PRESS DIGEST - Hong Kong - March 24

HONG KONG, March 24 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Hong Kong newspapers on Tuesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

APPLE DAILY

-- The Hong Kong airport authority is planning to reduce landing and aircraft parking fees by 10 percent at the airport from April to ease the burden of embattled airlines struggling during the economic downturn.

MING PAO DAILY NEWS

-- The number of low-income households --- who make less than HK$4,000 ($516) a month --- rose by 22.7 percent to 190,000 at the end of January, according to official figures.

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

-- Lawmakers and rights activists urged the Hong Kong government on Monday to take action against the second wife of Zimbabewean President Robert Mugabe, after officials said she could not be prosecuted despite allegations she assaulted a man in Hong Kong.

-- More than 5,000 Hong Kong HSBC shareholders replied on Monday to the bank's offer to take part in its $17.7 billion rights issue, signalling strong interest in the UK lender's fund-raising plan.

-- Beijing will delay the long-awaited launch of stock index futures for another year, as regulators are concerned about market stability amid the economic slowdown, according to sources close to the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

THE STANDARD

-- Lehman minibond investors are worried they may be forced to give up their claims after the Small Claims Tribunal transferred 135 cases to the District Court as it can only accept claims of up to HK$50,000.

SING PAO

-- Developer Great Eagle Holdings (0041.HK) reported a 98.2 percent fall in net profit to HK$71.7 million for 2008.

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