Talking points

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

Guantanamo trial starts for 9/11 accused

Khalid Shaikh Mohammed (pictured), the self-proclaimed mastermind of the September 11 attacks, and four alleged accomplices will be indicted on war-crime and murder charges in a special US military court on Guantanamo Bay, in what US media have billed as the trial of the century. Lawyers for Mohammed, who has been 'waterboarded' 183 times since his capture in Pakistan in March 2003, have questioned whether a fair trial is possible with a jury of American military officers. The accused face the death penalty if convicted.

Europe on hold as France and Greece go to polls

France and Greece vote tomorrow in elections that will be closely watched for their consequences on the European Union and the euro. With France's joblessness at a 12-year high and national debt at a record level, President Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist Francois Hollande have focused on the economy and Europe's debt crisis. Greek voters are expected to abandon old political loyalties and give no party an outright majority threatening to leave their country without a government when it needs it most.

Activists to hold rally against MTR fare increase

Pro-democracy group People Power has called for a protest rally at the MTR's headquarters in Kowloon, calling on the corporation to improve services and abandon its planned 5.4 per cent fare rise. Based on last year's average daily journeys and an average fare of HK$7.84, the 5.4 per cent increase will bring in an extra HK$617 million this year, MTR Corp chairman Dr Raymond Chien Kuo-fung (pictured) said this week.

Investors get briefed on Berkshire after Buffett

Warren Buffett (pictured) holds court in Omaha, Nebraska, today when he is expected to reassure investors that the US$200 billion company he built over 42 years as chief executive is positioned to thrive after his eventual departure. After years of outperforming the market, growth has slowed in the last 15 years as the 81-year-old directed Berkshire's earnings towards takeovers in industries such as machine tools and railways

Japan's only power reactor to shut down

Japan will mark its first day without nuclear-generated power since at least 1970 (some reports say 1966), when the Tomari-3 reactor, on the island of Hokkaido is shut for maintenance. The reactor is the last of 54 in Japan still operating. Industry Minister Yukio Edano announced the shutdown last month as the government prepared to restart two offline nuclear reactors amid criticism over the safety of atomic power after the massive quake and tsunami in March last year caused reactor meltdowns at Fukushima.

165,000 spectators for Kentucky Derby

Known as 'the greatest two minutes in sport', the Kentucky Derby will be run for 138th time, with the 2 kilometre race for three-year-old thoroughbreds expected to attract 165,000 visitors to Churchill Downs in Louisville. Bloomberg says officials expect the Derby and the festival are expected to generate at least US$345 million.