The chief executive says lawmakers will closely oversee the development of the Northern Metropolis, even after dedicated legislation is introduced to speed up the work. In his policy address on Wednesday, John Lee said the government will introduce dedicated legislation to empower officials to devise simplified statutory procedures, and provide them with funding channels. Sophie Hui reports.

The government says the initial funding request for dedicated managing bodies set up for the Northern Metropolis will go through the legislature. As Frank Yung reports, the administration announced plans to establish a non-statutory company next year to oversee the Hung Shui Kiu portion of the mega project.

Land experts have called on the government to bring in the private sector to help fast-track the development of the Northern Metropolis. This comes a day after the chief executive said he will set up and lead a high-level committee to speed up the development of the border area into an engine for economic growth. Aaron Tam with that story.

Lawmaker Jeffrey Lam has welcomed the measures outlined in the chief executive's policy address to support the city's 360,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, or SMEs, amid economic restructuring. Lam said SMEs are struggling with rising operating costs, cash flow issues, and the challenges of digitalisation, as they often lack the necessary skills and funds to adopt new technologies. He told Hailey Yip that the measures would alleviate the financial pressures:

The chief executive says he's set high standards for a team of officials entrusted with boosting artificial intelligence usage in government operations, and vowed to hold underachievers accountable. In his Policy Address, John Lee announced the creation of the AI Efficacy Enhancement Team. As Elvis Yu reports, the group will be led by Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk, with innovation minister Sun Dong and a private-sector expert serving as deputies.

An elderly man who recently travelled to Jiangmen in Guangdong province has come down with chikungunya fever. He's the 19th imported case of the mosquito-borne disease here in Hong Kong this year. Hailey Yip tells us more.

A bus driver who was struck in the chest by a metal rod while behind the wheel has been discharged from hospital, according to Citybus. As Elvis Yu reports, the driver thanked members of the public for their concern.

Defence Minister Dong Jun has warned against an increasingly divided world defined by what he called the rule of the jungle. At an international conference in Beijing, he called for greater efforts to achieve global unity. Azam Khan with the story.

A solemn ceremony has been held in Shenyang on the 94th anniversary of the September 18 Incident, which marked the start of China's war of resistance against Japanese aggression. Raymond Yeung reports.

The United States has again vetoed a draft United Nations Security Council resolution that would have demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The 14 other members of the Council backed the resolution, initiated in August in response to the UN's official declaration of famine after nearly two years of Israel's war on Hamas in the Palestinian territory. The vote came as Israeli tanks and jets pounded Gaza City, the target of a major new ground offensive, forcing Palestinians to flee south. Jamie Clarke has more:

US President Donald Trump has left Britain after his second state visit featuring a pomp-filled welcome from King Charles and talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In a joint press conference by the leaders, Trump touched on topics ranging from illegal immigration, Russia and trade. RTHK's UK correspondent, Peter Anderson, told Janice Lo that some British advisers breathed a sigh of relief after Trump seemed to be genuinely warm towards the UK:

Donald Trump has celebrated the suspension of talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel from the airwaves. The comments have inflamed a debate in America over whether the US president and Republicans are infringing on free speech, as they sought to punish some critics of murdered right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Jamie Clarke has more:

Workers have taken part in strike action across France, after trade unions called for a day of protests against budget cuts. Teachers, train drivers, pharmacists and hospital staff were among those who went on strike, while teenagers blocked dozens of high schools for hours. Jamie Clarke has more:

Leading local banks are lowering their prime lending rate by 12.5 basis points, with the cut by HSBC taking effect on Friday. This came after the city's Monetary Authority reduced its base rate by 25 basis points, in lock-step with the US Federal Reserve. Chloe Feng reports.

Lower interest rates in Hong Kong will offer relief to individuals and help the city's financial markets and the economy. That's according to Chunlai Wu, head of Asia Asset Allocation at the chief investment office at UBS Global Wealth Management. His comments came after lending local banks cut their prime and savings rates following a reduction by the US Federal Reserve. He spoke to Chloe Feng.

In football -- where Marcus Rashford bagged his first Champions League goals in four years to lead Barcelona over Newcastle United 2-1, as the Spanish champions got their European campaign off to a triumphant start at Saint James' Park. Erling Haaland, meanwhile, became the fastest player to hit fifty Champions League goals in Manchester City's victory over Italian champions Napoli. Todd Harding has more:

Well here at home -- defending local Premier League champions Tai Po have kicked off their AFC Champions League Two campaign with a victory. They defeated ten-men Macarthur from Australia 2-1 at Mong Kok Stadium. Here's RTHK's Asian football correspondent, Chris KL Lau: