Laos is establishing the first infrastructure for the University of Health Sciences (UHS) in Vientiane Capital, aiming to advance the medical sector through human resource training.
Travel Smart: Get Rewarded for Flying Direct to Hualien from Hong Kong

HUALIEN, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 June 2025 – Discover a new side of Taiwan with the new direct flight from Hong Kong to Hualien, launched in late 2024 by HK Express. Operating four times a week, this route makes it easier to reach Hualien’s stunning landscapes without the hassle of transfers or long train rides. Travelers can also fly to Kaohsiung on China Airlines and then connect to Hualien with Mandarin Airlines. Also, The Hualien County Government is offering 1,000 limited travel incentives, valid for the entire trip.

Hualien is famous for its majestic mountains and Pacific coastline. Just 15 minutes from the city center is Ci Sing Tan Scenic Spot, currently hosting the Pacific Ocean International Rock Balancing Festival. You can also enjoy boat tours to spot dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. While some areas of Taroko National Park are under maintenance, visitors can still explore the peaceful Taroko Visitor Center and stay at the nearby five-star Silks Place Taroko.
Known as one of the world’s most welcoming cities, Hualien offers natural healing amid mountains, sea, and the East Rift Valley’s rice fields and tea plantations. Immerse yourself in indigenous culture through unique dining experiences and guided forest exploration.
To attract more international visitors, the Hualien County Government is offering the “Sustainable Travel in Hualien” program rewards groups of 12 or more who book through certified local agencies and stay two or more nights. Rewards include NT$2,000 (about HK$500) per person plus NT$1,000 for each additional night, available through November 2025.
Summer highlights include a pop-up water park at Liyu Lake (Jul. 12–Aug. 10), the Hualien Summer Festival concerts (Jul. 23–27), and the Hualien Starry Night Concert in partnership with the beloved global IP The Little Prince (Aug. 2 in Fuli and Aug. 23 at Ci Sing Tan Scenic Spot). Don’t miss the Pacific Austronesian Joint Harvest Festival, taking place from July 18 to 20—a vibrant celebration of indigenous music, dance, cuisine, and cultural traditions.
Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with nature and culture? This summer, treat yourself to an impromptu getaway with a direct flight to Hualien.
For more information or to find a travel agency, visit the official “Sustainable Travel in Hualien” website: https://hltrip.tw/agency/
Hashtag: #HualienCountyCulturalAffairsBureau
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Swee Heng Introduces More Toast & Roll Locations Islandwide

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 June 2025 – Swee Heng Group is expanding its new bakery concept, Toast & Roll, with several new outlets opening across Singapore in 2025. The brand’s latest retail expansion aims to introduce a modern, grab-and-go bakery experience to more neighbourhoods, following a strong customer response to its first few locations.

Bringing a Fresh Concept to Familiar Neighbourhoods
Initially launched to provide a new experience distinct from Swee Heng’s existing brands like Swee Heng 1989 Classic, Toast & Roll has grown steadily since its debut. The company has opened outlets at Jurong Point, Oasis Terraces, Tampines MRT, Novena Square, and Bedok Mall. This year, upcoming locations are set to open at The LINQ @ Beauty World, Lentor Modern, West Mall, and Heartland Mall Kovan.
The decision to expand Toast & Roll stems from evolving consumer preferences, particularly a demand for bakery products that are not only high in quality but also lifestyle-oriented and convenient. With a broadened menu focusing on toasts and cake rolls but complemented by croissants, Danish pastries, tarts, and festive exclusives, the brand looks to tap into a growing appetite for artisanal, portable baked goods with a modern twist.
“Toast & Roll is perfectly positioned to meet these expectations, especially with our Research and Development team constantly innovating and adapting to global influences,” shared a spokesperson from Swee Heng Group. “This growth journey allows us to stay ahead of consumer trends and present new ideas in a form that’s exciting, modern, and highly relatable.”
Creating Value for All Stakeholders
However, the value does not end with the customer. This retail expansion is also slated to create opportunities for employees through internal mobility, cross-training, and leadership development across outlets. For stakeholders, the growth supports long-term brand equity by enhancing visibility and improving the innovation pipeline. Each new outlet contributes to the company’s operational scale, helping Swee Heng respond quickly to market changes while ensuring consistency across service and quality.
New Loyalty App to Enhance Customer Experience
Alongside this broader retail expansion, Swee Heng is also preparing to launch a new loyalty app that will integrate rewards and payment functions across all brands within the Group. Designed to streamline the customer experience, the app will allow users to earn and redeem points, make in-app payments, and purchase or gift vouchers.
By offering these functions on a single platform, the brand aims to enhance convenience while encouraging greater engagement across outlets, including Toast & Roll. It also reflects Swee Heng’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its digital presence and provide customers with a more seamless and connected way to interact with its offerings.
Positioning for Long-Term Growth
Despite facing challenges such as location scouting, recruitment, and operational alignment, Swee Heng has leveraged its experience and infrastructure to support a smooth rollout of the new Toast & Roll outlets.
A spokesperson for the company noted, “Toast & Roll is a strong example of our ability to move beyond traditional formats and launch bold, differentiated concepts that still align with our heritage and quality standards. Its success and expansion reinforce our position as a brand builder with an innovative edge.”
By developing a brand that both complements and refreshes its core identity, Swee Heng aims to continue shaping bakery trends in Singapore while extending its market presence and industry relevance.
Hashtag: #SweeHeng #Bakery #ToastandRoll #RetailExpansion
https://www.sweeheng.com.sg/
https://www.facebook.com/sweehengbakery/
https://www.instagram.com/sweehengsg/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Swee Heng Bakery
Established in 1989 with its first outlet at Jurong Estate, Swee Heng Bakery is the pioneer brand under the Swee Heng Group. Over the past three decades, it has grown into a familiar household name with over 35 outlets islandwide, offering a wide range of whole cakes for all occasions. The brand is known for its commitment to quality and affordability, making it a trusted choice for customers seeking a
halal cake shop in Singapore.
Laos Clarifies LAK 3,000 Telecom Fee After Viral Video Sparks Public Doubt
A government official has clarified the purpose of the LAK 3,000 (USD 0.14) monthly telecom “security fee” following public backlash sparked by a viral video of a National Assembly session, in which even the Minister of Finance admitted he was unaware of how the money was being used.
Launch of ixCrypto Fixing EOD Indexes on 2 July 2025

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 June 2025 – IX Asia Indexes, the index business arm of IX Capital International Limited, is pleased to announce the official launch of the ixCrypto Fixing EOD Index* on 2nd July 2025, a new extended benchmark solution designed to meet the growing demand for digital asset valuations in local currencies across Asia. Prior to this, in March 2022, IX Asia Indexes introduced 13 USD-denominated ixCrypto Spot Price Indexes, calculated as the average across 10 quarterly selected leading cryptocurrency exchanges to support fund managers’ pricing needs.
This ixCrypto Fixing EOD Indexes launch marks a major expansion of IX Asia Indexes’ offerings, delivering daily spot-fixed values for five major benchmarks—including the ixCrypto Index, ixBitcoin Index, ixEthereum Index, and the spot price indexes for Bitcoin & Ethereum. (See Appendix 1)
With increasing institutional and retail participation in digital assets across Asia, investors demand for benchmarks that reflect crypto market values in local currencies and at regionally relevant times. The ixCrypto Fixing EOD Indexes datapack is built precisely to serve that need—helping users to better assess digital asset performance in their domestic market context. By applying official exchange rates published by respective local monetary authorities against the U.S. dollar, the ixCrypto fixing EOD indexes provides a fair and standardized daily mark-to-market reference across 13 currencies, including HKD, JPY, KRW, TWD, VND, INR, IDR, AUD, AED, THB, SGD, EUR, and GBP.
Subscribers can download an Excel datasheet from our website featuring:
- Index values for 5 benchmarks in 13 currencies
- Applied FX rates with GMT and local timestamps
- Multi-sheet tabbed format for efficient use
Our ixCrypto Fixing EOD Indexes datapack for each currency is scheduled to be computed 15 minutes after the closing of each respective local financial market session for the day, and the downloadable datasheet is promptly updated from 1:15 p.m to 4:15 a.m after midnight in Hong Kong time. We recommend that subscribers retrieve the latest version from our website after each local market close to access the latest ixCrypto Fixing EOD Index datapack. Full details of each of 13 currencies crypto index fixing time can be found in Appendix 2.
This product is ideal for asset managers, data platforms, analysts, and institutions requiring localized, auditable benchmarks for valuation and structuring.
To learn more about the index series, subscription terms, or partnership opportunities, please contact us at our email: enquiry@ix-index.com, our website: www.ix-index.com . Real-time index data can be accessed via Bloomberg terminal with IXCI
*EOD refers to End-of-Day. See Appendix 2 for EOD times
Appendix 1
The 5 Major Benchmark Indexes List
Index Full Name | IX Asia Indexes Official Index Code | Bloomberg Code | Bloomberg Code (delayed) | Nasdaq Code |
ixCrypto Index | IXCI | IXCI | IXCI2 | .IXCI |
ixBitcoin Index | IXBI | IXCBI | IXCBI2 | .IXBI |
ixEthereum Index | IXEI | IXCEI | IXCEI2 | .IXEI |
ixBitcoin Spot Price Index | IXBTC | IXBTC | IXBTC2 | — |
ixEthereum Spot Price Index | IXETH | IXETH | IXETH2 | — |
Appendix 2
IX Asia ixCrypto Fixing EOD Index Datasheet Update Local Time Schedule
Currency | Currency Code | Timezone Code | Market Closing EOD Time (Local Timezone)* | Fixing Time using EOD prices (Local Timezone)** | Fixing Time using EOD prices (HKT) |
Hong Kong Dollars | HKD | HKT | 16:00 | 16:15 | 16:15 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | JST | 15:00 | 15:15 | 14:15 |
Korean Won | KRW | KST | 15:30 | 15:45 | 14:45 |
Taiwan Dollar | TWD | TST | 13:30 | 13:45 | 13:45 |
Vietnamese Dong | VND | ICT | 15:00 | 15:15 | 16:15 |
Indian Rupees | INR | IST | 15:30 | 15:45 | 18:15 |
Indonesian Rupiah | IDR | WIB | 16:00 | 16:15 | 17:15 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | AUST | 16:00 | 16:15 | 14:15 |
UAE Dirham | AED | GST | 15:00 | 15:15 | 19:15 |
Thai Bhat | THB | ICT | 16:30 | 16:45 | 17:45 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | SGT | 17:00 | 17:15 | 17:15 |
Euro | EUR | CEST | 17:30 | 17:45 | 23:45 |
Great Britain Pound | GBP | GMT | 16:30 | 16:45 | 00:45 |
United States Dollar | USD | ET | 16:00 | 16:15 | 04:15 |
* Market Closing Time refers to the time when the local financial exchange market closes at the end of day trading.
** Fixing Time using EOD prices refers to the time when the crypto fixing EOD index values are calculated and the datapack is updated approximately.
For reference, 15:15 for JPY means that the ixCrypto fixing index values for 5 selected indexes in JPY are calculated based on 15:00 JST EOD prices and then made available into the datapack at 15:15 JST.
Hashtag: #IXAsia #ixCryptoIndex
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About IX Asia Indexes and IX Index Advisory Committee
IX Capital International Limited is an award-winning index and investment advisory company. The index business arm- IX Asia Indexes, providing real-time digital asset and innovative indexes, disseminated 24×7 globally and built on robust infrastructure. Since the launch of the first crypto benchmark index (“IXCI”) launched in Hong Kong in December 2018, the ixCrypto index series expand into 29 indexes designed for exchange futures product, mark to market and fund managers’ portfolio construction purposes. To ensure the professionality and impartiality of the index methodologies and operations, IX Asia Indexes has established its index advisory committee with representation from different industries, including fund management, exchanges, brokerage, financial blockchain experts, crypto service providers, etc. The committee will meet quarterly a year to discuss matters relating to the IX Asia Indexes, including to review and to comment the data sources, methodologies, and operations of IX Asia Indexes, to provide guidance to the future development of new IX Asia Indexes and to handle other issues and decisions on an as-needed basis.
IX Asia Indexes was awarded the Fintech Award (wealth investment and management) 2019 and 2021 organised by ETNet. It as well won an award for Startup of the Year and Basic Technology (Big Data) from Hong Kong Fintech Impetus Awards 2022 by Metro Broadcast and KPMG. It also won Asia Pacific Enterprise Achievement Award 2024 by Echolade. IX Asia Indexes has also been named among the 2024 China Brand Innovation Top 100 (Financial Innovation Category) at the Asian Brand Economic Summit (ABEC Beijing 2025). IX Asia Indexes completed its IOSCO compliance statement and obtained ISO/IEC 27001:2013 UKAS certification.
Website: https://ix-index.com/
Advisory Committee: https://ix-index.com/committee.html
About IX Crypto Indexes
The ixCrypto index (“IXCI”) is the first crypto index launched in Hong Kong. It was launched on 12 December 2018. It is denominated in USD with a base value of 1000 and a base date on 3 December 2018. Designed to be easy to understand while providing a good representation of the crypto market, ixCrypto index aims to cover the top 80% of the cumulative free-float adjusted market capitalization in the crypto universe and, at the same time, the crypto currencies should fall within the top liquid cryptos ranked by trading volume in the 90 days preceding the review date. The index is to be reviewed quarterly and with a fast entry rule. Real time indexes are disseminated every 5-second for 24×7 since 23 June 2022. Real time index data together with ixBitcoin Index and ixEthereum Index can be obtained from IX Asia Indexes Data Services and Bloomberg terminal on IXCI
Bangkok Heart Hospital Launches Next-Generation Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Program with MICS CABG and Totally 3D Endoscopic Valve Surgery

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 June 2025 – Bangkok Heart Hospital is ushering in a new era of cardiac innovation with the introduction of two advanced surgical techniques: Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (MICS CABG) and Totally 3D Endoscopic Valve Surgery. This marks a strategic milestone as the hospital, Thailand’s first private heart center, celebrates its 20th anniversary with a renewed commitment to precision medicine and regional leadership in minimally invasive cardiac care.

Having treated over a million patients with complex heart conditions, the hospital now offers next-generation procedures that minimize trauma, recovery time, and post-operative risks while delivering outcomes comparable to traditional open-heart surgery.
“We’ve proudly pioneered off-pump CABG as our signature approach, and today, we take another leap forward,” said Dr. Kriengkrai Hengrussamee Hospital Director – Bangkok Heart Hospital. “By advancing into minimally invasive heart surgery, we are improving patients’ quality of life while highlighting Bangkok’s role as a destination for advanced cardiac care.
MICS CABG, led by cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Nuttapon Arayawudhikul, allows surgeons to perform bypass procedures through a 7–10 cm incision between the ribs, avoiding the need to open the chest or use a heart-lung machine. This approach is ideal for patients with isolated left coronary artery disease and offers faster recovery with fewer complications.
The Totally 3D Endoscopic Valve Surgery program, developed by Dr. Paradorn Jetwanna, repairs or replaces valves through a 4–5 cm incision using high-resolution 3D imaging. Suitable for mitral and aortic valve procedures and even congenital defects like atrial septal defect (ASD), the technique improves surgical precision and accelerates recovery.
“This technology lets us operate in tight spaces without disturbing major structures,” said Dr. Paradorn. “Patients recover faster with outcomes equivalent to traditional surgery.”
Bangkok Heart Hospital has invested in hybrid operating rooms (hybrid ORs), specialized surgical teams trained overseas, and fully integrated support systems for Thai, expat, and international patients. As part of BDMS, the hospital plans to expand MICS capabilities to other facilities in the network.
Aligned with Thailand’s strategy to become a global medical hub, this milestone positions Bangkok as a leading destination for advanced, minimally invasive heart treatment in Asia.
For more information: Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Program https://www.bangkokhospital.com/en/bangkok-heart/content/minimally-invasive-cardiac-surgery-mics
Hashtag: #BangkokHeartHospital
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
HKICPA renews its Mutual Recognition Agreement with CPA Australia

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 June 2025 – The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) is delighted to announce its renewal of Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with CPA Australia (CPAA). Based on the new MRA, the HKICPA will continue to join hands with peer accounting professional body to cultivate top-tier talents for the accounting profession and foster its development.

The HKICPA has held MRA with CPAA since 2000, which widened the development opportunities for accounting professionals in Hong Kong. The new 5-year MRA between HKICPA and CPAA continues to enhance the professional development mobility of their members. HKICPA members completing the Qualification Programme (QP) of the HKICPA and having at least three years of relevant practical experience in accountancy, may apply for CPAA membership through the MRA. On the other hand, CPAA members completing CPAA’s CPA Program and having at least three years of relevant practical experience in accountancy, may apply for HKICPA membership after completing the Institute’s Aptitude Test in Hong Kong Taxation and the Capstone of the QP.
In addition, the new MRA has been enhanced in several aspects to ease the path for members of both professional bodies to gain professional qualifications offered by the HKICPA and CPAA. These enhancements include extending the eligibility for HKICPA membership by relaxing the geographical limitation on the origin of undergraduate degrees obtained by CPAA members, and removing the geographical restrictions on their completion of CPAA’s CPA Program. The HKICPA believes that the enhanced MRA would attract more overseas accounting talents to seek qualification as HKICPA members and work in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the geographical restriction on the completion of the QP by HKICPA members seeking CPAA membership has also been removed.
On last Friday (20 June), the HKICPA and CPAA held an MRA extension signing ceremony. The MRA was signed by Margaret Chan, Chief Executive and Registrar of HKICPA, and Rowena Buddee, Chief Member Experience Officer of CPAA, under the witness of Edward Au, President of HKICPA and Karina Wong, Divisional President of Greater China of CPAA.
HKICPA President Edward Au said, “We are delighted to continue our collaboration with CPAA, which reflects our commitment to nurturing high-quality professional talent for Hong Kong’s accounting industry and advancing the development of the profession. This mutual recognition agreement provides our members with greater professional mobility and further supports them in achieving their professional goals. The HKICPA will continue to work hand in hand with professional accounting organizations to contribute to solidifying Hong Kong’s position as an international financial center.”
CPAA’s Divisional President of Greater China Karina Wong said, “The MRA provides members of both professional bodies a streamlined pathway to take up each other’s designation and further improve their career opportunities. Renewing this agreement for a fifth time also allows both organisations to continue delivering high-quality education programs that strengthen the technical capabilities of accounting, business and finance professionals all around the world. Forming and strengthening positive, collaborative relationships with professional accounting bodies is a priority for CPA Australia and we thank the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants for many years of mutually beneficial commitment.”
As one of the founding members of the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA), HKICPA has consistently engaged in exchanges with international accounting professions, and remains committed to upholding the international recognition of its membership. Including CPAA, the HKICPA holds mutual membership recognition agreements or mutual examination papers exemption agreements with 11 accounting bodies in the Mainland and overseas. In the future, the HKICPA will continue to expand its global network, explore potential collaborations with more overseas accounting bodies to facilitate exchanges and opportunities for new mutual recognition agreements for members.Hashtag: #HKICPA
https://www.hkicpa.org.hk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hong-kong-institute-of-certified-professional-accountants/
https://www.facebook.com/hkicpa.official
https://www.instagram.com/hkicpa.official/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants
The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“HKICPA”) is the statutory body established by the Professional Accountants Ordinance responsible for the professional training and development of certified public accountants in Hong Kong. The Institute is also a standard setter of the local accounting industry. The Institute has over 47,000 members and about 12,000 registered students.
Our Qualification Programme assures the quality of entry into the profession, and we promulgate financial reporting, auditing, ethical and sustainability disclosure standards that safeguard Hong Kong’s leadership as an international financial centre.
The CPA designation is a top qualification recognised globally. The Institute is a member of and actively contributes to the work of the Global Accounting Alliance and International Federation of Accountants.
Rhenus Expands Investment in Southeast Asia with the Addition of New Air Freight Gateway in Singapore
The new Rhenus Airport Gateway in Singapore will strengthen the company’s global network, offering multi-modal connectivity via air, ocean and cross-border trucking. It will provide a more comprehensive suite of services to meet customer demands.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 June 2025 – Leading global logistics service provider the Rhenus Group announced its latest investment in the Southeast Asian market with the opening of a new airport gateway in Singapore, one of the region’s most significant trade hubs.
The new facility, located at Changi Airport, offers a full range of cargo-handling services to support multi-modal shipments globally, including strong trans-pacific linkages from Asia onward to US & LATAM markets and cross-border connection with the Intra-Asia markets with immediate proximity to seaport as well.
With close to 500 sqm of warehousing space currently and plans to grow based on demand, the facility offers full door-to-door service with a fleet, in-house customs, a consolidation service for import and export handling, for guaranteed capacity and schedule reliability.
Some of the key highlights of the new facility are:
- Guaranteed capacity with allotments and schedule reliability
- Accessibility for 45 feet container unloading on ground floor
- Free Trade Zone warehouse storage facility
- Additional services including palletizing, re-label/packing and sorting
“Our new Singapore gateway reinforces our long-term vision to grow our presence in Southeast Asia, by offering a smarter, scalable platform that integrates seamlessly into our global air freight network. Coupled with our Intra-Asia experience, this move will enable us to respond faster to evolving customer needs, while unlocking greater value through service flexibility, enhanced transit options and synergies with other regional hubs,” said Serdar Onur, Head of Air Freight, Southeast Asia and Oceania, Rhenus Air & Ocean.
“The inclusion of the new gateway in Singapore signifies Rhenus’ commitment to our customers in Singapore, as well as Southeast Asia. The Singapore gateway will complement our existing network in Malaysia, to bring the best of our comprehensive logistics solutions to support varied industries’ evolving needs and navigate trade shifts with speed and resilience,” said Dominique De Smet, Managing Director of Rhenus Singapore and Malaysia, Air & Ocean.
Rhenus had also further extended its investment in Malaysia, its existing gateway in Kuala Lumpur focuses on serving West bound shipments from Europe to Oceania. A new 180 feet barge service and a private jetty at Lukut, Negeri Sembilan were also recently added, to enhance cargo shipping reliability and speed between Peninsular and East Malaysia. The jetty, a customs-approved facility, will offer seamless loading and unloading of cargo, and ensure faster clearance and smoother operations.
New facility details are as follows:
Rhenus Logistics Pte Ltd – Changi Office
#01-04 Cargo Agent Building D
9 Airlines Road
Singapore 819827
Contact: Dominique.DeSmet@rhenus.com
More information on Rhenus in Singapore and Malaysia are available at:
Singapore: https://www.rhenus.group/sg/en/
Malaysia: https://www.rhenus.group/my/en/
Hashtag: #Rhenus
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Rhenus
The Rhenus Group is one of the leading logistics specialists with global business operations and annual turnover amounting to EUR 8.2 billion. 41,000 employees work at 1,330 business sites in more than 70 countries and develop innovative solutions along the complete supply chain. Whether providing transport, warehousing, customs clearance or value-added services, the family-owned business pools its operations in various business units where the needs of customers are the major focus at all times.