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Cambodia Records This Year’s Fifth Irrawaddy Dolphin Calf in Mekong River

A newborn dolphin was discovered in the northern province of Kratie, Cambodia. (Photo: Lor Kimsan-Cambodia WWF).

Cambodia has discovered the fifth newborn dolphin in the northern province of Kratie, expanding the Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin population in the region.

Prudential launches PRULink Islamic Global Equity Index Fund

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 11 July 2023 – Prudential Singapore (“Prudential”) has launched PRULink Islamic Global Equity Index Fund[1], its first fund which complies with Shariah requirements through its underlying fund and index. It addresses the specific needs of Muslim customers and allows them to invest in globally diversified equities that adhere to Shariah principles.

The fund feeds 100 per cent into the underlying Shariah-compliant HSBC Islamic Global Equity Index Fund, which closely tracks the performance of the Dow Jones Islamic Market Titans 100 Index.

The global Islamic finance industry is estimated to be worth some US$2.2 trillion and anticipated to grow to US$4.94 trillion by 2025.[2]

Mr Ben Tan, Chief Corporate Development Officer of Prudential Singapore, said that the PRULink Islamic Global Equity Index Fund appeals to Muslim customers and also to customers who want to make socially responsible investments.

“Doing good and planning for your financial future can go hand in hand. There is a large opportunity to serve customers who are keen on socially responsible investments such as PRULink Islamic Global Equity Index Fund. We will continue to develop innovative and inclusive solutions to better serve the diverse needs of our customers and distributors, and to make insurance and wealth planning accessible to everyone.”

Shariah investing is aligned to the guidelines for permitted financial activities for Muslims and seeks to do good by encouraging ethical support for the community. Similarly, Prudential’s approach to responsible investment seeks to shift capital from harmful activities towards those that support environmental and social needs.

Anyone can sign up for the PRULink Islamic Global Equity Index Fund through Prudential’s Investment-Linked Plans (ILPs) such as PRUVantage Assure, PRULink InvestGrowth, PRUVantage Wealth, PRUActive LinkGuard, and PRUVantage RetireCare. Existing customers with eligible ILPs[3] who are interested in investing in the new fund can also choose to perform a fund switch, premium re-direction and/or top up.

Additional information

For more details on the long-term performance of shariah-compliant funds compared to conventional funds, please refer to: www.prudential.com.sg/PLIGEI


[1] Any adherence to Shariah requirements are fulfilled on the Underlying Fund and the Index only. For more information, please refer to: www.prudential.com.sg/PLIGEI

[3] Applicable for discontinued ILP products as well. Please refer to the respective ILP Product Summary for more information.

Hashtag: #Prudential

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

About Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Ltd (Prudential Singapore)

Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Ltd is one of the top life insurance companies in Singapore, serving the financial and protection needs of the country’s citizens for 92 years. The company has an AA- Financial Strength Rating from leading credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s, with S$49.4 billion funds under management as at 31 December 2022. It delivers a suite of well-rounded product offerings in Protection, Savings and Investment through multiple distribution channels including a network of more than 5,000 financial consultants.

G2E Asia and Asian IR Expo Unite to Redefine the Future of Gaming and Integrated Resorts Industry in Asia

MACAU – Media OutReach – 11 July 2023 – G2E Asia, the premier event for the gaming and entertainment industry in Asia, returns to Macau with the debut of Asian IR Expo to transcend boundaries and present new opportunities in the gaming and integrated resort industries. The events open today at the Venetian Macao with a shared vision of fostering growth and innovation and will attract more than 5,000 visitors. The collaboration of the events will provide an expanded range of sector offerings at the exhibition. This includes leading-edge products and solutions in the gaming, entertainment, themed travel, art, technology, sports and Esports industries.

Opening Ceremony.jpg

Complementing the exhibition is a carefully curated conference program led by renowned experts and thought leaders on trending topics shaping the industry landscape. Areas of focus include:

  • An in-depth look at Asia’s integrated resorts in terms of regulatory oversight and gaming control, as well as the future trends and challenges.
  • Asia Gaming Landscape: A Decade into the Future.
  • Transition from VIP to Mass and Non-Gaming: Bumpy or Smooth.
  • IAGA Best Practices Institute.

