary school has reported a recent hacking incident where personal information of students, staff, and parents over the past four years was blocked. The school, Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity, discovered the blocked access to around eight terabytes of data on May 13, including personal details of individuals dating back to 2017. Following the incident, the school shut down its campus network and reported the hack to the Education Bureau and police. The school is currently investigating the breach and conducting computer scans and reinstallation works to secure its system. In light of the recent ransomware…

Tragic Incident: Hong Kong Taxi Driver Dies After Passing Out at the Wheel A 52-year-old taxi driver named Yeung tragically passed out while driving on a busy interchange in Hong Kong, resulting in him crashing into a kerb. Fortunately, there were no passengers in the vehicle at the time of the incident. Despite the quick actions of other drivers who witnessed the event and called emergency services, Yeung was declared dead at Tuen Mun Hospital a few hours later. This incident is a grim reminder of previous accidents involving taxi drivers in Hong Kong. Last year, a similar case occurred…

Tensions between Beijing and Washington escalated as the US condemned a Hong Kong court’s decision to ban the protest song “Glory to Hong Kong”. The Chinese foreign ministry’s office in Hong Kong fired back, accusing US officials of meddling and warned them to stop “disgracing themselves”. The dispute revolved around the court’s ruling that the song incited division and violated national security laws. The US State Department criticized the decision, expressing concerns about eroding human rights protections in Hong Kong. The ban prohibits the distribution and performance of the song with separatist intentions. While the court justified its decision, the…

The debt burden for the construction of Hong Kong’s airport expansion has reached a staggering HK$123 billion (US$15.7 billion), with no end in sight to the levy on passengers flying out of the city. The Airport Authority recently announced that the total debt for the airport expansion project, set to be completed this year, has skyrocketed due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Significant increases were seen as a result of the Covid pandemic. Since the three-runway system will be introduced in phases, it is uncertain when we can cease charging the related levies,” said Julian Lee Pui-hang, the…