Day: June 5, 2024

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Award-Winning Decision Intelligence Firm Quantexa Accelerates Global Momentum, Announces Strong FY24 Business Results

  • Quantexa set to achieve $100M in ARR by end of 2024, fueled by the growing Decision Intelligence Market worth *$500BN
  • New enterprise customers accounted for a 20% (+) contribution to fiscal year ARR
  • Closely coupled enterprise Data and AI strategies see Quantexa’s average contract increase 15% in blended ACV in FY24 

LONDON and NEW YORK, June 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Quantexa, a global leader in Decision Intelligence (DI) solutions for the private and public sectors, announced its continued global business momentum and growth highlights from their 2024 fiscal year, dating from April 1st, 2023, to March 31st, 2024. With a focus on helping customers realize the benefits of practical applications of trusted data and AI, the company delivered on its goals of driving sustainable growth through increased platform and solution adoption, geographic, and industry expansion.

Founded in London in 2016, Quantexa now employs more than 700 team members globally across 15 locations. The company completed FY24 with a 40% increase in global Decision Intelligence ARR and a 120% (+) net retention rate.

2024 Fiscal Year Financial Highlights:

  • New tier 1 customers acquired across banking, insurance, telecommunications, media, technology, and the public sector, helping to accelerate Quantexa’s market expansion strategy and drive 20% (+) contribution to fiscal year ARR.
  • Over 25% of the world’s 50 largest banks have deployed Quantexa’s Decision Intelligence Platform to build a trusted data foundation and realize the benefits of operationalizing AI.
  • Decision Intelligence ARR grew more than 30% in the Americas, and >50% in Europe and the Middle East.
  • Led by a 30% increase in ARR across its Data Management and FinCrime Solution suites, the company continued driving significant YoY revenue growth with an uptick in adoption of its solution suites, helping industry leaders address specific pain points and take advantage of new revenue opportunities.
  • Successful completion of the Aylien acquisition and subsequent integration into Quantexa’s technology portfolio contributed to 16% growth in annual revenue for Quantexa’s News Intelligence offering.

2024 Notable Fiscal Year Milestones:

  • In April 2023, Quantexa announced that it had completed a $129M Series E funding round. The latest investment round secured the British tech company’s unicorn status with a valuation of $1.8BN and accelerated the execution of its growth strategy within the **$500BN DI category.
  • In July 2023, Quantexa announced that it would invest heavily in the global artificial intelligence (AI) industry over the next three years to help clients advance the use of AI to protect, optimize, and grow their organizations.
  • In November 2023, keeping Quantexa close to its customer base, the company announced the opening of its new Asia Pacific Headquarters in Singapore. The opening is part of a broader regional expansion plan and follows the July 2023 launch of Quantexa’s Japan operations in Tokyo and long-standing presence in Melbourne, Sydney, and Malaysia.
  • In January 2024, the company detailed the ROI customers receive from deploying its technology across enterprises and public sector agencies, when it published The Total Economic Impact™ of The Quantexa Decision Intelligence Platform study in conjunction with Forrester Consulting.
  • Quantexa detailed its innovation platform roadmap in support of its ambitious plan to lead the emerging Decision Intelligence category, anchored in helping enterprises and government agencies use contextual analytics and AI to improve organizational decision making.
  • In March 2024, it was announced that Quantexa’s Decision Intelligence Platform will be adopted by the University of Liverpool’s Civic Health Innovation Labs (CHIL) and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in Northwest England, serving more than 1.4M people.
  • A strategic partnership with Microsoft made Quantexa’s Decision Intelligence Platform immediately available on Microsoft Azure Marketplace for financial services organizations and government agencies, the companies also announced exclusive plans to bring the platform to mid-sized banks in the United States. Quantexa is also building a Microsoft Fabric Workload experience.
  • Quantexa completed the fiscal year surpassing 750 global employees, 16k active Decision Intelligence Platform users, and a Net Retention Rate (NRR) of 120% (+).

Vishal Marria, Founder and CEO of Quantexa, said: “The acceleration of our efforts to become the world leading provider of decision intelligence technology, and delivering strong, sustainable global growth can be attributed to two things. Our ability to help customers get their data ready for AI, as well as our execution of a series of strategic investments and partnerships. This achievement underscores Quantexa’s unwavering commitment to empower our customers to solve some of their toughest challenges across multiple industries in every corner of the globe.”

To learn more about how industry leaders are obtaining a 228% return on investment over 3 years with Quantexa’s Decision Intelligence Platform, download the Total Economic Impact (TEI) Study by Forrester.

