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Lao Taekwondo Athletes Win Two Golds at South Korean Championship

Lao Taekwondo Athletes Win Two Golds at South Korean Championship
Lattanaphone Lattanapaseuth (middle) and Nalinda Khemmala (left), two Taekwondo athletes from PMS Taekwondo Club who won a gold medal and a bronze medal, respectively, accompanied by the club owner, Douangsivilay Phimmasone (right). (photo credit: Douangsivilay Phimmasone)

Six Lao Taekwondo athletes secured five medals, including two gold, one silver, and two bronze, at the Seongnam Open International Taekwondo Championship 2024 in South Korea on 21 July.

National University of Laos to Admit 5,920 New Students

Students took entrance exam at the National university of Laos in 2023. (Photo: NUoL News)

The National University of Laos (NUOL) has announced that it will accept 5,920 new students for the 2024-25 academic year, with over 4,000 applicants already registered for entrance exams.

This year’s intake represents a substantial decrease compared to the previous years, according to acting NUOL President Dexanoulath Sendouangdeth.

During the 2023-24 academic year, 6,688 students secured places at NUOL out of 7,441 who took the exams. In comparison, the previous year saw over 11,000 students registering for the exams, with 6,990 being admitted. Meanwhile, in the 2020-2021 academic year, more than 9,000 students gained admission out of 16,700 who registered.

The Lao Ministry of Education and Sports is concerned about this decline, attributing it to limited job opportunities in Laos as a key factor. The ministry stated that many potential students are hesitant to invest in a university education due to uncertain job prospects. Meanwhile, financial and economic difficulties in rural areas are contributing to the decrease, as high tuition fees discourage potential applicants.

Acknowledging the declining trend among Lao people in pursuing higher education, Dexanoulath encouraged recent high school graduates to register for the entrance exam and continue their education. Registration will remain open until 7 August, with exams scheduled to take place on 10 August at the Dongdok campus.

NUOL, the largest university in Laos, consists of 13 faculties, including engineering, mathematics and physics teaching, agriculture, environmental studies, and Lao language education, among others. The university provides diverse academic programs, including undergraduate, master’s, and diploma courses, as well as six PhD programs.

New Brand, Diverse Experience, Value Beyond Insurance FTLife Officially Renamed CTF Life with the Launch of “CTF Life • CIRCLE”


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 July 2024 – FTLife Insurance Company Limited (“FTLife”) today announced that it has officially changed its name to Chow Tai Fook Life Insurance Company Limited (“CTF Life”) and revealed its new brand identity. The company also launched the “CTF Life * CIRCLE” membership programme, leveraging the diverse conglomerate of Chow Tai Fook Group (“the Group”) to provide quality lifestyle experiences and create value beyond insurance.

CTF Life’s Chief Executive Officer Man Kit Ip (middle), alongside the company’s management team and event ambassador Linda Chung officially unveil the new brand identity.
CTF Life’s Chief Executive Officer Man Kit Ip (middle), alongside the company’s management team and event ambassador Linda Chung officially unveil the new brand identity.

CTF Life’s Chief Executive Officer Man Kit Ip, alongside the company’s management team officially unveiled the new brand identity today at a ceremony held in “The GalaMuse”, CTF Life’s concept centre. The company also invited actress and singer Linda Chung to be the event ambassador. An integrated marketing campaign highlighting the new name “CTF Life” will be rolled out across online and offline platforms from today, including the prominent rooftop LED billboard at a grade-A commercial building on Hong Kong Island as well as the sizable outdoor advertisement at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, overlooking Victoria Harbour, all of which are strategically planned to enhance the brand awareness.

New brand name: unchanged commitment

Man Kit Ip, Chief Executive Officer of CTF Life, said: “The launch of the new brand marks a new milestone in the company’s development. With a near 40-year legacy, CTF Life is among the most well-established life insurance companies in Hong Kong. With our new brand identity and unique positioning, we will further strengthen our collaboration with the diverse conglomerate of the Group, leveraging its robust financial strength and strategic investments across the globe to continue to expand our service network and optimise our products and services. We aspire to become a leading insurance company in the Greater Bay Area.”

Man Kit Ip added, “With the brand promise of creating value beyond insurance, we are dedicated to supporting customers and their loved ones in navigating life’s journey with personalised planning solutions, lifelong protection and diverse lifestyle experiences.”

“CTF Life * CIRCLEmembership programme: bringing diverse experience

Launched alongside the new brand, the “CTF Life * CIRCLE” membership programme is designed to fully embody the brand promise. Featuring “diverse experience”, “lifestyle privileges” and access to the Chow Tai Fook Group’s “membership alliance”, the programme provides customers and their families with exceptional lifestyle experiences.

With three tiers of membership – Diamond, Gold and Basic – members can enjoy exclusive offers and privileges within the Group’s diverse conglomerate, covering hotel accommodation, dining, education, health services and more. Members also enjoy access to benefits across the Group’s membership alliance, which will initially include memberships of New World CLUB and KLUB 11 and is set to further expand to encompass CTF Club (Chow Tai Fook Jewellery’s membership programme) and NWC Club (New World China’s membership programme), thereby extending its reach to benefit an even broader membership base in Hong Kong and mainland China.

Brand promise: creating value beyond insurance

The new brand design features turquoise as the primary colour, symbolising the endless vitality that propels the continuous growth and development of CTF Life. The colour scheme also includes earth tones, which represent the company’s dedication to environmental sustainability. The new icon, brand story essence, is composed of four dynamic flowing lines, which vividly reflects CTF Life’s unwavering commitment to supporting customers and their loved ones throughout their life journey – from wellbeing, growth and healthcare to legacy. The prominent new brand identity shown on the rooftop LED billboard at a grade-A commercial building on Hong Kong Island and the outdoor advertisement at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club will add a fresh element to the Hong Kong skyline. It is also set to make an appearance through advertisements on buses and taxis running in the city. The two brand videos showcasing the new brand and the highlight of “CTF Life * CIRCLE” will be broadcast on television, MTR in-train TV, digital and social media platforms, as well as prominent locations at the Group’s diverse conglomerate, starting today.

The company announced its plan to change its name to CTF Life in April. Since then it has received positive feedback from customers and partners. CTF Life remains committed to achieving collaborative success and sustainable growth together with all stakeholders. This name change will not affect its model of collaborating with business partners or its day-to-day management and operation of existing policies, including protection, benefits, fees and returns.Hashtag: #CTFLife

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

About CTF Life

Chow Tai Fook Life Insurance Company Limited (“CTF Life”) is proud of its rich, nearly 40-year legacy in Hong Kong. CTF Life is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NWS Holdings Limited (Hong Kong Stock Code: 659) and one of the most well-established life insurance companies in Hong Kong. As a member of Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited, CTF Life consistently strengthens its collaboration with the diverse conglomerate of the Cheng family (“Chow Tai Fook Group” or “the Group”) to support customers and their loved ones in navigating life’s journey with personalised planning solutions, lifelong protection and diverse lifestyle experiences. By leveraging the Group’s robust financial strength and strategic investments across the globe, CTF Life aspires to become a leading insurance company in the Greater Bay Area while continuously creating value beyond insurance.

Henkel Malaysia Equips Underprivileged Children with Computer Skills

Empowering low-income communities in Malaysia through computer literacy


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 July 2024 – Henkel Malaysia, in collaboration with Project Hope Welfare Association, successfully concluded a 10-week computer literacy programme for children aged between 10 to 17 from low-income and Myanmar refugee families. As part of Henkel Malaysia’s “Make an Impact on Tomorrow” initiative, the programme aims to bridge the digital gap and equip participants with essential computer skills.

Teoh Tsu-Shien, President of Henkel Malaysia (front center), presents refurbished laptops to Lai Leen, Chairperson of Project Hope Welfare Association (front right).
Teoh Tsu-Shien, President of Henkel Malaysia (front center), presents refurbished laptops to Lai Leen, Chairperson of Project Hope Welfare Association (front right).

Held at Project Hope Welfare Association’s facility, the computer literacy programme provided participants with foundational computer skills including basic navigation, functionality and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. It further prepared them for success through resume writing and presentation training, boosting their confidence and enhancing their future prospects with skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s digital world. The training was delivered by 16 employee volunteers across various departments at Henkel.

“We enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to support Project Hope Welfare Association by donating computers. In addition, our employees volunteered to offer training sessions for the children. This aligns perfectly with our commitment to creating lasting social impact within our local communities,” said Teoh Tsu-Shien, President of Henkel Malaysia.

Lai Leen, Chairperson of Project Hope Welfare Association said, “We appreciate what the Henkel Malaysia team has been doing for the association thus far. The programme aligns with our mission: to empower our students who, on their own, would not have the opportunity to study or learn. We would also like to thank Henkel Malaysia for their generous donation of the laptops, which will be continuously well-used by the students. Henkel’s contribution is invaluable.”

The computer literacy programme marks the second successful collaboration between Henkel Malaysia and Project Hope Welfare Association. In May 2024, the “EZY Baking Workshop” empowered individuals from low-income backgrounds with baking knowledge and assistance to start their own home-based baking business, aiming to foster self-reliance and economic empowerment within the community.Hashtag: #Henkel #HenkelMalaysia





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

About Henkel

With its brands, innovations and technologies, Henkel holds leading market positions worldwide in the industrial and consumer businesses. The business unit Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the market for adhesives, sealants and functional coatings. With Consumer Brands, the company holds leading positions especially in laundry & home care and hair in many markets and categories around the world. The company’s three strongest brands are Loctite, Persil and Schwarzkopf. In fiscal 2023, Henkel reported sales of more than 21.5 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of around 2.6 billion euros. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. Sustainability has a long tradition at Henkel, and the company has a clear sustainability strategy with specific targets. Henkel was founded in 1876 and today employs a diverse team of about 48,000 people worldwide – united by a strong corporate culture, shared values and a common purpose: “Pioneers at heart for the good of generations.” More information at

DHL Express and UOB partner to reduce carbon footprint of UOB’s international shipments via sustainable aviation fuel

  • Partnership under DHL’s GoGreen Plus service will support UOB’s sustainability commitments in carbon neutrality

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 July 2024 – DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, and UOB, a leading bank in ASEAN, entered a strategic agreement under DHL’s GoGreen Plus service to co-invest in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for UOB’s international parcel deliveries. Through this program, UOB foresees an estimated annual emissions reduction of approximately 200 tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e[1]) .

UOB has entered into a strategic agreement with DHL Express for its GoGreen Plus service to co-invest in the use of sustainable aviation fuel for the Bank's international parcel deliveries. From L to R: Michiel Greeven, EVP, Global Commercial, DHL Express; Yung C. Ooi, SVP, Commercial, Asia Pacific, DHL Express; Marcus Lai, Head of Corporate Real Estate Services, UOB; and Eric Lim, Chief Sustainability Officer, UOB, at the signing ceremony at the DHL Asia Pacific Innovation Center that took place on 22 July 2024.
UOB has entered into a strategic agreement with DHL Express for its GoGreen Plus service to co-invest in the use of sustainable aviation fuel for the Bank’s international parcel deliveries.

From L to R: Michiel Greeven, EVP, Global Commercial, DHL Express; Yung C. Ooi, SVP, Commercial, Asia Pacific, DHL Express; Marcus Lai, Head of Corporate Real Estate Services, UOB; and Eric Lim, Chief Sustainability Officer, UOB, at the signing ceremony at the DHL Asia Pacific Innovation Center that took place on 22 July 2024.

Launched in February 2023, DHL’s GoGreen Plus service has helped over 40,000 customers in Asia Pacific cut their carbon emissions using SAF, which can reduce lifecycle emissions of typical aviation fuel by around 80 per cent compared with traditional jet fuel. This demonstrates a strong demand for sustainable solutions across DHL’s customers in various industries. UOB and DHL have been collaborating closely since 2022 to reduce UOB’s carbon footprint of international parcel deliveries and has onboarded the GoGreen Plus service from March this year to utilize SAF.

“DHL has a clear sustainability roadmap, and we understand our role and responsibility to make air transportation more sustainable. We are proud that UOB has selected us to be their partner to help reduce their environmental impact on their international shipping activities,” said Ken Lee, CEO DHL Express Asia Pacific. “We are seeing a strong uptake of GoGreen Plus service in the region, citing shippers’ readiness and appetite for sustainable logistics solutions. SAF is currently the best option for reducing carbon emissions in aviation, and we are glad to be taking the lead.”

Environmental sustainability takes center stage for the banking and finance industry

According to Dentsu’s 2023 report for the banking and finance industry, 63 per cent of Asia Pacific consumers recognized and felt the impact that climate change can bring about in the next five years. As a result, consumers expect brands and their governments to take firm action to address sustainability. In fact, Asian banks are taking action and committing to net-zero emissions as well. As seen in an assessment by World Wide Fund for Nature, net-zero commitments among assessed banks rose from 15 to 39 per cent between 2021 and 2022.

In 2022, UOB announced its goal of achieving net-zero by 2050 for its financed emissions, concurrently supporting sustainable practices among its clients and the real economy, and driving socio-economic growth in Southeast Asia. DHL’s GoGreen Plus service allows UOB to reduce their Scope 3 non-financed emissions effectively with SAF. In addition, UOB will receive monthly updates detailing the carbon reductions of their parcel shipments through a complimentary Carbon Footprint report and quarterly certification of the emissions reduction achieved by an independent auditor.

“As our operations continue to expand regionally, we are committed to align our procurement activities with our sustainability strategy and objectives. UOB is the first local bank in Singapore to proactively address the emissions arising from our consignments and international shipping activities through carbon insetting, as part of reducing the footprint of our supply chain. The collaboration with our logistics partner, DHL, supports the scaling of SAF usage as a better alternative to decarbonize supply chains. This is a meaningful step for us to achieve sustainable procurement, integral to UOB’s ethos of responsible business practices,” said Marcus Lai, Head of Corporate Real Estate Services, Group Finance & Corporate Services, UOB.

The GoGreen Plus service is one of DHL’s global initiatives to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It is made possible due to strategic collaborations with bp and Neste to acquire up to 800 million liters of SAF and with World Energy to provide up to 668 million liters of SAF. As a leading logistics company, DHL stays committed to decarbonizing its business operations and continuously developing innovative green solutions for the logistics industry.


[1] CO2e A carbon dioxide equivalent or CO2 equivalent, abbreviated as CO2e is a metric measure used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases on the basis of their global-warming potential (GWP), by converting amounts of other gases to the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide with the same global warming potential.

Hashtag: #DHLExpress #GoGreenPlus #SustainableAviationFuel #UOB



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

DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 395,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world.”

DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 81.8 billion euros in 2023. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.

About UOB

UOB is a leading bank in Asia. Operating through its head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, UOB has a global network of around 500 offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. Today, UOB is rated among the world’s top banks: Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings.

For nearly nine decades, UOB has adopted a customer-centric approach to create long-term value by staying relevant through its enterprising spirit and doing right by its customers. UOB is focused on building the future of ASEAN – for the people and businesses within, and connecting with, ASEAN.

The Bank connects businesses to opportunities in the region with its unparalleled regional footprint and leverages data and insights to innovate and create personalized banking experiences and solutions catering to each customer’s unique needs and evolving preferences. UOB is also committed to help businesses forge a sustainable future, by fostering social inclusiveness, creating positive environmental impact and pursuing economic progress. UOB believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is steadfast in its support of art, social development of children and education, doing right by its communities and stakeholders.

Lao Police Rescue Indian Nationals from Cyber-Scam Centers, Total Rescued Reaches 518

Indian Nationals (Photo: Indian Embassy in Laos)

Lao police have rescued a total of 13 Indian nationals, who were trapped in cyber-scamming centers, the Indian Embassy in Laos announced on 21 July.

XTransfer and EBANX Partner to Facilitate B2B Trade Payments in Latin America

Through the collaboration with EBANX, XTransfer offers the preferred local payment methods from Latin America to businesses worldwide exporting to the region. Cash-based vouchers, electronic transfers, and Pix, the instant payments in Brazil, are among the options


SHANGHAI, CHINA & CURITIBA, BRAZIL – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 July 2024 – XTransfer, China’s top B2B cross-border trade payment platform, and EBANX, the leading payment platform connecting global companies with customers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, announced a strategic partnership aimed at streamlining B2B trade payments in Latin America. This collaboration will empower XTransfer’s clients – small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) worldwide working with imports and exports – to navigate LatAm’s digital economy with greater ease and efficiency.

ebanx xt logo

While consumer payments are fairly digitized and easy to use, most companies and entrepreneurs in rising markets rely on complex, time-consuming, and non-digital payments. Typical B2B payments take up to 14 days to be confirmed and involve up to six intermediaries, often with low visibility and high fees, according to EBANX’s annual study, Beyond Borders 2024.

Latin America has rapidly emerged as a powerhouse in the digital economy, with a burgeoning market ripe for innovation in B2B payments. With an increasing percentage of businesses purchasing online (e.g. 64% in Brazil and 85% in Colombia, according to OECD and UNCTAD), there is a significant opportunity to streamline processes and enhance the efficiency of cross-border transactions. EBANX, renowned for its robust payment solutions and deep market expertise, is at the forefront of this evolution, poised to transform B2B payments in the region.

Through this partnership, EBANX processes payments for XTransfer in five key Latin American markets, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, with all controls necessary in a robust and secure platform, focusing on alternative payment methods (APMs) like electronic transfers and bank transfers, e-wallets, cash-based vouchers, and the Brazilian instant payment Pix.

The offer is completely aligned with the preferences in Latin America: internal data of EBANX show that more than 75% of B2B transactions in the EBANX platform are paid with alternative payments (other than cards). This collaboration leverages EBANX’s expertise in local payment methods to provide XTransfer’s clients who sell to Latin America with seamless and efficient payment solutions. This enables businesses worldwide to engage in cross-border trade with confidence in the LatAm region.

“We are thrilled to partner with XTransfer, expand our footprint in the APAC region, and support them in their acceleration in Latin America,” said Wei Duan, VP of APAC at EBANX. “This partnership marks a significant milestone for both companies, and we are excited about the potential of the LatAm market for global digital merchants. Together, we can offer unparalleled payment solutions that cater to the unique needs of exporters and importers in this dynamic region.”

Eduardo de Abreu, VP of Product at EBANX, added, “Business-to-business payments represent the next frontier for fintechs, and EBANX is once again at the forefront, investing in solutions that meet the demands of this segment. The importance of alternative payments for B2B transactions cannot be overstated, and we are committed to providing innovative and intuitive financial tools for businesses.”

Alice Yao, Co-Founder and CRO of XTransfer, commented, “The Latin American market is crucial to our global expansion and growth plans. Partnering with a leading local payment institution like EBANX allows us to navigate the complexities of the region’s payment landscape with ease. EBANX’s deep understanding of local payment methods and their robust infrastructure will enable us to better serve our clients and drive growth in this key market.”

By cooperating with well-known multinational banks like JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank, DBS and outstanding payments institutions in emerging markets like EBANX, XTransfer has delivered secure and user-friendly cross-border financial services to SMEs on a global scale. Meanwhile, XTransfer has built a unified global multi-currency clearing network and a data-based, automated, internet-based, and intelligent anti-money laundering risk control infrastructure centered on SMEs. “XTransfer uses technology as a bridge to link large financial institutions and SMEs around the world, allowing SMEs to enjoy the same level of cross-border financial services as large multinational corporations,” Alice added.
Hashtag: #XTransfer #EBANX #Partnership #Crossborder #Payment




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

Bastille Day Reception in Laos Highlights Franco-Lao Diplomatic Ties

Bastille Day Reception in Laos Highlights Franco-Lao Diplomatic Ties
The French Ambassador to Laos, Siv-Leng Chhuor, gives a speech on stage (photo supplied)

The French Embassy in Laos marked Bastille Day (14 July) with an Olympic-themed reception attended by Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, the mayor of Vientiane, and several ministers. This event, held on 12 July, also aimed at renewing France’s commitment to strengthen diplomatic ties with Laos, a year after the 70th anniversary of the France-Laos Treaty of Friendship.