6 Jan 2010 22:24 Africa/Lagos
$75 Billion of Oil and Gas Deals Announced Fourth Quarter 2009
PLS, Inc. reports tenfold increase in United States deal values propels global increase
HOUSTON, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- PLS, Inc. ("PLS") and international partner Derrick Petroleum Services ("Derrick") report that Global M&A activity for the 4th Quarter 2009 totaled nearly $75 billion in 172 separate deals, up from $21 billion in 112 deals in 3rd Quarter 2009. According to Brian Lidsky, Managing Director, Research, at PLS, "ExxonMobil's blockbuster $41 billion all-stock bid to buy U.S. unconventional resource leader XTO Energy took the market by surprise and marked a significant shift for the major back to North America onshore natural gas. The deal vaults ExxonMobil to the largest producer in the United States and gave the market and producers a large dose of confidence. U.S. gas prices have been in a slump for over a year. Shortly after the Exxon deal, French company, Total, struck a $2.25 billion JV with Chesapeake in the Barnett shale of Texas."
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100106/DA33469LOGO)
Continuing the momentum in E&P transactions which began in August 2009 with oil prices stabilizing in the $75 range, the 4th Quarter 2009 witnessed ten deals struck globally topping the $1 billion threshold; eight for oil, two for gas. Of the ten deals, four were in the U.S., one in Canada, three in Africa and two in Asia.
In the quarter (see Table 1), the U.S. led all countries in activity with $53.4 billion, followed by Canada ($7.2B), Ghana ($4.0B), Kazakhstan ($2.1B), Turkmenistan ($1.9B), Uganda ($1.5B), and Angola ($1.3B).
In Ghana, media reported ExxonMobil making a $4 billion bid for Kosmos Energy's stake in the offshore Jubilee field. Observers report the deal remains in limbo as the Ghana National Petroleum Company is reportedly in talks with the Chinese. The deal is indicative of the changing nature of the international oil industry.
More details
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Top CIA, U.S. Secret Service, Counterterrorism and Airport Security Specialists Available for Interviews; Clare Lopez - Former CIA Officer, 30 Years E
5 Jan 2010 16:05 Africa/Lagos
Top CIA, U.S. Secret Service, Counterterrorism and Airport Security Specialists Available for Interviews; Clare Lopez - Former CIA Officer, 30 Years Experience
NEW YORK, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Clare Lopez is a strategic policy and intelligence expert with a focus on Middle East, homeland security, national defense, and counterterrorism issues. Lopez began her career as an operations officer with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), serving domestically and abroad for 20 years in a variety of assignments, acquiring extensive expertise in counterintelligence, counternarcotics, and counterproliferation issues with a career regional focus on the former Soviet Union, Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans. She has served in or visited over two dozen nations worldwide, speaks several languages, including Spanish, Bulgarian, French, German, and Russian.
Now a private consultant, Lopez is a Professor at the Centre for Counterintelligence and Security Studies. Formerly, she was Executive Director of the Iran Policy Committee, a Washington, DC think tank, from 2005-2006. She has served as a Senior Scientific Researcher at the Battelle Memorial Institute; a Senior Intelligence Analyst, Subject Matter Expert; and previously produced Technical Threat Assessments for U.S. Embassies at the Department of State.
Lopez is featured in the 2009 film, The Third Jihad.
Shabtai Shoval - Former Special Advisor for Counterterrorism to Netanyahu
Shabtai Shoval has a unique background in counterterrorism strategies and held the position of Special Advisor for Counterterrorism to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during his first term. He is founder and CEO of Suspect Detection Systems, a leading developer of counter terror and crime prevention technology.
Shoval has more then 15 years of senior management experience in the High-Tech and telecom industries. His professional background includes the position of CEO of Comverse TVGate Division, Vice President of Telrad Holding - the investment arm of KOOR INDUSTRIES, president of the Israeli Cable TV Association, founder of ISDNet, serving on the boards of numerous companies including Exalink, Algorithmic Research Ltd, MED 1, CATV companies and others.
