Talking points

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

Jerome Lau hears verdict on indecent assault charges

The District Court delivers its verdict on charges of indecent assault and criminal intimidation against businessman Jerome Lau Ting-sing, pictured (right) with co-accused Lo Yan-kit, 27. The court heard Lau, 62, had more than 60,000 photos of naked male models, some of whom he had molested during photographic sessions. Lau has denied the charges, while Lo has pleaded guilty to intimidation.

Foundation announces Shaw Prize winners

The winners of the Shaw prizes for 2012 will be announced this afternoon at a function in Tsim Sha Tsui. Each year the Shaw Prize awards US$1 million to the winner or winners in each of three categories: astronomy, mathematical sciences, and life sciences and medicine. Established in 2002 by film producer Run Run Shaw, the prize honours individuals who, in the opinion of the Shaw Prize Foundation, 'have made distinguished contributions to modern civilisation'.

Officials hold briefing on Putin's Beijing visit

Vice-Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping and Russian Ambassador to China Sergey Razov brief the media on a coming visit to Beijing by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin is also expected to attend the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation summit in the capital.

Peace emissary Annan meets Assad in Damascus

UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan (left) meets President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. It is the former United Nations secretary general's second visit to Syria since the start of his peace mission three months ago, and comes after the UN Security Council's condemnation of the Assad government for an attack on the central town of Houla over the weekend that killed at least 108 people. The UN says the dead include 49 children and 34 women. Annan's six-point peace plan was supposed to begin with a ceasefire from April 12 but, despite the deployment of a UN military observer mission, it has failed to take hold.

Think tank hosts US-Islamic World Forum

Washington-based think tank the Brookings Institution holds its annual US-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar, until Thursday, focusing on US relations with Islamic countries. The forum will examine the impact and challenges of the 'Arab spring for Muslim communities around the globe, including in South and Southeast Asia', according to the institute's website.

Beijing sends envoy to Asean defence meeting

Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie , pictured (left) with Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh, meets Asean defence ministers in Phnom Penh. Cambodian officials say Liang's meetings on the sidelines of the conference are aimed at building closer co-operation between China, not in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the bloc, several of whose members are involved in South China Sea disputes with Beijing.