Various news....

In Hong Kong, the new taxi fare has taken effect by the order of the HK gov't; there were strikes and protests by the taxi drivers. This would cause them to lose income of about HK$300-500 per month. People will not take taxi as frequently as they usually would. The new fare structure is such: short distance, fare hike; a longer distance over x KM will get a discount. I sampled this new taxi fare. Wow... I was out more than HK$40.00 on a round trip from my hotel to the Hong Kong Airport Express Station. That was nuts. Usually cost HK$35.00 on a one-way is now HK$47.00.

The bus lines in Hong Kong are canceling discounts for passengers due to a lost from operations last quarter. Guess, I wonder why. High fuel cost. Now, should be back down, but why are these lines canceling discounts now for next year? According to the spokesperson, needs to recoup losses. Right. Maybe we should use the same excuses to ask the Hong Kong banks to pay a handling fee to the depositors for operating dumb accumulators or mortgages, etc. The public buses, I was wondering why they are still running on diesel? Polluting the cities and always overheated during Summer time. Two buses caught fire and burned to ground just the other day while I was there. These buses contribute to more urban overheating in the Summer. Should talk to Ballard to get some hydrogen fuel cells? By product: clean water to drink or to water the park. Why not?

A 40-ish woman with psychological problem committed suicide in her car yesterday in Hong Kong. She lost over HK$5 millions in the Lehman Brother mini bonds. The bank refused to assist nor compensate. That was the entire policy payout from her husband several years ago.

HSBC has announced to raise delinquent credit card charges to 31.5% starting next February. This is one way trying to boost its income stream. Other banks may follow soon. Ah... Wasn't you that lost money from your bad investment and loose credit giving out from people's hard earn cash deposits?

The HK governor has the lowest approval rating ever. 20+ some percent or so...

The Macau governor, his term is up next Spring, not sure who will take over.

Official 2009 Chinese holiday schedule:
- January 1 to 3
- January 25 to January 31
- April 4 to 6
- May 1 to 3
- May 28 to May 30
- National Day, which falls on October 1, and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which begins on October 3, will be combined into China's first eight-day holiday since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949.