Talking points

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

China sends envoy to Nigeria's inauguration

China is sending its new railways minister, Sheng Guangzu (left), to attend this weekend's inaugural ceremony of Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. Sheng is going as a special envoy of President Hu Jintao . China signed a billion-dollar deal to upgrade the Lagos-Kano railway in 2009. Despite unrest that forced it to halt projects in Libya, China has said other commitments in Africa will not be affected.

Beijing, Moscow to discuss energy

Deputy Premier Wang Qishan will go to Russia for next week's Sino-Russian energy negotiator's meeting. Wang is expected to meet Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has said that differences over oil prices between Chinese and Russian energy companies will be resolved through friendly dialogue.

Nepal's constitutional assembly frays

Nepal's Constitutional Assembly, which serves as the country's legislature, is set to dissolve without coming close to agreeing on the document that is supposed to govern the new Nepal. Mired in turmoil, the country's capital has only a few hours of running water per week, one of many problems left to fester as the country's political parties squabble over a new constitution. The country has had no prime minister for much of the past year, and risks having no government at all by the end of the weekend.

Egypt opens Gaza border

Egypt permanently opens its border with the Gaza Strip on a daily basis today, to ease entry restrictions for Palestinians. But Israeli and US officials fear the opening could enable the Hamas group to move weapons and militants into the Palestinian territory.

Barcelona go for legend status

Barcelona will seek to seal their status as the finest team of their generation when they face Manchester United, the newly crowned English champions, at Wembley in the most eagerly awaited Champions League final in years. A second triumph in three years - and their third since 2006 - would provide irrefutable proof that Pep Guardiola's team deserve to be bracketed alongside legendary teams like Real Madrid's 1950s vintage, Johan Cruyff's Ajax or the Dutch-influenced AC Milan of the 1990s.

Open day at Arts Centre

The Hong Kong Arts Centre will have its open day today, allowing visitors to cruise around its building in Wan Chai. People can enjoy a variety of arts programmes, including exhibitions, screenings of short films and an open dance performance.