Talking points

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

Shenzhou-9 crew on a mission closer to home

The three members of the Shenzhou-9 mission to dock with the orbiting Tiangong-1 space laboratory, who returned to earth on June 29 after 13 days in space, arrive in the city for a four-day visit at the invitation of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying. Astronauts Jing Haipeng , Liu Wang and China's first woman in space, Liu Yang (left), are travelling with a 40-member delegation. They will meet the media, attend a dialogue session with school pupils and open an exhibition at the Hong Kong Science Museum.

Hong Kong releases GDP figures for second quarter

Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah's office releases data for the city's gross domestic product in the second quarter of the year. Earlier this year University of Hong Kong economists revised their prediction for the city's GDP growth for the full year to between 3 and 4 per cent, up one percentage point from an estimate made in January, citing resolution of the Greek debt crisis and continuing economic recovery in the United States.

Deadline looms for cash-strapped Pompey

English League One football side Portsmouth will be shut unless all senior players have accepted compromise wage deals or agreed to transfers. British media reported that management would liquidate the club, known to fans as Pompey, by today if deals were not reached with seven remaining senior players. Two interested buyers - former owner Balram Chainrai (left), a Hong Kong businessman, and the Portsmouth Supporters' Trust - have said their takeover bids depend on the deals with the high earners. If Chainrai buys the club, it will be his third stint as owner.

Romney starts bus tour with running mate on mind

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney starts a bus tour through several key states, with stops in Washington, Richmond, Jacksonville, Orlando and Miami. He is also likely to visit the swing state of North Carolina. US media report that with only weeks to go until the Republican National Convention, Romney may announce his running mate during the tour. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is among the front runners.

Elvis fans pay homage to their King

Elvis Week begins in Memphis, Tennessee, the start of a week-long vigil building up to the 35th anniversary on Thursday of Elvis Presley's death at the age of 42. The annual event at Graceland where Presley is interred, including the candle-light vigil (pictured last year), grew out of the throngs of fans who gathered outside his home within hours of news of his death on August 16, 1977. Organisers expect about 50,000 fans. Presley was born in Tupelo, also in Memphis, on January 8, 1935.

HK hurdle to generic cigarette packaging

A public consultation by the British government on standardising tobacco packaging ends. It is part of a Department of Health investigation into introducing plain packaging for cigarettes. Australia is set to become the first country to adopt plain packaging in December, when a law passed late last year takes effect. Philip Morris Asia, a Hong Kong-based company that owns leading cigarette brands in Australia, is challenging the legislation under an investment-protection treaty between Hong Kong and Australia.