Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ... New US ambassador arrives in Beijing The new US ambassador to China, Gary Locke, arrives in Beijing. He will meet the media tomorrow. Locke, the first Chinese-American to hold the post, said both countries had much to gain from each other. He vowed to manage areas where they had 'differences'. Locke succeeds Jon Huntsman, who left Beijing three months ago to seek the Republican nomination for the presidency. Variety show celebrates centenary of 1911 revolution The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce celebrates the centenary of the 1911 revolution, which was triggered by anger at corruption in the Qing government and its incompetence in defending the country from foreign powers. To mark the special day, the chamber will hold a variety show between 3pm and 4.30pm at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom. Conference tackles sex imbalance among newborns The National Population and Family Planning Commission and five other ministries will host a nationwide video conference on Tuesday on cracking down on illegal ultrasound screenings to determine the sex of fetuses and abortions conducted without medical grounds. The State Council announced a 10-year plan for children's development this week, vowing to end the sex imbalance, which stands at 118 boys born for every 100 girls. Berlin marks 50th anniversary of wall's erection Ceremonies in Berlin mark the 50th anniversary of the building of the Berlin Wall on August 13, 1961. Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Christian Wulff will be among the guests at an official event at the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse, where one of the few intact sections of the wall still stands. A large programme of events includes accounts by eyewitnesses of the construction of the wall, concerts, discussions with people who assisted refugees in their escapes, readings of the biographies of victims and a dance performance. Iowa straw poll a key gauge of Republican candidates The Iowa Republican straw poll will provide an important early measure of the strength of the candidates for the US presidential nomination. Iowa is important in the presidential campaign because the state holds the first caucuses in the nation in the party-nominating process. Saturday's straw poll, which will take place at a Republican fund-raiser, will test candidates' appeal and organisational strength. Premier League returns against painful backdrop Life returns to normal for millions of football fans with the Premier League kicking off, against the backdrop of civil disorder. It promises to be one of the most fiercely contested title races in years after a summer of lavish spending by the game's elite. Authorities urged players to set a better example to youngsters as a wave of rioting forced Tottenham Hotspur's opener against Everton to be postponed. A crackdown on bad behaviour on the pitch has been launched. English Football Association chairman David Bernstein said the reinvigorated 'Get on with the game' initiative was 'even more important in the light of what is happening in wider society'.
