Talking points

Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...

Shanghai Tang next to leave Pedder Building

The China Tee Club has gone from Central's historic Pedder Building, and next in line will be Shanghai Tang. The chic Chinese clothing chain has been forced to close its 17-year-old flagship store, making way for Abercrombie & Fitch, the American casual-wear chain, which will take over four floors of the building. Founded by entrepreneur and arts patron David Tang, Shanghai Tang became a darling of international fashionistas, spawning more than 40 outlets worldwide. The chain is now controlled by Richemont. Its post-Pedder plans will be announced today.

Taiwan's opposition debates Double Tenth symbolism

Taiwan's main opposition presidential candidate, Dr Tsai Ing-wen, is set to announce whether she will attend the October 10 centenary celebration. Taipei celebrates its national day, or the Double Tenth, on October 10 to mark the rebellion that brought down the Qing dynasty and led to the founding of the Republic of China in 1911. Some of Tsai's staff at the Democratic Progressive Party fear her attendance would seem to be an endorsement of unification, but opinions are shifting.

Mainland's holiday week not as golden as in the past

The mainland's 'golden week' holiday is about to end and economists are totting up its effect on the real estate and car markets. The week-long National Day holiday used to be a high time for families to shop around for new houses and cars, but Xinhua reported a major housing trade fair in Shanghai held during the holiday registered a low turnover of deals despite high attendance. Vehicle sales in Guangdong offered a mixed picture, too; while 2,500 vehicles were sold at a Guangzhou car show, dealers said business was just so-so.

Former president to be buried in Caracas

Venezuela buries former president Carlos Andres Perez in Caracas, nine months after his death in Miami set off a bitter family feud over his final resting place. The embalmed body had remained in limbo in Florida while the families of Perez's former first lady and his long-time mistress battled in court over whether he should be buried in Venezuela or the United States. Perez died on December 25. He was 88. His estranged wife, Blanca Rodriguez de Perez, insisted she had the right under Florida law as surviving spouse to bring her husband's body home. But his mistress in Miami, Cecilia Matos, contended that Perez vowed repeatedly never to return as long as his political nemesis, Hugo Chavez, was president.

Bookies give Bob Dylan top odds for literature Nobel

'And if my thought dreams could be seen...', they just might give him the Nobel Prize for Literature. American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan (right) has emerged as the favourite to win the literature prize due to be announced later today, according to British gambling site Ladbrokes. Dylan stands at 5-1 to win the prestigious prize, followed by Syrian poet Adonis. Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami - a firm favourite among Hong Kong readers - is the third favourite, with odds of 8-1. Chinese poet Bei Dao, who is teaching at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, has odds of 25-1 to land the prize.