Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ... France to honour its Hong Kong war dead The city's French consulate will co-host a ceremony at Stanley cemetery to honour France's citizens who died fighting Japanese forces in December 1941 during the battle for the city. The daughter of one of those fighters buried in the cemetery, who was born a few weeks after he was killed, will read a witness' letter about her father's death. Pre-trial court date for Carson Yeung Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung Ka-shing (pictured) is expected in the District Court for a pre-trial review. In June, the 51-year-old was charged with five counts of money laundering involving HK$720 million. In September, fans welcomed a court decision blocking Yeung from leaving Hong Kong to visit the English soccer club. 'Fans need to focus their attention on supporting the players and staff rather than worrying who is or isn't in the directors' box,' a fan said. Top think tank to review China's economy The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences releases its annual forecast and review of the nation's economy in Beijing. Premier Wen Jiabao has pledged to 'fine-tune' economic policies to sustain growth amid a deepening debt crisis in Europe, while his deputy Wang Qishan said it was certain that 'the global economic recession caused by the international financial crisis will be chronic'. On November 30, the central bank for the first time since 2008 lowered required reserves that banks must hold to ease monetary supply. Yesterday, Japanese bank Nomura cut its estimate for China's economic growth next year to 7.9 per cent from 8.6 per cent as investment in private housing slows and exports are moderate. Jockeys line up for international championship Fireworks, beer and bragging rights will be on the line at the annual Cathay Pacific International Jockeys' Championship, the biggest night of the season at Happy Valley. The world's best riders - from Britain to New Zealand - will contest a four-race series, with Hong Kong champion Douglas Whyte (pictured) as one of the favourites, along with charismatic Italian Frankie Dettori. 'I wouldn't say I'm confident, but they've all got chances,' Whyte said of his mounts. Australia to report third-quarter GDP Australian third-quarter gross domestic product figures are expected to show the lucky country's economy is weathering the global downturn triggered by the euro-zone crisis better than most, helped by a booming mining sector. Iron-ore shipments, buoyed by demand from China, surged to a record A$6.3 billion (HK$50.2 billion) in September. Mugabe's party to hatch new election strategy President Robert Mugabe's (pictured) Zanu-PF party opens its annual congress in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city. Zanu-PF's website says the congress will kick off the party's campaign for next year's general elections. It also quotes Mugabe as saying the 'inclusive government' with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change is 'illegitimate, unconstitutional and has outlived its purpose'. Zanu-PF agreed to the power-sharing deal after losing support in the 2008 elections.