Kevin Schatzle - Airport, Corporate Security Expert, former FBI, NYPD, Secret Service
Kevin Schatzle, Ed.D, has held positions as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Security Officer and Executive Director/Global Head of Security for major international corporations. He has experience in global corporate security management for major international companies in locations such as Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Schatzle has over 12 years of combined law enforcement experience in the FBI, NYPD and U.S. Secret Service. While in the Secret Service, he served as Supervisor for the NY Field Office Fugitive Apprehension Squad, and was trained and certified by the Secret Service as a Polygraph specialist and expert in advanced interview/interrogation techniques.
Schatzle holds a doctor of education degree from Seton Hall. He is a guest lecturer on corporate security at NYU, and is a professor for the doctoral program at Henley-Putnam University. He is currently an advisory board member for Suspect Detection Systems.
CONTACT: MARIA SLIWA, M. SLIWA PUBLIC RELATIONS, 973-272-2861, media@msliwa.com
Source: The Third Jihad; Suspect Detection Systems
CONTACT: Maria Sliwa, M. Sliwa Public Relations, +1-973-272-2861,
media@msliwa.com
Web Site: http://www.thethirdjihad.com/
Top CIA, U.S. Secret Service, Counterterrorism and Airport Security Specialists Available for Interviews; Clare Lopez - Former CIA Officer, 30 Years Experience
NEW YORK, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Clare Lopez is a strategic policy and intelligence expert with a focus on Middle East, homeland security, national defense, and counterterrorism issues. Lopez began her career as an operations officer with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), serving domestically and abroad for 20 years in a variety of assignments, acquiring extensive expertise in counterintelligence, counternarcotics, and counterproliferation issues with a career regional focus on the former Soviet Union, Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans. She has served in or visited over two dozen nations worldwide, speaks several languages, including Spanish, Bulgarian, French, German, and Russian.
Now a private consultant, Lopez is a Professor at the Centre for Counterintelligence and Security Studies. Formerly, she was Executive Director of the Iran Policy Committee, a Washington, DC think tank, from 2005-2006. She has served as a Senior Scientific Researcher at the Battelle Memorial Institute; a Senior Intelligence Analyst, Subject Matter Expert; and previously produced Technical Threat Assessments for U.S. Embassies at the Department of State.
Lopez is featured in the 2009 film, The Third Jihad.
Shabtai Shoval - Former Special Advisor for Counterterrorism to Netanyahu
Shabtai Shoval has a unique background in counterterrorism strategies and held the position of Special Advisor for Counterterrorism to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during his first term. He is founder and CEO of Suspect Detection Systems, a leading developer of counter terror and crime prevention technology.
Shoval has more then 15 years of senior management experience in the High-Tech and telecom industries. His professional background includes the position of CEO of Comverse TVGate Division, Vice President of Telrad Holding - the investment arm of KOOR INDUSTRIES, president of the Israeli Cable TV Association, founder of ISDNet, serving on the boards of numerous companies including Exalink, Algorithmic Research Ltd, MED 1, CATV companies and others.
Kevin Schatzle - Airport, Corporate Security Expert, former FBI, NYPD, Secret Service
Kevin Schatzle, Ed.D, has held positions as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Security Officer and Executive Director/Global Head of Security for major international corporations. He has experience in global corporate security management for major international companies in locations such as Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Schatzle has over 12 years of combined law enforcement experience in the FBI, NYPD and U.S. Secret Service. While in the Secret Service, he served as Supervisor for the NY Field Office Fugitive Apprehension Squad, and was trained and certified by the Secret Service as a Polygraph specialist and expert in advanced interview/interrogation techniques.
Schatzle holds a doctor of education degree from Seton Hall. He is a guest lecturer on corporate security at NYU, and is a professor for the doctoral program at Henley-Putnam University. He is currently an advisory board member for Suspect Detection Systems.
