March 6, 2024

Stevie® Awards Announce Finalists in 18th Annual Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service

Finalists in the 18th annual Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service, an international competition recognizing excellence in customer service, contact centers, business development, and sales, were announced today.

FAIRFAX, Va., March 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Finalists in the 18th annual Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service, an international competition recognizing excellence in customer service, contact centers, business development, and sales, were announced today.

A diverse group of organizations and individuals worldwide have been recognized in awards categories for sales executives, solution providers, contact centers, new products and services, and more.

Organizations with five or more Finalist nominations include Allianz Services Pvt Ltd (Trivandrum, Kerala, India), Avetta (Lehi, UT USA), Blackhawk Network (Pleasanton, CA, USA), Capital Rx (New York, NY, USA), CivicPlus (Manhattan, KS, USA), Datasite (Minneapolis, MN, USA), DHL Express Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam), DHL Express (worldwide), Element Electronics (Winnsboro, SC, USA), IBM (Armonk, NY, USA), Inspiro (Makati City, Philippines), Intuit (Toronto, ON, Canada), Loveholidays (London, United Kingdom), OpenGov (San Francisco, CA, USA), Purpol Marketing Limited (Chippenham, United Kingdom), QNB Finansbank (Istanbul, Turkey), Qualitest Group (Bridgewater, NJ, USA), Sales Partnerships, Inc. (Broomfield, CO, USA), SAP (worldwide), Support Services Group, Inc. (Waco, TX, USA), Toco Warranty (Los Angeles, CA, USA), TransPerfect Translations (New York, NY, USA), UPMC Health Plan (Pittsburgh, PA, USA), ValueSelling Associates Inc. (Carlsbad, CA, USA), VIZIO Inc. (Irvine, CA, USA), VMware (Broadcom) (Palo Alto, CA, USA), and Voya Financial (New York, NY, USA).

For a full list of Finalists by category, visit www.StevieAwards.com/Sales.

All Finalist nominations ultimately will be named Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners. The placements will be revealed during a gala banquet on Friday, April 12 at The Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tickets are now on sale.

The awards are presented by the Stevie Awards, organizers of several of the world’s leading business awards shows including the prestigious International Business Awards® and The American Business Awards®.

More than 2,300 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were evaluated in this year’s competition. Finalists were determined by the average scores of more than 200 professionals worldwide in seven specialized judging committees. Entries were considered in more than 60 categories for customer service and contact center achievements, including Contact Center of the Year, Award for Innovation in Customer Service, and Customer Service Department of the Year; 60 categories for sales and business development achievements, ranging from Sales Director of the Year to Sales Training Practice of the Year, and Achievement in Sales Automation; and categories to recognize new products and services and solution providers, among others.

All nominated finalist customer service departments will be included in voting for the People’s Choice Stevie® Awards for Favorite Customer Service. Beginning today through March 29, the general public may vote for their favorite providers of customer service in the People’s Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Customer Service. Voting is open at http://peopleschoice.stevieawards.com. The nominee with the most votes in each category will receive a special crystal People’s Choice Stevie Award. Winners of the People’s Choice Stevie Awards in multiple industries will be honored at the awards gala in Las Vegas on April 12.

Nominations for a special prize, the Sales Partnerships Ethics in Sales Award, remain open through March 15. There are no entry fees to submit nominations for this award, which will recognize outstanding examples of ethical sales practices since the beginning of July 2022. Winners will also be announced and recognized at the April 12 ceremony.

About the Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, and the new Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries annually from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

Sponsors of the 18th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service include Sales Partnerships, Inc. Support Services Group, Inc., and ValueSelling Associates, Inc.

Media Contact:
Nina Moore
+1 (703) 547-8389
Nina@StevieAwards.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d842dc2e-f7a4-40ca-a10c-1690e076d935

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9058607

March 6, 2024

Zenas BioPharma Appoints Patricia Allen to its Board of Directors

WALTHAM, Mass., March 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zenas BioPharma, a global biopharmaceutical company committed to becoming a leader in the development and commercialization of inflammation and immunology-directed therapies, today announced the appointment of Patricia Allen to its Board of Directors, on which she also will serve as Chairperson of the Audit Committee. Ms. Allen joins the Zenas Board of Directors with over 20 years of experience leading finance, investor relations, business development, human resources, operations and IT at global public and private biotechnology companies.

“We are pleased to welcome Patty to our Board of Directors,” said Lonnie Moulder, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Zenas BioPharma. “She has successfully led cross-organizational functions and served on the board of directors of both private and public global biotechnology companies. We look forward to Patty’s contributions to the next phase of Zenas’ growth as we advance our mission to develop and commercialize transformative immunology-based therapies for patients in need.”

“I look forward to collaborating with the experienced Zenas team and Board of Directors, who are building a leading of inflammation and immunology-focused global biopharmaceutical company through disciplined pipeline execution and business development,” said Ms. Allen. “This is an exciting time for Zenas as they seek to progress multiple programs through the clinic to ultimately improve the lives of those living with autoimmune diseases.”

Ms. Allen most recently served as the Chief Financial Officer at Vividion Therapeutics, from where she recently retired. While at Vividion, she co-led led fundraising and the company’s acquisition by Bayer AG, as the company grew and advanced multiple programs towards the clinic. She currently serves on the board of directors and as chair of the audit committee of Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, SwanBio Therapeutics and Anokion, in addition to holding past board member and audit committee chair roles at Inversago Pharma and Yumanity Therapeutics.

Prior to Vividion, Ms. Allen was the Chief Financial Officer at Zafgen, Inc. (now Larimer Therapeutics). Earlier, she was Vice President of Finance and Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Director of Finance at Alkermes, Inc.; and Auditor at Deloitte & Touche, LLP. She received a B.S. in Business Administration from Bryant College.

About Zenas BioPharma

Zenas BioPharma is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to becoming a leader in the development and commercialization of inflammation and immunology-directed therapies for patients in need around the world. With clinical development capabilities and operations globally, Zenas is advancing a portfolio of potentially differentiated autoimmune therapeutics in areas of high unmet medical need. We leverage the experience and capabilities of our executive management team and our established networks throughout the biopharmaceutical industry as we seek to develop therapies that can improve the lives of those facing autoimmune and rare diseases. For more information about Zenas BioPharma, please visit www.zenasbio.com and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @ZenasBioPharma and LinkedIn.

Investor and Media Contact:
Argot Partners
Zenas@argotpartners.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9058707

March 6, 2024

Namibia and Angola seek cooperation in energy, agriculture and water

WINDHOEK: The leaders of Angola and Namibia have expressed the need for the two southern African countries to collaborate in various economic sectors.

This is among the outcomes of President Nangolo Mbumba’s bilateral talks with his Angolan counterpart, João Lourenço, when they met in Luanda on Tuesday.

‘The two presidents underlined the need to strengthen cooperation in the areas of oil and gas, energy, agriculture, and water,’ Press Secretary Alfredo Hengari said in a statement.

He said that President Mbumba, who took his first bilateral visit to Angola, emphasised that Namibia had a lot to learn from Angola in the oil and gas sectors. To give effect to the Agreement on Cooperation in Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mbumba toured the Sonangol Integrated Logistics Services (SONILS). The hub was created in 1995 to provide logistical support and related services to the Angolan oil, gas, and energy sectors.

As a result, Hengari said President Mbumba encouraged the leadership of SONILS to work with their Namibian
partners based on a solid and transparent partnership for the benefit of both countries.

Hengari said the two leaders also agreed to convene the Namibia-Angola Binational Commission in the coming months to scale up mutually beneficial cooperation between Namibia and Angola. Additionally, Mbumba and Lourenço also agreed to inaugurate the Cassinga Memorial in the coming months.

Hengari also noted that President Mbumba thanked his Angolan counterpart for the extraordinary material and emotional support his government provided to the people of Namibia following the death of former President Hage Geingob.

Mbumba also toured the Karam Group, a diversified company with steel, nails and pipe operations in Luanda and other parts of Angola.

According to Hengari, the company expressed interest in setting up similar operations for the amount of N.dollars one billion, with a potential 350 employment opportunities.

‘The management team of the company informed the president that they had secured land in Windhoek and we
re hoping to reach a stage when they would commence operations in the near future,’ he said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

March 6, 2024

Over N.dollars 100 million paid in tax refunds so far

SWAKOPMUND: The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has so far paid over N.dollars 100 million to more than 46 000 individual taxpayers since the commencement of the mass tax refund exercise in December.

The refund which spans from 1991 to 2023, according to NamRA is to benefit over 63 000 taxpayers, with the lowest refund amount being N.dollars 100 while the highest is N.dollars 101 959.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, NamRA Chief of Strategic Communications and Support Engagements, Yarukeekuro Ndorokaze, highlighted the positive strides made and the impact on taxpayers by NamRA.

He noted that out of the 78 441 tax returns processed, 46 941 refunds were successfully paid to 46 772 individual salaried parsons and pensioners.

‘The cumulative value of these successful refunds was N.dollars 100.9 million, a significant financial relief provided to eligible taxpayers. While the majority of refunds were successfully processed, unfortunately 31 500 refunds, totalling N.dollars 56.9 million, were rejected for
various reasons,’ Ndorokaze said.

He explained that the rejection criteria encompassed outstanding returns, unpaid liabilities and no bank account numbers, amongst other factors.

The revenue agency has therefore urged taxpayers to proactively address the identified shortcomings to avoid refund rejections going forward, and ensure the swift release of their refunds.

The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi during the tabling of the 2024/25 budget last week also announced a N.dollars 1.4 billion Government settlement in once-off legacy tax liabilities for selected public enterprises whose funding was severely reduced due to fiscal consolidation in previous years.

