Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs seized about 60 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $13 million, in Kwai Chung on April 10.
Through risk assessment, Customs on that day inspected a seaborne consignment, arriving in Hong Kong from Canada and declared as carrying wooden floors, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds concealed inside 34 wooden floor sections.
Customs officers subsequently conducted a controlled delivery operation on April 11 and arrested two men in Sham Shui Po, aged 39 and 49, both claiming to be drivers.
On May 7, Customs further arrested a 30-year-old man, who was suspected to be connected with the case, in Tsuen Wan.
The investigation is ongoing.
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).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
A spokesman for the Transport Department (TD) today (May 9) said that the Government will, as always, be open to listen to the views of the taxi trade and a meeting is being arranged to maintain close communication, with a view to enhancing the service quality of personalised point-to-point transport.
“The Government’s policy objective has been very clear: taxi service has to be improved, online hailed car platforms have to be regulated while illegal hire car services have to be combated in accordance with the law. We will continue to combat the illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward activities to safeguard the safety and interests of the public. We will maintain liaison with the taxi trade in parallel to set out the Government’s stance and work directions in detail, joining hands to offer ideas and suggestions on enhancing personalised point-to-point service,” the spokesman said.
Improvement of taxi service
The Government is determined to enhance the quality of taxi services and has put forward various measures in recent years through a multi-pronged approach. Among them, systematic management and technology have been introduced under the taxi fleet regime. The Government will also mandate taxis to provide e-payment means and install in-vehicle cameras, dash cameras and global navigation satellite systems in all taxi compartments through legislative amendments, thereby improving passengers’ riding experiences. Meanwhile, the Government has introduced the Taxi-Driver-Offence Points system and the two-tier penalty system to enhance the deterrent effect against illegal acts by taxi drivers. The taxi fleet operators are working intensively and the Government hopes that they will soon commence operations to provide quality taxi service.
Regulation of online hailed car platforms
The spokesman reiterated that, while the Government is open-minded in respect of the use of different communication technologies via online or mobile applications to obtain personalised point-to-point transport services through online hailing services, it is imperative to ensure that the passenger transport services supported by the use of the platforms concerned comply with the laws and regulations, thereby safeguarding the safety and interests of passengers.
The TD is conducting a study on the overall demand and supply of personalised point-to-point transport services. The Government will, after holistically considering the report of the Working Group for Enhancing Personalised Point-to-Point Transport Services under the Transport Advisory Committee and the views and relevant data collected, formulate legislative proposals on the regulation of online car hailing platforms, vehicles that may provide services complying with the regulations, and relevant licensing requirements for the drivers within 2025.
Combating illegal hire car services in accordance with the law
The spokesman stressed that the Government is determined to continuously combat the illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward activities. The TD has again issued letters to warn various platform operators recently that their services must comply with relevant legislative provisions. Upon receipt of suspected cases, the TD will refer them to the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) for follow-up, subject to the situation.
The HKPF has been taking enforcement actions against illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward through gathering intelligence via different channels. If there is sufficient evidence proving suspected vehicles without a valid hire car permit are being used for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, the HKPF will immediately take appropriate enforcement actions. In addition, the Government is studying further improvements to the relevant legislation to strengthen efforts in combating illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, including disqualifying the driver concerned from driving. Furthermore, when sufficient evidence is available to show that the vehicle concerned has been involved in the offence of illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, it may be impounded even if the identity of the driver cannot be confirmed. The proposed legislative amendments will be submitted to the Legislative Council in due course.
Chief Executive John Lee will lead a delegation on a visit to Kuwait and Qatar. Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce Chairman Agnes Chan, who will join the delegation, noted that both are high income Middle Eastern countries with a young population, indicating strong spending power.
“For the past decade, they have focused on the traditional oil and gas industry. Now, they are diversifying into technology and wealth management, areas in which they seek improvement. This is why a government-led visit to these countries is significant.
“As an international financial centre, Hong Kong aims to leverage this visit to promote itself as the primary listing hub for Middle Eastern firms.”
She added that the major chambers of commerce joining the trip are hoping to play a role at the business level by facilitating networking events and providing market insights for firms to exchange views on business practices, while for their part, the enterprises must fully understand the local culture, regulatory frameworks and investment strategies of the various locations.
Ms Chan also suggested increasing direct flights between Hong Kong and major Middle Eastern cities to reduce travel time and enhance exchanges between the two regions.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
United Nations Sanctions (Haiti) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 gazetted “The Amendment Regulation amends the United Nations Sanctions (Haiti) Regulation to give effect to certain decisions relating to sanctions in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2752 in respect of Haiti,” a Government spokesman said.
The amendments renew the travel ban and financial sanctions, and revise the time-limited arms embargo requirements.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has all along been implementing fully the sanctions imposed by the UNSC. The Amendment Regulation aims to give effect to the instructions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for fulfilling the international obligations of the People’s Republic of China as a Member State of the United Nations. Issued at HKT 11:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Transport Department (TD) announced today (May 9) that the HKeToll website (www.hketoll.gov.hk), mobile app and electronic notification services will be temporarily suspended from 2am to 8am on May 11 (Sunday) for system maintenance.
