Hong Kong will be ready to accommodate the influx of tourists who will ring in the new year. Speaking ahead of an Executive Council meeting, Chief Executive John Lee said that special border crossing and transport arrangements are already in place. Kelly Yu reports.

Tourism sector representatives have called on authorities to relax restrictions and allow more tour groups to access attractions that promote eco and cultural tourism. They say there are currently many restrictions on tour groups, for instance, only three coaches are allowed to enter the Hong Kong Geopark in Sai Kung every day. Travel Industry Council chairman Tommy Tam spoke to Vanessa Cheng.

Three bus companies have been given the green light to increase their fares, although the hikes are smaller than what some of them had sought. The new fares take effect on January the fifth. Vanessa Cheng has details.

Transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick says he thinks the fare hikes are appropriate. He told Vanessa Cheng that bus operators should think of diversifying their revenue streams in the long term.

Hong Kong University's faculty of dentistry is working with district volunteer teams to deliver oral and gum check-ups, but they're not using traditional methods. The team is using an artificial intelligence programme called Gum AI. They conduct home visits to check up on elderly people, and they stop by community halls to analyse the community's oral health and provide advice on oral hygiene. Walter Lam, clinical assistant professor from HKU dentistry spoke to Kimmy Lau.

The government says a newly developed computing system should improve slope safety management. It turns paper-based aerial photos kept by the Geotechnical Engineering Office into three-dimensional digital images, that can then be downloaded and used for landslide risk assessments. The office's library has around 370,000 physical photos, and lends an average of 17,000 a month to other government departments and the engineering sector. The office's new Digital Aerial Photographs Interpretation System was paid for by the Innovation and Technology Fund, at a cost of HK$6.5 million. The office's deputy head Jenny Yeung told Elvis Yu the system will better prepare the city for extreme weather events.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi says China hopes the incoming Trump administration will make the "right choices" and work with Beijing to overcome obstacles. He also said China must respond firmly and forcefully to any US interference in its internal affairs. It came as US President-elect Donald Trump said Washington and China "can together solve all of the world's problems." Kelly Yu reports.

China has announced a relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, extending the permitted stay for eligible foreign travellers to 10 days. The move comes as the country tries to attract more visitors, boosting post-pandemic travel. Daniel Lee has details.

A senior Russian general has been killed in a bomb explosion outside his apartment building in Moscow. A Ukrainian official has said its country’s security service are responsible for the attack. It comes a day after Ukraine accused the high-ranking official of being responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Russia’s war with Ukraine. Jamie Clarke has more.

The bombshell resignation of Canada's deputy prime minister is spurring new calls for the resignation of Justin Trudeau, whose rock-bottom popularity is plummeting further. As Todd Harding reports, he's coming under fire from opposition attacks and US President-elect Donald Trump's tariff threats.

Luigi Mangione, the man accused of shooting dead an insurance company executive on a Manhattan street this month has been indicted for murder. Aaron Tam reports.

An anti-whaling activist has been freed from prison in Greenland, and has avoided extradition to Japan where he’s wanted on charges of obstructing a whaling ship. Paul Watson has spent the past five months in custody, he says he is planning to return home to reunite with his family for the festive season. Jamie Clarke reports.

A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake has struck just off the coast of Vanuatu, causing widespread destruction in the South Pacific Island nation. Hospital authorities say at least one person has died, with more and more injured arriving at hospitals. But the full extent of the damage remains unclear, as power and mobile networks across the country remain cut off. Jamie Clarke has more.

Now, another of our short features about this year’s Operation Santa Claus beneficiaries. Phil Whelan visits Czarina Leung, founder of 'Be Priceless'. It's an organisation helping caregivers and children with special education needs. You can learn more about how to support that charity and our other beneficiaries this year at osc.scmp.com.

Hong Kong, China booked their spot in the finals of next year's E1 Football Championship, organised by the East Asian Football Federation, in South Korea. That comes after the SAR secured a dominant 5-0 victory over Guam in the finale of the qualifying round at the Hong Kong Stadium on Tuesday night, as they recorded their sixth straight win under coach Ashley Westwood. Our Asia football correspondent, Chris KL Lau, was at the match and filed this report.