Talking points
Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...
University of Hong Kong law professor Benny Tai Yiu-ting will attend a forum today on his Occupy Central plan at Heep Yunn School in Ma Tau Wai. Anti-universal-suffrage group Voice of Loving Hong Kong has vowed to interrupt the event to protest against Tai spreading his message about the civil-disobedience movement to secondary school pupils.
Ambitious talks to create the world's largest free-trade zone between the US and EU open today amid friction over America spying on its allies. The negotiations will have to bridge deep differences over protected industries on both sides of the Atlantic if the goal to reach a deal by late next year is to be achieved. Reports last weekend that the US National Security Agency bugged EU diplomatic offices in Washington and infiltrated its computer network angered European officials. Many European leaders called for the NSA's surveillance activities to be discussed in parallel with the trade talks.
More than 1,200 exhibitors from 22 countries and regions will be taking part in the 20th Hong Kong Fashion Week that begins today at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. The highlights of the spring/summer show - organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council - will include three new theme zones: Men in Style, Packaging and Design and the Small-order Zone. A total of 30 events, including eight fashion parades, will be held during the four-day fair.
The English Schools Foundation (ESF) will announce the International Baccalaureate Diploma results for its six secondary schools today. ESF students achieved strong results last year, with those achieving full marks increasing to nine from four in 2011.
An independent coroner is expected to hand down a verdict on the cause of death of US scientist Shane Todd, found hanged last year. His family dismissed official findings that Todd committed suicide as "a sham and a cover-up" for a murder. His parents believe he was killed in connection with his work in Singapore for a research institute.
The Australian cricket team will be looking to regain the Ashes from England in a test series which begins on Wednesday at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The Ashes series is the oldest rivalry in cricket and the prize - a tiny urn - one of the most coveted trophies in sport.
