Bruce Willis and Sobieski Spread the Truth About Vodka

Juat Kiss and Pop

22 Dec 2009 14:17 Africa/Lagos



Bruce Willis and Sobieski Spread the Truth About Vodka

No-nonsense Actor Helps Break through the Vodka World's "BS" by Supporting Sobieski's "Truth in Vodka" Message in North America

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Dec. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Imperial Brands, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Belvedere S.A., today announced a multi-year partnership agreement with actor and producer, Bruce Willis, to promote Sobieski Vodka in North America, extending the relationship globally. As a part of the long-term investment, Bruce Willis has acquired 3.3% of Belvedere S.A. -- the owner of Sobieski Vodka.


"It's remarkable how much Bruce Willis and Sobieski have in common," said Chester Brandes, President and CEO of Imperial Brands, Inc. "We are a brand with nothing to hide, and the confidence (and humor) to talk in simple, straightforward, black-and-white terms about our product. Much like Sobieski, Bruce is authentic, likeable, and doesn't get caught up in superficiality."


Through its creative "Truth in Vodka" campaign, Sobieski urges consumers to focus on what's in the bottle - not gimmickry marketing or fancy packaging. With the help of Willis, the brand will continue to raise awareness and debunk the myths surrounding overpriced vodkas. The straightforward messaging has clearly resonated with consumers who have embraced this honest, back-to-basics spirit, in record numbers. The partnership includes the usage of Willis' images in advertising as well as personal appearances in various events.


Launched in the U.S. in 2007, Sobieski is Poland's #1 premium vodka and one of the world's best-selling and fastest growing vodka brands. After a record breaking year 2008 Sobieski Vodka has more than doubled its volume in 2009 with more than half a million cases sold. The Imperial Brands management team is determined to sell one million-cases of Sobieski faster than any vodka brand has been able to achieve.


Made from the finest Dankowski rye, Sobieski recently added two new flavors, Cytron and Vanilia to their flagship brand.


Sobieski vodkas are available nationally at a suggested retail price of $10.99 (750ml). For additional information, including cocktail recipes, imagery and more, please visit truthinvodka.com, our Facebook fan page (Facebook.com/SobieskiVodka) and follow us on Twitter (Twitter.com/Sobieski_Vodka).


About Sobieski Vodka


Sobieski Vodka, the #1 premium vodka in Poland and one of the world's bestselling and fastest growing vodka brands, makes no compromises on quality and exemplifies the height of Polish craftsmanship and authenticity. Building on a noble heritage, Sobieski Vodka is produced exclusively from the revered Dankowski rye at the Starogard Gdanski distillery dating back to 1846.


In summer 2007, Sobieski Vodka launched its "Truth in Vodka" campaign in the U.S., declaring that consumers don't have to pay a king's ransom to get superb vodka. Sobieski's back-to-basics approach to marketing, which focuses on what goes in the bottle--tradition, heritage, authenticity and taste--is in marked contrast to competitors who rely on lavish packaging and gimmicky ad campaigns that have resulted in a deluge of overpriced vodkas.


In fall 2007, the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) honored Sobieski Vodka with the Gold Medal and Best Buy Award. It was also ranked #1 in a blind-tasting of 25 major international vodka brands conducted by La Revue du Vin de France, one of France's top wine and spirits publications. In 2008, the brand received the coveted Hot Brand Award from IMPACT Magazine. Sobieski Vodka's suggested retail price is $10.99 for a 750 ml bottle and $19.99 for a 1.75 liter bottle. For more information, please visit www.truthinvodka.com.


About Imperial Brands, Inc.


Imperial Brands, Inc. is an importer and marketer of distinctive wines and spirits. Headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., it is a U.S. subsidiary of Belvedere S.A., one of Europe's largest producers and distributors of white spirits and wines. Belvedere S.A. operates production and distribution units in Poland, France, Bulgaria, Lithuania and the United States and additionally owns subsidiaries in Russia, Canada, Spain, Scandinavia, Turkey and Brazil. Belvedere S.A. purchased Marie Brizard & Roger International in July 2006.


Imperial Brands, Inc. also owns Florida Distillers Co., which has two production facilities located in Florida. This provides bottling capacity of 5 million (9-liter) cases of distilled spirits for the company and a base on which to coordinate its expansion across the U.S. For more information, please visit: www.ibrandsinc.com.


Source: Sobieski Vodka

CONTACT: Krystina Fisher, Cramer-Krasselt for Sobieski Vodka,
+1-212-251-1203, kfisher@c-k.com


Web Site: http://www.vodkasobieski.com/


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United States Transfers 12 Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Afghanistan, Yemen and the Somaliland Region

20 Dec 2009 16:02 Africa/Lagos


United States Transfers 12 Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Afghanistan, Yemen and the Somaliland Region

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Justice today announced that 12 detainees have been transferred from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to Afghanistan, Yemen and the Somaliland region.


As directed by the President's Jan. 22, 2009 Executive Order, the interagency Guantanamo Review Task Force conducted a comprehensive review of each of these cases. As a result of that review, which examined a number of factors, including potential threat, mitigation measures and the likelihood of success in habeas litigation, the detainees were approved for transfer. In accordance with Congressionally-mandated reporting requirements, the Administration informed Congress of its intent to transfer the detainees at least 15 days before their transfer.


Over the weekend, four Afghan detainees, Abdul Hafiz, Sharifullah, Mohamed Rahim and Mohammed Hashim, were transferred to the Government of Afghanistan. In addition, two Somali detainees, Mohammed Soliman Barre and Ismael Arale, were transferred to regional authorities in Somaliland. Finally, six Yemeni detainees, Jamal Muhammad Alawi Mari, Farouq Ali Ahmed, Ayman Saeed Abdullah Batarfi, Muhammaed Yasir Ahmed Taher, Fayad Yahya Ahmed al Rami and Riyad Atiq Ali Abdu al Haf, were transferred to the Government of Yemen.


These transfers were carried out under individual arrangements between the United States and relevant foreign authorities to ensure the transfers took place under appropriate security measures. Consultations with foreign authorities regarding these individuals will continue.


Since 2002, more than 560 detainees have departed Guantanamo Bay for other destinations, including Albania, Algeria, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Chad, Denmark, Egypt, France, Hungary Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan, Palau, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom and Yemen.


WWW.JUSTICE.GOV


Source: U.S. Department of Justice

CONTACT: U.S. Department of Justice, +1-202-514-2007, TDD
+1-202-514-1888


Web Site: http://www.justice.gov/


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Through the Glass and The Figurine Raised the Bar in Nollywood

Stephanie Okereke’s romantic comedy, Through the Glass and Kunle Afolayan’s horror movie, The Figurine: (Araromire) raised the bar for movies in Nollywood movies in 2009.
These movies were accomplishments of young Nigerian directors who are not afraid to compete with the best in the world.

Through the Glass which was shot in America has made Stephanie a bankable filmmaker in Nollywood since the world premiere at the Pacific Design Center on Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA, on October 18th, 2008 in US and screenings in Nigeria.

Stephanie said her movie was a sort of autobiography, because she used it to express the trials of her own turbulent romance.

Garrett McKechnie who is Stephanie;s gambit plays Jeffery who is stuck with an unknown baby and he must find the mother before his life is completely ruined.

The Figurine: (Araromire) is Kunle Afolayan’s most daring movie since he stepped into the big shoes of his late father, Ade Love who was an accomplished Nigerian filmmaker in the 1970s and early 1980s.



The Figurine (Araromire) tells the melodramatic story of two buddies and their love for the same girl. Their lives take a dramatic turn when one of them discovers the accursed “Araromire”, a mysterious figurine in an abandoned shrine in a Nigerian village, which, according to legend bestows seven years of good luck, but they are ignorant of the next seven years of unforeseen circumstances. The movie has Nollywood star Ramsey Nouah and the filmmaker himself playing the lead roles of the two buddies with Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Tosin Sido, Omoni Oboli and Muraina Oyelami who did not disappoint in their challenging roles.

Using good professionals in the cast and crew made the productions of the two movies more accomplished than previous Nollywood movies.

Ben Bernanke is TIME's Person of Year

Ben Bernanke, the man who saved America from the reoccurrence of the Great Depression in the 21st century has been named TIME's Person of the Year.
The Federal Reserve Chairman was chosen for his “monumental influence on the world’s most important economy”.

“He was the great scholar of the Depression who saw another depression coming, and did everything he could to stop it,” ~ Richard Stengel, TIME Managing Editor

More about Ben Bernanke

Nigerians Report's Man of the Year is Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Governor of the Central bank of Nigeria, and majority of our millions of readers agreed with the raison d'être of the choice.

Sanofi Pasteur Obtains License from Syntiron to Develop & Commercialize Vaccine to Prevent Staphylococcus Infections

16 Dec 2009 15:00 Africa/Lagos

Sanofi Pasteur Obtains License from Syntiron to Develop & Commercialize Vaccine to Prevent Staphylococcus Infections

- Those infections are a major health concern no longer confined to the intensive care unit -

LYON, France, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of the sanofi-aventis Group, announced today that it has entered into an exclusive, world-wide licensing agreement with Syntiron to develop and commercialize its prophylactic vaccine against Staphylococcus, including Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. MRSA are responsible for several difficult-to-treat infections in humans, sometimes referred to as multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus because these bacteria are resistant to a large group of antibiotics, including penicillins.


