Day: May 18, 2021

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Violence against aid workers “unacceptable”: NGO body

May 18, 2021 (JUBA) – South Sudan NGO Forum has “strongly” condemned what it described as “unacceptable” attacks on national and international aid workers and the forceful entry into their compounds by unauthorized youth groups in various parts of the country.

Such cases were recently reported in Renk, Jamjang and Torit areas.

“We condemn this unacceptable behaviour, which seeks to interfere with NGOs’ recruitment processes and outcomes. Such acts cause physical harm to NGO workers, vandalize humanitarian assets and disrupt the work of humanitarians,” the forum said in a statement.

“The NGO Forum does not condone harassment, threats and violence against NGO assets and personnel delivering assistance to communities,” it added.

According to the forum, NGOs strive to do fair and impartial recruitment that strictly adheres to South Sudan Labour Law 2017 and follow the National Ministry of Labour’s NGO Recruitment Guidelines 2019, which says lower-level workers such as cleaners, drivers, guards and cooks be selected from local communities.

Also, the country’s Labour Law forbids NGOs from discriminating against any South Sudanese if they fit the requirements of a particular profession or technical job.

“As long as the safety and security of NGO staff are not guaranteed, NGOs and UN agencies in all affected areas will limit movements and will restrict operations to only life-saving interventions,” it noted.

The forum called for tangible and sustained proactive measures to ensure the safety of humanitarian staff and assets across the country.

“Violence against NGOs is a recurring issue. The NGO Forum calls for the Government to not only react to acts of violence, but to prevent them,” said Pius Ojara, the Director South Sudan NGO Forum.

The NGO body further urged government all levels to take on their responsibilities of supporting humanitarian agencies by providing protection to aid workers and their assets and ensuring and enabling environment prevails for safe delivery of essential services in communities.

According to the United Nations, a total of 124 aid workers, most of them South Sudanese nationals, have been killed in South Sudan since the country’s conflict erupted in December 2013.

 

Source: Sudan Tribune

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Sudan is country of economic opportunities, Hamdok tells investors

May 18, 2021 (PARIS) – Sudanese Prime Minister on Tuesday encouraged foreign investors to come to the country stressing it is a land of business opportunities.

Abdallah Hamdok made his call at a meeting with French and business forum during a presentation of
Sudanese economic reforms and business environment in the country.

“We have always said that Sudan is a rich country and does not need grants and donations. Rather, it needs investment that creates job opportunities for our youth, and we want to see real investments that come to our country and work with us,” he said.

Sudanese government released a document called “4 core sectors projects” with details about oil and gas projects in different regions.

The power production projects focused on Solar PV plants and Wind Farms. While the power transmission projects included a 500kV Sudan Ethiopia Power Interconnection.

Hamdok said that there are many real business opportunities that can yield big profits, adding that his country is ready to welcome international investments

He stressed that the investors would create jobs for the Sudanese youth and contribute to the make his country a prosperous nation.

Minister of Finance Gibril Ibrahim, Head of the Investment Authority, Heba Mohamed Ali who was the former finance minister are part of the Hamdok delegation to Paris meetings.

They held a series of meetings with French officials and businessmen about economic and investment projects.

 

 

Source: Sudan Tribune

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Bombardier Announces Closing of Placement of 7.45% Notes Due 2034 and Announces Amendment and Extension of Certain Consent Solicitations

MONTREAL, May 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bombardier (TSX: BBD.B) (the “Corporation”) today announced that it has completed the issuance and sale to an institutional accredited investor (the “Investor”) of US$260,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Bombardier’s 7.45% Senior Notes due 2034 (the “Additional Notes”) at a purchase price of par. The Additional Notes are additional notes of the same series, and are on the same terms and conditions, as the 7.45% Senior Notes due 2034 (the “2034 Notes”) currently outstanding under the indenture, originally dated as of April 21, 2004, governing the 2034 Notes (the “2034 Indenture”). Following this private placement, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the 2034 Notes is US$510,000,000. The Corporation intends to use the net proceeds from this private placement for the repayment of a portion of the Corporation’s outstanding indebtedness.

The Corporation also today announced that it has amended and supplemented the terms of the consent solicitations in respect of its 2034 Notes and its 7.35% Debentures due 2026 (“Canadian Notes”), as set forth in the Corporation’s Notice of Extension and Amendment dated May 18, 2021 (“Notice of Amendment”) to the Consent Solicitation Statement dated May 3, 2021 (as amended by the press releases dated May 12, 2021 and May 14, 2021, the “Consent Solicitation Statement” and, together with the Notice of Amendment, the “Supplemental Consent Solicitation Statement”).

2034 Notes

In respect of the 2034 Notes, the Consent Solicitation (as defined in the Supplemental Consent Solicitation Statement) has been amended and supplemented in order to (i) remove the record date for participation in the 2034 Notes Consent Solicitation and (ii) extend the expiration date of the 2034 Notes Consent Solicitation to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 21, 2021 (the “Extended Expiration Date”).

The Company has obtained the Investor’s consent in respect of the proposed amendments to the 2034 Indenture described in the Consent Solicitation Statement. The Investor, which is the beneficial owner of a majority of the principal amount of the 2034 Notes, has further agreed to give its affirmative consent in the 2034 Notes Consent Solicitation.

ALL CONSENTS PREVIOUSLY GIVEN IN THE CONSENT SOLICITATION WITH RESPECT TO THE 2034 NOTES ARE NO LONGER EFFECTIVE, AND ANY HOLDER OF 2034 NOTES WHO WISHES TO PROVIDE ITS CONSENT IN THIS CONSENT SOLICITATION MUST VALIDLY GIVE THEIR CONSENT ON OR AFTER MAY 18, 2021 AND ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXTENDED EXPIRATION DATE. For the avoidance of doubt, any holder of 2034 Notes who has previously consented to the Consent Solicitation with respect to the 2034 Notes must validly deliver their consent again in order to receive the Consent Payment (as defined in the Supplemental Consent Solicitation Statement). Consents may not be revoked once given, including during any extension of the Consent Solicitation period, except as provided in the Supplemental Consent Solicitation Statement.

Canadian Notes

Consent Solicitation in respect of the Canadian Notes has been extended such that the expiration date of the Consent Solicitation is the Extended Expiration Date (being 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 21, 2021).

All holders of the 2034 Notes or Canadian Notes whose consents are properly made and not revoked on or prior to the Extended Expiration Date will be entitled to receive the Consent Payment, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Supplemental Consent Solicitation Statement.

Except as set forth in the Supplemental Consent Solicitation Statement with respect to the removal of the record date in respect of the Consent Solicitation for the 2034 Notes and the extension of the expiration dates of the Consent Solicitations for the 2034 Notes and the Canadian Notes, the terms and conditions of the Consent Solicitations remain the same as set forth and described in the original Consent Solicitation Statement dated May 3, 2021 (as amended and extended). The Corporation reserves the absolute right, subject to applicable laws, to further amend, waive or modify the terms of the Consent Solicitations in any manner. For a complete statement of the terms and conditions of the Consent Solicitations, holders are encouraged to read the Supplemental Consent Solicitation Statement.

Holders are advised to check with any bank, securities broker or other intermediary through which they hold any of the notes as to when such intermediary needs to receive instructions from a holder in order for that holder to be able to participate in, or (in the circumstances in which revocation is permitted) revoke their instruction to participate in, the Consent Solicitations, before the deadlines specified herein and in the Supplemental Consent Solicitation Statement. The deadlines set by each clearing system for the submission and withdrawal of instructions will also be earlier than the relevant deadlines specified herein and in the Supplemental Consent Solicitation Statement. You should check with such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to determine whether they will charge you a fee for delivering your consent on your behalf.

For additional information regarding the terms of the Consent Solicitations, or to obtain additional copies of the Supplemental Consent Solicitation Statement, please contact Global Bondholder Services Corporation at (866) 807 2200 or by email at contact@gbsc-usa.com, or, in respect of the Canadian Notes, Kingsdale Partners LP at 1-888-518-6824 or by email at corpaction@kingsdaleadvisors.com. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Consent Solicitations.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and UBS Securities LLC are acting as the Solicitation Agents for the Consent Solicitations. Questions concerning the terms of the Consent Solicitations should be directed to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at (212) 723-6106 (collect) or (800) 558-3745 (toll-free) or UBS Securities LLC at (203) 719-4210 (collect) or (888) 719-4210 (toll-free).

