The temporary shelter at the Nam Cheong District Community Centre (1 Cheong San Lane, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon), earlier opened by the Home Affairs Department in response to the fire incident at a building on Jordan Road in Yau Ma Tei, has now stood down.

     The temporary shelter at the Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre temporary shelter (60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon) remains open for residents in need.

     Hong Kong Customs on April 9 seized about 129 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $71 million at Hong Kong International Airport. A man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.

     Through risk assessment, Customs on that day selected two consignments arriving from Germany for inspection. Upon examination, multiple nylon bags containing real amber and suspected ketamine, both wrapped in plastic bags, were found in the consignment declared as amber. At the same time, Customs officers found 69 bottles of powder in the consignment declared as glitter, and it was discovered that 29 of them were suspected to be ketamine. The total weight of the two batches of suspected ketamine was about 129kg. 

     Upon a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation and arrested a 24-year-old male consignee, who claimed to be unemployed, in Mong Kok on the same day. 

     An investigation is ongoing.

     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 Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

  

     After a nine-year hiatus, internationally acclaimed Georgian National Dance Company Sukhishvili is returning to Hong Kong upon the invitation of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to perform at the Sha Tin Town Hall on May 31 and June 1 (Friday and Saturday). Dressed in dazzling traditional folk costumes, the dancers will showcase the customs and profound cultural heritage of Georgia through their extraordinary dancing techniques with a blend of classical and contemporary elements.
 
     Georgian dance has distinctive characteristics. Male dancers will perform complicated movements such as point works, fast-paced spins, squat jumps, stomps and more with dexterity and fierce passion. They are in stark contrast to the soft and elegant dance of female dancers, featuring graceful glides and refined hand movements, which will make the whole performance a fine blending of strength and delicateness. The choreography of this performance also offers a superb combination of traditional Georgian dancing and modern dance elements. There will be dancers competing against others and captivating choreographed formations, together with stage lighting effects, gorgeous costumes and exciting live folk music. Audiences will be able to feel the passion and charm – both classic and innovative – of the Georgian people.
 
     The Georgian National Dance Company Sukhishvili was founded in 1945 by eminent dancers Iliko Sukhishvili and Nino Ramishvili. It is the first professional national dance company in Georgia, and is committed to preserving the traditions of Georgian folk dance. Iliko Sukhishvili Jr and Nino Sukhishvili, third-generation family members, continue their family's artistic vision by blending folk, classical and modern elements into the choreography and presenting various facets of Georgian culture for audiences. The company has been highly appreciated by audiences, and has performed in nearly 100 countries and regions, staging over 10,000 performances.
 
     The performances of Georgian National Dance Company Sukhishvili will be held at 8pm on May 31 and June 1 at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall. Tickets priced at $220, $320 and $420 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/dance/programs_1678.html.
 
     In addition, a dance workshop (conducted in Russian with English interpretation) will be held at 11am on June 1 at the Podium Workshop of Hong Kong Cultural Centre, in which the company's chief choreographer Iliko Sukhishvili Jr and dancers will introduce the basic movements of Georgian folk dancing. Musicians of the company will also perform during the workshop to allow the participants to experience the unique rhythms of Georgian music. Tickets priced at $200 are now available at URBTIX. For details, please refer to the above-mentioned website.

              

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.

     â€‹The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 11) that due to urgent maintenance works, Tsing Yi Southwest Swimming Pool in Kwai Tsing District will continue to be temporarily closed until further notice.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 11) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; and Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.