CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Tuesday, April 22nd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

Results Include Litigation Expense of $6.0 Billion (Pretax) or Approximately $0.40 per Share (After Tax)

Previously Announced Capital Actions Include Common Stock Dividend Increase to $0.05 Per Share in Q2-14 and a New $4 Billion Common Stock Repurchase Program

Continued Business Momentum

    Total Period-end Deposit Balances up $38 Billion From Q1-13 to a Record $1.13 Trillion
    Funding of $10.8 Billion in Residential Home Loans and Home Equity Loans in Q1-14 Helped More Than 36,000 Homeowners Purchase a Home or Refinance a Mortgage
    More Than 1 Million New Credit Cards Issued in Q1-14
    Global Wealth and Investment Management Reports Record Asset Management Fees of $1.9 Billion; Pretax Margin of 25.6 Percent
    Global Banking Average Loan Balances up 11 Percent From Q1-13 to $271 Billion< ... Read more »

PARIS. - Tuesday, April 22nd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB) today reported first-quarter 2014 revenue from continuing operations of $11.24 billion versus $11.91 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013, and $10.57 billion in the first quarter of 2013.

Income from continuing operations attributable to Schlumberger, excluding charges and credits, was $1.59 billion—a decrease of 11% sequentially but an increase of 23% year-on-year. Diluted earnings-per-share from continuing operations, excluding charges and credits, was $1.21 versus $1.35 in the previous quarter, and $0.97 in the first quarter of 2013.

Schlumberger recorded charges of $0.09 per share in the fourth quarter of 2013 and of $0.07 per share in the first quarter of 2013. Schlumberger did not record any charges or credits in the first quarter of 2014.

Oilfield Services revenue of $11.24 billion decreased 6% sequentially, but increased 6% year-on-year. Oilf ... Read more »

During the first quarter of 2014

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Friday, April 18th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

The Al Ain Traffic and Patrols Section at the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate recently organized a set of traffic awareness and guidance lectures, during the first quarter of the current year. The lectures targeted students from military colleges, universities, the Higher Colleges of Technology, institutes, as well as public and private schools across all academic levels, in addition Emirates Transport bus drivers and supervisors in Al Ain.

More than 5331 students from the schools, colleges, and universities in Al Ain benefited from the traffic awareness lectures, which were held under the supervision of the Public Relations Branch at the Al Ain Traffic Section.

Major Salah Abdulalh Al Humairi, Chief of the Al Ain Traffic Section, noted that a total of 66 lectures were held, reflecting the Abu Dhabi GHQ’s comprehensive vision ... Read more »

Customer Satisfaction Stands at 97.4%
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Sunday, April 20th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

The Abu Dhabi Police Operations Room received 867,367 phone calls on the 999 emergency number in the emirate of Abu Dhabi during the first quarter of this year. Of these phone calls there was 234,761 tipoffs including 145,832 traffic tipoffs and 88,929 criminal tipoffs. This means an increase of 10% compared to the same period of 2013. The customer satisfaction rate stood at 97.4% due to the standards of excellence that are stated by procedures of the Detection, Monitoring and Analysis Guide in monitoring the performance sale of staff in the operations room.

Lt. Colonel Nasser Suleiman Al Maskari, Head of the Operations Department at the General Directorate of Central Operation in the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ stressed that the utmost keenness of the police leadership in developing and providing modern equipment and developed technologies has led to facilita ... Read more »

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Friday, April 18th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

Colonel Mohamed Mayouf Al Kutbi, Head of Vehicles and Drivers Licensing Department at Abu Dhabi Police, on behalf of the Director General of Central Operations at Abu Dhabi Police GHQ,  honored winners of the Minister of Interior’s Excellence Award in its third edition 2014, in the Director General category. A total of 29 participants were honored at the ceremony, including 13 winners, 14 assessors, and 11 members from the administrative support Committee.

Colonel Al Kutbi praised the efforts made by the participants and winners, which have contributed in highlight their departments’ participation in the competitions. He also lauded the general directorate’s assessment team and the organizing administrators who contributed to bring success to the event. He also noted that the Abu Dhabi Police has adopted an approach to achieve excellence by implementing distinguished perfor ... Read more »

Track Marks the Culmination of ‘The World Is Ours’ Journey Around the World Including 24 Local Versions Covering 175 Markets

ATLANTA. - Tuesday, April 22nd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Coca-Cola has joined forces with internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc, to launch ‘The World is Ours’ – a mash up of a newly written and recorded Aloe Blacc song combined with lyrics and sounds from the original version of ‘The World Is Ours’ by David Correy and Monobloco.

The beat for ‘The World is Ours’ by Aloe Blacc x David Correy captures the spirit and excitement of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ and host country, Brazil, while the lyrics express messages of inclusivity, celebration and happiness as told through the Coca-Cola 2014 FIFA World Cup™ campaign, The World’s Cup. ‘The World is Ours’ by Aloe Blacc x David Correy is available on iTunes here and on Spotify here.

Satcom Direct to serve customers across its Enterprise, Government, Maritime, Media and Relief sectors with Thuraya’s range of innovative mobile satellite products and services

ME NewsWire

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Tuesday, April 22nd 2014

 Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a leading Mobile Satellite Services operator, today announced its partnership with Satcom Direct, a US-based provider of voice and data communication services. The agreement will see Satcom Direct expand its portfolio of mobile satellite services for its Enterprise, Government, Maritime, Media and Relief customers.

“Thuraya’s distribution agreement with Satcom Direct strengthens our commitment to expand and diversify our customer base in the United States. Satcom Direct’s strong background in providing mobile satellite solutions for land data, maritime and aero customers accelerates our growth strategy and enables us to reach more customers in the ... Read more »

HAYWARD, Calif. - Tuesday, April 22nd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

ISS Europe 2014

(BUSINESS WIRE) Glimmerglass Cyber Solutions, a leader in developing and marketing solutions for a safer and more reliable cyberspace, today announced the general availability of the MicroSweep™, designed to provide insight into threats on private networks.

Leveraging capture and analysis capabilities from the full CyberSweep™ solution, the MicroSweep is configured for portable and rapid deployment. Pre-configured with little additional set-up required, the MicroSweep is compact, powerful and capable of monitoring signals up to 10Gbps. The MicroSweep boasts the intuitive Sapience™ Instant Insight analytics software, allowing analysts to identify and analyze threats.

“The MicroSweep provides a portable, rapid deplo ... Read more »

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Saturday, April 19th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

H.E Mohammed Khalfan Matar Al Rumaithi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police reiterated the police leadership’s commitment to support and praise the vital and valuable role played by work teams and specialists, each in their respective field, in taking care of the youth generation in general, and the Al Mafraq Juveniles Care Center inmates in particular. He also noted that Al Mafraq Juveniles Care Center has become one of the most distinguished centers for juveniles care and receives the utmost attention and care of the UAE and its higher leadership, out of the firm belief that young people are the key pillar of progress and development.

H.E Al Rumaithi also praised the attention dedicated by Lt. General H.H Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and his keenness to support, and protect juveniles delinquents with a view to rehabilitate th ... Read more »

CLARENCE, N.Y. - Tuesday, April 22nd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 22nd Century Group, Inc. (NYSE MKT:XXII) today announced that the Company filed a Form S-3 shelf registration statement on April 18th with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Upon SEC approval, the universal shelf registration will allow, but not compel, 22nd Century Group to raise up to $45 million of capital over a three-year period through a wide array of securities at amounts and at increments to be determined by the Company.

The universal shelf registration will facilitate potential acquisition opportunities, research and development initiatives, including studies for our modified risk tobacco products in development, and allow the Company to be on solid footing when negotiating agreements. Upon SEC approval of the universal shelf registration statement, raising capital will be greatly simplified and expedited since potential future equity or debt securities wi ... Read more »

Ouverture du Shiseido Cell-Processing and Expansion Center

TOKYO. - Mercredi 23 Avril 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Shiseido Co., Ltd. (TOKYO : 4911) a annoncé l’ouverture du Centre de recherche Shiseido Cell-Processing and Expansion Center (SPEC) le 1er mai 2014. Le centre, situé au cœur du Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster de Kobé, au Japon, permettra de centraliser la recherche et le développement sur ​​la médecine régénératrice capillaire, dans un objectif de commercialisation.

La médecine régénératrice au Japon est une industrie émergente que le gouvernement souhaite favoriser par une nouvelle législation et par des révisions apportées à la législation en vigueur dans le cadre des stratégies de réforme économique, et ce afin d’assurer l’évolution dans ce domaine. Shiseido mène depuis fort longtemps des recherches approfondies et travaille à la commercialisation de la médecine régénératrice capillaire.

Technologie de médeci ... Read more »

35th Annual Oil & Money Conference

NEW YORK. - Tuesday, April 22nd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Energy Intelligence announced today that Emilio Lozoya Austin, CEO of Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), has earned the distinction of his peers as “Petroleum Executive of the Year.” The 2014 award, as selected by top global industry executives, will be presented to Mr. Lozoya on October 29 at an honorary dinner during the 35th Annual Oil & Money Conference in London. Energy Intelligence jointly convenes Oil & Money with the International New York Times.

Emilio Lozoya was appointed CEO of Mexico’s state-owned petroleum company, Pemex, in December 2012, having previously served as the head of the International Affairs Office on the Transition Team of Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto. He has also worked in international banking and was the cofounder of investment funds specializing in international private capital investments.

Shiseido Cell-Processing and Expansion Center

TOKYO. - Tuesday, April 22nd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Shiseido Co., Ltd. (TOKYO:4911) announces plans to open the Shiseido Cell-Processing and Expansion Center (SPEC) on May 1, 2014. The center, located in the in the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster in Kobe, Japan, will centralize research and development on hair regenerative medicine with an aim toward commercialization.

Regenerative medicine in Japan is an emerging industry which the government aims to foster through new legislation and revisions to existing law as part of economic reform strategies, in order to advance in this field. Shiseido has a long history of conducting comprehensive research and working towards commercialization of the regenerative medicine for hair.

Shiseido’s hair regenerative medicine technology

With the goal of clinical application of regenerative medicine to treat alopecia and thinning hair, Shiseido ... Read more »

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Friday, April 18th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, reviewed the achievements made by the General Directorate of Central Operations at Abu Dhabi Police and the local and international awards it has obtained, as well as its future development projects and initiatives. This took place during a meeting held by Al Rumaithi with Brigadier Ismail Al Sirkal, Deputy Director General of Abu Dhabi Police Central Operations, in the presence of heads of Central Operations departments at Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters.

Al Rumaithi reiterated the keenness to follow the directives set by Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, to enhance police work to the highest advanced levels, in line with the government's development strategy.

During the meeting, Al Rumaithi watched an introductory presentation showcasing th ... Read more »

ME NewsWire

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Friday, April 18th 2014

The Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters, represented by the Cultural and Social Activities Section at the Police Officers’ Clubs Department, concluded the “Friends of the Police” Program for children of officers, non-commissioned officers, and civilians working at the Ministry of Interior and Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters, and retired officers. A total of 60 officers’ children aged between 7 and 14 years took part in the program, which is taking place during the second semester vacation of the year 2013-2014. Moreover, 43 top achieving male and female school students were honored at Abu Dhabi Police Officers’ Club, in the presence of Colonel Aref Saif Al Shamesi, Head of Clubs and Sports Activities Department, and a number of officers, civilians and families of students taking part in the “Friends of the Police”.

Colonel Aref Saif Al Shame ... Read more »

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Friday, April 18th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Abu Dhabi celebrated the World Heritage Day that is observed on April, 18th every year across the world.  The event aims to protect human cultural heritage, according to the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization "UNESCO" convention, approved in Paris in 1972.

The Genera; Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Abu Dhabi marked this event by organizing a heritage festival, in collaboration with the General Women's Union. The festival included several cultural activities and programs that reflect the UAE’s heritage, with a view to strengthen cultural interaction between the UAE and other nationalities residing in the country. The event spanned over the course of three days and included an exhibition of heritage products and handicrafts.

