Talking points: Macau corruption trial, Delhi rape, Lionel Messi, IMF Cairo visit

A court in Macau begins hearing the corruption case against Hong Kong tycoons Joseph Lau Luen-hung and Steven Lo Kit-sing. They are accused of offering a HK$20 million bribe in 2005 to Macanese public works chief Ao Man-long, before his downfall and jailing for corruption, to secure land for their luxury La Scala residential project. The case was to open in September but was adjourned because the presiding judge, Alice Costa, was sick.

Five men accused over last month's horrifying gang rape in New Delhi appear in court together for the first time. In addition to rape, kidnap and robbery, they face a murder charge and possibly the death penalty after the 23-year-old victim died last weekend from her injuries, including internal wounds caused by an iron bar. Her boyfriend was also injured as he tried to prevent the assault, which took place on a moving bus on December 16. News of the rape stirred violent protests and a bout of soul-searching on the treatment of women and the rising rate of sex crime in India.