The government says scaffolding nets must be sampled on-site and pass safety tests by designated laboratories before they can be installed on building facades in future. It comes as authorities set out new requirements to ensure the materials are up to standard following the deadly Tai Po fire which claimed at least 160 lives. Frank Yung reports:

The executive director of the Construction Industry Council, Albert Cheng, says the sector fully supports the new mesh netting testing requirements. He added that the council will provide a collective procurement option to help contractors purchase the new nets. Mr Cheng also told Elvis Yu that the CIC will set up a new tracking system to trace laboratory test results and ensure every batch of mesh nets meet the required standards:

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk says he expects the latest subsidy of HK$100,000 to Wang Fuk Court homeowners could be disbursed within the next few days, offering them quick financial support. Azam Khan has the story:

Hong Kong’s first traditional Chinese medicine hospital has started operations amid strong demand. The hospital’s chief executive, Bian Zhaoxiang, says government-subsidised services are fully booked for the first month, and because bookings were so popular, the hospital doubled the number of slots available for the first 10 days. Frank Yung reports:

Hong Kong's business outlook remains optimistic for the next year despite a range of global uncertainties. That's according to a survey conducted by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. Its chairman, Agnes Chan, told RTHK's Henry Siu that confidence has rebounded in the city's business community:

Hong Kong's de-facto central bank lowered its base interest rate by 25 basis points to four percent on Thursday, tracking a cut by the US Federal Reserve. It was the third easing by the Monetary Authority this year and follows a similar cut late in October. Still, as Chloe Feng reports, the city's top commercial banks are keeping their interest rates unchanged for now:

Hong Kong's sports dispute resolution service will start accepting cases in the coming months, under a two-year pilot scheme launched by the government. Damon Pang reports:

The Hospital Authority has reported to the police a suspected forged certificate for vibration sensors used in Princess Margaret Hospital's expansion project. As Hailey Yip reports, the HA stressed that hospital operations were not affected despite the finding:

The prime minister of Thailand has moved to dissolve parliament, setting the stage for new elections. The move coincides with a fourth day of a fierce border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, in which at least twenty people have been killed and nearly 200 wounded - Jamie Clarke has more:

Rain and dropping temperatures have descended on Gaza’s tent camps and the Palestinians huddling inside them. The situation has highlighted how two months of a ceasefire have failed to sufficiently address the spiralling humanitarian crisis in the war-torn enclave - as Jamie Clarke reports:

A potential blockbuster media merger in the United States is creating plenty of controversy... Streaming giant Netflix is aiming to acquire Warner Brothers in a multibillion dollar deal. But not everyone is happy about the idea, including President Trump... and Paramount has launched a hostile takeover bid. Janice Lo asked Silicon Valley-based correspondent Mark Niu for the latest:
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Time magazine has named the architects of artificial intelligence its “Person of the Year.” As Jamie Clarke reports, the magazine cites this year as when the potential of AI “roared into view” with no turning back: