Talking Points

Suu Kyi heads to the United States

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi leaves for the United States, where she will receive its highest civilian award, the Congressional Gold Medal. It is her first visit to the US since she began her campaign for democracy under the junta in 1988, which saw her spend a total of 15 years under house arrest. Her trip comes just ahead of Myanmar President Thein Sein's visit to the UN General Assembly in New York later this month.

Funeral for Moonies leader

The funeral takes place of the founder of the Unification Church, Sun Myung Moon. Sun, who said he was inspired by a vision at the age of 15 in which Jesus personally chose him to complete his task of bringing peace and harmony to the world, became one of the world's most controversial religious figures. His death from pneumonia earlier this month has left a question mark over the future of his church, which claims a membership of 3 million.

Thousands to join anti-Putin rally

Thousands of demonstrators are expected to march through Moscow in the first major rally against President Vladimir Putin in three months. The turnout will be one indication of whether the mood of dissent has survived a summer of Kremlin repression, including the jailing of three members of the all-girl punk band Pussy Riot.

Coastal clean-up challenge under way

Volunteers will begin a huge effort to clean up Hong Kong's beaches as the 2012 edition of the International Coastal Clean-up Challenge is launched. Now in its 12th year, the challenge has been responsible for the removal of 250,000kg of trash and involved 60,000 volunteers. Organisers expect this year's event to be the biggest so far.

Cuba begins national survey

Cuba begins an effort to count its people and houses for the first time since 2002. The national survey will involve tens of thousands of workers and could offer a first glimpse into the impact of economic changes like the legalisation of private property and used car markets, but the results could take months or years to come out.

Hong Kong artists head to Liverpool

The Liverpool Biennial, a festival of contemporary art, kicks off in the English port city with Hong Kong well represented. Hong Kong's Museum of Art is curating an exhibition called All Are Guests in the "City States" section of the biennal. The three-part Liverpool exhibition is based on the theme of hospitality and includes a video installation by Leung Mee-ping, paintings based on a Tourist Board video by Chow Chun-fai And poetry by Leung Ping-kwan, better known as Ye Si.