Talking points

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

Court deadline expires for Pakistan's PM

A Supreme Court deadline imposed on Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf (pictured) to ask Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zadari expires. The court warned that Ashraf might suffer the same fate as his predecessor, Yousuf Raza Gilani - being dismissed for contempt - if he refuses to do so. This could force elections before February when the government would become the first in Pakistan's history to complete an elected, full five-year mandate.

Libya's caretakers hand power to congress

Libya's interim authorities say they will hand over power to a newly elected General National Congress, less than a year after its fighters overthrew Muammar Gaddafi's regime. Libyans voted on July 7, in the country's first free elections since the popular uprising that escalated into a civil war. They elected a 200-member legislative assembly comprising party and independent representatives, which will lead Libya until fresh elections can be held on the basis of a new constitution.

Last chance for tenders for MTR site

Bidding closes for the Tsuen Wan West Bayside waterfront residential site, which the MTR Corporation opened to tender six months ago after a previous tender was withdrawn because offers submitted by four bidders were too low. This time the MTR has invited 14 developers - including Sun Hung Kai Properties, Henderson Land, Cheung Kong and Wheelock Properties - to rebid for the project, but some analysts say the chances that it will be withdrawn again are high.

Parks board rules on Tai Long Sai Wan

The Country and Marine Parks Board will decide whether to invoke statutory procedures to designate Tai Long Sai Wan as country park land, despite opposition from district councillors in Sai Kung. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, which runs the city's country parks, believes the designation will improve the management of the beach area that was defaced by a private landowner's excavation works in 2010.

Beijing envoy visits Taipei for cross-strait meeting

Chen Yunlin , head of Beijing's Association for Relations across the Taiwan Strait, arrives in Taipei to meet his Taiwanese counterpart, Chiang Pin-kung (pictured, right, with Chen, left). The two sides will sign an agreement to protect the investments of mainland-based Taiwanese businesspeople. While Chen and Chiang's aides hammer out the final details of tomorrow's meeting, Chen and his wife will tour Taipei.

Memorials coincide for Asean, Myanmar

Today marks the 45th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It was established in 1967 in Bangkok by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, as a bulwark against communism. Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam now belong. Today also marks the 24th anniversary of the death of 3,000 democracy supporters at the hands of soldiers in Myanmar. There will be a candle-light vigil at the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry terminal to mark the so-called 8888 massacre.