New Shenzhen high-speed rail link opens The Xiashen high-speed railway, which connects Shenzhen with Xiamen in southeast Fujian, starts operations today. The 502-kilometre line is the first railway built close to the south coast. The service will cut the travelling time between the two cities from 11 hours to just three. The link will pass through Huizhou , Shanwei , Puning , Shantou , Chaozhou and Zhangzhou before reaching Xiamen. Israel to make third prisoner release Israel releases a third batch of 26 long-held Palestinian prisoners tomorrow. It's the third of four promised releases - which are part of a deal to get negotiations with the Palestinians moving again. However, little has been achieved amid differences over settlement building in occupied territories. A total of 104 prisoners should be freed by the end of the release process. Saudi women demand the right to drive Women in Saudi Arabia resume a campaign to overturn a ban on female drivers in the conservative kingdom. Saudi women first took to the streets in October after an online petition gathered thousands of signatures. The new action is aimed at maintaining momentum for change. Last day of Hong Kong Food Festival Today is the last chance for people to visit the 11th Hong Kong Food Festival at the Convention Centre. The exhibitors include food-related companies, which offer their goods to the public during the four-day event. Among items on display are dim sum, milk tea and dried seafood. The food festival also runs with the 2nd International Wine Festival. Anita Mui remembered at the Fringe Canto-pop star and actress Anita Mui started performing on stage at the age of four, but her path to superstardom only started after she won a singing competition at the age of 18. Tragically, Mui was diagnosed with cervical cancer and died on December 30, 2003, at the age of 40. Before her untimely passing, she left a message, which is the inspiration for the two-hour drama Legend of Mui , which marks the 10th anniversary of her death. There are two performances at the Fringe Underground in Central today, at 2pm and 7.30pm. English Premier League teams resume battle There will be another set of Premier League games today and tomorrow, just a few days after the Boxing Day fixtures. Among the contests are Manchester City against Crystal Palace and Norwich against Manchester United. However, the pick of the weekend fixtures takes place tomorrow, when Chelsea host Liverpool for a top-four tussle.
