Talking points

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

Court hears dispute over Cheung Kong Center project

The High Court begins hearing a judicial review application by a Hutchison Whampoa subsidiary over a retail scheme for the Cheung Kong Center in Central. The company, Turbo Top, objects to a Town Planning Board rezoning decision in January that blocked its plan to convert part of the underused car park in the commercial tower into a supermarket. It said the board treated the case in an 'unfair, illogical and discriminatory' manner and that the draft zoning plan for the nearby International Finance Centre had fewer restrictions. The court case has delayed the town planning process of nearby projects such as the Central Market revitalisation and the redevelopment of the west wing of the old Central Government Offices.

China-Europe forum aims to boost trust, co-operation

The head of the Communist Party's international department, Wang Jiarui , meets counterparts at the China-Europe High-Level Political Parties Forum in Brussels. Xinhua said the meeting was aimed at fostering the exchange of views between Chinese and European leaders on development and to enhance trust and co-operation.

Carlos the Jackal faces trial over 1980s bombings

Venezuelan militant Carlos the Jackal goes on trial in a Paris court charged with four deadly bombings carried out almost 30 years ago as attacks by extreme leftists ravaged Europe. The cravat-wearing Marxist-Leninist radical, 62, whose real name is Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, is already serving a life sentence in France for the murder of two French policemen and an informant in 1975. Carlos, born in 1949, rose to prominence in 1975 when his commando group burst into a conference room where ministers from the powerful Opec oil cartel were meeting in Vienna, taking 11 of them hostage. He is now on trial for 1982 and 1983 attacks billed as part of a private war Carlos waged against France to free two comrades, including his future wife, who were arrested in Paris while planning to attack the Kuwaiti Embassy. The trial, ordered by controversial anti-terrorism judge Jean-Louis Bruguiere after an initial investigation in the 1980s, will be presided over by judge Laurent Olivier and is set to last until December 16.

Jury returns to deliberations in Michael Jackson case

The jury in the manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, reconvenes after failing to reach a verdict on its first day of deliberations on Friday. The seven men and five women will resume their reflections on whether Murray, 58, is guilty of involuntary manslaughter over the star's death on June 25, 2009. Jackson fans had hoped for a quick verdict after what the prosecution claims was an overwhelming case against Murray, while the late star's sister La Toya said she hoped the jury would 'do the right thing'. Murray faces up to four years in jail if convicted over Jackson's death at his Los Angeles home from an overdose of propofol, given to help him sleep.

Figures may give clue to US consumer demand

Consumer credit figures due out tonight may shed some light on whether US consumer demand is starting to recover. Separate consumer research is due out later this week from the University of Michigan.