The Transport Department today (June 16) reminded members of the public that the 29th round of computer ballot registration for submitting applications for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles (the scheme) will be open from 10am tomorrow (June 17) to 11.59pm on June 20, and the ballot result will be announced on June 21.

     Eligible applicants for the scheme can register for computer balloting through the designated website (www.hzmbqfs.gov.hk). Successful balloting applicants are required to submit applications for the scheme within the designated date and time randomly allocated by the computer system.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) uses an AI-powered dog that it developed to help detect hidden gases and assist in investigating other sources of air pollution, thanks to the support of the Smart Government Innovation Lab of the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO).

     News.gov.hk spoke with representatives from the EPD and the OGCIO, who explained the features of the AI robotic dog and how the lab assists government departments in adopting technology aimed at improving efficiency.

     The story is available at www.news.gov.hk/eng/feature today (June 16) in text and video format.

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (June 16) will be cancelled.

     If the thunderstorm warning is cancelled and weather conditions permit by then, the flag-raising ceremony may be resumed without further notice.

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, at a media session at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station before taking the inaugural sleeper train of the XRL (Express Rail Link) from Hong Kong to Beijing today (June 15)
 
Reporter: Will there be more sleeper train services to other parts of the mainland and how is the negotiation with the mainland going to be like?

Secretary for Transport and Logistics: The sleeper train is a breakthrough of the XRL service. We have operated the XRL service or the high speed service for about six years and the service was closed for nearly three years. In the past, the railway network usually had to undergo maintenance during the nighttime. The sleeper service will be welcomed by the public as it is an alternative mode of transport. You can get on board the train at around evening time and then get a good sleep. At around 7 in the morning, you will arrive at the destination. This will suit some of the travel purposes of the passengers. Now, we have sleeper train service four days per week. It depends on how it goes and if it is welcomed by the general public, we will push for more. We will do it.

(Please also refer to the Chinese version of the transcript.)

            

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 15) investigating a case of suspected mad honey poisoning, and reminded the public to buy honey from a reliable source or apiary.

     A 35-year-old male developed dizziness and vomiting around 30 minutes after consuming honey yesterday (June 14). He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital today and was admitted for treatment due to hypotension and bradycardia. The patient was in stable condition. His clinical diagnosis was suspected mad honey poisoning.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient consumed honey mailed to Hong Kong by a friend from Nepal. The poisoning might have been caused by grayanotoxin. Investigations are ongoing.

     "Mad honey poisoning is caused by ingestion of honey containing grayanotoxins derived from plants belonging to the Ericaceae family, including rhododendrons. Grayanotoxins are neurotoxins which can affect nerves and muscles. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, weakness, excessive perspiration, hypersalivation and paraesthesia shortly after ingestion. In severe cases, hypotension, bradycardia or shock may occur," a spokesman for the CHP explained.

     Members of the public are reminded to take heed of the following preventive advice:

• Buy honey from a reliable source or apiary;
• Discard honey with a bitter or astringent taste – grayanotoxin-containing honey may cause a burning sensation in the throat; and
• Pay special attention to honey from India, Nepal and the Black Sea region of Türkiye as there have been grayanotoxin poisoning cases connected with honey from these areas.