SES Unveils SES Plus to Highlight New Offerings for Data Markets

New satellite data network will offer differentiated offerings of satellite architecture, and customised products and solutions for various market verticals

LUXEMBOURG - Wednesday, February 3rd 2016 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SES S.A. (NYSE Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) announced today that it has launched a new satellite data network, SES Plus, that will offer customised products and solutions to tackle the evolving needs of the markets.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160203005601/en/

By leveraging SES's partnership with O3b Networks and its medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, in combination with SES's geostationary (GEO) widebeams and upcoming HTS payloads, the global satellite operator will be able to offer multiple solutions that will address the diverse needs of the data markets. SES will also continue to invest in ground infrastructure to ensure easy accessibility to space.

SES's first Plus product, Enterprise+ Broadband, was launched across five markets in Africa in November. Offering up to 1 Gbps of connectivity, it is a competitively priced flexible connectivity platform that has a plug and play offering, with pay-as-you-go options to ensure the service can go live quickly.

"SES is a leading video satellite operator, but our expertise goes beyond providing services to video customers. Our new data network, SES Plus, highlights the strengths of SES as a data satellite operator. We go beyond building a new ground infrastructure and new satellite architecture of GEO, MEO and HTS beams, to deepening collaboration with our customers to design customised and differentiated products that will enable them to excel in their markets,” said Ferdinand Kayser, Chief Commercial Officer at SES. “The first Plus product is already out in the market, and already we are hearing positive feedback about how this high-speed broadband platform is essential to the countries in which we are operating. That aside, our teams are working around the clock to develop more much-needed customised products to deliver more connectivity.”

More information about SES Plus can be found at: www.ses.com/plus.

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SES Pictures are available under http://www.ses.com/21472913/Our_Pictures

SES White papers are available under http://www.ses.com/18681915/white-papers

About SES

SES (NYSE Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) is the world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of more than 50 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide.

SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the satellite industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements.

SES holds a participation in O3b Networks, a next generation satellite network combining the reach of satellite with the speed of fibre.

Further information available at: www.ses.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160203005601/en/

Contacts

SES

Markus Payer

Corporate Communications

Tel. +352 710 725 500

Markus.Payer@ses.com









Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/16928/en

Luxury Card Launches Three State-of-the-Art Metal Cards with Extraordinary Benefits, Powered by MasterCard

NEWARK, Del. & JACKSON, Wyo. - Wednesday, February 3rd 2016 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Luxury CardTM has launched three new metal credit card products with patented designs and construction: the top-tier MasterCard® Gold CardTM, the mid-level MasterCard® Black CardTM and the base-level MasterCard® Titanium CardTM.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160203005422/en/

Luxury Card is the only credit card program in the world to offer a complete suite of metal and carbon cards, a proprietary 24K-gold-plated card and unlimited cash back redemptions up to 2%.

Along with state-of-the-art design and construction, the cards offer extraordinary Cardmember benefits including:

    Industry-Leading Rewards Program
    DOUBLE POINTS when redeemed for airfare. For example, 50,000 points will get you a $1,000 ticket
    Up to 2% value for cash back redemptions
    Up to $200 annual credit for airline purchases for Gold Card and Black Card members
    Luxury Card ConciergeTM, a dedicated 24/7 concierge service
    VIP Hotel & Travel Program
    Luxury Gifts from the world’s most iconic and recognized brand names for Gold Card and Black Card members
    Members-only Luxury Magazine, the ultimate luxury guide
    Chip technology to protect account information

The Luxury Card products focus on Cardmembers’ lifestyle needs—at home or abroad. “All Luxury Card products are designed to ensure a customer-centric, stress-free experience. It starts with our newly designed website and permeates through all of our services. We are dedicated to offering Cardmembers exceptional benefits and value,” said Marina Kissam, Director of Customer Experience of Luxury Card.

Each Luxury Card product has a different annual fee based on the suite of benefits. More information is available at luxurycard.com.

About Luxury Card

More information about Luxury Card products and credit card services is available at luxurycard.com.

Tags: Luxury Card, metal cards, credit cards



Contacts

Luxury Card

Marina Kissam

marina@luxurycard.com









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/16922/en

Travelstart Raises $US40 Million to Extend Market Leadership and Capture Africa’s Fast Growing Multibillion Dollar Online Travel Market

“OTA secures strategic partnership with MTN, Africa’s largest mobile operator”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Wednesday, February 3rd 2016 [ME NewsWire]

 (BUSINESS WIRE)-- Travelstart, the South African-based Online Travel Agency (OTA) with offices throughout Africa and subsidiaries in the Middle East and Turkey, today announced a US$40 million funding from Amadeus Capital Partners, the global technology investor. With the new funding comes a strategic partnership with Africa's largest mobile telecommunications provider MTN [JSE: MTN] which has a subscriber base of more than 230 million. The funding will be used for Travelstart’s expansion and to solidify the company’s position as the biggest OTA player on that continent.

Africa is considered the last frontier in online travel. In most developed countries Internet and mobile travel purchases now represent the lion’s share of the online travel market while in Africa web-based travel companies share less than 5% of the entire market.

“Travelstart celebrates 10 years in Africa this year,” says Travelstart CEO Stephan Ekbergh, “In that time our in-house team has built a robust platform to serve consumers and significantly lower fares for all travellers. We take all the complexities out of travel for both travellers and suppliers and solve real problems that only exist in the most diverse of markets.”

The investment is the largest of its kind on the African continent in Turkey and the Middle East, “Africa alone is a US$50 billion travel market growing between 3% and 5% annually. The investment from Amadeus Capital and the MTN partnership is a fantastic fit for our company as we share the same ideology and long term commitment,” said Ekbergh.

Amadeus Capital Partners’ Andrea Traversone will join Travelstart’s Board of Directors as part of this financing. “The market potential for Travelstart is huge and the company is already a tour de force in emerging markets. They are one of the most profitable e-commerce companies on the African continent and with this new round of funding Travelstart will be able to fast-track its already rapid growth. We’re excited to spearhead this round and to see the company’s continued growth and success,” said Traversone.

Herman Singh, Group Chief Digital Officer, MTN, added: “MTN’s vision is one of delivering a Bold New Digital World and this investment in partnership with Amadeus is a key step on a multi-year journey to achieve that promise. It strongly complements our existing investments in online and e-commerce in retail, marketplaces, classifieds and travel. This investment in the largest multi-national player in a very large and rapidly growing market positions MTN as an enabler of exciting new leading edge businesses. The MTN footprint, subscriber base, payment capability, network and brand awareness strongly underpin the synergies already being manifested in our other investments. We look forward to working with Amadeus and the Travelstart team to accelerate the business development of this adjacency.”

About Travelstart
Founded in 1999 in Sweden as the true pioneer of online travel, Travelstart’s African businesses were spun off in 2010 to focus on the emerging market opportunity, where it has been growing profitably since and now has 75% market share.

Travelstart addresses the complexities in the African travel market by directly accessing local supply, solving language and currency problems as well as the diverse plethora of payment methods. In addition to its first class technology platform which meets the need of travel bookers on mobile and desktop, Travelstart prides itself on delivering an exceptional service experience to its customers.

Travelstart provides travellers with real-time access to thousands of flights from all carriers and serves 2 million monthly users in 16 countries. Travelstart has been in South Africa since 2006 and has offices in Cape Town, Dubai, Istanbul, Lagos, Cairo and Dar es Salaam. For more information, please visit www.travelstart.com

About Amadeus Capital Partners
Amadeus Capital Partners is a global technology investor. Since its inception in 1997, the firm has raised over $1bn for investment and backed more than 100 companies in the software, mobile, internet, cyber security and medical technology sectors. The investment team is based in India, South Africa, Sweden, UK and USA, has deep experience in technology and invests in high-growth companies from early stage to pre-IPO.

Major businesses built by Amadeus include Lastminute.com, the online travel and experience company, the CSR (LSE:CSR), a connectivity, audio, imaging and location semiconductor company; Solexa, the developer of next generation genetic analysis systems, merged into Illumina (ILMN) to create the world leader in gene-sequencing technology, Octo Telematics, the global leader in insurance telematics services acquired by Renova Group; and Transmode (ST:TRMO), an optical networking solutions business. For more information, please visit www.amadeuscapital.com

About The MTN Group
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in 22 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN.” As of 30 September 2015, MTN recorded 233 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160203005087/en/

Contacts

Travelstart

Russell Jarvis, +27214684306

Head of Global Communications

russell@travelstart.com



Amadeus Capital Partners

Emma Thorpe, +447909974958

PR for Amadeus

e_thorpe@yahoo.co.uk







Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/16920/en

Huber Officially Acquires Martinswerk Business from Albemarle Corporation

ATLANTA - Tuesday, February 2nd 2016 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- J.M. Huber Corporation, through its Huber Engineered Materials (HEM) division, announces today it has acquired the Martinswerk business of Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB). The Martinswerk portfolio is now officially part of the Fire Retardant Additives (FRA) business unit of HEM.

Huber’s largest acquisition in over 10 years, the transaction includes Martinswerk’s manufacturing facility in Bergheim, Germany, more than 470 employees and the following product lines:

    Martinal® precipitated and ground alumina trihydrate
    Magnifin® premium precipitated magnesium hydroxide
    A variety of specialty chemical products:
        Martifin® specialty hydrates for paper
        Martoxid® aluminum oxide primarily for ceramics
        Pergopak® flatting agents and carrier additives
        Compalox® granulated activated alumina

“This strategic acquisition is well aligned with HEM’s FRA business unit – both from a product and geographic standpoint,” explains Jerry Bertram, Vice President and General Manager of HEM’s Fire Retardant Additive business. “It builds on our existing halogen-free fire retardant offerings and expands the range of products we can provide to customers around the world.”

To ensure a smooth integration, HEM is retaining the current management team at Martinswerk. The FRA business unit will be structured in a regional model with a General Manager operating out of Europe.

The Martinswerk acquisition builds on Huber’s 34 year history of supplying fire retardants and smoke suppressants. It marks the latest in a series of investments in the FRA business by Huber, including the acquisition of the Kemgard® product line from Sherwin-Williams in 2010 and the purchase of the assets of the specialty hydrates business from Almatis in 2012. In 2015, Huber purchased the Safire® nitrogen and phosphorous flame retardant technology from Floridienne Group and Catena Additives.

Says Bertram, “Bringing together our long-term experience in fire retardant additives with the product lines from Martinswerk broadens our portfolio of environmentally-friendly fire retardant additives for use across multiple applications, including carpet backing, fiber reinforced plastics, roofing, silicone rubber and wire and cable.” He adds, “This addition truly makes FRA a global business.”

About Huber Engineered Materials (www.hubermaterials.com)

Huber Engineered Materials, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia (U.S.), is a global business focused on engineered specialty ingredients that enhance the performance, appeal and processing of a broad range of products used in industrial, paper and consumer-based applications. With an expertise in inorganic materials, it has a portfolio of high value products: specialty silicas and silicates, alumina trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide, barium sulfate and industrial, food and USP calcium carbonate.

About J.M. Huber Corporation (www.huber.com)

J.M. Huber Corporation, headquartered in Edison, New Jersey (U.S.), operates a portfolio of companies with a focus on its core engineered materials businesses. Founded in 1883, today Huber is one of the largest family-owned companies in the United States. The diversified, multinational company creates products that are used in a broad range of consumer and industrial applications, including oral care, personal care, food, beverage, pharmaceuticals and building materials.

Contacts

Huber Engineered Materials

Keith Sorrell, 678-247-2730

keith.sorrell@huber.com









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/16911/en

Panasonic Develops the APD-CMOS Image Sensor to Realizes Sharp Color Imaging under 0.01 lux Illuminance

OSAKA, Japan - Wednesday, February 3rd 2016 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Panasonic Corporation today announced that it developed the CMOS image sensor (APD-CMOS) that uses avalanche photodiodes (APDs)*1in each pixel. The company has succeeded in obtaining 10,000 times multiplied*2 electric signals by means of the APDs' multiplication of photoelectrons that are generated by photoelectric conversion in the photodetector. This allows you to take sharp color images even under starlight (illuminance of 0.01 lux) or in other similarly dark places.

*1 Photodiodes that are capable of obtaining large electric signals from weak light (i.e. small numbers of photons). Large output signals can be obtained by multiplying photoelectrons that are generated in the photoelectric conversion layer.

*2 In comparison with image sensors without a multiplication function (according to our own research as of February 3, 2016)

This new image sensor allows for highly sensitive imaging through the multiplication of photoelectrons, realizing high-gradation color imaging without the need to increase the exposure time even in dark places. In addition, the multiplication of photoelectrons can be controlled instantly by changing the voltage applied to the APDs depending on the illuminance at the time of imaging, allowing you to take images at various illuminances from bright places to dark places. Its expected applications include surveillance cameras that require color imaging with a wide dynamic range and industrial cameras that require ultra-highly sensitive imaging.

This development brings the following advantages.

    Highly sensitive color imaging:
    40 million/lux・sec・μm2 (10,000 times sensitive in comparison to conventional devices)
    Wide dynamic range:
    100 dB (+ 40 dB in comparison to conventional CMOS image sensors)

This development has been realized on the basis of the following technologies:

    APD picture element design technology in which avalanche photodiodes and charge storages are incorporated in the photoelectric convertor for not only multiplying but also accumulating photoelectrons that contain generated color information
    Variable sensitivity technology in which multiplication is controlled in a thousandth of a second by controlling the voltage applied to the APDs, realizing 30-fps video imaging that can follow the changes in illuminance

With conventional image sensors, photoelectrons that are photoelectric-converted during imaging in dark places may fall below the noise level, thereby limiting the imaging environment to no less than moonlight (illuminance of 0.1 lux) or so. This is why imaging under illumination of a near-infrared light source and imaging using photo multipliers have been carried out. However, near-infrared light sources have the drawback of the inability of color imaging, whereas photo multipliers have the drawback of forcing cameras to be upsized due to the necessity of a large-capacity power supply.

This development result was announced in the 2016 International Solid-State Circuits Conference, which was held in San Francisco on February 1, 2016.

About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, enterprise solutions and device industries. Since its founding in 1918, the company has expanded globally and now operates 468 subsidiaries and 94 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.715 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2015. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better life and a better world for its customers. To learn more about Panasonic: http://www.panasonic.com/global.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=51272154&lang=en

Contacts

Media Contacts:

Public Relations Department

Panasonic Corporation

Tel: +81-(0)3-3574-5664 Fax: +81-(0)3-3574-5699



Panasonic News Bureau

Tel: +81-(0)3-3542-6205 Fax: +81-(0)3-3542-9018







Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/16921/en

Toshiba Semiconductor & Storage Products Company Publishes English Edition of Environmental Report 2015

TOKYO - Wednesday, February 3rd 2016 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) today announced the release of the English edition of “Toshiba Semiconductor & Storage Products Company Environmental Report 2015,” its annual review of environmental policy, measures and activities.

The 2015 report covers activities in fiscal 2014, including efforts to reduce environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions in semiconductor and storage product production processes, as core components of environmental management and efforts toward establishing a sustainable society. The report also covers environmental assessments of semiconductor and storage products at the design and development stages, and the environmental communications carried out at each manufacturing site.

In its “Introduction”, the report explains Toshiba Semiconductor and Storage Products Company’s efforts to conserve biodiversity efforts, including community-based programs developed by Iwate Toshiba Electronics Co., Ltd. and Kaga Toshiba Electronics Co., Ltd. It also features a “Biodiversity Conservation Map” that highlights activities at manufacturing sites around the world.

This report is published in print and on-line versions, and the latter can be seen at:
http://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/company/environmental-activities/documents.html

Toshiba Semiconductor & Storage Products Company seeks to contribute to society’s safety and security, to the creation of rich value and the reduction of environmental impacts, guided by Toshiba’s Environmental Vision 2050, which points the way to living richer lives in harmony with the earth.

About Toshiba

Toshiba Corporation, a Fortune Global 500 company, channels world-class capabilities in advanced electronic and electrical product and systems into five strategic business domains: Energy & Infrastructure, Community Solutions, Healthcare Systems & Services, Electronic Devices & Components, and Lifestyles Products & Services. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future”, Toshiba promotes global operations and is contributing to the realization of a world where generations to come can live better lives.

Founded in Tokyo in 1875, today’s Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of over 580 consolidated companies employing 199,000 people worldwide, with annual sales surpassing 6.6 trillion yen (US$55 billion).
To find out more about Toshiba, visit www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm

Contacts

Toshiba Corporation

Semiconductor & Storage Products Company

Megumi Genchi / Kota Yamaji, +81-3-3457-3576

Communication IR Promotion Group

Business Planning Division

semicon-NR-mailbox@ml.toshiba.co.jp









Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/16919/en

Comprehensive Activities in the Outreach Campaign on Light Air Sports

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Tuesday, February 2nd 2016 [ME NewsWire]

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) launched an outreach campaign about light air sports. This campaign will be held in association with the Air Support Department at the Directorate General of Security Support, the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and will last for two weeks.

H.E Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA, said that the authority has enacted a federal legislation regarding the use of drones. The legislation stipulates the need for drone operators to adhere to national drone piloting requirements and defines related prohibited activities, especially given the wide range of people who use these systems, who often lack the necessary experience and information. The GCAA has given special attention to enhance the public’s knowledge and understanding of the requirements, legislation and best practices related to the use of drones within the UAE.

Additionally, he noted that “The GCAA has issued a guide to safe drone use, in addition to a set of signs that indicate that the use of drones is prohibited in specific areas.” The booklets are currently being distributed across the UAE, and those who wish to have a copy can obtain one from national airports or on the authority’s official website at: www.gcaa.gov.ae. The “drone use prohibited” signs will be distributed in strategic areas throughout the country, where the operation of aircrafts does not allow drones, particularly near airports and heliports.

Colonel Saeed Al Khajah, Director of Air Support Department, emphasized the keenness of the MoI to collaborate and coordinate with national institutions in order to provide security and safety for citizens and residents. He also pointed that the MoI will take legal action against anyone who violates the terms, permissions and regulations of light air sports practice. He said: “Violation of the terms, permissions and regulations of light air sports practice may compromise the security and safety of society, the safety of installations and the state’s private and public properties; and may constitute a violation of people’s privacy.”

Colonel Al Khajah also pointed out that the campaign aims to disseminate and promote legal awareness regarding the use of remotely operated aircrafts and gliders, and how to obtain licenses from the competent authorities in order to operate them. He also noted that light air sports of various kinds, such as using gliders and light aircrafts, has become more prevalent throughout the country lately, particularly amongst young people. “Adherence to regulations and laws concerning light air sports contributes to them spreading widely, and reflects the positive aspect of aviation safety,” he noted. He also called for light air sports and remote control fans to adhere to the aviation safety and security requirements.

For more information about:

The Ministry of Interior, please click HERE

Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE

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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-666-4891

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com









Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/16914/en