Hong Kong - Hong Kong residents have emerged as some of the most pessimistic in the world concerning their expectations for the coming year, according to an online survey published Wednesday.

Around seven out of ten citizens - or 67 per cent - of the former British colony expect 2009 to be worse than this year - almost twice the global figure of 35 per cent.

The survey, carried out by market information group TNS and Gallup International, found Hong Kong people were only equalled in their gloomy outlook by the residents of hard hit Iceland who came joint top in the pessimism table.

Hong Kong - More than 500,000 revellers are expected to brave chilly weather Wednesday to count down the New Year alongside Hong Kong's harbour.

Hong Kong  - Maria Sharapova will miss a high-powered Hong Kong tune-up event for only the second time since 2004 after the reigning Australian Open champion was forced to withdraw due to lack of preparation.

The Russian revealed that she underwent arthroscopic surgery in October on her problem shoulder and was only able to return to the practise court in Los Angeles a few weeks ago.

Hong Kong  - The boyfriend of a Canadian woman missing in Hong Kong was Wednesday expected back home after a five-day visit to the former British colony to help the search for her.

Wenddell Walsh told reporters before flying back to Toronto he believed it was "just a matter of time" before 30-year-old Canadian Indian Ani Ashekian was found.

Ashekian, also from Toronto, arrived in Hong Kong on November 9 and stayed in the city's Tsim Sha Tsui district, withdrawing money and sending her sister in Canada a text message the following day.

She planned to travel to India before returning to Toronto on December 15 but has not been heard from since November 10 and has not left Hong Kong, according to immigration records.

Hong Kong  - A former Hong Kong flight attendant who stole 168 items from the plane's trolleys on a single flight was Tuesday sentenced to community service.

Kwong Man-fong, 43, purloined biscuits, beer, mineral water, wine, chocolates, a sewing kit, pens, instant noodles and shaving cream on the Cathay Pacific flight from Auckland to Hong Kong on July 27.

Two junior colleagues spotted Kwong, who had worked for the Hong Kong airline for 23 years, and reported her to the captain. She resigned and was prosecuted for theft by the airline.

Hong Kong - The popularity of Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang has fallen to a new low amid the worsening economic slump, according to a survey released Tuesday.

The chief executive of the former British colony was given a score of 50.7 points out of 100 in the monthly poll by the city's Chinese University, down from more than 60 out of 100 in May.