Day: June 6, 2022

Strategic collaboration will enable Network to offer a fully integrated payments platform to its hospitality and retail merchants in UAE and MEA region to achieve seamless customer experience

PHILADELPHIA, June 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Network International, the leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, aims to transform its product proposition to the hospitality sector following its strategic engagements with next-gen fintech, FreedomPay.

According to a recent study, the tourism industry will contribute approximately AED 280.6 billion to the UAE’s GDP by 2028¹. As the largest merchant acquirer in the UAE, Network International aims to strengthen its role in supporting the hospitality industry by bringing global tech best practices to the forefront to create secure and seamless customer experiences.

This collaboration with FreedomPay will enable Network as FreedomPay’s preferred partner in the MEA region, to offer its hospitality merchants across the UAE and MEA region a fully integrated hospitality payments platform covering all operations including front desk reservation system, F&B, theme parks, spas, etc. The platform enables hotels and retail chains to recognise customers through their preferred method of payment with its unique omni-channel capabilities, ensuring frictionless transactions across all their properties.

“In today’s world, merchants are expected to provide a fully secured, omni-channel commerce experience that is personalized to each consumer,” said Chris Kronenthal, President at FreedomPay. “Global businesses continue to choose FreedomPay as their trusted commerce technology partner and we’re excited to bring our award-winning platform to the UAE and MEA region through Network International. The exciting partnership will open doors for thousands of merchants across hospitality, retail, and F&B, giving them access to FreedomPay’s global network of commerce connectivity.”

Network International’s partnership with the multi-patented, award-winning fintech FreedomPay, will forge superior merchant-consumer relationships with its single unified platform and portal, servicing broad market segments including hotels, restaurants and retail chains across the MEA region. Merchants can expect to achieve best-in-class payment data security, coverage for emerging payment technologies, operational efficiencies and expansion of loyalty and value-added services, while maintaining global or regional corporate brand goals across all their stores and properties.

Commenting on the MoU, Andrew Key, Group Managing Director – Acquiring at Network International said, “We are thrilled to be supporting the UAE’s most dominant sectors at a critical scale once again. As the hospitality sector rapidly adapts to the age of customer-centric digital solutions, we aim to prepare our merchants with next-gen payments capabilities that will enable more rewarding experiences for guests while driving operational efficiencies for the merchants. The opportunities in the region’s tourism sector need to be supported with omni-channel payments to ensure customers have a seamless purchasing experience.”

Andrew added, “This exciting collaboration with FreedomPay will complement our objective to always offer best-in-breed payments solutions to unify industry operations and enable merchants to provide their customers with the best payments experience possible.”

About Network International

Network International comprises a group of companies and is the leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, providing a full suite of technology-enabled payments solutions to merchants and financial institutions of all types and sizes, including acquiring and processing services and a comprehensive ever-evolving range of value-added services.

Network International Holdings Plc (LSE: NETW) is the holding company for Network International and the group companies, including the DPO Group.

Network International:
Tricia Kaul
ASDA’A BCW,
Dubai, UAE,
Tel: +971 4 450 7600
Email: tricia.kaul@bm.com

About FreedomPay

FreedomPay’s Next Level Commerce™ platform transforms existing payment systems and processes from legacy to leading edge. As the premier choice for many of the largest companies across the globe in retail, hospitality, lodging, gaming, sports and entertainment, foodservice, education, healthcare and financial services, FreedomPay’s technology has been purposely built to deliver rock solid performance in the highly complex environment of global commerce. The company maintains a world-class security environment and was first to earn the coveted validation by the PCI Security Standards Council against Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE/EMV) standard in North America. FreedomPay’s robust solutions across payments, security, identity, and data analytics are available in-store, online and on-mobile and are supported by rapid API adoption. The award winning FreedomPay Commerce Platform operates on a single, unified technology stack across multiple continents allowing enterprises to deliver an innovative Next Level experience on a global scale. www.freedompay.com

FreedomPay:
Michael Korjen
Hill + Knowlton Strategies
+971 4 553 9543
Michael.Korjen@hkstrategies.com

¹ https://www.statista.com/topics/4643/tourism-industry-of-the-uae/#dossierKeyfigures

LOS ANGELES, June 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A 5K Run and a ‘Festa di Piazza’, with ‘Italian food’, music, entertainment, to celebrate the Festa della Repubblica, Italy’s National Day. This is the event that the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles, after the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, has finally managed to organize, gathering on Sunday 5th June in San Pedro, home of the most important port in the United States, the Port of Los Angeles, a thousand participants for the first edition of the ‘LA Italy Run’.

“It was a dream to be able to celebrate our National Day like this,” says Silvia Chiave, creator of the initiative. “This event brought together many things: sport, sustainability, people, families, it was an event for everyone, truly a dream that has come true.” The success of the first edition is opening the way to future developments: “We didn’t expect so many people, because it was the first time. There was a great deal of participation in the project. Now we want to organize it every year and make it grow. We have learned lessons from this first edition and in the future we will have more and more people,” Chiave assures.

In addition to the runners, the event brought together hundreds of other people, families, children, not just members of the Italian American community in the area. Here, where in the 50s of the last century the first settlements of Sicilian and Ischia fishermen were born, works will soon begin for the construction of a new square, which will be the new heart of the Little Italy of San Pedro. “The purpose of this square is to create a place not only for Italian Americans, but for everyone, to bring our culture, art and entertainment of Italian Americans here,” says Joe Buscaino, city councillor of the 15th district of Los Angeles, who also took part in the Run. “The city of Los Angeles, under my leadership, has dedicated $ 5.5 million to the development of the square. The works will begin in one or two months and by the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024 this will be the newest square of Los Angeles,” he adds.

In the square, along with the tradition exhibited during the party, with the ‘arancini’ counters, Italian desserts, pizza, ice creams, the ‘wine van’, Italian music, there was also one of the Italian technological excellence, Enel X Way, which in North America is a leader in the sector of charging stations for electric cars, which participated as the main sponsor of the event. For the record, the race was won by 23 year old Bronwyn Brunel (19.25) for women and by young Connor Spencer (15.25) for men.

For more information:
LaPresse SpA Communication and Press Office Director
Barbara Sanicola – barbara.sanicola@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f769552c-2cb6-4560-bd69-249085c13997

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.

HANOI, Vietnam, June 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 4^th June, 2022, the Vietnam Blockchain Association and Binance – the world’s leading Blockchain development technology corporation – officially announced their cooperation on the exchange of research/application of Blockchain Technology and Human Resource Training in Vietnam to promote the development of blockchain technology in Vietnam and build a bridge with other significant technology corporations around the world.

Vietnam Blockchain Association and Binance officially enter
strategic cooperation

Vietnam is not only an exciting market for the application of Blockchain technology but also one of the leading countries in encouraging research and application of new technologies in reality. Mr. Ngo Duc Thang, Director of the Government Cipher Committee, affirmed that Blockchain is one of the digital technology fields on the list of priorities for research, development and application for the 4th Industrial Revolution, according to Decision No. 2117/QD-TTg signed on December 16, 2020, by the Prime Minister. Therefore, digital transactions through blockchain would be promoted in many fields such as banking services, industrial production, energy, agriculture, healthcare, retail and consumption… In particular, blockchain can be applied to the public sector. It can be said that this technology will affect many aspects of daily life and global business whether we realize it or not, and the investment opportunities coming from blockchain technology will be tremendous.

“In the coming time, the Government will continue to facilitate, encourage and promote early businesses to proactively accelerate the digital transformation process in which blockchain technology is the mainstay. It is expected that by 2030, blockchain will create 40 million jobs, 10% – 20% of the global economic infrastructure will run on Blockchain technology systems,” noted Mr. Ngo Duc Thang.

Mr. Ngo Duc Thang, Director of the Government Cipher Committee

According to Mr. Changpeng Zhao, Blockchain is a new technology for the digital economy. How countries adopt this technology today will profoundly impact the future of the local economy and the world at large. More and more countries are showing their determination to grasp and adequately apply blockchain technology to life. “I think that clear and effective regulation is essential for blockchain to be applied in every corner of life, not just cryptocurrencies, DeFi or NFT,” said the Founder and CEO of Binance.

He also mentioned that Binance is continuously licensed to operate in France, Italy, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Dubai…. is concrete evidence of the company’s compliance with local regulations at all time. “And today, along with the active activities of the Vietnam Blockchain Association, I pledge that Binance will always comply with Vietnamese laws and put users in focus. Therefore, Vietnamese users in particular and users worldwide believe that Binance’s platform is one of the most secure and reliable in the world,” stated CEO Changpeng Zhao.

Mr. Phan Duc Trung, Vice President of Vietnam Blockchain Association, hopes that the cooperation between Vietnam Blockchain Association and Binance will bring value to the business community in Vietnam, creating a workforce mastering high technology and contributing policy advice to the State’s management agencies. We believe that this is one of the proper steps, following the direction of the Vietnamese government towards a digital government, a digital economy, bringing sustainable growth values for a prosperous Vietnam.

Mr. Phan Duc Trung, Vice President of Vietnam Blockchain Association

Mr. Trung said: “In its role, the Association connects and gathers the Blockchain community in the country and a bridge to bring Vietnamese products to the world and attract more international resources to Vietnam.” The Association will also promote personnel training and attract international investment into Vietnam.

“Vietnam NFT Summit 2022 – The New Era Solution” takes place on June 4 in Hanoi, Vietnam as a part of a series of exchange events for research/application of Blockchain Technology and Human Resource Training in Vietnam and worldwide between Binance and the Vietnam Blockchain Association. The program includes discussion panels, signing cooperation and exchange agreements, and various networking activities for the enterprises applying and growing Blockchain in Vietnam and discourse activities and signing exchange agreements.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/16b462c3-c92a-41d6-adb6-d14ebecde4fd

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/01555bf7-d4ab-4fe0-b0f8-e1aed8c90eb7

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e654a33a-5bf3-466d-9f0e-51e13f85c222

Email : info@blockchain.vn

Eleven environment ministers and environmental activists rang a peace bell to pray for the sustainable development of all humanity

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, June 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Stockholm+50, convened by the United Nations General Assembly, took place in Stockholm, Sweden on June 2-3, 2022, under the theme of “a healthy planet for the prosperity of all – our responsibility, our opportunity.” This year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, which was the first global meeting prioritizing environmental concerns.

The Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), Association of World Citizens (AWC), and Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy (Tai Ji Men) co-organized a number of bell ringing ceremonies in Stockholm, Sweden, as well as a hybrid event in association with Stockholm+50, on June1-3. A total of 11 influential leaders rang the Bell of World Peace and Love, including officials from the United Nations Environment Programme and environment ministers. The bell ringers and forum participants shared conscience-based solutions to foster environmentally responsible global citizens and accelerate ecosystem restoration. Through the ancient bell ringing ceremonies, the organizers aim to awaken people’s conscience and inspire bell ringers to make and carry out their wishes for global peace and sustainability.

In light of the difficulties and crises the world faces, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, delivered welcome remarks, emphasizing, “When everyone follows the guidance of their conscience, the problems we encounter today can be resolved. As long as we stop acting in our own self-interest and instead consider the well-being of the entire Earth and all of humanity, we will be able to achieve a healthy, sustainable, and affluent planet. In the face of the daunting challenges, we must take immediate action. When we treat the disadvantaged and suffering people in the world as our brothers and sisters, we can expand the capacity of people’s hearts and broaden their horizons, making it possible to realize a peaceful and beautiful world where everyone follows their conscience and every individual and family is happy.”

Prof. Rene Wadlow, president of the Association of World Citizens, stated, “World Citizens stress conscience as a guide for creative action to develop a world society of shared values. Conscience provides an ethical basis for the whole structure of human rights. We strive to make the world a more humane dwelling place for ourselves and for future generations. We move toward a peaceful, just and ecologically-responsible future.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered his remarks at the opening of Stockholm+50, emphasizing, “The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement show the way. But we must act on these commitments.” He also noted, “We must place true value on the environment and go beyond Gross Domestic Product as a measure of human progress and well-being. Let us not forget that when we destroy a forest, we are creating GDP. When we overfish, we are creating GDP. GDP is not a way to measure richness in the present situation in the world. Throughout history, humanity has shown that we are capable of great things. But only when we work together. If we want to survive and thrive, let us protect and nurture our planet, that is our only home,” he added.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson welcomed all participants at Stockholm+50 and emphasized, “Climate action is one of my government’s priorities in the years ahead. We will speed up this process.” She also pointed out, “Sweden’s message is plain and clear: Going green is not only possible, it is the path to create growth, jobs and prosperity for all.” She concluded by saying, “Let our work be guided by the words spoken at the 1972 Conference by the then Prime Minister, Olof Palme, ‘There is no individual future, neither for human beings, nor for nations. Our future is common. We must share it together. We must shape it together.’”

More than 50 volunteers from FOWPAL, AWC, and Tai Ji Men flew to Stockholm from all over the world, bringing with them the Bell of World Peace and Love, hoping that the bell ringers’ wishes for peace would be spread through the sound of the bell, praying for the blessings of all life on Earth and ecosystem restoration.

A total of 11 visionary leaders rang the Bell, including, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation of Ghana; Dr. Maminata Traore/Coulibaly, Minister of Environment, Energy, Water and Sanitation of Burkina Faso; Harald Fries, Director and Deputy Head of Department of International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden and Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines (2010-2016); Amb. Nancy Karigithu, Principal Secretary and Special Envoy for Maritime and Blue Economy of Kenya; Eve Bazaiba Masudi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Environment of Democratic Republic of Congo; Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management of Belize; Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO and Chairperson of Global Environment Facility and former Minister of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica; Philda Kereng, Minister of Environment and Tourism of Botswana; Dr. Aldo Manos, former Director of UNEP; Donald Kaniaru, Director in the Division of Environmental Policy Implementation at UNEP; and Qaiser Nawab, Director of Business Development for the Middle East.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, presented to each of the bell ringers a Compass Clock of Conscience and An Anthology of Conscience by Dr. Hong. The Clock represents time, direction and goal, guides people toward the right path of life, and reminds them to seize every moment to apply conscience and do good deeds. The anthology is a collection of the excerpts on conscience from Dr. Hong’s speeches presented on various occasions around the globe, which serves as a wellspring of wisdom for the recipients in the promotion of a culture of conscience.

Amb. Nancy Karigithu, Principal Secretary and Special Envoy for Maritime and Blue Economy of Kenya, rang the Bell and stated, “When you talk of the conscience, the compass, it touches my heart. And I feel somebody new, somebody different.” She expressed her desire to encourage Dr. Hong and the organizations led by him to continue spreading positivity because it is the way of the world and the future. “When I was ringing the bell, I was thinking of my little five-year-old granddaughter and the kind of world I am living now and hope that it will be much better than we have now, and suddenly I feel uplifted.”

Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, rang the Bell on June 1 and wished for “absolute peace amongst all people of the world.” He stated that it is not by accident that he became the 400th ringer of the Bell: “I believe that it’s by divine providence that I’ve come here. Throughout my life, even though I am not perfect, these three words have always rung true in my life: conscience, morality, and ethics. I am so grateful. And I’m so happy that I have participated in such a spiritually uplifting [event].” Spirituality is all-encompassing and binds us all together, stated Minister Afriyie, adding, “It’s good to discover that there are people of conscience in this world. I’m so happy today. Thank you so much!”

Dr. Aldo Manos, 89, is a former Director of UNEP and has been dedicated to environmental protection. He attended the June 3 forum, rang the Bell, and stated, “I know that peace is our most important objective, but we also know that it’s the most difficult one, so this requires all our commitment, all our energy, and all our faith, and I am very humbled and honored to be invited here today in front of this very important symbol. The bell in all religions in the world is rung as a message to the world and to “somebody else” so that what we hope will be realized, and with the help of everybody, it will be realized.” He emphasized, “Conscience is the essence of environmental protection.” As a veteran of the world’s first Earth Summit 50 years ago, he is now invited back to Stockholm+50 and encourages young people to go beyond their dreams and return to Stockholm in 2072.

To date, 410 visionary leaders from 124 nations, including 43 heads of state and government, have rung the Bell and exerted their positive influences to contribute to global peace and sustainability! For instance, three bell ringers, President Fradique de Menezes of Sao Tome and Principe (2001-2011), President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal (2000-2012), and President Leonel Fernández of the Dominican Republic (1996-2000 and 2004-2012), rang the bell and made wishes for peace during their tenure and later mediated between neighboring countries to defuse potential wars, fulfilling their promises to help stabilize and sustain the Earth.

FOWPAL, AWC, and Tai Ji Men further fostered sustainability by inviting the participants to endorse various declarations of peace and conscience. Through the signing of the declarations, people show their commitment to environmental protection. Since 1999, the three organizations have visited 101 nations to promote the endorsement of various international declarations. To date, the Declarations for Human Rights of World Citizens and Peace have been endorsed by over 3.73 million people in 176 nations, and a CD with 2 million signatures was submitted to the UN in 2004; the Declaration for the Movement of An Era of Conscience and Declaration of International Day of Conscience have been endorsed by people in 195 nations. With the promotion of a culture of conscience, love, and peace, they hope that more conscientious volunteers will support the endorsement campaign and continue to promote the values expressed in the Declarations to help the world move towards a better future.

Youth volunteers from the three organizations presented uplifting songs and dance, including “We Can Change the World,” “The Angel in Your Heart,” and “Happiness Is Everywhere,” to encourage people to follow their conscience, regardless of race, age, work, or other factors, and take positive action to make the world a better, happier place.

Everyone is cordially invited to watch the forum online, which was filled with conscience-based positivity, and everyone is encouraged to invite their family and friends to watch the forum to inspire more world citizens to adopt conscience-driven actions and solutions to accelerate ecosystem restoration and sustain the Earth.

About the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL): Established in 2000 in the United States by Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, FOWPAL is an international love and peace organization, with members from around the world. It is guided by the principle that changing the world for the better starts with one good thought. Over the past two decades, FOWPAL, along with the Association of World Citizens (AWC) and Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy (Tai Ji Men), has promoted conscience, love, and peace globally and attended Earth Summits to promote SDGs. It had worked with various Permanent Missions to the United Nations through conferences, bell ringing ceremonies, and declaration signing, making the UN’s adoption of the International Day of Conscience in July 2019 possible. They have held over 55 webinars in the past two years, fostering conscience-based sustainability.

Media Contact:
Lily Chen
Representative
info@fowpal.org
626-202-5268
www.fowpal.org

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/70aeb720-acd3-4644-a4b4-bf1a12b68368

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.

SYDNEY, June 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann was joined by Hollywood heavyweights Tom Hanks, Austin Butler, and Olivia Dejonge on a star-studded red-carpet at Vivid Sydney tonight, for the Sydney Premiere of Elvis. Presented by Warner Bros. Pictures and Vivid Sydney, this is the first time in the festival’s 12-year history a movie premiere has been included in the official program.

Luhrmann’s first appearance at Vivid Sydney was earlier in the day, where he joined acclaimed journalist Marc Fennell for a thought-provoking talk, The Business of Baz, as part of Vivid Ideas’ headline Global Storytellers series. The conversation covered the remarkable rise and rise of Baz’s career, from his humble beginnings in small-town New South Wales (NSW), Australia to the dazzling heights of Hollywood, capturing audiences along the way with his signature style and powerfully storytelling.

Vivid Sydney, the annual festival of Light, Music and Ideas, will transform the Harbour City into an illuminating fusion of creativity and innovation until Saturday 18 June. Featuring more than 85 intriguing talks, workshops and immersive experiences, Vivid Ideas explores the forces shaping our society, starting conversations that continue long after the festival has ended.

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the Sydney premiere of Elvis is another example of how Vivid Sydney is pushing the boundaries to deliver the biggest, brightest and best line-up ever.

“Vivid Sydney 2022 is off to a flying start with our largest opening weekend ever, seeing 435,000 people in Sydney’s central business district enjoying all the festival and we’re expecting a similar turnout this weekend,” Mr Ayres said.

“This is another festival first, the first time a movie premiere is part of the official program. Vivid Sydney is constantly evolving and looking for fresh, new ways to engage audiences, while supporting the local events and creative industries. The Business of Baz and the Elvis premiere tickets have been snapped up, with more than 1,400 tickets sold. It’s thrilling to see the theatre packed and the visitor economy humming.”

Festival Director Gill Minervini added “Baz Luhrmann joins a powerful, thought-provoking Vivid Ideas line-up for 2022, as a Global Storyteller alongside Aaron Sorkin, Gretchen Carlson and Troye Sivan. Baz is a creative visionary with a body of work that embodies everything Vivid Ideas is about – celebrating those who push creative boundaries, tell stories that challenge the status quo and drive change for good. Both he and Catherine Martin personify Sydney style and creativity.”

Baz Luhrmann said “I grew up in a very small town in regional NSW. When I was 15 years old I used to come to the city and watch movies, and now I am back in Sydney talking about movies. There’s even one opening tonight – Elvis. It’s home for me and I just feel so comfortable being here. It’s so wonderful to be part of Vivid Sydney.”

Appearing on the red carpet at the Sydney premiere of Elvis tonight at the State Theatre Sydney included Baz Luhrmann and the stars of Elvis including Tom Hanks, Austin Butler and Australian actress Olivia DeJonge, who stars as Priscilla Presley.

To book tickets for Vivid Sydney events and performances, and for more information on the program go to www.vividsydney.com. Get social using @vividsydney #vividsydney.

Media Contact:

Wayne Mitcham, Destination NSW
E: wayne@amio.nz
P: +64 21 499 550

Related Images

Image 1: Baz Luhrmann, Olivia DeJonge, Austin Butler, and Tom Hanks

Premiere of Elvis at the State Theatre, Sydney, Australia. Photo credit: Destination NSW

Image 2: Tom Hanks

Elvis Premiere at the State Theatre, Sydney Australia. Photo credit: Destination NSW

Image 3: Austin Butler & Olivia DeJonge

Elvis Premiere at the State Theatre, Sydney, Australia. Photo credit: Destination NSW

Image 4: Baz Luhrmann & Tom Hanks

Premiere of Elvis at the State Theatre, Sydney Australia. Photo credit: Destination NSW

Image 5: Baz Luhrmann speaking at Vivid Sydney 2022 Ideas

Photo credit: Destination NSW

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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• Baz Luhrmann, Olivia DeJonge, Austin Butler, and Tom Hanks