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“National is Global”: DR PLANT’s Alpine Truffle Museum Grand Opening


KUNMING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 January 2025 – On January 6th, China’s first alpine truffle museum was established at the Fuli Palace of Kunming Botanical Garden. This museum, founded by the brand “Dr. Plant”, focuses on alpine truffles and aims to showcase the unique charm and precious value of truffles to the public in innovative ways. While providing robust support for black truffle conservation, it also injects new vitality into biodiversity protection efforts. Xie Yong, Deputy Director of the Wu Zhengyi Science Foundation, Founder and Chairman of DR PLANT, Qin Lan, Alpine Truffle Experience Officer, Niu Yang, Director of Kunming Botanical Garden, and original designer Jia Kemu attended the opening ceremony.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt_RfLf5U-A

To better protect the truffle ecology from destruction and raise public awareness of truffles, DR PLANT established the country’s first Alpine Truffle Museum, integrating ethnic culture into brand building and promoting the concept of alpine plant skincare.

“National is Global. Doctor Plant always adheres to the inheritance of ethnic culture. The Alpine Truffle Museum allows global consumers to experience the charm of Chinese skincare brands and understand the ethnic wisdom of the Chinese nation. We will uphold this confidence and present and transmit more natural beauty originating from China to the world,” said Xie Yong, Founder & Chairman of Doctor Plant.

Through the Alpine Truffle Museum, DR PLANT visually showcases the perfect fusion of ethnic cultural elements and alpine plant resources, bringing content with ethnic characteristics to the world stage. DR PLANT continuously explores and inherits alpine plant resources, achieving synergistic progress in brand value and cultural inheritance, injecting deeper cultural connotations and vitality into the brand.

“As a domestic brand deeply rooted in the field of alpine plant skincare, DR PLANT has always been committed to bringing safe and effective alpine plant ingredients to everyone. The domestic first Alpine Truffle Museum built in Kunming, Yunnan, in the form of public welfare, allows us to deeply understand the relationship between truffles, ecology, and human skincare through science popularization and immersive interaction,” mentioned Qin Lan, the Alpine Truffle Experience Officer, at the opening ceremony.

China’s first Alpine Truffle Museum not only connects the past and the future but also connects nature and humanity. DR PLANT has fulfilled its social responsibilities and commitments through practical actions, enabling more people to understand the unique charm of China’s alpine plants and illuminating the path for Chinese brands to explore natural cultural inheritance.

“Truffles are typical representatives of growth and harmony among all things, a harmonious life community. China’s black truffles have nearly the same nutritional value as those in France, but their commercial prices differ by dozens of times, mainly due to deficiencies in mining techniques and social impact. The ecological, nutritional, and beauty functions of truffles await exploration. We must not only utilize truffles well but also protect them. This requires contributing Chinese wisdom, technology, equipment, and products!” Xu Jianchu emphasized that the Dr. Plant Alpine Truffle Museum is crucial for the protection and promotion of black truffles in China. Taking the alpine truffle museum as a carrier, he hopes that Yunnan black truffles will go global.
Hashtag: #DRPLANT

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

VT Markets Anticipates Cryptocurrency Growth from Policy Changes and Market Momentum in 2025 Q1 Economic Outlook


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 January 2025 – VT Markets, an award-winning financial services provider, today releases its 2025 Q1 Economic Outlook. The report highlights how the dual tailwind of favourable policies and market dynamics will propel the cryptocurrency sector into a new era of mainstream adoption. The report also underscores the transformative strides achieved by cryptocurrencies in 2024, which sets the stage for further growth in the upcoming year.

2024 As A Landmark Year for Cryptocurrency

With the conclusion of the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, cryptocurrencies have ascended from niche assets to mainstream investment products. Political developments, particularly arising President Trump’s re-election and his pro-cryptocurrency stance, acted as the main catalyst for this phenomenon. Participants observed Bitcoin’s price surging by over 40%, crossing $108,000 by year-end anticipating dovish policy shifts and renewed investor confidence towards the digital asset.

Key regulatory appointments, such as naming crypto advocate Hester Peirce as SEC Chair, signalled to the market a shift towards a more favourable regulatory framework, instilling optimism in institutional and retail investors alike.

The Rise of Spot Bitcoin ETFs

In early 2024, the U.S. SEC approved multiple spot Bitcoin ETFs; a significant breakthrough for the cryptocurrency industry then. By year-end, assets under management for these ETFs grew from $28.8 billion to $110 billion. Among them, BlackRock’s IBIT ETF stood out, achieving record-breaking $30 billion AUM in under 300 days.

This development not only validated cryptocurrencies as a mainstream investment class but also paved the way for wider institutional participation. The integration of cryptocurrency into traditional finance is seen as a key step toward standardisation – an issue which has plagued the industry since its inception.

Liquidity and Risk Appetite Fuel Growth

Macroeconomic conditions, including the Federal Reserve’s shift towards an easing monetary policy, contributed to increased market liquidity and higher risk asset valuations. Cryptocurrencies, known for their high-risk, high-reward profile, inevitably emerged as a preferred choice for portfolio diversification, further driving their adoption and price momentum.

2025 Will Be A Year of Regulatory Clarity and Technological Innovation

Looking ahead, the cryptocurrency sector is poised for greater regulatory clarity and broader market acceptance globally:

United States: Expected legislation on stablecoins and other crypto assets will a establish a clear regulatory environment.

European Union: The upcoming implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) will enhance transparency and compliance.

Asia-Pacific: Singapore and Hong Kong are set to strengthen their positions as regional crypto hubs, promoting Web3 development and reopening licensing opportunities for exchanges.

Emerging Markets: Countries like Brazil, the UAE, Australia, and South Africa are advancing efforts to legitimize cryptocurrencies, potentially becoming regional leaders in the sector.

A New Era for Mainstream Cryptocurrency Adoption

The VT Markets’ Research Desk suggests that the confluence of supportive policies, transparent regulations, and robust market conditions will accelerate the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies.

They believe that this transition from speculative assets to recognised investment products will be a pivotal moment in financial innovation.

Hashtag: #VTMarkets #CFDs #CFDsbrokers #cryptocurrency #Bitcoin #bitcointrading



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

Skipton International Introduces New 3-Year Mortgage Products and Reduces Buy-To-Let Mortgage Rates for New Customers


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 January 2025 – Skipton International, a licensed bank in Guernsey and a leading mortgage lender for UK buy-to-let mortgages, has announced the launch of a brand new 3-year mortgage product at a fixed rate starting at 5.89%. Skipton has also announced the reduction in mortgage rates for new customers across its UK buy-to-let fixed rate range with the lowest 5-year fixed rates starting at 4.99%.

Photograph shows: Lorraine McLean, Senior Mortgage Sales Manager. Skipton International
Photograph shows: Lorraine McLean, Senior Mortgage Sales Manager. Skipton International

Buy-to-let mortgages allow investors in the UK property market to build a portfolio of properties and generate steady income from rental properties. Any property purchased in the UK for the purpose of renting out, requires a buy-to-let mortgage.

Skipton International’s new 3-year mortgage product offers competitive rates and make the start of the year the perfect time to investigate the purchase of a UK property for rental purposes.

  • Reduced Rates: New business 5-year fixed rates now start at 4.99%.
  • New Products: A 3-year fixed rate has been introduced, starting at 5.89%.

The reductions have been applied across its product range, including for both purchase and remortgage applications, with effect from Monday 13 January 2025.

UK property purchases are proving a solid investment for non-UK residents, with a year-on-year increase in property values, a surge in demand for available rental properties, and higher rental income achieved than ever before,” said Lorraine McLean, Senior Mortgage Sales Manager, Skipton International.

UK high street banks are typically hesitant to lend to foreign nationals due to concerns about lack of established financial history in the UK, and potential challenges in enforcing loan agreements across borders.

However, Guernsey-licensed bank Skipton International offers a solution by providing mortgage options for British expats and non-UK residents from places like Hong Kong or Singapore, allowing them to buy property while navigating these lending restrictions.

The UK’s transparent legal system provides security for property rights, a significant draw for expats and non-UK residents from countries with less stable markets. Furthermore, the streamlined restrictions on foreign buyers allows non-UK residents to enter the market easily, provided they can secure financing.

“The UK’s buy-to-let sector has remained strong despite interest rate fluctuations. Recent developments look promising, and the Bank of England’s November 2024 rate cut to 4.75% signals good news for property investors, and projections indicate rates may fall to 4.2% by 2026. The market continues to grow steadily with high rental demand and landlord profitability rates reaching 87%,” added McLean.

Skipton’s approach makes gaining a UK mortgage for buy-to-let properties as stress free as possible including easy to use UK mortgage calculators to estimate how much to borrow, and the monthly repayments for the required loan size.

Skipton International is also a part of the Skipton Group, which includes the UK’s Skipton Building Society and Connells, the UK’s largest real estate agency.

Skipton’s Guernsey Advantage
Skipton is registered in Guernsey, an offshore island affiliated with England, but with its own laws as a British ‘Crown Dependency’. A highly regulated jurisdiction, Guernsey gives reassurance to anyone with financial dealings on the island.

Skipton’s new rates will also be available to its global network of brokers in addition to direct applications.

For further information, visit: England, Scotland and Wales Buy-To-Let mortgages

Product fee:

Purchase: £1,999

Remortgage: £999
Additional borrowing: £999

Valuation cost:

Purchase: Cost included in Product Fee.

Remortgage: Cost included in Product Fee

Hashtag: #skiptoninternational

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

About Skipton International

Skipton International offers a range of offshore savings accounts and is one of the Channel Islands’ leading mortgage lenders for residential Channel Island mortgages and UK buy-to-let mortgages for expats and non-UK resident nationals. It is a three-times winner of the Moneyfacts ‘Offshore Bank Account Provider of the Year’ award 2021, 2022 and 2023, and the Mortgage Introducer ‘Top Mortgage Employer’ Award 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Skipton International is part of the , includes Skipton Building Society, and the UK’s largest estate agency, .

Skipton International is licensed under the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law. Skipton is a participant in the Guernsey Banking Deposit Compensation Scheme. The Scheme offers protection for ‘qualifying deposits’ up to £50,000, subject to certain limitations. The maximum total amount of compensation is capped at £100,000,000 in any five-year period. Full details are available on the Scheme’s website www.dcs.gg or on request. To help maintain service and quality, telephone calls may be recorded and monitored.

Skipton International has a customer service rating of 4.7 / 5 according to Feefo, an independent online assessor of customer service, and is a five-times Platinum award winner as a trusted provider.

Vietjet to Boost Aviation Infrastructure in Laos

Vietjet to Boost Aviation Infrastructure in Laos
This image is used solely for representational purpose (photo credit: Independent)

Vietnamese airline Vietjet has signed an agreement to support Laos in advancing its aviation infrastructure. 

“Immersive Translate” by funstory.ai Delivers Instant Multi-Language Translation with Just One Click, Named Google Chrome’s Best Extension of 2024


TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 January 2025 – Google recently announced its Best 2024 Chrome Extensions of the Year, with “Immersive Translate” developed by funstory.ai standing out for its innovative multi-platform integration and AI translation technology. The tool not only supports platforms including iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows but is also compatible with major browsers like Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox, delivering a translation experience that closely matches user needs.

Immersive Translate can accurately identify the main content areas of web pages, providing smooth bilingual parallel translations without needing to open multiple web pages
Immersive Translate can accurately identify the main content areas of web pages, providing smooth bilingual parallel translations without needing to open multiple web pages

Immersive Translate integrates leading AI translation engines including DeepL, OpenAI, Claude, and Gemini, breaking through the limitations of traditional single-engine translation tools. Users can freely switch between the most suitable translation engines based on different scenarios, achieving precise translation results.

The tool’s main feature is its intelligent bilingual comparison function, which accurately identifies the main content areas of web pages while preserving the original layout, allowing users to compare source text and translation on a single page. Additionally, it supports over 100 international video platforms including YouTube, Netflix, and TED, providing real-time bilingual subtitle translation services.

In terms of document processing, Immersive Translate supports nine document formats including Word and ePub, while also offering free PDF translation services that maintain the original document layout. Furthermore, its PDF PRO feature can intelligently recognize complex layouts, fully preserving mathematical formulas, tables, and mixed text-image layouts, solving the formatting issues common to traditional translation tools.

Notably, the tool is also a boon for manga enthusiasts, supporting over 50 international manga websites including Shueisha and MANGA Plus. Through AI image recognition technology, it can accurately translate dialogue box content while maintaining the integrity of the original images.

Immersive Translate not only provides professional support in the business sector but also creates an innovative learning environment in education. Through real-time bilingual comparison features, it perfectly integrates language learning with daily life, pioneering cross-language communication in the modern digital era.
Hashtag: #ImmersiveTranslate

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

Electricity Exports Lead Laos’ Trade Revenue in 2024

Electricity Exports Lead Laos’ Trade Revenue in 2024
Laos remains a key regional exporter of electricity, its top export commodity in 2024 (photo credit: UBN )

In 2024, electricity exports continued to lead Laos’ export revenues, generating nearly USD 980 million and accounting for 15.35 percent of total exports, according to the Department of Foreign Trade.

The “Lost and Found in Hong Kong: The Unsung Chinese Heroes at D-Day” Extends Exhibition at CUHK until Jan 24

The exhibition will then move to London to commence its international tour


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 January 2025 – The “Lost and Found in Hong Kong: The Unsung Chinese Heroes at D-Day” exhibition, at the invitation of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Library, has been extended to January 24th.

The “Lost and Found in Hong Kong: The Unsung Chinese Heroes at D-Day” Extends Exhibition at CUHK until Jan 24


From September 2024 onwards, the exhibition has publicly exhibited the diaries and letters of Chinese naval officer Lam Ping-yu which reveal his participation in the Battle of Normandy (D-Day) on June 6th, 1944, aboard the British battleship HMS Ramillies during World War II. Lam’s 80-page diary was discovered by chance in 2015 in a soon-to-be-demolished tenement building in Hong Kong. The diary recounts his training in the United Kingdom with 23 other Chinese naval officers and his subsequent participation in D-Day. Lam’s written records are hitherto the only primary source of Chinese participation in D-Day.

