NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI China: Mainland branches of HK, Macao banks to offer foreign currency bank card services

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Mainland branches of HK, Macao banks to offer foreign currency bank card services

    BEIJING, Feb. 20 — The National Financial Regulatory Administration on Thursday authorized mainland branches of Hong Kong and Macao banks to offer foreign currency bank card services.

    The bank branches are also permitted to provide RMB card services for clients other than citizens of the mainland.

    These policies will take effect on March 1.

    The move aims to promote high-standard opening-up, boost financial support for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, deepen financial cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao, and improve the quality and efficiency of financial services provided by the mainland branches of Hong Kong and Macao banks.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RBI to conduct 45-day Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction under LAF on February 21, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    On a review of current and evolving liquidity conditions, it has been decided to conduct a Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction on February 21, 2025, Friday, as under:

    2. Standalone Primary Dealers will be allowed to participate in this auction, along with other eligible participants.

    Sl. No. Notified Amount
    (₹ crore)    		 Tenor (day) Window Timing Date of Reversal
    1 75,000 45 12:00 Noon to 12:30 PM April 07, 2025
    (Monday)

    3. The operational guidelines for the auction will be same as given in Reserve Bank’s Press Release 2021-2022/1572 dated January 20, 2022.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2209

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Remarks by SCST at media session (with video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Remarks by SCST at media session (with video)
    Remarks by SCST at media session (with video)
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         Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at a media session about the Kai Tak Sports Park grand opening ceremony and arrangements for purchasing tickets to the ceremony today (February 20): Reporter: Would the Government do real-name registration to counter ticket scalping? For people from overseas, how could they tune in to the ceremony? Will there be live signal on Youtube, or any other kind of platforms? Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism: For overseas viewers, they can also view through the apps or through the channels of our different free TV channels, through their apps, through the arrangements. They can watch it together with Hong Kong audience at 9.30pm at home in their countries or in their areas. There is no problem.      For scalping, first of all, we are selling the tickets through URBTIX. We have, of course, a series of different arrangements to ensure that fair arrangements for ticketing will be introduced and implemented. Secondly, it is also important to remind everybody that scalping is actually illegal in respect of shows staged in Kai Tak Sports Park. I invite and I urge all viewers and supporters of the event to get their tickets through the normal channel, through the proper official channel. And if you fail to do so, it doesn’t really matter because we have arranged free TV broadcast that particular night at 9.30pm, so there is no need really for any scalping, or to support these ticketing arrangements. Reporter: What considerations have been made regarding the Government’s deficit for the budget of the ceremony? Second question is, in terms of tickets, where would the proceeds go to? Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism: Without excluding costs, all the proceeds will go to the Community Chest of Hong Kong for charitable use. For the budget, of course, given the size of the Main Stadium of Kai Tak Sports Park and given also the involvement of quite a number of crews, staff members, given the involvement of a series of different settings, and also multi-visual and multimedia channels, we of course have included or reserved sufficient production budget for the event.           But we will also be very mindful of ensuring that we will do it very, very efficiently and effectively. And I have to give special thanks to all the participating artists, actors and performers. Most of them actually do not require us to provide special remuneration aside from the minimum (cost), for example, the make-up or hair-do, the minimum for the performance. We are really, truly grateful for their participation, for their support and for their generosity.           Let me assure everybody that we will be very, very careful to make sure that the opening ceremony would be staged with a reasonable budget. The cost is capped to a minimum, but still (the event is) spectacular and enjoyable.  (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

     
    Ends/Thursday, February 20, 2025Issued at HKT 19:55

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government posts notices of land resumption and acquisition for Second Phase Development of Yuen Long South New Development Area

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Government posts notices of land resumption and acquisition for Second Phase Development of Yuen Long South New Development Area
    Government posts notices of land resumption and acquisition for Second Phase Development of Yuen Long South New Development Area
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         The Lands Department (LandsD) today (February 20) posted resumption notices and acquisition notices in accordance with relevant ordinances to resume about 56 hectares of private land and acquire about 14.54 square metres of government land being occupied by two graves and four urns for the implementation of the Second Phase Development of the Yuen Long South New Development Area (YLS NDA).      Section 4 of the Lands Resumption Ordinance (Chapter 124), section 4 of the Land Acquisition (Possessory Title) Ordinance (Chapter 130), section 14 of the Roads (Works, Use and Compensation) Ordinance (Chapter 370) and section 14 of Chapter 370 as applied by section 26 of the Water Pollution Control (Sewerage) Regulation (Chapter 358, Subsidiary Legislation AL) will be invoked.      The about 56 hectares of land to be resumed involves a total of 1 231 private lots. The land will revert to the Government three months from the date of the notices (i.e. May 21, 2025). The Government will release ex-gratia land compensation to the relevant land owners after the land reverts to the Government.      The abovementioned land reversion date is the date of reversion of the ownership of the land in the Government. It is not the departure deadline for the affected households and business undertakings. According to the information obtained earlier from the freezing survey, there are a total of about 200 households and about 80 business undertakings within the development boundary of the Second Phase Development of the YLS NDA. According to the project programme, they are scheduled to depart in batches from the third quarter of 2025 to the third quarter of 2026. The LandsD sent letters to the affected households and business undertakings in June 2023 informing them of the expected departure dates and the compensation and rehousing arrangements for their early preparation. The LandsD and its appointed Community Liaison Service Team will maintain communication with the affected households and business undertakings, and provide updated information in a timely manner. The LandsD will post notices in relevant areas about three months before the departure deadlines of the affected households and business undertakings.      The Government is handling the compensation and rehousing matters of the affected land owners, households and business undertakings at full steam, and will endeavour to arrange rehousing for or release compensation to all eligible persons before the works commence.      The YLS NDA is a southern extension of Yuen Long New Town. According to the revised Recommended Outline Development Plan released in 2020, the YLS NDA will provide about 32 900 housing units accommodating a new population of about 98 700. About 13 700 employment opportunities will also be created.

     
    Ends/Thursday, February 20, 2025Issued at HKT 19:37

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TRIFED enters into MOUs with Reliance Retail, HCL Foundation, and Torajamelo Indonesia for entrepreneurship development of tribals

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 5:02PM by PIB Delhi

    TRIFED has been taking various visionary steps towards tribal empowerment and to bring the tribal population towards mainstream empowerment. One such initiative in this direction is partnerships of TRIFED with Reliance Retail, HCL Foundation, and Torajamelo Indonesia to facilitate tribal businesses for elevating lakhs of tribals from the rural India to a mainstream National level.

    Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed on 19th February during the ongoing flagship event ‘Aadi Mahotsav,’ held at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the National Capital from 16 to 24 February 2025, marking a pivotal step in ensuring the implementation of the B2B approach and augmentation of the tribal product market.

    These MoUs were exchanged by General Managers of TRIFED with Mr. Pradeep Ramachandran, Senior Vice President of Reliance Retail, Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, Global CSR Head of HCL Foundation and Ms Aparna Saxena Bhatnagar, CEO of Torajamelo, Indonesia respectively in the presence of Shri Ashish Chatterjee, Managing Director, TRIFED on various aspects leading to the socio-economic development of tribal communities across the country.

    The principal objective of the MoU with Reliance Retail is to supply tribal products in bulk to Reliance Retail; this collaboration will also help to provide sustainable sourcing initiatives, branding, and promotions of tribal products.

     

    The HCL Foundation will assist in establishing long-term collaborations with tribal artisans to provide capacity building and new training to enhance the product portfolio and promotion of existing products through their various platforms.

    The collaboration with Torajamelo will assist in expanding international marketing and sales channels for Indian tribal products in Indonesia. This will not only open up new markets for Indian tribal artisans but also foster a unique cultural exchange between artisans.

    TRIFED has been organizing “Aadi Mahotsav – National Tribal Festival” to provide direct market access to the tribal master craftsmen and women in large metros and State capitals. The theme of the festival is “A Celebration of the Spirit of Entrepreneurship, Tribal Craft, Culture, Cuisine, and Commerce,” which represents the basic ethos of tribal life.

    Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Hon’ble President of India, has inaugurated the festival in the August presence of Shri Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durga Das Uikey, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Ms. Bansuri Swaraj, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, New Delhi and other dignitaries on 16th February 2025.

    With this and several other ventures, TRIFED continues further with its efforts to enable the economic welfare of these communities and bring them closer to mainstream development.

    About TRIFED:

    * TRIFED is an organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, dedicated to the socio-economic development of tribal communities through the marketing development of tribal products.

    About Reliance Retail:

    *Reliance Retail is an Indian retail company and a subsidiary of Reliance Industries. Founded in 2006, it is the largest retailer in India regarding revenue. Its retail outlets offer foods, groceries, apparel, footwear, toys, home improvement products, electronic goods, and farm implements and inputs. As of 2023, it has over 245,000 employees at 18,000 store locations in 7,000 towns

    About HCL Foundation:

    *HCL Foundation (HCLF) was established in 2011 as the corporate social responsibility arm of HCL Tech in India. It is a value-driven, not-for-profit organization that thrives in contributing toward national and international development goals, impacting the lives of people and communities through long-term sustainable programs.

    About Torajamelo:

    *TORAJAMELO aims to alleviate poverty by creating a sustainable eco-system focused on women in indigenous rural communities. TORAJAMELO is an ethical fashion lifestyle brand that showcases Indonesia’s stories to the world while catering to both B2B and B2C customers. AHANA by TORAJAMELO was established in 2023 as a movement dedicated to driving the widespread adoption of responsible consumption, enabled by locally curated sustainable brands and products.

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    Pawan Singh Faujdar/Divyanshu Kumar

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister greets the people of Arunachal Pradesh on their Statehood Day

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 4:33PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has extended his greetings to the people of Arunachal Pradesh on their Statehood Day. Shri Modi also said that Arunachal Pradesh is known for its rich traditions and deep connection to nature. Shri Modi also wished that Arunachal Pradesh may continue to flourish, and may its journey of progress and harmony continue to soar in the years to come.

    The Prime Minister posted on X;

    “Greetings to the people of Arunachal Pradesh on their Statehood Day! This state is known for its rich traditions and deep connection to nature. The hardworking and dynamic people of Arunachal Pradesh continue to contribute immensely to India’s growth, while their vibrant tribal heritage and breathtaking biodiversity make the state truly special. May Arunachal Pradesh continue to flourish, and may its journey of progress and harmony continue to soar in the years to come.”

     

     

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    MJPS/ST

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Common biomarker for range of Cancers offers potential non-invasive method for early cancer diagnosis

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 4:30PM by PIB Delhi

    Researchers have identified some common metabolites across cancer types like pancreatic and glioma cancer that develops in the glial cells of the brain and spinal cord, suggesting their potential as universal cancer biomarkers. This offers a potential non-invasive method for early cancer diagnosis as well as therapeutic strategies for cancer.  

    Aggressive cancers like pancreatic and glioma cancers often diagnosed late and having poor prognoses. Hence there is an urgent need for non-invasive, reliable cancer biomarkers to address significant gaps in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, particularly for aggressive cancers like pancreatic and glioma, which lack early detection methods. Nano messengers (Exosomes), as carriers of tumour-derived metabolites, provide a unique opportunity to explore the tumour microenvironment (TME).

    A team of scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), including Ms. Nandini Bajaj and Dr. Deepika Sharma, have identified metabolites in exosomes derived from pancreatic cancer, lung cancer and glioma cancer cell line, offering potential universal biomarkers resulting in enhanced clinical applicability. Additionally, insights into metabolic interactions within the tumour microenvironment (TME) provide a foundation for targeted therapies.

    The researchers utilized a multi-technique approach combining Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), Electron Microscopy (EM), Western Blot (WB), Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), untargeted Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), providing a comprehensive characterization of exosomes, surpassing conventional single-method studies. The study advances cancer diagnostics, personalized medicine, and our understanding of cancer progression mechanisms.

    These metabolites identified highlight dysregulated pathways in the tumour microenvironment (TME), also gives insights on how the cancer progresses and enables non-invasive and precise cancer detection and therapeutic targeting.

    The research published in the journal Nanoscale can lead to targeted therapies that disrupt dysregulated metabolic pathways in tumours, enhancing treatment efficacy and potentially reducing side effects. This advancement could significantly improve patient outcomes, especially through personalized, precision medicine approaches.

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    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2104995) Visitor Counter : 56

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government to Establish ‘Ambedkar Chair’ and Student Facilities at Mumbai University: Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar at ‘Samvidhan Amrit Mahotsav’

    Source: Government of India

    Government to Establish ‘Ambedkar Chair’ and Student Facilities at Mumbai University: Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar at ‘Samvidhan Amrit Mahotsav’

    Rights Must Be Balanced with Duties: Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar

    Mumbai University Has Shaped India’s Legal and Social Landscape: Secretary, Ministery for Social Justice & Empowerment, Amit Yadav

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 4:13PM by PIB Mumbai

    Mumbai, 20th February 2025

    Marking the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution, Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, addressed a gathering at the ‘Samvidhan Amrit Mahotsav’ in the University of Mumbai, today. In his keynote address, Dr. Kumar emphasized the government’s commitment to furthering the ideals of social justice, equality, and empowerment inspired by Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Constitution.

    Dr. Kumar highlighted several initiatives designed to uplift the underprivileged and further Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of inclusive growth and equality. “The government will establish an ‘Ambedkar Chair’ at the University of Mumbai, similar to those in other universities, to promote research on Dr. Ambedkar’s contributions and his vision for the nation,” he stated. He further announced plans to set up two new hostels at the university to support students. Additionally, as part of the government’s initiative to assist students from marginalised communities preparing for competitive exams, a dedicated coaching center will be established at Mumbai University, following the successful implementation of similar centers in other institutions.

    In his address, Dr. Kumar also appealed to the youth of India as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, urging them to lead the way in combating substance abuse and to protect not only themselves but also their communities.

    Reflecting on Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s profound connection to the University of Mumbai, where he completed his education, Dr. Kumar said, “Dr. Ambedkar’s journey from a student in this very institution to becoming the architect of our Constitution is a testament to his determination and vision for India. His work did not just provide a legal framework but envisioned a social and economic democracy that is still the guiding force behind the government’s policies.”

    The Minister noted how the Constitution not only guarantees fundamental rights but also emphasizes responsibilities. “We must recognise that while we focus on our rights, we must equally embrace our duties towards the society. This balance is essential for the true realisation of the democracy Dr. Ambedkar dreamed of,” he stated. The Union Minister concluded by reiterating Dr. Ambedkar’s belief that “political democracy is incomplete without social and economic democracy,” and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling these ideals.

    Secretary, M/o Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Amit Yadav, in his remarks, stated, “This event is a reminder of the powerful role Mumbai University has played in India’s legal and social evolution. One of the finest leaders this university produced was Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, who not only earned his degree here but also taught, leaving behind a legacy of change.”

    Minister for Higher Education, Govt. of Maharashtra, Shri Chandrakant Patil, Vice-Chancellor, University of Mumbai, Prof. Ravindra Kulkarni, Director, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Anil Kumar Patil were also present during the event. The event was attended by students and faculty of the University of Mumbai.

     

    DL/PM

    Follow us on social media:  @PIBMumbai     /PIBMumbai     /pibmumbai   pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister extends greetings to the people of Mizoram on their Statehood Day

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 4:03PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has extended warm greetings to the people of Mizoram on their Statehood Day. Shri Modi said that the Mizo culture reflects a beautiful mix of heritage and harmony. He has also wished that Mizoram may continue to prosper, and may its journey of peace, development and progress reach even greater heights in the years to come.

    In a X post, the Prime Minister said;

    “Warm greetings to the people of Mizoram on their Statehood Day! This vibrant state is known for its breathtaking landscapes, deep-rooted traditions and the remarkable warmth of its people. The Mizo culture reflects a beautiful mix of heritage and harmony. May Mizoram continue to prosper, and may its journey of peace, development and progress reach even greater heights in the years to come.”

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: AI Avatar Creator

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 4:17PM by PIB Delhi

    Transform Imagination into Reality

     

    AI Avatars are transforming the digital landscape, offering personalized, interactive, AI-powered digital personas that engage like human influencers across virtual spaces. As this technology evolves, AI avatars are becoming powerful tools in marketing, content creation and entertainment. The AI Avatar Creator Challenge organized by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Avtr Meta Labs, invites innovators to explore the endless possibilities of AI avatars. A total of 1,251 participants have registered so far, including 102 international entrants.

     This challenge is part of the Create in India Challenge Season 1 and falls under WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit) Pillar 2, which is dedicated to AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and cutting-edge technologies such as Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and the Metaverse). This event will be held from May 1-4, 2025, at the Jio World Convention Centre and Jio World Gardens in Mumbai.

    WAVES is a pioneering platform aimed at advancing India’s Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry to new levels of success. WAVES focuses on four key pillars: Broadcasting & Infotainment, AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality), Digital Media & Innovation and Films. The AI Avatar Creator Challenge aligns with the AVGC-XR pillar embracing cutting-edge technologies like Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and the Metaverse.

    Guidelines

     Before diving into the AI Avatar Creator Challenge take a look at these key details:

    • Participants to be minimum 18 years old and provide a valid ID for age verification.
    • The competition is open to creators worldwide, and you can submit multiple AI avatars as long as each entry is fully AI-generated with unique names and profiles.
    • By participating, you confirm that your AI avatar is an original creation and does not infringe on the rights of other real-life or AI models. Any submissions that copy the work or identity of others without consent will result in disqualification.

    Registration Process

    Participants must register for the contest exclusively through the Avtr Meta Labs website. Click the “Register Interest” button on the site and fill in your details, including your name, contact information, the concept and purpose of your AI Avatar and your location. Be sure to review all the important terms and conditions before applying. The submission deadline for the challenge is 28th February, 2025.

    Evaluation Criteria

    An expert panel will evaluate the AI Avatar Creator Challenge, assessing each entry based on key criteria. Judging will focus on the three core areas: Finesse, Technology, and Purpose.

    A points-based system will score each creator across the three categories, with each entrant given an overall score.

    Prize

    The submissions will be narrowed down to the final Top 10. The top 3 contestants will be invited to present their work at the WAVES 2025 summit, where they can showcase their projects to industry experts. The winner will receive a cash prize of INR 100,000, and all Top 10 entries will receive a certificate of participation from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

    By being named a winner or runner-up, the participant agrees to grant permission to use their AI Avatar’s imagery and associated social media channels in marketing materials, including Press/PR, paid advertising, social media, and online platforms, indefinitely.

    References:

    Kindly find the pdf file 

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    Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Kamna Lakaria

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: STL visits Guangzhou to meet relevant Guangdong Province authorities (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, visited Guangzhou today (February 20) and met with local government officials to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.

         Upon arrival, Ms Chan met with the Director of the Department of Transport of Guangdong Province, Mr Lin Feiming, and Deputy Director of the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department Mr Guo Xiangyang respectively, as well as representatives from the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission. They exchanged views on various matters, including the operation of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and promoting and driving the flow of people and goods between Hong Kong and Guangdong. She also visited local transportation facilities to learn about their operations.

         Ms Chan said, “Hong Kong has always been maintaining close ties with Guangdong Province, and strives to pursue innovation in cross-boundary transport policies and promote the development of a ‘one-hour living circle’ in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles (the scheme) launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in July 2023 has been well received by its citizens. As at mid-February this year, around 80 000 Hong Kong private cars have obtained valid permits for travelling to Guangdong, which means one in every six eligible private cars has joined the scheme.”

         Ms Chan expressed her gratitude for the ongoing and strong support from various units of Guangdong Province to the continuous enhancements of the scheme, providing citizens with a better and more convenient travel experience. The HKSAR Government will continue to explore with different units of the Mainland the implementation arrangements for allowing Guangdong private cars to travel to Hong Kong. The details are expected to be announced in due course.

         Ms Chan concluded her duty visit and returned to Hong Kong tonight.            

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu launches Digital License for Pilots

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu launches Digital License for Pilots

    India becomes Second Country to Launch Electronic Personnel License (EPL) in Civil Aviation

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 3:57PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Sh. Ram Mohan Naidu today launched the Electronic Personnel License (EPL) for Pilots, a ground-breaking initiative set to modernize and enhance the safety, security and efficiency of India’s civil aviation sector. With this advancement, India becomes the second country globally to implement this advanced system, following approval from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

    The EPL is a digital version of a personnel license that will replace traditional physical licenses for pilots. It will be securely accessible via the eGCA Mobile Application, ensuring a seamless and transparent process in alignment with the Government of India’s “Ease of Doing Business” and “Digital India” initiatives.

    The introduction of EPL follows ICAO’s Amendment 178 to Annex 1 – Personnel Licensing, which encourages Member States to adopt electronic licenses for improved security and efficiency. While major global aviation leaders, are still in the process of implementing similar systems, India has successfully taken the lead in digital aviation solutions.

    The Union Minister remarked, “With the unprecedented growth of India’s aviation sector, we will need approximately 20,000 pilots in the near future. Pilots are the backbone of civil aviation, and with eGCA and EPL, we are leveraging innovative, tech-driven solutions to enhance their comfort and employability globally, while providing real-time access to their credentials to support security operations.”

    Prior to this implementation, DGCA was issuing licenses to the Pilots in the smart card format and had issued 62000 card licenses till date. The total licenses issued in the year 2024 requiring printed cards stand at approximately 20,000 which is average of 1,667 cards per month. With the launch of EPL, the need for printed cards will be reduced in a phased manner, significantly streamlining the licensing process. Additionally, this shift will have a positive impact on environmental sustainability by reducing paper and plastic usage.

    The Minister, also highlighted other transformative initiatives for reshaping Indian aviation through digital innovation and making operations more efficient. Key advancements include the eGCA platform for streamlined licensing, the Digital Sky Platform for drones, and the Electronic Flight Folder (EFF) for airline operations.

    The introduction of the Electronic Personnel License (EPL) for pilots represents a significant milestone in establishing a globally recognized regulatory framework. It strengthens India’s position as a global leader in aviation innovation and ensuring a more robust and tamper-proof licensing system.

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    Pawan Singh Faujdar/Divyanshu Kumar

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CityQuest: Shades of Bharat

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 3:23PM by PIB Delhi

    A Card Game That Brings India’s Urban Development to Life

    Introduction

    WAVES City Quest: Shades of Bharat is an innovative educational game that brings India’s urban development to life through a fun and engaging experience. Designed to align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for urban planning, the game educates players on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by NITI Aayog.

    Developed by the E-Gaming Federation (EGF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, this card-based game allows players to compare 56 cities across India based on key development indicators such as cleanliness, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. By competing to score points based on a city’s strengths, participants gain insights into urban challenges and progress while reliving the nostalgia of childhood trump card games. As of 15th February 2025, an impressive 1,920 participants have registered for CityQuest.

    City Quest: Shades of Bharat is a key component of the Create in India Challenges, a flagship initiative under World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES). Taking place from 1-4 May 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre & Jio World Gardens, Mumbai, WAVES is a landmark platform designed to propel India’s Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry to greater heights. WAVES is Built on four key pillars i.e. Broadcasting & Infotainment, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR), Digital Media & Innovation, and Films. This challenge falls under Pillar 2: AVGC-XR, which delves into immersive storytelling and interactive experiences. By blending technology with creativity, this pillar showcases gaming, animation, and extended reality advancements, offering industry leaders and stakeholders new frontiers to explore.

    With over 73,000 registrations, the Create in India Challenges have catalysed creativity and innovation, engaging aspiring and professional creators from diverse backgrounds.

    Eligibility and Participation Timeline

    How to Play: Rules of CityQuest

     

    • Player vs. Vishwakarma (AI): The player and Vishwakarma (AI) each receive a deck of 11 randomly shuffled cards from a total of 56 city cards.
    • Deal: At the start of the game, both players are dealt 11 face-down city cards.
    • Reveal: In each round, both the player and the AI reveal the top city card from their respective decks. The player who won the previous round chooses the comparison parameter first.
    • Compare: Each card features six parameters, such as Cleanliness, Population, and Education. The player selects a parameter to compare against the AI’s card.
    • Scoring: Earn +1 point for winning a hand, +0.5 points for a tie, and an additional +0.5 points for consecutive wins.
    • Winning the Game: After 11 rounds, the player with the highest total score is declared the winner.

     

    Prize Categories

    Leaderboard Overview

    Once the game concludes, scores are updated on a dynamic leaderboard. There are three types of leaderboards:

    References:

    Click here to see PDF.

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    Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Saurabh Kalia

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Defence signs ₹697.35 Cr contracts with ACE Ltd & JCB India Ltd for procurement of 1868 Rough Terrain Fork Lift Truck for Armed Forces

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 2:54PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Defence has signed contracts with M/s ACE Limited and M/s JCB India Limited in presence of Defence Secretary Shri R K Singh for procurement of quantity 1868 Rough Terrain Fork Lift Truck (RTFLT) at a total cost of ₹697.35 crore for Indian Army, Indian Airforce and Indian Navy.

    Rough Terrain Fork Lift Truck (RTFLT) is a critical equipment which will assist in various combat and logistics support tasks by avoiding manual handling of enormous number of stores and thus enhancing the operational effectiveness of Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

    The present case being a Buy (Indian) case will enhance national defence equipment manufacturing capabilities. This project has immense potential of direct and indirect employment generation by encouraging MSME sector through component’s manufacturing. The procurement marks a pivotal step towards modernising India’s defence infrastructure and empowering indigenous industries, which will be a proud flag-bearer of ‘Aatmnirbhar Bharat’.

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    SR/Anand

    (Release ID: 2104951) Visitor Counter : 102

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Import of poultry meat and products from Oost-Vlaanderen Province in Belgium suspended

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Import of poultry meat and products from Oost-Vlaanderen Province in Belgium suspended
    Import of poultry meat and products from Oost-Vlaanderen Province in Belgium suspended
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         ​The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 20) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Oost-Vlaanderen Province in Belgium, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, no poultry meat and eggs were imported into Hong Kong from Belgium last year.     “The CFS has contacted the Belgian authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

     
    Ends/Thursday, February 20, 2025Issued at HKT 17:25

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Arrangements for purchasing tickets to KTSP Grand Opening Ceremony announced

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) Grand Opening Ceremony will be held at Kai Tak Stadium at 6.30pm on March 1.
          
         The Government has arranged 8 500 tickets of the Grand Opening Ceremony for sale on a first-come, first-served basis at URBTIX from 10am tomorrow (February 21). Each ticket will incur a nominal fee of $10 (handling charge included), and a maximum of two tickets can be purchased at a time. All ticket proceeds, without deducting the handling charge, will be donated to the Community Chest of Hong Kong for charity purposes.
          
         Those who successfully purchase tickets for the Grand Opening Ceremony must bring the e-voucher and identity documents to redeem physical tickets at Kai Tak Arena in KTSP on either next Thursday (February 27), Friday (February 28), or the event day next Saturday (March 1).
          
         The Government appeals to those who successfully purchase tickets to make time for redeeming them next Thursday and Friday. Audience members who redeem tickets on the day of the Grand Opening Ceremony (March 1) are advised to allow sufficient time for the ticket redemption procedures to ensure timely admission to the event.
          
         Please visit www.urbtix.hk/event-detail/13042/ for ticketing details.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices by travel agency

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices by travel agency
    Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices by travel agency
    *****************************************************************

         Hong Kong Customs today (February 20) arrested a male director and a female staff member of a travel agency who were suspected of having applied a false trade description in the course of providing air ticket pre-order services, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).     Customs earlier received information from members of the public that, after ordering air tickets through a travel agency, they were informed that the tickets could not be provided. A female staff member advised them to purchase the air tickets themselves, assuring them that the agency would cover the costs. However, the complainants failed to retrieve the costs, and the total amount involved was approximately $250,000.     After an investigation, Customs officers conducted an enforcement operation and arrested a 75-year-old male director and a 62-year-old female staff member of the company.      The investigation is ongoing, and the two arrested persons were held for questioning.     Customs reminded traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to purchase services from reputable shops.      Under the TDO, any trader who applies a false trade description to a service supplied or offered to be supplied to a consumer commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO 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).

     
    Ends/Thursday, February 20, 2025Issued at HKT 17:05

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of two persons and injuries to two others while cleaning a septic tank in Nandigram Block of Vekutia village in Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal

    Source: Government of India

    NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of two persons and injuries to two others while cleaning a septic tank in Nandigram Block of Vekutia village in Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal

    Issues notices to the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, Purba Medinipur calling for a detailed report within two weeks

    The report is expected to include the status of the investigation as well as compensation, if any paid to the next of kin of the deceased persons

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 2:36PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of the media report that two persons died and two others of the same family got injured after inhaling toxic gas while cleaning a septic tank in Nandigram Block of Vekutia village in Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal.

    The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of the human rights of the victims. Therefore, it has issued notices to the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal calling for a detailed report within two weeks.

    The report is expected to include the status of the investigation of the cases as well as compensation, if any paid to the next of kin of the deceased persons.

    According to the media report, carried on 16th February, 2025, the person who first entered the septic tank to clean it cried for help after inhaling poisonous gas. Hearing his cries, three of his family members rushed to rescue him but they also inhaled the toxic gas and lost consciousness. All four were rushed to the hospital but only two of them survived.

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    NSK

    (Release ID: 2104941) Visitor Counter : 40

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE meets President of Xinhua News Agency (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CE meets President of Xinhua News Agency (with photo)
    CE meets President of Xinhua News Agency (with photo)
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         The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the President of the Xinhua News Agency, Mr Fu Hua, at Government House today (February 20) to exchange views on enhancing co-operation between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and the Xinhua News Agency. Also attending the meeting were the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip, and the Director of Information Services, Mrs Apollonia Liu.           Mr Lee welcomed Mr Fu and his delegation to Hong Kong. Mr Lee said that the Xinhua News Agency, the country’s national news agency, is an influential world-class media organisation with a global network for news and information collection. He expressed gratitude to the Xinhua News Agency for its comprehensive coverage of Hong Kong news over the years, including major policies and measures of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and for disseminating the latest and most accurate information about Hong Kong to the world promptly and professionally, enabling overseas companies, investors, talent, and tourists to understand the actual developments in Hong Kong and to accurately recognise the city’s real and positive image.           Noting that a series of major events will be held in Hong Kong this year, Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, reinforce the city’s connectivity with both the Mainland and the world, and actively explore new economic growth points. The Hong Kong SAR Government will also continue to work with the Xinhua News Agency to tell the good stories of China and Hong Kong and enhance co-operation in publicity.      

     
    Ends/Thursday, February 20, 2025Issued at HKT 17:00

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launches new incubation facility at Salt Lake, Kolkata to promote entrepreneurship and IT exports from West Bengal

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launches new incubation facility at Salt Lake, Kolkata to promote entrepreneurship and IT exports from West Bengal

    STPI has played a key role in creating a robust tech ecosystem by offering state-of-the-art infrastructure and incubation support for budding entrepreneurs: Shri. Jatin Prasada

    From Few to 67: STPI’s rapid growth powers India’s tech revolution

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 2:09PM by PIB Delhi

    The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art incubation facility at Salt Lake, Kolkata. The facility was inaugurated by Shri Jitin Prasada, Hon’ble Minister of State for Commerce & Industry and Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. This initiative aims to foster innovation-led entrepreneurship, boost IT exports, and strengthen the IT/ITeS/ESDM industry in West Bengal.

    Speaking on the occasion, Shri. Jitin Prasada, said, “India is on a transformative journey to become the global hub of technology and innovation. The inauguration of the new STPI incubation facility in Kolkata is a testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering innovation, nurturing startups and promoting inclusive growth across regions. STPI has been instrumental in creating a robust tech ecosystem by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, incubation support, and a platform for budding entrepreneurs to thrive. As we stride forward in the era of Artificial Intelligence and data-driven innovation, India is focused on developing its own AI models and GPUs, ensuring equitable access for researchers, students and startups. With vast data resources and the government’s commitment to expanding technology access beyond metropolitan cities, we are bridging the digital divide and unlocking opportunities in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Together, let us build a future where India leads the world in technology and empowers every citizen in the journey towards a digitally advanced nation.”

     

    Shri Arvind Kumar, Director General, STPI, emphasized the significance of the newly inaugurated facility, stating, “This incubation center will provide world-class infrastructure, mentorship, and market access for startups, enabling them to drive innovation in frontier technologies such as AI, IoT, Blockchain, and FinTech. With Kolkata’s rich intellectual and creative legacy, the city has immense potential to become a hub for emerging technologies. The Indian government is taking decisive steps to strengthen AI capabilities and enhance computing infrastructure to position India as a leader in the global technology landscape.”

    As part of its larger mission, STPI operates 67 centers across India, with 59 located in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, ensuring inclusive growth and fostering entrepreneurship beyond metro hubs. The organization has also established 24 domain-specific Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs) focused on HealthTech, MedTech, Blockchain, IoT, and Agritech, among others. Unlike traditional centers of excellence, these CoEs prioritize entrepreneurship and industry collaboration, helping startups scale their innovations for global markets. STPI is committed to providing 360-degree support—including mentorship, infrastructure, market access and global networking opportunities”.

    Key Highlights of the STPI Incubation Facility in Kolkata

    • Expansive Infrastructure: Spanning 200,000 sq. ft., the facility offers plug-and-play office spaces and 75,000 sq. ft. of raw incubation space.
    • Cutting-Edge Technology: Equipped with high-speed data communication and state-of-the-art facilities to support IT/ITeS startups and SMEs.
    • Incubation & Mentorship: Startups will receive comprehensive support, including mentorship, industry collaboration, and global networking opportunities.
    • Employment Generation: The initiative is expected to create substantial direct and indirect employment opportunities in the region.

    STPI’s Role in Strengthening India’s IT Sector

    Since its inception in 1991, STPI has played a pivotal role in supporting India’s IT/ITeS industry by providing single-window services, high-speed data communication infrastructure, and incubation facilities for startups and young entrepreneurs. With a strong commitment to fostering India’s startup ecosystem, STPI has established 67 centers across the country, including those in Kolkata, Kharagpur, Siliguri, Haldia, and Durgapur.

    In addition, STPI has launched 24 domain-specific Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs) focusing on HealthTech, MedTech, Blockchain, IoT, and Agritech, among others. Through its Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS) and other startup initiatives, STPI has already supported over 1,300 startups, providing them with end-to-end assistance, including mentorship, industry collaboration, and global market access.

    Advancing the Digital India Vision

    Starting with few centres, STPI has grown all over the country with 67 centres including Kolkata, Kharagpur, Siliguri, Haldia, and Durgapur in West Bengal. The inauguration of this new incubation facility in Kolkata is a significant step in advancing the Digital India vision and aligns with the government’s mission of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusive technological growth across the country.

    The inauguration event was attended by esteemed dignitaries from the IT industry

    Shri Manjit Nayak, Director, STPI Kolkata, along with other dignitaries from IT industries such as Shri. Manojit Sengupta, Delivery Center Head, M/s Tata Consultancy Services, Shri. Ujjwal Mukherjee, Zonal Head (East), M/s Concentrix Daksh Services India Pvt. Ltd. and Shri Jitendra Chaddah, Managing Director and Country Head, M/s GlobalFoundries Engineering Pvt. Ltd. 

    Dharmendra Tewari/ Shatrunjay Kumar

    (Release ID: 2104933) Visitor Counter : 65

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Jitendra Singh Inaugurates PMSSY Building at SCTIMST, Highlights India’s Healthcare Transformation

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Dr. Jitendra Singh Inaugurates PMSSY Building at SCTIMST, Highlights India’s Healthcare Transformation

    Modi Govt’s new initiatives aim at making quality healthcare affordable, accessible;

    Union Minister Calls for SCTIMST to Emerge as Global Hub for Neurosurgery and Cardiovascular Research

    PMSSY Strengthens Healthcare Infrastructure, Fosters Indigenous Innovation, Says Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 6:02PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated today  the ‘Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana’ (PMSSY) driven upgraded Super specialty Neurosurgery and Cardiovascular Surgery  state-of-the-art  Building Block  at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTIMST) here and emphasized that the Modi Govt’s new initiatives are aimed at making quality healthcare affordable, accessible across sections of society.

    The Minister described the institute as a model of synergy between science, technology and medical advancements, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of integrated holistic approach.

    Speaking at the event, Dr. Jitendra Singh praised SCTIMST for emerging as a center of excellence in both healthcare as well as research and development of new devices, instruments and medical procedures at cost-effective rates. He highlighted that the institute, functioning under the Department of Science and Technology, embodies the “whole-of-government” approach, fostering collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Science and Technology. He acknowledged the role of scientists, researchers, and healthcare professionals in positioning India as a leader in medical research and innovation.

    Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh  speaking after inaugurating the new upgraded neurosurgery and cardiovascular surgery block  at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) at Thiruvananthapuram.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that the PMSSY initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen India’s healthcare infrastructure. “The scheme is designed to provide quality medical care while promoting indigenous innovation in health-related R&D,” he said. The new PMSSY Building will significantly enhance the capacity of SCTIMST, offering advanced healthcare facilities, specialized medical research laboratories, and improved infrastructure for patient care. It will also serve as a hub for high-end medical training, facilitating knowledge-sharing among medical professionals.

    He linked the project to the larger healthcare ecosystem that includes the Ayushman Bharat initiative, the world’s largest health insurance program, and the newly announced universal health cover for citizens above 70 years. Stressing the need for integrating modern medical advancements with traditional healthcare approaches, Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored the importance of digital health initiatives, artificial intelligence in diagnostics, and genome-based therapies.

    Highlighting India’s achievements in biotechnology, Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed to the success of the indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, the development of the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer, and breakthroughs in gene therapy. “India has transitioned from being an importer to a leader in preventive healthcare, gaining global recognition in bio-manufacturing and medical research,” he stated. He further emphasized the need for continued investments in healthcare R&D, ensuring that India remains at the forefront of medical advancements.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh also underscored the need for strategic specialization, suggesting that SCTIMST focus on becoming a global leader in neurosurgery and cardiovascular research to enhance its international recognition. “A distinct identity in a specialized field attracts global attention and medical tourism, much like leading institutes in the U.S.,” he added. He encouraged scientists and medical professionals to undertake collaborative research projects with global institutions to expand knowledge and expertise.

    The Minister stressed that while India has made remarkable progress in bridging the rural-urban divide in disease patterns, healthcare accessibility remains a challenge. He reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding medical services through new AIIMS institutions and upgraded medical colleges, ensuring affordable and high-quality treatment. He also called for leveraging telemedicine and mobile health units to extend healthcare services to remote regions, making quality healthcare accessible to all.

    The event saw participation from key stakeholders in the medical and scientific community, including senior officials from the Ministry of Science and Technology, medical practitioners, and researchers. The inauguration of the PMSSY Building at SCTIMST marks another milestone in India’s journey towards a self-reliant and globally competitive healthcare infrastructure. Dr. Jitendra Singh reaffirmed the government’s continued support for initiatives that strengthen India’s health ecosystem, positioning the country as a leader in medical innovation and patient care.

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    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2105056) Visitor Counter : 25

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LegCo Subcommittee on Issues Relating to the Development of Web3 and Virtual Assets visits Consensus Hong Kong (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

         The Legislative Council (LegCo) Subcommittee on Issues Relating to the Development of Web3 and Virtual Assets visited Consensus Hong Kong at Hong Kong Conventional and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai today (February 20) to gain insight into the international meeting and exhibition about the cryptocurrency, blockchain and Web 3 industries, which is being held for the first time in Hong Kong.

         Members received a briefing by representatives of Consensus Hong Kong on the features of various stages and events, as well as the reasons for choosing Hong Kong as the host city. Members noted that Consensus Hong Kong brings together leaders, investors and startups from the global cryptocurrency, blockchain, Web3 and fintech industries. Through keynote speeches, summits, and investor matchmaking activities, the participants explore popular topics and future trends related to virtual assets, open currencies, and artificial intelligence.

         Members then learned the competitions of Web3 startups and innovative blockchain solutions, noting that these contests allow promising startups to showcase their proposals and inspire innovative ideas. During the visit, Members exchanged views with representatives of Consensus Hong Kong on driving the growth of the Web3 ecosystem, developing the crypto economy, and exploring business opportunities. Members also opined that the successful hosting of the event in Hong Kong is a manifestation of global confidence in Hong Kong’s development in the Web3 sector. It also facilitates local businesses to expand their networks, and connect with the world.

         Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Dr Johnny Ng, Subcommittee members Mr Ma Fung-kwok and Ms Carmen Kan.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Defence inks a contract worth ₹1220.12 Cr with Bharat Electronics Limited for procurement of 149 Software Defined Radios for Indian Coast Guard

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 1:59PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with M/s Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru on 20th February, 2025, for procurement of 149 Software Defined Radios for Indian Coast Guard at a total cost of ₹1220.12 Cr under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.

          These state-of-the-art radios will enable secure and reliable information sharing, collaboration, and situational awareness through high-speed data and secure voice communication. This will strengthen the Indian Coast Guard’s capability to fulfil its core responsibilities, including maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, fisheries protection, and marine environment protection. Additionally, these radios will enhance interoperability for joint operations with the Indian Navy.

          The project is a strategic step toward bolstering the Coast Guard’s operational capabilities and supporting the Government of India’s Blue Economy objectives by reinforcing maritime security. Aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the contract will enhance the country’s manufacturing capabilities for advanced military-grade communication systems, generating employment opportunities and fostering expertise development.

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    SR/Anand

    (Release ID: 2104928) Visitor Counter : 71

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister congratulates Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh, Shri Ashish Sood, Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Shri Ravinder Indraj Singh, Shri Kapil Mishra and Shri Pankaj Kumar Singh on taking oath as Ministers in the Delhi Government

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 1:48PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated and extended best wishes to Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh, Shri Ashish Sood, Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Shri Ravinder Indraj Singh, Shri Kapil Mishra and Shri Pankaj Kumar Singh on taking oath as Ministers in the Delhi Government.

    In a X post, the Prime Minister said;

    “Congratulations to Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh Ji, Shri Ashish Sood Ji, Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa Ji, Shri Ravinder Indraj Singh Ji, Shri Kapil Mishra Ji and Shri Pankaj Kumar Singh Ji on taking oath as Ministers in the Delhi Government. This team beautifully mixes vigour and experience, and will surely ensure good governance for Delhi. Best wishes to them.

    @gupta_rekha 
    @p_sahibsingh 
    @mssirsa 
    @KapilMishra_IND”

     

     

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    MJPS/ST

    (Release ID: 2104917) Visitor Counter : 47

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Internship scheme (PMIS) once again open for applications with the launch of Round 2 of Pilot Phase

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 1:44PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Internship Scheme(PMIS) is once again open for applications with the launch of Round 2 of the pilot phase.  After more than 6 lakh applications in Round 1, Round 2 offers more than 1 lakh+ internship opportunities in top companies across more than 730 districts in India.

    More than 300 top companies across sectors including Oil, Gas & Energy; Banking and Financial Services, Travel & Hospitality, Automotive, Metals & Mining Manufacturing & Industrial, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and many more have offered internship opportunities to Indian youth to gain real-world experience, network with professionals and enhance their employability.

    Eligible youth can explore and select internships based on their preferred district, state, sector, area and filter internships within a customisable radius from their specified current address. In round 2, each applicant can apply to up to 3 internships until the application deadline.

    For round 2, more than 70 IEC events are being conducted across India in districts with maximum number of internship opportunities in colleges, universities ITIs, Rozgar melas etc., based on the kind of qualifications required for these internships. Furthermore, national level digital campaigns are underway through multiple platforms as well as influencers based on concentration of opportunities and relevance to youth.

    Eligible youth can apply here: https://pminternship.mca.gov.in/

    The Prime Minister Internship Scheme – spearheaded by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs – is designed to harness the potential of India’s youth population by providing them with 12 month paid internships in top companies of India.

    The scheme targets individuals aged 21 to 24 who are currently not enrolled in any full-time academic program or employment, offering them a unique chance to kick-start their careers.

    Each intern will be supported with monthly financial assistance of ₹5,000, supplemented by one-time financial assistance of ₹6,000. Each internship will be a combination of relevant training and professional experience (at least six months) to ensure that candidates learn and can also apply their skills in real-world settings.

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    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2104914) Visitor Counter : 88

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister congratulates Smt. Rekha Gupta on taking oath as Delhi’s Chief Minister

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 1:38PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Smt. Rekha Gupta on taking oath as Chief Minister of Delhi. Shri Modi said that she has risen from the grassroots, being active in campus politics, state organisation, municipal administration and now MLA as well as Chief Minister.

    The Prime Minister wrote on X;

    “Congratulations to Smt. Rekha Gupta Ji on taking oath as Delhi’s Chief Minister. She has risen from the grassroots, being active in campus politics, state organisation, municipal administration and now MLA as well as Chief Minister. I am confident she will work for Delhi’s development with full vigour. My best wishes to her for a fruitful tenure.

    @gupta_rekha”

     

     

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    MJPS/ST

    (Release ID: 2104911) Visitor Counter : 103

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: National Consumer Helpline (NCH) witnesses’ remarkable growth in North-Eastern States

    Source: Government of India

    National Consumer Helpline (NCH) witnesses’ remarkable growth in North-Eastern States

    15,860 consumer grievances registered in Arunachal Pradesh in 2024

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 1:36PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Consumer Helpline (NCH), an initiative of the Department of Consumer Affairs, has achieved unprecedented success in the North – Eastern region of India.

    Among the states in the region, Arunachal Pradesh has emerged as a standout performer, recording a significant surge in consumer grievance registrations and resolutions. With 318 grievances in 2020, the state witnessed an exponential rise in number of consumers reaching out to NCH through various channels leading to 15,860 consumer grievances being registered in 2024. Arunachal’s progress highlights growing consumer awareness and trust in the NCH platform, driven by innovative outreach initiatives and technological interventions.

    This success reflects the collective outcome of multiple initiatives undertaken by the Department to promote consumer awareness and deliver effective grievance redressal mechanisms in some of the most geographically challenging areas of the country.

    The Northeastern states, with their unique demographics and socio-economic challenges, have traditionally faced barriers in accessing consumer grievance redressal mechanisms. The NCH’s concerted efforts in these states have led to an impressive increase of 300%, escalating from a modest 9162 grievances in 2020 to 36,609 grievances in 2024. Arunachal Pradesh, in particular, has witness a outstanding growth in this movement, with a significant share of the complaints pertaining to issues in sectors such as e-commerce, telecom services, digital payments, and faulty goods and services.

    The remarkable performance of Arunachal Pradesh can be attributed to several key factors:

    Localized Outreach Programs: Department has prioritized reaching consumers in remote and tribal areas of the state through localized workshops, community events, and collaboration with self-help groups and local NGOs. Consumer grievances witnessed a tenfold increase from rural areas i.e. 03 grievances in 2020 to 381 grievances in 2024. By addressing consumers in their own language and cultural context, the helpline has made consumer protection rights more relatable and accessible.

    Multilingual Support for Greater Inclusivity: Recognizing the linguistic diversity of the North- East, NCH has expanded its language support to include several regional dialects, enabling more people to file complaints and seek help in their native tongue. This has been particularly impactful in Arunachal Pradesh, where linguistic barriers previously hindered consumer participation.

    Empowered Participation of Women: There has been a marked increase in the participation of women in lodging consumer grievances, signing an encouraging trend toward gender equality in the realm of consumer rights. The rising involvement of women in this domain is indicative of the broader societal shift towards greater empowerment and autonomy, particularly in the context of accessing justice and accountability.

    Digital Awareness Campaigns: In line with India’s digital transformation, the majority of grievances have been registered through the NCH web portal, marking a definitive shift towards digital engagement. The number of consumer grievances has exponentially increased, from 98 in 2020 to 384 in 2021, 855 in 2022, 2,941 in 2023, and 15,230 in 2024. It is important to note that consumer grievances rose by 517% last year. This transition underscores the growing adoption of technology by consumers, facilitating quicker, more efficient processes and contributing to the larger goal of digital empowerment.

    The Department of Consumer Affairs has been generating consumer awareness by undertaking country-wide multimedia awareness campaigns under the aegis of “Jago Grahak Jago” and utilizing ‘Jagriti Mascot’ to reach out to consumers across the country including North East region. Traditional media like All India Radio, Doordarshan, fairs & festivals, etc. as well as digital media like social media, Youtube, cinema theatres, etc. are utilized to generate awareness amongst consumers. Through simple messages and jingles, consumers are made aware about the consumer rights, unfair trade practices, consumer issues and the mechanism to seek redressal.

    In 2024-25, the department has run following campaigns for awareness generation in NER

    – AIR campaign during T20 World Cup in June month.

    – IVRS campaign through NFDC with consumer oriented messages in NER.

    – Releasing grant-in-aid to Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh for generating consumer awareness at local level.

    – As a part of the Capacity Building Programme of Panchayats on consumer-centric rights and issues, the Department in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is organizing virtual interactive sessions with representatives of Panchayats in States/UTs to aware them about consumer issues. The first session was held with State of Assam on 20th December 2024.

    Building on the success in Arunachal Pradesh, the Department of Consumer Affairs is now focusing on further enhancing NCH’s reach in other North-Eastern states, including Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram, and Sikkim.

    The next phase will emphasize:

    • Integration with State Government Agencies: Closer coordination with local authorities to streamline grievance redressal.
    • Technological Upgrades: Expansion of the NCH platform with AI-driven features to prioritize and resolve complaints faster.
    • Youth Engagement Programs: special campaigns to engage the younger population, who are the primary users of digital services and e-commerce.
    • Feedback and Monitoring Systems: Strengthened feedback mechanisms to ensure continuous improvement of services.

    This strategic approach has led to tangible results in Arunachal Pradesh. Consumers now feel more empowered to voice their concerns, knowing that their complaints will be addressed promptly. Moreover, the awareness campaigns have helped rural communities better understand their rights, particularly in relation to evolving challenges such as online scams, misleading advertisements, and substandard services.

    The significant advances in Arunachal Pradesh and the broader North-Eastern region underscore the department’s commitment to creating an ecosystem where consumers are aware of their rights, have access to reliable grievance redressal mechanisms, and feel empowered to hold businesses accountable.

    The National Consumer Helpline (NCH), under the Department of Consumer Affairs, is taking an innovative step forward in its mission to serve consumers across India. As part of its ongoing project, NCH is working towards integrating a chatbot feature that supports regional languages, making consumer assistance more accessible to people in every corner of the nation. By introducing this chatbot, the Department aims to break down language barriers, ensuring that consumers from diverse linguistic backgrounds can easily access information, register complaints, and resolve issues without facing communication challenges. This initiative not only aligns with the government’s commitment to enhancing digital accessibility but also empowers individuals in rural and remote areas who may have limited exposure to English or Hindi. By offering real-time assistance in multiple languages, the National Consumer Helpline is poised to strengthen consumer rights protection and foster greater awareness, leading to a more inclusive and responsive system for all.

    Positive Outcomes in Grievance Redressal: The Impact on Arunachal Pradesh

    • A consumer from Papum Pare raised an issue regarding the refund for the product received from an online retailer. Following the intervention of the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), the refund was facilitated within 3 days of registration of the grievance, enhancing the consumer’s trust in e-commerce platforms. Furthermore, the consumer’s positive feedback, reflect their increased trust in NCH.
    • A consumer from Lower Subansiri raised his grievance that his product i.e. Scrambler seat amounting Eleven Thousand Eighty-Nine had not been dispatched from 41 days. With the intervention of National Consumer Helpline (NCH), the product dispatched within 4 days. Moreover, the consumer shared his experience as “Thank you so much Team Consumer helpline. They Dispatch my Scrambler seat on 4 May 2022”
    • A consumer from West Kameng raised an issue about a delayed refund for a flight that was canceled, despite the airline’s guarantee of a full refund. The refund was not initiated, but with the intervention of NCH, the refund was processed within 6 days. The consumer expressed appreciation, stating, “You guys did an excellent job.”
    • A consumer from East Siang filed a grievance regarding receiving a fake toner cartridge. Although the product was returned, the company did not initiate the refund. With NCH’s intervention, the refund was processed within 4 days. The consumer expressed gratitude, stating, “Thank you, I have received the refund.”

     

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    Abhishek Dayal/Nihi Sharma

    (Release ID: 2104912) Visitor Counter : 97

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH to implement Primary Dental Co-care Pilot Scheme for Adolescents on March 20

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    DH to implement Primary Dental Co-care Pilot Scheme for Adolescents on March 20
    DH to implement Primary Dental Co-care Pilot Scheme for Adolescents on March 20
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         The Department of Health (DH) announced today (February 20) that the Primary Dental Co-care Pilot Scheme for Adolescents (PDCC) will be implemented on March 20. By providing Government subsidies with co-payment arrangements, the PDCC incentivises adolescents to seek dental check-ups at private dental clinics and establish regular oral check-up habits. Around 200 registered dentists have applied for enrolment in the PDCC to provide services in more than 220 healthcare service locations, where more than half of the co-payment amount was set at $200 or below.           The Chief Executive announced in the 2023 Policy Address that the PDCC would be implemented in 2025 to encourage the prevention of dental diseases among adolescents. The Government released the final report of the Working Group on Oral Health and Dental Care in December last year which recommended development strategies including adoption of the approach to promote prevention-oriented primary oral healthcare among citizens across all age groups. The PDCC is one of the strategies that serves as an interface with the School Dental Care Service by providing partial subsidies for dental check-up services for adolescents to foster their long-term partnership with registered dentists in the private sector and enable them to build a life-long habit of regular dental check-ups.           Adolescents from age 13 to 17 (or will reach the age of 13 in the calendar year when applying to join the PDCC) holding a valid Hong Kong Identity Card and have enrolled in the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHealth) are eligible to join the PDCC. Eligible adolescents can receive subsidised services once every calendar year. While the Government will provide a subsidy of $200 each time, participants have to pay a co-payment fee as determined by the dentists they selected. The co-payment for the subsidised services each time recommended by the Government is $200.     ???The scope of subsidised services include:      

    Dental check-up;
    Oral health risk assessment;
    Dental scaling;
    Personalised self-care advice on oral care;
    Fluoride application as risk-based follow-up; and
    Check-up report.

