China's top legislature has opened its annual session by outlining development goals for the next five years. It also set an economic growth target of 4.5 percent to 5 percent for this year, according to a government work report delivered by Premier Li Qiang. He also said Beijing "will strive for better in practice". Our reporter Frank Yung reports from Beijing.

An economist said China's lower economic growth target marks a strategic shift and indicates that authorities are now prioritising developing tech and innovation-related industries as part of efforts to transform the overall growth model. Gary Ng, a senior economist at French investment bank, Natixis, also said that the new GDP target reflects that policymakers are aware of the pressure facing the domestic economy. He spoke to Chloe Feng:

Hong Kong deputies attending the annual Two Sessions in Beijing have voiced support for the country's economic growth target of between 4.5 percent and five percent this year. As Elvis Yu reports, they said it's a reasonable forecast given the current geopolitical instability.

China also unveiled major development targets for the 2026-2030 period as part of a government work report delivered by Premier Li Qiang. Here's Frank Yung again from the capital.

Premier Li Qiang pledged in his annual work report that the central government will fully implement One Country, Two Systems, while reiterating Beijing's resolve to advance the cause of national unification. Elvis Yu with that story.

Chief Executive John Lee has pledged to formulate a "broad, strategic and forward-looking" five-year plan for Hong Kong. As Frank Yung reports from the capital, the plan is expected to be completed within this year.

China's defence budget growth will slow to seven percent this year, according to a draft report submitted to the National People's Congress for review. Tony Sabine has the details.

Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress have hailed the central government's work report, saying it is effective in responding to external challenges. Frank Yung reports from Beijing:

Transport chief Mable Chan says Hong Kong has been building a comprehensive supply chain for green fuel since rolling out the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering in late 2024. Charlie Chun reports.

A study by Hang Seng University has shown that Hong Kong is attractive to students pursuing a doctorate. But in-depth interviews with 50 doctoral students and university leaders in Hong Kong Singapore, Malaysia, and Britain suggested a need for enhanced post-study immigration pathways and funding schemes for PhD students. Provost and vice-president of the university Joshua Mok spoke to Henry Siu.

Health and sports experts have welcomed the city's first-ever action plan to tackle rising obesity rates. But they said the biggest hurdle isn't dietary or a lack of exercise, but a significant "cognitive gap" where people just don't realise they're overweight. Hailey Yip reports.

A lawmaker has called on the government to set up a student dormitory licensing system. This comes after media reports alleged that a mainland organisation is operating such a facility without authorisation. Raymond Yeung reports.

US President Donald Trump says that the United States will have a role in choosing Iran's next leader. He drew a parallel to Venezuela, whose former president Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces in January, and vice-president Delcy Rodriguez has taken charge since. Our US correspondent Simon Marks told Janice Lo that while Trump did not name names, he made it clear who he doesn't want as Iran's next leader.

Iran says the United States will bitterly regret sinking an Iranian frigate in international waters south of Sri Lanka, which killed at least 87 sailors with dozens more missing. As questions over the incident swirl, Sri Lanka says a second Iranian warship is in the area. The developments come as explosions were heard in the Iranian capital Tehran as the US and Israel continued to bombard Iran and Lebanon. Azam Khan has the details.

Energy intelligence firm Kepler reports that oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has plunged, but not completely halted following the outbreak of the war. But a maritime scholar says the forced rerouting of ships around South Africa's Cape of Good Hope is adding weeks to transit times and increasing costs significantly. Professor Achim Czerny from Polytechnic University's Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies spoke on RTHK's Backchat programme:

Ukraine and Russia have exchanged 200 prisoners of war each. The latest swap comes despite a deadlock in negotiations to end the four-year conflict. Jamie Clarke reports:

The British Broadcasting Corporation, or BBC, says it is facing, "permanent and irreversible" trends which could drive it out of business unless major overhauls are implemented. It cited a gradual drop in revenue from licensing fees, among other issues for the warning. RTHK's UK correspondent Peter Anderson explained to Ben Tse the BBC's funding model, and why some households feel reluctant to pay up:

People in Nepal are voting in the country's first general election since deadly protests in September last year that led to the government's ouster. Officials in the Himalayan state say polling has been peaceful, with over 300,000 security personnel on duty. Results are expected over the weekend. Hailey Yip reports.

In football... Tottenham Hotspur's struggles continue to mount. The north London side were beaten 3-1 by Crystal Palace at home, extending their winless run in the Premier League to 11 matches. As Todd Harding tells us, the result leaves them just one point above the relegation zone: