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Laos to Open New Health Centers to Tackle Work-Related Injuries

Laos to Open New Health Centers to Tackle Work-Related Injuries
A nurse performs a check-up on a resident (photo credit: THACO)

The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, in collaboration with six hospitals in Vientiane Capital, signed an agreement on 9 August to establish occupational and health check-up centers aimed at preventing work-related injuries and illnesses.

Galaxy Macau Announces Event Partnership with UFC® UFC® FIGHT NIGHT MACAU Returns After a Decade on November 23


MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 August 2024 – Galaxy Macau is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement with UFC®, the world’s premier Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organization. Together, they will host the UFC® Fight Night Macau on November 23, 2024 at the Galaxy Arena, Macau’s new cultural and entertainment landmark. This top-tier global MMA event marks UFC’s return to Macau after a decade, making it a major sporting highlight for Macau and Greater China this year.

The event partnership signing ceremony is attended by Kevin Kelley, Chief Operating Officer–Macau of Galaxy Entertainment Group(second from right); Kevin Chang, UFC Senior Vice President and Head of Asia(second from left); Leanne Chu, Vice President of UFC Business Operations(first from left) and Jeffrey Jiang, Senior Vice President, Entertainment Services, Galaxy Entertainment Group(first from right).
The event partnership signing ceremony is attended by Kevin Kelley, Chief Operating Officer–Macau of Galaxy Entertainment Group(second from right); Kevin Chang, UFC Senior Vice President and Head of Asia(second from left); Leanne Chu, Vice President of UFC Business Operations(first from left) and Jeffrey Jiang, Senior Vice President, Entertainment Services, Galaxy Entertainment Group(first from right).

Kevin Kelley, Chief Operating Officer–Macau of Galaxy Entertainment Group and Kevin Chang, UFC Senior Vice President and Head of Asia met at the Galaxy International Convention Center to formally sign the event agreement and announce the date and location of UFC® FIGHT NIGHT MACAU. Under the theme of “Tourism + Sports,” this collaboration aims to enhance Macau’s reputation as a “City of Sports”, attracting sports enthusiasts from around the world to this ideal travel destination.

UFC® Fight Night Macau will take place on November 23, 2024 at the Galaxy Arena, Macau’s new cultural and entertainment landmark.
UFC® Fight Night Macau will take place on November 23, 2024 at the Galaxy Arena, Macau’s new cultural and entertainment landmark.

Kevin Kelley welcomed UFC event back to Macau after 10 years, highlighting it as prestigious addition to Galaxy Macau’s growing portfolio of international sports events which includes the ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cup Macao 2024 and The Women’s Volleyball Nations League 2024 Macao. The state-of-the-art equipment and amenities of the Galaxy Arena, combined with Galaxy Macau’s “World Class, Asian Heart” service philosophy, promise to elevate the event’s thrilling experience and further boost Macau’s sports development.

Galaxy Macau has actively supported, participated in, and organized various world’s top sports events and activities in line with the Macao SAR Government’s development strategy. Galaxy Arena is the most favored arena in Macau because of its state-of-the-art equipment and amenities.
Galaxy Macau has actively supported, participated in, and organized various world’s top sports events and activities in line with the Macao SAR Government’s development strategy. Galaxy Arena is the most favored arena in Macau because of its state-of-the-art equipment and amenities.

Since entering Asia in 2010, Macau has been a stronghold for UFC. The city hosted three Fight Nights in 2012 and 2014. This upcoming event marks UFC’s return to Greater China after four years. Kevin Chang expressed his excitement, stating, “We are ecstatic to be back at this incredible destination city. Our last UFC event here was a decade ago in 2014, and since then, our brand has grown by leaps and bounds. We are proud to partner with Galaxy Macau and can’t wait to put on an electrifying show at the state-of-the-art Galaxy Arena to the delight of fans across the region.”

Galaxy Macau has actively supported, participated in, and organized various sports events and activities in line with the Macao SAR Government’s development strategy. With the Greater Bay Area co-hosting the 2025 National Games, this collaboration between Galaxy Arena and UFC is of great significance. Galaxy Macau aims to showcase Macau’s unique geographical location, rich tourism resources, and strong sports enthusiasm to visiting spectators, continuously promoting the integrated development of sports and tourism in Macau.

More information on UFC® FIGHT NIGHT MACAU will be announced in the coming weeks. UFC fans can stay updated by visiting the official websites of www.galaxymacau.com and ufc.com/macau.
Hashtag: #GalaxyMacau

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Galaxy Macau Integrated Resort

Galaxy Macau™, The World-class Luxury Integrated Resort delivers the “Most Spectacular Entertainment and Leisure Destination in the World”. Developed at an investment of HK$43 billion, the property covers 1.1 million-square-meter of unique entertainment and leisure attractions that are unlike anything else in Macau. Eight award-winning world-class luxury hotels provide close to 5,000 rooms, suites and villas. They include Banyan Tree Macau, Galaxy Hotel™, Hotel Okura Macau, JW Marriott Hotel Macau, The Ritz-Carlton, Macau, Broadway Hotel, Raffles at Galaxy Macau, Andaz Macau. Unique to Galaxy Macau, the 75,000-square-meter Grand Resort Deck features the world’s longest Skytop Adventure Rapids at 575-meters, the largest Skytop Wave Pool with waves up to 1.5-meters high and 150-meters pristine white sand beach. Two five-star spas from Banyan Tree Spa Macau and The Ritz- Carlton Spa, Macau help guests relax and rejuvenate.

As the dining destination in Asia, Galaxy Macau offers a wide variety of gastronomic delights, exquisite experiences and ingredients of the finest quality with over 120 dining options from Michelin dining to authentic delicacies.

Embark on a delightful and rewarding journey at Galaxy Promenade, the one-stop shopping destination boasting some of the world’s most iconic luxury brands. Be the first to get the latest limited-edition items; explore fascinating pop-ups by coveted labels and revel in fabulous shopping rewards and privileges. Our VIPs are entitled to a highly-curated experience with dedicated personal shoppers at guests’ service, and be invited to exclusive luxury brand events. A different caliber of privileges and rewards also await. Discover the joys of fashion and stand at the forefront of style and sophistication—Galaxy Promenade has everything guests need to stay ahead of the style game.

Galaxy Cinemas, immersive thrills and luxurious comfort go hand in hand at Galaxy Cinemas. All 10 theaters are equipped with the latest audio-visual technology; CHINA ROUGE, one-of-a-kind deluxe lounge that evokes the glitz and glamor of Shanghai’s golden era with entertainment in luxury and style; and Foot Hub presents the traditional art of reflexology to make you feel more relaxed and revitalized. For Authentic Macau Flavours & Vibrant Asian Experiences, Broadway Macau – just a 90-second walk via a bridge from Galaxy Macau, has over 35 Authentic Macau & Asian Flavours at its Broadway Food Street. The 2,500-seat Broadway Theatre plays host to world-class entertainers and a diverse array of cultural events.

Meeting, incentive and banquet groups are also well looked after with a portfolio of unique venues in Galaxy Macau and a professional service staff. Galaxy International Convention Center (GICC) is the latest addition to the Group’s ever-expanding integrated resort precinct and will usher in a new era for the MICE industry in Macau. GICC is a world- class event venue featuring 40,000-square-meter of total flexible MICE, and a 16,000-seat Galaxy Arena – the largest indoor arena in Macau.

For more details, please visit , and .

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 266 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

“Melco Star Youth Talent Competition” nurtures talent in the field of entertainment and creativity


MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 August 2024 – Melco Resorts & Entertainment and the National Conditions Education (Macau) Association will jointly organize the third “Melco Star Macau Youth Talent Competition” to instill national pride and patriotism through education of Chinese culture. In alignment with Melco’s “Splendors of China” goals of inculcating national pride at an early age, the competition has seen the combined participation of 2,360 students from 56 schools and arts organizations, delivering close to 300 Chinese cultural arts performances in dance, song and recital acts.

Melco Star Youth Talent Competition
Melco Star Youth Talent Competition

With the largest number of entertainment attractions in Macau, nurturing and mentoring talent in the field of entertainment and creativity is a commitment for Melco.

As part of its endeavor and to spot young local talent for future nurturing, it was announced that leading artistic directors in the field of entertainment will be part of the judging panel of the “Melco Star Macau Youth Talent Competition” finalist events. Esteemed judges from the competition include Mr. Giuliano Peparini, Artistic Director of “The House of Dancing Water”; Mr. Kriman Benbella, Founder and Creative Director of The Planet Entertainment; Mr. Shanqi, renowned Chinese musician and producer; Professor Xu Qing, former associate professor of the People’s Liberation Army Art College; Mr. Vincent Lu Jia, Macao Orchestra Principal Cello; and Ms. Hu Chengfeng, former judge of elite projects of China National Arts Fund.

Details of the competition were shared at the event’s launch ceremony held at Studio City on August 13. Guests of honor including Mr. Yin Rutao, Deputy Director General of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Mr. Gao Yuan, Director of the Department of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao; Mr. Kevin Ho, Macao Deputy of the National People’s Congress; Mr. Kou Kam Fai, Macao member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Ms. Ho Hong Pan, Head of the Department for Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao SAR Government; Ms. Cheung Wai, Head of the Vocational Training Department of Labour Affairs Bureau of Macao SAR Government; Mr. Chio Pou Wai, Head of the Division of Youth Development of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of Macao SAR Government; Ms. Carmen Lo Choi In, Member of the Legislative Assembly and Mr. Vong Pio, Chairperson of the Macao Catholic Schools Association, were welcomed by co-hosts Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman & CEO of Melco Resorts & Entertainment; Mr. Jack Wang, President of National Education (Macau) Association; Dr. Kent Wong, Melco Chief Advisor; Ms. Akiko Takahashi, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff to Melco Chairman & CEO; Mr. Alidad Tash, Executive Vice President, Analytics and Gaming Operations; Mr. Tim Kelly, Property President of City of Dreams Macau; and Dr. Raymond Lo, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Marketing and General Manager of Altira Macau and Mocha Clubs.

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland, “Melco Star Youth Talent Competition” will continue to nurture patriotism through enhancing awareness and education on Chinese culture for youth in Macau. In recognition of the competition’s esteemed reputation and acclaim, it has been proudly nominated as a supporting project of the “2024 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Charity Association” hosted by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation.

Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman & CEO of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, said, “We are excited to co-host the ‘Melco Star Youth Talent Competition’ with the National Education (Macau) Association once again. This year’s event will create and support talent development opportunities for youth in Macau by providing them with exposure to renowned maestros of the arts, including the talented team behind our iconic ‘The House of Dancing Water’ extravaganza.

“Melco continues to be committed to promoting national pride through education and awareness through our ‘Splendors of China’ program. We are grateful to the National Conditions Education (Macau) Association on our further collaboration to foster awareness, appreciation and pride in the young people of Macau through creativity and talent development.”

Mr. Jack Wang, President of National Conditions Education Association (Macau), said, “It is hoped that through the activities, young people in Macau will enhance their sense of belonging and identity to the country while understanding the profoundness of China’s excellent traditional culture, to build cultural confidence, and cultivate a new generation with patriotic feelings of home and country.”

Hashtag: #melco #melcostar





Wechat: 新濠博亚娱乐

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited

Melco Resorts & Entertainment, with its American depositary shares listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (NASDAQ: MLCO), is a developer, owner and operator of integrated resort facilities in Asia and Europe. The Company currently operates Altira Macau (), an integrated resort located at Taipa, Macau and City of Dreams (www.cityofdreamsmacau.com), an integrated resort located in Cotai, Macau. Its business also includes the Mocha Clubs (), which comprise the largest non-casino based operations of electronic gaming machines in Macau. The Company also majority owns and operates Studio City (), a cinematically-themed integrated resort in Cotai, Macau. In the Philippines, a Philippine subsidiary of the Company currently operates and manages City of Dreams Manila (), an integrated resort in the Entertainment City complex in Manila. In Europe, the Company operates City of Dreams Mediterranean in Limassol in the Republic of Cyprus (). The Company also continues to operate three satellite casinos in other cities in Cyprus (the “Cyprus Casinos”). For more information about the Company, please visit .

Melco Resorts & Entertainment is majority owned by Melco International Development Limited, a company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, which is in turn majority owned and led by Mr. Lawrence Ho, who is the Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

In Celebration of Sotheby’s Maison Opening Sotheby’s and LANDMARK Unveil the Largest Woolly Mammoth Public Showcase in Hong Kong

At 3.5 Meters Tall, a Rare 12,000-Year-Old Monumental Woolly Mammoth goes on Public View from 15 – 29 August at LANDMARK ATRIUM


As Part of Sotheby’s “Another World” Exhibition
Giants of The Ice Age: Travel to Prehistoric Earth with The Woolly Mammoth

Sign Up Now: Sotheby’s Summer Public Programme
Uncover Earth’s Natural Evolution with Cambridge Anthropologist


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 August 2024 – Hard on the heels of Sotheby’s Maison opening at LANDMARK CHATER, Sotheby’s and LANDMARK today joined forces to unveil the exhibition of a 12,000-year-old, 3.5-metre-tall, monumental woolly mammoth. Marking Hong Kong’s first-ever public display of a mammoth skeleton of this scale in the heart of the city, the exhibition at LANDMARK ATRIUM of this pre-historic marvel from 15 to 29 August is poised to send ripples of wonder and curiosity throughout the community.

Sotheby’s unveils a rare and complete 12,000-year-old woolly mammoth skeleton, mammuthus primigenius, Siberia, Russia, late Pleistocene at LANDMARK ATRIUM as part of Sotheby’s “Another World” Exhibition from 15 – 29 August
Sotheby’s unveils a rare and complete 12,000-year-old woolly mammoth skeleton, mammuthus primigenius, Siberia, Russia, late Pleistocene at LANDMARK ATRIUM as part of Sotheby’s “Another World” Exhibition from 15 – 29 August


Sotheby’s Summer Public Programme
As part of the company’s vision to inspire generations of art and culture enthusiasts, Sotheby’s is hosting a series of public workshops this summer. Taking the lead, on August 24, Sotheby’s invites parents and children to a Discover, Learn & Play: An Exciting Archaeology x Biology Workshop for Young Explorers.” Led by Professor Rivera, a biological anthropologist from the University of Cambridge, along with a leading education expert from Cambridge, participants will delve into Earth’s natural evolution and hone their critical thinking skills through hands-on DNA modelling.

Date 24 August (Saturday)
Venue LANDMARK ATRIUM
Remarks Available for free public registration on a first-come, first-served basis


Reservations are available here (https://www.sothebys.com/WOOLLYMAMMOTH).

Mr Nathan Drahi, Managing Director of Sotheby’s Asia said: “The opening of our Maison in the heart of Hong Kong marks a new era for Sotheby’s. This new location enables us not only to bring Sotheby’s closer to the community but also feature some of the world’s most unique and diverse objects to the public, thereby sparking curiosity amongst all whom visit Sotheby’s.”

Woolly mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius) – perhaps the most well-known and studied species of mammoth – conquered the earth during the last ice age, known as the Pleistocene epoch. Exceptionally well preserved in its entirety, this rare complete individual woolly mammoth skeleton is unlike other examples found in museums, which are often composed of bones from multiple specimens. Extant in Siberia at the time of the third Ice Age, the species existed at the same time as the Neanderthal man, during the Middle Paleolithic period and as the Homo sapiens during the Upper Paleolithic Period until their extinction around 12,000 BC. Hunted by prehistoric man, mammoths developed special teeth and defences to protect themselves from predators and hunters. Their long, curved tusks were used not only in self-defence, but also for digging and scraping beneath the snow for food. These naturally formed tusks emerged at birth and continued to grow in an organic curve throughout their lifetime.

Titled Giants of The Ice Age: Travel To Prehistoric Earth With The Woolly Mammoth as part of Sotheby’s “Another World” exhibition, this remarkable fossil will take centre stage on the ground floor of LANDMARK ATRIUM.

“This rare exhibition with Sotheby’s marks the first of a series of exceptional experiences LANDMARK brings to Hong Kong as part of our ‘Tomorrow’s CENTRAL’ transformation. Our vision is to curate world-class experiences that will enrich and inspire our community,” Alvin Kong, Executive Director, Hongkong Land said.

A spectacular prehistoric woolly mammoth skull from the Quaternary period (2.6 million years old) from Siberia
A spectacular prehistoric woolly mammoth skull from the Quaternary period (2.6 million years old) from Siberia

A stone’s throw away, on the first floor of its Maison at LANDMARK CHATER and lodged with its Salons – Sotheby’s curated retail offering spanning hundreds of objects and 80 million years of history – visitors can also see two other spectacular specimens.

These entail a spectacular prehistoric woolly mammoth skull from the Quaternary period (2.6 million years old) from Siberia and a Gryposaurus (a Juvenile Gryposaur) from the Late Cretaceous period (100 million to 66 million years ago).

A Gryposaurus (a Juvenile Gryposaur) from the Late Cretaceous period (100 million to 66 million years ago)
A Gryposaurus (a Juvenile Gryposaur) from the Late Cretaceous period (100 million to 66 million years ago)

The skeleton of the baby Gryposaur is one of the most spectacular and important discoveries in palaeontology in recent times. A fully matured Gryposaurus adult would have been around 27 feet long. This baby Gryposaurus, found in a cliff face in the Judith River Formation of Montana, Western United States, measures just under nine feet in length and likely died in a catastrophic flash flood. This is one of only a small handful of Gryposaurus to have ever been discovered.

A source of fascination and wonder for generations, dinosaurs and other prehistoric fossils have become increasingly popular as a modern collectible in recent years. Sotheby’s has conducted numerous historic sales of Natural History, including the sale at US$8.3 million of “Sue”, the most complete T. rex fossil to have been discovered. Most recently in New York, “Apex”, the finest stegosaurus that ever appeared, made history at Sotheby’s to become the most valuable fossil ever sold publicly (US. $44.6 million), exceeding its pre-sale estimate by over 11 times.

Sotheby’s Maison leads as the first of 10 distinguished Maisons set to open as part of LANDMARK’s recently announced “Tomorrow’s CENTRAL” transformation. This pioneering collaboration offers a tantalising glimpse into the unparalleled experiences soon to unfold across the reimagined LANDMARK.

In celebration of Sotheby’s “Giants of The Ice Age: Travel To Prehistoric Earth With The Woolly Mammoth” exhibition at LANDMARK ATRIUM, between 16 – 29 August, the first 100 visitors per day to create a Sotheby’s account will have the opportunity to win custom-designed stickers inspired by wonders of the prehistoric world. This limited-edition sticker will also serve as the entry pass for participants to unlock an exclusive interactive experience at Sotheby’s Maison.

Sotheby’s Maison
Opening hours:
Monday–Saturday | 11:00AM–7:00PM
Sunday | 11:00AM–6:00PM
Address: LANDMARK CHATER, 8 Connaught Road, Central
sothebys.com/asia

Dates for your diary:
Bodhi: Masterpieces of Monumental Buddhist Art
Exhibition: From Now – 11 September

Giants of The Ice Age: Travel To Prehistoric Earth With The Woolly Mammoth, LANDMARK ATRIUM
Exhibition: 15 – 29 August
Hashtag: #LANDMARK

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About LANDMARK

LANDMARK represents the epitome of top-tier luxury shopping and lifestyle experiences. Drawing from a rich heritage which began in 1904 – LANDMARK today is the luxury shopping destination of Hongkong Land’s Central portfolio including 4 iconic connected buildings, LANDMARK ATRIUM, LANDMARK ALEXANDRA, LANDMARK CHATER and LANDMARK PRINCE’S. LANDMARK offers approximately 208 of the finest stores and restaurants, all seamlessly linked by pedestrian bridges. From high fashion and accessories to watches and jewellery, from luxury living to beauty and grooming, from international cuisine to authentic gourmet dining, LANDMARK brings the ultimate shopping experience to the discerning customer.

About SOTHEBY’S

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewellery, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.

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* Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.

Attention: Copyright in this image shall remain vested in Sotheby’s. Please note that this image may depict subject matter which is itself protected by separate copyright. Sotheby’s makes no representations as to whether the underlying subject matter is subject to its own copyright, or as to who might hold such copyright. It is the borrower’s responsibility to obtain any relevant permissions from the holder(s) of any applicable copyright and Sotheby’s supplies this image expressly subject to this responsibility. Note that the image is provided for a one-time use only and no permission is granted to alter this image in any way.

Laos Marks 74th Mass Media Day with Focus on Digital Media Challenges, AI Integration

Laos Marks 74th Mass Media Day with Focus on Digital Media Challenges, AI Integration
This image is used only for representational purpose (photo credit: Singkham Yengtavanh)

On 13 August, Laos celebrated the 74th Anniversary of Mass Media and Publishing Day with a series of discussions aimed at examining the evolving role of media in the country. The events, which included meetings and seminars, addressed key issues such as combating fake news, the impact of social media, and the leveraging of artificial intelligence in the modern newsroom.

OP-ED: Do It Right! How ‘Itaipu’ Can Inspire Shared Prosperity in the Mekong

Comitiva da Ásia conhece experiência de Itaipu na gestão compartilhada da água. Binacional recebeu nesta segunda-feira (29 de julho) a visita da Comissão do Rio Mekong, que corta seis países do Sudeste Asiático e é um dos maiores em extensão do mundo.

By Anoulak Kittikhoun, Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong River Commission Secretariat


The Mighty Mekong River links 70 million people and six countries – China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam – in shared destiny. Anything each of us does affects the others – for better or worse. Yet, countries have and are continuing to develop national projects on the transboundary river – from hydropower and irrigation to flood control and navigation – affecting one another for better and worse. Understandably this is to meet their national interests and needs. But it is also putting the environment and people out of balance. Without enough information and consultation on some major national undertakings, misperception spreads, trust is eroded, and ill feelings and water tensions loom.

We must ask ourselves: how can we do better? What bold thinking and new steps must we take to ensure the Mekong remains productive, sustainable and peaceful? How can we build on the relatively robust cooperation treaty that is the Mekong Agreement and successful institutional framework of the Mekong River Commission of nearly 30 years, and uplift Mekong cooperation to the next level?

The answer lies in how we approach collaboration and then how we turn what may seem complicated and almost impossible undertaking possible.

Imagine a project where two nations, regardless of their size, come together as equals – investing jointly, sharing both the challenges and the rewards. A project where engineers, managers, and supervisors from different cultures and languages collaborate daily, united by a common purpose. A project that not only powers homes and industries but also safeguards the interests of downstream neighbors. And a project that prioritizes the well-being of impacted communities through royalties and perhaps the most comprehensive and long-term social and livelihood programs ever implemented by a dam. 

This is Itaipu – a remarkable joint venture between Brazil and Paraguay. In the heart of South America, it stands as a model of the highest level of transboundary river cooperation and shared prosperity. Rising at 196 meters high and stretching 7,919 meters long, the project boasts an installed capacity of 14,000 Megawatts. It is the third-largest hydropower project in the world, providing 10% of the electricity consumed in Brazil and 90% in Paraguay, a country with a population size similar to Laos.

Yet the huge size and capacity of the project are not the most impressive part. Rather the joint investment and joint operation, right on the border no less, as well as the benefits received by the communities and guarantee for downstream Argentina that make it an inspiration for the visiting senior Mekong delegation consisting of the Mekong River Commission  (MRC) Joint Committee members and Secretariat early this August. 

As the Mekong countries look toward building more water infrastructure projects, whether in hydropower or other sectors, the Itaipu model offers invaluable insights into how joint investments can be realized, from negotiation on border issues, consulting with downstream countries, engaging and securing buy-in from communities, conducting proper feasibility studies and impact assessments, and putting in place joint management and operation. Stories like Itaipu’s, and those of other joint efforts in the Columbia River between Canada and the United States  (US), or the Senegal river between Mali, Mauritania and Senegal, indeed, are ones of transforming potential conflicts into cooperation through equitable cost and benefit sharing.

Could the Mekong countries take a page out of these books and work together to achieve a similarly high level of cooperation?

In the face of climate risks and environmental stress, for the first time since the 1970s, the MRC is supporting our member countries with Proactive Regional Planning. In fact, Article 2 of the Mekong Agreement long calls for joint and basin-wide development projects between countries, which is recently highlighted in our Basin Development Strategy 2021-2030. The PRP is thus a renewed effort to identify several joint investment projects and national projects of basin-wide significance that will address water, food, energy, and environmental needs in an integrated manner. The insights gained from exemplary joint projects around the world will be particularly relevant if countries would want to properly pursue such planned hydropower projects as Pak Chom-Pa Mong and Ban Kum-Salavanh across the Mekong mainstream shared between Laos and Thailand. The scale of the challenges and concerns of potential adverse impacts these projects present are huge, but so are the opportunities that the right collaborative approach and joint investment done well can offer. 

If pursued, these projects will require high-level governmental and national efforts on both Laos and Thailand, meticulous joint planning and negotiation to address shared concerns and benefits – not only for the countries directly involved but for downstream riparian nations, such as Cambodia and Vietnam. Cambodia and Vietnam themselves can also pursue joint work to ensure sustainable management of the shared Mekong Delta. The Mekong countries are luckier than most riparians sharing international rivers – we have a working cooperation treaty, water utilization procedures and technical guidelines, data, information and knowledge, friendly relations among neighbors based on the Mekong Spirit and ASEAN community, and supportive partners and friends from around the world. 

With vision and leadership, there is no reason why an Itaipu type project cannot be realized in our shared basin.  So, Mekong countries, if you’re going to embark on a project that impacts other nations and millions of people – do it right.

Vehicle Registration in Vientiane Exceeds City’s Population

Vientiane Traffic Lights Improperly Installed

In Vientiane Capital, the number of registered vehicles has now surpassed the city’s population, exacerbating traffic congestion, pollution, and safety concerns. According to Amphaivanh Keopradith, Deputy Director of the Transport Department at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPT), the total vehicle count across Laos reached 2,705,538 in 2023, with 43 percent of these registered in Vientiane.

The breakdown of these vehicles shows that 67 percent are two-wheeled motorcycles, 14 percent are pickup trucks, and a significant portion falls into other categories. The number of vehicles registered in Vientiane greatly exceeds the rate of population growth, leading to numerous challenges.

The high volume of vehicles has resulted in severe traffic congestion, particularly during rush hours at major intersections. Increased air and noise pollution are also significant concerns, posing serious health risks to residents. Additionally, the surge in vehicle numbers has contributed to a high rate of road accidents, with 6,806 incidents recorded nationwide in 2023, making up 17.4 percent of the total.

Despite existing laws and regulations aimed at mitigating these issues, including a road safety strategy designed to reduce road accident fatalities by 50 percent, problems persist.

To tackle these challenges, the government, under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, is launching a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) express bus system as part of a larger sustainable transportation initiative. This USD 99 million project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the government’s budget, aims to overhaul Vientiane’s transportation infrastructure to align with international standards.

The BRT project includes the introduction of electric buses that offer convenience, comfort, cleanliness, and safety. Additionally, plans are in place to upgrade alleyways for pedestrian safety, enhance roads for bicycle use, and improve roadside parking systems. These measures are intended to alleviate congestion, reduce pollution, and enhance overall transportation efficiency in Vientiane.

United Language Centre Launches Two New English Courses to Cater Diverse Learning Needs and Preferences

The Path to Fluency Starts Here


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 August 2024 – United Language Centre, a leading English language school in Singapore, is proud to announce the launch of two new English courses: Essential English Regular (EER) and Essential English Premium (EEP). These new offerings mark an exciting expansion of its previous Essential English programme and are designed to cater to diverse learning needs and preferences.

United Language Centre

Transforming English Learning

The language institute’s new English courses employ advanced teaching methodologies, including digital learning tools and modern classroom facilities, which support an engaging and effective learning environment for learners. These advancements make learning more dynamic and enjoyable, leading to improved outcomes. The Essential English Premium classes cater to learners seeking an immersive experience with smaller class sizes of 3 to 7 students, allowing for focused, personalised interaction. Conversely, the Essential English Regular option offers a well-rounded learning experience with class sizes of 5 to 10 students, striking a balance between quality and affordability.

Early adopters of Essential English Premium have reported notable improvements in their speaking fluency and confidence. At the same time, Essential English Regular students have highlighted the English speaking course’s engaging content and supportive atmosphere, as well as significant progress in their language skills.

“Our mission is to inspire confidence and build a supportive language community. With the introduction of Essential English Premium and Essential English Regular, we’re addressing the growing demand for both personalised and cost-effective English learning solutions,” stated Matthew Fast, Founder at United Language Centre. “These new courses are designed not only to enhance English proficiency but also to cultivate a welcoming environment where students can build lasting connections.”

Key Features of Essential English Regular and Essential English Premium

  • Expert Instructors: Teachers are carefully selected and trained in the United Language Centre teaching methodology, ensuring a consistent and high-quality English education across both new courses.
  • Community Engagement: The institute fosters a supportive environment by organising regular community events and activities. These help students feel at ease and build meaningful connections within one of Singapore’s largest language communities.
  • In-House Curriculum: Combining renowned textbooks with its in-house curriculum, United Language Centre focuses on equipping students with practical communication skills to prepare them for real-world English usage.
  • Flexible Scheduling: United Language Centre offers flexible scheduling options, including a 12-hour cancellation policy, to accommodate students’ busy lives.
  • Integrated Online Lessons: Both courses include online lessons, providing additional practice and support accessible whenever and wherever.


A Response to Student Needs

The development of EEP and EER reflects the institute’s commitment to meeting student needs for personalised attention and affordable English learning options. Inspired by student feedback and market trends, these English courses aim to provide a unique learning experience that aligns with the institute’s vision of creating a global language-learning community.

Enrollment Now Open
As of 1st July 2024, students were able to enrol in the courses through the institute’s website, social media platforms, email, and phone. To celebrate the launch, United Language Centre will host a series of special promotions, including an Open House in September and anniversary events in October.

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About United Language Centre

United Language Centre is dedicated to inspiring confidence in language learners through a friendly and supportive environment. With a mission to be the world’s most effective language learning brand, the institute combines expert teaching, community engagement, and advanced technology to offer one-of-a-kind educational experiences.

to learn more about their English courses and programmes.