Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Attention TV/radio announcers:
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:
​The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 1) that due to power failure, Tin Ping Sports Centre in North District has been temporarily closed until further notice.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) led an industry delegation to participate in the 27th Far East Film Festival (FEFF) in Udine, Italy. Screenings of Hong Kong films and “Hong Kong Night” networking reception were held during the FEFF to promote Hong Kong films, increase overseas exposure for emerging Hong Kong film talents, build their international connections, and expand the global market for Hong Kong films. Members of the delegation included the Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries and Secretary-General of the Film Development Council, Mr Gary Mak, renowned director Tsui Hark, director and actress Sylvia Chang, directors Philip Yung, Anthony Pun, Oliver Chan, Jill Leung, as well as actors Jo Koo, Hedwig Tam, Natalie Hsu and Dylan So. The strong lineup showcased to the international film community the strength and new blood of the Hong Kong film industry.
Being the largest Asian film festival in Europe, the FEFF in Udine held from April 24 to May 2 (Udine time) showcased the latest film productions and creative teams from Asia and received significant regional and international interest from the film industry, cultural sector and media. During the festival, the CCIDA and the FDC presented screening events “Making Waves – Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema” to showcase 10 Hong Kong films to industry professionals and audiences from all over the world. The films include “Four Trails”, “The Last Dance” (Extended Version), “The Prosecutor” and restored prints of classic films “Shanghai Blues”, “Mr Vampire” and “Green Snake”. Director Tsui Hark and actress Sylvia Chang of “Shanghai Blues”, director Oliver Chan and actress Hedwig Tam of “Montages of a Modern Motherhood”, director Anthony Pun of “Cesium Fallout”, director Jill Leung and actress Natalie Hsu of “Last Song for You” and director Philip Yung and actors Jo Koo and Dylan So of “Papa” participated in the meet-and-greet sessions of the respective films and the FEFF Talks.
The “Hong Kong Night” networking reception held last night (April 30, Udine time), assisted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, brought together around 200 representatives from the film, cultural sector, government, business sector and media, promoting exchanges and collaborations with international filmmakers. Mr Mak in his welcoming remarks extended congratulations to Tsui Hark and Sylvia Chang on receiving the Golden Mulberry Award for Lifetime Achievement of the 27th Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy and was proud of the two important filmmakers of the Chinese film industry receiving the international honour. He added that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is committed to fostering the development of Hong Kong’s film industry. The Film Development Fund (FDF) has supported over 120 films which involved more than 110 new directors and producers. The Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme under the FDF also supports film projects co-produced by filmmakers from Hong Kong and European/Asian countries to produce films with strong Hong Kong, European and Asian cultures, enabling Hong Kong films to go global and further strengthening Hong Kong’s role as East-meets-West Centre for international cultural exchange.
In addition, the CCIDA and the FDC collaborated with the FEFF’s programme FOCUS ASIA and organised HONG KONG LAB@FOCUS ASIA from April 29 to 30 (Udine time), inviting international film industry professionals and five potential Hong Kong producers and directors to share their experiences in co-production, cross-boundary financing and venture capital, as well as future strategies. Speakers include director Lawrence Kan of “In Broad Daylight”, director Steve Yuen of “The Moon Thieves”, producer Wong Hoi of “The Lyricist Wannabe”, director Eric Tsang of “Hong Kong Family” and the Chairman of Hong Kong Movie Production Executives Association, Mr Johnny Wang. The CCIDA arranged a business matching session with an aim to foster project development between filmmakers from Hong Kong and various regions. Through collaborating with Italian film organisation, Cinecitta, the business matching session also connected producers from Hong Kong and Italy for direct liaison to explore future collaborations and film development opportunities.
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 01 MAY 2025 9:30AM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi greeted the people of Maharashtra on Maharashtra Day today.
In separate posts on X, he said:
“Maharashtra Day greetings to the people of the state, which has always played a vital role in India’s development. When one thinks of Maharashtra, its glorious history and the courage of the people come to our mind. The state remains a strong pillar of progress and at the same time has remained connected to its roots. My best wishes for the state’s progress.”
“भारताच्या विकासात कायमच महत्त्वाची भूमिका बजावत आलेल्या, महाराष्ट्राच्या जनतेला महाराष्ट्र दिनाच्या शुभेच्छा. जेव्हा आपण महाराष्ट्राबद्दल विचार करतो, तेव्हा समोर येतो तो या भूमीचा गौरवशाली इतिहास आणि इथल्या जनतेचे धैर्य. हे राज्य प्रगतीचा एक मजबूत आधारस्तंभ आहे आणि त्याच वेळी आपल्या मूळाशीही घट्ट जोडलेले आहे. राज्याच्या प्रगतीसाठी माझ्या खूप खूप शुभेच्छा.”
Maharashtra Day greetings to the people of the state, which has always played a vital role in India’s development. When one thinks of Maharashtra, its glorious history and the courage of the people come to our mind. The state remains a strong pillar of progress and at the same…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2025
भारताच्या विकासात कायमच महत्त्वाची भूमिका बजावत आलेल्या, महाराष्ट्राच्या जनतेला महाराष्ट्र दिनाच्या शुभेच्छा. जेव्हा आपण महाराष्ट्राबद्दल विचार करतो, तेव्हा समोर येतो तो या भूमीचा गौरवशाली इतिहास आणि इथल्या जनतेचे धैर्य. हे राज्य प्रगतीचा एक मजबूत आधारस्तंभ आहे आणि त्याच वेळी…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2025
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MJPS/SR/SKS
(Release ID: 2125656) Visitor Counter : 60
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 30) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 25 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $5.4 million.
A male passenger, aged 49, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds inside his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (May 2).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en).
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 01 MAY 2025 9:40AM by PIB Delhi
Air Marshal SP Dharkar retired as Vice Chief of the Air Staff on 30 April 2025, on superannuation from the Indian Air Force (IAF), after completion of 40 years of illustrious service to the nation.
Air Marshal Dharkar was commissioned on 14 June 1985 as a Flying Pilot in the fighter stream of IAF and flew more than 3600 hours on different aircraft of the IAF. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor, Fighter Strike Leader and an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner. He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, India and Army War College, USA.
He held several important appointments in his career including that of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at the Eastern Air Command (EAC) and Senior Air Staff Officer at South Western Air Command, He also held offices of Air Defence Commander at HQ EAC and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Training) at Air Headquarters. He was the first Director General of the Defence Space Agency.
In recognition of his meritorious services of an exceptionally high order, the Air Marshal was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2014, Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023 and Uttam Yudh Seva Medal in 2025.
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VK/JS/SM
(Release ID: 2125654) Visitor Counter : 89
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 30 APR 2025 9:36PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Minister of State for Railways, Shri V. Somanna, offered floral tributes today at the statue of Jagajyothi Shri Basaveshwara at Prerana Sthal, Parliament House, New Delhi, to commemorate his 894th birth anniversary. This marked the first time the occasion was observed at this venue, reflecting the Government’s recognition of the revered social reformer’s legacy.
Saint Basavanna, was a revolutionary figure of the 12th century, championed the message of equality and propagated the principle of “work is worship”. He strived tirelessly to build a society founded on the dignity of labour. It is vital to acknowledge that his visionary work in the 12th century laid the essential groundwork for many principles that underpin modern democracy. Lord Basaveshwara was a great reformer and a great administrator. The teachings of Lord Basaveshwara are the source of spiritual knowledge, as well as serve as the practical guide to our lives. His teachings teach us to be a better human being, and to make our society liberal, kind and humane. He had guided our society on issues of social and gender equality, several centuries ago.
Lord Basaveshwara laid the foundations of a democracy, which prioritises and promotes the rights of person, standing on the last rungs of the society. He did not just preach about the reforms he wanted in the individuals or in the society but also adopted and inculcated them in his own life. Saint Basavanna believed in casteless society and advocated its eradication for an equal and just society. He promoted the idea of love and compassion for all living beings. Saint Basavanna had set an example hundreds of years ago of universal and all-encompassing democracy in Kannada society through Anubhav Mandapam. Saint Basavanna gave beautiful and simple solutions through his sayings, to the problems of every section of the society. Teachings of Saint Basavanna will help not only Karnataka but the entire country and the world to move ahead on the path of peace, harmony and inclusive democracy.
The ceremony was graced by the divine presence of Jagadguru Shri Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swamiji from Kudalsangam Lingayat Panchamasali Peetha. Union Ministers Shri Kiren Rijju, and Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Ministers of State Smt. Shobha Karandlaje, Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu, and Shri Rajbhushan Choudhary, as well as Members of Parliament Shri P.C. Gaddigoudar, Shri Tejasvi Surya, Rajya Sabha MPs Shri lranna B. Kadadi, Shri Annasaheb Jolle, and Smt. Shashikala Jolle, among other dignitaries and revered spiritual leaders were present.
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Dharmendra Tiwari/ Shatrunjay Kumar
(Release ID: 2125653) Visitor Counter : 35
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 01 MAY 2025 9:06AM by PIB Delhi
A meeting to promote investment in the North Eastern Region was held with industry leaders under the chairpersonship of Union Minister for Communications and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia
The Union Minister held a series of meetings in Mumbai on Wednesday (April 30, 2025), with leading industrialists, including Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries), Kumar Mangalam Birla (Aditya Birla Group), and N. Chandrasekaran (Tata Sons). The meetings were part of the ongoing engagement ahead of the Investment Summit, “Rising Northeast Summit 2025”, scheduled for May 23-24, 2025, at Delhi.
Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia emphasized the Government of India’s strategic vision to position the Northeast as a new growth engine for the country. “The goal is to integrate the eight states into one unified development goal as India’s growth engine,” he said. He also underlined the role of public-private partnerships in accelerating sustainable development in the region.
The Minister further shared with the industrialists some of the key initiatives undertaken by MDoNER, which included the formation of a High-Level Task Force with the Chief Ministers of all eight Northeastern states, the establishment of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) in each state, among others.
Shri Dharmvir Jha, Statistical Advisor Ministry of DoNER, presented key investment opportunities spanning all eight Northeastern states.
The interactions focused on region-specific growth sectors, including agro-based industries, textiles, and tourism.
The Rising Northeast Summit 2025 will continue this momentum by bringing together key stakeholders, investors, and policymakers on one platform to unlock the region’s economic potential. The summit is scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on May 23-24, 2025
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Samrat/Allen
(Release ID: 2125648) Visitor Counter : 94
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 30 APR 2025 11:31PM by PIB Delhi
A large gathering of monks, bhikkhunis, diplomats and the Sangha today offered chanting and special prayers to the Holy Buddha Relic at a protected enclosure of the National Museum, New Delhi; the sacred Relic arrived earlier from Sarnath en route to Vietnam. The Ambassador of Vietnam to India, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai, as also the Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Ms. Priyanga Wickramasinghe joined the prayers.
The Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) is holding for the first time an exposition of the Sacred Buddha Relic in four cities of Vietnam to coincide with the celebrations for the UN Vesak Day. This Holy Relic of the Buddha is enshrined in Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, Sarnath and was excavated in Nagarjuna Konda, Andhra Pradesh. It is believed to be dated older than 246 CE.
The relic was brought from Varanasi to Delhi with full state honour and was placed at a special spot at the ceremonial lounge, at IGI airport before being escorted to the National Museum.
On May 1, when the Sacred Relic leaves Delhi, as a special gesture, around 120 monks from Vietnam will fly down from Vietnam to the National Museum in New Delhi to pay their obeisance to the holy relic and then would return to their country on the same day, before the Relic travels to Vietnam, in order to receive the Holy Relic in Vietnam.
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Sunil Kumar Tiwari
(Release ID: 2125650) Visitor Counter : 39
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Land Registry (LR) announced today (May 1) that compact discs for the 57th edition of the Index of Streets, House Numbers and Lots in Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Kowloon (Street Index), and the 26th edition of the New Territories Lot/Address Cross Reference Table (CRT) have been released. The discs facilitate searches of land records of urban and New Territories properties by correlating property addresses, building names or lot numbers.
The new edition of the Street Index features 370 amendments to the last edition, with six new streets and 25 new lots/sections/subsections added. In the latest edition of the CRT, 1 761 amendments have been made, and seven new streets and 991 new lots/sections/subsections have been added.
The new editions of the Street Index and CRT compact discs cost $370 each. Licences for using them on computer networks are also available for sale. The respective licence fees are $2,960 for a computer network linked to less than 50 terminals and $5,920 if linked to 50 terminals or more.
Members of the public who wish to purchase the compact discs and the licences may submit a completed order form on the LR’s website (www.landreg.gov.hk/en/pforms/form.htm), by post or in person to the LR’s Customer Centre (19/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong), the New Territories Search Offices or the LR’s Street Index and CRT Help Desk (Unit 1202, 12/F, One Kowloon, 1 Wang Yuen Street, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon). The form can be obtained on the LR’s website (www.landreg.gov.hk/en/pforms/form.htm), by fax by calling the customer service hotline at 3105 0000, or at the LR’s Customer Centre, the New Territories Search Offices and the Street Index and CRT Help Desk.
An online version of the new Street Index and CRT is also available for free browsing on the LR’s website (www.landreg.gov.hk/en/public/pu-si_agree.htm) or through the hyperlink on the Integrated Registration Information System Online Services (www.iris.gov.hk).
For enquiries, please call the Street Index and CRT Help Desk or the Customer Service Manager of the LR at 3105 0000.
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 01 MAY 2025 2:43PM by PIB Delhi
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed the appointment of Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) at Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff in New Delhi on May 01, 2025. He succeeds Lt Gen JP Mathew who superannuated on April 30, 2025. Before taking over, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, New Delhi and paid homage to the bravehearts. He also inspected the Ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns.
In a distinguished career spanning close to four decades, the Air Marshal has held a variety of Command, Staff & Instructional appointments, and has been conferred with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal & Vayu Sena Medal for his services.
Prior to taking over as CISC, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit was serving as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command. He focused on enhancing operational readiness and fostering coordination with other services in Uttar Bharat & Central region.
The Air Marshal was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 06, 1986. He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla; Defence Services Staff College (Bangladesh) and National Defence College, New Delhi. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and Experimental Test Pilot with over 3,300 hours of flying experience on over 20 types of aircraft, including Mirage-2000, MiG-21 & Jaguar.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit also commanded a premier Fighter Training Base in the Southern Sector where his leadership led to the base being adjudged the best in the Command. As a test pilot and later Commanding Officer of the Flight Test Squadron at Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, Bangalore, he was involved in several indigenous upgrades and development programmes including the avionics upgrades for Jaguar & MiG-27. As Director of Air Staff Requirements he played a key role in the planning and conduct of the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft trials.
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VK/SR/Savvy
(Release ID: 2125737) Visitor Counter : 95