Extream weather reports to parts of Los Angeles, US and China provinces

On Sunday extream weather report were issued for California, US and China provinces in Central and Eastern parts.

California, parts of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, were issued very strong winds leading to evacuations or warnings.

In China, the local weather agency issued orange alerts for blizzards as many provinces were hit by winter ice snd snow before the Lunar New Year celebrations.

According to Bloomberg in the Star, Shanghai has halted 39 high-speed trains on Sunday and over 50 highways were partially closed due to the snow and ice.

China is celebrating the Lunar Dragon New Year this year.

Tesla to recall two million cars because of Autopilot – BBC

The US electric cars manufacturer Tesla is recalling over two million cars to update the Autopilot, BBC says.

The reason for recall is that the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA) found the Autopilot was partly defective.

Tesla said it will send a software update over the air to fix the issue.

The NHTSA has been investigated Autopilot related to crashes over two years and this is part of the studies.

UK: Disruptions in London Paddington trains – repairs ongoing

The train lines to and from UK London Paddington stations are having disruptions befause of damaged electric cables. The damage happened on Thursday evening and the company says the repairs are ongoing and hoping the railways would be fully open by the weekend.

Hundreds of passangers were stranded on dark, cold trains for several hours and delays may be up to 90 minutes. The trains include for example Heathrow Express, Elizabeth Line and Great Western Railway.

US NOOA estimates 2-5 major hurricanes for this season

The US NOOA estimates that 2-5 storms could end up to major hurricanes, with wind of 111 mph or greater, during this season. The estimate was published August 10th.

The NOOA said in its release that is expects 14-21 named storms during this Hurricane Season, which end at the end of November. This means that the winds are 39 mph or greater. Of those 6-11 could become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or greater and of those 2-5 major hurricanes.

Last week Hurricane Idalia was in Florida and Georgia causing heavy rains, winds and floodings. The super typhoon Saolia was in Hong Kong and China. The facility and infra damages have remained small.

On the other hand electricity outbreaks, cancelled flights and rail connections have caused distruptions to citizens, companies and travellers.

Hong Kong Airport cancelled 460 flights – Super Typhoon Saola nearby

According to South China Morning Post, Hong Kong Airport has cancelled 460 flights today because of the Super Typhoon Saola. The landing is expected near midnight on Friday.

According to the news, the city has issued maximum 10 Hurricane signale for the first time in five years. The city has also cancelled the high-speed rail link to the mainland China.

UK: Ultra Low Emission Zone covers now all London boroughs

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) covers now all London boroughs in the UK.

The Mayor of London has funded the project with 160 million pounds to help citizens, small businesses, sole traders and charities prepare for the transition.

According to the info, so far the Ulez has reduced 50 % of nitrogen dioxide pollution in the Central London. And the reductions has been 5 times faster than in the rest of UK between 2016-2020.

The new Ulez boundaries exclude the M25. The detailed map include information regarding Engfield, Watham Forest, Redbridge, Havering, Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Sutton, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, Hounslow, Hillingdon, Harrow and Barnet.

More information about the zones and funding in the London Transport website http://www.tfl.gov.uk

Storm Idalia approaching the coast of Florida

The US President Joe Biden has declared an emergency for Florida as the Storm Idalia is approaching the coast and strengthening.

According to the estimates, the storm is expected to grow to a category 3 Hurricane as it approaches. Heavy rains, winds and life threathening rising water could occur in the western coastline. It is expected to reach the Florida coast by Wednesday morning.

The international Airport Tampa will close on Tuesday at 12 et due to the storm. According to the Airport it anticipates to reopen Thursday morning.

London is offering financial grants to green the traffic in the city

The city of London is extending its financial grants to households and companies in order to make the city traffic more green and sustainable.

This new financial package is for all Londoners living in one of the 32 London boroughs or in the city. The grants will help to meet the new emissions targets in the ULEZ zones in the city.

The new financial aid will be effective from August 21st.

UK: Rail strikes in December and January (updated)

There will be several Rail strikes in the UK in December and January time. According to the union, the strikes will happen on the 13th,14th,16th and 17th December. In January the strikes will be on the 3rd,4th, 6th and 7th.

On Sunday Dec 4th, the RMT has rejected the offer of an 8 % pay rise over two years, Sky news reports.

On Christmas Eve some stations will be closed and some routes are having limited trips per day from Christmas time until New Year.

The reason for strikes is the failed negotiations related to pay, jobs and conditions.

CDC recommends to avoid travelling to Thailand, New Zealand and Hong Kong

The worsening Covid-situation in Asia has impacted that the travel to Thailand, New Zealand and Hong Kong is not recommended, the US CDC said.

The current situation in Hong Kong is one of the worst while it is estimated that only 35 % of the 80 years and older have got the double vaccination. The most Covid-deaths are related to senior unvaccinated citizens. The current circulating variant is Omicron

The city officials have now made huge efforts to vaccine every possible senior citizens in the hospital and health care services.