Latest news with #Poon
New Paper
6 days ago
- Sport
- New Paper
Chadwick keeps Poon on toes
HONG KONG The battle for the Tony Cruz Award as Hong Kong's leading homegrown jockey intensified at Happy Valley on June 25, when Matthew Chadwick's double pushed him to within two wins of Matthew Poon, with only six meetings left in the 2024/25 season. Chadwick boosted his season's tally to 34 - compared to Poon's 36 - with wins on the Cruz-trained Superb Capitalist in the HK$1.86 million (S$303,000) Class 3 St George's Challenge Cup Handicap (1,000m) and Me Tsui's Another Zonda in the HK$2.05 million Class 3 Renfrew Handicap (1,650m). Winner of the Tony Cruz Award in 2021/22, Chadwick has steadily cut into Poon's lead with seven wins from the last nine meetings, and is poised to continue the challenge ahead of the season finale on July 16. "We'll see what happens, we'll try our best. I'm just trying to pick up better rides. The fields are getting smaller, everyone's riding well and it's harder to get rides," said Chadwick. "You've just got to make them count when they come. Hopefully, I can get some more decent rides." Superb Capitalist ($23) notched his fifth victory at Happy Valley - and sixth overall - before Another Zonda ($54) scored his first win at the city circuit after previously triumphing at Sha Tin. My Day My Way ($16) broke through in spectacular fashion for Danny Shum and Jerry Chau in the second section of the Class 4 Hereford Handicap (1,200m). Woodfire Champ ($58) claimed his second course-and-distance victory with success in the Class 5 Chester Handicap (1,200m) for Michael Chang and Derek Leung. Seventh of 12 runners at the 150m, My Day My Way charged late to claim New Power in the last stride, prevailing by a short head. "He ran a tremendous race, I knew coming to the outside would be hard but we were very lucky," said Shum. "The last 20 metres, he was very strong. I think he can win in Class 3 as well. I'll give him a break now and wait for next season." Shum posted a double when Harry Bentley piloted progressive three-year-old Wrote A New Page ($29) to his second successive win in the first section of the Class 4 Lancashire Handicap (1,650m). Chang also eventually sealed a brace when Amazing Victory ($156) presented James Orman with his ninth win of the season by claiming the third section of the Class 4 Hereford Handicap (1,200m). "When I thought I was going to be here for only six weeks, the goal was to get one winner," said Orman, who arrived from Queensland, Australia in February. "When I got the extension, I thought I wanted to ride 10 winners - I thought it was a reasonable goal for my first stint and less than half a year. "I didn't come here with expectations to be riding winners here every week like at home. I just wanted to get a few winners and hopefully stay." David Hayes combined with Lyle Hewitson to land the second section of the Class 4 Lancashire Handicap (1,650m) with Amazing Run ($58), who succeeded despite drawing his eighth double-figure barrier from 11 starts this season. "He's had a really unlucky year with bad barriers - tonight included (gate 10), but Hewitson rode a great race and he won like a good horse, so we're very happy," said Hayes. "He had no gear on when he won, then he lost his form and we were trying to make him win playing around with his gear. "But we just decided to go back to nothing and the horse really likes it." David Hall's Never Too Soon ($16) swept to a three-length triumph in the first section Class 4 Hereford Handicap (1,200m) for Brenton Avdulla. "He (Never Too Soon) is a good old soldier, he's had a pretty tough season - it's taken him all this time until he could get his win," Hall said of the seven-year-old, who won three races in Australia when he raced as Never Never River in 2020/21. "He's got down to a rating of 54 and he was always going to be dangerous. He's a backmarker and in these 1,200m races at Happy Valley races, he always needs a bit of luck. "He needs a barrier and he needs a bit of speed to help. He got in the right race tonight off that rating and got his run at the right time." Dragon Four Seas ($26) thundered to victory in the Class 3 Selkirk Handicap (1,200m) to give Zac Purton his 123rd win of the season and Manfred Man his 38th of the campaign. HKJC
South China Morning Post
20-06-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Who created AI app MediSafe? Hong Kong student and US software firm stake claims
Two Hong Kong government departments have launched an investigation into an award-winning medication prescription app invented by a student that had already been in use by a clinic three years earlier, the Post has learned. Advertisement The Digital Policy Office and Education Bureau said they were studying the mobile app that a student surnamed Poon, from St Paul's Co-educational College in Mid-Levels, submitted in competitions as her invention. Poon declined to respond to online accusations calling her 'a fake inventor', but told the Post she was going through the verification process with competition organisers. Her father, Ronnie Poon Tung-ping, is one of two doctors at a specialist clinic in Central that commissioned a US-based artificial intelligence (AI) software development agency to create the app in 2022, which was subsequently deployed. The investigations were launched after the incident came to light on June 13, prompted by City University student Hailey Cheng, who raised concerns on social media platform Threads about the research and development culture in secondary schools' STEM education and competitions, as well as the privacy of patients using the MediSafe app. Advertisement MediSafe, a medication management system designed to prevent prescription errors through AI-driven verification of patient information, has won at least six awards since August last year. The honours include a silver medal in the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions, Geneva, in 2025, a prestigious globally recognised accolade.
The Sun
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Carbon tax approach to achieving green future
PETALING JAYA: A carbon tax does not have to hurt the average Malaysian, but it could force polluters to clean up their act. That is the message from experts as the country prepares to roll out the levy by 2026. Taylor's University research cluster lead for innovative management practices Prof Dr Poon Wai Ching said the carbon tax should not be viewed simply as a revenue-raising measure but also as a vital tool in steering Malaysia toward a more sustainable, low-carbon future. 'It reduces greenhouse gas emissions by assigning a monetary cost to emitting carbon dioxide,' she said. 'For instance, if a company emits 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ and the tax is RM10 per tonne, it would owe RM100,000, putting real financial pressure on businesses to invest in cleaner technologies and energy efficiency.' The policy is expected to initially target high-emission sectors such as iron, steel and energy. Revenue generated could be channelled into green research, innovation and sustainable infrastructure, including climate adaptation projects and circular economy initiatives. Poon added that although Malaysia has long been aligned with global climate frameworks like the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, recent shifts in international trade dynamics have intensified the need for action. 'One key factor is the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which will tax imports based on their carbon content,' she said. 'If Malaysia doesn't act, we risk losing competitiveness in global trade.' She also stressed the importance of revenue recycling – using income from the carbon tax to benefit the wider public, such as by supporting low-income communities, subsidising green technologies and strengthening national sustainable development goals. While the carbon tax underscores Malaysia's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions, Poon said the recent rationalisation of RON95 fuel subsidies helps ease the public into the idea of paying closer to the true environmental cost of energy. 'It makes the shift to carbon pricing smoother over time,' she added. Poon also pointed out that 37 countries have introduced carbon tax frameworks, including Singapore and European nations such as Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. She said Malaysia could draw valuable lessons from these international models by adopting a phased approach, ensuring transparent pricing and protecting vulnerable communities. 'If businesses adopt sustainable and circular economy strategies now, they can boost their ESG (environmental, social and governance) performance and tap into regional growth opportunities,' she said. Universiti Teknologi Mara Malaysian Institute of Transport head of legal and quality Dr Siti Ayu Jalil said the transport and logistics sector, which contributed 5% to Malaysia's GDP in 2024, will face both short-term and long-term challenges under the new policy. 'In the short term, the carbon tax and fuel subsidy cuts will raise operational costs in freight, haulage and ride-hailing services. This may lead to higher prices for essential goods, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, where transport distances are greater,' she said. Over time, the carbon tax will become a fixed cost for businesses, incentivising them to adopt low-emission fleets such as electric and hybrid trucks and to shift towards rail and maritime transport, she added. Green certifications may also become essential to stay competitive, she said. To support the transition, Siti Ayu called for targeted government incentives, including grants and tax breaks for low-emission vehicles, as well as expanded EV charging infrastructure. She also recommended increased investment in freight rail and urban logistics hubs to reduce urban congestion and emissions. 'Part of the carbon tax revenue should be used to fund research and innovation in sustainable transport technology,' she added. 'This includes adopting digital solutions like GPS-based tracking and AI-driven route optimisation to reduce fuel consumption.' Siti Ayu also underscored the importance of protecting low-income groups and rural populations from the knock-on effects of rising transport costs. She proposed targeted cash transfers and rebates for B40 and M40 households, continued support for public transport passes such as My50 and My100 and the reintroduction of My30 to ensure affordable unlimited travel. In rural areas, she suggested logistics subsidies for essential goods such as food and medicine to prevent price surges. 'Reform is unavoidable. Malaysia must do its part in combatting climate change and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This is not just a tax. It's a path to a climate-resilient, productive and fair future,' said Siti Ayu.
HKFP
17-06-2025
- Business
- HKFP
Complaints about food delivery apps more than doubled in first 5 months of 2025, Consumer Council says
Hong Kong's Consumer Council saw over 970 complaints related to food delivery platforms in the first five months this year, a 130 per cent increase from the previous year. The city's consumer watchdog said at a press conference on Monday that it received 971 complaints by food delivery platform users from January until the end of May this year. In contrast, it received 421 reports in the same period last year. Jack Poon, the council's chairperson of the digital economy and information technology committee, said a total of 310 complaints, around one-third of the overall number this year, were related to delayed deliveries or undelivered food. There was also a sharp rise in complaints about order cancellations, from 47 reports in the first five months of last year to 272 this year, he said. Poon said he believed the overall jump in reports was due to more people using food delivery platforms, as companies were pushing promotions to attract customers. 'Complaints have risen maybe [because] of the [competitive] situation,' he said in Cantonese. Poon also described three complaints received by the watchdog. In one case, a customer who ordered food from a delivery platform only received their order after a one-hour delay. The platform at first declined to issue him a HK$120 coupon promised under its compensation policy, and only did so after the Consumer Council intervened. In another case, a customer who selected the 'self-pickup' option arrived at the listed address only to find it did not exist. After the complaint was filed, the restaurant told the council that it only operated online and had no physical outlet. Another complainant reported to the council that they placed a wrong order and asked for cancellation and a refund within one minute, but the request was refused by the platform, saying the food had already been prepared. The Consumer Council urged food delivery platforms to enhance their transparency to allow customers to know when the food has been made, picked up by the courier and is en route to the delivery location. Hong Kong's food delivery landscape is dominated by Singapore-based company Foodpanda and Keeta, a platform backed by Chinese retail giant Meituan. Deliveroo announced its exit in March after nine years of operation in the city, saying it had entered a deal with Foodpanda to support its couriers and purchase some of its assets.
RTHK
28-05-2025
- General
- RTHK
Federation urges engaging youths in rural conservation
Federation urges engaging youths in rural conservation The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups says more than 90 percent of young respondents view countryside conservation as vital for sustainable urban-rural development. Photo: RTHK The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups called on Wednesday for authorities to launch rural festivals and cultural exchange programmes aimed at deepening young people's engagement with countryside conservation efforts. This push follows a survey conducted by the federation that took in 534 residents aged 15 to 34. Its findings revealed support for preserving rural areas, with more than 90 percent of respondents agreeing that countryside conservation is vital for sustainable urban-rural development. "We can really feature the distinctive cultural and landscape features of Hong Kong countryside with a big event and these big events would boost diverse participation by the general public and they would see how countryside conservation has been happening,' said John Poon, deputy convener of youth development and engagement group. "No matter [whether it's] on the cultural side, economic side or environmental side, we hope that could really boost and raise public awareness and build a broad base of community engagement." He also suggested the government create a blueprint for sustainable urban-rural development and provide opportunities for young people to join the Advisory Committee on the Northern Metropolis, enabling them to share their insights on the city's future development. The study also found that approximately two thirds of the respondents think that countryside conservation is vital to local economic development. 'There are people who have been doing countryside conservation and cultural development," Poon said. "They can make use of the cultural heritage as well as some of the economic projects, which can be small and micro, but in the meantime, it can allow the village, the countryside to sustain itself with a little bit of economic development." "We also see that a lot of you believe this could be one of ... their employment options. "They can go back to the countryside and they could see some employment opportunities and avenues for them to contribute and they can have a stable job." Poon added that promoting awareness of countryside conservation not only addresses environmental concerns but also opens a window of opportunity for youths to explore Hong Kong's history and heritage.
