VIENTIANE, LAOS — As the longstanding diplomatic bond between Laos and France nears its 70th milestone, the international business arena sets its sights on a momentous occasion.
New Species of Lizard Discovered in Central Laos
A new study published on 10 October revealed the existence of a new dragon-like lizard species in Laos, sparking the interest of environmentalists and animal conservation experts.
Virtuous Innovation Goes on Full Display at the 2023 OPPO Inspiration Challenge Global Final Demo Event
- Five winning teams were selected as winners of the 2023 OPPO Inspiration Challenge in recognition of their innovative solutions in the “Inspiration for People” and “Inspiration for the Planet” categories
- Winners of the People’s Choice and Media Choice Awards were also announced at the event
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 19 October 2023 – OPPO yesterday announced the five winning proposals of 2023 OPPO Inspiration Challenge following the completion of the Global Final Demo Event in Singapore. Initiated by the OPPO Research Institute and supported by Qualcomm, GSMA 5G IN, Amazon Web Services and LinkedIn, this year’s Inspiration Challenge saw entrants submit proposals in the two categories of “Inspiration for People” and “Inspiration for the Planet”, each aimed at identifying powerful solutions that support OPPO’s belief in “Virtuous Innovation”. Following three regional challenges and an acceleration camp, five winning proposals were selected from among 687 proposals submitted by teams based in 66 countries and regions worldwide. These teams will go on to engage in further collaboration with OPPO and its partners to bring their ideas to life.

“We are extremely grateful for the collaborative support of our partners and to all the technology professionals and entrepreneurs who have taken part in this year’s OPPO Inspiration Challenge, especially the top five teams who truly demonstrated the incredible potential of innovative technology,” said Jason Liao, President of the OPPO Research Institute. “Following five months of extensive evaluation, we have seen many innovative and cutting-edge solutions to a number of critical but overlooked social issues raised by start-ups from around the world. Together, through the Inspiration Challenge, we look forward to working with these teams to bring the power of virtuous innovation to all corners of the world.”

During the Global Final Demo Event, OPPO collaborated with 6 startup teams from both this and last year to showcase their cutting-edge products and prototypes. Among them, Bluepha Co., Ltd. has teamed up with OPPO to create environmentally friendly packaging for mobile phones, as well as art installations made from biodegradable materials that showcase both the lightness and flexibility of OPPO’s foldable smartphones and OPPO’s commitment to the environment. Woola, another sustainability-focused startup, demonstrated its packaging for the OPPO Watch made from recycled wool. One of the winners of last year’s Inspiration Challenge, TangTang Quan, returned to the stage this year to demonstrate the results of its collaboration with OPPO promoting a blood glucose monitoring function for the OPPO Watch 4 Pro that enables diabetes patients to monitor their blood glucose levels in real time using a customized smart watch interface.

This year, OPPO also teamed up with Deloitte China for the first time to launch an Acceleration Camp prior to the Global Final Demo Event. During the camp, experts from the OPPO Research Institute joined members of OPPO’s software, hardware, investment, universities and research, IoT departments, and industry experts from Deloitte to engage in discussions with the top 15 teams and provide advice on technology, industry trends, and the business prospects of their proposals.

At the end of the event, five winning proposals were ultimately selected from among fifteen finalists by a panel of judges comprising members of the OPPO Research Institute, OPPO’s investment department and experts from Temasek International, GSMA, Fidelity International and XNode. The judges assessed the proposals against the four criteria of Feasibility, Innovation and Originality, Long-term Potential, and Social Values, with winning teams each receiving a grant of USD $50,000 plus opportunities to further develop their ideas in collaboration with OPPO and its partners. Further to this, “3D interactive platform” and “Flint Paper Battery” were awarded the People’s Choice awards in the “Inspiration for People” and “Inspiration for the Planet” categories, and “Impulse (Non Surgical Hearing Aid)” and “Flint Paper Battery” received the Media Choice awards.

OPPO will continue to bring together technology professionals, entrepreneurs, and startup teams through the Inspiration Challenge to develop and implement innovative solutions that enable more people to benefit from the power of technology.
To learn more about the OPPO Inspiration Challenge and the winning proposals from this year’s competition, please visit the official website at https://www.oppo.com/en/proposal/.
Hashtag: #OPPO
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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.
Move with Retrofit: New Home-Based Fitness Training (HBFT) Service for Better Quality of Life

HBFT is also a programme that extends its benefits to seniors with diverse health conditions. Retrofit understands that every senior is unique, and their health needs may vary significantly. As such, exercise programmes are customised to address and accommodate these health concerns, with a core focus on promoting overall well-being and enhancing quality of life.
Embracing HBFT for Personalised Wellness
The integration of HBFT has opened up a new realm of personalised fitness. It takes into account the intricate interplay between human physiology and biology to meet the unique needs and goals of seniors. This personalised approach also enables real-time progress tracking and informed adjustments to fitness plans, ultimately enhancing seniors’ health and well-being.
1. Greater Convenience and Accessibility
HBFT allows individuals to reclaim their time through flexible schedules, devoiding of waiting or crowded environments. Unlike traditional gym settings, where individuals often have to adhere to set hours and wait for equipment, HBFT allows trainees to choose workout times that suit their daily routines, maximising their exercise efficiency and using their time more effectively. This ultimately offers them the convenience of incorporating physical activity into their daily routines effortlessly.
2. Improved Safety
Within a well-defined and safe exercise environment, guided by Retrofit’s Exercise Specialists, seniors can confidently engage in activities like strength training free from safety worries, while receiving expert instruction on proper form and technique.
Furthermore, HBFT involves exercises that challenge and enhance an individual’s ability to maintain equilibrium. This type of training targets the muscles and sensory systems responsible for keeping the body steady and upright, effectively preventing falls.
Functional movements are also exercises covered in HBFT to mimic natural, everyday movements and patterns the body uses to perform various activities. These engage multiple muscle groups and joints for overall strength and body coordination to promote enhanced safety as seniors go about their daily lives.
3. Personalisation for Optimal Results
Fitness level, age, health conditions, and exercise history are all carefully considered factors when creating a tailored exercise plan for seniors. The key is to provide them with safe and effective workouts that enhance their well-being as they age.
4. Motivated Environment
Motivation is a key factor for seniors to engage in exercise, especially when free from judgement and external pressures, allowing them to train comfortably within their own space. HBFT leverages this by creating exercise routines based on unique individual needs and limitations, which can be done in private in the presence of a trained Exercise Specialist.
5. Enhanced Quality of Life
Performed at home instead of a gym, HBFT encompasses health and fitness workouts that not only help to strengthen the stamina of seniors, but also lead to a better quality of life. It is carried out in their personal space with zero stress, allowing them to plan their own fitness journey, without constraints from external facilities or schedules. The outcome? Improved mental and emotional well-being.
The Future of Fitness – HBFT: Customised, Connected, and Compelling
HBFT is a tried and tested solution for individuals to reclaim moments that matter by enhancing mobility and promoting independence to improve overall well-being. Take a step towards embracing a healthier future by visiting Retrofit’s website to find more information.
Hashtag: #fallpreventionathomeintheelderly #exerciseforseniorcitizens #strengthtrainingforseniors #strengthtrainingexercises
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About Retrofit
Founded in 2016, Retrofit’s mission is to empower people to live better by moving better. Their Exercise Specialists work alongside physiotherapists to help clients rehabilitate post-surgery, recover from injuries, and return to their favourite activities. Their services are particularly beneficial for individuals who require more specialised support during their recovery process.
Admazes Celebrates a Year of Bountiful Success at the DigiZ Awards 2023
Being awarded the Best Ad-tech Tool (Bronze); Best Data Analytics (Silver); Best Marketing Automation Platform (Bronze) and Best Mar Tech Team (Silver). Admazes has consistently demonstrate innovation, leadership and outstanding performance in the ever-evolving MarTech landscape.
Mr Gerald Ho, Director of Admazes, said: “We are thrilled to receive the mentioned awards, they are testaments to the collective effort and unwavering dedication of our talented team. This recognition will certainly motivate the team to continue in developing cutting-edge solutions and to keep ourselves at the forefront of the industry.”
Mr Lobo Yeung, Director of Admazes, shared: “We believe that staying ahead of the competition requires more than just innovation strategies. Our commitment in incorporating big data analytics, trend analysis, NLP and LLM technologies is rooted in the company’s desire to empower marketers with the tools needed to succeed in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.”
Revolutionizing Customer Engagement with Customer Data Platform
Admazes has spearheaded a groundbreaking transformation in customer engagement through the implementation of cutting-edge Customer Data Platforms (CDPs). By unifying data from multiple data sources, including online and offline interactions, Admazes equips brands to achieve a holistic and comprehensive understanding of each customer. This invaluable insight empowers brands to craft highly personalized marketing strategies, curate tailored product recommendations, and deliver enhanced customer experiences.
Data Warehouses Enhance Data-Driven Decision-Making
In addition to the CDP approach, Admazes has invested heavily in a robust Data Warehouse solution. This powerful tool aggregates, stores, and processes vast amounts of data, empowering the team to provide data-driven solutions swiftly. Armed with a deep understanding of historical data and real-time insights, the company gains a competitive edge in identifying market trends and responding proactively to customer needs.
Personalization at Scale
Embracing Machine Learning, Admazes has revolutionized marketing. Predictive models driven by algorithms and data analysis anticipate customer behaviours, enabling highly personalized and precise ad targeting. This results in end-to-end and 1:1 marketing activation – comprehensive and individualized marketing campaigns that enhance customer experiences.
Supporting Employee’s Professional Development and Well-being
Admazes emphasizes on cultivating an exceptional working environment that nurtures innovation. Gerald and Lobo, cloud tech experts and digital marketing enthusiasts actively share their extensive industry knowledge and expertise in industry events and supporting the team remains at the forefront of the ever-changing marketing landscape. They prioritize employee opportunities, such as attending international exhibitions like AI Expo Taiwan and Asia Smartsheet Aligned Partner Bootcamp in Thailand, to foster collaboration and drive innovation.
The team has also advanced their skills, earning certifications in Google Cloud, Google Ads, monday.com and more, bolstering their expertise in the fast-paced digital marketing and tech industry. Admazes also prioritizes employee well-being and teamwork, fostering bonds through activities like boxing classes and local volunteer work.
A Promising Future Ahead
Establishing a prominent position in the MarTech industry, Admazes is poised to continue driving innovation and making significant contributions to the industry. Admazes wishes to express its profound gratitude to MARKETING INTERACTIVE for the recognition and appreciation to its clients and partners for their trust and collaboration.
Hashtag: #admazes
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About Admazes
Admazes is a trustworthy digital marketing agency and data technology provider. As a member of official Google Cloud and Google Ads Partners, we demonstrate rich experience in digital strategy and provide high quality full range digital services to our customers. In addition, we deeply invest in Data and A.I. technology. With our proven results, we are a recognised award winning technology provider. Our mission is to apply marketing technology to our clients and transform their business to new heights. Other than Google Cloud and Google Ads, we are official partners of various MarTech and Cloud vendors such as Adobe, Looker, Snowflake, HEVO, Mixpanel, Freshworks, Optimizely, Talend, monday.com, etc.
https://admazes.com/
Laos Eradicates Elephantiasis as Public Health Problem

Laos marked another milestone in public health on 16 October as the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the complete eradication of lymphatic filariasis in the country.
ULI and Chinachem Group Unveil Inaugural Senior Housing Report on Investment Potential in Hong Kong
Call for stronger ageing policies and public/private collaboration to develop senior housing market
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 19 October 2023 – Nearly one in three residents in Hong Kong will be seniors aged above 65 by 2038 and 70 per cent may require healthcare support due to chronic diseases. Yet, there is a shortage of senior housing units available in the market to meet their ageing needs, according to a report released by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and Chinachem Group (Chinachem).
Rising demand, combined with limited land availability and high land costs, poses significant challenges for senior housing development in Hong Kong, known to have the world’s longest life expectancy. To accelerate the development of Hong Kong’s senior housing industry, the report urges the government and investors to collaborate in the following areas:
1. More specific land use policies
a. Assign designated land use categories for senior housing
b. Provide a preferential land premium for senior housing on residential land to lower cost
2. Incentives for senior housing development for the inclusion of senior-friendly design features
3. Improved healthcare subsidy scheme to expand and include private operators, which will lead to subsidised healthcare in private senior housing
4. Expansion of healthcare services incentives to private operators, encouraging them to make their services more accessible and offering more options for seniors
Hong Kong lagging behind in supply and policy support
To fulfill the priorities of the increasingly affluent seniors, the report calls for stronger ageing policies and public/private collaboration to develop the senior housing market in Hong Kong. At present, Hong Kong’s ageing policies have a limited scope, focusing on funding to non-profit/non-governmental organisations. Limited incentives are provided to the private sector in developing senior housing projects.
In building a robust Hong Kong senior housing market, equally important are factors such as public acceptance and the added value of professional services by the private sector. Therefore, the report recommends that the private sector considers the following when planning for senior housing properties:
- Development of intergenerational communities
- Add-on services for seniors for a smooth transition to ageing in place, such as training for domestic helpers and retrofitting of houses
- Greater use of technology in senior housing to ease the pressure on caretakers
Key learnings from the region
Referencing case studies within the APAC region — Australia, Japan, Mainland China, and Singapore, the report found that the execution of a holistic plan, involving various government departments and an effective mix of land supply and housing development and health, has been critical in lowering the cost of development and operation of senior housing in these markets.
– Australia: One of the most established senior housing markets with a variety of housing options that cater to seniors with varying degrees of care needs; the government provides support to lower costs and promote development.
– Japan: Government healthcare policies provide incentives for senior housing developments; capacity in the private senior housing market expanded by over 160 per cent during 2011-2018.
– Mainland China: Insurance companies are key players in senior housing development; typically set up in tier 1 cities and marketed as exclusive communities with priority provided to customers.
– Singapore: The government has taken the lead in developing various models of senior housing and incorporating senior-friendly designs in public housing developments.
“As baby boomers retire and life expectancies continue to increase, seniors will make up a significant portion of the population in the future. Today’s senior citizens naturally want to enjoy high quality of life after retirement. Policy support and public-private partnerships play an instrumental role to help stakeholders form effective ecosystems to overcome challenges such as limited land supply and high costs of senior housing development,” said Alan Beebe, CEO, ULI Asia Pacific.
“Having started to focus on Hong Kong’s ageing demography in recent years, Chinachem Group is pleased to share with society fresh insights from this Senior Housing Report. Committed to creating positive impact that will benefit senior citizens and their families, bring prosperity through investment in senior housing market, and preserve the planet, we aim at making Hong Kong a more liveable intergenerational community,” said Donald Choi, Executive Director and CEO, Chinachem Group.
Ar. Donald Choi will be part of a panel convening at 5PM (GMT+8), 19 October 2023, to discuss the key drivers for investment, challenges and future opportunities in the emerging Hong Kong senior housing sector. Other esteemed panellists include Dr. Ching-Choi Lam, SBS, JP – Member of the Executive Council, HKSAR Government, Ryan Ip, CFA, MRICS – Vice President and Co-Head of Research, Our Hong Kong Foundation and moderator Hannah Jeong – Head of Valuation & Advisory Services, Colliers.
The full report can be accessed via the ULI Knowledge Finder. Download hi-res images via https://bitly.ws/XsvB.
Hashtag: #UrbanLandInstitute #ULI #SeniorHousing #APAC #RealEstate
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Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute is a non-profit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has more than 48,000 members worldwide and over 3,000 members in the Asia Pacific region representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines. For more information on ULI Asia Pacific, visit asia.uli.org or follow us on
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Chinachem Group
Since 1960, Chinachem Group has been a leading property developer in Hong Kong, with a portfolio covering residential, commercial, retail and industrial buildings for sales and investment, in addition to operating hotels, property management as well as healthcare and elderly services. The Group actively seeks to make a positive contribution to society through its adherence to the ‘Triple Bottom Line’, a commitment that its activities will benefit People, bring Prosperity to the community and preserve the Planet. Please visit www.chinachemgroup.com/en.
Decrypt, Build, and Connect WEB3 – ‘BIT BEST Web3 Finance Global Consensus Summit’ Successfully Concluded

