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Ex-offenders often encounter discrimination when they leave prison and re-enter society. It can be hard for them to overcome social prejudice and find jobs. But as Varsity discovers, there are some organisations and employers who are working to to give former offenders a chance to start afresh through employment.

The bonds between masters and apprentices are part of Chinese martial arts folklore. In the old days, the master a combination of parent, teacher and mentor - a figure to be obeyed. How can these bonds survive in the 21st century where martial arts are not necessarily a philosophy and way of life but can also be just a hobby or way of keeping fit?

Tin Lee House in Tai O village is the public housing block with the lowest occupancy rate in Hong Kong, with just 14 households. Now those households, mainly made up of elderly people who lost their former homes in a fire, have been told they must leave because the government wants to sell the flats under the Home Ownership Scheme. Here, the residents tell their stories.

Hong Kong's successful Paralympics athletes are widely lauded by the government and in the media for their inspiring achievements. But little is heard about sporting needs of ordinary disabled people. Here, they tell Varsity about the problems they face in finding venues to train and the hurdles they encounter with the lack of facilities that cater to their needs.

Hong Kong is known for having a fast pace of life and fierce competitive streak. But not everyone is happy to participate in the rat race. Varsity meets some the Slow-mo cyclists, who have decided to literally slow down, wake up to the world around them and smell the roses.

Fly the Flyover is a project to turn the underpasses of Kowloon East into venues for rock concerts and other cultural events. The government says it will help to revitalise the area and provide more cultural spaces in Hong Kong. But local bands tell Varsity they believe the plan is just a ploy to jack up rents and squeeze them out of Kwun Tong's factory buildings.

When is a local not a local? When the nationality law says they are not Chinese nationals because they are not of Chinese ethnicity. Members of Hong Kong's ethnic minority communities who born and raised here have to apply to become Chinese nationals before they can apply for S.A.R. passports and they say the current system lacks transparency and accountability.

Editors: Carmen Shih,Cherry Ge    Reporters: Natalie Cheng, Rene Lam, Derek Li Hong Kong lacks animal police and specific treatments for animal abusers In November, a photograph...

Under-stairs shops have been a feature of Hong Kong street life since the 1950s. They were popular with small, local businesses because of their cheap rents. But with prices for Hong Kong's retail spaces overtaking New York, these businesses are being forced to move or close for good.

Most people would not be able to tell apart a hand-crafted violin from a factory produced one. But the pursuit of the perfect sound and the appreciation of true aficionados keep Hong Kong's violin makers committed to their craft.