Hong Kong – Correctional officers intercept smuggling of suspected dangerous drug into Tai Lam Centre for Women
Correctional officers intercept smuggling of suspected dangerous drug into Tai Lam Centre for Women
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Correctional officers at Tai Lam Centre for Women today (November 30) intercepted a female remand person in custody smuggling a suspected dangerous drug into the centre by concealing it inside her body.
The 45-year-old person in custody was remanded for the offence of trafficking in a dangerous drug on November 28. After undergoing X-ray body scanning, she was suspected to have swallowed the dangerous drug before admission. She was therefore separated and put under close monitoring.
At 3.02pm today, she discharged one pack of the suspected dangerous drug with a weight of about 18 grams wrapped in a plastic sheet. The case has been reported to the Police for follow-up.
A spokesman for the Correctional Services Department said, “The department takes every measure to stop the introduction of dangerous drugs or unauthorised articles into correctional institutions in order to maintain good order and discipline, and a drug-free environment for all persons in custody.”
Works departments carried out surprise inspections to ensure site safety (with photos)
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AEO Expert Mission and Symposium for ASEAN and Hong Kong, China successfully concludes with fruitful results (with photos)
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Opening ceremony of Ethics College held today (with photos)
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Press Release Nov 29, 2023 17:45 EST
WASHINGTON, November 29, 2023 (Newswire.com) The announcement came as the FDA works to develop, advance, and implement key public health initiatives, including the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA). “Fragrance Creators values collaborating with Dr. Bumpus as we continue to serve as a resource to the Agency. She has been a thoughtful leader and a scientist of the highest caliber,” said Ahmed. “Personally, as a former FDA employee, I am delighted to see the agency also prioritize diversity — an inspiration for all women, especially women of color — in this role.” Fragrance plays an important role in home care, cosmetics, and personal care products, products that impact everyday life, nurture skin health and hygiene, empower self-expression and confidence, and deliver generational delight to billions of people every day. Fragrance Creators recognizes the FDA’s and Dr. Bumpus’ commitment to advancing public health predicated on best-in-class science, as our members remain dedicated to ensuring we continue to support the agency — for people, perfume, and the planet. Fragrance Creators looks forward to continuing our engagement with Dr. Bumpus as she transitions from Chief Scientist into her new role as Principal Deputy Commissioner, succeeding Dr. Janet Woodcock, M.D., when Dr. Woodcock retires early next year. “We also want to thank Dr. Woodcock for the tremendous advancements she has made for public health, science, and women in science,” said Ahmed. “We wish her well in this next chapter.” ### Fragrance Creators Association is the trade association representing the majority of fragrance manufacturing in North America. We also represent fragrance-related interests along the value chain. Fragrance Creators’ member companies are diverse, including large, medium, and small-sized companies that create, manufacture, and use fragrances and scents for home care, personal care, home design, fine fragrance, and industrial and institutional products, as well as those that supply fragrance ingredients, including natural extracts and other raw materials that are used in perfumery and fragrance mixtures. Fragrance Creators established and administers the Congressional Fragrance Caucus, ensuring ongoing dialogue with members of Congress and staff. Fragrance Creators also produces The Fragrance Conservatory, the comprehensive digital resource for high-quality information about fragrance — www.fragranceconservatory.com. Learn more about Fragrance Creators at fragrancecreators.org — for people, perfume, and the planet. Source: Fragrance Creators Association
Hong Kong – Works departments carried out surprise inspections to ensure site safety (with photos)
A spokesman for the Development Bureau (DEVB) said today (November 30) that in view of the numbers of serious incidents occurred in the construction industry in recent months, the heads of works departments took lead to carry out surprise inspections on different public works sites in the past week, targeting high-risk work activities, in particular lifting operation and work at height to curb unsafe practices.
The spokesman said, “Warnings were immediately issued to the contractor when risks of unsafe practices were found in the inspection. Rectifications had to be made before the relevant work activities could continue. In addition, the site safety performance of the contractor would be duly reflected in the contractor’s quarterly performance report. Unsatisfactory site safety performance would have implications on the contractor’s opportunity of undertaking public works contracts in the future.”
Besides, works departments and their resident site staff will continue to closely supervise site safety of public works. Any inappropriate conditions unearthed will be taken seriously. In addition, the DEVB will continue to impose appropriate regulating actions against contractors involved in serious incidents according to the contractor regulating regime.
The spokesman said that enhancing safety awareness of the project teams and site staff is also very important to reduce the occurrence of serious incidents. To this end, the DEVB and the works departments held on November 17 a seminar about the recent serious incidents to identify the causes, to reiterate strict enforcement of safety measures and to enhance the safety training of relevant personnel. To raise front-line site personnel’s alertness to site safety matters, the DEVB has also requested project teams of works departments to participate regularly in safety morning assemblies at sites, conveying the Government’s concerns over site safety directly to the front-line site personnel and sharing with them safety information.
The spokesman stressed that the DEVB attaches great importance to site safety and will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach and timely refine the site safety management system of public works to enhance site safety. The spokesman appealed to the industry to actively support the enhancement of site safety culture. Every stakeholder in the construction industry has a responsibility. They should perform their own duties and work together for achieving the target of carrying out work activities safely.Hong Kong – AEO Expert Mission and Symposium for ASEAN and Hong Kong, China successfully concludes with fruitful results (with photos)
The AEO Expert Mission and Symposium for ASEAN and Hong Kong, China, the first large-scale event focused on the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) matters held between ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and Hong Kong, China since the launch of the Hong Kong AEO Programme by the Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong (C&ED) in 2012, successfully concluded today (November 30).
The AEO Symposium for ASEAN and Hong Kong, China was held today as the highlight of the event. Around 200 representatives from ASEAN Member States, Customs administrations of Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, government officials, the business sector, trade associations, took part in the Symposium today to foster discussions and exchange insights with stakeholders in trade facilitation and business development in the ASEAN region and Mainland China.
The Symposium today started off with an opening ceremony officiated by the Principal Guests of Honour, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho; the Head of Trade Facilitation Division of ASEAN Secretariat, Mr Cuong Ba Tran; the Director General of Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Man-chong; the Deputy Director General of the Department of Enterprise Management and Audit-based Control of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC), Mr Zhu Fang and representatives of ASEAN Member States.
During the Symposium, the C&ED concluded the Action Plans for AEO Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with Customs administrations of Cambodia and the Philippines. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Enhancing AEO Co-operation in the Greater Bay Area among Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao Customs was also signed by representatives from the GACC, the C&ED and Macao Customs Service, witnessed by Mr Yau, Ms Ho and Mr Vong.
The Symposium continued with the presentation of Hong Kong AEO Partnership Awards to Hong Kong AEOs in recognition of their excellent performance on promoting the Hong Kong AEO Programme.
It was followed by panel sessions in which representatives from the Government and business sectors fostered discussions on the opportunities and challenges of extending business in the markets of ASEAN and Mainland China.
The two-day AEO Expert Mission and Symposium has yielded fruitful results. First, the C&ED has successfully concluded the Action Plans for MRA with the Customs administrations of Cambodia and the Philippines, marking a significant step towards the conclusion of MRAs in a near future. Second, consensus has been reached that Customs administrations of ASEAN Member States and Hong Kong, China share a common vision to safeguard security and safety in the supply chain. They will further enhance co-operation on matters regarding AEO programmes and pressing ahead with the MRA. Third, the signing of the MoU on Enhancing AEO Co-operation in the Greater Bay Area among Mainland Customs, Hong Kong Customs and Macao Customs will further strengthen the co-operation of the three administrations in implementing the AEO Programme in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and thereby bringing more benefits to the AEOs and fostering further development in the region.
The Hong Kong AEO Programme was launched in 2012. Currently, the C&ED has ratified MRAs with 14 Customs administrations of the Mainland, India, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Canada, Mexico, Indonesia and Macao, China. Under the MRA, AEOs from the signatory countries or regions can enjoy reciprocal trade facilitations including reduced inspection rate and prioritised clearance.Hong Kong – Opening ceremony of Ethics College held today (with photos)
The Correctional Services Department (CSD) held the opening ceremony of the Ethics College at Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution today (November 30), implementing the policy measure concerned announced by the Chief Executive in the 2023 Policy Address to further assist persons in custody (PICs) in their rehabilitation and being well equipped for their reintegration into society.
The Ethics College, set up at Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution and Lo Wu Correctional Institution, provides a one-year full-time Diploma of Applied Education programme for voluntary enrolment by adult PICs, which is taught by tutors from the Hong Kong Metropolitan University Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education. The CSD will also arrange life-wide learning activities related to career development, sports and arts, and national education for the PIC students, helping them cultivate positive values and obtain accredited qualifications for preparation for their reintegration into society.
Addressing the opening ceremony, the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, said that the establishment of the Ethics College is a very meaningful policy measure. It provides adult PICs with more diversified learning opportunities to help them obtain local accredited qualifications, develop good characters and equip themselves for reintegrating into society, changing their lives through education.
He expressed the hope that the PIC students will cherish the learning opportunity and successfully complete the programme which will offer them more opportunities for personal development, whether for further education or employment after release, making contribution to the development of the country and Hong Kong.
Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Mr Bernard Chan said in the ceremony that through donation to the Ethics College, the HKJC hopes to assist those PICs who aspire to further their education in equipping themselves, so that they can better reintegrate into society and contribute to Hong Kong in future. This is in line with the HKJC’s commitment to building a better society.
The Council Chairman of the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), Dr Conrad Wong, said that the HKMU fully recognised the CSD’s objectives in the work of rehabilitation, and has been providing different types and levels of education programmes for PICs. The HKMU offers the Diploma of Applied Education programme in the Ethics College not only to equip students with different skills and help them develop a good character and attitude, but also help them achieve whole-person development and acquire the necessary skills to contribute to society in future through participating in all-round learning activities outside classroom.
The Ethics College has started the new school year at the end of October with a total of 75 students in the first batch. Among them, 60 male PICs are receiving education at Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution while the remaining 15 female PICs are attending classes remotely via video conferencing at Lo Wu Correctional Institution. They are expected to complete their studies and take examinations in June 2024.
The motto of the College is “Seek Knowledge, Cultivate Virtue”. The CSD hopes that the PICs, through the acquisition of knowledge, will have their moral and cultural literacy enhanced. The College has also set up a flag-raising team composed of PIC students to conduct flag-raising ceremonies on designated days to enhance the national identity of the PICs.Fragrance Creators Association Congratulates Dr. Namandjé Bumpus on Her Promotion to Principal Deputy Commissioner at FDA
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Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) promoted Dr. Namandjé Bumpus, Ph.D., to Principal Deputy Commissioner. Farah K. Ahmed, President and CEO of Fragrance Creators Association (Fragrance Creators), shared the following: “On behalf of Fragrance Creators’ staff and member companies, I want to extend my warmest congratulations to Dr. Bumpus for this well-deserved promotion. As the FDA noted in its announcement, Dr. Bumpus is a champion of science, an advocate for public health, and an impressive scientist; we wholeheartedly agree.” Ads
