Hong Kong - A 7-year-old girl has become the third child to die of a mystery illness in Hong Kong, government officials said Friday.

The girl, who was admitted to hospital on August 8 with encephalitis or brain inflammation, died Friday.

Two other girls, aged 9 and 3, died last week with myocarditis, inflammation of the heart, and blood poisoning.

A fourth child, a 3-year-old boy, is also in a critical condition with sepsis and encephalopathy - blood poisoning and brain abnormalities.

Health officials are already conducting an investigation into the cause of the illnesses, however it is not yet known whether one single virus or different viruses are responsible.

Hong Kong  - Hong Kong prepared for a battering Friday as Typhoon Nuri neared, raising fears that the city could be in line for a direct hit.

The government issued a number 8 typhoon warning signal Friday morning as the typhoon, which killed seven people in the Philippines, headed toward southern China.

Signal number 8 is issued when average wind speeds reach 63 kilometres per hour. All government offices are to close down, as well as schools, public transport and Hong Kong's stock market, bringing the city to a standstill.

Hong Kong - Hong Kong stocks sank 2.5 per cent Thursday, wiping out the previous day's gains, after a speculated rescue package for China's economy failed to materialize.

The Hang Seng Index ended the day at 20,392, down 539 points. Turnover was 55.7 billion Hong Kong dollars (7 billion US dollars).

The fall more than reversed the gains of Wednesday and took the index back down to its lowest level in more than a year.

Analysts said the market fell after a rumoured 400-billion-yuan (58.43-million-dollar) boost to aid China's economy and stock market, which had fuelled Wednesday's gains, failed to materialize and pessimism set in again.

Hong Kong - Hong Kong stocks rebounded by 2.1 per cent Wednesday on hopes that China may announce a package to help the mainland economy.

The Hang Seng index closed at 20,931, up 446 on the previous day when the index fell to its lowest level in a year on continued pessimism over slowing economic growth.

Analysts attributed the rise Wednesday to hopes that China was planning a 400 billion yuan (58 billion dollars) boost to its economy to aid growth.

Turnover was 62.3 billion Hong Kong dollars (7.9 billion US dollars).

Hong Kong - Hong Kong stocks fell by 2.1 per cent Tuesday to their lowest level in a year on continued pessimism over slowing economic growth.

The Hang Seng Index closed at 20,884 - a fall of 446 points on the previous day's trading. Turnover was 48.8 billion Hong Kong dollars (6.1 billion US dollars).

Analysts attributed the fall to increased concerns over the effect of the credit crisis on corporate earnings.

Property stocks fared the worst with Cheung Kong dropping 4.3 per cent to close at 102 Hong Kong dollars ahead of its first half year results later this week.

Hong Kong - A US businessman is believed to have fallen to his death from the balcony of his kitchen in Hong Kong after a drinking spree, police confirmed Tuesday.