Laos is currently facing challenges transitioning from commodity-driven growth to a more inclusive prosperity model, reveals a new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Human Capital, Green Sustainability: Two Priorities for Laos’ Future Economic Model
X Allows Users to Post Consensual Adult Content, Formalizing Prior Twitter Policy
AP – The social media platform X says it will now formally allow people to show consensual adult content, as long as it is clearly labeled as such. The move makes official a policy already in place when the platform was known as Twitter, before billionaire Elon Musk purchased it in 2022.
In a recent update on its website, the San Francisco-based company said users “should be able to create, distribute, and consume material related to sexual themes as long as it is consensually produced and distributed. Sexual expression, whether visual or written, can be a legitimate form of artistic expression.”
Adult material was allowed under the pre-Musk Twitter as well, although there was no official policy in place. X said it is restricting adult content for children and for adult users who choose not to see it.
“We also prohibit content promoting exploitation, nonconsent, objectification, sexualization or harm to minors, and obscene behaviors,” X said. It added that it does not allow sharing adult content in “highly visible” places such as users’ profile photos or banners.
X’s policy stands in contrast to other social media platforms, such as Meta’s properties — Instagram and Facebook — as well as TikTok and Google’s YouTube.
“The platform’s move to allow ‘adult content’ dovetails well with the company’s post-Musk marketing strategy,” said Brooke Erin Duffy, associate professor of communication at Cornell University. “X is unapologetically provocative and has sought to distinguish itself from ‘brand safe’ competitors.”
The company appears to be courting people, including creators and artists, who have been marginalized by other social media platforms that have guidelines restricting nudity or sexual expression, she added.
The policy applies to real as well as artificial-intelligence-generated material.
X is asking users who regularly post adult content to adjust their media settings to place all their images and videos behind a content warning. This requires users to acknowledge that they want to see the posted image before they can view it.
BY BARBARA ORTUTAY, The Associated Press
Thailand Interested in Building Sixth Friendship Bridge to Laos
Thailand has confirmed its intention to build a sixth friendship bridge connecting the country to Laos over the Mekong River. This bridge would link Ubon Ratchathani in northeastern Thailand with Salavanh Province in Laos.
Decline in Secondary School Enrollments Continues for Third Consecutive Year
The number of secondary school students in Grades 4 and 7 across Laos has declined for the third consecutive year, as reported by the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) during the announcement of the exam timetable on 3 June.
New Study Finds Earth Warming at Record Rate, but No Evidence of Climate Change Accelerating
The rate Earth is warming hit an all-time high in 2023 with 92 percent of last year’s surprising record-shattering heat caused by humans, top scientists calculated.
Bamboo Rockets Light Up Vientiane’s Skies in Annual Festival
Villages and communities across Vientiane Province came together to participate in the popular Rocket Festival, also known as “Bun Bang Fai,” building large bamboo rockets adorned with bright colors and unique designs and launching them into the sky. The festival is celebrated yearly to call for rain for successful cultivation showing the event’s deep-rooted agricultural significance.
Daiwa Asset Management is optimistic about Vietnam’s market prospects and promotes regional economic growth
TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 June 2024 – Daiwa Asset Management Co., Ltd., one of Japan’s largest asset management companies, announced its investment strategy in the Vietnam market and looked forward to the future market prospects. With its deep market experience and professional investment team, Daiwa Asset Management is actively expanding its business layout in Vietnam, aiming to promote the continued growth and prosperity of the local economy.
The Vietnamese market has shown strong economic growth momentum in recent years, attracting the attention of global investors. Daiwa Asset Management is optimistic about the prospects of the Vietnamese market and believes that its fast-growing economy and policy support provide excellent investment opportunities. “Vietnam’s young population structure, solid economic growth and the government’s market liberalization policies make it an important part of our strategic layout,” said the president of Daiwa Asset Management.
Daiwa Asset Management will invest in a number of key areas in Vietnam, including infrastructure, renewable energy and high-tech industries. Through these investments, it aims to promote Vietnam’s economic modernization and diversification. The company plans to introduce advanced management techniques and international best practices to enhance the operational efficiency and global competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises.
As a company that focuses on social responsibility, Daiwa Asset Management is committed to promoting sustainable investment strategies in the Vietnamese market, integrating environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) standards. In this way, it not only promotes local economic development, but also ensures the long-term sustainability of investment.
Daiwa Asset Management will work closely with local enterprises and government agencies in Vietnam to provide technology transfer and management experience. In addition, the company plans to set up a financial education and training center in Vietnam to enhance the financial literacy and market participation of local investors. This move will not only help expand the customer base, but also contribute to the deepening and maturity of Vietnam’s capital market.
Daiwa Asset Management firmly believes that the unique opportunities in the Vietnamese market, combined with its global vision, will bring a win-win situation for the company and the local economy. Through in-depth investment and strategic cooperation in Vietnam, the company not only consolidates its position in the Asian market, but also provides more diversified investment options for global customers.
Hashtag: #DaiwaAssetManagement
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
International Educators Gather in Vientiane to Boost Job Readiness, English Proficiency
The first-ever English Language Teaching and Job Readiness Forum at the Muong Thanh Luxury Vientiane Hotel on 30 May drew 120 educators from Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, aiming to enhance the English learning curriculum for Lao students and better prepare them for the 21st-century workplace.
The event, hosted by the National University of Laos (NUOL), in collaboration with the Embassy of the United States (US) in Laos, began with traditional stage performances by NUOL students and an opening speech from the US Chargé d’Affaires to Laos, Michelle Outlaw.
“The forum is mainly to identify the role that English plays in the 21st-century workplace and how learners in three countries (Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia) are being prepared to use English efficiently and effectively in their future work,” Outlaw said.
In her speech, Outlaw also highlighted that many students struggle to apply their English knowledge and skills from school to their workplaces. However, she expressed optimism that the technological advancements in the post-COVID-19 era could “open doors to new possibilities and opportunities for both educators and learners alike.”
The event provided a platform for educators from the three countries to exchange ideas and potentially enhance international cooperation in education. Jerrold J. Frank, the Regional English Language Officer from the US Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, also attended the forum. Frank’s role involves promoting English language learning across the Southeast Asia region.
“We have English language specialists that come and help design curriculums or advise people on best practices in developing English Language programs. We do a lot of teacher training. We support learners, we support teachers, and we have a lot of virtual resources as well,” explained Frank.
Frank praised the event’s organization and the enthusiasm of the participants, noting, “I enjoyed the event so much, and a lot of people have come to thank me for the opportunity. I personally don’t want the event to only last for two days. I hope that educators or influencers who get to know each other at the forum will keep in touch for future collaborations.”
While the US Embassy provided significant support, NUOL also played a crucial role in organizing and resourcing the event. “A lot of the resources were contributed by the National University of Laos because they’re the host. A lot of their human resources, a lot of their physical resources were contributed by them,” Frank acknowledged.
The forum also highlighted ongoing support from the US Embassy through the American Center, which offers free English courses of all levels. Gregory Aurit, Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Laos, emphasized the Center’s role in providing a conducive environment for English learning.
“Not only do we have English courses, but we have a lot of programs in English that would allow anybody to access and enjoy this way to practice,” said Aurit. “We have beginner-level programs, where people can come in, get one-on-one tutoring, and participate in language classes. There are a lot of intermediate-level courses, and those are ones that you can register for.”
“The American Center offers an English environment where you can feel maybe a little bit like you’re in another country and can really practice your English through all of those programs,” Aurit added.
Overall, the event fostered international cooperation and highlighted the critical role of English in today’s global workplace.
