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Cambodia’s Biggest Airport to Open in July, Ending Pochentong’s 70-Year Run

Cambodia’s New USD 1.5 Billion Airport to Open in July as Pochentong Prepares to Close. (Photo: Khmer Times)

Cambodia is preparing to open the USD 1.5 billion Techo International Airport (TIA) on 10 July, with final checks underway and construction now 96 percent complete.

The new facility will replace Pochentong International Airport, which is set to close for passenger operations after nearly 70 years in service.

Located around 20 kilometers south of Phnom Penh in Kandal and Takeo provinces, TIA spans 2,600 hectares and is built to Level 4F international standards, allowing it to handle large long-haul aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-800.

The airport is being developed by Cambodia Airport Investment Co., Ltd., a joint venture between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation.

Pochentong to Be Preserved

All passenger operations will transfer from Pochentong International Airport, also known as Phnom Penh International Airport, to TIA in July. However, Prime Minister Hun Manet has confirmed that the government has no plans to sell Pochentong Airport to any private company.

Speaking at the 80th anniversary of Cambodia’s National Police, Hun Manet said the old airport would be preserved as a state-owned facility for use as a backup in case of emergencies and to honor its historical value as a project initiated by King Norodom Sihanouk.

Boost for Aviation Sector

The launch of TIA comes as Cambodia’s aviation sector rebounds strongly. In 2024, the country’s three international airports handled 6.2 million passengers, with 31 domestic and international airlines operating flights.

TIA is expected to ease congestion, boost connectivity, and support Cambodia’s growing tourism and trade sectors. Authorities are now focused on final certification and operational readiness to ensure the airport meets global aviation standards in time for the official opening.

LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort Launches Asia’s Biggest LEGO® School Challenge 2025

Grand Prize Trip to Korea, New Speed Building Finale, and Unforgettable Prizes Await Young Builders!


JOHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 May 2025 – Ready, set, build! The most anticipated LEGO® school event in Asia is back—and it’s bigger, bolder, and more inspiring than ever. The LEGOLAND® Malaysia School Challenge 2025, organized in partnership with the Ministry of Education, kicks off its fourth edition with a mission to unlock the boundless creativity of students across the region.

(From left to right) Ms Stephane Thong, General Manager, Trip.com Malaysia, Ms Thila Munusamy, Director of Sales and Marketing, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort, Mr Samuel Lee, Deputy Director General of the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board, Mr Mohamad Zaidi Bin Ishak, Deputy Director of Sports, Co-Curricular and Arts Department, Ministry of Education Malaysia and Mr Cs Lim, Vice President, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
(From left to right) Ms Stephane Thong, General Manager, Trip.com Malaysia, Ms Thila Munusamy, Director of Sales and Marketing, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort, Mr Samuel Lee, Deputy Director General of the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board, Mr Mohamad Zaidi Bin Ishak, Deputy Director of Sports, Co-Curricular and Arts Department, Ministry of Education Malaysia and Mr Cs Lim, Vice President, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort

Since its inception in 2022, the Challenge has become a regional phenomenon. Following record-breaking participation in 2024, this year promises an even more thrilling experience, packed with new features and prizes that spark imagination and ignite a passion for learning.

New Theme, New Thrills: “Build Your Dream Destination”
Now open to three age categories (7–9, 10–12, and 13–17), the 2025 edition challenges students to design their ideal travel destination using LEGO bricks. Whether it’s a futuristic underwater world, an island of imagination, or a dreamland among the stars, participants are encouraged to combine creativity, storytelling, and technical building skills to bring magical destinations to life.

What’s New in 2025?
Two major updates make this year’s Challenge truly unmissable:

  • Grand Prizes Go Global: Winners from the Primary and Secondary Categories will experience a trip to LEGOLAND Korea, while Junior Category champions will enjoy a getaway at LEGOLAND Malaysia.
  • Speed Building Showdown: For the first time, the finale will feature a high-energy Speed Building Challenge. The Top 5 finalist teams in each category will compete live in front of a judging panel and audience, racing against the clock to create an original LEGO build in just 45 minutes.

Each finalist team will also enjoy a 3D2N stay at LEGOLAND Hotel, receive exclusive LEGO trophies, exciting LEGO sets, and Annual Passes to LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort.

Inspiring Young Innovators: A Story of Growth
Among the Challenge’s most inspiring alumni is Nathanael Yap, a three-time Grand Prize winner. At the launch event, he shared:

“Being part of the LEGOLAND School Challenge for three years in a row was honestly one of the best parts of my school life. Every year, I got to team up with friends, solve problems in creative ways, and build something we were proud of — brick by brick. It taught me how fun learning can be when you get to think outside the box.

Even though I’ve graduated and can’t take part anymore, the experience has stayed with me. As I look ahead to university and start thinking more seriously about my future, I realise how much the Challenge helped shape my interests — especially in areas like design, engineering, and creative thinking. I’m excited to see what this year’s participants will build, and I hope they take the chance to push themselves and discover what they’re capable of.”

His story reflects what the Challenge is all about – empowering young minds to explore, imagine, and create.

Shaping Future Creators, One Brick at a Time
Cs Lim, Vice President of LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort, remarked, “The LEGOLAND School Challenge has always been more than just a competition. As an event centered around our LEGO DNA of learning through play, it helps cultivate essential skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and innovation in our future leaders. Since we expanded last year to include participation from schools across Asia, this has also become an avenue for cultural exchange for students and teachers alike. We look forward to welcoming more participants this year across the region and seeing their creativity unleashed.”

The 2025 Challenge is proudly supported by the Ministry of Education, Tourism Malaysia, Trip.com Group, and the LEGO Group—all sharing a common goal: to ignite the passions of the next generation of builders, dreamers, and doers.

Register for the LEGOLAND School Challenge 2025
The competition is open to students aged 7 to 17 across three separate categories:

  • Junior: Ages 7 to 9
  • Primary: Ages 10 to 12
  • Secondary: Ages 13 to 17

Each team must consist of 3-4 students and 1 teacher. Registration is open from now until 15 June 2025 via https://www.legoland.com.my/tickets-passes/day-tickets/schools/school-challenge/. Follow us for updates, tips and behind-the-scenes on Facebook and Instagram.

Let your imagination run wild. Build your dream destination—and win the trip of a lifetime!

Hashtag: #LEGOLAND® #LEGO®




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

LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort

LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort brings together a LEGOLAND Theme Park, Water Park, Hotel and SEA LIFE in one LEGO® themed location. It is the ideal family holiday destination with more than 80 hands-on rides, slides, shows, and attractions. It is the first of its kind in Asia that offers comprehensive adventure, education, and fun for either an action-packed day trip or a short break destination ideal for families with kids aged 2 to 12 years old.

The Theme Park is divided into eight themed areas containing thrilling rides, exciting LEGO workshops, awe-inspiring Miniland where Asia’s interesting landscapes, countries and landmarks are recreated in miniature made with more than 30 million LEGO bricks. The Water Park is the largest LEGOLAND Water Park in Asia which features 20 unique slides, waves, wade pools, interactive water-play structure and Build-A-Raft River.

LEGOLAND Hotel Malaysia is the first LEGO themed hotel in Asia. Choose your preferred theme room at a hotel all equipped with LEGO theming elements, giving you choices to be trained like a NINJA, playing pirate, commanding a Kingdom or embarking on an adventure option. All rooms include a king-sized bed for parents and a separate private sleeping area for 3 kids. Participate in our in-room treasure hunt activity and stand a chance to win cool LEGO gifts.

SEA LIFE is the world’s largest international aquarium brand with more than 50 outlets in the world and it is the latest addition to LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort. This attraction will immerse all guests in an intimate and interactive journey underneath the waves. All guests will have a chance to enjoy up-close experiences with sea creatures and be inspired to learn more about our blue planet’s invaluable natural marine assets through magical storytelling, interactive displays and hands-on encounters. SEA LIFE Malaysia has more than 25 display tanks in 11 habitat zones featuring 13,000 amazing sea creatures. The Malaysian Rainforest is one of the unique exhibit zones featuring local creatures in Malaysia. Don’t miss this special zone where you can never find it in other SEA LIFE attractions.

Transform Your Home with the Next-Generation Cleaning Companion: Tineco’s Young Series – Powerful, Efficient, and Affordable

  • Tineco launches the Young Series with three new floor washers: the Y2, Y3, and Y5 Stretch Ultra
  • Experience the ultimate cleaning experience with these innovative floor washers, where cutting-edge technology meets energy efficiency and sleek design for unmatched performance

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 May 2025 – Tineco, a global leader in smart cleaning technology, today announced the official launch of its Young Series Floor Washers in Singapore. Designed with new homeowners and first-time users in mind, the series features three value-driven models—Y2, Y3, and Y5 Stretch Ultra—offering high-performance cleaning at an accessible price point of just $299 onwards.

Tineco Young Series
Tineco Young Series

YOUNG SERIES: PERFECT FOR THE SINGAPORE HOUSEHOLDS WITH ITS COMPACT BUILD AND EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES

The Young Series delivers professional grade cleaning, making it ideal for everyday messes. Designed to handle wet and dry debris, pet hair, and edge dust with ease, these versatile floor washers work seamlessly across hard floors and carpets. All models feature a convenient one-touch self-cleaning. Experience premium cleaning at an accessible price—Tineco’s Young Series delivers top-tier value.

From left to right: Y5 Stretch Ultra, Y3, and Y2
From left to right: Y5 Stretch Ultra, Y3, and Y2

Meanwhile, the Y3 and Y5 Ultra models gives you an elevated cleaning experience that includes:

  • 5-Minute Hot Air Drying and 85°C Hot Water Self-Cleaning: Keeping your vacuum clean with this cutting-edge system that eliminates odors and bacterial growth.
  • 180° Lay Flat Design (Y5 Stretch Ultra): With its 13cm ultra slim profile, it can reach places that are harder than usual to access, guaranteeing a 360° deep clean.

In conjunction with the launch, from May 19th to June 8th, all Courts stores and Courts.com.sg will offer a range of exclusive promotions. It is the perfect opportunity for new and young families to upgrade their cleaning routine and enjoy a superior, fuss-free cleaning experience.

AVAILABILITY & LAUNCH PROMOTIONS

Device Availability Launch Promotions

T&Cs apply, while stocks last

Y2 (Entry-Level)

$299 (u.p $499)

Available now at Courts, Shopee, and Lazada Exclusively at Courts, from May 19th to June 8th

Free Tineco Woven bag (worth $49 or wagon (worth $299).

Y3 (Hot Drying)

$399 (u.p $799)

Available now on Courts ,Shopee, and Lazada
Y5 Stretch Ultra

$549 (u.p $999)

Available now on Courts, Shopee, Lazada

Hashtag: #Tineco

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

Tineco

Founded in 1998, Tineco is a high-tech company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ECOVACS Group (SHA: 603486). Dedicated to innovation, Tineco has consistently delivered smart home cleaning solutions that redefine convenience and efficiency. Tineco has secured “World No.1” sales in the wet & dry category in 2024. With the launch of the Young series, Tineco continues to lead the way in creating products that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable.

HKBU Survey Finds Over 3 in 4 Hong Kongers View Climate Change “Fake News” as a Significant Threat

HKBU Fact Check Hosts Exhibition to Raise Public’s Science Information Literacy


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 May 2025 – Climate change remains a pressing global issue, but misinformation obscures public understanding. A survey conducted by HKBU Fact Check under Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) showed that over 3 in 4 (over 75%) of the respondents in Hong Kong consider climate change misinformation a “very serious” to “extremely serious” challenge, while nearly 25% of respondents hold misconceptions, for example, “cold waves disprove climate change,” “climate change is purely a natural process and unrelated to human activity,” and “(possessing) a sense of fatalism, with some believing that humanity has already missed the chance to address climate disasters and should continue burning fossil fuels.”

The latest exhibition by HKBU Fact Check, titled "Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?", addresses public misconceptions about climate change and delves into the typical narrative traps of climate change misinformation. It also shares tips for validating facts with a fact-checking mindset and skills, offering various ways for the public to understand how to identify and debunk scientific misinformation and promote information literacy.
The latest exhibition by HKBU Fact Check, titled “Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?”, addresses public misconceptions about climate change and delves into the typical narrative traps of climate change misinformation. It also shares tips for validating facts with a fact-checking mindset and skills, offering various ways for the public to understand how to identify and debunk scientific misinformation and promote information literacy.

Professor Stephanie Jean TSANG, Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies, School of Communication, HKBU and Director of HKBU Fact Check, conducted an online survey with 1,600 local residents in Hong Kong at the end of last year. The survey found that when the term “global warming” is mentioned, Hong Kongers associate it with concepts such as the greenhouse effect, glacial melting, and sea-level rise. While these terms are frequently mentioned in the “climate change” discourse, they are not commonly experienced in Hong Kong, reflecting that public understanding of “climate change” is not derived from personal experiences from everyday lives but rather from information received through various channels.

Professor Tsang said: “Public understanding and stance on climate issues are significantly shaped by the information channels they access. Therefore, there is an urgent need in the field of science communication to strengthen the analysis of mechanisms for misinformation dissemination and to thoroughly examine its potential impacts on public perception. In today’s digital age, online platforms have become one of the primary contexts for the public to acquire scientific knowledge. This makes enhancing scientific information literacy and critical thinking skills a crucial component in fostering rational social discussion. This is exactly the core purpose of our exhibition, ‘Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?’.”

HKBU Fact Check’s Exhibition “Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?” Cultivates Information Literacy

To enhance the public’s information literacy to discern climate change information and combat misinformation, HKBU Fact Check hosts a groundbreaking science information literacy exhibition titled “Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?” from now until 22nd May. The exhibition deconstructs common public misconceptions about climate change and delves into the typical narrative traps of climate change misinformation, and shares tips to validate true facts with a fact-checking mindset and skills, offering various ways for the public to understand how to identify and debunk scientific misinformation.

The exhibition invites attendees to explore a range of topics, including the distinction between “weather” and “climate” and the implications of a “once-in-a-century” rainstorm. By adopting a transdisciplinary approach that integrates public health and environmental science, participants can deepen their understanding of the facts related to climate change. In addition, the exhibition showcases fact-checking cases by HKBU Fact Check, which address climate issues such as verifying changes in the status of Antarctic sea ice through satellite data and debunking data manipulation tactics prevalent in “climate hoax” theories.

Professor ZHONG Bu, Dean of the School of Communication at HKBU, said: “In an era where information is abundant yet often misleading, comprehensive information literacy education is crucial in combating the spread of misinformation. For the past five years, HKBU Fact Check, an independently operated unit of the School of Communication, has been at the forefront of this battle. Our commitment to truth empowers the public by providing free fact-checking services, enhanced by cutting-edge artificial intelligence to streamline our efforts. Together, we are not just fighting misinformation; we are fostering a more informed society.”

HKBU Fact Check ‘Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?’ Exhibition Details:

Venue: Koo Ming Kown Exhibition Gallery, Lee Shau Kee Communication and Visual Arts Building, HKBU (5 Hereford Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong)

Date: 9th – 22nd May 2025

Time: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Free Admission – Registration Required)

Details: Please visit Website

HKBU Fact Check’s exhibition, "Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?", opens to the public at the Koo Ming Kown Exhibition Gallery, located on the ground floor of the Communication and Visual Arts Building at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) from now until 22nd May 2025.
HKBU Fact Check’s exhibition, “Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?”, opens to the public at the Koo Ming Kown Exhibition Gallery, located on the ground floor of the Communication and Visual Arts Building at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) from now until 22nd May 2025.

Hashtag: #HKBU #HKBUFactCheck

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

About HKBU Fact Check

HKBU Fact Check is independently operated by the School of Communication at Hong Kong Baptist University. It is committed to enhancing public information literacy and fostering rational discussion on social issues through rigorous research and scientific methodologies. Over the past five years, HKBU Fact Check has published over 500 fact-check reports.

Lao-Thai Border Inspection Wraps Up Amid Recent Tensions

Lao-Thai Border Inspection Wraps Up Amid Recent Tensions. (Photo credit: Lao people's Army News)

Lao and Thai authorities completed their 2025 annual joint border inspection on 11 May in Paktha District, Bokeo, a region recently affected by cross-border violence.

The operation, conducted from 9 to 11 May, covered border areas in Laos’ Xayabouly and Bokeo provinces and Thailand’s Phayao and Chiang Rai provinces. Officials prioritized these zones due to ongoing concerns over drug trafficking, smuggling, and transnational crime.

Delegates from both countries coordinated on strategies to strengthen border security and prevent the illegal use of natural border routes.

Both nations reviewed and approved the joint inspection plan ahead of the mission. Delegations also received updates on border management efforts at key checkpoints, including the Pang Mon-Ban Huok crossing between Khop District, Xayabouly Province (Lao side), and Phu Sang District, Phayao Province (Thai side).

As part of the inspection, the team visited two villages in Laos and two corresponding villages in Thailand to assess local conditions and cross-border cooperation.

The mission followed a deadly clash on 3 May in Chiang Thong village, Paktha District, where three Lao soldiers were killed. Gunfire reportedly spilled over into Thailand’s Romfaphamon village, where a 7.62 mm bullet struck a house.

Cassava Exports from Laos Surge as Railway Boosts Trade Efficiency

Cassava exports from Laos have grown significantly in early 2025, thanks to increased shipments along the Laos-China Railway. 

Vietnam’s VinFast Rides the Green Wave into the Gulf

VinFast, Vietnam’s electric vehicle champion, is steering into the Gulf with ambition and pride, transforming the nation’s global image from factory floor to innovation force.


HANOI, VIETNAM- Media OutReach Newswire – 16 May 2025 – Ford means America. Toyota means Japan. And now VinFast – a name unfamiliar to most Westerners just 8 years ago – is becoming synonymous with Vietnam. The automaker, born from the Vingroup conglomerate, isn’t just selling cars. It’s selling a new image of a nation long associated with rice farmers, poverty, and war.

VinFast EV manufacturing complex in Hai Phong, Vietnam
VinFast EV manufacturing complex in Hai Phong, Vietnam

From its start as a gasoline car manufacturer primarily serving Vietnam, VinFast has quickly evolved into a global electric vehicle (EV) brand. Its journey from domestic assembly lines to international presence unfolded at remarkable speed, establishing footholds in North America, Europe, and Asia within just a few years.

On a recent day in May, VinFast signed new dealer agreements with ASTRADA SIMVA in France and Schachtschneider Automobile in Germany, respectively. While the news are are not big per se, the significance runs deeper than business headlines suggest. Each VinFast dealership opening represents Vietnam planting a flag in markets once exclusively dominated by German engineering, American muscle, and Japanese reliability.

“We are proud to partner with VinFast, standing alongside this Vietnamese brand in driving the global green revolution,” said Renzo Schachtschneider, owner of Schachtschneider Automobile, which will operate three new dealerships[1].

VinFast’s European push follows similar moves across North America and Asia, but it doesn’t merely want to be a passive participant in the EV transition. Increasingly, developing countries, particularly in Southeast Asia, where the VinFast dream was born, want to embed themselves deep into the EV supply chain. This audacity signals a shift in how Vietnam positions itself in the international order, from manufacturing hub to innovation source.

Countries have long used commercial brands as extensions of national identity. South Korea leveraged Samsung to reshape global perceptions. Japan did the same with Sony decades earlier. Vietnam’s strategy through VinFast follows this playbook while writing its own chapter.

The road isn’t smooth. EV demand fluctuates. Competition is fierce. Yet the company’s willingness to adapt, shifting toward a dealership sales model globally and entering untapped markets like the Middle East and India, reflects a distinctly Vietnamese resilience.

The Middle East entry is particularly telling. These are markets with deep pockets and high standards, where luxury European brands have long dominated. VinFast’s move into this territory shows confidence not just in its vehicles but in the “Made in Vietnam” identity they carry.

But even more than that, governments in the region are increasingly paying attention to clean mobility solutions and green industrial partnerships, with initiatives to bring about a sustainable future like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 or the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy. These national agendas create fertile ground for a new player like VinFast, one that offers not just electric vehicles, but also the chance for diversification beyond traditional Western and Chinese sources.

In stores from Germany to Dubai, VinFast is reshaping perceptions one test drive at a time. Vietnam is no longer just a vacation destination or manufacturing location; rather, it’s the home of a company bold enough to challenge automotive giants on their home turf. The vehicles carry passengers, but they also carry Vietnam’s story into the world.

Hashtag: #vinfast

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

Thai Court Issues Arrest Warrants Over Fatal Skyscraper Collapse in Bangkok

Thai Court Issues Arrest Warrants Over Fatal Skyscraper Collapse in Bangkok
TOPSHOT - People look over the site of an under-construction building collapse in Bangkok on April 3, 2025, following the March 28 earthquake. (Photo by Amaury PAUL / AFP)

Laotian Times, AFP – On 15 May, a Thai court issued arrest warrants for 17 individuals in connection with the collapse of a 30-storey skyscraper in Bangkok that fell during a powerful earthquake in late March, killing dozens of construction workers.