Today (November 26), the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) handed down the judgment in Li Yik Ho (in substitution for Ng Hon Lam Edgar, deceased) v Secretary for Justice (SJ) (FACV No. 4 of 2024). The case is a judicial review lodged by the applicant concerning the inheritance rights of same-sex couples lawfully married overseas under the Intestates' Estates Ordinance (Cap 73) (IEO) and the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Ordinance (Cap 481) (IPO). The CFA dismissed the SJ's appeal, maintaining the lower courts' judgments holding that the exclusion of same-sex couples lawfully married overseas from certain provisions of the IEO and the IPO amounts to unlawful discrimination and is unconstitutional.
                 
     "The Government respects the CFA's judgment. We will study the judgment thoroughly and seek legal advice from the Department of Justice for appropriate follow-up actions," a spokesman for the Government said.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital (HKBH) gave the following update today (November 26):

     One more female patient, aged 86, in a medical ward of HKBH, was confirmed to carry Candida auris without signs of infection. The patient is now under isolation care and is in stable condition.

     The hospital will continue the contact tracing investigation of close contacts of the patient in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted to prevent the spread of Candida auris:
 

1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
2. Enhanced admission screening for patients and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.

     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patient. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 is 106.6 (up 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, will begin her visit to Dubrovnik, Croatia, on November 27 (Dubrovnik time) to promote Hong Kong's education strengths.
 
     Dr Choi will attend the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Governing Board Meeting organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to discuss the current status of and future planning for PISA with representatives from other regions. She will also speak at the PISA Conference to promote Hong Kong's quality education and exchange insights with global education experts on the use of PISA data for enhancing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) education.
 
     During her visit, Dr Choi will discuss education issues with OECD leaders, officials from the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of Croatia, and education officials from other regions.
 
     Dr Choi will return to Hong Kong on November 30 (Dubrovnik time). During her absence, the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, will be the Acting Secretary for Education.

     Hong Kong Customs today (November 26) alerted members of the public to the potential thermal burn injury posed by two models of external power banks and advised them to stop using the products for safety's sake. 

     Customs officers recently conducted spot checks and test-purchased nine models of external power banks for safety testing. Test results revealed that two of the models failed the thermal burn injury test when using the wireless charging function if an object was placed between the power bank and the device being charged. Therefore, the products did not comply with the relevant international product safety standard, and were suspected to be in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO).

     Customs officers later conducted operations and searched two retailers and one wholesaler involved in the case. A total of 437 pieces of the two models of external power banks were seized. Prohibition notices were also served on the retailers and wholesaler concerned, prohibiting the continued sale of the two suspected unsafe external power banks. 

     Furthermore, Customs officers have conducted spot checks and inspections in various districts and have not found any sales of the two external power banks concerned so far. An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and using external power banks:
 

• Purchase external power banks manufactured by reputable brands and equipped with short circuit protection devices, including overcharging, overcurrent and battery temperature protection devices, and choose charger cables produced by original manufacturers;
• External power banks in use should be placed in an environment with good ventilation so not to obstruct heat dissipation from the batteries and to minimise the risk of a short circuit. Devices being charged should not be placed near inflammable substances such as clothes;
• Keep the external power bank and the chargers clean;
• Avoid prolonged charging and unplug the external power bank immediately after it is fully charged;
• Place the external power bank and chargers in use within sight;
• When charging the external power bank, do not use it to charge mobile phones or other devices to avoid overloading or combustion; and
• Avoid putting any objects between the wireless power bank and the device being charged while conducting wireless charging.

     Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on consumer goods to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.

     Customs also reminds traders to comply with the statutory requirements of the CGSO to protect the safety of consumers. Under the CGSO, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirements for consumer goods. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.

     Members of the public with information relating to unsafe consumer goods may make a report via Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or by filling in an online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).