Talking points

A verdict is expected in the trial of US student Amanda Knox and her former Italian lover Raffaele Sollecito for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher in Perugia in 2007. Knox, who has remained in the United States since an appeal court acquitted her and Sollecito of murder in 2011, will not be in Italy's supreme court to hear the ruling. The 2011 acquittals were overturned last year. Experts say it is unlikely that Knox will be extradited even if she is convicted. A guilty verdict could see Sollecito back behind bars or stripped of his passport to prevent him fleeing Italy.

Hong Kong will be celebrating the start of the Year of the Horse with a host of events, including the fireworks display over Victoria Harbour. Soccer fans will also be enjoying the Lunar New Year AET Cup featuring Japan's FC Tokyo, Portugal's S.C. Olhanense, Russia's FC Krylia Sovetov Samara, and the alliance team of Ecuadorian club Deportivo Cuenca and the local Citizen Football Club. Another sporting highlight will be the new year's race meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday.