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IMAX Fires Up Best Memorial Day Weekend Opening Ever with $32.5 Million Global Debut of “Top Gun: Maverick”

IMAX Turns in Dominating Box Office Performance with $0.62 Million in Hong Kong market, Earning 22% of Overall Grossing

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 1 June 2022 – IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) soared to its best global four-day Memorial Day Weekend opening ever with the $32.5 million debut of Paramount Pictures’ “Top Gun: Maverick”, starring cinema icon Tom Cruise. Crushing industry expectations, the aerial actioner also scored the biggest domestic four-day Memorial Day Weekend opening ever in IMAX with $21 million, good for a stunning 14% of the overall North American box office.

“Top Gun: Maverick” now stands as Tom Cruise’s biggest opening weekend ever in IMAX — global and in 50 individual countries and territories worldwide — topping a run of eight Cruise-led blockbuster releases dating back to 2011.

Internationally, “Top Gun: Maverick” delivered a top ten all-time IMAX opening weekend in eighteen diverse market. In Hong Kong and Taiwan markets, the film grossed $0.62 million and $0.47 million at IMAX theaters, and became the best opening weekend for a Tom Cruise film, with a stunning index of nearly 22% and 17% respectively.

“If you thought movies were dead, go see ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and then let me know what you think. This film heralds the return of the summer blockbuster and is a catalyst that will accelerate demand for moviegoing like an F-18 breaking the sound barrier,” said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. “There’s no way you sit in a theatre, with a huge screen and chest-pounding speakers, and come away thinking there’s any other way you want to experience ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, and our hats are off to Tom Cruise, Joe Kosinski and their fearless creative team for what they’ve accomplished.”

“Top Gun: Maverick” is a Filmed For IMAX release shot with IMAX-certified Sony Venice cameras and includes nearly an hour of scenes in IMAX-exclusive 1.90:1 expanded aspect ratio. This includes all the film’s stunning flight sequences and as well as additional scenes that are available with up to 26% more picture only available in IMAX.

Six of the specialized IMAX cameras were strapped to the inside of the cockpit of an F-18A Super Hornet to enable the film’s groundbreaking aerial photography, and IMAX image quality enhancements in post-production and higher dynamic range sound systems allowed the filmmakers to design the movie to be experienced in IMAX.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture, and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you’ve never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theaters to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX’s network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of December 31, 2021, there were 1,683 IMAX theater systems (1,599 commercial multiplexes, 12 commercial destinations, 72 institutional) operating in 87 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code “1970.”

IMAX®, IMAX® Dome, IMAX® 3D, IMAX® 3D Dome, Experience It In IMAX®, The IMAX Experience®, An IMAX Experience®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, IMAX DMR®, DMR®, IMAX nXos® and Films to the Fullest®, are trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions. More information about the Company can be found at . You may also connect with IMAX on Instagram (), Facebook (), Twitter () and YouTube ().

About IMAX China
IMAX China is a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, and was incorporated as a limited liability company under the laws of Cayman Islands. IMAX China was established by IMAX Corporation specifically to oversee the expansion of IMAX’s business throughout Greater China. Shares of IMAX China trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code “1970.”

#IMAX

PM Phankham Calls for Closer Cooperation with Cambodia at Border Provinces

Cambodia's Angkor Wat

Prime Minister of Laos, Phankham Viphavanh, has called for better cooperation between provinces neighboring Cambodia.

Capricorn Redefines the Stablecoin Market Rules, Enters Partnership with MQ Technology

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA Media OutReach – 31 May 2022 – Capricorn, a multi-asset-backed stablecoin protocol for blockchain projects, has received investment from Malaysian listed company MQ Technology (listing number: 635804-H) at a valuation of US$200 million.

On the 28th of May, Capricorn host an offline meetup in Viva Shopping Mall in a topic of the collapse of UST and Depg of USDT to discuss the challenge and opportunities of stablecoin. Capricorn officially signed partnership agreement with MQ Technology during the event.

Deto Nick Ng, Chairman of CEA, attended the event and address the opening. “Since the debut of Blockchain, we have been witnessing the change and infinity opportunity of this cutting-edge technology. The stablecoin, especially, has been widely discussed within the commercial sector on how it can empower the traditional industry.”

“We, Capricorn protocol, are adopting a more convenient way by providing more convenient channels for enterprise financing in an efficient and safer way and integrate with the diversified assets using blockchain technology to fill in the gap.” Responded by Bryan Teh, CEO of Capricorn.

During the meetup, Capricorn and MQ Technology have intimated their intend to work together to maximise the benefits for mutual interests in setting up a strategic partnership and to provide the foundation and structure to accelerate vital progress in their industries.

During the panel discussion, Capricorn had a lively discussion with the guests on the recent events on the stablecoin market. The following are some of Capricorn’s views:

It now appears that the continuous blood loss of Anchor, Terra’s important fixed benefit savings protocol, is a harbinger of UST collapse.

The reason why LUNA can grow to the current scale is largely due to the fixed savings rate agreement, Anchor, in its ecology, which provides UST with a fixed annualized income of about 20%, flooding millions of dollars in every day. However, these millions of dollars mainly come from the subsidy of the project and the capital behind it, which is actually continuous blood loss. Also because of this, in order to stabilize people’s expectations, the project announced the purchase of $3 billion in bitcoin at the end of the month, which further aggravated the instability.

The use of BTC as a reserve destroys the reflexivity of the Terra system, which means that the market has added 3 billion UST circulation at the same time. This huge amount of UST value is tied to BTC. With the bear market causing BTC prices to drop, its support to 3 billion UST lost, leaving the system insolvent. As a result, UST had a slight de-anchor at the beginning, and the continued decline of the market intensified the run on UST, triggering a chain reaction.

It can be said that Terra has been lying in the grave since the moment the market value of LUNA fell below the total market value of UST on May 9.

For the impact triggered by this event, Capricorn believes there are two aspects.

Further prove the concept of the development of collateralized stablecoins

Users are smarter when choosing stablecoin assets or stablecoin projects. Capricorn believes that this is a good opportunity for stablecoins like collateral. Through the mechanism design of Capricorn, the company can ensure that CUSD is backed by sufficient collateral with actual value, so as to build users’ confidence in CUSD. A reasonable mechanism, sufficient collateral, and user confidence are the most important moats for any stablecoin project. On this basis, with the development of Capricorn, CUSD will have better credit, the assets behind CUSD will have higher capital utilization efficiency, and the funds participating in Capricorn will get higher returns.

Supervision

This turmoil will inevitably attract regulatory attention, although it will not come so soon. Regulation will raise the entry threshold of the stablecoin industry, and put forward higher requirements on the team’s ability to comply with regulations. This is precisely the opportunity for the Capricorn team. The team has rich experience in the banking industry and members who are familiar with financial and legal affairs, and have strong compliance capabilities. It can be said that Capricornis well prepared for the development of stablecoins in the next stage of the regulatory environment.

The Challenges and Opportunities of the Stablecoin Market

First of all, to drive blockchain asset to the mainstream market, a stable currency is needed for the transactions and payments. Although Bitcoin and Ethereum are convenient in terms of transfer payments, the fees are also cheaper, and they can lead to the world, but for ordinary users, a major problem is that Bitcoin is too volatile for asset preservation. It is not convenient to use the payment scene.

“At the same time, with the rapid growth of the scale of blockchain assets and the number of users, the market demand for stablecoins has also been becoming larger and larger. According to the data from Coinmarketcap. The current total market value of virtual currencies is about 1.2 trillion US dollars, and it will continue to grow in the future, which ensures the expansion of stable currency demand. Considering that the market value of real-world economies is hundreds of times that of virtual currencies, even if a small part of these assets are converted into blockchain assets, it will bring a further huge increase in the demand for stablecoins.”said Vincent Cheung from Bitbox, ”If Bitcoin opened the era of encryption, and stablecoins will be pushed to the prosperity of encryption, and this prosperity will also include today’s huge real-world assets, which is a true value Internet revolution.”

“Of course, everything is not easy. It takes time to happen. During this period, we will face many challenges. For example, the market needs time to verify the mechanism of Capricorn, build confidence in Capricorn, and higher Barriers to entry, stricter regulation.” Said Bryan Teh from Capricorn, “but even with all the visible and unseen difficulties of the track, someone has to start the race. In the past few years, we have seen the rise and widespread use of stablecoins such as USDT, USDC, DAI, and FRAX, and we have also seen players such as UST, AMPL, BASIS, and ESD who have fallen on this path. With so many successful experiences or failures for us to learn from, and the advantages of our team’s experience and resources in the fields of finance, law, and compliance, I believe that Capricorn can successfully occupy a place in this track.”

Under the COVID-19 epidemic, the vulnerability of enterprises is further revealed, facing of shortage of funds, encountering the problem of high financing threshold. After completing all the credit assessment processes, the time for financing applications is too long that the enterprises are often unable to get immediate help.” Said Terrence Cheah, Executive Director of MQ Technology, “the partnership with Capricorn definitely offers us more choice by using its lending protocol, which takes the traditional financial assets on the chain as value support and operation medium through NFT technology and giving full play to its own advantages and empower traditional businesses.”

“This is a new era for our generation, same as the internet era. We are glad to see a wide discussion on the blockchainization are raised among the general public.” Said Vincent from Bitbox, “as an blockchain incubator rooted in Malaysia, we are making every effort to make every possible happened.”

#Capricorn

Children’s Day: A Call for Hope, Joy and Justice for All Children in Laos

In 2021, World Vision positively impacted the lives of over 120,000 most vulnerable children in Laos

The following article is an opinion piece by Roslyn Hanson Gabriel, Country Program Director for World Vision International in Laos, in regards to the International Children’s Day.

Porsche Design and AGON by AOC unveil the new PD32M: a 4K, 144 Hz, HDR 1400 premium display

The epitome of high-performance gaming

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 31 May 2022 – The exclusive lifestyle brand Porsche Design and AGON by AOC – one of the world’s leading gaming monitor[1] and IT accessories brands – have unveiled a new exceptional gaming monitor: the Porsche Design AOC Agon Pro PD32M. The 80cm/31.5″ premium gaming display features a unique design inspired by characteristics and details of a Porsche sports car. Combining high performance with superior quality and finish, the PD32M is perfectly suited for high-octane competitions by the most demanding gamers, due to its crisp 4K resolution, 144 Hz refresh rate and 1 ms GtG response time. The Porsche Design AOC Agon Pro PD32M also features MiniLED backlight technology and DisplayHDR 1400 support – creating an unparalleled visual experience.

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Porsche Design AOC AGON PRO PD32M

“With our long-standing partner Porsche Design, we have again created an iconic and highly capable gaming monitor that combines the best of both worlds. As a true multi-purpose device, the PD32M comes with features that will appeal to -skilled and ambitious gamers as well as content creators, enabling them to enhance their performance and productivity,” says Kevin Wu, General Manager of MMD Singapore.

“Our overarching goal was to create a high-end monitor with sophisticated design and superior technology. In 2020, Porsche Design and AGON by AOC collaborated on the PD27, a 240 Hz QHD gaming monitor, with a stand resembling the roll-cage of a Porsche racing car. With the second generation gaming monitor, we developed the racing-inspired design even further. It integrates, for instance, design cues from the steering wheel and wheel spokes of a sports car,” says Roland Heiler, Chief Design Officer at Porsche Design.

Functional Design inspired by sports cars

The PD32M’s stand functionality dictates its shape. Rigidity and robustness are key elements within the gaming industry and as a result, these features are subtly applied to the display housing and sandblasted aluminium cast stand. Compactness is also of paramount importance for monitors and therefore the design of the display panel housing follows the functional layout of the internal components. This results in soft rear tapered surfaces emerging from the panel itself towards the main internal component housings. Separate visual cavities are included to guide towards the various connector locations. Additionally, in order to visually optimize panel thinness, the rear display housing is tapered at the sides with a gentle slant, creating a trapezoidal shape, which includes metal mesh inlays for the cooling and audio speakers. These areas are also indirectly RGB backlit, to unobtrusively immerse and enhance the overall gaming experience and express dynamism. Subtle additional details such as a backlit horizontal cooling strip is inspired by air-cooled intakes found on sports cars. The product branding is also presented in a vibrant manner, by means of an interchangeable projection logo.

Experience high-performance

It is not just the design that sets the monitor apart from other gaming monitors on the market; the large 31.5″ monitor sits securely and firmly on the desk and is height adjustable for ergonomic positioning. The stand also supports pivot adjustment for vertical orientation.

The Porsche Design AOC Agon Pro PD32M features a flat IPS (AAS) panel, reproducing 1.07 billion colours to display even subtle differences in hues. It is also highly colour accurate with 97 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space to achieve lifelike colours and shades. With the integration of the state-of-the-art MiniLED backlight technology, the monitor features 1,152 dimming zones, which can individually light up according to image content. Proven to display both blinding sunlight and very intense black shadows in the same frame, the PD32M is certified with the top-of-the-line HDR certification, DisplayHDR 1400. With up to 1,400 nits peak brightness, it dwarfs the common ~300 nits brightness of modern gaming monitors.

The IPS panel runs in pin-sharp 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) with a high, fast refresh rate of 144 Hz. With a true 1 ms GtG response time, the so-called “ghosting” between frames is virtually eliminated. With the inclusion of Adaptive-Sync, the new device is capable of variable refresh rate (VRR) implementations, eliminating artefacts such as tearing and stuttering. The PD32M caters to both PC and console gamers, thanks to its DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 ports. The monitor additionally supports devices up to 120 Hz at 4K over USB-C as well as current-gen consoles via HDMI 2.1.

Perfectly suited for content creators

The Porsche Design AOC Agon Pro PD32M doubles as a productivity machine for content creators, designers, editors, or programmers. It is a perfect home-office monitor with its USB-C input, allowing the monitor to receive the display signal as well as transfer power (up to 90 W – depending on the HDR setting) and data to a connected notebook with just a single USB-C cable. Furthermore, notebooks can access and use all the devices connected to the monitor’s 4-port USB 3.2 hub, such as keyboards, mice or external drives. Finally, the PD32M features a KVM switch, so users can easily switch between two sources, such as a gaming PC and a work notebook, while using the same keyboard and mouse. The monitor can show both sources simultaneously in its Picture-by-Picture mode (maximum UHD at 60 Hz) from its DP, HDMI or USB-C ports.

Additionally, the PD32M is packed with a powerful sound system. Dual 8W speakers enhanced with DTS sound provide the rich and clear audio-experience that gamers expect.

Customisable RGB lighting

While the PD32M is already one of a kind, it can be customised even further. The device features fully customisable RGB lighting (Light FX) at the back of the display. When booting up, the monitor will greet users with an animated start-up logo and a special sound. The on-screen display (OSD) menu is designed with a unique and user-friendly structure, while a wireless gaming keypad is included for users to quickly access the OSD settings of the monitor with comfort and ease. Last but not least, the monitor arrives with a USB stick that includes user manuals and related software.

The revolutionary Porsche Design AOC Agon Pro PD32M will be available in 2022. For more local product information, please visit : AP.AOC.COM


[1] IDC Quarterly Gaming Tracker – Gaming Monitor 2021 Q4

About Porsche Design:

In 1963, Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche created one of the most iconic design objects in contemporary history: the Porsche 911. Following his vision to take the principles and myth of Porsche beyond the automotive world, he created the exclusive lifestyle brand Porsche Design in 1972. His philosophy and design language can still be seen in all Porsche Design products today. Every Porsche Design product stands for extraordinary precision and perfection, boasts a high level of technological innovation and seamlessly combines intelligent functionality and puristic design. Created by Studio F. A. Porsche in Austria, our products are sold worldwide in Porsche Design stores, high-end department stores, exclusive specialist retailers and the official online store ().

For more information, please visit

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About AOC:

Founded in 1967, AOC is a globally leading monitor and IT accessories brand and a subsidiary of TPV Technology Limited, the world’s largest LCD manufacturer. AOC’s comprehensive product portfolio provides innovative, ergonomic, environmentally conscious and stylish solutions for professional as well as personal applications.

