• Television Corporation of Singapore Fonds

    Fonds/Collection

  • News and Current Affairs Series

    Series

  • 29/06/1997

    Record Date

  • 29/06/1997

    Broadcast/Release Date

  • 00:30:00

    Recorded Duration

  • English

    Recording Language

  • 1997000603

    Accession No.

  • Audiovisual

    Type

  • U-Matic

    Format

  • Access permitted

    Conditions Governing Access

  • Use and reproduction require written permission from copyright owner(s). Processing of reproduction request may require 7 working days.

    Conditions Governing Reproduction


  • Synopsis :

    1.  Hong Kong's chief executive designate, Tung Chee-hwa today, said his administration will hold elections next May. This, according to Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who met Mr. Tung earlier. It's the first time, a specific month has been mentioned for polls, to replace China's appointed legislature, with an elected one. And that's surely good news, for the world leaders in Hong Kong for the handover, who've been pressing China, to fulfil its promises, on the territory's future. Promises which Chinese President Jiang Zemin says, Beijing will keep.

    The Chinese leader said, Beijing would firmly uphold the principles, of one country, 2 systems. He also promised, that Hong Kong would have a high degree to autonomy. Mr. Jiang, who will head China's delegation at the handover, is expected to cross the Chinese border into Hong Kong, late on Monday. And while the Chinese are preparing to take over Hong Kong, others are bidding their final farewell.

    2.  The mood in Hong Kong on the last weekend, before its transition to China, seems no different from any other day. As our correspondent Angela Ee reports, most Hong Kongers were out taking advantage of the good weather.
    3.  Information Technology tariffs worldwide, will begin shrinking from Tuesday, when the IT Agreement's first phase, takes effect. Singapore Trade Development Board says, local firms stand to gain tariff savings, of $1.49 billion dollars, when the agreement is fully implemented, in the year 2005. Tariffs in most participating countries, will be completely gone by the year 2000. But some developing countries, are given till 20-05, to do away with their tariffs.

    The IT Agreement, was first agreed to, at the inaugural Singapore WTO Ministerial Conference last December, and the first phase was concluded in March. There are now 44 signatories, representing 92% of global IT trade, which is worth about S$840billion. The Agreement, liberalises 5 sectors covering computers, telecommunications equipment, semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment and scientific instruments.

    4.  More than half of the people killed in road accidents this year, were riding motorcycles. According to the National Safety Council of Singapore, out of 110 people killed, 63 were motorcyclists and their pillion riders.
    5.  Three people were killed yesterday in separate road accidents. A foreign worker, died after falling off a wooden plank, at the back of a lorry. Police said Kongsin Sribut suffered head injuries, and was sent to Tan Tock Seng Hospital where he died. Lim Wai Teng died at the junction of Jalan Bahar, and a slip road leading to PIE. Her car collided with a lorry, and hit another car at the slip road. The third accident occurred at the cross junction of International Road, Yong Kuang Road and Corporation Road. Motorcyclist Jagjeet Singh collided with a private bus, and died on the spot. Witnesses are asked to call the police at 222 2233.
    6.  After a week long lull in the West Bank, fresh violence has broken out once again, between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians. The latest clashes, erupted after Palestinian shopkeepers found anti-Muslim posters, plastered on some 20 shops. The offending pictures were signed by a banned racist Jewish group, Kach. Palestinians have planned a general strike in East Jerusalem, bringing with it the prospect of yet more violence.

    Meanwhile in Tel Aviv, thousands of Israelis gathered at Rabin Square, where the former prime minister was killed demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu step down, and make way for new elections. The stalled middle east peace process, plus internal scandals within Mr. Netanyahu's coalition, have fuelled speculation, that the government might not serve out, its remaining three years.

    7.  Albanians have begun voting in a general election, widely seen as a turning point in the country's recent civil unrest.
    8.  Another British institution has closed in Hong Kong, as the colony prepares to return to Chinese sovereignty. British Forces Radio, broadcast its last regular programme today, from a container inside the Prince of Wales barracks.
    9.  While thousands of Singaporeans began flying to Hong Kong over the weekend for the handover, almost as many Hong Kong travellers, arrived here for a holiday. TCS News spoke to some of the visitors, to find out why they decided to spend this historic time, away from home.
    10. The National University Hospital hopes non-practising doctors, will be inspired to do research and development, into areas which it says, the medical services has neglected. The Hospital's first Young Doctor and Young Scientist award-winners, turned their microscopes on dust mites and gastric cancer.
    11. A month-long of feasting begins today, with the opening of the fourth Singapore Food Festival, at Ngee Ann City's civic plaza. It's showcasing Singapore, as a food haven where the world comes to feast.
    12. In Sri Lanka, a six year old elephant will continue to hobble along on three legs, because a plan to fit the animal with a prosthetic limb fell through. Sama the elephant, lost part of a limb when it stepped on a land mine. And the authorities do not want a new leg for the animal, as it's afraid it will only highlight the country's landmine problem. Tourism officials say, as long as Sama is living and breathing, there is no need for the porsthetic leg and that she is happy with her surroundings. But international animal welfare workers are not giving up. They have pledged to fight for the legal right to help Sama, even if it means removing her from Sri Lanka.
    13. In sports news. Evander Holyfield has retained his World Boxing Association heavyweight title. This after challenger Mike Tyson was disqualified, for twice biting Holyfield in the ear, in the third round. Tyson was looking to regain the title he lost to Holyfield last November.
    14. Tennis and some results from Wimbledon. Big-serving Goran Ivanisevic is out of the competition. The second seed, and two-time losing finalist, set a new record for the number of aces in a match but still sank to a remarkable 6-3, 2-6, 7-6, 4-6, 14-12 second round defeat against Sweden's Magnus Norman. Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, Michael Stich and Andrei Medvedev, all won their 2nd round ties.

    And it was a good day too for the local boys, with both Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski making it through to the third round. Henman, seeded 14th, beat Jerome Golmard of France 7-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the rain delayed second round. While compatriot Rusedski made one of the greatest comebacks in recent Wimbledon history coming from two sets behind to beat American Jonathan Stark 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3, 11-9.

    15. Hockey, the SHF Women's Knockout Final. The Dutch Club claimed the women's title, when they squeezed past a stubborn Singapore Recreation Club side, in the final played last night at Delta Stadium.
    16. Soccer, the Tiger Beer S-League. It was a night of upsets and record breaking feats - Jurong stunned Geylang United while Balestier Central pounded Tampines Rovers 8-2. But league leaders SAFFC went about the way with another comfortable 3-1 win against Home United.

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