Kia Named 2020 Best SUV Brand By U.S. News & World Report

November 19, 2019

IRVINE, California, Nov. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Kia Motors America (KMA) has been honored as the 2020 Best SUV Brand in U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 Best Vehicle Brand awards, knocking Honda from the #1 position it has held since 2016. The awards evaluate 35 automakers and recognize industry-wide excellence for cars, SUVs, trucks and luxury vehicles.

“Kia offers a vehicle for every lifestyle, with a lineup of SUVs and crossovers offering superior quality, design, performance and practicality,” said Michael Cole, president, Kia Motors America. “Earning a Best Vehicle Brand award in the highly competitive SUV segment is an honor and a testament to Kia’s commitment to delivering exceptional vehicles that appeal to today’s buyer.”

Whether consumers are looking for eye-catching style and utility in the Niro hybrid, crossover capability and advanced technology in the Sportage, a refined ride in the Sorento SUV or rugged luxury in the Telluride, those that discover Kia will be impressed by the brand’s world-class lineup.

“Kia’s investment in all of their SUVs has paid off with a full lineup of top-notch models,” said Jamie Page Deaton, executive editor, U.S. News Best Cars. “No matter what size SUV you’re looking for, Kia has one that will work perfectly.”

To find the winners of the 2020 Best Vehicle Brand awards, U.S. News & World Report averaged the overall score of a brand’s eligible products. The overall scores are sourced directly from the U.S. News Best Cars rankings, which are based on safety scores, reliability data and the opinions of automotive press.

About Kia Motors America

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America has been the highest ranked mass market brand in initial quality for five consecutive years according to J.D. Power¹ and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands by Interbrand. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly assembled in West Point, Georgia.*

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

*The Telluride, Sorento and Optima (excluding Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

¹ Kia received the lowest rate of reported problems among mass market brands in the J.D. Power 2015-19 U.S. Initial Quality Studies of new vehicle owners’ experiences with their own vehicle after 90 days of ownership. Visit jdpower.com/awards for more details.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/812837/Kia_Motors_America_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kia Motors America

The Home Depot Announces Third Quarter Results; Updates Fiscal Year 2019 Guidance

November 19, 2019

0

ATLANTA, Nov. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot^®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today reported third quarter fiscal 2019 sales of $27.2 billion, an increase of 3.5 percent, or $921 million, compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Comparable sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 were positive 3.6 percent, and comparable sales in the U.S. were positive 3.8 percent.

Net earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 were $2.8 billion, or $2.53 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $2.9 billion, or $2.51 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2018. For the third quarter of fiscal 2019, diluted earnings per share increased 0.8 percent from the same period in the prior year.

“Our third quarter results reflected broad-based growth across our business, yet sales were below our expectations driven by the timing of certain benefits associated with our One Home Depot strategic investments,” said Craig Menear, chairman, CEO and president. “We are largely on track with these investments and have seen positive results, but some of the benefits anticipated for fiscal 2019 will take longer to realize than our initial assumptions. As a result, today we are updating our fiscal 2019 sales guidance, and we are reaffirming our fiscal 2019 earnings-per-share guidance. We are encouraged by the momentum in our business as we invest to extend our competitive advantages. I would like to thank our associates for their hard work and continued dedication to our customers.”

Fiscal 2019 Guidance

The Company updated its guidance for fiscal 2019, a 52-week year compared to fiscal 2018, a 53-week year. The Company expects its fiscal 2019 sales to grow by approximately 1.8 percent and comp sales for the comparable 52-week period to increase approximately 3.5 percent. This compares to the Company’s prior fiscal 2019 sales growth guidance of 2.3 percent and comp sales growth of 4.0 percent. The Company reaffirmed its diluted earnings-per-share guidance for the year and expects diluted earnings-per-share growth of approximately 3.1 percent from fiscal 2018 to $10.03.

The Home Depot will conduct a conference call today at 9 a.m. ET to discuss information included in this news release and related matters. The conference call will be available in its entirety through a webcast and replay at http://ir.homedepot.com/events-and-presentations.

At the end of the third quarter, the Company operated a total of 2,290 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. 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.

Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, 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; 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 the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and other regulatory changes; store openings and closures; guidance for fiscal 2019 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 3, 2019 and in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

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.

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
*in millions, except per share data*	November 3, 2019		October 28, 2018		% Change		November 3, 2019		October 28, 2018		% Change
Net sales	$	27,223	$	26,302	3.5	%	$	84,443	$	81,712	3.3	%
Cost of sales	17,836		17,151		4.0		55,607		53,579		3.8
Gross profit	9,387		9,151		2.6		28,836		28,133		2.5
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	4,942		4,808		2.8		14,926		14,591		2.3
Depreciation and amortization	498		473		5.3		1,470		1,390		5.8
Total operating expenses	5,440		5,281		3.0		16,396		15,981		2.6
Operating income	3,947		3,870		2.0		12,440		12,152		2.4
Interest and other (income) expense:
Interest and investment income	(22)		(25)		(12.0)		(56)		(73)		(23.3)
Interest expense	302		249		21.3		892		782		14.1
Interest and other, net	280		224		25.0		836		709		17.9
Earnings before provision for income taxes	3,667		3,646		0.6		11,604		11,443		1.4
Provision for income taxes	898		779		15.3		2,843		2,666		6.6
Net earnings	$	2,769	$	2,867	(3.4)	%	$	8,761	$	8,777	(0.2)	%

