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)
â Cyril
On Todayâs Tide
Environment |
Local sparrow numbers improve
Local rice variety growing again
COVID | Macau is kinda back
Society | Childrenâs 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
Become a premium subscriber for just $8US a month â extra daily news and weekend roundups!
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 ârice expertsâ noting that it tasted grainy and took up sauce better than other varieties, making it very suitable for local cuisine.
COVID in Hong Kong


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 uhâŠbaby 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 âlacking compassionâ.
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 âchildcare assistantâ 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 Weekâs 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.
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 - 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!
This is the end of your free time on Tide.
Become a Premium subscriber to see what lies behind the paywall - extra news everyday and on weekends.
But wait thereâs more - Premium subscribers get additional discounts on all HT x partnerships:
Canât go Premium yet? No worries, there are other ways to support High Tide:
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to High Tide to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.