Talking points
Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...
The 10-day annual session of China's top political advisory body ends in Beijing today. Even though Chinese leaders repeatedly made public calls for advisers to speak out, some members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference said their advisory role was "weak" and they were more like an "accessory" to the national legislature, the National People's Congress, which closes later this week.
Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific will unveil its 2013 annual results at a press conference this afternoon. The event will be hosted by the airline's chairman, Christopher Pratt. Attributable profit in the first six months of last year was HK$24 million. This compared with a loss of HK$929 million in the first half of 2012. The airline reported at the time improved passenger traffic but weak demand in major air cargo markets.
The European parliament discusses the latest developments in Ukraine, in particular Russian action to take control of Crimea. A referendum has been scheduled for Sunday on whether those living in Crimea wish to join Russia. The move has been branded illegal by the West. Moscow has indicated it will honour the result of the vote. Russian forces have blockaded Ukrainian navy vessels in the peninsula and blocked the entry of foreign observers.
British Prime Minister David Cameron visits Israel for the first time since taking office in 2010. The visit was originally scheduled for February but it had to be postponed because of severe floods in the UK. Cameron will address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, during his visit. Israeli lawmakers are also scheduled to vote today on a controversial bill forcing orthodox Jews to serve in the military.
The Asia Society in Hong Kong will present the Caravaggio masterpiece from today. The painting - plus the contemporary work of four Hong Kong artists - will remain on display at the society's venue in Admiralty until April 13. The Italian painting, which dates back to 1606, is the most expensive artwork to be displayed by the society. It has an insured value of about HK$640 million. Today will also see the annual ArtWalk charity event take place at various locations in Hong Kong.
Yoko Ono gives three performances at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao in northern Spain. Ono will perform two historic pieces - and - and a new piece created specially for the Guggenheim called . The performances are being staged ahead of the opening on Friday of a Yoko Ono exhibition offering an overview of the artist's career.
