Talking points

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

Eyes on Kim Jong-il's funeral for hints on power shift

North Korea has not disclosed any details of today's funeral for Kim Jong-il but is thought to be preparing a huge farewell for its late leader, who died on December 17. South Korean media, remembering the 1994 funeral for his father, Kim Il-sung, said the rites would probably begin at 10am, with Kim's son and successor, Kim Jong-un (left), and senior officials paying final respects at Pyongyang's Kumsusan Memorial Palace. While Kim Jong-il had 20 years to prepare for the communist world's only dynastic succession, Kim Jong-un, in his late 20s, has had barely three. Analysts will closely watch the funeral for clues about who will most influence the new leader.

Views sought on reform of Hong Kong's family law

The Hong Kong government launches a public consultation to collect views on a proposed 'joint parental responsibility model' to improve the rights of children with divorced or estranged parents. Suggested by the Law Reform Commission in 2005, the proposal seeks to reform custodial arrangements, with one parent to be given a residence order, the other a contact order.

Bands line up for marching parade

The Marching Band Parade, one of the highlights of this year's Hong Kong Marching Band Festival, takes place today with 19 troupes, including bands from local schools as well as from Nanjing and Japan. The event, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Hong Kong Marching Band Association, runs from 2pm to 5pm at the Cultural Centre Piazza.

Taiwanese presidential candidate to visit Quemoy

Democratic Progressive Party chairwoman and presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen is expected to deliver a major speech on cross-strait relations when she visits Quemoy, a Taiwan-controlled island only a few kilometres from the mainland. Tsai hinted at a campaign rally in Pingtung County this week that Quemoy 'is a place with great meaning and implications for cross-strait relations ... We would like to go there and appeal for people's support.' With the election on January 14, Tsai said her campaign was in its final phase.

Australia expected to report robust growth

Private sector credit data from Australia is expected to show healthy year-on-year growth of 3.6 per cent in November, up from 3.5 per cent growth in October. The Australian economy has largely shrugged off the global financial crisis, powered by booming exports of iron ore and coal to China and India, and is expected to post 21 years without a recession, making it unique among G20 economies.

Jerusalem council to debate divisive plan

A Jerusalem City Hall committee will start talks on a hardline Israeli group's plans for a tourist centre in Silwan (left), an Arab district outside Jerusalem's Old City. The Elad Foundation's plan to build the centre and a car park above part of the City of David archaeological dig is a sensitive issue in east Jerusalem, which Palestinians want as the capital of their future state.