Cityneon Brings Avatar: The Experience To The Iconic Cloud Forest At Gardens By The Bay Singapore

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 4 April 2022 – Avatar: The Experience will debut at Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay welcoming guests later this year. This immersive walk-through event based on the global blockbuster film AVATAR is a uniquely designed collaboration between Cityneon Holdings, Disney Location-Based Experiences, and James Cameron and Jon Landau’s Lightstorm Entertainment.

Mr. Ron Tan, Cityneon’s Executive Chairman and Group CEO, shares, “It’s an honor to present Avatar: The Experience with the support of the Singapore Tourism Board and Gardens by the Bay. We are excited to contribute to the inspiring creative culture of Singapore. The iconic Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay, one of Asia’s most popular horticultural attractions, becomes the perfect scenic location. We look forward to welcoming guests to this carefully-curated event.”

Lightstorm Entertainment’s President of Franchise Development, Ms. Kathy Franklin, states, “The opening of Avatar: The Experience in Singapore is a unique opportunity to continue expanding the global reach and impact of AVATAR, the highest-grossing film of all time. As the first of our four AVATAR sequels comes to theaters this December, this is the perfect time – and the perfect place – to explore and celebrate the wonders of Pandora in an all-new way.”

Set at Cloud Forest with its iconic vision of waterfalls, spiraling walkways and a unique architectural glass greenhouse, Avatar: The Experience invites guests to connect with the alien world of Pandora, its bioluminescent environments, mystical creatures, flora, and the captivating culture of its indigenous people, the Na’vi.

Mr. Felix Loh, Chief Executive Officer of Gardens by the Bay, says, “Over the years, Gardens by the Bay has emerged as a foremost icon for Singapore. Many visitors associate the aesthetic of Gardens by the Bay with the stunning environments from the film AVATAR. Even more remarkable is the shared appreciation for the natural world that surrounds us. This collaborative opportunity serves as a one-of-a-kind event and adds to the significance of our 10^th anniversary celebrations.”

Ms. Ashlynn Loo, Director, Attractions, Entertainment and Tourism Concept Development, adds, “We are thrilled that Singapore will be the debut destination for Avatar: The Experience. As we prepare to welcome more visitors, such innovative and immersive experiences are a timely addition to our calendar of vibrant leisure events and reinforce our destination attractiveness. The experience also demonstrates the industry’s confidence in Singapore’s strong fundamentals as a leisure destination and is testament to our exemplary track record in delivering high-quality experiences.”

We look forward to welcoming you! Additional details will be announced soon. Sign up to be the first to know by visiting: www.AvatarTheExperience.com

About Cityneon Holdings

Cityneon is a global leader in immersive experiences that holds global partnerships with billion-dollar studios such as The Walt Disney Company and Marvel Entertainment for Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. and Marvel Avengers Station: Evolution and 20th Century Studios for AVATAR: The Exhibition, Hasbro for Transformers: The Experience, NBCUniversal for Jurassic World: The Exhibition, and Lionsgate for The Hunger Games: The Exhibition. Cityneon has also recently announced a partnership with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment to produce two brand-new, unique global touring themed art experiences inspired by DC and the Wizarding World, slated to launch in 2023. The company also partners the governments of Peru and Egypt for their original artifact IP experiences, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru and Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs respectively. These partnerships have enabled the Group to bring compelling experiences that leave lasting memories to visitors in more than 50 cities to date globally.

With its global reach and international partnerships, Cityneon has the capability to serve its clients anywhere in the world. Cityneon was listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Stock Exchange since 2005, and was privatized on February 2019 by West Knighton Limited, a company wholly owned by Cityneon’s Executive Chairman and Group CEO, Ron Tan, together with Hong Kong veteran entrepreneur and investor, Johnson Ko Chun Shun. Johnson is a capital markets veteran and has held controlling interests and directorships in many listed companies. In May 2019, Cityneon welcomed CITIC Capital as a new shareholder, who holds approximately 9% shares in Cityneon. CITIC Capital is part of CITIC Group, one of China’s largest conglomerates, and has over US$29B of assets under its management across 100 funds and investment products globally. Other institutional shareholders of the Group include EDBI – a Singapore government-linked global investor, and Pavilion Capital – a Singapore-based investment institution which focuses on private equity investments, that made strategic investments to the Group in August and October 2019 respectively. In April 2021, Cityneon welcomed new investors Seatown Holdings International, Qatar’s Doha Venture Capital, which will now own approximately 4% of the Group, and other financial institutions

and family offices in Singapore and China, joining the already strong stable of shareholders to support the Group’s further expansion globally. For more information, please visit www.cityneongroup.com.

#Cityneon

About Gardens by the Bay

An integral part of Singapore’s “City in Nature” vision, Gardens by the Bay is a national garden and premier horticultural attraction that showcases the best of garden and floral artistry for all to enjoy. Spanning 101 hectares in the heart of Singapore’s downtown Marina Bay, it comprises three waterfront gardens – Bay South, Bay East, and Bay Central. Bay South, the largest at 54 hectares, officially opened on 29 June 2012.

Guided by the vision to be a world of gardens for all to own, enjoy and cherish, the Gardens’ extensive plant collection, ever-changing floral displays, and myriad of engaging programs have captured the imagination of many, while its Gift of Gardens community initiative, with Madam Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore as Patron, reaches out to people from all walks of life.

Since opening, Gardens by the Bay has welcomed more than 80 million visitors and garnered numerous international awards including a silver for Destinations Building Back Better Post-Covid at the World Responsible Tourism Awards 2021, Best Attraction Experience at the Singapore Tourism Awards 2019, and ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award presented by ASEAN Tourism in 2018. The Gardens continues to refresh and refine its offerings, to be a place that everyone can enjoy – a garden where wonder blooms. For more information, please visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg

About the Singapore Tourism Board

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions. For more information, please visit www.stb.gov.sg or www.visitsingapore.com

For more information and any other enquiries, please contact:

Ng Yuin Yi

VIM & VIGOUR

Senior Account Manager

yuinyi@vimandvigourpr.com

+65 9274 7372

Amber Ng

VIM & VIGOUR

Senior Account Executive

amber@vimandvigourpr.com

+65 9628 6917

Wong Yilin

CITYNEON HOLDINGS

Group Head, Corporate Relations

yilin.wong@cityneongroup.com

April 4, 2022

1,500 Pastors Gather for Shincheonji Church Press Conference

NEW YORK, April 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Shincheonji, Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony hosted a press conference April 2nd via Zoom. In total, 1,500 pastors from various countries participated. Reporters from different media outlets also attended.

Shincheonji Church Chairman Lee speaking to pastors and reporters during the April 2nd press conference

Shincheonji Church hosted the event to present results from its recent online seminars. Pastors who signed MOUs with Shincheonji shared testimonials.

“In the past, all I preached was that everyone must believe in Jesus and by sharing grace in this way would lead to salvation,” said Dongsu Kim, pastor of Peace Church. “Without fulfillment, I thought heaven was somewhere one went to after death. I thought there was resurrection after death.”

Pastor Kim is currently teaching Shincheonji Church’s revealed word to his congregation. “The time has come for all the pastors to come and learn so that they may live a life of faith in the correct truth,” he said.

To date, 2,155 pastors, 22 seminary schools and 958 churches in 67 countries have signed MOUs with Shincheonji Church. In exchange for their cooperation, Shincheonji is providing churches and seminary schools with theology materials and access to Bible instructors. In the United States, a Shincheonji instructor was invited to teach 100 members from The Early Church of the New Era. A seminary school in Pakistan is offering Shincheonji course curriculum after its dean signed an MOU with the church.

Shincheonji Church Chairman Lee Man-hee also spoke during the press conference, explaining how he has come to share the word and the role of pastors today.

“Let’s fight and overcome the devil with the blood of Jesus and the word of testimony and create the people of God’s kingdom so that God may finally come and reign over the world after 6000 years,” Chairman Lee said. “This is what [God] has made known to us through the Bible. I hope that everyone engraves the words of all the chapters of Revelation—which is the law of heaven—in their hearts.”

Shincheonji Church has taught Revelation and the secrets of the kingdom of heaven through online seminars since October 2021. The lectures have millions of YouTube views and are available in 24 different languages. The church is also broadcasting content from its intermediate-level course through June 27th. The lessons and the April 2nd press conference are available on Shincheonji Church’s official YouTube channel.

Media Contact: Revelation@SCJAmericas.org

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1779470/Shincheonji_Church_Chairman_Lee.jpg

April 4, 2022

‫الإمارات تعلن عن جائزة تحدي تكنولوجيا الغذاء العالمي بقيمة 2 مليون دولار أمريكي لدعم الحلول المبتكرة في مجال التكنولوجيا الزراعية

المكتب الإعلامي لحكومة دبي- 4 أبريل 2022 /PRNewswire/ — انطلق “تحدي تكنولوجيا الغذاء العالمي”، الذي يسعى إلى اكتشاف تكنولوجيا العقد القادم من الابتكارات والتقنيات التي ستغيّر ممارسات الزراعة التقليدية بكفاءة واستدامة خلال فعاليات إكسبو 2020 دبي، وأعلن اليوم عن مجموع جوائز بقيمة 2 مليون دولار أمريكي.

يستهدف التحدي المشاريع الناشئة في مراحلها الأولى مثل فرق الأبحاث الجامعية الدولية ورواد الأعمال والشركات الصغيرة، حيث يستقصي الابتكارات المتعلقة بمسارين هامين هما ” إنتاج الغذاء” لمعالجة تحدي توافر ووفرة الغذاء وأسعار الأغذية، من خلال تمكين التحول إلى “الجيل القادم” من بدائل الأغذية الغنية بالعناصر الغذائية، و”فقد وهدر الأغذية” لضمان الاستدامة في سلسلة التوريد الغذائي بشكل عام.

ومع جوائز يصل مجموعها إلى 2 مليون دولار أمريكي، سيتم منح الفائزين فرصة لتطوير نماذج أعمالهم في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة، مدعومين بمشاريع البحث والتطوير، وتسريع نمو هذه الشركات، والحوافز التجارية، والتوجيه اللازم لنقل المفاهيم الفائزة من مرحلة الاختبار إلى السوق. وتقبل الطلبات من جميع أنحاء العالم، مع التركيز على البلدان المتميزة بمجال التكنولوجيا الزراعية.

ويتم تنظيم تحدي تكنولوجيا الغذاء من قبل وزارة التغير المناخي والبيئة بدولة الإمارات و”تمكين”، وهي شركة مقرها أبوظبي تهدف إلى إطلاق مشاريع تسهم في ازدهار المشهد الاجتماعي والثقافي والتعليمي في دولة الإمارات من خلال عقد شراكات مع جهات محلية ودولية رائدة. وانضمت إليهما في النسخة الحالية من التحدي “أسباير”، ذراع مجلس أبحاث التكنولوجيا المتطورة والمخصّصة لإدارة برامج التكنولوجيا، والتي تشرف على تمويل مشاريع البحث والتطوير التكنولوجي في إمارة أبوظبي خصوصاً ودولة الإمارات عموماً. ويحظى كل مسار كذلك

بدعم الشركات الوطنية الرائدة، حيث تركز شركتا ” القابضة” (ADQ) و”سلال” على مسار إنتاج الغذاء، فيما تركز مؤسسة الإمارات على مسار فقد وهدر الأغذية.

وبهذه المناسبة، قالت معالي مريم المهيري، وزيرة التغير المناخي والبيئة في دولة الإمارات: “يحظى الأمن الغذائي اليوم بأهمية كبيرة أكثر من أي وقت مضى، فلم يعد العالم كما نعرفه، حيث يواجه العديد من التحديات في مختلف مراحل سلسلة الإمداد، كما أن تأثيرات التغيرات المناخية التي تفضي إلى الكثير من الاضطرابات تحد من مرونة سلاسل الإمداد واستدامتها، ومن هنا، تقع على عاتقنا مسؤولية إعادة التفكير بمستقبل قطاع الغذاء وابتكار ممارسات غذائية وزراعية مرنة بالاعتماد على أفضل التطورات التكنولوجية. يقربنا تحدي تكنولوجيا الغذاء خطوة من اكتشاف وتطوير بعض هذه الحلول، فهو يسلط الضوء على الدور الحاسم الذي يمكن للابتكار أن يلعبه لمواجهة تحدياتنا المشتركة”.

من جانبها قالت ريما المقرب المهيري، رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة “تمكين”: “إن مواكبة طموحات دولة الإمارات بعيدة المدى في مجال الأمن الغذائي يتطلب منهجيات جريئة تدعم الأفكار الإبداعية ونماذج العمل الجديدة، إلى جانب التعاون المكثف مع منظومة التكنولوجيا الزراعية العالمية. ويستقطب تحدي تكنولوجيا الغذاء كوكبة من أقوى الشركاء متعددي القطاعات القادرين على المساهمة بدفع عجلة التقدم وتحقيق الازدهار في دولة الإمارات من خلال دعم الحلول المستدامة والمجدية تجارياً والقائمة على التكنولوجيا”.

وبدوره شدد معالي فيصل البناي، الأمين العام لـمجلس أبحاث التكنولوجيا المتطورة، على أهمية تسخير التكنولوجيا المتطورة؛ حيث قال: “تعد دولة الإمارات اليوم من أكثر دول العالم تميزاً بمجال الابتكار وتسخير التكنولوجيا المتطورة لإيجاد حلول لعدد من أهم التحديات المجتمعية. ويقدم تحدي تكنولوجيا الغذاء دليلاً إضافياً ورائعاً على ذلك، حيث تستضيف دولة الإمارات أذكى العقول من حول العالم للتعاون واستكشاف الحلول والارتقاء بمجال التكنولوجيا الزراعية”.

كما يعتبر كل من سوق أبوظبي العالمي، ومكتب أبوظبي للمقيمين و”كتاليست أكسيليريتور”، وصندوق خليفة لتطوير المشاريع داعمين رئيسيين للمسابقة.

وسيبقى باب المشاركة في تحدي تكنولوجيا الغذاء مفتوحاً حتى شهر يونيو، حيث سيتم وضع القائمة النهائية بأسماء المشاركين ومنح أفضل 10 فرق فرصة عرض نماذج أعمالهم خلال حفل توزيع الجوائز الذي سيقام في نوفمبر. ويمكن للمشاركين تقديم طلباتهم عبر الموقع الإلكتروني: www.foodtechchallenge.com.

يشار إلى أن النسخة الأولى من تحدي تكنولوجيا الغذاء تلقت 437 طلب مشاركة من 68 دولة، وتم تكريم الفائزين من أستراليا والمملكة العربية السعودية والإمارات العربية المتحدة والمملكة المتحدة.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1777878/FoodTech_Challenge_Logo.jpg

April 4, 2022

LG RECEIVES AHRI PERFORMANCE AWARD FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Company Secures Sought-after Industry Recognition for Its Advanced HVAC Solutions in Six Different Product Categories

SEOUL, South Korea, April 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) has been honored by the Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) with a Performance Award for the fifth year in a row.

Established in 1953, AHRI is a globally-respected trade association currently with more than 350 member companies and representing the world’s HVAC, refrigeration, and water heating solution manufacturers.

For the Performance Award, AHRI enlists the services of Intertek, a leading third-party standards, certification and testing organization, to assess if actual product performance is consistent with the specifications listed by the manufacturer. Only those companies whose HVAC offerings have passed the primary performance evaluation for three consecutive years are considered for the Performance Award.

A total of 55 LG HVAC solutions across six categories passed AHRI’s stringent evaluation process, marking the third year in a row from 2019 to 2021 that all products submitted by LG have done so. The tested models belong to the following categories: Variable Refrigerant Airflow (VRF), Unitary Small Heat Pump (USHP), Air-Cooled Chillers, Water-Cooled Chillers, Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps (PTHP), and Room Fan Coil Units.

One of the more-than-fifty LG products evaluated included the LG Multi V large-capacity outdoor unit, which utilizes the company’s own Ultimate Inverter Compressor to provide outstanding performance and energy efficiency. Popular worldwide, and especially in Northern hemisphere countries where winters can be long and harsh, LG’s flagship VRF system delivers dependable heating operation, even in temperatures as low as negative-30 degrees Celsius (negative-22 degrees Fahrenheit).

Also tested was LG Multi V Water, a water source cooling system offering better thermal efficiency thanks to the implementation of plate-type heat exchanger. LG’s solution also reduces energy consumption by adjusting the volume of water used.

The air-cooled Inverter Scroll Chiller also leverages advanced inverter technology to achieve a high level of efficiency. Its compactly designed unit delivers an impressive performance without taking up as much space as other models in its class.

“Earning the AHRI Performance Award for a fifth consecutive year is a testament to the quality, performance and reliability built into every LG HVAC solution,” said James Lee, head of the Air Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “The trust customers have in our products is a major reason for our ongoing success, both in North America and all around the globe. By offering innovative solutions that maximize customer value, we will continue to strengthen our position in the HVAC market and bolster our reputation as an industry leader.”

About LG Electronics Air Solution Business Unit

LG air conditioning provides optimized solutions for every sector and climate with a wide range of cutting-edge systems that bring exceptional heating, ventilation and air conditioning performance to buildings worldwide. Through our unmatched expertise and industry knowledge, we respond directly to the needs of businesses seeking digitalized and eco-conscious HVAC solutions. We are the partner your business has been looking for, and are well prepared to integrate our leading technology into your day-to-day operations, supporting you and your business every step of the way. For more information, please visit www.LG.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1778638/image_1.jpg
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April 4, 2022

More than 90 migrants drowned in Mediterranean

Cairo, Apr More than 90 people in an overcrowded boat drowned in the Mediterranean Sea, a prominent humanitarian group said, in the latest tragedy involving migrants departing from North Africa to seek a better life in Europe.

Doctors Without Borders said the migrants were on a vessel that left Libya last week. It was unclear exactly when the boat ran into trouble, said Juan Matias Gil, the group’s head of mission, AP reports.

The group, also known by its French acronym MSF, said an oil tanker rescued four migrants early Saturday in international waters. The survivors reported that they were on the boat along with about 100 other migrants, it said.

MSF said the tanker did not respond to its calls not to return the migrants to Libya, where “they will almost certainly face detention, abuse and ill-treatment.”

The group urged Italy and Malta to “assign a place of safety for the survivors before it is too late.” It also called for The European Union border protection agency Frontex and other EU agencies to reveal the details of the incident.

Migrants regularly attempt to cross the Mediterranean from the North African nation in a desperate attempt to reach European shores. The country has emerged as the dominant transit point for migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.

Human traffickers in recent years have benefited from the chaos in Libya, smuggling in migrants across the oil-rich country’s lengthy borders with six nations. The migrants are then typically packed into ill-equipped rubber boats and set off on risky sea voyages.

Around 300 migrants died or were presumed dead along the Central Mediterranean route between Jan. 1 and March 28, according to International Organization for Migration. About 3,100 were intercepted and taken back to Libya.

Once back in Libya, the migrants are typically taken to government-run detention centers rife with abuse and ill-treatment.

In 2021, at least 32,425 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya. At least 1,553 are presumed to have drowned last year, according to IOM.

Investigators commissioned by the United Nations’ top human rights body found evidence of possible crimes against humanity committed in Libya against migrants detained in the country.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

April 4, 2022

Rwandan Court Refuses to Lengthen Sentence of ‘Hotel Rwanda’ Hero

The Rwandan man portrayed as a hero in the movie “Hotel Rwanda” should not have his 25-year sentence extended to life in prison, a Rwandan court ruled Monday.

Paul Rusesabagina was convicted in September on eight terrorism charges for his role in a group opposing President Paul Kagame.

Rusesabagina said that he was a leader in the Rwanda Movement for Democratic Change but had no role in the group’s armed wing, the National Liberation Front, which has carried out attacks.

He refused to take part in the September trial, calling it a sham, and was not present at Monday’s ruling.

Prosecutors called the 25-year sentence too lenient.

His family has lobbied for his release, saying he is ill.

Rusesabagina saved around 1,200 people by sheltering them in a hotel during the country’s 1994 genocide, which saw over 800,000 killed.

Source: Voice of America

April 4, 2022

WHO says 99% of world’s population breathes poor-quality air

Washington, The U.N. health agency says nearly everybody in the world breathes air that doesn’t meet its standards for air quality, calling for more action to reduce fossil-fuel use, which generates pollutants that cause respiratory and blood-flow problems and lead to millions of preventable deaths each year.

The World Health Organization, about six months after tightening its guidelines on air quality, on Monday issued an update to its database on air quality that draws on information from a growing number of cities, towns, and villages across the globe — now totaling over 6,000 municipalities, said AP.

WHO said 99 percent of the global population breathes air that exceeds its air-quality limits and is often rife with particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the veins and arteries, and cause disease. Air quality is poorest in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Asia regions, followed by Africa, it said.

“After surviving a pandemic, it is unacceptable to still have 7 million preventable deaths and countless preventable lost years of good health due to air pollution,” said Dr. Maria Neira, head of WHO’s department of environment, climate change and health. “Yet too many investments are still being sunk into a polluted environment rather than in clean, healthy air.”

The database, which has traditionally considered two types of particulate matter known as PM2.5 and PM10, for the first time has included ground measurements of nitrogen dioxide. The last version of the database was issued in 2018.

Nitrogen dioxide originates mainly from human-generated burning of fuel, such as through automobile traffic, and is most common in urban areas. Exposure can bring respiratory disease like asthma and symptoms like coughing, wheezing and difficulty in breathing, and more hospital and emergency-room admissions, WHO said. The highest concentrations were found in the eastern Mediterranean region.

Particulate matter has many sources, such as transportation, power plants, agriculture, the burning of waste and industry – as well as from natural sources like desert dust. The developing world is particularly hard hit: India had high levels of PM10, while China showed high levels of PM2.5, the database showed.

The findings highlight the sheer scale of the changes needed to combat air pollution, said Anumita Roychowdhury, an air pollution expert at Center for Science and Environment, a research and advocacy organization in New Delhi.

India and the world need to brace for major changes to try to curb air pollution: electric vehicles; a shift away from fossil fuels; a massive scaling-up of green energy; and households separating their types of waste, she said.

The Council on Energy, Environment and Water, a New Delhi-based think tank, found in a study that more than 60% of India’s PM2.5 loads are from households and industries.

Tanushree Ganguly, who heads the council’s program on air quality, called for action toward reducing emissions from industries, automobiles, biomass burning and domestic energy.

Source: Bahrain News Agency