Prime Minister of Laos Mr. Sonexay Siphandone was in talks with his Cambodian counterpart, Mr. Hun Sen during his recent official visit about the possibility of building a high-speed railway connecting both countries and also other nations in the region.
TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach – 16 February 2023 – Back to Blue, an initiative of Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation, emphasises that time is swiftly running out to avoid the worst impacts of ocean acidification.
At an event entitled “Ocean Acidification: A Crisis in the making“, hosted by Back to Blue in Tokyo, Japan, on February 2rd, chairman of The Nippon Foundation Yohei Sasakawa, and chairman of The Economist Group Lord Deighton made opening remarks, inviting urgent action to tackle ocean acidification.
Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for Oceans, said, “In light of the biodiversity framework adopted at the end of last year, ocean acidification is an urgent issue. Today’s event is very significant. This year, the G7 meeting will be held in Japan, a maritime nation. I hope that Japan will show leadership in this regard.” Panellists included Steve Widdicombe, Scientific Director of Plymouth Marine Laboratory, a world authority on marine ecology, and Japanese fisheries researchers.
Back to Blue released its Ocean Acidification programme in December 2022. The publication focuses on the need to address ocean acidification and is based on insights and research provided by some of the world’s leading ocean scientists. The publication highlights how time is rapidly running out to avoid the worst effects of ocean acidification and the worst impacts of ocean acidification on marine life, livelihoods, and economies.
Ocean acidification occurs when seawater absorbs CO2 generated by human activities such as burning fossil fuels. More than a quarter of the CO2 emitted by humans into the atmosphere has been absorbed by the oceans each year, but CO2 emissions are now increasing so rapidly that the oceans are no longer able to absorb it. As a result, the chemistry of the ocean is changing, acidity is increasing, and the ability of many marine organisms to protect themselves, grow, and reproduce is weakening.
The publication highlights that if we continue on our current high-emissions trajectory, many marine organisms, including molluscs, pteropods (“sea butterflies”) and warm-water corals, will be at very high risk from acidification as early as 2050. The adverse impacts from the decline of such organisms on ocean biodiversity and marine food chains are likely to be severe.
Steve Widdicombe, scientific director of Plymouth Marine Laboratory and coordinator of the Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability (OARS) program, said, “Ocean acidification, warming, and deoxygenation are interacting to create the perfect storm of environmental problems.”
The publication also brings to light some of the potential economic impacts of ocean acidification, which are yet to be widely studied. If unaddressed, ocean acidification will put coastal economies and the aquaculture, tourism and other jobs that rely on them at grave risk. Past projections of economic losses from depleted shellfish production alone range from $75m in the United States to over $1bn in Europe. In many parts of the Global South, where fisheries and aquaculture contribute tens of billions to local economies and employ millions, the impacts of acidification on livelihoods will be felt extremely keenly.
Charles Goddard, editorial director at Economist Impact says, “We have enough knowledge to develop effective means to mitigate and adapt to the effects of acidification. Development of ocean resilience is a challenge that cannot wait. It will be costly, but we believe it must be weighed against the benefits of avoiding future damage.”
Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of The Nippon Foundation says, “The continuing impact of ocean acidification on seagrass beds, coral reefs, and marine life means that we are treating the ocean, which provides more than half of the oxygen we breathe and is one of our most valuable defenses in the fight against climate change, in an economically and ecologically devastating manner. It is time to make ocean acidification a top priority so that we can more proactively develop a scientific understanding of its impacts and promote necessary response and adaptation measures globally before it is too late.”
The global premiere of a short documentary on ocean acidification “The threat bubbling up“, created by Economist Films, was also held at the event.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Back to Blue
“ Back to Blue” is an initiative of Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation. The initiative’s goal is to focus efforts on evidence-based approaches and solutions to man-made issues that pose major threats to ocean health.
While governments and policymakers have begun efforts towards restoring biodiversity and regenerating ocean health, there remains an ostensible knowledge gap on plastic and chemical pollution.
Recognising the need to stimulate fresh dialogue and solutions to pressing ocean issues, this multi-year initiative brings together both organisations’ unique capabilities in ocean research and programme-building to build a powerful platform which will accelerate momentum in improving ocean health. In 2021, the Plastic Management Index published under Back to Blue addressed the issue of marine plastic pollution. In 2022 the focus is on the less visible pollution from chemical contaminants that are damaging ocean life and ecosystems and in the long term, human health.”
About Economist Impact
Economist Impact combines the rigour of a think-tank with the creativity of a media brand to engage a globally influential audience. We believe that evidence-based insights can open debate, broaden perspectives and catalyse progress. The services offered by Economist Impact previously existed within The Economist Group as separate entities, including EIU Thought Leadership, EIU Public Policy, EIU Health Policy, Economist Events, EBrandConnect and SignalNoise.
We are building on a 75-year track record of analysis across 205 countries. Along with framework design, benchmarking, economic and social impact analysis, forecasting and scenario modelling, we provide creative storytelling, events expertise, design-thinking solutions and market-leading media products, making Economist Impact uniquely positioned to deliver measurable outcomes to our clients.
About The Nippon Foundation
Established in 1962, The Nippon Foundation is Japan’s largest philanthropic foundation, providing support to public-service activities in a variety of fields across national borders. In ocean affairs, the Foundation aims to cultivate human resources who will chart a course for the ocean’s future and to pass on the ocean’s riches to future generations. Other primary areas of activity include support for children, persons with disabilities, disaster relief, and international cooperation, with the ultimate goal of achieving a society where all people support one another.
A Japanese mobile operator, SoftBank, has partnered with global gaming blockchain, Oasys, to explore the broad integration of Web3 technologies into society
SINGAPORE / TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach – 16 February 2023 – Oasys Pte. Ltd. (“Oasys”) today announced that SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”), a Japan-based telecommunications operator, has joined as an official validator of Oasys, a gaming-optimised blockchain designed for gamers and developers alike, with a focus on the future of blockchain gaming.
SoftBank’s recognition of Oasys’ superior mechanism that serves both users and IP (intellectual property) holders, along with its advanced technological capabilities, has led to their decision to participate in the Oasys blockchain. This partnership extends beyond Softbank’s role as validators, as the two companies explore potential collaboration, including the development of blockchain-based services, in the future.
Bandai Namco Research, SEGA, Square Enix, Netmarble, and 17 other companies are among the 21 initial validators for Oasys. Starting with SoftBank, Oasys will invite other companies with a high level of trust and performance on a global scale to participate as validators, further stabilising and strengthening the Oasys network.
In the next batch of validators, four more companies will be joining the network, bringing the total to 25. In the medium-term, Oasys plans to further decentralise the network by enabling public participation through a council and removing the limit on the number of validator slots as long as the necessary requirements are being met.
Keiichi Makizono, Senior Vice President & CIO of SoftBank, said “We are very excited about the Oasys blockchain’s flexible, user-centric architecture, which meets the needs of both users and IP content owners, and look forward to working with Oasys to promote Web3’s social implementation and resolve social issues.”
Daiki Moriyama, Director of Oasys, said “We are honoured that SoftBank shares our vision for Oasys and has chosen us as a business partner for Web3. With SoftBank coming onboard as a validator, Oasys will not only expand the stability and ecosystem of the Oasys chain, but also aim to strengthen business collaboration with Oasys. We look forward to working with SoftBank to develop the blockchain gaming industry by fostering relationships and synergies with its group companies and partners.”
In just over a year since its formation, Oasys has fully launched its mainnet blockchain protocol, with over a dozen playable games available on its blockchain. On 31 January 2023, the company announced plans to list on the leading Japanese crypto exchange, bitbank.
Hashtag: #Oasys #Blockchain #Gaming
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Oasys
Oasys was established in February 2022 to increase mainstream play-and-earn adoption, and at launch, committed to partnering with 21 gaming and Web3 tech companies to act as validators, such as Bandai Namco, SEGA, Ubisoft and Yield Guild Games. Led by a team of blockchain experts and joining forces with the biggest gaming company names to serve as the initial validators, Oasys is revolutionising the gaming industry with its Proof-of-Stake (PoS) based eco-friendly blockchain.
With a focus on creating an ecosystem for gamers and developers to distribute and develop blockchain-based games, Oasys solves the problems game developers face when building games on the blockchain. The trifecta approach of the fastest network powered by the gaming community, a scalable network powered by AAA game developers and the blockchain offering the best user experience with fast transactions and zero gas fees for users, readies participants to enter the Oasys and play.
Guided by the SoftBank Group’s corporate philosophy, “Information Revolution – Happiness for everyone,” SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) provides telecommunications services and combines them with advanced technologies to develop and operate new businesses in Japan and globally. In the fiscal year ended March 2022, SoftBank Corp. registered 5.7 trillion yen of revenue, 985.7 billion yen of operating income, and, at the end of December 2022, had 319 group companies (245 subsidiaries and 74 affiliates), both in Japan and abroad. SoftBank Corp. has 39 million mobile subscribers and 8 million broadband subscribers in Japan, and through its group companies Yahoo Japan Corporation, PayPay Corporation and LINE Corporation, 86 million online media users, 54 million smartphone payment users and 92 million communication app users, respectively (as of February 3, 2023). With this strong business foundation and compelling number of customer touchpoints, SoftBank Corp. is expanding into non-telecom fields in line with its “Beyond Carrier” growth strategy while further growing its telecom business. Also, by fully harnessing the power of 5G, AI, IoT, Digital Twin, Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solutions, including High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS)-based stratospheric telecommunications, and other key technologies, SoftBank Corp. aims to realize the “Implementation of Digitalization into Society.” In recognition of its ESG initiatives, SoftBank Corp. was selected for inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, FTSE4Good, 2022 Constituent MSCI Japan ESG Select Leaders Index and other leading global ESG investments indices.
SEOUL, KOREA – Media OutReach – 16 February 2023 – IGIS Asia Investment Management (“IGIS”), the pan-Asian investment arm of IGIS Asset Management, South Korea’s largest real estate investment manager, announced this month a partnership with CHA Bio Group (“CHA”), one of the largest and oldest biopharma groups in South Korea with a vast global presence, to form a new Asia-Pacific life science real estate investment platform.
The venture targets to provide best-in-class life science real estate for R&D, manufacturing, and other supporting services for a spectrum of companies ranging from biotechnology incubators to multinational pharmaceutical groups in the Asia-Pacific region, including metropolitan cities in South Korea. The partnership will rely on IGIS’s past track record of real estate transactions and CHA’s expertise in the life sciences industry to gain first-mover advantage in providing life science real estate solutions in South Korea and overseas.
IGIS and CHA share the view of the venture’s role as a catalyst for the robust growth of life science sector in the Asia-Pacific region. To respond to rapidly changing demand and multifaceted market challenges, the venture will develop and invest in high-quality life science assets, including R&D and manufacturing facilities, hospitals, medical offices, and other healthcare centers in Asia-Pacific. In addition, IGIS aims to establish Korea Life Science Investment Platform (“KLSIP”), the first Korea-focused investment vehicle on life science real estate, to invigorate the venture with capital to develop facilities that meet the demands of the growing life science industry in South Korea. Hashtag: #IGIS #CHA #lifesciences #realestate #privateequity #korea #asiapacific
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About IGIS Asset Management
Founded in 2011, IGIS Asset Management (“IGIS”) is a privately owned vertically integrated real estate investment management firm and South Korea’s largest real estate asset manager with assets under management totaling approximately US$45.5 billion as of Dec 2022. The company has over 360 professionals with a presence in 5 countries and profound expertise to invest across different strategies from core to opportunistic in multiple sectors across various markets.
About IGIS Asia Investment Management
IGIS Asia Investment Management (“IGIS AIM”) is an overseas subsidiary of IGIS established in 2020 in Singapore. IGIS AIM focuses on expanding its presence within Asia-Pacific through joint venture partnerships with operators, asset managers, and local partners. In addition, the firm will invest thematically in high-quality assets across the Asia-Pacific markets to benefit from the growth potential driven by global economic and demographic trends.
About CHA Bio Group
CHA Bio Group is a Korea’s leading bio-pharma group comprised of more than 50 domestic and foreign affiliated companies. The group operates a unique eco system based on the collaboration of biotech & pharmaceutical companies, university, research institute and hospital network.
CHA Biotech, a company among the three KOSDAQ-listed entities within the group is an industry leader in cell therapy development. CHA Biotech recently established Matica Biotechnology in Texas USA to enter the fast-growing global cell and gene CDMO business.
CHA Healthcare is a unique global healthcare network provider that oversees hospital investment & development outside Korea. CHA Healthcare has established a global healthcare platform of medical network consisting of 86 medical centers and IVF clinics in 7 countries, including the USA, Australia, Singapore, Japan and etc.
Auto rickshaw drivers line up to buy gas near a fuel station in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena, File)
BEIJING (AP) — China expressed support for Sri Lanka ahead of a meeting Friday of government lenders to poor economies but did not say if it would help reduce a multibillion-dollar debt that has plunged the Indian Ocean nation into financial and political turmoil.
Test tubes labelled "Bird Flu" and eggs are seen in this picture illustration, January 14, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Avian flu has reached new corners of the globe and become endemic for the first time in some wild birds that transmit the virus to poultry, according to veterinarians and disease experts, who warn it is now a year-round problem.
SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach – 15 February 2023 – Global smart technology company OPPO, Official Global Partner of the UEFA Champions League, today unveiled its latest flagship foldable smartphone – Find N2 Flip, Official Smartphone of the UEFA Champions League.
“We are glad to launch our new Find N2 Flip to the global markets” said William Liu, President of Global Marketing at OPPO. “With its large smart cover screen, industry-leading Flexion Hinge, long-lasting battery life, and outstanding camera performance, OPPO Find N2 Flip, Official Smartphone of the UEFA Champions League, is the perfect device for fans to both capture and experience true-to-life content from their favorite football games.”
As part of the partnership, the Find N2 Flip will be used by official UEFA Champions League photographers to capture the action of the game at close range along the sidelines，framing the inspiring and exciting moments. The best photos will then be shared in an OPPO Gallery on the UEFA Champions League website and the OPPO UEFA Champions League landing page.
Equipped with the industry’s most advanced Flexion Hinge, Find N2 Flip supports multi-angle FlexForm mode, allowing the screen to be set at any angle between 45-110 degrees. This completely new form factor opens new creative possibilities when it comes to photography and video, as well as providing added convenience for viewing content.
In addition, the Find N2 Flip will also be displayed at OPPO’s booth at the UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul, Turkey to showcase itself as the champion flip phone to more fans. The foldable phone features the largest and only vertically oriented cover screen of any flip phone on the market. The cover screen’s 17:9 vertical aspect ratio is almost identical in form to the phone’s main screen, making it completely intuitive to use. Without flipping the phone open, the cover screen can be used to respond to messages, browse apps, or answer calls. OPPO Find N2 Flip also offers the largest battery capacity and fastest charging of any vertically foldable device on the market, making it the go-to option for both newcomers and existing flip phone users.
To celebrate the launch of Find N2 Flip, OPPO will also offer some surprise for users. Customers who buy the phone will have the chance to get an exclusive OPPO and UEFA Champions League gift and enter a raffle to win tickets to the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League Final.
As the first Chinese brand to partner with the UEFA Champions League, OPPO will work closely with UEFA to bring more passion and inspiration to sports through its world-leading devices and technologies while helping fans witness, capture, and share the magic of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.
To learn more about OPPO Find N2 Flip, click here.
Detailed information about the sales gift, please refer to local OPPO Store.
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 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.
MACAU – Media OutReach – 15 February 2023 – Melco Resorts & Entertainment has been awarded a collective total of 97 Stars by 2023 Forbes Travel Guide (FTG), maintaining its lead among Macau and Asia’s integrated resorts. FTG honored Melco with a total of 17 Five-Star awards across the Company’s property portfolio that includes City of Dreams, Studio City, Altira Macau and City of Dreams Manila. Markedly, Altira Macau celebrates its 14th successive year as FTG Five-Star award recipient across both Hotel and Spa categories.
Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Melco, said, “We thank FTG sincerely for the honors. The accolade highlights Melco’s continued dedication to providing guests with exceptional hospitality across our Hotels, Restaurants and Spas. While pandemic-related challenges have indeed been felt over the past few years, we are ready to welcome back the steady influx of tourists to our global resort properties by further enhancing Melco’s signature culture of service excellence with dedication and commitment. We also anticipate extending our service excellence to more guests from the world over at Melco’s soon-to-open Studio City Phase 2 and City of Dreams Mediterranean.”
Melco properties and facilities awarded 2023 Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Ratings are as follows:
Hotels
Restaurants
Spas
Morpheus, City of Dreams Macau
Alain Ducasse at Morpheus, Morpheus, City of Dreams Macau
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited
The Company, with its American depositary shares listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (NASDAQ: MLCO), is a developer, owner and operator of integrated resort facilities in Asia and Europe. The Company currently operates Altira Macau ( www.altiramacau.com), an integrated resort located at Taipa, Macau and City of Dreams ( www.cityofdreamsmacau.com), an integrated resort located in Cotai, Macau. Its business also includes the Mocha Clubs ( www.mochaclubs.com), which comprise the largest non-casino based operations of electronic gaming machines in Macau. The Company also majority owns and operates Studio City ( www.studiocity-macau.com), a cinematically-themed integrated resort in Cotai, Macau. In the Philippines, a Philippine subsidiary of the Company currently operates and manages City of Dreams Manila ( www.cityofdreamsmanila.com), an integrated resort in the Entertainment City complex in Manila. In Europe, the Company is currently developing City of Dreams Mediterranean ( www.cityofdreamsmed.com.cy) in the Republic of Cyprus, which is expected to be the largest and premier integrated destination resort in Europe. The Company is currently operating a temporary casino, the first authorized casino in the Republic of Cyprus, and is licensed to operate four satellite casinos (“Cyprus Casinos”). Upon the opening of City of Dreams Mediterranean, the Company will continue to operate the satellite casinos while operation of the temporary casino will cease. For more information about the Company, please visit www.melco-resorts.com.
The Company is strongly supported by its single largest shareholder, Melco International Development Limited, a company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and is substantially owned and led by Mr. Lawrence Ho, who is the Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Back to Blue” is an initiative of Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation. The initiative’s goal is to focus efforts on evidence-based approaches and solutions to man-made issues that pose major threats to ocean health. 
https://www.oasys.games/ 
https://twitter.com/oasys_games 
www.altiramacau.com), an integrated resort located at Taipa, Macau and City of Dreams (
