The Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass opened to traffic yesterday morning - with operations running smoothly. Transport minister Mable Chan says it hopes the project can further improve transport infrastructure in Kowloon. Damon Pang reports:

Motorists and passengers who used the new Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass on the first day said they enjoyed the route, and looked forward to using it more often. Here's Damon Pang again.

Outgoing transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick of the Liberal Party says he expects the bypass would help ease traffic congestion in Kowloon -- and become more important in future. He spoke to Damon Pang:

Financial Secretary Paul Chan says the government will continue to expedite the implementation of railways, major roads, and smart and green mass transit systems -- based on infrastructure-led and capacity-creating principles. Janice Lo with that story.

Home affairs chief Alice Mak says a move by the government to dissolve the management committee of the owners' corporation of Wang Fuk Court would not strip homeowners of their power in managing the fire-ravaged Tai Po estate. Henry Siu reports.

The government says Hong Kong remains one of the top destinations for tourists after visitor numbers topped 235,000 on Saturday, ahead of the start of the holiday season. Henry Siu has more.

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs says the government welcomes all media groups to stage election forums in future. Erick Tsang also says the overall arrangement for the Legislative Council elections earlier this month was very smooth. Here's Janice Lo.

A Rabbi has led a mass vigil in Sydney for the victims of the Bondi Beach massacre last week - lighting a single candle near a large menorah. Todd Harding has the story:

The Israeli cabinet has approved 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, bringing the total number of such constructions over the past three years to 69. The latest additions include two that were previously evacuated during a 2005 disengagement plan. Here's Todd Harding:

More than 800 migrants in 13 boats crossed the English Channel on Saturday, according to official data. The figure is a record for a December day in recent years, and casts doubt on the UK government's resolve to tackle the migration crisis. Our London correspondent, Gavin Grey, said that the number of arrivals this year already exceeded that of last year, contrary to the government's claims. He was speaking to Ben Tse:

US Secretary for Homeland Security, Kristi Noem has confirmed that Washington has intercepted an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in international waters. The move comes just days after US President Donald Trump announced a "blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the South American country. Janice Lo reports.

Portuguese authorities say they've recovered the bodies of two Indonesian fishermen who'd been missing since their boat sank earlier this month. More from Todd Harding:

In football, Aston Villa have notched their 10th successive win in all competitions with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United in the English Premier League. Despite the red-hot streak, Villa boss Unai Emery insists his side aren't eyeing the domestic title. Todd Harding reports.

Locally.. the Hong Kong FA Cup kicked off with two first-round matches over the weekend which saw Kowloon City and Southern District eliminated from the competition. Our Asia football correspondent Chris KL Lau filed this report.

A start-up in Australia is making its name by creating sustainable fuels and plastics -- from algae. The goal is to grow algae at industrial scale, enabling gigatonne-level carbon removal in future. Francis Punia has the details:

Claims that Russia has invented a vaccine that cures all cancers have gone viral since early September. The posts are describing the so-called vaccine as a miracle, free, and ready-to-use. But a doctor we spoke to said the claims are wildly exaggerated, and stressed the importance of improving cancer literacy. Elvis Yu takes a closer look in this episode of Fact Focus.
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