<span style="color: #222222;">In Hong Kong, supporters rallied outside a court ahead of an appearance by 23 fellow protesters who have been charged with rioting. They are protesting China's influence in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.<br />''</span><br />''Police said yesterday that 44 people had been charged with rioting and one other with possessing offensive weapons. <br />''<br />''They were detained after clashes with police at an unauthorized protest in the western Hong Kong island on Sunday.<br />''<br />''The riot charges are the most serious brought since protests began last month. <br />''<br />''News of the charges prompted more protests outside two police stations. Six persons were injured in fireworks set off at one police station.               <br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, growing ranks of Hong Kong's typically conservative and publicity-shy bureaucrats have begun an unprecedented online dissent campaign against the city's pro-Beijing leaders over their response to weeks of violent pro-democracy protests.</span><br />