*Proprietary market data obtained by Quantexa from a commissioned Gartner study.
**Includes AML, Fraud, and KYC solution suite growth.

About Quantexa
Quantexa is a global AI, data and analytics software company pioneering Decision Intelligence to empower organizations to make trusted operational decisions with data in context. Using the latest advancements in AI, Quantexa’s Decision Intelligence platform helps organizations uncover hidden risk and new opportunities by unifying siloed data and turning it into the most trusted, reusable resource. It solves major challenges across data management, customer intelligence, KYC, financial crime, risk, fraud, and security, throughout the customer lifecycle.

The Quantexa Decision Intelligence Platform enhances operational performance with over 90% more accuracy and 60 times faster analytical model resolution than traditional approaches. An independently commissioned Forrester TEI study on Quantexa’s Decision Intelligence Platform found that customers saw a three-year 228% ROI.  Founded in 2016, Quantexa now has more than 700 employees and thousands of platform users working with billions of transactions and data points across the world.

Media Inquiries
C: Stephanie Crisp, Fight or Flight
E: Quantexa@fightorflight

OR

C: Adam Jaffe, SVP of Corporate Marketing
T: +1 609 502 6889
E: adamjaffe@quantexa.com 

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000964615

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Fortrea cède ses activités Endpoint Clinical et Patient Access à Arsenal Capital Partners

DURHAM, Caroline du Nord, 05 juin 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fortrea (Nasdaq : FTRE), un organisme de recherche sous contrat (« ORC ») de premier plan au niveau mondial, a annoncé aujourd’hui avoir finalisé la cession des actifs liés à son segment Enabling Services, à savoir ses activités Endpoint Clinical (ci-après « Endpoint ») et Fortrea Patient Access (« FPA »), à Arsenal Capital Partners (« Arsenal »), une société de capital-investissement de premier plan spécialisée dans la création d’entreprises de soins de santé et industrielles leaders sur le marché et à fort profil technologique.

Endpoint et FPA fournissent respectivement des solutions de randomisation et de gestion de l’approvisionnement des essais (« RTSM ») et d’accès aux soins pour les patients de premier plan. Ils représentent tous deux des points d’entrée stratégiquement différenciés dans la chaîne de valeur des services pharmaceutiques, où Arsenal dispose d’une connaissance approfondie des domaines, des sciences et des techniques.

Arsenal a nommé Sam Osman, ancien président du segment Enabling Services de Fortrea, au poste de directeur général des nouvelles entités, et Raymond (« Ray ») H. Hill, partenaire opérationnel au sein de l’équipe de santé d’Arsenal, au poste de président-directeur général du conseil d’administration.

« Endpoint et FPA sont très bien placés pour soutenir le parcours des patients tout au long des essais cliniques et pour leur permettre d’accéder à de nouveaux traitements après leur approbation », a déclaré Sam Osman, président-directeur général d’Endpoint et de FPA. « Avec Arsenal comme partenaire, je suis convaincu que nos deux sociétés et nos équipes bénéficieront d’opportunités de croissance accélérée ainsi que d’investissements et d’une attention particulière de la part des dirigeants, ce qui se traduira par des capacités et des solutions améliorées pour les clients. »

« Le succès de cette transaction témoigne de la qualité des équipes impliquées, qui ont planifié une transition en douceur pour les collègues, les clients et les patients que nous servons », a déclaré Tom Pike, président-directeur général de Fortrea. « Cette transaction permet aux deux organisations de concentrer leur leadership et leurs ressources sur la fourniture de solutions optimales à nos clients. Comme indiqué précédemment, le produit net de cette cession sera utilisé pour réduire une partie de la structure globale de la dette de Fortrea. En tant qu’ORC clinique, Fortrea reste fidèle à sa mission qui consiste à fournir des solutions permettant d’apporter plus rapidement aux patients des traitements qui changent leur vie. »

Ray Hill, partenaire opérationnel d’Arsenal et président du conseil d’administration d’Endpoint et de FPA, a confié : « Je suis incroyablement enthousiaste à l’idée de participer au prochain chapitre d’Endpoint et de FPA. Je me réjouis de travailler avec l’équipe de direction à la construction d’une société stratégiquement importante qui fournit des solutions basées sur des données pour les patients. »

Endpoint Clinical

Endpoint Clinical opère sur le marché à forte croissance de l’« eClinique » en tant que fournisseur de premier plan de solutions de randomisation et de gestion de l’approvisionnement des essais (« RTSM ») pour les clients biopharmaceutiques et les ORC, avec une expertise dans les essais cliniques complexes et en phase avancée de développement. Depuis plus de 15 ans, Endpoint a réussi à soutenir efficacement plus de 1 750 essais cliniques impliquant 875 000 patients dans 90 pays, à cultiver une clientèle de premier ordre et à entretenir des relations stratégiques de longue date.

Fortrea Patient Access

Fortrea Patient Access est un leader du marché des services HUB et de l’accès aux patients. Depuis plus de 30 ans, il propose à l’industrie biopharmaceutique des solutions complètes en matière de soutien aux patients, d’accès aux produits, d’accessibilité financière et d’observance. En outre, grâce à l’expansion récente de sa pharmacie spécialisée non commerciale, FortreaRx™, destinée à soutenir une distribution accrue des produits de la chaîne du froid et des produits gratuits à température ambiante, Fortrea Patient Access s’est engagée à améliorer les résultats pour les patients ainsi que l’accessibilité aux soins de santé, tout en soutenant actuellement plus de 2,5 millions de patients à travers plus de 100 marques uniques pour plus de 25 indications thérapeutiques.

À propos d’Arsenal Capital Partners

Arsenal Capital Partners est une société de capital d’investissement privée de premier plan qui se spécialise dans la création d’entreprises industrielles de croissance et de soins de santé leaders sur le marché. Depuis sa création en 2000, Arsenal a levé des fonds d’investissement institutionnels d’un montant total de plus de 10 milliards de dollars, réalisé plus de 300 acquisitions de plateformes et d’actifs complémentaires, et plus de 35 cessions. La société travaille avec des équipes de gestion pour créer des entreprises d’importance stratégique avec des positions de leader sur le marché, une croissance élevée et une forte valeur ajoutée. Pour plus d’informations, rendez-vous sur www.arsenalcapital.com.

À propos de Fortrea

Fortrea (Nasdaq : FTRE) est l’un des principaux fournisseurs mondiaux de solutions de développement clinique dans le secteur des sciences de la vie. Fortrea s’associe à des sociétés établies et émergentes du domaine biopharmaceutique, de la biotechnologie des dispositifs médicaux et des diagnostics pour stimuler l’innovation en matière de santé, et accélérer la mise au point de traitements révolutionnaires pour les patients. Fortrea propose des services de gestion d’essais cliniques de phase I à IV, de pharmacologie clinique et de consulting. Nos solutions s’appuient sur 30 ans d’expérience dans 20 domaines thérapeutiques, une passion pour la rigueur scientifique, des connaissances exceptionnelles et un solide réseau de centres de recherche. Notre équipe talentueuse et diversifiée répartie dans plus de 90 pays est dimensionnée pour fournir des solutions ciblées et agiles à nos clients, partout dans le monde. Pour en savoir plus sur la manière dont Fortrea est un moteur d’influence du pipeline au patient, rendez-vous sur Fortrea.com et suivez-nous sur LinkedIn et X (anciennement Twitter).

Mise en garde concernant les déclarations prospectives

Le présent communiqué de presse contient des « déclarations prospectives » au sens des lois fédérales sur les valeurs mobilières, notamment la Section 27A du Securities Act (la loi américaine sur les valeurs mobilières) et la Section 21E de l’Exchange Act (la loi américaine sur les Bourses de valeurs). Les déclarations prospectives traitent par nature de questions qui sont, à des degrés divers, incertaines, y compris le moment de l’utilisation du produit net pour rembourser une partie de l’encours de la dette de la Société. Dans ce contexte, les déclarations prospectives traitent souvent des performances commerciales et financières futures attendues et de la situation financière, et contiennent fréquemment des termes tels que « orientation », « s’attendre à », « supposer », « anticiper », « avoir l’intention », « planifier », « prévoir », « croire », « viser », « sera », « serait », « cible », des expressions similaires, ainsi que des variantes ou la forme négative de ces termes qui sont destinés à identifier les déclarations prospectives, bien que toutes les déclarations prospectives ne contiennent pas ces mots d’identification. Les résultats réels pourraient sensiblement différer de ces déclarations prospectives en raison d’un certain nombre de facteurs, y compris, mais sans s’y limiter, les facteurs décrits en tant que de besoin dans les documents que la Société dépose auprès de la Securities and Exchange Commission (« SEC »). Pour une analyse plus approfondie des risques liés à l’activité de la Société, voir la section « Facteurs de risque » du Rapport annuel de la Société sur le Formulaire 10-K, telle qu’elle a été déposée auprès de la SEC, ces facteurs de risque pouvant être modifiés ou mis à jour en tant que de besoin dans les dépôts périodiques et autres de la Société introduits auprès de la SEC, qui sont accessibles sur le site Web de la SEC à l’adresse suivante : www.sec.gov. Ces facteurs ne doivent pas être considérés comme exhaustifs et doivent être lus conjointement avec les autres avertissements inclus ou incorporés par référence dans les documents déposés par la Société auprès de la SEC. Toutes les déclarations prospectives sont faites uniquement à la date du présent communiqué et la Société ne s’engage pas, sauf si la loi l’exige, à mettre à jour ou à réviser les déclarations prospectives pour tenir compte d’événements ou de développements futurs.

Coordonnées de Fortrea :
Hima Inguva (Investisseurs) – 877-495-0816, hima.inguva@fortrea.com
Sue Zaranek (Médias) – 919-943-5422, media@fortrea.com
Kate Dillon (Médias) – 646-818-9115, kdillon@prosek.com

Contact Arsenal :

Ellen Pavlovsky – epavlovsky@arsenalcapital.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9148950

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IdentiFlight Debuts V5 Technology: Elevating Wind Farm Wildlife Protection

IdentiFlight V5

IdentiFlight scans the skies detecting and classifying birds in wind farms. Photo credit: IdentiFlight

LOUISVILLE, Colo., June 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IdentiFlight, a leader in avian anti-collision systems for wind farms, is proud to announce the launch of its V5 technology. IdentiFlight V5 represents a significant advancement in both performance and reliability. Building upon IdentiFlight’s proven track record of safeguarding avian species while supporting the expansion of renewable energy, IdentiFlight V5 sets a new standard for efficiency and effectiveness in avian detection systems.

“We are thrilled to unveil our V5 technology, representing a significant leap forward in species protection at wind farms,” Carlos Jorquera, CEO and CTO of Boulder Imaging – the company responsible for developing IdentiFlight – remarked. “This milestone reflects our unwavering dedication to a sustainable future, where clean energy flourishes alongside thriving ecosystems.”

Key features of IdentiFlight V5 include:

Enhanced Performance: V5 boasts improved detection accuracy and efficiency, ensuring swift and reliable identification and classification of bird species, particularly raptors such as eagles, hawks, and falcons, expanding detection to a 1.3 km range.

IdentiFlight V5

IdentiFlight scans the skies detecting and classifying birds in wind farms. Photo credit: IdentiFlight

Ruggedized Design: With ruggedized control cabinets capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions, V5 is optimized for deployment in diverse landscapes, now including coastal areas.

Streamlined Serviceability: The new design of V5 facilitates easier maintenance and serviceability, minimizing downtime and optimizing operational efficiency for wind farm operators.

The debut deployment of V5 will take place at the Musselroe Wind Farm in Tasmania, in collaboration with Woolnorth Renewables. “The installation of IdentiFlight V5 at Musselroe underscores our dedication to protecting Tasmania’s iconic wedge-tailed eagle and white-bellied sea eagle,” Jie Yao, Woolnorth Renewables General Manager, stated. “We recognize that cutting-edge solutions, such as IdentiFlight, are integral to mitigating potential risks of wind farms as we advance critical clean energy initiatives across Tasmania and Australia.”

Boulder Imaging President and COO, Don Mills went on to say, “Together with Woolnorth Renewables, we’re proud to pioneer this next chapter in species protection. By deploying IdentiFlight’s V5 technology at the Musselroe Wind Farm, we’re not just innovating; we’re setting new benchmarks for wildlife protection in wind farms. This partnership represents more than just a collaboration; it’s a shared commitment to conservation and progress.”

For more information on how IdentiFlight and their V5 technology offers species protection, while maximizing power generation with proven results, please visit IdentiFlight.com.

About IdentiFlight and How it Works

Developed by Boulder Imaging, Inc., IdentiFlight utilizes cutting-edge machine vision and AI technology to achieve a 99% accuracy rate in identifying avian species within a 1.3 km range in wind farms. Specialized software and neural networks swiftly analyze images, determining 3D position, speed, trajectory, and specific species.

IdentiFlight safeguards birds in operational wind farms by reducing collision risk with turbine blades and reduces energy loss through informed curtailment. Additionally, it supports wind energy projects by quantifying bird activity at potential sites. Deployed globally since 2016 and independently validated over multiple years, the IdentiFlight system now protects for hundreds of wind turbines worldwide. Independent research underscores its effectiveness, showcasing over 85% reduction in eagle fatalities over previous mitigation methods.

Explore further at IdentiFlight’s website.

IDENTIFLIGHT DEBUTS V5 TECHNOLOGY

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e2544c63-b7ac-4bc7-a172-f522ab070125

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/30bff975-5fd7-436a-850b-26fa8f1e6273

CONTACT INFORMATION
Tawney Eisenbraun
Marketing and Communications Manager
+1.605.863.1232
teisenbraun@boulderimaging.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9146975

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IdentiFlight présente sa technologie V5 ciblée sur une meilleure protection de la faune dans les parcs éoliens

LOUISVILLE, État du Colorado, 05 juin 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IdentiFlight, un acteur leader des systèmes anticollision aviaire conçus pour les parcs éoliens, est fière d’annoncer le lancement de sa technologie V5, qui constitue une avancée majeure en termes de performances et de fiabilité. En s’appuyant sur l’expérience éprouvée de la Société en matière de protection des espèces d’oiseaux et en s’inscrivant dans une démarche d’accompagnement du développement des énergies renouvelables, la V5 d’IdentiFlight établit une nouvelle norme en matière d’efficacité des systèmes de détection aviaire.

« Nous sommes ravis de dévoiler notre technologie V5, qui marque une avancée de taille dans la protection des espèces présentes dans les parcs éoliens », observe Carlos Jorquera, PDG et directeur technique de Boulder Imaging, la société responsable du développement d’IdentiFlight, avant d’ajouter : « Cette étape reflète notre engagement inébranlable en faveur d’un avenir durable, où l’énergie propre se développe positivement au cœur d’écosystèmes prospères. »

Principales caractéristiques de la solution :

Meilleure performance : la V5 gagne en précision et en efficacité de détection, permettant la rapide et fiable identification et classification des espèces d’oiseaux, notamment ceux faisant partie de la famille des rapaces comme les aigles, les faucons ou les éperviers, et prolonge le périmètre de détection jusqu’à 1,3 km.

Robuste conception : grâce à ses solides armoires de commande capables de résister à des conditions environnementales difficiles, la V5 est optimisée pour être exploitable dans divers territoires, y compris, désormais, les zones côtières.

Meilleur entretien : le nouveau design de la V5 facilite sa maintenance et son entretien, minimisant ainsi les temps d’arrêt et optimisant l’efficacité opérationnelle pour les exploitants de parcs.

Le premier déploiement de la V5 aura lieu dans le parc éolien de Musselroe en Tasmanie, et se fera en collaboration avec Woolnorth Renewables. « L’installation de la V5 d’IdentiFlight à Musselroe souligne notre engagement à protéger les espèces emblématiques de Tasmanie que sont le pygargue à queue cendrée et l’aigle pêcheur à poitrine blanche », remarque Jie Yao, directeur général de Woolnorth Renewables. Et de conclure : « Nous reconnaissons que les solutions de pointe, telles qu’IdentiFlight, jouent un rôle clé dans l’atténuation des risques potentiels des parcs éoliens, à l’heure où que nous faisons progresser les initiatives essentielles en matière d’énergie propre en Tasmanie et en Australie. »

Don Mills, président et directeur de l’exploitation de Boulder Imaging, ajoute : « Avec Woolnorth Renewables, nous sommes fiers d’écrire un nouveau chapitre en matière de protection des espèces. Déployer la technologie V5 d’IdentiFlight dans le parc éolien de Musselroe va au-delà du concept d’innovation pour établir un nouveau référentiel en protection de la faune dans les parcs éoliens. Ce partenariat représente bien plus qu’une simple collaboration ; il traduit un engagement commun en faveur de la préservation et du progrès. »

Pour plus d’informations sur la façon dont IdentiFlight et sa technologie V5 contribuent à la protection des espèces, tout en optimisant la production d’énergie à l’appui de résultats probants, veuillez consulter le site IdentiFlight.com.

À propos d’IdentiFlight et de son fonctionnement

Mis au point par Boulder Imaging, Inc., IdentiFlight fait appel à une technologie de pointe en matière de visualisation automatique et d’intelligence artificielle pour atteindre un taux de précision de 99 % dans l’identification des espèces aviaires présentes au sein des parcs éoliens dans un rayon de 1,3 km. Des logiciels spécialisés et des réseaux neuronaux analysent rapidement les images, déterminant la position 3D, la vitesse, la trajectoire et les espèces spécifiques.

IdentiFlight protège les oiseaux dans les parcs éoliens opérationnels en réduisant le risque de collision avec les pales des éoliennes et réduit les pertes d’énergie grâce à une réduction éclairée. En outre, le système contribue à la réalisation de projets d’énergie éolienne en mesurant l’activité des oiseaux sur les sites potentiels. Déployé à l’échelle mondiale depuis 2016 et validé de manière indépendante sur plusieurs années, le système IdentiFlight active désormais la protection des oiseaux sur des centaines d’éoliennes à travers le monde. Des recherches indépendantes soulignent l’efficacité de ce système, qui a permis de réduire de plus de 85 % le nombre de décès d’aigles par rapport à d’autres méthodes antérieures d’atténuation.
Pour de plus amples informations, consultez le site Internet d’IdentiFlight.

Un extrait vidéo annexé au présent communiqué est disponible en cliquant sur ce lien.

Une photo accompagnant le présent communiqué est disponible à l’adresse suivante : https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e2544c63-b7ac-4bc7-a172-f522ab070125

Une photo accompagnant le présent communiqué est disponible à l’adresse suivante : https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/30bff975-5fd7-436a-850b-26fa8f1e6273

COORDONNÉES
Tawney Eisenbraun
Responsable du marketing et de la communication
+1.605.863.1232
teisenbraun@boulderimaging.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9148117

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US World War II Veterans return to Normandy to mark 80th Anniversary of D-Day


Some 48 United States Veterans of the Second World War Tuesday touched down in Normandy, France as part of the upcoming 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

The former soldiers, many of them in their late-90s and some more than 100, arrived on a Delta Air Lines special charterflight that flew directly from Atlanta to Deauville-NormandyAirport, a press release issued to the Ghana News Agency, in Accra by the Kingdom Concepts Consult, said.

The June 6 Anniversary commemorates the Day when 150,000 allied troops landed in France to drive out Nazi forcesin 1944. It is considered historically as the largest amphibious assault.

First Lady of France, Brigitte Macron, welcomed the WWII veterans at Deauville Airport. Madam Macron was accompanied by Patricia Miralles, Minister Veterans Affairs and Remembrance both honoring the important role the Veterans played in the Normandy landings, a moment etched in France’s history and ultimately paved the way for the liberation of Europe.

The WWII Veterans deplaned onto
the tarmac to passionate cheers from hundreds of Normandy residents, members of the U.S. and French armed forces and local school children.

This is the first time some of the Veterans have returned to France since the Normandy landings.

Ed Bastian, Delta’s CEO, said: ‘Delta is privileged to have played our part in bringing these brave Veterans back to Northern France ahead of this special week of remembrance. We are truly honored to be joined by Madame Macron to greet our WWII heroes who have made this incredible journey and touched by the warm welcome showed today by the people of Normandy.’

‘Joining Brigitte Macron on stage for the official ceremony, was WWII Veteran Neil McCallum who had expressly asked to meet France’s first lady in a video that reached the First Lady at the Elysee Palace when he returned to France for this year’s remembrance services,’ the release said.

She saw the video and committed to joining the welcome party at Deauville’s airport and meet McCallum. Addressing the World War II V
eteran, she said: ‘You’re incredible in the video but in real life you are the best.’

Ed Bastian alongside the representatives from Best Defense Foundation, the Region of Normandy, and Deauvillepresented Mrs Macron with a large replica model of a Delta 767 aircraft in addition gave a picture of a flight of doves as a symbol of peace to Deauville Airport, to thank them for thesupportive role the airport played in bringing the American Veterans back to France.

Bastian said: ‘We’re thankful to our partners in Normandy and at Deauville airport, who allowed us to fly directly into Normandy from Atlanta to ensure the comfort of our WWII heroes.’

‘Delta is proud to partner with Best Defense Foundation Michelin and Wheels Up working together to bring the Veterans back to France. During their stay, the veterans will pay a visit to a school in Bayeux to share their stories directly with the children so that the legacy of the Greatest Generation will live on,’ the release said.

‘For our WWII generation,?it is?our du
ty and honor to provide this opportunity of?closure and camaraderie for those who gave so much,’ said Donnie Edwards, President and Co-Founder of Best Defense?Foundation.?

The Veterans will join World Leaders latter this week for commemoration events across the Normandy Region.

The events can be followed on the Delta News Hub for daily updates, the release said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Bridging Digital Divide: The Resilience of Satellite TV – A feature by Ken Ashigbey


In recent years, the proliferation of digital media platforms has been inseparably linked to the work of telecommunications to drive smartphone penetration, data, and internet services. This evolution has significantly impacted media consumption and television viewing, especially on emerging digital platforms.

Despite the gradual erosion of satellite TV broadcasting’s dominance due to shifting consumer behavior and channels adapting to these changes, a substantial gap remains in areas where access to smartphones and data services is limited by affordability or availability. Consequently, satellite TV continues to hold a significant market share.

The Role of Telcos in Digital Media Consumption

Telcos have been pivotal in accelerating the adoption of smartphones and enhancing internet accessibility. By investing heavily in infrastructure, they have enabled a broader population to access digital media platforms. This has transformed how people consume content, shifting preferences towards on-demand streaming
services and digital TV. However, this digital revolution has predominantly benefited urban and semi-urban areas with access to more developed infrastructure.

Bridging the Digital Divide

The launch of Multi TV 15 years ago exemplifies a strategic initiative to bridge the digital divide in television access. A collaboration between SES, KNET, and Multimedia Group, Multi TV was designed to democratize TV viewing, and currently provides over 5 million homes with access to television. This partnership capitalized on satellite technology to reach areas where cable and internet services were either unaffordable or unavailable, ensuring that a significant portion of the population could enjoy TV content.

At its inception, the world was transitioning from standard definition (SD) to the early stages of high definition (HD) broadcasting. Multi TV’s introduction came at a critical juncture, offering an accessible solution to many who otherwise would have remained disconnected from modern broadcasting trends.

The HD
+ Revolution

In 2020, SES advanced further with the launch of HD+ on the MultiTV Platform, providing a superior viewing experience with 5X clearer pictures, Local Channel Numbering (LCN), Personal Video Recorder (PVR) capabilities, and an Electronic Program Guide (EPG). This upgrade allowed everyday Ghanaian homes to catch up with global standards in television quality, significantly enhancing their viewing experience.

The transition to HD+ was not just a technological upgrade but a commitment to improving content quality and viewer satisfaction. This move was pivotal in retaining viewers amidst growing competition from digital platforms that offered superior picture quality and user interfaces.

The Shift to Free-To-Air HD Channels

Recently, HD+ announced a business model shift from a subscription model to a Free-To-Air (FTA) business model, a shift with far-reaching implications for the television market in Ghana. This transition is expected to foster greater collaboration among satellite operators like
SES, telcos, advertisers, and content producers. By offering HD+ as FTA, there is potential to open up the space for more innovation and expansion, addressing the market saturation in urban areas and extending quality content to underserved regions.

Collaborative Synergies and Market Expansion

The FTA model’s success hinges on robust collaboration across the broadcasting ecosystem. Telcos can leverage their extensive networks to enhance distribution, ensuring that more households can access HD+ content. Advertisers, attracted by the expanded reach and improved content quality, are likely to increase their investment in television advertising, driving revenue growth for broadcasters.

Moreover, content producers will be incentivized to create higher quality, diverse programming, knowing they can reach a broader audience. This dynamic creates a virtuous cycle of investment and innovation, ultimately benefiting viewers with richer and more varied content.

The evolution of digital media platforms, incited by t
elcos’ efforts to increase smartphone and internet penetration, has reshaped the media landscape. While this trend has challenged traditional satellite TV’s dominance, initiatives like Multi TV and the HD+ transition demonstrate the enduring relevance and adaptability of satellite broadcasting. The shift to an FTA model for HD+ is poised to drive further collaboration and innovation, expanding the TV market in Ghana and ensuring that quality television remains accessible to all. As the industry continues to evolve, these partnerships will be crucial in navigating the future of media consumption and broadcasting.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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ECOWAS trains 200 Ghanaian youth in ICT to tackle unemployment


The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has begun an ICT training programme aimed at equipping over 200 Ghanaian youth with essential digital skills.

It is a significant move to address the rising unemployment rates among young people in the country.

This initiative, a 10-day intensive programme from 3rd June to 14th June, is expected to empower hundreds of young individuals, providing them with the tools needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital economy.

The programme, part of ECOWAS’s broader regional development strategy, focuses on key areas such as coding, software, mobile and web development (front and backend) for the first week, and cable TV development for the succeeding week.

It aims to bridge the skills gap and prepare participants for opportunities in the global digital marketplace.

With technology becoming an integral part of modern business operations, training is a critical step towards reducing unemployment and fostering economic growth.

Mr Baba Gana Wakil, ECOWAS
Resident Representative in Ghana, said as a result of youth unemployment some youth had taken to illicit activities, including drug use and that is a very costly undertaking for the Future development in the sub-region.

