The SAR government has condemned the United States after Washington put six mainland and Hong Kong officials on its sanctions list. The Hong Kong administration said the move exposed US barbarity, adding it would not be intimidated as SAR officials continue to safeguard national security. Raymond Yeung reports:

Local political parties have accused Washington of smearing the SAR in a bid to suppress China. Those denouncing the sanctions included the DAB which went to the US diplomatic mission in Hong Kong to make its views known. Elvis Yu has that story:

DAB vice-chairman Holden Chow, who was among the demonstrators, called the sanctions an "ill-intentioned" move to suppress China. He also told Elvis Yu that he believes China will impose counter sanctions in response.

Meanwhile, China warned of "strong and resolute" countermeasures against the US sanctions. Beijing and its diplomatic missions also demanded that Washington stop meddling in China's and Hong Kong affairs. Aaron Tam reports:

China analyst Einar Tangen says Beijing's response to the sanctioning of mainland and Hong Kong officials was stronger than usual. In a strongly worded statement, the Commissioner's Office of the Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong said Washington's move smears the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and slanders the city's rule of law, democracy, freedom and human rights situation. The Senior Fellow at the Taihe Institute and the Chairman of Asia Narratives also pointed out that Beijing is being careful not to escalate the situation.

In other news, Hong Kong's university entrance exams have begun, with some candidates arriving early to avoid potential issues with the electronic check-in system. Some DSE candidates had first-day jitters, as Kelly Yu reports:

A school representative says proposed changes to the Native-speaking English Teacher scheme give headteachers more flexibility. Schools will get up to HK$1 million. Charlie Chun reports:

Chief Executive John Lee says water from Dongjiang in Guandong has fuelled Hong Kong's economic miracle, and contributed to the city's sustainable development and long-term prosperity. Kelly Yu reports:

Hong Kong's top court has overturned the acquittal of a former lawmaker for revealing that a police officer who was on duty during clashes in Yuen Long amid the 2019 protests was facing an anti-graft probe. Ruling in favour of the government, the Court of Final Appeal restored Lam Cheuk-ting's conviction and sentence. Frank Yung has the details:

Police have arrested two people after busting a cannabis production facility in Ta Kwu Ling. Cannabis plants and buds worth HK$5 million were seized in a raid on Monday at a three-storey house in Ping Yeung village. Damon Pang reports:

The People's Liberation Army Eastern Theatre Command started conducting joint exercises around Taiwan Island on Tuesday. Its spokesperson, Senior Colonel Shi Yi, said the Command organised its army, navy, air and rocket forces to close in on the island from multiple directions. Sophie Hui reports:

The White House says the US is preparing to announce a range of new trade tariffs, saying the day of America "being ripped off is over." White House aides have reportedly drafted plans for 20 percent tariffs on most goods imported to the United States. The new barriers to trade have businesses, consumers and investors fretting over an intensifying global trade war. Jamie Clarke reports:

A minute of silence has been observed in Myanmar in remembrance of the victims of last Friday's powerful earthquake. The death toll in Myanmar has climbed to 2,700 with over 4,500 people injured and 400 missing. Twenty people were confirmed dead in neighbouring Thailand, where a search is continuing for possible survivors under the rubble of a collapsed building. Charlie Chun reports:

A fireball that erupted from a burst gas pipeline in Malaysia has injured over 100 people. Authorities say the blaze burned for several hours before being put out. The inferno caused 20-storey flames, a huge crater in an empty area near a residential neighbourhood, and led to the evacuation of hundreds from their homes. Jamie Clarke reports:

Security forces in South Korea are preparing for any trouble on Friday when the Constitutional Court decides on the fate of suspended president Yoon Suk-yeol. He was impeached after his short-lived declaration of martial law in December split the country. Raymond Yeung reports:

The United Nations food agency is closing all of its bakeries in the Gaza Strip as food supplies dwindle. This comes after Israel sealed the territory off from all imports nearly a month ago. Israel tightened its blockade and later resumed its offensive in order to pressure Hamas into accepting changes to their ceasefire agreement. Israel says enough food entered Gaza during the six-week truce to sustain the population. However, UN agencies say the supplies they built up during the ceasefire are running out while markets are now empty of food. Jamie Clarke reports:

Hong Kong, China's snooker queen Ng On-yee has returned to the SAR after successfully defending her British Open title in the English city of Walsall. Priscilla Ng has more: