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Lao Students Shine at Math, Science Olympics in the Philippines

Students from the Australian International School (AIS) of Laos have concluded this year’s Philippine International Math and Science Olympics (PIMSO).

The delegation of eight students, from Primary and Secondary, represented AIS Laos at the competition held from 4-7 April in Manila, the Philippines. They competed against more than 700 top young mathematicians and scientists from 13 different countries and earned one gold medal, one silver, four bronze medals, and one Achiever Award.

The Lao team had some standout performances, with Thanashok Shengsouly of Primary clinching a gold medal and landing second runner-up overall, plus a World Star recognition. His classmate Phudthasone Chanvilaivanh, also in Primary 6, earned a bronze, while Asaliya Phanthamixai from Primary 4 added another bronze in math.

The individuals in the picture, listed from left to right, are Phudthasone Chanvilaivanh, Thanashok Shengsouly, and Asaliya Phanthamixai (Photo supplied by AIS via email)

AIS Laos expressed immense pride in their students’ accomplishments, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of coaches Jose Rutchan Portillo and Corynthia Vijandre. The school congratulated all participants for their outstanding performance.

In science, Primary’s Thanathone Louanglath shone with a silver medal, while his teammate Thipphavan Oulayseng took home a bronze. Theelaphon Thepphongern was impressed with an Achiever award for his strong performance.

The individuals in the picture, listed from left to right, are Thanathone Louanglath, Jack Oliver Simmons, Theelaphon Thepphongern, Thipphavan Oulayseng, and Abraham Sengone Thorstad. (Photo supplied by AIS via email)

Secondary students Jack Oliver Simmons and Abraham Sengone Thorstad also made their mark, both winning bronze medals in science, boosting AIS Laos’ medal tally.

Jack Oliver Simmons and Abraham Sengone Thorstad (Photo supplied by AIS via email)

PIMSO is an international competition in mathematics and science for primary, secondary, and senior secondary students, organized by International Champions in Education (ICE) from the Philippines.  It operates through a two-stage format: the National Round and International Finals. The competition brings together champions from diverse backgrounds around the world, fostering excellence and proficiency in mathematics and science.

BaseCare Medical (2170.HK) Unveils First Smart Home Sperm Analyzer, Pioneering “B+C” Full-Scenario Intelligent Expansion

SUZHOU, China, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — BaseCare Medical, a trailblazer in reproductive health and China’s first publicly traded company in the assisted reproductive IVD sector, has secured regulatory approval for its portable home sperm quality analyzer (model: BKP200). As the nation’s first consumer-facing device for at-home viable sperm testing, this milestone not only underscores the company’s technical prowess in male reproductive health but also carves out a new frontier for the home medical equipment market.

Data from Guangdong Reproductive Hospital reveals a stark reality: nearly half of couples attempting a second child have failed in the past three years, while one-third of men preparing for their first pregnancy exhibit subpar sperm quality. Yet due to embarrassment, many choose to overlook these issues rather than seek help.

Gone are the days of awkward hospital visits and tedious waits for sperm tests. BaseCare’s innovative home analyzer shrinks lab-grade technology into a compact device, bringing professional sperm assessment directly to living rooms.


Cutting-Edge Tech: Lab Precision, Home Convenience

Designed to meet the WHO Laboratory Manual for Human Semen Examination (6th Edition) standards, the BKP200 excels in portability, privacy, speed, accuracy, versatility, and clarity. Using a built-in HD camera and advanced algorithms, it delivers lab-level precision in just 15 seconds, generating visual reports on sperm concentration and motility. Unlike smartphone-based tests prone to inconsistent results, this device eliminates hardware-related errors, enabling hassle-free “15-second home self-tests” that respect privacy and offer actionable insights for long-term fertility management.


Policy Tailwinds & Market Demand: Dual “B+C” Growth Engines

With global male infertility rates climbing (7%-12% per WHO) and traditional testing hindered by limited access and privacy concerns, China—where infertility rates surpass the global average—has seen policy support surge. Since 2024, the National Health Commission has prioritized “comprehensive male health services across the lifespan” and included assisted reproductive technologies in medical insurance, creating ideal conditions for BaseCare’s dual-market strategy.

The BKP200 bridges professional and personal use with its “medical-grade device for home use” model, available online (via Douyin, e-commerce platforms) and offline (in pharmacies). Here’s how it works:

1.Hospital Support: In hospitals—especially in rural areas lacking specialized equipment—the analyzer streamlines pre-screening, freeing doctors to focus on treatment. It effectively extends reproductive healthcare to county and village levels, building a nationwide “fertility health monitoring network.”

2.Consumer Access: Couples can discreetly assess fertility factors at home, while young men gain instant insights into their reproductive health. The accompanying app provides tailored advice like “reduce late nights, increase exercise,” offering a seamless journey from testing to improvement.

Targeting China’s 50 million fertility-challenged families, the device launches in about a month with a pragmatic approach: online, educational content and health influencers normalize conversations about male health; offline, it’s stocked beside blood pressure monitors in pharmacies, making it as accessible as everyday health gadgets..

In essence, this innovation transforms reproductive health management from a “specialized medical process” into a “routine practice,” turning “taboos” into “simple solutions.”

BaseCare’s vision goes beyond technology: it aims to make fertility health accessible to all—whether urban couples, concerned in-laws, or families in remote areas—with minimal cost and maximum scientific assurance, contributing to both individual family dreams and national population quality.

 

X Pay and STOREBERRY form a Strategic Alliance to Revolutionize Local E-Commerce Payments and Drive Sustainable Growth


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 April 2025 – X Pay, the local leader in “Buy Now, Pay Later” solutions, is pleased to announce a landmark strategic partnership with STOREBERRY, Hong Kong’s fast-growing omnichannel commerce platform. “Our partnership with STOREBERRY marks a significant advancement in payment innovation for Hong Kong’s retail sector. The ‘Online Price Divider’ not only makes high-value purchases more accessible but also provides merchants with a powerful tool to boost sales and enhance customer loyalty. Through seamless integration with STOREBERRY’s ecosystem, we’ve tailored a smooth payment experience to meet the rapidly evolving demands of the market,” said Margaret Ng, Head of X Pay.

X Pay and STOREBERRY form a Strategic Alliance to Revolutionize Local E-Commerce Payments and Drive Sustainable Growth.

This alliance positions both companies at the forefront of digital retail innovation, combining X Pay’s rare and market-leading “Price Divider Function”—a breakthrough that empowers consumers to split high-value purchases into manageable payments—with STOREBERRY’s comprehensive online-merge-offline (OMO) ecosystem. “Our collaboration with X Pay takes our omnichannel capabilities to new heights, creating a seamlessly integrated online-offline retail approach. This partnership helps merchants manage sales more easily and elevate the customer experience. X Pay’s flexible payment solutions enhance our platform’s growth potential, enabling more SMEs to expand their online businesses effortlessly and improve the convenience and efficiency of existing payment processes. Together, we’re setting a bold new benchmark for Hong Kong’s retail industry,” said Cyrus So, Founder of STOREBERRY.

Key Announcements:

  • Pioneering “Online Price Divider” Innovation:
    X Pay and STOREBERRY distinguish themselves by offering a market-rare “Online Price Divider” allowing consumers to split high-value purchases into manageable payments. This innovative solution enables consumers to manage high-ticket purchases easily and helps merchants unlock larger basket sizes through strategic marketing in their online stores. X Pay collaborates with STOREBERRY to address the evolving needs of Hong Kong’s maturing e-commerce market, setting a new industry standard.
  • Local “Buy Now, Pay Later” Market Leadership:
    With its proven track record, X Pay has emerged as the premier local “Buy Now, Pay Later” solution. Its seamless, flexible payment options drive high-value transactions, significantly benefiting merchants and consumers and reinforcing its competitive edge in digital payment.
  • Rising Demand for Flexible Payments:
    With a rising demand for flexible installments, X Pay will launch innovative installment plans starting in mid-2025, featuring 6-month, 9-month, and 12-month payment options. This move not only brings more flexible payment options to premium online shopping but also paves the way for sustainable revenue growth in the future.

By merging cutting-edge payment technology with a robust e-commerce framework, X Pay and STOREBERRY are set to redefine Hong Kong’s digital retail landscape. This strategic alliance creates significant value for merchants and consumers in a market poised for sustainable growth.

Hashtag: #XPay

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

About X Pay

, a top “Buy Now, Pay Later” payment platform in Hong Kong, is part of Zero Fintech Group Limited (Stock Code: 0093.HK) and operates under X Wallet App, offering a complete mobile payment solution for your business.

About STOREBERRY

is a fast-growing omnichannel commerce retail platform designed to help businesses of all sizes create, manage, and scale their online stores effortlessly. By delivering a fully integrated Online-Merge-Offline (OMO) retail solution, STOREBERRY enables retailers to connect their online and offline operations seamlessly. The platform combines a robust cloud-based Point-of-Sale (POS) system, centralized inventory management, and an advanced customer relationship management (CRM) tool into one unified ecosystem. With STOREBERRY’s comprehensive suite of tools, merchants can:

  • No coding required — retailers can quickly upload product images with drag-and-drop to set up their online stores. Branded mobile app available as an add-on.
  • Leverage social commerce tools to engage customers and boost sales, including Facebook live streaming with automated comment-to-order functionality.
  • Deliver a seamless omnichannel experience by integrating inventory, membership, sales, and CRM data across physical and digital channels.
  • Streamline operations with real-time inventory synchronization and multi-location tracking.
  • Enhance customer loyalty through an integrated CRM and loyalty program that supports personalized engagement and reward strategies.
  • Flexible plans designed for retailers of all industries — no GMV commission, no hidden charges, and reliable technical support via WhatsApp or phone.

Sandbrook Capital and PSP Investments Announce Sale of Offshore Wind Pioneer Havfram to DEME

LONDON, MONTREAL, and OSLO, Norway, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sandbrook Capital, a private investment firm focused on building leading climate infrastructure companies, and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments), one of Canada’s largest pension investors, today announced the signing of an agreement to sell Havfram, an international offshore wind infrastructure company, to DEME (Euronext: DEME), a global leader in offshore energy and marine engineering.

PSP Investments
PSP Investments

Established in 2021 through a strategic partnership between Sandbrook Capital and PSP Investments, Havfram was created to provide critical offshore wind installation capacity to the world’s leading energy companies. Under their ownership, Havfram has evolved into a world-class operator of Wind Turbine Installation Vessels (WTIVs), with two state-of-the-art vessels currently under construction and a strong contract backlog to build some of the largest offshore wind farms.

“We partnered with PSP Investments to build Havfram because we saw a unique market opportunity to provide the state-of-the-art vessels required to build today’s enormous offshore wind farms” said Christopher Hunt, Partner at Sandbrook Capital. “In just a few years, Havfram has become one of the most important players in the offshore wind industry. We are proud of what the team has achieved and the positive financial returns delivered to our investors.  DEME will be an outstanding steward of the company in its next phase of growth.”

“Our investment in Havfram reflects our broader capabilities and commitment to invest in assets essential to the renewables value chain, while generating strong risk-adjusted returns,” said Sandiren Curthan, Managing Director and Global Head of Infrastructure Investments, PSP Investments. “We are proud to have partnered with Sandbrook Capital and with the Havfram team to build a fleet of next generation WTIVs.”

“The support and long-term vision of Sandbrook Capital and PSP Investments have been instrumental in building Havfram into what it is today,” said Ingrid Due-Gundersen, CEO of Havfram. “We’re incredibly excited to join forces with DEME, a global leader with a shared mission to accelerate offshore wind deployment. Together, we will play a major role in enabling the energy transition around the world.”

The transaction, valued at approximately € 900 million, is expected to close by the end of April 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

Goldman Sachs served as financial advisors and Thommessen served as legal advisor to Sandbrook Capital and PSP Investments.

About Sandbrook Capital

Sandbrook Capital is a private investment firm dedicated to building the next generation of climate infrastructure companies. Founded by a team of seasoned investors and operators, Sandbrook partners with exceptional management teams to grow sustainable businesses that deliver attractive financial returns and meaningful climate benefits. For more information, visit www.sandbrook.com

About PSP Investments

The Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) is one of Canada’s largest pension investors with C$264.9 billion of net assets under management as of 31 March 2024. It manages a diversified global portfolio composed of investments in capital markets, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources, and credit investments. Established in 1999, PSP Investments manages and invests amounts transferred to it by the Government of Canada for the pension plans of the federal public service, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Reserve Force. Headquartered in Ottawa, PSP Investments has its principal business office in Montréal and offices in New York, London and Hong Kong. For more information, visit investpsp.com or follow us on LinkedIn

About Havfram

Havfram is a Norwegian offshore wind installation company providing critical services to the global renewable energy industry. With two newbuild WTIVs under construction and a robust backlog, Havfram is positioned as a leading player in enabling the deployment of next-generation offshore wind farms. For more information, visit www.havfram.com.

Media contacts: PSP Investments, Charles Bonhomme, +1 438 465-1260, media@investpsp.ca; Sandbrook Capital, Daniel Yunger / James Hartwell, Kekst-Sandbrook@kekstcnc.com, 917.574.8582 / 917.842.9560

Sandbrook Capital
Sandbrook Capital

 

Lao Universities Unite to Reform Higher Education Under EU-Funded Project

Students took entrance exam at the National university of Laos in 2023. (Photo: NUoL News)

Laos is undertaking significant reforms to its higher education framework to align with international standards. 

In line with this mission, from 31 March to 2 April, the National University of Laos (NUOL) recently hosted the first Erasmus+ meeting on capacity building for higher education.

The REAL project is coordinated by the University of Groningen (Netherlands), with additional European support from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Spain), the University of Poitiers (France), and the Association of Tuning Experts and Educators (Spain). The project is co-funded by the European Union.

This cooperation aims to drive structural reform across Lao higher education by promoting an outcomes-based approach. This includes the development of comprehensive internal quality assurance systems to strengthen teaching methods, enhance graduate employability, and support regional academic integration.

Lavanh Vongkhamsane, Director General of the Ministry of Education and Sports’ Higher Education Department, told state media that as Laos progresses in modernizing its education system, it is becoming more evident that the existing higher education framework needs to adapt to the demands of a globalized world.

Over the next four years, nine key partners, comprising the Ministry of Education and Sports and four public universities, will collaborate on strategies that enhance the relevance of higher education to national development goals.

Project activities will focus on implementing mechanisms that improve program feasibility and promote sustainable innovation across the sector.

In addition, the project will build capacity among academics, program teams, and institutions to ensure effective implementation of reforms. National and institutional stakeholders will be engaged in defining and supporting the full adoption of internal quality assurance frameworks to create lasting structural impact.

A total of 17 undergraduate programs across the four universities will lead the reform process. These include courses in Food Technology, English Language, Transportation and Logistics Engineering, Livestock, and Business Management at NUOL.

At Souphanouvong University, focus areas will include Electrical Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, English Language, and Tourism and Hospitality. 

Meanwhile, Savannakhet University will enhance programs in Electrical Engineering, Transportation and Logistics Engineering, Animal Science, and Rural Development and Business Extension.

Champassak University plans to restructure its programs in Food Technology, Veterinary Medicine, English Language, and Livestock.

HashKey OTC Upgrades to ‘HashKey OTC Global’ to Reinforce its Commitment to Global Compliance

HONG KONG, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — HashKey OTC, an OTC trading platform under HashKey Group, announced today that it has completed its brand upgrade and officially changed its name to “HashKey OTC Global“. The renaming takes HashKey’s OTC business to the next level of development and is an important milestone in the company’s globalisation strategy.

This brand upgrade follows HashKey OTC’s recent successful license approval in the Middle East and full integration of its Japan business. As Asia’s leading compliant OTC trading platform, HashKey OTC Global has built a strong compliance advantage with licenses in industry hubs including Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, Japan and the Middle East, and is actively exploring the possibility of expanding business in Europe and other regions.

The platform currently provides 24/7 services, with a focus on providing large-scale and efficient transaction services for institutions and high-net-worth clients. HashKey OTC Global also provides customers with safe and reliable fiat currency services and, in certain jurisdictions, digital currency custody services.

HashKey OTC Global has complete and compliant multi-fiat currency deposit and withdrawal channels, and has established strong ties with leading global banks and prominent local financial institutions, providing customers with services including same-name account transfers, settlement between mainstream fiat and digital currencies and others.

HashKey OTC Global’s business scope covers spot trading, including Request for Quotation (RFQ) and Trade Execution (TE) services and structured products, such as stable and growth investment products. The company has also launched Polaris, a one-stop OTC trading platform to help users open online accounts, manage accounts and experience smooth and convenient trading services.

HashKey Group Chairman Xiao Feng said: “With the upgrade of HashKey OTC to HashKey OTC Global, we will further integrate global resources to provide customers with more comprehensive, secure and compliant digital asset trading services. We look forward to working with global partners to promote the healthy development of the digital asset industry.”

About HashKey OTC Global

At HashKey OTC Global, the over-the-counter (OTC) trading arm of HashKey Group, we serve as your trusted partner in the world of digital assets. With a strong legacy and reputation, we focus on providing regulatory-compliant digital asset trading services to professional investors, institutions, and high-net-worth individuals.

Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia’s Premier Entertainment, Sports and Culture Destination, Elevates Guest Experience with accesso® Horizon

ORLANDO, Fla., April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — accesso Technology Group (AIM: ACSO), the premier technology solutions provider to leisure, entertainment and cultural markets, today announced it has been selected as the guest experience technology provider for the Qiddiya giga-project in Saudi Arabia.

Located southwest of Riyadh, Qiddiya City is set to become the crown jewel of entertainment, sports, and cultural experiences within the Kingdom, spanning over 300 square kilometers. As a key driver of Saudi Vision 2030, Qiddiya will make a major contribution to the diversification of the country’s economy and entertainment, sport and cultural sectors.

“Qiddiya sought a top-tier partner to provide ticketing solutions for our planned attractions, beginning with Six Flags Qiddiya and Aquarabia, and we believe accesso’s extensive global experience with leading entertainment operators will be instrumental in achieving our long-term vision. We have great expectations for this partnership, as it serves as a key foundation for our success,” said Qiddiya CTO Abdulrahman Al-Ali.

accesso will implement its modern, state-of-the-art ticketing and visitor management solution, accesso Horizon, across Qiddiya’s diverse portfolio of attractions, including the highly anticipated Six Flags Qiddiya, which will be home to the world’s longest, fastest, and tallest roller coaster and Aquarabia, the first and biggest water theme park in Saudi Arabia. accesso Horizon will serve as the backbone technology, across the entire Qiddiya portfolio of attractions and entertainment opportunities ensuring a consistent, world-class guest experience from online ticket purchase to the enjoyment of onsite activities throughout the entire property.

“We are proud to work with Qiddiya on this exciting and visionary project,” said accesso CEO Steve Brown. “With the accesso Horizon solution, Qiddiya City will have the future-proof tools to shape and deliver stellar experiences to visitors, setting new standards for entertainment excellence in the region.”

Featuring a fully integrated platform, advanced business logic, and an expansive feature set, accesso Horizon will enable Qiddiya City to scale as new assets launch. Moreover, the solution will allow for management of all benefits, services, and entitlements available to guests from a unified platform designed to be the center of the entire management ecosystem. The solution also offers open APIs enabling direct integration with other technology partners.

About accesso Technology Group plc

accesso is the leading global provider of patented and award-winning technology solutions that redefine the guest experience, drive increased revenue, streamline operations, and support data-driven business decisions for leisure & entertainment operators. Currently serving over 1,200 venues in 33 countries, accesso invests heavily in research and development to provide venues with technology that empowers them to deliver unforgettable guest experiences. Staffed by a team of attractions, cultural venue and ski industry veterans, accesso partners with venues to increase their range of on- and off-site guest engagement to drive increased revenue through intuitive ticketing, point-of-sale, virtual queuing, distribution, digital professional services, and experience management technology. 

accesso is a public company, listed on AIM: a market operated by the London Stock Exchange. Learn more at accesso.com or follow accesso on X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook.

About Qiddiya

As one of Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects, Qiddiya is key to Vision 2030’s ambitions for a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. Qiddiya seeks to build destinations, programs and initiatives based on the Power of Play that will enhance the quality of life of visitors and residents. Qiddiya’s first development is Qiddiya City, a city wholly dedicated to play and an epicentre of entertainment, sports and culture, welcoming Saudi nationals, residents, and tourists alike.

About Qiddiya City
Qiddiya City is Qiddiya’s inaugural project – a new global destination built from scratch on the foundations of play. Located at the heart of the Tuwaiq Mountains just 40 minutes from Riyadh, the vibrant city brings entertainment, sports, and culture together in a way never seen before.

Upon completion, Qiddiya City will offer a high quality of life to residents and visitors with a wide range of attractions and experiences, including a global centre for gaming and esports, multi-use stadium, golf courses, motorsports precinct with racetrack, the region’s largest water theme park, and a Six Flags theme park.  

With Qiddiya’s Power of Play philosophy at its heart, the city is designed to host some of the world’s biggest sports competitions, festivals, concerts, and cultural events. Sustainability and wellbeing have also been woven into its urban plan, with residential, retail, and office spaces blended with extensive green zones, cultural centres and top-tier healthcare and education facilities. 

CUBE LAUNCHES REGPLATFORM™ INTEL TO TRANSFORM THE MID-MARKET REGULATORY INTELLIGENCE LANDSCAPE IN FINANCIAL SERVICES

CUBE’s new product combines the best of CUBE into a simple solution for a growing market

LONDON, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CUBE, a global leader in Automated Regulatory Intelligence (ARI) and Regulatory Change Management (RCM), has announced the launch of RegPlatform™ Intel, its latest purpose-built product to help financial services firms in the mid-market sector remain compliant in today’s ever-changing global regulatory landscape. CUBE now has an 800-strong customer community in the mid-market sector and has developed this solution to bring a powerful mix of regulatory technology, content and intelligence to compliance and risk teams across the globe.

CUBE launches new solution for the financial services mid-market sector
CUBE launches new solution for the financial services mid-market sector

CUBE’s next generation solution combines its innovative, market-proven AI-based technology with unmatched regulatory summaries and insightful analysis curated by CUBE’s team of over 250 highly qualified regulatory subject matter experts, legal and compliance professionals. Built on the very latest technology and AI, CUBE’s RegPlatform™ Intel offers the highest levels of reliability and performance which have become synonymous with CUBE’s industry proven enterprise capability.

Commenting on the launch of CUBE’s RegPlatform™ Intel, CUBE’s Founder & CEO Ben Richmond, said: “RegPlatform™ Intel is a simple, secure and highly effective solution for the thousands of businesses that operate in the mid-market sector. With the significant investment we have made and our proven track record in regulatory intelligence we believe this will be transformative for mid-market compliance and risk professionals across financial services. It’s been purpose built for them and will be the most modern and intuitive solution on the market.”

RegPlatform™ Intel has been created for CUBE’s global base of financial services firms, across the mid-market sector, including regional and community banks, wealth managers and asset managers. It is a highly effective solution which enables customers to quickly realise value, often in minutes, demonstrating how user-friendly the solution is for compliance and risk professionals in need of a fast and reliable way to address their regulatory needs.

Discussing the mid-market opportunity, Richmond added: “We’re often recognised for our work with customers in the enterprise sector; where we provide end-to-end regulatory intelligence and change management for some of the world’s largest financial institutions, but we also see a significant demand for our capability with customers in the mid-market sector.”

The solution is the latest in the RegPlatform™ family, building on the success of RegPlatform™ Enterprise. It brings together the powerful combination of CUBE’s enhanced capabilities following the acquisition of two US-based regulatory businesses in 2024 (Reg-Room and the Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence and Oden products and businesses).

There are additional solutions expected to join the RegPlatform™ family during 2025.

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