Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

     To prevent heat stroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

     If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

     Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

     If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

     Three charities have been issued Public Subscription Permits to hold flag sales from 7am to 12.30pm today (August 24). They are, on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong Women Workers' Association; in Kowloon, Hong Kong Society of Herpetology Foundation Limited; and in the New Territories, Tuen Mun District Women's Association Limited, a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said.

     Arrangements have been made with the charities to help people distinguish between the three flag-selling activities.

     Information on the three flag-selling organisations on August 24 is as follows:
 

     For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678. Information on flag days is available at the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_whatsnew) and the GovHK portal (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing contact information of the flag-selling organisations and information on the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_controlofc/sub_recentlyap). For enquiries about the detailed flag-selling arrangements, please contact the individual flag-selling organisations.

     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities covered by the Public Subscription Permit issued by the SWD have also been uploaded to the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/fundraising).

     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

     A large group of protestors are currently gathering inside the Kwai Fong MTR station. They have sprayed paint and caused damages to the facilities therein. Such acts disturb the public peace and threaten the safety of the citizens, including reporters and MTR staff members, at the scene.
      
     In response to a report made by the MTRC (MTR Corporation) , Police officers will soon enter the station to assist MTRC to handle the case.

     The Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) gave a concert at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, Korea, today (August 23) as part of its concert tour across Asia.
 
     Speaking at a reception before the concert, the Principal Representative of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Ms Shirley Yung, said that Hong Kong and Korea had for many years enjoyed very close bilateral relations, not only in business and trade but also in cultural exchanges. 
 
     "Tonight's concert is part of the annual world tour of the AYO performed by 100 young and talented musicians from various parts of Asia, including 10 from Korea. It has been nine years since the AYO last performed in Korea in 2010, and I look forward to more exchanges and collaboration in arts and culture between Hong Kong and Korea in future," Ms Yung said.

     Based in Hong Kong, the AYO attracts many bright young musicians from all over Asia to Hong Kong every year, and takes them to different parts of the world for performances and cultural exchanges.

     The concert is supported by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

    

     The Fire Services Department (FSD) has noted that fire service installations and equipment (FSIs), including fire hose reels and fire extinguishers, in some buildings or premises had been removed and used for non-firefighting purposes in mass gathering events recently. A spokesman for the FSD today (August 23) stressed that the FSIs installed in buildings or premises should be used for preventing, extinguishing and limiting fires. He added that removal, improper use or even damage of FSIs may increase the fire safety risks of the buildings or premises in cases of fire, while directing water jets from hose reels or carbon dioxide from fire extinguishers straight towards others may also cause danger.

     The FSD urges members of the public not to remove or use FSIs unless there is a fire, in order to keep the FSIs in efficient working order at all times and protect the safety of all persons in buildings or premises.