Asian casino owner not planning to sue

Dr Ho appeared on(出現) a Hong Kong television station flanked (兩側)by the third of his four wives and one of his daughters. He spoke slowly but otherwise appeared calm(顯得沈穩). He said the controversy over(爭議) the transfer of his assets(資產) to other family members had saddened(難過) him. He confirmed that he'd authorised(授權) the transaction(交易). He reaffirmed(重申) his decision to sack(解雇) his lawyer, Graham Oldham. Mr Oldham had earlier in the week told the media Dr Ho had been surprised to discover the transfer, was angry about it and threatening(威脅) to sue.

So will this be the end of the matter? Mr Oldham was still insisting(堅持) on Wednesday, he hadn't been sacked; the legal action would still go ahead. But the ageing(老化, 成熟) tycoon’s(大亨的) television appearance(電視上露面) would seem to(似乎) have undermined(破壞) his lawyer's suggestion that statements were being made on the billionaire's behalf(代表) by his family that weren't in line with his wishes.(不符合他的願望)

Meanwhile(同時) shares in the ten billion dollar casino firm that provides much of the family's wealth lost 5% of their value on the Hong Kong stock exchange(股票交易所) on Wednesday. Theories about what's behind the row have the gossip(八卦) columnists(專欄作家) in a frenzy(狂熱的), but investors will be hoping a power struggle(權力鬥爭) within the Ho dynasty(王朝) has now been avoided(避免). The prospect(前景) of a courtroom drama(法庭劇) wasn't good for business.

Chris Hogg, BBC News, Shanghai

this report is from bbc lerning english

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2011/01/110126_witn_hkcasino_page.shtml