A spokesman for the TD said that, during system maintenance, motorists can use government tolled tunnels and the Tsing Sha Control Area as usual. The HKeToll system will record the actual passage time of vehicles and charge the corresponding tolls accordingly. Notwithstanding, the services of checking toll transactions, making payments, or topping up their designated stored value accounts via the users’ accounts will be temporarily suspended.
The TD will steer the system maintenance contractor and toll service provider to complete the necessary work as soon as possible, and make announcements after services resume as normal. Upon completion of system maintenance, the system will process the toll transactions recorded during the maintenance period and resume the electronic notification services. Users may also log in to their account for transaction details upon service resumption.
Users are advised to arrange payments and top-ups in advance if needed. For enquiries, please call the 24-hour service hotline at 3853 7333.
Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC) Hon’ble Minister Reviews DNT Welfare Initiatives During Visit to Tisgaon Tanda, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar
Posted On: 08 MAY 2025 5:56PM by PIB Mumbai
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar/Mumbai, 8 May 2025
The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, visited Tisgaon Tanda village in Taluka Khultabad, District Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, today (May 8, 2025) to review ongoing development and welfare activities targeted at De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DNTs). The visit focused on assessing the implementation of the SEED (Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs) programme, alongside various State Government-led initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar emphasized the Government of India’s commitment to the upliftment of DNT communities—among the most marginalized and socio-economically disadvantaged groups in the country. The Union Minister highlighted that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) has established the Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC) to ensure the focused implementation of welfare and development schemes for these communities.
During the visit, Dr. Virendra Kumar interacted directly with a wide range of stakeholders, including State Government officials, NGO partners involved in SEED implementation, DNT beneficiaries and students, Self Help Group (SHG) members, and local community leaders. These interactions provided important ground-level feedback and insights into the effectiveness and impact of the programmes.
During the visit, a range of entitlements and benefits were distributed to eligible members of the DNT communities, including:
Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Cards, ensuring access to quality healthcare services,
Kamgar Kalyan Smart Cards, facilitating access to welfare benefits for unorganized workers,
Caste Certificates, essential for availing reservations and affirmative action schemes,
Revolving Funds to Self-Help Groups, supporting income-generating activities,
Entry Point Activities aimed at confidence building and group cohesion among newly formed SHGs.
The SEED scheme targets families with an annual income of ₹2.50 lakh or less, who are not availing benefits from similar schemes of the central or state governments. The scheme includes four key components for the welfare of the DNT communities:
Providing quality coaching to DNT candidates for competitive examinations,
Providing health insurance to DNT communities,
Promoting livelihood initiatives at the community level for small groups within DNT/NT/SNT communities,
Providing financial assistance to DNT individuals for constructing houses.
This visit reaffirmed the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s dedication to ensuring inclusive development and effective delivery of welfare measures for DNT communities at the grassroots level.
A modular, flexible cattle cage developed by researchers that can be adjusted to fit different vehicles, complete with a ramp that doubles as a door can help ease transport of cattle in villages, particularly take farm animals to the cattle market.
In the heart of India’s rural landscapes, where cattle are vital companions to farmers, the journey from one town to another can often be perilous—not just for people, but for the animals.
Traditionally, cattle are transported in open or ill-fitted goods carrier trucks with no proper loading mechanisms. This exposes them to high stress, injuries, and even fatal accidents. These outdated practices also create logistical headaches for farmers and transporters, all while violating basic animal welfare norms.
An innovation by Prof. Sandip S. Patil from Guru Gobind Singh College of Engineering and Research Centre in Nashik, Maharashtra has the potential to change that scenario.
Through a project funded by DST-SEED (Science for Equity, Empowerment, and Development), his team has developed a cage that can make cattle transport safer, easier, and cheaper.
Fig 1:Prof. Sandip S. Patil & his team from Guru Gobind Singh College of Engineering and Research Centre in Nashik, Maharashtra
This is not just a cage, but a science-driven mobility solution designed with telescopic mechanisms, foldable ramps, and reinforced metal frames, engineered to reduce injuries, lower stress, and dramatically improve loading and unloading for cattle.
It is armed with telescopic sliding, that can match the size of the vehicle, a roller-assisted movement that allows for easy cage adjustment, foldable ramp cum door that provides a seamless way to load cattle and doubles up as a safety gate, a cross-link mesh design that adds durability while improving airflow. The design was tested with field surveys, farmer feedback, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to ensure proper ventilation.
The cage can reduce animal injuries and stress during transit and has simplified handling, especially for small-scale farmers. It is cost-effective and scalable, ideal for rural and semi-urban regions, compliant with animal welfare laws, potentially reducing legal issues for transporters and adaptable to double-storied configurations, making it suitable for larger vehicles and heavier loads.
Fig 2:Modular Cage withadjustable ramp for ease of loading and unloadingas per the specified guidelines obtained from the user
This system can also be used in dairies, Gaushalas, veterinary operations and for safe and efficient short-distance livestock movement and can help communities by cutting losses, saving labour, and promoting humane transport practices.
The design has been recognized with patents and academic publications, including two Indian patents in 2024 for modular and double-storey versions.
Trial of the transport cage carried out in Ambad Village, Nashik. Plans are underway to scale the project through CSR funding and wider implementation efforts.