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Two Women From Philippines Intercepted on Trafficking Route to Laos

Two Females Intercepted in Trafficking Route to Laos
Photo from the Philippine's Bureau of Immigration. (Photo: BI)

Two women who pretended to be seafarers were stopped by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) at Clark International Airport in the Philippines while they were on their way to Laos to work at a scam call center.

Oi Wah and PACM Group entered into MOU

To cooperate in developing mortgage loan businesses including overseas market

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 2 June 2023 – The board of directors of Oi Wah Pawnshop Credit Holdings Limited (HKEx stock code: 1319.HK, the “Group” or “Oi Wah”) and PACM Group (Holdings) Limited (“PACM Group”) jointly announced that the two companies have entered into a memorandum of understanding (the “MOU”) yesterday, in relation to the formation of a strategic partnership to carry out long-term cooperation, which the parties intend to cooperate in the real estate private credit institutional investment management business with investment strategies including asset-backed direct lending, non-performing debt acquisition, acquisition financing, stretch senior financing, project financing, bridge financing and other debt related strategies within Hong Kong and overseas.

According to the MOU, one of the potential cooperation models between both parties is to jointly establish a limited partnership fund with Oi Wah acting as the cornerstone investor by providing initial capital for the fund; and a company to be jointly established by both parties to act as the general partner of the fund, the specific content of the cooperation model will be set out in a formal agreement to be entered into between both parties.

Mr. Edward Chan, Chairman and CEO of Oi Wah, said, “The Group is optimistic about the long term prospects of the mortgage business industry. We believe that the MOU provides a good opportunity for both parties to benefit from better allocation of resources, while helping the Group to develop its business in overseas markets, broaden its income sources and customer base. In addition, the long-term cooperative relationship between the parties will help the Group consolidate our position in the industry.”

Mr. Francis Ng, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of PACM Group, said, “We are privileged to be able to work with such an experienced subject matter expert spanning over 48 years of the lending sector in Hong Kong. Oi Wah has been a trusted partner of PACM Group since our establishment in 2018, and is only natural for the two companies to further the relationship with the development of a jointly established fund. This long-term strategic partnership with the lending specialist, Oi Wah, is an opportunity to lay a solid foundation for future growth through shared confidence and resources in the developed regional private credit business market.

Oi Wah will be an anchor investor for our upcoming Limited Partnership Fund, which will be the second fund launched by PACM Group. I believe the synergy between PACM Group and Oi Wah will successfully capture the window of rebounding market activities and respond quickly to the increasing demand for direct lending both at home and abroad, thus seizing the opportunity to expand our business and market share. PACM Group has always placed risk management for its investments as top priority in the first place. We are confident that, with our successful investment track record, we will continue to deliver strong returns to our investors on a risk-adjusted basis.”

Hashtag: #OiWah

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

Oi Wah Pawnshop Credit Holdings Limited

Oi Wah is a financing service provider in Hong Kong, mainly providing short-term secured financing, including pawn loans and mortgage loans. The Group established its first pawnshop in 1975 and currently owns 10 pawnshops in various locations in Hong Kong. Oi Wah diversified into mortgage loan business in 2009. The Group is the first local pawn shop which successfully listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on 12 March 2013.

PACM Group (Holdings) Limited

PACM Group (Holdings) Limited (“PACM Group”) is a real estate private credit investment management firm based in Hong Kong specializing in distressed investments / special situations in developed markets with projects in Hong Kong, Australia, the UK, and Canada. Pacific Aegis Capital Management (IM) Limited is a HKSFC regulated entity with a Type 9 Asset Management license.

Renewable Energy Surges, Driven by Solar Boom and High Fuel Prices, Report Finds

Renewable Energy Surges, Driven by Solar Boom and High Fuel Prices, Report Finds
Rooftops on private houses are covered by solar panels to produce renewable electricity in Duelmen, Germany. ( Photo : AP )

BERLIN (AP) — The world is set to add a record amount of renewable electricity capacity this year as governments and consumers seek to offset high energy prices and take advantage of a boom in solar power, according to a new report Thursday.

States Must Join Efforts to Put Human Rights at Center to End Plastic Pollution, Says UN

States must join efforts to put human rights at the center to end plastic pollution, UN Human Rights Offices say
City workers remove garbage floating on the Negro River, which has a rising water level due to rain. (Photo: AP)

States must join efforts to put human rights at the center of a global legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, the UN Human Rights Offices for South-East Asia and the Pacific said ahead of World Environment Day with the particular focus for this year on #BeatPlasticPollution.

Lao Central Bank Restores Foreign Currency Control Department

Currency exchange.

The Bank of the Lao PDR has reinstated the Foreign Currency Control Department for foreign currency management in the country amid the depreciation of the national currency.

New Report Finds Enterprises are Accelerating Edge Adoption to Get Ahead of the Competition with Nearly 70% Leveraging Edge to Solve Critical Business Challenges

NTT’s Edge Advantage report surveyed 600 enterprises leveraging edge to enable data-driven decision making; uncovered concerns around infrastructure capabilities.

  • 88% cite 5G as an important enabler; those combining private 5G and edge report highest benefits.
  • 93% consider edge a competitive advantage.
  • Top reasons to invest in edge are to support automation and AI and real-time data access followed by operational efficiency and increase in IoT devices.
  • Industries tapping edge are manufacturing, healthcare, transportation and logistics, energy and utilities, and financial services.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 2 June 2023 – NTT Ltd., a leading global IT infrastructure and services company, today launched its Edge Advantage Report, which found that although two thirds of enterprises investing in edge are solving real-world business challenges and more than 8 out of 10 organizations expect their dependency on third-party edge services to grow over the next two years, nearly 40% of those planning edge deployments are concerned that current infrastructure capabilities won’t be able to support the promise of edge.

Enterprises around the world are discovering the edge advantage, benefitting from digital technologies that accelerate data-driven decision making, secure physical and virtual assets, and control sustainably resilient operations. But while more than 80% of technology decision makers say their edge investment expectations have been met or exceeded, many fear that the rapid pace of technology evolution could cost them in the long term.

Infrastructure capabilities

Current adopters see the fragmented management of compute, connectivity and IoT devices as a hindrance to realizing the potential of edge. As such, those organizations that are combining private 5G and edge technologies report the highest benefits over enterprises who have adopted a legacy segregated approach, or none at all.

The report also revealed that though most organizations believe their network infrastructure can handle their current edge requirements, almost 40% of enterprises planning edge deployments acknowledge a need to upgrade their network in order to support the expected spike in connected devices and applications. In fact, nearly two-thirds of enterprises that already deployed edge have coordinated a wide area network refresh.

In light of this, many organizations are planning to turn to partners to help them on their edge journey. So much so that 88% believe their organization’s dependency on third-party edge services will grow in the next 24 months, with 90% expressing a preference to consume edge services from a single partner that offers a central point of accountability and 94% declaring that “having more managed service options” is a top factor in making edge consumption easier.

“The growing need for faster processing and a distributed digital architecture is creating increased pressure on networks and infrastructure capabilities, driving both accelerated adoption of private 5G and edge,” said Shahid Ahmed, EVP New Ventures & Innovation at NTT Ltd. “Achieving the edge advantage will require end-to-end solutions with holistic management and uncompromising accountability. Only through utilizing these solutions can enterprises gain instant access to data, where it is generated or collected, with near zero latency, and harness it to drive powerful business outcomes.”

An industry view

The motivation behind edge adoption can vary from industry to industry. Among manufacturing firms, operational efficiency is the top-ranked edge investment driver, with data security second. Manufacturing firms are striving to be just-in-time organizations that meet and even anticipate market needs, turning data into competitive advantage. Here’s the breakdown of the top reasons to deploy edge solutions:

  • Increasing employee safety, experience, and efficiency (79%)
  • Streamlining/digitizing business processes (76%)
  • Improving customer experience/anticipating customer needs (74%)
  • Increase use of data insights for decision-making (72%)

When it comes to improving supply chain efficiency and resilience, 100% of healthcare, transportation and manufacturing organizations have had their edge expectations met or exceeded. The same can be said for increasing employee safety, experience, and efficiency in the energy sector.

Edge-optimized applications take advantage of low latency, predictability and high bandwidth for real-time data collection to perform according to industry- specific needs. With the benefits of edge clear, it’s hardly surprising that more than nine in ten (93%) respondents consider it a competitive advantage within their industry.

Complex environments

According to organizations that have already deployed edge, the top reasons to invest are to automate and integrate AI into business processes, and to gain real-time access to data. But achieving these objectives is a formidable challenge because they require:

  • Tight orchestration of hardware, platforms, systems and devices
  • Consistent operational performance without compromising security
  • Overcoming legacy infrastructure and technical debt

Organizations need help to navigate the complexity of adopting edge and next generation technologies into what is, traditionally, a complex and change averse environment. Legacy protocols and systems need to be carefully managed to ensure production is not impacted while migrations are in progress.

The challenges that an organization can encounter are key drivers in why 94% of enterprises partner for edge expertise and 90% want a single edge partner that can do it all. But those that successfully harness the benefits of edge can look to grow their business, improve agility, enhance sustainable business practices, and improve quality control.

“Organizations striving to become real-time enterprises need help beyond design and launch of edge solutions,” said Camille Mendler, chief analyst at Omdia. “Managed services offer a pragmatic and adaptive way to keep ahead of complexity.”

Journey to the edge

At the end of last year, NTT announced the launch of its Edge as a Service offering in collaboration to help secure, optimize and simplify organizations’ digital transformation journeys. Leveraging NTT’s network infrastructure capabilities and global footprint, the managed edge compute platform gives enterprises the ability to deploy quickly and securely manage and monitor applications closer to the edge.

At the end of the report, NTT has outlined a guide with suggested starting points and pathways for organizations to consider before embarking on their edge journey. To read the full ‘2023 Edge Advantage Report’ click here.

Hashtag: #NTT

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

About NTT Ltd.

As part of NTT DATA, a USD 30 billion IT services provider, NTT Ltd. is a leading IT infrastructure and services company serving 65% of the Fortune Global 500 and more than 75% of the Fortune Global 100. We lay the foundation for organizations’ edge-to-cloud networking ecosystem, simplify the complexity of their workloads across multicloud environments, and innovate at the edge of their IT environments where networks, cloud and applications converge. We offer tailored infrastructure and ensure consistent best practices in design and operations across all of our secure, scalable and customizable data centers. On the journey towards a software-defined future, we support organizations with our platform-delivered infrastructure services. We enable a connected future. Visit us at

Udokan Copper helps restore Siberian sturgeon population as part of its ESG program

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Media OutReach – 2 June 2023 – Udokan Copper, one of the largest industrial companies operating in Russia’s Far East, is funding a program to restore the population of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii), a rare fish included in the IUCN Red List of endangered species, as part of its comprehensive ESG program.

At the end of May, the first batch of about 14,000 Siberian sturgeon fry was released into the Chara River in the Kalar district of the Trans-Baikal region, where Udokan Copper is based. Udokan Copper organized a special flight using the regional aircraft AN-2 to deliver the fry from Chita in special containers.

The company plans to release a total of 300,000 fry into the Chara, which is part of the Lena River basin, over the next seven years to restore the population of Siberian sturgeon which was depleted during Soviet times, said Ivan Makarov, Head of the Environmental Safety Service at Udokan Copper.

Supplying metal for the green energy transition, Udokan Copper takes a responsible approach to its own environmental footprint. The company uses hydrometallurgy instead of the environmentally harmful pyrolysis process. Udokan Copper also plans to reduce the carbon intensity of its production by 75% by 2030. In 2023, the National Rating Agency of Russia included Udokan in its ESG list for manufacturing companies, recognizing the Company’s efforts to develop its business based on sustainable development goals.

Hashtag: #UdokanCopper

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

About Udokan Copper

Established in 2008 to develop the Udokan Copper Deposit, Udokan Copper is part of the diversified USM Group. Udokan is Russia’s largest undeveloped copper deposit with over 26 million tonnes of copper resources and a JORC copper grade of 1.05%.

The deposit sits in the Kalarsky District of the Trans-Baikal Territory, 30 km from the Novaya Chara station of the Baikal-Amur Mainline. Under the project, a mining and smelting plant is to be commissioned that will produce cathode copper and sulphide concentrate. The production volume will be 135 thousand tonnes of copper per year.

BingX Launches Special Events for Peer-to-Peer Crypto-Fiat Traders, Providing Rewards for First Trades

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 2 June 2023 – BingX, the leading social trading platform, is proud to announce its innovative peer-to-peer (P2P) trading feature, empowering users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly with P2P merchants at the best agreed-upon prices. With BingX P2P, traders can enjoy reduced fees, enhanced trust and security, community interaction, and competitive pricing, making it the go-to platform for seamless and rewarding crypto trading experiences.

One of the standout advantages of BingX P2P trading is the significantly reduced fees compared to traditional centralized exchanges. By eliminating intermediaries, users can save on trading fees, withdrawal fees, and other related costs, maximizing their potential profits.

To ensure secure transactions, BingX P2P trading employs advanced security measures. These systems hold funds in neutral accounts until both parties fulfill their obligations, effectively reducing the risk of fraud or disputes, and enhancing trust and security.

In addition, BingX P2P fosters a vibrant and supportive trading community. Traders can connect with fellow enthusiasts, share knowledge, and exchange experiences directly, creating an engaging and collaborative environment. The platform’s emphasis on community building sets BingX apart from traditional exchanges and adds value to the overall trading experience.

BingX P2P trading also offers competitive pricing, allowing sellers to set their own prices while providing buyers the freedom to choose from a variety of attractive offers. This direct nature of transactions ensures favorable pricing for both parties, giving traders an edge compared to centralized exchanges that may impose fees or less competitive rates.

With over 30 fiat options, including USD, EUR, IDR, and PHP, and support for nearly 300 payment methods worldwide, BingX P2P offers unparalleled accessibility and convenience for traders across the globe. The platform is committed to continuously expanding its fiat currency offerings to cater to the diverse needs of its growing user base. Users can buy or sell their USDT onto their BingX wallets and continue their trading activities as BingX offers seamless transfer of funds within the platform. Users can trade pairs like XRP USDT , and after ETH USDC as long as they convert their funds to the appropriate stablecoins.

To celebrate the rise of BingX P2P, BingX is running an exclusive event until June 9, 2023 (24:00 UTC+8). By applying to become a P2P merchant during this period, users can enjoy the benefits of zero security deposit and receive a generous $88 gift pack for their first P2P trade. To claim the bonus reward, participants must complete the account registration, apply and become a P2P merchant, and successfully complete their first P2P trade.

As a social trading platform, BingX aims to foster a thriving community by encouraging active participation and knowledge-sharing among its users. Traders can engage in discussions, learn from experts, and access 24/7 exclusive support, ensuring a seamless trading experience.

Hashtag: #bingx #cryptoexchange

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

About BingX

Founded in 2018, BingX is a leading crypto exchange that offers spot, derivatives, copy, and grid trading services to over 100 countries and regions worldwide with over 5 million users. BingX continues to connect users with expert traders and the platform in a safe and innovative way.