A new dairy farm in Xieng Khouang Province will start exporting fresh milk to Vietnam in May 2023.
Vientiane Beans to Vientiane Bars: First Single-Origin Laos Chocolate an Agricultural Milestone

In an interview with Bridget Dooley, Mikael Bronkhorst tells the story of how Chocolate Dream by Mikael came to introduce Laos’ first single-origin chocolate bar, a breakthrough for sustainable Lao agriculture and for eco-conscious chocolate lovers alike.
Rough Seas in Thailand Dash Hopes of Holidaymakers
Waves up to four meters high at Thailand’s Koh Samui island have interrupted travel to and from the island by boat.
Trend Micro Urges Security Teams to Prepare for the Next Era of Ransomware
Latest research details how cybercrime business models might change
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 20 December 2022 – Global cybersecurity leader Trend Micro (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), published a new report today warning that the ransomware industry could be on the verge of a revolution that sees actors expand into other areas of cybercrime or partner with hostile governments and organized crime groups.
To read a full copy of the report, The Near and Far Future of Today’s Ransomware Groups, please visit: https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/hk/security/news/cybercrime-and-digital-threats/the-future-of-ransomware
Jon Clay, vice president of threat research at Trend Micro: “Change is the only constant in cybercrime, and sooner or later, economic and geopolitical forces may compel ransomware groups to adapt or die. Amidst this uncertain threat landscape, network defenders need platform-based security to provide visibility and control across all attack surfaces, including hybrid cloud infrastructure. Our latest report will help them prepare for the future.”
The report highlights the history of ransomware and the key building blocks of modern attacks before proposing scenarios that show where threats may be evolving.
Threat actors will continue to evolve their attacks in response to corporate defensive strategies, law enforcement successes, and government sanctions. This could include scaling up attacks through increased automation, targeting more IoT and cloud environments, improving professionalism and execution, and more effectively monetizing attacks.
The report also predicts that ransomware actors will eventually be motivated to change their business models due either to the cumulative impact of relatively small changes or by more radical global factors. This could lead to them developing supply chain attacks to cut out reliance on initial access brokers, using stolen data for stock manipulation, selling more services to traditional organized crime syndicates, merging with other criminal groups, or even working with government actors.
There is no silver bullet to solve these challenges. As they emerge, network defenders and governments should tackle changes to cybercrime business models. Trend Micro’s report also provides a set of potential actions to prepare for these scenarios, including:
- Hardening internet-facing and internal corporate systems
- Migrating to cloud services
- Focusing defensive efforts on detection and response and initial access vectors
- Strengthening government sanctions on major actors and facilitators
- Regulating cryptocurrency to increase transparency, protect consumers against fraud and make money laundering harder
Hashtag: #TrendMicro
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Trend Micro
Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity leader, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Fueled by decades of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micro’s cybersecurity platform protects hundreds of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints. As a leader in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, the platform delivers a powerful range of advanced threat defense techniques optimized for environments like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, and central visibility for better, faster detection and response. With 7,000 employees across 65 countries, Trend Micro enables organizations to simplify and secure their connected world. www.trendmicro.com.hk
UNFPA Organizes Hackathon for Young Lao Innovators
UNFPA, in partnership with the Faculty of Education, National University of Laos, Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union (LYU), and Global Shapers, brought together young innovators in Laos to present their innovative, impactful implementable ideas and technical solutions for addressing some of the key challenges faced by adolescents and young people in the country on 16 December in Vientiane, Laos.
Bokeo Woman Dies in Suspected Homicide
A woman died on the way to hospital in Bokeo’s Houayxai district on Saturday after succumbing to knife wounds in what is believed to have been a homicide.
OctaFX provided emergency aid for earthquake victims in West Java, Indonesia

The international broker OctaFX provided emergency aid for over one hundred families affected by the devastating earthquake that hit the district of Cianjur in West Java, Indonesia, on 21 November 2022.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 left 310 dead, 4,645 injured, and more than 50,000 people displaced. With over 12,000 houses severely damaged, communication networks disrupted, and multiple roads blocked because of landslides, the situation prompted the government to declare a month-long state of emergency.
With the help of its partner in Indonesia, OctaFX provided emergency aid for at least 100 families on 3 and 4 December. The list of essential items included water, instant noodles, rice, biscuits, baby formula, blankets, diapers, and sanitary napkins.
‘When we saw the news, it shocked us. We instantly decided to help combat the disastrous effects of the earthquake and help people affected by it. Fortunately, our long-standing partner could help us with the emergency response program, and we were able to provide aid that was enough for at least one hundred families. Apart from that, our partner provided entertainment activities for children to help them overcome the psychological effects of the disaster,’ the OctaFX press office commented.
The slogan of the emergency response program was ‘Our help will bring their smiles back’ (Indonesian: ‘Uluran Tangan Kita Membuka Senyum Mereka Kembali’). The broker is planning to extend its humanitarian efforts in Cianjur with similar projects in the near future.
Hashtag: #OctaFX
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About OctaFX
OctaFX is a global broker providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charity and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities and small to medium enterprises.
First Hydrogen Expands Its Design of Zero-Emission Vehicles
Vancouver, British Columbia – Newsfile Corp. – December 19, 2022 – First Hydrogen Corp. (TSXV: FHYD) (OTC PINK: FHYDF) (FSE: FIT) (“FIRST HYDROGEN” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce it has selected EDAG Group (EDAG) as its design styling partner for its next generation of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEV). As global mobility engineers with experience in commercial vehicle development, EDAG will support First Hydrogen’s goal to make zero-emission vehicles accessible to fleet managers.
Following the success of the Company’s first two light commercial vehicles which incorporate hydrogen fuel cell stacks – First Hydrogen’s next generation of vans will be the Company’s first vehicles to enter the mass market. Suited to the commercial sector, hydrogen-powered vehicles can travel much further, carry larger payloads, and refueling is much quicker than equivalent battery electric vehicles. First Hydrogen’s vehicles will be aerodynamic, durable, progressive, and highly functional for the driver suiting the vehicle’s duty cycle.
First Hydrogen will offer a complete solution to zero emissions mobility through its innovative Hydrogen-as-a-Service. In providing light commercial vehicles (LCV), a guaranteed supply of renewably sourced green hydrogen fuel and refuelling technology alongside other supporting services, the Company will help fleet managers to transition away from fossil fuels.
Noted for its concept cars and prototypes as for its top-level commercial vehicle development, the design and engineering specialist has been part of the international automotive and commercial vehicle industry for decades. The commercial and off-road vehicle business unit covers the complete development spectrum for commercial vehicles. As well as developing components, modules and complete vehicles, EDAG also manufactures prototype parts & complete vehicles. Bringing creativity, innovation, and a wealth of industry knowledge to the partnership, EDAG Group will create impactful design style and engineering concepts for First Hydrogen’s first FCEVs for the mass market.
Steve Gill, CEO of Automotive for First Hydrogen Limited, says: “This is an incredibly important partnership, with the design of our flagship vehicles destined to set the first impressions of our brand and establish our position in the market. We were compelled by EDAG’s innovative approach to developing our next generation vehicles. As our chosen design partner, EDAG appreciates the benefits hydrogen fuel brings to the LCV class in terms of range, payload, ease of refuelling and ease of use. All these aspects will inform the vehicle’s look and overall design features.”
Harald Keller, COO of EDAG Engineering GmbH, comments: “We are really looking forward to design First Hydrogen’s first mass produced FCEVs. As design partners, our team will support First Hydrogen to enter the commercial vehicle market with impact and enable us to visually communicate the Company’s ambitions and forward-thinking outlook to investors and customers.”
About First Hydrogen Corp. (FirstHydrogen.com)
First Hydrogen Corp. is a Vancouver and London UK-based company focused on zero-emission vehicles, green hydrogen production and distribution and supercritical carbon dioxide extractor systems. The Company is designing and building hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered light commercial demonstrator vehicles (“LCV”) under two agreements with AVL Powertrain and Ballard Power Systems Inc. The LCV will have a range of 500+ kilometres. At the same time, the company has launched its bespoke vehicle design phase which will develop its fleet of proprietary zero-emission vehicles. First Hydrogen is also developing refueling capability working with FEV Consulting GmbH, the automotive consultancy of FEV Group of Aachen Germany. The Company is also pursuing opportunities in green hydrogen production and distribution in the UK, EU and North America.
About EDAG Group (EDAG.com)
EDAG Group is the world’s largest independent engineering service provider to the global mobility industry. We regard mobility as a fully integrated ecosystem, and offer our customers technological solutions for more sustainable, emission-free and intelligently networked mobility. With a global network of some 60 branches, EDAG Group provides engineering services in the Vehicle Engineering, Electrics/Electronics and Production Solutions segments.
With our interdisciplinary expertise in the fields of software and digitalization, we possess the key skills to help actively shape the dynamic transformation process the mobility industry is currently undergoing. Digital features, autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, alternative powertrains, new mobility concepts and the vision of a networked smart city have become an integral part of our portfolio. Embedded in EDAG’s own 360° degree approach to the development of complete vehicles and production facilities, we are a competent partner for sustainable mobility projects. It is in the DNA of the company to actively shape the future of mobility and transfer new technologies and concepts into series production. Today, EDAG is one of the TOP 20 IT service providers in the German mobility sector.
Our customers include leading international OEMs, tier 1 suppliers and startup companies from the automotive and non-automotive industries, all of whom we serve globally with our workforce of approximately 8,000 experts in 360-degree engineering.
In 2021, the company generated sales of € 687 million. On December 31, 2021, EDAG employed a global workforce of 7,880 (including apprentices).
On behalf of the Board of Directors of
FIRST HYDROGEN CORP.
“Balraj Mann”
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Contact:
Balraj Mann
First Hydrogen Corp.
604-601-2018
investors@firsthydrogen.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains information or statements that constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by words such as “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will,” “would,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur.
Forward looking information may include, without limitation, statements regarding the operations, business, financial condition, expected financial results, performance, prospects, opportunities, priorities, targets, goals, ongoing objectives, milestones, strategies and outlook of First Hydrogen, and includes statements about, among other things, future developments and the future operations, strengths and strategies of First Hydrogen. Forward-looking information is provided for the purpose of presenting information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results.
The forward-looking statements made in this news release are based on management’s assumptions and analysis and other factors that may be drawn upon by management to form conclusions and make forecasts or projections, including management’s experience and assessments of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Although management believes that these assumptions, analyses and assessments are reasonable at the time the statements contained in this news release are made, actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Examples of risks and factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from forward-looking statements may include: the timing and unpredictability of regulatory actions; regulatory, legislative, legal or other developments with respect to its operations or business; limited marketing and sales capabilities; early stage of the industry and product development; limited products; reliance on third parties; unfavourable publicity or consumer perception; general economic conditions and financial markets; the impact of increasing competition; the loss of key management personnel; capital requirements and liquidity; access to capital; the timing and amount of capital expenditures; the impact of COVID-19; shifts in the demand for First Hydrogen’s products and the size of the market; patent law reform; patent litigation and intellectual property; conflicts of interest; and general market and economic conditions.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of First Hydrogen as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. First Hydrogen undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICE PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.