Talking points
Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...
Lawmakers resume discussions on the government's plan to donated HK$100 million to earthquake relief efforts in Sichuan. The Legislative Council's Finance Committee failed to reach a vote when it met to debate the idea last week. The donation plan has proved controversial due to concerns about official corruption on the mainland and how the city's donations in the wake of the 2008 earthquake were handled.
Poultry markets around Guangdong begin closing for thorough cleaning amid concerns about the growing threat of H7N9 bird flu. Wet markets across the province will take turns to close until Sunday. The provincial health department said the risk of cases of human infection with H7N9 was getting higher, following the discovery of suspected samples of the virus in a Dongguan market and human bird flu cases in three neighbouring provinces.
India celebrates the 100th anniversary of the start of its flourishing film industry. The first Bollywood film, a simple black-and-white effort far removed from today's all-singing, all-dancing hits, made its debut a century ago today. These days, commercially, cinema is thriving: India produced almost 1,500 films last year and the industry is expected to grow from US$2 billion to US$3.6 billion in the next five years, according to consultancy KPMG.
World Press Freedom Day is celebrated around the globe. The theme for 2013 is "Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media", which focuses on the safety of journalists, the issue of impunity, and online safety. There is also a special focus on the implementation of the United Nations plan of action on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity.
Troubled soccer boss Carson Yeung Ka-sing learns whether a District Court judge will accept an application by his lawyer to kick out five charges of money laundering. Yeung, 52, was arrested and charged in June 2011 with five counts of dealing with property known or believed to represent the proceeds of an indictable offence between 2001 and 2007. He denies all charges and says they should be dropped due to an abuse of process by the prosecution.
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli brings his With Passione tour to the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. Bocelli, born with congenital glaucoma, lost his sight entirely at the age of 12 when, defending the goal in a football match, he was hit on the head by the ball and suffered a brain haemorrhage. He has become the biggest-selling artist in the history of classical music.