Basic weighted average common shares	1,089		1,135		(4.1)	%	1,096		1,144		(4.2)	%
Basic earnings per share	$	2.54	$	2.53	0.4		$	7.99	$	7.67	4.2

Diluted weighted average common shares	1,094		1,141		(4.1)	%	1,100		1,150		(4.3)	%
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.53	$	2.51	0.8		$	7.96	$	7.63	4.3

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
Selected Sales Data ⁽¹⁾	November 3, 2019		October 28, 2018		% Change		November 3, 2019		October 28, 2018		% Change
Customer transactions (in millions)	400.9		394.8		1.5	%	1,246.4		1,226.0		1.7	%
Average ticket	$	66.36	$	65.11	1.9		$	67.00	$	65.79	1.8
Sales per square foot	$	449.17	$	433.99	3.5		$	464.68	$	449.94	3.3

—————

(1)

Selected Sales Data does not include results for the legacy Interline Brands business, now operating as a part of The Home Depot Pro.

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

*in millions*	November 3, 2019		October 28, 2018		February 3, 2019
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,193	$	1,764	$	1,778
Receivables, net	2,231		2,171		1,936
Merchandise inventories	15,711		14,754		13,925
Other current assets	1,039		1,120		890
Total current assets	21,174		19,809		18,529
Net property and equipment	22,472		22,054		22,375
Operating lease right-of-use assets	5,638		—		—
Goodwill	2,253		2,258		2,252
Other assets	772		1,079		847
Total assets	$	52,309	$	45,200	$	44,003

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Short-term debt	$	695	$	1,398	$	1,339
Accounts payable	9,240		9,054		7,755
Accrued salaries and related expenses	1,467		1,495		1,506
Current installments of long-term debt	1,818		1,054		1,056
Current operating lease liabilities	828		—		—
Other current liabilities	5,517		5,195		5,060
Total current liabilities	19,565		18,196		16,716
Long-term debt, excluding current installments	26,597		23,332		26,807
Long-term operating lease liabilities	5,113		—		—
Other liabilities	2,116		2,352		2,358
Total liabilities	53,391		43,880		45,881
Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(1,082)		1,320		(1,878)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	52,309	$	45,200	$	44,003

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended
*in millions*	November 3, 2019		October 28, 2018
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net earnings	$	8,761	$	8,777
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,701		1,603
Stock-based compensation expense	197		204
Changes in working capital	(166)		(366)
Changes in deferred income taxes	107		(64)
Other operating activities	64		(118)
Net cash provided by operating activities	10,664		10,036

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures, net of non-cash capital expenditures	(1,891)		(1,711)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	21		21
Other investing activities	(10)		(3)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,880)		(1,693)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Repayments of short-term debt, net	(644)		(161)
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of discounts and premiums	1,404		—
Repayments of long-term debt	(1,046)		(1,192)
Repurchases of common stock	(3,909)		(5,518)
Proceeds from sales of common stock	185		140
Cash dividends	(4,477)		(3,548)
Other financing activities	9		99
Net cash used in financing activities	(8,478)		(10,180)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	306		(1,837)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	109		6
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,778		3,595
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	2,193	$	1,764

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

SOURCE The Home Depot

2020 Kia Telluride named Motortrend’s SUV of the Year

November 19, 2019

0

IRVINE, California, Nov. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Kia Motors America’s (KMA) largest vehicle ever – the Telluride – has been awarded 2020 SUV of the Year by MotorTrend. With its comfortable and functional interior, the Telluride stood out as a well-rounded product that meets the needs of today’s modern family, while its terrific value solidified it as a winner in the SUV segment.

“The Telluride has been an undeniable success since its launch earlier this year, with an impressive number of consumers rediscovering Kia in the highly competitive SUV segment and more than 45,000 units sold to-date,” said Michael Cole, president, Kia Motors America. “Earning MotorTrend’s coveted SUV of the Year award is an honor and a historic moment for the brand, serving to further reinforce Kia’s transformation to a world-class automaker.”

Designed in California and assembled in Georgia, the 2020 Telluride’s bold and boxy shape and sophisticated exterior accents convey a spirit of adventure and possibility. That sentiment is strengthened by its engineering, delivering an enjoyable and confidence-inspiring driving experience. The mid-size SUV offers impressive interior luxury and an upscale cabin, complemented by an array of advanced technology and safety systems¹ featuring standard Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear, Lane Following Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Assist, Forward Collision Assist and available Highway Drive Assist, Driver Talk, multi-Bluetooth Connectivity and more.

“This year’s MotorTrend SUV of the Year competition was one of the most competitive we’ve ever had, which makes Kia Telluride’s win all the more significant,” said MotorTrend Editor-in-Chief Edward Loh. “Telluride absolutely nails our awards criteria – it’s gorgeous, spacious, technology-laden, and offers a great ride for an astonishingly fair price. Congratulations to Kia and the Telluride team.”

With a more than 20-year history, the MotorTrend SUV of the Year award is one of the most sought-after honors by global automotive manufacturers. SUV of the Year judges are comprised of MotorTrend staff as well as two guest judges, Johan de Nysschen, former head of Audi of America, Infiniti Motor Co., and Cadillac division and Tom Gale, former head of Chrysler design. Vehicles are evaluated against six key criteria: safety, efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence and performance of intended function to determine the finalists and ultimately, the winners.

About Kia Motors America

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America has been the highest ranked mass market brand in initial quality for five consecutive years according to J.D. Power² and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands by Interbrand. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly assembled in West Point, Georgia.*

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

*The Telluride, Sorento and Optima (excluding Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

¹These features are not substitutes for safe driving, and may not detect all objects surrounding vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution.

²Kia received the lowest rate of reported problems among mass market brands in the J.D. Power 2015-19 U.S. Initial Quality Studies of new vehicle owners’ experiences with their own vehicle after 90 days of ownership. Visit jdpower.com/awards for more details.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/812837/Kia_Motors_America_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kia Motors America

Exposure to HIV drug in the womb may increase risk of microcephaly, developmental delays in children

November 18, 2019

0

BETHESDA, Maryland, Nov. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Children born to women on HIV therapy containing the drug efavirenz were 2 to 2.5 times more likely to have microcephaly, or small head size, compared to children born to women on regimens of other antiretroviral drugs, according to an analysis funded by the National Institutes of Health. The children with microcephaly also had a higher risk for developmental delays, compared to children with normal head size.

The study was conducted by Paige L. Williams, Ph.D., of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and colleagues. It appears in The Lancet.

“Our findings underlie the importance of having alternatives to combination therapy with efavirenz for pregnant women with HIV,” said study author Rohan Hazra, M.D., chief of the Maternal and Pediatric Infectious Disease Branch of NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which provided funding for the study.

Researchers analyzed data from a follow-up study of more than 3,000 infants born to women on HIV therapy during pregnancy. In this earlier study, the children’s head circumferences were measured periodically from 6 months of age through 5 to 7 years of age.

For the current study, investigators used two classification systems to rank the children’s head growth. The first classification system combined standards developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for children under 3 years of age with Nellhaus Charts, an older set of standards for children over 3 years of age. For the second classification system, the researchers consulted Nellhaus Charts from birth to age 18.

Based on Nellhaus standards, children whose mothers were on regimens containing the drug efavirenz were more than twice as likely to have microcephaly, compared to children whose mothers were on other regimens. According to the combined Nellhaus-CDC standards, children exposed to efavirenz in the womb were around 2.5 times as likely to have microcephaly. Children with microcephaly according to Nellhaus standards also scored lower on standardized tests of child development at ages 1 and 5 years.

Of the 141 children exposed to efavirenz in the womb, 14 (9.9%) had microcephaly, compared to 142 of 2,842 who were not exposed to efavirenz (5%).

The researchers noted that exposure to all other types of HIV therapies was not associated with a higher risk of microcephaly.

Additional funding for the study was provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH Office of AIDS Research, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Reference
Williams, PL, et al. Association of maternal antiretroviral use with microcephaly in children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected (SMARTT): a prospective cohort study. The Lancet HIV. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3018(19)30340-6.

About the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): NICHD leads research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all. For more information, visit http://www.nichd.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov

SOURCE National Institutes of Health (NIH)

DDB Latina Named Ibero-America’s Most Creative Network Of 2019

November 18, 2019

0

MIAMI, Nov. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — DDB Latina, which unites DDB Worldwide’s Latin markets of across the world (US Multicultural, Latin America, and Spain) has been named Network of the Year 2019 at El Ojo Festival.

Thirteen offices won a total of 165 medals including, 5 Grand Prixs, 43 Golds, 53 Silvers, 64 Bronze. Africa took home 2 Grand Prix, 1 in the Sustainability category for “#GoEqual” and 1 in Digital and Social for “Pay per Beer” for Budweiser, as well as 14 Golds, 24 Silvers, and 32 Bronzes. DDB Spain was awarded one Grand Prix for “Heroes of Today,” in addition to 12 Golds, 5 Silvers, and 3 Bronzes. Fahrenheit DDB Peru won one Grand Prix in Brand Experience with “Perussian” along with 10 Golds, 4 Silvers, and 2 Bronzes. Argentina, Colombia, Alma DDB in Miami, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Guatemala, Sunset, Tribal Brazil, Tribal Peru, and Tracylocke Brasil all contributed to DDB Latina’s results.

