27.8 C
Vientiane
Friday, June 27, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 198

HKBU Survey Finds Over 3 in 4 Hong Kongers View Climate Change “Fake News” as a Significant Threat

HKBU Fact Check Hosts Exhibition to Raise Public’s Science Information Literacy


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 May 2025 – Climate change remains a pressing global issue, but misinformation obscures public understanding. A survey conducted by HKBU Fact Check under Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) showed that over 3 in 4 (over 75%) of the respondents in Hong Kong consider climate change misinformation a “very serious” to “extremely serious” challenge, while nearly 25% of respondents hold misconceptions, for example, “cold waves disprove climate change,” “climate change is purely a natural process and unrelated to human activity,” and “(possessing) a sense of fatalism, with some believing that humanity has already missed the chance to address climate disasters and should continue burning fossil fuels.”

The latest exhibition by HKBU Fact Check, titled "Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?", addresses public misconceptions about climate change and delves into the typical narrative traps of climate change misinformation. It also shares tips for validating facts with a fact-checking mindset and skills, offering various ways for the public to understand how to identify and debunk scientific misinformation and promote information literacy.
The latest exhibition by HKBU Fact Check, titled “Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?”, addresses public misconceptions about climate change and delves into the typical narrative traps of climate change misinformation. It also shares tips for validating facts with a fact-checking mindset and skills, offering various ways for the public to understand how to identify and debunk scientific misinformation and promote information literacy.

Professor Stephanie Jean TSANG, Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies, School of Communication, HKBU and Director of HKBU Fact Check, conducted an online survey with 1,600 local residents in Hong Kong at the end of last year. The survey found that when the term “global warming” is mentioned, Hong Kongers associate it with concepts such as the greenhouse effect, glacial melting, and sea-level rise. While these terms are frequently mentioned in the “climate change” discourse, they are not commonly experienced in Hong Kong, reflecting that public understanding of “climate change” is not derived from personal experiences from everyday lives but rather from information received through various channels.

Professor Tsang said: “Public understanding and stance on climate issues are significantly shaped by the information channels they access. Therefore, there is an urgent need in the field of science communication to strengthen the analysis of mechanisms for misinformation dissemination and to thoroughly examine its potential impacts on public perception. In today’s digital age, online platforms have become one of the primary contexts for the public to acquire scientific knowledge. This makes enhancing scientific information literacy and critical thinking skills a crucial component in fostering rational social discussion. This is exactly the core purpose of our exhibition, ‘Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?’.”

HKBU Fact Check’s Exhibition “Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?” Cultivates Information Literacy

To enhance the public’s information literacy to discern climate change information and combat misinformation, HKBU Fact Check hosts a groundbreaking science information literacy exhibition titled “Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?” from now until 22nd May. The exhibition deconstructs common public misconceptions about climate change and delves into the typical narrative traps of climate change misinformation, and shares tips to validate true facts with a fact-checking mindset and skills, offering various ways for the public to understand how to identify and debunk scientific misinformation.

The exhibition invites attendees to explore a range of topics, including the distinction between “weather” and “climate” and the implications of a “once-in-a-century” rainstorm. By adopting a transdisciplinary approach that integrates public health and environmental science, participants can deepen their understanding of the facts related to climate change. In addition, the exhibition showcases fact-checking cases by HKBU Fact Check, which address climate issues such as verifying changes in the status of Antarctic sea ice through satellite data and debunking data manipulation tactics prevalent in “climate hoax” theories.

Professor ZHONG Bu, Dean of the School of Communication at HKBU, said: “In an era where information is abundant yet often misleading, comprehensive information literacy education is crucial in combating the spread of misinformation. For the past five years, HKBU Fact Check, an independently operated unit of the School of Communication, has been at the forefront of this battle. Our commitment to truth empowers the public by providing free fact-checking services, enhanced by cutting-edge artificial intelligence to streamline our efforts. Together, we are not just fighting misinformation; we are fostering a more informed society.”

HKBU Fact Check ‘Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?’ Exhibition Details:

Venue: Koo Ming Kown Exhibition Gallery, Lee Shau Kee Communication and Visual Arts Building, HKBU (5 Hereford Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong)

Date: 9th – 22nd May 2025

Time: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Free Admission – Registration Required)

Details: Please visit Website

HKBU Fact Check’s exhibition, "Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?", opens to the public at the Koo Ming Kown Exhibition Gallery, located on the ground floor of the Communication and Visual Arts Building at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) from now until 22nd May 2025.
HKBU Fact Check’s exhibition, “Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?”, opens to the public at the Koo Ming Kown Exhibition Gallery, located on the ground floor of the Communication and Visual Arts Building at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) from now until 22nd May 2025.

Hashtag: #HKBU #HKBUFactCheck

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

About HKBU Fact Check

HKBU Fact Check is independently operated by the School of Communication at Hong Kong Baptist University. It is committed to enhancing public information literacy and fostering rational discussion on social issues through rigorous research and scientific methodologies. Over the past five years, HKBU Fact Check has published over 500 fact-check reports.

Lao-Thai Border Inspection Wraps Up Amid Recent Tensions

Lao-Thai Border Inspection Wraps Up Amid Recent Tensions. (Photo credit: Lao people's Army News)

Lao and Thai authorities completed their 2025 annual joint border inspection on 11 May in Paktha District, Bokeo, a region recently affected by cross-border violence.

The operation, conducted from 9 to 11 May, covered border areas in Laos’ Xayabouly and Bokeo provinces and Thailand’s Phayao and Chiang Rai provinces. Officials prioritized these zones due to ongoing concerns over drug trafficking, smuggling, and transnational crime.

Delegates from both countries coordinated on strategies to strengthen border security and prevent the illegal use of natural border routes.

Both nations reviewed and approved the joint inspection plan ahead of the mission. Delegations also received updates on border management efforts at key checkpoints, including the Pang Mon-Ban Huok crossing between Khop District, Xayabouly Province (Lao side), and Phu Sang District, Phayao Province (Thai side).

As part of the inspection, the team visited two villages in Laos and two corresponding villages in Thailand to assess local conditions and cross-border cooperation.

The mission followed a deadly clash on 3 May in Chiang Thong village, Paktha District, where three Lao soldiers were killed. Gunfire reportedly spilled over into Thailand’s Romfaphamon village, where a 7.62 mm bullet struck a house.

Cassava Exports from Laos Surge as Railway Boosts Trade Efficiency

Cassava exports from Laos have grown significantly in early 2025, thanks to increased shipments along the Laos-China Railway. 

Vietnam’s VinFast Rides the Green Wave into the Gulf

VinFast, Vietnam’s electric vehicle champion, is steering into the Gulf with ambition and pride, transforming the nation’s global image from factory floor to innovation force.


HANOI, VIETNAM- Media OutReach Newswire – 16 May 2025 – Ford means America. Toyota means Japan. And now VinFast – a name unfamiliar to most Westerners just 8 years ago – is becoming synonymous with Vietnam. The automaker, born from the Vingroup conglomerate, isn’t just selling cars. It’s selling a new image of a nation long associated with rice farmers, poverty, and war.

VinFast EV manufacturing complex in Hai Phong, Vietnam
VinFast EV manufacturing complex in Hai Phong, Vietnam

From its start as a gasoline car manufacturer primarily serving Vietnam, VinFast has quickly evolved into a global electric vehicle (EV) brand. Its journey from domestic assembly lines to international presence unfolded at remarkable speed, establishing footholds in North America, Europe, and Asia within just a few years.

On a recent day in May, VinFast signed new dealer agreements with ASTRADA SIMVA in France and Schachtschneider Automobile in Germany, respectively. While the news are are not big per se, the significance runs deeper than business headlines suggest. Each VinFast dealership opening represents Vietnam planting a flag in markets once exclusively dominated by German engineering, American muscle, and Japanese reliability.

“We are proud to partner with VinFast, standing alongside this Vietnamese brand in driving the global green revolution,” said Renzo Schachtschneider, owner of Schachtschneider Automobile, which will operate three new dealerships[1].

VinFast’s European push follows similar moves across North America and Asia, but it doesn’t merely want to be a passive participant in the EV transition. Increasingly, developing countries, particularly in Southeast Asia, where the VinFast dream was born, want to embed themselves deep into the EV supply chain. This audacity signals a shift in how Vietnam positions itself in the international order, from manufacturing hub to innovation source.

Countries have long used commercial brands as extensions of national identity. South Korea leveraged Samsung to reshape global perceptions. Japan did the same with Sony decades earlier. Vietnam’s strategy through VinFast follows this playbook while writing its own chapter.

The road isn’t smooth. EV demand fluctuates. Competition is fierce. Yet the company’s willingness to adapt, shifting toward a dealership sales model globally and entering untapped markets like the Middle East and India, reflects a distinctly Vietnamese resilience.

The Middle East entry is particularly telling. These are markets with deep pockets and high standards, where luxury European brands have long dominated. VinFast’s move into this territory shows confidence not just in its vehicles but in the “Made in Vietnam” identity they carry.

But even more than that, governments in the region are increasingly paying attention to clean mobility solutions and green industrial partnerships, with initiatives to bring about a sustainable future like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 or the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy. These national agendas create fertile ground for a new player like VinFast, one that offers not just electric vehicles, but also the chance for diversification beyond traditional Western and Chinese sources.

In stores from Germany to Dubai, VinFast is reshaping perceptions one test drive at a time. Vietnam is no longer just a vacation destination or manufacturing location; rather, it’s the home of a company bold enough to challenge automotive giants on their home turf. The vehicles carry passengers, but they also carry Vietnam’s story into the world.

Hashtag: #vinfast

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

Thai Court Issues Arrest Warrants Over Fatal Skyscraper Collapse in Bangkok

Thai Court Issues Arrest Warrants Over Fatal Skyscraper Collapse in Bangkok
TOPSHOT - People look over the site of an under-construction building collapse in Bangkok on April 3, 2025, following the March 28 earthquake. (Photo by Amaury PAUL / AFP)

Laotian Times, AFP – On 15 May, a Thai court issued arrest warrants for 17 individuals in connection with the collapse of a 30-storey skyscraper in Bangkok that fell during a powerful earthquake in late March, killing dozens of construction workers.

Trading Amid Turbulence: Octa Broker’s Guide to Navigating High-Volatility News Cycles


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 May 2025 – Today, financial markets no longer dance solely to the rhythm of macroeconomic data releases. Instead, they often lurch or rally in response to an offhand remark from a political leader or an abrupt policy tweet. Nowhere is this more evident than in recent weeks, where headlines—not spreadsheets—have dominated market momentum. Traditional indicators like inflation figures or Purchasing Managers Indices (PMIs) still carry weight, but traders should also read between the headlines and act on the fly. Octa Broker provides examples of how news affects the market and what events are worth monitoring.

Octa Broker

The Historical Impact of News on Markets

Market-shocking news is nothing new. Arguably, one of the most infamous examples occurred on 15 January 2015, when the Swiss National Bank unexpectedly eliminated its currency ceiling against the euro. Within seconds, the EUR/CHF pair plummeted by nearly 30%, wiping billions from the forex markets and sending shockwaves around global financial institutions.

This historical context matters. It reminds that both scheduled and unscheduled news can have outsized impacts on market pricing, especially when market participants are caught off guard.

Scheduled vs. Unscheduled News Events

Scheduled news events, by their nature, offer predictability. Reports such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI), labour market data, PMIs, and central bank meetings are calendar fixtures. Their importance, however, varies depending on the issuing country.

The United States is a leader in terms of influence. As the issuer of the global reserve currency, U.S. economic data has global ramifications. An example is the U.S. CPI reading, which not only shifts USD pairs but, often, equity indexes and commodities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases these reports monthly.

PMI reports, often early indicators of economic health, are published by S&P Global on a harmonised schedule across major economies. Central bank meeting dates, while known in advance, still generate high volatility due to surprise rate decisions or hawkish/dovish commentary. Federal Reserve (Fed) meetings can be tracked here, and the European Central Bank’s (ECB) schedule is also available on the institution’s website.

In contrast, unscheduled news events are unpredictable and often far more dramatic in terms of market impact. These include geopolitical tensions, unexpected policy announcements, or political rhetoric. On 1 February 2025, President Trump’s sudden announcement of comprehensive tariffs on Canadian imports pushed USD/CAD to record multi-decade highs.

The Surge of Unscheduled News in Recent Times

April 2025 exemplified how chaotic unscheduled news can become. In early April, shifting U.S. tariff policies caused sharp moves in equity markets. Major indices dropped into correction territory but later recovered after revised statements. Then, in early May, mixed job data added to the uncertainty, offering little clarity on what to expect next.

Current News Events Influencing the Markets

Several unscheduled narratives are currently steering sentiment:

  • Trade negotiations between the U.S. and China are ongoing, with some progress achieved, but uncertainty continues to linger as to whether an acceptable and long-lasting agreement can be achieved within a 90-day deadline.
  • President Trump’s public critique of Fed Chair Jerome Powell continues to inject uncertainty into the monetary policy outlook.
  • Meanwhile, the U.S. remains involved—albeit hesitantly—in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
  • Trade discussions with Japan have also become strained, with little progress reported thus far.


Strategies for Traders During High-Volatility News Cycles

In this news-saturated environment, adaptability is key. Traders can navigate volatility with the following strategies:

  • Use smaller position sizes to limit exposure.
  • Apply tighter stop-loss orders to protect against sudden swings.
  • Opt for short-term trades to reduce the risk of overnight event surprises.
  • Avoid overly volatile assets unless accompanied by clear signals or hedges.

Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker, notes: ‘With news-driven and unexpected volatilities driving trading in our current setting, traders must become more reactive and less anticipatory in their strategies. Do not try to front-run and second-guess the outcome of this or that event. Instead, wait for the dust to settle and then enter the market. Position sizing should reflect the current volatility regime, ideally calculated through dynamic risk metrics like ATR (Average True Range). Most importantly, traders should maintain a structured news-monitoring routine and understand the second-order effects of headlines—for example, how a tariff announcement may ripple through commodities, currencies, and interest rate expectations simultaneously.’

Scheduled economic releases still matter, but unscheduled news—particularly in the current politically charged global climate—has emerged as the primary driver of market sentiment. The line between economic and political news continues to blur, and with it, the predictability of price action. For traders, this means one thing above all: stay flexible, stay informed, and adjust strategies to match the new reality.

___

Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer to engage in any investment activity. It does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation, or individual needs. Any action you take based on this content is at your sole discretion and risk. Octa and its affiliates accept no liability for any losses or consequences resulting from reliance on this material.
Trading involves risks and may not be suitable for all investors. Use your expertise wisely and evaluate all associated risks before making an investment decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
Availability of products and services may vary by jurisdiction. Please ensure compliance with your local laws before accessing them.

Hashtag: #Octa

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

Octa

is an international CFD broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.

The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including improving educational infrastructure and funding short-notice relief projects to support local communities.

In Southeast Asia, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.

Thailand Sees Surge in COVID-19 Cases, With Over 91,000 in First Five Months

COVID-19 Infection in Thailand 2020
COVID-19 Infection in Thailand 2020. (Photo: FPIF)

Thailand is witnessing a significant rise in COVID-19 infections in 2025, with health authorities reporting 91,448 cases and 24 deaths during the 20 weeks of surveillance, between 1 January and 16 May.

Thai Man Arrested for Smuggling Baby Orangutans

This handout photo taken on May 14, 2025 and released by the Central Investigation Bureau of the Royal Thai Police shows a rescued orangutan baby in a plastic basket in Bangkok. Thai police have arrested a man suspected of smuggling two baby orangutans into the kingdom, they said on May 15, in a case linked to an international wildlife trafficking network. (Photo by Handout / Central Investigation Bureau of the Royal Thai Police / AFP)

AFP – Thai police have arrested a man suspected of smuggling two baby orangutans into the kingdom, they said Thursday, in a case linked to an international wildlife trafficking network.

The 47-year-old suspect was detained on Wednesday evening at a petrol station in a residential district of Bangkok while preparing to hand over the animals to a customer, police said in a statement.

Two infant orangutans, one about a year old, the other just one month, were found in a plastic basket wearing diapers, with a feeding bottle beside them, according to photos released by police.

The arrest followed a joint investigation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Orangutans, native to Borneo and Sumatra, are classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and protected under the CITES treaty, and are among the most trafficked primates in the world.

Thai police said the apes were believed to have been sold for around THB 300,000 each (USD 8,900).

The man was charged with “illegal possession of protected wildlife” under Thai law and faces up to four years in prison.

The orangutans, named Christopher and Stefan, were handed over to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for health checks and care to help “rehabilitate their condition”.

Police said the suspect admitted he was hired to deliver the animals, but did not disclose the payment amount.

“We are investigating the larger network,” Kasidach Charoenlap, a police officer with the Central Investigation Bureau, who was part of the investigation told AFP.

Thailand is a major transit hub for wildlife smugglers, who often sell highly prized endangered creatures on the lucrative black market in China, Vietnam and Taiwan.


© Agence France-Presse