Super Typhoon Spins Toward Japan; U.S. Auto Worker Strike Continues; Kites are Explored as Conduits for Wind Energy; CNN Hero Series
Aired October 11, 2019 - 04:00:00 ET
CARL AZUZ, CNN 10 ANCHOR: They say life is 10 percent what
happens to you and 90 percent Friday`s are awesome, something like that.
Welcome to CNN 10, I`m Carl Azuz. It`s great to have you watching. As we put
this show together a super typhoon was whirling toward the nation of Japan.
It`s name is Typhoon Hagisbis. It`s called a super typhoon because it`s
especially powerful. On Thursday, Hagisbis was the equivalent of a Category 5
hurricane, the strongest classification. If it shifts direction as forecasters
expect it to, this storm could come very close to the Japanese capital of Tokyo
on Saturday.
Meteorologists think it will have weakened by then but
Hagisbis is on track to make landfall right near where Typhoon Faxai hit in
September. That storm reportedly killed three people and caused more than $7
billion in damage. Super Typhoon Hagibis is expected to bring heavy rain to
much of south central Japan. Near the coast forecasters are concerned about a
potentially large storm surge, a rise in seawater levels pushed ashore by a storm
and Hagibis has already had an impact on the Rugby World Cup. It`s being held
in Japan this year and some matches have been cancelled as the storm
approaches.
On the other side of the Pacific, General Motors, the
automotive company that makes Buick, Cadillac, Chevy, it`s in the midst of the
car industry`s longest strike in decades. The union representing almost 50,000
workers is negotiating with GM over issues like wages and profit sharing and a
big hand up between the two sides is over production in Mexico. GM has four
factories there and 33 in the United States but the company`s planning to close
four U.S. plants and the union wants production in Mexico shifted back to the
U.S. One industry expert says that would come at a heavy cost to GM. The strike
has been going on for 25 days.
10 Second Trivia. The first known kites have been traced
back to what country? China, India, Egypt or Australia. Though the exact origin
of the kite isn`t known, historians believe they were first used in China.
They fly like the wind but can kites be used to gather
electricity from it. There are a number of companies experimenting with this
idea. It requires huge kites that fly high enough to catch the steady winds in
our atmosphere and then transfer that energy back to earth. There are concerns
about the amount of maintenance they`d need. The threat they could pose if they
crash and what would happen in bad weather. But if everything goes right -
-
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Some of the world`s strongest winds are
found here, out on the ocean where water is too deep for most off shore wind
turbines.
But a company called Makani believes it has a solution with
a new wind technology inspired by a familiar child`s toy, the kite. To me it
almost looks like an airplane, what makes it a kite?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know when you fly a kite in the park,
it`s being lifted by the wind and you`re holding on to it with a tether and so
our kite is the same way.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Once airborne, Makani`s 85 foot long
energy kite flies around autonomously, guided by computers. Crosswinds spin
eight rotors producing electricity that sent back to the ground through a
tether and its carbon fiber frame makes the kite extremely lightweight.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our energy kites are so lightweight we
can install them in deep water on floating platforms.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And that means they can capture winds
much further offshore where other turbines can`t. Last month in Norway, Makani successfully
completed its first deep water offshore flight but their kites won`t be ready
for market for several years. If your system is widely adopted, what kind of
impact do you think it can potentially make?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are many areas around the world
that really don`t have a good resource for renewable power but do have offshore
wind resource. And so our lightweight kites create the possibility that we
could tap that resource very economically and bring renewable power to hundreds
of millions of people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
AZUZ: Whether it`s flying a blimp, driving an 18 wheeler or
jumping out of a plane, a CNN Hero is helping senior citizens seek the thrills
they`ve always dreamed of. His name is Webb Weiman. His non-profit organization
is Jump. He says it`s all about taking seniors from darkness to light.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WEBB WEIMAN, CNN HERO: I tell seniors, live by two rules.
There are no bad bucket list wishes and everyone should have a bucket list
wish. For every bucket list fulfilled, there is a sense of accomplishment. A
story that they get to take back to their community. It lifts their spirits. My
name is Webb and I help seniors achieve their dreams.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My dad is a piece of work. He`s - -
he`s a 95 year old veteran. He was in World War II, participated in the
invasion of Normandy at D-Day.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And that`s our crew, I`m on the right.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He worked hard all his life, was always
kind, always had friends and would do anything for anybody. Give them the shirt
off his back.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All right. So the last number was B-15.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: With dad aging, he`s slowing down.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Got that. (ph)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: His body`s not keeping up with his
mind.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bingo.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He wants to be the energizer bunny.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can`t believe it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It aggravates him that he can`t do what
he used to be able to do.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`re going to clear it out. Begin a
new game.
WEIMAN: The reality of living in isolation is out there and
it`s real. And that`s really one of the driving forces for us to keep going.
Drag the bucket list out of them. When he saw the balloon being blown up and I
looked at his face, his smile could have filled up the balloon but it`s in that
moment that I know this is where I`m supposed to be.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey we`re moving.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s just heartwarming to see him going
up in that balloon and I think he`s still smiling. Just so proud of him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You keep smiling. That`s - - that`s your
only requirement.
WEIMAN: I looked at it like much more than a hot air balloon
ride. Calm and beautiful. It was a moment in time to share a little space with
two heroes had a good shot at the moon. It`s a feeling that`s indescribable. I
could feel the joy in their heart. I could see the spark in their eye and feel
the gratitude that fills the air. And I think knowing that they`re feeling the
same way is really all I needed to know this was a successful mission.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you have a good time dad?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was something.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He won`t believe he`s this old if he
keeps doing adventurous things.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (inaudible) fly again.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was something he`d never experienced
before and he`ll never forget it, ever.
WEIMAN: Even in your 90s`, you`re still flying high.
(inaudible) I want to thank you. This was a great day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
AZUZ: A Canadian fire department recently ordered 18 large
pizzas for $300. They thought they`d called Alimo`s (ph) Pizzaria in Alberta,
Canada where they`re based. But instead they`d ordered from Alamo`s Pizza in
San Antonio, Texas. Oops. That`s 2,300 miles away so a bit far for delivery.
So what they decided to do was donate the pizzas to two
local fire stations in Texas. Firefighters there shared some pictures of
themselves enjoying the pies and now people from all over are donating pizzas
to workers.
Who wouldn`t want a "pizzof" that effort? For
anyone in "pepporoneed" of a pick me up, these pizzas are making the
rounds where "slices" of good will abound and folks "dough"
want to miss the chance to "dish" out a gesture who`s ingredients are
kindness and generosity. And is never too "cheesy" to "pie"
it forward. I`m Carl Azuz, hope your weekend is fresh.
END
