NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERSPlease take notice that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of DITO CME HOLDINGS CORP. (Formerly: ISM Communications Corporation) (the "Company") will be held on 6 December 2022, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon via videoconferencing in its principal office at the 21st Floor, Udenna Tower, Rizal Drive corner 4th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City to discuss the following:AGENDA1. Ratification of Acts of the Board of Directors and Management since the Last Annual Stockholders' Meeting held on 8 December 20216. ARTICLE IVAmending SECTION 11, ARTICLE IVAdding a new SECTION 12, ARTICLE IVRenumbering SECTION 12, ARTICLE IV as SECTION 13, ARTICLE IVRenumbering SECTION 13, ARTICLE IV as SECTION 14, ARTICLE IVRenumbering SECTION 14, ARTICLE IV as SECTION 15, ARTICLE IV8. In view of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the physical and actual holding of the Annual Stockholders' Meeting cannot be conducted. In lieu thereof, the Annual Meeting on 6 December 2022 shall be conducted via live streaming through https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_x_-zbns4T_mTJNpylJDCoA .

Update on interviews and backlogsOn Oct. 21, 2022, the Department of State (DOS) provided an update on worldwide visa operations, stating that embassies around the world are “recovering faster than expected from the COVID-19 pandemic.” This update provides encouraging information for people who are eligible for visas and are told that they are “documentarily complete” but have been waiting for their immigrant visa interviews. DOS explained that there were two main reasons why the backlog for interviews happened because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For non-immigrant visa applicants, embassies are operating at 94 percent of pre-pandemic monthly averages. For immigrant visa applicants, embassies are operating at 130 percent, which means they are now processing more immigrant visa applicants than before the pandemic. DOS acknowledges that it is well aware that many visa applicants still face lengthy wait times at some embassies and consulates.

BSP retains cap on credit card charges until year-endThe central bank’s Monetary Board has decided to keep the interest rate cap and charges on credit card transactions until end December before reviewing it again in January next year. The central bank’s Monetary Board has decided to keep the interest rate cap and charges on credit card transactions until end December before reviewing it again in January next year. The STAR first reported that the BSP was imposing a two percent per month and 24 percent per year interest rate or finance charge cap on unpaid credit card balance. Prior to the imposition of the cap during the height of the global health crisis, the annualized interest rate on credit card receivables averaged 36 percent. Philippine banks and credit card issuers have reported lower earnings since the ceilings were imposed on credit card charges.

Holistic strategies for good governance and prosperityA nation’s long-term prosperity can only be attained through a holistic strategy where all stakeholders have a valuable contribution that leaves no one behind. 89% are also in the belief that the government and the private sector should form partnerships to sustain economic recovery. Government must therefore create the ideal investment environment so that the private sector can generate quality jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities. When complemented with a skilled and healthy workforce at a time when we are at demographic sweet spot, government and the private sector must align towards a united push to convert this potential into a real and accelerating velocity of inclusive growth and prosperity. The bottom line is that good governance is key to long-term development, which can be strengthened by transparency and accountability, citizen participation, and the rule of law.

Police arrested six men on suspicion of drug trafficking during a series of operations, discovering more than 200 kilograms of drugs with a market value of around HK$80 million. On the same day, police arrested a 20-year-old man in an industrial flat in San Po Kong who was delivering a batch of construction materials, finding 233 packs of cannabis buds hidden inside the materials valued at about HK$39 million. The man admitted to his crime and, during the police’s investigation, provided information on a core member of a drug trafficking syndicate. On the premises, police targeted a taxi and found 4.1 kilograms of methamphetamine with a market value of HK$2.5 million, with the 55-year-old taxi driver and a passenger, 22, being arrested. The latter was confirmed to be the core member of the drug trafficking syndicate.

GENEVA—Millions of people displaced by conflicts and persecution in Ukraine, Afghanistan and across the Middle East risk “extreme hardship” in the coming weeks, the United Nations warned on Friday. She pointed to the situation of the millions uprooted from their homes by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Many are living in shelters or “in damaged homes or in buildings ill-suited to protect them from the biting cold, with disrupted energy, heating and water supplies, and lost livelihoods,” she said. She pointed out that “this will be the 12th consecutive winter in displacement for many.”Extreme povertyThe situation is particularly dire in Lebanon, in the grips of a severe economic crisis, where nine out of 10 Syrian refugees are already living in extreme poverty, UNHCR warned. ADVERTISEMENTAt the same time, Sarrado warned that there was a significant funding shortfall to address the swelling needs, adding that UNHCR was launching a winter fundraiser to bridge the gaps.

SMC banking arm doubles 9-month profitMANILA, Philippines — The banking arm of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) doubled its earnings from January to September, mainly brought about by higher interest income, an increase in foreign exchange gains and fees and commissions. “The bank’s strong performance was driven mainly by higher revenues from an expanded portfolio of products and services, including investment banking, following its recent upgrade to universal banking status,” Bank of Commerce said in a statement. As a result, the bank’s net interest income grew by 20.8 percent to P4.82 billion in the first nine months from P3.99 billion a year ago. For the third quarter alone, the profit of Bank of Commerce jumped by 87.2 percent to P601.58 million from P321.35 million in the same quarter last year. San Miguel Properties Inc. holds 31.9 percent of Bank of Commerce, while San Miguel Corp. Retirement Plan owns 30.84 percent.

The forum had Fred Pascual and renowned Filipino economist Dr. Bernie Villegas as its speakers, while Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) head of government relations and public affairs lawyer Mike Toledo served as moderator. Present during the noteworthy gathering were distinguished ambassadors and consuls, top officials from government agencies and local government units (LGUs), and high-profile names from the business sector. The event highlights were the talk of notable speakers about the Philippine economy under the current administration and the country’s industrialization strategy. Comprised of industry-independent specialists who are adept in collaborating to provide corporate consultancy and business development requirements, StratDev Philippines is a trusted partner in Philippine strategic relations and aims to guide individuals and entities in forwarding their cause to and with the right audience. * * *For more information, visit http://www.stratdev.ph.

Authorities have conducted cleaning activities at over 230 hygiene black spots across the territory in a government-initiated city-wide cleanup drive. ?The Home Affairs Department said on Friday that its 18 District Offices had been conducting a series of cleaning operations and publicity work in support of the Government Programme on Tackling Hygiene Black Spots launched by the District Matters Co-ordination Task Force. The cleaning operations and publicity work were launched in a bid to tackle hygiene black spots and enhance community engagement to improve the cityscape of Hong Kong. From July to October this year, authorities have conducted cleaning activities, including those in coordination with other departments, at over 230 hygiene black spots across the territory. “The Government appeals for the joint efforts of members of the public to enhance the city's environmental hygiene and cityscape,” it added.

Doctors at public hospitals will evaluate incoming Covid patients and allow those with no obvious symptoms or other illnesses to opt for home quarantine, said Lau Ka-hin, Hospital Authority's chief manager for quality and standards. The chief manager said patients could choose to undergo quarantine at home instead in hospital wards if they were asymptomatic or showed no apparent symptoms from their infection. Those who display obvious symptoms like breathlessness and coughing will require hospitalization, he said. He said the public should understand that some of the Covid deaths may not be entirely related to their infection. Separately, Lau defended Authority’s new move in allowing hospital workers who are Covid close contacts to resume duty after they obtained a negative RAT result.

Fourteen people were arrested by Wan Chai police between Tuesday and Thursday for eight cases related to illegal debt recovery worth over HK$1.5 million. The arrestees – 13 men and a woman aged 22 to 57 – were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, criminal intimidation and conspiracy to commit money laundering. One of them was the mastermind of a money laundering syndicate, three were key members of the syndicate and three others were holders of stooge bank accounts. Upon further investigations, police revealed that the so-called “victim” and the other six all belonged to a local money laundering syndicate. The gamblers would then be arranged to stay in hotel rooms so that creditors' money laundering activities would not be disrupted.

realme 10 starting only at P10,999 this coming 11.11 SaleThe realme 10 (8GB+128GB) variant will immediately be available on both Lazada and Shopee as well realme’s official stores and dealers nationwide, starting November 11 at an SRP of P12,999! realme kickstarts #realmeWithYou campaignMANILA, Philippines — Together with realme Global, realme Philippines, the country’s no. Start your Christmas Shopping during realme’s 11.11 Pamasko Sale on realme’s Official Shopee store wherein you can get up to 75% off + 15% off voucher on realme faves! Get a chance to score Crazy Piso Deals on realme’s Official Lazada store during the 11.11 Mega Sale. For latest news and updates about the brand, follow realme on Facebook and/or visit the official realme PH website at https://www.realme.com/ph/.

Banks’ profit up 44% to P243 billion in 9 monthsMANILA, Philippines — The profit of banks operating in the Philippines jumped by 43.7 percent to P243.06 billion from January to September compared to last year’s P169.09 billion, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Banks’ operating income increased by 14 percent to P750.22 billion during the nine-month period from P658.23 billion in the same period last year. The sector’s net interest income increased by 8.8 percent to P542.5 billion from P491.88 billion as interest earnings went up by 10.3 percent to P636.45 billion from P580.23 billion, while interest expenses grew at a slower pace of 6.6 percent to P93.64 billion from P87.84 billion. As the economy continues to recover from the pandemic-induced recession, Philippines banks are allocating less provision for credit losses. For universal and commercial banks, their net income jumped by 45.7 percent to P227.11 billion in the first nine months from a year-ago level of P155.86 billion.

COPENHAGEN — At least 15,000 people have died in Europe because of hot weather in 2022 so far, the World Health Organization said Monday, with Spain and Germany among the worst-affected countries. The three months from June-August were the hottest in Europe since records began, and the exceptionally high temperatures led to the worst drought the continent has witnessed since the Middle Ages. Successive heatwaves between June and July, which saw temperatures top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in Britain for the first time, saw some 24,000 excess deaths in Europe. WHO said increasing heatwaves and other extreme weather will “lead to more diseases and deaths” in the next decades unless “drastic” action is taken. RELATED STORIESADVERTISEMENTEurope warms more than any other continent in last 3 decadesUK breaks all-time temperature record as heatwave batters EuropeClick here for more weather related news.

Police were called to a water treatment plant in Aberdeen on Tuesday after the discovery of the body of a premature baby girl. It is understood that the plant on Waterfall Bay Road - managed by the Drainage Services Department - mainly handles wastewater from the nearby Wah Fu Estate. Sources said staffers at the plant alerted authorities of the incident after they found the fetus stuck in one of the plant’s filters at around 11am. The baby girl was pronounced dead on the scene. Officers of the Regional Crime Unit of Western District have taken over the investigation.