Chief Executive John Lee has declared his trip to Central Asia a major success, revealing that a total of 96 memoranda of understanding and partnership agreements worth an estimated US$1.65 billion have been signed. Hailey Yip reports from the Uzbek capital of Tashkent.

Hong Kong and Uzbekistan have agreed to begin talks on further relaxing travel arrangements, allowing travellers from both sides to stay visa-free for up to 30 days. That emerged during Chief Executive John Lee's visit to the Central Asian country. Hailey Yip again.

Direct flights and longer visa-free access for travellers will help unleash the potential of tourism across Central Asia, industry representatives said as Chief Executive John Lee concludes his visit to the landlocked region. Sunny Yip, director of Hong Kong travel agency Goldjoy Travel, described as "borderline" the current 14-day visa-free access granted to SAR passport holders by Kazakhstan -- and 10 days by Uzbekistan. He told Hailey Yip that a longer visiting period would allow tourists to explore various cities in Central Asian countries.

Lawmaker Jonathan Lamport, who represents the business sector, says he believes the planned direct flights between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan will greatly benefit SAR companies hoping to tap into the emerging markets of Central Asia. The remarks came after Cathay Pacific announced it will launch direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, from the first quarter of next year. In an interview with RTHK, Lamport said quicker journeys between the two places will make a big difference for businesses. He spoke to Chloe Feng.

Cathay Pacific said on Tuesday it would begin operating services between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan's largest city of Almaty from the first quarter of next year, with three flights scheduled per week. A travel agency in neighbouring Uzbekistan stressed the importance of non-stop connectivity. The general director of Marco Polo Central Asia Travel told Hailey Yip that he expected inbound travellers from the SAR to go up 10 times within a year, if direct flights are introduced.

A union leader is pushing for a unified pay rise of 4.12 percent for all 170,000 civil servants this year, instead of different increments for senior staff and the lower ranks. As Janice Lo reports, another group says a four percent raise will bolster civil service morale.

The director of M+ Museum says a strategic partnership with the Centre Pompidou in Paris could foster an era of exchanges and tangible outcomes. Suhanya Raffel told RTHK's Backchat programme why the agreement with the French cultural institution is especially significant.

Police have arrested three people on suspicion of being involved in illicit fuel activity in Kwai Tsing district. Officers seized about 1,600 litres of petrol worth HK$50,000 at a suspected illicit fuel station near Kwai Tai Road. Charlie Chun has the story.

The Consumer Council says toys that can damage a child's hearing or induce epileptic fits have been found on sale here. The watchdog said some of the items did not carry warnings. Henry Siu reports.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Kyiv needs to compromise in order to end the conflict in Ukraine and give up claims to the eastern Donbas regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. He was speaking to foreign media on the sidelines of Russia’s annual economic forum. Jamie Clarke has details.

Hezbollah says it has rejected a ceasefire in Lebanon, with Israel saying it will not withdraw troops from the country. The remarks come after Lebanon and Israel agreed to the implementation of a ceasefire following negotiations in Washington. They undermine Washington’s efforts to halt fighting, as it also attempts to forge peace with Iran. Jamie Clarke reports.

A Nepali climbing guide feared dead on Mount Everest has been found alive. Missing for six days, he crawled alone almost all the way back to Base Camp. Jamie Clarke reports.

Germany has suffered a major diplomatic blow after failing to secure a seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Instead General Assembly members chose Portugal and Austria for the two Western European spots that become vacant next year. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described the result as a bitter defeat, and blamed it on Berlin's policies.

A former cleaning woman in Brazil is clinging to a dream of using football to uplift her community, despite having to do so surviving on a shoestring. Jamie Clarke reports.