Vang Vieng saw heavy rainfall during the early hours of Monday morning, resulting in a rapid rise in water levels across some areas of the district.
Samsung Singapore Unveils ViewFinity S9, an Astounding New 5K Monitor
Lifelike colour representation and extremely high-resolution brings quality visuals to work and entertainment in one monitor

“Our new 5K monitor is designed to deliver the highest performance and best experience for professionals in creative and visual industries,” said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “With the ViewFinity lineup, we will provide creatives with top-notch visual experiences, along with the lifelike colour clarity and versatile connectivity they need to achieve the best in any project.”

The new ViewFinity S9 offers a 27″ screen with a 5K (5,120 x 2,880) resolution, for a workspace that’s over 50% bigger than other UHD monitors, with exceptional picture and text clarity. It allows for professionals to work on ultra-high resolution content without needing to zoom in, so they can view their projects in 5K while still keeping all their editing tools visible on screen.
With its 99% DCI-P3[1] and 218 PPI (pixels per inch), the ViewFinity S9 provides more saturated and vivid colours with crisper details, perfect for those who rely on visual fidelity.[2] Furthermore, a typical brightness of 600 cd/m2 makes it easy to work in nearly any lighting environment. Samsung’s calibration technology helps users achieve the accurate colour they want. During production, the monitor’s colour is factory calibrated for incredible Delta E <21 accuracy immediately out of the box.[3]
The ViewFinity S9 uses the Smart Calibration feature controlled with smartphones[4] which is the first in the industry, and users can conveniently customise the ViewFinity S9’s screen for precise settings without expensive, complex calibration equipment whenever they want. Using the SmartThings app, users can choose to calibrate in basic mode for a quick and easy adjustment of white balance and gamma settings, or they can use professional mode for complete control of colour temperature, luminance, colour space and gamma settings. Users can start this process simply by pointing their smartphone camera at the ViewFinity S9’s screen, and after calibration they can view a report detailing the adjustments made and the Delta E colour accuracy.
The ViewFinity S9 also supports its users with TUV-certified Intelligent Eye Care features to reduce eye strain, even over extended periods of use. Additionally, Samsung’s Matte Display limits light reflection and glare on the monitor, minimising distractions while working.
The visual performance of the ViewFinity S9 is also enhanced by features designed to make professionals’ lives easier.
The ViewFinity S9 features versatile connectivity for users of both Mac and Windows PCs, with Thunderbolt 4 and mini DisplayPort inputs in addition to USB-C. The Thunderbolt 4 compatibility allows users to charge devices with up to 90W of power and transfer data reliably at speeds up to 40 Gbps.[5]
The monitor comes equipped with a built-in 4K SlimFit camera that connects via pogo pin without additional cables or equipment. The camera’s high resolution delivers crystal clear quality for video calls on apps such as Google Meet. The camera tilts to fit the angle of your monitor, and Auto Framing[6] keeps you visible and in-shot, even when you shift position.
The ViewFinity S9’s slim metal design works for any space. With its ergonomic design, this monitor can provide comfort and improve productivity by adjusting to almost any position or posture. A height adjustable stand matches the user’s eye level, and the screen can tilt to match viewing angles. In Pivot mode, the screen rotates 90 degrees, so users can read long documents with less scrolling. With VESA mount compatibility, users can save space and keep desks clutter-free.
Embedded Smart TV apps give users the full TV experience when it’s time to switch to entertainment after work. Instant access to popular streaming apps and shows without needing a separate PC, built-in speakers with Adaptive Sound+ that automatically adjusts noise levels, and a remote control make this a well-rounded monitor for both work and play.
Local Availability and Pricing
The ViewFinity S9 is now available for preorder from 14 to 27 August 2023 in Singapore, with general availability starting 28 August 2023 at S$2,288 (including GST).
In addition, consumers who preorder the ViewFinity S9 will receive a complimentary Portable SSD T7 Shield 4TB in Black (worth S$488)[7].
The new ViewFinity S9 will be available on the Samsung Online Store, the Samsung Official Store on Amazon, Lazada and Shopee, as well as major consumer electronics and IT retailers.
For more information about Samsung’s ViewFinity monitor lineup, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/sg/.
Specifications
| S90PC | ||
| Display | Screen Size | 27″ |
| Panel Type | IPS, Flat | |
| Resolution | 5K (5,120 x 2,880) | |
| Colour Gamut | DCI-P3 99% | |
| Brightness (Typical) | 600 cd/m2 | |
| Refresh Rate (Max) | 60Hz | |
| Response Time | 5ms (GtG) | |
| Contrast Ratio (Static) | 1000:1 | |
| Matte Display | Yes | |
| Features | Calibration | Smart Calibration |
| Intelligent Eye Care | Adaptive Picture / Eye Saver Mode / Flicker Free | |
| Camera | 4K (3,840 x 2,160), In-box | |
| Smart TV Apps | Yes | |
| Gaming Hub |
N/A |
|
| Interface | Connection Types | 1 Thunderbolt 4 (90W)
1 miniDP, USB-C (3DN) |
| Design | Stand Type | HAS / Pivot / Tilt |
| Wall Mount | 100×100 | |
Hashtag: #Samsung
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at
news.samsung.com.
Chinese Citizens Arrested in Laos After Hiring Minors for Online Dance Performances

Lao police have arrested two Chinese nationals for luring underage Lao girls into live streaming dance performances over the internet.
Vietnamese Driver Stuck in Landslide Last Week Found Dead
After an extensive search operation by provincial authorities and the military, the deceased body of a missing Vietnamese citizen was found buried under a landslide in Khounkham District, Khammouane Province.
Appier surpasses projections to report further accelerated revenue growth for the second quarter
This quarter marks the highest Q2 QoQ growth rate since IPO amidst seasonality, demonstrating stronger business momentum for 2023
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 14 August 2023 –
Highlights and achievements of Q2 FY23
- Revenue increased by 42% YoY to reach a historically high quarterly revenue of JPY 6.2 billion
- Highest QoQ revenue growth rate (11.1%) for the second quarter since its IPO in 2021, driven by stronger market expansion and deeper vertical penetration
- Gross profit reached a historical high of JPY 3.2 billion with a 45% YoY growth rate, while gross margin improved to 51.3%
- Operating income and net income surpass projections to turn positive with an operating margin of 1.3% and net profit achieved 1.9%
- EBITDA increased by 158% YoY with an 8.9% margin
Exceeding forecast in first-half revenue performance, charting the course to fulfill year-end guidance
Appier Group Inc (TSE: 4180), henceforth referred to as Appier, today announced its earnings results for the second quarter of the fiscal year 2023. This quarter, Appier accomplished its best-performing Q2 in terms of QoQ growth versus Q1. This achievement positions the company firmly on a trajectory to achieve its full-year 2023 guidance. The company’s headway in the E-commerce and Digital Content verticals, as well as its strong customer traction in the US, EMEA, and Northeast Asia Markets, stand as a testament to its exceptional performance in the first half of 2023.
Appier reported an accelerated revenue YoY growth of 42% to reach a historical high of JPY 6.2 billion. This figure was paralleled by a YoY gross profit growth of 45%, reaching a historical high of JPY 3.2 billion. Appier’s operating income and net income surpassed projections to turn positive from last quarter, reflecting a notable operating margin of 1.3% and a net profit margin of 1.9%. The company’s financial health was underscored by the 158% YoY growth in EBITDA, achieving a record-high JPY 550 million with an 8.9% margin.
These achievements underscore Appier’s steadfast commitment to sustainable and profitable growth, underpinned by its core principles of transforming AI into predictable returns. The rising demand for ROI-driven solutions, coupled with the growing acceptance of AI trends, has played a pivotal role in enhancing customer adoption and embracing key differentiators, culminating in its accelerated second-quarter results that have surpassed initial budget projections.
Embracing diverse verticals and strengthening relationships for AI-driven customer growth
Appier achieved a 22% YoY growth in its overall customer base, with the majority of new customers originating from the Digital Content (39%), E-commerce (22%), and Consumer Brands & BFSI (22%) verticals. This expansion has also spurred a 16.5% YoY increase in the Average Revenue per Customer (ARPC), driven by the expansion of existing customer relationships and heightened activity within the Digital Content vertical, boosted by seasonal factors. This aligns with the company’s ongoing strategic focus on large enterprise customer acquisition, driven by growing confidence in AI-powered solutions among major brands.
Appier also maintained a low overall customer churn rate of 0.619% this quarter, underscoring its success in nurturing lasting customer partnerships. The company’s financial strength and growth trajectory are further accentuated by the fact that its annual recurring revenue is showcasing a YoY expansion of 35%.
Strong growth momentum fueled by expanding market reach
The vertical expansion and the deeper engagement of existing customers, especially in the E-commerce vertical, fueled impressive growth in Northeast Asia (66%). Meanwhile, the US and EMEA markets (15%) displayed robust revenue growth of 78% YoY, with an overall contribution up 15% from 12% a year ago.
“Our first-half revenue performance has surpassed our projections, laying a strong foundation for our growth trajectory in the coming quarters. Our strength in cutting-edge AI capabilities helps us push the boundaries of businesses and establishes new benchmarks within the realm of digital marketing. Our years of R&D in both predictive AI and generative AI allow us to provide differentiated products to boost our customers’ ROI,” said Dr. Chih-Han Yu, CEO and Co-Founder, Appier. “Our ongoing pursuit of vertical expansion, combined with heightened vertical awareness and strategic market penetration, fuels our confidence in achieving our year-end guidance and sustaining strong growth well into the future.”
Pioneering Generative AI synergy to transform business-customer dynamics
Leveraging Appier’s core essence of AI, combined with the augmented capabilities of predictive AI and generative AI synergy, Appier is poised to revolutionize business-customer interactions and bring fresh ideas for industry-leading applications. These insights derived from predictive AI act as a guiding compass for generative AI, facilitating the creation of content that yields exceptional outcomes. Simultaneously, the influx of data from generative AI empowers predictive AI to continuously refine its model training, thus enhancing campaign performance. One accelerates output generation, while the other ensures heightened efficacy. This initiative epitomizes Appier’s commitment to delivering personalized marketing experiences and positions itself at the forefront of the generative AI era.
Looking ahead, Appier remains poised for continued success in the latter half of the fiscal year. The momentum generated by exceptional performance is anticipated to propel even more substantial growth in the Digital Content and E-commerce verticals. Bolstered by these prospects and the ongoing alignment with its core values, Appier is well-positioned to not only sustain its trajectory of remarkable financial growth but to also elevate its impact further in the dynamic landscape of AI-driven business solutions.
Hashtag: #appier #earnings #artificialintelligence #marketing #generativeAI
https://www.linkedin.com/company/appier/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Appier
Appier (TSE: 4180) is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company that uses artificial intelligence to power business decision-making. Founded in 2012 with a vision of democratizing AI, Appier now has 17 offices across APAC, Europe and US, and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Visit
www.appier.com for more company information and visit
ir.appier.com/en/ for more IR information.
Wattay Airport Shuttle Bus Service Set to Resume Operations Next Week
The Wattay Airport Shuttle Bus Service from Vientiane City Center, suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to reopen after a three-year hiatus on 23 August.
Installation of Turbines Begins in Laos for SE Asia’s Largest Wind Power Project
The Monsoon Wind Power Project in Laos has begun installing wind power turbines after the turbines and blades were delivered from Thailand on Saturday.
Hong Kong Life Presents “HKL Walk Together: Everyphone Everywhere – Triple Privileges – Ultimate Lucky Draw”
From now on until 3 September 2023, participants holding a Facebook account can enter the “Ultimate Lucky Draw” for free by completing all steps stated in the campaign posted on Hong Kong Life’s official Facebook page and may have a chance to win the fabulous prizes including iPhone 14 Pro, Beats Studio Buds and the soundtrack of the movie “Everyphone Everywhere”.
Prizes are as follows:
| Prizes | No. of Winners |
| 1st Prize iPhone 14 Pro 128GB (valued at HK$8,599) |
1 Winner |
| 2nd Prize Beats Studio Buds (valued at HK$1,299) |
1 Winner |
| 3rd Prize Soundtrack of the Movie “Everyphone Everywhere” (valued at HK$150) |
20 Winners |
“Ultimate Lucky Draw” will be conducted on 13 September 2023. The result of the Lucky Draw will be announced on Hong Kong Life’s Facebook page and published on Sing Tao Daily and The Standard on 22 September 2023. The Facebook username used to enter the lucky draw will be used for result announcement.
For details and terms and conditions of “HKL Walk Together: Everyphone Everywhere – Triple Privileges – Ultimate Lucky Draw”, please visit the campaign post on our Hong Kong Life’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/hklifeinsurance).
(Trade Promotion Competition Licence No.: 57502)
Remarks:
- “HKL Walk Together: Everyphone Everywhere – Triple Privileges – Ultimate Lucky Draw” is subjected to the terms and conditions.
- Each Facebook account can enter the “Ultimate Lucky Draw” once only and can win one prize in the “Ultimate Lucky Draw” at maximum.
- Hong Kong Life is not the business partner of Facebook, and the “Ultimate Lucky Draw” is not sponsored, supported or managed by Facebook.
Hashtag: #香港人壽 #HKLife #全個世界都有電話 #EveryphoneEverywhere #獎賞浪接浪 #抽獎
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hklifeinsurance/
https://www.facebook.com/hklifeinsurance/
https://www.instagram.com/hklifeinsurance/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hong Kong Life
Established in 2001, Hong Kong Life Insurance Limited (“Hong Kong Life”) was founded by five local financial institutions including Asia Insurance Company Limited, Chong Hing Bank Limited, CMB Wing Lung Bank Limited, OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited and Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited, which laid their foundations and have been serving people in Hong Kong for more than 50 years in average. Through our extensive network of around 130 distribution points comprising Chong Hing Bank, CMB Wing Lung Bank, OCBC Bank and Shanghai Commercial Bank, we provide a comprehensive range of insurance products and services.






