Mes: diciembre 2020

Refusal to Test on the Rise for FMCSA Drivers in 2020

BALTIMORE, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — In 2020, American Substance Abuse Professionals, Inc. (ASAP) has seen a dramatic shift in the landscape of drug and alcohol testing violations for Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) with an increase of 40% in violations. The first quarter of the year saw a significant increase as the FMCSA Clearinghouse kicked off, the second quarter saw a significant slump as random testing was down due to disruptions…

BALTIMORE, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — In 2020, American Substance Abuse Professionals, Inc. (ASAP) has seen a dramatic shift in the landscape of drug and alcohol testing violations for Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) with an increase of 40% in violations. The first quarter of the year saw a significant increase as the FMCSA Clearinghouse kicked off, the second quarter saw a significant slump as random testing was down due to disruptions in the drug and alcohol testing chain because of the pandemic national emergency, then the year ended with a steady increase. However, the most intriguing statistic is the significant increase in the refusal to test at 60% for pre-employment and 44% for random.

Employee Consequences of Refusal to Test

A refusal to test has the same consequences of failing a drug test. The employee is immediately removed from safety-sensitive duty and then must go through the DOT return to duty process. The return to duty process requires the employee to meet with a qualified DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) for an evaluation, successfully comply with the recommendations from the SAP, and then return for a final evaluation with the same SAP. Once the process is completed, the employee is still required to pass a DOT return to duty drug test before returning to safety-sensitive duty.

Employer Responsibility

When an employee or potential employee has a refusal to test or failed drug/alcohol test, it is the employer’s responsibility to supply the employee with a list of local qualified DOT SAPs. This is a requirement for the employer to stay compliant under DOT 49 CFR 40.287. Best practice recommends that a list constitutes more than one qualified local DOT SAP, which can be as few as two, but must contain names, addresses, and phone numbers. The employer cannot charge a fee for this list and may provide it themselves or through a C/TPA or other service agent, such as ASAP.

Maintaining safety on our highways is a prime responsibility for DOT FMCSA employers and employees. As an employer, a drug-free workplace increases productivity and decreases liability. For commercial drivers, maintaining a drug-free lifestyle increases safety on our highways. FMCSA CDL drivers and other safety sensitive employees are critical to our national transportation logistics and understanding essential information about DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations helps to keep our roads and drivers safe.

American Substance Abuse Professionals, Inc.® (ASAP) offers Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and substance abuse evaluation services to all employers with drug use employment policies and specializing in companies regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). ASAP services protect public and workplace safety while promoting treatment and recovery. Our success rate in returning employees back to work drug-free is 86%. Work safely. Visit http://www.go2asap.com for more information.

Media Contact

Susan Reed, American Substance Abuse Professionals, Inc.®, +1 410-366-3899 Ext: 122, sreed@go2asap.com

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SOURCE American Substance Abuse Professionals, Inc.®

The Home Depot Completes Acquisition of HD Supply

ATLANTA, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, has completed the acquisition of HD Supply Holdings, Inc., for a total enterprise value (including net cash) of approximately $8 billion. HD Supply is a leading national distributor of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products in the multifamily and hospitality end markets. The agreement to acquire HD Supply was announced on <span…

ATLANTA, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, has completed the acquisition of HD Supply Holdings, Inc., for a total enterprise value (including net cash) of approximately $8 billion. HD Supply is a leading national distributor of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products in the multifamily and hospitality end markets. The agreement to acquire HD Supply was announced on November 16, 2020.

«We’re thrilled to welcome HD Supply associates to The Home Depot,» said Craig Menear, chairman and CEO of The Home Depot. «The combination of the two businesses will enable us to better serve both existing and new MRO customers, and I look forward to the value this acquisition will bring to our associates, customers and shareholders.»

