Bruised pan-democrats meet on purging radicals

Pan-democrats meet to discuss cutting links with radicals in an attempt to win back popular support ahead of next year's Legislative Council elections. The meeting comes after a humiliating defeat for the camp in the district council elections earlier this month. The group is expected to kick out People Power, a move People Power lawmaker Wong Yuk-man has called 'ridiculous'. But unionist lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan, who also suffered defeat in the district polls, said voters were tired of the camp's infighting.

Obama in Australia to announce US build-up

US President Barack Obama arrives in Australia, where he is expected to unveil plans to deepen America's military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Fresh from hosting an Asia-Pacific trade summit in his native Hawaii, Obama is set to outline his vision for an expanded US role in the region in an address to the Australian Parliament. He will then travel to the remote outback city of Darwin - a gateway to Southeast Asia - and announce plans for thousands of US forces to train and conduct more joint exercises with the Australian military on the country's northern coast.

Guangdong sends 'largest delegation' to hi-tech fair

Guangdong Vice-Governor Zhao Yufang is leading 'the largest delegation' of business to participate in this year's China Hi-tech Fair, which opens in Shenzhen today. The province's new governor, Zhu Xiaodan , said on Monday that the challenge to Guangdong's exports from the euro-zone debt crisis was equal to that of the 2008 global financial crisis, but the situation would also push manufacturers towards producing high-technology exports and products with greater added value. The fair continues until Tuesday.

American consumer price figures due

The US consumer price index for October is due out tonight. The index is the benchmark indicator for inflation in the world's biggest economy. A low number could reflect shrinking spending as consumers conserve their cash because of fears they could lose their jobs if the United States sinks into a prolonged recession.

Nanjing reports on preparations for Youth Olympics

Chinese Olympic Committee vice-president Yu Zaiqing and the Communist Party boss of the city of Nanjing, Yang Weize, speak in Beijing on Nanjing's preparations to host the second Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2014. Singapore held the first edition of the youth games last year, and the first Winter Youth Olympic Games will be held in Innsbruck, Austria, in January. As well as sporting competitions, participants aged 15 to 18 from around the world will be involved in culture and education programmes.