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Scientists say Human-Caused Warming Responsible for Current Heatwave in Asia

Heatwave All But Impossible without Human-Caused Climate Change
Cricket fans cover their heads with a long scarf to shield themselves from heat during an Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match in Lucknow, India. (Photo: AP )

World Weather Attribution (WWA) has reported that the heatwave in Laos and Thailand would not have happened, if not for humans contributing to the rise of global temperatures.

CÉ LA VI Singapore Honours Pride Month with GLAM BASH and SLASSY

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 23 May 2023 – CÉ LA VI Singapore is poised to enliven the city’s nightlife this Pride Month. With the inaugural GLAM BASH and the return of their much-loved SLASSY, the venue presents a dynamic duo of events that champion and embrace the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.

Embracing the Diversity of Pride

“CÉ LA VI is a steadfast advocate for diversity and inclusion,” shares Clement Toh . “Our events, GLAM BASH and SLASSY, are designed to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in all its vibrant diversity, and underscore our commitment to creating an inclusive atmosphere for all.”

* GLAM BASH: On 10th June, CÉ LA VI Singapore kicks off Pride Month with GLAM BASH. Running from 10:00 PM to 04:00 AM, this event invites guests to a celebration of diversity and creativity under the city’s stars. The night will feature an exciting performance by the Dancing Mirror Man and a creative contest challenging guests to express their unique styles. The most dazzling and remarkable styles will be awarded prizes, celebrating individuality in an atmosphere of inclusivity and camaraderie.

* SLASSY: Returning on 24th June, CÉ LA VI Singapore revives the iconic SLASSY from 10:00 PM to 04:00 AM. This year’s ‘Soar High’ theme promotes the freedom to be oneself, challenging norms and encouraging authentic self-expression. Showcasing a diverse line-up of international and local drag queens, attendees can expect unforgettable performances that break boundaries and celebrate the vibrant LGBTQ+ community. Accompanied by the musical talents of DJs Shigeki, Amber and Emma, and Leonard T, SLASSY is set to be not just some party, but a journey of liberation and unity.

Event Highlights

Guests at both GLAM BASH and SLASSY can expect a blend of world-class performances, vibrant music, and an inclusive atmosphere that encapsulates the spirit of Pride Month. CÉ LA VI encourages attendees to dress up, express themselves, and enjoy an evening of exquisite entertainment and camaraderie.

Both events signify the importance of Pride Month, providing platforms that promote diversity and inclusion while adding to the larger conversation surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance.

For more detailed information about CÉ LA VI Singapore and their Pride Month celebrations, please visit https://www.celavi.com/en/singapore/whatson/.

Hashtag: #CeLaVi

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

About CÉ LA VI Singapore

CÉ LA VI is our interpretation of the popular French saying, “This is Life”. Our mission is simple: the pursuit of pleasure, passion, and play in a spectacular setting. Born in Southeast Asia, CÉ LA VI pays homage to the region’s creative legacy and cultural landmarks, welcoming guests to an . Our global footprint and red umbrellas span across Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, and Dubai.

Vietnamese Durian Sellers Arrested in Thailand for Tampering With Scales

Vietnamese Durian Vendors Arrested in Thailand for Tampering With Scales
This image is used only for representational purpose (photo: Matichon)

A group of Vietnamese durian vendors were detained in Nonthaburi, Thailand on Sunday for tampering with scales and could each face up to seven years in prison.

Health Ministry Keen to Amend Tax Agreement with Lao Tobacco Company

A man smoking a cigarette. (Photo: World Bank).

On Friday, the Ministry of Health discussed the current tax agreement between the government of Laos and Lao Tobacco Company (LTC) which it considers unfair.

Newman Capital Invests in Web3 Gaming Wallet Infrastructure Startup Openfort

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 23 May 2023 – Newman Capital is proud to announce its investment in Openfort, a cutting-edge blockchain wallet infrastructure startup focused on Web3 gaming. With the investment from Newman, Openfort has completed its $3 million seed round fundraising, which was co-led by gumi Cryptos Capital and Maven 11. Game7 and NGC Ventures also participated in this round.

Newman X Openfont.jpg

Driving Web3 adoption among consumers has been one of the key missions of Newman Capital. Having high-efficiency Web3 infrastructures, middleware, and tooling is the prerequisite for developing high-quality, user-friendly Web3 applications that provide a frictionless experience for not only Web3 native but for all.

Openfort’s programmable wallet-as-a-service is set to be a game-changer in the realm of Web3 gaming. With its innovative use of account abstraction technology, it has the potential to make Web3 gaming accessible to everyone, ushering in a new era of immersive gaming experiences.

Adrian Lai, Founder and Managing Partner at Newman Capital, added, “Web3 gaming poses a unique set of technological challenges, which often create drawbacks on user journey and experience. To truly bring web3 gaming to the masses, advanced toolings are much needed to overcome those challenges so that game developers can create web3 games that will provide a seamless and user-friendly experience with improved security. We are glad to support the Openfort team in delivering their account abstraction-enabled gaming wallet.”

For more information about account abstraction and how it will change Web3 gaming, please visit Newman Research.

Hashtag: #NewmanCapital #Web3 #VentureCapital #Investment #Blockchain

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

About Newman Capital

Newman Capital is a proprietary venture capital firm headquartered in Hong Kong with a footprint throughout Asia and the US. Our vast knowledge and network allow us to interconnect with diverse communities. East and West, Web2 and Web3, developed and emerging markets, and more. We seek extraordinary founders and technology at the forefront of Web3 and connect them with top-tier resources, unlocking new opportunities and access, enabling them to scale with true impact. We focus on investing in early-stage consumer-facing applications and related infrastructure within the entertainment, social, and gaming sectors.

Learn more about Newman Capital at

About Openfort

Openfort is a wallet-as-a-service solution that allows game developers to easily integrate blockchain accounts into their games. The platform leverages account abstraction to offer seamless transactions, batch transactions, and multi-chain transactions, as well as player management and authentication. The platform eliminates gas fees, wallet popups, and prompts during gameplay, and supports ERC20 tokens. Openfort is the best solution for games and gamified experiences that doesn’t compromise on user experience.

Learn more about Openfort at

2023 Coface China Corporate Payment Survey : Companies Report Shorter Payment Delays In 2022 And Expect Higher Economic Growth In 2023

Hong Kong SAR – Media OutReach – 23 May 2023 –

  • Coface’ surveyshows that fewer firms encountered payment delays in 2022. 40% of respondents reported overdue, down from 53% in 2021. The average payment delay was shortened from 86 to 83 days in 2022.
  • Fewer companies faced ultra-long payment delays (ULPDs).
  • Chemicals appeared the most vulnerable sector: 34% of respondents are reporting ULPDs exceeding 10% of turnover. The wood sector sees a similar trend with an increase from 0% in 2021 to 20% in 2022.
  • The pandemic – and subsequent lockdowns – was the top factor affecting businesses in 2022. As the Chinese government turned away from its zero-Covid policy, the share of respondents expecting an improvement in sales and cash flow increased, indicating optimism about China’s business operating environment in 2023.
  • Coface expects China’s GDP growth to accelerate to between 4% and 5% in 2023.

Bernard Aw, Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at Coface, said: “Despite businesses facing an economic slowdown in 2022 due to the Omicron wave and the subsequent strict lockdown response, credit terms lengthened during the year. Chinese businesses had to be more flexible as their customers needed more time to make payments amid tight liquidity and mobility restrictions that disrupted payment processes. The average payment terms increased from 77 days in 2021 to 81 days in 2022.

With companies offering longer payment terms, fewer reported payment delays in 2022: the share of respondents reporting overdue fell from 53% in 2021 to 40%, the smallest share in the past five years.


Looking ahead, respondents were increasingly optimistic about economic prospects in the next 12 months as the Chinese government transited away from its zero-Covid policy at the end of 2022. The share of respondents expecting higher economic growth rose from 68% in 2021 to 84%.’

Payment delays[1] : Increased funding risk for chemicals and wood ; Construction under pressure

The survey also showed that fewer companies experienced ultra-long payment delays (ULPDs) exceeding 2% of annual turnover. After a significant rise in 2021 with 64% of respondents reporting such delays, the proportion fell to 36% – the lowest since 2016. As 80% of ULPDs are never paid according to Coface’s experience, a company’s cash flow could be at risk when they constitute a share of annual turnover above 2%.

In 2022, 34% of respondents from the chemical sector reported their ULPDs more than 10% of turnover, up by 8 percentage points from 2021. This is the highest among all 13 sectors. The financial health of the wood sector also deteriorated. More respondents of the sector reported an increase in the value of overdue (40% from 33% in 2021).

After a restrictive policy with stricter financing rules for real estate developers, the Chinese government has eased its tough stance towards the developers, especially towards the end of 2022 with a significant 16-point policy package in November. However, construction remains the sector with the longest payment delays of 96 days amid the housing market correction.

30% of respondents across sectors reported rising raw materials prices as the main reason for payment delay, up from 23% in 2021. The surge in commodity prices following the war in Ukraine and the remaining pressure on the supply chain led prices for inputs to increase sharply in 2022, putting greater pressure on companies’ finances.

Economic Expectations: Greater optimism after the end of zero-Covid

The strict Covid policy in China greatly hit businesses in 2022. While rising raw material prices and a decline in demand were major factors affecting cash flow and sales, highlighted by 24% and 23% of respondents respectively, 61% of respondents indicated that the impact of an insufficient workforce due to lockdown measures was the top factor affecting cash flow and sales.

Expectations of sales and cash flows in the next 12 months showed greater optimism, albeit more modest. Those anticipating improved sales performance in the coming year rose from 44% in 2021 to 50% in 2022. The rise in those projecting improved cash flow was larger, from 27% in 2021 to 49% in 2022.

Looking ahead, respondents were increasingly optimistic about economic prospects in the next 12 months as the Chinese government transited away from its zero-Covid policy at the end of 2022. The share of respondents expecting higher economic growth rose from 68% in 2021 to 84%. Coface expects China’s GDP growth to accelerate to between 4% and 5% in 2023.

https://www.coface.com/News-Publications/Publications/China-Payment-Survey-2023-Shorter-payment-delays-but-worsening-credit-conditions-in-chemicals-and-wood


[1]Payment delay – the period between the due date of payment and the date the payment is actually made.

Hashtag: #Coface

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

COFACE: FOR TRADE

With over 75 years of experience and the most extensive international network, Coface is a leader in trade credit insurance & risk management, and a recognized provider of Factoring, Debt Collection, Single Risk Insurance, Bonding, and Information Services. Coface’s experts work to the beat of the global economy, helping ~50,000 clients in 100 countries build successful, growing, and dynamic businesses. With Coface’s insight and advice, these companies can make informed decisions. The Group’s solutions strengthen their ability to sell by providing them with reliable information on their commercial partners and protecting them against non-payment risks, both domestically and for export. In 2022, Coface employed ~4,720 people and registered a turnover of €1.81 billion.

Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev in Laos for High-Level Meetings

Russia’s Medvedev Arrives in Laos for High-Profile Talks
Dmitry Medvedev, the leader of the United Russia party and Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council (Photo: The Moscow Times)

Mr. Dmitry Medvedev, leader of the United Russia Party and Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, arrived in Vientiane Capital on Tuesday for a working tour in Southeast Asia and a number of meetings and negotiations with senior Lao officials.

Step into CASIO’s new flagship store in ION Orchard with brand new concept

Completed with a unique centerpiece by international artist Jahan Loh, “Five Tiger Generals (2019)” represents the cultural bonds of contemporary art and CASIO’s spirit of tough, rugged timekeeping

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 23 May 2023 – CASIO is proud to open the doors to its flagship store in ION Orchard Singapore, unveiling the world of CASIO where industrial ruggedness rules.

CASIO ION Store

The launch is doubly timely, opened in time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of G-SHOCK, the rugged timepiece that has continued to evolve in pursuit of ultimate toughness since 1983.

Aiming to support the Singapore arts culture scene, featured centerpieces created by local artists are placed at selected G-SHOCK stores. These stores will also carry a wider line up of G-SHOCK watches which includes MRG series, limited edition models and new launches. Seeking to be a one-stop space reigniting the connection between the local community of watch enthusiasts and contemporary art, brought together by Casio’s spirit of tough, rugged timekeeping.

At the ION store, an iconic sculpture by Singaporean artist Jahan Loh featuring a metal half-body bust evokes a futuristic cyborg but fronted by a face of Casio’s iconic watch and its rounded rectangular bezel. The 五虎将 (Five Tiger Generals, 2019), will make its appearance at the store opening.

G-SHOCK G-SQUAD: The sports watch designed for Everyday Wear

For the launch, G-SHOCK introduces its latest lineup of the G-SQUAD sports line, designed for everyday wear. The DW-H5600 series models come complete with features and functions to support physical workouts, including an optical sensor for heart rate measurements and an accelerator sensor that keeps track of step count.

These watches are designed and engineered to provide feedback for running, walking and other types of workouts. They also provide training analysis, recovery when sleeping analysis, and breathing exercises using the Polar library and even measure blood’s oxygen level.

The bezel and band incorporate materials carefully sourced to reduce environmental impact. Bio-based resin, a polymer material derived from renewable organic resources obtained by chemically or biologically synthesizing raw materials makes up the straps and case, while an MIP liquid crystal display keeps times and other measurement data clear and easy to read. Both USB and solar charging are supported for the ultimate in everyday practicality.

The DW-H5600EX model comes in a special package with a replacement bezel and band. The band and bezel are printed with a section of the design drawings of the DW-5000C, the first G-SHOCK. The interchangeable bezel and band are also printed with the colorful lines of the module wiring diagram.

The DW-H5600 series watches, DW-H5600-1 and DW-H5600-2 are priced at $399. DW-H5600MB-1 and DW-H5600-2 are priced at $419. DW-H5600EX-1 is priced at $619 respectively.

The DW-H5600 series will be available online and in-stores from 19 May 2023.

G-SHOCK 40th Anniversary Recrystallized: 40 years of pushing the limits of toughness

Also unveiled was the G-SHOCK 40th Anniversary RECRYSTALLIZED SERIES, a collection of three limited-edition models from G-SHOCK celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The DW-5000 was the first G-SHOCK model to hit the market in April 1983. This special 40th-anniversary model is created using newly developed stainless-steel recrystallization and deep hardening technology, which is applied to the first-generation DW-5000 and its full-metal counterpart, the GMW-B5000.

The DW-5040PG, a reissue of the first G-SHOCK model, has a recrystallized and deep-hardened screw-on case back, buckle, and band loop. The back of the watch has a black ion-plated (IP) finish, while the buckle and the band loop, which sports four stars representing the number “40,” have a gold IP finish. The bezel and band are made of environmentally friendly biomass plastic. The face proudly displays the text “PROJECT TEAM Tough,” the name of the original G-SHOCK development team.

The GMW-B5000PS features a recrystallized and deep hardened bezel, band, and screw-on case back, and titanium carbide (TiC) coating to create a scratch-resistant yet bold design. The face is adorned with the words “SINCE 1983.”

The GMW-B5000PG has a recrystallized and deep-hardened bezel, band, and screw-on case back, all of which have a gold IP finish. The face is decorated with the words “SINCE 1983”.

The backs of all three models are engraved with the 40th anniversary logo designed by Eric Haze, and the lower left button is engraved with a star symbol, identifying these timepieces as special models.

The 40th Anniversary RECRYSTALLIZED SERIES watches GMW-B5000PS, GMW-B5000PG as well as DW-5040PG is priced at $1,249, $1,249, $449 respectively. And will be available online and in-stores from 12 May 2023.

Hashtag: #casiosg #gshocksg


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

About G-SHOCK

Built from a mission by creator Mr. Ibe to create the unbreakable watch, G-SHOCK is the watch that stunned the world with a concept for toughness that defied conventional watchmaking logic. G-SHOCK creates technologically advanced watches that can resist gravity, freezing temperatures, high water pressure and magnetic fields, watches built to last forever through a constant pursuit of toughness. Launched in 1983, G-SHOCK celebrated its 35th Anniversary in 2018 and its watches have sold over 100 million in over 100 countries during that time. The G-SHOCK Premium collection uses the highest standards of engineering and rigorous testing at its design centre in Yamagata, Japan, to ensure that every piece remains true to the original concept, whilst a combination of fine materials and styling deliver the ultimate in luxury timepieces. News about Casio G-SHOCK is available at:

About CASIO

Casio Computer Co., Ltd. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics products and business equipment solutions. Since its establishment in 1946, Casio has strived to realize its corporate creed of “creativity and contribution” through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. Today, Casio’s offerings include timepieces, electronic dictionaries, calculators, musical instruments, system equipment, and others.