The United States says it is supporting freedom of navigation for vessels which are not benefiting Iran's economy, as it continues its blockade of Iranian ports. It also says new talks may happen in Pakistan, amid a diplomatic push to see a full end to the war, as Jamie Clarke reports.

US President Donald Trump is claiming that the war against Iran is close to completion. He also says he isn't thinking about extending a ceasefire, as US forces blockade Iranian ports. Azam Khan has the details.

President Xi Jinping has called for closer and stronger strategic coordination between China and Russia. This came in his talks in Beijing with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Mr Lavrov said Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China in the first half of this year. The foreign minister also said Moscow can cover any energy shortage China might face because of the Middle East conflict. Chloe Feng reports.

China and Vietnam should speed up strategic cooperation and safeguard political security, according to President Xi Jinping, who's also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. His remarks came in talks in Beijing with his Vietnamese counterpart To Lam. Marcus Lum reports.

A teenage student has shot dead at least nine people, including eight of his fellow pupils, at a school in south-eastern Turkiye. Thirteen others were injured. Jamie Clarke has the details.

In a blockbuster ruling, the Western Australian Supreme Court has ordered Gina Rinehart, the country's richest person, to return part of her fortune to rival heirs following a decade-long legal battle. The high-profile case stemmed from royalties collected by Mrs Reinhart's mining company. Our Australian correspondent, Gerry Gannon, spoke to Janice Lo.

A senior Beijing official overseeing Hong Kong affairs has urged the SAR to stay vigilant to security risks that affect the city's prosperity and stability. Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, said some people tried to politicise last year's deadly Tai Po fire to stir up chaos. Wallis Wang has the details.

Chief Executive John Lee has pledged to follow up on recommendations to be made by the committee probing the Wang Fuk Court inferno, in part to control security risks at source. Speaking at the National Security Education Day opening ceremony in Wan Chai, Mr Lee accused anti-China and external forces of spreading misinformation about the fatal blaze, in a bid to incite hatred and social conflict. Damon Pang reports.

The committee investigating the Wang Fuk Court fire has been told that sufficient manpower and technical incompatibility were the reasons the Fire Services Department decided it was unnecessary to seek help from its Guangdong counterparts. Elvis Yu reports.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan has expressed strong confidence that Hong Kong will become at least the world’s second biggest international financial centre within the next 10 to 15 years. Hailey Yip has the details.

The director of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong, Zhou Ji, says the SAR's stability was hard won. He urged the Hong Kong government to safeguard national security at a high level to contribute to national rejuvenation. Chloe Feng reports.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan has stressed that safeguarding security and promoting development are both essential for the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems". Marcus Lum reports.

Justice Secretary Paul Lam says Hong Kong does not strive for absolute security, which is in line with the country's policy on national security. Damon Pang reports.

Forums and ceremonies have been held across the city on Wednesday to mark National Security Education Day, with officials, students and participants focusing on the Constitution, the Basic Law, and security risks. Grenville Cross, senior counsel and former director of public prosecutions, spoke on RTHK's Backchat programme about the day's significance.

A major new acute hospital, slated to be the biggest in the city, is set to open in phases later this year. With a gross floor area of half a million square metres, Kai Tak Hospital will feature 37 operating theatres, a trauma centre and some 2,400 beds. Dr Paulina Chow, the cluster's Chief Manager of Planning and Commissioning, told RTHK's Backchat what users can expect at the new hospital.

The defending champions are eager to retain their titles at the 50th edition of the Hong Kong Sevens which kicks off on Friday. Captains from all 24 teams competing in the Sevens World Series, and their counterparts in the Melrose Claymores competition met the media on Wednesday. Hailey Yip reports.

Arsenal and Bayern Munich have completed the semi-finals line-up after emerging victorious on aggregate in their last-eight clashes in the Champions League. Arsenal were held to a goal-less draw at home by Portugal's Sporting, but advanced one-nil on aggregate. German champions Bayern, meanwhile, beat Real Madrid 4-3 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate. Todd Harding has more.