Source: Government of India
Posted On: 04 APR 2025 1:30PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the Prime Minister of Bhutan, H.E. Mr. Tshering Tobgay on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, Thailand today.
In a post on X, he stated:
“Had a great conversation with my good friend, PM Tobgay. India’s friendship with Bhutan is robust. We are cooperating extensively in several sectors.
@tsheringtobgay”
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MJPS/SR
(Release ID: 2118682) Visitor Counter : 26
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 04 APR 2025 12:53PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi proposed a 21-point Action Plan covering different aspects of cooperation among the BIMSTEC nations at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand today. He remarked to boost business across BIMSTEC nations and harness the rich potential of the IT sector. He also urged the need to work together in the field of disaster management in the wake of recent earthquake affecting Myanmar and Thailand. Shri Modi emphasised to work in the world of space and strengthen the security apparatus. Urging to collectively energise BIMSTEC and underlining the role of youth who will take the lead, he expressed hope that the cultural linkages will further bring the BIMSTEC nations closer.
In a thread post on X, he wrote:
“BIMSTEC is an important forum to further global good. It is imperative we strengthen it and deepen our engagement. In this context, I proposed a 21-point Action Plan covering different aspects of our cooperation.”
“It’s time to boost business across BIMSTEC nations!”
“Let’s harness the rich potential of the IT sector and make BIMSTEC technologically stronger.”
“The recent earthquake affecting Myanmar and Thailand underscores the need to work together in the field of disaster management.”
“Let’s take our cooperation to the world of space. Let’s also make our security apparatus stronger.”
“BIMSTEC has the potential to be a shining example of capacity building frameworks. We will all learn from each other and grow!”
“We will collectively energise BIMSTEC and it’s our youth who will take the lead.”
“Few things connect like culture! May cultural linkages bring BIMSTEC even closer.”
BIMSTEC is an important forum to further global good. It is imperative we strengthen it and deepen our engagement. In this context, I proposed a 21-point Action Plan covering different aspects of our cooperation. pic.twitter.com/6lsTbLwAGc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2025
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MJPS/SR
(Release ID: 2118661) Visitor Counter : 84
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 04 APR 2025 12:01PM by PIB Delhi
The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is organizing a “Conference of State Government Ministers on Strengthening of Statistical Systems” on 5th April, 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
The main objective of the conference is to highlight the importance of producing relevant, accurate, and timely statistics at both the national and sub-national levels, with a particular emphasis on the need for sub-national estimates for various socio-economic indicators. The discussion will also focus on emphasizing the key areas where deeper collaboration and partnership between the Centre and the States are not only desirable but crucial for strengthening both national and state statistical systems. The conference aims to gain a thorough understanding of the specific needs and requirements of the States/Union Territories (UTs) to improve their statistical systems, as well as to ascertain their expectations.
The Conference will serve as a platform for establishing a regular and sustained framework to strengthen statistical collaboration between States/UTs and MoSPI across a range of critical areas. These inter-alia, include the implementation of the Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS) Scheme in States/UTs, the participation of States/UTs in National Sample Surveys to generate district-level estimates, the compilation of GDP, IIP, and CPI at the sub-national level, as well as some of the innovation initiatives of MoSPI to address the challenges in generating official statistics, technical support to States/UTs in development, greater use of administrative statistics and alternative datasets, refinement of sub-national level monitoring frameworks for SDGs and implementation of MPLAD Scheme.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Rao Inderjit Singh, Chief Minister/Dy. Chief Minister/State Government Ministers of Planning & Senior Officers from States/UT Governments, Officers from MoSPI and other distinguished officials are expected to participate in the meeting.
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Samrat/Allen: pibmospi[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2118634) Visitor Counter : 15
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 04 APR 2025 11:52AM by PIB Delhi
The Annual Report of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India for the year 2023-24 detailing activities of the Authority, certified accounts and the audit report thereupon has been laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on 12th March 2025 and Rajya Sabha on 20th March 2025.
The Annual Report of TRAI details the policies and programmes, review of General environment in the telecom sector and broadcasting sector, review of working and operation of TRAI, functions of TRAI in respect of matters specified in Section 11 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act 1997 and its organizational matters including financial performance.
A copy of the Annual Report of TRAI for the year 2023-24 has been placed on the website of TRAI (www.trai.gov.in) for information of the general public.
In case of any further clarification, Shri Yatinder Agrohi, Advisor (Administration and IR) TRAI, may be contacted at 011-26769602, email id: advadmn@trai.gov.in.
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Samrat/Allen
(Release ID: 2118631) Visitor Counter : 107
Source:
[PRESS RELEASE]- The Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa met for the first time with the new Governor of American Samoa, Hon. Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and Lieutenant Governor, Hon. Pulu Ae Ae Jr at 3pm the 3rd January 2025 following the Inauguration Ceremony in the morning.
The meeting was held at the Governor’s Office, AP Lutali Executive Office Building.
The Prime Minister congratulated Governor Pula and LT Pulu on this auspicious occasion and further conveyed the best wishes from the Government and people of Samoa towards their tenure in the leadership.
During his inauguration speech, Governor Pula reiterated the importance of the Atoa o Samoa relations given our common ancestry and heritage with the old saying, ‘Blood is thicker than water’.
The dialogue focused on continuing cooperation on mutual development interests such as trade, civil aviation, labor mobility, Pacific Islands Forum and collaboration in the region. Samoa will host the next Atoa o Samoa on May 2025. Honorable Mataafa attended as the Official Guest of Government from Samoa accompanied by CEO, MPMC, Agafili Shem Leo and Consul General, Fata Brian Kaio.
Source: Government of Singapore
JOINT NEWS RELEASE BETWEEN MPA, NEA, NPARKS AND SFA
Singapore, 4 April 2025 – As of 4.00pm, there are no visible oil patches off Pulau Ubin and no new oil sightings at sea.
2. Clean-up of the beaches at Changi and Pasir Ris is ongoing. The bulk of the clean-up is expected to be completed within the next few days. The affected areas remain cordoned off to facilitate clean-up operations.
3. Oil sheen have been observed at several fish farms along East Johor Strait. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is working closely with the affected farms on mitigation measures, with support from the Maritime Port Authority (MPA). SFA is also assisting other farms to take preventative measures, such as providing absorbent pads. As a precautionary measure, SFA is also testing seafood from farms in the East Johor Strait and imported seafood.
4. The National Parks Board (NParks), together with research partners, has carried out visual assessments of the biodiversity-sensitive areas in the vicinity of the oil patches this morning, and post-impact surveys are underway. Thus far, there has been no observable impact to wildlife at Chek Jawa Wetlands, Changi Beach Park, and Pasir Ris Park.
5. Preventive measures, including the deployment of booms, have been put in place at coastal drains including Changi Creek, Sungei Tampines, and Sungei Api Api, as well as key locations such as Chek Jawa and around fish farms in the East Johor Strait. As a precautionary measure, national water agency PUB has also deployed containment booms across the tidal gates at Punggol and Serangoon Reservoirs. These measures will remain in place until further assessment by the relevant agencies.
6. Public access to affected areas remains restricted. Members of the public are advised to refrain from swimming or engaging in other water activities at Changi Beach and Pasir Ris Beach until further notice. For the latest advisories, please refer to the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) website (www.nea.gov.sg), NEA’s Facebook page, NParks’ website (www.nparks.gov.sg), and NParks’ Facebook page.
7. Agencies thank organisations and individuals who have volunteered their service. Agencies have assessed that there is no need for volunteer assistance at this time.
8. MPA and partner agencies continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as necessary
For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Health Bureau today expressed regret over the inaccurate and misleading content in a report published by Sing Tao Daily on April 3 which quoted individuals’ remarks on alternative smoking products (ASPs) and waterpipe tobacco.
The bureau rebutted the report’s claim that tobacco control policies would negatively impact tourists’ perceptions, saying that it fully considered the tourism sector’s situation when formulating the 10 short-term tobacco control measures which will not affect tourists’ willingness to visit Hong Kong.
Regarding ASPs, it highlighted that Hong Kong has prohibited the import of ASPs, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products as well as any related devices, parts and accessories since April 2022. Both the sale or possession of ASPs for commercial purposes are also illegal, while possession for personal use remains permitted.
Tourists therefore, have been unable to bring ASPs into Hong Kong or purchase them upon arrival for three years. Three years after the implementation of the ban, Hong Kong’s tourism sector has not been adversely affected and the number of passenger arrivals last year has even returned to pre-pandemic levels, with the number of passenger arrivals at land boundary control points exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
Additionally, Thailand and Singapore have also banned ASPs without any noticeable impact on their tourism numbers.
The bureau pointed out that claims that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s plan to further prohibit the possession of ASPs would deter tourists totally disregarded the fact that ASPs have already been banned from import and sale for three years.
It added that the report also omitted to explain the fact that tourists are currently unable to bring ASPs into Hong Kong or purchase them upon arrival, misleading both the public and tourists.
Moreover, ASPs are by no means “harm-reducing” products, as the report suggested. In fact, ASPs have been proven to release various toxic substances that can cause cancer, and damage the nervous and respiratory systems. The World Health Organization has also clearly stated that there is no evidence to suggest that ASPs could help with quitting smoking.
The bureau also pointed out that e-cigarette devices have been recently used as tools for drug abuse by way of inserting psychoactive substances such as etomidate, commonly known as “space oil”, and heating to generate aerosol for smoking. Young people may become addicted to drugs by smoking e-cigarettes containing “poisonous capsules” without realising it.
The bureau has proposed banning the possession of related products to prevent harmful products like ASPs from continuing to circulate locally and to tackle the problem of “poisonous capsules” at its root.
As for flavoured tobacco products, the Government’s proposed legislation to ban the sale of flavoured conventional smoking products, which also applies to waterpipe tobacco, will not affect tourists visiting Hong Kong.
The proposal is to ban the sale of flavoured conventional smoking products, but not their consumption.
Inbound travellers, including tourists, are still permitted to bring into Hong Kong 19 cigarettes duty-free or declare and pay duty on cigarettes exceeding this quantity under the existing mechanism, regardless of whether the cigarettes are flavoured or not.
The bureau reiterated that tourists and outside talent would consider a variety of factors when deciding to come to Hong Kong, such as overall tourism experience, development opportunities, humanistic literacies, quality of environment. Tobacco control work will not in any way affect the desire of tourists to visit Hong Kong.
On the contrary, the work will enable citizens and tourists to enjoy a fresher environment, in addition to making Hong Kong a healthier and more vibrant city, thereby enhancing the attractiveness to tourists and outside talent, which is also welcomed by most of the general public, it added.
Source: Government of Singapore
Leak from Langsat Terminal, Johor, stopped
JOINT NEWS RELEASE BETWEEN MPA, NEA, NPARKS AND SFA
Singapore, 4 April 2025 – The Johor Port Authority has informed the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) that the oil leak at Langsat Terminal has stopped and that the spill clean-up at Langsat Terminal is ongoing.
2. Clean-up operations for the oil patch off the northeastern coast of Pulau Ubin and along Changi Beach are ongoing. As a precautionary measure, booms will be deployed at Chek Jawa Wetlands in Pulau Ubin to protect the biodiversity-sensitive areas. The Singapore Food Agency is also working with fish farms in the East Johor Straits to take the necessary preventive measures.
3. Drones and satellite imagery have been activated to monitor the surrounding waters for any additional oil patches.
4. An additional oil recovery system – the Marine Oil Sweeper – has also been deployed off Pulau Ubin and is on standby in case other oil patches at sea are detected.
5. The National Environment Agency (NEA) advises the public against swimming and other primary contact water activities at Changi Beach and Pasir Ris Beach until further notice. In addition, parts of the beachfront at Changi Beach Park will be cordoned off to facilitate clean-up operations. As a precautionary measure, public access to Chek Jawa Wetlands is also temporarily closed till further notice for oil spill clean-up. See NEA’s website at www.nea.gov.sg, NEA’s Facebook page, NParks’ website at www.nparks.gov.sg, and NPark’s Facebook page for the advisory.
6. No other oil patches at sea and ashore have been sighted at this time.
7. MPA and partner agencies continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates if there are significant developments.
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For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.
Source: Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Caledonie
Jérémie Katidjo Monnier, membre du gouvernement chargé de la transition écologique et du changement climatique, a annoncé le lancement du Fonds de soutien de la Nouvelle-Calédonie aux associations œuvrant pour la biodiversité. D’un montant de 200 millions de francs sur deux ans, ce nouveau dispositif vise à accompagner les associations environnementales dans la sauvegarde de leurs emplois et le maintien de leurs activités pour la préservation des écosystèmes calédoniens.
Les évènements de mai 2024 ont lourdement affecté les associations du secteur environnemental calédonien. Outre les dégâts matériels que certaines ont subis, ces structures n’ont pas bénéficié des dispositifs de soutien financier aux entreprises. Elles ont ensuite souffert de la baisse des subventions qu’elles recevaient en temps normal. En conséquence, de nombreux projets ont été annulés, suspendus ou reportés, fragilisant davantage le tissu associatif.
Aujourd’hui, la survie de plusieurs structures est menacée et nécessite un soutien rapide des pouvoirs publics.
Le tissu associatif joue un rôle crucial, à la fois écologique et socio-économique, dans la préservation des espaces naturels terrestres et marins de la Nouvelle-Calédonie. En effet, de nombreuses associations calédoniennes de protection de la nature remplissent de véritables missions d’intérêt général, allant de la régénération de nos forêts à la protection de nos récifs, en passant par la sensibilisation des plus et moins jeunes à la protection de notre environnement. Elles assurent en outre de nombreux emplois directs et indirects, en travaillant en collaboration avec des bureaux d’études, en se fournissant auprès d’entreprises locales.
Conscient de ces enjeux et après plusieurs mois de dialogue et de concertation avec les associations, le gouvernement a souhaité apporter une réponse à la hauteur des défis rencontrés, pour sauvegarder les emplois, maintenir l’expertise en Nouvelle-Calédonie, et préserver le tissu associatif indispensable à la cohésion sociale.
Il a ainsi mis en place un fonds exceptionnel de 200 millions de francs confié à l’Agence Néo-Calédonienne de la biodiversité (ANCB) et destiné à financer des projets retenus dans le cadre d’un appel à projets.
« Il était essentiel pour nous au gouvernement, de mettre en place un fonds géré de manière collégiale au sein de l’ANCB, pour que le monde associatif dans son ensemble, puisse être aidé en ce qui concerne les sujets environnementaux », a expliqué Jérémie Katidjo Monnier. « Ce fonds a été créé sur mesure pour répondre aux besoins de ces associations », a-t-il ajouté.
Thibaut Bizien, co-président du collectif des associations de Nouvelle-Calédonie, a salué cette initiative et espère que « d’autres dispositifs de ce type pourront émerger pour des associations qui œuvrent dans d’autres secteurs parce que c’est absolument essentiel pour le tissu associatif ».
Publié sur le site de l’ANCB, cet appel à projets destiné aux associations a pour objectifs :
Les projets proposés doivent répondre aux objectifs de réduction des pressions sur la biodiversité identifiées par la Plateforme intergouvernementale scientifique et politique sur la biodiversité et les services écosystémiques (IPBES) : le changement d’usage des sols, la surexploitation des ressources et le trafic illégal, le changement climatique, les pollutions (terre, air, mer), les espèces exotiques envahissantes.
Les projets doivent notamment contribuer à :
L’appel à projets prévoit :
Anne-Sophie Carnuccini, directrice de l’Agence néo-calédonienne pour la biodiversité (ANCB) à qui a été confiée la gestion de ce fonds, a précisé que l’agence « proposera également un accompagnement pour aider les associations à monter leur dossier de candidature, mais aussi durant la mise en œuvre des projets pour faire des points d’étape et valoriser leurs actions ».
« Nous prendrons en compte toutes les dépenses des associations, tant que le projet est cohérent et répond aux objectifs de l’appel à projets », a-t-elle assuré.
Informations pratiques de l’appel à projets – Dépôt et instruction des dossiers
Le dépôt des candidatures est ouvert au fil de l’eau du 17 mars au 26 octobre 2025.
Plusieurs relèves des candidatures déposées auront lieu pour analyse des dossiers : le 14 avril 2025, le 11 mai 2025, le 22 juin 2025, le 3 août 2025, le 26 octobre 2025.
Tous les détails sont disponibles sur le site de l’ANCB.
Les dossiers complets doivent être déposés exclusivement par mail à l’adresse suivante : contact.fondsbiodiv@ancb.nc
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKSAR Government expresses strong disapproval of US’s imposition of so-called reciprocal tariff on products of Hong Kong
“In 2023, the US was the third largest trading partner of Hong Kong, with the total merchandise trade value amounting to US$60.3 billion. During the past 10 years, the US has realised a trade surplus of US$271.5 billion with Hong Kong, the largest among its global trading partners. The US’s measures are mere unilateral protectionism that harm the interests of all,” the spokesman added.
As for the duty-free de minimis treatment for postal items despatched from Hong Kong to the US, the US has been repeatedly changing its policies unilaterally. Hongkong Post has requested the postal administration of the US to promptly clarify the matter and should not cause inconvenience to the public. From now until May 2, Hongkong Post will temporarily maintain postal services to the US but will not collect any so-called tariffs on behalf of the US authorities.Issued at HKT 20:07
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