PAGE 1, HEADLINE #1: "Firefighters blame broadcaster for blaze as broadcaster apologizes"

According to the SCMP, "China Central Television (CCTV) was responsible for the raging blaze on Monday which left one fireman dead, Beijing firefighting authorities said. The new CCTV complex, which cost 5 billion yuan (HK$5.68 billion) and includes an avant-garde office building frequently described as a pair of underpants, has been noted for its extravagance and strange design".

Implications/Analysis/Comments/Remarks: China is unsure whether to stay conservative or go liberal. How can a building resemble underpants?

According to Beijing fire control chief Luo Yan, "We have videos of the scene and remnants of the fireworks which will serve as strong evidence in the investigation".

PAGE 1, headline 2: "Taiwan's ex-first lady pleads guilty"

According to the SCMP, "Wheelchair-bound former Taiwanese first lady Wu Shu-chen pleaded guilty at a hearing in Taipei yesterday to laundering US$2.2 billion and forging documents. But she denied more serious embezzlement and corruption charges, in a move widely seen to clear herself, her husband and her son".

Implications/Analysis/Comments/Remarks: The current administration in Taiwan is pro-China and therefore Wu's strategy will not work.

"She admitted through Tsai Ming-che, a co-defendant and the brother of her old classmate, Tsai Mei-li, that she helped a businessman win the contract, for which she was given a commission of US$2.2 million. She later told Tsai Ming-che (that) she later wired the money abroad without telling the former president".

Implications/Analysis/Commnets/Remarks: Chen shui-bian is Wu Shu-chen's husband and this is Asia where men control money and tell women what to do with it. With this in mind, Wu wiring money overseas without telling Chen is incredible (i.e. unbelievable in the negative sense)

Wu's final remarks: "I did receive NT$200 million, but Tsai told me (that) the fund was only political contributions from Koo Cheng-yun for my husband and I only learned from news media that he had given me NT$400 million and I hope (that) the court will investigate where the rest of the money has gone. I apologise to the public for causing turmoil in society".

Implications/Analysis/Comments/Remarks: This is the classic 'show & tell' trial in Taiwan. Wu knows that her legacy has been permanently tarnished so she's just throwing words around for the media. Ultimately, however, this is not smart and will probably to a longer jail sentence.

PAGE 3: "Junior civil servants may have to disclose jobs taken after retiring"

According to a paper published by a committee set up to review the post-retirement jobs of civil servants, "The review committee has an open attitude on these issues at this stage. Before it can formulate its position, it wishes to review views from members of the public and stakeholders".

According to Legco Public Service chairman and unionist Lee Cheuk-yan, "Transparency is surely good, but what matters the most is whether strict processing is applied when dealing with applications ("post-service jobs taken by all directorate civil servants should be disclosed for public supervision")

Implications/Analysis/Comments/Remarks: This is yet another example of the government interfering in people's lives. If someone wants to leave or retire from the civil service, let them go for God's sake. Only one exception can be made and that's when there is a clear conflict of interest. Also Lee Cheuk-yan is a pro-democrat. Why is he part of this pro-government committee? This is counter-intuitive.