Hong Kong - The number of peeping Tom photographers in Hong Kong rail stations has soared 30 per cent, a news report said Friday. Ng Shan-ho, railway police deputy district commander, said there were 117 cases of people caught taking photos up the skirts of women in 2008, compared with 88 cases in 2007, the Hong Kong Standard reported.

In 104 cases, police were able to catch the culprits, a success rate of 90 per cent.

Hong Kong - A Hong Kong pop star is to face trial in Japan after heroin was reportedly found in the Tokyo hotel room where she was staying, her record company said Thursday.

Jill Vidal, 26, also known as Wei Si, has already been held in custody for more than 40 days following her arrest in the Japanese capital in February.

Vidal was arrested with fellow Hong Kong pop star Kelvin Kwan, who was later released without charge, on suspicion of possessing cannabis. Police later reportedly found packets of heroin in her hotel room.

Hong Kong  - Hong Kong shares rebounded by nearly 3 per cent Thursday on the last day of trading before the Easter holidays, clawing back most of its losses from a day earlier.

The blue-chip Hang Seng Index rose by 426.55 points, or 2.95 per cent, to end the session at 14,901.41. Turnover was 52.6 billion Hong Kong dollars (6.78 billion US dollars.)

Hong Kong - The Hong Kong Jockey Club is planning to extend the race season by five extra races in a bid to compete with neighbouring Macau and illegal bookmakers, the club confirmed Thursday.

The club has submitted a proposal to the government outlining the arguments in support of a longer season that would see the extra races taking place in July.

The current 78-meeting season ends at the beginning of July.

Hong Kong  - Two top executives from the Citic Pacific Group resigned Wednesday as an investigation into unauthorized currency bets within the company deepened in Hong Kong.

Shanghai-born Larry Yung, who has strong political ties to China, resigned as chairman in a letter to the board of directors.

Managing director Henry Fan also resigned, saying in view of Mr Yung's resignation, it was appropriate he should also leave.

Hong Kong  - Hong Kong dropped more than 3 per cent Wednesday on more worries over the economy and first-quarter earnings.

The blue-chip Hang Seng Index fell by 454.11 points or 3.04 per cent to end the day at 14,474.86. Turnover was 60.8 billion Hong Kong dollars (7.8 billion US dollars.)

Losses were across the board, with market heavyweight HSBC losing 5.57 per cent to close at 48.35 Hong Kong dollars.