The National Day golden week has officially kicked off, with the Immigration Department saying more than 224,000 mainland visitors arrived through various borders on Wednesday. At the same time, more than 356,000 people left Hong Kong, including 226,000 SAR residents. Tourism-related trades across the city are hoping to cash in on the visitor surge. Some businesses provided discounts and perks as part of National Day celebrations. Restaurants and cinemas were also doing brisk business, as Charlie Chun reports.

A hotel industry representative says more mainland families are coming to Hong Kong for the Golden Week holiday, as it overlaps with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Alan Chan, chief operations officer at Miramar Group, said its hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai are over 90 percent full. The room rate has also gone up by at least nine percent. Chan said activities like the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance were attracting tourists.

Many visitors also ventured into the countryside, with Sai Kung being one of the tourism hotspots. Chief Secretary Eric Chan says the present one-lane road for traffic that goes two ways at the High Island Reservoir East Dam was anything but ideal, and that the government would hold talks with the police to come up with a long-term solution. Charlie Chun has details.

Hong Kong residents turned up in droves for a close look at two People's Liberation Army naval vessels docked in the city. Many say the ships showed China's growing strength and military power. Here's Wendy Wong.

Chief Executive John Lee says Hong Kong will actively develop in line with the country's strategies while leveraging the city's unique advantages. He made the comments during National Day celebrations in Hong Kong. Wendy Wong has more.

Ceremonies have also been held in Beijing marking the anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Wendy Wong with that story.

Police have promised that all events for the National Games will be held safely and securely to guarantee the best possible experience for fans next month. As Wendy Wong reports, the force is working with other government departments and organisers to ensure the biggest sports festival Hong Kong has staged since the East Asian Games goes off without a hitch.

Rescuers are in a desperate search after a powerful earthquake hit the Philippines, killing at least 96 people and injuring more than 200 others. Authorities are urging help for hospitals inundated with the injured. Jamie Clarke reports:

The White House has warned that worker lay-offs are imminent as the first day of the US government shutdown unfolded. US Vice President JD Vance has said no final decisions have been made but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that government agencies are preparing for cuts. She laid the blame for the shutdown on the Democrats.

RTHK's US correspondent, Mark Niu told Janice Lo what led to the stalemate in Congress:

European Union leaders have expressed general support for a new scheme to provide financial support for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets held in Europe. Moscow has described the plan as theft, and cautioned that it would badly rebound on European depositaries and investment - as Jamie Clarke reports:

Israeli naval forces have intercepted a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza, ending its latest bid to break an Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory. The Global Sumud Flotilla - made up of around 45 vessels carrying politicians and activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg - left Spain last month. Thunberg's ship was among those intercepted. The United Nations said it was closely monitoring the situation. Here's UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric:

Minorities in Syria have voiced concerns over an electoral process set to establish a new parliament. It will be the first since Bashar al-Assad was toppled, and a milestone in the transition from his rule. However, ahead of this weekend's election the process has stirred new concerns about political inclusivity under the country's new president - as Jamie Clarke reports:

Jane Goodall - the conservationist known for her groundbreaking chimpanzee field research - has died at the age of 91. While living among chimpanzees in Africa decades ago, Goodall documented the animals using tools and doing other activities previously believed to be exclusive to humans. She also noted their distinct personalities. In 2002, the UN designated Goodall a UN messenger for peace.

In a groundbreaking conservation effort, African wild dogs are making their return to Uganda after being functionally extinct for decades. The reintroduction programme has already shown promising signs of success. One female is currently pregnant and expected to give birth next week, potentially marking the first wild dog births in Uganda in decades. Jamie Clarke has more:

In football...Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to beat Spanish giants Barcelona 2-1, in a blockbuster clash between the contenders. Meanwhile, Arsenal maintain their perfect start in the competition with a 2-0 win over Greek club Olympiacos, while Erling Haaland scored twice in Manchester City's 2-2 draw with Monaco. Todd Harding has more: