Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appeal for information on missing man in Western District (with photo)
He is about 1.7 metres tall, 80 kilograms in weight and of fat build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a dark-coloured jacket, a dark-coloured long-sleeved top, dark-coloured trousers and carrying a grey backpack.Issued at HKT 14:53
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Music Office’s Instrumental Music Training Scheme intermediate and advanced year-one courses start recruitment
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Music Office’s Instrumental Music Training Scheme intermediate and advanced year-one courses start recruitment
The IMTS provides training in a wide variety of Chinese, string and wind musical instruments including dizi, sheng, suona, liuqin, yangqin, pipa, zhongruan, zheng, sanxian, erhu, cello, double bass, percussion, violin, viola, harp, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto-saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba. Courses on musicianship and music theory are also included.
One-hour group lessons, conducted in Cantonese, will be held once a week at the Music Office’s five music centres in Wan Chai, Kwun Tong, Mong Kok, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan. Annual tuition fees of $4,554 for the intermediate level and $5,830 for the advanced level are payable in four instalments.
Interested persons who have attained the required music qualifications can visit the Music Office website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/mo/training/instrumentalmusictrainingscheme.html
For enquiries, please call the Music Office’s music centres at 2802 0657 (Wan Chai), 2796 2893 (Kwun Tong), 2399 2200 (Mong Kok), 2158 6462 (Sha Tin) and 2417 6429 (Tsuen Wan).
Issued at HKT 15:00
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PM calls upon citizens to reaffirm their commitment to Babasaheb Ambedkar’s ideals in building a Viksit Bharat
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 14 APR 2025 12:18PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today called upon citizens to reaffirm their commitment to Babasaheb Ambedkar’s ideals in building a Viksit Bharat. Responding to a post by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on X, Shri Modi said:
“Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh writes that Babasaheb was one of modern India’s greatest thinkers and institution-builders. He recalls Dr. Ambedkar’s role in establishing key institutions and calls upon citizens to reaffirm their commitment to his ideals in building a Viksit Bharat.”
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh writes that Babasaheb was one of modern India’s greatest thinkers and institution-builders. He recalls Dr. Ambedkar’s role in establishing key institutions and calls upon citizens to reaffirm their commitment to his ideals in building a Viksit… https://t.co/VpgWVchCcR
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 14, 2025
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MJPS/SR
(Release ID: 2121538) Visitor Counter : 105
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, says the Modi govt is rooting out drug networks ruthlessly
Source: Government of India
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, says the Modi govt is rooting out drug networks ruthlessly
In the ceaseless pursuit of building a drug-free Bharat, a monumental feat was achieved by seizing 300 kg of narcotics worth ₹1800 crore near the international maritime border
This operation, in the seas, is a shining example of the success of the Modi govt’s whole-of-the-government approach to rooting out the evil of narcotics
Home Minister applaud Gujarat Police ATS and Indian Coast Guard for the grand success
Posted On: 14 APR 2025 12:35PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, has said that the Modi government is rooting out drug networks ruthlessly.
In a post on ‘X’, Union Home Minister said, “In the ceaseless pursuit of building a drug-free Bharat, a monumental feat was achieved by seizing 300 kg of narcotics worth ₹1800 crore near the international maritime border. This operation, in the seas, is a shining example of the success of the Modi govt’s whole-of-the-government approach to rooting out the evil of narcotics. Applaud Gujarat Police ATS and Indian Coast Guard for the grand success”.
The Modi govt is rooting out drug networks ruthlessly.
In the ceaseless pursuit of building a drug-free Bharat, a monumental feat was achieved by seizing 300 kg of narcotics worth ₹1800 crore near the international maritime border. This operation, in the seas, is a shining…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 14, 2025
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RK/VV/PR/PS
(Release ID: 2121541) Visitor Counter : 10
Centre frames draft rules for Gas Meters under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011
Source: Government of India
Centre frames draft rules for Gas Meters under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011
Rules mandates gas meters to undergo testing, verification and stamping prior use in trade and commerce
Posted On: 14 APR 2025 12:40PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, has taken a significant step towards strengthening consumer protection, promoting fair trade practices and ensuring accurate measurement in gas usage by framing draft rules for Gas Meters under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011. These rules make it mandatory for all gas meters used for domestic, commercial, and industrial purposes, to undergo testing, verification and stamping prior to their use in trade and commerce. The re-verification of these gas meters is also prescribed under the rules to ensure their correctness when these are in use.