The acquisition of HD Supply is expected to position The Home Depot as a premier provider in a highly fragmented MRO marketplace, which the company estimates to be approximately $55 billion. HD Supply complements The Home Depot’s existing MRO business with a robust product offering and value-added service capabilities, an experienced salesforce, and an extensive, MRO-specific distribution network throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of HD Supply expired at midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on December 23, 2020. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the depository and paying agent for the tender offer, advised The Home Depot that as of the tender offer expiration, a total of 127,928,897 shares had been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn, representing approximately 82.9% of the outstanding shares. All of the conditions of the offer have been satisfied and The Home Depot and its subsidiary Coronado Acquisition Sub Inc. have accepted for payment for $56 per share in cash, without interest, subject to any required withholding taxes, all shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn and will promptly pay for all such shares. Following its acceptance of the tendered shares, The Home Depot completed the acquisition of HD Supply through a merger of Coronado Acquisition Sub Inc. with and into HD Supply. As a result of the merger, HD Supply became a wholly owned subsidiary of The Home Depot. In connection with the merger, all HD Supply shares not validly tendered (other than shares held by The Home Depot, Coronado Acquisition Sub Inc., HD Supply or any of their respective direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries and shares held by stockholders of HD Supply who have perfected their statutory appraisal rights) have been cancelled and converted into the right to receive the same $56 in cash (without interest and subject to any required withholding taxes) as will be paid for all HD Supply shares that were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. 

About The Home Depot
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,295 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2019, The Home Depot had sales of $110.2 billion and earnings of $11.2 billion. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

About HD Supply
HD Supply is one of the largest wholesale distributors in North America. The company provides a broad range of products and value-add services to approximately 300,000 customers with leadership positions in the living space maintenance, repair and operations sector. Through approximately 44 distribution centers, across 25 states and two Canadian provinces, the company’s approximately 5,500 associates provide localized, customer-tailored products, services and expertise. For more information, visit www.hdsupply.com.

Certain statements contained herein constitute «forward-looking statements» as defined in the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, the acquisition of HD Supply that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements (the «acquisition»); statements about the potential benefits of the acquisition; HD Supply’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions; risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, including the possibility that the expected benefits from the transaction will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; disruption from the acquisition making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; negative effects of the consummation of the acquisition on the market price of our common stock, credit ratings or operating results; significant costs associated with the acquisition; unknown liabilities; the impact on our business, operations and financial results of the COVID-19 pandemic (which, among other things, may affect many of the items listed below); the demand for our products and services; net sales growth; comparable sales; effects of competition; implementation of store, interconnected retail, supply chain and technology initiatives; inventory and in-stock positions; state of the economy; state of the housing and home improvement markets; state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans and consumer credit; impact of tariffs; issues related to the payment methods we accept; demand for credit offerings; management of relationships with our associates, suppliers and vendors; international trade disputes, natural disasters, public health issues (including pandemics and related quarantines, shelter-in-place and other governmental orders, and similar restrictions), and other business interruptions that could disrupt supply or delivery of, or demand for, the Company’s products or services; continuation of share repurchase programs; net earnings performance; earnings per share; dividend targets; capital allocation and expenditures; liquidity; return on invested capital; expense leverage; stock-based compensation expense; commodity price inflation and deflation; the ability to issue debt on terms and at rates acceptable to us; the impact and expected outcome of investigations, inquiries, claims and litigation; the effect of accounting charges; the effect of adopting certain accounting standards; the impact of regulatory changes; store openings and closures; guidance for fiscal 2020 and beyond; financial outlook; and the integration of acquired companies into our organization and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of those acquisitions. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. You should not rely on our forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to future events, risks and uncertainties – many of which are beyond our control, dependent on the actions of third parties, or are currently unknown to us – as well as potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations and projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A, «Risk Factors,» and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended February 2, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 1,  2020. 

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements other than as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/118058/the_home_depot_logo.jpg

SOURCE The Home Depot

The Home Depot Completes Acquisition of HD Supply

ATLANTA, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, has completed the acquisition of HD Supply Holdings, Inc., for a total enterprise value (including net cash) of approximately $8 billion. HD Supply is a leading national distributor of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products in the multifamily and hospitality end markets. The agreement to acquire HD Supply was announced on <span…

ATLANTA, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, has completed the acquisition of HD Supply Holdings, Inc., for a total enterprise value (including net cash) of approximately $8 billion. HD Supply is a leading national distributor of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products in the multifamily and hospitality end markets. The agreement to acquire HD Supply was announced on November 16, 2020.

«We’re thrilled to welcome HD Supply associates to The Home Depot,» said Craig Menear, chairman and CEO of The Home Depot. «The combination of the two businesses will enable us to better serve both existing and new MRO customers, and I look forward to the value this acquisition will bring to our associates, customers and shareholders.»

The acquisition of HD Supply is expected to position The Home Depot as a premier provider in a highly fragmented MRO marketplace, which the company estimates to be approximately $55 billion. HD Supply complements The Home Depot’s existing MRO business with a robust product offering and value-added service capabilities, an experienced salesforce, and an extensive, MRO-specific distribution network throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of HD Supply expired at midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on December 23, 2020. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the depository and paying agent for the tender offer, advised The Home Depot that as of the tender offer expiration, a total of 127,928,897 shares had been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn, representing approximately 82.9% of the outstanding shares. All of the conditions of the offer have been satisfied and The Home Depot and its subsidiary Coronado Acquisition Sub Inc. have accepted for payment for $56 per share in cash, without interest, subject to any required withholding taxes, all shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn and will promptly pay for all such shares. Following its acceptance of the tendered shares, The Home Depot completed the acquisition of HD Supply through a merger of Coronado Acquisition Sub Inc. with and into HD Supply. As a result of the merger, HD Supply became a wholly owned subsidiary of The Home Depot. In connection with the merger, all HD Supply shares not validly tendered (other than shares held by The Home Depot, Coronado Acquisition Sub Inc., HD Supply or any of their respective direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries and shares held by stockholders of HD Supply who have perfected their statutory appraisal rights) have been cancelled and converted into the right to receive the same $56 in cash (without interest and subject to any required withholding taxes) as will be paid for all HD Supply shares that were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. 

About The Home Depot
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,295 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2019, The Home Depot had sales of $110.2 billion and earnings of $11.2 billion. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

About HD Supply
HD Supply is one of the largest wholesale distributors in North America. The company provides a broad range of products and value-add services to approximately 300,000 customers with leadership positions in the living space maintenance, repair and operations sector. Through approximately 44 distribution centers, across 25 states and two Canadian provinces, the company’s approximately 5,500 associates provide localized, customer-tailored products, services and expertise. For more information, visit www.hdsupply.com.

Certain statements contained herein constitute «forward-looking statements» as defined in the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, the acquisition of HD Supply that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements (the «acquisition»); statements about the potential benefits of the acquisition; HD Supply’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions; risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, including the possibility that the expected benefits from the transaction will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; disruption from the acquisition making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; negative effects of the consummation of the acquisition on the market price of our common stock, credit ratings or operating results; significant costs associated with the acquisition; unknown liabilities; the impact on our business, operations and financial results of the COVID-19 pandemic (which, among other things, may affect many of the items listed below); the demand for our products and services; net sales growth; comparable sales; effects of competition; implementation of store, interconnected retail, supply chain and technology initiatives; inventory and in-stock positions; state of the economy; state of the housing and home improvement markets; state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans and consumer credit; impact of tariffs; issues related to the payment methods we accept; demand for credit offerings; management of relationships with our associates, suppliers and vendors; international trade disputes, natural disasters, public health issues (including pandemics and related quarantines, shelter-in-place and other governmental orders, and similar restrictions), and other business interruptions that could disrupt supply or delivery of, or demand for, the Company’s products or services; continuation of share repurchase programs; net earnings performance; earnings per share; dividend targets; capital allocation and expenditures; liquidity; return on invested capital; expense leverage; stock-based compensation expense; commodity price inflation and deflation; the ability to issue debt on terms and at rates acceptable to us; the impact and expected outcome of investigations, inquiries, claims and litigation; the effect of accounting charges; the effect of adopting certain accounting standards; the impact of regulatory changes; store openings and closures; guidance for fiscal 2020 and beyond; financial outlook; and the integration of acquired companies into our organization and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of those acquisitions. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. You should not rely on our forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to future events, risks and uncertainties – many of which are beyond our control, dependent on the actions of third parties, or are currently unknown to us – as well as potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations and projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A, «Risk Factors,» and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended February 2, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 1,  2020. 

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements other than as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/118058/the_home_depot_logo.jpg

SOURCE The Home Depot

The Home Depot Completes Acquisition of HD Supply

ATLANTA, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, has completed the acquisition of HD Supply Holdings, Inc., for a total enterprise value (including net cash) of approximately $8 billion. HD Supply is a leading national distributor of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products in the multifamily and hospitality end markets. The agreement to acquire HD Supply was announced on <span…

ATLANTA, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, has completed the acquisition of HD Supply Holdings, Inc., for a total enterprise value (including net cash) of approximately $8 billion. HD Supply is a leading national distributor of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products in the multifamily and hospitality end markets. The agreement to acquire HD Supply was announced on November 16, 2020.

«We’re thrilled to welcome HD Supply associates to The Home Depot,» said Craig Menear, chairman and CEO of The Home Depot. «The combination of the two businesses will enable us to better serve both existing and new MRO customers, and I look forward to the value this acquisition will bring to our associates, customers and shareholders.»

The acquisition of HD Supply is expected to position The Home Depot as a premier provider in a highly fragmented MRO marketplace, which the company estimates to be approximately $55 billion. HD Supply complements The Home Depot’s existing MRO business with a robust product offering and value-added service capabilities, an experienced salesforce, and an extensive, MRO-specific distribution network throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of HD Supply expired at midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on December 23, 2020. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the depository and paying agent for the tender offer, advised The Home Depot that as of the tender offer expiration, a total of 127,928,897 shares had been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn, representing approximately 82.9% of the outstanding shares. All of the conditions of the offer have been satisfied and The Home Depot and its subsidiary Coronado Acquisition Sub Inc. have accepted for payment for $56 per share in cash, without interest, subject to any required withholding taxes, all shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn and will promptly pay for all such shares. Following its acceptance of the tendered shares, The Home Depot completed the acquisition of HD Supply through a merger of Coronado Acquisition Sub Inc. with and into HD Supply. As a result of the merger, HD Supply became a wholly owned subsidiary of The Home Depot. In connection with the merger, all HD Supply shares not validly tendered (other than shares held by The Home Depot, Coronado Acquisition Sub Inc., HD Supply or any of their respective direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries and shares held by stockholders of HD Supply who have perfected their statutory appraisal rights) have been cancelled and converted into the right to receive the same $56 in cash (without interest and subject to any required withholding taxes) as will be paid for all HD Supply shares that were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. 

About The Home Depot
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,295 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2019, The Home Depot had sales of $110.2 billion and earnings of $11.2 billion. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

About HD Supply
HD Supply is one of the largest wholesale distributors in North America. The company provides a broad range of products and value-add services to approximately 300,000 customers with leadership positions in the living space maintenance, repair and operations sector. Through approximately 44 distribution centers, across 25 states and two Canadian provinces, the company’s approximately 5,500 associates provide localized, customer-tailored products, services and expertise. For more information, visit www.hdsupply.com.

Certain statements contained herein constitute «forward-looking statements» as defined in the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, the acquisition of HD Supply that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements (the «acquisition»); statements about the potential benefits of the acquisition; HD Supply’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions; risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, including the possibility that the expected benefits from the transaction will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; disruption from the acquisition making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; negative effects of the consummation of the acquisition on the market price of our common stock, credit ratings or operating results; significant costs associated with the acquisition; unknown liabilities; the impact on our business, operations and financial results of the COVID-19 pandemic (which, among other things, may affect many of the items listed below); the demand for our products and services; net sales growth; comparable sales; effects of competition; implementation of store, interconnected retail, supply chain and technology initiatives; inventory and in-stock positions; state of the economy; state of the housing and home improvement markets; state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans and consumer credit; impact of tariffs; issues related to the payment methods we accept; demand for credit offerings; management of relationships with our associates, suppliers and vendors; international trade disputes, natural disasters, public health issues (including pandemics and related quarantines, shelter-in-place and other governmental orders, and similar restrictions), and other business interruptions that could disrupt supply or delivery of, or demand for, the Company’s products or services; continuation of share repurchase programs; net earnings performance; earnings per share; dividend targets; capital allocation and expenditures; liquidity; return on invested capital; expense leverage; stock-based compensation expense; commodity price inflation and deflation; the ability to issue debt on terms and at rates acceptable to us; the impact and expected outcome of investigations, inquiries, claims and litigation; the effect of accounting charges; the effect of adopting certain accounting standards; the impact of regulatory changes; store openings and closures; guidance for fiscal 2020 and beyond; financial outlook; and the integration of acquired companies into our organization and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of those acquisitions. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. You should not rely on our forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to future events, risks and uncertainties – many of which are beyond our control, dependent on the actions of third parties, or are currently unknown to us – as well as potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations and projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A, «Risk Factors,» and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended February 2, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 1,  2020. 

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements other than as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-home-depot-completes-acquisition-of-hd-supply-301198405.html

SOURCE The Home Depot

African Parks: Zakouma National Park Welcomes Visit from Field Marshal of Chad – Chadian President of the Republic, Head of State, Idriss Deby Itno

LUSAKA, Zambia, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — African Parks was honoured to receive the Field Marshal of Chad, President of the Republic, Head of State, Idriss Deby Itno in Zakouma National Park on December 10th – 11th.  The Presidential delegation, which included Ministers, Advisors and the Governor of Salamat, visited the park as part of an official tour of Salamat province. 

Zakouma National Park forms…

LUSAKA, Zambia, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — African Parks was honoured to receive the Field Marshal of Chad, President of the Republic, Head of State, Idriss Deby Itno in Zakouma National Park on December 10th – 11th.  The Presidential delegation, which included Ministers, Advisors and the Governor of Salamat, visited the park as part of an official tour of Salamat province. 

Zakouma National Park forms part of the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, a network of connected reserves brought under an extended management agreement first initiated between the Government of the Republic of Chad and conservation non-profit African Parks in 2010. This unique Sudano-Sahelian landscape has since become a safe haven for wildlife, a source of benefits for people and an internationally regarded nature destination.

«We must salute the efforts made by Chadians and African Parks with funding from the European Union. Today, Zakouma National Park is rehabilitated… I appeal here to all Chadians to come and discover Zakouma National Park. This is their park. It is a national asset. It has biodiversity that exists nowhere else,» said the Field Marshal of Chad, President of the Republic, Head of State, Idriss Deby Itno.

During their visit to the park, the delegation participated in discussions with senior African Parks representatives, assessing key developments and future steps to ensure the delivery of long-term benefits for people and wildlife.

«The Chadian Government under the Field Marshal of Chad, President of the Republic, Head of State Idriss Deby Itno, has enacted visionary measures through our partnership to ensure the protection of Zakouma’s globally important ecosystem,» said African Parks’ CEO Peter Fearnhead. «We look forward to building on this progress with the Chadian Government as well as with our financial partners, enhancing its contributions to local communities and to national development.» 

Located between the Sahara Desert and the rainforest regions of Central Africa, Zakouma contains some of the most important populations of West and Central African wildlife. It is refuge to Chad’s largest population of elephants and over half of the world’s remaining population of Kordofan giraffes.

Over the past 10 years, poaching has been essentially eliminated, enabling the elephant population to grow for the first time in decades and other species, including black rhino, to return. Not only are local communities also benefitting from improved security, but from the development of schools, employment and from Zakouma’s contribution through tourism to the local and national economy. In 2019, TIME named Zakouma as one of the World’s Greatest Places.

Zakouma’s economic and ecological transformation is enabled by the vital support of the European Union, Fondation Segré and several other private and institutional donors.

 

 

African Parks: Zakouma National Park Welcomes Visit from Field Marshal of Chad – Chadian President of the Republic, Head of State, Idriss Deby Itno

LUSAKA, Zambia, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — African Parks was honoured to receive the Field Marshal of Chad, President of the Republic, Head of State, Idriss Deby Itno in Zakouma National Park on December 10th – 11th.  The Presidential delegation, which included Ministers, Advisors and the Governor of Salamat, visited the park as part of an official tour of Salamat province. 

Zakouma National Park forms…

LUSAKA, Zambia, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — African Parks was honoured to receive the Field Marshal of Chad, President of the Republic, Head of State, Idriss Deby Itno in Zakouma National Park on December 10th – 11th.  The Presidential delegation, which included Ministers, Advisors and the Governor of Salamat, visited the park as part of an official tour of Salamat province. 

Zakouma National Park forms part of the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, a network of connected reserves brought under an extended management agreement first initiated between the Government of the Republic of Chad and conservation non-profit African Parks in 2010. This unique Sudano-Sahelian landscape has since become a safe haven for wildlife, a source of benefits for people and an internationally regarded nature destination.

«We must salute the efforts made by Chadians and African Parks with funding from the European Union. Today, Zakouma National Park is rehabilitated… I appeal here to all Chadians to come and discover Zakouma National Park. This is their park. It is a national asset. It has biodiversity that exists nowhere else,» said the Field Marshal of Chad, President of the Republic, Head of State, Idriss Deby Itno.

During their visit to the park, the delegation participated in discussions with senior African Parks representatives, assessing key developments and future steps to ensure the delivery of long-term benefits for people and wildlife.

«The Chadian Government under the Field Marshal of Chad, President of the Republic, Head of State Idriss Deby Itno, has enacted visionary measures through our partnership to ensure the protection of Zakouma’s globally important ecosystem,» said African Parks’ CEO Peter Fearnhead. «We look forward to building on this progress with the Chadian Government as well as with our financial partners, enhancing its contributions to local communities and to national development.» 

Located between the Sahara Desert and the rainforest regions of Central Africa, Zakouma contains some of the most important populations of West and Central African wildlife. It is refuge to Chad’s largest population of elephants and over half of the world’s remaining population of Kordofan giraffes.

Over the past 10 years, poaching has been essentially eliminated, enabling the elephant population to grow for the first time in decades and other species, including black rhino, to return. Not only are local communities also benefitting from improved security, but from the development of schools, employment and from Zakouma’s contribution through tourism to the local and national economy. In 2019, TIME named Zakouma as one of the World’s Greatest Places.

Zakouma’s economic and ecological transformation is enabled by the vital support of the European Union, Fondation Segré and several other private and institutional donors.

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/african-parks-zakouma-national-park-welcomes-visit-from-field-marshal-of-chad—chadian-president-of-the-republic-head-of-state-idriss-deby-itno-301198400.html

SOURCE African Parks

African Parks: Zakouma National Park Welcomes Visit from Field Marshal of Chad – Chadian President of the Republic, Head of State, Idriss Deby Itno

LUSAKA, Zambia, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — African Parks was honoured to receive the Field Marshal of Chad, President of the Republic, Head of State, Idriss Deby Itno in Zakouma National Park on December 10th – 11th.  The Presidential delegation, which included Ministers, Advisors and the Governor of Salamat, visited the park as part of an official tour of Salamat province. 

Zakouma National Park forms…

LUSAKA, Zambia, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — African Parks was honoured to receive the Field Marshal of Chad, President of the Republic, Head of State, Idriss Deby Itno in Zakouma National Park on December 10th – 11th.  The Presidential delegation, which included Ministers, Advisors and the Governor of Salamat, visited the park as part of an official tour of Salamat province. 

Zakouma National Park forms part of the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, a network of connected reserves brought under an extended management agreement first initiated between the Government of the Republic of Chad and conservation non-profit African Parks in 2010. This unique Sudano-Sahelian landscape has since become a safe haven for wildlife, a source of benefits for people and an internationally regarded nature destination.

«We must salute the efforts made by Chadians and African Parks with funding from the European Union. Today, Zakouma National Park is rehabilitated… I appeal here to all Chadians to come and discover Zakouma National Park. This is their park. It is a national asset. It has biodiversity that exists nowhere else,» said the Field Marshal of Chad, President of the Republic, Head of State, Idriss Deby Itno.

During their visit to the park, the delegation participated in discussions with senior African Parks representatives, assessing key developments and future steps to ensure the delivery of long-term benefits for people and wildlife.

«The Chadian Government under the Field Marshal of Chad, President of the Republic, Head of State Idriss Deby Itno, has enacted visionary measures through our partnership to ensure the protection of Zakouma’s globally important ecosystem,» said African Parks’ CEO Peter Fearnhead. «We look forward to building on this progress with the Chadian Government as well as with our financial partners, enhancing its contributions to local communities and to national development.» 

Located between the Sahara Desert and the rainforest regions of Central Africa, Zakouma contains some of the most important populations of West and Central African wildlife. It is refuge to Chad’s largest population of elephants and over half of the world’s remaining population of Kordofan giraffes.

Over the past 10 years, poaching has been essentially eliminated, enabling the elephant population to grow for the first time in decades and other species, including black rhino, to return. Not only are local communities also benefitting from improved security, but from the development of schools, employment and from Zakouma’s contribution through tourism to the local and national economy. In 2019, TIME named Zakouma as one of the World’s Greatest Places.

Zakouma’s economic and ecological transformation is enabled by the vital support of the European Union, Fondation Segré and several other private and institutional donors.

