Talking points

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

Survey shows effect of domestic violence on children

Volunteer organisation Harmony House announces the results of a major survey on the impact of domestic violence on schoolchildren in Hong Kong. The group has interviewed 2,000 people in an attempt to get a true picture of the problem in the city.

Beijing starts drive for World Heritage designation

Beijing's cultural heritage agency launches its campaign today for getting the capital's 'central axis' monuments added to Unesco's World Heritage list. The 7.8-kilometre central axis runs through several gates of the city's original walls, including Tiananmen, as well as the Forbidden City. It is the foundation of the symmetrical urban design of the imperial capital.

Xiamen hosts week-long Straits Forum

The week-long Straits Forum starts today in Xiamen , Fujian province. Zheng Lizhong, the deputy minister of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, and Tseng Yung-Chuan, deputy chairman of Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang, are to attend the event. Beijing is closely watching the lead-up to the island's presidential election, to be held in January.

S Korea celebrates return of looted royal treasures

South Korea will stage a city-centre ceremony rich in pageantry to welcome the return of priceless ancient royal books, 145 years after they were looted by French troops. After years of diplomatic wrangling, France in April and May sent back 296 volumes of Uigwe, richly illustrated records of major court ceremonies and events during the Chosun dynasty (1392 to 1910). French troops seized the books in 1866 when they invaded Ganghwa Island west of Seoul in retaliation for the Chosun dynasty's execution of French Catholic missionaries.

Blagojevich case goes to the jury

Jurors in Chicago will be weighing corruption charges against former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich - again. For the second time, a jury will try to reach a verdict on charges including that he sought to sell or trade President Barack Obama's vacated US Senate seat and tried to shake down executives by threatening state decisions that would hurt their businesses. The impeached governor, 54, faces 20 counts, including attempted extortion and conspiracy to commit bribery. He did not take the stand in his first trial, but he testified for seven days this time and denied all wrongdoing.

Barbarians battle World XV for Japan relief

The mercury may be hitting 30 degrees Celsius but rugby is still the biggest game in town this weekend as the Asia Pacific Barbarians and World XV clash in the Chartis Cup at Hong Kong Football Club today. Organisers have managed to attract some household names, with former Wallaby No 8 Toutai Kefu to lead the Asia Pacific Barbarians and former French flanker Serge Betsen to captain the World XV. The game will raise money for the Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief fund and could be the start of something new for Hong Kong. 'We will see what the response is to this type of game before taking the next step, but I have a feeling there is strong support,' chief organiser Jon Phelps said. 'We want to make this an annual event with a big charity element to it always.'