Hong Kong - Hong Kong stocks fell more than 2 per cent Wednesday, sliding toward the 20,000 mark as oil and commodities stocks fell along with the prices of those goods.

The Hang Seng Index ended the day down 457.4 points, or 2.17 per cent, at 20,585.06. Turnover was relatively light at 56 billion Hong Kong dollars (7.1 billion US dollars).

Hong Kong shares have shed more than a third of their value in a 10-month bear run since the Hang Seng peaked at almost 32,000 at the end of October.

Hong Kong - A 25-year-old woman was taken to hospital after being mugged by a monkey for a box of egg tarts at a bus stop in Hong Kong, police said Monday.

The primate struck seconds after the woman got off a bus for a Sunday picnic in rural Sai Kung Country Park in Hong Kong's New Territories near the Chinese border.

The monkey scratched her arm as it grabbed the box of egg tarts, police said. The shocked victim was taken to hospital for treatment for minor injuries, a spokesman said.

Hong Kong - Five people died and two injured in a day of suicide jumps from high-rise buildings in Hong Kong.

Police said Sunday four of those who jumped were suspected suicides while three were still being investigated.

All the incidents took place between 2 am and 7:30 pm Saturday and were unrelated.

Of those believed to have jumped to their deaths two men, aged 48 and 49, were known to have mental problems.

Hong Kong  - A surge in Macau's population spurred by the boom in its casino industry is bringing increasing growing pains to the Chinese territory, government officials said Friday.

According to official statistics, the population of the former Portuguese colony, already the most densely populated place in the world, rose by 4.98 per cent in the 12 months ending in June and now stands at 551,900.

The Statistics and Census Bureau forecast the population would continue to grow by 4.6 per cent a year and reach 644,000 residents by 2011.

Government experts said the rise is because of an increase in imported labour flooding Macau to man its casinos and hotels and not an increase in births.

Hong Kong - China's Olympic gold medalists were given a heroes welcome Friday when they arrived in Hong Kong for a three-day programme of sell-out events and celebrations.

The 100-strong delegation of athletes and medalists were met by Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang and more than 100 cheering schoolchildren.

The delegation includes gymnast Yang Wei and diver Guo Jing-Jing, who was quizzed by journalists on her arrival over rumours that she would be moving to Hong Kong.

A report in a Chinese newspaper claimed Guo, who won four gold medals at the Beijing Summer Games this month, is to marry a Hong Kong resident and would obtain her residency, allowing her to compete for Hong Kong in 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Hong Kong  - A Hong Kong primary school teacher faced jail Thursday after being convicted of having sex with a 10-year-old girl from his class.

Chew Hing-cheung, 53, took the girl to "love hotels" where rooms are rented by the hour on three occasions and had sex with her, Hong Kong's High Court was told.

He was arrested in January on his third visit to a love hotel with the girl when police carried out a routine operation at the premises, the court heard.

Chew, who is married and has a son, 7, admitted having sex with a minor. Sentencing was adjourned until September 12 for a psychological report to be prepared.