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Backlash Emerges Following Kratom Tea Case in Houaphanh

Photo credit: health.kapook.com

Last week’s arrest of two young people in Houaphanh Province for selling kratom tea gained the attention of social media users, who called for legalization of the drug.

Malaysia’s King Appoints Anwar Ibrahim as Prime Minister

Anwar Ibrahim
Anwar Ibrahim (Photo: Star Malaysia)

Malaysia’s King has named reformist leader Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister, ending uncertainty in the country after recent elections caused a hung parliament.

StraitsX introduces USDC support for Business and Personal Accounts

StraitsX account holders will now be able to send and receive USD in their accounts and make USDC transfers

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 24 November 2022 – StraitsX, a part of Southeast Asia digital financial services group, Fazz, a Major Payment Institution in Singapore announced today that it has partnered with Circle Internet Financial, a global financial technology firm and the issuer of USD Coin (USDC) and Euro Coin (EUROC), to promote greater access and adoption for USDC by enabling its personal and business account users to deposit and receive USD/USDC via the StraitsX platform.

StraitsX account holders will now be able to mint USDC by depositing USD into their StraitsX accounts, and redeem USDC to receive USD in their StraitsX accounts.

With USDC being one of the fastest-growing stablecoins in the world and a widely requested asset from partners on StraitsX, the integration aims to better serve its business, corporate, institutional, and retail users. As of 23 November 2022, over 20 million USDC has been traded since the launch of the StraitsX OTC desk, and in 2022, demand on the platform for the digital asset continues outpacing 2021 growth with three times as many trades year on year.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Circle to start offering USDC to StraitsX account holders. This partnership marks the first time we are directly partnering with another stablecoin issuer and we look forward to more collaborations with like-minded partners such as Circle,” said Aymeric Salley, Head of StraitsX.

“We are excited to partner with StraitsX and we look forward to them offering the stability of USDC to their customers in the Asia Pacific region and beyond,” said Raagulan Pathy, Vice President of Asia Pacific for Circle.Hashtag: #StraitsX

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

About StraitsX

StraitsX is the pioneering payments infrastructure for the digital assets space in Southeast Asia. StraitsX is a Major Payment Institution licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and is part of Fazz’s ecosystem of financial services which powers business banking in Southeast Asia. StraitsX offers personal and business account holders to mint and redeem StraitsX stablecoins, manage payments as well as connect their accounts to digital asset platforms. Business accounts can also access B2B API-enabled payment rails for digital asset platforms.

About Circle

Circle is a global financial technology firm that enables businesses of all sizes to harness the power of digital currencies and public blockchains for payments, commerce and financial applications worldwide. Circle is powering always-on internet-native commerce and payments and is the issuer of USD Coin (USDC) and Euro Coin (EUROC). Today, Circle’s transactional services, business accounts, and platform APIs are giving rise to a new generation of financial services and commerce applications that hold the promise of raising global economic prosperity for all through the frictionless exchange of value. Circle does not directly service retail customers.

Laos National Identity Card System Remains Out of Order

A system error that brought down the national identity card database in Laos has yet to be resolved, leaving residents unable to receive ID cards.

Photo of Laos Football Fans Endangers Thai World Cup Broadcasting Rights

World Cup broadcasting in Laos
The World Cup shown on a public television in Laos.

An image of football fans in Laos cheering their favorite World Cup teams in front of a television screen has put Thai broadcasting rights in jeopardy.

AWS and HKSTP Launch “Idea Launcher” Co-ideation Initiative

Integrated with the HKSTP IDEATION Programme to accelerate growth for early-stage startups

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 24 November 2022 – Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) today jointly launched the “Idea Launcher” co-ideation initiative to foster and accelerate innovation and technology (I&T) development in Hong Kong through extensive support, mentoring and coaching to help early-stage startups nurture innovative ideas and research projects.

This is another strategic addition to HKTSP’s co-incubation mission with sector leaders, with the HKSTP-AWS Idea Launcher being the first partnership with a corporate leader under HKSTP’s IDEATION Programme. AWS will work hand-in-hand with HKSTP to specifically support the development of early-stage ideas from emerging startups and next-generation entrepreneurs.

This latest initiative continues the strategic collaboration that AWS and HKSTP began earlier this year, covering the four key pillars of: Research & Development, Technology Simulation, Co-incubation, and Talent and Culture Cultivation. The Idea Launcher is a six-month co-ideation initiative that provides early-stage startups and entrepreneurs with technical training, business consulting, capabilities’ assessment as well as project feasibility in order to optimise startup solutions and concepts.

