Fringe Festival Imports Italy, Serves “Toxic” Symbolism

Hong Kong – Marcovaldo was a fictional Italian character. He became unmistakably Cantonese at this year’s City Festival. Forget the Italian protagonist’s name, the actor’s Korean accent, or the mostly English-language script. Marcovaldo’s story should resonate with everyone living in...

February 23rd, 2010 | Lifestyle Vox | Read More

Soko Islands – Plastics Pollution Poses Potential Health Hazard

Hong Kong — View the extent of plastics pollution on Hong Kong’s remotest beach on the southernmost of the Soko Islands. The mounds of accumulated plastic filth are an eyesore. What’s not immediately obvious is the health hazard posed by the tiny nurdles found in the sand – the pellets...

XRL – Railroading Consensus – It’s Not Working

Hong Kong – It’s just a short railway spur, running 26 km from Kowloon to the border with China. But it has ignited a slew of protests and rallies which culminated in angry crowds besieging the Legislative Council, trapping lawmakers and government officials inside for six hours. The controversy...

February 17th, 2010 | Featured Vox, Hong Kong Vox, | | Read More

H1N1 Flu – Sensationalised, Yes, But Also Deadly

Hong Kong – Was the Swine Flu pandemic overhyped? “Yes!” is the short answer, Thomas Abraham, director of the Public Health Media Project at the University of Hong Kong, said during a luncheon speech at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong, on February 1.

February 17th, 2010 | Global Vox, Health & Medicine Vox | Read More

H1N1 Flu – Pregnant Hong Kong Women Shun Vaccine

Hong Kong – The number of pregnant women in Hong Kong receiving the H1N1 vaccine continues to decline despite a recent study from Australia published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases that suggests pregnant women are more susceptible to severe complications from the pandemic influenza. Barry...

February 13th, 2010 | Health & Medicine Vox, Hong Kong Vox | Read More

H1N1 Flu – WHO Mulls Post-Pandemic Period

Hong Kong – The World Health Organization (WHO) said it will convene a meeting of experts to decide whether the current H1N1 influenza pandemic has subsided enough to enter into a “post-peak period.”

February 12th, 2010 | Global Vox | Read More

“Referendum” Bid Divides Hong Kong

Hong Kong – Heroic fight for democracy or pointless political farce? It’s a question that has polarised Hong Kong politics since five pro-democracy lawmakers resigned in late January in a bid to trigger a self-styled “referendum” on electoral reform.

February 12th, 2010 | Hong Kong Vox, | | Read More

H1N1 Flu – China Appears Relaxed About Pandemic

Hong Kong — Spring Festival travellers appear to be relaxed about catching or spreading H1N1 flu, despite concern that the mass movement of people could increase the rate of infections during this peak holiday travel period.

February 12th, 2010 | Global Vox, Health & Medicine Vox | Read More