Talking points
Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...
Donald Tsang to address Davos forum
Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen will join world leaders visiting Switzerland this week for the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in the ski resort of Davos. Tsang will address the plenary session tomorrow 'on the global economic outlook', according to the Hong Kong government. US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner (left) is to tell the forum today of challenges facing the world's largest economy. His attendance will coincide with the release of data in Washington expected to show US economic activity picked up at the end of last year. Gross domestic product is expected to rise an annualised 3 per cent in the December quarter, up from 1.8 per cent in the September quarter.
Murray banks on better form to overcome Djokovic
Serbia's Novak Djokovic faces Briton Andy Murray in the Australian Open semi-finals in Melbourne, hoping to repeat the tennis lesson he handed his old friend last year. In the 2011 final, Djokovic floored a shell-shocked Murray in straight sets - and went on to dominate the season, going unbeaten until June and winning two more major titles. Murray believes he is now producing his best tennis on the game's biggest stages after reaching his fifth consecutive grand slam semi, and will put last year's humbling behind him.
Berlusconi's sex trial resumes
Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's trial on charges of having sex with an under-age prostitute is expected to resume in Milan. Dancer Karima El Mahroug (left), also known to Italian media by her stage name 'Ruby the Heart-Stealer', was 17 when Berlusconi allegedly paid her for sex on several occasions in 2010. If convicted, Berlusconi, 75, faces three years in jail and a further 12 years for abuse of power after he allegedly put pressure on the police to have El Mahroug released from custody in an unrelated case.
South Africa names new Springboks coach
Heyneke Meyer, rugby director of South Africa's Blue Bulls Super XV franchise, is set to be named coach of the Springboks, succeeding Peter de Villiers. Meyer will be an ironic appointment as the 44-year-old was the hot favourite for the post four years ago, only for De Villiers to be given the nod and become the first black coach of the national team. De Villiers had his highs and lows, but too many ill-advised comments and a quarter-final exit from the 2011 Rugby World Cup confirmed his retirement.
Railways brace as holiday draws to an end
China's railway system is bracing for the rush home to big cities as the Lunar New Year holiday comes to an end. The holiday officially ends on Sunday and railway authorities expect the number of travellers to peak today and tomorrow. Extra trains have been arranged.
New Zealand PM leads team to Canberra
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key (left) visits Australia for two days starting today. The visit repays one by Prime Minister Julia Gillard in February last year, when she became the first foreign leader to address the New Zealand Parliament. Key will visit Canberra with his deputy and six other ministers for formal meetings with Gillard and her ministers.