Syntiron is a private biotech company located in St. Paul, Minnesota; its mission is the prevention and treatment of human disease resulting from bacterial infection. Under the terms of the agreement, Sanofi Pasteur will support the joint, pre-clinical development of the product, working cooperatively with Syntiron, and be responsible for all future developments, regulatory approval, and commercialization of the vaccine. The agreement includes an undisclosed initial licensing fee, milestone payments, and royalty payments on future sales of the product.


"This agreement with Syntiron is just another example of Sanofi Pasteur's interest in partnering with biotechs to produce innovative vaccines to address public health needs," said Wayne Pisano, President and Chief Executive Office of Sanofi Pasteur. "Along with our development of a vaccine to prevent Clostridium difficile infection, the successful development of a vaccine to prevent MRSA would be a major achievement in combating hospital-associated infections."


About Staphylococcus aureus


Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacterium that is resistant to certain antibiotics. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s website, these antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems. MRSA infections that occur in otherwise healthy people who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are known as community associated (CA)-MRSA infections. These infections are usually skin infections, such as abscesses, boils, and other pus-filled lesions.


According to the Internet Journal of Infectious Diseases, MRSA has become one of the most important pathogens that cause post-operative infections, and, in the U.S., it accounts for up to 40 percent of nosocomial (hospital-associated) Staphylococcus aureus infections in large hospitals and 25-30 percent in smaller hospitals. In Europe, MRSA prevalence ranges from over 50 percent in Portugal and Italy to below 2 percent in Switzerland and the Netherlands. In Asia, the prevalence lies around 50 percent, with extremely high rates in Hong Kong (75 percent) and Japan (72 percent). In many African hospitals the prevalence of MRSA is estimated at 15 percent, with Kenya and Nigeria having the highest prevalence of 21-30 percent. And according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, MRSA is now endemic in many hospitals, being one of the leading causes of nosocomial pneumonia and surgical site infection and the second leading cause of nosocomial blood stream infections.


About sanofi-aventis


Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of everyone. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE:SNY) . For more information, visit: www.sanofi-aventis.com Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group, provided more than 1.6 billion doses of vaccine in 2008, making it possible to immunize more than 500 million people across the globe. A world leader in the vaccine industry, Sanofi Pasteur offers the broadest range of vaccines protecting against 20 infectious diseases. The company's heritage, to create vaccines that protect life, dates back more than a century. Sanofi Pasteur is the largest company entirely dedicated to vaccines. Every day, the company invests more than EUR 1 million in research and development. For more information, please visit: www.sanofipasteur.com or www.sanofipasteur.us


Forward Looking Statements


This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future events, operations, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "plans" and similar expressions. Although sanofi-aventis' management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of sanofi-aventis, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by sanofi-aventis, including those listed under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in sanofi-aventis' annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2008. Other than as required by applicable law, sanofi-aventis does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements.


Source: Sanofi Pasteur

CONTACT: Global Media Relations, Pascal Barollier, +33-(0)4-37-37-50-38,
media@sanofipasteur.com, or US Media Relations, Susan Watkins,
+1-570-957-2563, susan.watkins@sanofipasteur.com


Web Site: http://www.sanofipasteur.com/
http://www.sanofi-aventis.com/

First Oil From Oyo Oilfield

15 Dec 2009 16:54 Africa/Lagos

First Oil From Oyo Oilfield

HOUSTON, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nigerian company Allied Energy Plc. and Eni, through its affiliate Nigerian Agip Exploration, have started the production of the Oyo oilfield, located in the deep offshore Niger Delta, about 120 kilometers off the Nigerian coast. Allied Energy and Eni hold 57.5% and 40% interests respectively, while CAMAC holds the remaining 2.5%. The field has the ability to initially produce at a rate of approximately 25,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) from two subsea wells in water depth of 400 meters, which are connected to the Armada Perdana FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading facility).


The FPSO has a treatment capacity of 40,000 barrels of liquids per day, with gas treatment and re-injection facilities and is capable of storing up to 1 million barrels of crude oil. The associated gas will be re-injected into the Oyo field reservoir by a third well, to prevent flaring and to maximize oil recovery. The Oyo project achieved its first oil production in less than 2 years from sanctioning.


This outstanding achievement was made possible thanks to the joint project management team Eni and Allied Energy put in place and demonstrates the successful synergy between an International Oil Company and a Nigerian indigenous company as key factor for both their own growth strategy and the development of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.


"Oyo is a significant step in our strategy for growth in reserves and production," said Kase Lawal, chairman and chief executive officer, CAMAC International Corporation. "It is another demonstration of our deepwater expertise and our ability to jointly execute an industry-leading, major capital project in West Africa."


