The Lao government has ordered the immediate suspension of potash exploration and mining projects in Vientiane Capital due to serious environmental and safety concerns, including recent land collapses in residential areas.
AIA Hosts Healthcare Financing Summit To Foster Cross-Sector Collaborative Solutions for Hong Kong’s Healthcare Sustainable Future

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 July 2025 – AIA Hong Kong & Macau (AIA) hosted the inaugural Healthcare Financing Summit (the Summit) as an active step towards fostering cross-sector dialogue and collaboration to address the challenges facing Hong Kong’s healthcare system. Held under the theme “Sustainable Healthcare Financing through Partnership”, the Summit brought together a diverse group of stakeholders – including government officials, legislators, regulators, and leaders from the healthcare and insurance industries – to explore collaborative solutions for building a healthcare system that is accessible, affordable, and effective for the sustainable future of Hong Kong.

The event featured distinguished speakers, including Professor Chung-mau Lo, Secretary for Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and Mr Clement Cheung Wan-ching, Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Authority, who shared their insights on the future of Hong Kong’s healthcare. Discussions focused on the growing challenges of rising healthcare costs, an ageing population, the critical needs to foster price transparency and budgeting for patients, clinical governance in private medical services, and how stakeholders can work together to ensure the long-term sustainability of Hong Kong’s healthcare.

Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau, said: “It is important for society to continue investing in better healthcare. It represents a growing share of our economy – and an even greater share of our hope for a sustainable and resilient future for all generations.
While Hong Kong’s healthcare system is widely recognised for its professionalism, trust, and exceptional outcomes, it is facing increasing pressure from demographic shifts, medical inflation, and rising demand across both the public and private sectors.
As an insurer deeply rooted in Hong Kong, AIA is committed to supporting our society in overcoming these pressing challenges. We believe that meaningful change begins with collective action, guided by a shared sense of conscience and responsibility. Thanks to the valuable contributions of all participants, this Summit has brought together an alliance in action—marking the beginning of a shared journey towards building a more inclusive and sustainable healthcare system for our community and future generations.
Yet this is only the beginning. The future depends on the continued, purposeful actions of all stakeholders. Together, we can play a pivotal role in shaping a healthcare system that empowers people to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.”



Hashtag: #AIA #友邦
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About AIA Hong Kong & Macau
AIA Group Limited established its operations in Hong Kong in 1931. To date, AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau have over 18,000 financial planners1, as well as an extensive network of independent financial advisors, brokerage and bancassurance partners. We serve over 3.6 million customers2, offering them a wide selection of professional services and products ranging from individual life, group life, accident, medical and health, pension, personal lines insurance to investment-linked assurance schemes with numerous investment options. We are also dedicated to providing superb product solutions to meet the financial needs of high-net-worth customers.
1 as of 31 March 2025
2 Including AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau’s individual life, group insurance and pension customers (as of 31 March 2025)
Lao Prime Minister Receives Japan’s Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun

The Japanese Emperor awarded Lao Prime Minister (PM) Sonexay Siphandone the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun on 3 July, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to enhancing relations between Laos and Japan.
Hong Kong Govt Proposes Limited Recognition of Same-Sex Couples’ Rights
By Holmes CHAN/AFP – The Hong Kong government said on 2 July it will propose legislation to recognize a limited set of rights for same-sex couples whose marriages are registered abroad, as it seeks to comply with a landmark court ruling.
The city’s top judges had unanimously defined marriage as “confined to opposite-sex couples” in September 2023. But the same ruling also ordered the government to create an “alternative framework” within two years that recognizes same-sex couples’ legal rights.
In a policy paper published on 2 July, the Hong Kong government wrote that it “recommends legislation to allow same-sex couples to apply for registration under a newly established registration mechanism”.
The proposal is limited to healthcare-related rights — such as hospital visits, making medical decisions, sharing medical information and organ donation — and rights related to a deceased person’s body.
To be eligible, adult couples must have been lawfully married abroad, with at least one person a Hong Kong resident.
“There are different views in society regarding the legal recognition of same-sex couples’ relationships,” the government added.
“We must make careful deliberations and… strike a balance, to avoid causing social rifts and affecting social harmony.”
The 2023 top court ruling was in response to a legal challenge by LGBTQ activist Jimmy Sham, who recently completed his prison sentence over an unrelated national security offence.
Sham said limiting eligibility to same-sex couples with overseas-registered marriages would create financial and practical hurdles.
It “seems not to comply with the principle of equality, and I am doubtful if it complies with the court’s ruling,” he told AFP.
Sham said he did not understand how the government narrowed down to two categories of rights and argued for including more, such as those related to insurance policies and private property that he said would not cost taxpayer dollars.
“I hope there will be public hearings in the legislature to accommodate different voices, to show that Hong Kong is actually very diverse,” he added.
‘Inherently Unfair’
Jerome Yau, co-founder of the advocacy group Hong Kong Marriage Equality, said the eligibility restrictions were “inherently unfair and could lead to further litigation.”
Yau said his group previously submitted views to the government but he was not aware of any public consultation on the issue.
Lawmakers will discuss the issue on Thursday, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang told journalists, according to local newspaper Ming Pao.
He declined to specify a target date for passing the bill.
Hong Kong reformed its legislature in 2021 so that only those loyal to Beijing can hold office, ousting pro-democracy lawmakers en masse.
Members of the pro-Beijing camp have spoken out against legal recognition of same-sex couples’ rights, insisting that Hong Kong society only tolerates marriage between a man and a woman.
Pro-Beijing lawmaker Priscilla Leung wrote on Facebook on Wednesday that the proposal will “open a Pandora’s box and cause endless disputes in society.”
But support for same-sex marriage in Hong Kong has grown over the past decade and hit 60 percent in 2023, according to a survey conducted jointly by three universities.
Last year, LGBTQ rights activists notched another legal victory with the top court affirming housing and inheritance rights for same-sex couples.
Wednesday’s policy document does not mention rights related to housing, inheritance or taxes.
More than 30 countries around the world have legalized marriage equality since the Netherlands became the first to do so in 2001.
China is not among them, nor does it have specific laws prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ people.
© Agence France-Presse
Eid al-Adha in 2025: Octa broker’s charity projects

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 July 2025 – Each year, Octa, a globally regulated and trusted broker since 2011, supports local communities in various regions through charity to foster social growth. In 2025, the broker carried out a series of charity activities in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Nigeria to celebrate a major Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha and help the underprivileged by providing targeted vital support.

The feast of sacrifice
For Muslims around the world, Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the most important holidays of the year. It coincides with the final rites of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and commemorates the sacrifice of the prophet Ibrahim.
Highlighted in the Islamic calendar among the most prominent celebratory occasions, Eid al-Adha is traditionally marked with devout Muslims buying and slaughtering animals and sharing two-thirds of the meat with the poor.
This year, the festivities, including a special prayer followed by the sacrifice of an animal, took place between 5 and 9 June.
This year, Octa broker joined in the celebration of ‘The Feast of Sacrifice’ and helped underprivileged citizens of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Nigeria.
Malaysia
Octa traditionally teamed up with Azeehan, the broker’s long-time charity partner and the driving force behind many local initiatives, to distribute the Qurbani meat in Kelantan. Thanks to this humanitarian effort, several hundreds of underprivileged local citizens received the much-needed festive food. ‘Octa broker has been supporting local communities during the Eid al-Adha for three years in a row. This consistent participation and care have been very helpful in bringing people together and building up the festive spirit during the Feast of Sacrifice, a very special and joyous occasion for all Muslims’, said Azeehan.
Indonesia
Together with IDEP, Octa supported 37 single mothers across Bali as a part of the Family Bucket Project. Single mothers in Bali face significant economic and social challenges rooted in unstable incomes, inadequate labour protection, and vulnerable living conditions. They often struggle to meet even their basic needs and those of their children, while insufficient education and professional skills further hinder their access to employment in Bali’s tourism-dominated economy.
These challenges become even more pronounced during Eid al-Adha, when single mothers must work even harder to provide the best they can for their children. Octa and IDEP distributed targeted support packages to 37 single-mother households in Bali to help them enjoy the holiday.
Octa’s partner in this project, IDEP develops and delivers practical programs and public education activities to communities in need all over Indonesia.
Nigeria
Octa joined forces with a local charity, KIR (Keeping it real) foundation, to support two socially beneficial initiatives.
1. Training 15 young small business owners of the city of Port Harcourt in digital literacy skills. Local entrepreneurs lacked rudimentary information and communication technology skills, severely restricting their ability to scale up their businesses and affecting their financial outcomes. Octa and KIR foundation organised this charity training to empower business owners and propel them towards success in the modern, technology-driven world.
2. Training 15 young women in vocational skills. To provide local young women with easy-to-pick-up and in-demand career opportunities, Octa and KIR foundation organised free week-long workshops in basic makeup artistry and headgear craft. These skills will allow them to earn a living and strengthen their social status.
Keeping true to its mission of benefiting local communities in various regions, Octa consistently engages in various charitable activities. For example, during the New Year holidays, the broker sponsored an emergency support program in Malaysia to help victims of a severe flood.
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Disclaimer: This press release does not contain or constitute investment advice or recommendations and does not consider your investment objectives, financial situation, or needs. Any actions taken based on this content are at your sole discretion and risk—Octa does not accept any liability for any resulting losses or consequences.
Hashtag: #Octa
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Octa
Octa is an international CFD broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.
Kaohsiung Ranks No.1 Again for Tourism Satisfaction, Wins Double Gold in US and UK Design Awards

KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 July 2025 – A huge congratulations to Kaohsiung for once again ranking No.1 in tourism satisfaction nationwide and brought home double gold international awards! According to the 2025 “Global Views Monthly” survey on the performance of city mayors, Chen Chi-Mai received the highest rating among the six special municipalities and retained his five-star mayor status. Kaohsiung ranked first in the areas of economy, transportation, healthcare, education, and environmental protection among major cities. Its tourism satisfaction again ranked No.1 nationwide. The themed event “Kaohsiung Wonderland – Winter Carnival” featuring Chiikawa also won double gold at the TITAN Innovation Awards (USA) and the London Design Awards (UK). These accolades not only strengthen Kaohsiung’s city branding, making it the hottest travel destination for both domestic and international tourists, but also highlight its robust tourism industry and growing global competitiveness.

Tourism Bureau Director Kao Min-lin remarked that Kaohsiung has seized the post-pandemic tourism rebound, leveraging its strategic position as the gateway to southern Taiwan and the New Southbound countries. The bureau has united stakeholders across the travel ecosystem, including tour operators, hotels, B&Bs, amusement parks, tourism factories, business districts, and souvenir industries, to form the “Kaohsiung Tourism Team,” proactively expanding into international markets. The concrete results can be seen in Agoda naming Kaohsiung one of Asia’s most fun and affordable destinations for 2024, while Klook listed Kaohsiung as one of the Top Emerging Global Travel Destinations for 2025, making it the only city in Taiwan to receive this honor — a testament to its growing global tourism potential.
Looking ahead, the Tourism Bureau will collaborate with airlines, travel agencies, lodging providers, and related industries through partnerships involving the public, private, and academic sectors. In alignment with central government plans to transform Kaohsiung International Airport (Xiaogang), to expand new flight routes and increase flight frequency, Kaohsiung will actively promote its tourism resources worldwide. Meanwhile, the bureau will continue to organize large-scale landmark events, improve tourism infrastructure and service quality, and accelerate the city’s tourism transformation to attract local and international visitors.
Hashtag: #Kaohsiung
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Creative Primary School’s Kindergarten Celebrates 40th Anniversary Milestone
– Forward-Looking Curriculum Ignites Children’s Curiosity, Seamlessly Connecting to Creative Primary School and Creative Secondary School for Smooth Academic Progression
Creative Primary School’s Kindergarten (CPSKG) – Nurturing Future Minds Since 1985
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 July 2025 – Located at 2A Oxford Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China. Creative Primary School’s Kindergarten (CPSKG) was established in 1985 and proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025. The school deeply understands the needs of parents and children, offering a forward-thinking thematic curriculum that employs experiential and inquiry-based learning to spark children’s enthusiasm for knowledge.

With a trilingual (Cantonese, Putonghua, and English) teaching team conducting daily immersive language sessions, CPSKG provides a systematic bilingual (Chinese-English) and Putonghua programme. As part of the Creative Schools continuum—including Creative Primary School (CPS) and Creative Secondary School (CSS)—CPSKG students enjoy priority admission to CPS, while CSS has produced top scorers in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, ensuring a seamless, high-quality education pathway.
- Exclusive Educational Pathway: The only kindergarten in Hong Kong with a direct affiliation to CPS and CSS in Hong Kong
- CSS has a track record of producing IB perfect scorers, reflecting its high academic standards.
- Priority admission to Creative Primary School
- Awarded “Outstanding Happy Campus Award” by UHKA & Chief Happiness Officer Association
- Trilingual (Cantonese/English/Putonghua) immersion with structured small-group instruction
- Strong and Diverse primary school placement advantages
Child-Centered Education for Future Leaders
CPSKG adheres to a student-focused philosophy, continuously innovating its curriculum to nurture globally minded future leaders (“Future Minds”). Recognizing parents’ concerns about school readiness and holistic development, the school employs engaging, research-backed methods like experiential learning and cross-disciplinary projects to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
The curriculum integrates real-world applications, blending art, social exploration, and interdisciplinary themes to deepen understanding while strengthening communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. It also emphasizes foundational competencies and positive attitudes to prepare children for lifelong success.
Trilingual Excellence & Global Perspectives
CPSKG prioritizes early literacy and communication skills, with native-speaking Putonghua and English teachers delivering structured daily language sessions. Principal Ms. Ng Hing-Lin explains: “Children are at the heart of our work. Our trilingual team designs immersive programmes rooted in children’s literature to inspire a love for languages—key to earning parents’ trust over 40 years.”
Outstanding Achievements in Arts & Academics
25+ students won awards at the 2025 Hong Kong Youth Painting Competition (8 Gold, 11 Silver, 5 Bronze, and 3 Champion/Podium titles). Recognized with the “Excellence in Arts Education Award” by the Hong Kong Children’s Cultural & Arts Association.
Early Childhood Literature & Innovative Learning
Early Childhood Literature” is a unique learning feature of CPSKG, aimed primarily at cultivating children’s interest in words and reading, as well as enriching their language skills. Through two major language learning programmes at the school—Putonghua’s “Children’s Poetry and Painting” and the English “Early Literacy Programme”—children engage in enjoyable language learning experiences, feeling the rhythm and rhyme of children’s poetry and understanding the meanings expressed in words. This enriches their imagination and broadens their thinking.
Effectively Using Mind Maps to Cultivate Independent Learning Abilities
Establishing a good learning attitude and skills from a young age is crucial for future learning. To foster children’s ability and habit of independent learning, CPSKG teaches children to use mind maps for learning and summarizing information. This learning method allows children to use illustrations and words to organize their thoughts and express what they have learned. It not only boosts their confidence in exploring new knowledge but also helps teachers understand their learning progress.
Seamless K-12 Continuum
CPSKG’s curriculum aligns with CPS and CSS under the “Three Schools * One Philosophy * One Continuum” ethos, ensuring a smooth transition through primary, secondary, and beyond. CSS’s IB programme and university pathways further solidify this future-ready education.
Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence
In 2025, CPSKG will host anniversary events for parents, alumni, and the community to reflect on its legacy and explore new educational frontiers.
Enrollment Now Open – Join Us in Shaping Future Leaders!
https://bit.ly/Continuum_Admissions_Signup_CPSKG
Contact Us
Creative Primary School’s Kindergarten (CPSKG)
2A Oxford Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong (Shared campus with CPS)
2336 1212 | admin@cpskg.edu.hk | www.cpskg.edu.hk
Creative Primary School (CPS)
2A Oxford Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong (Shared campus with CPSKG)
2336 0266 | cps@creativeprisch.edu.hk | www.creativeprisch.edu.hk
Creative Secondary School (CSS)
3 Pung Loi Road, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong
2336 0233 | admissions@css.edu.hk
Hashtag: #CSS #CPS #CPSKG #CreativeSchoolsContinuum
https://www.cpskg.edu.hk/
https://www.facebook.com/cpskg.oxfordroad2a/
https://www.instagram.com/cpskg
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.