Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...
John Tsang presents his final budget
Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah (depicted here on a protester's mask) will present the government's budget for 2012-2013 to the Legislative Council. Tsang is expected to offer modest relief measures to help with the rising cost of living, including waiving property rates and granting tax rebates in what is likely to be his last budget. Another HK$6, 000 handout to permanent residents is expected to be ruled out on the grounds that global economic uncertainty demands strict fiscal discipline.
Commission rules on bourse merger
The European Commission will decide on the merger of NYSE Euronext and Deutsche Boerse AG. In a television interview in Davos last week, EU Commissioner for Competition Joaquin Almunia said 'some problems of competition will not be solved by this merger but will be aggravated', referring to fears raised by his team that the merger will monopolise derivatives trading in Europe.
Pakistan minister visits Kabul on peace mission
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar (pictured) is scheduled to arrive in the Afghan capital of Kabul on a peacemaking mission. Relations between the neighbouring countries collapsed last year when Afghan President Hamid Karzai's main negotiator with the Taliban rebels was assassinated. Karzai blamed Pakistan and last month accused Islamabad of sabotaging any attempt to negotiate with the Taliban. The rebel group has now sat down to preliminary peace talks in Qatar.