HK storm over errant typhoon

HONG KONG (Reuter) - Weather forecasters faced a storm of protest from businessmen yesterday after bringing the colony to a 24-hour standstill and losing it millions of pounds over a typhoon warning that proved a false alarm.

The people of Hong Kong, used to seasonal typhoons sweeping the region, spent Wednesday bracing for a tropical storm which in fact skirted the colony by several hundred miles, leaving only bemused tourists wandering the empty streets.