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Ministry of Health Launches Project to Enhance Well-Being of Rural Children, Mothers

Ministry of Health Launches Project to Enhance Well-being of Rural Children, Mothers
FILE: this image is used only for representational purpose (photo: UNFPA)

The Ministry of Health has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to kick off a health project in a move to improve the health and nutrition of children and mothers in rural communities.

Banyan Group’s Visionary Eco-Friendly Phuket Residential Community Now Launched for International Sales

Hong Kong exhibition in Causeway Bay the first international sales event for Laguna Lakelands since the USD2bn project was announced on February 1st, 2024


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 February 2024 – A landmark new eco-friendly residential community in Phuket aimed at the international community who are looking for second homes or primary residences on the Thai island has now launched international sales, starting with an exhibition in Hong Kong on March 2-3, followed by Singapore March 16-17.

Banyan Group’s Visionary Eco-Friendly Phuket Residential Community Now Launched for International Sales


Developed by the Banyan Group, whose iconic Banyan Tree Resorts brand has become one of the most admired and successful Asian hospitality brands, Laguna Lakelands is located on the Central West coast of Phuket next to Asia’s biggest and most iconic integrated resort, Laguna Phuket.

Spanning no less than ten million square feet (700 rai or 276 acres) of botanical gardens, parks, rainforest, tranquil lagoons and rolling hills, Laguna Lakelands will be Phuket’s largest private residential community, and a self-contained green sanctuary designed for a new community of global citizens seeking high quality lifestyle balanced by nature.

The sales event to introduce Laguna Lakelands to the Hong Kong market will be held at The Park Lane Causeway Bay Hotel on March 2-3, 2024, 11am-6pm.

The development comes as the Phuket real estate market is booming, fuelled by an increasing desire for families from all over the world to enjoy a second home in Phuket, or even to relocate there.

“The launch of our new project clearly shows the paradigm shift we’re seeing from Phuket as a great place to visit, to Phuket as a great place to live, with a huge demand not only for second homes but increasingly for primary residence,” said Banyan Group founder and Executive Chairman KP Ho.

“High-quality property is still significantly cheaper in Phuket than in most of the buyer source markets like Hong Kong, Singapore or Europe, which is also an important factor,” he said.

Phuket’s strategic location within 5 or 6 hours flight of over 40% of the world’s population, its attractive year round climate and world-class international schools and hospitals are also part of its growing attraction.

Homes on offer in Phase I are remarkably affordable and include one to three bedroom Lakeview Residences, condominiums in four and seven-storey complexes with rooftop infinity pools, as well as sophisticated four-bedroom Waterfront Villas with private pools and gardens, with an average built area of 5,600 sqft.

Prices start from just THB 7m (HKD1.51m).

Uniquely for Thailand, the developer also offers financing options which allow owners to purchase residences with staged payments over several years.

The first two blocks of Lakeview Residences have already been snapped up by visitors to Phuket since the recent launch.

About Laguna Lakelands
Interconnected by 15km of walkways, foot bridges and cycling trails, and with its own dedicated residents’ Beach Club and Country Club, Laguna Lakelands is designed as an enchanting natural retreat of respite and relaxation where nature is the star, in Phuket’s prestigious Bang Tao district on the Central West coast of the island.

Laguna Lakelands has 5 distinct themed residential areas, Hillside, Orchard, Forest, Lakeside and Lagoon – each with its own distinct character and charm, while all being interconnected with extensive walkways and cycling trails.

A wide range of recreational options for all ages is incorporated for a new generation prioritising health and wellness – including a community Country Club with swimming pool, sports fields and tennis courts and lots of activities for all the family.

There will be hillside adventure and woodland play zones as well as wilderness hiking and cycling trails with a dedicated mountain bike park; and even a rainforest walkway to a treetop lookout for admiring the dramatic sunsets.

The entire community is anchored by a ‘town centre’ of shops and services, lakeside dining, and there’s even a chic residents’ beach club, as well as an elevated events zone with a large terrace commanding spectacular views over the Andaman Sea.

Majestic waterscapes with a wide range of both open and intimate spaces are designed to create a lakeside lifestyle that promises a refuge of unparalleled magnificence and serenity.

The landscaping cultivates a sustainability-focused lifestyle, incorporating woodland walks through enchanting rainforests with elevated ‘lookout’ pods, organic orchards and rooftop gardens growing farm-to-table produce, a fish pond, play areas for young ones to explore, and native wildflowers in picturesque meadows — with seating areas for restful moments.

Laguna Lakelands, while a separate self-contained entity, is directly connected to Laguna Phuket, bringing the best of both worlds; an idyllic natural sanctuary with easy access to the first-class amenities and indulgences of the world class neighbouring resort.

“From exclusive beach access to world-class dining, spas, golf course, education programmes and a plethora of social events, this integrated community promises an all-encompassing lifestyle full of rich experiences, abundant wellness, and unbridled pleasure,” added Stuart Reading, Managing Director of Group Property Development at Banyan Group.

Laguna Lakelands is also just a 30-minute drive from vibrant Phuket Town, lively Patong Beach and 30 minutes from Phuket International Airport.

Laguna Lakelands Event Details:
Sat 2 & Sun 3 March – 11am-6pm
The Park Lane Causeway Bay
Canvas,
26/F – 310 Gloucester Road
Causeway Bay

Hashtag: #BanyanGroup

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

About Laguna Phuket

Laguna Phuket is Asia’s premier integrated destination. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Andaman Sea, on a 3km stretch of pristine beach, Laguna Phuket is home to seven world-class hotels, premium facilities and a branded residences and property division. Spanning over 1,000 acres of lush parkland and beachfront and located just a 25-minute drive from Phuket International Airport, Laguna Phuket offers an award-winning 18-hole golf course, luxury spas, exceptional dining options, and countless activities to create unforgettable experiences.

With more than 1,400 rooms, the destination offers accommodations that suit all, from families with young children to intimate, luxurious stays. Hotel guests staying within Laguna Phuket are welcome to enjoy the unlimited shuttle bus and shuttle boat service and the fully integrated cashless payment system – meaning guests can choose to charge expenses back to their room from anywhere in the destination. On top of the 7 Hotels, Laguna Phuket has a Branded Property division that offers sales and rentals of a variety of residences, apartments and villas for guests who wishes to live or invest in a holiday home within our integrated destination.

About Banyan Group

Banyan Group (“Banyan Tree Holdings Limited” or the “Group” – SGX: B58) is an independent, global hospitality company with purpose. The Group prides itself on its pioneering spirit, design-led experiences and commitment to responsible stewardship. Its extensive portfolio spans across 70 hotels and resorts, over 60 spas and galleries, and 14 branded residences in over 20 countries. Comprising 12 global brands, including the flagship brand Banyan Tree, each distinct yet united under the experiential membership programme withBanyan. The founding ethos of “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People” is embodied through the Banyan Global Foundation and Banyan Management Academy. Banyan Group is committed to remaining the leading advocate of sustainable travel, with a focus on regenerative tourism and innovative programmes that elevate the guest experience.

Bokeo Province Sheds Lights on Student Drop Out Trend

Children are walking home from school. (Photo: World Bank)

More than 5,000 children have dropped out of primary, lower, and upper secondary schools in Bokeo Province during the current academic year of 2023–24, as reported by the provincial education and sports department.

WRISE Launches WRISE Prestige to Cater to Growing Mass Affluent Segment in Asia Pacific

New business unit will capitalise on the region’s rising affluence to expand wealth management offerings


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 February 2024 – WRISE Group today announced the launch of WRISE Prestige, a new business unit underlining the Group’s commitment to diversify its offerings and meet the region’s evolving wealth management needs. WRISE Prestige expands WRISE’s reach to the mass affluent market with a minimum investment threshold of USD500,000.

The mass affluent market in Asia is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by the rise of the Asian middle class and the inter-generational transfer of wealth. Southeast Asia’s mass affluent demographic is anticipated to surge to 136 million by 2030. In tandem, China’s mass affluent households are forecasted to witness a rise to 162 million by 2030.

“Over the past few years, we have been seeing stronger demand and increasing sophistication of wealth management solutions of clients in Asia, particularly as the region’s rising affluence has vastly expanded the investment opportunities for the mass affluent,” said Derrick Tan, Group Executive Chairman of WRISE. “WRISE Prestige positions WRISE Group at the forefront of managing the region’s changing wealth flows, aligned with the evolving demands of this dynamic clientele. The expansion also underscores our commitment to navigating these wealth demographic shifts, offering tailored solutions that bridge a crucial gap in the wealth management landscape.”

WRISE Prestige will first launch in Hong Kong and offer mass affluent clients unparalleled price transparency and exclusive opportunities for direct investments, mirroring the advantages enjoyed by WRISE’s existing clientele of Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNWIs). Product offerings will also include global securities, structured products, mutual funds and fixed income.

Leadership for the new business unit includes Stephen Yan, Chairman of WRISE Prestige, who will oversee strategic business plans and activities, and Jowin Fung, Vice Chairman and CEO of WRISE Prestige, who will lead the day-to-day operations of WRISE Prestige.

“I am excited to be joining WRISE at such a pivotal moment. The launch of WRISE Prestige comes at an opportune time in meeting the wealth management needs of such market segments,” said Jowin Fung, Vice Chairman and CEO, WRISE Prestige. “As we navigate the convergence of traditional and digital wealth management, I look forward to leading our team in redefining the wealth management experience for our clients.”

The WRISE Group will also rebrand its existing WRISE Wealth Management services for UHNWIs to WRISE Private across Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai.

Hashtag: #WRISE

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

WRISE Group

WRISE is a leading independent multi-family office that simplifies the complexity of legacy financial structure. Its proprietary wealth management tool, TREX, provides clients with complete control and transparency over their total wealth, and the ability to create their own family office with real-time access to expert advice and tailored solutions within a vast ecosystem of top global private banks, investment banks, fund managers, brokers, and others.

WRISE Group of companies include WRISE Wealth Management (Singapore), WeWrise Services, and Voo Technologies and affiliated companies WRISE Wealth Management (Hong Kong), WRISE Wealth Management (Middle East).

Lao Government Rolls Out New Tax Regulations on E-Commerce

Lao Government Rolls Out New Tax Regulations on E-Commerce
FILE: this image is used only for representational purpose (photo: Investor Place)

The Ministry of Finance announced a new regulation on mandatory tax payments for all digital shopping platforms in its latest notice, released on 14 February.

Diverse Ancient Volcanoes on Mars Discovered by HKU Planetary Scientist May Hold Clues to Pre-plate Tectonic Activity on Earth


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 February 2024 – Volcanoes are a common feature on the surfaces of solid planets within the solar system, resulting from magmatic activity occurring within the planetary crust. On Earth, volcanism is driven primarily by heat and crustal recycling associated with plate tectonics, but Mars lacks plate tectonics and the driver of volcanism is not well understood.

Topographic data are draped over infrared image data showing complex tectonic structures and volcanic deposits in the Eridania region of Mars. Warm colours are higher elevation. Image Credit: NASA/Mars Odyssey/HRSC.
Topographic data are draped over infrared image data showing complex tectonic structures and volcanic deposits in the Eridania region of Mars. Warm colours are higher elevation. Image Credit: NASA/Mars Odyssey/HRSC.

Recent research by Professor Joseph MICHALSKI, a geologist in the Department of Earth Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), has revealed intriguing insights into the volcanic activity on Mars. He proposes that Mars has significantly more diverse volcanism than previously realised, driven by an early form of crust recycling called vertical tectonics. The findings, recently published in Nature Astronomy, shed light on the ancient crust of Mars and its potential implications for understanding early crustal recycling on both Mars and Earth.

Traditionally, Mars has been known to have large shield volcanoes similar to those in Hawaii. However, it was not known that Mars also possessed the diverse, explosive volcanoes that form on Earth due to crustal recycling.

The recent research conducted by Professor Michalski and his international team discover a vast number of diverse volcanoes in the ancient crust of Mars. ‘We have known for decades that Mars has volcanoes, but most of the recognised volcanoes correspond to large basaltic shield volcanoes similar to the ones that make up Hawaii,’ he explains. ‘In this work, we show that the ancient crust has many other types of volcanoes such as lava domes, stratovolcanoes, calderas and large shields of ash, not lava. Further, most scientists see Mars as a planet composed of basalt, which has low silica content and represents little crustal evolution, but these volcanoes have high silica content which means they formed from a complex process of magma evolution not known before.’

The paper suggests that intense volcanism occurred on ancient Mars, causing the crust to collapse into the mantle, where the rocks re-melted, resulting in magmas that have high silica. This tectonic process, called vertical tectonics, is hypothesised to have occurred on the ancient Earth, but rocks on Earth from that period (the Archean, more than 3 billion years ago) are highly modified by later geological activity, so we cannot see evidence for this process clearly on this planet. Therefore, exploring other planets like Mars, which has volcanism but no plate tectonics, can help reveal the mysteries of early crustal recycling on both the Red Planet, and by analogy, on early Earth.

Professor Michalski concluded, ‘Mars contains critical geological puzzle pieces that help us understand not only that planet, but the Earth as well. Martian volcanism is much more complex and diverse than has been previously thought.’

‘This is a significant discovery because it has revealed that crustal recycling can occur not only in plate tectonic regimes dominated by horizontal movements, but can also occur in pre-plate tectonic regimes dominated by vertical movements. This finding can help earth scientists revolve the long-term controversial issues of how and when felsic continents formed in our planet (Earth)’, said Professor Guochun ZHAO, the Chair Professor of HKU Earth Sciences.

The journal paper can be accessed here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-023-02191-7

About Professor Joseph Michalski
A Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences and Deputy Director of the Laboratory for Space Research at HKU, he collaborated with colleagues from mainland China and USA on this research project. He is a Research Fellow of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, and winner of a Tencent Xplorer Prize in 2023. The funding for this work was provided by the RGC Collaborative Research Fund.

For more information on Professor Joseph Michalski’s research, please visit: http://www.clays.space; Twitter: @JoePlanets

Image and caption for download: https://www.scifac.hku.hk/press

Hashtag: #HKU

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

How Thailand’s Thaksin Shinawatra Went From Prime Minister to Fugitive Abroad, Back Home Again

Thaksin Shinawatra (center) in 2001. (Photo: Photo)

BANGKOK (AP) — Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire former prime minister of Thailand, made a dramatic return home after more than a decade of self-imposed exile.

Audelacare Unveils Next-Gen One-Push Walking Stick for Effortless Mobility in the Elderly

Audelacare launches the One-Push Walking Stick—a mobility aid designed for comfort and safety in the elderly during movement


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 February 2024 – Audelacare, a leading innovator in Singapore’s industry of eldercare products, launches the One-Push Walking Stick—a mobility tool designed to ensure ease, comfort, and safety in the elderly during movement.

Audelacare Unveils Next-Gen One-Push Walking Stick for Effortless Mobility in the Elderly
Audelacare Unveils Next-Gen One-Push Walking Stick for Effortless Mobility in the Elderly

The Features of the One-Push Walking Stick
Designed in Singapore and crafted in Taiwan, the One-Push Walking Stick is a mobility aid with a hiking length of 92 cm by 125.5 cm, and a walking length of 85 cm by 118 cm. It boasts a straightforward design and an adjustable height that makes it suitable for people of varying stature. This flexibility allows users to effortlessly adjust the walking stick to their needs and comfort with a simple pull of the handle, a great feature that promotes independence and convenience for the elderly.

For easy handling and storage, this One-Push Walking Stick also boasts a lightweight but robust design. For those who are concerned about its durability, the walking stick is constructed of anodised aluminium, which is a corrosion-resistant material capable of supporting up to 113 kg at once. It not only provides exceptional strength, but is also three times lighter than regular aluminium.

Additionally, ergonomics were factored into the design of the One-Push Walking Stick. It is made with Thermoplastic Rubber—a material that possesses the characteristics of both rubber and plastic—to ensure a comfortable, anti-slip, and secure grip ideal for long walks and hikes.

A Lifestyle Companion for Active Ageing
More than just a mobility aid; the One-Push Walking Stick serves as an accompanying tool that helps the elderly go about their daily lives with ease. Its composition of high-quality recyclable materials offers stability and support, while its user-friendly features seek to enhance the overall walking experience and contribute to a more active ageing lifestyle. Seniors can continue to engage in more physical movement easily, maintaining optimal cardiovascular health and simultaneously stimulating their muscles to strengthen them.

Benefits of the One-Push Walking Stick

  • Improved independence and confidence in daily activities
  • Enhanced safety through advanced safety features
  • Ease of mobility, reducing strain on joints and muscles
  • Stylish design that challenges the stigma associated with walking aids

Availability and Pricing
The One-Push Walking Stick is available for purchase online at a discounted price of $35.90. If you’d like to find out more about the walking stick, please visit https://www.audelacare.com/product-page/walking-hiking-stick

Hashtag: #Audelacare #SeniorMobility #ActiveAgeing #OnePushWalkingStick #ElderlyHealth #InnovationInEldercare #MobilityAid #IndependentLiving #SafetyFirst #StylishMobility





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

About Audelacare

Founded in 2018, AudelacareTM is a homegrown eldercare brand that strives to make a positive impact on the lives of seniors. Their dedication to providing first-rate, reliable products at a modest price has driven them towards delivering an excellent product experience for its customers. The brand continually works towards enhancing the day-to-day lives of seniors, ensuring they receive the care and support they deserve.

What sets AudelacareTM apart is its commitment to sourcing premium materials from renowned regions like Germany, the USA, and Japan. Through rigorous testing processes, the brand proudly assures that its products adhere to top-notch standards. This commitment to quality ensures that customers receive eldercare products that meet the highest standards of comfort, affordability, and reliability.

AudelacareTM carries a wide range of eldercare products designed to meet the unique needs of seniors. They include solutions under the Audelacare, Gloveon, and Gracecare brands. To explore the full range of products, visit .