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STAFF

Assange's legal battle finally heads to court
Swedish prosecutors and lawyers for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will head to court in Stockholm for the first major legal battle over rape allegations he faces there. His lawyers have asked for copies of text messages sent by his accusers, a request prosecutors have denied. The argument will be heard in court today. Assange has been living in the Ecuadorean embassy in London since June 2012 in order to avoid extradition.
 
China offers half-year economic update
China will offer an update on its economic progress for the first half of 2014, including information on gross domestic product and other key indicators. Predictions are for a gradual slowdown in economic expansion after GDP growth slowed to 7.4 per cent in the first quarter of the year from 7.7 per cent at the end of 2013. The economy is predicted to grow by 7.3 per cent this year overall, the slowest rate in 24 years.
 
Joint US-Korea military drills begin
The aircraft carrier USS George Washington is scheduled to participate in joint military exercises with the South Korean navy as part of annual military drills through Monday, Seoul's Yonhap news agency reported. The North unleashed a barrage of artillery and rocket fire near its southern border on Monday after the ship arrived last week. The North frequently uses such live-fire drills to express its displeasure with joint military exercises.
 
Mali, rebels return to peace talks
Officials from Mali's government will meet representatives from the separatist northern Tuareg rebels in Algiers, indicating progress in their stalled peace talks. The talks follow skirmishes between Mali's army and the rebels in May that killed some 50 Malian soldiers. Both sides blamed former colonial power France late last year for not doing enough to resolve the crisis as it works to broker a peace deal in the former West African colony.
 
Bill Clinton kicks off Asian tour
Former US president Bill Clinton is in India at the start of a tour of the Asia-Pacific region to promote the work done by the Clinton Foundation. He plans to visit Vietnam, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea before winding up in Australia. Supporters of Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto have asked him to cancel his stop there, which they see as US meddling in the country's politics.
 
Hong Kong book fair begins
Hong Kong's 25th annual book fair opens amid a downward trend in overall book sales as more readers turn to smartphones and electronic devices. The fair, which runs until Tuesday and attracted 980,000 people last year, will feature 560 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, offering new titles and products. Readings, multimedia features and other attractions round out the event.


Talking points

Julian Assange's legal battle finally heads to court in Stockholm.

Aircraft carrier USS George Washington is scheduled to participate in joint US-Korea military drills.

Former US president Bill Clinton is in India at the start of a tour of the Asia-Pacific region.

Opinion

Comment

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


Swedish prosecutors and lawyers for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will head to court in Stockholm for the first major legal battle over rape allegations he faces there.