CONTACT: MARIA SLIWA, M. SLIWA PUBLIC RELATIONS, 973-272-2861, media@msliwa.com
Source: The Third Jihad; Suspect Detection Systems
CONTACT: Maria Sliwa, M. Sliwa Public Relations, +1-973-272-2861,
media@msliwa.com
Web Site: http://www.thethirdjihad.com/
CAIR: TSA Tells Muslim Traveler Hijab Now Triggers Security Checks
6 Jan 2010 22:06 Africa/Lagos
CAIR: TSA Tells Muslim Traveler Hijab Now Triggers Security Checks
Muslim civil rights group seeks confirmation of 'troubling' new policy
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to clarify whether Islamic head scarves, or hijab, will now automatically trigger additional security measures for Muslim travelers.
CAIR made that request after a Muslim woman traveler taking a flight Tuesday from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Los Angeles (LAX) reported that TSA personnel first requested that she take off her hijab, then put her through a "humiliating" public full-body pat-down search when she refused. After the pat-down, the Muslim traveler's luggage, coat, shoes, laptop, and cell phone were searched and tested for bomb-making chemicals.
When the traveler, a resident of Maryland, questioned TSA staff about the way she was being treated, she was allegedly told that a new policy went into effect that morning mandating that "anyone wearing a head scarf must go through this type of search."
In a letter to TSA Acting Administrator Gale D. Rossides, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad wrote in part:
"First, I would like to commend you on your efforts to maintain the safety of the travelling public. I would also like to offer the American Muslim community's cooperation and support in preserving that safety and security...
"If this troubling new policy is indeed in effect, it represents religious profiling in its most egregious form. We respectfully request that you clarify whether Islamic head scarves will now trigger automatic secondary screening for Muslim travelers. If so, does this new policy apply to all those who wear religious head coverings, such as Sikh men, Catholic nuns and orthodox Jewish women, or will it apply exclusively to Muslim travelers? If the issue is concealment of potentially dangerous items, the clothing worn by travelers of all faiths, such as skirts, loose pants and sweatshirts, has more areas to hide items than hijab."
Awad noted that previous TSA policy placed hijab in the category of "bulky clothing" that would not automatically lead to additional screening. Under previous policy, even if that screening were to take place, it would be carried out in a "private screening location."
SEE: TSA Adjusts Security Procedures for Bulky Clothing
http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/sop_adjustments.shtm
On Monday, CAIR said new TSA guidelines, under which anyone traveling from or through 13 Muslim-majority nations will be required to go through enhanced screening techniques before boarding flights, amount to religious and ethnic profiling.
In a commentary distributed by CAIR challenging calls for profiling, Awad suggested security-enhancing alternatives to ineffective religious profiling: "First look at behavior, not at faith or skin color. Then spend what it takes to obtain more bomb-sniffing dogs, to install more sophisticated bomb-detection equipment and to train security personnel in identifying the behavior of real terror suspects."
SEE: Airport Profiling Hands a Victory to Terrorists
http://tinyurl.com/profilingoped
The director of CAIR's Michigan chapter published a commentary today in the Detroit News in which he wrote: "If we target people simply because of ethnicity or religion, it will not make us safer. And if we compromise our principles, we are fighting against the spirit of the Constitution itself. Either way, our enemies would win, and we all would be the losers."
SEE: Religious Profiling Won't Help Anti-Terror Security
http://tinyurl.com/cairmioped
A CAIR Spokesperson also debated airport profiling last night on Fox's "O'Reilly Factor."
SEE: Video: Bill O'Reilly vs. CAIR Spokesman on Profiling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i4npj7fbdY
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com
Source: Council on American-Islamic Relations
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR National Communications Director,
+1-202-488-8787, +1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; or Amina Rubin, CAIR
Communications Coordinator, +1-202-488-8787, +1-202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com
Web Site: http://www.cair.com/
Northwest Flight 253
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
6 Jan 2010
22:06
CAIR: TSA Tells Muslim Traveler Hijab Now Triggers Security Checks
22:03
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab Indicted for Attempted Bombing of Flight 253 on Christmas Day
5 Jan 2010
16:05
Top CIA, U.S. Secret Service, Counterterrorism and Airport Security Specialists Available for Interviews; Clare Lopez - Former CIA Officer, 30 Years Experience
4 Jan 2010
21:49
CAIR: New TSA Screening Rules Amount to Profiling
CAIR: TSA Tells Muslim Traveler Hijab Now Triggers Security Checks
Muslim civil rights group seeks confirmation of 'troubling' new policy
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to clarify whether Islamic head scarves, or hijab, will now automatically trigger additional security measures for Muslim travelers.
