Trade between Laos and Vietnam reached USD 2.6 billion in the first ten months of 2025, a 50 percent rise from last year.
Laos-Vietnam Trade, Investment Surges as Leaders Eye USD 5 Billion Target
Pan Pacific Hotels Group Named Official Hotel Partner for the Singapore Premiere of Broadway’s Beetlejuice The Musical
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PPHG partners with Beetlejuice The Musical to bring Broadway magic to Singapore with an exclusive themed stay experience, special ticket savings, and backstage access for theatre lovers
SINGAPORE, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG) is pleased to announce our appointment as the Official Hotel Partner for the highly anticipated Singapore premiere of Broadway’s Beetlejuice The Musical. This partnership marks PPHG’s continued commitment to supporting world-class cultural and entertainment experiences in Singapore.
Pan Pacific Hotels Group Named Official Hotel Partner for the Singapore Premiere of Broadway’s Beetlejuice The Musical
The show will have a limited-season run at Esplanade Theatres from 15 January to 15 February 2026, marking the only Asian stop on its international tour.
Celine Du, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at PPHG said, “Beetlejuice The Musical is one of Broadway’s most inventive shows, and PPHG is proud to be its Official Hotel Partner. We are delighted to bring the imaginative world of Beetlejuice to life both onstage and in our spaces, creating whimsical, memorable and differentiated experiences.”
Introducing the “It’s Showtime! Beetlejuice Stay & Dine Package”
To elevate the theatre-going experience, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore has curated a fully immersive hotel escape inspired by the musical’s quirky charm and offbeat spirit.
Guests who book the package will enjoy:
- SGD15 savings on premium category tickets to Beetlejuice The Musical
- Exclusive backstage tour access (on select performance days)
- Beetlejuice Afternoon Tea for two at Portman’s Bar, featuring whimsical creations such as:
- Creepy Crawlers: crispy soft-shell crab with tarragon tartar
- Beetlejuice Macaron: salted caramel crème
- Tropical Bloom Verrine: mango passion and blue pea coconut
With each room boasting a private balcony overlooking the city skyline or Marina Bay, and the Esplanade Theatres only minutes away, the Stay & Dine package invites guests to enjoy a complete Beetlejuice-themed journey – from afternoon indulgence to an unforgettable Broadway night out.
Bookings are open now to 14 February 2026, for stays from 15 January to 15 February 2026.
For more information and bookings, click here.
Pan Pacific DISCOVERY: In addition to 10% savings and membership benefits, Pan Pacific DISCOVERY members will enjoy exclusive access to two limited-time ticket bundles offering SGD15 savings on premium categories, along with the rare opportunity to join a 15-minute backstage tour on select performance days.
- Option A — $15 Off & Backstage Tour
- Available for Premium and A Reserve price categories
- Applies to Wednesday and Thursday performances
- Limited to the first 10 patrons per performance
- Option B — $15 Off
- Available for Premium Plus, Premium, and A Reserve for Friday evening, Saturday matinee & evening, and Sunday matinee performances
- Premium and A Reserve for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday evening performances
Social Media Contests to Spark Whimsy: To further engage families and fans, PPHG has launched social media contests throughout the campaign period. This includes a giveaway in the month of December 2025, where one lucky winner will receive a pair of Beetlejuice The Musical tickets.
–Ends–
About Pan Pacific Hotels Group
Pan Pacific Hotels Group is a global hospitality company that owns and manages over 50 hotels, resorts, and serviced suites comprising three brands – “Pan Pacific”, PARKROYAL COLLECTION, and PARKROYAL in more than 30 cities across Asia Pacific, North America, Africa and Europe. Headquartered in Singapore, it is a member of Singapore-listed UOL Group Limited.
Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts deliver sincere and graceful service to every guest with a passion for excellence.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Hotels & Resorts is driven by our passion for life and sustainability.
PARKROYAL Hotels & Resorts is distinguished by its passion for people and places, immersing every guest into local and authentic cultures.
Visit www.panpacific.com.
About Pan Pacific DISCOVERY
Pan Pacific DISCOVERY is a loyalty programme designed to enhance every guest experience. Members can savour the benefits of DISCOVERY Dollars (D$), a user-friendly digital rewards currency, granting exclusive discounts on room rates, dining experiences, and more. With each tier progression, members elevate their status to unlock enhanced privileges and the opportunity to earn and spend D$ on premium hotel amenities and experiences, including Pan Pacific Hotels Group-owned dining outlets worldwide. Pan Pacific DISCOVERY is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotels with 40 brands and over 800 hotels around the world. To become a member, visit panpacific.com.
Valle Venia presents Sandgrain in Space LPS feat. Lara
A Cosmic Song on Self Creation, Inner Rebirth, and the Quiet Power of Becoming
NEUSTADT AN DER WEINSTRASSE, GERMANY – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 December 2025 – Sandgrain in Space also gestures toward a vision of a “silent divine world,” a realm of clarity and heightened perception that emerges when inner turbulence dissolves. The silence referenced in the song is not emptiness but equilibrium, a moment of stillness in which the self hears itself without distortion. The song invites listeners to imagine this future world, one where illumination begins internally and radiates outward, influencing consciousness on a collective scale. This dimension gives the single an emotional resonance that extends beyond its space-driven imagery, grounding it in universal human longing for clarity, renewal, and transcendence.
Musically, the single blends airy ambient textures with understated melodic movements that echo the vastness of its thematic concerns. The production opens with floating tonal fragments reminiscent of drifting light particles before expanding into luminous, slow-moving layers. These sonic elements create the sensation of orbiting through an endless night sky, mirroring the song’s exploration of infinite internal space. The sound design reinforces the central idea that the inner world can hold the same immensity, mystery, and potential as any cosmic landscape.
Sandgrain in Space stands as a contemplative and atmospheric work within the ongoing evolution of LPS. With its fusion of cosmic symbolism, introspective lyricism, and Lara’s luminous vocal performance, the project continues to explore art that moves between the deeply personal and the infinitely expansive.
Sandgrain in Space full video: https://youtu.be/1PTGE_TomIw
Multilink Audio: https://vallevenia.lnk.to/sandgraininspace
Here is the link to the entire website with related videos and information www.valle-venia.com
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
A Future of Success Starts Here: Join MCKL Open Day 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 December 2025 – For students preparing to pursue their next academic pathway after SPM or IGCSE, this December presents an ideal opportunity to explore the future awaiting you at Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL).
Recognised for over four decades of academic excellence and a strong reputation for developing well rounded graduates, MCKL invites students and parents to its highly anticipated Open Day happening across two weekends: 12-13 December and 19-20 December 2025, from 9am to 5pm at both Kuala Lumpur (Brickfields) and Penang (Pykett) campus.
Students can take this opportunity to register and apply on the spot, receive exclusive counselling, and gain valuable insights into MCKL’s diverse range of programmes that include Pre-university, Diplomas, American Degree Transfer, Professional Development and more to explore seamless pathways towards undergraduate studies.
Exploring Education Pathways at MCKL Day
Visitors will get to explore a comprehensive range of offerings designed to help students make informed decisions about their education pathway:
- Career Guidance Test
Participants will have access to a complimentary assessment designed to help them identify their strengths and potential career pathways. - Personalised Academic Consultation
Speak one-on-one with experienced academic advisors to understand the best study pathways aligned to personal goals. - Scholarships, Financial Aids & PTPTN Loan
Learn how students can fund their education through a wide range of financial assistance options. - Globally Recognised, SQA Approved
MCKL offers internationally recognised qualifications that pave the way for global study opportunities.
On top of that, students who register between 12 December 2025 to 4 January 2026 will enjoy an exclusive RM500 rebate which is the perfect bonus for starting educational journey early. MCKL is also offering its prestigious MCKL Excellence Scholarship 2026, where eligible SPM/IGCSE students can receive up to 100% Scholarship, as easy as simply applying using your forecast results to find out if you qualify.
MCKL is a long-standing institution with a legacy of academic excellence, and it is committed to empower students with the values, skills, and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s competitive world. With experienced educators, modern facilities, and strong industry and university pathways, MCKL continues to stand out as a top choice for pre-university and diploma studies in Malaysia.
Begin the educational pathway with MCKL, where the institution supports students in taking their first step toward a brighter, globally connected future. Students are encouraged to apply for the 2026 intakes and seize the opportunity for world-class education offered at MCKL.
To Know More, Make The Appointment Today By:
Calling: KL: 03-2300 0998 | Pg: 04-6888 327
Emailing: KL: admission@mckl.edu.my | PG: admission.pg@mckl.edu.my
And for MCKL Overview, please visit –
Website: www.mckl.edu.my.
Social Media – FB, Instagram, YouTube, Linkedin: @methodistcollegekl
Hashtag: #MCKL #OPENDAY #MethodistCollege #Highereducation #Kualalumpur
https://mckl.edu.my/
https://www.linkedin.com/school/methodist-college-kuala-lumpur/
https://www.facebook.com/share/19qkXtd7P7/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.instagram.com/methodistcollegekl?igsh=MTJzYzFkM203NGlzbg==
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL)
Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL) was founded by the Methodist Council of Education in 1983, its campus sitting in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and branch campus in Pykett, Penang, known as the MCKL College (Penang, Pykett Campus). MCKL is now an SQA Approved Centre delivering Advanced Diplomas focusing on Business and Computing: Software Development. It also offers programmes in the pre-university pathway for subjects including Cambridge A Level, Australian Matriculation; the American Degree Transfer, Diploma courses Digital Business, Digital Marketing, IT (Internet of Things Focused), Computer Science (data science focused), Early Childhood Education, Social Work, and Financial Technology. Over the years, MCKL has been highly recognised for its track record and gold standard achievements of its pre-university programmes and its overseas degree pathways.
Wuxi’s Liangxi District: Where 3,000 Years of Jiangnan Culture Thrives
WUXI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 December 2025 – When UNESCO officially named Wuxi as China’s first “UNESCO City of Music” on October 31, it inspired French music blogger and Chinese cultural enthusiast Alice Roche to write the evocative, bilingual song, L’Âme de Wuxi (The Moon Shadow over Liangxi).
Spectators gather to watch a performance of Wuxi Opera at the modern YingYueli Cultural Block in Liangxi, China.
Roche’s poetic lyrics, “Liangxi water, soaking the moonlight of the past; Huishan spring, gently singing of times gone by,” perfectly capture the soul of the city. The name Liangxi is an ancient alias for Wuxi, carrying 3,000 years of history and now referring to the city’s central district, which is the “Core Zone of the Jiangnan Cultural Artery.” Traversed by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Liangxi is where history is not merely a static relic, but a vibrant current connecting an ancient past with a boundless future.
Ancient waterway meets the future: The Grand Canal flows past the city’s modern high-rises.
The Flow of a Millennium-Old Cultural Artery
Liangxi’s enduring life force stems directly from the Grand Canal, which not only ensured commercial prosperity but also allowed culture to ebb and flow, nurturing the unique water-town ambiance and fostering a fertile ground for music.
In the Qingming Bridge Historical and Cultural Block, the traditional Jiangnan (south of the lower Yangtze River) water lanes are perfectly preserved. Here, the plop of sculling oar boats blend with the delicate melodies of Pingtan (a traditional folk art of storytelling and ballad singing) drifting from teahouses, and the lyrical strains of the erhu (a traditional Chinese two-stringed bowed musical instrument) – classic Jiangnan music that embodies Liangxi’s core musical identity.
The Huishan Ancient Town blends deep humanistic tradition with musical characteristics. Nourished by the famed “The Second Spring Under Heaven,” the town is home to over a hundred ancestral halls, functioning as living museums of Jiangnan culture. Its central ancient theater stage remains a vital venue where the melodious Wuxi Opera blends with the gentle sounds of the spring’s flow, symbolizing Liangxi’s musical heritage.
Modern urban renewal has further propelled this culture. The YingYueli Cultural Block, named after the famous folk piece Erquan Yingyue (The Moon’s Reflection on the Second Spring) creatively integrates historical architecture with modern trends. Ancient walls house trendy boutiques, while squares near the ancient stage host street artists, where jazz and electronic music converse with traditional Pingtan, revitalizing the ancient cultural pulse.
The Flow of Humanistic Thought
Liangxi’s legacy is further magnified by the intellectual giants it has produced. Music acted as a vital nutrient for these thinkers.
Chinese scholar and humanist Qian Mu, in his writing, recalled the peaceful influence of Jiangnan music during his youth in Liangxi. Literary master Qian Zhongshu subtly wove the local opera and folk tunes into his nuanced descriptions of Jiangnan life in his novel Fortress Besieged. Furthermore, the Rong Family, pioneers of modern Chinese industry and commerce, repeatedly supported local music societies, ensuring the continuation of the local art form.
This spirit persists today. Guqin (a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument) music accompanies morning readings at the Donglin Academy, an influential institution in Liangxi originally built in 1111 AD, and modern singers share the stage with traditional Pingtan artists at cultural salons. This blend of master heritage and artistic nourishment has imbued the people of Liangxi with an inclusive, elegant, and creative character.
The Flow of Culinary Flavors
The final, gentle embodiment of Liangxi’s identity is found in its cuisine. Sustained by the Grand Canal, Liangxi gastronomy offers both the refinement of Jiangnan cuisine and the warmth of local flavors.
The Wuxi Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) are iconic, featuring a paper-thin skin over rich broth and meat, traditionally eaten with ginger and vinegar. The classic Wuxi Spareribs, with their signature bright red glaze and tender texture, stand as one of Jiangsu’s top ten dishes. Other local delicacies like the soft, juicy fried gluten balls stuffed with meat, and the sweet, fragrant osmanthus porridge further reflect the region’s warm, nourishing essence.
Liangxi is the heir to the Grand Canal’s culture, the practitioner of its City of Music status, and the purveyor of authentic Jiangnan taste. The district seamlessly blends the weight of history with contemporary vitality to write its own unique “Jiangnan Style,” fueled by its deep connection to the water and its vibrant musical soul.
Hashtag: #Liangxi
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7th Hainan Island Int’l Film Festival Kicks off in Sanya
SANYA, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 December 2025 – The 7th Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF) kicked off on December 3 in Sanya under the theme “From Oceans to the Infinite.”
The 7th Hainan Island International Film Festival kicked off on December 3 in Sanya.
This year’s edition has set a new benchmark, receiving a record-breaking 4,564 film submissions from 119 countries and regions, totaling over 2,900 hours of footage—making it the most international and diverse festival to date.
The star-studded lineup of film luminaries will lead masterclasses on various aspects of cinema. Attendees include Canadian director James Cameron, French actress Juliette Binoche, Italian film producer Marco Mueller, and Chinese production designer Hwarng Wern-ying. They will share insights on film art, international film curation, performing arts, and technological storytelling.
Additionally, the festival will host the Chinese premiere of the latest installment of Cameron’s Avatar series on December 8, giving lucky audiences in Sanya the chance to catch the film ahead of its nationwide release on December 19.
The HIIFF Golden Coconut Award, which is gaining prominence in the global film industry, comprises three main categories: feature films, feature documentaries, and short films. The selections will be evaluated by a 13-member jury of renowned Chinese and international film professionals, chaired by Marco Mueller, with Juliette Binoche serving as the jury’s image ambassador.
Official poster of the 7th Hainan Island International Film Festival.
As the year’s final major international film festival, HIIFF has curated more than 100 acclaimed films from other festivals, such as Cannes, Locarno, Venice, Toronto, and Busan, with the aim of showcasing the latest achievements of the global film industry. Screenings began in November across 12 cinemas and outdoor venues in Sanya, Haikou, and Lingshui, and will continue into early January 2026. To broaden accessibility, free screenings will be held in 18 cities and counties throughout Hainan.
Alongside the masterclasses, screenings, and award ceremony, five professional forums will be held, chief among which is a forum on “High-quality Development of Chinese Cinema – Opportunities and New Development Momentum in the Free Trade Port’s Film Industry.” Other events include the Hainan Film Television Industry Investment Promotion Conference & Signing Ceremony, the AI Film Season, and a themed film screening event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand. Sanya will also launch over 20 cultural tourism activities to mark the Chinese Film Consumption Year, providing residents and visitors with enriched experiences throughout the winter season.
This year’s HIIFF runs until December 9.
Hashtag: #HainanInformationOffice
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
WSPN Launches White-Label Stablecoin Infrastructure to Enable Enterprises to Issue Branded Stablecoins
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TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Worldwide Stablecoin Payment Network (WSPN), a leading provider of next-generation stablecoin infrastructure, today announced the launch of its White-Label Stablecoin Solution, enabling enterprises and financial institutions to rapidly deploy their own branded stablecoins using WSPN’s production-grade infrastructure.
The offering leverages WSPN’s proven stablecoin technology stack, which already powers WUSD in live production. By providing a turnkey solution, WSPN eliminates the technical complexity and regulatory burden traditionally associated with launching a stablecoin.
“Building a scalable stablecoin from scratch requires significant engineering resources, regulatory expertise, and operational infrastructure,” said Raymond Yuan, Founder & CEO of WSPN. “Our White-Label Solution allows enterprises to launch their own branded stablecoins in a fraction of the time and cost, backed by the same infrastructure that powers our own tokens.”
The solution includes four core components: client-controlled mint and burn smart contracts/infrastructure, custody and wallet infrastructure, KYT compliance layer for regulatory adherence, and user front-end with APIs for seamless integration.
WSPN is already powering a euro-denominated stablecoin for an EU-based partner and is actively onboarding additional clients across multiple jurisdictions and currency denominations. The solution is designed for financial institutions, payment providers, and enterprises seeking to leverage stablecoin technology without building infrastructure from the ground up.
For more information, contact WSPN’s business development team or visit www.wspn.io.
About WSPN
WSPN is a leading provider of next-generation stablecoin infrastructure, dedicated to building a more secure, efficient, and transparent global payment ecosystem. Our flagship stablecoin, WUSD, is fully backed and pegged 1:1 to the U.S. Dollar, serving as the foundation for a suite of integrated financial solutions. These solutions support a range of financial applications from institutional treasury management to programmable payments and decentralized finance. With a strong focus on transparency, regulatory compliance, and user accessibility, WSPN bridges the gap between Web3 innovation and traditional financial systems, driving the global adoption of stablecoins at scale.
Learn more: www.wspn.io | X | LinkedIn
Global Tourism Economy Forum • Heilongjiang 2025 To be Held on December 15 – 17, 2025
New Quality Productive Forces: Powering the Global Tourism Economy
HARBIN, China, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Global Tourism Economy Forum (“GTEF” or “Forum”), an international platform dedicated to promoting the sustainable development of the global tourism economy, will hold its 2025 edition from December 15 to 17 in Harbin, Heilongjiang province. Under the theme “New Quality Productive Forces: Powering the Global Tourism Economy”, the Forum will gather over 1,000 guests from five continents and more than 30 countries and regions, including the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, heads of international organizations, government officials, ministers of culture and tourism, executives from Fortune Global 500 companies, renowned entrepreneurs, and experts. Together, they will forge a new stage for open cooperation and jointly chart a future blueprint for the global tourism economy.
Launched in 2012 in the Macao Special Administrative Region, GTEF is an annual summit that has successfully held ten editions to date, attracting over 14,000 participants from more than 90 countries and regions. It has partnered with 44 countries and 13 Chinese provinces and cities to promote cultural and tourism brands, serving as a vital bridge linking China with the world. This year, the Forum is venturing beyond Macao for the first time to the “Ice City” of Heilongjiang, a milestone that reflects the province’s growing influence in the cultural tourism sector, and the steady expansion of its international cooperation network.
In recent years, Heilongjiang has championed the development of its unique cultural tourism sector, capitalizing on emerging opportunities. The province has successfully harnessed its ice and snow appeal and innovative spirit to establish a diverse industry ecosystem — encompassing the ice-snow economy, winter sports, eco-tourism, and wellness retreats — all strategically tailored to local strengths and powered by new quality productive forces. Through its two “100-day tourism promotion campaigns”, which promoted the province as a cool haven for summer, and as classic ice-snow destination during winter; it has since expanded its cultural and tourism offerings from seasonal popularity to year-round vibrancy and achieved remarkable results. In 2024, Heilongjiang welcomed a cumulative of 282 million tourist visits, a year-on-year increase of 29.1%; with its total tourism spending reaching 370.12 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 67.1%. International visitor arrivals surged to 1.2 million, a year-on-year increase of 95.4%, while inbound tourism spending reached 13.44 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 101.5%. These figures indicate strong and continuous momentum across both scale and quality in the cultural tourism market, demonstrating the dynamism of China’s high-quality tourism development to the world.
Harnessing this forward drive, this edition of GTEF, as an influential annual global gathering for the culture and tourism sector, is structured around Heilongjiang’s year-round, all-region tourism model and industrial innovation. The Forum features four key pillars: “Ice-Snow Economy & Industrial Innovation”, “Cultural Empowerment & Brand Building”, “Investment Leadership & Project Development”, and “Cross-Border Collaboration & Cooperation Opportunities”, with the goal of connecting Heilongjiang with high-quality resources and innovative impetus from across the globe. The agenda will include opening and closing ceremonies, keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, cultural tourism showcases, and a Heilongjiang Province Investment Promotion Session. These sessions are designed to establish a high-caliber international platform for domestic and international participants and enterprises, facilitate the business matching of premium projects, and promote the organic integration of the global tourism economy’s innovation and industrial chains.
The Forum’s dates also coincide with Heilongjiang’s winter season “100-day tourism promotion campaign”. Forum guests will be invited to tour Harbin’s landmark attractions and development projects, gaining a firsthand look at the unique appeal of China’s famous ice-and-snow tourism as well as the dynamic achievements of its cultural tourism sector.
About the Global Tourism Economy Forum
The Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) is a world-class platform for exchange and cooperation dedicated to advancing the sustainable development of the global tourism industry. As a globally recognized annual flagship summit, it brings together high-level representatives including government officials, industry leaders, experts, and renowned entrepreneurs to discuss opportunities, challenges, and cutting-edge trends in the cultural and tourism sectors. The Forum helps global enterprises in tourism economy diversify their investment and cooperation channels by establishing cross-regional resource integration mechanisms to further promote high-quality development of the world tourism economy.
Since its inception in Macao SAR in 2012, the Forum has invited over 700 globally renowned speakers from 90 countries and regions, alongside more than 14,000 participants including heads of state, ministers, business leaders, and experts. With participation from over 1,400 prominent domestic and international media outlets, GTEF has reached a global audience of more than 1.63 billion people, generating accumulated media value exceeding $600 million. Over the past decade, 44 partner countries and 13 Chinese featured provinces and cities have leveraged the Forum’s international platform to promote their cultural and tourism brands and share investment and cooperation opportunities, establishing GTEF as a vital bridge linking China with the world. The Forum’s global impact, influence, and commercial value have been highly recognized by domestic and international government bodies and organizations. It was included as a key initiative in the State Council’s “14th Five-Year Plan for Tourism Development,” and UN Tourism explicitly pledged in 2018 to fully support GTEF in becoming the “Davos Forum of the Global Tourism Industry.”
For more details and latest updates regarding the Forum, visit https://gte-forum.com/en/homepage/index.html as well as the official GTEF social media accounts.
