Talking points

Today our editors will be keeping their eyes on ...

Apple expected to unveil iCloud

All eyes in the digital world will be on San Francisco as Apple chief executive Steve Jobs returns briefly from medical leave to unveil iCloud. It's a new service wrapped in secrecy, but various reports said it will permit music, hosted on Apple servers in the internet 'cloud', to be streamed to different devices, including computers, smartphones and touchscreen tablets. Apple is believed to be in talks with various major music labels.

Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen begins European tour

The chairwoman of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party, Tsai Ing-wen, starts a six-day trip to Europe during which she plans to study green industry, nuclear safety and climate policy in Germany and Britain. Tsai will pay special attention to Germany's plan to shut all nuclear reactors by 2022.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at Asia-Europe Meeting

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi attends the 10th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Asia-Europe Meeting in the Royal Palace of Godollo, near the Hungarian capital, Budapest, today and tomorrow. The meeting will focus on climate change, food, water and energy security, and terrorism.

Strauss-Kahn to plead in New York court

Dominique Strauss-Kahn is expected to plead not guilty to charges that he tried to rape a hotel maid, formally launching what could be a bruising campaign to clear his name. After a humiliating fall from grace, the former International Monetary Fund chief faces arraignment in the New York State Supreme Court on seven charges. While he has declared his innocence through his lawyers, today will be the first time he tells the court himself.

Ban to announce bid for second term at helm of UN

Ban Ki-moon is expected to announce his formal candidacy for a second term as secretary general of the United Nations. With no declared rival and none of the five permanent members of the Security Council opposing Ban, the 66-year-old former South Korean foreign minister is certain to get a new five-year term, envoys said. His term expires on December 31 and the Security Council powers want to see the selection process handled quickly. After Ban's expected announcement today, approval by the 15-member Security Council and then a vote at the 192-country General Assembly should take place by the end of June, UN envoys said.

Attention turns to Jenson Button's prospects

After six races without a win during which he has watched runaway leader Sebastian Vettel of Germany lead the way, attention turns to whether Briton Jenson Button is ready to fight back and can register his first Formula One victory on North American soil at the weekend. The 31-year-old Englishman and his McLaren teammate and compatriot Lewis Hamilton both feel they have the car and performance package to win the Canadian Grand Prix.

Dragon boat races bring festive cheer

Key dragon boat races take place in Stanley, Aberdeen, Sai Kung and Sha Tin as the city celebrates the Dragon Boat Festival, or Tuen Ng Festival, which marks the death some 2,000 years ago of Qu Yuan, a national hero who fought corruption.