MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan, accompanied by Director of Food & Environmental Hygiene Donald Ng, today inspected enhanced preventive work to combat chikungunya fever at Fung Tak Estate in Wong Tai Sin and the surrounding area.

Mr Tse was informed that officers from the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) had investigated the vicinity of the first local chikungunya fever case to be detected and found both mosquito breeding and stagnant water at a residential estate.

They instigated a prosecution and issued a statutory notice to the property management company concerned, asking it to eliminate the mosquito breeding grounds. The department also inspected nearby construction sites and again found mosquito breeding and stagnant water. It instigated a prosecution and issued four statutory notices to the contractors involved.

Additionally, the FEHD has inspected schools, elderly homes and childcare facilities in the surrounding area and installed new mosquito traps in the schools to strengthen mosquito prevention and control.

Mr Tse said the Government will enhance mosquito control efforts and called on people to support efforts by seeking medical advice and contacting the Centre for Health Protection if they have a fever, rash or joint pain.

He added that property management personnel should inspect public areas within buildings and housing estates such as flower beds, refuse rooms, and rooftops, to thoroughly eliminate stagnant water.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A torch relay will be held in Hong Kong, Macau, Guangzhou and Shenzhen this Sunday ahead of the official opening of the 15th National Games on November 9, with 50 torchbearers taking part in the exercise along a 10km route in Hong Kong.

 

Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) Yeung Tak-keung said at a press briefing today that the relay will start at 9.30am on Sunday and last for about two hours. It will start at the Central Government Offices in Tamar and end at the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP).

 

The route will pass through the Central & Western District Promenade (Central Section), the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade, the Monument in Commemoration of the Return of Hong Kong to China and Golden Bauhinia Square.

 

The torch will then cross Victoria Harbour by ferry and proceed along its Tsim Sha Tsui route. It will be carried from the Star Ferry Bus Terminus on Salisbury Road to Mody Lane, passing by the Cultural Centre and the Museum of Art. From there, the torch will be taken on an open-top bus to the bus terminal at the KTSP.

 

The last leg of the route will pass by the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground and the Kai Tak Sports Avenue, before arriving at KTSP Central Square.

 

“The torch relay route, we hope, can arouse the public’s interest in the 15th National Games and also show the best side of Hong Kong to our Mainland and overseas friends and audience,” Mr Yeung said.

 

Stressing that the relay route has been chosen to highlight Hong Kong’s unique cultural and sporting characteristics, he said the torchbearers will include representatives from various sectors of the community, including sports, sponsors, volunteers, youths, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities.

 

Road sections of the Central & Western District Promenade (Central Section), Golden Bauhinia Square and the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade will be temporarily closed during the relay.

 

“Normally on Sunday mornings, the traffic is less busy, so we chose this time for the torch relay. We think that would minimise the disruption to our economic and other activities.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     A total of 180 wet goods stalls and four fast food stalls were all successfully let in an auction for stalls at the 2026 Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair starting today (October 27).

     Nearly 480 people attended the auction at the Assembly Hall, 2/F, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, 19 Lai Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, from 9am to about 8pm today, a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said.

     The average bid price for the wet goods stalls was $23,910, with the successful bids ranging from $6,530 to $71,000. The highest bid of $71,000 was about 10.9 times the opening price of $6,530.

     The auction of wet goods stalls fetched a total of $4,303,766, compared with $3,555,258 last year.

     The successful bids of the four fast food stalls ranged from $130,000 to $230,000 with an average of $163,750, against an opening price of $120,470.

     The auction for the 216 dry goods stalls, including 170 regular size dry goods stalls and 46 large size dry goods stall, will be held at 9am tomorrow (October 28) and on Thursday (October 30) at the same venue.

     The spokesman reminded the successful bidders to comply with all the stipulations and provisions as set out in the licence agreement. Otherwise, the department is entitled to terminate the agreement and the licensee shall immediately vacate the stall.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Environment & Ecology Bureau today convened a special meeting of the interdepartmental Pest Control Steering Committee.

 

It urged relevant departments to strengthen anti-mosquito measures after the first locally acquired case of chikungunya fever (CF) was recorded recently.

 

The committee heard from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Home Affairs Department, the Housing Department, and others, on ways to prevent CF from taking root locally.

 

Hong Kong has recorded a total of 47 CF cases so far this year. One male patient with underlying chronic diseases passed away, but the remaining cases all showed only mild symptoms.

 

In light of the first local case being detected, the CHP, co-operating with various other departments and organisations, will initiate infection control measures in an effort to prevent CF from taking root locally and to minimise the public health impact of the disease in Hong Kong.

 

This includes providing medical surveillance and health advice to household contacts of the case and anyone with common exposure to the source of infection. The centre will arrange for laboratory testing if such individuals present with symptoms.

 

Besides carrying out questionnaire surveys, the CHP has set up a health consultation booth at Fung Tak Shopping Centre, Fung Tak Estate, where the local case was reported, to provide assessments to any residents with symptoms. An inquiry hotline, 2125 2373, has also been set up.

 

Together with the FEHD, the centre has inspected locations near the patient’s residence, and conducted vector investigations and mosquito control operations, to minimise the risk of local transmission. It has also issued letters to doctors, hospitals, schools and institutions, providing the latest information on CF and reminding them to stay vigilant.

 

In the meeting, the FEHD reported on mosquito infestation conditions in the area where the case was detected, and on follow-up actions taken, including intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250m radius of relevant locations in order to kill adult mosquitoes.

 

During the Chung Yeung Festival, the department will enhance cleaning and mosquito prevention efforts at public cemeteries and columbaria.

 

People should clear stagnant water and refuse after tomb-sweeping to prevent mosquito breeding. Managers of private cemeteries have also been urged to implement mosquito prevention measures.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source:

[PRESS RELEASE]- Apia, Samoa, 11 October 2025] – The Government of Samoa yesterday met with representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Samoa to convey its heartfelt condolences following the passing of President Russell M. Nelson, who served as the global leader of the Church from 2018 to 2025.

The government delegation was led by Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary, who presented flowers and an official note of condolence in the form of a Diplomatic Note to be forwarded to the Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Receiving the government’s condolences were Elder Faalogo of the Seventy, Fuimaono Tuugalei Lesa (Local Members Support Manager), Fuimaono Teo (Communications Council Member), and Faaofonuʻu Tumanuvao Evile Falefatu (Director of Communications for Samoa).

On behalf of the Church, Brother Falefatu expressed deep appreciation to the Government of Samoa for its kind gesture and thoughtful acknowledgment of President Nelson’s lifetime of service to the world and to the people of Samoa. Elder Faalogo formally accepted the Government’s gift on behalf of the Church.

President Nelson last visited Samoa in May 2019, a year after his ordination as the 17th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

ENDS

CAPTION

CEO Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo, officials and Elder Faalogo of the Seventy, Fuimaono Tuugalei Lesa.

[May 18, 2019]- During his Pacific Islands tour the late President Russell M. Nelson in Samoa, met le afioga ile Ao Mamalu o le malo, the Head Of State Afioga Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi ll

October 27, 2025

Source:

[PRESS RELEASE Apia, Samoa] – The National University of Samoa welcomes a visiting delegation from Slovakia, Italy, Vanuatu and Fiji today as part of an ongoing EU funded research project on Agritourism Research Project. The AGRI-TOUR (Agritourism) Project aims to strengthen the capacity of EU-Pacific Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to promote the application of Green Deal Principles across the Pacific Island region. It seeks to enhance HEI curricula by fostering stronger synergies between agriculture and tourism, and by encouraging the adoption of agritourism practices throughout the Pacific.

The AGRI-TOUR partnerships comprises eight core partners and four newcomers, The eight core partners are, SUA – Slovenská Poľnohospodárska Univerzita v Nitre (Slovakia), UNISG – Università degli Studi di Scienze Gastronomiche (Italy), IVI – Igor Vitale International SRL (Italy), NUS – National University of Samoa (Samoa), USP – University of the South Pacific (Fiji), NUV – National University of Vanuatu (Vanuatu), FNU – Fiji National University (Fiji) and NEW EDU NO (Slovakia)

Vice Chancellor & President Afioga Professor Tuifuisa’a Patila Amosa and members of the NUS management team met with the group to discuss ongoing project activities and opportunities for collaboration under the Agritourism agenda. In her remarks, Professor Tuifuisa’a highlighted that the project aligns closely with NUS’s institutional pillar of community and stakeholder engagement, one of the university’s key strategic goals.

At the National University of Samoa, the AGRI-TOUR Project is coordinated by the Faculty of Science (FOS) in collaboration with the Faculty of Business and Entrepreneurship (FOBE). Over its three-year duration, concluding in 2027, the AGRI-TOUR Project will deliver the following core outcomes:

1. EU-Pacific Alliance HEI International Offices Task Force.

2. Joint Research Initiative.

3. Multidisciplinary Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

4. Internship Protocol.

The visit marks an important step in reinforcing NUS’s engagement in global research and aligns competently with its vision to advance in research and to contribute to Samoa and the Pacific’s development through evidence-based research.

END

The National University of Samoa

October 27, 2025

Source:

SAMOA CONSULTAE GENERAL AUCKLAND. 23rd October 2025.

[PRESS RELEASE]- Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt hosted the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel Hon Sharren Miriam Haskel for bilateral discussions over dinner in the Samoa Consulate General in Mangere Auckland, Thursday night 23 October.

The visit to the Pacific by the Deputy Foreign Minister was to acknowledge and personally thank the ‘friends of Israel’ in the Pacific region for their support during these challenging times with the continuing situation in Gaza.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa reaffirmed the shared values between the two countries of faith, culture, traditions and history which Israeli people remain committed to preserving.

Deputy Minister Haskell acknowledged with appreciation Samoa’s friendship and support of the Samoan people, and that the shared respect for the land of Israel forms a special bond between the two countries. The declaration of support for Israel remains firm and that Samoa is looking at potential representation in Israel.

The visa waiver between the two countries was highlighted as well as the opportunities for capacity building in Israel in the fields of agricultural research, innovation such as its drip irrigation system and advanced technological tools for greater agricultural production.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa raised potential areas for Israeli assistance in tackling illicit drug trafficking and ways to address border security concerns.

As a gesture of goodwill, Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa was invited to visit Israel in the not too distant future; likewise Deputy Foreign Minister Haskel was invited to attend the next Independence celebrations for Samoa.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS & TRADE -[Photos Contributed]

October 27, 2025