HKSTP will offer HK$100,000 in seed funding and incubation training to selected startups, while AWS will provide tailor-made AWS innovation culture workshops to help startups build up their innovation capacity. Programme participants will also receive up to US$25,000 in AWS cloud resources, as well as technical support and training through the “AWS Activate” Program, set up especially to help startups optimise their business models and fuel future development.

“Hong Kong’s thriving startup ecosystem is emerging as a driving force for the city’s economy,” said Chris So, Head of Business Development, Hong Kong and Macau, AWS. “Building upon Amazon’s and AWS’ experience and years of serving startup companies, we hope to provide the critical support and resources requited by startup ventures across all stages of growth. With our established startup ecosystems and investment development teams in Hong Kong and beyond, we gather talent with investment institution backgrounds and entrepreneurial experience that is geared to supporting startups throughout their growth cycle. We look forward to deepening our partnership with HKSTP to advance local startups and propel Hong Kong on its journey to international I&T hub status.”

Eugene Hsia, Chief Corporate Development Officer, HKSTP, said: “Hong Kong is a land of opportunities. The seeds of entrepreneurship have always been deeply rooted in the minds of its people. We are thrilled to see the city’s appetite for entrepreneurship reach a record level and our vibrant I&T ecosystem growing at full speed. New ideas shoot up every day at our Park, and we are humbled to drive Hong Kong’s transformation by building its largest innovation ecosystem. By partnering with AWS, one of the world’s largest and most iconic startups, we are ready to elevate Hong Kong’s talented entrepreneurs onto the global stage.”

HKSTP launched the IDEATION programme in 2019, furthering its support for early-stage research and development projects and innovative ideas. Well received in the startup community, the number of participating members and teams in the programme has more than tripled from 60 to over 230.

For further information on Idea Launcher, please visit here.

Hashtag: #AWS

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

About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has for 20 years committed to building up Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology hub to propel success for local and global pioneers today and tomorrow. HKSTP has established a thriving I&T ecosystem that is home to three unicorns and Hong Kong’s leading R&D hub with over 12,000 research professionals and over 1,100 technology companies focused on healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies.

Established in 2001, we attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation and technology for entrepreneurs on their journey of growth in Hong Kong, to the Greater Bay Area, Asia and beyond. Our growing innovation ecosystem is built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Shatin, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern INNOPARKs in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long. The three INNOPARKs are realising a vision of re-industrialisation for Hong Kong. The goal is sectors like advanced manufacturing, electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined for a new generation of industry.

Through our infrastructure, services, expertise and network of partnerships, HKSTP will help establish innovation and technology as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong, while reinforcing Hong Kong’s international I&T hub status as a launchpad for global growth at the heart of the GBA innovation powerhouse.

More information about HKSTP is available at .

About Amazon Web Services

For over 15 years, Amazon Web Services has been the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud offering. AWS has been continually expanding its services to support virtually any cloud workload, and it now has more than 200 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, security, hybrid, virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR), media, and application development, deployment, and management from 96 Availability Zones within 30 geographic regions, with announced plans for 15 more Availability Zones and five more AWS Regions in Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, and Thailand. Millions of customers—including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies—trust AWS to power their infrastructure, become more agile, and lower costs. To learn more about AWS, visit .

Prince Foundation Lends a Hand to Children’s Healthcare in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA – Media OutReach – 24 November 2022 – Prince Foundation, via a donation by Chen Zhi, Chairman of Prince Holding Group, has contributed US$200,000 to Cambodia Kantha Bopha Foundation (CKF). This will aid the ongoing operations of Kantha Bopha Hospitals, which provide free and quality health care to children in the Kingdom.

PP.jpg

Prince Foundation representatives and Cambodia Kantha Bopha Foundation representatives during the handover ceremony
Left to Right: Ms. Hon Yan Ting, Mr. Tan Yew Chang, Mr. Gabriel Tan, Mr. Cliff Koh, H.E Ros Seilava, Mr. Yok Samedy, Mrs. Van Achita, Mr. Khean Tourk, Mr. Tum Ra.

During the handover ceremony, Prince Holding Group representatives were given a briefing for the latest developments and progress made with past donations. Kantha Bopha Hospitals help more than 500,000 children in Cambodia every year. The donation will go towards improving the facilities of five children’s hospitals, installing modern equipment and purchasing medical supplies. The donation will further support the daily operations of the hospitals.

“The continuous support of our many valued donors has made a big difference in the children’s lives in Cambodia. It is our belief that every child should have access to proper healthcare and we are glad that children from all walks of life receive quality treatment at our hospitals,” said H.E. Ros Seilava, Secretary of State of Ministry of Economy and Finance and Executive Director of the Cambodia Kantha Bopha Foundation.

“These hospitals have provided a new lease of life to countless children and we are honored to be a part of this extremely worthy cause. Let us all work together towards the building of a safe and harmonious environment for children to grow up in, so they can look forward to the future with hope,” said Gabriel Tan, Chief Communications Officer of Prince Holding Group.

Prince Holding Group has been actively supporting Kantha Bopha Hospital since 2015, with donations totaling close to 1 million dollars.

Prince Foundation, the Group’s philanthropic arm, is keenly focused on healthcare and youth development, and has improved sanitation at schools in Sihanoukville and launched scholarship programs for undergraduate students. The Foundation regularly interacts with leading non-governmental organizations and seeks opportunities for holistic and measurable impact to build a better future for Cambodia.

Hashtag: #PrinceFoundation

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

About Cambodia Kantha Bopha Foundation

The Cambodia Kantha Bopha Foundation, officially launched on April 11, 2018 in the official form of a Trust Fund, having Samdech Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and Samdech Kittiprittpundit Bun Rany Hun Sen as Founders and Honorary Chairpersons, aims to mobilize donations from all legal sources to financially support the sustainability of the Kantha Bopha Hospitals’ operations, and to promote maternity, infants, and children’s healthcare and welfare which are the key priorities of the National Social Protection Policy Framework of the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia

About Prince Holding Group

Prince Holding Group is one of Cambodia’s largest business groups spanning across real estate development, financial services and consumer services.

Prince Holding Group’s key business units in Cambodia include Prince Real Estate Group, Prince Huan Yu Real Estate Group, Prince Bank, Cambodia Airways, Belt Road Capital Management, as well as Awesome Global Investment Group. Via its subsidiaries, Prince Holding Group has over 80 businesses in Cambodia operating in real estate development, banking, finance, aviation, tourism, logistics, technology, food and beverages, and lifestyle sectors etc.

Leveraging a network of industrial, business and financial professionals across Asia, Prince Holding Group is firmly committed to the long-term development of Cambodia. Prince Holding Group is developing an almost 1000-hectare township project in the Ream coastline of Sihanoukville that will be one of Cambodia’s leading sustainable real estate developments, aiming to secure close to $16 billion in total investment for the region.

Moving forward, Prince Holding Group will continue to seek out opportunities to play an important role in Cambodia, through partnerships or direct investments into key industries for the betterment of Cambodians and the local economy.

About Prince Foundation

Prince Foundation, founded in 2015, is one of Cambodia’s leading philanthropic foundations. A member of Prince Holding Group, which is one of the largest business groups in Cambodia, the Foundation aims to work with local communities to build thriving living and working environments that elevate people’s well-being and livelihoods following the vision: “Together, Building a Better Future for Cambodia”.

Focusing on education and youth development, healthcare, and community engagement initiatives, Prince Foundation works with partners to deliver sustainable programs that enhance opportunities for Cambodia’s youths, build resilience in communities and contributes to sustainable infrastructure.

The Foundation’s flagship projects are the Chen Zhi Scholarship, offering full scholarships, stipends, internship and work opportunities to 400 Cambodian university students over a period of seven years, and Prince Horology, where aspiring Cambodian watchmakers learn the art of Swiss-style watchmaking in a state-of-the-art facility. Prince Foundation has launched more than 250 philanthropic initiatives, benefiting over 500,000 people, with donations exceeding US$14 million.

7-Eleven unveils Singapore’s very first 7Café concept store at Jewel Changi Airport

7-Eleven elevates the convenience store experience at the Jewel Changi Airport with an in-store café offering new and exclusive items and a delectable food and beverage range

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 24 November 2022 – Singapore’s favourite convenience store, 7-Eleven, launched the city’s first 7Café concept store at Jewel Changi Airport, elevating the convenience store experience for customers. Guests can enjoy the relaxed seating space with friends and family, while being treated to counter-served food and drinks prepared for them at this chic retail outlet. From 25th November to 27th November, the first-of-its-kind outlet will kick off opening celebrations with a variety of promotions and special treats for locals and tourists transiting through the world-renowned airport.

Caption


Located at Basement 2 of Jewel Changi Airport, this 7Café concept store at a 7-Eleven outlet is the perfect place to make a quick pit stop to grab a coffee and croissant before you leave to explore the garden city! Travellers can even plug in their devices to recharge as they relax while enjoying 7Café’s special offerings.

Jewels at 7Café: New and exclusive offerings

Perfect for the island city’s tropical climate, customers can look forward to an extended range of 7Café items such as the Salted Caramel Coffee, Mocha and Matcha Frappés priced at $5.50 each, and the refreshing Mango or Watermelon lemonade coolers to brighten up their day at $4.50 each. Look out for these offerings to get a taste of the special local flavours of Singapore – Banana Caramel Smoothie inspired by Goreng Pisang or even the Pandan Lemonade cooler Dessert lovers can treat themselves to delicious cheesecakes with several flavours including Yuzu, Lychee, or Cookies & Cream all priced at $5.50 each.

All-time 7-Eleven favourites in an elevated café experience

Feeling peckish after a long journey? Enjoy a selection of delicious warm pastries and finger food from the hot food counter. Savoury hot food items include a range of fried chicken favourites. Sink your teeth into Hot and Spicy Drumlets, Chicken bites with choice of Red Pepper or Garlic Herb seasoning, as well as Chicken Drumsticks, Nuggets, and Wings. Those who long for baked buttery delights can try out the Butter Croissant or Chocolate Croissant, Pain Au Raisin, or Madeleines, all at wallet-pleasing prices.

Coffee lovers can get their caffeine fix with good quality bean-to-cup 100% Arabica coffee on the go like Americano, Latte, Cappuccino, and Chocolate. The outlet will also serve the recently introduced caffeine-free Nitro Tea that brings a fruity flavour with a refreshing aftertaste.

The new 7-Eleven outlet also boasts a wide range of light and tasty options including sandwiches , burgers and onigiri. That’s not all! If you’re looking for other delicious Ready-To-Eat meals, head over to the store for some tasty, filling, and affordable options!

Save the date and join us for celebrations from 25 to 27 Nov!

Don’t forget to drop by to celebrate the grand opening of the 7-Eleven outlet with family and friends from 25 to 27 Nov 2022, 11am to 9pm daily. During the grand opening weekend, customers can enjoy sampling of drinks and snacks, free cotton candy floss, 7-Eleven balloons, and chances to walk away with exciting Spin and Win rewards with a minimum spend of $10. They also stand to receive a freebie from us on completing any 3 activities from the Jewel Challenge card (limited to 400 cards).

Customers can also look forward to the following deals:

Promotion Promotional period Details
Spin and Win prizes (with a minimum spend of $10) 25 to 27 Nov 2022 Stand to win free nitro tea, free Mr Softee and other attractive prizes.
Sampling 25 to 27 Nov 2022 Sampling of drinks and snacks (11 am – 3 pm, 5 pm – 9 pm).
Jewel Challenge Card 25 to 27 Nov 2022 Complete any 3 questions on our challenge card to receive a freebie from us!

More promotions and updates can also be found on the official 7-Eleven Singapore Facebook and 7-Eleven Singapore Instagram pages.

“At 7-Eleven, we are always broadening our horizons and creating innovative offerings for our customers. The 7-Eleven Jewel Changi store seeks to provide a first-of-its-kind mini café experience with food being served at the counter for the convenience of our customers. We have also expanded our well-loved product range by adding a slew of new options. From items highlighting the iconic local flavours of Singapore to delectable ready-to-eat food options, there’s something for everyone! We hope that everyone will be able to enjoy our new concept store with its unique design and exclusive menu,” said Mr. Steven Lye, Managing Director of 7-Eleven Singapore.

Hashtag: #7-Eleven

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

About 7-Eleven

Established in Singapore in 1983, 7-Eleven has since expanded to more than 400 stores island-wide to become the leading 24-hour convenience chain store. We take pride in serving the Singapore community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 7-Eleven emphasises convenience and value by offering a wide array of quality products, food and services to satisfy the needs of its customers. Think 7-Eleven and what comes to mind are the refreshing Slurpee, 7CAFÉ as well as a wide range of quality ready meals and sandwiches under 7-SELECT. 7-Eleven is also a 24/7 one-stop destination for customers who need to access bill payment services in their own time. Our services cover payment of utilities, courier services, and even cash withdrawal. For more information, visit