None of the Corporation, the trustees for the notes, the agents under the respective indentures for the notes, the information agents, any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates or any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees or representatives makes any recommendation to holders as to whether or not to deliver their consent pursuant to any of the Consent Solicitations, and none of the foregoing has authorized any person to make any such recommendation. Holders must decide whether to provide their consent.

This notice does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to purchase, or any solicitation of any offer to sell, the notes or any other securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction, and neither this notice nor any part of it, nor the fact of its release, shall form the basis of, or be relied on or in connection with, any contract therefor. The Consent Solicitations are made only by and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Supplemental Consent Solicitation Statement and the information in this notice is qualified by reference to the Supplemental Consent Solicitation Statement.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or buy or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation, sale or purchase of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offering, solicitation, sale or purchase would be unlawful.

The securities mentioned herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, any state securities laws or the laws of any other jurisdiction, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or in a transaction exempt from or not subject to such registration requirements. The securities mentioned herein have not been and will not be qualified for distribution to the public under applicable Canadian securities laws and, accordingly, any offer and sale of the securities in Canada must be made on a basis which is exempt from the prospectus requirements of such securities laws.

Holders are requested to read and consider carefully the information contained in the Supplemental Consent Solicitation Statement and to deliver their consent in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Supplemental Consent Solicitation Statement.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is a global leader in aviation, creating innovative and game-changing planes. Our products and services provide world-class experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.

Headquartered in Montréal, Canada, Bombardier is present in more than 12 countries including its production/engineering sites and its customer support network. The Corporation supports a worldwide fleet of more than 4,900 aircraft in service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments and private individuals.

News and information is available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Bombardier is a trademark of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

This announcement does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in any jurisdiction or in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Consent Solicitations to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Consent Solicitations will be deemed to be made by one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements based on current expectations. By their nature, forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to the Corporation’s ability to complete the Consent Solicitations, are based on estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions that Bombardier believes are reasonable but are not guarantees of future events and results.

Forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to important known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. For additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties, and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Supplemental Consent Solicitation Statement.

For information

Francis Richer de La Flèche
Vice President, Financial Planning
and Investor Relations
Bombardier
+514 855 5001 x13228		 Mark Masluch
Senior Director, Communications
Bombardier
+514 855 7167
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GES Launches Visit GO! by GES(SM)

Ground-breaking, global access control technology was first implemented at the recent London Mayoral Elections

COVENTRY, England, May 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — GES is excited to launch Visit GO! by GES℠, a groundbreaking, global application to enable the safe return of live events. Visit GO! allows organizers and venues to confidently welcome individuals to their premises, with the knowledge that they have received either a negative COVID-19 test or have been vaccinated. Visit GO! was first implemented at the recent London Mayoral Elections in London on May 11, 2021.

GES logo

This verification is accomplished by using GES’ proprietary access control technology, an easy-to use, mobile-friendly and progressive web application. “Working with organisers and venue clients, we understood the urgent need to verify the vaccination status or test results to allow for safe openings of live events. Visit GO! realises this by connecting the health state with an attendee’s badge. An additional advantage is that attendees can be tested before arriving at the event, reducing the number of onsite tests required,” said Gerard Conway, Director, Event Intelligence at GES EMEA.

Speaking on its implementation at the London Mayoral Elections, EMEA Exhibitions Head of Health and Safety, Paul Ormsby said, “With this technology, we’re not only exceeding our duty of care to employees but helping to ensure a safe environment for all. At London Mayoral Elections, Visit GO! validated the test results of GES personnel and our partners. Visit GO! delivered a quick and seamless safety measure and provided much needed reassurance to all participants during this important event.”

Visit GO! allows venues and visitors to return to physical environments safely, being reassured that participants have either received a negative COVID-19 test result or have been vaccinated within a given timeframe, defined by their regional/local/country policy. This easy-to-use application utilizes a progressive web technology, bypassing the need to download and can be used on any smart device via a URL. The application is compatible with a wide range of test vendors and health agencies globally. Visit GO! seamlessly integrates with the Visit by GES event platform. To learn more and watch our video, please go to visitbyges.com.

About GES

GES, a Viad Corp (NYSE: VVI) company, is a global experiential marketing and logistics partner for the exhibition and convention industry. GES offers the right blend of experience, fresh ideas, deep industry knowledge along with strategic insight. GES’ award-winning service, coupled with accommodations, event technology and innovative tools help you optimize your event – making all aspects of planning and execution simple and worry free. Our passionate team of highly skilled experts work side-by-side with clients to deliver impactful, creative, and data-driven solutions across experiential marketing to capture the full value of your shows. GES partners with leading brands and shows and has been recognized with many prestigious industry awards. For more information visit www.ges.com.

Contact:

GES
Otilia Ayats-Mas
214.808.2654
oayatsmas@ges.com

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/458943/global_experience_specialists_logo.jpg

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Bombardier Collaborates with Sterling for Enhanced Worldwide Customer Support of Parts Shipments

Bombardier Collaborates with Sterling for Enhanced Worldwide Customer Support of Parts Shipments

Fully integrated solution for parts delivery further bolsters responsiveness and complements Bombardier’s extensive parts network\

  • Fully integrated solution for parts delivery further bolsters responsiveness and complements Bombardier’s extensive parts network
  • Bombardier can now access a network of aircraft for parts dispatch to customers worldwide
  • Enhanced parts delivery capability complements Bombardier’s rapidly growing customer service network, which is currently expanding by more than 50%

MONTRÉAL, May 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bombardier today announced its collaboration with Sterling Global Aviation Logistics, a global leader in aviation transportation and logistics to enhance worldwide dispatch of parts for its customers. The collaboration provides Bombardier with access to a network of aircraft, based across five continents, with which to deliver a wide variety of parts to customers quickly and efficiently in the event of an aircraft on ground (AOG) situation.

“Our customers deserve fast and effortless AOG resolution and our collaboration with Sterling, an industry leader in providing AOG Logistics around the globe, allows us to quickly and efficiently deliver the parts our customers need,” said Andy Nureddin, Vice President, Customer Support, Bombardier. “We are delighted to further enhance our portfolio of solutions, and we are proud to add this offering to the ways in which we can be there for our customers when and where they need us.”

“We are very excited to provide global logistics support to Bombardier’s enhanced parts delivery solutions for their customers and are proud of our long-standing strategic collaboration of over 15 years,” said Robert Broderick, Executive Vice President, Sterling Global Aviation Logistics.

Bombardier customers can fly with confidence knowing that they have the backing of one of the industry’s most expansive parts distribution networks with parts facilities located across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Shipping more than 350,000 parts annually with an impressive network-wide parts availability rate of 96%, Bombardier’s sophisticated inventory management system maximizes parts availability, shipping and tracking 24/7. Customers who buy parts from Bombardier can continue to benefit from a two-year parts warranty guarantee and price matching.

The enhanced parts delivery service is one of many solutions available to customers in need of immediate assistance. Bombardier’s Mobile Response Team boasts world-class AOG coverage with 30 mobile response team trucks worldwide. Additionally, customers can count on Bombardier for support of structural repairs for its leading family of Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft. These high-quality repair solutions are available at one single point of contact through Bombardier’s Customer Response Centre (CRC) at +1-866-538-1247 (North America) and +1-514-855-2999 (outside of North America).

The cross-functional CRC teams at Bombardier are also empowered with state-of-the art tools and technology and are backed by Bombardier’s aircraft engineering expertise. Bombardier continues to reinforce its ongoing commitment to providing its customers with the most comprehensive onsite, mobile and aircraft-on-ground resolution services in the industry.

This announcement is the latest in a series aimed at enhancing Bombardier’s worldwide customer service network and increasing its infrastructure footprint by 50%. These include the expansion of Bombardier’s service centre network in Berlin, Miami, Biggin Hill, London, Singapore and the new service centre to be built in Melbourne, Australia; new Line Maintenance Stations (LMS) at strategic locations in the U.S, Europe; as well as new products and services for customers, including the next steps in Bombardier’s digital transformation.