About Allied Energy Plc.


Allied Energy Plc. is part of CAMAC (www.camac.com), a global energy company. In 1992, Allied became the first indigenous corporation to hold interests as an operator with a Nigerian deepwater license. Allied's core mission is to build a diversified portfolio of assets for exploration, development and production in West Africa.


About Eni


Eni has been operating in Nigeria for almost 50 years with interests in different onshore and offshore blocks, and an equity production averaging 130,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2009.


Source: CAMAC International Corporation

CONTACT: Linda Pickett of CAMAC International Corp., +1-713-965-5123,
Fax, +1-713-965-0083


Web Site: http://www.camac.com/

Launch of Multimedia Documentary Marking the Fifth Anniversary of the Tsunami

15 Dec 2009 14:00 Africa/Lagos

Launch of Multimedia Documentary Marking the Fifth Anniversary of the Tsunami

- Inspiring documentary featuring interviews with extraordinary survivors - Reuters photography and film of the Tsunami's aftermath - Fully interactive, online multimedia presentation

LONDON, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Reuters Foundation and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) today announced the launch of a new multimedia web documentary -- "Surviving the Tsunami: Stories of Hope" -- produced jointly to mark the fifth anniversary of the worst natural disaster in living memory, the Indian Ocean Tsunami.


(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090507/NY12658LOGO )


Combining powerful imagery by award-winning Reuters photojournalists with eyewitness testimony and interactive graphics, the documentary reveals the strength of the human spirit in the face of catastrophe. These are stories of compassion, hope and dignity.


"Surviving the Tsunami - Stories of Hope" can be viewed at: http://tsunami.trust.org/


The project marks a strengthened partnership between Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, the world's largest provider of news and information, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the world's largest humanitarian organisation.


Commenting on the documentary Yasemin Aysan, Under Secretary General of the IFRC, said: "The tsunami caused catastrophic and unprecedented damage but also generated incredible levels of spontaneous generosity from ordinary people around the world. We have spent the past five years helping communities to recover and we wanted to produce a true testimony that allows ordinary people affected by the tsunami to tell their extraordinary stories."


Speaking at the launch, Monique Villa, CEO of Thomson Reuters Foundation, said: "This is a hugely inspirational and moving multimedia documentary that reveals the amazing capacity for human beings to overcome tragedy. It draws on the unique experiences of Reuters journalists in one of the most harrowing natural disasters of our time and is a celebration of humanity's spirit and tenacity in the face of adversity."


The documentary follows the success of two award-winning multimedia productions by Reuters, "Bearing Witness" about the Iraq war and "Times of Crisis" about the global financial meltdown.


The launch of the documentary took place alongside the unveiling of Thomson Reuters Foundation's new Emergency Information Service (EIS). The pioneering service has been developed to respond to major natural disasters around the world, with key support from the Red Cross. The Foundation will deploy expert Action-Units of journalists to scenes of major catastrophe where they will seek out, collate and disseminate life-saving information to disaster-struck populations, filling a critical gap in the chain of crisis information.


EIS Action-Units will be staffed by specialist humanitarian-trained Reuters journalists. Upon alert of a major natural disaster, the EIS Action-Units will travel to the affected area and use the most appropriate means of communication -- particularly SMS text messages -- to reach local populations, aid agencies and local-language media. Communities affected by disasters often find themselves cut off from information and aid. A key aim of the EIS is to ensure those affected are not seen merely as victims but as "first responders" who can help shape and manage the disaster recovery process through their own local knowledge and expertise.


"In times of major natural catastrophes, information itself is aid, as crucial as shelter or blankets," Monique Villa said. "Working with key partners such as the Red Cross, the EIS will have teams in the field within hours of a natural disaster striking. The EIS Action-Units will provide reliable, actionable information to help empower survivors to be architects of their own recovery."


Contacts

Thomson Reuters International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies
Victoria Brough Paul Conneally
Head of External Affairs, EMEA Head of Media and Public Communications
+ 44 (0) 207 542 8763 +41(0)22.730.4669 / +41(0)79.3089809
victoria.brough@thomsonreuters.com paul.conneally@ifrc.org

Tom Gilbert
Corporate Communications Manager
+44 (0) 207 542 4214
tom.h.gilbert@thomsonreuters.com

Pictures contact:
Jassim Ahmad
Head of Visual Projects
+44 20 7542 2822
Jassim.Ahmad@thomsonreuters.com



Notes to Editors:

1. About "Surviving the Tsunami - Stories of Hope":


The multi-media web documentary is a compilation of Reuters world-renowned photography, tsunami video footage, fresh interviews and interactive graphics.


The documentary is accessible in multiple languages: French, Spanish, Arabic, Bahasa (Indonesian), Hindi, Tamil, Sinhala, Thai, Japanese, Mandarin.


To view the documentary please go to: http://tsunami.trust.org/


High resolution photographs used in the documentary and of editorial reproduction quality available - preview here: http://link.reuters.com/gup46g


The stories:

Arko Datta, India

A veteran Reuters photojournalist whose quest to find a survivor he photographed five years ago leads to an extraordinary reunion


Dina Astita, Indonesia


A teacher who lost her three children but became an inspiration for others in a village where nine of 10 residents died


Sara Hedrenius Andreasson, Sweden


A tsunami trauma counsellor whose own experiences in another disaster 10 years earlier gave her unique insight into the psychology of survival


Kushil Gunasekera, Sri Lanka


A local philanthropist from one of the worst hit communities in Sri Lanka who narrowly escaped the waves and helped galvanise his village to build itself back


2. About Thomson Reuters Foundation


Established in 1982, Thomson Reuters Foundation is a registered charity in Britain and the United States. The charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, it leverages the skills and expertise across the corporation to increase trust and access to the rule of law, to save lives through the provision of trusted information and to improve standards of journalism.


Following the acquisition of Reuters by Thomson Corp in 2008, the Foundation's resources and programmes were expanded and a new leadership team was appointed. The Thomson Reuters Foundation website, trust.org, is a portal which integrates the Foundation's three key areas of focus and brings together the Foundation's community of partners.


3. About The IFRC


The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is the world's largest humanitarian network, with tens of millions of volunteers and staff in 186 countries worldwide. It provides help and support to people in crisis without discrimination as to their nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090507/NY12658LOGO
Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation

CONTACT: Victoria Brough, Head of External Affairs, EMEA, +44(0)207 542
8763, victoria.brough@thomsonreuters.com, or Tom Gilbert, Corporate
Communications Manager, +44(0)207 542 4214, tom.h.gilbert@thomsonreuters.com,
both of Thomson Reuters; Pictures contact: Jassim Ahmad, Head of Visual
Projects, +44 20 7542 2822; Jassim.Ahmad@thomsonreuters.com; Paul Conneally,
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Head of
Media and Public Communications, +41(0)22.730.4669 / +41(0)79.3089809,
paul.conneally@ifrc.org

African Union Commission Chairperson Jean Ping to attend the COP15, in Copenhagen

14 Dec 2009 18:37 Africa/Lagos

African Union Commission Chairperson Jean Ping to attend the COP15, in Copenhagen


COPENHAGEN, December 14, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Chairperson of African Union Commission, Dr. Jean Ping will, on Tuesday, 15th December 2009, arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark where he will lead the African Union Commission delegation to the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP-15) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Fifth Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties (CMP-5) to the Kyoto Protocol, being held from 7 – 18 December 2009.

The Fifteenth Conference of Parties, hosted by Denmark, brings together all signatories to the UN Climate Change Convention to negotiate a more equitable, ambitious and effective global agreement to combat climate change beyond 2012, when the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol comes to an end and a second commitment period must begin.

The AUC delegation includes African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy, and other senior representatives of the AUC.

In a statement made before coming to Copenhagen, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission reiterated Africa's demands as follows:

“Africa demands developed countries that release most of the historical emissions, to compensate developing nations for climate damage they caused in recent decades and also seeks financial support to install clean-energy equipment”. He underlined that “the issue of climate change has become a priority for Africans because Africa is the worst-hit and the most vulnerable continent by the issue of climate change, although it contributes the least to it”.

Context:

It is recalled that during the 12th Summit of the African Union (AU), which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 1-4 February 2009, the African Union Commission was directed to spearhead preparations for the African Common Position on Climate Change and particularly the formulation of Africa's common position for the negotiations of the post Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Assembly urged Member States to promote the Algiers Declaration on Climate Change adopted in the form of the Common African Position to serve as the platform of the Common African Position for African countries in the negotiation process for the new global climate change regime for the period after 2012, the year of expiry of the Kyoto Protocol. The Commission was also to follow up on the directive of the Assembly that Africa needs to be represented by one delegation which is empowered to negotiate on behalf of all Member States, with the mandate to ensure that resource flow to Africa is not reduced. In this respect, the African Union Commission was to work out modalities of such representation and report to the next ordinary session of the Assembly in July 2009.

Accordingly, the 13th session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU, held on 1-3 July 2009, in Sirte, Libya appointed a Committee of 10 African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) to lead the process and Africa's negotiations. The CAHOSCC consists of Algeria, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda, and the Chairperson of the African Union, the Chairperson of the Commission, and the Chairperson of AMCEN as well as the Negotiators/Experts on Climate Change (NECC) from all Member States.

