A troop carrier truck overturned in Xieng Khouang Province on Thursday claiming two lives, severely injuring one person and causing minor injuries to several others.
Military Truck Accident in Xieng Khouang Province Claims Two Lives

Laos Assumes Chairmanship of AMMTC to Combat Transnational Crimes in Southeast Asia

Laos took over the chairmanship of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) from Indonesia on Tuesday, with ambitions to implement creative and productive strategies to combat transnational crimes in the Southeast Asian region.
GUNDAM docks at THAILAND
Comprehensive Gundam event to be held for the first time in Thailand
from Friday October 6 to Sunday October 29, 2023 at centralwOrld outdoor square!
TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach – 25 August 2023 – BANDAI SPIRITS CO., LTD. and Bandai Namco Asia Co., Ltd. will hold GUNDAM docks at THAILAND (hosted by BANDAI SPIRITS CO., LTD. and Bandai Namco Asia Co., Ltd.), the first comprehensive Gundam event in Thailand, at centralwOrld outdoor square, global lifestyle destination in the heart of Bangkok, from Friday October 6 through Sunday October 29, 2023.

* The image is for illustrative purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the event. ©SOTSU・SUNRISE
Since the inaugural GUNDAM docks at Hong Kong in 2013, this comprehensive Gundam event has been held in Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, and Inland China. GUNDAM docks at THAILAND will feature the 6 meters RX-78-2 GUNDAM and MS-06S ZAKU II statues, wide-ranging Gundam-related exhibits, a hands-on experience Gundam plastic model kit workshop, and exclusive items available for purchase at the event. During the event, special exclusive footage will be screened on a large display on the facade of centralwOrld.
Delivering various Gundam-related information and exclusive experiences, the event will draw the attention of people in Thailand and broader Asian regions to the attractive aspects of Gundam.
<Event overview>
Facility: centralwOrld (outdoor square A, B)
Address: 999/9 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
Period: Friday October 6* – Sunday October 29
Open: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
* On Friday October 6, the opening ceremony is scheduled at 6:00 p.m. The event is scheduled to open to the public at 6:30 p.m.
Admission fee: Free
BANDAI SPIRITS CO., LTD.:https://www.bandaispirits.co.jp/
Bandai Namco Asia Co., Ltd.:https://www.bandainamcoasia.com/index.php/
* Descriptions contained in this press release are valid as of August 25, 2023.
They are subject to change without prior notice.
Hashtag: #GUNDAMDOCKS
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
First Lao Gymnast Participates in Gymnastics World Championship 2023
A 19-year-old gymnast represented Laos for the first time at the 40th Fig Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Valencia, Spain taking place from 23 to 28 August.
Victory Securities: The first regulatory-compliant virtual asset trading application (APP: “VICSEC”) is now officially launched and operational in Hong Kong’s financial market
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 25 August 2023 – Victory Securities Company Limited (“Victory Securities,” stock code: 8540.HK) is pleased to announce the launch of its new APP (“VICSEC”)*, the first compliant virtual asset trading application in the Hong Kong financial market. The APP* is now officially live and available for download from the Google Play Store and via APK. In its initial phase, Professional Investors will be the first to experience the security and convenience of trading virtual assets through VICSEC. Victory Securities envisions the introduction of additional features, to experience our APP as well as the potential integration of securities trading. Please stay tuned. Victory Securities is committed to leveraging financial technology to usher in a new era in virtual asset trading, aspiring to work hand in hand with the virtual asset ecosystem and peers in Hong Kong to propel this innovation forward.
Kennix Chan, Executive Director of Victory Securities, noted, “In the wake of the Web 3.0 revolution, the cryptocurrency market has witnessed tremendous expansion in its development and applications over the past few years. This has made virtual assets a novel investment alternative for those seeking to diversify their portfolios with new asset class.”
“We have also noticed a growing presence of virtual assets within our clients’ overall investment portfolios. With a keen understanding of our clients’ needs, we have taken the lead by launching our regulatory-compliant virtual asset trading APP in Hong Kong.”
“This APP* empowers investors to trade mainstream cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, anytime and anywhere. This reinforces our belief that virtual assets will be one of the key investment options down the road. We aspire soon to expand our regulatory-compliant virtual asset trading services to retail investors, aiming to play a significant role in the virtual asset field.”
Please download the Victory Securities virtual asset trading APP* (“VICSEC”), to enjoy convenient, secure, and compliant trading.
Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ttl.android.winvest.vicsec
Android APK installation file: https://www.victorysec.com.hk/zh-hk/files/victory_va.apk
*For professional investors only
The APP will be available on the APP Store soon
Company Website: victorysec.com.hk/en-us
Hashtag: #VictorySecurities
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Drunk SUV Driver Recklessly Rear-Ends 4 Vehicles in Vientiane Capital

A white SUV rear-ended four vehicles at a traffic light in Phonesart Village, Vientiane Capital, on Wednesday night. The crash disrupted traffic and caused one severe injury.
CR Construction Announces Interim Results
Net profit increased by 10% YoY, Proposed an interim dividend of HK1.5 cents per share
Highlights:
- Revenue generated from environmental operations increased by 132.1% to approximately HK$114.8 million.
- Gross profit increased by 10.8% to approximately HK$150.5 million.
- Net profit increased by 10.3% to approximately HK$46.0 million.
- Basic earnings per share was HK9.1 cents. The Board recommended the payment of interim dividend of HK1.5 cents per share.
Financial Highlights:
For the 6 months ended 30 June | ||||
HK$’000 | 2023 | 2022 | Change | |
Revenue | 2,832,073 | 2,919,864 | -3.0% | |
|
2,717,304
114,769 |
2,870,415
49,449 |
-5.3%
+132.1% |
|
Gross profit | 150,480 | 135,756 | +10.8% | |
Gross profit margin
Net profit |
5.3%
45,954 |
4.7%
41,668 |
+0.6 ppts.
+10.3% |
|
Earnings per share (HK cents) | 9.1 | 8.3 | +9.7% |
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 25 August 2023 – CR Construction Group Holdings Limited (“CR Construction” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”; stock code: 1582.HK), a building contractor in Hong Kong, announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2023 (the “Reporting Period”). During the Reporting Period, the revenue recorded by the Group amounted to approximately HK$2,832.1 million representing a decrease of approximately 3.0% as compared to approximately HK$2,919.9 million for the six months ended 30 June 2022 (the “Corresponding Period Last Year”).
Net profit of the Group during the Reporting Period was approximately HK$46.0 million, representing an increase of 10.3% as compared to the Corresponding Period Last Year.
During the Reporting Period, gross profit of the Group was approximately HK$150.5 million, representing an increase of approximately 10.8% as compared to approximately HK$135.8 million for the Corresponding Period Last Year. The Group’s gross profit margin was approximately 5.3% and 4.7% for the six months ended 30 June 2023 and 2022, respectively. The gross profit margin of the Group increased slightly by approximately 0.6 percentage points by comparing the six months ended 30 June 2023 against the six months ended 30 June 2022.
During the Reporting Period, earnings per share of the Group was approximately HK9.1 cents (for the six months ended 30 June 2022: HK8.3 cents). The Board recommended the payment of interim dividend of 1.5 cents per share.
BUSINESS REVIEW
Construction Operations
Building Construction Works
For the six months ended 30 June 2023, the revenue generated from the building construction works was HK$2,455.9 million, representing an increase of approximately 9.9% as compared to approximately HK$2,235.5 million for the six months ended 30 June 2022.
During the Reporting Period, the gross profit of building construction works was approximately HK$130.6 million, representing an increase of approximately 98.2% as compared to approximately HK$65.9 million for the Corresponding Period Last Year. The gross profit margin increased to approximately 5.3% for the six months ended 2023. The increase in gross profit and gross profit margin was mainly due to additional cost incurred for variation orders for projects during the prior period, while the respective revenue were only certified during the Reporting Period.
Repair, Maintenance, Alteration and Addition (“RMAA”)
The revenue generated from the RMAA works decreased by approximately 58.8% from approximately HK$634.9 million for the six months ended 30 June 2022 to approximately HK$261.4 million for the six months ended 30 June 2023.
During the Reporting Period, the gross loss of RMAA works was approximately HK$1.4 million, representing a decrease of approximately HK$56.3 million from the gross profit of approximately HK$54.9 million for the six months ended 30 June 2022. The gross profit margin decreased to approximately negative 0.5% for the six months ended 30 June 2023. The decrease in the gross profit and gross profit margin for the six months ended 30 June 2023 was mainly due to additional cost incurred for variation orders for a project during the Reporting Period, while the respective revenue is expected to be recognised at a later stage.
Environmental Operations
For the six months ended 30 June 2023, the revenue generated from the environmental operations was approximately HK$114.8 million, representing an increase of approximately 1.3 times as compared to approximately HK$49.5 million for the six months ended 30 June 2022.
During the Reporting Period, the respective gross profit was approximately HK$21.3 million, representing an increase of approximately 42% as compared to approximately HK$15.0 million for the six months ended 30 June 2022. The gross profit margin decreased to approximately 18.5% for the six months ended 30 June 2023. The increase in the gross profit and decrease in gross profit margin for the six months ended 30 June 2023 was mainly due to increase in revenue from construction and rehabilitation services which contributed lower gross profit margin during the Reporting Period.
Contract Costs
The Group’s contract costs primarily consisted of subcontracting costs, material costs, direct staff costs and site overheads. For the six months ended 30 June 2023, the contract costs recorded by the Group were approximately HK$2,681.6 million, representing a decrease of 3.7% compared to approximately HK$2,784.1 million for the six months ended 30 June 2022. Such decrease was attributable to the decrease in subcontracting costs, material costs and direct staff costs for new projects and existing projects, which was partly offset by increase in provision of rectification works and claims, during the Reporting Period.
Other Business Development
Acquisition of entire equity interest in Zhejiang Construction Investment Environment Engineering Company Limited
As disclosed in the announcement of the Company dated 31 January 2023, the Company and China Zhejiang Construction Group (H.K.) Limited (the “Seller”), one of the controlling shareholders of the Company, entered into the share purchase agreement, in relation to the Company has conditionally agreed to acquire the entire equity interest in Zhejiang Construction Investment Environment Engineering Company Limited (the “Target Company”) at the Consideration of RMB201,000,000 (equivalent to approximately HK$228,409,090).
All the conditions precedent under the Share Purchase Agreement have been fulfilled, the completion took place on 8 May 2023 and the Target Company has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company since then.
PROSPECTS
Subsequent to 30 June 2023, the Group has been further awarded 2 new projects in relation to RMAA contracts with an original contract sum of approximately HK$10.6 million.
The Group has also placed great emphasis on technological innovation to enhance its core competitiveness in the construction industry. The total expenditure for the research and development is approximately HK$10.7 million during the Reporting Period. Our self-developed Digital Works Supervision System (“DWSS”), SmarTick Pro has obtained the ISO27001 Certification for Information Security Management System, meeting the requirements of this international standard, and becoming the first company to obtain this certificate for DWSS in Hong Kong. As construction digitalization continues to accelerate, the Group are keeping pace with the industry by adopting more digital tools at our sites to enhance management and construction safety. Meanwhile, the Group also developed new sewage treatment membrane to be used in sewage and reclaimed water treatment services in the PRC.
In the second half of 2023, the city’s economic activities will have returned to normal levels, while the const pressures will be increased alongside the recovery. As the government recently introduce labour importation schemes for the construction industry, we expect that it may help alleviate some of the challenges associated with the skilled-labour shortages. The Company will continue to put in dedicated efforts in seeking out new and promising construction business opportunities that can generate profitable growth for the Group. Meanwhile, leveraging on our industrial knowledge, the Company is keen to explore suitable business opportunities in the Construction area locally or overseas.
Hashtag: #CRConstruction #華營建築
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
CR Construction Group Holdings Limited
CR Construction Group Holdings Limited, which is carrying out construction business for over 55 years locally, is one of the leading building contractors in Hong Kong. The Group principally act as a main contractor in building construction works and RMAA works projects across public and private sectors in Hong Kong. As a main contractor, the Group is responsible for (i) overall management of the projects; (ii) formulating work programmes; (iii) engaging subcontractors and supervising their works; (iv) sourcing construction materials; (v) communication and coordination with the customers and their consultant teams; and (vi) safeguarding compliance with safety, environmental and other contractual requirements.
Flagship Collector Brand TAMASHII NATIONS announces its first flagship store in the USA: TAMASHII NATIONS STORE NEW YORK
Opening Friday, September 8, 2023
Offering fans hands-on fun in the heart of the world’s greatest entertainment district, Times Square NYC!
TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach – 24 August 2023 – Bandai Spirits Co., Ltd. (President and Chief Executive Officer : Hiroshi Sakakibara, HQ: Tokyo Minato Ward, Japan) is proud to announce the new flagship store opening of TAMASHII NATIONS which offers a wide range of high qualities figures. , TAMASHII NATIONS STORE NEW YORK, in Times Square on Friday, September 8, 2023 (local time).

Starting with the globally popular S.H.Figuarts and CHOGOKIN series, TAMASHII NATIONS has been offering high-quality action figures and robot toys to fans around the world. April 2023 marks the fifteenth anniversary of the brand’s launch in 2008, commemorated by a special world tour event delivering new products to fans all over the globe. https://tamashiiweb.com/special/tour/
The flagship TAMASHII NATIONS STORE opened in June 2022 the TAMASHII NATIONS STORE TOKYO, followed by the opening in January 2023 of the TAMASHII NATIONS STORE SHANGHAI. Now, TAMASHII NATIONS is proud to announce the opening of its third flagship store, and first in USA, TAMASHII NATIONS STORE NEW YORK. It is located in Times Square, the heart of New York City.
The store will utilize large digital display monitors to showcase the latest product imagery. It will also feature human-size statues of our products which characters are popular in the USA.
Including S.H.Figuarts Monkey.D.Luffy -The Raid on Onigashima- (ONE PIECE) and THE ROBOT SPIRITS <SIDE MS>GUNDAM AERIAL ver. A.N.I.M.E. (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury). Roughly one hundred types of samples and products will be displayed regularly, including retail products with products prototypes as well. For the opening, prototypes of upcoming releases in the S.H.Figuarts “Dragon Ball” series and MEISHO MOVIE REALIZATON “Star Wars” and other lines will be displayed. The store will also carry limited edition items* only sold in “TAMASHII NATIONS STORE”. *TAMASHII NATIONS STORE Limited Products may sold at Events and Online etc.
TAMASHII NATIONS STORE NEW YORK is a place of connection and celebration for fans all over the world, offering the latest products and new experiences.
◆TAMASHII NATIONS STORE NEW YORK Product lineup
The store will also carry limited edition items only sold in “TAMASHII NATIONS STORE”.
Information about how products will be sold will be announced at the official website (https://tamashiiweb.com/store/new-york/) or official Instagram (tns_newyork).
【『TAMASHII NATIONS STORE』 Limited Products】

