■ Hong Kong
More millionaires now
Another 14,000 people became Hong Kong millionaires last year as the booming economy generated more wealth, according to a Citibank survey. The number of people with 1 million Hong Kong dollars (US$128,000) in liquid assets climbed from 260,000 in 2003 to 274,000 in 2004, the survey found. It also calculated that the average Hong Kong millionaire is male, married and 45 years old. More than a third of the territory's millionaires are either retired or have no intention of returning to the workplace;. however, a growing number of them are setting up new businesses now that the economy in Hong Kong is picking up.
■ Singapore
More husbands battered
Battered husbands scratched and punched by their violent wives are increasingly seeking personal protection orders from Singapore's courts, a study showed. The number of men seeking such orders reached 450 last year, compared to 161 in 1997, according to the data. Other men suffered verbal abuse, threats or actions bordering on violence, said Annie Lee, director of the Family and Juvenile Justice Center. Referring to abusive women, Lee said, "They scratch, they scream, they shout, they threaten." She cited heightened awareness as a reason for the hike in male applications. "They are more aware that they can complain," she said.
■ Hong Kong
Clinton goes shopping
Former US president Bill Clinton kept tailors stitching until 4am when he ordered a new wardrobe of suits during a 24-hour stopover in Hong Kong. Clinton visited celebrity outfitter Sam's Tailor when he stopped in Hong Kong Tuesday, arranged to see tailor Manu Melwani as soon as he arrived and had the suits delivered to his hotel the following morning. Melwani, who runs the 50-year-old business in Hong Kong's Tsim Sha Tsui, said: "We had to arrange an early fitting for him at 8.30am, right after he got off the plane. I had to work until 4am on Wednesday morning to get it all done before he left." Melwani, whose clients include British Prime Minister Tony Blair, said the suits ordered by Clinton were all "new styles" but declined to say how many he ordered.
■ UAE
Bollywood actor released
Indian actor Vijay Raaz, detained last week in the United Arab Emirates on suspicion of possessing drugs, was released. "He was innocent and was released on Tuesday. He flew back to Mumbai on Wednesday," Sujit Kumar, consular first secretary at the Indian embassy, said. Police arrested Raaz at Abu Dhabi airport with 6g of marijuana in his hand luggage, the actor said. Raaz, who was due to start filming a new movie in the UAE, said, "My initial reaction was that of shock ... It was very confusing as I have never used drugs in my life and knew that I was innocent."
■ Malaysia
Escapee comes back
Sim Sii Kiak, 24, was brought to court to face charges of armed robbery when he managed to free himself from handcuffs and overpower several police officers before scaling a 2m-high fence to freedom. "The prisoner ran away because he wanted to see his newborn baby, who was born two weeks ago," said deputy police chief Abang Abdillah Abang Othman. "His wife was pregnant when he was sent to jail. He was apparently desperate to see his baby." Sim's parents had then urged their son to surrender. Sim now faces additional charges of attempting to escape.
■ Germany
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