Talking points
Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...
Pope Francis, the pontiff with the popular touch, will today give his year-end address to the Vatican Curia, the very bureaucracy that he's targeting in his reform efforts. Heads have already started to roll, but it's been a gradual house-cleaning of Rome's old guard. More than two million people have flocked to Pope Francis' general audiences in St Peter's Square since his election in March, four times the number Pope Benedict drew in 2012.
Spaniards are digging deep to gamble on their beloved "Fat One" Christmas lottery with the world's richest total payout, but winners will get slimmed-down prizes this year as a 20 per cent austerity tax takes a bite. The lottery will distribute up to €2.24 billion (HK$23.7 billion) overall in tomorrow's draw. The top winnings for a single €20 ticket with the winning number is €400,000.
Thailand's main opposition Democrat Party, which has re-elected former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as leader, will meet today to decide whether to boycott a snap election forced by protests that gripped Bangkok. Party officials said protesters plan to walk around the capital starting today to persuade people to join them and will hold a rally tomorrow intended to force Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to relinquish office.
Senior officials of the Communist Party's finance and economic steering group and vice-ministers from the state planner and the commerce ministry are speaking at today's annual forum by the China Centre for International Economic Exchanges in Beijing. Top economists from think tanks affiliated with government departments will also be speaking on the government's reform programmes announced in the past few weeks.
Hong Kong Canto-pop legend George Lam and composer Chiu Tsang-hei team up at the Venetian in Macau, following the success of their Mix & Match concerts in Hong Kong. As renowned for his powerful voice as for his moustache, Lam has achieved popularity worldwide during his 35-year career. Chiu has been one of the most celebrated names in Hong Kong's music industry for nearly two decades.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan's visit to Pakistan, beginning tomorrow, is expected to result in a "common approach" by the two countries on regional and international issues, particularly Afghanistan. Pakistani officials said they hoped to sign a number of accords, ranging from economic to strategic fields. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has already upped the stakes by saying he would like to double trade with Turkey.
