Beyoncé and Taylor Swift Dominated the 52nd Grammy Awards

Beyoncé at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on Jan. 31 at the Staples Center, Los Angeles.
Photo Credit: Michael Caulfield / WireImage.com

The beautiful and electrifying Beyoncé Knowles was the undisputed Queen of the 52nd Grammy Awards as she set the record as the first female artiste to win the most Grammy Awards with six out of her ten nominations. The highly gifted Taylor Swift won four out of her eight nominations.


Taylor Swift


Nigeria’s only nominee at the 52nd Grammy Awards, Femi Kuti did not win in the Best Contemporary World Music Album category, the award went to the celebrated American banjo player Béla Fleck for Throw Down Your Heart: Tales from the Acoustic Planet, Vol. 3 - Africa Sessions.

1 Feb 2010 21:23 Africa/Lagos

Beyonce Breaks Record for Most Grammy(R) Wins by a Female Artist in a Single Year

SUPERSTAR TAKES HOME SIX GRAMMY AWARDS, INCLUDING "SONG OF THE YEAR" (FOR "SINGLE LADIES")

NEW YORK, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Iconic superstar Beyonce, took home six Grammy® Awards, including "Song of the Year" (for "Single Ladies"), breaking the record for most Grammy® Awards won by a female artist in a single year, while bringing her career Grammy® total up to 16 (13 as a solo artist and 3 with Destiny's Child.) Beyonce, who tied the record with ten nominations for a female artist in a single year with The Fugees' star, Lauryn Hill, took home honors in the following categories:


Song of the Year ("Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)")
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance ("Halo")
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance ("Single Ladies")
Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance ("At Last")
Best R&B Song ("Single Ladies")
Best Contemporary R&B Album (I AM... SASHA FIERCE)


Five of Beyonce's wins are for her multi-platinum album, I AM...SASHA FIERCE, and one win honors the performer's work on the Cadillac Records soundtrack for her rendition of the Etta James hit, "At Last."


With eight Grammy® Awards, legendary pop icon, Michael Jackson and world renowned guitarist and visionary, Carlos Santana, share the record for most Grammy® Awards won by a male artist in one night.


On February 2, Beyonce is launching her first ever fragrance, Beyonce Heat. The Renaissance woman will celebrate the debut of her fragrance at Macy's Herald Square in New York City by meeting the first 500 customers to purchase the exclusive Beyonce Heat 3-piece fragrance set.


Beyonce recently extended her 2009 "I AM..." World Tour to South America for a series of live concerts beginning Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Parque Planeta in Florianopolis, Brazil. The two-week run will end in the Caribbean on the island of Trinidad on Thursday, February 18, 2010 (see itinerary following).


The "I AM..." World Tour in South America and The Caribbean


Thu 2/4 Florianopolis, Brazil Parque Planeta
Sat 2/6 Sao Paulo, Brazil Morumbi Stadium
Sun 2/7 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil HSBC Arena
Mon 2/8 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil HSBC Arena
Wed 2/10 Salvador, Brazil Parque de Exposicoes
Fri 2/12 Buenos Aires, Argentina Hipodromo de San Isidro
Sun 2/14 Santiago, Chile Movistar Arena
Tue 2/16 Lima, Peru Explanada del Estadio Monumental
Thu 2/18 Port of Spain, Trinidad Queen's Park Oval



For more information, please contact Yvette Noel-Schure, Columbia Records, Media, New York, 212-833-4483; email: Yvette.Noel-Schure@sonymusic.com


www.beyonceonline.com
www.columbiarecords.com
www.musicworldent.com
www.houseofdereon.com
www.dereon.com
www.beyonceparfums.com

Source: Music World Music/Columbia Records

CONTACT: Yvette Noel-Schure, Columbia Records, Media, New York,
+1-212-833-4483, Yvette.Noel-Schure@sonymusic.com


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


Photo tags:

Blind Boys Of Alabama Bobby Darin Brian Culbertson Beatles Bill Freimuth Angelia Bibbs-Sanders B.B. King 52nd GRAMMY Awards Pre-Tel Chris Cornell Chris Martin Bill Harley Billy Currington 52nd GRAMMY Awards Carrie Underwood Billie Joe Armstrong 2009 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute to Neil Diamond Bono Ben Harper Chris Blackwell 11th Annual Entertainment Law Initiative Luncheon Beyonce Blue Note Records Christina Aguilera 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year 12th Annual Entertainment Law Initiative Luncheon Andrea Bocelli Big Boi Bill Putnam Jr. Anthony Hamilton Chrisette Michele Akon Adam Lambert Bruce Springsteen Charlie Haden Booker T. Jones Anthony Wilson Carole King Celine Dion Bill Cunliffe Aretha Franklin Chris Tucker Alison Krauss Allen Toussaint Cassandra Wilson Alicia Keys Avril Lavigne Carlos Pena 2009 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute Brenda Lee Ashanti Bruce Lundvall Backstage and Audience Adele Bubba Jackson Brad Paisley BeBe Winans Bon Jovi Carmen Rizzo Carlos Santana Alice in Chains 52nd GRAMMY Winners 12th Annual Entertainment Law Initiative Buck Howard Al Green Chris Brown 52nd GRAMMY Pre-Telecast Bonnie Raitt Beau Bridges Big Jon Platt Boney James Barbra Streisand Barbara Boxer Andre 3000 Black Eyed Peas AJ Parhm Jr

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
4 Feb 2010
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New Red Cross PSA Highlights Haiti Relief and Features Music by John Mayer
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Alejandro Fernandez, Joan Sebastian, and Marco Antonio Solis Announce LOS TRES TOUR
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Justin Bieber's Newest Single - 'Baby' Featuring Ludacris Debuts at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100
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Beyonce Breaks Record for Most Grammy(R) Wins by a Female Artist in a Single Year
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19:57
Taylor Swift Wins Four Grammy Awards, Including History-Making Album of the Year
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James Levine and the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Recording of Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe Wins Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance
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COMEDY CENTRAL Records(R) Wins Grammy(R) Award For Comedy Album Of The Year For Stephen Colbert's 'A Colbert Christmas - The Greatest Gift Of All!'
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Columbia Records Congratulates the Label's Artists - Beyonce, Maxwell, AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen, Israel Houghton and Mary Mary - & Non-Classical Producer of the Year Brendan O'Brien for Their 2010 Grammy(R) Award Wins
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New York Women in Communications Announces Presenters for the 2010 Matrix Awards
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VEVO, The Recording Academy(R) and CBS Partner for 'The GRAMMY(R)s' Music Video Channel
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Did You See Imelda May's Sizzling Performance With Jeff Beck on the Grammys(R)? Now See the Sensational Singer Live on Stage
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Diamonds Hit a High Note at the 2010 Grammy Awards
31 Jan 2010
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Teen Pop Star and Youth Activist Chantel 'Chani' Christie, Winner of the 2009 Pop Artist of the Year Award, Set to Release Her Much Anticipated New Single 'Gimme Love' Via Jean Rah Fya Records
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Moroccanoil(R) Rocks the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards

31 Jan 2010
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Teen Pop Star and Youth Activist Chantel 'Chani' Christie, Winner of the 2009 Pop Artist of the Year Award, Set to Release Her Much Anticipated New Single 'Gimme Love' Via Jean Rah Fya Records
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Moroccanoil(R) Rocks the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards

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Mary J. Blige, Andrea Bocelli and David Foster to Perform 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' on The Grammy(R) Awards; Live and Studio Versions Available Exclusively at iTunes.com/Target to Benefit Haiti Relief Efforts
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Gillette UNCUT Music Film Series Makes Its World Premiere in Los Angeles
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Mariah Carey Releases Newly Remixed Album of Duets - ANGELS ADVOCATE - March 30th on Island Records

American Imam was Handcuffed and Shot 21 Times by FBI

Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah


30 Jan 2010 16:18 Africa/Lagos

CAIR: Autopsy Shows Mich. Imam Shot 21 Times, Handcuffed

Muslim civil rights group repeats call for independent probe of FBI shooting

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today reiterated its call for an independent investigation into the death of a Michigan imam, or Islamic religious leader, who a leaked autopsy report has revealed was shot 21 times and then handcuffed during an October FBI raid in Detroit.


Video: Shocking Details of Slain Imam's Autopsy (Fox)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCYKZq9JLnc



CAIR, other civil liberties groups and Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), who is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, have all called for an investigation into the death of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah. Earlier this month, Conyers sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder to ask the Justice Department's civil rights division to investigate both the October shooting and whether the FBI violated the Constitution by using informants in mosques. A report detailing the imam's autopsy is scheduled for official release on Monday.


SEE: Autopsy in Imam Shooting to be Released Monday (Detroit News)
http://tinyurl.com/imamautopsy
Conyers: Review FBI Case on Imam (Detroit Free Press)
http://tinyurl.com/conyersimam



"The shocking details of the imam's autopsy raise a number of disturbing questions that need to be answered," said Dawud Walid, executive director of CAIR's Michigan chapter. "First of all, did the FBI agents follow established procedure when they shot the imam 21 times? How was the imam shot in the back? Was it proper procedure to handcuff either a dead body or a mortally-wounded suspect? If the agents found the imam alive following the shooting, did they call for medical assistance? All these questions need answers."


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-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, 248-559-2247, E-Mail: dwalid@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787 or 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com


Source: Council on American-Islamic Relations

CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, +1-248-842-1418,
+1-248-559-2247, E-Mail: dwalid@cair.com; CAIR National Communications
Director Ibrahim Hooper, +1-202-488-8787 or +1-202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, +1-202-488-8787
or +1-202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com


Web Site: Council on American-Islamic Relations

CAIR: Calif. Mayor Says He is 'Growing a Christian Community'

ABOVE magazine: 'Beauty Will Save the World'

TODAY IS THE BIRTHDAY OF EKENYERENGOZI MICHAEL CHIMA, THE PUBLISHER/EDITOR OF NIGERIANS REPORT AND FOUNDER/CEO OF INTERNATIONAL DIGITAL POST NETWORK


ABOVE Magazine Winter Issue(PRNewsFoto/ABOVE magazine) NEW YORK, NY UNITED STATES


30 Jan 2010 15:00 Africa/Lagos

ABOVE magazine: 'Beauty Will Save the World'

NEW YORK, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Dedicated to raising awareness of the planet's endangered beauty and resources, the new issue of ABOVE magazine goes on shelf next week in the United States.


(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100130/NY46799 )


This issue features cover and new artwork by the legendary American photographer and adventurer Peter Beard. This stunning and quintessentially personal portfolio features Beard's archival and iconic images of African wildlife juxtaposed with Hollywood star Eva Mendes, whom Beard shot in New York exclusively for ABOVE.


"Our goal is to become the destination publication for information and, I hope, inspiration about how to save beauty and preserve the environment on both collective and individual levels," said Nicolas Rachline, ABOVE's publisher and editor-in-chief.


As part of the issue, Tierney Gearon travelled to the San Juan Islands to capture magnificent images of fishermen using reef nets to catch wild salmon, one of the few sustainable and ethical kinds of fishing you can do. A companion piece by marine biologist Alexandra Morton shows the other side of the salmon story -- how these magnificent fish we all love to eat vanish from their wild habitat when they are imprudently "farmed" in sea pens. Claire Nouvian, ABOVE's marine conservation editor, closes the issue with her expert take on overfishing, looking at two new films about our endangered seas: Charles Clover's The End of the Line and Jacques Perrin's Oceans.


Ted Turner, the largest private landowner in North America and conservationist extraordinaire, shares his views on the environment, and sits still for photographer Gilles Bensimon, who travelled to Atlanta to photograph Turner (on the run, as always) in the company of his daughter Laura, who happens to be an active and ardent environmental activist.


And then we have an eco-conversation between designer Tom Dixon and novelist Stephanie Theobald, and eco-fashion with ultra-cool Italia Independent's Lapo Elkann, EDUN's Ali Hewson, and entomologist and "eco-model" Summer Raynes Oakes.


ABOVE magazine is published quarterly by Centoria Limited with a cover price of $10.00. It is distributed globally by Comag, a division of Conde Nast.


www.above-magazine.com


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100130/NY46799
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: ABOVE magazine

CONTACT: Bryan Langston, +1-917-674-7042, bryan@bpcm.com, for ABOVE
magazine


Web Site: http://www.above-magazine.com/

Acquisition of 45% Stake in the Nigerian SEPLAT

29 Jan 2010 19:20 Africa/Lagos


Acquisition of 45% Stake in the Nigerian SEPLAT

PARIS, January 29/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --


- SEPLAT Agrees to Acquire a 45% Stake in OMLs 4, 38 and 41 in Nigeria


SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD (SEPLAT), SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY of NIGERIA Ltd (SPDC), TOTAL E&P NIGERIA Ltd, and NIGERIA AGIP OIL COMPANY have signed an agreement concerning the acquisition by SEPLAT of a 45% stake in OML 4, 38 and 41 in Nigerian onshore operations. The outstanding 55% stake remains the property of the NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC).


This transaction, which requires the consent of the NNPC, the national oil company, and the approval of the Federal Government of Nigeria, is expected to be completed within the next six months.


MAUREL & PROM acquired a 45% stake in SEPLAT, a Nigerian-registered company. Subsequent to this deal, MAUREL & PROM would own 20.25% of the rights before royalties (20% for oil) in OML 4, 38 and 41. SEPLAT's other shareholders include the Nigerian operators PLATFORM PETROLEUM Ltd (22%) and SHEBAH PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY Ltd (33%). The two companies operate production and exploration assets in Nigeria, as well as a floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO). Given that SEPLAT's capital is mostly held by Nigerian operators, the company has the legal status of an "indigenous company".


MAUREL & PROM will make an initial investment of US$193 m in SEPLAT, and will undertake necessary measures to facilitate a similar amount to finance the share of the other SEPLAT shareholders. This investment does not require additional public fund raising for MAUREL & PROM. The operating company will receive technical support from MAUREL & PROM to facilitate further development of these assets.


According to Gaffney, Cline and Associates, SEPLAT's share of the transaction would involve 2P (P1+P2) reserves before royalties of 76 Mboe (Oil and condensates). In addition, other fields have been discovered which require further work to enable certification of additional reserves, and an exploration potential which is backed by a set of 2D and 3D seismic lines is yet to be quantified.


During the transition period, the SPDC teams will exploit the fields together with the SEPLAT teams, to ensure a smooth transition and to provide for the full transfer of operations. According to SPDC, the current operator, the estimated production capacity is approximately 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (100%). This does not include development of new fields. Oil production is currently shut down awaiting completion of repairs to the export pipeline. Restart of production is currently expected by mid February 2010. Gas production is sold to the local market.


This document may contain forward-looking statements regarding the financial position, results, business, and industrial strategy of Maurel & Prom. By nature, forward-looking


statements contain risks and uncertainties to the extent that they are based on events or circumstances that may or may not happen in the future. These projections are based on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which may prove to be incorrect and which depend on a number of risk factors, such as fluctuations in crude oil prices, changes in exchange rates, uncertainties related to the valuation of our oil reserves, actual rates of oil production and the related costs, operational problems, political stability, legislative or regulatory reforms, or even wars, terrorism or sabotage.