Along with keynote speakers, Dr. Wilfred Wong, President and Executive Director of Sands China and Mr. Alejandro Tengco, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Cooperation (PAGCOR). Other speakers joining the stage include Alidad Tash, Founder and Managing Director of 2NT8 Limited; Chen Si, COO of Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort; Ed Bowers, President Global Development of MGM Resorts International; Fredric E. Gushin, Managing Director of Spectrum Gaming Group; Hubert Wang, President and Chief Operating Officer of MGM China; and Kenneth Fong, Managing Director of Credit Suisse.

The Asian IR Expo launches its debut at the Venetian Macao today, alongside the Greater Bay Area Hotel and Cultural & Creative Industry Expo. From July 11-13, 2023, the events expect to bring together 5,000 visitors across the travel, integrated resorts, and hotel industries to foster collaborations for mutual growth and success. The industry’s participation showcases its dedication to enhancing tourism and elevating Macau’s status as a premier destination worldwide.

The three-day event includes an exhibition, a carefully curated summit program and unique networking opportunities for industry professionals to explore the latest trends and innovations. Visitors are presented with leading-edge products and solutions from various sectors, including art, entertainment, themed travel, technology, sports and Esports.

The summit program, a cornerstone of the Asian IR Expo, features renowned experts and thought leaders discussing trending topics that shape the industry landscape. Areas of focus include:

* Travel Talk and Prospects – Offer a wealth of information and insights in the latest travel trends. Connect with industry experts and learn from them how to unlock success factors after pandemic, shaping tourism development and sharing policy.

* Art and Entertainment (work with ArtBiz) – Explore a diverse range of topics from how the cultural industry drives innovation and promotes the diverse development of the city, to the potential of technology, pop art and entertainment to enhance the customer experience.

* Sports and Esports – Explore the significant impact of sports scene to tourism industry

* Health and Wellness – Discuss the growing trends and development of health conscious tourism in Asia.

Along with keynote speakers, including Dr. Wilfred Wong, President and Executive Director of Sands China; Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Macau Government Tourism Office and Ms. Leong Wai Man, President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government. Other speakers joining the stage include Mr. Kevin Kelley, Chief Operating Officer, Macau of Galaxy Entertainment Group, Ms. Naomi Mano, President & CEO, Luxurique Inc., Mr. Ruben Toral, Director of Healthcare + Wellness, QUO, Mr. Naosato Shibata, Vice Director of Heath Insurance Division, Health Insurance Bureau of Japan, Mr. Mario Ho, Chairman & Co-CEO, NIP Group INC, Ms. Claire Johnson, Head of Partnership & Events of French May Arts Festival and Mr. Marc Rosen, President of Entertainment of Authentic Brands Group.

To learn more about G2E Asia, visit www.g2easia.com.

To learn more about Asian IR Expo, visit www.AsianIRExpo.com.

Hashtag: #G2E&IR

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

D&S Audiology Expands Its Reach With New Clinic Opening In Woodlands

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 11 July 2023 – D&S Audiology is pleased to announce the opening of a new audiology clinic in Woodlands. The new location is conveniently situated beside Woodlands MRT station and offers a full range of hearing care services, including hearing tests, hearing device assessment, hearing aids fitting, tinnitus management, cochlear implant counselling and hearing protection.

D&S Audiology - Eng (1).jpeg

The new clinic is located at 12 Woodlands Square #13-73, Tower 1, Singapore 737715 and will be open from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The clinic is staffed by a team of experienced audiologists who are committed to providing personalised and professional hearing care to the community.

“We are excited to have our services in Woodlands to serve the hearing needs of this vibrant community,” said Deepak D’Souza, Co-founder and Senior Principal Audiologist of D&S Audiology.

The new clinic is equipped with the latest equipment to provide a wide range of services for children, adults and seniors. The clinic also carries a wide selection of hearing aids and cochlear implant processors from leading manufacturers. Individuals who are concerned about their hearing – whether it is requiring assistance to map the cochlear implant after surgery or seeking management strategies for tinnitus in Singapore — are welcome to book an appointment to visit the clinic.

D&S Audiology is a leading audiology clinic in Singapore that provides individualised care and a range of hearing solutions. With a team of highly qualified audiologists and cutting-edge technology, the clinic aims to enhance the quality of life for its patients by addressing their unique hearing needs.

To celebrate the new clinic’s opening, D&S Audiology is also offering a special promotion for the month of August. Customers may enjoy an attractive discount when they purchase a pair of hearing aids. Customers can also take advantage of a free trial period and a satisfaction guarantee.

For more information, please visit https://dsaudiology.sg/.
Hashtag: #AudiologyClinic

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

Vientiane’s First Pedestrian Footbridge Faces Construction Delays

File photo of the footbridge under construction. (Photo Credit: Monlady Sisouliyavongsa).

The construction of the first public pedestrian footbridge in Vientiane Capital remains unfinished even though it was supposed to be ready within four months.

Allianz ranks top emerging liability trends for professional services firms

  • AGCS’ professional indemnity report highlights 11 trends driving future insurance claims activity.
  • Trends include evolving building safety laws, ‘hackers for hire’, inflation and untrained use of generative AI tools.
  • AGCS analysis shows that the legal and construction sectors are the industries most impacted by large professional indemnity claims.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 11 July 2023 – Architects and engineers face greater scrutiny over building and fire safety defects. Financial services professionals may be accused of mismanaging investment funds negatively impacted by inflation. A lawyer’s untrained use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools when preparing client cases could result in an error-ridden brief. The emerging risk landscape for professional services firms is multi-faceted.

A new report from professional indemnity (PI) insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) identifies a number of emerging liability trends for companies, ranking them by level of anticipated impact, potential drivers of loss activity and the likely ease with which these risks may be mitigated. Impacted professions include management consultants, auditors, accountants, architects, engineers, solicitors and lawyers, and media executives, all of whom may be held responsible for losses that arise from a perceived breach of their duties.

“Although exposures vary, all these professions face a wide range of civil liability exposures which need to be adequately addressed and mitigated. These could range from accusations of negligence or omissions resulting in harm or damage to the client, to misrepresentation, to failure to identify fraudulent activity, to the unintentional breach of contract, intellectual property rights or confidentiality, and regulatory investigations and actions,” says Diego Assef, Head of the Global Practice Group, Professional Indemnity Claims at AGCS.

Building safety laws and digital dangers such as ‘hackers for hire’ top the trends heatmap
AGCS’ global PI claims experts identify and rank 11 emerging trends in the report with some professions being more exposed than others depending on the risk and the nature of their business. Evolving legislation related to building safety and cyber crime, social engineering and data loss, are both ranked #1 (very high – a critical impact to operations or loss severity could be expected). Although building safety has predominantly been a UK issue following the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy in 2017 some impact will be felt globally too the report notes. In the UK, extended liability periods for building and fire safety defects could bring new legal claims against manufacturers and suppliers, with a potential domino effect on all specialists in a construction project, such as architects, engineers and design and build contractors for example.

Cyber-attacks have increased in recent years – and professional services firms are highly exposed due to the proprietary customer data and intellectual property they process or operate with. For example, cyber mercenaries are increasingly targeting law firms in order to illegally obtain confidential or protected data that could tip the balance in courtrooms. These so-called ‘hackers-for-hire’ provide technical capabilities and deniability of involvement in the cyber-attack should it be discovered. Claims drivers, which apply across all professions, include phishing and spoofing frauds, third party supply chain risks, ransomware or malware, a lack of adequate systems or controls or data loss. Not only does a cyber breach present immediate first-party costs and disruption, it can also result in significant regulatory exposures, including action from data protection authorities and considerable fines. Litigation from affected data subjects may follow, including large group claims. Breaches may also lead to client and third-party liability claims, with claimants alleging losses due to business interruption or leaked information. A breach also carries the risk of reputational damage, resulting in stock drops and securities claims. Smaller firms can be more vulnerable as they typically have less sophisticated cyber-security.

Prepare for volatility and unexpected impacts from inflation and new tech
Among the other risk trends examined in the report are geopolitical, economic and market volatility (ranked #3 – moderate impact to operations or loss severity could be expected). The report notes that regulatory exposures can arise for professionals acting for clients who may potentially be caught by a rapidly evolving sanctions regime, while for construction and design professionals, disruptions to supply chains could bring claims relating to project delays.

The inflationary environment also ranks as a #3. If inflationary pressures lead to recessionary conditions, there could be a myriad of potential exposures for professionals, including insolvency-related exposures for auditors and insolvency practitioners, lenders’ claims for solicitors and valuers, and claims arising from due diligence against lawyers and accountants, according to the report. Outside of recessionary conditions, financial services professionals may face mismanagement and suitability allegations relating to funds negatively impacted by high inflation.

At the lower end of the risk rankings scale, but not to be underestimated, is the use of new technologies such as AI tools by professional services firms (ranked #4 minor impact).

“While AI has the potential to operate as a risk reducer, as technological solutions evolve rapidly so do the potential claims drivers,” says Assef. “These include data privacy or copyright issues, the need to preserve confidentiality when using service providers, risks of errors being repeated in volume work, and the level of supervision involved in machine learning tasks.

“Professional services firms must continue to properly train and supervise their staff as technology evolves and to ensure the authenticity of work products considering the emergence of tools such as ChatGPT. Ultimately, a lack of awareness of how generative AI works, as well as untrained use, could lead to legal sanctions and civil claims against all types of professionals.” A New York lawyer recently faced sanctions over a ChatGPT-aided brief used in their client’s personal injury case. The technology cited six non-existent court decisions.[1]

PI claims – most impacted professions
The report also notes that over the past 20+ years AGCS has processed and handled over 90,000 PI claims globally with a total value of €2.2bn. Analysis shows that for large losses (€1mn+ claims only), solicitors/lawyers are most impacted (30%), followed by construction professionals (27%).

Download the report here: https://www.agcs.allianz.com/news-and-insights/reports/professional-indemnity-insurance-claims-2023.html


[1] Reuters, A lawyer used ChatGPT to cite bogus cases. What are the ethics?, May 30, 2023

Hashtag: #Allianz

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

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty

is a leading global corporate insurance carrier and a key business unit of Allianz Group. We provide , and for a wide spectrum of commercial, corporate and specialty risks across nine and .

Our customers are as diverse as business can be, ranging from Fortune Global 500 companies to small businesses. Among them are not only the world’s largest consumer brands, financial institutions, tech companies and the global aviation and shipping industry, but also floating wind parks or Hollywood film productions. They all look to AGCS for smart solutions to, and for, their largest and most complex risks in a dynamic, multinational business environment and trust us to deliver an outstanding .

Worldwide, AGCS operates with its own teams in and through the Allianz Group network and partners in over 200 countries and territories, employing more than 4,200 people. As one of the largest Property-Casualty units of Allianz Group, we are backed by strong and stable . In 2022, AGCS generated a total of €11.2 billion gross premium globally.

For more information please visit our website

Lao Youth Union Proposes Draft Law to Protect Lao Youth

Lao Youth Union Proposes Draft Law to Protect Lao Youth
Young people In Laos. (Photo:UNESCO)

The Lao Youth Union (LYU) has put forward a draft law to the 9th National Assembly, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding and promoting Lao culture and heritage among the country’s youth.

5G Team Taiwan Debuts With Success at COMNEXT Tokyo 2023

Demonstrating Leading Innovations in 5G Technologies and Deepening Exchanges Between Taiwan and Japan

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 11 July 2023 – Under the support and guidance of the Industrial Development Bureau (IDB), the Institute of Information Industry (III) led a handful of Taiwanese leading 5G companies including Askey Computer Corp. (ASKEY), LITE-ON Technology Corp. (LITEON), Quanta Cloud Technology (QCT), REIGN Technology Corporation (G REIGNS) in participation of COMNEXT Tokyo 2023 exhibition from June 28th to 30th. The event not only showcased the leading capabilities of Taiwan’s 5G network system solutions, but also created a new opportunity for technical exchanges and cooperation between Taiwanese and Japanese industries.

At the beginning of this year, a GSM Association (Groupe Speciale Mobile Association, GSMA) report predicted that the number of 5G connections will grow to 1.5 billion in 2023, eventually reaching 2 billion by the end of 2025, with more than 30 countries/regions carrying out technological innovation and cooperation.

With successive 5G network deployment, the number of connections is expected to double within two years. In response to this business opportunity, the IDB and the III organized the ‘5G Team Taiwan National Pavilion’ (5G TEAM TAIWAN) at the 2023 COMNEXT exhibition, expressing its value in the global 5G supply chain, where Taiwan is a reliable partner for international operators to engage with in next generation 5G deployments. Its participation has received considerable attention from international media including, Dempa, ASCII.jp, ZDNet Japan, and others, while also attracting about 160 potential customers.

The Taiwan Team Showcased Flexible, High-Performance 5G O-RAN Solutions
The 5G private network solutions exhibited by ASKEY can directly accelerate 5G AI+IoT integration in smart factories; for example, a smart manufacturing site can adopt ASKEY 5G devices, allowing data collection by autonomous mobile robots (AMR), for operators to perform real-time collaboration and remote maintenance, maximizing factory efficiency and capacity.

LITEON displayed its latest FlexFi Sub-6 and FlexFi Sub-6 O-RU small cell base stations that can be deployed directly on walls or ceilings, as well as ultra-low power FlexFi AIO & Femtocell micro base stations with 5G SA FR1.

Quanta Cloud Technology showcased its latest QuantaEdge server system that offers new 4th Generation Intel Xeon® Scalable processors with vRAN Boost technology and supports single-site and multi-site deployments with QCT’s end-to-end private network OmniPOD Enterprise 5G solution.

The G REIGINS 5G private network provides a highly reliable and flexible system for private 5G network applications and deployments. It offers both high-power outdoor stations and low-power indoor stations and provides advanced QoS and packet-scheduling technologies that ensure end-user performance meets requirements.

Taiwan and Japan Deepen Exchanges and Cooperation in Next-Generation Communication Technologies
Taiwan and Japan are inseparable strategic partners in the information and communication industry. In order to promote growth of Taiwan’s day-to-day technical exchanges, the IDB and the III gave special attention to the prospects of the next-generation communication industry between the two countries prior to the exhibition. During the event seminar, esteemed Japan colleagues shared their local 5G development status and insights of future trends. Meanwhile, Taiwanese manufacturers exhibited at COMNEXT displayed their latest 5G/O-RAN technologies and application solutions, while partnering with Japanese companies to create 5G open networks that can build a vibrant ecosystem. The seminar attracted more than 200 international industry professionals participating in the grand event.

At COMNEXT Tokyo 2023, Taiwanese manufacturers showcased their leading 5G application technologies. The event allowed the world to see the importance of Taiwanese innovations and products in the information and communication supply chain, and comprehensively demonstrated its value as the most important place for international players to engage with when considering 5G smart solutions.

Hashtag: #InstituteforInformationIndustry

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

About Industry Development Bureau, Taiwan

The Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) is an administrative agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan. IDB serves the role to formulate industrial policies, and to oversee various industries including metal & mechanical, information technology, consumer goods & chemical, knowledge services, as well as sustainable development in Taiwan.

About Institute for Information Industry, Taiwan

The Institute for Information Industry (III) has contributed to pioneering research and development in information and communication technology, the deepening and broadening of information applications, training and educational activities, and national technological infrastructure deployment. As The Digital Transformation Enabler, its objective is to promote information communication technology innovation and applications in Taiwan, and to assist in the development of the digital economy.