Talking points

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

Olympus to report on huge hidden losses

Olympus is expected to release a report on investment losses that were hidden, with the firm saying it was considering lodging lawsuits against current and former executives. The company's in-house panel investigated the responsibility of its board members in the scandal, which rocked the 92-year-old firm and undermined public trust in Japanese corporate governance. The company is also being sued for wrongful dismissal by whistle-blower Michael Woodford (left) who was fired as chief executive for exposing its bad practices.

What's it worth to have your garbage taken away?

The Environment Bureau releases a consultation paper on proposals to levy a fee for collection and disposal of domestic waste. The cost of dumping rubbish, about HK$1.8 billion a year, is borne by the government at present.

Security Council to debate Syrian upheaval

The United Nations Security Council will hold a meeting to discuss the situation in Syria, amid efforts by the Arab League to end the bloodshed there. Opponents of any UN action in Syria, led by Russia, will probably try to switch the debate to Libya. Western nations have been infuriated and frustrated by demands by Russia and others for an inquiry into Nato air strikes in Libya. Ten months into President Bashar al-Assad's assault on protests, the council still has not passed a resolution on the violence, which the UN estimates has cost more than 5,000 lives.

New Delhi cuts size of delegation in bow to Beijing

India is sending a 15-member military delegation to Beijing after Chinese officials objected to the original, 30-member delegation for including an Indian Air Force official from Arunachal Pradesh, which China considers to be a southern part of Tibet. Indian officials described the decision to send a smaller delegation as a pragmatic compromise aimed at keeping a fragile defence relationship on track. The Indian delegation will travel to Beijing, Nanjing and Shanghai on a four-day visit, the first since the fourth round of the two countries' Annual Defence Dialogue in Beijing last month.

Health Ministry to detail the year's initiatives

After the conclusion of its annual work conference last week, the Ministry of Health is expected to offer more details about its initiatives this year at a media briefing in Beijing. The ministry has pledged to scrap the notorious surcharges demanded by hospitals - the main reason behind high prices for drugs and excessive prescribing - by 2015.

Last Vegas goes big on electronic gadgets

More than 140,000 people are expected to attend the International Consumer Electronics Show, which opens in Las Vegas today, smothering the city's gigantic convention centre with gadgets and those who make and sell them. The show is unlikely to be the venue for the introduction of any blockbuster products this year. Although it remains the world's biggest consumer technology convention, many of the hottest gadgets in recent years, including Apple's iPad and iPhone, Microsoft's Kinect and Amazon's Kindle Fire, were first announced elsewhere.