Saturday, January 23, 2010

Two U.S. 'YOUR BIG BREAK' Finalists to Travel to New Zealand to Make Films with Barrie Osborne, Judged by Peter Jackson




100% Pure New Zealand's Filmmaking Competition will Premiere Winning Film on IFC leading into 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 5, 2010



Los Angeles and Auckland, New Zealand (January 21, 2010) /PRNewswire/ — Academy Award®-winning producer Barrie Osborne (The Lord of the Rings) and a panel of judges named the five finalists in the 100% Pure New Zealand Presents Your Big Break short film competition today. American finalists Kristi Simkins from Auburn, Wash., and Aya Tanimora from Santa Monica, Calif., will now travel to Queenstown, New Zealand, where they will work with Osborne and world class post-production facility Park Road Post Production to shoot and direct their own short films capturing the essence of the world's youngest country. Academy Award®-winning director Sir Peter Jackson will select the winning entry.


Barrie Osborne


After Jackson personally views and judges the five finalists' films, he will select one overall winner whose film will air on IFC just prior to the Spirit Awards live broadcast on March 5 at 8 p.m. Pacific/11 p.m. Eastern.

As if the opportunity to travel to Queenstown and work with the Academy Award-winning team responsible for The Lord of the Rings trilogy wasn't enough, all finalists' films will premiere in front of hundreds of the entertainment industry's brightest at the 100% Pure New Zealand lounge at the 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards, of which 100% Pure New Zealand is a Principal Sponsor, and on the Your Big Break Web site, www.your-big-break.com.

"The diversity of excellent entries demonstrates the passion people have for New Zealand," says Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler. "Many of the screenplays capture the spirit of New Zealand including the country's extraordinary landscapes, people and culture; the judges had their work cut out for them selecting just four."

While Osborne and a panel selected four of the finalists, Your Big Break site visitors voted for Aya Tanimura's film as the "People's Choice" finalist.

The other three finalists include Andrés Borghi from Buenos Aires, and Tim McLachlan and Rajneel Singh from Auckland, New Zealand.

"Putting the spotlight on emerging filmmakers is the essence of the Spirit Awards, and giving the "Your Big Break' finalists the opportunity to present their work on IFC is a fantastic way to cultivate new filmmaking talent," said Jennifer Caserta, Executive Vice President and General Manager of IFC.

All of the finalists are aspiring filmmakers who've dabbled in multiple aspects of the entertainment industry. The protagonist in Simkins's film "Something Special" seeks to fulfill a promise with his trip to New Zealand, while the main character in fellow American Tanimura's script "Sweet As," uses her imagery of the world's youngest country to impress. New Zealand native Singh's submission "Blank Spaces," plays off New Zealand's pure, untouched and unmapped image, while his fellow Kiwi McLachlan's entry "Mr. Whippy and the BMX Kid," focuses on a young Maori boy's conversation with an old man searching for renewal. Borghi's screenplay for "Working Day" centers on New Zealand's creation and aims to take advantage of his post production prowess.

"Many of the entries were stellar, but our five finalists' films displayed a combination of humor, imagination and passion that brought New Zealand's spirit to life," says Osborne. "I'm looking forward to working with all of these talented individuals."

The submission and voting period ran from December 9, 2009 until January 15, 2010 on www.your-big-break.com. More than 1,000 aspiring directors from around the globe entered a screenplay for a three-minute short film that captured the spirit of New Zealand and any supporting content they thought would aid their selection. The five finalists will produce their films in New Zealand in early February.

Useful Links:
Your Big Break website: www.your-big-break.com
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/YourBigBreak
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/YourBigBreakNZ
For inspiration: www.newzealand.com

For information about New Zealand's extensive vacation options, log onto the 100% Pure New Zealand website at http://www.NewZealand.com.

For other media information, log on to http://www.media.newzealand.com. For high-resolution images, visit http://www.images.newzealand.com.

ABOUT THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS The Film Independent Spirit Awards is a celebration honoring films made by filmmakers who embody independence and originality. Televised in millions of homes and covered internationally by the press, the Spirit Awards has become the vanguard event in independent film, recognizing the achievements of independent filmmakers and promoting independent film to a wider audience.

Media Contact:
Andrew Reynolds
Hill & Knowlton for Tourism New Zealand
949-223-2307
andrew.reynolds@hillandknowlton.com


Friday, January 22, 2010

So, Can We Still Say "Yes, We Can!"?



So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

“Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it).”

America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.
~ Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America

Search: Inauguration
One year ago, Barack Obama became president. Here's a look back at the Obama family's historic year, including the inaugural ball, a trillion-dollar deficit, a Nobel Peace Prize, the first lady's fashions and hug with the queen, the girls, the dog and more.
- The speech: The president delivered his historic inauguration speech in front of a record crowd. - Their walk: The Obamas surprised parade watchers when they jumped out of the car and started walking. - The balls: The couple attended several inaugural balls (watch their first dance), while daughters Sasha and Malia were getting a big surprise.- The move: They moved into the White House, which they have since redecorated. - The school: Everyone was talking about where the girls would go to school, and they ended up here.
Next Search: The promise of hope and change

More.

How would you rate President Barack Obama in his first year of leading the United States of America?


A Nigerian at Microsoft Brings Hope to African Orphans

~ ADELEKE ADEYEMI

For African orphans, sure mercies come as LittleDrops



Charles Duze, A Nigerian at Microsoft cares for orphans in Africa.

Charles Duze (pronounced dóo•zay) could not believe his eyes: Children just like him--some even younger--rifling through trashcans behind his high school cafeteria, lucky-dipping for food! Charles was enrolled at Federal Government College, Enugu, in Eastern Nigeria. Long after Nigeria’s Civil War ended, early in the ‘70s, ‘Coal City’ still bore scars of the internecine feud that left many families in tatters. A generation later, their inheritors were yet to recover lost grounds.

“Seeing this, day after day, unlocked something in me,” Charles recalls. It triggered an epiphany. “That was when I developed a real understanding and grew a passion for the plight of orphans.” There had been previous encounters pointing him to his calling. It’s all coming back as memories of his parents taking him on visits to orphanages and motherless babies’ homes in Benin City, tucked away in Nigeria’s Midwest, where he spent part of his childhood. On his own, he continued the pilgrimages to orphanages in Enugu.

After leaving Nigeria for the United States, Charles completed both first and second degrees against all odds and landed a job with Microsoft in Seattle, Washington. He thought of waiting to become wealthy to start a non-profit, but reckoned, “unless I win the lottery, becoming wealthy is way in the future for me!”

But his calling couldn’t wait. In 2005, with very little money and still lots of school loans to pay off, Charles Duze started LittleDrops Orphanage Fund. His philosophy: “Little drops of help add up. To start, you don’t need a million dollars.” Certainly not his boss Bill Gates’ billions either!

Lucky Charles, he met and married Nkiru who’s keen on the selfsame vision. She stands right by him in the trenches, saving orphaned lives from the ravages of time. Before then Charles had reached out to friends and co-workers to join his cause: Ensuring all orphans and vulnerable children on the African continent have access to food, shelter, clean water, clothes, education, healthcare and other basic necessities of life; taking care of their present needs for a healthy childhood. Charles Duze envisioned a second component to the intervention: Working to ensure that these children have a fair chance at a successful future so that they can one day stand on their own and contribute to society.

His passion was infectious; a good number pitched in with support immediately. Volunteer Ikenna Ekeh joined in early 2006, “to make an impact in my own little way.” After a couple of outings, Ikenna got hooked with a determination to not “just lend a hand once every now and then... I could go further and use my God-given talents more to support the cause.”

The vanguard volunteer, Ikenna took up driving LittleDrops’ online fundraising campaigns with vehicles such as their growing Facebook group; developing and updating LittleDropsOrphanageFund.org, their various blogs; creating promotional materials such as flyers, brochures, wristbands and t-shirts and as promoting events in such as way that they turn out successful.

LittleDrops is an all-volunteer non-profit organisation. Hence one major issue Charles Duze has had to deal with is identifying and keeping open lines of communication with legitimate orphanages in Africa. This was a big challenge because of difficulties with information infrastructure there. Many of the homes had little or no access to telephones or the internet. He soon hit on a home-grown solution: ask his parents in Nigeria to liaise with the orphanages there.

The same idea worked for other places. Volunteers who had family or friends in those countries got them liaising with the orphanages. And whenever they travel to these countries, the volunteers visit the homes. That way LittleDrops gets extensive onsite verification without attendant expenses. And soon little drops of help trickling in begin to coalesce into ocean-spanning bailout for vulnerable children.

Back in 1845 Julia Carney captured what Charles Duze is doing today, in her classic poem “Little Drops of Water.” On the strength of Charles Duze’s vision, over two thousand orphans sheltered in 24 homes scattered on six African countries know indeed that,
Little deeds of kindness,
Little words of love,
Make our earth an Eden,
Like the heaven above.

To date, volunteers remain critical to LittleDrops. For instance, their wow Website was built entirely from the time, ideas and generosity of volunteers. “It is part of fiscal responsibility for us,” Charles explains, “to ensure that at least 90% of all donations make it to the children who need it so much. Volunteers are so important to our work.”


At Hopeful Grandmothers Orphanage, Nyahururu, Kenya

This no-frills model of doing non-profit, popularised by Microsoft alumnus John Wood (Room to Read), is now the toast of the corporate world. The business community is eager to see excellent results as turnover, with goodwill showing up on the bottom line as visible impact. For potential sponsors, it’s more than a mantra that doing good is good for business.

John Wood’s widely celebrated intervention in the education sub-sector is what Charles Duze is taking on in cheerful strides on this critical social front, with his many innovative orphan empowerment programs and lines of action.

Wearing a gentle, sunny smile Charles points to the similarity in operating system of LittleDrops and Room to Read as “something that runs in the Microsoft family!”

Indeed. From the Microsoft Campus in Redmond, Washington, LittleDrops has leapt onto the front page as an outstanding example of doing non-profit right. It made a big impression at the company’s Non-profit Fair recently held to take stock of the abundant volunteer spirit resident in Microsoft’s employees.


St. Mary

It is Charles Duze’s concrete conviction that orphans are people, too – with voices that deserve to be heard. This is why LittleDrops does fund-raising enthusiastically around innovative ideas like “Express Your Dreams” contest. LittleDrops’ objects of attention can bank on such opportunities to showcase their aspirations creatively in art and writing, to open a window into their lives through which present and prospective supporters can get to appreciate them and their views of the world.

It’s a great way to connect to the world of the children of Africa. For LittleDrops, it is a way to help correct the perception of the adult population about vulnerable children. An orphan is way beyond a statistic; she exists on a very personal and individual level.

A different kind of fundraiser – LittleDrops 5Km Run For Their Lives – shook select streets of Seattle, Washington on Sunday, October 11th 2009. Before then, Laughs For Hope comedy shows set Atlanta, Georgia and Seattle, WA, agog with LittleDrops buzz: If you laugh, they won’t cry.

On the LittleDrops Website two hundred orphans, so far, have submitted essays and artworks on their dreams, passions and role models; they “now invite YOU to journey into their world to READ, VIEW, VOTE and HELP give breath to their dreams.”

The invitation had a democratic imperative. Although voting is now closed, enlistment into the cause continues: “Your vote could help some orphans and/or their homes win prizes,” the LittleDrops Web site invites. “We believe we can find 25,000 people who will care enough to listen to their stories.”


Related links:
http://www.littledropsorphanagefund.org/ExpressYourDreams/default.aspx
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/red/community/67323397.html
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/community/68929382.html
http://littledropsfund.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-we-snatched-3-young-lives-from.html


Thursday, January 21, 2010

SPECIAL 3-D TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON TO FEATURE


SPECIAL 3-D TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON TO FEATURE
by admin on Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:10 pm

SPECIAL 3-D TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON TO FEATURE

NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN "THIS IS IT" TOUR FILM AND PERFORMANCES BY CELINE DION, JENNIFER HUDSON,
SMOKEY ROBINSON, CARRIE UNDERWOOD, AND USHER ON THE 52ND ANNUAL GRAMMY® AWARDS JAN. 31 LIVE ON CBS

CBS and Target Partner to Provide Millions of Free "3-D GRAMMY® Glasses" So That Viewers Can Enjoy Unique TV Experience from Home


SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2010) — GRAMMY® winners Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood, and Usher will join together, along with the voice of Michael Jackson, in a moving tribute to Jackson at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on Sun. Jan. 31, 8 – 11:30 p.m. ET/PT. This very special GRAMMY Moment will feature the never-before-seen 3-D mini-movie for "Earth Song" that was created by Jackson as the centerpiece of his much anticipated "This Is It" tour, but was never seen by the public prior to this GRAMMY performance.

The 3-D film was created to support the performance of "Earth Song," an original composition and a No. 1 hit for Jackson. The song has a strong theme about the future of the planet, and Jackson saw it as a unique opportunity to deliver a message to millions of people who would have seen him on tour.

"It was one of the most important portions of the concert tour to Michael and when Michael saw the film for the first time at his last rehearsal, there were tears in his eyes," according to Ken Ehrlich, GRAMMY co-Executive Producer and longtime Jackson associate, who was also at the rehearsal that night.

"This very special GRAMMY Moment will feature some of our most respected GRAMMY recipients, all of whom have a great love for Michael," added Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "This segment promises to be an emotional highlight of this year's show, and is sure to join the unique list of amazing performances for which the GRAMMY Awards have become renowned."

This special segment also represents another GRAMMY technical breakthrough in that it will be the first time a major awards show broadcasts in 3-D. The GRAMMY Awards also were the first awards show to broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound (2003).

So that viewers can enjoy this unique 3-D TV experience at home, CBS and Target have partnered to provide millions of free 3-D GRAMMY Glasses. From Sunday, Jan. 24, through Sunday, Jan. 31, Target stores nationwide will exclusively offer these 3-D GRAMMY Glasses so that fans have the opportunity to see the film that was very personal to Jackson. Additionally, the audience at STAPLES Center will share the 3-D experience, wearing the same glasses as those being worn by viewers at home.

This GRAMMY tribute to Michael Jackson joins previously announced performances by nominees Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, the Dave Matthews Band, Green Day, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga, Maxwell, P!nk, Taylor Swift, and the Zac Brown Band. Presenters include actress

Kristen Bell, pop/R&B singer Justin Bieber, actor Jeff Bridges, pop singer and actress Miley Cyrus, actor Josh Duhamel, pop sensation the Jonas Brothers, nine-time GRAMMY winner Norah Jones, pop singer/songwriter Ke$ha, two-time GRAMMY winner LL Cool J, GRAMMY winner and three-time Latin GRAMMY® winner Ricky Martin, 10-time GRAMMY and three-time Latin GRAMMY winner Carlos Santana, and nine-time GRAMMY winner Ringo Starr. The music industry's premier event will take place live on Sunday, Jan. 31, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 Surround Sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio via Westwood One worldwide, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/thegrammys. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Twitter and Facebook: http://www.twitter.com/thegrammys, http://www.facebook.com/thegrammys.

All five Album Of The Year nominees are set to perform on Music's Biggest Night®: Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, the Dave Matthews Band, and Taylor Swift.

Current nominee Carrie Underwood is up for two awards this year: Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Just A Dream," and Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for "I Told You So" (with Randy Travis).

As part of Bon Jovi's performance on the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards, fans will have an opportunity to decide which Bon Jovi hit the band will perform. For this "You Pick It, They Play It!" special segment, viewers can log on to http://www.cbs.com/grammys and vote in two phases for one out of six of their favorite hit Bon Jovi songs: "Always," "Bed Of Roses," "Have A Nice Day," "It's My Life," "Livin' On A Prayer," and "Wanted Dead Or Alive." There is no registration to vote, and fans may vote as often as they wish. Additionally, a 30-second clip of each song may be viewed. The deadline to vote on the first phase is Sunday, Jan. 24, 11:59 p.m. ET. The second phase starts on Jan. 25, when the list will be narrowed down to the top three songs and fans may again vote at http://www.cbs.com/grammys for which hit song the band should perform as part of their segment. Voting will continue until Bon Jovi's performance on the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on Jan. 31.

The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich and John Cossette are executive producers, Louis J. Horvitz is director.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit http://www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at http://www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/thegrammys, and a YouTube channel subscriber at http://www.youtube.com/thegrammys.

# # #



Media Contacts:

Barb Dehgan/The Recording Academy/310.392.3777
Kate Fisher or Tiffany Smith-Anoa'i/CBS Television


Nigeria: The Ugly, the Sick and the bad.......A new Movie-‏


The Ugly, the Sick and the bad.......A new Movie-‏


Women Say Infertility Makes Them Feel Flawed While Men Say They Feel Inadequate


Photo Credit: Jujumama.


21 Jan 2010 13:37 Africa/Lagos

New Survey Finds Infertility Delivers a Serious Blow to Self-Esteem

Women Say Infertility Makes Them Feel Flawed While Men Say They Feel Inadequate

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Jan. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Struggling to get pregnant can be a serious blow to the self-esteem of both women and men, according to a new national survey. Seven in 10 (71 percent) women said that infertility makes them feel flawed, while half of men (50 percent) say it makes them feel inadequate. Infertility also has a big impact on a couple's relationship, with half (53 percent) saying they find themselves trying to hide their feelings from their partner. The survey of 585 women and men was conducted in September 2009 by GfK Roper on behalf of Schering-Plough; Schering-Plough and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) merged on Nov. 3, 2009.

"Couples undergoing fertility treatment clearly experience a rollercoaster of emotions," said Alice D. Domar, Ph.D., executive director, The Domar Center for Mind/Body Health, Boston IVF. "The desire to start a family is a strong one, and failing to achieve that can impact everything from the marital relationship to interactions with future grandparents and friends who become pregnant."
In a signal that the stress of infertility can lead to isolation, about 6 in 10 couples (61 percent) stated they try to hide their fertility troubles from family and friends. One-third (34 percent) say their ability to confide in others has decreased since they began trying to get pregnant. In fact, 54 percent of all couples agreed that it was easier just to tell people that they were not planning to have children, rather than admit to their struggle.

Disbelief a common issue

The majority of those surveyed never imagined that they would experience infertility. Two-thirds (65 percent) said that prior to trying to conceive, it never occurred to them that they may have trouble getting pregnant when they wanted to. More than half of couples (51 percent) agree that they may have waited too long to try to become pregnant. Of the survey respondents currently being treated by a fertility specialist or reproductive endocrinologist, 91 percent wish they had started doing so sooner.

While the survey found that both women and men understand the link between a woman's age and fertility, they often do not fully understand how soon a woman's fertility begins to decline significantly. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, a healthy 30-year-old woman has about a 20 percent chance per month of getting pregnant, but by age 40, her chance is only about 5 percent per month.(1)
"Although an estimated one in eight couples of childbearing age struggles with fertility problems, patients often say they never thought it would happen to them," said Zev Rosenwaks, M.D., director, Center for Reproductive Medicine, NY-Weill Cornell Medical Center. "Couples need information so they can understand their fertility risk factors, and they need to seek treatment from a specialist quickly if they suspect a problem."

Relationships with family, friends become strained

Infertility can also have a negative impact on a couple's relationships with family and friends. More than 6 in 10 couples (63 percent) say they get tired of people asking them how the process is going, or offering suggestions on how to conceive.
"Couples undergoing fertility treatment often turn inward and stop confiding in family and friends because of the pain involved in talking about their struggle to conceive," said Barbara Collura, executive director, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. "It's important for couples to know that extensive resources exist to support them throughout the process."

Many couples also expressed frustration about receiving unsolicited advice. Most often, couples who receive unsolicited advice are told to just relax and stop worrying so much (78 percent), followed by health advice like changing their diet (42 percent), getting more exercise (41 percent) and getting more sleep (38 percent).
"Deciding how much information to share with family and friends and when to share it is a challenge for couples dealing with infertility," said Ken Mosesian, executive director, the American Fertility Association. "Many couples respond by closing themselves off, so it is important for families and friends to be sensitive and listen instead of offering advice."

Intimacy and relationship affected by infertility

More couples agreed that their difficulty getting pregnant has brought them closer together (58 percent), as compared with those who say that it has hurt their relationship (36 percent). Women praise their partners for being supportive, with more than 8 in 10 (84 percent) saying that their partner either makes or attends medical appointments. For those women who have used injectible fertility treatments, 86 percent say that their partner has helped them with injections.
However, both sexes indicate that the stress and tension in their relationship has increased since they first started trying to get pregnant (42 percent of men, 36 percent of women). Men were also more likely than women to say the time spent arguing with their partner has increased (36 percent of men, 26 percent of women).
The struggle to conceive also takes a toll on intimacy. More than half of all couples (55 percent) report that infertility has made sex a physically and emotionally anxious time. In addition, 53 percent of couples say infertility has taken the fun and spontaneity out of their sex life, and more than 4 in 10 (43 percent) report feeling sexually unattractive.

Full survey results are available at www.planforsomeday.com.

About the survey
A total of 585 people who are in a relationship and who were having difficulty trying to conceive over the past two years were interviewed from September 1-14, 2009. The 585 respondents were made up of 326 men and 259 women. Women interviewed were between the ages of 18 and 44. Men interviewed could be any age, so long as their partner was between the ages of 18 and 44. In all cases, either the woman or both partners had the fertility problem.
The survey was conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media, a division of GfK Custom Research North America, on behalf of Schering-Plough; Schering-Plough and Merck & Co., Inc. merged on Nov. 3, 2009. Respondents were from online panel sources in the United States.

The following steering committee provided guidance on survey development: Alice D. Domar, Ph.D., executive director, The Domar Center for Mind/Body Health, Boston IVF; Zev Rosenwaks, M.D., director, director, Center for Reproductive Medicine, NY-Weill Cornell Medical Center; Barbara Collura, executive director, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association; and Ken Mosesian, executive director, the American Fertility Association.

About infertility
Infertility is a disease or condition that impairs the body's ability to perform the basic function of reproduction. It is often diagnosed after a couple has not conceived after one year of actively trying, while women over the age of 35 are encouraged to seek diagnosis and treatment for infertility after six months.(2) More than 7.3 million Americans, or one in eight couples of childbearing age, struggle with fertility problems.(3)

There are many causes of infertility including problems with the production of sperm or eggs, with the fallopian tubes or the uterus, endometriosis, frequent miscarriage, as well as hormonal and autoimmune (antibody) disorders in both men and women.(3) Approximately 40 percent of fertility problems are due to a female factor and 40 percent are due to a male factor. In the balance of the cases, fertility issues result from problems in both partners or the cause cannot be explained.(3)
There are a variety of treatments available for infertility; these include surgery, hormone treatments, insemination, and IVF, among others.(3)

About Merck
Today's Merck is working to help the world be well. Through our medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer and animal products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care through far-reaching programs that donate and deliver our products to the people who need them. Merck. Be Well. For more information, visit www.merck.com.

Forward Looking Statement
This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the merger between Merck and Schering-Plough, including future financial and operating results, the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Merck's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the possibility that the expected synergies from the merger of Merck and Schering-Plough will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period, due to, among other things, the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and pending legislation that could affect the pharmaceutical industry; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; disruption from the merger making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; Merck's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; dependence on the effectiveness of Merck's patents and other protections for innovative products; the risk of new and changing regulation and health policies in the U.S. and internationally and the exposure to litigation and/or regulatory actions.

Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in Merck's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Schering-Plough's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009, the proxy statement filed by Merck on June 25, 2009 and each company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC's Internet site: www.sec.gov.

(1) American Society for Reproductive Medicine, "Age and Fertility: A Guide for Patients." http://www.asrm.org/Patients/patientbooklets/agefertility.pdf. Accessed October 21, 2009.
(2) Frequently Asked Questions About Infertility. American Society for Reproductive Medicine Web site. http://www.asrm.org/Patients/faqs.html. Accessed September 1, 2009.
(3) Infertility Diagnosis. RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association Web site. http://www.resolve.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lrn_wii_id. Accessed September 1, 2009.
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
CONTACT: Pam Eisele, Media Relations contact, +1-908-423-5042; Lisa
Ellen, Public Affairs contact, +1-908-298-7128; Joe Romanelli, Investor
contact, +1-908-423-5088
Web Site: http://www.merck.com/
http://www.planforsomeday.com/


Mobile Giving for Haiti Earthquake Relief Surges Past $27 Million in Donations

20 Jan 2010 01:04 Africa/Lagos

Mobile Giving for Haiti Earthquake Relief Surges Past $27 Million in Donations


More Organizations Join List of Available Short Codes to Donate in U.S. & Canada

SEATTLE, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ --
What: Donations made via mobile phones for Haiti Earthquake Relief
have surpassed $27 million across all the short codes
managed by the Mobile Giving Foundation, a non-profit
organization dedicated to helping other non-profits raise
funds through mobile.

Thanks largely to national television appeals and more non-
profit organizations joining relief efforts, mobile
donations increased by $7 million, raising the total amount
from $20 million reported by MGF yesterday to more than $27
million as of 8:00pm Eastern on Monday. The Foundation
continues to see donations come in at an increasing pace.
MGF will report updated numbers throughout the week.

How: By texting a keyword to a designated short code via a mobile
phone, a micro-donation of $5 or $10 can be made to aid
the millions of people affected by this tragedy. 100% of
your donation goes to the recipient charity, and the
donation appears as a charge on your carrier bill, standard
rates may apply.

Who: As more organizations join the relief efforts in Haiti,
additional short codes are available for making monetary
donations to aid those affected by the recent earthquake:

Text the word "Yele" to 501501 to donate $5
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On behalf of the Yele Foundation

Text the word "Quake" to 20222 to donate $10
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donate $5
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$5
On behalf of the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth
Initiative

For more information on these various campaigns and how
mobile giving works, Jim Manis, CEO of the Mobile Giving
Foundation (www.mobilegiving.com), is available to provide
an overview.

When: Please contribute now.

Contact: Ginny Edwards or Daniel Rhodes
Global Results Communications (GRC)
+1 (949) 608 0276
mgfpr@globalresultspr.com

Source: Mobile Giving Foundation
CONTACT: Ginny Edwards or Daniel Rhodes, both of Global Results
Communications (GRC), +1-949-608-0276, mgfpr@globalresultspr.com, for Mobile
Giving Foundation
Web Site: http://www.mobilegiving.com/


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Nigeria / Use Restraint in Curbing Jos Violence / Investigate Killings and End Discriminatory Policies

20 Jan 2010 13:53 Africa/Lagos

Nigeria / Use Restraint in Curbing Jos Violence / Investigate Killings and End Discriminatory Policies


ABUJA, January 20, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Nigeria should ensure that its security forces use restraint and comply with international standards on the use of force in responding to the latest deadly outbreak of inter-communal violence in the city of Jos, Human Rights Watch said today. The government should also investigate and prosecute those responsible for the killing of at least 200 people during the violence, the latest of several deadly outbreaks in Nigeria, and address the underlying causes.

This latest violence comes just over a year after Christian and Muslim clashes and the excessive use of force by the security forces responding to the conflict left more than 700 dead in Jos, the capital of Plateau State in central Nigeria.

“This is not the first outbreak of deadly violence in Jos, but the government has shockingly failed to hold anyone accountable,” said Corinne Dufka, senior West Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Enough is enough. Nigeria's leaders need to tackle the vicious cycle of violence bred by this impunity.”


Clashes between Christian and Muslim mobs reignited in Jos on Sunday morning, January 17, 2010. There are conflicting reports of what triggered the violence. Civil society leaders report that it began with an argument over the rebuilding of a Muslim home destroyed in the November 2008 violence in a predominately Christian neighborhood. The Plateau State police commissioner, Greg Anyating, said the trigger was an attack by Muslim youth on Christian worshippers in the Nassarawa Gwom district of Jos, an allegation that Muslim leaders deny.

According to credible reports from civil society leaders, and national and international media, the violence was carried out by sectarian mobs armed with guns, bows and arrows, and machetes. Roving gangs are reported to have burned and looted houses, cars, and shops, as well as several churches and mosques. There are also several credible reports that the military and police used excessive force in responding to the violence.

Muslim leaders reported that 80 of the dead were taken to the central mosque in Jos on Tuesday for burial, in addition to 71 buried during the first two days of clashes. One Christian official reported that by Monday, 50 Christians had died in the violence and another 15 were killed on Tuesday. The three days of clashes have forced at least 5,000 people from their homes. On Monday the state government deployed additional military and anti-riot police units to the streets of Jos and on Tuesday morning imposed a 24-hour curfew in the city. Witnesses interviewed by Human Rights Watch said that gunshots could still be heard around the city in the late afternoon, and smoke was seen billowing from the worst-affected neighborhoods.

Nigeria is deeply divided along ethnic and religious lines. More than 13,500 people have died in religious or ethnic clashes since the end of military rule in 1999. In Plateau State, an unprecedented outbreak of violence in Jos claimed as many as 1,000 lives in September 2001; more than 700 people died in May 2004 in inter-communal clashes in the town of Yelwa in the southern part of the state; and at least 700 people were killed in the violence in Jos on November 28 and 29, 2008.

Human Rights Watch documented 133 cases of unlawful killings by members of the security forces in responding to the 2008 violence. Police officers and soldiers gunned down residents in their homes, chased down and killed unarmed men trying to flee to safety, and lined up victims on the ground and summarily executed them. The government has failed to hold anyone accountable for these crimes.

President Umaru Yar'Adua set up a panel to investigate, but the panel only began hearings in December 2009. The Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang, also formed a commission of inquiry, which held hearings but did not investigate alleged abuses by security forces. The commission's report, submitted to the state governor in October 2009, has not been made public.

Human Rights Watch called on the Nigerian security forces to abide by the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials in carrying out their duties. State security forces are required to apply nonviolent means as far as possible before resorting to the use of force, and where lawful use of force is unavoidable, restraint is to be used at all times to minimize damage and injury and to respect and preserve human life. Any order authorizing indiscriminate use of violence by security forces, such as “shoot-on-sight” orders, would violate these principles.

The government should also take concrete steps to end the discriminatory policies that treat certain groups as second-class citizens and that lie at the root of much of the inter-communal violence in Nigeria. Government policies that discriminate against “non-indigenes” – people who cannot trace their ancestry to those said to be the original inhabitants of an area – underlie many of these conflicts. Non-indigenes are openly denied the right to compete for government jobs and academic scholarships. In Jos, members of the largely Muslim Hausa ethnic group are classified as non-indigenes though many have resided there for several generations.


Human Rights Watch has called on the federal government to pass legislation prohibiting government discrimination against non-indigenes in all matters that are not purely cultural or related to traditional leadership institutions.

“Nigeria needs to act now to end discriminatory policies and hold accountable those who commit these terrible acts of violence,” Dufka said.


Source: Human Right Watch (HRW)



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Nigeria / Use Restraint in Curbing Jos Violence / Investigate Killings and End Discriminatory Policies


Wednesday, January 20, 2010

PUNCTURED HOPE Establishes Itself as the Hollywood Avant Garde in this Awards Season



20 Jan 2010 00:59 Africa/Lagos


PUNCTURED HOPE Establishes Itself as the Hollywood Avant Garde in this Awards Season


TORONTO, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Yesterday, at Toronto Pictures' headquarters, the company's President Bruno Pischiutta and Vice President Daria Trifu have announced the production of three upcoming feature films: A PARTY GIRL FOR THE RAT PACK - from the original novel "Breaking My Silence" by Jane McCormick - (US $3.5 M; filming in Brazil & USA; June 2010), scripted and directed by Bruno Pischiutta, produced by Daria Trifu; GLICINE - Wisteria (US $6.1 M; filming in Romania; September 2010) and THE SEPIA PORTRAIT (US $12 M; filming in Brazil & China; March 2011), written and directed by Pischiutta and produced by Trifu.


Toronto Pictures' film PUNCTURED HOPE has recently been nominated by the Political Film Society (Hollywood) as Best Film Expose & Best Film on Human Rights of 2009. PUNCTURED HOPE has screened in Los Angeles since November 2009. PUNCTURED HOPE has certainly established itself as the Hollywood avant garde in this Awards Season. Each screening of the film has constituted an event. Viewers' reaction has created a grassroots movement that identifies with Bruno Pischiutta's CAUSE. Future event screenings will follow the film as it opens commercially in New York City starting in June.

The audience at PUNCTURED HOPE's screenings included members of Amnesty International, of the Green Party, of Women in Film (WIF), of Films4Change, of Veterans for Peace and film professionals. Together with the general public present, they all have chosen to join the movement behind the film and Pischiutta's CAUSE.
Toronto Pictures is trading on the OTC in the USA and plans are in motion to transfer the company on the London Stock Exchange in the coming months.
This year alone, the company is releasing commercially PUNCTURED HOPE and THE COMOEDIA: ENGLISH VERSION.

Brazilian producer and Los Angeles resident, Marcelo Brito, is in negotiations with Toronto Pictures to become an executive producer of the next two films alongside Bruno Pischiutta and Daria Trifu.

About PUNCTURED HOPE:

Official Selection at the Montreal World Film Festival (2009); Nominated by The Political Film Society in two categories - Best Expose and Best Film on Human Rights of 2009; and Qualified (2009) for consideration for Academy Awards(R) 2010 as 'Best Picture'. PUNCTURED HOPE is the first main stream feature film (USD 5.8 M, Hollywood standard, 35 mm, 91 min., English Language, Color, NR) that is based on an African story interpreted by an all African cast of professional actors and shot in Africa under the direction of visionary Maestro Bruno Pischiutta. PUNCTURED HOPE is inspired by the true life story of an African Trokosi slave who manages to escape. Trokosi is one of the widest spread forms of women slavery that exists today in the world.

Film Review: http://monilazo.blogspot.com/2010/01/movie-commentary-punctured-hope.html

Human Rights Examiner Article: http://www.examiner.com/x-10438-Human-Rights-Examiner~y2009m12d24-Punctured-Ho pe-true-story-Academy-Award-contender-opens-in-LA
Political Film Society Review: http://www.polfilms.com/puncturedhope.html

Film Video Clips: www.youtube.com/TorontoPictures

About Maestro Bruno Pischiutta:

Born in Udine, Italy in 1947, Bruno Pischiutta began his film career in the late 1960s as an actor in films by Francesco Rosi, Nanni Loy and Billy Wilder. In 1975 he founded the Centro Iniziative di Azione Culturale in Rome. Pischiutta graduated from the Institute of Dramatic Art, Trieste, Italy (1966); he is a Dr. of Philosophy graduated from the University of Trieste, Italy (1971) and International Academician appointed by Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori di Pavia, Italy (1981). Pischiutta has been awarded: Critics Award at Venice Film Festival (1970), Premio Simpatia (1976), Belle Arti Di Roma (1976), New York Film Festival (1981 & 1986), Bahamas One World Film Festival (2003). Pischiutta has been nominated by The Political Film Society (2009). Maestro Pischiutta is also a published writer of two books ('The Comoedia' 1980; 'E va bene parliamo di cinema' 1982) and of recognized courses for filmmakers (directing, writing, editing and acting) in Italy. He made his directorial debut in 1975 with COMPAGNE NUDE, and he moved to Canada in 1983. His other films include ULTIMO INCONTRO A VENEZIA (1977), ISOLA MECCANICA (1978), THE COMOEDIA (1981), BOUNTY HUNTERS (1985), LIFE'S CHARADE (1987), MAYBE (2003) and PUNCTURED HOPE (2009). Additionally, he wrote, directed, produced, executive produced and edited other feature films, TV shows and documentaries widely screened in cinemas and broadcast throughout Italy and other European countries to date. Bruno Pischiutta is the Founder, President and C.E.O. of Toronto Pictures and Chairman of the Toronto Pictures Film Academy of Ghana.

About Pischiutta's CAUSE:

"We want that the rights of women and children are respected. We want to fight intellectual pollution, stupidity, racism and discrimination. We want to show that nonviolent films can be commercially viable and it can help to make a better world. We want to win the fight against ignorance and bigotry. We want to use film as an artistic weapon to improve the lifestyle and mentality of the viewers, to make their life better and to make them think in a positive way about major social problems that anguish our world today.
Our CAUSE is driven by high ideals and it is more important than anyone of us.
It is a new world; it is time for a new morality! It is time to put the important things first. We are working for our CAUSE through the medium of film because we are filmmakers. Film is our way to express ourselves and we are aware that our films will live after us: they will become our legacy." - Bruno Pischiutta

About Daria Trifu:

Born in Brasov, Romania in 1981, Daria Trifu began her film career in the year 2000, few months after moving to Canada, as a graduate of Bruno Pischiutta's exclusive Film Acting Courses in Toronto. Trifu has studied Fine Arts since grade 5 in Europe and she graduated in 2000 with honors from the Central Technical School - Fine Arts Program in Canada. In Romania, she held private exhibitions of her paintings ever since the early age of 15 and her artwork was commissioned by prestige hotels in the mountain resort of Poiana Brasov. In her youth, Trifu, a prodigy child, excelled in sports such as tennis and sky when she won numerous competitions; she traveled the world both with her family and on her own with a National Choir attending International Festivals. Today, Trifu oversees the organization of Toronto Pictures' attendance to all major film markets such as The American Film Market, Cannes, Montreal, etc. and in 2003 she was a speaker on the "Peacefulfish & Variety Presents Global Film Finance" panel in Cannes. Trifu is the Assistant Director of the feature film MAYBE (2003); Producer & Executive Producer of the documentary BRUNO PISCHIUTTA: FILM DIRECTOR (2009) and Producer & Executive Producer of the feature film PUNCTURED HOPE (2009). She will make her acting debut in the leading female role in the feature film GLICINE (Wisteria) to be shot in Romania in 2010. Daria Trifu is the Founder, President and C.E.O. of Adhara Properties and Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of "Daria!" Magazine. She is also Vice President and C.O.O. of Toronto Pictures and President of the Toronto Pictures Film Academy of Ghana. Daria Trifu is the role model for the actual generation of Romanian girls. She is one of the youngest and most powerful film executives in the world.

About Toronto Pictures:

Targeting a global audience, Toronto Pictures explores different cultures and addresses controversial issues of our time in dramatic format. Toronto Pictures develops, produces and releases Hollywood standard, 35 mm feature films that provoke thought not violence.

Official Website: www.torontopictures.com
Source: Toronto Pictures Inc.
CONTACT: Toronto Pictures, Inc., (647) 296-3459, corporate@filmail.com


Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Nigerian Baby Undergoes Major Open Heart Surgery in Bangalore

19 Jan 2010 10:33 Africa/Lagos


2-Year-old Baby With Complex Heart Deformity Undergoes Major Open Heart Surgery at Wockhardt Hospitals, Bangalore - (now a Network Hospital of Fortis) Without any Blood Transfusion

BANGALORE, India, January 19/PRNewswire/ --


- Faith by Their Side, This Case Challenged Medical Excellence


A team of cardiac experts led by Dr. N S Devananda, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals, Bangalore (Now a Network Hospital of Fortis) has performed a major open heart surgery on a 2-year-old baby from Nigeria. Baby Brendan was suffering from congenital heart defect called - Tetralogy of Fallot or complex blue baby syndrome.


"Baby Brendan was brought to us in a condition which was complicated and need surgical intervention to correct the anomaly. In this syndrome the pure and impure blood gets mixed in the heart and the amount of blood flow to the lungs is decreased. It is the most common complex heart defect, representing 55-70%, and the most common cause of blue baby syndrome. It can prove fatal if it is not treated in time," said Dr. N S Devananda, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals, Bangalore (Now a Network Hospital of Fortis).


The other bigger challenge which came before the surgery was the fact that the baby's parents belonged to the Jehovah Witness community and as per their religious belief they oppose to any form of transfusion of blood and any blood products however they could accept other from of treatment. This made the case all the more complicated.


"Babies with Tetrology of Fallout have two treatment options - the first is palliative where no open heart surgery is done and the defect is treated with shunt operation. The second is complete repair - which is definitive treatment where the patient undergoes an open heart surgery with a heart lung machine. In the case of Baby Brendan we obviously chose the second option due to its curative value. But the problem we faced was that the heart lung machine requires 500 ml of blood by itself to drive away the air and still haemoglobin at acceptable level. The challenge was with the baby weighed only 11 kgs and his blood volume was 800 - 900 ml and to conduct an open heart proved difficult without additional usage of blood" said Dr. Devananda.


The team devised many things technically to make operative time shorter and do the best possible ways so that re-operation or re-exploration can be avoided and the ICU stay is reduced. The heart lung machine circuit was modified in such a way that total priming volume was reduced to the least possible; the haemo-filteration technique was used in such a way that excess water from the body is removed and it gives back the RBC's to the body. We also had to reduce the sampling to the least possible for various tests.


"We did everything technically possible to reduce the requirement of blood. With all these modifications the baby underwent the open heart surgery and was out of ICU within 24 hours and is flying back to his native on the 7th post operative day. In an era where a lot of talking is happening around blood transfusion and adults have been undergoing surgery without blood transfusion, the same thing on a child is quite complicated. However with technical modification and surgical skills it is definitely possible and should be encouraged so that no child from the community remains untreated" said Dr. Devananda.


Brendan can live an active life like any other child of his age as this is a one time complete correction and his post op ECHO is satisfactory.


Brendan's mother Ettieh's faith in Jehovah has strengthened after this incident. She says, "Everybody should give proper attention to their child and keep monitoring the health of the baby time and again. Till one year when Brendan was not keeping too well and was not gaining weight we got very concerned and kept taking to the local physicians in Nigeria. However nobody could give us a proper answer to his continuous ill health until last year August, 09 Brendan complained of breathlessness and pain on his left chest. A thorough examination indicated that my baby has some heart complication which needed to be treated immediately. Being a member of the Jehovah Witness community our challenge was to take Brendan to the right hands where surgery was possible without using blood transfusion. That's when one of our friends at Nigeria who knew about Wockhardt Hospitals, Bangalore (Now a Network Hospital of Fortis) and their expertise in performing surgery without blood transfusion suggested us and we finally decided to fly Brendan down here for treatment. Initially when we decided to come to India for treatment I was engulfed with mixed feelings, but with the kind of care and response we received here I was quite confident that I have brought my baby to the right place."



For more information please contact:

Priyam Bortamuli
PR & Communication
Wockhardt Hospitals, Bangalore - Now a Network Hospital of Fortis
Mobile - +91(0)984555-8559
Email: priyam.bortamuli@fortishospitals.in

http://www.wockhardthospitals.net/

Source: Wockhardt Hospitals Bangalore (Now a Network Hospital of Fortis)

For more information please contact: Priyam Bortamuli, PR & Communication, Wockhardt Hospitals, Bangalore - Now a Network Hospital of Fortis, Mobile - +91(0)984555-8559, Email: priyam.bortamuli@fortishospitals.in