          The DH held its first online briefing session for registered dentists on February 4 to introduce the background, contents and registration procedures of the PDCC. More briefings will be held to encourage more dentists to join the PDCC. The DH has been actively processing and vetting applications with complete sets of supporting documents submitted. An approved registered dentists list will be uploaded to the PDCC webpage (www.communitydental.gov.hk/en/pdcc/dentist_search.html) on March 6. In order to promote the transparency of related dental service charges under the PDCC, other than the co-payment fee, the dentists list on the PDCC webpage will also show the fees for X-ray examinations, tooth fillings and tooth extractions as charged by the dentists under the PDCC, for the general public’s reference and choice.           Adolescents and their parents who are interested in joining the PDCC can refer to the dentists list on the PDCC webpage starting from March 6. They can contact the relevant clinic and make an appointment after finding a dentist of their choice and receive the subsidised services on or after March 20.

     
    Ends/Thursday, February 20, 2025Issued at HKT 16:05

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research (CTDDR-2022): The 9th MahaKumbh for Drug Research

    Source: Government of India

    Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research (CTDDR-2022): The 9th MahaKumbh for Drug Research

    Day one was dedicated to “New strategies in synthetic and medicinal chemistry”

    Posted On: 20 FEB 2025 1:30PM by PIB Delhi

    The 9th “International Symposium on Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research” inaugurated yesterday at CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow. Dr. Radha Rangrajan, Director CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow, welcomed all the dignitaries present in this mega event. She briefed about the details of this very important Drug discovery conference and set the tone for the participants that how they can utilize this opportunity for learning, networking and upgrading their research skills

    “Science has no borders”: Dr. N. Kalaiselvi

    The Chief Guest of the program, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR & Secretary DSIR addressed the audience. Dr. Kalaiselvi highlighted the event’s significance as a platform for knowledge exchange. She stressed that such gatherings provide a great opportunity for researchers, industry leaders, and young minds to collaborate, fostering innovation in pharmaceuticals and healthcare.”Science has no borders, and this program is a gateway for global collaboration,” she remarked, underlining the importance of international cooperation in research and development. She urged students to take inspiration from these discussions and work towards making India a global leader in science and technology by 2047.

    Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR & Secretary DSIR addressing the audience at the inauguration of  “Current Trends in Drug Discovery Research (CTDDR-2022)” at CSIR-CDIR, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

    Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to revolution in drug discovery: Prof. Balram Bhargava

    The Guest of Honour the program, Prof. Balram Bhargava, Dean and Senior Consultant, Holy Family Hospital, New Delhi & Former Director General, ICMR also addressed the audience. Dr. Balram Bhargava, emphasizes that India’s strength in drug discovery stems from its rich heritage in chemistry, making it a global hub for pharmaceutical advancements.The country has consistently demonstrated its ability to produce high-quality, affordable medicines, ensuring healthcare accessibility worldwide. However, challenges such as the availability of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and the need for new drug discoveries remain key areas of focus. Further he said that the integration of Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize drug discovery, accelerating research and reducing costs. Also he said that Collaboration has been a cornerstone of India’s pharmaceutical success, as seen in the development of vaccines. Market shaping is equally important, ensuring that innovations reach the masses while maintaining India’s leadership in cost-effective healthcare solutions.

    Journey towards the development of drugs for pain treatment

    (Prof. Christopher Robert McCurdy)

    In the inaugural program, Prof. Christopher Robert McCurdy, Professor and The Frank A. Duckworth Eminent Scholar Chair, University of Florida, USA, has delivered the inaugural talk on “Seeing Pain: from the lab to the clinic, a medicinal chemist’s journey.” In his oration, he brought up the role of Sigma-1 receptors in pain processing. He further talked about the journey of the discovery and development of a tracer molecule FTC146, which acts as a selective ligand for Sigma-1 receptors. This tracer can locate sites of nerve damage in peripheral nerves, which can result in better pain management and, in certain situations, cured pain. This tracer has completed Phase 1 human clinical trials and can be a breakthrough in pain management strategies.

    Targeting cofactor biosynthesis for the development of new antimicrobial agents with novel mechanism of action

    (Prof. Courtney C. Aldrich)

    Later in the Session II today, Prof. Courtney C. Aldrich from the University of Minnesota, USA, He online discussed about the novel approaches in targeting cofactor biosynthesis in order to develop new antimicrobial agents with novel mechanisms. He shared his efforts to design novel anti-tubercular agents against two elusive targets for which there are no effective small molecules. They discovered promising inhibitor chemotypes and optimized them for bioactivity and drug disposition characteristics using complementary techniques. He also discussed the difficulties he encountered during the optimization campaign and how he overcame them through the integration of mechanism of action studies. He also shared his most recent research to develop next-generation Rifamycin derivatives that overcome multiple resistance mechanisms.

     

    Eliciting agonism-antagonism in endosomal toll-like receptor modulators via convoluted interplay of chemical subunits

    (Dr. ArindamTalukdar)

    Dr. ArindamTalukdar from CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata, shared his research findings on the stimulation of agonism-antagonism in TLR7 modulators via complex interactions between chemical subunits. The TLR7 is an endosomal TLR protein that helps the body to recognize and respond to viruses and bacteria. He noted in his presentation that agonists and antagonists frequently have overlapping binding sites in their target molecules. Therefore, agonistic chemical scaffolds can be used as a template for designing antagonists. Starting from the agonistic purine scaffold, by rationally dissecting, they identified a singular ‘chemical switch’ at C-2 that could make a potent purine scaffold TLR7 agonist to lose agonism and acquire antagonist activity. He further mentioned the most unprecedented outcome of his study as the convoluted interplay of “chemical subunits”, to venture into the agonist-partial agonist-antagonist-agonist circle through sequential single-point change. He further proposed these new class of TLR7 modulators as promising precursor for therapeutic development.

    The eminent speakers ignited the spark of scientific temperament in the participants of CTDDR-2025 with their vibrant talks filled with the latest information. The flooding of current information would be continued in further sessions which will dissipate the new energy and new direction for research and development among the participants sharing this platform from all around.

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     NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2104910) Visitor Counter : 17

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CA releases major findings of Broadcasting Service Survey

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:
     
         The Communications Authority (CA) released today (February 20) the major findings of the Broadcasting Service Survey conducted by an independent survey firm in 2024. The survey revealed that 89.5 per cent of the respondents had watched free TV programmes and 38.8 per cent had listened to radio programmes in the month prior to the survey. They spent an average of 2.6 hours per day watching free TV programmes and 2.2 hours per day listening to radio programmes. The survey also found that respondents were generally satisfied with programme variety on the licensed broadcasting services. The executive summary of the survey findings is in the Appendix.
     
         The information and statistics obtained from the survey will serve as a useful reference for the CA in handling licence renewal applications to be submitted by major broadcasters between 2025 and 2026.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –