Talking points

Lamma crash suspects report to police

Two captains and five crew members involved in last month's Lamma ferry tragedy report to police. The seven, who have not been charged over the crash, are not expected to learn their fate yet, however. Police have taken more than 500 witness statements in the case, but a decision on possible criminal liability in the deaths of the 39 victims is not expected until next year.

Umno holds last pre-election gathering

Malaysia's leading political party, Umno, begins its annual gathering in Kuala Lumpur, its last before the next election. The United Malays National Organisation is the biggest force in the National Front coalition that has ruled Malaysia since independence, but the coalition suffered its worst results ever in the 2008 election. Prime Minister Najib Razak must go to the polls again by June.

University honours judge, tycoon and athlete

The University of Hong Kong bestows honorary degrees on the city's former top judge, China's biggest basketball star and a leading property tycoon. The university, which earlier awarded an honorary degree to Myanmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, will give Mr Justice Kemal Bokhary an honorary doctorate of law, while basketball ace Yao Ming and New World Development chairman Henry Cheng Kar-shun become honorary doctors of social science.

World Bank chief makes first visit to Beijing

World Bank president Dr Jim Yong-kim pays a visit to Beijing, his first since taking office in July. The South Korean-born US academic will meet state leaders and also visit Sichuan province to check on the progress of rebuilding efforts since the devastating 2008 earthquake. The focus of the visit will be the bank's new country partnership for China, which focuses on environmentally friendly growth and international co-operation.

Jimmy Lai completes Taiwan deal

Hong Kong publishing mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-ying aims to complete the HK$4.7 billion sale of Next Media's print and television holdings in Taiwan, following the addition of a new partner to the consortium buying the assets. The two sides were scheduled to complete their transaction earlier this month, but postponed the signing due to efforts by the buyers to get a fourth partner in on the deal. The deal includes the Taiwanese version of Apple Daily and Lai's television holdings on the island.

Former Citic Pacific executive faces sentencing

A former top executive of Citic Pacific is sentenced in Eastern Court after being convicted of selling shares in the firm before it issued a profit warning in 2008. Chui Wing-nin, who was assistant director of finance, was convicted after an eight-day trial of selling 81,000 shares in the company at a time when he held price-sensitive information. The maximum jail term is 10 years, with a fine of up to HK$10 million.