Talking points
Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...
Airport master plan gets off the ground
The Airport Authority will release its Airport Master Plan for 2030 today - with the construction of a third runway expected to be the highlight. Officials will present different scenarios on the benefits and impacts of this project, which is expected to cost more than HK$80 billion. The public will be able to offer opinions during a three-month consultation period starting today.
Mozambique minister visits Beijing
Mozambican Foreign Minister Oldemiro Baloi will pay an official visit to China and hold meetings with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (pictured) from today to June 7. Mozambique media reports say China has expressed interest in investing in the country's mining and energy projects.
Chinese tourists head back to Japan
A big tour group from the mainland begins a trip to Japan today, the first since the March earthquake and tsunami. The group of 180 Chinese tourists is expected to take a chartered plane from Shanghai to Japan and to visit Osaka, Kobe and Kagawa.
Party voices no confidence in PM Kan
Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan faces a rebellion in his party with a no-confidence motion, which complicates his struggle to cope with the world's worst nuclear crisis in 25 years. Kan should survive the vote in parliament, expected as early as today, but could still face big hurdles pushing policies through a divided parliament, including an extra budget to pay for rebuilding the affected provinces after the deadly March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Samsonite goes public with media as well as bourse
Executives of luggage maker Samsonite will meet with the media for the first time since the company announced plans to make an initial public offering in Hong Kong. The company is believed to be aiming to raise as much as US$1.5 billion.
Leaders gather to honour Italy on 150th birthday
Dozens of world leaders are descending on Rome this week as part of lavish celebrations marking the birth of modern Italy 150 years ago. The presidents of Russia, Turkey, Israel, Germany and Argentina are among the 80 top officials expected to attend the reception in the gardens of the Renaissance-era Quirinale presidential palace and a military parade today on Via dei Fori Imperiali near the Colosseum. Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano, an 85-year-old former communist, who plays a largely ceremonial role in the country, will be in the spotlight. He has lately become a figure of unity in a country known for its historic fractures and sharply divided politics.