By December 2024, the exhibition has attracted up to 8,000 visitors. The team has also received interest from over 40 secondary schools, organising 23 school tour groups, with a total of over 820 students visiting the exhibition. Students visiting the exhibition ranged across government schools, aided schools, schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) and international schools.

Moreover, the team has created an education program to foster initiatives for community-driven individuals. “The curatorial team hopes to encourage more like-minded individuals to enrich Hong Kong’s diverse cultural landscape, playing to their own interests and expertise,” said co-curator Angus Hui. “In striving to encourage young people to take action in cultural preservation, the team has launched the H-Infinity program to share our curatorial experience and resources, in order to nurture similar community engagement projects in Hong Kong”.

After the exhibition at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Library concludes, it will move to London in February as the first stop of the international tour. “With Lam’s participation in D-Day, our exhibition is committed to highlighting the long-standing connections, friendships, and solidarity between East and West”, opined co-curator John Mak. “Building on the momentum in Hong Kong over these past few months, we will continue to bring this fascinating Hong Kong story to Europe, offering a unique historical perspective to audiences worldwide.”

New Breakthroughs in Historical Research
After the exhibition launch, the curatorial team successfully contacted the family members of Lam Ping-yu, the owner of the diary, in Hong Kong, the United States, and Brazil. This helped the team’s research on Lam’s life from the 1920s to 2000, and his connections to Hong Kong. In mid-December last year, the co-curators travelled to the East coast of the United States to meet with Lam’s direct descendants, gathering more information to further historical research.

Exhibition Details
Date: September 23rd, 2024 to January 24th, 2025
Address: Digital Lab, G/F University Library, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Fee: Free Entry

Hashtag: #D-Day

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

About Lost and Found in Hong Kong: The Unsung Chinese Heroes at D-Day

Aiming to highlight the enduring cooperation and connections between Chinese and Europeans, the exhibition showcases an overlooked piece of World War II history by uncovering the journey of a group of Chinese naval officers from Chongqing to the Normandy Landings (D-Day).

The project received support from nine universities and five museums in Asia and Europe, the Hong Kong consulates of France, Belgium, the UK, and the EU, as well as numerous local historians and NGOs. For more information, please see or follow their page.

About The Urban Studies Institute

The Urban Studies Institute (考城學社, “USI”) is a registered charity focusing on the research and participation of urban space issues, and the related evolution and development in built environment, construction, aesthetics, culture, and society. Contemporary methods would be employed to narrate the urban development of Hong Kong and realise various educational schemes. USI also engages in the conservation initiatives, architecture, and community design of Hong Kong.

Lao Authorities Dismantle Nine Illegal Call Centers in the Golden Triangle SEZ

Lao Authorities Dismantle Nine Illegal Call Centers in the Golden Triangle SEZ
Lao Authorities Dismantle Nine Illegal Call Centers in the Golden Triangle SEZ

The Lao authorities have reported the successful dismantling of nine illegal call center fraud operations within Bokeo’s Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in 2024. 

The year-long crackdown led to the arrest of 267 individuals from 16 different nationalities and the seizure of thousands of pieces of equipment, including over 10,000 computers, 11,000 mobile phones, and significant amounts of cash. The call centers were primarily involved in fraudulent activities such as cyber scams and financial fraud. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat telecommunications fraud in the region.

In June, 280 Chinese nationals were deported for their involvement in illegal call center operations. In August, authorities rescued 14 Indian nationals from a cyber-scam ring, bringing the total number of Indian nationals rescued in 2024 to 548.

The confiscated equipment was part of a broader strategy to dismantle and disrupt fraudulent units operating in the SEZ, an area known for its high concentration of illicit activities.

At a meeting on 7 January, Vanthone Sulisak, Deputy Director General of the Police Department, presented an overview of the efforts between 2022 and 2024. Authorities identified 306 call centers or fraud units operating in the SEZ, employing 15,970 individuals—6,120 Lao nationals and 9,868 foreign workers. 

Over the past two years, police dismantled 63 of these units. An additional 46 units  ceased operations either through fraud or self-closure, while 160 units shifted to authorized online gaming activities. Despite these successes, 37 units remain under inspection, according to Vanthone.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Public Security reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with agencies at central, provincial, district, and regional levels. 

Plans for 2025 include the development of detailed strategies and action plans aimed at enhancing the efficiency of efforts to combat telecommunications fraud. The ministry also emphasized the importance of ensuring all operations comply with laws and regulations to maintain effective management and oversight within the SEZ.