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NTT Com Asia’s OCEAN Intelligence™ Recognized with IFMA Asia Pacific Award of Excellence for Pioneering AI-Driven Facility Management

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Transforming Building Management with AI to Empower Enterprises and Partners with a Definitive Technology Edge

HONG KONG, May 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NTT Com Asia, part of the NTT Group, a leading global technology company, is honored to receive the IFMA Asia Pacific Award of Excellence for Innovation and Technology Application in Facility Management Operations for its OCEAN IntelligenceTM platform. This prestigious recognition from a leading regional industry body affirms NTT’s role in delivering measurable, real-world impact through the practical application of AI and data integration.

Developed in Hong Kong by NTT Com Asia (NTT), OCEAN IntelligenceTM is an open, modular platform designed to unify fragmented building data across OT, IT, and IoT systems. By converting siloed information into actionable intelligence with AI, the platform shifts facility operations from reactive management to insight-led decision-making.

Redefining Facility Management with AI at the Core

As a global technology leader, NTT brings unique value to the facility management (FM) sector by applying deep technical expertise to traditional operational challenges. OCEAN IntelligenceTM differentiates itself by establishing a scalable data foundation that allows AI capabilities to evolve alongside facility needs, enabling enterprises to move toward more intelligent and resilient operations. It addresses increasing system complexity by automating anomaly detection and providing predictive insights.

The platform’s impact is reflected in its proven performance benchmarks:

Energy Efficiency: Up to 30% reduction in energy consumptionOperational Speed: 10X faster incident root cause analysisMaintenance Optimization: Up to 50% reduction in maintenance task effort and a 75% reduction in maintenance downtimeResource Efficiency: Up to 30% reduction in O&M workload associated with preventive operations

“The Award of Excellence recognises submissions that demonstrate innovation and meaningful application to the facility management profession,” said Don Tse, President of IFMA Hong Kong Chapter. “NTT Com Asia’s entry was noted for its strong focus on digital integration and AI-enabled possibilities in support of evolving industry needs.”

“We greatly appreciate the recognition from IFMA, which validates our strategic entry into the property market as a technology partner,” said Daisuke Kuroda, Chief Executive Officer of NTT Com Asia. “By bringing NTT’s decades of experience in managing mission-critical facilities to this sector, OCEAN IntelligenceTM integrates data, operations, and AI to address the evolving needs of the AI era. We thank IFMA for this milestone award as we continue to advance smarter facility management across the region.”

The Next Frontier: Agentic AI and Global Strategic Expansion

Building on its successful launch last year, OCEAN IntelligenceTM is entering the next phase of its evolution, progressing from predictive AI toward more autonomous, intelligence-led operations through the introduction of Agentic AI capabilities targeted for later this year. By establishing a scalable AI foundation, this milestone marks a significant leap in facility management’s digital transformation, moving beyond task-based automation to systems capable of reasoning, learning and supporting higher-value decision-making.

“AI remains central to the evolution of OCEAN IntelligenceTM as we look ahead to the next phase of intelligent, agent‑enabled facility management,” said Steven So, Chief Operating Officer of NTT Com Asia. “This milestone reflects our commitment to advancing how facilities are managed in the AI era—by building platforms that support smarter decisions, greater resilience, and long‑term operational innovation.”

To further drive innovation across the smart building ecosystem, NTT is expanding its regional footprint, including into key hubs such as Singapore, while deepening industry and partner collaborations to unlock new market opportunities.

About NTT Com Asia 

As part of the NTT Group, a leading global technology company, NTT Com Asia is committed to building a smart and sustainable world through innovation. We empower businesses to accelerate their digital and AI journeys by unlocking the full potential of data.  

From smart digital infrastructure, technology services to leading-edge AI solutions, we enable organizations to navigate the evolving challenges of a data-centric world. 

For more information, please visit: www.ntt.com.hk  

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SOURCE NTT Com Asia

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The Inner Circle acknowledges Thomas Edelblute as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence

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ANAHEIM, Calif., June 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Thomas Edelblute is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for his contributions to Library Services and Innovation.

Thomas Edelblute has built a distinguished career in library services, demonstrating leadership in technology, operations, and public service. As Senior Library Services Manager for User Support Services at Anaheim Public Library since 2015, he oversees critical functions including library automation, collection support, circulation services, budget management, and safety initiatives.

Mr. Edelblute is recognized for his commitment to operational excellence and innovation, playing a key role in maintaining the library’s reputation for efficiency and high quality service. His leadership supports both staff and patrons by ensuring seamless access to resources while continuously improving systems and processes.

Prior to his current role, Mr. Edelblute served as Library Technology Systems Administrator from 2014 to 2015, where he managed the library’s technology infrastructure and ensured reliable access to digital services. Earlier in his career, he held the position of Public Access Systems Coordinator from 2001 to 2014, during which he led efforts to expand public computing resources and implement innovative technology solutions that enhanced the user experience.

Mr. Edelblute holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of San Diego, along with Master of Arts degrees in International Relation from United States International University in San Diego and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Missouri Columbia in Library and Information Science. Since then, he earned several technical certifications, including CIW Web Design Specialist, Project Management, Network Plus certification, and A Plus certified service technician credentials.

He is actively involved in professional organizations such as the American Library Association, the California Library Association, and the International Library Association. In addition, he is a member of the Anaheim Rotary, reflecting his commitment to community engagement.

Outside of his professional work, Mr. Edelblute enjoys obstacle course running, reading, and photography. He credits his mentor, Audrey Lujan, for her guidance throughout his time in the Anaheim Public Library.

Looking ahead, Mr. Edelblute is focused on ensuring the continued success and sustainability of library services, even beyond his tenure in the field. Guided by a philosophy centered on pursuing one’s passion, he remains dedicated to enhancing library systems and supporting the communities they serve.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, editorialteam@continentalwhoswho.com

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SOURCE The Inner Circle

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Citrea’s Token (CTR) Now Live on UPbit and Bithumb

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Citrea’s CTR token brings Bitcoin capital markets to two of South Korea’s largest digital asset exchanges UPBit and Bithumb; also available globally on Coinbase, Kraken, Binance Alpha, KuCoin, Gate.io, and more

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, June 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Citrea, the Bitcoin application layer backed by Founders Fund and Galaxy Ventures, announced that CTR, its coordination asset for the Bitcoin economy, is now available for trading on UPbit and Bithumb, South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges. UPbit opened CTR/BTC and CTR/USDT markets at 15:00 KST today, while Bithumb added CTR to its KRW market, enabling direct Korean won trading. Together, the dual listing represents a significant expansion of CTR’s reach into one of the world’s most active retail digital asset markets.

The listing represents a major milestone in Citrea’s mission to build open, user-led Bitcoin capital markets. With UPbit and Bithumb collectively dominating South Korean crypto trading volume, CTR’s presence on both platforms deepens liquidity and broadens access to the Citrea ecosystem for millions of South Korean users.

CTR was officially launched on May 4, 2026 as Citrea’s coordination asset that lets users and applications take direct control of how capital flows across the Bitcoin ecosystem. Through a modified vote-escrow staking model, CTR holders can stake their tokens to receive xCTR, granting voting power over the Citrea Governance Treasury and the broader Citrea Network. Rather than ceding those decisions to centralized actors, Citrea designed CTR to close what it calls the “Ownership Gap”, the disconnect between those who create long-term value in an ecosystem and those who ultimately capture it.

The Korean listings come soon after Citrea’s announcement of over $50 million in planned liquidity commitment from Galaxy Digital and other leading asset managers, as well as the launch of the ctUSD Pre-Deposit Vault, which enabled the community to bootstrap stablecoin liquidity ahead of the network’s activation. Together, these milestones establish Citrea as the infrastructure layer for scaling Bitcoin capital markets.

CTR is now live on UPbit, Bithumb, Coinbase, Kraken, Binance Alpha, KuCoin, Gate.io, Bitget Futures, MEXC, HTX, BitMart, and LBank, among others.

To learn more about CTR, visit https://citrea.xyz/ctr-token 

About Citrea

Citrea is the Bitcoin application layer, enabling institutions and users to access Bitcoin capital markets. The platform aims to expand Bitcoin’s financial utility while remaining anchored to the network’s security model. Citrea is backed by investors including Founders Fund, Galaxy Ventures, Maven 11, Delphi Digital, Erik Voorhees, Balaji Srinivasan and more.

For more information, please visit: Citrea website | Citrea X Account

About Chainway Labs

Chainway Labs, a core contributor to the Citrea protocol, was co-founded by four young computer scientists and entrepreneurs with a focus on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and zero-knowledge technologies. The broader Chainway Labs team includes engineers and mathematicians whose backgrounds include multiple medals from the International Mathematics Olympiad and the International Olympiad in Informatics.

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Applications open for the Pamela Tobey Award for Excellence in Visual Storytelling

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WASHINGTON, June 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Journalists who are redefining how stories are told for digital audiences are invited to apply for the 2026 Pamela Tobey Award for Excellence in Visual Storytelling, a $1,000 prize and national recognition from the National Press Club Journalism Institute.

This annual design award recognizes visual journalism that pushes the boundaries of storytelling beyond text and rewards creative uses of data visualization, interactivity, photography, videography, audio, illustration, and emerging tools.

Journalists and newsrooms of all sizes, including independent and non-traditional creators who meet journalistic standards, can apply using this link.

Eligible entries must demonstrate:

A clear, compelling story shaped by strong editorial and design decisionsInnovative use of at least three non-text storytelling elements (such as data visualization, interactivity, photography, video, audio, illustration, or emerging media)A focus on engaging digital audiences through thoughtful, creative presentation

Entries must have been published between January 1 and June 2026.

Creator(s) of the winning project will receive a $1,000 cash prize, national recognition, and the opportunity to share their expertise with peers through a National Press Club Journalism Institute training. The recipient will also be honored at the National Press Club’s Journalism Awards Dinner on August 26.

Applications are open through July 20, 2026, and there is no entry fee.

Last year’s award went to a Reuters team for “The unexploded bombs of Gaza,” recognized for its powerful integration of illustration, photography, color, and data to convey scale and impact in ways traditional formats could not.

How to apply:

Entries may be submitted by journalists or their employers (up to three entries per organization)Submissions must include a working, accessible URL (paywalled entries must include access instructions)Non-traditional entrants should include a brief statement outlining editorial independenceThe winner agrees to lead a design-focused training within three months of receiving the award

About the Pamela Tobey Award for Excellence in Visual Storytelling

Launched in 2025, the Pamela Tobey Award for Excellence in Visual Storytelling was established through the generosity of Rick Dunham, former president of the National Press Club and the Institute, and his wife, Pamela Tobey, a distinguished former graphics editor at The Washington Post. Their support, along with an initial contribution from the Calvert K. Collins Family Foundation, ensures the Institute can both recognize outstanding work and invest in the future of visual journalism through training and professional development.

To contribute to the Pamela Tobey Award for Excellence in Visual Storytelling, please use this link.

About the National Press Club Journalism Institute
The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes First Amendment values by equipping journalists in Washington, D.C., and nationwide with the skills, knowledge, standards, resources and networks to empower and inform the public. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest.

Media Contact: Beth Francesco, NPCJI executive director, bfrancesco@press.org, 202-662-7507

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SOURCE National Press Club Journalism Institute

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