Talking points

Sixteen members of an American Amish splinter group accused of terrorising the Amish of eastern Ohio in bizarre beard-cutting attacks go on trial in a federal court in Cleveland. Samuel Mullet Snr, the leader of the breakaway group that prosecutors and former members describe as cult-like, and nine other men and six women have been charged with multiple counts including conspiracy, hate crimes, kidnapping and destroying evidence. The assaults on the pacifist, plain-living Amish drew national attention because of their unusual nature - the shearing of men's beards and women's long hair, both of which are central to Amish identity.

Cable TV hosts the first outdoor Legislative Council election forum at Wan Chai's Southorn Playground this evening. In the first of the five-day series, Hong Kong Island geographical constituency candidates will take part in the debate.