Category: South Africa

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The Globe and Mail’s Sophi.io Wins WAN-IFRA’s North American Digital Media Award

TORONTO, July 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sophi.io, The Globe and Mail’s artificial intelligence-based automation, optimization and prediction engine, won WAN-IFRA’s 2021 North American Digital Media Award in the category of Best Paid Content Strategy. This is Sophi’s fourth award in the last month.

The North American Digital Media Awards honour news publishers that have delivered cutting-edge, unique and original digital media projects in the past year.

“Through the use of this [dynamic paywall] technology, The Globe and Mail truly understands its readers’ habits, leading to best practices in advertising and paid content, smartly adjusting their business strategy,” WAN-IFRA said when announcing the decision.

Phillip Crawley, CEO and Publisher of The Globe and Mail, said: “Winning a WAN-IFRA North American Digital Media Award for the second year in a row demonstrates Sophi’s ability to show the publishing industry what the future looks like. We are proud to be able to bring these AI and ML-powered tools to organizations across the globe.”

Sophi was developed by The Globe and Mail to help the newsroom make important strategic and tactical decisions. It is a suite of tools that includes Sophi Automation and Sophi for Paywalls as well as Sophi Analytics, a newsroom decision-support system.

Sophi is an artificial-intelligence system that helps publishers identify and leverage their most valuable content. It has powerful predictive capabilities – using natural language processing, Sophi Dynamic Paywall is a fully dynamic, real-time, personalized paywall engine that analyzes both content and user behaviour to determine when to ask a reader for money or an email address, and when to leave them alone.

As the North American award winner, Sophi is now a contender for the WAN-IFRA World Digital Media Awards, where the winners from North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe, Africa, India, and the Middle East compete.

About Sophi.io

Sophi.io (https://www.sophi.io) is a suite of AI-powered optimization and prediction tools developed by The Globe and Mail, Canada’s foremost news media company, to help content publishers make important strategic and tactical decisions. Sophi solutions range from Sophi Site Automation and Sophi for Paywalls to Sophi Analytics, a decision-support system for content publishers. Sophi is designed to improve the metrics that matter most to any business, such as subscriber retention and acquisition, engagement, recency, frequency and volume.

Contact

Jamie Rubenovitch
Head of Marketing, Sophi.io
The Globe and Mail
416-585-3355
jrubenovitch@globeandmail.com

 

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Huawei and Shanghai International Port Group Launch Centralized Remote Control Project for Smart Ports

—Port Intelligent Twins Speed Up Upgrades in the Port & Shipping Industry

SHANGHAI, July 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — On June 25th, Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) launched its smart command and control center project, with the support from its Shangdong Branch, NeZha Technology, and Huawei. This is the first project in the world to apply optical networking technology for centralized remote control in ports — marking a major breakthrough in the operation of next-generation smart ports. At the launch event, Shangdong Branch, NeZha Technology, and Huawei also signed a Port Intelligent Twins Innovation Cooperation Agreement to emphasize the intention of the three parties to continue their cooperation in building world-class smart ports while promoting the digital transformation of SIPG.

Compared with previous generations of fixed networks, Huawei’s optical networking technology offers improved bandwidth, lower latency, higher reliability, and more connections, capable to fulfill industrial IoT requirements from smart ports. Thanks to its market leading redundancy and reliability features, the optical architecture designed for this project ensures secure and reliable connectivity for various remote control applications that drive port machinery, while also enabling smarter port operations, smooth evolution, and future-oriented investment protection.

“This project marks the first practical application of the centralized remote control in urban areas over port equipment using advanced optical networks. It highlights our commitment to innovation and the use of cutting-edge technologies in an effort to position ourselves as leaders in the market. Currently, we are building a smart, green, high-tech, and efficient port. We are capitalizing on the opportunities presented by digital transformation, optimizing our port operations and management models. Guided by the 14th Five-Year Plan, SIPG will continue to develop a world-class shipping hub. To achieve this, we aim to build an internationally competitive digital port industry, and accelerate the development of Shanghai International Shipping Center and powerful ports. Our vision is to become a world-leading terminal operator and port logistics service supplier,” said Mr. Gu Jinshan, the Chairman of SIPG.

World’s Largest Automated Terminal with Improved Emergency Response and Uninterrupted Operations

SIPG is at the forefront of innovation, building a world-class smart green port to fuel economic development.

The smart command and control center for centralized remote control in urban areas using advanced optical networks was deployed at Phase IV of the Yangshan Port — the world’s largest and most automated container terminal. The terminal covers 2,350 meters of shoreline, and holds seven deep-water container berths, 21 ship-to-shore (STG) cranes, 108 rail-mounted gantry (RMG) cranes, and 125 automated guided vehicles (AGVs). Operating since December 2017, Phase IV of the Yangshan Port is quickly growing its container throughput, having handled 11 million TEUs to date. In fact, the terminal continues to hit various records. Its maximum round-the-clock handling capacity exceeds 21,000 TEUs, and its STG cranes have repeatedly performed over 1000 operations within a calendar day. This production level highlights the effectiveness of the automated system while also testing its stability.

And with the optical networking technology featuring low latency and high reliability, command and control over quay cranes (QCs) and yard cranes is no longer taking place at the port. Instead, remote control is implemented from the Tongsheng Logistics Park and downtown Shanghai. Located over 100 km away from the port, remote operators control a variety of heavy port equipment from a single point to multiple locations. This brings many advantages such as reduced commute times for staff, better predictability of staff availability, and attractiveness of the workplace.

Visualized remote control is an important component as it significantly improves operational efficiency of the port. This project has allowed SIPG to improve the terminal’s emergency response and uninterrupted service capabilities in exceptional circumstances, such as extreme weather conditions. This demonstrates SIPG’s commitment to delivering stable and efficient services to its customers, and marks an important step in building the Shanghai International Shipping Center.

Optical Networking Enables the World’s First Centralized Remote Port Control from a Distance of 100 km

In smart ports, optical networking is mainly used in the Huawei OTN solution to implement WAN interconnection between ports, as well as in the Huawei Industry OptiX solution to accurately and efficiently control large port equipment. This project is seen as a lighthouse project for optical networking applications in the following aspects:

  • First, optical networking technology is applied in the industrial control field (QC control) for the first time to realize “fiber-to-the-machine” deployment that will help reinvent the network architecture of large ports. Enhanced Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation (eDBA) technology assigns fixed bandwidth and QoS parameters to channels that carry industrial control services and flexible bandwidth to carry ultra-high definition (UHD) videos, implementing smoother remote QC control over conventional technologies. Moreover, optical networking technology simplifies network layers and centrally carries machine and campus networks, with the visualized network management system (NMS) reducing the O&M workload by 60%.
  • Second, this is the first application of optical networking technology to a backbone WAN of a large port. An all-optical data highway is built between geographically separated ports, achieving outstanding transmission capabilities with Tbit/s ultra-large capacity, μs-level low latency, and zero jitter over distances exceeding 100 km. Such transmission creates infinite possibilities for the application of new technologies and Port Intelligent Twins. This further accelerates the digital transformation of the port industry and large-scale collaboration potential of SIPG’s services.

Building Port Intelligent Twins to Drive Digital Economic Development

Mr. Wang Guoyu, President of the Global Transportation Business Unit of Huawei Enterprise BG, said: “Huawei develops the ‘Port Intelligent Twins’ across all processes, service architectures, and lifecycles of smart ports based on application innovation and ecosystem aggregation. We use digital technologies — such as cloud, and intelligent vision — to deeply integrate with service scenarios of traditional industries, and leverage new ICT to improve intelligence and computing power. In doing so, we enable industry digitalization and upgrades, create new productivity for conventional labor-intensive enterprises, and drive digital economic development.”

