Talking points

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

Conflict-of-interest panel to hold public forum

An independent panel to review the codes of conduct for top officials, headed by former chief justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang (pictured), holds an open forum in Kowloon Tong this evening for the public to express views on the prevention and handling of potential conflicts of interest. The five-member committee was appointed by Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen in February after a conflict-of-interest row erupted over his alleged favours from tycoon friends.

CY Leung to break bread with former foes

Chief Executive-elect Leung Chun-ying concludes his four-day trip to Beijing during which he received the instrument of his appointment from Premier Wen Jiabao and met President Hu Jintao . Soon after he lands in Hong Kong, Leung will attend a banquet with pro-establishment camp lawmakers widely seen as a 'reconciliatory dinner' with his fomer political adversaries, to repair the rifts that emerged during his election campaign.

Taiwan opposition in search for new leader

Taiwan's main opposition Democratic Progressive Party has invited candidates to sign up to bid for election as its next chairman, replacing Tsai Ing-wen (pictured), who resigned after her defeat in the January presidential election. Local media expect former legislator Chai Trong-rong to throw his hat into the ring, while former party chairman Hsu Hsin-liang is tipped to declare his candidacy in the coming days.

Australian coal mines to go on strike

Australian coal mines owned by BHP Billiton and Mitsubishi Corp face a work stoppage, with unionised workers planning to halt work for two days. The mines, operated under the BHP Billiton-Mitsubishi Alliance joint venture, have a combined output capacity of more than 58 million tonnes a year, representing about a fifth of annual global trade in metallurgical coal. Strong demand from China has underpinned a surge in prices, and unions want better working conditions and more money.

Mali interim president to be sworn in

The speaker of Mali's parliament, Dioncounda Traore (pictured, right), will be sworn in as interim president, restoring civilian rule and ending a brief period of military rule that saw Tuareg rebels and Islamists seize half of the West African country. The Constitutional Court formally approved the weekend resignation of President Amadou Toumani Toure, who was ousted in a March 22 coup by junior officers demanding more resources to combat the rebel offensive.

D-day for Syria's UN-brokered ceasefire

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad assured the United Nations he will respect a ceasefire with rebels due to take effect today. But the military has so far continued their offensive, with assaults on anti-Assad strongholds, rather than withdrawing, as UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan's plan required them to do by Tuesday. Western powers scorned Assad's pledges, but have offered no effective way to curb the bloodshed, given their aversion to military intervention and Russia and China's resistance to UN action.