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SOURCE African Parks

Earth With John Holden Returns Sunday, December 27 With A New Episode Covering Sustainability In Mining, Crops, Packaging, Investing, And Energy

BOCA RATON, Fla., Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ –Earth with John Holden, a national television series will be airing this Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 5 pm ET on Fox Business Network in the U.S. and in Canada on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 10 am ET on BNN Bloomberg.

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BOCA RATON, Fla., Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ –Earth with John Holden, a national television series will be airing this Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 5 pm ET on Fox Business Network in the U.S. and in Canada on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 10 am ET on BNN Bloomberg.

Produced by StarMedia Productions, Earth with John Holden is an exciting and insightful, half hour news magazine national television series that deals with one of the most critical issues confronting corporations, households, individuals, and governments today. What we can do as a global community to help our planet and its inhabitants!

Six-time Emmy award winner and former NBC news correspondent, John Holden takes our audience around the globe on our constant search to make our planet and its inhabitants, healthier, better and stronger.

The show takes an in-depth look at innovative solutions, ideas and technologies currently being used, developed or researched around the globe. Each episode focuses on the organizations and individuals who are striving to make the right choices promoting the health of the world we live in.

In this episode, John travels to the Dawson Mine site in central Queensland, Australia, where a global partnership is underway to restore formerly mined land to its native state. This is the first time a mining giant-Anglo American, and an earth-moving equipment company-Komatsu, have teamed up in a partnership called Growing Together,  to create a  sustainable life cycle for mining.  Holden follows the mega-mining team as they invite indigenous people and local school children to help them begin the process of replanting thousands of eucalyptus trees to return the central Highlands mine site back to its native roots to demonstrate their global commitment to sustainable growth in mining.

From Australia and around the globe to the U.S., John arrives in the abundant orchards and agricultural fields of central Washington, to show how farmers today are partnering with global food companies to ensure a quick and sustainable journey from farm to plate to ensure the best quality nutrition in packaged fruits and vegetables. We’ll see how one such global partner, Del Monte Foods, has made sustainability a factor in every decision that is made in the life cycle of a crop.

In Atlanta, Georgia, John’s Co-Host, Andrea Ocampo is at the headquarters of Veritiv Corporation, a leading B2B distributor of packaging, facility solutions, and provider of logistics and supply chain management solutions. This company is making a difference in creating eco-friendly packaging for customers in a wide range of industries. With access to suppliers all over the world, and finding the best solutions for its packaging customers, Veritiv is exercising ingenuity and providing a more stable, sustainable, and cost-effective solution very few can rival in a holistic approach to packaging.

Next, John travels to Boston, Massachusetts to introduce us to the green world of opportunity in sustainable investing. MFS created the very first mutual fund in 1924 to open the door to millions of everyday investors- and today this investment management company shows us how they create value responsibly by investing only in companies that truly have an impact on the environment, providing us the opportunity to sustainably invest in the future of our planet.

Finally, John takes us to western Utah, where an unexpected renewable energy program can be found at hog farms that creates energy and power for thousands of homes and businesses. In this case, Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork processor, has partnered with family pig farms to convert hog manure into clean, renewable energy.  This ability to provide nutritious food to feed our people, as well as supply renewable energy to fuel our planet, may be the future of farming in America.

In the fast paced and ever-changing world of television broadcasting, StarMedia Productions is at the forefront of the latest trends, technology and ideas that continue to shape the way information is presented to the public worldwide in an entertaining and educational manner. Our inspiration and visual impact is leading the way to a better future with more effective and powerful communication between today’s consumers, business leaders and other stakeholders.

Sources:

Links:

Contact: Robert Albolino, EVP of Programming Phone: +1 (561) 501-3828
Email: ralbolino@StarMediatv.com

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SOURCE StarMedia Productions

GRWC CEO Provides End Of Year Business Recap

HENDERSON, Nev., Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the CEO of Grow Capital, Inc (OTCQB: GRWC) released a business update to recap two recent events:

HENDERSON, Nev., Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the CEO of Grow Capital, Inc (OTCQB: GRWC) released a business update to recap two recent events:

«As we cross the finish line of 2020 I want to brief interested parties on GRWC’s activities,» said CEO Terry Kennedy. «We are thrilled to announce our August 2020 acquisition PERA, (Public Employee Retirement Assistance)  has had a record-breaking year. The company helped thousands of employees meet with a retirement specialist online and get prepared for their future. They also helped hundreds of financial services agents stay in business during this unprecedented time where face to face meetings are not permitted.»

PERA provides public employee retirement assistance and currently works with employees of school districts, colleges, universities, and other public institutions nationwide. PERA has over 5,000 trusted advisors in its network to help public employees and has successfully set near half a million appointments for its clients since its inception.

During the audit of PERA’s financial records as required, our analysis determined a key client of PERA, and secondary acquisition target for Grow Capital, is currently a variable interest entity («VIE») to Grow Capital, and therefore under generally accepted accounting principles («GAAP») we are required to present consolidated financial statements for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 that include the VIE.

This has resulted in a substantially more complex data collection and analysis process in order to complete the preparation of GRWC’s first quarter report.  GRWC found it necessary to file a notice of late filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission in regard to its September 30, 2020 quarterly report in November to alert the delayed filing and is pleased to announce we have subsequently received a further extension to file the first quarter report in order to maintain our trading status on OTCQB. We expect to file the delayed report no later than February 1, 2021.

«We are also excited about the future of our company, Bombshell Technologies,» Kennedy continued. «GRWC’s legal team untangled some disputes within the previous ownership of the company so it can move forward and utilize our resources to become the premier technology company servicing financial services professionals and filling the gaps their niche needs.»

«The business of doing business sometimes requires slowing down and ensuring accuracy,» said Kennedy. «The board and I are proud of the highly professional work our team has been doing and look forward to the futures of Bombshell and PERA under our guidance. We are also looking forward to sharing our financial results as soon as they are complete»

To be added to the distribution list please email info@growcapitalinc.com with «GRWC» in the subject line.

Forward Looking Statements Disclaimer: This release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Grow Capital, Inc’s ability to control, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such forward -looking statements include the words «vision,» «seek», «grow», «plan» and other expressions of a forward-looking nature. More information about the potential factors that could affect the business and financial results is and will be included in Grow Capital, Inc’s filings with the OTC Markets, Securities and Exchange Commission and/or posted on the company’s website.

Contact: AF1 Public Relations
702-908-0018
www.growcapitalinc.com

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SOURCE Grow Capital, Inc

Juana Jaén J.’S New Book No Debo Usar Drogas, An Insightful Narrative That Teaches The Dangers Of Drug Abuse And Addiction To The Youth

NEW YORK, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The book No Debo Usar Drogas was created by Juana Jaén J. Juana is an author and has been an elementary education teacher for many years. He emigrated to the United States, where he currently resides.

NEW YORK, Dec. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The book No Debo Usar Drogas was created by Juana Jaén J. Juana is an author and has been an elementary education teacher for many years. He emigrated to the United States, where he currently resides.

Juana said this about her book: «No Debo Usar Drogas is the title of this book, and it is the phrase that should always remain in the mind of every child and teenager. Today, drugs are paving the way for our children and youth to become future criminals.

It is sad to hear and see that many children and grandchildren have mistreated and sometimes even killed relatives for not providing them with money for their insane habit.

It is with great dismay that we observe that the drug situation is not only taking place in the United States but has ‘contaminated’ and affected the rest of the continent. Whatever happens in North America always has repercussions in the countries of Latin America.

It seems that drugs will never be eradicated by governments, but we can try to educate and guide many children from an early age, communicating with them is key.

Parents, citizens, we must cooperate with the campaign against drugs.

No Debo Usar Drogas is my contribution.

The book consists of twenty-one stories, one for each Hispanic country—Spain for being the motherland and the United States for being the Hispanic childhood of New York that inspired me to write this book.

My biggest wish is that this book helps parents start a conversation with their little ones about the dangers of drugs.»

Published by Page Publishing, Juana Jaén J.’s new book No Debo Usar Drogas hopes to bridge parents, educators, and children together by reminding them of the negative impact of drugs and substance abuse on the individual and the society.

Consumers who wish to enlighten the youth on the horrors of illegal drugs can purchase No Debo Usar Drogas in any bookstore or online at Apple iTunes, Amazon.com, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries, you can contact Page Publishing, through the following number: 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors’ books, including distribution in the world’s largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex, and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at www.pagepublishing.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1391472/Juana_Ja_n_J.jpg

SOURCE Page Publishing