ATLANTA - Tuesday, September 23rd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

M2M Represents 10 Per Cent of All Mobile Connections in the US,

Driven by Huge Growth in the Automotive and Utilities Sectors;

US Accounts for 19 Per Cent of All M2M Connections Worldwide

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The United States is one of the largest and most advanced machine-to-machine (M2M) markets in the world, with M2M representing one in 10 of all mobile connections in the region, compared with one in 20 in Europe and one in 100 in Africa, according to the new GSMA report “Driving Innovation in Connected Living - The US Flags the Future of M2M.” The US accounted for 35 million connections or 19 per cent of all global M2M connections at the end of 2013, a figure that is expected to reach 41 million this year, driven in particular by advances in the automotive, utilities and oil and gas sectors, according to GSMA Intelligence. US operators are meeting this burgeoning growth by forming stra ... Read more »

“Women, Water, and the World: How Women Can Solve the Earth’s Water Crisis”

OAKLAND, Calif - Wednesday, September 24th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Mills College announces a call for applications for the Women in Public Service Project Institute, which will be held on the Mills campus, in Oakland, California, April 11–20, 2015. The 10-day program will be organized by Mills College in partnership with the US State Department and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars as part of the Women in Public Service Project (WPSP). Up to 30 emerging women leaders will be selected from around the globe through a competitive application process to participate in an intensive, interactive Institute.

The WPSP Institute at Mills College will focus on “Women, Water, and the World: How Women Can Solve the Earth’s Water Crisis.” How women use water, share knowledge, and promote sound management and conservation of ... Read more »

NetJets is the first global private aviation brand to begin operating in China

ME NewsWire/Business Wire

ZHUHAI, China - Tuesday, September 23rd 2014

NetJets Business Aviation Limited announced today it has obtained its CCAR-135 operation certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, allowing the company to begin offering private aircraft charter services in China.

NetJets Business Aviation Limited initially will provide management services for the aircraft in its charter fleet – including maintenance, crewing, catering and storage – under the brand Executive Jet Management China, sharing in the “Executive Jet” brand legacy, with plans to expand into private aircraft management in the near future. Executive Jet Management (EJM) is a brand that NetJets operates in the U.S. and EU. The addition of an operation in China further expands its global footprint.

“Our NetJets China partnership has been worki ... Read more »

New Corporate Responsibility Report, Global Impact, Released

NEW YORK - Wednesday, September 24th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) released the company’s latest corporate responsibility report today highlighting the positive impact it makes on society while achieving its core business goals of managing risk, preserving financial strength and meeting long-term financial commitments.

The report, titled Global Impact, includes information on how the company performs on multiple environmental, social and governance issues, including impact investing, product access, workplace diversity, environmental stewardship and financial inclusion.

“We are pleased to share some of the ways we are leveraging our nearly 150-year heritage of financial strength to create a positive impact for customers, employees and communities around the world,” said MetLife Executive Vice President Maria Morris. “We are proud that ... Read more »

NEW YORK - Wednesday, September 24th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Mr. Teguh Ganda Wijaya, Chairman of Asia Pulp and Paper Group (APP), today joined a number of companies, governments and NGOs to sign the New York Declaration on Forests at an event at the UN Climate Summit 2014. The declaration is an unprecedented international, multi-sector commitment to safeguard the world’s forests and to help tackle climate change.

All signatories of the Declaration have committed to a vision of slowing, halting, and reversing global forest loss while simultaneously contributing to economic growth, poverty alleviation, rule of law, food security, climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.

The declaration, which was formalised at an event hosted by UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, highlights that reducing emissions from deforestation and increasing forest restoration are key to tackling climate change. Partners are called on to work together to:

SHENZHEN, China - Wednesday, September 24th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Vringo Inc. has withdrawn another infringement claim against ZTE Corporation before the UK High Court of Justice Chancery Division court.

The patent in question (EP (UK) 1 808 029), relating to mobile communication standards, was asserted by Vringo to be one of its strongest Standard Essential Patent (SEP) claims in its patent portfolio, and a key part of the litigation battle the Non-Practicing Entity has instigated around the world against ZTE.

Vringo has now withdrawn its claim on two of the three patents it selected out of its portfolio in this case. This withdrawal features among a series of other positive developments in the UK proceedings as the court also ordered Vringo to pay substantial sums to ZTE in legal fees, and rejected their discovery request during the pre-trial phase.

"This latest development once again showcases the shortcomings of Vringo’s st ... Read more »

NEW YORK - Wednesday, September 24th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The aviation sector joined other business and government groups at the United Nations Climate Summit today to announce a commitment on climate action between the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations specialized agency, and the aviation industry represented by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG). This partnership expands on work already being undertaken across the air transport sector to reduce emissions from this important global industry.

The commitment says: “Air transport connects the world. It is a vital engine of global economic growth supporting over 58 million jobs and $2.4 trillion in gross domestic product. In order that all parts of the world are able to benefit from the rapid connectivity advantages of air transport, the sector has committed itself to a pathway of sustainable growth encompassing all areas of the commercial industry and government ... Read more »

CHINA - Tuesday, September 23rd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

BERLIN - Tuesday, September 23rd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

InnoTrans 2014

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Singapore Rail Engineering Pte. Ltd. (SRE) and Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) have decided to setup a joint venture to market and supply propulsion systems using Toshiba’s Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) technology. The joint venture agreement was signed today at InnoTrans, the international transport technology trade fair taking place in Berlin this week. The new company will be called Railise Ptd. Ltd.

Tests have confirmed that Toshiba’s PMSM technology will cut the power consumption of SMRT’s first generation trains by 30%. The technology is also maintenance friendly, and Toshiba is targeting noise level reductions of up to 12 dB.

Mr. Toshio Masaki, Senior Executive Vice President, Toshiba Corporation, noted, “This move sets the stage for working with SMRT and SRE to take our PMSM system into the global market. PMSM is a signifi ... Read more »

North American Mobile Operators and Consumers Reaping The Benefits of 4G Investment; Mobile Industry Contributing Three Per Cent to Regional GDP

ATLANTA - Tuesday, September 23rd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

The North American mobile market is one of the most advanced and successful in the world, according to the latest report in the GSMA’s Mobile Economy series. The study, “Mobile Economy North America 2014”, which was released at the GSMA Mobile 360 Series-North America event today, found that mobile subscribers in the North American region1 are taking advantage of the latest mobile technologies and innovations at lower retail rates than other comparable global markets. It also finds that North American mobile operators have been able to grow revenue at a time when mobile revenue in Europe and other developed markets has been in decline.

“The North American mobile industry is established as a major contributor to the regional economy, serving ... Read more »