Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
A man and two women were each sentenced to four months’ imprisonment and fined between $500 and $1,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (April 25) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare to Customs officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).
Customs officers intercepted a 40-year-old incoming female passenger, a 36-year-old incoming male passenger, and a 30-year-old incoming female passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on February 18, February 26 and March 6. About 118 200 duty-not-paid cigarettes and about 7 000 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $518,000 and a duty potential of about $390,000 in total, were seized from their personal baggage. They were subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).
Viksit Vibrant Villages Program to Take Place From 15th to 30th May 2025; Registrations on MY Bharat Platform Started from 23rd April 500 MY Bharat Youth Volunteers from Across Country to Work Directly with Communities in 100 Selected Villages of Leh-Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand
Program to Empower Youth to Take Lead in Giving New Identity to Border Villages and Transform India’s Frontier Communities
Posted On: 25 APR 2025 2:16PM by PIB Delhi
The Viksit Vibrant Villages Program is a joint initiative aimed at revitalizing India’s remote border regions. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the program will be implemented with support from local governance bodies and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). It will focus on Leh-Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, taking place from 15th to 30th May 2025.
This initiative will empower youth by involving 500 MY Bharat volunteers from across the country, who will work directly with communities in 100 selected villages. These volunteers will drive grassroots engagement and community development through a variety of initiatives, ranging from educational support and infrastructure enhancement to healthcare and cultural preservation. By engaging local residents and leveraging the strength of youth leadership, the program aims to bring long-lasting, positive transformation to these border areas.
Registration for the Viksit Vibrant Villages Program officially commenced on 23rd April 2025 via the MY Bharat Portal. Volunteers from across India are encouraged to apply for this transformative opportunity. 10 MY Bharat volunteers will be selected from the Union Territories and 15 from each participating state. In total, 500 volunteers will be chosen to serve as the backbone of the program, leading and coordinating activities within the villages.
As part of this program, immersive learning journeys, cultural exchange programs, and grassroots development projects are being rolled out, allowing the youth to directly interact with the unique socio-cultural and strategic fabric of India’s border regions.
The program will unfold over 7 days, with each day dedicated to a distinct domain of community development. The activities will include, but are not limited to:
1. Community Engagement
2. Youth Leadership Development
3. Cultural Promotion
4. Healthcare Awareness and Support
5. Skill-building and Education
6. Environment Protection Best Practices
7. Career Counselling Sessions
8. Fitness Activities like Sports, Yoga, Meditation, etc
9. Open Mic, Essay, Fireside Chat, etc on My Dream India
Knowledge Transfer and National Consciousness
Through this program, young citizens will have the opportunity to explore and document the heritage, resilience, and potential of border communities. These experiences, when shared through digital platforms, community discussions, and institutional presentations, will ensure that the voices of India’s frontier residents reach wider national and global audiences.
The initiative encourages youth to not only witness but actively contribute to the development of these areas – be it through innovative projects in education, entrepreneurship, sustainable agriculture, or local governance. This interaction cultivates mutual respect, deeper national unity, and the emergence of border villages as ‘cultural beacons’ rather than isolated outposts.
From Forgotten to Celebrated: Giving Border Villages a New Identity
The program seeks to dismantle the long-held stereotype of border villages being “the last on the map.” Instead, it celebrates them as ‘first villages’ in the journey toward Viksit Bharat by 2047. Through sustained youth involvement, these villages will be given a platform to showcase their language, art, music, architecture, and stories – redefining their identity from that of a geopolitical buffer to centers of heritage, innovation, and national pride. The Viksit Vibrant Villages program is not just a government effort – it is a generational mission to ensure that development, identity, and dignity ow to every corner of the country, with the youth leading the way.
To kick-start this initiative, the Ministry will conduct an orientation program in Delhi, where all selected volunteers will undergo an intensive briefing and training session. This orientation will ensure that the volunteers are well-prepared to carry out the program’s objectives and equipped with the necessary knowledge to engage with local communities effectively. The orientation program will provide a unique opportunity for the volunteers to develop crucial leadership skills, gain deeper insights into rural community needs, and learn how to coordinate their efforts with the local governance systems.
This structure aims to provide a well-rounded learning experience for volunteers, ensuring that they not only contribute to village transformation but also grow personally and professionally throughout the program. This initiative will serve as a catalyst for positive change in the border regions of India, empowering the youth to become active participants in nation-building. By providing youth with the platform to engage directly with local communities, the program seeks to foster a spirit of National integration, cultural pride, and strategic development.
EPFO Simplifies Transfer Claim Process Through Revamped Form 13 Functionality; More Than 1.25 Crore Members to Benefit Launches Facility for Bulk Generation of UAN by Employers without Aadhaar Seeding
Posted On: 25 APR 2025 2:00PM by PIB Delhi
Simplification of Transfer Claim Process through Revamped Form 13 functionality
To ensure ease of living for its members, EPFO during January this year, has greatly simplified the process for transfer of PF account on change of jobs by removing the requirement of approval from employer in majority of the cases.
Till now, the transfer of PF accumulations used to happen with the involvement of two EPF Offices. One, from which the PF accumulation is transferred (Source Office) and two, the EPF Office in which the transfer is actually credited (Destination Office).
Now, with an aim to further simplify the process, EPFO has removed the requirement of approval of all transfer claims at the Destination Office by launching a Revamped Form 13 software functionality.
Henceforth, once the transfer claim gets approved at the Transferor (Source) Office the previous account will automatically get transferred to the present account of the member at the Transferee (Destination) Office instantly furthering the aim of “Ease of Living” for Members of EPFO.
This revamped functionality also provides the bifurcation of taxable and non-taxable components of PF accumulations to facilitate accurate calculation of TDS on Taxable PF interest.
It is expected to benefit more than 1.25 Crore Members facilitating the transfer of around Rs. 90,000 Crores every year henceforth as the entire transfer process shall be speeded up.
Bulk generation of UAN by Employers without seeding Aadhaar
With a view to further Ease of Doing Business and to address the grievances being raised w.r.t proper accounting of the Past Accumulations that had been remitted to EPFO by the Exempted PF Trusts consequent to the surrender/cancellation of exemption and also in other cases involving remittance of past period contributions consequent to quasi-judicial/recovery proceedings, it has been decided by EPFO to relax the requirement of Aadhaar for generation of UAN/credit of Past Accumulations for such members. Also, a facility for bulk generation of UANs based on the Member Id & other member information available on record so as to enable prompt crediting of funds in the accounts of such members has been provided.
To that effect a software functionality has already been deployed and made available to the Field Offices in the FO Interface for bulk generation of UANs in the above said cases and also account the Past Accumulations without the requirement of Aadhaar in EPFO Application.
However, as a measure of risk mitigation to protect the PF accumulations, all such UANs would be kept in a frozen state and subsequently made operational only after the seeding of Aadhaar.
All these measures are expected to significantly improve services to members and reduce long standing grievances including further streamlining of validations for auto settlement of eligible claims.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appointments to URA Board announced The six newly appointed non-official non-executive directors are Mr Chan Hok-fung, Mr Chan Kin-por, Mr Chiu Kam-kuen, Ms Lilian Law Suk-kwan, Ms Jasmine Lee Shun-yi and Ms Florence Leung Chi-hang. The four reappointed non-official non-executive directors are Dr Chan Ka-kui, Ms Janice Lai Wai-man, Mrs Sylvia Lam Yu Ka-wai and Ms Yvonne Yeung Kin-ha.
The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, welcomed the reappointment of Mr Chow as Chairman of the URA Board. “I am grateful to Mr Chow for accepting the appointment and continuing to lead the URA. With Mr Chow’s strong leadership, rich experience and his understanding of the work of the URA, I am confident that under his leadership, the URA will continue to discharge its important and challenging mission of urban renewal in Hong Kong,” she said.
“The six newly appointed non-official non-executive directors come from different sectors of the community. I am sure their expertise and extensive experience will help contribute and provide invaluable insights and suggestions to the various work areas of the URA,” she added.
Ms Linn also expressed gratitude to the six retiring non-official non-executive directors, namely Mr Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, Ms Ivy Chua Suk-lin, Mr Ho Wing-cheong, Ms Elaine Lo Yuen-man, Professor Tang Bo-sin and Ms Judy Tong Kei-yuk, for their invaluable contributions to the URA.
The new URA Board will comprise 16 non-official non-executive directors (including the appointments announced today and the five non-executive directors whose terms of appointment have not yet expired), four official non-executive directors and three executive directors. All the non-official non-executive directors are appointed in their personal capacity. The membership list will be gazetted in due course.
The membership of the URA Board is set out below.
Chairman ———— Mr Chow Chung-kong
Non-Executive Directors (Non-official) ———————————————— Mr William Chan Fu-keung Mr Chan Hok-fung Dr Chan Ka-kui Mr Chan Kin-por Mr Chiu Kam-kuen Mr Kwok Wai-keung Ms Janice Lai Wai-man Mr Alexander Lam Tsan-wing Mrs Sylvia Lam Yu Ka-wai Ms Lilian Law Suk-kwan Mr Lee Chun-keung Ms Jasmine Lee Shun-yi Ms Florence Leung Chi-hang Mr Tony Tse Wai-chuen Ms Yvonne Yeung Kin-ha
Non-Executive Directors (Official) —————————————— Director of Buildings Director of Lands Director of Planning Deputy Director of Home Affairs (2)
Executive Directors ———————— Managing Director/Deputy Chairman Two Executive Directors Issued at HKT 16:00
NHRC, India condemns the killing of innocent civilians by terrorists in the Pahalgam area of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir Says, the time has come to act against those indulging in terrorism directly or indirectly and to hold them accountable for this menace against humanity
It is expected that the State will take all necessary steps to fix accountability; bring the perpetrators to justice, and provide succour to the families of the victims in all possible manner
Posted On: 25 APR 2025 12:56PM by PIB Delhi
“The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India is deeply disturbed by the news of the killing of 28 people by the terrorists after identifying their faith in Pahalgam area of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir on 22nd April, 2025.
The Commission condemns the dastardly attack on the unarmed and unsuspecting innocent civilians who were on a holiday to the valley. The incident has shaken the conscience of every right thinking human being as a serious issue of violation of human rights of the innocent victims and their families.
It has been said time and again at various forums that terrorism is one of the biggest causes of human rights violations in the world. The time has come to act against those aiding, abetting, supporting and advancing terrorism and to hold them accountable for this menace. Otherwise, it may result in shrinking of democratic space, intimidation, reprisals, harmony among communities and grave violation of various human rights, including right to life, liberty, equality, fraternity, and livelihood.
It is expected that the State will take all the necessary steps to fix accountability; bring the perpetrators to justice and provide succour to the families of the victims in all possible manner.”
Posted On: 25 APR 2025 11:00AM by PIB Bhubaneshwar
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), through its premier minerals research institute CSIR-IMMT, has signed two Joint Declarations of Intent (JDIs) with leading Russian institutions—the State Research and Design Institute of the Rare Metal Industry (JSC Giredmet), a premier research and design institute under the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation, Rosatom, Moscow and the National University of Science and Technology MISIS, Moscow (NUST MISIS)—to strengthen cooperation in critical mineral processing and sustainable resource development.
Two separate Joint Declarations of Intent were signed by Dr. Ramanuj Narayan (Director, CSIR-IMMT)—one with Dr. Andrei I. Golinei (Director, Chemical Technology Unit, JSC Rosatom Science) and another with Dr. Michael R. Filonov (Vice-Rector, NUST MISIS).The collaborations are coordinated by Dr. Kali Sanjay, Chief Scientist and Head of Business Development from CSIR-IMMT, and Dr Konstantin V. Ivanovskikh, Deputy Director for Science and Innovation, and Dr. Korotchenko Natalia, Director MISIS Information and Marketing Centre from Giredmet JSC and NUST MISIS, respectively.Shri Anoop Kumar Srivastava, Counsellor (Space) from the Embassy of India, Moscow was also present during the signing, supporting the bilateral collaborations in critical minerals technologies.
Signing of JDI between CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar and State Research and Design Institute of the Rare Metal Industry (JSC Giredmet), Rosatom, Moscow
Signing of JDI between CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar and National University of Science and Technology MISIS, Moscow
The CSIR-IMMT team (Dr. Ramanuj Narayan, Director and Dr. Kali Sanjay, Chief Scientist and Head, Business Development) met with His Excellency Mr. Vinay Kumar, Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation, at the Indian Embassy in Moscow on 24th April, 2025. The meeting was facilitated by Shri Anoop Kumar Srivastava, Counsellor (Space). During the interaction, the team briefed the honourable Ambassador on purpose of the visit to Russia and highlighted the importance of R&D and technological collaboration in process metallurgy, with a focus on critical minerals vital for Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.
CSIR-IMMT team meets withHis Excellency Mr. Vinay Kumar, Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation, at the Indian Embassy in Moscow.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Cases of making ex gratia payments from Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund gazetted For details of the notices, please refer to Government Notice Numbers from 2478 to 2511 on the website of the eGazette of the Government Logistics DepartmentIssued at HKT 14:40
In accordance with the strategy of Pursuing Global Opportunities with Domestic Supply Chains of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), the Taiwan Trade and Investment Service Center in Fukuoka was officially inaugurated on April 21. This marks a significant milestone in economic cooperation between Japan and Taiwan.
Considering their respective highly complementary industrial strengths, Taiwan and Japan are well-positioned to deepen collaboration through this newly established center. Functioning as both a bridge and a platform, the Center will integrate resources across government, industry, academia, and research sectors, offering one-stop services for businesses from both sides, such as investment consultation, industry matchmaking, technology exchange, and market development support.
The opening ceremony brought together over 200 prominent figures from the political and business sectors of both Taiwan and Japan. During opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Cynthia Kiang emphasized that the center will play a key role in enabling Taiwanese and Japanese enterprises to jointly expand into Asia-Pacific and third-country markets, thereby fostering win-win partnerships and energizing regional value chains.
For more information on the Taiwan Trade and Investment Service Center in Fukuoka, please visit the official website at https://fukuoka.taiwantrade.com or contact the center by e-mail at fukuoka@taitra.org.tw.
The Registration & Electoral Office (REO) today called on eligible individuals and bodies who have not yet registered as electors/voters to submit registration applications no later than June 2, so that their registration particulars can be included in the final registers of electors/voters to be published this year, and vote in the elections to be held this year.
Hong Kong permanent residents who hold an identity document, will reach 18 years old by September 25 this year and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong are eligible to register as geographical constituency electors.
Registered electors/voters need not register again, but if there are changes to their registration particulars, they should submit applications for change of particulars to the REO by June 2.
Eligible citizens are welcome to submit applications for new registration as geographical constituency electors or change of voter registration particulars through iAM Smart. They may also provide or update their mobile phone number and email address, and check their voter registration status through the app.
Alternatively, citizens can register by filling in application forms which are available on the Voter Registration website for download. Hard copies can obtained at District Offices, the management offices of public housing estates and the REO.
Completed forms can be sent by post to the Registration & Electoral Office, 29/F, Standard Chartered Tower, Millennium City 1, 388 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon; by fax to 2891 1180; by email to form@reo.gov.hk, or via the REO e-Form Upload Platform.