June 30, 2023

Verifone Launches New Brand

Verifone unveils new brand and enterprise website to exemplify its class-leading payments platform offering

Verifone new logo

New Verifone brand identity

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., June 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Verifone rebrands to highlight its innovative payment solutions by introducing a new logo, brand identity and global website to align with an updated vision. Verifone is now the “Payments Architect and Commerce Expert” partner for all businesses everywhere. Verifone’s robust product and services portfolio delivers on that promise as it spans digital payment solutions, secure payment devices, cloud-hosted Payments as a Service, merchant acquiring, point of sale technology, advanced business insights through data science, managed services practices, and more.

After rebuilding its entire offering and company culture under new leadership, the refreshed brand identity matches the innovation and passion of a new Verifone. Consumer recognition and trust in the Verifone name needed to be preserved while simultaneously highlighting Verifone’s heightened digital focus, future-first approach and leading position in the marketplace. The new iconography conveys the connected, modular and evolving nature of payments in modern life, and it shows the architectural role Verifone plays in payments and commerce. All of this comes together on Verifone’s new global website where consumers, merchants and other stakeholders are introduced to a new, more user-friendly Verifone experience. The new brand is extensible across business units and around the world.

Verifone T650m Mobile Payment Device

With half a trillion dollars in transactions traversing its cloud via payment devices or Verifone-powered websites and apps, Verifone truly enables global commerce. Verifone stands out in the payments space where most businesses still piece together fragmented offerings from multiple providers to address complex customer needs. Verifone is the single provider with a comprehensive, flexible toolset that streamlines and reduces costs for any enterprise to accept payments.

“The world of commerce evolves constantly, and it is this dynamic environment that we’ve simplified and continue to revolutionize. Verifone started in the Fintech space over four decades ago, rapidly evolving our service offerings to meet the needs of all large and small businesses,” said Mike Pulli, Verifone CEO. “We are the critical commerce partner for businesses worldwide, offering solutions with a futureproof architecture. Our new brand matches our digital-first thinking, employee-focused mindset, and accelerated innovation. Our customers, and their customers, rely on Verifone every day.”

Verifone has focused intensely on new, innovative payment capabilities and features in recent years, significantly expanding the solution stack and enabling new markets. The company’s commerce expertise means its solutions can easily be adapted across nearly every vertical. From complex, global, omni-commerce retailers to a local vendor at a farmers’ market, Verifone futureproofs payment ecosystems and tech stacks.

Verifone M440 Multilane Payment Device

To experience Verifone’s new identity, watch the introduction video https://vimeo.com/verifone/newbrandlaunch and visit the new corporate global website at https://www.verifone.com/en/global. New country-specific websites will go live in the coming weeks and months.

About Verifone

Verifone is the payments architect shaping ecosystems for online and in-person commerce experiences, including everything businesses need – from secure payment devices to eCommerce tools, acquiring services, advanced business insights, and much more. As a global FinTech leader, Verifone powers omni-commerce growth for companies in over 165 countries and is trusted by the world’s best-known brands, small businesses, and major financial institutions. The Verifone platform is built on a four-decade history of innovation and uncompromised security, annually managing more than 12B transactions worth over $500B on physical and digital channels.

Verifone Media Contact:
Email: Press@Verifone.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

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GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8867578

June 30, 2023

St Kitts and Nevis announces extension to Citizenship by Investment Programme Sustainable Growth Fund Limited Time Offer due to unprecedented demand

Basseterre, June 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — International investors have been clamouring to take advantage of one of the best deals in the investment migration industry this year – St Kitts and Nevis’ Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) Limited Time Offer (LTO) which allows investors to gain approval for alternative citizenship in the country in as little as 60 days for a reduced fee.

In December 2022, the St Kitts and Nevis Head of the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), Michael Martin, announced the enactment of the updated St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Regulations 2023, which included the introduction of the LTO for the SGF investment option effective 1 January 2023 – 30 June 2023.

On 29 June 2023, Michael Martin made the following comment regarding the LTO:

“We have received an overwhelming response and demand for our Sustainable Growth Fund investment option through the Limited Time Offer and felt that we had to extend the offering for another seven months until 31 January 2024. International investors continue to see the value of the world’s first and finest Citizenship by Investment Programme and this proves it”.

The SGF remains the quickest and easiest route to alternative citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis and now until 31 January 2024, a main applicant can acquire alternative citizenship by contributing only US$125,000 to the SGF and receiving approval in principle within 60 days of acknowledgement by the CIU of submission of their application.

Under the LTO, the minimum SGF contributions are as follows:

Single applicant – US$ 125,000
Main applicant and a spouse – US$150,000

Main applicant and up to three dependants – US$170,000
Each additional dependant under 18 – US$10,000
Each additional dependant over 18 – US$25,000

Revenue from the SGF has facilitated economic development and social upliftment in the country. The SGF is used to provide financial support to educational institutions, and medical facilities, as well as support infrastructural development, increase tourism, preserve local culture and heritage and support sustainable growth initiatives in the twin-island nation.

Discerning investors are seeing the benefits of being part of St Kitts and Nevis’ success story. Following upgrades to the CBI Regulations, the country now offers one of the most secure and best-regulated investment migration offerings in the world.

This means that international investors looking to hedge their bets in a stable and growing economy should look no further than St Kitts and Nevis.

This extension is a fantastic opportunity for investors to obtain citizenship through the LTO. This is a final extension and from 1 February 2024, the minimum SGF contribution will increase to the amounts prior to the LTO period.

The country is making sure that it has only the best to offer international entrepreneurs and families who have realised that global powerhouses are no longer illustrious investment options due to security risks. Investors want to ensure that they can safeguard their families and wealth in a global economy that has been offering nothing but uncertainty since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Smaller governments such as that of St Kitts and Nevis have found ways, through CBI, to protect themselves from global shocks, offer favourable business policies aimed at growing corporations in international markets and, by using international funds channelled to the SGF, can diversify and grow their economy to meet global needs.

St Kitts and Nevis continues to create a name for itself as a financial nexus in the Caribbean with an attractive CBI programme underpinned by a sound legal framework and robust multi-layered due diligence.

For nearly 40 years, St Kitts and Nevis has been the pioneer of the global investor immigration industry and those who recognise this are taking advantage of the LTO.

Chantal Mabanga
Government of St. Kitts and Nevis
+44 (0) 207 318 4343
chantal.mabanga@csglobalpartners.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8867177

June 30, 2023

Ugandan NGOs re-sue French oil company

Five French and Ugandan NGOs and 26 individuals re-sued French oil company TotalEnergies in Paris, France on Tuesday for damages from alleged human rights violations during oil projects in Uganda.

Ugandan human rights defender Maxwell Atuhura, five French and Ugandan NGOs (AFIEGO, Friends of the Earth France, NAPE/Friends of the Earth Uganda, Survie, and TASHA Research Institute), and 26 individuals are seeking compensation, accusing the company of failing to protect people and the environment from projects which also led to food shortages.

TotalEnergies has caused “serious harm to the plaintiffs, particularly with regard to their rights to land and food,” the French and Ugandan NGOs said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Foreign oil companies continue to make super profits while the communities affected by their projects in Uganda are harassed, displaced, poorly compensated and living in abject poverty on their own land,” Frank Muramuzi, executive director of NAPE/Friends of the Earth Uganda, added in the statement.

The company is running projects to build the East African Crude Oil Pipeline – a 1,500km stretch to supply oil to the coast of Tanzania through protected nature reserves – and the Tilenga exploration of 419 oil wells, some of which are in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda.

According to activists, more than 118,000 people in Uganda and Tanzania have already been affected by these two projects.

Environmental activist Kiiza Eron told RT that TotalEnergies is trying to hide its climate misdeeds and human rights violations. He believes this is an age-old tactic of business people, and it always “comes down to an obsession with profit and an insensitivity to human rights concerns.”

Activists failed in a 2019 lawsuit before a French court to force TotalEnergies to halt the Tilenga and East African Crude Oil Pipeline projects.

Source: Russia Today

June 30, 2023

Burkina: 41 combat forces fallen, more than 80 terrorists neutralized (army press release)

“On Tuesday, June 27, 2023 around 12 p.m., a military unit of the Western Sector Force Group (GFSO) faced an ambush near the town of Tia (Province of Mouhoun, Boucle du Mouhoun region). The vigorous response of the elements made it possible to neutralize more than 30 terrorists.

Their armament and rolling stock were also recovered. During the fighting, eight (08) soldiers were unfortunately fatally injured and nine (09) others injured.

The reinforcements deployed contributed to the evacuation of the wounded and carried out operations to secure and rake the area.

The day before Monday, June 26, 2023, the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland of Noaka (Sanmatenga Province, Center-North region) valiantly reacted to a terrorist attack which targeted their positions.

These VDPs thus neutralized about fifty terrorists and recovered a large quantity of equipment including heavy weapons, assault rifles, ammunition, motorcycles and means of communication. Thirty-three (33) VDPs unfortunately made the supreme sacrifice during this response.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces salutes the memory of all those freedom fighters who died for the Partic. He offers his sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the disappeared and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured. The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces reiterates his encouragement to the soldiers and the VDPs who are showing a remarkable spirit of sacrifice at these decisive moments in history

of our country. He shares with all the fighting forces his unshakeable conviction as to the victory of our people over terrorism”, indicates a press release from the Burkinabè army, dated June 30, 2023.

Source: Burkina Information Agency

June 30, 2023

Burkina: Ouaga-Bobo section highway: memorandum of understanding signed

The Government of Burkina Faso and the Chinese company, China civil engineering construction corporation (CCECC) signed last Thursday in Ouagadougou, a memorandum of understanding to facilitate the construction project of the Yamoussoukro- Ouagadougou, we learned from media sources.

The ceremony was chaired by the Burkinabè Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs Olivia Rouamba. These include the construction of the Yamoussoukro-Ouaga highway, Ouaga-Bobo section.

The memorandum will allow the start of construction activities for this 332.53 km long section.

"The studies being completed, this protocol will make it possible to advance the file", specified the Minister of Infrastructure and Opening Up, Adama Luc Sorgho.

According to him, Burkina Faso will contribute 15% of the budget and the other 85% will be negotiated with the Chinese side.

As for the deputy general manager of the company China civil engineering construction corporation (CCECC), Guillaume Zhang, he assured that the Chinese side will get to work in order to submit a technical and financial offer within a period of two months.

The Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs, Olivia Rouamba recalled that the signing of this memorandum of understanding stems from that with the International Alliance of Brics signed on June 16.

Source: Burkina Information Agency

June 30, 2023

Burkina: Media, appointment and trial on the menu of Burkinabe dailies

Today's dailies deal with the suspension of LCI TV by the CSC, the appointment of Atéridar Galip Somé as CEO of RTB and the testimony of Apollinaire Compaoré and Mahamadou Bonkoungou at trial Vincent Dabilgou.

The newspaper of all Burkinabè Sidwaya mentions on its front page: "Vincent Dabilgou trial: EBOMAF and Apollinaire Compaoré deny having financed the NTD campaign".

The newspaper informs that the Vincent Dabilgou trial continued, yesterday Thursday June 29, 2023 with the hearing of a dozen witnesses including Burkinabè economic operators, Apollinaire Compaoré, president of Burkinabè employers and Mahamadou Bonkoungou, Chairman and CEO of the EBOMAF group.

On this same subject, the private daily newspaper Le Pays titles on its front page: “Testimony of the boss of the EBOMAF group at the trial of Vincent Dabilgou: I do not donate to support politics but…”.

The newspaper indicates that Mahamadou Bonkoungou, CEO of the EBOMAF group declared, “I did not support Mr. Dabilgou, neither in cash nor in other forms”.

"He may have received donations but 20 million FCFA, no," added Mahamadou Bonkoungou, CEO of the EBOMAF group.

For him, he does not make donations to support politics but he makes donations of generosity.

From another angle, the dean of the private dailies, L'Observateur Paalga, mentions on its front page: "Ministry of Communication: Galip Somé, new CEO of the RTB".

The newspaper reports that the Council of Ministers was held on Thursday, June 29, 2023, under the chairmanship of His Excellency Captain Ibrahim Traoré, President of the Transition.

It deliberated on the issues on its agenda, heard oral communications, made appointments.

On this same subject, the private daily newspaper Le Pays adds that Mr Atéridar Galip Somé, advisor in information and communication sciences and techniques, has been appointed Director General of the RTB.

Under another aspect, L'Observateur Paalga titles on its headline "Higher Council of Communication: LCI suspended for 3 months".

For the private newspaper Le Pays, this decision was justified by the remarks made on April 25, 2023, by the journalist Abnousse Shalmani, during the program “24h Pujadas, the info in question”.

Source: Burkina Information Agency

June 30, 2023

30,000 visitors expected at 25th Univexpo, July 20-21

Preparations are continuing at the Sfax University for the organisation of the 25th university fair "Univexpo," scheduled for July 20-21 under the theme: "The University of Sfax, your path to excellence," with an expected 30,000 visitors from various academic and industrial sectors.

During this session, scientific products and the results of university research in the industrial sector will be presented, as well as a space dedicated to university orientation with a view to helping new baccalaureate holders choose the training courses and specialities available to them, fair director and director of the "4C" - Sfax Careers and Skills Certification Centre Mohamed Belhaj told TAP.

The fair will also include an area devoted to universities, where 21 public and 8 private institutions will be presenting their training courses in the exact sciences, engineering, economics, management, law, literature, humanities, arts, and medical and paramedical sciences.

The fair's organising committee is planning to award prizes and financial rewards for the best final-year project idea, the same source said.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

June 30, 2023

Siliana: working session monitors Makthar Hospital construction project

The progress of the construction project of the Makthar regional hospital (category B) in Siliana was the subject of a working meeting held on Friday at the governorate headquarters.

Local director of health, Adel Haddadi, said that the parties concerned were in agreement on resolving the technical problems, including the collection of waste accumulated on the site and the replacement of the generator.

In a statement to TAP, he added that the project study should be completed by next October, while the call for tenders will be launched between September and May 2023. Work will start at the beginning of March 2024.

The same source said a Tunisian-Kuwaiti consulting firm is in charge of implementing the project, which will include emergency, gynecology, general surgery, medical imaging and outpatient departments, as well as operating theatres.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

June 30, 2023

Tunisia’s soccer League 1 – Championship Round – last day results

Results of Tunisia's national soccer league 1 Championship Round Day-14 and last games played on Friday afternoon:

Monastir:

US Monastir 1 Mohamed Amine Bouziane (39')

CS Sfaxien 1 Achraf Habbassi (66' pen)

Sousse:

ES Sahel 5 Oussema Abid (3'), Yassine Chammakhi (18' and 82'), Youssef Abdelli (28' and 38' pen.)

O Beja 0

Rades:

C Africain 2 Ali Amri 86', Mehdi Ouedhrefi 106

US Ben Guerdane 1 Bechir Ghariani 104

Tataouine:

US Tataouine 1 Makhmouth Diallo 54

Esperance ST 6 Yassine Meriah (23' pen., 31' pen. and 45' pen.), Mohamed Ali Ben Hammouda (51'), Zied Berrima (60') and Sabir Bougrine (67')

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

June 30, 2023

JAP-Hammamet 2023 (Beach tennis/mixed doubles): Morocco take gold medal

The Moroccan beach tennis team won gold in the mixed doubles tournament, by beating their Algerian counterpart 2-0 (4-3, 4-1) at the 2nd JAP Hammamet 2023 African Beach Games on Friday in Yasmine Hammamet.

The Moroccan pair was made up of Ines Ziki and Anas Bouaouada.

The silver medal in the mixed doubles went to the Mauritian pair, while the bronze went to the Algerian duo of Samara Ammour and Said Sahtali.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse