The government is studying to overhaul the air pollution index which have been used for 15 years to indicate the pollutants level in the air of the city. This stemmed from the sandstorm which blanketed the city since Sunday night, and the air pollution index (API) surged over 500. Insiders of the study said the current system failed to tell the direct health impact of various pollutants, and cannot give clear-cut medical advises to needies. The government is studying the Canadian pollution alert system as a alternative method to make API better.
Internet search engine provider Google announced to shut down Goggle.cn and moved the search service to its Hong Kong server. People who try to access Google.cn will automatically redirect to the simplifed-Chinese version of Google.hk, which provides uncersored imformation in English, traditonal Chinese and simplifed Chinese. China reacted testily for the bombshell dropped by the internet giant, and claimed that Google violated its promises. Google said the decision was a sensitive solution to the current situation. Google's beijing office is still operating after the news delivered.
2010年3月24日 星期三
2010年3月22日 星期一
22nd March 2010 - a little story
A 45-years old African had fought for his ID card for 20 years. Mark Ayivor, arrived in Hong Kong 20 years ago, said" This is my ID card, it's great. I slept with tears of joy that night."
20 years ago, Mark Ayivor arrived in Hong Kong as a tourist from Lesotho. But then he was arrested for overstaying in 1991 and charged of using forged passport from Lesotho. He was jailed for three years. A removal order was issued in May 1993, but official found nowhere to place him due to the closure of Lesotho consulate. In 1997, he was jailed again. He was convicted of supplying drugs to students and sentenced to three years. The conviction was then reprieved in his appeal due to the evidence was found to be "highly prejudicial".
He insisted his passort was genuine and there are unfairness in his case. He became stateless as he passport was confiscated. After he was released from his second jail, he was issued a recognisance document that allowed him to walk in the city. But it didn't grant him any rights as Hong Kong resident, "I couldn't do anything and it was sickening living in the city without ID card. It's just like being stranded in the middle of the ocean and you cannot move."
He cannot get a job without ID card. With no income, he can only turn to his friend or charities. Sometimes he would exploit his English language skill to earn him some money, but very little. In his early years in the city, Mark slept in parks, on the ground outside the Star Ferry Pier, or on the rooftops of old building in Tsim Sha Tsui. In 2002, he moved into a small flat in To Kwa Wan with monthly rent $1400.
He has not been in contact with his family in Maseru, and his parents was both died during his time in Hong Kong. He approached to former lawmaker Elsie Tu and sent letter to the Chief Executive's office for seeking help. But it took until he wrote to lawmaker Emily Lau Wai-hing on Nov 2009. Emily helped Mark to pass his letter to the head of immigration and thus Mark's case was spotted. Immigration then decided to issue Mark a ID card on humanitarian ground. In December 2009, Mark Ayivor received a letter from immigration and said his case was under consideration and his removal order from 1993 was rescinded. "I was so happy and grateful that they finally accept my case. I can now have a normal life, earn a living and everybody will accept me."
With newly issued ID card, Mark Ayivor's life has been changed. He can do everything now, which are taken for granted by almost everyone in Hong Kong. He has joined clubs, applied for library card and bank account, as well as a construction training course. "I have passed the exam for the Construction Industry Satefy Training Certificate, now i'm qualified to work in construction." He is now searching for a job, also considering studing accounting, and even start a family in Hong Kong. "I also think about going back home for a look," he said, adding that he was appreciating the people who gave their handout during his struggling 20 years.
20 years ago, Mark Ayivor arrived in Hong Kong as a tourist from Lesotho. But then he was arrested for overstaying in 1991 and charged of using forged passport from Lesotho. He was jailed for three years. A removal order was issued in May 1993, but official found nowhere to place him due to the closure of Lesotho consulate. In 1997, he was jailed again. He was convicted of supplying drugs to students and sentenced to three years. The conviction was then reprieved in his appeal due to the evidence was found to be "highly prejudicial".
He insisted his passort was genuine and there are unfairness in his case. He became stateless as he passport was confiscated. After he was released from his second jail, he was issued a recognisance document that allowed him to walk in the city. But it didn't grant him any rights as Hong Kong resident, "I couldn't do anything and it was sickening living in the city without ID card. It's just like being stranded in the middle of the ocean and you cannot move."
He cannot get a job without ID card. With no income, he can only turn to his friend or charities. Sometimes he would exploit his English language skill to earn him some money, but very little. In his early years in the city, Mark slept in parks, on the ground outside the Star Ferry Pier, or on the rooftops of old building in Tsim Sha Tsui. In 2002, he moved into a small flat in To Kwa Wan with monthly rent $1400.
He has not been in contact with his family in Maseru, and his parents was both died during his time in Hong Kong. He approached to former lawmaker Elsie Tu and sent letter to the Chief Executive's office for seeking help. But it took until he wrote to lawmaker Emily Lau Wai-hing on Nov 2009. Emily helped Mark to pass his letter to the head of immigration and thus Mark's case was spotted. Immigration then decided to issue Mark a ID card on humanitarian ground. In December 2009, Mark Ayivor received a letter from immigration and said his case was under consideration and his removal order from 1993 was rescinded. "I was so happy and grateful that they finally accept my case. I can now have a normal life, earn a living and everybody will accept me."
With newly issued ID card, Mark Ayivor's life has been changed. He can do everything now, which are taken for granted by almost everyone in Hong Kong. He has joined clubs, applied for library card and bank account, as well as a construction training course. "I have passed the exam for the Construction Industry Satefy Training Certificate, now i'm qualified to work in construction." He is now searching for a job, also considering studing accounting, and even start a family in Hong Kong. "I also think about going back home for a look," he said, adding that he was appreciating the people who gave their handout during his struggling 20 years.
2010年3月19日 星期五
19 th March 2010
Macau gambling tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun has been accused to link with organised crime according to a report by the New Jersey state attorney general's Division of Gaming Enforcement. The report claimed that the VIP private gambling room introduced in Ho's casino provided organised crime a chance to thrive in Macau. Stanley Ho has denied any link with organised crime and has never been arrested or convicted. Casino operator MGM mirage, announced to team up with Ho's daughter Pansy Ho Chiu-king to develop gambling venture in Macau, said the report would not affect the co-operation as there are no clue to show that Pansy Ho has engaged in any wrongdoing.
Most of the state-owned enterprises have been ordered to opt out from any property investment and concentrate on their own businesses. For the SOEs whose primary business is property are exempted from the order. Insiders said it's a resort used to rein in the up surging property market.
Most of the state-owned enterprises have been ordered to opt out from any property investment and concentrate on their own businesses. For the SOEs whose primary business is property are exempted from the order. Insiders said it's a resort used to rein in the up surging property market.
2010年3月18日 星期四
18th March 2010
The government may consider to lift the limitation that restrict development on mid-levels after the MTR's west island line opens in 2014. The so-called Mid-Levels moratorium which took effect in 40 years ago was aiming to prevent traffic jam in the hilly area - nevertheless the area has became highly congested. Removing the restriction sparked controversy that it would aggravate the traffic congestion in the area since patronage of MTR's west island line is still unknown. The government projected to build two more escalators and plan road improvement work to help relieve the traffic jam caused.
The Hong Kong football association has yet to decide to implement changes proposed in a consultancy study since the association needs a 75% majority to make the project pass.
The Hong Kong football association has yet to decide to implement changes proposed in a consultancy study since the association needs a 75% majority to make the project pass.
2010年3月17日 星期三
17th March 2010
The Urban Renewal Authority and Secretary for Development Lam Cheng Yuet ngor announced a alternative renewal plan for Wing Lee Street yesterday. The new plan saved the street from demolition and was widely seen as a gesture to show the government's willingness to make concession on relatively less important project amid surging public pressure. If the plan is adopted, all 12 tenement buildins in the street will be preserved in stead of 3 building in the original plan. The authority, have alreadly acquired half of the properties in the street, will no longer approach to the owners for acquisition. Owners who received compensation before can stay but need to pay the compensation back. For owners still interested in selling their properties can approach to the authority, but under the new plan owners would only be given an amount equivalent to the existing value of their flats, which is much lower than the original plan - owners can receive an amount equivalent to the seven years old building.
Some of the owners and tenants said they were upset by the new plan since they hoped to relocate to public housing. One of the tenants said she had waited the government for buying her flat for over 10 years.
2010年3月15日 星期一
15th March 2010
Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday rebutted criticism that China is deliberately keeping its currency undervalued. Premier Wen claimed that the stability of Yuan played a important role in global economic recovery, and China's currency policy would hinge on the development of domestic economy but not foreign pressure. US recently stepped up the pressure added on China's currency policy in order to resume yuan's appreciation.
New World's property sales tactics have sparked controversy again. The Masterpiece in Tsim Sha Tsui was found that NW have selled 39 flats in advance, and suspected that NW exploited the selling to make a picture of good sell.
New World's property sales tactics have sparked controversy again. The Masterpiece in Tsim Sha Tsui was found that NW have selled 39 flats in advance, and suspected that NW exploited the selling to make a picture of good sell.