The primary objective of these new rules is to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability in the measurement of gas. Verified and stamped gas meters will prevent overcharging or under-measurement, reduce disputes and provide guaranteed protection to consumers against faulty or manipulated devices. Consumers stand to benefit directly through fair billing, improved energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs arising from standardized and compliant equipment.
In addition to consumer benefits, the rules provide a structured compliance framework for manufacturers and gas distribution companies, aligned with international best practices and OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) standards. This alignment strengthens India’s commitment to global standards, boosts credibility in international trade and encourages innovation and quality assurance within the domestic manufacturing ecosystem.
The Legal Metrology Division of the Department of Consumer Affairs, entrusted with ensuring the accuracy of all weighments and measurements has followed a thorough and inclusive consultative process to draft these rules. A technical committee consisting of representatives from the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM), Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs), industry experts and Voluntary Consumer Organizations (VCOs) was constituted to frame the draft. Simultaneously, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) was engaged to examine the draft and provide scientific and technical inputs.
Draft rules were widely circulated among stakeholders, including manufacturers, testing laboratories, City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies and State Legal Metrology Departments. Their feedback was carefully analysed and incorporated into the final draft, wherever required. Multiple rounds of stakeholder meetings and inter-departmental consultations were held to ensure every aspect was comprehensively addressed, balancing regulatory requirements with ease of implementation.
Following deliberations, the rules were finalized with a provision for a transitional period to allow industry and implementing authorities to prepare for compliance. This measured approach ensures a smooth implementation across the country without disrupting gas supply or burdening consumers or businesses.
This initiative underscores the Department’s commitment to modernizing India’s measurement ecosystem in line with global benchmarks, enhancing consumer confidence and promoting efficiency and integrity in the market. With these rules, India moves closer to a transparent and accountable system of gas measurement, aligned with its vision of consumer-centric governance and international standardization.
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Abhishek Dayal/Nihi Sharma
(Release ID: 2121543) Visitor Counter : 135
“Sci-Fi, Sci-Talk” to offer free screenings of two sci-fi films to explore relationship between technology and human (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Jointly organised by the Film Programmes Office, the Hong Kong Space Museum and the Hong Kong Science Museum of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, “Sci-Fi, Sci-Talk” will feature two popular sci-fi films, “Interstellar” (2014) and “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” (2001), which will be screened free of charge at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum at 2pm on April 20 and 21 respectively, leading audiences to reflect on the impact of technological advancements on human life.
Astrophysicist and Associate Professor of the Department of Science and Environmental Studies of the Education University of Hong Kong, Professor Chan Man-ho, and Research Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Principal Investigator of the CUHK Jockey Club AI for the Future Project, Professor Yam Yeung, have been invited as guest speakers for post-screening talks respectively to explore the scientific knowledge behind the films.
In “Interstellar”, the protagonist, Cooper, is pulled into a black hole while on a mission searching for habitable planets for humankind. He accidentally enters a five-dimensional space created by future humans, where he communicates with his daughter on Earth using gravity and helps her achieve a plan to save humanity. The film visually presents scientific concepts such as relativity, black holes and wormholes on the screen, allowing the audience to experience the wonder of science through the story.
In “A.I. Artificial Intelligence”, directed by Steven Spielberg, a robotic boy named David, endowed with genuine human emotions, is adopted by a human, Monica, as a replacement for her seriously ill son. Following her own son’s recovery and return home, David desperately searches for a way to become a real human in the hope of regaining Monica’s motherly love and care. The film profoundly explores the relationship between love, humanity and technology, making it a classic in the genre of sci-fi films featuring robots.
Both films are in English with Chinese subtitles.
Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. For programme enquiries, please call 2734 2900 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en/listing.html?id=74. “Sci-Fi, Sci-Talk” is one of the programmes of HK SciFest 2025 held by the Hong Kong Science Museum from April 18 to 27. For details about HK SciFest 2025, please visit the website at www.hk.science.museum/scifest2025/?lang=en.
CHP investigates case of invasive meningococcal infection
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CHP investigates case of invasive meningococcal infection
The case involved a 34-year-old male with good past health, who presented with fever, a headache and a petechial rash on April 8. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital on April 10 and was admitted for treatment on the same day. His blood sample tested positive for Neisseria meningitidis upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was meningococcaemia. The patient is now in a stable condition.
An initial investigation revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. His home contacts have remained asymptomatic so far. The CHP’s investigation is ongoing.
Meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium known as meningococcus. It is mainly transmitted by direct contact with respiratory secretions, including droplets from the nose and throat, of infected persons. The incubation period varies from two to 10 days and is usually three or four days. The clinical pictures among the infected may vary. Severe illness may result when the bacteria invade the bloodstream (meningococcaemia) or the membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord (meningococcal meningitis). Meningococcaemia is characterised by a sudden onset of fever, an intense headache, purpura, shock and even death in severe cases.
To prevent meningococcal infection, members of the public are advised to take the following measures:
The public may visit the CHP’s websiteIssued at HKT 16:30
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Analytical Accounts of Exchange Fund
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Analytical Accounts of Exchange Fund
Foreign assets, representing the external assets of the Exchange Fund, decreased during the month by HK$24.0 billion to HK$3,415.9 billion.
The Monetary Base, comprising Certificates of Indebtedness, Government-issued currency notes and coins in circulation, the balance of the banking system and Exchange Fund Bills and Notes issued, amounted to HK$1,977.1 billion.
Claims on the private sector in Hong Kong amounted to HK$342.3 billion.
Foreign liabilities amounted to HK$30.7 billion.
The analytical accounts of the Exchange Fund are released in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) and are referred to as the Analytical Accounts of the Central Bank under SDDS (Annex).
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At present, four press releases relating to the Exchange Fund’s data are issued by the HKMA each month. Three of these releases are issued to disseminate monetary data in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s SDDS. The fourth press release, on the Exchange Fund’s Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account, is made in accordance with the HKMA’s policy of maintaining a high level of transparency. For the month of April 2025, the scheduled dates for issuing the press releases are as follows:
| April 7 (Issued)(Hong Kong’s Latest Foreign Currency Reserve Assets Figures) (Analytical Accounts of the Exchange Fund) Foreign Currency Liquidity Currency Board Account Issued at HKT 16:30 NNNN Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders of Exchange Fund Bills to be held on April 22Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: Tenders to be held in the week beginning April 21, 2025:
Student Mental Health in Focus as National Efforts Intensify on Suicide Prevention and Well-beingSource: Government of India Student Mental Health in Focus as National Efforts Intensify on Suicide Prevention and Well-being
Posted On: 14 APR 2025 2:44PM by PIB Delhi The 2nd meeting of the National Task Force on the Mental Health Concerns of Students and the Prevention of Suicides in Higher Educational Institutions was held under the chairmanship of Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, former judge of the Supreme Court of India, in New Delhi today. Members of the Task Force; Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education; Shri Amit Yadav, Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment; Shri Anil Malik, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development; senior officials of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Law and Justice and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare attended the meeting. During the meeting, actions taken so far were reported and discussed in detail. Agenda points included developing a portal/website for data collection; reports and regulations/guidelines; dissemination of questionnaires; gathering support from different sectors; onboarding of officers from DoSEL and MoHFW; coordination with institutions and NIEPA, among others. The Supreme Court of India, in a judgment dated 24.03.2025, issued significant directions concerning the prevention of student suicides in higher education institutions. The judgment underscored the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address mental health concerns among students. The Supreme Court constituted a National Task Force under the chairmanship of Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, former judge of the Supreme Court of India, along with other experts from various domains as members, to discuss and deliberate on issues related to mental health concerns among students, the prevention of suicides in educational institutions, and to recommend preventive measures. The key areas of focus include: i. Identifying predominant causes leading to student suicides, such as academic pressure, discrimination, financial burdens, and the stigma surrounding mental health. ii. Analyzing the effectiveness of existing student welfare and mental health regulations/policies. iii. Proposing reforms to strengthen institutional frameworks and create a supportive academic environment. The composition of the National Task Force is as follows:
The following are the ex-officio members of the Task Force:
The Task Force has decided to form three working groups each looking after different tasks. Progress of working groups so far was discussed. This includes compiling and reviewing previous reports, examining existing laws and regulations, and developing a methodology for designing questionnaires. The first meeting of the Task Force was virtually held on 29.03.2025, in which the Chairperson outlined the agenda of the meeting highlighting the need for collection of data from various stakeholders which included teachers, academics, persons involved in social sector, policy makers, formulation of diverse set questionnaires for collection of data from various stakeholders, making available resources for the task force for effective discharge of its time bound functions, formation of working groups for division of works, dissemination and publicity of the questionnaires and activities to be taken up by the task force etc. ***** MV/AK MOE/DoHE/12 April 2025/7 (Release ID: 2121572) Visitor Counter : 60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||