In Brief
Canto-pop stars in race to become Olympic torch bearers
Three Canto-pop stars, a Paralympic equestrian a Wushu athlete, a prison officer and a teacher have made the local shortlist of Olympic torch bearers. Canto-pop stars Kelly Chan Wai-lam, Eason Chan Yik-shun and Miriam Yeung Chin-wah, Hong Kong rider Nelson Yip Siu-hong, Macau athlete Leong Hong Man, Yuen Wai-sun, a Correctional Services Department principal officer, and Lam Koon-shing, who teaches physical education in Macau, were picked. The list has been submitted for final approval by the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.
Tsang tours Kuwaiti oilfields
Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen kicked off a three-day visit to Kuwait with a tour of oilfields. In his first visit to the Middle East since he took office in 2005, Mr Tsang is hoping to tap the region's vast oil revenue as part of Hong Kong's bid to become a centre for Islamic banking. After Kuwait, he will travel to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Tree at Jimmy Lai's house burned
A tree outside the house of media mogul Jimmy Lai Chi-ying's home was set alight last night. A tree outside the house on Kadoorie Avenue, Kowloon, caught fire at about 10.30pm and a domestic helper reported it to police. No one was injured and the fire was put out by the helper. Three bottles, burned to a cinder, were found on the tree. Police said they had been placed in a plastic bag and set alight, causing a small explosion.
Elderly seek help from the cold
More than 1,000 elderly people sought help through the Personal Emergency Link during yesterday's cold spell brought by a strong northeast monsoon. The Senior Citizen Home Safety Association said 1,094 people had used its intercom link by 5pm. A total of 73 people were taken to hospitals.
