Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and Youth Development Commission (YDC) jointly launched the 2026-27 (first round) HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Exchange in the Mainland today (November 17). Eligible non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are invited to submit applications.
 
The Government attaches great importance to youth development. The HYAB promulgated the Youth Development Blueprint at end-2022; it states that the Government will further strengthen the breadth and depth of Mainland and international internship and exchange programmes with a view to enhancing young people’s understanding of the country and supporting their integration into the country’s overall development. Through the HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Exchange in the Mainland, the HYAB and the YDC provide funding for NGOs to organise youth exchange projects on the Mainland for Hong Kong young people to enhance their awareness and understanding of the country’s development, foster exchanges with Mainland people and strengthen their sense of national identity. The Pilot Scheme on Subsidy to Grassroots Youth for Participating in Exchange Activities Outside Hong Kong that launched earlier will also continue to provide additional subsidies to grassroots youth with financial needs to participate in exchange projects under the 2026-27 funding scheme.
 
The 2026-27 funding scheme accepts two rounds of applications. Details of the first round are available on the YDC website (www.ydc.gov.hk/en/programmes/ep/ep_fundingscheme.html). Interested NGOs should submit their applications via the e-application system on or before December 29. The second round of applications will be launched in mid-2026.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a joint operation codenamed “Flashspear 2025” with Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department on November 17. The operation successfully neutralised a cross-boundary bogus marriage syndicate. During the operation, officers from the Outside Investigation Section of the ImmD raided two residential units. Two Hong Kong residents – one man and one woman, aged 43 and 57 – were arrested. The arrested persons were believed to be the mastermind and core members of the cross-boundary bogus marriage syndicate. In addition, Mainland authorities arrested two syndicate members and eight Mainlanders who were suspected to have contracted bogus marriages in Guangdong.
 
     From 2023 to 2024, officers from the ImmD and Mainland authorities found that multiple suspected bogus marriage cases had a similar mode of operation. Following in-depth analysis and investigations, a cross-boundary bogus marriage syndicate headed by the arrested persons was identified. The syndicate used online trading platforms and instant messaging software to recruit and arrange bogus marriages between Hong Kong residents and non-local residents for profit. Furthermore, to attract more individuals to participate in bogus marriages, the syndicate incentivised those who were already involved by offering a “commission system”, so as to assist the syndicate in recruiting more people to participate in the bogus marriage activities. With each successful arrangement of a bogus marriage, the recruiter received a commission, thereby motivating them to enlist more individuals in these illegal activities.
 
     The ImmD believed that the syndicate had arranged for more than 60 bogus marriages between 2023 and 2024. The estimated transaction amount involved in the cases is over HK$7.5 million. During the operation, as of today, a total of 37 persons (18 men and 19 women, aged 20 to 65), including the two Hong Kong residents arrested during the operation today, were arrested. Thirty-two of them were Hong Kong residents, and five were non-local residents. The investigation is still ongoing, and more persons involved in the case may be arrested.
 
     The ImmD has been concerned about non-Hong Kong residents obtaining residency by means of contracting bogus marriages with Hong Kong residents. The ImmD will continue to spare no effort in combating bogus marriages and other related illicit activities. For people who have obtained their residency in Hong Kong by fraudulent means, their Hong Kong identity card and residency status will be invalidated according to the laws of Hong Kong. They will also be subject to removal back to their place of origin.
 
     An ImmD spokesman urged the public not to defy the law by participating in activities related to bogus marriages anywhere or making a false oath before Immigration Officers for the purpose of procuring a marriage in Hong Kong. Those directing others to contract a bogus marriage may also be guilty of the offence of conspiracy to defraud. The spokesman also urged the public to raise their alert when using online trading platforms and instant messaging software, and to avoid falling into the trap of bogus marriage syndicates.
 
     Under the laws of Hong Kong, it is an offence to make false representations to Immigration Officers. Offenders are liable to prosecution and to a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and the same penalties. Any person who, for the purpose of procuring a marriage or a certificate or license for marriage, knowingly and wilfully makes a false oath or makes or signs a false declaration shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to, upon conviction, imprisonment for seven years and a fine. Anyone who commits the offence of conspiracy to defraud is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Buildings Department approved nine building plans in September – four on Hong Kong Island and five in the New Territories.

Of the approved plans, three were for apartment and apartment-commercial developments, four were for commercial development, one was for a community services development, and one was for a factory and industrial development.

Consent was given for works to start on eight building projects which, when completed, will provide 11,985 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use involving 216 units, and 14,785 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use.

Additionally, the department has received notification of the commencement of superstructure works for three building projects.

It also issued 16 occupation permits – four on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon and eight in the New Territories.

The buildings certified for occupation comprise 51,721 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 1,004 units, and 100,005 sq m for non-domestic use.

Meanwhile, the department received 2,485 reports about unauthorised building works in September and issued 898 removal orders.

Source: Government of Singapore

Singapore, 17 November 2025 – Inter-monsoon conditions have been prevailing over Singapore since October 2025, with the low-level winds mostly light and variable in direction.  The Northeast Monsoon is expected to set in around end of November 2025 as the winds strengthen and blow increasingly from the northeast or northwest. The Northeast Monsoon season typically extends to March.

2          In the second fortnight of November 2025, thundery showers are expected over parts of the island in the afternoon on most days. The showers may extend into the evening on a few of these days. In addition, Sumatra squalls may bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds on a few mornings. The total rainfall for the second fortnight of November 2025 is forecast to be above average over most parts of the island.

3          The daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 32 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius on most days and may reach slightly above 34 degrees Celsius on a few days.

4          For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (1 – 16 NOVEMBER 2025)

5          Inter-monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the first half of November 2025, with the winds generally light and variable in direction.

6          Thundery showers occurred over parts of Singapore mainly in the afternoon on most days in the first half of the month. Sumatra squalls also brought widespread thundery showers and gusty winds over Singapore on a few days. On 16 November 2025, widespread moderate to heavy thundery showers fell over many parts of the island in the late morning and afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 101.8mm recorded around Pulau Semakau that day was the highest rainfall recorded for the first half of November 2025.

7          The first half of November 2025 was generally warm with daily maximum temperatures above 33 degrees Celsius on most days. The highest daily temperature of 36.0 degrees Celsius was recorded at Newton on 1 November 2025. This was the highest temperature ever recorded in November, exceeding the previous record of 35.8 degrees Celsius (recorded at Newton on 3 November 2023 and Admiralty on 18 November 2019) since temperature records started in 1929.

 8         Most parts of Singapore recorded below average rainfall in the first half of November 2025. The area around Jurong registered rainfall of 64 per cent below average, and the area around Changi registered rainfall of 49 per cent above average.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for November   (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
Average daily maximum temperature:	31.2	°C
Average daily minimum temperature:	24.6	°C
Average monthly temperature:	27.2	°C
Average rainfall:	252.3	mm
Average number of rain days:	19
Historical Extremes for November   (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	32.3	°C (2019)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	22.4	°C (1933)
Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	521.5	mm (1874)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	53.5	mm (1981)

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METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE

17 Nov 2025

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Source: Republic of China Taiwan

According to the statistics, 1,833 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a total amount of US$9,186,660,000 were approved from January to October 2025. This indicates a decrease of 1.50% in the number of cases, but an increase of 41.28% in FDI amount compared to the same period of 2024.

With regard to inward investment from Mainland China, 16 cases were approved with an amount of US$102,270,000 from January to October 2025. This indicates a decrease of 48% in the number of cases, but an increase of 461.09% in the FDI amount compared to the same period of 2024.

In terms of Taiwan’s outbound investment (excluding Mainland China), 688 projects were registered from January to October 2025 with a total amount of US$34,083,004,000, indicating an increase of 11.87%in the number of cases, but an decrease of 18.77% in the amount, as compared to the same period of 2024.

As for Taiwan’s outward investment to Mainland China, 190 applications have been approved from January to October 2025, indicating a decrease of 33.57% compared to the same period of 2024. The approved investment amount is US$984,217,000, 71.24% less than the same period in 2024.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Major Sports Events Committee today said it has awarded “M” Mark status to three sports events: bowling’s HKGX 2025 IBF World Championship; the Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open 2025; and the WTT Finals Hong Kong 2025, a table tennis event.

The HKGX 2025 IBF World Championships will be held from November 24 to December 5, the squash tournament will take place from December 1 to 7, while the table tennis event will be staged from December 10 to 14.

Committee Chairman Wilfred Ng highlighted that all three events promote local sports development and demonstrate Hong Kong’s strong capability in hosting international sporting events, further solidifying its status as an international sports events capital.