When the stockmarket fell (as it did), so the theory goes, the portfolio investors would pile in, see Hong Kong shares climb again, and register a tidy capital gain before their year-end performance review.

ECONOMIST: South-East Asia��s currencies are not safe yet

Earlier this year, a government review of end-of-life treatment said NICE should give extra weight to drugs that could extend a patient's life.

BBC: Liver cancer drug 'too expensive'

But industry officials and legal experts say Beijing could lift its suspension of approvals for new nuclear plants when it releases a report on the review, possibly by year's end.

WSJ: China's Nuclear Fears Could Be U.S. Companies' Gain

Ashton's rolling contract runs until the end of this year, and his future will not be decided until a thorough review of England's World Cup campaign has been undertaken.

BBC: CHOOSE A SPORT

Betteridge's three-year minimum term in his indeterminate sentence came to an end in December 2008 without a Parole Board review having taken place.

BBC: Rapist Samuel Betteridge wins damages from government