GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization said Friday that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions of people worldwide.
WHO Downgrades COVID Pandemic, Says It’s No Longer Emergency

ESG Achievement Awards 2022/2023 is Open for Application, Adding 4 New Award Categories Celebrating Champions and Innovators
Category
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Sub-Categories
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ESG Benchmark Awards
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1) The ESG Leader
Outstanding Performance in Environmental Responsibility
Outstanding Performance in Social Responsibility
Outstanding Performance in Corporate
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Outstanding ESG Awards
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2.1) Listed Company
2.2) Non-Listed Company
2.3) NGO /NPO
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Outstanding ESG Product and Service Awards
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3.1) Outstanding ESG Fund
3.2) Outstanding ESG ETF
3.3) Outstanding ESG MPF
3.4) Outstanding ESG Service Provider
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Criteria set by Fund Managers – Distinguished ESG Company
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4.1) Listed Company
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Best Sustainable Vision Awards
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5.1) Listed Company
5.2) Non-Listed Company
5.3) NGO /NPO
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SG Learning & Development Awards
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6.1) Company /Organisation
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ESG Innovative Project Awards
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7.1) Listed Company
7.2) Non-Listed Company
7.3) NGO /NPO
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ESG Elite Awards
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8.1) Individual
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Honorary Awards (By invitation only)
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9.1) Company /Organisation
9.2) Individual
9.3) Outstanding Sustainability and Dividend Growth Awards
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Full Name
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Post
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Chairman of Jury Panel
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Mr Vincent Pang
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Managing Director, AVISTA Group
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Vice Chairman of Jury Panel
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Ms Ashley Khoo
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Executive Director, CFA Society Hong Kong
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Jury Panel Members
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Ms Mabel Chan
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Veteran of mutual fund industry
Co-host of Metro Finance Radio HK |
Ms Charmaine W. H. Cheng
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Deputy General Manager / Named Company Secretary
Fountain Set (Holdings) Limited
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Prof Karen Cheung
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President & Secretary-General, UNESCO Hong Kong Association
Director of Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development
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Ms Lovinia Chiu
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Chairman, Executive Director and CEO Medialink Group Limited
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Ir Edward Chow
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Deputy Head, Carbon and ESG Solutions
Green Living and Innovation Division
Hong Kong Productivity Council
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Ms Pamela Chung
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Managing Director & Head of IPO
Tricor Group |
Mr Roy Fan
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Head of Sustainability, Climate Change and ESG Services
SWCS Corporate Services Group (Hong Kong) Limited |
Hon Robert Lee
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Legislative Council Member
Functional Constituency – Financial Services |
Mr Thomas Lee
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Founder and Chairman
TLP CPA Limited |
Ms Nana Li
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Head of Sustainability & Stewardship, Asia-Pacific
Impax Asset Management Hong Kong |
Prof Charles W W Ng
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Dean of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Fok Ying Tung Graduate School |
Dr Kenny Tang
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Chairman
The Hong Kong Institute of Financial Analysts and Professional Commentators |
Mr Mike Wong
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Chief Executive Officer
The Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies |
Ms Jessie Yu
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Chief Executive
Hong Kong Single Parents Association |
Mrs Rebecca Choy Yung
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Founder & Chair
Golden Age Foundation |
Hashtag: #IESGB
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About IESGB
The Institute of ESG & Benchmark (IESGB) is a non-profit organisation. Its endeavors is to elevate stakeholders’ awareness and knowledge towards Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) in all industry sectors. By organising Environment, Social and Governance relevant trainings and events, IESGB hopes to lead and strengthen the ESG standards and development across Hong Kong.
Vientiane Police Issue Statement On Shooting of 25-Year-Old “Jack”
Milwaukee Asia Reaffirms its Commitment to support the transformation of the construction workplace through provision of a 360 degree Health and Safety Solution

Operating in the construction industry requires the ability to deal with numerous complex processes and business challenges, such as optimizing productivity, adhering to completion deadlines, effective collaboration with partners and employee safety. Milwaukee is committed to supporting the transformation of the construction workplace through provision of a 360 degree Health and Safety Solution to meet these challenges. The key features of this solution are as follows:
- Minimizing injuries caused by accidents: Various accidents, such as dangling tool entanglement, operating errors and dropping of tools, may occur when using power tools/equipment on a construction site;
- Cordless solutions: Reduce the risks of cable tangling
- AUTOSTOP control: Stops a tool when encounter kick back
- RAPIDSTOP brake: Enable quick stop on tools when trigger released
- Low noise, low vibration: Selective power tools feature low noise and low vibration configurations. For instance, M12 FUEL and M18 FUEL hydraulic impact drivers and high vibration tools designed with anti-vibration system (AVS), providing increased safety for the operators;
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): MILWAUKEE is one of the leading manufacturers offering PPE, such as safety glasses and anti-cut gloves and safety helmet. This reflects MILWAUKEE’s emphasis on safety and commitment to providing total protection for users;
- Dust control: A construction site is a dusty place. If workers are not properly protected, they are at greater risks of developing pneumoconiosis. MILWAUKEE offers a wide range of dust control tools to keep workers healthy. Its dust control devices and dust extrators for rotary hammers and grinders are professionally certified, which can reduce dusts by up to 90%; and
- Reducing emissions: Its cordless solutions, including M12, M18 and MX FUEL technologies, are powered by lithium batteries, which eliminates gas emission issues.
“Our initiatives aim to implement safe working practices to ensure the protection of all workers on-site”, says Jackie Chan, Milwaukee Commercial Director, Hong Kong & Taiwan. “Ensuring workplace safety is crucial, and it requires advanced planning and the provision of appropriate tools and equipment. Moreover, it is essential to provide comprehensive training to increase workers’ awareness of potential hazards and enable them to implement safety precautions effectively. We have noticed a growing number of companies taking additional measures to safeguard their employees’ safety, and we are delighted to collaborate with them to enhance workplace health and safety.”
Milwaukee is committed to ensuring the safety and efficiency of construction environment by expanding its product range to meet the ever-changing demands of the workplace environment. In addition to product development, Milwaukee also provides Job Site Solutions (JCC) consultancy services for the construction workplace. Through on-site inspections, each construction workplace is carefully assessed for any limitations, thereby enabling the selection of the most suitable tools and equipment to meet the site’s unique requirements. Furthermore, the application of the new solution also improves production efficiency, simplifies and integrates cordless tool platforms, and significantly reduces operating costs. This solution has become a flagship service in the Asia-Pacific region, successfully helping construction operators create a safe and efficient work environment.
Hashtag: #Milwaukee
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Milwaukee Tool
Milwaukee Tool, founded in 1924, is a global leader in delivering innovative solutions to the professional construction trades that increase productivity and safety. Milwaukee® is known for their world-leading M12™, M18™, and MX FUEL™ cordless systems, the ground-breaking performance of their cordless innovations, safety solutions, battery-powered outdoor power equipment, jobsite lighting and clean-up, time-saving accessories, and innovative hand tool and PACKOUT™ Modular Storage products. The company is dedicated to delivering a steady stream of advanced, trade-specific solutions.
Milwaukee Tool is a Brookfield, Wisconsin-based subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI) (HKEx stock code: 669, ADR symbol: TTNDY). For more information on the full line of Milwaukee® products, please visit www.milwaukeetool.com.hk .
Laos Sees Slight Dip in Inflation Rate in April
The country recorded an inflation rate of 39.89% in April, according to the report from the Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB).
Lao President Meets With Cambodian PM to Strengthen Ties

The top leaders of Laos and Cambodia met on Thursday at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh to further strengthen “already excellent” bilateral relations.
Laos to Update Law on Tourism, Improve Cooperation Among Govt. and Businesses
The Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICT) met with various stakeholders to discuss the possibility of updating tourism laws in Laos.
Interpharma Investments Limited Appoints Alfonso “Chito” Zulueta As Non-Executive Chairman
Mr. Zulueta joins Interpharma Investments Limited with more than three decades of experience with Eli Lilly and Company, where he was most recently President of Lilly International, and an Executive Committee member and Corporate Officer prior to his retirement in 2021. He has a strong track record in the pharmaceutical industry and extensive experience on corporate boards and industry associations. During his career with Eli Lilly and Company, he held both regional, U.S. and global roles across various functional areas including sales, marketing, product and business development, operations, and general management.
Mr. Zulueta said, “Zuellig Pharma plays a unique role in the healthcare landscape in Asia, as an innovative partner in many areas across distribution and commercialisation solutions. With its rich, proven legacy and a spirit of resilience, entrepreneurship and depth, the company is well-placed for an exciting future. Patrick has been exceptional in helping steer the business through a solid period of growth. I look forward to continuing his legacy and contributing to the company’s strategy to help achieve its mission of making healthcare more accessible in Asia.”
Under Mr. Davies’ leadership, Zuellig Pharma overcame a period of uncertainty and significant challenges brought about by the pandemic, including major disruptions to supply chains and pressures on healthcare systems worldwide. Mr. Davies steered the company through an important business transformation, cementing its position as an indispensable partner to the company’s key stakeholders and the communities it serves in Asia.
Mr. Davies said, “The company’s success in weathering massive challenges over the past four years is a true testament of our capabilities, collective resilience and commitment towards building a healthier future for Asia. It brings me great pride to have been part of this journey and I look forward to seeing Zuellig Pharma scale greater heights in the years to come.”
Interpharma Investments Limited expresses its sincerest gratitude to Mr. Davies for his valuable contribution to the Board during his four-year term and extends its warmest welcome to Mr. Zulueta.
Hashtag: #ZuelligPharma #InterpharmaInvestmentsLimited #Healthcare #Appointment
https://sg.linkedin.com/company/zuellig-pharma
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Zuellig Pharma
Zuellig Pharma (a subsidiary of Interpharma Investments Limited) is one of the largest healthcare services groups in Asia and our mission is to make healthcare more accessible to the communities we serve. We provide world-class distribution, digital and commercial services to support the growing healthcare needs in this region. The company was started a hundred years ago and has grown to become an over US$15 billion business covering 16 markets with over 13,000 employees. Our people serve over 350,000 medical facilities and work with over 500 clients, including the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world.