News feed：A bleak Christmas
【明報專訊】The dance club infection cluster (歌舞群組) led to the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. That has undermined the festive mood. A survey shows that from late October to mid-November as many as 49% of interviewees said they would refrain from spending, 15% higher than 2019. On the other hand, Hong Kong's retail figures tumbled for 21 months in a row. Traders are pessimistic (悲觀的) about the dismal market and they expect that their shops will need to be shut down to save money.
“ Bill: We're faced with a dismal weather! ”
“ Dr Panda: Yes, dismal conditions for business as well. But we mustn't give up! ”
■The Smarties wish you a Merry Christmas. Check out vol. 298 of Smarties' Power English on 6 January 2021!
■Today's Ming Pao News from Hong Kong, China and the world：bit.ly/31K5xlh Valid for 30 days
[Smarties' Power English 第297期]
Infographic：Holiday spending!
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Horizon：Religious festivals
【明報專訊】In Hong Kong, we enjoy a relatively long Christmas holiday. As a... 詳情
Comic：Saint Nicholas, the real Santa Claus
【明報專訊】Christmas is coming. The Smarties are decorating their rooms. ... 詳情