Focusing on the Navigation Spirit in the New Era and Accelerating the Transformation and Upgrade of the Shipping Industry

Shangdong Branch, NeZha Technology, and Huawei signed the Port Intelligent Twins Innovation Cooperation Agreement. With the goal of building a world-class comprehensive port service supplier, the three parties will invest in and construct major projects, guided by the use of advanced technologies, and develop industry demonstration applications. They will also aggregate superior talent, technology, and capital resources to empower SIPG’s digital transformation to the highest extent possible.

In order to accumulate and deliver successful digital transformation practices and methodologies for ports globally, the three parties established a joint Port Intelligent Twins innovation center, which achieves all-scenario sensing, interconnection, and intelligence. They will strengthen cooperation in smart port construction, basic service upgrades, technological innovation, and talent cultivation. Aimed at building a world-class port, they will accelerate the overall improvements of SIPG’s intelligence, efficiency, and experience.

Huawei will fully leverage its product and technical advantages to provide comprehensive and efficient ICT products, solutions, and services for SIPG, further driving the group’s digitalization growth. The three parties will continue to work together to promote green port construction, with the help of Huawei’s leading digital power technology.

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Nimo TV, propriété de Huya, remporte une sentence arbitrale contre la violation des engagements contractuels du Livestreamer marocain

GUANGZHOU, Chine, 6 juillet 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Nimo TV, HUYA Inc. (« Huya », NYSE: HUYA), plateforme internationale de streaming en direct, a lancé récemment une procédure d’arbitrage d’urgence au Centre d’arbitrage international de Singapour (SIAC) contre un streamer marocain qui avait enfreint un accord de coopération exclusive avec Nimo TV. Une injonction provisoire a donc été émise par le SIAC. En entamant rapidement une action en justice, Huya a démontré que la société Internet chinoise était déterminée et capable de défendre ses intérêts à l’heure de son internationalisation.

L’injonction du SIAC interdit au streamer marocain de diffuser en direct sur des plateformes, des sites web et des applications qui ne sont pas exploitées par Nimo TV. De plus, le streamer est empêché de participer à des activités commerciales ou promotionnelles par toute plateforme concurrente, y compris Nonolive, la branche de streaming en direct à l’étranger de Douyu, et la plateforme alternative que le streamer a menacé d’adopter. Le streamer est également responsable de dizaines de milliers de dollars de frais, qui comprennent les frais liés à la procédure d’arbitrage d’urgence et les frais juridiques de Nimo TV.

L’industrie internationale du streaming en direct est souvent confrontée à des difficultés lorsque les streamers violent les contrats en changeant de plateforme. Comme les procédures juridiques transnationales sont en général compliquées, coûteuses et difficiles à exécuter, de nombreux streamers internationaux profitent de ces situations et considèrent leurs accords de coopération exclusive comme non contraignants. Lorsque les streamers se voient proposer un prix plus élevé, ils risquent de violer les contrats sans s’inquiéter des conséquences juridiques. Toutefois, à contre-courant de cette idée reçue, les plateformes de streaming en direct, y compris Nimo TV, valorisent fortement le potentiel commercial des streamers et les considèrent comme des partenaires importants dans la production de contenus. À cet égard, lorsqu’elles s’internationalisent, il est crucial que les plateformes de streaming en direct s’assurent que les streamers de différentes nationalités respectent leurs obligations et ne contreviennent pas aux contrats.

La procédure d’arbitrage d’urgence initiée au SIAC représente une étape importante pour Nimo TV. Il n’a fallu que 14 jours entre le dépôt des documents pertinents et la réception de l’ordonnance provisoire, ce qui pourrait dissuader les futurs streamers de violer leurs contrats. En outre, l’injonction contre le streamer marocain est probablement le premier cas de l’industrie du streaming en direct que le SIAC a traité et pourrait fournir des informations pour les plateformes internationales de streaming en direct lors de la gestion de la violation des contrats. Nimo TV cherche désormais à obtenir la reconnaissance et l’exécution de la décision arbitrale par les tribunaux marocains, le Maroc étant le pays d’origine du streamer, pour sécuriser ses intérêts par des moyens légaux.

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Huya-owned Nimo TV Wins Arbitration Award against Moroccan Livestreamer’s Contractual Breach

GUANGZHOU, China, July 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Nimo TV, HUYA Inc.’s (“Huya”, NYSE: HUYA) international live streaming platform, recently initiated an emergency arbitrator (EA) procedure at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) against a Moroccan streamer for breaching an Exclusive Cooperation Agreement with Nimo TV. As a result, an interim injunction has been issued to the streamer by the SIAC. By taking swift legal action, Huya has demonstrated that the Chinese Internet company is determined and capable of defending its interests when going global.

The injunction by the SIAC directs that the Moroccan streamer is restrained from carrying out live streaming on platforms, websites, and applications that are not operated by Nimo TV. Additionally, the streamer is prevented from participating in any commercial or promotional activities by any competing platform, including Nonolive, Douyu’s overseas live streaming branch, and the alternative platform that the streamer threatened to switch to. The streamer is also responsible for tens of thousands of dollars of fees, which include the EA fees and Nimo TV’s legal fees.

The international live streaming industry often faces issues when streamers breach contracts by switching platforms. As transnational legal procedures are typically complicated, costly and difficult to execute, many international streamers take advantage of such situations and view their Exclusive Cooperation Agreements as non-binding. Once streamers are offered a higher price, they’ll risk breaching the contracts without worrying about the legal consequences. Contrary to this belief, live streaming platforms, including Nimo TV, highly value the commercial potential of streamers and view them as important partners in content production. In that regard, when going global, it’s crucial for live streaming platforms to ensure that streamers of different nationalities honor their obligations and do not breach contracts.

The EA procedure initiated at the SIAC represents an important milestone for Nimo TV. It only took 14 days from filing the relevant documents to receiving the interim order, which may deter future streamers from breaching their agreements. In addition, the injunction against the Moroccan streamer is likely the first case from the live streaming industry that the SIAC has processed and could provide insights for international live streaming platforms when dealing with the breach of contracts. Nimo TV is now seeking recognition and enforcement of the arbitration decision in the court of Morocco, the streamer’s home country, to secure its interests by legal means.

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Parexel to be Acquired by EQT Private Equity and Goldman Sachs Asset Management

BOSTON and DURHAM, N.C., July 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Parexel, a leading global clinical research organization (CRO) focused on development and delivery of innovative new therapies to advance patient health, today announced the execution of a definitive merger agreement under which it will be acquired by EQT IX fund (“EQT Private Equity”) and the Private Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management (“Goldman Sachs”) from Pamplona Capital Management LP for $8.5 billion.

“Over the past 18 months Parexel has continued its strong growth trajectory delivering on its patients-first focus and accelerating new therapies to patients in need around the world,” said Parexel CEO Jamie Macdonald. “With the market for outsourced clinical research services anticipated to grow at a conservative CAGR of 8 to 9 percent, our focus remains on advancing and innovating Parexel to meet our customers’ needs across the evolving clinical development landscape. EQT and Goldman Sachs support this vision and are committed to investing in Parexel and our people to capitalize on this exciting market opportunity and make a difference for patients.”

Eric Liu, Partner and Global Co-Head of Healthcare at EQT, commented, “We have followed Parexel closely during the past few years and have been impressed by the company’s development and trajectory. Our investment in Parexel reflects EQT’s thematic focus on the life sciences industry, as well as our commitment to partner with businesses that have a positive impact on society. We are excited to partner with Goldman Sachs for the next stage of Parexel’s journey, and to back Jamie, who prior to his role at Parexel had been a long-time senior advisor to EQT, as well as the rest of the Parexel team.”

Jo Natauri, Partner and Global Head of Private Healthcare Investing within Goldman Sachs Asset Management, commented, “We are thrilled to partner with Jamie Macdonald, the entire Parexel management team and EQT to support Parexel, which has a distinguished track record of delivering clinical excellence to their large pharma and biotech customers globally. We believe this investment will accelerate Parexel’s growth as it builds on the company’s global footprint, strong operational capabilities and expansive healthcare network.”

John Halsted, Managing Partner, Pamplona Capital Management, commented, “We’re very proud of Parexel’s progress over the past four years and the important work they do in helping bring exciting new therapies to patients in need. In particular, they successfully adapted the business to work in the midst of a global pandemic, and supported the development of therapies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic itself. We wish them every success in their next phase of growth.”

“We have enjoyed our partnership with Pamplona, and thank them for their leadership and support in helping to transform Parexel under their ownership,” concluded Mr. Macdonald. “Over the past months, our ability to pivot and adapt have fostered new ways of working while developing a strong track record of quality and delivery for customers around the world. As we continue in this new era of clinical development and focus aggressively on meeting our customers’ needs for innovation in such areas as Real World Evidence, Decentralized Clinical Trials, Biostatistics and Data Management — and in key regions such as Asia/Pacific where we’re among the largest and longest-tenured CROs — we’re excited to be partnering with EQT and Goldman Sachs. We look forward to benefitting from their strong industry experience and to further accelerating Parexel as one of the world’s leading and fastest-growing CROs.”

The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory approvals. Evercore acted as the financial advisor to Parexel, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided legal counsel in connection with the transaction. Goldman Sachs and Jefferies LLC acted as financial advisors to EQT Private Equity and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP provided legal counsel in connection with the transaction.

About Parexel
Parexel supports the development of innovative new medicines to improve the health of patients. We provide services to help life sciences and biopharmaceutical clients everywhere transform scientific discoveries into new treatments. From decentralized clinical trials to regulatory consulting services to leveraging real world insights, our therapeutic, technical, and functional ability is underpinned by a deep conviction in what we do. Parexel was named “Best Contract Research Organization” in December 2020 by an independent panel for Informa Pharma Intelligence. For more information, visit parexel.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

About EQT
EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with more than EUR 67 billion in assets under management across 26 active funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas with total sales of approximately EUR 29 billion and more than 175,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership. For more information, visit www.eqtgroup.com or follow EQT on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

About Goldman Sachs Asset Management Private Equity
Bringing together traditional and alternative investments, Goldman Sachs Asset Management provides clients around the world with a dedicated partnership and focus on long-term performance. As the primary investing area within Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), we deliver investment and advisory services for the world’s leading institutions, financial advisors and individuals, drawing from our deeply connected global network and tailored expert insights, across every region and market—overseeing more than $2 trillion in assets under supervision worldwide as of March 31, 2021. Driven by a passion for our clients’ performance, we seek to build long-term relationships based on conviction, sustainable outcomes, and shared success over time. Goldman Sachs Asset Management invests in the full spectrum of alternatives, including private equity, growth equity, private credit, real estate and infrastructure. Established in 1986, the Private Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management has invested over $75 billion since inception. We combine our global network of relationships, our unique insight across markets, industries and regions, and the worldwide resources of Goldman Sachs to build businesses and accelerate value creation across our portfolios. Follow us on LinkedIn.

About Pamplona Capital Management
Pamplona Capital Management is a specialist investment manager established in 2005 that provides an alternative investment platform across private equity and other diversified strategies. With offices in New York, London, Madrid, and Malta, Pamplona manages over $11 billion in assets for a variety of clients including public pension funds, international wealth managers, multinational corporations, family offices, and funds of hedge funds. Pamplona invests long-term capital across the capital structure of its portfolio companies in both public and private market situations.

CONTACTS

For Parexel:
Lori Dorer
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
+1 513 496 8121

Lindsay LeCain
Real Chemistry
+ 1 508 259 9521

For EQT:
Daniel Yunger, Kekst CNC, + 1 917 574 8582
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334

For Goldman Sachs:
Leslie Shribman
+1 212 902 5400

For Pamplona Capital Management:
Ed Orlebar, TB Cardew
ed.orlebar@tbcardew.com
+44 (0)7738724630

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O International Action Centre emitiu a seguinte declaração: CABO VERDE CONFRONTA AS NAÇÕES UNIDAS

PRAIA, Cabo Verde, July 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Numa decisão sobre medidas provisórias datada de 8 de junho, a Comissão dos Direitos Humanos das Nações Unidas insistiu que Cabo Verde “não extraditasse o Sr. Alex Saab para os Estados Unidos da América” e que “tomasse todas as medidas necessárias para garantir o acesso a cuidados de saúde adequados […] por médicos independentes e especializados escolhidos por ele”. Esta ordem judicial provisória é a primeira emitida em resposta à uma denúncia apresentada por Alex Saab perante a Comissão de Direitos Humanos das Nações Unidas.

Em entrevista no dia 29 de junho de 2021, o procurador-geral cabo-verdiano, José Luis Landim, faz um ataque frontal às Nações Unidas, alegando que não é da alçada da Comissão de Direitos Humanos da ONU impor a suspensão da extradição de Alex Saab de Cabo Verde para os Estados Unidos da América.

Esse posicionamento é alarmante e constitui um erro jurídico, estratégico e ético.

Em primeiro lugar, este posicionamento é completamente errado em termos legais. Gostaríamos de lembrar ao Sr. Landim que Cabo Verde optou por ratificar o Pacto Internacional sobre Direitos Civis e Políticos em 6 de agosto de 1993 e o Protocolo Opcional ao Pacto Internacional sobre Direitos Civis e Políticos em 19 de maio de 2000. Por conseguinte, deve cumprir as suas obrigações internacionais de boa fé e respeitar plenamente as decisões do organismo de peritos responsável pela interpretação do Pacto Internacional sobre Direitos Civis e Políticos, a Comissão dos Direitos Humanos. A alegação de que a Comissão não tem poderes para requerer a suspensão de uma extradição que possa expor alguém a riscos de danos irreparáveis e de violações do direito à vida e do direito à integridade física, é um erro jurídico imperdoável totalmente incompatível com o Estado de direito.

Em segundo lugar, tal posicionamento é um ataque frontal às Nações Unidas e aos direitos humanos, o cerne dos valores que a Organização defende. Tal posicionamento é uma mensagem clara ao mundo de que Cabo Verde pode exercer a sua soberania para violar os direitos humanos, ignorando as normas do direito internacional de direitos humanos às quais subscreveu, e ignorando as decisões internacionais. Ao adotar este posicionamento, Cabo Verde, além de desafiar o Tribunal de Justiça da CEDEAO, que determinou a libertação do detido arbitrariamente Alex Saab, depois de violar a imunidade diplomática de Alex Saab como Enviado Especial e Embaixador na União Africana, assume um posicionamento hostil em relação às Nações Unidas, indo contra a comunidade internacional.

Em terceiro lugar, tal posicionamento é um erro em termos de valores éticos fundamentais. Ao solicitar a suspensão da extradição de Alex Saab durante a avaliação dos méritos do caso, a Comissão dos Direitos Humanos incentivou Cabo Verde a demonstrar humanidade e bom senso, considerando que a extradição seria prejudicial à integridade física e à vida de Alex Saab. A Comissão não adotou uma posição política, e sim uma posição puramente humanitária.

Contato da MÍDIA:
Sara Flounders
International Action Center
Https://www.iacenter.org
E-mail: iacenter@iacenter.org
Tel.: +1 212-633-6646

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L’International Action Centre publie le bilan suivant sur le sujet : LE CAP-VERT S’ATTAQUE AUX NATIONS UNIES

PRAIA, Cap-Vert, 01 juill. 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dans une décision sur des mesures provisoires datée du 8 juin, le Comité des droits de l’Homme de l’ONU a demandé au Cap-Vert de « s’abstenir d’extrader M. Alex Saab vers les États-Unis d’Amérique » et de « prendre toutes les mesures nécessaires pour garantir l’accès aux soins de santé appropriés […] par des médecins indépendants et spécialisés de son choix ». Cette décision ordonnant des mesures provisoires est la première étape urgente résultant de l’enregistrement d’une plainte déposée par Alex Saab devant le Comité des droits de l’Homme de l’ONU.

Lors d’un entretien daté du 29 juin 2021, le procureur général du Cap-Vert, M. Jose Luis Landim, lance une attaque frontale contre les Nations unies, affirmant que le Comité des droits de l’Homme des Nations unies n’a pas compétence pour imposer la suspension de l’extradition d’Alex Saab du Cap-Vert vers les États-Unis d’Amérique.

Une telle position est alarmante et constitue une erreur juridique, stratégique et éthique.

Premièrement, cette position est tout à fait erronée sur le plan juridique. Nous voudrions rappeler à M. Landim que le Cap-Vert a choisi de ratifier le Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques depuis le 6 août 1993 et le Protocole facultatif se rapportant au Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques depuis le 19 mai 2000. Il doit donc s’acquitter de ses obligations internationales de bonne foi et respecter pleinement les décisions du Comité des droits de l’Homme, organe d’experts chargé d’interpréter le Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques. Dire que le Comité n’a pas compétence pour demander la suspension d’une extradition qui pourrait exposer quelqu’un à des risques de dommages irréparables et de violations du droit à la vie et du droit à l’intégrité physique est une erreur juridique impardonnable totalement incompatible avec l’État de droit.

Deuxièmement, une telle position constitue une attaque frontale contre l’ONU et les droits de l’Homme qui sont au cœur des valeurs que l’Organisation défend. Elle envoie un message clair au monde, à savoir que le Cap-Vert peut exercer sa souveraineté pour violer les droits de l’Homme tout en ignorant les normes de la loi internationale relative aux droits de l’Homme qu’il s’est engagé à respecter, et ce en ignorant aussi les décisions internationales. Ce faisant, le Cap-Vert, après s’être opposé à la Cour de Justice de la CEDEAO qui lui a ordonné de libérer Alex Saab, détenu arbitrairement, et après avoir violé l’immunité diplomatique d’Alex Saab en tant qu’envoyé spécial et ambassadeur auprès de l’Union africaine, décide d’adopter une position hostile à l’égard de l’ONU et se positionne à l’extérieur de la communauté internationale.

Troisièmement, une telle position est une erreur en termes de valeurs éthiques fondamentales. En demandant la suspension de l’extradition d’Alex Saab dans l’attente de l’examen quant au fond de l’affaire, le Comité des droits de l’Homme invitait le Cap-Vert à faire preuve d’humanité et de bon sens en considérant que l’extradition serait préjudiciable à l’intégrité physique et à la vie d’Alex Saab. Le Comité n’a pas pris une position politique, mais purement humanitaire.

Contact MÉDIAS :
Sara Flounders
International Action Center
Https://www.iacenter.org
E-mail : iacenter@iacenter.org
Tél. :+1 212-633-6646

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Synchronoss Announces Closing of $235 Million of Common Stock and Senior Notes Offerings

In addition, Synchronoss raised $75 million through a
private placement of preferred stock

Net proceeds used to refinance the company’s capital structure

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. , June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNCR), a global leader and innovator of cloud, messaging and digital solutions, today announced that on June 29, 2021 it closed an underwritten public offering of 42,307,692 shares of common stock, which included 3,846,154 shares issued in connection with the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, at a price to the public of $2.60 per share, for gross proceeds of approximately $110 million. The Company also announced that on June 30, 2021 it closed an underwritten public offering of $125 million aggregate principal amount of 8.375% senior notes due 2026, which included $5 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes issued in connection with the underwriters’ option to purchase senior notes. Gross proceeds for both offerings are exclusive of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company.

Synchronoss and the senior notes both received a rating of BB- from Egan-Jones Ratings Company, an independent, unaffiliated rating agency. The notes are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SNCRL” as early as July 1, 2021.

In addition to the public offerings, on June 30, 2021 the Company closed a private placement of 75,000 shares of its Series B Perpetual Non-Convertible Preferred Stock to B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC for an aggregate purchase price of $75 million.

The two public offerings and the private placement resulted in net proceeds of approximately $300 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, but before expenses. On June 30, 2021, the Company used the net proceeds in part to fully redeem all outstanding shares of its Series A Convertible Participating Perpetual Preferred Stock owned by an affiliate of Siris Capital Group and to repay amounts outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility.

“Synchronoss has emerged from this comprehensive refinancing process with a solid financial foundation that will support our mission to empower our customers to connect with their subscribers in trusted and meaningful ways,” said Jeff Miller, President and CEO of Synchronoss. “Today we have a sustainable financial environment that gives us the operating flexibility required to invest in delivering and enhancing great cloud, messaging and digital experiences for our customers; to enable long-term growth; and to deliver higher stockholder value to those who invest in the company.”

The refinancing has also led to the departure of Synchronoss Board of Directors members Frank Baker, Peter Berger and Robert Aquilina, each of whom is associated with Siris Capital Group. “On behalf of the entire Board and management, I would like to thank Frank, Peter and Bob for their contributions to Synchronoss over the last three years and for their generosity as advisors to me personally,” said Miller.

In conjunction with this new capitalization, B. Riley Financial, Inc., including certain of its affiliates, serve as Synchronoss’ anchor investor. Synchronoss has granted B. Riley representation on its Board.

Bryant Riley, Chairman and Co-CEO of B. Riley Financial, Inc., commented: “We are pleased to serve as a strategic partner and financial sponsor to Synchronoss on this capitalization and are committed to leveraging the full operational and financial capabilities of our platform to support Synchronoss in its strategy to deliver value. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Jeff and the entire management team as Synchronoss enters this exciting new phase for its business.”

B. Riley Securities, Inc., acted as the lead underwriter and sole book-running manager for the common stock offering. Northland Capital Markets acted as co-manager for the common stock offering.

B. Riley Securities, Inc. acted as the sole book-running manager for the senior notes offering. Northland Capital Markets, Aegis Capital Corp. and EF Hutton, a division of Benchmark Investments, LLC acted as lead managers for the senior notes offering.

The common stock and senior notes were offered under the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 28, 2020. The offerings were made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus for the offering may be obtained on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by contacting B. Riley Securities by telephone at (703) 312-9580, or by email at prospectuses@brileyfin.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or solicitation would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Synchronoss

Synchronoss Technologies (NASDAQ: SNCR) builds software that empowers companies around the world to connect with their subscribers in trusted and meaningful ways. The company’s collection of products helps streamline networks, simplify onboarding and engage subscribers to unleash new revenue streams, reduce costs and increase speed to market. Hundreds of millions of subscribers trust Synchronoss products to stay in sync with the people, services and content they love. That’s why more than 1,500 talented Synchronoss employees worldwide strive each day to reimagine a world in sync. Learn more at www.synchronoss.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including but not limited to statements regarding the closing of the public offering and the anticipated use of the proceeds thereof. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, including the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the public offering and the risk factors set forth from time to time in Synchronoss’ SEC filings, including but not limited to the risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections (as applicable) of Synchronoss’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021, which are on file with the SEC and available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition to the risks described above and in Synchronoss’ other filings with the SEC, other unknown or unpredictable factors also could affect Synchronoss’ results. No forward-looking statements can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from such statements. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Synchronoss undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contacts

Media
Anais Merlin, CCgroup (International)
Diane Rose, CCgroup (North America)
synchronoss@ccgrouppr.com

Investors
Todd Kehrli/Joo-Hun Kim, MKR Investor Relations, Inc.
investor@synchronoss.com