The CAHOSCC met on 17th November 2009. The meeting was convened, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, by the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Meles Zenawi, in his capacity as the Coordinator of CAHOSCC. The Committee reviewed Africa's strategies and institutional mechanisms to promote the African Common Position on Climate Change in the run up to the Copenhagen Summit in December 2009. The conclusions of the November meeting were sent to all African Member States by the Prime Minister Meles and forms the basis for Africa's action at the Copenhagen Summit.

It is expected that the African Union Commission will report the outcome of COP 15 to the Executive Council and the Assembly when they meet in January/February 2010.

It is noted that one of the first activities the Chairperson will engage in on arrival in Copenhagen is participating in a high level panel debate on Climate Change and International Security convened by the Danish Foreign Minister. This will take place from 13: 30 to 15:00 on 15 December 2009. He will also participate in the CAHOSCC meeting of the 16 December 2009 as well as in a side meeting organized by the United Nations Regional Economic Commissions- Africa Asia, Europe-America-as a Guest of the Executive Director of Economic Commission for Africa. Mr. Abdoulie Janneh.


Source: African Union Commission (AUC)


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Two Nigerian Inventors Among the Recipients of Next 25 TED Fellowships

Two Nigerians inventors are among the next 25 TED Fellows who will participate in TED2010.
Mubarak Abdullahi is an Aircraft-engineer who at 24, built a homemade helicopter out of old car and bike parts and Ndubuisi Ekekwe, an engineer, inventor, author and founder of the African Institution of Technology, an organization seeking to develop microelectronics in Africa.

The following is the full report on the 25 TED Fellowships.


14 Dec 2009 15:01 Africa/Lagos

TED Announces Recipients of Next 25 TED Fellowships

Newest TED Fellows to participate in the prestigious TED2010 Conference in Long Beach, CA

NEW YORK, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Organizers of the TED Conference announced today the 25 TED Fellows who will participate in TED2010, TED's annual conference in Long Beach, CA, February 9 - 13, 2010. The TED2010 Fellows join the TED community as the most recent additions to the TED Fellows program, joining the TED, TEDGlobal and TEDIndia Fellows from 2009.


The TED2010 Fellows reflect both geographic and discipline diversity. From Israel to Brazil to Malaysia, these innovators excel in the technology, entertainment, design, science, film, art, music, entrepreneurship and nonprofit worlds. The group also includes filmmakers, engineers, artists, scientists and musicians.


"We are thrilled to embark upon our second year of the TED Fellows program with these 25 individuals. They represent a spectacular concentration of cross-disciplinary talent in the arts and sciences, entrepreneurship and engineering, education and new journalism. We look forward to their contributions to the TED community and the amazing collaborations that are sure to occur among them," said Tom Rielly, TED Fellows director.


In addition to participating as full members of the TED2010 conference audience, each TED Fellow will participate in a two-day pre-conference, where they will receive world-class communication training, deliver a short TEDTalk, and collaborate with their peers, among other benefits. The Fellows will also participate in the TED community throughout the next year, by telling their ongoing stories on the TED Fellows blog, being featured in the online Fellows directory and participating in a private social network.


The TED Fellows program seeks individuals of age 21-40 (though anyone over age 18 is eligible) who demonstrate remarkable achievement in their field of endeavor. The program focuses on candidates from five regions: Asia/Pacific, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Middle East. The TED Fellows program is made possible by the visionary support of the Bezos family, Sherpalo Ventures, the Harnisch Foundation, the Case Foundation, private donors and Nokia.


Meet the TED2010 Fellows:


Mubarak Abdullahi (Nigeria/UK) - Aircraftengineer who, at 24, built a homemade helicopter out of old car and bike parts


Milena Boniolo (Brazil) - Chemistand PhD student at Federal University of Sao Carlos, Brazil, who is developing methods to detect emerging contaminants in the environment


Premesh Chandran (Malaysia) - Co-founder and CEO of Malaysiakini.com, an independent Malaysian news website


Perry Chen (US) - Co-founder and CEO of Kickstarter.com, a web platform offering people a new way to fund their creative ideas and endeavors


Anita Doron (Ukraine/Israel/Canada) - Surrealist filmmaker and documentarian


Ndubuisi Ekekwe (Nigeria/US) - Engineer, inventor, author and founder of the African Institution of Technology, an organization seeking to develop microelectronics in Africa


Saeed Taji Farouky (UK/Palestine) - Documentary filmmaker, photographer and writer focusing on human rights in the Middle East and North Africa


Jessica Green (US) - Professor at the University of Oregon's Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, whose research focuses on microbial diversity


Benjamin Gulak (Canada/US) - Inventor of the Uno, a "green" electric street bike, and founder of BPG Motors


Robert Gupta (US) - Violinist and youngest member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic whose area of study also included neurobiology


Cesar Harada (Japan/France/UK) - Coordinator of the Open_Sailing project, working to develop open-source technologies to intelligently inhabit the oceans


Susie Ibarra (US/Philippines) - Composer, percussionist and co-founder of Song of the Bird King, a production company using music and film to preserve indigenous culture and ecology


Jennifer Indovina (US) - Founder of Tenrehte Technologies, a semiconductor company developing wireless smart-grid applications


Mitchell Joachim (US/Canada) - Architect and co-founder of Terreform ONE + Terrefuge, non-profit design groups that promote ecological design in cities


Raffael Lomas (Israel) - Sculptor and teacher of creative visual workshops for the blind


Kate Nichols (US) - Artist-in-residence at the Alivisatos Lab who synthesizes nanoparticles that exhibit structural color and incorporates them into macroscale art pieces


Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Pakistan/Canada) - Documentary filmmaker and founder of The Citizens Archive of Pakistan, an educational institution and heritage center established to preserve Pakistan's history.


Sarah Jane Pell (Australia) - Artist-researcher, diver and founder of Aquabatics Research Team initiative (ARTi)


Manu Prakash(India/US) - Junior Fellow at Harvard Society of Fellows, physicist and inventor pursuing research in the field of physical biology


Kellee Santiago (US) -President and co-founder of thatgamecompany, a video game company working to create games that communicate unique emotional experiences


Durreen Shahnaz (Bangladesh/Singapore/US) - Founder and Chairperson of Impact Investment Exchange Asia (IIX), a social stock exchange for Social Enterprises to raise growth capital


Gavin Sheppard(Canada) -Founder of I.C. Visions and co-founder of The Remix Project, a youth program acting as an arts and cultural incubator in Toronto, Canada


Hugo Van Vuuren (South Africa/US) - Fellow at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Fellow at The Laboratory at Harvard, co-founder of Lebone - asocial enterprise working on off-grid technologies


Angelo Vermeulen (Belgium) - Biologist, filmmaker, and visual artist creating large-scale collaborative art installations


Daniel Zoughbie (US) - Founder and CEO of the Global Micro-Clinic Project (GMCP), an organization working to prevent and manage diseases in the developing world using low-cost behavioral interventions


Details on each Fellow and the program are available at www.ted.com/fellows. To support the program, or to receive more information, please contact Logan McClure at +1 212.346.9333 or via email at fellows@ted.com. Follow the TED Fellows blog at http://tedfellows.posterous.com/.


About TED


TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, NgoziOkonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The annual TED Conference takes place in Long Beach, California; TEDGlobal is held each year in Oxford, UK. TED's media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily, and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where three exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action, and TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world. Follow TED on Twitter, twitter.com/tedtalks, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/TED


TED2010, "What the World Needs Now," will be held Feb. 9-13, 2010, in Long Beach, California, along with TEDActive, a simulcast conference of TED2010, in Palm Springs, California. TEDGlobal 2010, "And Now the Good News," will be held July 13-16, 2010, in Oxford, UK.


Contact: Laura Galloway
laura@gallowaymediagroup.com
+1.213.948.3100

Source: TED Conferences

CONTACT: Laura Galloway, +1-213-948-3100, laura@gallowaymediagroup.com


Web Site: http://www.ted.com/

Saving Lives with SMS for Life

Tanzanian child helped by SMS for life program and IBM LotusLive.com cloud computing. (PRNewsFoto/IBM) LONDON ENGLAND


14 Dec 2009 12:00 Africa/Lagos


Saving Lives with SMS for Life

IBM, Novartis and Vodafone Join Forces to Help Halt Malaria in Africa

LONDON, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A new solution developed by IBM (NYSE:IBM) , Novartis and Vodafone with the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, is helping to save lives using everyday technology to improve the availability of anti-malarial drugs in remote areas of Tanzania.


(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091214/NY25146-a )
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091214/NY25146-b )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO )

Called "SMS for Life," the initiative uses a combination of mobile phones, SMS (Short Messaging Service) technologies and intuitive web sites to track and manage the supply of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) drugs and Quinine injectables, both of which are key to reducing the number of deaths from malaria.


The mosquito-borne disease causes nearly one million deaths in Africa each year, mostly among pregnant women and young children, and many people die because they simply lack quick access to vital medication.


The concept of using text messaging to improve stock management of life-saving medicines was developed by pharmaceutical company Novartis and a team of international students taking part in IBM's internship program, Extreme Blue. The team came up with SMS for Life, as it relies on simple technology and fosters self-sufficiency. IBM was tasked with managing the overall project and Vodafone was invited to develop and manage a system based on simple SMS messaging that would help ensure dispensaries did not run out of vital stock.


After visits to clinics, hospitals and dispensaries across Tanzania, IBM, Novartis and Vodafone initiated a five-month pilot of the SMS for Life solution, covering 135 villages and over a million people in different geographic locations across Tanzania.


Vodafone, together with its technology partner MatsSoft, developed a system in which healthcare staff at each facility receives automated SMS messages, which prompt them to check the remaining stock of anti-malarial drugs each week. Using toll-free numbers, staff reply with an SMS to a central database system hosted in the United Kingdom, providing details of stock levels, and deliveries can be made before supplies run out at local health centres.


"This is an example of a truly innovative solution helping solve a humanitarian problem," says Peter Ward of IBM, SMS for Life Project Manager. "After spending time on the ground, we created a project plan, developed the application with Vodafone and Novartis and established the best way to deliver the pilot, working with the Tanzanian Ministry of Health. We expect other countries will also be able to benefit in the future."


"Vodafone has worked closely with IBM, Novartis and MatsSoft, to develop a simple, robust and innovative system that is able to deliver even in the most remote African communities," said Dr. Dianne Sullivan, Scientific Adviser, Mobile Health, of Vodafone. "The SMS for Life solution shows the tremendous potential of mobile technology to deliver social good through lateral thinking by helping to ensure supplies of life-saving drugs."


During the first few weeks of the pilot, the number of health facilities with stock-outs in one district alone, was reduced by over 75 percent. The early success of the SMS for Life pilot project has the Tanzanian authorities interested in implementing the solution across the rest of the country. Tanzania has around 5,000 clinics, hospitals and dispensaries, but at any one time, as many as half could potentially be out of stock of anti-malarial drugs.


"The SMS for Life program has already had a positive effect in Tanzania," says Senior Health Officer with Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Tanzania, Winfred Mwafongo. "I've seen district medical officers ordering urgent stock replacements for various health facilities. During a visit to 19 rural health facilities in one district alone, I saw huge improvements in their inventory management systems. I'm very impressed with the results so far and look forward to following the rest of the pilot through to completion."


"Collaboration is critical to tackle health problems of the developing world, and we are proud to be part of the SMS for Life partnership, a project that will reduce stock-outs, and ensure that mothers and their young children in Africa have access to life-saving anti-malarial medicines," says Silvio Gabriel, Executive Vice President and Head of the Malaria Initiatives at Novartis.


Designed as a public and private partnership leveraging the skills and resources of several companies, SMS for Life could have far-reaching implications for existing health systems worldwide. Several other African states are already keen to introduce the project.


About the RBM Global Partnership


The RBM Partnership is the global coordinator of the fight against malaria. RBM draws its strength and experience from hundreds of partners from malaria endemic countries, country donors, companies, non-governmental and community organisations, foundations and research and academic institutions. RBM partners' collective aim is to reduce annual malaria deaths from around one million to virtually zero by 2015 through the implementation of the Global Malaria Action Plan (GMAP). This outlines RBM's vision for a substantial and sustained reduction in the burden of malaria in the near and mid-term, and the eventual global eradication of malaria in the long term with the introduction of new tools. www.rollbackmalaria.org


About IBM
For more information about IBM, please visit www.ibm.com.

About Novartis

Novartis provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused solely on healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines, diagnostic tools and consumer health products. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in each of these areas. In 2008, the Group's continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 41.5 billion and net income of USD 8.2 billion. Approximately USD 7.2 billion was invested in R&D activities throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 99,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com/.


About Vodafone


Vodafone is the world's leading international mobile communications group with approximately 323 million proportionate customers as at 30 September 2009. Vodafone currently has equity interests in 31 countries across five continents and around 40 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com


Contact:
IBM
Arlene Wainstein
Tel: 33 155916172
arlenewainstein@fr.ibm.com

IBM
Mike Azzi
914-766-1561
azzi@us.ibm.com

Vodafone Group Media Relations
Tel: +44 (0)1635 664 444
Email: groupmediarelations@vodafone.com

Novartis Media Relations
Sarah Coles
Ruder Finn
Office: +1 212 593 6393
Mobile: +1 646 354 8697
Email: coless@ruderfinn.com


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091214/NY25146-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091214/NY25146-b
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: IBM

CONTACT: Arlene Wainstein, +33-155916172, arlenewainstein@fr.ibm.com or
Mike Azzi, +1-914-766-1561, azzi@us.ibm.com, both of IBM; Vodafone Group Media
Relations, +44-(0)1635-664-444, groupmediarelations@vodafone.com; or Sarah
Coles, Novartis Media Relations, Ruder Finn, +1-212-593-6393 (office) or
+1-646-354-8697 (mobile), coless@ruderfinn.com


Web Site: http://www.ibm.com/




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