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Lao Government Enforces Ban on Unregistered, Unlabeled Imported Food Starting 1 July

Starting 1 July, the import and sale of unregistered food products without Lao language labeling will be banned. Authorities will enforce strict penalties such as fines, product confiscation, and business closure for violations. (Photo: mayers.com)

Starting 1 July, Laos will prohibit the import and sale of unregistered food products that lack approval from the Food and Drug Administration or proper Lao-language labeling, according to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

The regulations, initially announced on 9 October 2024, apply to a range of products, including beverages, energy drinks, vitamin drinks, dietary supplements, and processed fish products. These items must be officially registered and clearly labeled in the Lao language to be legally sold in the country.

Also, authorities stressed that all food products must include a registration number and Lao language labeling from the production phase at the factory to ensure authenticity ,traceability, and customer safety. 

While businesses are expected to transition to full compliance, temporary use of Lao-language stickers will be permitted during the initial adjustment period. This applies to importers, wholesalers, retailers, and domestic producers adapting their operations to meet the new standards. 

Provincial authorities, along with health, finance, and customs related departments are expected to work together to strictly monitor compliance and enforce the new regulations across the country. 

Violators will face legal penalties including fines, complete product confiscation, and potential business suspension or closure.

Vocational, Language Education to Grow Under New National Cooperation

Ethnic Technical and Vocational College

A new partnership is set to expand access to education and training for young students across Laos, especially those from ethnic communities.

Elegance in the English Tradition: Royal Ascot Ladies’ Day Returns to Vientiane

Elegance in the English Tradition: Royal Ascot Ladies’ Day Returns to Vientiane

Vientiane is about to turn heads once again as one of the city’s most elegant and anticipated social events makes its grand return.

K!DZ POP CON ASIA: Exhibitor Highlights at K!DZ POP CON 2025


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 June 2025 – The ultimate kids and family event of the year, K!DZ POP CON 2025, is set to take over Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Level 1, Halls A,B,C on 21–22 June 2025, and it’s bursting with exciting brand activations, workshops, live entertainment, and must-see experiences from some of the biggest names in kids’ entertainment!

21 - 22 June 2025, Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Level 1 (Halls A,B,C)
21 – 22 June 2025, Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Level 1 (Halls A,B,C)

From beloved characters to high-energy activities, K!DZ POP CON promises an unforgettable weekend for the kids and family.

This event is proudly supported by the Singapore Tourism Board with Mediacorp as Official Media, Moove Media as Official OOH Media and NTUC First Campus as Strategic Partner.

Event Details –
Date: 21 – 22 June 2025
Venue: Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Level 1, Halls A,B,C (135,000 sqft!)
Watch promo video here: https://youtu.be/AuAgGvjGhCQ

Get tickets: https://sistic.com.sg/events/kpopcon0625

PINKFONG BABY SHARK 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Get ready to doo-doo-doo your way into fun as Baby Shark celebrates its 10-year Anniversary at K!DZ POP CON! Snap adorable memories with Baby Shark at the special 10-year Anniversary Photo Zone. Join the Lucky Draw Event for a chance to win fin-tastic Baby Shark prizes. Dive into creativity at the Coloring & Puzzle Corner, where little ones can enjoy fun coloring activities and brain-teasing puzzles. Plus, splash into the Game Zone, packed with exciting games the whole family will enjoy! Also, don’t miss the exclusive Baby Shark merchandise at K!DZ POP CON!

DISNEY AND PIXAR’S ELIO
Get ready, Earthlings! Disney and Pixar’s Elio is landing at K!DZ POP CON! Embark on an out-of-this-world adventure through a three-zone cosmic journey inspired by the all-new Elio movie! Create your very own cape and gear up for interstellar travel,dive into some colouring fun with the Elio-themed activity kit, and snap a mind-bending Trick Eye photo as you’re “beamed up” to the Communiverse. Don’t forget to get hands-on with Galaxy Slime Making – a cosmic keepsake to bring home as proof of your stellar journey! Disney and Pixar’s #ElioSG in cinemas 19 June 2025.

MY LITTLE PONY & PEPPA PIG
Get ready for a whole lot of fun and magical moments at K!DZ POP CON – with beloved Hasbro favourites PEPPA PIG and MY LITTLE PONY bringing extra joy to the event!

It’s a party like no other as we celebrate the most adorable news of the year – Mummy Pig’s heartwarming pregnancy announcement has taken the world by storm! Now it’s time to welcome the newest member of Peppa Pig’s family – Evie – in a joy-filled celebration you simply can’t miss! Expect laughter, games, photo-ops, and plenty of surprises as we toast to this new chapter for Peppa and her family.

But that’s just the beginning… MY LITTLE PONY is galloping in with a magical merch drop that will have everypony buzzing! From adorable plushies to must-have blind boxes and dazzling toys, the sparkle is REAL. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering magic for the first time, there’s something for every dreamer!

It’s a weekend of wonder, surprises, and unforgettable moments – only at K!DZ POP CON. Don’t just hear about it… BE THERE!

JUMPTOPIA LITE
Get ready for a bouncin’ good time with Kiztopia Friends, popping up at K!DZ POP CON with two exciting inflatables, Honey’s Meadow Farm and Tiger’s Sports Meet, perfect for little adventurers! Watch your little ones zoom down the barnyard slide at Honey’s Meadow Farm and jump into action at Tiger’s Sports Meet, all while snapping their cutest photos along the way! Whether your kids are mini athletes or farmyard fans, there’s non-stop fun waiting for them. Don’t miss out on this family-friendly fun adventure!

NTUC FIRST CAMPUS: IGNITING YOUNG MINDS THROUGH PLAY & DISCOVERY
As the strategic and only preschool partner of K!DZ POP CON 2025, NTUC First Campus reinforces its position as a trusted leader in early childhood education with an inspiring, activity-packed booth for little learners and their families. Step into a vibrant showcase of their well-loved brands – My First Skool, Little Skool-House, and Changemakers! Embark on a hands-on learning journey filled with creativity, exploration, and fun!

Highlights include:
* Solve a case of the missing character through fun puzzles as a team
*⁠ ⁠Learn about wildlife conservation through interactive displays & craft activities
*⁠ ⁠Hands-on play & open-ended exploration through our Maker’s Playground, where children can bring creations to life
*⁠ ⁠Write your own stories & create your very own story puppets
* Photobooth!

Complete an adventure journey with NTUC First Campus and walk away with a complimentary gift. NTUC First Campus invites you to learn, play, and grow together at K!DZ POP CON 2025.

POPULAR
Join POPULAR at K!DZ POP CON for a world of fun, learning, and creativity! Discover the bestselling English children’s book series—ranging from timeless classics to today’s must-reads that kids adore. Don’t miss the exciting selection of stationery and Bluey toys—perfect for playtime, school, or thoughtful gifting! Plus, celebrate culture with our unique selection of Wen Chuang (文创) items, suitable for all ages to discover our local heritage.

VIPER KIDS
Viper Kids is making its Singapore debut at K!DZ POP CON! Get your little adventurers to take on the thrilling Viper Challenge – packed with kids friendly obstacles and loads of fun! It’s time to run, jump, climb, and most importantly…have a blast!

Origame
Together with Mr Kiasu, Origame will run a Shop Until You Drop Kompetition throughout the event. Mr Kiasu books and Origame games will be given away to EVERY SINGLE WINNER who plays and wins a game of Shop Until You Drop at our tables!

Meet & Greet Mr Kiasu
There will be special appearances by Mr Kiasu himself from 10-11am every morning! Don’t miss the opportunity to come take photos with the legendary Mr Kiasu with your family and friends.

Family Game Bundles
Origame will also have special prices and bundles for kids and family games at K!DZ Pop Con, so look out for the cheapest prices on your favourite Origame family games!

Be Part of the Fun!
K!DZ Pop Con Asia is more than just an event – it’s a celebration of childhood, imagination, and family bonding.

Event Details –
Date: 21 – 22 June 2025
Venue: Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Level 1, Halls A,B,C (135,000 sqft!)

Tickets for K!DZ POP CON 2025 are now on sale.
Get tickets: https://sistic.com.sg/events/kpopcon0625

Follow us on social media for the latest news:
Facebook | Instagram | Website
Hashtag: #K!DZ

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

About the event organiser, Generation Experience

Generation Experience is the driving force behind some of Southeast Asia’s most exciting pop culture events, including Singapore Comic Con, Creators Con, and K!DZ Pop Con Asia. We bring together fans, creators, and entertainment pioneers to craft unforgettable experiences.

Specializing in conceptualizing, curating, and organizing immersive events, our passionate team is led by a veteran with over 30 years of expertise in the MICE industry. With a deep understanding of fandoms and entertainment culture, Generation Experience transforms ideas into dynamic, community-driven events that captivate audiences.

About NTUC First Campus

NTUC First Campus (NFC) is committed to enabling bright futures for every child and their family by providing quality, inclusive educational and developmental services from infancy to the primary school years.

NFC’s two preschool brands, My First Skool and Little Skool-House, operate over 180 centres and serve 29,000 children, making it one of Singapore’s largest early childhood care and education providers.

About Mediacorp

Mediacorp is Singapore’s national media network and largest content creator. Its purpose is to create engaging and trusted content, as well as to connect communities and inspire people. Mediacorp engages over three million people in Singapore daily across four languages on its digital platforms including mewatch, melisten and CNA.asia, six TV channels and 11 radio stations. Beyond Singapore, Mediacorp also has a growing international audience through CNA and content distributed across markets.

Thailand Calls Security Meeting as Border Talks with Cambodia Face Setback

Thailand Calls Security Meeting as Border Talks with Cambodia Face Setback
Thailand's military said it had agreed to ease border tensions with Cambodia after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a frontier clash. (Photo by Handout / ROYAL THAI ARMY / AFP)

As tensions persist along the Thailand–Cambodia border, Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has called a National Security Council meeting for 6 June.

Laos Targets Five Percent Annual Growth by 2030 Amid Economic Reforms

Hot air balloons at Vang Vieng (Photo: The Telegraph)

The Lao government has unveiled an ambitious strategy aimed at boosting national growth and modernising key sectors as Laos continues to recover from years of economic instability and high inflation. At the core of this plan is a target to achieve an average annual economic growth rate of at least five percent from 2026 to 2030.

Asian Markets Wobble as Trump-Xi Talks Offset by Musk Row

Asian markets stuttered Friday as optimism from "very positive" talks between United States presidents Donald Trump and China Xi Jinping was wiped out by the stunning public row between the United States leader and Elon Musk.

AFP – Asian markets stuttered Friday as optimism from “very positive” talks between United States presidents Donald Trump and China Xi Jinping was wiped out by the stunning public row between the United States leader and Elon Musk.

The much-anticipated discussions between the heads of the world’s biggest economies fuelled hopes for an easing of tensions following the United States leader’s “Liberation Day” global tariff blitz that targeted Beijing particularly hard.

However, investors remained wary after an extraordinary social media row between Trump and billionaire former aide Musk that saw the two trade insults and threats, and sent Wall Street into the red.

Wall Street’s three main indexes ended down as Musk’s electric vehicle company Tesla tanked more than 14 percent and the president threatened his multibillion-dollar government contracts.

Asian equities fluctuated in early business, with some observers suggesting traders were positioning for what could be a volatile start to next week in light of the row and upcoming United States jobs data.

Hong Kong dropped after three days of strong gains, while Shanghai and Taiwan also retreated.

Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore and Wellington rose.

Chris Weston at Pepperstone said that while the call with Xi was “seen as a step in the right direction, (it) proved to offer nothing tangible for traders to work with and attention has quickly pushed back to the Trump-Musk war of words”.

“It’s all about United States nonfarm payrolls from here and is an obvious risk that Asia-based traders need to consider pre-positioning for,” he added.

He said there was a risk of Trump sparking market-moving headlines over the weekend given that he is “now fired up and the risk of him saying something through the weekend that moves markets on the Monday open is elevated”.

The United States jobs figures, which are due later Friday, will be closely followed after a below-par reading on private hiring this week raised worries about the labour market and outlook for the world’s top economy.

They come amid bets that the Federal Reserve is preparing to resume cutting interest rates from September, even as economists warn that Trump’s tariffs could reignite inflation.

Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management warned that while poor jobs figures could signal further weakness in the economy, a strong reading could deal a blow to the market.

“In this upside-down market regime, strength can be weakness. A hotter-than-expected (figure) could force traders to price out Fed cuts. That’s the paradox in play, where good news on Main Street turns into bad news on Wall Street.”


© Agence France-Presse

So Drama! Entertainment Launches New Entertainment App – Kakee


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 June 2025 – So Drama! Entertainment in Singapore is excited to announce the new entertainment and lifestyle app, Kakee. Officially launched on 6 June, Kakee is a rebrand of CAMOKAKIS. This rebrand marks a significant transformation for the app, introducing a more engaging and innovative digital experience for users.

Kakee - Your Rewards and Entertainment Buddy
Kakee – Your Rewards and Entertainment Buddy

Rewards and Entertainment at Your Fingertips
Kakee is a proudly made-in-Singapore entertainment and lifestyle app with a difference: it rewards users for simply enjoying content on the app; the more they engage, the more they earn. A homophone of the word kaki – meaning “close friend” in local slang, and part of the phrase kaki lang, meaning “one of us” in Hokkien, Kakee is positioned as “Your Rewards & Entertainment Buddy”. It is designed to be the perfect companion, in lifestyle and entertainment – whether it be listening to music, watching a video, or playing a game – while also actively rewarding users with prizes, entry into special events and contests.

Kakee brings together four core features that lets users engage, be entertained, and earn:

  1. Listen (refer to Appendix A) – Listen to DJs and 24/7 music streams from POWER 98 and 88.3JIA.
  2. Watch (refer to Appendix B and C) – Watch Kakee Originals, a collection of proudly made-in-Singapore serialised video content spanning lifestyle, travel, current affairs, mental wellness, and micro-dramas. The platform also offers Kakee On The Move — social-first short-form video content.
  3. Play – Play thrilling mobile games that keep the fingers moving and the brain juicing.
  4. Lobangs – The rewards hub on Kakee where users can win exciting prizes and take part in events and contests.
Kakee also introduces Koins — a gamified rewards system that adds a fun and rewarding layer to everyday interactions. Every activity on the app, whether listening, watching or playing, helps users earn Koins that can be redeemed for exciting rewards.

A Fully Digital Experience
In line with broader digitalisation trends, Kakee, alongside radio stations POWER 98 and 88.3JIA, will fully embrace a digital-first future. Starting 6 June, Kakee will launch new 24/7 music streams from both stations, giving listeners a fresh, flexible way to enjoy their favourite tunes anytime, anywhere.

FM broadcasts and their simulcasts on the Kakee app will remain available until October 2025, after which both will cease. Beyond that, the app’s always-on music streams will continue, ensuring uninterrupted access to music in a mobile-first format.

This shift aligns with the growing need for on-demand, mobile-first content, allowing users to enjoy their favourite music, games, and entertainment at their convenience. Kakee’s interactivity, flexibility, and rewards-based ecosystem are tailored for modern audiences seeking a more connected experience.

With these new features and an integrated rewards system, Kakee is poised to redefine entertainment, offering an engaging experience that turns everyday moments into rewards. As the app evolves, it remains a trusted companion, continuously innovating to stay meaningfully connected with its audience.

Kakee App Launch and Launch Event
CAMOKAKIS has officially refreshed to Kakee on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store on 6 June 2025.

To mark the occasion, a public launch event will be held from 26 to 29 June, 11am to 10pm daily at Plaza Singapura. Free and open to all, the event will feature appearances by DJs from POWER 98 and 88.3JIA, live performances by the Music & Drama Company, as well as an immersive, on-ground experience of Kakee’s four features – Listen, Watch, Play, and Lobangs – brought to life in a physical space. Adding to the excitement, the Kakee Konvoy – a vibrant truck with a mobile stage – will be stationed on-site, where the DJs will perform live and engage with the crowd through games and giveaways.

Download Kakee on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store: https://go.kakee.sg/60902e

Hashtag: #SodramaEntertainment #kakeesg #kakee #newapp #applaunch #entertainmentapp #mediaandentertainment #media #Singapore


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

So Drama! Entertainment

So Drama! Entertainment aims to deliver awesome content on air, on screen and on stage. As a Singapore media and entertainment company, it has five established brands – Kakee, 88.3JIA, POWER 98, Music & Drama Company, and PIONEER – into which it injects fun and creativity, always. For more information, please visit .