The sub-brand of AOC, AGON by AOC, offers one of the strongest portfolios of high-performance gaming monitors in the world and a complete ecosystem of gaming accessories grouped in three categories: AOC GAMING for core gamers, AGON for competitive gamers and AGON PRO for esports enthusiasts and professional esports players. Since 2020 AGON by AOC has been one of the leading gaming monitor brands and a top choice of gamers worldwide.

For more information please visit

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#AOC

Blue Cross Launches Hong Kong First “Solar Energy Generation System Extension” in Home Insurance and GoHealthy Wellness Platform Committing to Sustainable Development

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 31 May 2022 – Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited (“Blue Cross”) values the importance of sustainable development of the company and announces the launch of the Hong Kong first “Solar Generation System Extension” applicable to home insurance and a new GoHealthy wellness platform, which offers nutrient analysis and health missions, helping the general public to build environmental awareness, and a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

Solar Energy Generation System Extension – Encourage the Use of Renewable Energy

Electricity generation is currently the largest source of carbon emissions, accounting for 66%* of the total emissions. To encourage the use of renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions, Blue Cross specially offers Solar Energy Generation System Extension to customers for their new or renewed HomeSafe Protection policies. This extended benefit covers legal liability against accidental death or bodily injury to a third party, or accidental loss of or damage to third party’s property (including house, semi-detached house or village house), arising out of the use of a solar energy generation system installed in the insured premises. The maximum benefit is HK$5,000,000 per accident or per period of insurance.

GoHealthy Platform – Live a Healthy Lifestyle

In order to help customers establish a healthy lifestyle, the new GoHealthy platform attached to Blue Cross HK App unveils an innovative function “Eat Healthy” in the first phase. With the use of artificial intelligence, it analyses the nutrient content of every meal, such as calories, fat, protein, sugar and intake, and provides personalised healthy eating tips. In the meantime, upon completion of health missions, customers can earn SmartPoints for gift redemption.

More content and functions will be made available on GoHealthy platform soon, including health information such as wellness and health care articles, and seasonal herbal soup, etc. In the next phase, “Ask Nutritionist” message box will be set up that a team of licensed nutritionists will answer customers’ enquiries and give professional advice on healthy diet, helping them to build healthy eating habits.

Mr. Patrick Wan, Managing Director of Blue Cross, said, “Blue Cross is committed to the sustainable development of the company. We have taken steps to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into our products and services, operations and the community. In the past few years, we have been actively optimising our business and promoting digitalisation in operations with the aim to reduce our impact on the environment on the one hand; improve operational efficiency and risk management capabilities on the other hand. Besides, we use digital tools to bring customers a digitalised experience which is truly paperless and cashless. Our one-stop digital medical insurance services that encompass online application, efficient and secure blockchain-enabled claims services, GPS location-based network doctor/clinic search, making doctor appointment online, or video consultation, optimise service experience and reinforce customer’s trust in our products and services. The newly launched Solar Energy Generation System Extension and GoHealthy wellness platform can reflect how Blue Cross further instil environmental and wellness elements into our products and services, and build a healthy, sustainable and smart living with customers together.”

* Source: Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050.

Disclaimers:

  • This press release is for distribution in Hong Kong only. The distribution of this press release is not and shall not be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or a provision of any insurance product outside Hong Kong.
  • Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited is a subsidiary of The Bank of East Asia, Limited and a member of the BEA Group. It is not affiliated with or related in any way to Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association or any of its affiliates or licensees.

Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited

With over 50 years of operational experience in the insurance industry, Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited (“Blue Cross”) provides a comprehensive range of products and services including medical, travel and general insurance, which cater to the needs of both individual and corporate customers.

In 2021, Blue Cross was assigned a financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “a” (Excellent) by A.M. Best, a global full-service credit rating firm specialising in the financial service industry. For the latest rating, please access www.ambest.com.

#BlueCross

Government of Laos to Resolve Seven Issues

The government of Laos held its monthly cabinet meeting yesterday in Vientiane Capital to mull solutions for various problems faced by the country.

Laos and Belarus Undertake Anti-Aircraft Missile Test 

Laos and Belarus test-fire a C-125 surface-to-air missile system.

The Laos Ministry of National Defense and technical personnel from a Belarus arms company jointly undertook a test launch of an anti-aircraft missile yesterday.