Hong Kong business representatives in Beijing have been urged to take a leading role in strengthening ties between the two cities. That's the message from chief executive John Lee who's currently on a four-day duty visit to the capital. Frank Yung reports from Beijing.

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce has announced the results of their latest Business Prospects Survey conducted in November. The survey shows a cautiously optimistic outlook on business prospects in the coming year. The business chamber's CEO, Patrick Yeung, told Natasha Ho that the Hong Kong film, The Last Dance, was an example of how a good product could boost spending in the local economy.

Hong Kong’s exports will grow by four percent in the next year, according to a forecast by the Trade Development Council. It said with president-elect Donald Trump taking office next month, global trade conditions may change drastically. Irina Fan, the council's director of research, told Vanessa Cheng that she expected Hong Kong to have high downside risks.

A human resources firm says local companies may be more conservative when it comes to hiring new people in the first quarter of next year. That's because there's a slowdown in the global economy. As Vanessa Cheng reports, the Manpower Group made their prediction after interviewing about 500 local employers.

Employees who lose their jobs when their company goes bankrupt may be able to get as much as $200,000 of severance pay, which is double the current ceiling. Members of the Legco panel on manpower are set to discuss the proposal on Monday. Raymond Yeung reports.

A cinema in Diamond Hill will likely cease operations from Friday, potentially becoming the seventh movie theatre to close this year. Elvis Yu visited The MCL branch at Plaza Hollywood and found that they had suspended ticket sales at its counters and on its website. He filed this report.

A site study of barrier-free facilities at 26 shopping malls has found that at least half of them do not meet the minimum standards set out by the government. Among the problems were doors which were too heavy for wheelchair users to push, and a lack of signage to guide users to accessible lifts and toilets. The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation announced their findings on Thursday. Iris Chan, a consultant for the society spoke with Ben Tse.

Former lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting and six others have been found guilty of rioting in Yuen Long during the 2019 protests. Damon Pang reports

Beijing has vowed to boost domestic consumption next year as leaders concluded a key economic policy meeting on Thursday. Priscilla Ng reports.

Economic officials from the Biden administration are set to meet their Chinese counterparts this week for talks. It's a final bid to strengthen ties before Donald Trump's White House returns. Tony Sabine reports.

Friday marks the 87th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre. Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Bill Tang said he hopes students here can learn more about the tragic event, so that they will cherish peace and contribute to the country's development. Elvis Yu reports.

Donald Trump has been named “Person of the Year” by Time Magazine. It is the second time the United States’ president-elect has won the award. Time’s editor-in-chief says Trump is someone who “for better or for worse, had the most influence on the news in 2024.” Jamie Clarke reports.

South Korean president, Yoon Suk-yeol, has defended his short-lived martial law order as a legal move to protect democracy. He’s vowed to “fight to the end” in response to attempts to impeach him, and amid intensifying investigations into last week’s dramatic move. Opposition parties have submitted a new impeachment motion against Yoon for a floor vote this weekend – as Jamie Clarke reports.

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have killed at least thirty-five people, including seven children and a woman. Two other strikes killed fifteen men who were part of local committees established by displaced Palestinians to secure aid convoys. The strikes came after the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Jamie Clarke has more.

A five-year-old swimmer from Bangkok has appeared as guest of honour at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Hungary. Tournament organisers invited the girl and her parents to Budapest, where she was able to swim in the same pool the world’s best have been competing in. She even met up with a former Olympic champion. Jamie Clarke has more.

Hong Kong swimmer Siobhan Haughey finished fourth in the final of the 100-metre freestyle event at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest. Sean Kennedy reports.

Arsenal and Everton are set to kick off this weekend's run of Premier League match-ups Saturday night, with leaders Liverpool also in action as they take on Fulham. For a look-ahead on what's coming up, here's our football correspondent, Tim Bredbury.