Colo ... Read more »

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Thursday, April 17th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

The General Directorate of Electronics and Telecommunications Services at the Ministry of Interior celebrated the graduation of 68 officers, non-commissioned officers, constables, civilians and female staff members from the various departments at the Ministry of Interior after completing three specialized courses.

The courses, organized by the Technical Training Section at the General Directorate of Electronics and Telecommunications Services, included the first “English Language” course for Human Resources; the fourth “Fundamentals of Successful Management” course; and the first “Health and Occupational Safety Training” course.  

The graduation ceremony was attended by Lt. Colonel Ahmad Humaid Al Suwaidi, Chief of the Technical Training Section, Lt. Colonel Issa Ahmed Jassem, Educational Tools Branch Manager, along with heads of departments and ... Read more »

DOHA, Qatar - Thursday, April 17th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

 Dan Heath, leading author and Senior Fellow from the Duke University CASE School of Business in the USA, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker at the forthcoming 2014 Middle East Forum for Quality and Safety in Healthcare, scheduled to be held here from 25 to 27 April.

Mr Heath, co-author of Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard, which debuted at number 1 on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists, will also hold a lecture similarly titled “Switch: How to Change When Change is Hard”. At the end of the session, delegates will be able to identify the mechanics of human behavior that could help them make an important change.

The Forum, to be held at the Qatar National Convention Center, is a product of the continued collaboration between Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and US-based Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) - a leading organization for heal ... Read more »

ME NewsWire

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Thursday, April 17th 2014

Colonel Hussein Mahmoud Al Awadhi, Acting Head of the Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Interior, awarded three officers from the Public Relations Department with their new ranks in implementation of the recent ministerial resolution on their promotion.

Colonel Al Awadhi called upon promoted officers to make more efforts and show more dedication to elevate the police work and enhance performance to achieve quality and development of services. This aims to maintain the Ministry of Interior's achievements that enhance acquired security and stability.

He expressed his wishes for the promoted officers in developing, succeeding and working with their police colleagues with a team spirit to provide excellent services in the police field.

The promotion covered Major Ali Al Hamili, Lieutenant Abdullah Al Naqabi and Lieutenant Abdullah Al Riyami.

For more i ... Read more »

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Thursday, April 17th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

Al Ain police Directorate organized recently a drill on a hostage-taking scenario in Al Ain. The drill was executed in coordination with a number of police entities and supporting forces related to the drill.

The drill started, with a hypothetical tip-off to the operations room of the Al Ain police Directorate about a hostage-taking incident in the city of Al Ain. According to the drill’s scenario, the location has been detected and a number of security patrols were sent. The emergency and public safety departments have been informed to send a number of ambulances and rescue vehicles, establish an onsite hospital and coordinate with a number of hospitals to provide the necessary medical support. The traffic leading to the site was cut at the same time to facilitate the job of all participating teams. The operations room provided a mobile command center for onsite management of the situati ... Read more »

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Friday, April 18th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Naturalization, Residency and Ports Affairs, promoted a number of officers from the Naturalization, Residency and Ports Affairs to the rank of "Major" by virtue of the recent ministerial resolution.

Major General congratulated the promoted officers and urged them to double the efforts to enhance police work. He also called upon them to pursue their efforts to preserve security and stability, and protect the country’s gains and achievements made under the Higher Leadership's supervision. He finally wished them continuous luck and success.

For more information about:

The Ministry of Interior, please click HERE

... Read more »

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Thursday, April 17th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, reviewed on Wednesday, the workflow, achievements and development projects taking place at the Directorate General of Security and Ports Affairs at Abu Dhabi Police. In his meeting with Brigadier General Dr. Saif Bu Dhufaira Al Ameri, Director General of Security and Ports Affairs, he also examined the work mechanisms at the directorate, carried out according to the best quality standards.

During the meeting, which was held at the Directorate General of Security and Ports Affairs and attended by heads of departments, the attendees screened a documentary film showcasing the organizational structures of the various departments, as well as the visions and values that the directorate endeavors diligently to achieve, in line with the vision and mission of Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters. The documentary film also high ... Read more »