[Store Information]
Name | TAMASHII NATIONS STORE NEW YORK |
Opens | Friday, September 8, 2023 (Local time) |
Address | 1500 Broadway New York, 10036 |
Hours | 11:00AM~9:00PM
※Hours may change due to local conditions such as crowding. ※Hours may change depending on facility needs, weather, etc. (For the latest information visit the official TAMASHII NATIONS STORE NEW YORK |
【Map】

[Image Downloads]
https://global.gigacc.com/user/~sh/637u6c044udt3su98fdth0oq98
(URL valid until Oct. 25, 2023)
TAMASHII NATIONS STORE NEW YORK official site:https://tamashiiweb.com/store/new-york/
TAMASHII NATIONS official site(Tamashii Web):https://tamashiiweb.com/
BANDAI SPIRITS corporate site:https://www.bandaispirits.co.jp/
*All information accurate as of August 24, 2023. Subject to change without prior notice.
*Some imagery may differ from actual products and/or locations.
*Products are for ages 15 and up.
©EIICHIRO ODA/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION ©SOTSU・SUNRISE・MBS ©BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION
© 2023 Legendary. All Rights Reserved. GODZILLA TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. MONSTERVERSE TM & © Legendary、© & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd.
Hashtag: #TAMASHIINATIONS #BandaiSpirits
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Bandai Spirits Collector Brand: Tamashii Nations Overview
Established in 2008, Tamashii Nations has produced many well-known product series, such as S.H.Figuarts and Chogokin. With a rich lineup of quality figures, robots, and more, it has earned itself a worldwide following. Today, it continues to expand its global outreach. Official website (Tamashii Web): https://tamashiiweb.com/