40,000 Miles in 248 Days - Our Earth by Motorcycle

PRNewswire, London, November 13. MIEMING, Austria - Edelweiss Bike Travel: Circumnavigation of the world by motorbike, the fifth stage right across Asia and then home to Mieming/Tyrol. The last stage will take the participants right across the whole of Asia and back to the starting point in Mieming, Tyrol. Stamina and off-road experience are mandatory for this tour. (PRNewsFoto/Edelweiss Bike Travel) MIEMING AUSTRIA


13 Nov 2009 17:14 Africa/Lagos

40,000 Miles in 248 Days - Our Earth by Motorcycle

From November 14, 2010 to July 20, 2011, Edelweiss Bike Travel, Number One in the World for Guided Motorcycle Tours, will be Realizing a Never Before Attempted Expedition Over all 5 Continents

MIEMING, Austria, November 13/PRNewswire/ -- "We have been organizing professional motorcycle tours for 30 years now. To celebrate our anniversary, we are organizing an unforgettable expedition around our earth for motorcycle enthusiasts." says the founder of Edelweiss, Werner Wachter, about the unique and spectacular project, which will start and finish at the Edelweiss headquarters in Mieming/Austria.


(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091113/366761 )





DISCOVER OUR EARTH


The first stage starts on November 14, 2010, and leads via Paris to Dakar in Senegal. Man/woman and machine will then fly to Buenos Aires. Wachter: "We have allowed 9 weeks for the section from Argentina to Bogota in Columbia. The subsequent third stage from crossing the Panama Canal to Los Angeles in California will be relatively short at 5 weeks."


After the flight over the Pacific, we will start traversing the Australian continent. "This means 7,000 miles in 4 weeks! Fitness and stamina will help," stresses Wachter. On the fifth and last stage from Beijing right across the whole of Asia and half of Europe, participants will be nearing their final destination, the Alps (8 weeks). On July 20, 2011 it will be time to celebrate the return of the expedition team in Mieming!


Kevin and Julia Sanders from GlobeBusters, the Guinness Book recordholders for the fastest circumnavigation of the world, will be supporting Edelweiss. Wachter: "Let's discover the entire globe!"


All current press texts also on http://www.pressetexter.at


Additional images under: http://www.tourismuspresse.at/redirect.php?qv20je45





A picture accompanying this release is also available on AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org (PRN Ref 1)



Contact:

Edelweiss Bike Travel
Karin Gritsch
Sportplatzweg 14
A-6414 Mieming/Austria
Tel.: +43-(0)5264-5690-10
Karin.gritsch@edelweissbike.com
http://www.edelweissbike.com




Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091113/366761

Source: Edelweiss Bike Travel

Contact: Edelweiss Bike Travel,Karin Gritsch, Sportplatzweg 14, A-6414 Mieming/Austria, Tel.: +43-(0)5264-5690-10, Karin.gritsch@edelweissbike.com

Mr. President, Do Not Let Obama's Dream Die in Your Hands

Mr. President, Do Not Let Obama's Dream Die in Your Hands

Dear President Barack Obama,

On the eve of your visit to China, we urge you to take a firm stand on human rights issues to reaffirm to the world the core values of the United States of America and its dedication to those values.

Dear Mr. President, you challenged Americans to enact a change, and Americans have responded and sent you to the White House to be the catalyst of change. You took the message of change to Europe, and Europeans have responded and reengaged with the leader of the free world.

We now challenge you: Will you bring change to the US policy toward China, a policy of economic engagement that has tainted our nation's image for the past twenty years, or will you maintain the status quo?

The United States' engagement with China originally donned a pretext of helping to improve China's human rights. Over time, however, its true motive and consequence has emerged: with the passing of one so-called opportunity after another to improve human rights in China, including the granting of PNTR to China, the admission of China into the WTO, and the Beijing Olympics, more and more Chinese people have fallen victim to the Chinese regime's human rights abuses. As such, this policy has turned into our nation's worst example of hypocrisy, and the complete lack of acknowledgement of and accountability for its failure also makes it our worst example of irresponsible politics.

At the same time the US has been losing its moral standing. The former Soviet bloc was far more powerful then than China is now, and it took thirty-eight years for the Berlin Wall to fall. The US was never weak or vulnerable during the Cold War, and was a source of inspiration and hope for people in Eastern Europe. Now the US is not only increasingly timid about mentioning human rights to China, it is on its knees supplicating China to buy its debt. Internationally, the US has helped to fund the Chinese regime to become a new anti-human rights ringleader and has to face it on multiple continents. Domestically, we are suffering the consequences of our own deeds: We ignored China's suppression of workers' unions, and we lose our jobs to China's slave laborers who work under unsafe conditions; we ignore China's persecution of Christians and Falun Gong practitioners who merely want their right to conscience, and we receive unconscionable toxic products from China.

Most alarmingly, we are losing sight of our real national interest - our American values. Had Abraham Lincoln not been so dedicated to the founding principles of America, had he instead carried on a policy of economic engagement with the South, rationalizing that the profit would somehow trickle down in the form of greater freedom for the slaves, that would be equivalent to today's China policy, and there would be no President Obama. Today, our founding principles and values have eroded to the point where we have accepted a China policy based on greed rather than principle for the past twenty years.

Mr. President, in those twenty years how many of China's Obamas have been locked up and lynched in jail? How many of China's Obamas have been exiled to the US and cannot go back home to pursue their dreams? Over the globe, how many Obamas have suffered under various regimes that remain in power only because of the support of the Chinese regime?

Mr. President, we take it to heart when you claim Lincoln as your role model, so we ask you to carry on Abraham Lincoln's legacy to give people in China and around the world the opportunity to see their Obama's dream to come true.

Please do not let Obama's dream die in your hands.

~ From The Conscience Foundation
Contact: 619-280-3112
chinavisit@consciencefoundation.org

Please Sign the Petition to the President:

http://www.consciencefoundation.org/index.php?option=com_rsmonials

Confronting the Global Financial Crisis: Bank Efficiency in Africa

13 Nov 2009 12:31 Africa/Lagos

Confronting the Global Financial Crisis: Bank Efficiency in Africa


TUNIS, November 13, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The current global financial crisis that originated in the collapse in the market for sub-prime mortgages in the United States in 2007 initially did not hit Africa directly. The crisis also had little impact on the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) financial systems because the financial sector in Africa remains shallow, uncompetitive and weakly integrated into the global markets.


Despite the fact that money, currencies, and capital markets had the significant pressures by the crisis, they have continued to function normally, and financial institutions in most countries have been stable without emergency support from monetary authorities.


Nevertheless, due to pressures intensified by the crisis, Sub-Saharan African countries are being hit hard as the global crisis has continued to deepen. The spiraling effects of a depressed world economy and the increased risk aversion of investors pose growing risks for Sub-Saharan African financial systems. As a matter of fact, frontier and emerging market countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya were hit first, suffering falling equity markets, capital flow reversals, and pressures on exchange rates.


Most African economies have a high degree of foreign bank penetration. The large share of foreign-owned banks across Africa has brought stability over the past years but also exposes the region to additional contagion risk. Also, the boosting of domestic banks' efficiency is mainly attributable to raising the number of foreign banks. Central bankers in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) recognize that efficiency in the banking sector is a key contributor to macroeconomic stability. It is also a precondition for economic growth and important for the effectiveness of monetary policy. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a number of African countries began to restructure their financial sectors in order to boost banking efficiency. However, at present, it is difficult to entirely analyze the impact of the current crisis on the African banking sector because of the limited availability of 2008 bank-level data.


In terms of the assessment of bank performance and profitability as well as the African banking system, commercial banks in SSA so far remain largely sound and do not pose the risks that may be exposed to contagion effects of the current financial crisis.


However, there may be contagion risks from distressed foreign parent banks to local subsidiaries within Sub-Saharan Africa because parent banks could withdraw capital from African subsidiaries; call in loans to their African subsidiaries; no longer invest local profits in local subsidiaries; or do a combination of these. Also, there exists a risk that governments engage in troubled banks that are non-systemic or that supervisory authorities loosen prudential regulations in response to the crisis.


Thus, the financial sector, particularly banks need to be monitored vigilantly in order to minimize vulnerabilities and mitigate risks.



For interview requests, see following contacts / Pour vos demandes d'interview, contacter l'équipe de la BAD à Addis:


Magatte Wade (global coordination): +251 (0) 91 29 45 910.


Lotfi Madani (broadcast): +251 (0) 91 29 45 882.


Aristide Ahouassou (administrative affairs and interviews): +251 (0) 912945873.


Yvan Cliche (web): +251 (0) 91 29 69 330


Sondes ben Chagra (web): +251 (0) 91 29 45 883.


Felix Njoku (press releases): +251 (0) 91 29 45 872.


Andrew Allimadi (UN Economic Commission for Africa communication team): +251 (0) 91 14 02 719.














Contact in Tunis:


Malika AFIF


External Relations and Communication Unit (ERCU)


African Development Bank


BP 323, 1002 – Tunis Belvedère


Tel: +216 71 10 39 03


E-mail: m.afif@afdb.org

Source: African Development Bank (AfDB)

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Watch this Space: Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition Launched

16 Nov 2009 09:21 Africa/Lagos

Watch this Space: Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition Launched

ESPOO, Finland, November 16/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nokia (NYSE: NOK) today announced the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition, an entertainment hub that combines mobile broadcast TV (DVB-H), social networking, music and gaming in one compact 3G device. With mobile broadcast TV consumption on the rise - by 2012 there will be over 300 million people worldwide watching TV on their mobile phones - this handset offers easy access to anyone wanting to enjoy an exceptional live, on-the-move TV experience.

Nokia vice president Mark Selby said, "The introduction of the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition responds to the arrival of DVB-H broadcast mobile TV networks in new markets and offers an affordable device for new and existing customers alike. Customers are increasingly watching a variety of programmes on their mobiles, such as drama programs, news and sport, for a longer period of time. The Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition has the sound and image quality to hold audiences captive."

Watch TV. Anywhere

Thanks to the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition's DVB-H technology, programs burst through the QVGA 2.4" screen in full-colour, crystal clear, sharp images. Plug in 3.5mm headphones for personal viewing or use the loudspeaker option to share the experience with friends and family.

With one-click access to live broadcasts, the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition can pick up the best channels around. Set reminders for favorite shows to make sure key episodes aren't missed and create personal channel lists with Nokia's innovative Electronic Program Guide (EPG) for a truly tailored mobile broadcast TV experience.

The Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition provides broadcast picture quality while the headset acts as an antenna for outstanding reception, so no blank screens or interference during those all important moments. Long battery life gives up to six hours of DVB-H usage; enough time to watch three football matches - or six episodes of a soap opera - before recharging. The Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition will retail for 155 Euros before taxes and subsidies.

Franklin Selgert, Chairman, Broadcast Mobile Convergence Forum said, "It is essential for DVB-H service providers to have a variety of devices capable of serving the mass market. Having a complete portfolio of handsets is pivotal for the commercial success of mobile TV. The new Nokia DVB-H enabled mobile phone, the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition, is a great addition to the current portfolio of broadcast TV-capable handsets."

Catch up with friends. Anytime

The Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition comes with all the latest social networking software, making it simple to stay in touch with friends via Ovi Contacts, Facebook, MySpace and YouTube. Post status updates for friends and family to follow or instant message (IM) them via Windows Live(TM) Messenger, Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, ICQ, AOL and many others.

Capture photos and video clips, day or night, using the 3.2 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom and LED flash before uploading and sharing favourite shots via sites such as OviShare and Flickr. Alternatively, email them via Ovi Mail, Nokia Messaging, Windows Live Messenger, Gmail, or Yahoo! Mail.

Play music. Whenever

Accessing music and other apps is easy with dedicated music keys and links to the Nokia Music store (where available). The Nokia 5330 Mobile TV edition is also compatible with Nokia's innovative Comes with Music service - providing free, unlimited access to millions of tracks. Download free music anytime, anywhere - and keep all the music forever.

Keep up-to-date. Wherever

Check out the choice of personalized media and applications in the Ovi Store. A one-stop-shop for thousands of applications, games, videos, podcasts, productivity tools, web and location-based services and more, means personalizing the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition is just the touch of a button away.

Mobile TV. Roll-out

Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks work with more than 30 operators worldwide on Mobile TV implementations. Commercial launches with Mobile TV services based on DVB-H and OMA BCAST standards include Austria, Finland, Ghana, Kenya, India, Italy, Namibia, Nigeria, Netherland, Philippines and Switzerland. Additional commercial launches can be expected during the next 12-18 month in more than 20 countries.

Stefan Schneiders, Head of Mobile TV solutions at Nokia Siemens Networks said, "It is great that Nokia has affirmed its commitment to DVB-H by launching the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition. 2010 brings a series of high-profile global sporting events and this is a good opportunity for operators to create, drive and bundle innovative mobile TV services based on DVB-H. In fact, during the 2006 World Cup, Italy saw the launch of the most successful mobile TV Broadcasting service in Europe."

Francois Theron, CEO at DStv Mobile comments: "DStv Mobile has rolled out DVB-H networks in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Namibia and we are currently rolling out a number of new networks in other African countries. Our success has been built around offering innovative and premium television content at an affordable price while facilitating access to inexpensive handsets which suit the requirements of consumers in Africa. The introduction of the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition is a welcome development as Nokia is a trusted brand in Africa and will further encourage television viewers to access entertainment, sport and news on the DStv Mobile platforms."

Vincent Grivet, Vice President, Mobile TV TDF, France said "We are very excited by the launch of the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition. It is a highly seducing and compelling device and will be the perfect platform for introducing both European mobile users and operators to a high quality and constraint free mobile TV experience. This is exactly what the industry has been waiting for to accelerate the broadcast mobile TV roll out, and we look forward to the successful and fast distribution of this innovative device in our key European markets such as Finland, Austria, Germany and France.

Vincenzo Novari, CEO at Hutch 3G, Italy, said: "As the largest handset producer in the world, Nokia's announcement is real evidence of their commitment to the development of the broadcast mobile TV market. Networks, content and handsets made for mass consumer consumption are the key ingredients for fuelling the market's growth".

Erik Sylvestersson, Vice President Sales & Marketing at DNA Finland said: "Live digital TV broadcasts over DVB-H networks is becoming more accessible to more people. In Finland, we have found that sport and news are the key drivers for broadcast mobile TV consumption among consumers. People want to be able to watch the action as it happens - rather than settle for highlight shows once they get home. Consumers expect an exceptional on-the-move TV experience at an affordable price, something the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition is fully equipped to deliver."

Notes to editors:

Compatibility with the aforementioned services may be limited to certain countries.

Nokia's first commercial DVB-H device was the Nokia N92, launched in November 2005. Nokia's DVB-H device range includes the Nokia N92, Nokia N77, and the Nokia N96. In addition Nokia enables DVB-H reception on multiple devices including the Nokia N97, Nokia N97 mini, Nokia N86 8MP, Nokia E75, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic and Nokia X6 by using the Nokia Mobile TV Receiver SU-33W.

About Nokia

Nokia is a pioneer in mobile telecommunications and the world's leading maker of mobile devices. Today, we are connecting people in new and different ways - fusing advanced mobile technology with personalized services to enable people to stay close to what matters to them. We also provide comprehensive digital map information through NAVTEQ; and equipment, solutions and services for communications networks through Nokia Siemens Networks.

http://www.nokia.com
Source: Nokia Corporation
Media enquiries: Nokia Communications, Tel: +358-7180-34900, Email: press.services@nokia.com

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How To Get Big Things Done In Government

12 Nov 2009 15:00 Africa/Lagos

How To Get Big Things Done In Government

What: National book launch and panel discussion event for "If We Can
Put a Man on the Moon: Getting Big Things Done in Government"

Who: William D. Eggers, global director for Deloitte Research-Public
Sector John O'Leary, senior fellow, Harvard Kennedy School of
Government

When: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Where: Grand Hyatt Hotel
1000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

Details: Ever wonder why some government programs succeed brilliantly and
other programs struggle to achieve their promise and full
potential?

To help answer that question, Deloitte, the National Academy of
Public Administration (NAPA), and the Partnership for Public
Service will host a national launch event for the new book, "If
We Can Put a Man on the Moon: Getting Big Things Done in
Government," co-authored by Eggers and O'Leary. A panel
discussion on how to increase the odds of translating policy
ideas into successful initiatives will also take place at the
launch event.

NAPA Chairman Emeritus, Dwight Ink, one of the longest-serving
senior public servants in the post-war era, is profiled in the
book and will be recognized at the event. Registration
required, please visit www.govexec.com/specialevent or contact
Tourang Nazari at tnazari@deloitte.com.

About Deloitte


As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte Consulting LLP and Deloitte Services LP, separate subsidiaries of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries.


CONTACT: Tourang Nazari, Public Relations, Deloitte, +1-571-882-6252, tnazari@deloitte.com


/PRNewswire -- Nov. 12/


Source: Deloitte

Web Site: http://www.deloitte.com/us

President Yar'Adua, JTF, Parade the Owners of the Oil Tankers

President Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria

The Joint Task Force (JTF) of the Nigeria Armed Forces in the Niger Delta boasted that they captured 3 oil tankers; Tim Begele, MT Efemana and MT Leila, 4 barges, 6 speedboats, 20 Cotonou boats, 16 fuel tankers and surface tanks and they paraded the 50 errand boys of the Nigerian mafia of the illegal oil bunkering business.


Oil tankers

The errand boys paraded by the JTF are not the only criminals we want to see, but the owners of the 3 ocean going vessels, 4 barges, 20 boats and 16 fuel tankers.
Until the JTF can parade them in public, we would not be impressed.

The administration of President Umaru Yar'Adua and his ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) cannot continue to fool Nigerians with their bullshit!

The government is using the so called Amnesty to fool the citizens and blame the militants for the bloody illegal oil bunkering. But none of the militants in the Niger Delta can afford one oil tanker!


Niger Delta militants in action


Do you know the cost of one oil tanker?
How many people in Nigeria can afford one?

Illegal oil bunkering is not for small boys and the serving and retired military officers engaged in the business are well known to the PDP and most of them are the major contributors and sponsors of the ruling party and their accomplices are top members of the party.

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Video: Ugandan Youth Soccer Player and Malaria Survivor, Soccer Stars and Prominent Malaria Champions Launch United Against Malaria Campaign

Video: Ugandan Youth Soccer Player and Malaria Survivor, Soccer Stars and Prominent Malaria Champions Launch United Against Malaria Campaign in New York

Twelve-year-old Ugandan soccer star and malaria survivor Charles Ssali, together with Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, is making a stop in New York today to formally launch the United Against Malaria campaign in the United States...





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