Northern Metropolis Land Deal: Financial Secretary Paul Chan says the HKSAR has awarded the first major Northern Metropolis land tender via a two-envelope public-private partnership, with a consortium projected to invest about HK$16.8b and create 6,000+ jobs. Cross-Boundary Port Stress Tests: Hong Kong continues cross-boundary large-scale stress testing at Huanggang Port ahead of opening, including updates on residents’ ID/return-permit use at the revamped facility. GenA.I. in Government Services: Regulators and the Digital Policy Office push forward with GenA.I. sandbox work and new AI projects to improve 1823 public service efficiency and user experience. Independent Bookstores Under Pressure: Hong Kong’s independent bookstores face scrutiny and closures amid a broader crackdown on dissent, with police actions tied to the national security framework. Public Health & Mental Health Reform: CityUHK-linked reporting spotlights calls to rethink schizophrenia care beyond symptom control, and to treat governance and recovery as human-centred. Macau-Singapore Cooperation: CE Sam Hou Fai meets Singapore counterparts on public health, traditional Chinese medicine, and ageing-society governance during an overseas visit. US-Iran Sanctions Spillover: US “Operation Economic Outcast” targets Banque Misr’s UAE dollar access, raising pressure on Iran-linked shadow-banking channels and testing how far banks and partners will comply. Sports (Women’s Asia Cup): India beat Thailand by 94 runs in Dubai, with Deepti Sharma’s record-leading wicket haul and Shafali Verma’s 64 driving the win.