Hong Kong’s university entrance exam results and the conclusion of an independent committee’s hearings on the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire led local news this week. Read on for the details of these top stories and others covered by the City desk.

In today’s edition:

• DSE results released

   

• Fire hearings end

   

• Pet-friendly restaurants debate

DSE results released

A record 24 students from 15 schools scored perfect marks in the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exams, but the proportion of day-school candidates meeting the minimum university admission requirements fell slightly to 36.8 per cent. An education consultant attributed the decline to students’ weaker performance in their two core language subjects. 

Some high-fliers overcame personal adversity to achieve their exceptional grades, including an almost entirely blind student.

A week earlier, the annual results of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme showed the city’s average score surpassed the global average by 20 per cent. We analysed why Hong Kong students performed so well.

Fire hearings end

The independent committee hearings on the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court ended on Friday after 30 sessions.

During three days of closing submissions, the government argued that its role in the fire was secondary to that of the construction and fire services companies. 

Residents told the committee that the fire was the result of “multiple layers of human failures”, with some “unable to contain their anger” at attempts by certain parties to downplay their roles by shifting the blame. 

Committee counsel Victor Dawes SC said that although the inquiry could not make up for lives lost, he hoped the conclusions could offer answers for the survivors.

You can find our series of multimedia projects on the tragedy that killed 168 residents here.

Pet-friendly restaurants debate

The launch of pet-friendly dining on July 9 sparked online debate over public hygiene and dog behaviour, while some of the more than 900 restaurants that signed up withdrew from the scheme. 

A lawmaker described the initial chaos as a “learning phase for the whole society” and called for tougher vetting mechanisms.

Read these stories and more at SCMP.com. Have a great weekend.

Politics

• Hong Kong passes bill for Huanggang ‘co-location’ arrangement

   

• 5 Hong Kong booksellers arrested for alleged sedition released on bail

   

• Booksellers must ensure titles don’t violate national security laws: Chris Tang

   

• Hong Kong national security laws must be continually improved, legal expert says

   

• Northern Metropolis fast-track laws will ‘run parallel’ with environmental rules

Society

• Hong Kong probes civil service negligence in 15-year delay over baby blunder case

   

• CUHK launches first cross-border clinical trial centre in Nansha

   

• Some workers seek to quit smoking as ban on Hong Kong construction sites kicks in

   

• SPCA cancels fundraiser amid backlash over bid to remove dog-killing videos

   

• Winter tourists warned as Hongkonger dies in New Zealand car crash

Law and crime

• Senior Hong Kong policeman convicted of molesting clerk 3 times at headquarters

   

• Ex-primary school IT technician jailed 11 years for molesting 3 boys on campus

   

• Boy, 14, arrested after allegedly knocking classmate unconscious

   

• Bar security footage helps clear Hong Kong rugby player of molestation charge

   

• 2 men arrested over 123 ‘crash-for-cash’ traffic accidents in Hong Kong

Economy

• Gulf capital flowing into Asia as trade with Hong Kong rises 35%: Paul Chan

   

• Mainland Chinese firms on Hong Kong-led Central Asia trip ‘eye city listing’

   

• Hong Kong urged to position Greater Bay Area as equine hub, grow racing tourism

   

• Short-haul arrivals fall 15% in June amid strong Hong Kong dollar, fewer flights

   

• Hong Kong airport profit falls 16.8% to HK$2b as expenses, salvage operation bite

Business and tech

• Shein clears Hong Kong IPO hurdle as valuation halves to below US$50b: sources

   

• HKIC reports double-digit investment return as ‘patient capital’ bears fruit

   

• Hong Kong developers ready new home sales amid muted price increases

   

• Retail rift: Hong Kong shops beg for rent relief, landlords hold firm

   

• How the AI, chip boom is propelling Hong Kong’s ETP market to new heights

3 things to do this weekend

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

• "The Odyssey" review: Christopher Nolan adapts Homer for an epic anti-war masterpiece

   

• "The President’s Cake" review: Cannes-winning Iraqi drama is an instant classic

   

• Where a Frenchman goes for ‘very authentic’ French food in Hong Kong