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Marking its 20th edition this year, the Hong Kong International Literary Festival (HKILF) is taking on a hybrid format. Combining virtual and live events, the festival allows patrons to enjoy the festival no matter the coronavirus situation in November. From November 5 to 15, HKILF will be hosting panels, discussions and readings, bringing together established and emerging writers and discovering new voices and perspectives.“Going virtual has allowed us to bring a wider range of high-profile authors to the festival than ever before,” the festival’s executive director Catherine Platt said.
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festival.org.hk
LEPTOSPIROSIS CASES ON THE RISE
Spread in running water, leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread by rat urine that is washed into freshwater sources like puddles, streams and waterways during downpours. Dogs can become infected and develop leptospirosis if their gums (or skin with any cuts) come into contact with infected urine, urine-contaminated soil or water, leading to acute renal failure, liver disease and possible death. “As well as possible detergents, rat poisons and other chemicals discarded by humans, a host of disease organisms left by other animals walking by could be ingested by your dog,” said Dr Pauline Taylor, a veterinarian at Pets Central. To prevent your dog from contracting leptospirosis, the easiest thing to do is to never allow them to play or drink from freshwater.
ENHALE MEDITATION STUDIO CLOSES ITS DOORS
After months of Covid-19 and on-and-off social distancing restrictions, Enhale Meditation Studio closed its doors on August 28. Following a brief period of reopening, gyms and fitness centres in Hong Kong have been closed since mid-July due to a third-wave outbreak of the Covid-19. Many studios including Enhale have pivoted to offering online classes since the forced closure, but some are finding it difficult to engage with their clients online the same way. “Covid-19 has made it challenging to gather and we’ve had to make the difficult decision to close our doors. We poured our hearts into providing a safe space but cannot continue to operate at this time,” a statement on the studio’s Instagram said.
WINE & DINE ONLINE
Originally set to take place at Central Harbourfront in October, the four-day Wine & Dine Festival will be switched to an online occasion that spans across several weeks. In lieu of the usual pop-up market format, this year’s festival will see a busy line-up of events including wine tasting, cooking classes with chefs, wine auctions and more – all happening online for the public to take part in.
HANDS OFF
As part of anti-pandemic efforts, Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) has developed a contactless panel to lessen the risk of coronavirus transmission whilst using an elevator. The new panel, named kNOw Touch, is made of a sensor that can be easily installed inside the elevator. By detecting the blockage
IN YOUR BACKYARD
HK TRAMWAYS AND CHECKCHECKCIN PREPARES YOU FOR AUTUMN
With autumn just around the corner, local companies HK Tramways and CheckCheckCin have joined forces to bring Hongkongers a new and reflection of infrared light, the location of a person’s floating fingertips can be identified into coordinates and signals to control the buttons. The device can be applied to all brands and models of elevators as its interface is added on physically and no protocol is needed. It is currently being deployed into various government buildings including the EMSD Headquarters. limited edition osmanthus and pear rice water. In Chinese medicine, Yin Qi predominates as the weather cools, meaning that your regimen during this time should focus on nourishment, moistening and maintaining peace of mind. Cool in nature, pears can nourish the lungs and promote fluidity, while sweet-scented osmanthus helps relieve depression. The new drink combines both of these elements together with rice water, which helps strengthen your stomach and promises to be a source of nourishment post-summer. The limited edition osmanthus and pear rice water is now available at the HK Tramways online shop, CheckCheckCin, Green Common, HKTVmall,
Ztore and Citysuper. hktramways.com
