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Tesla CEO, Elon Musk and Uber CEO Travis Kalanick among speakers

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates-Tuesday, February 14th 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

The future of transportation, specifically the impending arrival of autonomous cars, was a major topic at the second day of the 5th annual World Government Summit attended by 4,000 global leaders from 139 countries in Dubai.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, said that although driverless cars will be a “great convenience,” it will result in 12%-15% job loss. “We need to find new roles for those people” as increased manufacturing of autonomous cars will be “very disruptive and very quick.”

In an earlier conversation on “The Future of Mobility” with Travis Kalanick, CEO and co-founder of Uber, he predicted roads will be populated with self-driving automobiles, eliminating traffic jams in as few as 5 years. He also said that 1.3 million individuals die annually from car accidents. ... Read more »

Number of HD+ paying subscribers grew by 15 percent year-on-year

LUXEMBOURG & UNTERFÖHRING, Germany-Monday, February 13th 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SES S.A. (Euronext Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) announced today that HD+ exceeded the two million subscriber mark in 2016. As of 31 December 2016, the satellite TV offer counted some 2,111,862 subscribers, 15 percent more than in 2015 (December 31, 2015: 1,840,800). In addition to paying customers, there are currently 850,000 households in the free HD+ test phase. In total, there are therefore currently almost three million households using HD+.

Wilfried Urner, Chairman of the Management Board of HD PLUS, said: “2016 was a great year for HD+, cracking the two million subscriber mark and growing even stronger than in the previous year. This momentum confirms that HD+ is now a real force in the German TV landscape. More and more people in Germany are willing to pay for a better television experienc ... Read more »

--- Allowing show window glass as digital signage ---

OSAKA, Japan-Monday, February 13th 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Panasonic Corporation will begin sales of its high image contrast transparent screen that enables the use of glass, such as shop windows, as digital signage on March 22, 2017.

Video available: https://youtu.be/TiWnqsfci6E

This product will include XC-CSG01G, a unique glass comprised of a high contrast light control film placed in between 2 sheets of glass, which when voltage is applied changes from the screen mode to the transparent mode, as well as XC-CSC01G-A1, a control box. Images are projected (from the rear) onto the glass during the screen mode. The control box will synchronously operate the projector and the screen per the image content, and change the screen from transparent mode to screen mode. During the transparent mode, it will serve as a shop window showcasing products and exhibits, and during the screen mode it ... Read more »

SAINT-PREX, Switzerland-Monday, February 13th 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Foresee Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (6576.TWO), announced today that the companies have entered into an exclusive worldwide development and option agreement to leverage Foresee’s proprietary and unique Stabilized Injectable Formulation platform (SIF) for the development of long duration, controlled release formulations of a peptide therapeutic.

Under the terms of the agreement, Ferring will fund the development work and, upon completion, Ferring will have the right to exercise its option and enter into a definitive agreement with Foresee. Execution of a definitive agreement would entitle Foresee to additional payments including upfront, milestones and royalties based on net sales of the product(s) commercialized by Ferring.

“We have been impressed with Foresee’s achievements to date and we see value in its SIF platform technology,&r ... Read more »

HAMILTON, Bermuda-Tuesday, February 7th 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NASDAQ: AGII), an international underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products, today announced it has closed the acquisition of Ariel Re, a global underwriter of insurance and reinsurance business.

Ariel Re was jointly owned by Banco BTG Pactual S.A. and the Abu Dhabi Investment Council. The company underwrites a global portfolio of insurance and reinsurance business through Lloyd’s Syndicate 1910.

ABOUT ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.

Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NASDAQ: AGII) is an international underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the property and casualty market. Argo Group offers a full line of products and services designed to meet the unique coverage and claims handling needs of businesses in four primary segments: Excess & Surplus Lines, Commercial Specialt ... Read more »

 Laying of the foundation stone in Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates -Sunday, February 12th 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

Wilo, the leading manufacturer of pumps and pump systems, celebrated laying the foundation stone for its new facility, which will be located in the Jafza (Jebel Ali Free Zone) of Dubai. By investing in the Dubai economic hub, Wilo is acknowledging the region’s growing prominence and responding to the growing requirements of the market. “The role of the city as a platform and logistic hub for trade in the Middle East, Dubai’s efficient infrastructure by land, sea and air and the long-term economic stability offered by this country were the crucial factors tipping the balance in favour of investing here. The construction is scheduled for completion in early 2018”, Carsten Krumm, COO of WILO SE explains.

Selected guests and customers from the Middle East attended to celebrate the laying of the foundation stone. Guests incl ... Read more »

5th Annual World Government Summit examines future globalization

Dubai, United Arab Emirates -Sunday, February 12th 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai welcomed 4000 global leaders and experts from 139 countries today in Dubai to kick off the 5th annual World Government Summit. 

The first day featured an opening address from Founder and Chairman of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab who cautioned governments about the global ‘emotional turmoil’ saying, “If we want to go forward, we need a completely new system where the human-being is at the center, and societal advancement is the key.”

Building off this sentiment, a panel of experts including Professor Jeffrey Sachs, American economist concurred that the success of government must be defined by its ability to facilitate the happiness and well-being of its citizens, an ... Read more »

Dubai, United Arab Emirates -Saturday, February 11th 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

With the World Health Organization expecting depression to rank in the top three biggest diseases within the next 15 years, over 300 global experts, scientists and decision makers met in Dubai today for the first Global Dialogue on Happiness.

The conference is a global initiative driven by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and intends to create a framework for governments to align their policies with the happiness and well-being of their people. To underscore its commitment to this initiative, the UAE has created an official cabinet-level position focused specifically on happiness.

The Global Dialogue on Happiness is a pre-event to the 2017 World Government Summit, beginning 12 February in Dubai.

UAE Minister of State for Happiness H.E. Ohood Bint Khalfan Al Roumi, outl ... Read more »

Dubai, United Arab Emirates -Monday, February 6th 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants), the association of accountants and financial professionals in business, has launched its newest membership offer for 2017 to counter the prevailing dip in confidence amid economic conditions in the Middle East.

Accounting and finance professionals planning to pursue the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) certification may now register for the program and receive a one-year IMA membership free of charge.

“Challenging economic conditions often results in organizations and professionals ‘taking stock’ and reflecting on how to enhance their competencies for the long term. IMA, as the leading global organization focused on advancing competencies in management accounting, has an obligation to support society and the public interest in times like this,” states Hanady Khalife, Director of Operations, IMA Middle East/Af ... Read more »

Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates -Saturday, February 11th 2017 [ ME NewsWire ]

The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Education For Employment (EFE), an international not-for-profit network that creates employment opportunities for youth across the Middle East and North Africa region.

The agreement seeks to provide jobseekers and university graduates in the UAE, regardless of nationality, with training opportunities as well as linkages to employers through developing relationships with local businesses and industries. Through this agreement, AURAK has become EFE’s first university partner in the UAE.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Prof. Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, president of AURAK, commented, “I have very high expectations for this new relationship. As one of the leading institutions of higher education in the country, we are confident that we are producing top-quality graduates. Now ... Read more »