31.1 C
Vientiane
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 1601

Bokeo Province Department Takes Down Illegal Signs in Chinese, Lao to Uphold Regulations

Bokeo Province Department Takes Down Illegal Signs in Chinese, Lao to Uphold Regulations
Authorities on a mission to take down illegal signs in Bokeo's Ton Phueng district (photo: Lao Phatthana News)

The Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism in Bokeo Province took action to dismantle illegal signs and billboards on 6 February in the province’s Ton Phueng district.

Laos’ Teen Pregnancy Rates Highest in Southeast Asia, Study Reveals Key Factors

Representational image (Photo: BNN Breaking)

Recent findings have once again confirmed that Laos has the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy in Southeast Asia.

A study conducted by Marie Habito, a senior research officer at Burnet Institute, an Australian-based medical research institute, titled Understanding diverse pathways to adolescent pregnancy in Lao People’s Democratic Republic,” revealed a range of contributing factors to this alarming data.

Acceptance of child marriages, limited sexual health knowledge, power imbalances in relationships, alcohol-induced coercion into sexual intercourse, and girls’ lack of autonomy are identified as primary contributors to under-18 pregnancies.

In addition to these factors, an officer from the Lao Youth Union, who opted to remain anonymous, disclosed that teenage pregnancy is most prevalent in remote areas.

“Instances of pregnancies under 18 are most common in rural areas, particularly among Lao young girls from ethnic groups,” the officer stated. “Some couples having children at an early age can be attributed to various factors, including the need for an additional workforce in the family. Some families also view early marriage as part of their tradition.”

“We noticed numerous cases of Lao girls becoming pregnant before 18, often because of a lack of sexual knowledge. Another significant factor is that many young Lao girls struggle to find guidance on family planning,” further noted an advisor from the Vientiane Women and Youth Center for Health and Development (VWYC).

The advisor emphasized the challenges young Lao girls face in seeking advice on sexual health and mentioned that the VWYC is working closely and “discreetly” with Lao women in schools and universities to ensure a comfortable environment to discuss such matters.

The experience on the ground echoes the research’s findings, which revealed that sexual health information is often perceived as relevant only for married individuals, leading to a lack of awareness among unmarried girls. 

In almost half of the cases in the study, early marriages were driven by the desire to evade the stigma of having a child outside of wedlock. Frequently, upon discovery by their families, boyfriends proposed marriage or parents arranged unions to avoid social embarrassment or fines imposed by the village.

But post-marriage things don’t always go better. 

The study also exposed the influence of male partners in reproductive decision-making, with many young pregnancies occurring due to the reluctance to use condoms post-marriage. This hesitation stems from associating condom use with instances of infidelity.

In this context, Habito further stressed the importance of understanding girls’ personal experiences to develop effective policies. She highlighted the necessity of comprehensive sexual education for adolescents, addressing harmful substance use, and developing programs that tackle socio-cultural and financial factors driving child marriages and early unions.

Further addressing the issue from a local perspective, the VWYC revealed the center’s ongoing collaboration with numerous schools and universities to educate Lao youth about reproductive health, making sexual health knowledge a primary focus.

It is evident that Laos continues to grapple with the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy in the region. From limited sexual health knowledge to societal pressures, the challenges faced by young Lao girls are complex to navigate. However, amidst these difficulties, local centers and organizations are actively engaged in collaborative efforts to educate Lao youth on reproductive health and push for comprehensive policies to address the root causes as well as support the well-being of young girls across the country.

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise honours its Business Partners across the globe


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 February 2024 – Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, a leading provider of communications, networking and cloud solutions tailored to customers’ industries, is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its partners worldwide. The Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Partner Awards are made up of three categories: Digital Transformation, Vertical Growth and Best Growth. The winning Business Partners have shown an ability to deliver exceptional services, customer satisfaction and impressive results.

The award winners were announced during the ALE Connex24 Partner Event, where attendees heard ALE’s CEO, Jack Chen, and his executive and management teams, speak about how Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise will accompany its business partners to drive sustainable business for their companies and customers.

The theme for this year’s event was ‘Technology for a Sustainable Future’, which underlines the importance of how ALE works hand-in-hand with its partners to create and deliver positive and sustainable outcomes for their customers.

Congratulations to the following ALE partners who have demonstrated excellence in the implementation of Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise solutions and, through their expertise, helped customers overcome today’s business challenges:

Digital Transformation Award 2023

  • A1 Telekom Austria AG, Austria (EMEA region): recognised for their immense RainbowTM growth in 2023, moving the installed base of traditional communications to the cloud.
  • Orange Business, France (FRANCE region): recognised for their strong commitment to ALE in transforming and upselling the installed base.
  • COM plan + service GmbH, Germany (GERMANY region): recognised for having built up innovative Cloud go-to-market model in order to scale up installed base migration.
  • 3Corp Technology, Brazil (AMERICAS region): recognised for proactively supporting numerous customers in Brazil with their move to the cloud.
  • ACA Pacific Technology(S) Pte. Ltd., Singapore (APAC region): recognised for their strong commitment to ALE, transforming the cloud offering with telco M1 Ltd., expanding new go-to-market revenue streams.


Vertical Growth Award 2023

  • Axians Italy, Italy (EMEA region): recognised for their numerous projects in the transportation, energy and hospitality sectors.
  • NXO France, France (FRANCE region): recognised for their strong engagement and growth in vertical markets.
  • REDNET GmbH, Germany (GERMANY region): recognised for their strong investment in sales, pre- and post-sales, which led to significant revenues in the government market.
  • Axede, Colombia (AMERICAS region): recognised for their phenomenal growth in Colombia nearly tripling their year-over-year business with a focus on the local healthcare market.
  • Hong Kong Telecommunications, Hong Kong (APAC region): recognised for their impressive year-on-year growth, bolstering the adoption of ALE’s communications portfolio in the public sector.


Best Growth Award 2023

  • Tech First Gulf, United Arab Emirates (EMEA region): recognised for their incredible growth, more than doubling their commitment to ALE across all Middle East focus verticals.
  • Alliance-Com, France (FRANCE region): recognised for their strong growth momentum across ALE solutions.
  • NTT Germany AG & Co. KG, Germany (GERMANY region): recognised for being a pioneer for future technologies such as RainbowTM Edge and their excellent execution of the joint development plan.
  • SSP Telecom Inc., Canada (AMERICAS region): recognised for their fantastic growth, providing excellent support to ALE throughout North America in many vertical markets, notably transportation, healthcare and government.
  • BIN Solutions Co. Ltd. South Korea (APAC region): recognised for their strong growth momentum, driving Wi-Fi 6 transformation and growth in healthcare.

“At Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise we firmly believe that technology can help individuals and companies better connect and collaborate in more innovative and productive ways. Connex24 ‘Technology for a Sustainable Future’ is the perfect stage to celebrate the impressive achievements of our business partners and discuss our ambitious plans for continued joint success in the future. With these awards, ALE recognises the engagement, dedication, teamwork and unwavering customer-centric focus of our business partners. We look forward to seeing how this continues to grow in 2024 and beyond.”

Claudio Soland, Senior Vice President, Global Go-to-Market (GMT) & Services, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

Hashtag: #AlcatelLucentEnterprise #Technology

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

About Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise delivers the customised technology experiences enterprises need to make everything connect.

ALE provides digital-age networking, communications and cloud solutions with services tailored to ensure customers’ success, with flexible business models in the cloud, on premises, and hybrid. All solutions have built-in security and limited environmental impact.

Over 100 years of innovation have made Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise a trusted advisor to more than a million customers all over the world.

With headquarters in France and 3,400 business partners worldwide, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise achieves an effective global reach with a local focus.

| | | |

ClinPsy Introduces “Secret Agent Society” Social Skills Group Therapy & EMDR for Children


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 February 2024 – ClinPsy is pleased to announce the expansion of its services, featuring “Secret Agent Society” social skills group therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for children. The company is currently one of the few psychology clinics in Singapore offering these services.

As technology increasingly dominates children’s interactions, there has been a noticeable decline in the development of crucial social skills. Recognising this gap, ClinPsy has introduced the “Secret Agent Society” (SAS) structured social skills group therapy programme. The SAS is a unique, evidence-based programme that provides children with the opportunity to learn and practise social skills whilst learning how to regulate difficult emotions and behaviours.

The SAS programme includes engaging group sessions where children learn and interact in a fun, gamified environment. The learning continues at home, enhancing the partnership with caregivers through a robust parent training programme. By integrating SAS into its services, ClinPsy aims to empower children to have improved social interactions and enhanced emotional well-being.

The company is also introducing Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy tailored for children to bridge the gap in child mental health services. Traditionally developed for adults, EMDR therapy offers a unique approach to addressing trauma and fears. ClinPsy’s EMDR for children incorporates non-verbal processing techniques, providing a relaxed and engaging process for kids to explore and make sense of their experiences with the help of a licensed Singapore clinical psychologist. The goal is to create a safe space for children to navigate and overcome challenges without feeling overwhelmed.

ClinPsy is a reputable clinical psychological clinic in Singapore that is dedicated to providing comprehensive support to individuals, families, and communities in navigating life’s challenges and enhancing mental well-being. With a team of professional clinical psychologists, the clinic is equipped to address a wide spectrum of mental health challenges, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders and trauma-related issues, as well as perform psychological assessments – whether it be an autism or ADHD test in Singapore.

By expanding its services to include SAS and EMDR for children, ClinPsy reaffirms its dedication to delivering evidence-based, innovative, and comprehensive mental health care for the younger generation.

For more information, please visit https://clinpsysg.com/.
Hashtag: #ClinPsy

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

From Beers to Bonds: Understanding the Significance of Alcohol in Lao Social Dynamics

From Beers to Bonds: Understanding the Significance of Alcohol in Lao Social Dynamics
This image is used only for representational purpose (photo: Discover Laos Today)

In Laos, sharing drinks, especially alcoholic beverages, plays an important part in the culture as it helps encourage social connection and break the ice between strangers. The tradition not only serves as a means of hospitality but also helps people feel at ease in different social settings. 

Minors Arrested During Crackdown on Sex Workers, Illegal Entertainment Venues in Vientiane

Minors Arrested During Crackdown on Sex Workers, Illegal Entertainment Venues in Vientiane
The sex workers after their arrest (photo: Laopost)

On 9 February, authorities in Pak Ngum district, Vientiane Capital, conducted a crackdown on nine entertainment venues, resulting in the arrest of 48 sex workers, including four minors. 

Sahm Capital Becomes Gold Sponsor of SCMF 2024


RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 February 2024 – T Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Sahm Capital Financial Company (previously known as VCFC), a leading brokerage firm licensed by Saudi Capital Market Authority (22251-25), has announced its sponsorship of the Saudi Capital Market Forum (SCMF). As a pivotal event in the financial calendar, SCMF serves as a vibrant festival that brings together the world’s leading financial minds and decision-makers, fostering dialogue and innovation in global finance.

As a gold sponsor, Sahm Capital will have important presence at SCMF with an exclusive booth (Booth Number: G13) in the exhibition area. Guests will be able to gain first-hand experience of Sahm App’s all-in-one and easy-to-use features, and its powerful functions like one-click quick switch between Saudi and U.S. stock accounts in real-time for both trading and currency conversion.

“We are thrilled to be part of this pivotal event. It offers us a great opportunity to engage with the leading financial minds and decision-makers. We wish to maintain close ties with the community and users, constantly improve our service and contribute to the growth of the financial industry.” said Hadeel Bedeeri, General Manager of Sahm Capital.

Registered in Riyadh, Sahm Capital is a venture company of Valuable Capital Group Ltd (VCGL) and eWTP Arabia Capital. In October 2023, Sahm Capital received licenses from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) to conduct Dealing, Advising, and Custody services in KSA, making it the first international online brokerage firm to provide online brokerage services in KSA.

In December 2023, Sahm Capital launched its online trading app, Sahm. First of its kind, the app supports both Arabic and English, with a sleek, user-friendly UI design embedded with bundled functions, like a Shariah Compliant Stocks indicator, demonstrating a strong commitment to the local market. Furthermore, functions related to market information reach as deep as detailed listed company profiles, financial event calendars, analysis charts dynamics and key market statistics.

The Sahm app is now available for download on the iOS App Store, Android Play Store, and Huawei AppGallery. For more information, visit https://www.alsahm.com.

Hashtag: #Brokerage

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

About Sahm Capital

Registered in Riyadh, Sahm Capital (previously known as VCFC) is a joint venture company of Valuable Capital Group Ltd and eWTP Arabia Capital. The company is a registered member of the Saudi Stock Exchange, Tadawul, as well as its affiliates, the Securities Depository Center Company (Edaa) and the Securities Clearing Center Company (Muqassa). Sahm Capital is also a member of Mena Fintech Association and Middle East Africa and Asia Crypto and Blockchain Association (MEAACBA).

Now TV launches addressable TV advertising to help improve campaign targeting


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 February 2024 – HKT (SEHK: 6823) – Now TV has launched Hong Kong’s first addressable TV advertising service, applying the latest technology to enable more precise campaign targeting for enterprises.

Leveraging the Group’s large customer base, Now TV is able to categorise its users based on first-hand data such as programme preferences, interests, habits, and other authentic information. This allows Now TV to provide a more personalised television viewing experience tailored to different user segments.

The first in Hong Kong, this advertising deployment technology seamlessly integrates personalised commercials across more than 40 linear channels on Now TV spanning news, finance, sports, movies, drama and entertainment. Advertisers have the flexibility to push different ads to specific customer segments based on the target of their advertising campaigns, heightening customer engagement and attention. Among Now TV’s first addressable TV advertising clients are international luxury and automotive brands.

Bruce Lam, CEO, Consumer, HKT, said, “We are thrilled to introduce Hong Kong’s first addressable TV advertising service, revolutionising Hong Kong’s TV commercial landscape. This innovative technology empowers us to precisely target campaigns for enterprises, leveraging our extensive customer base and first-hand data. The initial results of the launch have been satisfactory, and we look forward to further expanding our advertising capabilities to drive even greater revenue growth.”

Derek Choi, Managing Director, Consumer Marketing & Pay TV, HKT, said, “Committed to introducing state-of-the-art services to the market, our new offerings combine the strengths of traditional TV big screen commercials and digital marketing, providing advertisers with the flexibility to deliver targeted commercials to specific customer segments to enhance customer engagement, and, in turn, increase their advertising cost efficiency.”

Similar services have been launched in different regions around the world with remarkable success. A study1 has shown that addressable TV advertising helps raise viewer attentiveness by 35% and ad engagement by over 20% while reducing channel switching by close to 50%. Over half of surveyed media buyers2 said that their organisations are focused on improving the effectiveness of their TV campaign targeting through addressable TV advertising, in response to the ever-evolving media ecosystem and consumer behaviour.

Hashtag: #HKT

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

About HKT

HKT is a technology, media, and telecommunication leader with more than 150 years of history in Hong Kong. As the city’s true 5G provider, HKT connects businesses and people locally and globally. Our end-to-end enterprise solutions make us a market-leading digital transformation partner of choice for businesses, whereas our comprehensive connectivity and smart living offerings enrich people’s lives and cater for their diverse needs for work, entertainment, education, well-being, and even a sustainable low-carbon lifestyle. Together with our digital ventures which support digital economy development and help connect Hong Kong to the world as an international financial centre, HKT endeavours to contribute to smart city development and help our community tech forward.

For more information, please visit www.hkt.com.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hkt

Issued by HKT Limited.
HKT Limited is a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability.