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Six Wonders You Must See in Laos

VIENTIANE, LAOS – Media OutReach – 26 December 2022 – A country of untouched wonder and pristine beauty, Laos also boasts incredible hospitality where tourists are welcomed with open arms by the locals. In Laos, it is very easy for a traveler to explore and discover the many natural, historical, and cultural destinations in the country.

If you don’t know where to start, here are some recommendations that should come in handy:

1. That Luang Stupa: This grand stupa is one of the most important places of worship for the Lao people. Believed to have been built in the 3rd century AD, the stupa has been rebuilt many times after damaged caused by wars and foreign invasions. The temples around the stupa are brightly decorated with paintings from the Jataka Tales, showcasing the previous lives of Lord Buddha, as well as a huge reclining Buddha. At weekends and in the evenings, people gather to meet friends and enjoy the gardens and open spaces the temple grounds provide. Every November, this golden stupa hosts a major festival when monks from around the country come to the city and everyone gathers on the morning of the full moon to give alms.

2. Vang Vieng: Whether you are an adventure junkie or a nature lover or someone who just wants to relax in a quiet and comfortable retreat, Vang Vieng is the perfect place to unwind. Go up on a hot air balloon and watch the sunrise or sunset over striking limestone cliffs or trek up one of the town’s several viewpoints to get a similar aerial view of the mountains, fields, and lush forests all around. There are numerous natural lagoons to visit for a cool dip in the afternoon and tubing or kayaking in the Nam Song river. There are also numerous hotels in town offering services for any type of traveler. Because what could possibly be better than watching the sunset while floating in a swimming pool with a cocktail in hand?

3. Bolaven Plateau: This is a hilly region in Southern Laos that has become famous for its coffee plantations that produce some of the best coffee that is available in the country. The villages of ethnic minorities in the region also hold a great interest for tourists who are keen on discovering a simpler way of life that coexists seamlessly with the surrounding nature and wildlife. Also, visit the waterfalls of Tad Yeuang and Tad Fane that promise spectacular views and walking trails to discover the area around the falls.

4. Kouang Si Waterfall: Easily one of the most popular and most visited waterfalls in Laos, Kouang Si Falls sits about 30 km southwest of Luang Prabang. The water cascades and pools here are clear blue all year round and are irresistible for swimmers and photographers alike. There is also a Bear Rescue Center near the waterfall which cares for and rehabilitates trafficked moon bears and a butterfly park that you could visit. There are also restaurants serving up delicious local food and beverages to help you enjoy a full day here.

5. Wat Xieng Thong: Built in 1560, this temple is considered the jewel of Luang Prabang architecture and has survived several wars and turbulent times. It was built by King Setthathirath as he moved the capital of the country to Vientiane. It still remains a holy space with its fine gilding and colorful mosaics depicting stories of Lao folktales and everyday life.

6. Phongsaly Old Town: Located in the northernmost part of the country, Phongsaly province has a wonderful cool climate for most of the year and Phongsaly city is a great place to explore. The ornate Yunnanese wooden architecture in the old quarter of the city survived the secret war and Phongsaly itself is a blend of Chinese and Lao cultures with many people from the Hor ethnic group speaking Chinese. This makes the culture of the place quite unique, especially when it comes to the food which is a delicious fusion of Lao and Yunnanese flavors. And the local tea is grown in a 400-year-old tea plantation, where fertilizers and other chemicals have never been used. At 1400 meters above sea level, surrounded by stunning limestone mountains and pristine forests, this city is an extraordinary place to visit. And at night, with little light pollution, the clear view of the stars is also quite breathtaking.

Learn more about Lao culture and places to visit at the Lao Simply Beautiful Facebook Page.

Hashtag: #LaosSimplyBeautiful

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

Myanmar Junta Claims Opposition as ‘Terrorists’ in ‘Non-Asean’ Meeting

An photo from the meeting posted by the foreign ministry of the Myanmar junta government on its Facebook page.

The military government of Myanmar met with several ASEAN leaders at an informal meeting last week where it denounced its opponents as “terrorists”.

Visiting Laos Is Simply Easier Than Ever

VIENTIANE, LAOS – Media OutReach – 26 December 2022 – Laos might be a small, landlocked country in Southeast Asia, but from its people to its food and vast expanse of nature all over, it is a sight to behold and one of Asia’s best-kept secrets. In fact, Gordon Ramsay recently named it one of the top food destinations in the world!

With a population of just over seven million, Laos’ four international airports do not operate direct flights from the US, Europe, or Australia but there are ample connecting flights with neighboring countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, and South Korea and even a new direct flight from Vladivostok, Russia.

It is very convenient to travel to the country overland as well. One could cross any of the 10 border crossings with nations like China, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam which offer visas on arrival for most nationalities. For travelers who like the assurance of advanced planning, eVisas are also available for entry at six border checkpoints.

You can also travel by slow boat down the majestic Mekong river from Northern Thailand to reach the UNESCO World-heritage town of Luang Prabang. Or take the overnight train from Bangkok to Nong Khai, Thailand, and cross over the First Lao-Thai Friendship bridge to reach the capital city of Vientiane, where you can explore Asia’s quietest capital before boarding the Laos-China Railway for a rapid journey to other areas of the country.

Learn more about Lao culture and places to visit at the Lao Simply Beautiful Facebook Page.

 

Hashtag: #LaosSimplyBeautiful

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

SAUDIA Inaugurates New Operations Building at KAIA

New headquarters to also serve as home to the Middle East’s largest operation control center

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Newsfile Corp. – December 25, 2022 – Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), the Kingdom’s national flag carrier, inaugurated its new SAUDIA Operations building at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

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HRH Prince Bader bin Sultan, Deputy Governor of Makkah inaugurates the new SAUDIA operations building alongside the Minister of Transport and SAUDIA Group Director General

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9108/149487_9218e95e545da9e0_002full.jpg

The building, which boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology, was inaugurated in a ceremony by His Royal Highness Prince Badr bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Governor of Makkah, and His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser, the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation and His Excellency Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of SAUDIA Group; along with members of SAUDIA’s Board of Directors, various KAIA officials, and members of the media.

Using a mock-up of an aircraft engine throttle, HRH Prince Badr signaled the inauguration of the highly equipped building which is set to serve as a key enabler of the Saudi Aviation Strategy, under the Kingdom’s broader National Transport and Logistics Strategy. The new building will also support SAUDIA in its efforts to make KAIA a global hub.

Built entirely by Saudi Airlines Real Estate Development Company (SARED) over an area of 50,000 square meters, the two-story building can accommodate more than 1,100 employees.

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SARED project manager showcasing the infrastructure and facilities of the new SAUDIA operations building

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Throughout the building’s design, construction, and deployment stages, SARED prioritized the incorporation of and compliance with the highest safety and security standards. The environmentally friendly structure adheres to the highest international sustainability standards as well. It also aims to provide an ideal working environment that fosters productivity and innovation amongst its employees.

The building is situated near the far side of the airport, providing both pilots and cabin crew members with easy aircraft access. It is a proper mini terminal, complete with AI-powered self-boarding kiosks and five luggage carousels, as well as about 15 meeting rooms for preflight cabin crew briefings.

“We are eager to see the new SAUDIA Operations building help make our flight services, which span over 100 destinations in four continents, more punctual and efficient than ever before,” said Al-Omar. “The new infrastructure is not only equipped with innovative technologies that put us right on the leading edge of the world of aviation, but also easily meets the needs of SAUDIA and other stakeholders throughout the airport.”

The new operations building consists of multiple departments, including its extensive Operations Control Center. It is the largest center of its kind in the Middle East and the 12th largest globally. As SAUDIA’s beating heart, the center coordinates between the group’s business lines, communicates with aircraft via its state-of-the-art facilities to ensure control of its operational plans, and tracks air traffic across all domestic and international airports in real-time. It has been designed to bring every sector directly involved in flight operations under one roof to streamline communication and ensure seamless implementation throughout. The building also features captivating wall-to-wall displays that depict all currently operating aviation systems.

The building also features an Emergency Response Center. This fully equipped hall utilizes the latest integrated systems to analyze contingencies and fast-track decision-making.

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The building’s integrated Operations Control Center (IOCC) is the largest in the Middle East Region

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9108/149487_9218e95e545da9e0_004full.jpg

The building also features a safety and quality assurance department that oversees the day-to-day operations of all concerned airport entities. The department is tasked with issuing technical recommendations to maintain operational safety, which has always been a hallmark of SAUDIA’s brilliant safety track record.

About (SAUDIA)

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) is the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Established in 1945, the company has grown to become one of the Middle East’s largest airlines.

SAUDIA has invested significantly in upgrading its aircraft and currently operates one of the youngest fleet. The airline serves an extensive global route network covering around 100 destinations across four continents, including all 28 domestic airports in Saudi Arabia.

A member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO), SAUDIA has also been a member airline in SkyTeam, the second largest alliance, since 2012.

The airline is ranked as a Global Five-Star Major Airline by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and has been awarded Diamond status by APEX Health Safety powered by SimpliFlying in recognition of its comprehensive approach to safety during the pandemic.

Most recently, SAUDIA was named the Middle East’s Fastest Growing Airline in 2022 by Brand Finance® and the World’s Most Improved Airline in 2021 by Skytrax, the second time it has received this prestigious accolade.

For more information on Saudi Arabian Airlines, please visit www.saudia.com.

Media Center

Saudi Arabian Airlines Headquarters
Jeddah 21231, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Email: mediacenter@saudia.com

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

Global C-Pop Artist Tia Lee (Lee Yu Fen) Launches First Remix of “Goodbye Princess” in Collaboration with Superstar DJ Duo NERVO

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 24 Dec 2022 – Tia Lee (Lee Yu Fen), a global C-POP singer, fashion icon and film and television actress, today released a remixed version of “Goodbye Princess” in collaboration with NERVO – an Australian DJ duo comprising twin sisters Olivia and Miriam Nervo – who are the all-time top-ranking female DJs in the world and have come onboard the #EmpowerHer movement following the campaign’s overwhelming success.

This follows the breakthrough success of Tia’s “Goodbye Princess” music video (MV), which achieved over 1 million views on Youtube within 10 hours after its worldwide premiere. As of now, “Goodbye Princess” has garnered over 73 million views on YouTube in just two weeks. The overwhelming response underscores the borderless resonance of both the song and #EmpowerHer’s ‘Female Empowers Female’ message, marking the success of the global female empowerment campaign.

Goodbye Princess” NERVO Remix – A New Musical Expression of Strength and Empowerment

NERVO has written and produced hits for global superstars such as Kylie Minogue, Ke$ha, The Pussycat Dolls, Afrojack, Steve Aoki and Armin Van Buuren – even winning a Grammy Award for writing ‘When Love Takes Over’ for David Guetta and Kelly Rowland. However, their first love has always been electronic dance music (EDM); their repertoire of chart-topping hits and critically acclaimed debut album has established themselves as one of the biggest dance acts in the business.

In signature style, NERVO’s remix of “Goodbye Princess” turns the song’s tempo up and deftly weaves together multiple synth layers over Tia’s crystalline vocals, musically describing a fierce call to action for female empowerment and reflecting Tia’s bold, brave and resilient spirit. The result is a fast-paced, heart-pumping number reminiscent of mid-90s to early 00s discothèques, elevating the already energetic song into a defiant anthem that celebrates inner strength.

“We’ve had a long history working with Asian pop stars so we jumped at the opportunity to remix Tia’s great tune! ‘Goodbye Princess’ is already such a memorable song with a powerful message about empowerment, but we wanted to make the production a bit crunchier for real dance music fans. We hope everyone loves it as much as we do!” said Olivia and Miriam Nervo.

A remixed version of

A remixed version of “Goodbye Princess” in collaboration with DJ NERVO

The Power of #EmpowerHerDance Inspires Awareness Through Dance

The release of the “Goodbye Princess” remix is expected to add further fuel to the global #EmpowerHerDance challenge, which was inspired by Tia’s original single and has taken TikTok by storm. International female dancers and prominent influencers around the world have covered the signature dance of “Goodbye Princess” on the platform, creating more awareness around the #EmpowerHer campaign – one of the biggest initiatives in the world supporting female empowerment.

Hannah Balanay in Australia was the first to cover the song’s distinctive choreography with the signature ‘goodbye’ hand wave, followed by Judah Metu-Teakura in New Zealand, Jlou in Hong Kong, Leen Mohammed from the Middle East, Evie Meg in the UK and Salice Rose of South America. Over 1 million people have viewed their dance videos to date, and new covers are being posted on the platform every day under the #EmpowerHerDance hashtag as more step up for the cause.

Under the #EmpowerHer campaign, for every viewing benchmark hit for the “Goodbye Princess” MV, a donation will be made to selected beneficiaries of the campaign, up to a maximum total of HKD3.8 million. This figure was chosen for its significance for the upcoming International Women’s Day, which falls on the 8th of March 2023. Tia herself has already started the ball rolling by selecting Teen’s Key as the First #EmpowerHer Beneficiary Organization.

The Ingenious “Goodbye Princess” Pre-Release Campaign Sets a New C-pop Record – Accumulated over 100 Million Views Globally Within a Month

Last month, the pre-release campaign for “Goodbye Princess” featured a 6-part animation series that told the story of Tia’s journey in the music and entertainment industries, as well as her subsequent reinvention.

The ingenious pre-release campaign combining animation, music and fashion videography set an unprecedented C-pop pre-release record of more than 100 million views within a month. The pre-release campaign is on track to become the most successful engagement campaign of all time by a C-pop artiste.

The “Goodbye Princess” MV and full pre-campaign series with complementing fashion videography can be watched on Tia’s social media channel.

Beyond her music, Tia has also advocated for female empowerment in beauty and fashion. She has joined many A-listers such as Justin Bieber and Alicia Keys on the covers of popular magazines such as Vogue and ROLLACOASTER, and has used these illustrious platforms to spread her message of inner strength and empowerment – as well as to inspire other women with her story, which is built on a strong foundation of persistence, hard work, and self-belief.

Official press materials:

First Remix of “Goodbye Princess” in Collaboration with DJ NERVO: https://youtu.be/ebhtJqtx9vI
#EmpowerHer Campaign Concept Video:

Caption

https://youtu.be/gK7ldOO1wAM
GOODBYE PRINCESS” Music Video: https://youtu.be/VwxtUuZYsuY

https://weibo.com/1396928042/MiMX0oPdI

GOODBYE PRINCESS” Single Cover:

Caption

https://www.instagram.com/p/Clxu8nWNdOE/

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=696972191796005&set=a.231904644969431 (for downloading)

“GOODBYE PRINCESS” MV Pre-Launch Campaign Animation and Motion Image Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMEhj-AvvXvBIjICUGgQQPYXfJNnbV-VG
ROLLACOASTER UK Cover:

Caption

https://www.instagram.com/p/ClUA1Swtnyk/

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=688854202607804&set=a.231904644969431 (for downloading)

Vogue Hong Kong「The Voice」Cover:

Caption

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck7_neKsh_w/

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=681908259969065&set=pcb.681909583302266 (for downloading)

Tia Lee Official Channels:

Instagram @leeyufen: https://www.instagram.com/leeyufen/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tialeeofficial/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leeyufentialee/

Weibo: https://weibo.com/u/1396928042/

Hashtag: #TiaLee

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

About Tia Lee | Lee Yu Fen

Tia Lee (李毓芬), born in Taipei, is a global C-pop singer, fashion icon and film and television actress. In addition to her acting roles and musical career, Tia appears frequently at major fashion shows. As a trend-setter, Tia has graced the covers of fashion, beauty and lifestyle magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, and shares her beauty and fashion tips through a number of Vogue’s social media channels.

Parc 66 to be 100% Powered by Renewable Energy – the First Commercial Development in Jinan and Shandong Province

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 15 December 2022 – Hang Lung Properties (the “Company” or “Hang Lung”, SEHK stock code: 00101) is pleased to announce that its world-class commercial development in Jinan, Parc 66, will be 100% powered by renewable energy from January 1, 2023, making it the first commercial property in Jinan and Shandong Province to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in terms of annual electricity consumption for both landlord and tenant operations. The move also accelerates the Company’s progress towards its 2025 renewable energy target for its mainland China portfolio, with almost 25% of electricity demand to be met by renewable energy sources.

World-class commercial development, Parc 66, in Jinan is the second Hang Lung property to be fully powered by renewable energy

Located in Jinan’s commercial center, Parc 66 is the second Hang Lung property to be fully powered by renewable energy, following the Company’s procurement of 100% renewable energy at its Spring City 66 commercial complex in Kunming, Yunnan Province in 2021. The purchased electricity for Parc 66 will provide 37,000 MWh of renewable electricity per year from wind power, and is expected to reduce the property’s carbon emissions by over 35,000 tonnes per year.

“Tenants and investors are looking for real estate owners and operators who can take sustainability and operational excellence to the next level. Procuring 100% renewable energy for Parc 66 is a significant milestone towards our 2025 renewable energy target for our Mainland portfolio, and reaffirms our commitment to reaching net-zero value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We will continue to look for opportunities to replicate our successes in Kunming and Jinan in our other developments across mainland China,” said Mr. Adriel Chan, Hang Lung Properties Vice Chair and Chair of Sustainability Steering Committee.

Hashtag: #HangLungProperties

Ring down the curtain on Battle of Glory ‘Philips Evnia Games 2022’

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach – 15 December 2022 – The grand finale has come to an end for the battle of Glory, PUBG UNDERGROUNDS in the battle of ‘Philips Evnia Games 2022’ finals. As a result, Bé Cơ from Vietnam defeated 凱琪K7 from Taiwan to claim the title and receive state-of-the-art Philips Gaming Monitors just for gamers.

The scene concludes for a battlefield full of famous KOLs from 6 countries competing for the latest Philips Gaming Monitors exclusively for Gamers.

The First place received a Momentum gaming monitor 27″, M1 series, AOC keyboard, mouse and headset. The second runner up received a Momentum gaming monitor 27″, 5000 series. AOC keyboard, mouse and headset.

The Philips Evnia Games 2022 Grand Final pitted KOLs against superstar influencers from six countries: Julio from Thailand, Bé Cơ from Vietnam, 凱琪K7 from Taiwan, Jack Logan from Philippines, Robertus Rombeng from Indonesia and Dingception(딩셉션) from South Korea.

This tournament promotes the diversity of gamers and the joy of gaming under Evnia’s tagline of “Reinvent the rules”, providing the gamers of today with the gaming monitors that they need to get the most enjoyment out of every gaming session. Evnia represents a newly launched range of premium Philips Gaming Monitors that prioritizes the emotional benefits of gamers in addition to exceptional performance.

Reinvent the rules

The Evnia range reflects its mantra: “Reinvent the rules”. Far from the known gaming stereotype, Evnia prioritizes gamers’ emotional benefits as well as technical advantages, adding freshness, classiness, and elegance to the mixture. The Evnia monitors range, starting with this launch, will see in the future further performance-driven products with models: 42M2N8900 (42″ OLED flat screen), 34M2C8600 (34″ QD OLED curved screen), 34M2C7600MV (34″ mini-LED curved screen) and 27M2C5500W (27″ VA curved screen).

Evnia monitors are equipped with powerful features that provide gamers everything they need to perform at their best, including fast response times and refresh rates of up to 0.1ms and 240hz respectively, ultra-low input lag, and Adaptive-Sync technology. These gameplay driven features are further supported by stunning visuals, with features including premium grade panels ranging from VA to QD OLED, Mega Infinity DCR, and SmartImage.

The range’s sophisticated design will also fit every environment, being a perfect addition to the furnishing of a casual gamer lounge or a proper PC gaming set-up. Users will feel at ease with the convenience of USB-C and KVM ports, the immersive quality of Ambiglow lights, and the ergonomics of the height-adjustable stand.

Join us in the new era of gaming.

More information on the Philips Evnia range:
https://www.evnia.philips

Hashtag: #PhilipsMonitors

Laos, South Korea Allow QR Payments for Travelers

BCEL automated teller machine. ( Photo: BCEL)

The launch of a cross-border payment service from Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public (BCEL), and South Korean company GLN International, will provide more convenient payment options for Korean visitors in Laos.