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Thomas Ong Joins TakeAseat As Their 2022 Brand Ambassador

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 21 January 2022 – Leading ergonomic furniture brand in Singapore, TakeAseat is excited to announce this year’s brand ambassador; former MediaCorp actor Thomas Ong.

 

TakeAseat newest brand ambassador was chosen for his charisma and professionalism established in his years working in the industry. A former MediaCorp actor and television host, Thomas Ong debuted in 1994 and officially announced his retirement from showbiz in 2020. Initially an airline steward with Singapore Airlines before his showbiz stint, he has appeared in over 40 television series, winning multiple “Most Popular Male Artistes Award” in his career. His healthy lifestyle aligns with TakeAseat’s dedication to introducing good ergonomics into every Singaporeans’ lifestyle.

 

TakeAseat intends to fill your house and improve your lifestyle with more ergonomic furniture. With an aim to create an ergonomic environment that will help boost productivity in every educational and corporate space, the brand believes that by bringing awareness towards the importance of excellent ergonomics in our daily lives, the general public, corporate workers, and parents will start to adopt such practices. To achieve this, TakeAseat will also be moving their Mandai showroom to a newer and more prominent location within walking distance from Admiralty MRT station. With hopes that more customers can be exposed to their range of ergonomic products, they are also planning to increase their range of products this year to meet the needs of an increasing pool of customers.

 

TakeAseat is among Singapore’s leading ergonomic furniture providers. With over ten years in the industry, they specialise in ergonomic furniture and have served many satisfied clients with their ergo needs. Besides the vast range of height-adjustable tables and ergonomic office chairs, they also supply ergonomic products such as keyboards, sofas, office chair accessories, ergonomic kids’ products, and many more.

 

For more information on TakeAseat’s extensive range of quality ergonomic products, do visit https://www.takeaseat.sg/.

#TakeAseat

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

Babel Finance Announces New Partnership With Chainalysis Leading to Innovations in Crypto Lending and Financing

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 21 January 2022 – Babel Finance‘s financial services announced in December 2021 its partnership with Chainalysis. This will offer our institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals worldwide top in class risk controls and management to its crypto financial services, including crypto lending and crypto financing.

 

Chainalysis is a leading blockchain data platform. Babel Finance will leverage Chainalysis’ KYT (Know Your Transaction) and Reactor services to upgrade its regulatory compliance strategies. With Chainalysis KYT, Babel Finance will have a real-time transaction monitoring solution providing alerts to their compliance team. Apart from reducing manual workflows, it will allow heightened compliance with local and global regulations. Chainalysis Reactor can connect cryptocurrency transactions to real-world entities, allowing compliance teams to examine both criminal and legitimate activities.

 

Babel Finance’s crypto lending innovation regarding compliance will provide the capacity to safeguard clients’ interests and investments and comply with Anti-Money Laundering regulations. Babel Finance’s financing will have improved security and reliability controls when handling institutions’ large and flexible funding requests. Mitigating market risk is a top priority for Babel Finance. Our bank-level asset risk assessment models have formulated a more than competent risk control system to reduce market risk. Our products support multiple cryptocurrencies and use third-party custody, offline storage, multiple authorizations, and other technical measures to ensure the security of assets.

 

Babel Finance’s Hong Kong office, as well as others in Asia, are ready to serve its clients’ needs. Its expert team comes from first-tier financial institutions such as PwC, China Merchants Bank, Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse, Lazard, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and mainstream technology companies. This expertise and heritage give us the cutting edge in cryptocurrency financing services.

 

About Babel Finance

Babel Finance is a global leading crypto financial services provider, offering institutional and HNWI investors professional services covering crypto lending and crypto trading.

 

The company is backed by prominent investors including Sequoia Capital China, Tiger Global Management, BAI Capital, Zoo Capital, Dragonfly Capital, and NGC Ventures.

 

With a business focus in Asia and a business headquarters in Singapore, Babel Finance has established close cooperative relationships with major global exchanges, custodians, investment funds, and mining institutions. 

https://twitter.com/BabelFinance

https://www.linkedin.com/company/babelfinance/

#BabelFinance

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

Laos Considers Easing Restrictions on Entrance Visas

Wattay Airport Laos Immigration

A new notice issued by the Prime Minister’s Office has instructed authorities to consider easing certain Covid measures, including restrictions on entry to the country.

CPA Australia: Nearly half of Mainland Chinese businesses expect profitable growth in 2022

  • Most businesses expect Mainland China’s GDP to grow by five per cent or more.
  • Eighty-three per cent predict their company’s profits will increase or remain stable.
  • Challenges include global economic uncertainty, the pandemic and potential trade barriers.

BEIJING, MAINLAND CHINA – Media OutReach – 21 January 2022 – Most businesses in Mainland China are confident about the country’s 2022 economic and business outlook, according to a new survey by one of the world’s largest professional accounting organisations, CPA Australia. The survey results suggest that Mainland China will continue to play an important role in driving the global economic recovery this year.

CPA Australia surveyed 210 accounting and finance professionals in Mainland China about local economy and business conditions in 2022. Sixty-nine per cent of respondents expect Mainland China’s GDP to grow by five per cent or more. Eighty-three per cent predict their company’s profit will increase or remain the same. Forty-seven per cent expect their company’s profit to increase by two per cent or more. Forty-nine per cent of respondents expect their company’s headcount will increase.

Kevin Ng FCPA (Aust.), Member of CPA Australia’s North China Committee, said “Respondents are generally optimistic that the economy will remain stable in 2022. This is mainly due to positive factors such as an effective control over Covid-19 and a host of different measures which were implemented to keep the economy stable, including government interventions.

“The economy is facing major headwinds such as continued global economic uncertainties, the pandemic and the possibility of more international trade barriers. These challenges may impact many businesses, particularly smaller businesses facing financing difficulties.

 

“The government’s timely measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises, such as introducing targeted tax deduction and fees cuts as well as strengthening financial support, will help relieve the financial burden of these challenges and lower financing costs.”

 

Reflecting efforts to ensure long-term growth and stay ahead of technological disruptions, 59 per cent of respondents think their company will increase investment into new technology and 47 per cent expect digital transformation will be their company’s key strategic focus in 2022. In addition, 88 per cent of respondents expect their company will undertake an environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiative this year.

Michael Yu FCPA (Aust.), President of CPA Australia’s East and Central China Committee, anticipates that “Trends in technology and innovation, ESG and consumer business investments will continue to boom in 2022 in terms of the direction of corporate investments and mergers and acquisitions.

 

“Digital transformation and innovation are key drivers of business growth. The percentage of respondents who expect their company to increase investment into new technology has increased by two percentage points from last year. This marks two consecutive years of rising expectations for technology investment.

 

“Supported by the 14th Five-Year Plan, the deployment of 5G coverage network and the proliferation of artificial intelligence, blockchain and cloud technologies, the strong level of business technology usage and innovation will ensure Mainland Chinese businesses are well positioned for further development and expansion.

 

“It’s positive to see most local businesses will be taking actions related to ESG. This indicates that businesses are accelerating ESG integration into their business models and aiming to contribute to national ESG goals such as carbon neutrality.”

 

Rebecca Wong FCPA (Aust.), Deputy President of CPA Australia’s South China Committee, noted that 85 per cent of respondents expect their company to expand business activities within the Greater China region in the next three years. She says this trend is another positive sign that the local economy is stabilising.

 

“Respondents were most likely to expect their business to expand into the Greater Bay Area (GBA) in the next three years, with 47 per cent picking this region. The market size, large talent pool and a strong innovation and technology ecosystem in the GBA are attractive to businesses seeking growth opportunities.

 

“We recommend businesses seek to learn more about the GBA, including preferential government policies and consumer behaviour, and develop a long-term strategic plan to capitalise on the unique growth opportunities in the GBA.”

 

CPA Australia recommends Mainland Chinese businesses consider the following:

  1. Take advantage of preferential market expansion policies, for example, diversifying and expanding businesses into the GBA.
  2. Integrate medium and long-term development strategies and reasonably allocate resources across short, medium and long-term R&D investment in targeted areas.
  3. Establish a long-term ESG strategy or governance framework and specify ESG-related responsibilities across different business units.
  4. Regularly review and seek to improve internal tax compliance and control systems.
  5. Balance market opportunities, capital risks and corporate governance risks based on the characteristics of the industry and the overall business strategy.
  6. Focus on nurturing, upskilling and reskilling talent in innovation and technology to enhance the competitiveness of the businesses.

