NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Import of poultry meat and products from Goleniów District of Zachodniopomorskie Region in Poland suspended

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Import of poultry meat and products from Goleniów District of Zachodniopomorskie Region in Poland suspended
    Import of poultry meat and products from Goleniów District of Zachodniopomorskie Region in Poland suspended
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (January 27) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Goleniów District of Zachodniopomorskie Region in Poland, 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, Hong Kong imported about 3 480 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland in the first nine months of last year.     “The CFS has contacted the Polish 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/Monday, January 27, 2025Issued at HKT 15:25

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WSD’s Photo-taking Challenge on 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong starts tomorrow (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    WSD’s Photo-taking Challenge on 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong starts tomorrow (with photos)
    WSD’s Photo-taking Challenge on 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong starts tomorrow (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         This year marks the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong. To commemorate this remarkable milestone with members of the public, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) is holding a Photo-taking Challenge on 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong from tomorrow (January 28) to May 18 with an aim to encourage members of the public to visit various related waterworks facilities to deepen their understanding of the Dongjiang water supply system, and also to learn from history and be grateful for the care rendered by the country. Participants who complete designated photo-taking tasks will have a chance to receive a limited edition souvenir. Members of the public are welcome to take part in the challenge.      The challenge covers six waterworks facilities, namely the Sheung Shui Dongjiang water main, the Plover Cove Reservoir, the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, the High Island Reservoir, the Tin Shui Wai H2OPE Centre and the Shenzhen Reservoir. A section of the Sheung Shui Dongjiang water main is decorated as a bamboo with cute pandas and a WSD mascot named Water Save Dave dressed in a panda costume attract the public to take photos.      To participate, members of the public only have to take photos at the abovementioned waterworks facilities, share the photos in a public post on their Facebook or Instagram accounts and add designated hashtags and tags, and then email the screenshot of the post with the original photo to dj60@wsd.gov.hk. The challenge comprises eight challenge periods. The first 250 participants in each period to complete the above photo-taking challenge steps will receive a limited edition Water Save Dave family blind box doll. A set of four cute Water Save Dave family blind box dolls has been specially designed and produced to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong, making the items exceptional collectibles. For details and rules of the challenge, please visit the event website.      Moreover, two special thematic guided tours of the Dongjiang water supply under the WSD’s “Excursion with Water Save Dave” visiting programme are being organised starting from October last year to March this year as one of the celebration activities for the 60th anniversary of the Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong. Participants completing the two guided tours are also eligible to redeem a limited edition Water Save Dave family blind box doll. With the public’s great support and participation, the two thematic tours with 4,400 spaces has been fully taken up.

     
    Ends/Monday, January 27, 2025Issued at HKT 15:30

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Vietnamese PM meets Chinese ambassador on ties

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo shows a view of the Chinese part of the China-Vietnam Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall cross-border tourism cooperation zone in Chongzuo, south China’s Guangxi Province, Dec. 15, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has vowed to continuously solidify the foundation for building a Vietnam-China community of shared future.

    In a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam He Wei in the Vietnamese capital, Chinh said that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and China is time-honored and unbreakable.

    The Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese government have always regarded the development of relations with China as a strategic choice and top priority, Chinh stressed.

    The Vietnamese prime minister urged both sides to fully leverage the advantages of land and sea connectivity between the two countries and step up substantive cooperation and the implementation of significant and symbolic projects.

    For his part, He said China is willing to work with Vietnam to promote the steady and long-term development of China-Vietnam friendship and contribute to regional and world peace and prosperity.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Auction of personalised vehicle registration marks to be held on February 15

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Auction of personalised vehicle registration marks to be held on February 15
    Auction of personalised vehicle registration marks to be held on February 15
    ****************************************************************************

         The Transport Department (TD) today (January 27) announced that an auction of personalised vehicle registration marks (PVRMs) will be held on February 15 (Saturday) in Meeting Room S421, L4, Old Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.      “A total of 240 approved PVRMs will be put up for public auction. A list of the marks has been uploaded to the department’s website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/index.html,” a department spokesman said.      The reserve price of each of these marks is $5,000. Applicants who have paid a deposit of $5,000 should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price). Otherwise, the PVRM concerned may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.      People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction should take note of the following points: (1) Bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after successful bidding: (i) the identity document of the successful bidder;(ii) the identity document of the purchaser (if the purchaser and the successful bidder are different persons);(iii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation (if the purchaser is a body corporate); and(iv) a crossed cheque made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” or “The Government of the HKSAR”. For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed. Successful bidders may also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS), but are reminded to note the maximum transfer amount in the same day of the payment card. Payment by post-dated cheque, cash, credit card or other methods will not be accepted. (2) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the Memorandum will not be permitted. (3) A PVRM can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate. (4) The display of a PVRM on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 of the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations. (5) Any change to the arrangement of letters, numerals and blank spaces of a PVRM, i.e. single and two rows as auctioned, will not be allowed. (6) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the PVRM to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the PVRM within 12 months, allocation of the PVRM will be cancelled and arranged for re-allocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.      “Upon completion of the Memorandum of Sale of PVRM, the purchaser will be issued a receipt and a Certificate of Allocation of Personalised Registration Mark. The Certificate of Allocation will serve to prove the holdership of the PVRM. Potential buyers of vehicles bearing a PVRM should check the Certificate of Allocation with the sellers and pay attention to the details therein. For transfer of vehicle ownership, this certificate together with other required documents should be sent to the TD for processing,” the spokesman added.      For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of PVRM, which is available at the department’s licensing offices or can be downloaded from its website, www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_registration_mark/pvrm_auction/index.html.

     
    Ends/Monday, January 27, 2025Issued at HKT 14:30

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hospital Authority announces service arrangements of general out-patient and Chinese medicine clinics during Lunar New Year holidays

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     District 
     18 CMCTRs 
     Address 
     Telephone number for booking 
     Service hours 

     Hong Kong Island 
     Tung Wah Group of Hospitals – The University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Central & Western District) 
     1/F, Hawkins Wing and Yeo Wing, Tung Wah Hospital, 12 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan 
     2589 4700 
     January 31, 202509:00 – 13:00 14:00 – 18:00 

     Tung Wah Group of Hospitals – The University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Eastern District) 
     Lower 4th Floor, West Wing, Specialist Out-patient Block, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, 3 Lok Man Road, Chai Wan 
     3197 2000 
     January 30, 202509:00 – 13:00 January 31, 202509:00 – 13:00 

     The Hong Kong Tuberculosis Association – The University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Southern District) 
     2/F, Aberdeen Jockey Club Clinic, 10 Aberdeen Reservoir Road, Aberdeen 
     2580 8158 
     January 31, 202509:00 – 17:00   

     The Hong Kong Tuberculosis Association – The University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Wan Chai District) 
     2/F, Tang Shiu Kin Hospital Community Ambulatory Care Centre, 282 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai 
     3553 3238 
     January 31, 202509:00 – 17:00   

     Kowloon 
     Pok Oi Hospital – Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Kowloon City District) 
     Unit 401-412, Po Man House, Oi Man Estate, Ho Man Tin 
     2193 7000 
     January 31, 202509:00 – 13:00 14:00 – 17:00 

     Christian Family Service Centre – The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Kwun Tong District) 
     4/F, Ngau Tau Kok Jockey Club Clinic, 60 Ting On Street, Ngau Tau Kok 
     3583 4114 
     January 31, 202509:00 – 16:00   

     Yan Chai Hospital – Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Sham Shui Po District) 
     1/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui Po 
     2194 9911 
     January 30, 202509:00 – 13:00 January 31, 202509:00 – 13:00 

     The Hong Kong Buddhist Association – The University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Wong Tai Sin District) 
     G/F & M/F, Block C, Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital, 10 Heng Lam Street, Lok Fu 
     2338 3103 
     January 31, 202509:00 – 17:00   

     Pok Oi Hospital – Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Yau Tsim Mong District) 
     9/F, Block R, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road, Jordan 
     2618 7200 
     January 31, 202509:00 – 13:0014:00 – 17:00   

     New Territories 
     Yan Oi Tong – The University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Islands District) 
     1/F, Block 2, Tung Chung Health Centre, No. 6 Fu Tung Street, Tung Chung, Lantau Island 
     3188 5383 
     January 31, 202508:00 – 13:0014:00 – 18:00 

     Yan Chai Hospital – Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Kwai Tsing District) 
     G/F, Ha Kwai Chung Polyclinic & Special Education Services Centre, 77 Lai Cho Road, Kwai Chung 
     2370 2216 
     January 30, 202509:00 – 13:00January 31, 202509:00 – 13:00 

     HKFTU Workers’ Medical Clinics – Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (North District) 
     7/F, Fanling Health Centre, 2 Pik Fung Road, Fanling 
     2670 2130 
     January 31, 202509:00 – 12:0013:00 – 17:00 

     Haven of Hope – The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Sai Kung District) 
     6/F, Ambulatory Care Block, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, No 2 Po Ning Lane, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O 
     2701 1020 
     January 31, 202509:00 – 12:3014:00 – 17:30 

     Pok Oi Hospital – The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Shatin District) 
     G/F, Sha Tin (Tai Wai) Clinic, 2 Man Lai Road, Tai Wai, Sha Tin 
     2479 2126 
     January 30, 202509:00 – 13:00January 31, 202509:00 – 13:0014:00 – 17:00 

     United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service – The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Tai Po District) 
     G/F, Block J, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, 11 Chuen On Road, Tai Po 
     2663 0004 
     January 31, 202509:00 – 13:0014:00 – 18:00  

     Yan Chai Hospital – Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Tsuen Wan District) 
     4/F, Block C, Yan Chai Hospital, 7-11 Yan Chai Street, Tsuen Wan 
     2416 0303 
     January 30, 202509:00 – 13:00January 31, 202509:00 – 13:00   

     Yan Oi Tong – The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Tuen Mun District) 
     5/F, Yan Oi Polyclinic, 6 Tuen Lee Street, Tuen Mun 
     2430 1309 
     January 30, 202509:00 – 13:0014:00 – 18:00  

     Pok Oi Hospital – The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Yuen Long District) 
     3/F, Madam Yung Fung Shee Health Centre, 26 Sai Ching Street, Yuen Long 
     2478 5769 
     January 30, 202509:00 – 13:00 January 31, 202509:00 – 13:0014:00 – 17:00 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Weather News Update – Sunny Interlude Before Midweek Rain – MetService

    Source: MetService

    UPDATE: Covering period of Monday 27 – Thursday 30 January – MetService is forecasting a quieter weather day on Tuesday before another system sweeps across the South Island later in the day and into Wednesday, bringing rain and strong winds. Meanwhile, the North Island gets a reprieve from the muggy conditions of the past weekend, enjoying fresher air ahead of the next weather system later this week.

    Following the devastating tornado in Mangawhai early on Sunday morning, Monday brought yet another day of unsettled weather for parts of Aotearoa New Zealand. Showers and thunderstorms were widespread in the east, with unseasonable snow falling in elevated parts of Canterbury, driven by a cold front moving northward. For regions marking Auckland Anniversary Day in the northern half of the North Island, the day was brighter and more settled.

    This brighter weather extends across much of the country on Tuesday, thanks to a brief ridge of high pressure. MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane explains, “After an active couple of days weather-wise, many may welcome a bright and sunny summer day. However, the odd shower may still pop up in the western South Island and upper North Island. Later in the afternoon, the next weather system begins to make its presence felt.”

    From Tuesday afternoon, winds strengthen over the lower South Island as the approaching weather system brings the potential for Heavy Rain and Strong Winds. MetService has issued Strong Wind Watches from Fiordland to inland Canterbury for Tuesday late afternoon to Wednesday. Heavy Rain Watches are also in effect for Fiordland and the ranges of the Westland District, primarily overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday. In the eastern South Island, brief rain is expected on Wednesday as the weather system moves through, while conditions clear on Thursday, with lingering rain possible for Buller and Tasman. The rain reaches the lower North Island early Thursday, where it is expected to be for much of the day.

    In the North Island, the muggy conditions of recent days are replaced by cooler, fresher air. Single-digit temperatures may greet some areas in the central and lower North Island on Tuesday morning. “I imagine the cooler temperatures will make sleeping a lot easier for many compared to these last few nights,” adds Makgabutlane. However, warm overnight temperatures return to the lower North Island towards the end of the working week.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name Release, Fatal crash, Winton Lorneville Highway

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police can now confirm the name of the woman who died following a two-vehicle crash on Winton Lorneville Highway, Tuesday 21 January.

    She was Thachawalai Youngdaeng of Thailand.

    Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this difficult time.

    Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on January 25, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 0.00 – –
         I. Call Money 0.00 – –
         II. Triparty Repo 0.00 – –
         III. Market Repo 0.00 – –
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 0.00 – –
         II. Term Money@@ 0.00 – –
         III. Triparty Repo 0.00 – –
         IV. Market Repo 0.00 – –
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Sat, 25/01/2025 1 Sun, 26/01/2025 3,351.00 6.75
      Sat, 25/01/2025 2 Mon, 27/01/2025 0.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Sat, 25/01/2025 1 Sun, 26/01/2025 53,679.00 6.25
      Sat, 25/01/2025 2 Mon, 27/01/2025 52.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -50,380.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo Fri, 24/01/2025 14 Fri, 07/02/2025 1,62,096.00 6.51
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Fri, 24/01/2025 3 Mon, 27/01/2025 2,00,011.00 6.52
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Fri, 24/01/2025 2 Sun, 26/01/2025 0.00 6.75
      Fri, 24/01/2025 3 Mon, 27/01/2025 83.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Fri, 24/01/2025 2 Sun, 26/01/2025 52.00 6.25
      Fri, 24/01/2025 3 Mon, 27/01/2025 7,705.00 6.25
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       9,556.48  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     3,63,989.48  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     3,13,609.48  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on January 25, 2025 9,28,263.56  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending February 07, 2025 9,12,544.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ January 24, 2025 2,53,500.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on January 10, 2025 40,102.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2024-2025/2009

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on January 26, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 0.00 – –
         I. Call Money 0.00 – –
         II. Triparty Repo 0.00 – –
         III. Market Repo 0.00 – –
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 0.00 – –
         II. Term Money@@ 0.00 – –
         III. Triparty Repo 0.00 – –
         IV. Market Repo 0.00 – –
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Sun, 26/01/2025 1 Mon, 27/01/2025 3,459.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Sun, 26/01/2025 1 Mon, 27/01/2025 54,345.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -50,886.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo Fri, 24/01/2025 14 Fri, 07/02/2025 1,62,096.00 6.51
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Fri, 24/01/2025 3 Mon, 27/01/2025 2,00,011.00 6.52
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Sat, 25/01/2025 2 Mon, 27/01/2025 0.00 6.75
      Fri, 24/01/2025 3 Mon, 27/01/2025 83.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Sat, 25/01/2025 2 Mon, 27/01/2025 52.00 6.25
      Fri, 24/01/2025 3 Mon, 27/01/2025 7,705.00 6.25
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       9,556.48  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     3,63,989.48  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     3,13,103.48  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on January 26, 2025 9,27,585.94  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending February 07, 2025 9,12,544.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ January 24, 2025 2,53,500.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on January 10, 2025 40,102.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2024-2025/2010

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Nicola Willis prioritises visitors over everyday Kiwis

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    In her first announcement as Economic Growth Minister, Nicola Willis chose to loosen restrictions for digital nomads from other countries, rather than focus on everyday Kiwis.

    “The fact that Nicola Willis is offering benefits to visitors that she won’t even allow New Zealanders, shows exactly where her priorities lie,” Labour’s finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.

    “I don’t have a problem with tweaks here and there so we can ensure we have good investment in New Zealand, but I do have a problem with Nicola Willis’ double standards.

    “National is choosing to prioritise visitors to New Zealand, instead of tackling the urgent challenges facing Kiwis today. Nicola Willis doesn’t even know how many people will benefit from these changes or have an estimate as to how much our economy would grow.

    “With rising rents, workforce shortages, and businesses crying out for more support, this announcement shows a lack of focus on the real issues affecting our economy.

    “With one hand she’s begging foreigners to come here to work from home, while implementing strict policies on Kiwi public servants to stop them from doing the same.

    “We need real long-term solutions for economic growth that provides the jobs of Kiwis, not a short-term sugar hit,” Barbara Edmonds said.

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Daily Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on January 27, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 1-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 2,00,000
    Total amount of bids received (in ₹ crore) 1,93,661
    Amount allotted (in ₹ crore) 1,93,661
    Cut off Rate (%) 6.51
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 6.52
    Partial Allotment Percentage of bids received at cut off rate (%) NA

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2008

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Weather News – Sunny Interlude Before Midweek Rain – MetService

    Source: MetService

    Covering period of Monday 27 – Thursday 30 January – MetService is forecasting a quieter weather day on Tuesday before another system sweeps across the South Island later in the day and into Wednesday, bringing rain and strong winds. Meanwhile, the North Island gets a reprieve from the muggy conditions of the past weekend, enjoying fresher air ahead of the next weather system later this week.

    Following the devastating tornado in Mangawhai early on Sunday morning, Monday brought yet another day of unsettled weather for parts of Aotearoa New Zealand. Showers and thunderstorms were widespread in the east, with unseasonable snow falling in elevated parts of Canterbury, driven by a cold front moving northward. For regions marking Auckland Anniversary Day in the northern half of the North Island, the day was brighter and more settled.

    This brighter weather extends across much of the country on Tuesday, thanks to a brief ridge of high pressure. MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane explains, “After an active couple of days weather-wise, many may welcome a bright and sunny summer day. However, the odd shower may still pop up in the western South Island and upper North Island. Later in the afternoon, the next weather system begins to make its presence felt.”

    From Tuesday afternoon, winds strengthen over the lower South Island as the approaching weather system brings the potential for Heavy Rain and Strong Winds. MetService has issued Strong Wind Watches from Fiordland to inland Canterbury for Tuesday late afternoon to Wednesday. Heavy Rain Watches are also in effect for Fiordland and the ranges of the Westland District, primarily overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday. In the eastern South Island, brief rain is expected on Wednesday as the weather system moves through, while conditions clear on Thursday, with lingering rain possible for Buller and Tasman. The rain reaches the lower North Island early Thursday, where it is expected to be for much of the day.

    In the North Island, the muggy conditions of recent days are replaced by cooler, fresher air. Single-digit temperatures may greet some areas in the central and lower North Island on Tuesday morning. “I imagine the cooler temperatures will make sleeping a lot easier for many compared to these last few nights,” adds Makgabutlane. However, warm overnight temperatures return to the lower North Island towards the end of the working week.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Curtain lifted on illegal cannabis operation

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Sergeant Adam Elder, Alexandra Police:

    A man is before the courts after the curtain was lifted on his cannabis growing operation in Roxburgh, Central Otago.

    On Friday 17 January Police executed a search warrant at a Roxburgh house, and inside Police located five indoor tents which housed 12 mature cannabis plants.

    Alongside the plants, a quantity of already dried-out cannabis was located packaged, which Police will allege was ready for distribution.

    Three high-powered air rifles were also located at the address and have since been seized, as he was not permitted to be in possession of them.

    A 55-year-old man has been charged with possession of cannabis for supply, cultivating cannabis, and possessing equipment to cultivate cannabis, and is due to reappear in the Alexandra District Court on Thursday 30 January.

    In another search on the same day, at a different property in Roxburgh, Police located a large amount of drug paraphernalia, including utensils believed to be used for smoking methamphetamine, in a house bus. Inquiries are ongoing.

    Police have been and will continue to work hard to identify and locate those involved in the illegal supply of drugs, and work with our community to address the underlying drivers of demand

    If you have any information that may assist Police in identifying those involved in the illegal supply of drugs please contact Police.

    You can contact us on 111 if it is happening now, or via 105 either online or over the phone.

    Alternatively you can report information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Adjustment in ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations in February 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (January 27) announced an adjustment to the auto-LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations from February 1 to February 28, 2025, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts for dedicated LPG filling stations.
          
         A department spokesman said that the adjustment on February 1, 2025, would reflect the movement of the LPG international price in January 2025, and the average movement of the latest Composite Consumer Price Index and Nominal Wage Index. The overall adjusted auto-LPG ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations would range from $3.71 to $4.63 per litre, amounting to a decrease of $0.01 to $0.04 per litre.
          
         The spokesman said that the auto-LPG ceiling prices were adjusted according to a pricing formula specified in the contracts. The formula comprises two elements – the LPG international price and the LPG operating price. The LPG international price refers to the LPG international price of the preceding month. The LPG operating price is adjusted on February 1 and June 1 annually according to the average movement of the Composite Consumer Price Index and the Nominal Wage Index. The latest year-on-year rates of change of the Composite Consumer Price Index and the Nominal Wage Index are +1.7% and +3.6% respectively.
          
         The auto-LPG ceiling prices for respective dedicated LPG filling stations in February 2025 are as follows:
     

    Location of
    Dedicated LPG Filling Station
    Auto-LPG
    Ceiling Price in
    February 2025 (HK$/litre)
    Auto-LPG
    Ceiling Price in
    January 2025 (HK$/litre)

    Kwai On Road, Kwai Chung
    3.71
    3.75

    Sham Mong Road, Mei Foo
    3.78
    3.81

    Wai Lok Street, Kwun Tong
    3.83
    3.86

    Cheung Yip Street, Kowloon Bay
    3.88
    3.91

    Ngo Cheung Road, West Kowloon
    3.89
    3.92

    Yuen Chau Tsai, Tai Po
    3.94
    3.97

    Tak Yip Street, Yuen Long
    4.05
    4.08

    Hang Yiu Street, Ma On Shan
    4.07
    4.10

    Marsh Road, Wan Chai
    4.08
    4.11

    Fung Mat Road, Sheung Wan 
    4.11
    4.13

    Yip Wong Road, Tuen Mun
    4.20
    4.23

    Fung Yip Street, Chai Wan 
    4.63
    4.64

     
         The spokesman said that the details of the LPG international price and the auto-LPG ceiling price for each dedicated LPG filling station had been uploaded to the EMSD website (www.emsd.gov.hk) and posted at dedicated LPG filling stations to enable the trades to monitor the price adjustment.
          
         Details of the pricing adjustment mechanism for dedicated LPG filling stations can also be viewed under the “What’s New” section of the department website at www.emsd.gov.hk/en/what_s_new/current/index.html.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government announces appointments to Chinese Medicine Development Committee and its subcommittees

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Government announced today (January 27) the appointments of 18 new non-official members and reappointments of seven incumbent non-official members to the Chinese Medicine Development Committee (CMDC). The Government also announced the appointments to the new term of the Chinese Medicine Practice Subcommittee (CMPSC) and the Chinese Medicines Industry Subcommittee (CMISC) under the CMDC.
     
         Professor Chan Wing-kwong and Mr Tommy Li Ying-sang are reappointed as the Chairmen of the CMPSC and the CMISC respectively. To provide young people with more opportunities to take part in public affairs, the newly appointed non-official members of the CMDC also include two young individuals recruited under the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth (MSSY). The aforementioned appointments will take effect from February 1, 2025, for a term of two years.
     
         Moreover, the Government announced the appointment of the Hospital Chief Executive of The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) (or representative) as an ex-officio member of the CMDC, and the appointment of the representative(s) from CMHHK as an ex-officio member of the three subcommittees (i.e. the CMPSC, the CMISC and the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint Subcommittee (CMDBSC)) under the CMDC, with a view to highlighting the hospital’s significant role in leading the development of Chinese medicine (CM) in Hong Kong.
     
         The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, expressed gratitude to the outgoing members of the CMDC, the CMPSC and the CMISC for their contributions to the development of CM during their tenure, including the formulation of the framework of the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint, and said he looked forward to working closely with the members of the new term to capitalise on the characteristics and strengths of CM in Hong Kong and promote the high-quality and high-standard development of CM in Hong Kong on all fronts through concerted efforts, thereby developing Hong Kong into a bridgehead for the internationalisation of CM.
     
         Chaired by the Secretary for Health, the CMDC gives recommendations to the Government concerning the direction and long-term strategies for CM development in Hong Kong with regard to four key areas, namely the development of CM services, personnel training and professional development, scientific research and development, as well as development of the Chinese medicines industry. Since its establishment in 2013, the CMDC has been providing valuable advice to the Government on an array of important issues in relation to CM in Hong Kong, including the establishment of CMHHK, the development of integrated Chinese-Western medicine services, the implementation of the Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards Project, the setting up of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute and the formulation of the Blueprint. The CMPSC and the CMISC are two standing subcommittees under the CMDC, focusing deliberation on various areas respectively. In order to gather a wider spectrum of views when formulating the Blueprint, the Government established the CMDBSC under the CMDC in September last year to make recommendations to the CMDC on concrete strategies for the overall development of CM, as well as the short, medium and long-term objectives and feasible initiatives for the long-term planning.
     
         The membership lists of the CMDC and its three subcommittees to be effective from February 1, 2025, are as follows:
     
    The CMDC
    ————–
     
    Chairman
    ———–
    Secretary for Health
     
    Non-official members
    —————————
    #Professor Dawn Au Ching-tung
    #Professor Chair Sek-ying
    *Professor Chan Wing-kwong
    #Dr Billy Chiu Chi-fai
    #Professor Amy Chow Yin-man
    #Professor Kenny Chung Kiu-lam
    *Professor Feng Yibin
    #Professor Huang Xianzhang
    *Dr Lam Pui-yan
    #Professor Li Min
    *Mr Tommy Li Ying-sang
    *Professor Lin Zhixiu
    #Dr Liong Ching
    *Ms Lui Kam-oi
    #Mrs Mak Tang Wai-man
    #@Ms Mok Hei-ting
    #@Mr Samuel Mok Kam-sum
    #Ms Winnie Ng Wing-mui
    #Professor Douglas So Cheung-tak
    *Mr Ting Wing-fai
    #Professor Hector Tsang Wing-hong
    #Dr Wong Hung-ngan
    #Mr Kenlay Wong Kong-hui
    #Professor Justin Wu Che-yuen
    #Professor Yeung Wing-fai
     
    Ex-officio members
    ————————
    Permanent Secretary for Health
    Commissioner for Innovation and Technology (or representative)
    Director of Health (or representative)
    Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (or representative)
    Hospital Chief Executive of CMHHK (or representative)
     
    The CMPSC
    —————
     
    Chairman
    ————
    *Professor Chan Wing-kwong
     
    Non-official members
    ————————–
    *Dr Au Cheuk-wing
    #Professor Chan Fong-yeung
    #Mr Chan Kai-yan
    *Mr Cheung Yi-chung
    *Mr William Cheung Yu-ho
    *Dr Kevin Chu Ka-wing
    *Dr Ho Yuen-shan
    #Dr Ku Ping-yui
    *Dr Lam Chun-pong
    *Ms Lam Wai-king
    *Dr Henry Lee Kai-ping
    *Ms Lin Wing-han
    *Ms Alma Ling
    *Mr Penny Ling Kwan-yee
    *Mr Eddie Lo Ting-yu
    #Dr Philip Ma Kei-chuen
    #Mr Gerry Ma Kwai-yung
    #Professor Shamay Ng Sheung-mei
    #Dr Su Jing
    *Dr Miranda Wong Tsz-yan
    #Dr Wong Yuet-ming
     
    Ex-officio members
    ————————
    Representative(s) from the Health Bureau
    Representative(s) from the Department of Health
    Representative(s) from the Hospital Authority
    Representative(s) from CMHHK
     
    The CMISC
    ————–
     
    Chairman
    ———–
    *Mr Tommy Li Ying-sang
     
    Non-official members
    ————————–
    *Ms Michelle Au Yeung Fung-ying
    *Dr Chan Kei-wai
    #Mr Chan Man-hon
    #Mr Eugene Chu Lap-shing
    *Dr Ho Chi-ming
    *Mr Kwok Tsz-ming
    #Mr Lam Chun-hong
    *Dr Lam Wing-ho
    #Professor Clara Lau Bik-san
    #Dr Grace Lau Sze-ngar
    #Ms Li Ka-yan
    #Mr Coty Lui Wai-keung
    *Professor Shen Jiangang
    #Mr Derek Sum Kwong-yip
    *Mr Nicholas Wong Lup-hoi
    *Ms Wong Sau-wan
    *Mr Edward William Yau Fook-wing
    *Mr Yip Yue-keung
    #Professor Joan Zuo Zhong
     
    Ex-officio members
    ————————
    Representative(s) from the Health Bureau
    Representative(s) from the Department of Health
    Representative(s) from the Innovation and Technology Commission
    Representative(s) from CMHHK
     
    The CMDBSC
    —————–
     
    Chairman
    ———–
    Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development (Dr Vincent Chung Chi-ho)
     
    Non-official members
    ————————–
    Chairman of the CMPSC (Professor Chan Wing-kwong)
    Chairman of the CMISC (Mr Tommy Li Ying-sang)
    ^Convener of the Working Group on the Development of Chinese Medicine Services (Dr Liong Ching)
    ^Convener of the Working Group on the Development of Chinese Medicine Industry and Cultural Popularisation (Professor Dawn Au Ching-tung)
    ^Convener of the Working Group on the Development of Chinese Medicine Profession and Talent Cultivation (Professor Kenny Chung Kiu-lam)
    Representative of the School of Chinese Medicine of the Hong Kong Baptist University (Professor Li Min)
    Representative of the School of Chinese Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Dr Sarah Chan Sze-nga)
    Representative of the School of Chinese Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (Professor Shen Jiangang)
    Professor Chair Sek-ying
    Mr Chan Lin-chuen
    Ms Jojo Chan Wing-yin
    Mr Abraham Chan Yu-ling
    Mr Chua Hoi-wai
    Mr Koo Hoi-lun
    Dr Kwok Tsz-kin
    Mr Lam Chun-hong
    Professor Cindy Lam Lo-kuen
    Professor Simon Lee Ming-yuen
    Professor Gilberto Leung Ka-kit
    Professor Hector Tsang Wing-hong
    Dr Wong Hung-ngan
    Mr Nicholas Wong Lup-hoi
     
    Ex-officio members
    ————————
    Representative(s) from the Health Bureau
    Representative(s) from the Department of Health
    Representative(s) from the Hospital Authority
    Representative(s) from CMHHK
     
    Note:
    # Newly appointed non-official members
    * Reappointed non-official members
    @ Joined under the MSSY
    ^ The Working Group on the Development of Chinese Medicine Services, the Working Group on the Development of Chinese Medicine Industry and Cultural Popularisation, and the Working Group on the Development of Chinese Medicine Profession and Talent Cultivation are the working groups under the CMDBSC

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH enhances enforcement actions against illegal use of pharmacy logo and title with approach of Chinese New Year holidays

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    DH enhances enforcement actions against illegal use of pharmacy logo and title with approach of Chinese New Year holidays
    DH enhances enforcement actions against illegal use of pharmacy logo and title with approach of Chinese New Year holidays
    ******************************************************************************************

         With the Chinese New Year holidays approaching, the Department of Health (DH) today (January 27) reminded members of the public and travellers to verify the pharmacy logo in the prescribed form when purchasing medicines. The DH will continue to enhance enforcement actions against the illegal use of logos and titles of Authorized Sellers of Poisons (ASP) (commonly known as pharmacies) and carry out follow-up investigations of suspected violations.            Last year (2024), six limited companies and a proprietor of a retailer, which were not pharmacies, were convicted of displaying a logo, which so resembled the logo in the prescribed form of a pharmacy, at their premises, and were fined from $2,000 to $16,800.            According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance), only persons authorised by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong (the Board) as ASPs are allowed to conduct the relevant retail business of selling poisons at premises registered by the Board, including poisons listed in Part 1 and Part 2 of the Poisons List at Schedule 10 to the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Cap. 138A). Displaying a logo in the prescribed form of a pharmacy or a logo which so resembled the logo in the prescribed form at a premises other than the registered premises of a pharmacy, or using the Chinese term “藥房” or the terms such as “pharmacy”, “dispensary”, “drug-store” in connection with any business engaged in the retail sale of poisons commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.           The use of a pharmacy logo or its title as stipulated by the Ordinance is applicable to all retailers, including those that are not licensed by the Board. The DH has been collecting intelligence through different channels. If any retailer is suspected of illegally displaying a pharmacy logo in the prescribed form or pharmacy title, the DH will follow up and carry out an investigation immediately and conduct joint operation with relevant departments when necessary.           To enable the public to identify registered pharmacies, the DH has formulated a label (see Annex) for identification of ASPs, and the labels have been sent to each pharmacy for display in a conspicuous position in the pharmacy. Users can obtain information of the registered pharmacy by scanning the QR Code on the label displayed in the pharmacy.           Members of the public can also visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for educational materials on “‘Pharmacies’ in Hong Kong”, and names and addresses of all licensees (including ASPs).

     
    Ends/Monday, January 27, 2025Issued at HKT 12:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious Crash, SH5, Waipunga

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police are responding to a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 5 near Matea Road, Waipunga, Taupō District.

    The crash was reported around 4pm.

    Initial indications suggest at least two occupants are in a moderate to serious condition.

    The road is closed while emergency services work at the scene between Matea Road and Pohoukura Road. 

    Motorists are advised to expect delays and take an alternate route.

    ENDS 

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on January 24, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,48,443.86 6.59 5.10-6.90
         I. Call Money 11,569.87 6.57 5.10-6.70
         II. Triparty Repo 3,81,193.75 6.58 6.50-6.70
         III. Market Repo 1,53,863.34 6.61 5.84-6.78
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,816.90 6.86 6.80-6.90
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 253.00 6.48 6.05-6.65
         II. Term Money@@ 665.00 – 6.60-7.50
         III. Triparty Repo 1,030.00 6.67 6.55-6.70
         IV. Market Repo 327.21 6.78 6.65-6.80
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo Fri, 24/01/2025 14 Fri, 07/02/2025 1,62,096.00 6.51
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Fri, 24/01/2025 3 Mon, 27/01/2025 2,00,011.00 6.52
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Fri, 24/01/2025 1 Sat, 25/01/2025 3,149.00 6.75
      Fri, 24/01/2025 2 Sun, 26/01/2025 0.00 6.75
      Fri, 24/01/2025 3 Mon, 27/01/2025 83.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Fri, 24/01/2025 1 Sat, 25/01/2025 85,117.00 6.25
      Fri, 24/01/2025 2 Sun, 26/01/2025 52.00 6.25
      Fri, 24/01/2025 3 Mon, 27/01/2025 7,705.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       2,72,465.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       9,556.48  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     9,556.48  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     2,82,021.48  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on January 24, 2025 8,96,788.46  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending January 24, 2025 9,10,251.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ January 24, 2025 2,53,500.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on January 10, 2025 40,102.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2024-2025/2007

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Social security payments to be raised

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Social security payments to be raised
    Social security payments to be raised
    *************************************

         The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced today (January 27) that starting from February 1 this year, the standard payment rates under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme as well as the rates of the Old Age Allowance (OAA), Old Age Living Allowance (OALA) (including OAA and OALA under the Guangdong Scheme and the Fujian Scheme) and Disability Allowance under the Social Security Allowance (SSA) Scheme will be raised.     An SWD spokesman said, “On December 6 last year, the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council gave approval for the Government to adjust the above rates upwards by 1.3 per cent with effect from February 1 this year in accordance with the established mechanism, i.e., on the basis of the year-on-year rate of change of the Social Security Assistance Index of Prices, benefiting around 1.6 million people in total.” The adjusted CSSA standard payment rates and the SSA rates of allowances are set out at Annex I.     The spokesman added, “Furthermore, taking into account the movement of the Consumer Price Index (A) rent index for private housing, the Government will raise the maximum rent allowance (MRA) under the CSSA Scheme by 0.2 per cent, also with effect from February 1 this year.” The adjusted MRA under the CSSA Scheme is provided at Annex II.     CSSA and SSA recipients may contact their respective social security field units or call the SWD hotline 2343 2255 for enquiries.

     
    Ends/Monday, January 27, 2025Issued at HKT 11:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Three property owners fined over $210,000 in total for not complying with removal orders

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹Three property owners were convicted and fined over $210,000 in total at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts earlier this month for failing to comply with removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).

         The first case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 28 square metres on the flat roof of a residential building at Yan Oi Tong Circuit, Tuen Mun. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO.

         Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD and was fined $75,260, of which $55,260 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on January 10.

         The second and the third cases involved several unauthorised structures with a total area of about 60 sq m on the yards and one of the roofs of two houses at San Tam Road, Yuen Long. As the UBWs were carried out without prior approval and consent from the BD, removal orders were served on two owners concerned under section 24(1) of the BO.

         Failing to comply with the removal orders, the two owners were prosecuted by the BD and were fined upon conviction at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on January 10. One owner was fined $75,750, of which $50,750 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, while the other owner was fined $66,660, of which $44,660 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued.

         A spokesman for the BD said today (January 27), “UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who have failed to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building safety.”

         Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year’s imprisonment, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB, Ayala Sign $100 Million Financing Deal to Support Electric Mobility in the Philippines

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    MANILA, PHILIPPINES (27 January 2025) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a financing package of up to $100 million to support Ayala Corporation’s contributions to the development of an electric mobility ecosystem in the Philippines. This funding will be used to procure and install electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) and to purchase electric vehicles for commercial distribution.

    The package includes a concessional loan from the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia (CANPA). ADB’s financing, along with the concessional loan, will be used to develop a network of EVCS in the Philippines. This blended financing features an innovative pricing structure aimed at accelerating deployment of EVCS infrastructure. A portion of the ADB financing will be allocated to procure electric vehicles from leading manufacturers for distribution across the country.

    “This project is a significant step towards a sustainable and low-carbon future for the Philippines,” said ADB Country Director for the Philippines Pavit Ramachandran. “By fostering the development of a robust electric mobility ecosystem, we are not only addressing critical environmental challenges such as air pollution, but also driving economic growth through the creation of green jobs, enhancing energy security, and promoting inclusive and resilient urban development.”

    Electric vehicle (EV) development is still nascent in the Philippines. High initial costs, limited charging infrastructure, and evolving technologies have posed significant barriers to adoption of EVs in the country. But the Philippine government’s Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act and various tax incentives are helping create a more favorable environment for the growth of the EV sector.

    The creation of an EVCS network is crucial for electric vehicles to become more popular. The EVCS to be set up with the ADB financing package will address gaps in EV charging infrastructure, thereby facilitating faster adoption of electric vehicles.

    “This innovative blended financing comes at an opportune time as Ayala, through ACMobility, continues to ramp up its electric mobility investments. As we help build a comprehensive EV ecosystem for the Philippines, we wish to thank like-minded institutional partners like ADB for helping us expand our electric mobility initiatives, accelerate our contribution to the Philippines’ climate goals, and reaffirm our purpose of building businesses that enable people to thrive,” said ACMobility’s President and CEO Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala.

    Established in 2024, CANPA is a trust fund managed by ADB, supported by a commitment of Can$360 million from the Government of Canada. The fund builds on the success of the two previous funds, namely the Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in Asia II (CFPS II) and its predecessor CFPS. CANPA aims to support private-sector projects in Asia and the Pacific that focus on climate and nature-based solutions, while also promoting gender equality.

    Ayala Corporation is one of the Philippines’ largest and most enduring conglomerates. With a diverse portfolio that includes real estate, banking, telecommunications, and renewable energy, the company is well-positioned to lead the development of the electric mobility ecosystem in the Philippines. Key to Ayala’s growing sustainable business portfolio is its access to innovative financing options such as blended finance, which is supported by public, private and philanthropic funds.

    ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—49 from the region. 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: PRITCHARD GROVE, PANORAMA (Grass Fire)

    Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

    Issued on
    27 Jan 2025 13:19

    Issued for
    PANORAMA near Blackwood and Eden Hills in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

    Warning level
    Advice – Stay Informed

    Action
    CFS is responding to a fire near Panorama, Blackwood and Eden Hills.

    If you are in this area, stay informed and monitor local conditions. More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Quick reporting from public sees two teens arrested, Invercargill

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Detective Peter Smallfield, Invercargill Police:

    Two young people are facing Youth Court in Invercargill after a series of burglaries in a stolen car overnight.

    A Mazda vehicle was stolen from a Kingswell address in the early hours of the morning by two people, who later pulled up to a jewellers in the central city around 5am.

    They have got out and attempted to smash the windows with a scooter, and when they were not able to gain entry, travelled to a service station in Newfield.

    Again, they were not able to gain entry.

    Stopping the vehicle on a street nearby, they have had an interaction with a member of the public, in which they have pretended to have a firearm with them in order to scare them away.

    They have then travelled to a dairy in Winsdor, where they have managed to smash their way in.

    The pair stole items including vapes, cash, and confectionery before getting back into the vehicle and driving a short distance away.

    A Police dog unit has located the vehicle and tracked the occupants who had fled on foot, taking them into custody shortly after 6am.

    Two young males were due in the Invercargill Youth Court today, appearing jointly on three charges of burglary, one of theft of a motor vehicle and one of being unlawfully in a closed yard.

    This behaviour is incredibly frustrating for residents and business owners in our community, and it’s pleasing to have been able to immediately hold this pair to account.

    We want to extend our thanks to the members of the public who observed suspicious behaviour and reported it to Police on 111 straight away, enabling the quick apprehension of the two youths.

    It is also a reminder to take every precaution possible to help avoid becoming a victim of crime.

    Remember to take property security measures with your vehicles – keep them inside a secure garage if possible, remove valuables, and consider a steering wheel lock. This all helps make your vehicle less desirable for opportunistic thieves.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: YOHO ROAD, DELAMERE (Tree Down)

    Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

    Advice – Reduced Threat

    We will issue a Reduced Threat message when the threat to the community has reduced.

    All bushfire incidents that have had an Advice, Watch and Act or Emergency Warning message issued will be finalised with an Advice – Reduced Threat message.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Transcript – ABC Brisbane: Steve Austin

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    STEVE AUSTIN: Catherine King is the Federal Minister for Infrastructure in Australia. Minister, thanks for joining me this morning. 

    CATHERINE KING: Very good to be with you. 

    STEVE AUSTIN: Can you tell me this is by Infrastructure Australia? Does this mean that you as the final decision maker will bump these off the priority list yourself? 

    CATHERINE KING: No, so, it’s a bit of a beat up of a story this morning, and it seems to be a bit of confusion about what the role of Infrastructure Australia is versus the role of the Australian Government that, of course, funds through the budget infrastructure projects in Queensland, some nationally significant, those very, very large infrastructure projects that operate where there are big missing links in freight routes, where there are big missing links in electricity transmission or water transmission, right the way across the country. And so it is, at that higher level of project. And so it’s really refining its list there. It doesn’t represent the funding decisions or the totality of all of the projects that the government, the Federal Albanese Government, is investing in and Infrastructure Australia it’s not, never has been an actual funding body. So that’s sort of revising its list. What it’s doing at the moment is it’s consulting with states and territories. I have not seen its list. Obviously, states have been given a draft to comment on and to look through, and states can work their way with Infrastructure Australia to look at projects of that nationally significant scale, to put back on the list, if that’s what they what they want to do, or to make sure that they’re on the list, or that, as I said, that it’s separate to the budget process. And it does seem, I did think was a sort of passing strange story today.

    STEVE AUSTIN: So because it’s off the Infrastructure Australia list doesn’t mean it’s off the agenda of the federal government or you as the Minister?

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, correct. And in fact, what actually they do do is where a project already has a or has a full or partial commitment infrastructure, Australia says, well, our job’s done now like that. We’ve had that major piece of work done. We’ve analysed the cost benefit in the business case that states have put to us. It’s been on the infrastructure priority list. And again, these are only for really big projects. They’re not for the suburban roads or the bridges that we’re doing or a range of those things. And then what it does is, if it’s attracted funding, it says, okay, well now we will take that off the list, and we’ll put a new priority on at that scale. And so some of the projects that you mentioned at the start of your story already have really substantial federal funding attached to them, and that’s partly why I suspect Infrastructure Australia is removing them, or has removed them from the draft list. But again, they’re working with good faith with states and territories at the moment, and if the Queensland Government wants to submit projects to do that, it needs to have done the work. It needs to have really done the work. Because, of course, this was really about making sure, with Infrastructure Australia, that the Commonwealth Government gets good independent advice which take the politics out of infrastructure investments. We make sure that we got good, proper advice in which to make investments. 

    STEVE AUSTIN: I spoke with the mayor of the Sunshine Coast earlier this morning, Rosanna Natoli, and she’s worried about what the list means, particularly for the Sunshine Coast, which is under huge development pressure from increased population there, particularly for things like some of the big roads, but also the rail project, the Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade. Can you state what your position is on that today, please?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, of course, in terms of many again, of the projects that were referenced, there is already significant investment being made. For local councils where they want to put their views, they need to do that via state governments. They have every opportunity to do that, and we really encourage them to do that. But again, we’re investing really significantly, whether it’s Logan to Gold Coast faster rail, the Sunshine Coast rail line, direct sunshine coast, the Coomera Connector, the Bruce Highway investments. When we came to government, there was significant underfunding. There was $18 billion committed to Queensland from the previous government. We have upped that to $28 billion including the recent announcements to fix the Bruce Highway.  No funding cuts at all to Queensland. In fact, substantial investments in Queensland. 

    STEVE AUSTIN: So does that mean that Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgraders, it will be funded for the Sunshine Coast region?

    CATHERINE KING: In terms of that particular project that already has a total of $606.7 million from the Australian government committed to it. It’s a project of a funding total of a billion dollars. It is currently, as I understand, early works are being completed in pre-construction design, so the Commonwealth is already funding that project.

    STEVE AUSTIN:  Is there anything else you want to get on the record in relation to Queensland? Given the sort of the changes in infrastructure Australia’s priority list, you’re the final person who’ll say yay or nay?

    CATHERINE KING: So I’m not the final person. So Infrastructure Australia, again, independent of the government, I don’t say what’s on the list. 

    STEVE AUSTIN: No, I know. I know you will have to say as to what gets built and what doesn’t get built. As the federal infrastructure minister.

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, so I will through the normal budget process. We do it every year. States write to me and they say, this is what you know, they want funding for, this is where we’ve got substantial cost pressures. The new Queensland Government has just done that recently, and we through the budget process systematically go through that. I seek advice from Infrastructure Australia as to whether something is investment ready, has the cost benefit work being done? Because what we had inherited was, frankly, a lot of press releases, a lot of press releases telling me that there was money set aside for projects –  chronically underfunded, and what we’ve had to do is really make sure we’ve got a disciplined process to look at Commonwealth investments. But again, as I said, we started when we came to government, $18 billion committed to Queensland. There’s now $28, billion committed to Queensland. I think we’ll stand on our record of the substantial investments we make to improve infrastructure in Queensland.

    STEVE AUSTIN:  Minister thanks for your time. 

    CATHERINE KING: Really good to be with you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China brings back criminal suspect in cross-border human trafficking case

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese police have successfully apprehended and brought back a major criminal suspect involved in a high-profile case, in which a Chinese actor was deceived and illegally detained on the Thailand-Myanmar border.
    The suspect, surnamed Yan, was returned to China on Saturday thanks to the joint efforts of a task force dispatched by China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, and with assistance from Thai law enforcement, the MPS said on Sunday.
    Several cases involving Chinese citizens being deceived and illegally detained on the Thailand-Myanmar border — where they were forced to participate in telecom and internet fraud — have attracted widespread attention.
    Wang Xing, a Chinese actor, entered Thailand on Jan. 3 but lost contact near the Thailand-Myanmar border. Thai police tracked his movements and successfully rescued him, identifying him as a victim of human trafficking.
    An MPS official stated that the police will intensify their efforts to deepen international law enforcement cooperation, launch a strong crackdown, and coordinate rescue operations to protect the personal safety and property of Chinese citizens.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s foreign investment, cooperation remain stable in 2024

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken on Sept. 2, 2024 shows the skyline of the central business district (CBD) at dusk in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s foreign investment and cooperation saw steady growth in 2024, an official with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Sunday.

    The country’s non-financial outbound direct investment rose 10.5 percent year on year to $143.85 billion last year, with investments in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries increasing by 12.6 percent year on year, according to the official.

    Investments in leasing, business services, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail sectors drove the growth. The turnover of China’s foreign contracted projects totaled $165.97 billion in 2024, an increase of 3.1 percent year on year, the official said.

    In 2024, the number of workers dispatched abroad reached 409,000, a 17.9 percent increase year on year, with a total of 594,000 Chinese workers employed overseas by the end of the year.

    Non-financial investment in countries along the Belt and Road increased by 5.4 percent year on year to $33.69 billion last year, MOC data showed.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: S. Korean prosecution indicts President Yoon on insurrection charge

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    South Korea’s prosecution indicted arrested President Yoon Suk-yeol on an insurrection charge, multiple media outlets reported on Sunday.

    Yoon was put on trial in custody as the suspected ringleader of insurrection, becoming the country’s first incumbent president to be formally arrested and indicted.

    Yoon was accused of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who had already been indicted under detention, to declare unconstitutional, illegal martial law and dispatch armed forces into the National Assembly.

    After receiving Yoon’s case from the anti-corruption agency, the prosecution requested Yoon’s extended arrest twice for supplementary investigation, but the Seoul Central District Court repeatedly rejected it to bring Yoon to trial as early as possible.

    A warrant to keep Yoon in custody for up to 20 days, including the arrest period, was issued by another Seoul court on Jan. 19.

    Yoon was apprehended in the presidential office on Jan. 15.

    The motion to impeach Yoon was passed through the National Assembly on Dec. 14 last year and was delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoon’s presidential power is suspended.

    Yoon declared an emergency martial law on the night of Dec. 3. It was revoked by the National Assembly hours later. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Road closed following crash, State Highway 1, Marton

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Emergency services are responding to a report of a crash involving two vehicles on State Highway 1 north of Marton, reported shortly after 2pm. 

    Indications are that there have been serious injuries.

    The road is closed and diversions are in place. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: MINE ROAD, KANMANTOO (Grass Fire)

    Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

    Issued on
    27 Jan 2025 12:12

    Issued for
    MULCH FIRE AT KANMANTOO, 3km North West of Callington in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

    Warning level
    Advice – Avoid Smoke

    Action
    Smoke from a mulch fire at Kanmantoo is in the vicinity of Mine Road, Back Callinton Road, Hollamby Road and Hillview Road and may impact the township of Callington in the Murraylands and Mount Lofty Ranges districts.

    Smoke can affect your health. You should stay informed and be aware of the health impacts of smoke on yourself and others.

    Symptoms of exposure includes shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, burning eyes, running nose, chest tightness, chest pain and dizziness or light-headedness.

    If you or anyone in your care are having difficulty breathing, seek medical attention from your local GP. If your symptoms become severe, call 000.

    More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.

    MIL OSI News –