Talking points
Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...
Embattled Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta will meet the media today to speak on the future of government, reform prospects for next year and upcoming European elections. Letta's government survived a confidence vote in parliament's lower chamber tied to next year's budget. The Chamber of Deputies voted 350-196 to pass the budget bill, which now moves to the Senate where Letta's majority is much thinner.
Hong Hong's Census and Statistics Department will today publish November's consumer price index. Inflation was running at 4.3 per cent year-on-year in October, easing back slightly from September's 4.6 per cent rise and down significantly from July's 6.9 per cent peak.
It's been a bumpy ride but today the US Federal Reserve celebrates its centenary. The central bank system was created on December 23, 1913, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act into law. On Friday, Janet Yellen, an advocate of aggressive moves to boost the US economy, took a big step toward becoming the first woman to head the central bank as her nomination cleared a Senate hurdle.
Former Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari is expected to appear before an anti-corruption court in Islamabad after five graft cases against him dating back to the 1990s were reopened. Zardari did not appear at the previous hearing earlier this month due to fears over security, which will be stepped up for his appearance today.
The Hong Kong Philharmonic's exciting festive season of concerts opens tonight and tomorrow at the Cultural Centre Concert Hall in Tsim Sha Tsui, with the theme of Christmas Around the World. The programme includes seasonal music from the United States, Australia, the Netherlands and Russia, in addition to all the traditional favourites. The concert, conducted by Peter Biloen, features Dutch mezzo-soprano soloist Tania Kross as well as the Hong Kong Children's Chorus. There will also be guest appearances by Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and one of Santa's elves.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences will hold a press conference on its innovation projects in Beijing today. The Chinese government has repeatedly called for prioritising innovation in its scientific research. Just last week, a group of 62 elite Chinese and foreign scientists were formally inducted as members of the academy. The newly elected CAS academicians comprise 53 Chinese citizens and nine foreign scientists from six countries, expanding the academy's membership to 750 Chinese and 72 overseas members.
