Talking points

Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories...

S Korea discusses future of cross-border ventures

South Korea will send government officials and business representatives to Mount Kumgang, a North Korean mountain resort, to discuss Pyongyang's decision to strip a South Korean company of its contract to run tours to the area. Mount Kumgang was the first major joint cross-border business project, opened in 1998, but the South suspended visits after a North Korean soldier shot dead a Seoul tourist who had strayed into a restricted military zone in 2008. Seoul says it will not resume the tours until the North allows an on-site investigation into the shooting and gives firm safety guarantees - demands Pyongyang refuses to accept.

Helping hand for returning graduates

Dalian is holding the annual Overseas Chinese Scholars Conference from today until Friday. It features a career service and entrepreneurship opportunities for graduates returning from overseas study. A survey by a private overseas study agency last year found nearly 80 per cent of some 6,700 returning graduates got a 'satisfactory' job within three months. But research by another government think tank found 40 per cent of returning graduates said they felt lost when choosing their careers.

Taiwan-US arms trade issue on table

The State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office holds a press conference today in Beijing. While cross-strait civilian exchanges have been further enhanced with Taiwan's opening up to solo mainland tourists, the issue of United States arms sales to Taiwan, to which Beijing has vehemently objected, lingers on. Taiwan's president, Ma Ying-jeou, is reportedly making his twentieth request to Raymond Burghardt, the de facto US top representative to Taipei, to sell the advanced F-16 C/D fighter to the island.

Moody's mulls future of Asian economies

Moody's Investors Service will hold a briefing on the Asian Sovereign and Banking outlook. The unravelling of weaker European economies has heightened credit concerns around the world because of fears of contagion, and of a so-called 'Lehman moment' for Europe as a result of the crisis.

Students to find out who is top of the class

The statistics of the best and worst performers in this year's A-level examinations will be announced today, one day ahead of the delivery of results on Thursday. The Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority holds an annual event to reveal the pass rates for the exam, as well as the number of students who score straight As. This year is the third-last year in which students can sit A-level examinations. For most, it is a step to university.

Nadal beats pain to head for quarter-finals

Rafael Nadal will take on Mardy Fish in the Wimbledon quarter-finals despite an injury to his left foot. The reigning champion said he had it scanned yesterday but showed no signs of injury. During the match on Monday against Juan Martin del Potro, Nadal said he felt something 'crush' and thought his foot might be broken. He even contemplated retiring, but as the match progressed the pain eased.