Download the Mainland China Economic and Business Sentiment Report 2022

About CPA Australia

CPA Australia is one of the largest professional accounting bodies in the world, with more than 168,000 members in over 100 countries and regions, including more than 21,000 members in Greater China. We have offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Our core services include education, training, technical support and advocacy. CPA Australia provides thought leadership on local, national and international issues affecting the accounting profession and public interest. We engage with governments, regulators and industries to advocate policies that stimulate sustainable economic growth and have positive business and public outcomes. Find out more at cpaaustralia.com.au

#CPAAustralia

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

Winners of VinFuture’s $4.5m global sci-tech prizes announced

The VinFuture Prize rewards breakthrough scientific research and technological innovations with humanitarian outcomes

●        The VinFuture Prize is aligned with one or more of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is grounded in recognising proven, real-life impact

●        Winners demonstrated breakthrough innovations in science and technology focused on driving meaningful and scalable change through improvements in health, prosperity, productivity, equity, and sustainability

●        Recipients were selected from nearly 600 nominations across 60 countries

 

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach – 21 January 2022 – The inaugural VinFuture Award Ceremony honors inventors of core mRNA vaccine technology; metal-organic frameworks (MOFs); flexible semiconductors with the sensing properties of human skin; and tenofovir gel for the prevention of HIV. These projects are exceptional scientific accomplishments that will positively impact the lives of billions of people on Earth in the present and future.

Professor Katalin Kariko (third from right), Professor Pieter Cullis and Professor Drew Weissman (first and second from left) win VinFuture Grand Prize

Honouring exceptional minds whose research and technological innovations will improve quality of life and ensure sustainable living for future generations, The VinFuture Prize was launched on International Solidarity Day 2020 and is uniquely aligned with one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The award programme is part of the VinFuture Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit set up by Mr. Phạm Nhật Vượng, the first Vietnamese billionaire and Founder and Chairman of the largest Vietnamese conglomerate, Vingroup Corporate, together with his wife, Mrs. Phạm Thu Hương, to create meaningful change in the everyday lives of millions by recognising and rewarding transformative innovation in sci-tech. 

Attracting almost 600 nominations across 60 countries in its inaugural year, the Prize represents the best in science and technological breakthroughs in these fields. Of these nominations, nearly 100 came from the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists, many of whom are themselves laureates of distinguished awards, such as the Nobel Prize, Breakthrough Prize and Tang Prize, among others. 

The Grand Prize, valued at US$3 million, is awarded to three scientists: Katalin Kariko (USA), Drew Weissman (USA) and Pieter Cullis (Canada) for their work on mRNA technology, which paved the way for effective COVID-19 vaccines. In their research, they were able to modify mRNA and encapsulate it in lipid nanoparticles, preventing the immune system from reacting to foreign mRNA entering the body and avoiding cytokine induction, toxicity, and off-target effects. Based on Kariko and Weissman’s discovery, and Cullis’s development of lipid nanoparticles, pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were able to produce effective COVID-19 vaccines in record time.

Besides serving as a global line of defense against the increasing infections and deaths caused by the pandemic, mRNA technology also has the potential to generate vaccines against HIV, cancer, autoimmune diseases and genetic diseases, potentially saving the lives of billions of people in the future.

In addition to the Grand Prize, three Special Prizes, each valued at US$500,000, have been dedicated specifically for female innovators and to recognize innovations in emerging fields and in developing countries.


The first Special Prize, dedicated to “Innovators with Outstanding Achievements in Emerging Fields”, is awarded to Professor Omar Yaghi (USA) for his work on discovering metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs are a new class of materials formed as networks of charged molecules linked to metal ions, with permanent porosity with high surface area and impressive stability. With tuneable pore sizes that enable the absorption and storage of gas and water molecules, MOFs provide solutions for the capture, storage, separation, and chemical manipulation of different types of gases and particles, and have the potential to create a cleaner environment and cleaner air, energy, and water sources.  

In particular, Professor Yaghi’s MOF water harvester has been proven to have the potential to generate clean water at any time, in any place. If successfully implemented, MOFs can improve the lives of millions of people in regions that lack access to clean water, helping increase water independence and increase quality of life.

The second Special Prize, dedicated to “Female Innovators”, is awarded to Professor Zhenan Bao (USA) for her work on developing flexible electronics with the sensing properties of human skin. The electronics are made from a type of flexible molecular semiconductor material that has self-healing and biodegradable properties, allowing electronics to be integrated seamlessly into the human body. They have great potential in medical diagnosis and smart healthcare and can also be applied to wearable and implantable electronic devices, enhancing the quality of life of millions of people with disability and sparking future medical breakthroughs.  

Professors Salim Abdool Karim (second from right) and Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim (second from left) win VinFuture Special Prize


The Special Prize, for “Innovators from Developing Countries”, is awarded to Professors Salim Abdool Karim and Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim from South Africa for their research on effective HIV prevention. With extensive experience in the field of epidemiology, the two scientists developed a tenofovir-based gel that prevents sexual transmission of HIV, laying the foundation for the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) method of preventing HIV. Salim Abdool Karim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim also created an oral medicine to create an HIV prevention strategy across the world, including for women and infants.

The Karims’ research was recognized by UNAIDS and WHO as a pivotal scientific breakthrough, with significant impact on the prevention of an epidemic in the African continent and the world.

Speaking about the results of the inaugural season of the VinFuture Prize, Professor Sir Richard Friend, VinFuture Prize Council Chair, stated: “The VinFuture Prize 2021 recognizes truly outstanding scientific work that has made and will make, a positive impact on the lives of millions, or even billions, of people around the world. The winners have brought new solutions for some of the most significant challenges that humanity is facing, such as infectious diseases and meeting the urgent need for zero carbon energy. The VinFuture Prize celebrates the power of science and technology to solve global problems.”


On behalf of the Prize Laureates, Professor Katalin Kariko shared: “It is an incredible honor to learn that the Prize council selected me, together with my fellow scientists Drew Weissman and Pieter Cullis, to receive the inaugural VinFuture Grand Prize. We, as scientists, work at the bench in the laboratory, performing experiments day-after-day and hope that one day – maybe in our lifetime – we can witness that the advancements we made will be beneficial for the common good. We are all relieved and thrilled that our scientific discoveries laid the foundation for the development of the mRNA vaccines. It is also important to note that the vaccines were developed based on a century of scientific and technological progress and recent discoveries by hundreds of thousands of scientists, doctors, engineers and experts who advanced the knowledge of their respected fields, and the combination of that work led to the creation of these very effective and safe mRNA vaccines. We hope that our scientific adventure will also inspire the next generation of researchers and doctors, and that their contributions will advance our scientific knowledge on a higher level leading to the treatment of patients with unmet medical needs.”


The first VinFuture Award Ceremony was broadcasted live on major communication channels across the world, with the appearance of Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Vietnam, leaders of domestic ministries and agencies, global ambassadors, industry leaders, and in particular, eminent international scientists.

The Award Ceremony signals the end of the first season of the VinFuture Prize, with results far exceeding the expectations of the Prize Council in terms of both quantity, quality, and practical application potential of the nominations. The early success of the Prize lays the foundation for broadening the Prize’s impact in coming years, recognising scientists who seek and deliver solutions to humanity’s problems, contributing to creating a better life for everyone, and building a sustainable environment for future generations./.

Officially starting the second season of the VinFuture Prize

The second cycle of the VinFuture Prize has now started, immediately following the conclusion of the inaugural VinFuture Award Ceremony. The VinFuture Foundation will open the nomination portal from February 15 running until June 3, 2022.

#VinFuturePrize

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

Oudomxay Residents Affected by Laos-China Railway Receive Compensation

Laos-China Railway compensation

Some 72 percent of residents in Oudomxay Province affected by the Laos-China Railway have received full compensation.

Savannakhet Police Shoot and Kill Armed Assailant

Savannakhet Police shoot and kill armed assailant.
Savannakhet Police shoot and kill armed assailant.

A man has been shot dead by police in Savannakhet Province after injuring several people in a machete attack.

Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University Announces Global Initiative to Educate 100 Million Learners by 2030

The Francis and Dionne Najafi Global Initiative is a one-of-a-kind inclusive, innovative, impactful global initiative that will advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, Quality Education for all. Goal is for 70% of participants to be women.

PHOENIX, US – News Direct – 20 January 2022 – Thunderbird School of Global Management, home of the world’s No. 1 ranked Master’s in Management at Arizona State University (ASU), ranked No.1 for innovation in the U.S., announced today a transformative new global initiative to educate and empower 100 million learners by 2030. The announcement coincides with the World Economic Forum’s State of the World sessions.

 

Thanks to a historic $25 million donation from the Francis and Dionne Najafi Global Initiative, Thunderbird will offer an accredited online Global Management and Entrepreneurship Certificate, consisting of five world-class courses in 40 different languages. Of the 100 million learners the program will reach worldwide, it is estimated that 70% will be women and young women. Never before has such an ambitious global higher education program been launched. The certificate will be covered by full scholarships and thus no cost to students because of the philanthropic support undergirding the initiative.

 

The Francis and Dionne Najafi Global Initiative has been made possible through a generous initial gift of $25 million from prominent Phoenix businessman and Thunderbird alumni F. Francis Najafi ’77 and his wife Dionne Najafi ’06. “Our lives were transformed by access to quality education at Thunderbird and we wanted to extend that same transformative experience to people around the world who lack access to quality education,” said the Najafis. “We are excited and deeply humbled to be part of such a bold initiative.”

 

The United Nations estimates that the COVID-19 pandemic has erased 20 years’ worth of educational gains and digital online education has accelerated and expanded dramatically to fill the gap. In addition, the uncertainty and disruption that has come to characterize this era of rapid technological change has displaced many workers and professionals all over the world, increasing the need for upskilling and reskilling in order to seize the immense opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

 

“Thunderbird is the most global and digital leadership and management academy in the world and has touched over two million learners in its renowned 75-year history. Over the last four years, we have engineered the greatest turnaround in higher education history.  At Thunderbird, our vision is a world of sustainable and equitable prosperity, and as part of Arizona State University – the #1 school for innovation seven years running – we measure success not by whom we exclude, but rather by whom we include,” said Thunderbird Director General and Dean, Dr. Sanjeev Khagram. “As a refugee of Idi Amin’s Uganda, my life was transformed by having access to world-class education, so this is deeply personal for me. The Najafi Thunderbird Global Initiative is educational inclusion, innovation, and impact at a worldwide scale!”

 

The learners in the Francis and Dionne Najafi Global Initiative will receive a badge for each course they complete and a 15-unit accredited certificate upon successful completion of all five courses. They will gain 21st century skill sets to catapult their professional careers. They will also have an almost limitless number of lifelong learning options and alternative educational pathways through Thunderbird and ASU, or will be able to transfer the credits to other universities worldwide. Providing these opportunities over the long-term ensures that the Global Initiative will continue to pay dividends well into the future, breaking down barriers and opening new educational opportunities for individuals across generations worldwide.

 

“Access to higher education and the need for equity and inclusion is one of a global scale. One of the reasons Arizona State University is so pleased to have Thunderbird as part of our enterprise is because it is a school that has been focused on sustained prosperity worldwide for decades,” said ASU President Michael Crow. “The commitment made to the school by Francis and Dionne Najafi will impact communities around the world and be a force that brings all of us closer together. We are grateful for their commitment to a borderless expansion of the opportunities that come with higher education.”

 

Educating 100 million learners by 2030 will require a strategic, phased approach. In year one, the Global Initiative aims to reach learners in Iran, Kenya, Mexico, Indonesia, Egypt, India, Senegal, Brazil, and Vietnam in their native languages. By year two, the program will be expanded across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America to at least 25 languages. By year four or earlier, the Global Initiative will have expanded to Europe and Central Asia and 40 total languages – thus available for learners worldwide. Eventually, the initiative will be available for learners worldwide, reaching our goal of 100 million learners.

 

The Francis and Dionne Najafi Global Initiative will provide millions of people with the global management and entrepreneurship skill sets that are not only imperative to accelerate personal success and economic prosperity but also to address persistent poverty and increase inequality worldwide. Interested individuals can request additional information and pre-register at: https://thunderbird.asu.edu

 

About F. Francis and Dionne Najafi

F. Francis Najafi is the American Dream come to life. He came to America from Iran to get an education and earned four degrees from three universities. In 1982 he founded Pivotal Group, a real estate opportunity fund with uncanny market timing and wisdom. Later he broadened Pivotal Group’s mandate successfully investing in private equity and growth venture opportunities. As his success grew, so did his philanthropy: Mr. Najafi has given millions of his own money to an incredibly wide range of causes, headlined by his recent $25 million donation to Arizona State University.

 

About Thunderbird School of Global Management

Thunderbird School of Global Management is a unit of the Arizona State University Enterprise. For more 75 years, Thunderbird has been the vanguard of global management and leadership education, creating inclusive and sustainable prosperity worldwide by educating global leaders capable of tackling the world’s greatest challenges. Thunderbird’s Master of Global Management was ranked #1 in the world for 2019 by the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education. ASU is ranked No. 1 “Most Innovative School” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for five years in succession. To learn more visit thunderbird.asu.edu.

 

About Arizona State University

Arizona State University Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it. For more information, please visit ASU.edu.

 


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