CAIR made that request after a Muslim woman traveler taking a flight Tuesday from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Los Angeles (LAX) reported that TSA personnel first requested that she take off her hijab, then put her through a "humiliating" public full-body pat-down search when she refused. After the pat-down, the Muslim traveler's luggage, coat, shoes, laptop, and cell phone were searched and tested for bomb-making chemicals.
When the traveler, a resident of Maryland, questioned TSA staff about the way she was being treated, she was allegedly told that a new policy went into effect that morning mandating that "anyone wearing a head scarf must go through this type of search."
In a letter to TSA Acting Administrator Gale D. Rossides, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad wrote in part:
"First, I would like to commend you on your efforts to maintain the safety of the travelling public. I would also like to offer the American Muslim community's cooperation and support in preserving that safety and security...
"If this troubling new policy is indeed in effect, it represents religious profiling in its most egregious form. We respectfully request that you clarify whether Islamic head scarves will now trigger automatic secondary screening for Muslim travelers. If so, does this new policy apply to all those who wear religious head coverings, such as Sikh men, Catholic nuns and orthodox Jewish women, or will it apply exclusively to Muslim travelers? If the issue is concealment of potentially dangerous items, the clothing worn by travelers of all faiths, such as skirts, loose pants and sweatshirts, has more areas to hide items than hijab."
Awad noted that previous TSA policy placed hijab in the category of "bulky clothing" that would not automatically lead to additional screening. Under previous policy, even if that screening were to take place, it would be carried out in a "private screening location."
SEE: TSA Adjusts Security Procedures for Bulky Clothing
http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/sop_adjustments.shtm
On Monday, CAIR said new TSA guidelines, under which anyone traveling from or through 13 Muslim-majority nations will be required to go through enhanced screening techniques before boarding flights, amount to religious and ethnic profiling.
In a commentary distributed by CAIR challenging calls for profiling, Awad suggested security-enhancing alternatives to ineffective religious profiling: "First look at behavior, not at faith or skin color. Then spend what it takes to obtain more bomb-sniffing dogs, to install more sophisticated bomb-detection equipment and to train security personnel in identifying the behavior of real terror suspects."
SEE: Airport Profiling Hands a Victory to Terrorists
http://tinyurl.com/profilingoped
The director of CAIR's Michigan chapter published a commentary today in the Detroit News in which he wrote: "If we target people simply because of ethnicity or religion, it will not make us safer. And if we compromise our principles, we are fighting against the spirit of the Constitution itself. Either way, our enemies would win, and we all would be the losers."
SEE: Religious Profiling Won't Help Anti-Terror Security
http://tinyurl.com/cairmioped
A CAIR Spokesperson also debated airport profiling last night on Fox's "O'Reilly Factor."
SEE: Video: Bill O'Reilly vs. CAIR Spokesman on Profiling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i4npj7fbdY
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com
Source: Council on American-Islamic Relations
CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR National Communications Director,
+1-202-488-8787, +1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; or Amina Rubin, CAIR
Communications Coordinator, +1-202-488-8787, +1-202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com
Web Site: http://www.cair.com/
Northwest Flight 253
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
6 Jan 2010
22:06
CAIR: TSA Tells Muslim Traveler Hijab Now Triggers Security Checks
22:03
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab Indicted for Attempted Bombing of Flight 253 on Christmas Day
5 Jan 2010
16:05
Top CIA, U.S. Secret Service, Counterterrorism and Airport Security Specialists Available for Interviews; Clare Lopez - Former CIA Officer, 30 Years Experience
4 Jan 2010
21:49
CAIR: New TSA Screening Rules Amount to Profiling
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Would You Dump Your Apple’s iPhone for Google’s Nexus One?
Would You Dump Your Apple’s iPhone for Google’s Nexus One?
The arrival of the much talked about and much awaited Google's Nexus One Android smartphone is definitely the best Happy New Year present to millions of people all over the world who have been praying for Google to launch a smartphone that would be as good or even better than the overhyped and overpriced Apple’s iPhone seen as a status symbol in Nigeria.
Industry experts have said that the competition over the billion dollar market for smartphones has higher stakes in the mobile advertising market where more billions of consumers would be found as advancement in mobile technologies is attracting more consumers online than those offline.
Google’s Nexus One is not only meant to increase the demand for Google's Android which presently commands only 5% of the market, far behind the 29% market share of Apple's iPhone, and the overall 44% of RIM’s Blackberry devices, but to challenge other smartphones in price and service. Google is going to crash the price of smartphones and trash their makers in competition.
HTC built the hardware of Nexux One which has a light sensor, GPS, and accelerometer, and other unique features. But there is no HTC logo on the phone that is running on T-Mobile with a Wifi.
Powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm QSD 8250 processor, the Nexus One, which runs the Android 2.1 (Éclair) OS, sports a 3.7” WVGA (800 x 480) widescreen AMOLED touchscreen display (which, alas, does not support mulittouch), a 5 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash offering 2x digital zoom with geotagging functionality courtesy of the Nexus One’s integrated AGPS capabilities, an accelerometer, digital compass, 512MB Flash and 512MB RAM – with the latter being expandable thanks to an in-built microSD card slot (up to 32GB – a 4GB card being bundled). You can also factor in Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and WiFi b/g/n wireless connectivity. There’s also animated wallpapers, of course, which respond to user taps and the full level of integration with Google apps that you’d expect including Google Earth whilst will allow users to navigate to well known landmarks via voice command.
In terms of dimensions, the Google Nexus One measures in at 119mm (H) x 59.8mm (W) x 11.5mm (D) whilst weighing in at 130 grams inclusive of battery whilst, as far as battery life is concerned you’re looking at up to 7hrs (3G) or 10hrs (2G) talktime, up to 250hrs (3G) or 290hrs (2G) standby.
As the news of Goggle’s Nexus One broke, Apple’s boss Steve Jobs boasted that competitors have a long way to go in chasing after Apple, because of the awesome acceptance of their iPhone.
“Three billion applications downloaded in less than 18 months — this is like nothing we’ve ever seen before. We see no signs of the competition catching up anytime soon,” Steve Jobs said.
The edge would go to Google in being smarter in the GPS navigation.
People pay from $100 to $400 for GPS applications on the iPhone, but Google is giving them away gratis on the Nexus One.
"As new phones come to market through this channel, consumers will benefit from the ability to match a phone of their choice with the service plan that best meets their needs," Google said in a press release on Nexus One.
See Nexus One vs Droid vs iPhone [Comparison Chart].
Now my question is, would you dump your Apple's iPhone for Google's Nexus One?
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
6 Jan 2010
12:00
Apple Reports 3 Billion Apps Downloaded in First 18 Months as AppTech Corp Receives Approval for iPhone App Development
5 Jan 2010
20:39
Cooliris Delivers Media Browsing and Sharing Breakthroughs for Nexus One Smartphone
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Tuesday, January 5, 2010
19-Year-Old YouTube Vlogger Receives Over One Million Views and Wins $100,000 in Lashes to Riches Giveaway
5 Jan 2010 13:00 Africa/Lagos
19-Year-Old YouTube Vlogger Receives Over One Million Views and Wins $100,000 in Lashes to Riches Giveaway
DALLAS, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Tessa Violet, a 19-year-old model, artist, and popular YouTube "vlogger", wins $100,000 in the Lashes to Riches Giveaway. Beauty Biosciences, a Dallas-based beauty company, recently launched Lash Allure MD, a lash and brow enhancing serum, and in celebration of the new launch held the Giveaway. Lash Allure MD kicked off the Giveaway in November using Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube and asked entrants to post a video on YouTube answering the question: WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH $100,000? The winner was chosen by public vote, which ended December 21, 2009.
Tessa began posting videos on YouTube using her vlogger name, Meekakitty, to meet new friends when she moved to New York City a year and a half ago. Sitting in her room in front of a video camera, Meekakitty turned her internet passion into a popular weekly vlogger site with over 7 million video views. "She's a quirky, sassy, intelligent young woman who put her obsession to work," says Leesa Smith, EVP of Beauty Biosciences.
Wearing huge dark rimmed glasses and sporting a simple ponytail for special effects, Meekakitty in her signature style of combining wit, imagination, and self -reflective thought shared with her audience her plans for spending $100,000: take her mother to Prague as a thank you for supporting her YouTube obsession, buy a jetpack and the country Switzerland, build a life-size replica of the fictional Harry Potter castle, and have unlimited burritos for life. She also promised her voters that, if she won, she would do a 24-hour blog TV show.
The Lashes to Riches $100,000 Giveaway officially ended 12/21/09 and the check will be awarded in January.
Tessa's winning video
Source: Beauty Biosciences
CONTACT: Gigi Howard, Public Relations Director of Beauty Biosciences,
+1-214-691-7600, cell, +1-917-297-2132, ghoward@beautybiosciences.com
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to Visit Nigeria and other African Countries
5 Jan 2010 13:15 Africa/Lagos
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to Visit Five African Countries and Saudi Arabia
BEIJING, January 5, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu announces at the regular press conference: :
At the invitation of Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula of the Republic of Kenya, Minister Ojo Maduekwe of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Minister Zainab Hawa Bangura of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Minister Mourad Medelci of Foreign Affairs of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, Minister Taieb Fassi-Fihri of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Morocco, Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi of the People's Republic of China will pay official visits to the six countries from January 5 to 14, 2010. He will also visit the Republic of Maldives.
Source: China - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to Visit Five African Countries and Saudi Arabia
BEIJING, January 5, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu announces at the regular press conference: :
At the invitation of Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula of the Republic of Kenya, Minister Ojo Maduekwe of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Minister Zainab Hawa Bangura of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Minister Mourad Medelci of Foreign Affairs of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, Minister Taieb Fassi-Fihri of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Morocco, Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi of the People's Republic of China will pay official visits to the six countries from January 5 to 14, 2010. He will also visit the Republic of Maldives.
Source: China - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Nigeria President Yar'Adua 'Should Be Declared Missing'
Nigeria President Yar'Adua 'should be declared missing'
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'Video Game Bible' Returns - Guinness World Records(R) 2010 Gamer's Edition
"Video Game Bible" returns - Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2010 available from January 4th 2010 in U.S. and January 21st in UK. (PRNewsFoto/Guinness World Records) NEW YORK, NY UNITED STATES
4 Jan 2010 12:00 Africa/Lagos
'Video Game Bible' Returns - Guinness World Records(R) 2010 Gamer's Edition
"Halo" Selected First of Top 50 Games of All Time by Readers of Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition
NEW YORK, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The globally-recognized authority on record breaking achievements Guinness World Records, today announced the availability of the best resource for video game records, facts, trivia and new developments, with the Guinness World Records 2010 Gamer's Edition. Gamer's Edition 2010 will be sold and distributed globally by BradyGames providing a larger breadth of distribution to both traditional book retailers and specialist gaming stores from January 4th for $14.99 in the U.S. and 21st of January for 15.00 pounds Sterling in the UK.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100104/NY31409 )
The third book in the series Gamer's Edition 2010 provides a comprehensive guide to record-breaking video games on all consoles and features the Most Popular Video Game Series of All Time as voted by 13,000 visitors to the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition website. Gamer's Edition 2010 describes the attributes that likely influenced gamers to select Bungie's first person shooter Halo over second placed Legend of Zelda as "great video game design: an iconic character, excellent level design, perfect controls and unparalleled multiplayer options." Modern video game series Call of Duty and Guitar Hero also appear on the list ahead of many classics including Super Mario Brothers and World of Warcraft.
Described by critics as the "Video Game Bible," Gamer's Edition 2010 features interviews with key figures in the industry (including Shigero Miyamoto, creator of Donkey Kong and Nintendo Wii) and a broad range of content from classic arcade games to new developments in technology that will shape the future of gaming. Unique to this year's book are spreads on many of the best selling games of 2009 including Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, The Beatles: Rock Band, Assassin's Creed II, Halo 3 ODST, New Super Mario Bros. and Madden NFL 10. Popular features in every edition include the Twin Galaxies high scores charts that allows gamers to see how they compare with the best in the gaming world and a guide on How to become a Guinness World Record-Breaker.
Compiled and edited by the renowned Guinness World Records editorial team, 2010 Gamer's Edition features more than 600 updated video game world records. New Guinness World Record highlights include the Best Selling Video Game Series of All Time (Super Mario Bros series sold more than 201 million copies across all genres); The Highest Grossing Video Arcade of All Time (NBA Jam which earned over $1 billion in its first year of release) and the Longest Time Spent Playing an MMORPG (Sara Lhadi spent 16,799 hours playing Runescape between November 2004 and October 2009 - this averages out at 9 hours 20 minutes of play every day!)
The book's new layout and design presents the book's contents more clearly so the vast amount of information is even easier to enjoy. Departing from the game-by-game structure of the last two books, the new approach covers the world of gaming by genre and sub-genre, enabling the book editors to pick only the strongest and most relevant records in each topic area.
Guinness World Records Gaming Editor, Gaz Deaves, says: "With huge game releases, big announcements and long-standing records broken, this year has been great for gaming. The Gamer's Edition 2010 is all about what's great in videogames right now, and gamers of all ages and abilities will find something amazing in the new book, from the casual to the ultra-hardcore."
To celebrate the US release of the book, New York City will play host to Guinness World Record holder for the youngest professional gamer, Lil' Poison (11- year - old Victor De Leon), as he embarks on a two-day media tour and challenges other gaming gurus to 1-on-1 games during the week of January 18th.
About Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages and is one of the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy. Guinness World Records also annually publishes the Gamer's Edition; a records book devoted solely to the world of computer gaming and high score record achievements. The Guinness World Records website (www.guinnessworldrecords.com) receives more than 11 million visitors a year. Guinness World Records is part of the Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada's largest privately owned companies which is a conglomerate of interests, including advertising, broadcasting, grocery stores and automotive retailing.
About BradyGames:
Headquartered in Indianapolis, BradyGames develops high quality video game strategy guides. The company also produces high-end exclusive Signature Series and Limited Edition guides for leading PC and video game titles. The ultimate online source for video game strategy, BradyGames.com, features BradyGames news, strategy guide updates, video strategy, Strategy E-Guides, walkthroughs and more. BradyGames is an imprint of Dorling Kindersley (DK) within the Penguin division of Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) .
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100104/NY31409
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN2
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Guinness World Records
CONTACT: Guinness World Records US: Philip Robertson, +1-718-513-7268,
Philip.Robertson@guinnessworldrecords.com or Jamie Panas, +1-718-513-7263,
Jamie.Panas@guinnessworldrecords.com; UK: Damian Field,
press@guinnessworldrecords.com; BradyGames: Autumne Bruce, +1-317-428-3293,
Autumne.Bruce@bradygames.com
Web Site: Guinness World Records
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Survey shows Americans want to improve health but easily find excuses
Survey shows Americans want to improve health but easily find excuses
American Heart Association introduces free social media application to help keep commitment
DALLAS (January 4, 2010)/PRNewswire/ — Although 58 percent of American adults have resolved to make improvements in their health this year, more than half say they often find reasons not to exercise, according to an American Heart Association survey. Excuses range from too much stress at work to having nothing to wear to simple procrastination.
The American Heart Association's Start! initiative is introducing the Start! Daily Walking Guide, a FREE social media application that can get more Americans active and help them keep their health and physical activity resolutions. Nearly half of all Americans use online tools to track their health.
"The Start! Daily Walking Guide is the ideal tool to keep us committed to our New Year's resolutions," said Clyde Yancy, M.D., president of the American Heart Association. "We spend 164 more hours per year at work than we did 20 years ago, and for many Americans that means lots of time on computers. This application allows you to keep track of your physical activity, see progress, find accountability and get great encouragement."
The Start! Daily Walking Guide can be downloaded and embedded into a variety of sites including Facebook, Windows Live and iGoogle. Users get started with a quiz that generates 12 weeks worth of customized walking plans, a private journal section that lets users record their walks and reference archived exercises, and keep motivated with daily inspirational messages and heart-health tips.
Members can also chat with virtual "sole-mates" via the Start! Connections function. A previous Start! study revealed that American adults are 76 percent more likely to take a walk if another person is counting on them.
Heart disease and stroke are America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, despite being largely preventable though a healthy lifestyle. Cardiovascular disease claims nearly 865,000 lives a year and physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease. Physically active people reduce their cardiovascular disease risk by 30 percent. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity, like brisk walking, each week. Download the Start! Daily Walking Guide at www.startwalkingnow.org.
To view the complete survey report visit www.startwalkingnow.org.
Also available on www.startwalkingnow.org:
Customized walking programs for beginner, intermediate and advanced walkers;
Online tracking tools to document calories consumed, steps taken and walking routes;
Sole-mates social networking capabilities to find and support like-minded walkers;
A grocery list builder and archives of heart-healthy recipes;
Downloadable seasonal walking guides with tips to maintain a routine regardless of the weather; and
Start! walking videos, produced in collaboration with ExerciseTV, making an at-home workout easier with tips and motivation.
###
About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, we're the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases — America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers — we fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.
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New York Tourism International Film Festival 'Hippocrates Award'
4 Jan 2010 05:36 Africa/Lagos
New York Tourism International Film Festival 'Hippocrates Award'
NEW YORK, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Health Tourism International Chamber of Commerce (HTICC) join the International Community for the purpose of "Save the planet," knowing that tourism is an important way to reach this goal; HTICC launches the New York International Tourism Film Festival "Hippocrates Award" to celebrate on December 15-19, 2010 in New York City.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100103/DC31544LOGO )
HIPPOCRATES Festival will present the best films promoting tourism, from many countries of the world. The Festival will display films in several categories: Destinations; Cultural Tourism; Oenology Tourism; Rural Tourism; Adventure, Expeditions and Travel; Golf Tourism; Religious Tourism; Eco-Tourism and Nature-based Tourism; Health Tourism, Thermal and SPA; Gastronomy; Hotels; and Sport Tourism. The best film will be awarded the Grand Prize - Hippocrates. It will also be awarded to the best films in each category. Since the main goal is to promote the creativity in tourism, the festival also bet on other events complementary to the films exhibition, such as workshops, symposiums, photography exhibitions, health Tourism convention.
The New York International Tourism Film Festival Event is dedicated to leveraging the power of film and multi-media to educate, empower and inspire appreciation & protection of our nature and the life within.
Hippocrates operates on the guiding principal that our nature connects us all and never has it been more urgent to promote, honor & share films that engage people to become better stewards of our nature.
Film submissions are invited for our global awards competition.
Filmmakers, Researchers, Broadcasters, Conservation Organizations, Students and Amateurs with a passion for nature are invited to submit entries.
For the first time, the Festival is putting a call out to artists for its annual poster artwork. Artists and designers are encouraged to submit work for the Film Festival Poster Competition by April 30, 2010. Our younger and children can participate in The 2010 Health Tourism International Chamber of Commerce Children Environmental Poster Competition. All grade/primary/secondary school students are invited to participate The competition seeks to promote and stimulate environmental awareness among students and effectively educate younger generations on the importance of environmental protection.
A beauty pageant event MISS NATURE International to complement 2010 Hippocrates Award; the event is to have its candidates and winners actively promote and get involved in the preservation of the environment and the protection of Mother Nature.
Apart from a strong emphasis on environmental protection programs, MISS NATURE also aims to showcase and promote various tourist destinations. The winner of MISS NATURE will serve as the Ambassador to environmental protection campaigns worldwide.
www.hippocratesaward.com
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100103/DC31544LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN4
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Health Tourism International Chamber of Commerce
CONTACT: Garis Silega of Health Tourism International Chamber of
Commerce, +1-862-368-9806, drsilega@aol.com
Web Site: Hippocrates Award
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