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Fact Check: Thai Tubing Video Falsely Attributed to Vang Vieng

Tipsy Tubing viral video falsely attributed to Vang Vieng in Laos.
Tipsy Tubing viral video falsely attributed to Vang Vieng in Laos.

A video depicting hundreds of people tubing down a river widely shared on social media did not take place in Laos.

FinTech Olympiad Competition: Registration is Now Open Encouraging Tertiary Students to Propose FinTech-enabled Social Innovations that Help Solve Real-World Problems

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 22 February 2023 – The FinTech Olympiad (FTOL) 2023 hosted by City University of Hong Kong (CityU) and supported by HSBC now calls for entries to the final competition for tertiary students from the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The competition encourages students to create FinTech solutions to real-life social and economic challenges. Winners will receive cash prizes and industry support to pursue their FinTech venture.

FinTech Olympiad Competition poster e.jpg


Call for Entries: The FinTech Olympiad 2023 Competition

The FinTech Olympiad competition 2023 is a signature part of the FTOL. Students attending tertiary education and recent graduates (within 3 years) from any subject discipline at tertiary education institutions in the GBA can participate as an individual or a team (2 to 6 pax). Entrants are required to submit a project which uses FinTech to help solve some of the pressing problems in the society. Submission due date is 19 March 2023.

Shortlisted finalists will meet their mentors who are business leaders and FinTech experts to seek professional advice in the run-up to the Final Pitch Day in May. A judging panel will evaluate the proposals based on these criteria: problem-solving, social impacts, innovation, thoughtfulness and leadership & communication.

Finalists will compete for Gold Medal, Silver Medal, Bronze Medal, Best Cross-border FinTech Solution Award and the newly added Social Impact Award. Rewards include prize money of up to HKD100,000 and industry support, including HSBC Hub for the Future Membership, a summer internship provided by Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) as well as the green channel interview entry to CityU’s HK Tech 300 Seed Fund.

Learn more about FinTech Olympiad competition 2023 / Registration: www.cityu.edu.hk/sds/fintech/competition.html

Young people are the drivers of the FinTech trend

Professor Raymond Chan, Acting Vice-President (Student Affairs), City University of Hong Kong encourages students to join the FinTech Olympiad competition. “In an increasingly competitive environment, both individuals and businesses seek help from innovative technologies to solve problems and improve efficiency and performance. FinTech is not only applicable in the finance industry but also used to address societal, economic and environmental issues. Joining this competition, you will be listening to what society needs, using your creativity and applying the knowledge. Moreover, you will be able to learn about the latest trends and connect with the experts. It will help you to be more competitive, so don’t miss the chance to join”, said Professor Chan. [video]

A record high number of over 1,400 students from 20 tertiary institutions in the GBA joined the training programme of FTOL 2023. They received 12 training sessions from October 2022 onwards, covering a range of topics from introduction to FinTech, AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, RegTech, and Blockchain to the application of FinTech in banking, insurance, customer journey and sustainability.

Last Year Winners Benefited from the Programme

Lemon Team which consists of City U students and alumnus Aaron Doering, Daniel Eckhoff and Jayson Haebich are the Bronze medal winner of the FTOL 2022. They designed their own project, Lemon T, a blockchain-based solution for people to validate the information of used cars submitted by car owners. The winning team found the FTOL programme rewarding as it had afforded them practical FinTech skills and knowledge and opportunities to build their industry network. They are working on their own startup to bring the award-winning project to life, with the support of other seed funds. [video]

Hashtag: #CityUniversityofHongKong

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

FinTech Olympiad

FinTech Olympiad (FTOL), hosted by the City University of Hong Kong and supported by HSBC, is an active learning programme designed to empower and inspire young FinTech talents and to promote connections among the FinTech communities in the GBA. FTOL provides a series of training, a project-based competition and networking opportunities that equip post-secondary students in the GBA with FinTech knowledge, skills and connections that can enhance their competitiveness and employability and help them surf the auspicious FinTech trend.

Website:

Social media platforms:

City University of Hong Kong

Located in the heart of Hong Kong, CityU has a well-earned reputation as an innovative hub for research and professional education and for addressing global issues and empowering positive change.

Cushman & Wakefield’s Response to Budget 2023/24

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 22 February 2023 –

Cushman & Wakefield ‘s Response to Budget 2023/24

Response to Budget 2023/24 by Mr KK Chiu, International Director, Chief Executive, Greater China of Cushman & Wakefield:

Land policy

Housing has always been a major concern for Hong Kong citizens, Cushman & Wakefield is pleased to see the Government is actively creating land to increase the land supply in the market. As mentioned in the Budget, 12 residential sites are covered in the 2023-24 Land Sale Programme, and it is estimated that the potential land supply for the whole year will provide 20550 units. However, in view of recent failure of Government land sales bids, Cushman & Wakefield suggests that the Government review standard land price and bidding price to make sure they are on par with market situation.

Cushman & Wakefield agrees that the Northern Metro Area is a new engine for the future development of Hong Kong. To accelerate the development of the area, we suggest that the Government set up phased indicators for new development areas in Yuen Long South and Hung Shui Kiu in order to speed up their planning and development. We also suggest that the Government prioritise on land consolidation and planning of industrial park construction.

Light Public Housing

The Government has identified 8 sites for the construction of Light Public Housing, Cushman and Wakefield agrees this measure could fill the short-term gap of public housing supply. At the same time, in order to address the public’s concerns over recovery of land designated for light public housing, we suggest that the Government publish a clear timeline for land recovery, and may consider putting some of the light public housing sites on the land requisition list. This will convey a clear message to the market that “the sites currently planned for the light public housing are only temporary”, thereby giving the public confidence that the sites will be put back on the market again in the near future.

Response to Budget 2023/24 by Mr John Siu, Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield Hong Kong

Logistics land use

With the Financial Secretary proposing in his Budget Speech to further promote Hong Kong as an international maritime center and a “smart port”, Cushman & Wakefield believes that more logistics sites will need to be reserved to support import/export and storage of goods in the future. We suggest that the Government could consider relocating the existing brownfield operators to suitable logistics sites in the Northern Metropolis, to better consolidate and enhance the land usage within the area.

Nevertheless, land sales driven by public tenders might push up development costs and rents, making them less affordable for the existing brownfield operators. Currently, warehouse rents in Hong Kong increase annually by around 5%. Whilst the monthly rents of modern multi-story warehouses/industrial buildings range between $12 and $17 psf (in terms of GFA; efficiency ratio around 50% to 70%), those in brownfield sites in the New Territories range from $13 to $15 psf (in terms of saleable area), creating a rental gap of around 50%.

Data Center

We are pleased to see the Government committing resources and introducing various measures to promote the development of smart cities and a digital economy. The data center industry is one of the cornerstones of Hong Kong’s digital economy, and we suggest that the Government should adopt a progressive approach and release data center sites, of about 200,000 to 300,000 sq feet, in popular data centers areas, such as Kwai Chung, Tsuen Wan, Tsing Yi, Sha Tin, Fanling and Tseung Kwan O, every one to two years according to the market demand-supply dynamics, to attract more data center operators to set up in Hong Kong and develop Hong Kong into an international data center hub.

We also advise that the Lands Department should consider waiving the requirement to build a public car park in the Conditions of Sale for data center sites. The government departments should also liaise in advance with the power supply providers to ensure sufficient electricity supply for the site, so as to enable the data center to have a reliable and stable supply of electricity upon completion.

Response to Budget 2023/24 by Ms Rosanna Tang, Executive Director, Head of Research, Hong Kong of Cushman & Wakefield:

Housing market prediction and stamp duties

Cushman & Wakefield supports the Government’s adjustments to the value bands of the ad valorem stamp duty(AVD), easing the burden on ordinary families and first-time buyers on purchasing their first residential properties through the broadening of the AVD (Second Standard Rate) bands, particularly small and medium residential units under HK$ 10 million. Although house prices have experienced a downturn over the past three years due to the on-going pandemic, with resumption of cross-border travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland this year, it is expected that both the macro-economy and buyer’s sentiment will improve. We had noticed a gradual pick-up in house viewings and transactions in the market. With the Government’s adjustments of the AVD, Cushman & Wakefield is expecting the overall property prices will rebound by 5-10% in 1H23.

Response to Budget 2023/24 by Mr Kevin Lam, Head of Retail Services, Hong Kong of Cushman & Wakefield:

Digital Consumption Voucher

We are pleased with a re-run of the consumption voucher scheme which will give a boost to local F&B and consumption and speed up the recovery of the retail market.

International events to attract visitors could help reviving the shop market

As Hong Kong and the rest of the world lift all travel restrictions and gradually ease pandemic measures, Cushman & Wakefield supports the government in setting aside $100 million for holding more megaevents to attract visits and promote tourism in Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Tourism Board to spend more than $250 million to continue to organise and promote the megaevents. We remain conservative yet optimistic about retail rent this year but will need to evaluate changes in the spending pattern of mainland and overseas visitors. We expect more apparent changes in retail rent in 2H23.

Promote Urban Sports

We are pleased to welcome the government’s support for the further promotion of urban sports. The number of 24-hour fitness centres has doubled to over 100, and the number of private indoor climbing centres has increased to over 20 last year. Many shopping centres have added skateparks, climbing walls and running facilities to attract visitors. The government’s increased support is in line with the national extensive mass fitness program, it also provides a good basis for the diversification of Hong Kong’s shopping malls, adding a new perspective that Hong Kong is a healthy and energetic tourism option to attract overseas visitors.

(Click here for high-res pictures)

Hashtag: #Cushman&Wakefield

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

Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global real estate services firm that delivers exceptional value for real estate occupiers and owners. Cushman & Wakefield is among the largest real estate services firms with approximately 50,000 employees in over 400 offices and 60 countries. Across Greater China, 23 offices are servicing the local market.
The company won four of the top awards in the Euromoney Survey 2017, 2018 and 2020 in the categories of Overall, Agency Letting/Sales, Valuation and Research in China. In 2021, the firm had revenue of $9.4 billion across core services of property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets, valuation, and other services. To learn more, visit or follow us on LinkedIn ().

OPPO Launches Find N2 Flip Globally Marking A New Benchmark for Flip Phones

  • OPPO Find N2 Flip announced for global markets
  • Find N2 Flip combines a revolutionary vertical cover screen – the largest of its kind, with a long-lasting, fast-charging battery and a host of flagship experiences

LONDON, UK – Media OutReach – 22 February 2023 – OPPO, the world’s leading smart device brand, today announced the global availability of its Find N2 Flip. Combining the largest cover screen of its kind with day-long battery life and SUPERVOOC flash charging, Find N2 Flip takes foldables from the fringes to the forefront in a compact, sleek, awesome way.



The new OPPO Find N2 Flip puts an industry-leading cover screen into palms and pockets, challenging what we’ve come to expect from small form-factor foldables. Despite its light weight and pocketable size, Find N2 Flip’s vertical cover screen turns OPPO’s debut flip phone into an incredible photography tool. The tall cover screen also features powerful widgets that help users stay on top of their notifications, and it’s big enough to showcase meaningful information, so there’s no need to open your flip phone constantly.

Empowered by world-class hardware, a flagship camera system with a Sony IMX890 sensor, MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ power, ultra-fast dual-SIM 5G connectivity, and best-in-class charging speeds, Find N2 Flip marks the start of a new chapter for OPPO and flip phones on the whole.

“Every aspect of Find N2 Flip reflects OPPO’s mission to enrich real-world experiences. We combined industry-leading engineering and innovation with intuitive design principles. So Find N2 Flip’s design is burdenless – each component moving in harmony, as it marries a powerful cover screen with a compromise-free package, elevated by subtle, rich flourishes.”

Pete Lau, SVP and Chief Product Officer, OPPO

Redefining the Cover Screen

Measuring 3.26 inches, Find N2 Flip’s cover screen is the largest of any flip phone currently available. Its extra size makes everything easier to do, so the big screen is a bona fide fumble-free zone, whether taking selfies or checking notifications.

Its vertical orientation is also game-changing, allowing the cover screen to display as many as six notifications in one view – that’s industry-leading for a flip phone.

Quickly reply to messages in mainstream messenger apps, toggle settings, record a voice note, answer a call and more – all without picking up or opening your phone. And with less need to engage fully, you can regain control over your digital balance while staying connected.

Balancing its useful features with fun, playful moments, Find N2 Flip’s cover screen is also home to one of five interactive pets. Choose between a bird, cat, dog, hamster or rabbit, and you’ll have company whenever you fire it up. From playful to laugh-out-loud, set a GIF as your cover screen wallpaper for memes on loop, and if you’re a Bitmoji fan, your sticker pack can be your AOD (always-on display). In addition to Bitmoji and OMOJI stickers, the AOD also displays helpful insights: the time, date, power status, and notifications.

Rather than create a loud, attention-grabbing aesthetic for Find N2 Flip’s design, OPPO dialled down the visual volume, so the phone’s style acts as a backdrop upon which the cover screen shines.

With polished aluminium sides, a fingerprint-resistant glass cover and a unique micro-etched wave pattern across the hinge, while Find N2 Flip has a simplified design, it feels rich in the hand and is available in two colours: Astral Black and Moonlit Purple.

Weighing just 191g and measuring 7.45mm when open, Find N2 Flip is thin and light, and with its micro-arc, precision curved glass back cover, it feels like it truly belongs in your hand, whether open or closed.

And as you use the phone, its immense 6.8-inch E6 AMOLED display is picture perfect, with its cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio and smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Viewability is also excellent across environments thanks to an advanced Anti-Reflection film and up to 1600 nits of brightness.

The Best Flip Phone Camera

Find N2 Flip’s flagship 50MP main camera features a large Sony IMX890 sensor with an f/1.8 lens – a strong foundation for incredible imaging.

See more and capture with confidence, as the largest cover screen of any flip phone gives you the clearest selfie preview available. And if you’re taking a photo or video of someone else, fire up Dual Preview so they can see how they look.

Find N2 Flip’s 17:9 aspect ratio cover screen is the same vertical orientation as your phone’s camera sensor, keeping cropping to a minimum for maximum detail.

Unlock even more creativity with FlexForm Mode, made possible by the New Generation Flexion Hinge, as Find N2 Flip holds its position mid-fold between 45º and 110º for waist-level dynamic angles, and evocative 4K time-lapse video.

FlexForm Mode also turns your flip phone into a tripod-steady, hands-free camera. Just part-fold it, place it on a surface and then trigger the shutter release with an open palm gesture – perfect for group shots. It also harnesses the power of the 32MP selfie camera. With its Sony IMX709 sensor, autofocus, and wide-angle lens, rest the phone down for a high-quality hands-free video call, with FlexForm mode optimized for apps like WhatsApp and Zoom.

Co-developed with the legendary camera manufacturer Hasselblad, Find N2 Flip captures pro-grade colours, a fully featured Professional Mode, and its unique XPAN mode freezes time in a wide, cinematic frame.

Much more than just a photography champion, Find N2 Flip’s in-house imaging NPU, MariSilicon X, boosts night video to capture ultra-clear 4K footage in low light, and you can also hold the phone part-folded and sideways, just like a camcorder for a steadier grip.

Tested to over 400,000 folds

Much of what makes Find N2 Flip incredible is made possible by its New Generation Flexion Hinge, which works in harmony with the main display to create a robust, folding screen with an incredibly subtle crease.

The hinge’s miniaturized design is made up of fewer components than the original Flexion Hinge, and in its intricate simplicity, OPPO has achieved a new standard of mechanical stability. The New Generation Flexion Hinge is also more compact than ever, creating more space for a larger cover screen and a higher-capacity, faster-charging battery.

Just as with Find N and Find N2, there is no hinge gap when you close the Find N2 Flip, so it keeps dust out, and OPPO appointed TÜV Rhineland to test its durability independently. The phone is certified to withstand over 400,000 folds and unfolds at standard room temperature. That’s equivalent to opening and closing the phone around 100 times a day for more than ten years, and it’s also tested up to 100,000 times at 50ºC and 95 per cent humidity, and at -20ºC.

OPPO also iterated its New Generation Flexion Hinge to guide the screen into the gentlest folding angle possible, creating a waterdrop shaped fold that results in a significantly shallower, narrower crease than other flip phones when unfolded. In addition to being incredibly subtle to the eye, it also feels virtually imperceptible to the touch for an uncompromised, flat-screen experience.

The Longest Lasting and Fastest Charging Flip Phone

Find N2 Flip crams a massive 4,300mAh battery into its compact body. This is the biggest battery in any flip phone by a huge margin.

A long-lasting battery is the result of continuous efforts to redesign everything from the hinge to the SIM tray, eking out as much space as possible to add just a few more milliamp hours of power with every iota of space saved.

OPPO also worked closely with MediaTek to create an optimized version of its flagship Dimensity 9000+ chipset for Find N2 Flip. These efforts result in one more hour of video calling, two more hours of social media and five hours of music streaming.

In fact, according to our tests, Find N2 Flip is the first flip phone to confidently offer a full day of use on a single charge – critical in popularizing the category on the whole.

OPPO also includes the fastest charging of any flip phone on Find N2 Flip – 44W SUPERVOOC, taking the battery from nearly empty to 50 per cent in just 23 minutes, and up to 100 per cent in less than one hour.

In summary, Find N2 Flip breaks through barriers with the largest cover screen on any flip phone. With it, world-class selfies and flagship photography experiences are made possible.

Robust enough for over a decade of folding, and with all-day power and fast charging, durability and battery anxiety will be little more than a memory as Find N2 Flip marks the start of a new chapter for foldables and smartphones at large.

Price and availability

OPPO Find N2 Flip will be available to pre-order from 15 February and will cost £849 in UK.

Hashtag: #OPPO

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

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone – “Smiley Face” – in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find X and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO also provides its users with ColorOS operating system and internet services such as OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO has footprints in more than 60 countries and regions, with more than 40,000 employees dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.

QMC Receives Work Permit for Irgon Lithium Mine Project

Vancouver, British Columbia – Newsfile Corp. – February 22, 2023 – QMC Quantum Minerals Corp., (TSXV: QMC) (FSE: 3LQ) (OTC Pink: QMCQF) (“QMC” or “the Company”) has received a work permit from the Government of Manitoba for the Company’s Irgon Lithium Mine Property. The Irgon Lithium Mine has a historical resource estimate of 1.2 million tons grading 1.51% Li2O over a strike length of 365 metres, to a depth of 213 metres. Currently, on surface, the strike length has been extended to approximately 800 metres and remains open along strike and to depth. A complete mining plant and 40-man camp were installed on site during 1956/57. The adjacent Highway 314, which transects the property, was specifically built for access to the historic Irgon mining operation. The mining plant was designed to process 500 tons of ore per day. The project has excellent infrastructure, being close to grid power, highway access to a processing facility 20km to the south and a major central railway system located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The initial focus of the proposed work program will be to carry out a field mapping and sampling program in order to extend the Irgon Dike beyond the known 800m strike length. The Company will then execute a channel sampling program across newly exposed mineralized outcrop sections of the Irgon Dike.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Historic Resource: Between 1953 and 1954, the Lithium Corporation of Canada Limited (“LCOC”) reported a historical resource estimate on the Irgon Dike of 1.2 million tons grading 1.51% Li20 over a strike length of 365 metres and to a depth of 213 metres. This historical resource is documented in a 1956 Assessment Report by B. B. Bannatyne for LCOC (Manitoba Assessment Report No. 94932). This historical resource estimate is believed to be based on reasonable assumptions and both the Company and QP has no reason to contest the document’s relevance and reliability.
  • Existing Underground Development: During 1956/1957 a complete mining plant was installed, and since removed, on site designed to process 500 tons of ore per day and a three-compartment shaft was sunk to a depth of 74 metres. On the 61-metre level, lateral development was extended off the shaft for a total of 366 metres of drifting from which six crosscuts transected the dike.
  • Excellent Historic Recoveries: Historic metallurgical tests reported an 87% recovery from which a concentrate averaging 5.9% Li2O was obtained.
  • Excellent Local Infrastructure: The Irgon Property is transected by Manitoba Highway 314 with access to hydro, water, nearby rail head and is located only 20 kilometres north of the Sinomine Rare Metal Resources Group’s TANCO Mine which is currently mining spodumene and producing a lithium concentrate on site.
  • Pending NI 43-101 Report: A NI 43-101 technical report is nearing completion which will update the historical lithium resource to current NI 43-101 standards.

The mineral reserve cited above is presented as a historical estimate and uses historical terminology which does not conform to current NI43-101 standards. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Although the historical estimates are believed to be based on reasonable assumptions, they were calculated prior to the implementation of National Instrument 43-101. These historical estimates do not meet current standards as defined under sections 1.2 and 1.3 of NI 43-101; consequently, the issuer is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves.

Qualified Person and NI 43-101 Disclosure
The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Daniel Leroux, P. Geo. who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of
QMC QUANTUM MINERALS CORP.
Balraj Mann
President and Chief Executive Officer
604-601-2018

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

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

About the Company

QMC is a British Columbia based company engaged in the business of acquisition, exploration and development of resource properties. Its objective is to locate and develop economic precious, base, rare metal resource properties of merit. The Company’s properties include the Irgon Lithium Mine Project and two VMS properties, the Rocky Lake and Rocky-Namew, known collectively as the Namew Lake District Project. Currently, all of the company’s properties are located in Manitoba.

ASEAN To Host First Regional Shopping Festival

ASEAN To Host First Regional Shopping Festival
Nuetral E-Commerce Platform. ( Photo : Andrey Popov )

ASEAN will host an online shopping event this August to promote e-commerce trade among its member states.

MRC Promotes Responsible Water Resources Management & Development

MRC Makes Strides to Promote Responsible Water Resources Management and Development
Mekong River in Laos' Luang Prabang (photo: iStock)

The Mekong River Commission released two flagship documents on Tuesday, aiming to maximize the potential benefits of hydropower and other water-related development projects while minimizing significant harmful impact—on the environment and the millions of people living along this Southeast Asia’s largest river.

German Parliamentary Delegation Visits Laos amid ASEAN Tour

Ms. Gabriele Katzmarek, Head of the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with the ASEAN States (middle left) and a members of the German Bundestag, as well as the German Ambassador to Laos, Ms. Annette Knobloch (middle right).
Ms. Gabriele Katzmarek, Head of the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with the ASEAN States (middle left) and a members of the German Bundestag, as well as the German Ambassador to Laos, Ms. Annette Knobloch (middle right).

Members of the German Parliament visited Laos and several other Southeast Asian nations this week to enhance bilateral cooperation between Germany and ASEAN.