Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals: Here is an item of interest to swimmers. The Leisure and Cultural Serv… read more
Hong Kong Customs seized in total about 4.6 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $4.8 million at Hong Kong International Airport on November 30.
A 77-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Madrid, Spain in the morning on November 30. During Customs clearance, 2.1 kilograms of suspected cocaine in two packets were found concealed inside the false compartment of his suitcase. The man was then arrested.
In the afternoon of the same day, a 58-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Dubai, United Arab Emirates. During Customs clearance, 2.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine in three packets were found concealed inside the false compartment of his suitcase. The man was then arrested.
The two arrested men were each charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (December 3).
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a joint laboratory of instrumentation for precision medicine between the Faculty of E… read more
The Chief Secretary for Administration and Volunteer-in-Chief, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said today (December 2) that since the launch of the Volunteer Movement 20 years ago, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) has been encouraging members of the public to participate in voluntary services with a view to establishing a culture of lifelong volunteerism. The Volunteer Movement has yielded encouraging results, with more than 1.3 million volunteers registered in Hong Kong and over 3 200 organisations participating, he noted.
Speaking at the 2018 Hong Kong Volunteer Award Presentation Ceremony organised by the SWD, Mr Cheung said that the Government has always been committed to building a caring and inclusive society. The estimated spending on social welfare in 2018-19 amounts to $84.2 billion, representing a more than two-fold increase when compared with the figure 10 years ago. The Government has also been actively promoting “Residents-Business-Government-School” collaboration with a view to facilitating the participation of various sectors in volunteer services and cultivating a culture of mutual help and care in the community.
Also addressing the ceremony, the Director of Social Welfare, Ms Carol Yip, said that over the years, the Steering Committee on Promotion of Volunteer Service has been striving to encourage and mobilise individuals and organisations from all walks of life, through various channels, to join volunteer services. She said she was happy to see that the number of registered volunteers and participating organisations in the Volunteer Movement has almost doubled from the figure a decade ago while the number of service hours has also been rising, and that the development of volunteerism has become increasingly creative, sustainable and professional.
Saying that she was proud of volunteers’ contributions to the community, Ms Yip expressed gratitude to different sectors of society for supporting the Volunteer Movement, in particular to the Steering Committee on Promotion of Volunteer Service, its four Sub-committees on Promotion, the 11 District Co-ordinating Committees, District Social Welfare Officers and all committee members for their commitment in bringing the movement forward with depth and diversity, which has also helped foster mutual aid and care among people.
She also noted that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the SWD, adding that the department will continue to uphold the “people-oriented” approach and strive to deliver services tailored for the public.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Volunteer Movement, the SWD and Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) have jointly produced an eight-episode television docudrama series on voluntary work. The TV series, adapting real stories of volunteers, aims to promote the message of “Volunteering – Make a Difference in Life”. The officiating guests launched the TV series at the ceremony today, and some actors performing in the docudrama, together with the Volunteer Movement Ambassador, Stephanie Au, and artiste Jade Kwan, discussed their experiences in volunteer services onstage.
Also at the ceremony, artiste Hins Cheung was appointed as the 2019 Volunteer Movement Star to help further promote the movement.
Today’s ceremony, organised by the Steering Committee on Promotion of Volunteer Service, aimed to further promote volunteerism by paying tribute to volunteers, to enhance people’s understanding of volunteer services, and to promote a sense of caring and mutual help in the community.
Awards were presented to volunteers from various sectors for their outstanding contributions in the previous year. They included volunteers who have served the community for more than 20 years and the volunteer organisations from public and private groups with the highest number of service hours (see Annex for the list of awardees (Chinese only)).
Also officiating at today’s ceremony were the Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Caspar Tsui; the Convenor of the Sub-committee on Promotion and Publicity of Volunteer Service, Mr David Ho; the Convenor of the Sub-committee on Promotion of Corporate Volunteering, Dr Kevin Lau; the Convenor of the Sub-committee on Promotion of Volunteering in Community Organisations, Mr Bevis Leung; and the Acting Deputy Director of Broadcasting (Programmes) of RTHK, Mr Albert Cheung. read more
The Transport Department (TD) today (December 2) reminded the public that special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in the vicinity of Causeway Bay and Tin Hau to facilitate the holding of the 53rd Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo at Victoria Park from December 15, 2018 to January 7, 2019.
The special traffic and transport arrangements mainly include:
* Pedestrianisation will be implemented at East Point Road, Lockhart Road east of Cannon Street, and Great George Road Street west of Paterson Street from 4pm to midnight on weekdays, and from noon to midnight on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays;
* Depending on the on-site crowd and traffic conditions, the section of Gloucester Road between Kingston Street and Causeway Road, Sugar Street, Great George Street, Paterson Street, Kingston Street, Cleveland Street, Hing Fat Street, Electric Road and Lau Li Street may be temporarily closed. In addition, the Tin Hau Station Public Transport Interchange, public light bus stands at Paterson Street and Sugar Street and taxi stands at Paterson Street and Lau Li Street may also be suspended;
* Bus stops on Causeway Road outside Victoria Park will be suspended, relocated or temporarily provided; and
* The Hing Fat Street Public Carpark (except disabled parking spaces) will be suspended from 10am to 8.59pm daily between December 12, 2018 to January 8, 2019.
The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of Causeway Bay and Tin Hau will be busy during the holding of the above event. Members of the public are advised to use public transport services as far as possible and avoid driving to the affected areas. Early planning of journeys is also advised to cater for unexpected delays. Public transport passengers are advised to pay attention to the special public transport arrangements.
The actual implementation of road closures, traffic control and diversion measures will be exercised or altered by the Police depending on the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions. Motorists are advised to exercise patience and tolerance when driving to the affected areas and follow the instructions of the Police.
The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. Members of the public are advised to stay alert to the latest traffic news on radio and television.
Details of the special traffic and transport arrangements are now available on the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk).
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