Hong Kong - Unemployment in Hong Kong was expected to surge in the first half of this year to its highest level since the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, a survey released Tuesday predicted.

The survey by a human resources consultancy predicted the jobless rate in the former British colony would rise from its current 4.5 per cent to 7 per cent before the end of June.

Hong Kong  - An anticipated 500-million-US-dollar expansion of Hong Kong's struggling Disneyland theme park has been put on hold, a news report said Tuesday.

Disney has laid off 30 planners and halted all creative and design work on the expansion after learning the Hong Kong government had no timetable for the work, the South China Morning Post reported, citing unnamed sources.

Hong Kong  - Hong Kong shares surged by 3.6 per cent Monday to end a whisker below the 13,000 points mark on a fifth consecutive day of gains.

The blue-chip Hang Seng Index gained 450.91 points to close at 12,976.71 points. Turnover was 46.7 billion Hong Kong dollars (6.02 billion US dollars.)

The surge in prices Monday brought the index's gains since the start of trading seven days ago to more than 1,000 points in the strongest rally for weeks.

Hong Kong  - A popular Hong Kong TV actress was Monday banned from driving for 12 months after hitting a motorbike while four-times over the legal blood-alcohol limit.

Angela Tong, 34, was also fined 1,200 Hong Kong dollars (155 US dollars) and ordered to do 160 hours community service after admitting to drink-driving and careless driving.

Tong, who has appeared in dozens of Chinese language TV movies and a some cinema productions, crashed into a motorcycle at a red traffic light in November, slightly injuring the rider and passenger.

Hong Kong  - Macau Monday defended its decision to refuse entry to a group of pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong, saying it ejected them to safeguard public order under an internal security law.

Five people, including legislators Leung Kwok-hung and Lee Cheuk- yan, were turned back when they arrived Sunday morning as part of a delegation of 33 pro-democracy activists.

Hong Kong  - Five pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong were Sunday refused entry to neighbouring Macau when they went to test an apparent travel ban on so-called anti-China elements.

The five, including legislators Leung Kwok-hung and Lee Cheuk-yan, were part of a delegation of 33 pro-democracy activists protesting a recent crackdown in the gambling resort.