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Hong Kong's leader made a dramatic appeal for calm last night, seeking to quash rumours that China's army was preparing to intervene in the pro-democracy protests that brought chaos to the former British colony. With tens of thousands of people blockading the centre of the city last night, several leading banks operating in Asia's financial hub urged staff to stay at home today. The protesters have vowed to occupy the centre of Hong Kong for the rest of the week, or until their demands are met. – The TimesRoyal Dutch Shell and BP are in the final running for a fiercely fought-over deal to operate some of the biggest onshore oil fields in the Persian Gulf, in what would be potentially a major triumph for British business in the region. Suhail Al-Mazrouei, minister of energy for the United Arab Emirates and a member of the Gulf state's powerful Supreme Petroleum Council, told The Telegraph that both British oil majors remained under consideration for the renewal of expired contracts to produce oil from Abu Dhabi's onshore fields. – The Daily TelegraphGeorge Osborne will scrap "punitive" levies on pensions today as he puts workers and savers at the heart of the Conservatives' tax-cutting election campaign. The chancellor will aim to steady the Tories with a string of promises to do more to reward employment after a disastrous start to the party's annual conference in Birmingham. – The TimesVirgin Money, the banking arm of Sir Richard Branson's corporate empire, is set to announce its IPO within days, making it the fourth bank this year to capitalise on solid demand for fresh shares. The financial services firm, which is 47%-owned by Sir Richard, was expected to float at a £2bn valuation next year, but according to reports its directors have been tempted to bring the date forward following a strong earnings report and a Scottish "no" vote. – The Daily TelegraphTesco chief executive David Lewis has ordered staff not to shred or delete documents as lawyers and accountants probing the huge profit shortfall at the supermarket giant conduct dozens of interviews. The investigation into the accounting scandal is likely to reach back into historic accounts and fears are mounting that the group could be forced to restate its results from last year.- Daily MailScotland's construction industry is "cautiously optimistic" about its prospects with more than four in ten employers expected to take on extra staff, a survey out today suggests. The findings of the latest Scottish Construction Monitor will provide a boost for a sector laid low by the economic downturn, when thousands of workers lost their jobs and a string of building firms went bust. However, bosses continue to express concern over skills shortages within the industry. – The Scotsman