đ HK Bussin (singular)
The politics just never runs out, does it?
Good morning,
Fancy a banana? Or an omelette? Or why not just combine the two and bring back some 2016 trend of the âhealthyâ banana pancake? Iâm really making these because making actual pancakes that taste a good deal better seems like a giant hassle, but these arenât bad. (10 - Ï)/10.
Recipe: mash one banana. Mix with 2 eggs until homogeneous. (Add some cinnamon.) Cook over low heat in a pan. Serve with whatever condiments. My suggestions: peanut butter, berries, whipped cream, syrup/honey, go nuts.
-Charlotte
On Todayâs Tide
Not so bussin | Public transport bus companies merge
Law & Crime | Veteran activist jailed for protest planning
COVID |
Social distancing measures extended to Jul 27th
Poll reveals upsetting COVID toll on ethnic minority workers
Some elective surgeries suspended by public hospitals
Politics | Free tongue twister headlines
John Leeâs housing task forcesâ first get-together!
2.5% pay rise for civil servants approved
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Health | Study onto long COVID to be conducted- recruiting now!
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One bus company to rule them all
But itâs not as bussin as it sounds. The public transport bus companies âCitybusâ and âNew World First Busâ will merge into a single franchise, to be called âCitybus Ltd'. (Condolences to the latter NWFB) The franchiseâs owner will invest HK$3.5 billion over the franchise term.
This move was to stem losses and was part of a 10-year franchise renewal by the government in order to fine-tune the cityâs bus network and deploy resources more flexibly from the single company, according to a spokesman.

However, a transport workersâ union said this would reduce competition and also was not solving underlying issues at the two companies.
The merger wonât affect current bus fares or current routes, though relevant route tweaks will be handled by the governmentâs annual route planning programme.
Citybus Ltd. will make its debut after July 1 next year, after the two individual franchises officially terminate.
75-year-old activist sentenced for planning coffin protests
A 9-month jail sentence was delivered to veteran activist Koo Sze-Yiu for planning a protest outside the Liaison Office of the Central Peopleâs Government earlier this year.
He planned to display a handcrafted coffin covered with protest slogans and political demands, something he has done before. On February 4th, police raided his flat to discover the political prop.
On Tuesday Koo was charged and convicted with attempting to or preparing to commit an act or acts with seditious intention at West Kowloon Court. He vowed to become a âmartyrâ for democracy and human rights.
âI have no regrets for the path I took. I shall rise again every time I fall, without the least bit of repentanceâŠDemocracy and human rights are above everything. The rights of a human are bigger than a country.â
The activist has 14 previous convictions, but will be eligible for early release next month.

COVID in Hong Kong

New cases: 2,759 (211 imported)
Total cases: 1,276,676
New deaths: 1
Total deaths: 9,207
Social distancing update
How the 5th wave has impacted ethnic minority groups
A survey conducted by Hong Kong Unison found that 48.9% - NEARLY HALF - of interviewed members of ethnic minority groups in HK were jobless during the 5th waveâs peak.
Public hospitals suspend elective surgeries
The increase in daily COVID cases has led to HKâs public hospitals suspending some non-urgent surgical procedures, so medical personnel and resources can be reallocated to combatting the virusâ spread.
Dr. Albert Au Ka-wing of the Centre for Health Protection says:
âThe number of confirmed cases and the hospitalised patients have shown a continuous upward trend, which doubled about every 10 to 14 days.â
âIf the trend continues, it will probably reach 5,000 or 6,000 in two weeks.â
New adminâs housing task force updates
Buckle up, kids. Forget about the release of Stranger Thingsâ newest (probably last?) season coming sometime in 2023. Why worry about that when you can wait instead for the housing task reports from the new administration? Coming by September, as pledged so far.
These enthralling reports will talk of land supply forecasts and measures to speed up the construction of public flats.
Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong said that in the next 5 years, there were targets to add about 100k more public housing units, and over 230k more units by 2032 over the second 5-year period.
On Tuesday, 2 working groups set up by John Leeâs new administration had their first meetings. Presumably to get started on the lofty promised goal of bettering living conditions for HKâs underprivileged.
Pay raises for civil servants approved
By 2.5%. This pay increase for all government workers was formally approved by the Hong Kong Executive Council. On Tuesday the proposal was sent to the legislature, where it will most likely pass.
This 2.5% rate is below what major unions wanted. Just last week civil service unions demanded a face-to-face meeting with John Lee to express their dissent over this âinsultingâ pay offer.
Itâs a HK$6.8 Billion more from taxpayers per year (projected). The pay increase will take place from last April.
Events and deals
Craft Logic 1 Year Anniversary
Our HT x partner Craft Logic celebrates their one year anniversary later this month on 24 July. Free craft beers and rare bottle sharing, lucky draws, discounts on other products.
And best of all - supporting local businesses and supporting us local media.
Where: Craft Logic, Central
When: 24 July, 18:00-22:00
For more local events, check out yesterdayâs High Tide.
Making Philosophy Relevant: How Philosophy helps us live a happier life?
In a new collaboration between the Goethe-Institut HK and philosophy outreach program âCorrupt the Youthâ, German philosopher Wilhelm Schmid speaks about how philosophy can help us lead a happier life.
Sign-up for his talk so he can make you happy!
Where: Library, Goethe-Institut HK
When: 14th July, 19:30-21:00
How much: $50HKD
How to sign up: www.art-mate.net (2829 9917)
or email library-hongkong@goethe.de
Limited Seats. Please register on or before 12th July 2022.
ReThink HK returns 5-6 Oct
HT is proud to once again be a media partner for ReThink - HKâs biggest and most exciting sustainability conference. This yearâs conference invites more than 300 expert speakers to share their visions and insights, covering important topics like economic progression while coexisting with nature harmoniously, efficient use of resources, transformation to a low-carbon society, and circular economy for future generations.
Sign up here using the code HTP22 for 40% off!
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