On Thursday's 123 Show, we're hearing about the Hong Kong International Young Readers Festival which is going ... virtual. We're joined by Professor Julia Kuehn, head of the School of English at the University of Hong Kong. After 2, Saadia Usmani joins us for our regular Thursday Chinwag to talk about how people's sleep and dreams have been affected by Covid-19. And after 2.30, Sadie Kaye interviews depressed banker Christina Yung in an uplifting episode of her slightly strange Mental Ideas.

Contact Noreen on 123show@rthk.hk or on Facebook  @NoreenMirRTHKradio3

Good morning and welcome to Thursday on Morning Brew. We’re nearly at the end of a Hong Kong week that will likely forevermore warrant more than a cursory couple of lines in Wikipedia. Commentator Steve Vines will be with us at 10.10 for his regular chat and chew. After 11, part four (of five) of James Ross’ mini series “Music of My Life” with Spandau Ballet’s Steve Norman. At 11.40 we’ll visit our vet Dr. David Gething at his hospital, for more pet talk. And finally, join JC Viens for your weekly wine whine at 12.10. Join us on Facebook live (with video) throughout the morning.

(9:30am-1pm, email morningbrew@rthk.hk and Facebook)

On Thursday's Backchat, more on the National People's Congress' plan to draft a National Security Law for Hong Kong.

Police said they had arrested almost 300 people on suspicion of illegal assembly by around 5pm on Wednesday, after moving to stamp out protests against Hong Kong's incoming national anthem and national security laws. The protests came ahead of the afternoon debate among lawmakers to criminalise insults to the national anthem with up to three years in jail.
Tsai Ing-wen meanwhile has pledged to draw up a plan to give humanitarian relief to people involved in Hong Kong's protests.

What do you make of developments? Do you agree that it would only be right to ban foreign judges in Hong Kong from presiding over cases involving national security?

Let us know your thoughts. You can leave a message on our Facebook Page Backchat on RTHK Radio 3, email us at backchat@rthk.hk, or give us a call on 23388266

President Trump said on Tuesday he is preparing to take action against China this week over the planned national security laws in Hong Kong, but he did not give details. He told reporters at the White House, “we’re doing something now. I think you’ll find it very interesting. But I won’t be talking about it today.” He added “it’s hard to see how Hong Kong can remain a financial hub if China takes over.” Earlier in the day, two US Senators introduced the Hong Kong Autonomy Act which would impose mandatory sanctions on entities that violate China's obligations to Hong Kong under the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. The legislation would also impose mandatory secondary sanctions on banks that do business with these parties. China’s foreign ministry said Beijing would react to any sanctions from Washington. The resolution is due to be put to a vote on Thursday and then passed to the NPC Standing Committee, China’s top legislative body, to craft the bill in detail.

On Thursday’s Money Talk, we’re joined by Quentin Webb, Asia Markets Editor at the Wall Street Journal and John Schofield, Executive Director at Apastron Investment. With a view from Taiwan is Taipei-based Independent Political Risk Consultant Ross Feingold.

(Every weekday 8:00-8:30 am, except PHs, email moneytalk@rthk.hk, or visit our Facebook page Money Talk on RTHK Radio 3, or Twitter MoneyTalkRadio3)