🌊The birds are back, the rice is back. Nature is healing.

Finally some (largely) good news

Harbour Times

Aug 18

Good morning.

Shout out to this lovely gentleman who sent me good news after we asked.

I hope all your hall passing goes well and your wife lets you renew it too.

Keep the good news coming! We always need more (the normal news is depressing enough)

— Cyril

On Today’s Tide

Environment |
- Local sparrow numbers improve
- Local rice variety growing again
COVID | Macau is kinda back
Society | Children’s care home updates
Events

Behind the paywall:

Politics |
- 29 Democrats to plead guilty; reporting ban lifted
- John Lee exempt from electoral law breaches
Business | UK National Security law bars takeover in HK

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We were the virus, nature is healing!

Sparrow populations at a 36% rebound

The latest census released by the Hong Kong bird watching society found that the local sparrow population has had a 36% rebound - about 287,000 sparrows, a rebound from last year's record low of 211,000.

Despite the good news, the society was unable to figure out why the population has fluctuated so much in recent years.

Local rice back on local plates

Local agriculture has been back on the rise in recent years, with some finding a sense of identity in farming locally, rather than just eating up imports (which I am doing because I have no respect for the environment).

So it makes sense that the AFCD are working to re-introduce a local rice variety Fa Yiu Tsai onto the local market.

The AFCD planted a test in 2019 using seeds stored in the seed bank by the government in the 1960s, and recently harvested it with “rice experts” noting that it tasted grainy and took up sauce better than other varieties, making it very suitable for local cuisine.

Hong Kong SAR Government News @newsgovhk

The Centre for Health Protection says it is looking into 5,563 additional locally acquired #COVID19 cases, of which 2,167 were directly identified through nucleic acid tests and 3,396 via verified rapid antigen tests news.gov.hk/eng/2022/08/20…

COVID-19 in Hong Kong

New cases:
Total cases:
New deaths:
Total deaths:
Compulsory Testing locations: 65

Macau kinda opens back up to tourists

Macanese authorities announced yesterday that you will no longer need to show proof of vaccination to enter Macau. However, you will still need to show a negative PCR test and be quarantined for 7 days.

So uh…baby steps?

Another jailed for child abuse

30 year old Cheung Wai-Yin has been sentenced to 6.5 months for abusing one year olds at the Prince Edward foster home.

Cheung previously admitted guilty to pushing and slapping them. Judge Peony Wong described Cheung as “lacking compassion”.

Childcare committee report done

The initial report on the Prince Edward home by Committee on Review of Residential Child Care and Related Services was finished on Wednesday.

The report gives 30 suggestions including

Adding staff experienced in child care and law enforcement to the Child Care Centers Advisory Inspectorate
Making the Inspectorate do random checks of video footage at SWD children homes
Increasing overall staff-kids ratio
Adding ‘childcare assistant’ positions to take up workload
Introducing social workers, nursery, clinical psychologists

Events and deals

Support Harbour Times, our friends and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes

Schol! Belgium Beer Week: 22 - 28 Aug

Belgium Beer Week’s first foray outside of their home country sees them expanding across the world and Hong Kong is leading by example, having a whooping 11 venues to celebrate in - one of the highest number in the world.

Each bar will host their own events during the week.

harbourtimes

A post shared by Harbour Times | Hong Kong News (@harbourtimes)

See our full coverage for details on location, timings and events!

Lifeline Mental Health Livefest at The Wanch

The uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic has made it exceedingly difficult for the music industry, particularly live music. Indefinite restrictions have taken a heavy toll on the mental health of not only the artists, but also the thousands of people who work alongside them.

On 20th August 2022, Musicians Foundation will be conducting an afternoon of TedX-style talks focusing on raising awareness on music and mental health.

When: Sat 20 Aug, 3-5pm
Where: The Wanch
Cost: Free
Sign up here (places limited for COVID regulations)

Official media partner: ReThink HK returns 5-6 Oct

HT is proud to once again be a media partner for ReThink - HK’s biggest and most exciting sustainability conference. This year’s 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!