Vote counting is under way in Bangladesh for a landmark parliamentary election. While the official results are not expected to be delivered until later on Friday, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is estimated to earn a majority in the 300-member legislature. Jamie Clarke reports:

Chief Executive John Lee has signalled Hong Kong's readiness to join forces again with Guangdong and Macao in hosting future international sporting events, building on the momentum of their collaboration during last year's National Games. Hailey Yip reports:

The government has urged all travellers, including those from Hong Kong, to plan ahead for the Chinese New Year and avoid busy days. Officials estimate that more than 11 million arrivals and departures will be passing through the city's border crossings during the New Year festive period. Wendy Wong reports.

The Customs and Excise Department says cigarette smuggling accounted for around 75 percent of the total number of cases it worked on last year. It said smugglers even used wheelchairs and children to sneak cigarettes into the city. Henry Siu has the story.

A senior legal counsel says there are serious threats by external forces, often beneath the radar, to influence Hong Kong negatively, and harm the nation. The remarks by former Director of Public Prosecutions Grenville Cross follow Beijing's release of a White Paper detailing the fight to safeguard national security in the SAR. Cross spoke on RTHK's Backchat programme:

Education minister Christine Choi says the government has no plans to relax a proposal which would require teachers to renew their practising certificates every three years. This comes after the Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools requested that the renewal be done every five years. Damon Pang reports:

CLP Power has commissioned three substations in the Northern Metropolis -- a move the company says will be sufficient to meet the area's electricity demand for the next decade. Hailey Yip has the details.

A former MTR engineer says the railway operator should update its equipment to prevent a repeat of the service disruption that happened on Wednesday morning. Trains between Sheung Wan and Quarry Bay stations were halted for about an hour, when an obstruction was found on the track near Wan Chai station. Raymond Yeung reports.

Researchers from the University of Hong Kong have developed a plant-based composite formula that improves the condition of those who suffer from eczema. They said the moisturising cream, called Anesinin, helps combat the global challenge of resistance to antibiotics and offers an alternative to other short-term treatments for the condition. Professor Richard Kao told Natasha Ho that Anesinin tames the toxicity of eczema-causing bacteria rather than killing them outright:

The Transport Department says diagonal crossings will not be a standard feature at all junctions across the city because of the possible impact on traffic. The government's transport strategy blueprint released last week envisaged diagonal crossings at 15 junctions from this year. Marcus Lum has the details.

The Transport Department's Chief Engineer of Traffic Control Gordon Kwok explained on RTHK's Backchat programme that not all junctions are suitable for diagonal crossings:

The government has been urged to provide subsidies to encourage local tours to boost consumption in Hong Kong. And there's been a call for vouchers to bolster the night economy. Charlie Chun reports.

The government is inviting expressions of interest in running stalls at the now-empty Stanley Waterfront Mart. Damon Pang has the story.

US President Donald Trump has agreed to end his deportation surge in Minnesota. That's according to the US leader's border czar. The surge has led to tumultuous scenes in Minneapolis, the state's largest city - stoking protests and leading to the deaths of two US citizens. Jamie Clarke has more:

The Russian government says it will send oil to Cuba as rapidly as possible, after Havana warned international airlines it is now running out of jet fuel. Moscow says it will defy US President Donald Trump's threat of additional tariffs on any country that tries to beat an energy blockade the United States is imposing on its communist-run neighbour. The Mexican president has criticised the American move as "deeply unjust". RTHK's Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

The war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has left nearly 14 million people displaced, triggered rounds of ethnic bloodshed, and spread famine and disease. According to one local researcher, it's also upset the delicate balance of land ownership and livestock routes, which - as Jamie Clarke reports - had maintained the livelihoods of nomads and wider relations in the area:

In football... Arsenal have missed out on the chance to solidify their hold atop the Premier League after a 1-1 draw at Brentford. As Todd Harding tells us, the result blows the title race wide open yet again... with the gap from second-placed Manchester City trimmed to just four points: