The United Nations Sanctions (Amendment) Bill 2018 will be gazetted on May 25 (Friday).
 
     The Bill seeks to amend the United Nations Sanctions Ordinance (Cap. 537) (UNSO) to enable regulations made under the UNSO to impose sanctions directly against persons (including groups, undertakings and entities) whom the Security Council of the United Nations (UNSC) decides to sanction.
 
     "Given that the existing UNSO only provides for the implementation of sanctions against places, the sanction measures against Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, Al-Qaida, and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities set out in the UNSC Resolution 2368 cannot be implemented by regulations made under the UNSO," a government spokesman said.
 
     "We propose to amend the long title and section 2 of the UNSO to enable regulations made under the UNSO to implement sanctions against persons, groups, undertakings and entities, so that sanctions imposed by the UNSC against terrorists groups can be implemented," the spokesman added.
 
     The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first and second readings on June 6.

     To assist Secondary Six graduates to prepare for the release of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination results on July 11, the Education Bureau (EDB) has produced the "Three useful tools for 711", namely e-Navigator, 711 Further Studies and Career Map, and 2018 Compass@711. These tools, uploaded to the EDB website today (May 23), allow graduates, parents and schools to obtain useful information in a timely manner.

     Graduates, parents and schools can use the e-Navigator to search for programme information across different local institutions and levels, including degrees, sub-degrees and the Diploma Yi Jin. The 711 Further Studies and Career Map provides a checklist of multiple pathways and key dates for course registration which reminds graduates to take necessary actions accordingly. The 2018 Compass@711 provides users with essential information to make better preparation for the release of the HKDSE Examination results. It includes information on further studies, multiple pathways and various supporting services.

     A spokesman for the EDB said, "The broad and balanced Senior Secondary curriculum provides diversified choices to cater for students' different interests, abilities and needs. It promotes whole-person development and stretches students' potential fully. We hope that graduates will make good use of the 'Three useful tools for 711' together with the flexible and diversified study and career pathways with multiple entry and exit points under the New Academic Structure, to choose their right directions according to their interests, needs and aptitudes, so as to develop their full potential and display their strengths in various areas to realise their aspirations."

     The EDB will continue to maintain close communication and collaboration with schools and other stakeholders to help students plan for their future and fulfil their aspirations, the spokesman said.

     The "Three useful tools for 711" are available on the 2018 HKDSE Examination Results Release Designated Webpage (www.edb.gov.hk/s6/en), which also provides other latest information about multiple pathways.

     Hongkong Post announced today (May 23) the issue of a set of special stamps on the theme of "Inclusive Communication", together with associated philatelic products, on June 7 (Thursday).
 
     Hong Kong is a pluralistic society in which different communities live together inclusively and peacefully. In the process of communicating, understanding and building a harmonious society, languages and media of communication play a crucial role.
 
     Sign language, developed for people with hearing impairment, is a full-fledged language that employs not only hand gestures but also supplementary non-manual features such as facial expressions including eyebrow and mouth movements. Braille, on the other hand, was invented by a blind Frenchman named Louis Braille in the 19th century. It is a writing system that enables visually impaired people to understand through the sense of touch.
 
     To promote inclusive communication, Hongkong Post is issuing a set of six special stamps and a stamp sheetlet on that theme. The stamps display six common words or phrases in Chinese and English, namely "Friend" ($2), "Good morning" ($2.60), "Hello" ($3.40), "Keep it up" ($3.70), "Love" ($4.90) and "Thank you" ($5).

     On the left side of each stamp, there is a simple and adorable comic character expressing the word or phrase in sign language. In addition, the Braille dots for the word or phrase are printed in textured Braille ink on the surface of the stamp. This combination of sign language and Braille in the design thus allows the messages of the stamps to be conveyed to people with different needs. A lenticular effect is applied on the accompanying stamp sheetlet, making the sign language gestures for "inclusive communication" come alive.
 
     Official First Day Covers at $1.30 each will be put on sale at all post offices from tomorrow (May 24). The stamps and associated philatelic products will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office, Sha Tin Central Post Office and Tuen Mun Central Post Office from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from tomorrow to May 30.
 
     Information about this special stamp issue and associated philatelic products is available on the Hongkong Post website at www.hongkongpost.hk and via the Hongkong Post mobile app.

      

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 23) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

     "The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

     "The obese, the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, the old and the young are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

     The public should adopt the following precautions:
 

• Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;
• Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion place additional demands on the physique;
• Perform outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon;
• For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation; and
• Reschedule work to cooler times of the day.

     If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable, and start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Get into a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

     The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index remains high (6 or above):
 

• Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;
• Wear loose long-sleeved clothing made of close-woven fabrics;
• Wear a wide brim hat or use an umbrella;
• Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply liberally and reapply after swimming or sweating; and
• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

     If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

     The public may get more information from the DH's Health Education Hotline (2833 0111), heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force:

     The Labour Department reminds employers that as the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force, they should assess the risk of heat stroke to their employees and adopt effective preventive measures such as providing cool drinking water, setting up temporary sunshade and providing mechanical aids to reduce physical exertion of employees. Employees should drink water regularly and be mindful of their physical condition. If early heat stroke symptoms such as headache and thirst appear, they should inform their supervisors and seek medical help immediately.