Thursday

This is our CHK's NewsRab podcast, bringing you the biggest stories from Hong Kong. China has issued its first ever absolute targets for cutting planet warming gases. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. Beijing's announcement was delivered via video by President Xi Jinping to a UN climate summit where about 120 nations outlined plans to curb global warming. China will reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7-10% from peak levels, striving to do better. Increase the share of non-fossil fuels in total energy consumption to over 30%. Mr. Xi said the targets represent China's best efforts based on the requirements of the Paris Agreement. He added that meeting the targets require both painstaking efforts by China and a supportive and open international environment. The President stressed that China has the resolve and confidence to deliver on its commitments. He noted that green and low carbon transition is the trend of our time. Mr. Xi said while some countries are acting against it, the international community should stay focused in the right direction. The summit comes a day after US President Donald Trump used his UN General Assembly speech to blast climate change as a con job, and criticized countries for embracing renewable energy technologies. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres hosted the climate leaders summit on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. He asked countries to announce their new climate targets to drum up momentum for the global climate negotiations in November. Locally, Security Minister Chris Tang says the government will look into whether taking children to the seaside during a typhoon could constitute neglect. On Tuesday, a woman and her son fell into the sea while watching waves in Taiwan. The father jumped into the water to try to save them. The man is now stable in hospital while the condition of his wife and their five-year-old son has improved from critical to serious Elvis due reports. Secretary for Security Chris Tang told RTHK that the incident was very unfortunate. "We do not have an offense for chasing wind and watching waves, but if you are heading to a place, for example a beach that the government says is closed, and you still enter, there will be a penalty. Whether or not parents taking their children to dangerous places amounts to child neglect, I think we have to look into that." Mr Tang said the government hopes residents will be self-disciplined and isn't aiming to arrest them in such cases. Speaking of the super typhoon regars a trick at Hong Kong's second hurricane signal number 10 of the year, the security chief said the city has made a quick return to normality. He emphasized that work to clear-blocked roads and walkways began as soon as possible or when feasible, rather than after the typhoon signals were lowered to allow people to return to work and school. All typhoon alerts were cancelled today with the number one signal coming down at 11.20 a.m. as super typhoon regarza gradually moved away from Hong Kong and was expected to weaken further when the Wang reports. The observatory said due to the combined effects of regarza and the rich of high pressure, there will still be occasional strong winds of shore and on high ground, as well as some squally showers and thunderstorms all over Hong Kong. It added that as seas would be rough with swells, people are advised to stay away from the shore and refrain from engaging in water spots. Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mabel Chan said, in view of the frequent typhoons and floods seen over the summer, multiple government departments have made advanced preparations and coordinated with one another. For example, she said the fire services department is prepared to clear major obstructions with heavy machinery or the high waste department has pre-stocked materials for urgent road repairs. Miss Chan also told the radio program that the airport was speeding up flight handling after regarza affected more than 1,000 flights. She said the airport would get back to normal operations in one to two days. Airport operations appear to have resumed smoothly according to passengers following the widespread flight cancellations caused by regarza, Haley It reports. Around 140,000 people are thought to have been affected by delays in cancellations since Tuesday involving more than 1,000 flights. When flights resumed, some passengers arrived early to check in, with many praising airlines for their proactive communication. People are THK spoke to, said the advanced notice allowed them to avoid a prolonged wait at the airport. One traveler, surname D'Loc, had her flight to the United Kingdom canceled on Wednesday. Despite the disruption, she expressed appreciation for the airline's arrangements. Looking at it another way, if they let you fly and it's actually unsafe, that's not good either. I think this time at least we didn't have to be stuck waiting here. They notified us early so we could wait at home. Although our plans and the situation are upsetting, it can't be changed. At least we weren't crowding the airport and there weren't people feeling scared and anxious. A passenger surname D'Loc, experienced an 11 hour delay to her trip to Australia to visit relatives. She said the advance warning allowed her to sleep until her revised departure time. I already knew that there would be a typhoon and that there was a chance I might not be able to board the flight. I just hoped I could get on. However, since they announced that flights wouldn't be operating, it was better to avoid the danger. I think that's okay and everyone can understand that. The airport authority earlier stated that it may take up to two days to fully manage the situation and clear the backlog of passengers. With the airport expected to be extremely busy, officials urged all travelers to confirm their flight status with their airline before heading to the airport and to allow extra time for their journey there. The housing department, as expressed concern about a cleaner, went to work as usual yesterday morning, even though the T10 signal wasn't forced. Damon Pang has a story. Video footage on social media shows the cleaner struggling to move her rubbish cart around as she is battered by strong winds at Tin Show Estate in Tin Show Y. The housing department said officials had spoken to the cleaner who said she had been concerned that rubbish would pal up in her absence. In response to media enquiries, the department expressed its appreciation of the cleaner's professionalism. It also advised her to pay attention to safety during work and follow established work arrangements with the employer under adverse weather. The contractor involved was asked to follow up on the matter and ensure there's no repeat of the incidents. The department noted that under government guidelines on adverse weather workers should avoid going outdoors as much as possible and that they should be provided with suitable safety equipment. Labor Chief Kristen says the government has no intention of regulating work suspension arrangements during adverse and extreme weather conditions. He was responding to a lawmaker's concerns, Elvis U reports. Under existing labor department guidelines, workers who are not classified as designated staff should remain in a safe place instead of reporting for work as usual during severe weather. At a legislative council meeting, Federation of Trade Union's Mamaka Kwokwai Comset, the guy nice like binding legal effects and a definition of designated staff is fake. In response, Secretary for Labor Chris Sunset is in practical to specify designated staff and explain why legislation is not practical. The legislation will not necessarily have a positive impact. Let me give an example. Generally speaking, providing meals is not something people consider a necessity during adverse weather. However, if an organization that supplies meals to hospitals and nursing homes suspends its work, what will patients, the elderly, and the disabled eat? This example shows that society is complex and interconnected. If the government were to legislate, of course the intention would be good, but the outcome might not be as expected. Mr. Kwokwai also raised concerns about those workers who are not provided with travel and additional duty allowances during adverse weather. Mr. Sunset, the Labor Department does not keep figures on cause for assistance in complaints regarding work arrangements during inclement weather. If workers encounter any unreasonable treatment, he added, they can seek help from the Department of File Complaints. A former observatory assistant director, says Hong Kong was fortunate to have escaped relatively unscathed from regasa. Lang Wing-Mo, spokesperson for the Meteorological Society, pointed out that the storm's maximum wind speed was not as strong as that of super typhoon man cut in 2018. I think as far as intensity is concerned, there is no doubt at all that regasa is a super typhoon. Not just that, it is a super typhoon where it is way back and whether or not the civic, it is also maintained super typhoon intensity all the way coming very close to Hong Kong. Regasa is really kind of a monster storm, but regarding damage, imperative, it seems to be to a lesser degree compared with may good. Well, there are a couple of reasons, I suppose. One of the reasons is, of course, the between Ragaza and his closest approach compared with the other storms. You see, when Ragaza, when the number 10 was hoisted, it was about 120 km away from Hong Kong. That was farther than Manggood's. So with the longer distance, the intensity of the wind that far away from the storm center is obviously reduced. The other way of comparing Ragaza with the other typhoons is, of course, compared with the various weather parameters, like wind speed, like central maximum pressure and so forth and so on. Now, in these regards, Ragaza, I mean, as the measurement, making Hong Kong's concern, Ragaza didn't break any record at all. The maximum wind speed recorded in Hong Kong is not as strong as that in Manggood. The sea level rise as a result of storm surge is not as severe as those of Manggood. Hong Kong is not being exposed to the full intensity of the typhoon. So, all in all, once again, we are kind of lucky to have escaped from the full damage that could be inflicted by this super typhoon, Ragaza. If they come close to the Hong Kong, maybe 20 km, 30 km, then it's a totally completely different story. A massive cleanup operation is underway in Guangdong. After Ragaza swept through the province, tearing down trees and ripping signs off buildings. The storm made landfall near Highling Island at around 5 p.m. yesterday. Raymond Young reports. More than 2 million people in Guangdong have been relocated by the time the storm reached land. The maximum wind force near its center was recorded at 40 m/s. Reports from Young Jiang City closed to where Ragaza made landfall. The trees toppled while road signs and debris were strewn across the streets. A day after the storm had passed, residents ignored the rain and breathed to clear the damage. One residential district lost its electricity supply while the roof of one restaurant caved in on one side. The city had opened more than 1,000 shelters for the public. On Highling Island administered by Young Jiang, relief workers attempted to clear a huge tree that had fallen across a wide road. Cars drove on muddy tracks to get around the wreckage as the team worked to saw off branches. Ragaza was the 18th and most powerful typhoon to lash China this year. The central authorities earmarked 350 million yuan for rescue and relief work in regions hit by the storm. Meanwhile, rescuers in eastern Taiwan are searching for 22 people missing after the outer rain bands of Ragaza flooded a lake above a small town. 14 people were killed when the lake overflowed, releasing a large amount of water. Back in Hong Kong, the government says organizers of the ill-fated AIA International Hot Air Balloon Fest earlier this month were advised more than a week in advance that they should warn visitors it was unlikely they could write the balloons as planned. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law, told the Legislative Council that the results of the organizers on site Hot Air Balloon demonstration on August 20th were unsatisfactory. And there were concerns about safety. She said at a meeting several days before the September 4th start date for the mega event, organizers were told that time was running out for a permit to be issued for the rides, even if a subsequent test was successful. Relevant departments met the organizer on August 27th and told them that due to a tight schedule, as well as the test results, the chance of getting a license for carrying passengers was extremely slim. We also suggested that they consider how to make refund arrangements and inform customers. Ms. Law said another test was carried out on September 3rd and organizers were given permission for the balloons to go on display, but not for them to carry passengers. Several days later, organizers announced refunds for those who paid to visit the balloon display and were left disappointed that no rides were possible. The minister said in future, the government might issue written replies at meetings with event organizers to better protect consumers. People have been urged to get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible. This comes amid fears that Hong Kong's current summer season for the virus could stretch past the end of the year and overlap with this winter season. Sophie, her reports. The city's latest seasonal influencer vaccination program is now underway with eligible high risk groups able to get three or subsidized jobs from more than 1700 perfect doctors, as well as from public health centers, outpatient clinics and hospitals. Dr. Si Wang-man and associates consultants from the hospital authorities Kaolun West cluster says flu infections have been on the rise in the past two weeks, and are expected to remain high for the time being. Since September, there were already seven severe cases of pediatric influenza A infection. Hong Kong's winter flu season usually starts from January to March, and we are a bit worried that the summer flu period would extend until January, on overlap with the winter one. In that case, it will impose a stronger burden on our medical system. Therefore, we hope citizens can take preventative measures as quickly as possible. The government has taken a number of steps to try to increase the vaccination rates this year, including expanding the coverage of three and subsidized jobs to include people aged 18 to 49 with chronic illnesses, providing 100,000 additional inactivated jobs for perfect doctors, and allowing schools to opt for nasal spray version. Dr. Si says she thinks these moves will help persuade more people to protect themselves against the virus. Last year, more than 2.08 million people got the flu jab. We are optimistic about the situation this year. The government has rolled out five enhancement measures hoping to further boost the inoculation rate, and we are also happy to see the citizens care about flu vaccines. So we believe they understand the importance of flu vaccinations. Dr. Si also says pregnant women can choose from at least two types of flu shots based on their health situation. Hong Kong has unveiled a roadmap aimed at transforming the city into a global center for fixed income and currency or FIC trade. The blueprint was released by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Securities and Futures Commission. Ten initiatives are listed. Monetary Authority Chief Executive Eddie Yu said the measures are aimed at further consolidating the city's already mature FIC market. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority will continue to provide some benchmarks for the market through the government debt schemes. And we hope to lead innovation and attract more investors and bond issuers to Hong Kong for their investment in financing activities. In addition, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will continue to improve the southbound leg of the bond-connect scheme, so that more mainland investors will participate more extensively and deeply in the bond market in Hong Kong. People's Bank of China Deputy Governor Joe Lan says the mainland will draw a string of measures to support the development of Remembe bonds in Hong Kong. He said Remembe bonds have proven to be a good way to preserve and growth investment value. Against the backdrop of global high inflation and after excluding the factor of inflation, the real yield of Remembe bonds remains relatively high, providing a very good way for global Remembe holders to preserve and increase their value. And from the perspective of safe haven attributes, Remembe bonds have relatively high diversified investment value, and the returns of Remembe bonds have a relatively low correlation with the bond returns of other emerging economies and the G7 countries. Turning to stocks, a lack of incentives kept many Hong Kong investors on the sidelines today, the Hang Seng Index slipped 0.1%, the close at 26,484 points. President Xi Jinping has attended a gathering in Yoramqi to mark the 70th founding anniversary of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, all to swung his details. Leading his central delegation, President Xi Jinping arrived in Yoramqi on Tuesday to attend celebrations to mark the anniversary, including a grand gathering in the Autonomous Region's capital Yoramqi, senior officials including Huang Huni and members of the community also took part. Mr Wang, the Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, urged the region to continue leveraging its resources and industrial capabilities to pursue high quality development. According to Xinhua News Agency, Mr Xi called for the building of his socialist modern Xinjiang, characterized by unity, harmony, prosperity, cultural progress and its sound ecological environment. He made the remarks following work reports from local party and government officials. He emphasized the full, faithful and comprehensive implementation of the party's guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era. Mr Xi also said there had been earth-shaking changes in the region since his founding 70 years ago, and Xinjiang had joined the rest of the country. entry in embarking on a new journey of building a modern socialist nation. By leveraging its resources and industry, he said Xinjiang should actively explore the path of high quality development that matches his own characteristics and forces' new quality productive forces. He also said Xinjiang should promote cultural tourism, enhance preservation and restore ecosystems while speeding up the building of the core area along the Silk Road economic belt and giving priority to ensuring and improving people's living standards. He said all out efforts should be made to maintain social stability. Premier Li Jiang says China is ready to work with the United Nations to implement the Global Governance Initiative to develop a more just and equitable system. Mr. Li's remarks came in talks with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterresh on the sidelines of the General Assembly session in New York when the Wang reports. The Global Governance Initiative was put forward by President Xi Jinping at the recent summit of the Shanghai Corporation Organization in Tianjin. During his meeting with the UN chief, Mr. Li said Beijing is prepared to join hands with all relevant parties to make greater contributions to world peace and development. He said China firmly opposed the status and authority of the United Nations and urged countries to make full use of the UN as a platform to strengthen dialogue and cooperation. The Premier warned that unilateralist and protectionist practices are undermining the world economy and hindering efforts on sustainable development. He urged the international community, especially the Global Self, to campaign for justice and oppose bullying and her Germany to safeguard legitimate rights and interests of all countries. Mr. Li called for more concrete action to strengthen global cooperation, safeguard free trade and economic globalization, and voice to a common development and prosperity. He also hoped that the United Nations will play a greater role in addressing pressing issues such as climate change and artificial intelligence governance. The UN Secretary General in return said the Global Governance Initiative aligns closely with UN values. Mr. Guterresh said the initiative also addresses calls from the international community for reforming and improving the global governance system. Israeli forces have a fans to the heart of Gaza City, killing about 50 Palestinians. As Israel's offensive escalated, a United Nations relief officer said Palestinian children in Gaza are trapped in a graveyard. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told a conference in New York that on average one child is killed in Gaza every hour for almost two years. Another UN official Philippe Lazarini spoke of his visit to a school in the southern Gaza City of Rafa at the start of the war. I'm still hunted by the eyes of her little girl pleading at that time for a piece of bread and a ship of water. A school had been transformed into a shelter and she was now learning to survive in her own school. Since then, the children of Gaza have continued to spiral downward into the abyss of hell. Every day for nearly two years, the equivalent of a classroom full of children have been killed. And for the survivor returning to school is a distant dream. The UN meanwhile has demanded an investigation after the organizers of a Gaza bound a flotilla complaint of a drone attack off the coast of Greece. Spain and Italy are sending warships to protect a fleet of 50 civilian boats trying to break Israel's blockade of Gaza. UK researchers say they have slowed the progression of the fatal neurocondition Huntington's disease with a new gene therapy. Some patients who took part in early stage clinical trials at University College London saw the speed at which their condition developed reduced by 75 percent after three years. Professor Sarah Fabrizzi is the director of Neurology at UCL. I am absolutely thrilled and excited that we now have a potential treatment for this truly devastating disorder. And what the data means is that for a person who has Huntington's disease, they will be able to maintain their function longer. They'll be able to stay in work longer. They'll be able to support their families longer. They'll be able to be independent so it will give them more years of living a good quality of life. It's now 6.25. It sports this next. Good evening. I'm Tony Sabine, football first. Notion Forrest were denied a winning return to Europe after drawing two or with Spanish side Raya Betis in the Europa League. The result was a disappointment for Forrest manager, Ajé Postergoglu, who won the tournament with Tottenham Hotspur last season. Todd Harding has the details. Cedric Bakambu struck for Betis, 15 minutes into their clash against Forrest, who were playing in Europe for the first time in 30 years. Forrest drew level three minutes later, though, Cursey of a close range goal tapped him by Igor Jesus. He put Forrest 2-1 up after 23 minutes when he put away a clinical head up for his second. Postergoglu's men threatened to seize complete control before half time, as Jesus twice went close to a hat trick, and Kalim Hutsunador had a shock come back off the post. Despite a quiet second half, the La Liga side managed to hold their composure and stay in the match until the very end. A period of late pressure paid dividends when Antony slotted in Mark Rocca's ball at the back post, putting Betis' level with five minutes remaining. It was a tough start for newly appointed Forrest boss and Postergoglu, who won the tournament last season with Spurs. For the English side's first major trophy in 17 years. Other fixtures saw Serie A R side Roma open their Europa League campaign with a 2-1 victory at Nice, while Scottish champion Celtic drew 1-0 with Serbian Cerebena Svezda. Meanwhile, Ebercci Ezzes scored his first goal for Arsenal in a 2-0 lead cup victory of a Portville. The Andrew Trossad sealed the victory with a goal of five minutes from time to send the gunners into the fourth round of the tournament. There are also big wins for Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Holders Newcastle, who defeated Bradford City 4-1 at home. Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has expressed confidence in midfielders Gavi's recovery from knee surgery, assuring fans that the club will support him throughout his convalescence. The player was injured during training last month, and is expected to be sidelined for up to five months. Flick was speaking ahead of Barça's La Liga showdown against Ovidio. He is the professional player we need because he is with his heart, with his attitude, with his mentality, it's top level. Now, I think it will be the second injury. We have to be very disciplined every day. We will happen. He knows that it's tough, it's not easy, but if someone can manage it, it's Gavi. Turning to tennis now and World No. 2, Yannick Sinner says he is tweaking his game after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the U.S. Open Final earlier this month. Speaking ahead of his opening match at the China Open tonight, the Italian said he's confident that things will go well. Yeah, I mean, it's for sure a longer process. It's not like I'm going to be a completely different player here, but I think it's tennis is about balance. I don't have to lose the way I'm playing, but just adding small things, small details, we're changing the serve at the moment and I struggle a little bit more at times because I'm thinking of quite a lot of things, but I think that's the right, the right path. And that's your look at sports. Thanks for listening to the News Rev Podcast from Barch HK.