Talking points

Obama delivers state-of-the-union speech

US President Barack Obama delivers his annual state-of-the-union speech to Congress, an opportunity to set out some of his priorities for his second term of office. Reports at the weekend suggested Obama would use the speech to propose deep cuts in nuclear arsenals. He is also expected to seek support for new economic proposals as well as his push for reform of US gun and immigration laws.

Green groups fight Manila Bay plan

Environmentalists in the Philippines form a human chain in a huge protest against plans for reclamation in Manila Bay. Fisherman and coastal dwellers claim their livelihoods will suffer if the 650-hectare Las Pinas-Paranaque reclamation is allowed to go ahead. Candidates running in national elections in May have been urged to take up the issue, though few have spoken out on it.

Party reaches its peak in New Orleans

The party city of New Orleans comes alive for the final and biggest day of its annual Mardi Gras festival. Celebrations and parades will go on until midnight when Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, begins - and mounted police officers make a show of clearing revellers from the city's famous Bourbon Street. This year's Mardi Gras festival started early, with events pushed forward to make way for American football's Superbowl.

Marchers demand action on poverty

The political group Civic Force marches to Government House to appeal to Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to take action on poverty, housing and other issues. Participants will gather in Central on the third day of the Lunar New Year and march up to Leung's official residence carrying banners and placards to air their views and concerns to the chief executive.

Stars shine at special race meeting

The stars come out for the first race meeting of the Year of the Snake at Sha Tin. The Jockey Club is promising appearances from celebrities such as television stars Liza Wang Ming-chuen and Wayne Lai Yiu-cheung and celebrity chef So Sze-wong to mark the third day of the holiday. On the track, the focus of the 11-race card is the Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup (Handicap), with the top prize to be presented by Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah.

Barclays offers more details of cuts

More details emerge of huge cuts in Barclays' investment banking division as the British-based bank releases its strategic plan. Chief executive Antony Jenkins is expected to announce 2,000 investment banking jobs have gone. More than 80 jobs are believed to be going in the bank's Asian investment division in Singapore and Hong Kong. Barclays had 23,300 investment bank staff at the end of June.