He said a productive component of the population, who engaged in such activities, made it rather worrying and the situation needed to be nipped in the bud.

The ECOWAS Resident Representative said the training programme had become necessary as it taught the youthful population in Ghana and all the 14 member states of the West African subregion the needed skills to be self-sufficient through job creation without relying on the government.

‘Once the youth are engaged in something meaningful then the tendency to drift towards drugs and trafficking and other transnational crimes will greatly reduce,’ he said.

According to Mr Wakil, prisons in the sub-region were filled with a youthful population with drug-related issues.

He said many of them were in prison because they were unemployed, and it
was time to think outside the box, be innovative and ensure that the youth created jobs for themselves.

The fastest way to do that, he said, was through Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) and digitalisation, adding that it was the fastest way to go for individuals and economies in the sub-region.

Mr Wakil observed that there was no way development could be advanced without embracing ICT and digitalisation in the global landscape.

He said the ECOWAS Commission itself had fully embraced ICT with its new department on Innovation and Digitalisation Department to bring the sub-region at par with the rest of the world and to compete favourably with other developed countries.

Mr Emmanuel Arthur, Chief Executive Officer, Ramsys InfoTech Solutions, Consultants for the Training, said at the end of the programme, those undergoing the cable TV will be given tools kits to enhance their work.

For those undergoing app and Web development, a community platform will be created for them to be mentored by prof
essionals on how to build groups and teams to develop commercially viable solutions.

Mr Arthur said there were plans to replicate the training in other regions to ensure inclusivity.

Evans Osei Asamoah, a participant, said it was fulfilling to enrol in the programme as that will open job opportunities for him to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Safewings CEO calls for collective action on environmental cleanliness


Dr Richard Atuahene, the Chief Executive Officer of Safewings Investments Limited, has called for collaboration among Ghanaians and institutions to keep the environment clean and protect it from further degradation.

Speaking with a cross-section of the media to commemorate this year’s World Environment Day, Dr Atuahene said maintaining a clean and safe environment was the responsibility of everyone, emphasising that ‘our environment reflects who we are as a nation.’

He said: ‘Every Ghanaian should be deeply concerned about the filth surrounding us and should work together intentionally to change this narrative.’

The World Environment Day, instituted in 1973, aims at raising awareness and celebrating environmental action. According to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, up to 40 per cent of the planet’s land is degraded, directly affecting half of the world’s population, and threatening roughly half of global Gross Domestic Product – GDP (US$44 trillion). The number and duration of droughts has in
creased by 29 per cent since 2000 – without urgent action, droughts may affect over three-quarters of the world’s population by 2050.

In Ghana, an estimated 35 per cent of the land is said to be under threat of desertification, while it is estimated that the annual cost of land degradation in the country is USD1.4 billion.

This is equal to six per cent of the country’s GDP.

Dr Atuahene pointed out the embarrassment caused by some Ghanaians who abused the environment, an act which destroyed the ecosystem that sustained human existence.

He stressed the need for a strong stance against illegal mining, highlighting it as a significant threat that devastated large forest areas and contaminated vital water bodies, which served as essential drinking water sources in the country.

‘It is unimaginable how we inflict such harm on ourselves and future generations for selfish gains,’ Dr. Atuahene lamented.

‘The galamsey menace negatively impacts us all, and we must unite across social, religious, and political lines
to eliminate it before we suffer further consequences,’ he added.

He expressed concern about the level of pollution caused to the country’s waterbodies and forests, saying this calls for ‘urgent need for all of us to engage in promoting sustainable environmental practices.’

The CEO of Safewings Investments Limited, said as an organisation it had been actively involved in tree planting and sustainable environmental practices, in partnership with The Green Republic Project to protect

He encouraged corporate Ghana to participate actively in Government’s Green Ghana Initiative, which seeks to replace the country’s lost vegetation.

Dr Atuahene asserted that both individuals and corporations reflected the state of the Ghanaian environment, stressing that it was crucial to change this negative image.

He revealed that Safewings Investments Limited was developing environmental programmes for children to instill responsible environmental values from a young age.

Dr Atuahene also urged all Ghanaians to participate
in activities on World Environment Day, particularly government’s Green Ghana Day on June 7 to combat the adverse effects of climate change and global warming.

‘We cannot fail our children through our irresponsible environmental behavior,’ Dr Atuahene emphasised, adding that ‘the least we can do is to educate them about the environment to prevent them from facing even worse conditions than we currently experience.’

Source: Ghana News Agency