Maurel & Prom is listed for trading on Euronext Paris -
Compartment A - CAC mid 100 Index

Isin FR0000051070 / Bloomberg MAU.FP / Reuters MAUP.PA

Prochains rendez-vous :
02/02/2010 2009 Sales
04/08/2010 2009 Results, analysts meeting
05/20/2010 Annual General meeting

For further information, visit http://www.maureletprom.com

Contact:
INFLUENCES
+33-1-42-72-46-76
communication@agence-influences.fr




Source: Maurel & Prom

Contact: INFLUENCES, +33-1-42-72-46-76, communication@agence-influences.fr




French: Acquisition de 45 % dans le nigérian SEPLAT

French Newspaper Issues Apology to Ukrainian Businessman and Political Leader Rinat Akhmetov

29 Jan 2010 01:05 Africa/Lagos

French Newspaper Issues Apology to Ukrainian Businessman and Political Leader Rinat Akhmetov

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, counsel to Rinat Akhmetov:


The French daily newspaper Le Figaro today issued a retraction of previously published false allegations regarding Rinat Akhmetov, the Ukrainian businessman and political leader, and apologized to Mr. Akhmetov for the untrue information.


The retraction related to an article that was first published in the newspaper's print and electronic editions on January 18, 2010. In a formal statement that appeared in today's edition, Le Figaro acknowledged that "it has no evidence to support" the claims made about Mr. Akhmetov in the article.


Le Figaro further stated that the newspaper "regrets that these claims were made" and formally apologized to Mr. Akhmetov for any harm that he had suffered.


Speaking from Washington, D.C., Mr. Akhmetov's U.S. lawyer, Mark J. MacDougall, stated, "The editors and publisher of Le Figaro have acted responsibly in issuing a swift apology and correcting the false statements published about Mr. Akhmetov."


MacDougall added, "Mr. Akhmetov values his reputation throughout Europe, and today's action by Le Figaro recognizes that Mr. Akhmetov's good name was put at risk when false accusations were published."


Mr. Akhmetov is the principal shareholder of System Capital Management, one of the largest industrial companies in Ukraine.


Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, a leading international law firm, numbers more than 800 lawyers and advisors in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.


Source: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

CONTACT: Lauren Kerwin of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP,
+1-202-887-4435, lkerwin@akingump.com




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Africans for Haiti

For Immediate Publication:

Africans For Haiti: Board Members and Patrons Needed For The "Microfinance For Haiti (MFH) "African Solidarity Project.

As you are rightly aware, once the TV cameras leave Haiti, most of those groups competing for headlines-grabbing photo opportunities with quake survivors will leave. This is not the first disaster for Haiti through promises where made and broken.

Respected Africans in persons of Madame Graca Mandela and Professor Chinua Achebe have called for an African Solidarity with our Haitian brothers and sisters.

To support the quake victims rebuild their lives bottom-up over the medium or long term (sustainability), I have initiated the Microfinance For Haiti (MFH) solidarity project of my NGO the African Council for Arts and Culture eV., Germany. It is part of my action for the Africans for Haiti call from the Diaspora point of view.

There are four (4) more seats available on the Board and you can occupy any of them as you dee fit.

The target beneficiaries of my Microfinance For Haiti (MFH) are primarily widows, petty traders,artisans and other enterprising survivors who need to rebuild their small businesses from scratch. You can sponsor a widow start a small business through MFH as an alternative to a seat on the Board.

http://www.microfinanceforhaiti.org/SponsoraWidowinHaiti.html

I remain at your disposal for further details while looking forward to a lasting cooperation in other appropriate forms for Haiti.



Bubacarr Sankanu

Founder,

Microfinance For Haiti (MFH)

Tel.: +49(0)177-484-2957

Email: sankanu@microfinanceforhaiti.org

www.microfinanceforhaiti.org

U.S. Two-Prong Strategy with Yemen Government to Provide Security and Thwart Terrorism on the Arabian Peninsula

26 Jan 2010 00:56 Africa/Lagos

U.S. Two-Prong Strategy with Yemen Government to Provide Security and Thwart Terrorism on the Arabian Peninsula

DATELINE CITY: 25 January, 2010/Washington, D.C.

FORMAT: (2) Soundbites


STORY SUMMARY: State Department's Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Daniel Benjamin comments on the U.S. - Yemen strategy for success against the terrorism in the Arabian Peninsula.


RESOURCES More available at http://thedigitalcenter.com/projects/1442-us-two-prong-strategy-with-yemen-gov ernment-to-provide-security-and-thwart-terrorism-on-the-arabian-peninsula



http://www.state.gov/
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2010/index.htm
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/speeches/2010/index.htm

(2) SOUNDBITES / VIDEO:
Daniel Benjamin, Coordinator for Counterterrorism
Soundbite (1)

Summary: Ambassador Benjamin says that the U.S. two-prong strategy with the Yemen government, aimed at security threats and very serious economic problems, will be fruitful for both countries.


IN: "It is very much a two prong strategy we have, first of all there's been a lot of attention paid to the work we're doing with the Yemeni Government to increase paid its ability to take care of its own Security threats and to take on in particular Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula that is vitally important but we also know that if we're going to have a sustainable long-term engagement with Yemen if we're going to deal with the threat that it faces and we face as well. It's going to require a sustained engagement to deal with that country's very serious economic problems particularly the depletion of natural resources; it's got serious demographic challenges. Water, a depleting water table and also its governance problems and social issues and so our assistance is very much aimed at doing that very well." OUT TRT: 56


Daniel Benjamin, Coordinator for Counterterrorism
Soundbite (2)

Summary: Ambassador Benjamin says that the Obama Administration is very pleased by the strong stance Yemen has taken against Al-Qaeda.


IN: "We are very pleased by the strong stance that President Salih and his government have taken in terms of confronting Al-Qaeda, particularly since the December 17th engagements, operations that have continued through until this month. But I should also note that this is not - it may appear on the surface to be a suddenly new involvement in things Yemeni for the United States. But in fact, this Administration has been engaged on Yemen really since the very beginning. The new Administration came in and recognized early on that Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was gaining strength and was going to pose a significant terrorist threat and ordered up a comprehensive policy review to ensure that we were using all the tools at our power to deal with the terrorist threat there. That review was completed in the fall. OUT TRT: 1:10


Total TRT: 2:19

VIDEO PROVIDED BY: U.S. Department of Defense and Department of State


FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION OR HARD COPY, PLEASE E-MAIL: digitalcenter@multivu.com


Media Contact: Ken Richards, +1-202-647-6251, richardskn@state.gov


/PRNewswire -- Jan. 25/


Video: http://thedigitalcenter.com/projects/1442-us-two-prong-strategy-with-yemen-government-to-provide-security-and-thwart-terrorism-on-the-arabian-peninsula
Source: U.S. Department of State

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

Former Willbros International Executives Sentenced to Prison for Their Roles in $6 Million Nigerian Bribery Scandal

29 Jan 2010 00:46 Africa/Lagos


Former Willbros International Executives Sentenced to Prison for Their Roles in $6 Million Foreign Bribery Scheme

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two former executives of Willbros International Inc. (WII), a subsidiary of Houston-based Willbros Group Inc. (Willbros), were sentenced today for their roles in a conspiracy to pay more than $6 million in bribes to government officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and officials from a Nigerian political party, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and Acting Assistant Director in Charge John G. Perren of the FBI's Washington Field Office.


Jason Edward Steph, 40, was sentenced today to 15 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Simeon T. Lake III in Houston. In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Lake ordered Steph to serve two years of supervised release following his prison term and to pay a $2,000 fine. The court acknowledged at the sentencing hearing the assistance Steph provided in ongoing investigations.


Jim Bob Brown, 48, was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison by Judge Lake. In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Lake ordered Brown to serve two years of supervised release following his prison term and to pay a fine of $1,000 per month while Brown is on supervised release. The court acknowledged at the sentencing hearing the assistance Brown provided in ongoing investigations.


Steph and Brown both had pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) before Judge Lake in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. In pleading guilty, Steph and Brown admitted that Willbros, a publicly traded company that provides construction, engineering and other services in the oil and gas industry, conducted its international operations through WII and that they were both employees of WII. Steph admitted that beginning in approximately late 2003, he conspired with others to make a series of corrupt payments totaling more than $6 million to various Nigerian officials and officials from a Nigerian political party to assist Willbros in obtaining and retaining the Eastern Gas Gathering System (EGGS) Project, which was valued at approximately $387 million.


Steph also admitted that in early 2005, he, along with former WII executive Brown and others, arranged for the payment of approximately $1.8 million in cash to government officials in Nigeria to further the conspiracy. Steph admitted that in order to make these payments, he obtained $550,000 in cash from another co-conspirator for the purpose of paying that money to Nigerian government officials. He also admitted that he obtained approximately $350,000 from a petty cash account, which was raised over several weeks by falsely inflating petty cash funding requests transmitted to Willbros and by covering the inflated amounts with invoices from fictitious vendors representing purportedly legitimate business expenses.


Brown admitted that in early 2005, he conspired with others to pay bribes to government officials in Nigeria for the purpose of retaining the EGGS Project. Brown admitted that to further this conspiracy, he, with the assistance of others, obtained a suitcase filled with $1 million in cash from WII's German construction company partner, which Brown then paid to another co-conspirator for the purpose of forwarding that money to Nigerian government officials.


Brown also admitted that in at least 1996 and continuing through at least 2004, he conspired with others to negotiate lower federal and state tax obligations in exchange for corrupt, "under the table" payments to Nigerian revenue officials, including officials responsible for auditing and enforcing taxes, for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business and for securing an improper advantage. Brown admitted he also conspired with others to make corrupt payments to officials of the Nigerian judicial system in exchange for favorable action on pending cases, for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business and for securing an improper advantage.


Additionally, Brown admitted to making at least $300,000 in corrupt payments to Ecuadorian government officials affiliated with PetroEcuador and PetroCommercial, for the purpose of obtaining and retaining business for Willbros, WII and others, including the Proyecto Santo Domingo project. In connection with the Ecuador transaction, Brown and others agreed to pay $150,000 to the Ecuadorian officials up front and $150,000 at the project's conclusion.


To date, in addition to Steph and Brown, the prosecution in this matter also includes:


On Nov. 12, 2009, former WII consultant Paul Novak pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the FCPA and one substantive count of violating the FCPA, in connection with his role in paying bribes to Nigerian government officials. Novak's sentencing is currently scheduled for July 9, 2010.


On Dec. 19, 2008, an indictment was unsealed against former Willbros executive Kenneth Tillery, charging him with conspiring to make more than $6.3 million in bribe payments to Nigerian and Ecuadoran officials; two individual counts of violating the FCPA in connection with the authorization of specific corrupt payments to officials in those countries; and one count of conspiring to launder the bribe payments through purported consulting companies. He remains a fugitive.


On May 14, 2008, Willbros entered into a deferred prosecution agreement and agreed to pay a $22 million criminal penalty, in connection with the company's payment of bribes to government officials in Nigeria and Ecuador.


This case was prosecuted by Assistant Chief Hank Bond Walther and Trial Attorney Laura N. Perkins of the Criminal Division's Fraud Section and investigated by the FBI's Washington Field Office squad that specializes in investigations of FCPA violations.


Source: U.S. Department of Justice

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


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


Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
29 Jan 2010
00:46
Former Willbros International Executives Sentenced to Prison for Their Roles in $6 Million Foreign Bribery Scheme
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Essence Celebrates 40th Anniversary in 2010: Where Black Women Come First

28 Jan 2010 15:15 Africa/Lagos


Essence Celebrates 40th Anniversary in 2010: Where Black Women Come First

Year Long Tribute Kicks Off During Black History Month ESSENCE Magazine Commemorative 40th Anniversary Issue in September

NEW YORK, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE will mark its 40th anniversary in 2010; beginning a year long celebration in honor of African-American women during Black History Month. Specifically, ESSENCE will commemorate its 40th anniversary with initiatives aimed at helping Black women put themselves first, including new ESSENCE magazine features, Essence.com content and a series of special "ESSENCE Presents" events.


"ESSENCE will celebrate its 40th anniversary all year long by touting what Black women have accomplished, and, more importantly, helping her to shape her perspective on the future. With three generations of Black women now represented in the White House, and African-American women making enormous strides both professionally and personally - studies show that African-American women feel more optimistic and powerful than ever before," said Essence Communications Inc. President Michelle Ebanks. "Because ESSENCE empowers her to put herself first, Black women are poised to be happier, healthier, and more fulfilled - as she strives to reach her full potential."


Throughout the year, ESSENCE magazine will debut new features, profiles and celebrity columns each month, and Essence.com will unveil new video programs, flashbacks and exclusive interviews daily. In addition, ESSENCE is presenting several special events throughout the year to commemorate its 40th anniversary - including ESSENCE Presents Black Women in Music during Grammy week, ESSENCE Presents Black Women in Hollywood during Oscar week, and the signature 16th annual Essence Music Festival during 4th of July weekend in New Orleans.


"Beginning our celebration during Black History Month provides the perfect context for us to note the significant achievements of Black women, as well as renew our commitment to the ESSENCE legacy of offering information, inspiration and unconditional affirmation," said Angela Burt-Murray, Editor-in-Chief, ESSENCE. "As the place 'Where Black Women Come First', ESSENCE is dedicated to strengthening African-American women, and by extension African-American families and African-American communities."


The celebration culminates with the ESSENCE magazine commemorative 40th anniversary collector's edition issue in September 2010.


About Essence Communications Inc.:


Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the leading media and communications company dedicated to African-American women. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online, the Essence brand is "Where Black Women Come First". The company's flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon, Window on Our Women (WOW I & II) and Smart Beauty I, II & III consumer insights, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 40 years, ESSENCE magazine, which has a readership of 8.1 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information relating to every area of African-American women's lives. Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at essence.com.


Source: ESSENCE

CONTACT: Dana Baxter, +1-212-522-1634, dbaxter@essence.com; or Sheila
Harris, +1-212-522-1089, sharris@essence.com, both of ESSENCE


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

From Essence with Love
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President Barack Obama: I Don't Quit

President Barack Obama


Michael Chima --

I just finished delivering my first State of the Union, and I wanted to send you a quick note.

We face big and difficult challenges. Change on the scale we seek does not come easily. But I will never accept second place for the United States of America.

That is why I called for a robust jobs bill without delay. It's why I proposed a small businesses tax credit, new investments in infrastructure, and pushed for climate legislation to create a clean energy economy.

It's why we're taking on big banks, reforming Wall Street, revitalizing our education system, increasing transparency -- and finishing the job on health insurance reform.

It's why I need your help -- because I am determined to fight to defend the middle class, and special interest lobbyists will go all out to fight us.

Help me show that the American people are ready to join this fight for the middle class -- add your name to a letter to Congress today:

http://my.barackobama.com/SOTU

We have finished a difficult year. We have come through a difficult decade. But we don't quit. I don't quit.

Let's seize this moment -- to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more.

..
President Barack Obama


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