Talking points
Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...
Mong Kok Bird Garden reopens
The Bird Garden in Mong Kok's Yuen Po Street reopens. The market was closed on July 5 following the discovery of H5N1, the virus that causes bird flu, in samples taken from a stallholder's cages. More than 1,000 birds were destroyed. Stall owners are seeking compensation of up to HK$40,000 each for the loss of trade during the three-week closure. There are 18 stalls in the garden, with more than 10,000 birds for sale. Most of the birds come from Malaysia, with some from Taiwan and the Philippines.
Dual listing for Malaysian hospital group
Asia's top hospital operator, Malaysia's IHH Healthcare, starts trading on the stock exchanges of Malaysia and Singapore, with an expected capitalisation of 23 billion ringgit (HK$56.2 billion), according to Bloomberg. Its operations and investments span much of Asia, according to the prospectus. Along with last month's Felda IPO in Kuala Lumpur, the IHH offering has lifted Bursa Malaysia above the Hong Kong stock exchange as Asia's largest market for international listings by value, the Financial Times reports.
Singapore pastor goes on trial for fraud
The founder of one of Singapore's biggest and wealthiest churches appears in court charged with defrauding his 30,000-member congregation of US$18 million. Pastor Kong Hee (left) and four senior executives of the City Harvest Church - a Christian group registered as a charity - were arrested by a police unit set up to fight financial crime. Officials said the five were suspected of diverting S$23 million (HK$139.26 million) earmarked for charity and spending money on an attempt by the pastor's wife to launch an evangelical music career in the US.
Former Law Society president enters Legco race
Tuen Mun Rural Committee chairman Junius Ho Kwan-yiu, a former president of the Law Society, submits his nomination to stand for election to one of the nine Legislative Council seats in New Territories West. Others expected to file today for the September 9 poll include lawmaker Gary Chan Hak-kan, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, and Sha Tin district councillor Elizabeth Quat. Both will stand in New Territories East. Medical sector lawmaker Dr Leung Ka-lau is also expected to announce his bid for re-election.
Terracotta army marches into TST in virtual form
The Museum of History in Tsim Sha Tsui opens a multimedia show that brings Xian's terracotta army to Hong Kong in virtual form. The four-month exhibition devoted to the Qin emperor, 'The Majesty of All Under Heaven: The Eternal Realm of China's First Emperor', is expected to draw 400,000 visitors.
Rescue package for French carmakers
France's Socialist government is expected to announce a rescue package for carmakers, including incentives for electric cars, in which Peugeot and Renault are market leaders. Mass layoffs have piled pressure on President Francois Hollande to cut social welfare levies instead of bailing out the sector, as a way of easing labour costs and improving competitiveness.
