Long-awaited details on how ride-hailing services will be regulated in Hong Kong and the public consultation over the city’s first five-year plan led the local news this week. Read on for details about these top stories and others covered by the City desk.

In today’s edition:

• Ride-hailing rules inch forward

   

• 5-year plan takes key step

   

• Growth forecast remains steady

   

• Dates of holidays released

Ride-hailing rules inch forward

While residents have used ride-hailing services for years, the government has yet to regulate them.

Transport officials provided lawmakers with more information on planned enforcement powers, penalties and licensing arrangements. But the critical piece of the puzzle – how many vehicles will be allowed on the city’s roads – will only be revealed later. For an overview of what various stakeholders think the permit cap should be, click here.

Authorities also delayed their plan to lower the age threshold for mandatory medical certification for drivers of taxis and other commercial vehicles. Legislative proposals are now expected in the second half of the year.

Just a day earlier, a 70-year-old cabby lost control of his vehicle and drove onto a pavement, killing one woman and badly injuring another.

5-year plan takes key step

The SCMP exclusively reported that city leader John Lee will start consulting the public next month on Hong Kong’s first five-year plan. An extensive publicity campaign is expected to promote the consultation.

Inside the government, the new constitutional and mainland affairs minister is gathering proposals from various departments. Will the government heed calls from a think tank led by Fung Investments chairman Victor Fung that Hong Kong should reposition itself as a “super value-adder” in the long run?

Growth forecast remains steady

In economic news, the government held steady with its estimate for annual growth, predicting expansion would fall between 2.5 and 3.5 per cent as forecast by finance chief Paul Chan in his February budget.

While the city recorded its fastest quarterly growth in nearly five years, at 5.9 per cent, the government warned that rising oil prices due to the war in the Middle East could drive inflation higher in the coming months.

Dates of holidays released

Finally, authorities released next year's official public holiday dates. Residents can enjoy an 11-day-long break over the Easter and Ching Ming holidays by applying for just four days of leave. You can find a breakdown of how best to line up your vacation days here.

Visit SCMP.com for these stories and more. Enjoy your weekend!

Politics

• Exclusive | Hong Kong to launch public consultation on 5-year blueprint ‘by early June’

   

• China backs Hong Kong courts, ignores calls to free Jimmy Lai ahead of Trump visit

   

• Exclusive | Cigarette butts ‘strong evidence’ of smoking ban breach at work sites: Chris Sun

   

• Exclusive | Hong Kong may broaden at-risk elderly support after recent deaths, minister says

   

• Janice Tse is the ‘property queen’ of Hong Kong ministers. Here’s what she owns

Society

• Hong Kong government issues buy-back offer letters to Wang Fuk Court homeowners

   

• Broke with autistic son, she thought about suicide. A charity changed their lives

   

• What Hong Kong’s planned ride-hailing regime could mean for your next Uber trip

   

• No hotpot: Hong Kong dog-friendly restaurants face menu and layout limits

   

• Meet 3 vinyl-spinning Hong Kong mothers finding a new rhythm after hardships

Law and crime

• Hong Kong court freezes HK$9 billion in assets and properties tied to Chen Zhi

   

• Hong Kong privacy watchdog slams Canvas owner for paying ransom to hackers

   

• Hong Kong tech crimes are dropping. So why is hacking becoming more lucrative?

   

• Helper molested 10-year-old girl while waking her up, Hong Kong court hears

   

• Community service for pair in their 60s who had sex at Hong Kong pier

Economy

• Guy Bradley takes helm as Cathay chairman, Patrick Healy retires after 3 decades

   

• Hong Kong Airport Authority takes over 11 Skies retail from New World: sources

   

• Exclusive | Takeover of Hong Kong Golf & Tennis Academy’s Central club postponed by 2 months

   

• Would you invest in a play? Hong Kong sets the stage for tokenised funding

   

• Hong Kong firm eyes untapped market with launch of tailor-made electric minibus

Business and property

• Hong Kong secures US$3.5 billion to fund Northern Metropolis and green projects

   

• Hong Kong’s Central office rents set to reverse multi-year slump in second half

   

• Is Hong Kong’s cultural hub of West Kowloon emerging as ‘Central 2.0’?

   

• Cheng family’s NWD slumps after admitting 11 Skies, new investor plans stalled

   

• Hong Kong’s first biodiversity loan goes to Henderson Land for Central Yards

3 things to do this weekend

- Curated by Kevin Kwong and Enid Tsui from our Culture desk

• Big JJ Seafood Hotpot gets fancy in new Central location

   

• Park Ji-hoon leads winning military comedy "The Legend of Kitchen Soldier"

   

• Photographer’s snaps of 1970s Hong Kong given life 5 decades on