At the conference, BITBEST CEO TW Wes, representing the organizer, gave the opening address, sharing the origins, vision, and plans of BITBEST.
Subsequently, BITBEST COO Ulviyya Ahmadova delivered a speech, stating that BITBEST’s next-phase goal is: “To drive the next generation of blockchain innovation and build a decentralized ecosystem.” She expressed her confidence in ensuring the healthy operation of the platform’s ecosystem and the safety of BITBEST user assets.
BITBEST’s CMO, Sophia Anderson, was unable to attend the summit in person due to work commitments. However, she sent her greetings via video, emphasizing the guiding principle of “customer-first and technology-driven.”
During the summit’s thematic sharing session, BITBEST’s Chief Advisor, Aiman, took the stage to speak. He pointed out that BITBEST stands out because of its continuous innovation and diversified ecological layout, and it has always adhered to core principles: safety and reliability, diversified ecology, user experience, and community co-construction.
Following the conclusion of the theme-sharing session, the conference entered its final segment. A spectacular opening dance performance kicked off the luxurious banquet. After the performance, BITBEST’s CEO, COO, Chief Advisor, and others took the stage to deliver heartfelt toasts.
Throughout the banquet, a variety of activities took place in succession, with the organizer BITBEST continuously offering grand prize draws.
As the drawing segment came to a close, enthusiastic applause resonated throughout the venue once more, pushing the meeting to another climax. Under the soft lights, with the representatives of the BITBEST ecological consensus, outstanding industry representatives, and attendees present, everyone posed for a group photo. Thus, the BIT BEST Web3 Finance Global Consensus Summit came to a perfect end.
Hashtag: #BitBest
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