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STAFF

Chainrai in London court over soccer battle
Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainrai faces a key date in London's High Court, with his company Portpin locked in a bitter battle over the future of the famous Portsmouth soccer club. The financially troubled club's administrator wants to force through the sale of the Fratton Park stadium, owned by Portpin, to allow a takeover by a fans' group.
 
Hong Kong comics artists take on Europe
Europe's biggest comics fair is under way - with two Hong Kong artists expected to draw attention. The Angouleme International Comics Festival has an estimated 200,000 visitors each year in its four-day run - a total beaten only by the massive Comiket event in Japan. Among the 7,000 professionals taking part will be Hong Kong artists Siuhak and Little Thunder.
 
Hagel's battle for defence chief post
Maverick former Republican US senator Chuck Hagel faces a grilling from his ex-colleagues on the Senate Committee on Armed Services as he begins the process of being confirmed as President Barack Obama's defence secretary. Hagel, a decorated Vietnam veteran, fell out with his party over former president George W. Bush's handling of the Iraq war and has since endorsed several Democrats. He faces a tough battle for confirmation, with various right-wing groups fighting to keep him out of office.
 
Tycoon recycles clean-air message
Mainland tycoon Chen Guangbiao takes to the streets of Beijing again in his one-man drive to clean up the capital's notoriously filthy air. The millionaire philanthropist has already given out 20,000 cans of "clean air" and 20,000 reusable bags in the city in an attempt to raise awareness about environmental protection, as smog envelopes mainland cities.
 
Smaller payout for retired civil servants
Taiwan's retired civil servants are able to pocket their annual "bonus" payment - but those looking for a bumper payday will be disappointed. The government has slashed the bonus and restricted it to public sector retirees whose pension was less than NT$20,000 (HK$5,245) amid pressure from those in the private sector concerned by the increasing fiscal pressure on the island.
 
Rubbish to reap 'awards' from clean-up group
The organisers of a massive Hong Kong beach clean-up operation hand out some "awards", but with a twist: the awardees will be the top 10 types of debris collected from the city's beaches and the most unique piece of debris. More than 3,000 people joined last year's Hong Kong International Coastal Clean-up and the group will issue a report on the impact pollution has on the marine environment.


Talking points

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