About Bombardier
Bombardier is a global leader in aviation, creating innovative and game-changing planes. Our products and services provide world-class experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.

Headquartered in Montréal, Canada, Bombardier is present in more than 12 countries including its production/engineering sites and its customer support network. The Corporation supports a worldwide fleet of approximately 4,900 aircraft in service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments and private individuals.

News and information is available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

About Sterling Global Aviation Logistics
Since 1981, Sterling Global Aviation Logistics, a Kuehne and Nagel company, has been helping aviation clients with their worldwide priority shipping, transporting valuable aircraft parts swiftly and efficiently. Sterling specializes in shipping AOG aircraft parts, heavy weight or oversized freight, and dangerous goods, while keeping down time to a minimum. With a focus on providing global AOG Logistics, Sterling is at the forefront of innovations, offering precision, individualized service and dependability.

More information is available at www.sterlingaog.aero.

Bombardier, Learjet, Challenger, and Global are registered or unregistered trademark of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

For Information
Matthew Nicholls
Bombardier
+1-514-243-8214
matthew.nicholls@aero.bombardier.com

For Information
Marie Vigliarolo
Sterling Global Aviation Logistics
+1-718-995-3616 ext. 2207
marie_vigliarolo@qintl.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/25b1ad57-3fc7-4617-b4fb-8d0997db07b3

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Obalon Therapeutics Stockholders Special Meeting Adjourned to May 25, 2021

Urging all Shareholders to Vote For Proposals Related to Merger with ReShape LifeSciences Inc.

Meeting to be held via Webcast at 8:30 a.m. Pacific

SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 18, 2021 / Obalon Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OBLN), a vertically integrated medical technology company with the first and only FDA-approved swallowable gas-filled intragastric balloon system for the treatment of obesity, announced that the special shareholders meeting for Obalon Stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) on May 13, 2021 was convened without a quorum and adjourned until Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. PT to allow more time for stockholders to vote.

Regardless of the number of shares owned, all stockholders are encouraged to have their voices heard in relation to this imperative matter concerning their vested interests by voting prior to the Special Meeting. To achieve a quorum for the Special Meeting, a majority of voting power of the shares of Company stock entitled to vote must be present or represented by proxy.

Obalon stockholders as of the close of business on April 7, 2021, the record date for the special meeting, are eligible to vote and attend the virtual special meeting even if they do not currently hold those shares. The Obalon board of directors has recommended that the Obalon stockholders vote FOR each of the proposals.

All materials regarding the Obalon special meeting are available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/OBLN2021SM.

Remember, Your Vote Is Important, No Matter How Many or How Few Shares You Own 

HOW TO VOTE

Obalon urges all stockholders of record who have not yet voted to do so by following the instructions on their proxy card to vote by phone or online.

If you have questions or require assistance in voting your proxy, please call our proxy solicitor MacKenzie Partners toll-free at (800) 322-2885 or by email at proxy@mackenziepartners.com for assistance.

About Obalon Therapeutics, Inc. 

Obalon Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OBLN) is a San Diego-based company focused on developing and commercializing novel technologies for weight loss.

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

This communication is being made in respect of the proposed merger involving Obalon Therapeutics, Inc. and ReShape Lifesciences Inc. Obalon filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-254841) with the SEC. The Registration Statement on Form S-4 was declared effective on April 13, 2021. The final joint proxy and consent solicitation statement/prospectus was filed with the SEC on April 13, 2021 and was first sent to the stockholders of Obalon and ReShape on or about April 13, 2021. The final joint proxy and consent solicitation statement/prospectus contains important information about Obalon, ReShape, the proposed merger and related matters. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE FINAL JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY, AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING A DECISION ABOUT THE MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS. In addition to receiving the final joint proxy statement/prospectus and proxy card or voting instruction form by mail, stockholders will also be able to obtain the final joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Obalon, without charge, from the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) or, without charge, by directing a written request to: Obalon Therapeutics, Inc., 5421 Avenida Encinas, Suite F, Carlsbad, CA 92008, Attention: Corporate Secretary.