June 30, 2023

Verifone Launches New Brand

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

Verifone new logo

New Verifone brand identity

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

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

Verifone T650m Mobile Payment Device

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

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

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

Verifone M440 Multilane Payment Device

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

About Verifone

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

Verifone Media Contact:
Email: Press@Verifone.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

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GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8867578

June 30, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8867177

June 30, 2023

Ethiopia Pioneer of China-Africa Cooperation, Railway Successful Model of BRI: Ambassador Zhiyuan

Ethiopia is a pioneer of China-Africa cooperation as the Ethio-Djibouti Railway has set a successful model of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Ambassador Zhiyuan said.

Marking the 10th anniversary of the “Belt and Road Initiative” at Furi-Lebu Railway Station in Addis Ababa today, China’s Ambassador Zhao Zhiyuan said that the Ethio-Djibouti railway has set a successful model as China and Ethiopia cooperation has been strengthening.

During the past five years, the two countries have collaborated closely and made remarkable achievements, he added.

“In recent years, China remains number one source of foreign direct investment of Ethiopia and Ethiopia is a pioneer of China-Africa Cooperation.”

According to him, all these achievements are the pillars for China-Ethiopia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and vivid demonstration of the profound friendship.”

Transport and Logistics Minister, Alemu Sime said the initiative has expanded and broadened the scope of cooperation over the past 10 years and its essence enriched and deepened in practice.

It has not only brought tangible cooperation dividends to the participating parties but also contributed to the world’s wisdom and strength to address challenges, create opportunities and strengthen confidence, he added.

The minister stated that Ethiopia and China have been cooperating closely in the field of transportation, especially in the construction of transportation infrastructure; and the two countries have complemented each others advantages, showing great potential of development.

In particular, Alemu said that the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway, a landmark railway line connecting Ethiopia and Djibouti as a flagship project under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, an important early harvest of China-Africa cooperation.

For the minister, the project has played an important role in promoting the economic and social development of Ethiopia and improving people’s living standards.

Ethio-Djibouti Railway CEO, Abdi Zenebe said the Ethio-Djibouti railway is the best example of the initiative’s success.

The Belt and Road project has become an open and inclusive mutually beneficial and win-win international cooperation platform.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

June 30, 2023

GCS Says Media Practitioners Should Outperform Duties to Maintain Durable Peace, Dev’t

Minister of Government Communication Service, Legesse Tulu called on the media and communication practitioners to perform their duties extraordinarily in the nation’s endeavors to ensure lasting peace and development.

Speaking at the annual conference of federal and regional media and communication institutions which is underway in Adama city, the minister said that major achievements have been gained in all fields during the financial year.

The minister also noted that the mass media and communication experts have played a greater role in maintaining the peace and stability of the country.

Beyond outstanding achievements they have made in the efforts of peace and stability, media practitioners have also participated in registering results in all spheres, Legesse pointed out.

Mentioning the positive role media and communication experts have played, Legese stressed the need for coordinated and intensive information and communication work in the future.

The minister further emphasized that media and communication experts should outperform their duties as part of ensuring lasting peace and development in Ethiopia.

Noting the spread of fake news and disinformation through various social media platforms and other streams have been steadily increasing, the minister said more effort is needed in the future to disseminate fast and accurate information to the people.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

June 30, 2023

Building Consensus on Nat’l interest, Common Values Critical for Lasting peace: Minister of Peace

Minister of Peace Binalf Andualem emphasized that building a national consensus on national interests and common values is critical to sustain lasting peace and build a strong economy in Ethiopia.

A panel discussion organized by the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Peace was held at the Capital Hotel under the theme: “National Values for National Consensus”.

The importance of protecting the national interest and common values of the country have been thoroughly discussed at the panel discussion for Ethiopia’s strong nation state building endeavors.

In his keynote address to the panel discussion, Binalf mentioned that Ethiopia is a country with tremendous diversities like linguistic, religious and cultural values as well as political ideologies, among others.

However, the minister said that Ethiopia has seen odd and unpleasant practices which have been widely observed and undermined the nation state building process.

“Although our diversities are the colors of our solidarity, in the long journey of building the Ethiopian state, problems have been encountered eroding the national values to the extent of as threatening the existence of the country.”

Binalf underscored that suchcontradictions which deviate from the values of Ethiopia have resulted in the proliferation of complex problems and endanger the existence of the country.

To this end, building a national consensus on national interests, common identity and common values are critical to sustain lasting peace and establish strong economy in Ethiopia, the minister urged.

Noting that a nation building endeavor is a process and not completed all at once, the minister said the problems are bound to become an obstacle in protecting the national interest of the country.

He added:”We need to create a consensus on important national issues in order to protect the values we have built and protect the sovereignty and interest of the country.”

Succeeding in building national consensus on the national interests, common values and identity of the nation will enable us to establish a strong country, he pointed out.

He also emphasized the role of religious leaders and elders to exploit our social assets and cultural values to the noble causes.

Ethiopian News Agency, Chief Executive Officer, Seife Derebe on his part stated that the our ability to create a national consensus on major national issues would have paramount importance to sustainable peace and development in the country.

As Ethiopia is endowed with many values and a manifestation of consistence, the CEO said that diversity should not be a cause of fear and doubt, but a cause for beauty and strength.

The CEO finally reiterated that the Ethiopian News Agency will continue to work on issues of building national consensus, framing all matters under the umbrella of the national interest of Ethiopia.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

June 30, 2023

Panelists Underline Significance of Consensus on National Interest for Nation Building

Nation building can be strengthened when there is consensus on national interest and efforts are expended on it, panelists said.

A panel discussion organized by the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) and Ministry of Peace under the theme: “National Values for National Consensus” was held today.

At the panel, the importance of national interest for nation building, national identity for strong national unity, and promoting national values for solidarity were thoroughly discussed. Presenting a paper on the national interest for nation building, Ethiopian Diaspora Service Director-General, Mohammed Idris, said the level of nation building and types of national interest differ from country to country.

Noting the importance of national interest in nation building, he added that “a country is built by society, and the benefit of society is protected by the country.”

According to him, there will be no national interest without the success of nation building, and there will be no social benefit without the success of national interest.

The failure to focus on national interest will result in the loss of internal capacity, internal conflict, and exposure to external forces.

Addis Ababa University lecturer, Kairedin Tezera who presented a paper on national identity for national unity stressed that national identity is essential for a strong state.

“The sources of our country’s lack of peace are related to lack of national common understanding and strong state-nation formation one way or the other,” he said.

Lasting peace and political stability exists when the majority of citizens have a close understanding of the country’s affairs, according to the panelist.

Moreover, it has been proven that when the issue of identity is not managed properly and institutional and policy-based political and economic solutions not tailored to it, this can be a cause of conflict.

Carrying out development works that strengthen national identity, peace and security work and confidence-building is crucial.

Nation building that is beyond the building of institutions, is non-material but extremely important, and involves building the spirit of common solidarity, unity, ownership in the minds of every citizen, Kairedine underlined.

Dire Dawa University Peace and Law lecturer, Rob Petros said it’s important to use the various national values for unity and peace in the country.

He said that we should “realize that our values are the source of peace in our nation, and our unity is our beauty.”

The lecturer noted that mega projects such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have the potential to enrich national consensus and are also expressions of common values, unity and sovereignty.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency