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Deadline for ParknShop bids
The deadline arrives for initial bids for tycoon Li Ka-shing's ParknShop supermarket empire, with several international firms said to be considering joining the fray. Li's Hutchison Whampoa is looking for anything up to US$4 billion for the chain, which along with rival Wellcome dominates the Hong Kong grocery market. Potential bidders include US giant Wal-Mart Stores, Japan's Aeon and China Resources, owner of the Vanguard stores.
 
City's GDP growth figure released
The Hong Kong government released GDP data for the second quarter of the year, offering a picture of how the struggles in the mainland economy are affecting the city's role as a gateway to China. Hang Seng Bank this week estimated that growth in the city's gross domestic product accelerated to 3.3 per cent in the second quarter from 2.8 per cent in the first, benefiting from improving consumer spending and business investment.
 
Planners debate Peak hotel scheme
Plans to turn a historic 97-year-old house on The Peak into a luxury hotel come before the Town Planning Board amid huge opposition from neighbours and local councillors. Developer Crown Empire bought the property at 27 Lugard Road in September for HK$384 million and says the hotel project will help preserve the building. But opponents say the hotel will promote traffic on the extremely narrow road, which forms part of a popular hiking route.
 
Seoul awards jet fighter contract
South Korea's defence ministry announces the winner of a contract to build 60 advanced fighter jets, Seoul's biggest defence deal to date. US companies Boeing and Lockheed Martin and the European consortium EADS are in the running for the US$7.3 billion deal. The choice will be between Boeing's F-15 Silent Eagle, Lockheed's F-35 Lightning II and the EADS Eurofighter Typhoon. Seoul has typically relied on US equipment, but a European firm won a recent helicopter contract.
 
Apple launches adapter trade-in deal
Lovers of Apple gadgets can take advantage of a cheap offer to replace fake power adapters with the real thing at Hong Kong's Apple stores and authorised suppliers. The deal, which will see real cables offered in exchange for a price of approximately US$10, was prompted by the death of a Chinese woman who was electrocuted while using an unofficial third-party adapter.
 
Riders line up for the Palio
One of the world's most famous, violent and bizarre horse races takes place on the streets of the Italian city of Siena. The Palio di Siena pits 10 bareback horse riders wearing the colours of different parts of the town around a historic street course in the city's central piazza. Riders are allowed to use their whips not just to speed up their horse but also to fight their enemies.


Talking points

ParknShop supermarket 

Riders lines up for the Palio

Opinion

Comment

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


The deadline arrives for initial bids for tycoon Li Ka-shing's ParknShop supermarket empire, with several international firms said to be considering joining the fray.
