Further gambling related murder in Macau

A man has been shot dead in the Portuguese enclave of Macau as he accompanied his girl-friend home in the early hours.

The killing is the seventh in the past four months.

Three of the murder victims have been government officials, including a senior officer in Macau's gambling inspectorate.

Correspondents say the violence is being linked to battles between criminal gangs for control of gambling, loan sharking and prostitution rackets.

The casino and gambling industry accounts for about a quarter of Macau's annual revenue.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service