Décès Son Excellence Ratu Epeli Nailatikau

Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie

Le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie a appris avec une profonde tristesse le décès de Son Excellence Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, à l’âge de 84 ans.

Au moment où le peuple fidjien enterre un des siens, le gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie adresse ses sincères condoléances au peuple fidjien, à sa famille ainsi qu’à l’ensemble des autorités de la République des Fidji.

Soldat, homme d’État et serviteur dévoué de son pays, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau a consacré sa vie au service de la nation fidjienne. Il a notamment atteint le grade de général de brigade et dirigé les forces militaires royales fidjiennes de 1982 à 1987, avant de poursuivre un parcours remarquable dans la vie publique en exerçant les fonctions de ministre des Affaires étrangères, ministre des Affaires autochtones, président du Parlement, puis Président de la République des Fidji de 2009 à 2015.

Son engagement constant en faveur de l’unité, du dialogue et de la stabilité a profondément marqué son pays.

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau a également joué un rôle important dans la mise en place de la riposte au VIH dans le Pacifique. Ses efforts pour lutter contre la stigmatisation et promouvoir des approches communautaires ont eu un impact durable dans la lutte contre le VIH dans la région.

La Nouvelle-Calédonie tient également à rappeler la solidité des liens d’amitié et de coopération qui l’unissent aux Fidji. Ces relations, fondées sur le respect mutuel, les échanges culturels, économiques et régionaux, ainsi que sur une vision commune du développement du Pacifique, constituent un socle précieux.

En ces moments de deuil et de recueillement, la Nouvelle-Calédonie se tient aux côtés du peuple fidjien et partage sa peine.

Mong Kok fair to offer 1,600 jobs

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Labour Department will host the “Embarking on a New Journey” Industry-based Job Fair at MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok on April 21, offering more than 1,600 vacancies.

Over 30 recruiting organisations from the catering, retail, construction and property management industries will conduct on-site recruitment.

A wide range of positions will be available, including shop managers, sales associates, cooks, security guards, site agents, engineers and electricians.

Full-time jobs account for around 80% of the openings. Most vacancies offer monthly salaries ranging from $12,000 to $22,000. About 96% of the roles require an education level of Secondary Seven or below, while 38% are open to those without relevant work experience.

The fair will run from 11am to 5.30pm at 1/F, MacPherson Stadium, 38 Nelson Street, Mong Kok. Admission is free, with the last entry at 5pm.

Officials conclude Beijing visit

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary and Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs today met central authorities in Beijing to discuss Hong Kong’s integration into national development.

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Financial Secretary Paul Chan and Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Janice Tse met CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong this morning.

During the meeting, the officials exchanged views on how the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government can proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to better serve the country’s overall development.

CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Executive Deputy Director Xu Qifang, and Deputy Director Zhang Dongmei also attended the meeting.

The delegation concluded their visit and returned to Hong Kong in the afternoon.

President Lee’s trips to India, Vietnam

Source: Government of the Republic of Korea

Foreign Affairs

President Lee Jae Myung will visit New Delhi, India, from April 19-21 at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The president will then travel to Hanoi, Vietnam, from April 21-24 for a bilateral summit with Vietnamese President To Lam.

Conférence de presse “Identification et cession des carnivores domestiques”

Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie

Ci-joint une invitation presse concernant une conférence de presse qui se déroulera lundi 20 avril à 14 heures au gouvernement (Lys Rouge) et sera animée par Isabelle Champmoreau, membre du gouvernement chargée du bien-être animal.

Conférence de presse destinée à présenter les dispositions instaurées par la loi du pays relative à l’identification et à la cession des carnivores domestiques.

HKSARG officials conclude visit to Beijing

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa, visited Beijing today (April 16). The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, met with the delegation this morning to discuss and exchange on the work of Hong Kong to proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, and to better integrate into and serve the overall national development.
 
The Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xu Qifang, and Deputy Director Ms Zhang Dongmei also joined the meeting.

The delegation of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government officials concluded their visit to Beijing and returned to Hong Kong this afternoon.

Working Group on Public Transport Service Special Applications convenes first meeting

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Working Group on Public Transport Service Special Applications (Working Group), under the Inter-departmental Task Force on Monitoring Fuel Supply, convenes the first meeting today (April 16).

Led by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, the Working Group has listened to the three franchised bus operators (i.e. The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited / Long Win Bus Company Limited, Citybus Limited and New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited) on their current business environment and operation situation as well as the measures they have taken to address the rising fuel costs. The Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, the Commissioner for Transport and the Government Economist also attended the meeting. During the meeting, the Working Group conducted dialogues in a frank and exchanged manner with the operators, and expressed appreciation for their continued dedication to providing stable public transport services despite the challenging operating environment.

The Government will continue to monitor changes in fuel costs and the latest developments, and maintain communication with public transport service operators. Taking into account the overall operating environment, operators’ costs, and public affordability, while maintaining the stability and normal operations of public transport services, the Working Group will consider targeted temporary measures to help operators save energy and enhance operational efficiency in response to oil price fluctuations.

        

CFS urges public not to consume a kind of bottled nametake mushroom product that may contain glass fragments

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

CFS urges public not to consume a kind of bottled nametake mushroom product that may contain glass fragments     
Product name: JONETZ Jumbo Sized Nametake Mushrooms
Brand: JONETZ
Pack size: 840 grams per bottle
Best-before date: October 9, 2026 and December 7, 2026
JAN code: 4549777402793
Importer: Pan Pacific Retail Management (Hong Kong) Co., LimitedIssued at HKT 20:08

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AFCD responds to Ombudsman’s direct investigation operation report

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Regarding the direct investigation operation report on the Government’s work in combating cruelty to animals released by the Office of The Ombudsman today (April 16), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) responds as follows:

The Government has always attached great importance to animal welfare and deters acts of cruelty to animals through stringent enforcement and preventive education initiatives. The AFCD appreciates the Office’s attention to the work on combating animal cruelty and accepts its recommendations and will actively follow up on them.

The Ombudsman recommended that the Government consider amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169) (the Ordinance) in stages. The Government has been conducting research on the amendment of the Ordinance and will strive to provide a concrete update within this year.

To improve the handling of suspected animal cruelty cases, the AFCD updated its departmental guidelines in the fourth quarter of 2025, covering all procedures for handling reported cases involving suspected animal cruelty, and has conducted staff training. The AFCD will take reference from the report’s recommendations to further include more specific criteria and indicators in the guidelines, so as to strengthen the monitoring of case follow-up and enhance file management. In addition, the AFCD will continue to enhance staff training and promote experience exchange to strengthen the experience and skills of staff, as well as their communication, investigation and enforcement capabilities.

Since 2011, the Hong Kong Police Force (the Police), the AFCD and the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) have jointly implemented the Animal Watch Scheme. Through a multi-agency collaboration, the scheme proactively prevents and detects suspected cases of animal cruelty, and has achieved notable results. The AFCD has liaised with the Police and the SPCA on strengthening information exchange and the sharing of investigation outcomes, with a view to formulating appropriate measures to more effectively combat acts of cruelty to animals.

The AFCD has been committed to combating illegal hunting activities through regular patrols and strengthened patrols at illegal hunting black spots, the removal of illegal hunting appliances, and appropriate enforcement actions against offences such as unlawful possession. In response to the Office’s recommendations, the AFCD will review its patrol strategies, strengthen intelligence gathering, and make good use of technology to enhance enforcement effectiveness. The AFCD will also review the relevant legislation and penalties in a timely manner. In terms of prevention at source, the AFCD will maintain close collaboration with departments such as Hong Kong Customs and the Police, to strengthen intelligence exchange and conduct joint operations. The AFCD has already provided relevant guidelines to Hong Kong Customs to assist in identifying hunting appliances in order to curb their illegal importation. In addition, the AFCD will continue to promote public education and publicity to raise public awareness of the dangers posed by illegal hunting appliances, encourage members of the public to report suspicious cases, and remind the public to use managed and maintained hiking trails in the countryside for their own safety.

The AFCD agrees with the Office’s recommendation on strengthening public publicity and education. In addition to rigorous enforcement, enhancing public awareness of animal welfare is equally important in combating animal cruelty. The AFCD has set up a dedicated team to strengthen relevant public education work in collaboration with animal welfare organisations.

The AFCD will continue to uphold a professional spirit and work closely with various relevant government departments and organisations. Through rigorous enforcement and strengthened public education, the AFCD will strive to continuously enhance the effectiveness of its work in safeguarding animal welfare.

Hong Kong Science Museum to launch new exhibitions and 35th anniversary-themed activities

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

To mark its 35th anniversary, the Hong Kong Science Museum (HKScM) will launch two new exhibitions, namely “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” and “Hong Kong Science Museum 35th Anniversary Exhibition”, from tomorrow (April 17), as well as a series of activities such as the specially enhanced edition of “Energy Machine”, a “Science Fun Day”, and the screening of sci-fi films. Members of the public are invited to immerse themselves in the infinite world of science and experience the boundless fun of science exploration.
 
The “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” exhibition, located at the Special Exhibition Hall on the ground floor, showcases award-winning photographs from the 61st Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition organised by the Natural History Museum, London. Through breathtaking visuals from across the globe and compelling stories behind each subject, the exhibition highlights the raw reality of the natural world from unique perspectives and reveals how human activities lead to issues such as habitat fragmentation and global warming. It invites visitors to appreciate the works while reflecting on the intricate relationship between humanity and nature, awakening public awareness of species conservation and environmental protection.
 
The HKScM will launch a series of free programmes including exhibition guided tours, a sharing session on daily work in caring for and conserving animals given by an animal care specialist from Ocean Park Hong Kong, a lecture given by a representative of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, climate change and biodiversity guided tours, ecological tours of Kowloon Park, and workshops. For details of the exhibition and activities, please visit the website at hk.science.museum/en/web/scm/exhibition/wpy2026.html.
 
With the theme “Enjoy Science·Infinite Fun”, the “Hong Kong Science Museum 35th Anniversary Exhibition” traces the museum’s development milestones since its establishment in 1991, showcasing classic exhibitions and activities over the years, displaying the museum’s first robot and unveiling the secrets behind the museum’s iconic “Energy Machine”. The exhibition also features an AI interactive photo booth that creates fun souvenir photos for visitors.
 
In addition to the exhibitions, the “Energy Machine” will present a time-limited “Energy x Light” journey from April 17 to 29. The HKScM partnered with the School of Innovation of The University of Hong Kong to create luminous orbs in orange, blue, green, and purple. These orbs will roll and race along a 1.6-kilometre-long track, spanning four floors of the exhibition halls of the museum and standing 22 metres in height. The four luminous orbs are inspired by the four fundamental particles in physics, namely quarks, leptons, gauge bosons and Higgs bosons, symbolising the interplay of matter and energy.
 
Other exciting activities include the “Science Fun Day” to be held on April 18, which will allow participants to try different science experiments and enjoy science through guided tours, game booths and science demonstrations. “Future Vision”, jointly organised by the HKScM and the Film Programmes Office, will screen four inspiring sci-fi films, namely “WALL·E” (2008), “Tomorrowland” (2015), “Bicentennial Man” (1999), and “Gattaca” (1997), on April 18 and 26. Science educators will also lead engaging post-screening talks to explore the science behind the films with the audience.
 
For details of the 35th anniversary exhibition and activities, please visit the website at hk.science.museum/en/web/scm/exhibition/ScM35A.html.