2010年3月12日 星期五
12th March,2010
Top TVB executive Stephen Chan Chi Wan was arrested by ICAC yesterday along with a former assistant and other three employees. They were suspected of getting advantages by working in a company which arranged job for TVB's artists while without TVB authority. Stephen Chan, who had worked with government as a administrative officer, have been a renowned programme producer and worked with TVB for over 10 years. In 2002 he was promoted as a assistant general manager. Chan's name was not widespread until the TV talk-show Be My Guest starting to air on TVB's lifestyle channel in 2006. The programme was popular with guests such as prominent government officials and well-famed artists.
Beijing tightened restriction on indepentent domestic non-government organisations to receiving overseas donations. Under the new regulations, those organisations would face more scrutiny than ever. China also refused those NGO to register as a non-profitable organisations and that implied those organisations were liable to pay tax. NGO workers and insiders thought the move would pose a hardship to the organisations to survive since they have already faced draconian retrictions from various government departments.
Financial data of about 15,000 affluent customers of HSBC was found to be stolen in three years ago. HSBC said they knew the data was stolen but they didn't know which customers' data were getting involved, until the data was found in earlier this month. All of the affected customers were using the private bank service of Swissland branch, and cilents outside swiss branch were not affected. The bank is contacting the customers to explain and apologise.
2010年3月10日 星期三
10th March, 2010
The blaze on Monday that killed a fireman have prompted calls for comprehensive inspection of all the old industrial buildings in the city. The building which was gutted by the blaze was found without sprinkler system and suspected to be over-rezoned illegally. The floor originally designed to have 4 units was found to be partitioned into smaller compartments, and at lease accomodated 12 companies.
The number change of home-return permit posed confusion. The home-return permit, which is the counterpart of ID card for HongKongers in mainland, was essential for banking, property purchase and travelling in China. The number change caused a inconvenience since most HongKongers were still using their old-number for those services in China. Federation of Trade Union have delivered their concerns to mainland.
The number change of home-return permit posed confusion. The home-return permit, which is the counterpart of ID card for HongKongers in mainland, was essential for banking, property purchase and travelling in China. The number change caused a inconvenience since most HongKongers were still using their old-number for those services in China. Federation of Trade Union have delivered their concerns to mainland.
2010年3月8日 星期一
09th March,2010
Another acid attack in Sham Shui Po Apliu Street happened last night. Police said a Blue Girl beer bottle was used again and the attack might be linked with the other attacks in the district. The latest attack have been the 12th attack in the city since December 2008.
China projected to expand its high speed rail network to western Europe as to foster the development in those districts. Project insiders claimed that those area were inadequately developed but abandant with varied of natural resources. The traffic network expansion aimed at boosting the social development in those area and China hoped that the project can help to gain concession to tap resources in the districts.
China projected to expand its high speed rail network to western Europe as to foster the development in those districts. Project insiders claimed that those area were inadequately developed but abandant with varied of natural resources. The traffic network expansion aimed at boosting the social development in those area and China hoped that the project can help to gain concession to tap resources in the districts.
2010年3月6日 星期六
06th March, 2010
China set to tighten bank lending and reduce new-construction project in the coming fiscal year. Due to the economic rebounds and surging assest prices, Beijing set to reduce the bank lending by increasing the deposit reservation limit of bank, and mainly pour resources on existing construction projects, in order to prevent overheat and make a more sustainable trajectory.
Some of the most prominent judges and lawyers paid tribute to the outgoing Chief Justice Andrew Li for his remarkable contribution to the HK legal system. Last year Li had been decided to step down early in August this year for a "orderly sucession".
Some of the most prominent judges and lawyers paid tribute to the outgoing Chief Justice Andrew Li for his remarkable contribution to the HK legal system. Last year Li had been decided to step down early in August this year for a "orderly sucession".
2010年3月1日 星期一
After marathon
Finally i had finished my 10km race. In light of the clock in the finish line, my result should be around 1:04:xx. It's not very good, even bad, but i guessed that the de facto result should be a bit faster, maybe around 55 min sth. Just because there were too much people in the starting area. Even you had heard the starting bell, you could only walk till the crowd was dispersed. When even you could set to run, it's still diffcult for you to run at your own speed coz it's still too much people on the course. Sometimes you would see people walk and chat with friends in the centre of the road, so you needed to put extra afford to bypass those walker. But those are not big problems at all, i really enjoyed the running. Despite the weather is relatively hot and humid, i didn't find myself any problem.
It's very likely for me to take part again in the next year, but i would consider to turn to whole marathon this time.
It's very likely for me to take part again in the next year, but i would consider to turn to whole marathon this time.
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