Financial Secretary Paul Chan says things are looking up for Hong Kong's economy. He says there have been significant improvements in market sentiment. Frank Yung reports:

A travel industry leader has called on the government to make it easier for people to become licensed tour guides. Fanny Yeung, executive director of the Travel Industry Council, says the trade needs more guides with foreign language skills, or the knowledge to provide educational tours around Hong Kong. At present, guides must take a dedicated training course or have a university degree before sitting the licensing exam. She also told Frank Yung that the focus for tourists had shifted from visiting the usual attractions to looking for more immersive experiences while in Hong Kong:

NPC Standing Committee member Starry Lee says Hong Kong needs to use its global connections to help Chinese companies expand across the world. She also warned that foreign firms were bypassing the SAR and investing directly in the mainland. Elvis Yu reports:

It has become a trend for many Hong Kong people to spend their weekend across the border, taking advantage of the cheap food and accommodation. But pet owners who wish to bring their furry companions face a major obstacle. Cats and dogs can directly pass through the mainland border if they have the necessary paperwork. But on their return to Hong Kong, they face a four-month quarantine. Around 700 pet owners who responded to a survey said the procedures should be shortened or eliminated. Lawmaker Johnny Ng discussed his proposal on improving pet immigration arrangements with Raymond Yeung:

Social media lit up across Hong Kong on Saturday after a waterspout appeared in Victoria Harbour. Pictures and videos shared online showed a swirling column of water, seemingly connecting the sky with the harbour. The Observatory said it was the first waterspout to be spotted in the harbour since it began keeping records on the weather phenomenon in 1959. Leung Wing-mo is a former assistant director at the Observatory and currently a spokesman for the Meteorological Society. He told Anne Chan about the climatic conditions needed for a waterspout:

President Xi Jinping has called on Chinese people to learn from heroes and role models to "forge ahead in unity" and form a mighty force to build a strong nation. He made the remarks at a ceremony awarding the highest national medals and honorary titles to 15 individuals. Charlie Chun reports:

Lebanon's health ministry says more than 50 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Israel has continued to trade fire with Hezbollah across the northern border after a weekend in which the militant group was dealt a succession of blows. As Jamie Clarke reports, Hezbollah’s leader was killed on Friday and Israel’s defence minister is now discussing widening the offensive:

Japan’s governing party has picked former Defense Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, as its leader, setting him up to become prime minister on Tuesday. It was his fifth attempt at the top job. He won a run-off against his right-wing rival, Sanae Takaichi, who would have been Japan's first female Prime Minister. Experts say the 67-year old will inherit a myriad of challenges, from a cost-of-living crisis to in-party fighting. Masaru Yarime, associate professor in the division of public policy at the University of Science and Technology, told Raymond Yeung that Ishiba is considered a moderate conservative, so he would be a comfortable choice for many voters:

Deadly floods and landslides in Nepal have killed at least 151 people, according to local officials. Three days of monsoon rains have caused the majority of the country’s rivers to swell and burst their banks. As Jamie Clarke reports, rescue work is underway to recover dozens of people still missing:

On Tuesday, Minnesota governor Tim Walz and Senator JD Vance of Ohio will face one another in the vice presidential debate. It will be hosted by CBS news and take place in New York City. Vice presidential debates do not usually draw big audiences, like the presidential ones, but in such a tight race, this debate could be a tipping point in a closely-balanced electorate. RTHK's Washington correspondent, Barry Wood, told Janice Wong that the debate rules should be the same as the previous two presidential debates:

States across the Southeastern US have started a massive cleanup and recovery effort, after winds, rain and storm surges from Hurricane Helene snuffed out power for millions, destroyed roads and bridges, and caused catastrophic flooding from Florida to Virginia. Close to 90 people have been killed so far. The storm made landfall on Thursday in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane. Insurers and forecasters said over the weekend that damage estimates ranged from US$15 billion to more than US$100 billion. Jamie Clarke reports:

The world's first 3D-printed hotel is under construction in a desert in the US state of Texas. When completed, the El Cosmico complex will boast 43 hotel units and 18 residential homes. Jacqueline Guico reports:

In the English Premier League, Tottenham piled more pressure on Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, with a dominant 3-nil win at Old Trafford. And in the big game on Saturday, Erling Haaland was held scoreless for the first time this season, as Manchester City were held to a 1-all draw at Newcastle to drop points for the second consecutive weekend. RTHK's football correspondent, Tim Bredbury, has more on those fixtures and other highlights:

A China strategist says a key role of Hong Kong in the nation's development is to be the connecting point between the mainland and the rest of the world. Andrew Leung, a former senior government official, says the SAR is positioned as an international city that, as he puts it, "speaks the language of the West". As part of RTHK's special series marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the launch of RTHK's podcast "China Perspectives", Leung spoke to Frank Yung about the role that Hong Kong has played in the country's development and the way forward: