Talking points
Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...
Barristers and solicitors stage a silent march to defend judicial independence and protest against the central government's white paper on "one country, two systems". They are particularly angry that the paper states that judges should be patriotic. Lawyers will march from the High Court building to the Court of Final Appeal in Central. One of the main organisers is the Legislative Council's legal representative, Dennis Kwok. This will be the third silent march staged by lawyers since 1999.
A government bid to win support for preliminary funding for two new town projects in the northeast New Territories goes before the Finance Committee again. Members failed to vote on the issue in the past three meetings amid protests by villagers and those opposed to the project. There was violence two weeks ago as demonstrators tried to storm the Legco complex. Restrictions on public entry to the complex will be in force again this afternoon.
Two suspects in the brutal attack on former chief editor Kevin Lau Chun-to appear in Eastern Court for committal hearings. Lau was chopped in February as he was on his way to a restaurant in Sai Wan Ho. The suspects were detained in the mainland city of Dongguan and were returned to Hong Kong to face trial. They face charges of wounding with intent and stealing a motorcycle, which was allegedly used in the attack.
Today is the 20th anniversary of a sarin gas attack by the Aum Shinri Kyo cult in the Japanese city of Matsumoto. Eight people died and 500 were injured in the attack. Nine months later, the group released the nerve agent on several lines of the Tokyo subway system, killing 13 and severely injuring 50. The attack caused temporary vision problems for nearly 1,000 others.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signs the trade and economic relations part of a controversial EU pact in Brussels. Poroshenko's predecessor, Viktor Yanukovych, refused to sign the association agreement with the EU, prompting protests that led to his flight from the country and a crisis in relations with Russia. The agreement will see the EU and Ukraine becoming business and trade partners.
Gays take to the streets of New York for their annual pride march - the oldest such event in the US. It starts at Fifth Avenue and ends at Greenwich Village, passing the Stonewall Inn where a 1969 police raid took place. The raid on a bar frequented by gays led to violent protests. The incident prompted the launch of the gay rights movement in the country.
