Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...
Scotland keen to strengthen rugby ties with HK
Fresh from visiting the mainland, Alex Salmond, the first minister of Scotland, will attend a rugby event at the Police Sports and Recreation Club in Kowloon this morning which will feature players from Hong Kong Scottish, non-profit organisation Operation Breakthrough and the Police Rugby Club. Salmond's party will include Scottish Rugby's CEO, Mark Dodson, and the minister (pictured) is expected to make a number of announcements regarding new rugby developments between Scotland and Hong Kong.
Last chance for Republican hopefuls to woo Iowa
Newt Gingrich and his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination square off in the first of two debates in Iowa that could prove pivotal to the contest. They will be the last debates before Iowa Republicans cast their votes for a nominee on January 3. The debates, in Des Moines today and Sioux City on Thursday, could consolidate Gingrich's surprising lead as his party's front runner, or they could upset the race once again, as has happened several times in this campaign. They will also give candidates their last chance to reach millions of voters before the holiday season starts.
Weather sets the stage for a lunar spectacle
Good weather is forecast for viewing tonight's total lunar eclipse, which will start shortly after 7.30pm and last for six hours. Members of the public will also be able to watch what the Observatory says is the 'the longest period of lunar eclipse visible in Hong Kong since 2000' through telescopes and other astronomical instruments provided by the Hong Kong Space Museum on the Avenue of the Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui.