Africa Brazil was named Best Agency of Ibero-America and Brazil. Also, Africa, DDB Centro Guatemala, DDB Colombia, Fahrenheit DDB Peru and DDB Latina Puerto Rico, were recognized as the Best Agencies in their respective countries. Sergio Gordilho was honored as the Best Creative in Latin America and Brazil. Victor Pardo, Julian Nuñez, Andre Pedroso, Ricardo Chadwick, Sergio Franco and Enrique Renta, as Best Creatives in their respective markets.

DDB Colombia, Fahrenheit DDB Peru, and Puerto Rico won the Best Local Idea with “Banco de la Amistad” for AB-InBev, “Perussian Prices,” and “Calma” for Medalla Light, respectively.

The most awarded pieces of DDB Latina were “Pay per Beer” for Budweiser and “#GoEqual” for Go Equal by Africa, “Heroes of Today” for LaLiga by DDB Spain, and “Perussian Prices” by Fahrenheit DDB Peru for Peruvian Supermarkets.

“We are proud to celebrate the team results that confirm that Creativity is and will be the reason for our business. The creative evaluation system we call Bullseye has allowed us to join efforts as a Network to raise the quality of our creative product and become the Most Creative Network in Latin America,” shares Juan Carlos Ortiz, President of DDB Latina.

ABOUT DDB LATINA GROUP
DDB Latina is the leading communications group in the Latin markets around the world. It develops business solutions for its clients through its companies: DDB, Africa, Alma, Tribal Worldwide, TRACK, and TracyLocke, among others. As a pioneer in the industry, DDB Latina Group united the Latin American, US Multicultural, and Spanish markets with a unique vision inspired by culture, not geography. Its network currently includes more than 30 offices in 20 countries. Its operational model is based on “Triplas,” where strategy, technology, and creativity merge to create innovative ideas that generate business results for the brands that the DDB Latina Group collaborates with, including some of the most recognized in the region and across diverse industries. DDB Latina has been awarded the Most Creative Network of Ibero-America at El Ojo and Crema Ranking in 2017 and at Wave Festival in 2019.

ABOUT DDB
DDB Worldwide (www.ddb.com) is one of the world’s largest and leading advertising and marketing networks. DDB has been named Agency of the Year numerous times by the Cannes International Festival of Creativity and the industry’s leading advertising publications and awards shows. The Gunn Report has listed DDB as one of the Top 3 Global Networks for 12 of the last 15 years. The agency’s clients include McDonald’s, Unilever, Mars, Johnson & Johnson, and the U.S. Army, among others.

Founded in 1949, DDB is part of the Omnicom Group (NYSE) and consists of more than 200 offices in over 90 countries with its flagship office in New York, NY.

ABOUT OMNICOM
Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE – OMC) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

CONTACT:
Angela Henao
Director of Communications & PR | DDB Latina Group
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (305) 341 2563

SOURCE DDB Worldwide

Dutch Caribbean Air Navigation Service Provider Deploys Space-Based ADS-B In Curaçao

November 18, 2019

0

Aireon - MAKING GLOBAL AIR TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE A POWERFUL REALITY

Curaçao leads Caribbean region in aviation safety and efficiency

WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao, Nov. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, the Dutch Caribbean Air Navigation Service Provider (DC-ANSP) announced it has deployed Aireon’s space-based ADS-B surveillance service in the Curaçao Flight Information Region (FIR). This milestone follows years of collaboration, with the two organizations signing the data services agreement (DSA) in October of 2015.

Effective immediately, DC-ANSP will have 100 percent air traffic surveillance over the 300,000 square kilometers that make up Curaçao’s FIR. Adjacent to Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Colombia, the majority of this FIR is oceanic.

“Space-based ADS-B will revolutionize how DC-ANSP ensures the highest levels of safety and efficiency throughout the Curaçao FIR,” said Micilia Albertus-Verboom, Director General, DC-ANSP. “Before Aireon, the northwestern sector of our FIR lacked real-time air traffic surveillance coverage. Now, space-based ADS-B provides coverage where before there was none.”

The Curaçao FIR is a major throughway for flights; DC-ANSP manages critical routes between the United States, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Europe throughout the Curaçao FIR. Because of space-based ADS-B coverage, DC-ANSP’s air traffic controllers will be able to reduce separation and guide overflight efficiency in the northwestern sector of the Curaçao FIR.

Director General Albertus-Verboom also noted, “among the many benefits we anticipate, Aireon will allow us to facilitate seamless transitions between Curaçao’s neighboring FIRs. Regions adjacent to us will benefit from safer and more efficient hand-overs, which are afforded by the minimization of human error through data-driven decision making.”

“Deploying Aireon in Curaçao FIR solidifies DC-ANSP’s position as a leader of aviation safety and efficiency in the region,” said Don Thoma, CEO, Aireon. “Our data will provide DC-ANSP more control over how they manage cross-regional and intersecting routes within their airspace and will enable complete situational awareness for DC-ANSP as they continue to deliver superior safety and efficiency to the flying public.”

For the past several years, DC-ANSP and Aireon have worked closely on the technical implementation of the system in Curaçao, which includes the use of the regional network, Mejoras al Enlace de Voz del ATS (MEVA), as a secondary telecommunication link as a means to transfer space-based ADS-B data to DC-ANSPs operations center. Additionally, Aireon has worked alongside DC-ANSP leadership to ensure preparation for the enhancements in procedural operations.

“Not only have we changed how we manage our airspace, but we are also adapting how we work with our adjacent airspaces and our customers, and Aireon has been our partner at every step of the way for the last four years,” said Director General Albertus-Verboom.

Curacao has a January 1, 2020 ADS-B equipage mandate for part of the airspace where there is no conventional radar coverage. Users in Class A airspace must be ADS-B equipped.

About Aireon LLC
Aireon has deployed a space-based air traffic surveillance system for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipped aircraft throughout the entire globe. Aireon is harnessing next-generation aviation surveillance technologies that were formerly ground-based and, for the first time ever, is extending their reach globally to significantly improve efficiency, enhance safety, reduce emissions and provide cost savings benefits to all stakeholders. Space-based ADS-B surveillance covers oceanic, polar and remote regions, and augments existing ground-based systems that are limited to terrestrial airspace. In partnership with leading ANSPs from around the world, like NAV CANADA, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), Enav, NATS and Naviair, as well as Iridium Communications, Aireon is providing a global, real-time, space-based air traffic surveillance system, available to all aviation stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.aireon.com.

About DC-ANSP
DC-ANSP was founded as Netherlands Antilles Air Traffic Control (“NAATC”) which was incorporated in Curaçao on 9 February 2005 and became operational on 1 April 2006. DC-ANSP is an Air Navigation Service Provider (“ANSP”) which is responsible for the Air Traffic Services (“ATS”) within the Curaçao Flight Information Region (FIR). DC-ANSP operates 3 air traffic control facilities: an Area Control Centre located in Curaçao and two Aerodrome Control Towers, one located at Hato International Airport (Hato Control Tower) and the other one located at Bonaire International Airport (Flamingo Control Tower). For more information, please visit http://dc-ansp.org/.

Press Contacts:

Jessie Hillenbrand
Aireon
+1.571.401.1407
[email protected]

Jacques Lasten
Manager ATCS
DC-ANSP
+5999 8393550
[email protected]

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/390350/Aireon_LLC_Logo.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1030401/DC_ANSP_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Aireon

New Report Highlights Innovative Ways Charter School Leaders of Color Engage Families to Support Students

November 18, 2019

0

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools in partnership with Public Impact released “Identity and Charter School Leadership: Profiles of Leaders of Color Engaging Families,” addressing how the experiences of three leaders of color influence how they interact with and invite families to participate in their children’s schools. The report is the second in a series of three reports profiling charter school leaders of color to show some of the ways their experiences and perspectives shape how they lead schools with excellence.

“Our goal for this research is to feature leaders of color in charter schools—which are all public schools—who are making a clear positive difference in their communities across the country,” said Amy Wilkins, senior vice president of advocacy at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. “Through these reports, we hope to shed light on some of the unique values leaders of color bring to their schools, and the thoughtful and effective practices that other leaders—regardless of their race or ethnicity—would be wise to adopt.”

The leaders profiled in this report all stand out for the ways they engage families as genuine partners:

Maquita Alexander is the executive director and head of school for Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. Alexander looked to parents to play a leading role when she wanted to create a more inviting campus for students of all backgrounds and income levels.
Freddy Delgado is superintendent/principal at Amigos Por Vida Charter School in Houston, TX. Delgado has built on the school’s family-centered culture and reset expectations for parental involvement to focus on what students need to succeed.
Kriste Dragon is CEO and co-founder of Citizens of the World Charter Schools, a national network of public charter schools in Los Angeles, CA, and Kansas City, MO. Dragon’s teams are constantly considering the systems and structures that make it more difficult for some families to engage at the same levels as others and adjusting how they involve and what they ask of parents.

The report also spotlights some of the unique challenges—and opportunities—of engaging diverse families. Two of the profiled leaders who serve students from different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds found that all families are not equally positioned to learn about their schools or to participate in the schools once they arrive. This is in part because of their own experiences as people of color, however, the leaders at both schools have prioritized efforts to level the playing field.

The report highlights common themes that ran across all eight profiles in the report series related to leaders’ experiences as people of color:

Addressing holes and creating opportunities based on personal experience. Based on holes in their own academic experiences as a person of color or as a child from a low-income family, several school leaders reported taking nontraditional steps to address those same challenges in their own schools.
Emphasizing value over deficits. Many of the leaders in this series emphasized the value students and their families offer rather than seeing their primary roles as compensating for or working around perceived deficits.
Providing an equitable educational experience to produce equitable student outcomes. The leaders of color included in this series work hard to provide students an educational experience like that of their more advantaged peers—an experience full of art, sport, travel, and extracurriculars—as well as opportunities to learn from their mistakes. In some cases, they have even built their schools around themes and curricula seldom available in low-income districts.

“The practices that we explore in this report are consistent with decades of research showing that students whose families are engaged in their education tend to perform better in school, regardless of family income, parent education, or racial background,” said Daniela Doyle, vice president for policy and management research at Public Impact. “Moreover, we find that the ways these three leaders choose to engage families reflect their own, very personal experiences as people of color.”

The full report is now available online at: www.publiccharters.org/our-work/publications/profiles-leaders-color-engaging-families

For more information about the report, the National Alliance or Public Impact, please contact: Shaelyn Macedonio at [email protected].

About the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is the leading national nonprofit organization to advancing the public charter school movement. Our mission is to lead public education to unprecedented levels of academic achievement by fostering a strong charter sector. For more information, please visit www.publiccharters.org.

About Public Impact

Founded in 1996, Public Impact’s mission is to improve education dramatically for all students, especially low-income students, students of color, and other students whose needs historically have not been well met. For more information, please visit www.publicimpact.com.

SOURCE National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

Honda Honored for Highest Residual Values of All Mainstream Auto Brands by ALG

November 18, 2019

0

The Honda lineup is projected to retain its value over time the strongest after three years of ownership compared to any mainstream auto brand, according to ALG, an industry leader in forecasting new vehicle depreciation. In addition to Honda’s recognition as the Best Overall Mainstream Brand, the Honda Accord, Fit, Odyssey, Passport and Pilot each earn individual Residual Value Awards.

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — The Honda lineup is projected to retain its value over time the strongest after three years of ownership compared to any mainstream auto brand, according to ALG, an industry leader in forecasting new vehicle depreciation. In addition to Honda’s recognition as the Best Overall Mainstream Brand, the Honda Accord, Fit, Odyssey and Pilot return to ALG’s list of Residual Value Awards, as these models lead the pack within their segments.

All-new this year, the 2020 Honda Passport combines rugged styling and off-road capability with on-road and around-town refinement, helping give it the win in ALG’s Midsize Utility 2-Row category. The Pilot returns to the Midsize Utility 3-Row category, while Accord takes ALG’s Midsize Car category for the third year in a row. Celebrating its 25^th anniversary with a special accessory package, the 2020 Honda Odyssey retains its top spot in the Minivan category. The 2020 Honda Fit returns to the top of the Subcompact Car category for the sixth year in a row, thanks in part to the unparalleled cargo and passenger flexibility of its 2^nd-row Magic Seat^®.

About Honda
Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles with advanced safety technologies sold through over 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic, Insight, Accord and Clarity series passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V, Passport and Pilot sport utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for more than 35 years and currently operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2018, more than 90 percent of all Honda brand vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

For More Information
Additional media information including detailed pricing features and high-resolution photography of all 2020 Honda models is available at hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com. To join the Honda community on Facebook, visit facebook.com/honda.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1031025/2020_Honda_Accord_2_0T_Touring.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/451598/Honda_Logo.jpg

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Performance Takes Center Stage as Acura Celebrates Championship-Winning Year in Motorsports at 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show

November 18, 2019

0

TORRANCE, CALIF., NOV. 18, 2019 -- Acura will put performance center stage at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show with a celebration of its dominant 2019 IMSA racing season, including a gathering of championship racers from Acura Team Penske and Meyer Shank Racing, and a display that will include examples of the championship-winning ARX-05 Daytona Prototype and NSX GT3 Evo and race cars.

TORRANCE, California, Nov. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Acura will put performance center stage at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show with a celebration of its dominant 2019 IMSA racing season, including a gathering of championship racers from Acura Team Penske and Meyer Shank Racing, and a display that will include examples of the championship-winning ARX-05 Daytona Prototype and NSX GT3 Evo and race cars. The show will also mark the debut of the new 2020 MDX PMC Edition, the second model in Acura’s lineup to get the handcrafted “PMC Treatment” at the company’s Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Ohio. Other highlights of the Acura performance story include displays of the 2020 NSX in Indy Yellow Pearl and the stunning Acura Type S Concept, which sets the stage for the return of Acura Type S performance variants to the Acura line-up after a decade hiatus.

“It takes a lot of determination, passion and engineering excellence to earn the kind of racing success that Acura has realized this past season, and the L.A. Auto Show is a great venue to showcase Acura performance on the track and on the street,” said Jon Ikeda, Vice President and Acura Brand Officer. “We’ve got Acura’s next MDX PMC edition, the return of Type S and a whole lot more Precision Crafted Performance highlights coming in the year ahead, so this will be a really big auto show season for Acura.”

Acura Highlights 2019 Motorsports Success
The “Acura Reception: Meet the 2019 IMSA Champions” event will occur on Nov. 20 at 2:20pm PST, at the Acura Los Angeles Auto Show exhibit, where the brand will celebrate a banner year in motorsports, after securing seven championships during the 2019 season. Participants will include Vice President and Acura Brand Officer, Jon Ikeda, President of Honda Performance Development, Ted Klaus, and Acura Team Penske drivers Helio Castroneves and Ricky Taylor, as well as Meyer Shank Racing drivers Mario Farnbacher and Trent Hindman.

2019 Acura Motorsports Championship Details
In the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Meyer Shank Racing claimed the GTD Team Championship with the NSX GT3 Evo, as drivers Mario Farnbacher and Trent Hindman captured the GTD Drivers’ championship. In the IMSA Daytona Prototype International (DPi) division, Acura secured the DPi Manufacturers’ Championship with the ARX-05, Acura Team Penske secured the Team Championship with their #6 team of Dane Cameron and Juan Pablo Montoya who both also took the DPi Drivers’ title.

In the SRO GT Championship, the NSX GT3 Evo campaigned by RealTime Racing secured the Team Championship, and Racer’s Edge Motorsports took home the Drivers’ Championship.

Acura Type S Concept
The Acura Type S Concept arrives on the Los Angeles Auto Show stage as the latest evolution of Acura design and a bold statement about the future of Acura performance, presaging the return of Type S performance variants to the Acura lineup. Taking inspiration from the Acura Precision Concept, the Acura Type S Concept is characterized by a wide track, low stance and expressive silhouette, showcasing a whole series of new or redesigned signature Acura design cues, including new JewelEye^® LED headlights, “Chicane” DRLs and taillights, and a new open-surface Diamond Pentagon grille. Acura Executive Creative Director, Dave Marek, and Type S Concept designer, Ben Davison, will be on-hand in the Acura booth to provide a walk-around presentation starting at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 20. The Acura Type S Concept made its world debut in August 2019 at Monterey Car Week. Following a decade-long hiatus, Acura will debut two Type S performance variants in the next two years. Full details can be found at: https://acura.us/TypeSConcept.

Acura MDX PMC Edition Debuts
The next model in the Acura lineup to receive the “PMC Treatment,” the MDX PMC Edition will make its production debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Like its TLX predecessor, the MDX PMC Edition will be hand-assembled by the same master technicians that produce Acura’s NSX supercar at the company’s bespoke Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Marysville, Ohio.¹ Deliveries of the exclusive 2020 MDX PMC Edition will begin early next year, with production limited to 300 vehicles to be built for the U.S. market and 30 for Canada. As MDX’s line-topping trim, the MDX PMC Edition combines the premium features of the MDX Advance Package with Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) with the sporty character of the MDX A-Spec, and is distinguished by its deeply lustrous, PMC-exclusive Valencia Red Pearl paint utilizing the same nano-pigment technology as the NSX supercar. Full details can be found at: https://acuranews.com/en-US/releases/handcrafted-acura-mdx-pmc-edition-to-debut-at-automobility-la.

Acura NSX GT3 Evo and ARX-05 Race Cars
The NSX GT3 Evo made its racing debut this season in the IMSA GTD division. Acura’s show car on display at the LA Auto show features a custom-designed livery with yellow and blue accents over an exposed carbon fiber body. The NSX GT3 Evo’s bespoke chassis is built by the same team of master technicians who produce the road-going version of NSX at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio.² The 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 racing engine uses the same design specifications as the production NSX, including block, heads, valve train, crankshaft, pistons and dry-sump lubrication system, and is assembled in the dedicated build room established for the NSX engine at the Anna Engine Plant in Anna, Ohio. The race-winning NSX GT3 Evo is offered for sale globally at a starting price of approximately $525,000. More information on the NSX GT3 Evo can be found at AcuraClientRacing.net.

The Acura ARX-05 championed Acura’s return to the competitive world of prototype sports car racing in 2018 with legendary partner Team Penske. Competing in IMSA’s DPi division, the ARX-05 is powered by Acura’s race-proven AR35TT twin-turbocharged V6, based on the production V6 that powers the Acura MDX, TLX and RLX. The AR35TT has powered Acura and its racing partners to wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans; an LMP2 World Endurance Championship in 2012; the American Le Mans Series LMP2 title in 2012 and 2013; and an overall victory at the Rolex 24, 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans in 2016, as well as the 2019 Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles.

About Acura

Acura is a leading automotive luxury nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance – a commitment to evocative styling, high performance and innovative engineering, all built on a foundation of quality and reliability. The Acura lineup features six distinctive models – the RLX premium luxury sedan, the TLX performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the five-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, the seven-passenger Acura MDX, America’s all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV, and the next-generation, electrified NSX supercar.

Five of the six models in the Acura lineup are made exclusively in central Ohio, using domestic and globally-sourced parts, including the ILX and TLX luxury sports sedans (Marysville Auto Plant), the RDX and MDX luxury SUVs (East Liberty Auto Plant) and the Acura NSX supercar, which is built to order at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio. Additional media information including pricing, features & specifications and high-resolution photography is available at AcuraNews.com. Consumer information is available at Acura.com. Follow Acura on social media at Acura.us/SocialChannels.

___________________________________
¹ Using domestic and globally sourced parts.
² Using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1030631/IMSA_Road_Race_Showcase.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/458749/acura_logo.jpg

SOURCE Acura

Handcrafted Acura MDX PMC Edition to Debut at AutoMobility LA

November 18, 2019

0

The MDX PMC Edition is the latest limited edition vehicle from Acura’s prestigious Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Marysville, Ohio. (PRNewsfoto/Acura)

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 15, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Leveraging the advanced technology and human craftsmanship of Acura’s bespoke supercar factory, the 2020 Acura MDX PMC Edition will make its debut on Nov. 20, at AutoMobility LA. Covered in lustrous, PMC-exclusive Valencia Red Pearl paint, the MDX PMC Edition is the latest limited edition vehicle from Acura’s prestigious Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Marysville, Ohio. Hand-assembled by the same master technicians who build the NSX supercar¹ the 2020 Acura MDX PMC Edition will launch early next year with just 300 vehicles built for the U.S. market and 30 for Canada². U.S. pricing is expected to be in the mid-$60,000 range.

The MDX PMC Edition is powered by Acura’s 3.5-liter direct-injected i-VTEC^® V6 engine with 290 peak horsepower (SAE net) and 267 lb.-ft. peak torque (SAE net), mated to a quick-shifting and highly refined 9-speed automatic transmission and torque-vectoring Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD^®).

To create this line-topping PMC edition, Acura combines the premium features of the MDX Advance Package with the sporty character of the MDX A-Spec package – a unique and exclusive build in the line-up. PMC Edition-exclusive exterior design elements include: Valencia Red Pearl paint, gloss black 20-inch alloy wheels, a body color grille surround with gloss-black grille mesh, black chrome exhaust finishers; and gloss-black treatment for the roof, roof antenna, exterior mirrors, window molding, rear license plate garnish and door handles.

Inside, the MDX PMC Edition is further distinguished by black Milano leather seats with Alcantara™ inserts, black piping and red stitching for the seats, doors linings and center armrest. Its thick A-Spec sport steering wheel is adorned in dimpled black leather with red stitching and metal-finished paddle shifters, complemented by a red illuminated meter and A-Spec floormats. An individually numbered serial plaque on the lower console designates the 2020 MDX PMC Edition as a limited edition vehicle handcrafted at Acura’s Performance Manufacturing Center.

Following the hand-assembly process, each MDX PMC Edition receives the same quality control process as NSX, including a dyno check, paint inspection, rough-road simulation and water leak test. To protect the paint during shipping, the PMC Edition is wrapped in a specially designed car cover and transported to Acura dealers via enclosed, single-car carriers.

For more details on Acura’s PMC Edition vehicles, visit: AcuraNews.com

2020 MDX PMC Edition U.S. Feature Summary

Exclusive to MDX PMC Edition

Valencia Red Pearl nano pigment paint
Unique PMC Edition numbered serial plaque
Gloss black 20-inch split-10-spoke wheels with black lug nuts
Gloss black roof panel
Gloss black roof antenna
Gloss black exterior mirrors
Gloss black door handles
Gloss black Diamond Pentagon grille with body color grille surround
Dual 4-inch black chrome exhaust finishers
Gloss black wheel center caps (Chrome A-Mark)
Premium black Milano leather seats with Alcantara™ inserts, black piping and red stitching
Dippled leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitching
Metal-finished paddle shifters
Red stitched door panels, center console, headrests and front center armrest
Premium floormats with metal A-Spec badging

Additional Features

A-Spec exterior and interior sport appearance package
Jewel-Eye LED headlights, LED fog lights, LED puddle lights
Heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard second-row seats, heated steering wheel
Active Damper System
Second row captain’s chairs and second row sunshades
Acura ELS Studio™ premium audio system with 10 speakers
Acura embedded Navigation System with Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto™ integration, AcuraLink^®, Color Multi-Information Display (MID) with Turn-by-Turn Guidance
GPS-Linked Climate Control
Power folding door mirrors with auto-dimming
Front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind spot information (BSI) system, rear cross traffic monitor, surround-view camera system
AcuraWatch™ suite of safety and driver assistive technologies

About Acura

Acura delivers Precision Crafted Performance – a commitment to evocative styling, high performance and innovative engineering, all built on a foundation of exceptional quality and reliability. The Acura lineup features six distinctive models – the RLX premium luxury sedan, the TLX performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the five-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, the seven-passenger Acura MDX, America’s all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV, and the next-generation, electrified NSX supercar.

Five of the six Acura models sold in North America are made in central Ohio, using domestic and globally-sourced parts, including the ILX and TLX luxury sports sedans (Marysville Auto Plant), the RDX and MDX luxury SUVs (East Liberty Auto Plant) and the Acura NSX supercar, which is built to order at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio.

Additional media information including pricing, features & specifications and high-resolution photography is available at AcuraNews.com. Consumer information is available at Acura.com. Follow Acura on social media at Acura.us/SocialChannels.


¹ Using domestic and globally sourced parts
² Canadian vehicles will feature a distinct spec

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1030324/Acura_MDX_PMC.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/458749/acura_logo.jpg

SOURCE Acura