Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
 
     The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded “M” Mark status to the “Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2026” (January 18) and the “Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show 2026” (January 30 to February 1).
      
     The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (January 12), “With the beginning of 2026, more ‘M’ Mark events will follow one after another. Among them, the Hong Kong Marathon stands out as one of the city’s most popular running events. It attracts professional and amateur runners from around the world to showcase their competitive spirit against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s unique urban landscape. As for the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show to be held at the AsiaWorld-Expo, it will showcase the elegance and power of equestrianism splendidly. These two events allow local citizens and tourists to experience the allure of sports and highlight Hong Kong’s diverse culture and vibrant energy, strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a centre for major international sports events.”
      
     The “M” Mark System aims to encourage and help local National Sports Associations and private or non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be considered for “M” Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events. The “M” Mark System aims to promote the development of major sports events, cultivate a sustainable sporting culture, enhance Hong Kong’s image as a centre for major international sports events and bring tangible economic benefits to the community.
      
     For details of “M” Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Education Bureau (EDB) today (January 12) reminded parents that children who have joined the Primary One Admission (POA) System for 2026 but have not yet secured a discretionary place can take part in the Central Allocation process for a Primary One (P1) place in a government or aided primary school. Parents concerned should make their choice of schools within the period from January 19 to 25.

Digitalisation of POA
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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Mr Kelvin Ma will assume the post of District Officer (Yuen Long) tomorrow (January 12), succeeding Mr Gordon Wu.
 
     Since joining the Administrative Service in 2011, Mr Ma has served in various bureaux and departments, including the then Home Affairs Bureau, the then Transport and Housing Bureau, the Labour and Welfare Bureau, and the Chief Executive’s Office.
 
     He was the Principal Assistant Secretary for Transport and Logistics at the Transport and Logistics Bureau before taking up the new post of District Officer (Yuen Long).

Source:

[PRESS RELEASE, 24 December 2025] – The Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (MAF) wishes to inform the public of the recent detection of American Foulbrood (AFB) in Samoa. The detection was reported in late November 2025 by the Samoa Apiculture Association (SAO), led by its President Papalii Richard Wetzell. The affected locations include Siusega and nearby villages, where AFB has been confirmed in several bee hives.

About American Foulbrood (AFB):

American Foulbrood is a highly contagious bacterial disease that affects honeybee colonies. It is caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae, which produces extremely resilient spores capable of surviving in the environment for more than 20 years.

While AFB was first detected in Samoa in 2016, periodic emergence can occur due to a long-term persistence of these spores.

Eradication and Control Measures:

MAF, in collaboration with SAO, is implementing necessary eradication and containment measures to control and eliminate the disease. These measures include:

• Full spraying and disinfection of affected apiaries.

• Collection and on-site destruction of all infested hives through controlled burning.

• Surveillance and monitoring of surrounding areas to prevent further spread.

Public Advisory:

Members of the public, particularly families residing in the affected areas identified by SAO, are kindly requested to fully cooperate with MAF and SAO officers undertaking surveillance and eradication activities.

A formal notification has been issued through the Ministry of Women, Community & Social Development (MWCSD) via village Mayors to ensure that households permit access to their properties for surveillance and eradication activities.

At this stage, there is no cause for alarm. MAF and SAO are actively managing the situation, and are currently engaging only with households where AFB has been confirmed.

The community is encouraged to remain vigilant, follow guidelines provided by authorities, and support ongoing efforts to protect our honeybee industry.

For further information, please contact:

Matai’a Ricky Faatonu, email: ricky.faatonu@maf.gov.ws or phone: 7735353, Seumaloisalafai Afele Faiilagi, afele.faiilagi@maf.gov.ws or phone: 7591723

END.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries – Samoa

January 12, 2026

Source:

[GOV’T. PRESS SECRETARIAT]: On December 24, 2025, the Prime Minister, Hon. La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polāta’ivao Fosi Schmidt, announced the appointment of Mr Leasoiloafaleupolu Ronnie Siaosi Aiolupotea as the new Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology [M.C.I.T.].

He has over 20 years of experience in various government and private sector roles.

He currently serves as Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology since May 4, 2022.

He graduated from the University of the South Pacific with a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Computer Science in 2000, a Master of Information Technology from the University of Newcastle in 2017, and a Certificate IV in Project Management in 2019.

The appointment is for three years.

** END **

TOFIA LEASOILOAFALEUPOLU RONNIE SIAOSI AIOLUPOTEA E LE KAPENETA E AVEA MA OFISA SILI O PULEGA O LE MATĀGALUEGA O FESO’OTĀ’IGA MA FA’AMATALAGA TEKONOLOSI [M.C.I.T.]

[SO’O’UPU A LE MĀLŌ]: Ua fa’alauiloa e le afioga i le Palemia, Susuga i le La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polāta’ivao Fosi Schmidt i le feiloā’iga ma Tusitala i le Aso Lulu, 24 Tesema 2025, le tofia aloā’ia ai e le Kapeneta, o le afioga iā Leasoiloafaleupolu Ronnie Siaosi Aiolupotea ma Ofisa Sili o Pulega mo le Matāgaluega o Feso’otā’iga ma Fa’amatalaga Tekonolosi [M.C.I.T.].

Ua silia i le 20 tausaga o lana tautua i galuega ‘ese’ese i le Mālō aemaise Pisinisi Tumā’oti i le atunu’u.

O ia o le Sui Ofisa Sili o Pulega mo le Matāgaluega o Feso’otā’iga ma Fa’amatalaga Tekonolosi talu mai le Aso 4 Me i le tausaga 2022.

O lo’o ia umia Fa’ailoga Tauāloa o le Tikerī o Fa’atufugaga [Bachelor of Arts – Management and Computer Science] mai le Iunivesite o le Pasefika i Saute i le tausaga 2000, o le Matuaofaiva i Feso’otā’iga Tau Tekonolosi [Master in Information Technology] mai le Iunivesite o Newcastle i le 2017, fa’atasi ai ma le Tusipasi IV i le Puleaina o Polōketi [Certificate IV Project Management] mai le Iunivesite o le Pasefika i Saute i le tausaga 2019.

E tolu tausaga o lea tofiga.

** MAE’A **

January 12, 2026

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Customs & Excise Department today extended the Free Trade Agreement Transhipment Facilitation Scheme to cover transhipment cargo from the Mainland to Peru via Hong Kong.

The scheme originally covered transhipment cargo from 71 economies to the Mainland via Hong Kong under 23 trade agreements. Also covered were Mainland cargo transhipments to Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Nicaragua, Myanmar and Australia via Hong Kong under eight trade agreements.

Effective today, local traders can apply to Customs for a certificate of non-manipulation to claim preferential tariffs under the China-Peru Free Trade Agreement for cargo from the Mainland transhipped to Peru via Hong Kong.

Launched in December 2015, the scheme offers a customs supervision service that provides traders with certificates of non-manipulation, verifying that transhipment cargo has not undergone further processing during its stay in Hong Kong.

Click here for the certificate application details.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government announced that Kelvin Ma will assume the post of District Officer (Yuen Long) tomorrow, succeeding Gordon Wu.

Mr Ma joined the Administrative Service in 2011. He has served in various bureaus and departments, including the then Home Affairs Bureau, the then Transport & Housing Bureau, the Labour & Welfare Bureau, and the Chief Executive’s Office.

Before taking up the new post, Mr Ma was Principal Assistant Secretary for Transport & Logistics at the Transport & Logistics Bureau.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (January 10) said that, it took initiative to meet with Nestlé Hong Kong again today, and confirmed the company’s today announcement of an additional batch of powdered infant and young children formula suspected to have possibly used the raw material concerned. Nestlé Hong Kong has voluntarily stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected products and has initiated a precautionary recall. The CFS has collected samples of powdered infant and young children formula from the market for Bacillus cereus testing, the test results so far were satisfactory. The Environmental and Ecology Bureau is also closely monitoring the supply situation of other formula milk powder and maintaining communication with other major suppliers. It is noted that there is sufficient formula milk powder to meet the demand.

     The spokesman said, the CFS has been actively following up on Nestlé company’s voluntary and precautionary recalls of certain batches of its powdered infant and young children formula in certain areas in Europe due to possible presence of Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus in the individual raw material. According to the latest information from Nestlé Hong Kong today, an additional batch of its powdered infant and young children formula imported into Hong Kong might have used the raw material concerned. The CFS had earlier enhanced surveillance in the market and collected a sample from the above batch for testing of Bacillus cereus. The test result of the sample was satisfactory. Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, Nestlé Hong Kong has voluntarily stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected products and has initiated a precautionary recall.Batch number: 51670742F2
Best-before date: June 16, 2027
Place of Origin: GermanyEmail: consumerservices@hk.nestle.com
WhatsApp: 5283 4139 (NESTLÉ®️ NAN®️) / 2599 8871 (Wyeth®️ Nutrition)
Online form: forms.office.com/e/BhqMhWfsUG?origin=lprLink 
     Consumers may choose to bring along the products (brand new or opened) for refund at place of purchase, or at exclusive service counters of Nestlé Nutrition Services from January 13 (Tuesday) onwards, to settle the recall and refund of the batches of the products concerned. Details of the exclusive service counters are as follows: 
 
Kowloon Services Counter
Address: G/F, Park Hovan Commercial Building, 18 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (MTR Jordon Station Exit D) 
Contact number: 3996 8196
Office hour: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7.30pm; Sunday, 1pm to 5.30pm (except public holidays)Address: 1/F, Ka Nin Wah Commercial Building, 423-425 Hennessy Road, Hong Kong (MTR Causeway Bay Station Exit B)
Contact number: 3996 8197
Office hour: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7.30pm (except Sundays and public holidays)
  
     The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted earlier that certain batches of Nestlé powdered infant formula were being voluntarily recalled in Europe due to possible contamination with Bacillus cereus. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS has immediately initiated follow up actions, published food incident posts to inform the public and the trade about the issue, and has been actively following up on the incident and enhanced surveillance.               
     Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced in food by some strains of Bacillus cereus. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
      
     The spokesman urged members of the public not to let infants and young children consume the affected batches of the products, and to seek medical treatment for infants or young children who felt unwell after taking the products concerned. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batches of the products immediately.