Typhoon Noul & Hong Kong disruption: The Observatory says Noul is edging closer after China upgraded the storm and issued orange alerts, with gusts up to 110km/h recorded and the city already seeing impacts like a scaffolding collapse and hundreds of flight cancellations; the No. 3 typhoon signal is in force and more disruptions are expected into Sunday. Cross-border travel: Nearly 170 mainland motorists are set to arrive in Hong Kong under an expanded Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme, with daily quotas doubled to 200 and hotels rolling out packages. Local safety guidance: The Labour Department urged employers to set clear work arrangements during and after tropical cyclone and rainstorm warnings. Transport & costs: Cathay Pacific raised fuel surcharges from Aug 1, including HK$198 for Hong Kong–mainland China sectors, citing higher jet fuel prices amid Middle East tensions. Trade tensions: China lodged a formal protest against EU sanctions targeting additional Chinese firms over Russia, and says it has retaliated with export controls on 14 EU entities. Economy & markets: Global stocks ended the week mixed, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng down 1.10%. Sports (Asian Games): India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka secured direct knockout berths in men’s cricket, while Hong Kong will play in the opening round. Culture & heritage: The Hong Kong Book Fair opened, and a UNESCO-listed Jingdezhen porcelain project is being promoted through Tencent’s AI game.