The enterprises include the University of Namibia (UNAM), TransNamib, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), New Era Corporation, the National Fishing Corporation of Namibia (FishCor) and the Roads Contractor Company (RCC).

Shiimi said this is an exceptional once-off exercise to clear the legacy debt of public enterpris
es accumulated prior to the establishment of NamRA.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

March 6, 2024

Minat upgrades Njinibi to second-class chieftaincyGovernment committed to addressing land redistribution challenges: Schlletwein

The Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, on Wednesday, March 5, 2024, upgraded the third class chieftaincy of Njinibi, Momo Divison in the North West region, to a second class chiefdom. The Palace will be in the Njinibi subdivision, according to a communique signed by the Minister.

The Minister further added that the new second-class chiefdom shall have jurisdiction over six third-class chieftaincies.

Chieftaincy crisis in the North West region has often led to bloodshed as families scramble over who will succeed a late chief.

The administration has always been seen as a manipulator that fixes terms based on whom they want to collaborate with. The designation of chiefdoms by the government has also raised the issue of intervention in traditional matters which has made traditional rulers not adhere to their role as auxiliaries to the administration but have become political entities, bankrolled by the ruling party, CPDM.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

WINDHOEK: Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlletwein, said that the Revised National Resettlement Policy 2023-2033, shows the government’s commitment to addressing land redistribution challenges in a more coordinated, inclusive and transparent manner.

He told Parliament on Tuesday that the revision reminded the ministry of the importance of continual review of existing policies to ensure they remain responsive to the prevailing needs and expectations of the Namibian people.

‘Therefore, this revised National Resettlement Policy 2023-2033 presents a blueprint with which the government, aided by all key stakeholders and the citizens at large, can address the issues of efficiency, equity, transparency, tenure security, capacity building and agricultural production as fundamental elements of a progressive and inclusive National Resettlement Policy,’ Schlletwein said in a ministerial statement.

He said that the revision of the National Resettlement Policy 2001 started in 2016 and was broad
ened by the directives from the second National Land Conference, which took place in 2018.

Thereafter, the ministry convened regional and national consultative meetings to solicit further inputs into the policy.

‘The Revised National Resettlement Policy presents the government’s commitment to addressing land redistribution challenges that our country continues to battle in a more coordinated, inclusive and transparent manner.

Schlletwein said the policy targets resettling previously disadvantaged Namibians who do not own agricultural land or adequate agricultural land.

‘This is achieved under the reviewed policy by grouping the target beneficiaries into three main groups: commercial farmers on leased land in commercial or communal areas; communal farmers; and non-farming individuals,’ he said.

To ensure success, Schlletweein noted that the policy establishes three resettlement models, namely the high economic value model, the moderate economic value model, and the low economic value model.

He said that
the policy was already approved by Cabinet in May 2023 and has mandated his ministry and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to publish it.

He added that his ministry is currently reviewing the resettlement criteria to be in line with the approved resettlement models in the revised policy.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

March 6, 2024

NamPol needs help from private sector in crime prevention

TSUMEB: The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Oshikoto Region is calling on NGOs, companies, and other stakeholders to come together to prevent crime in the region.

Regional Commander, Commissioner Theopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku in particular urged non-governmental organisations and private companies to come on board and create awareness in preventing crimes.

Kalompo-Nashikaku during a crime prevention stakeholder meeting held in Tsumeb on Wednesday said the police cannot solve crime alone; it needs stakeholders to help curb crime because having them on board will have a positive impact in society.

‘We cannot solve the crime alone, we need stakeholders to assist us in fighting crimes and safeguarding our society,’ she said.

Kalompo-Nashikaku said this after Dundee Precious Metal suffered from several copper wire theft incidents in the past 14 months. A total of seven cases were opened where suspects were arrested and several incidents were reported internally where no suspects were arrested.

She said t
hat copper wire theft is a serious problem in the town as Cenored regularly replaces copper wire.

Kalompo-Nashikaku also called on the public to not buy copper wire from any person.

‘People should not buy any copper wire from unlicensed business owners because they might also become culprits,’ she warned.

Dundee’s Protection Services and Emergency Response manager Jaco Haasbroek said the impact on the plant and community is that it caused an emergency shutdown due to water loss from the dam and powerplant.

He further said they lost production totalling an estimated loss of production revenue of N.dollars 22 million, electricity outages in town, and impact on other business revenue.

‘Our biggest challenge is the market owner of this copper wire theft and we want to kill the market for this culprit,’ said Haasbroek.

Law enforcement is planning to create awareness with stakeholders such as Telecom Namibia, Tsumeb Municipality, Dundee, Rubicon Security, Cenored, Ongopolo Mining, Office of the Prosecutor Gen
eral, and the local Neighbourhood Watch.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency