Laptops and Smart Phones - the Most Common Mobile Computing Products Used by CXOs in Europe, Finds Frost & Sullivan

Sony Ericsson Vivaz, a smart phone in vogue.


9 Mar 2010 11:30 Africa/Lagos

Laptops and Smart Phones - the Most Common Mobile Computing Products Used by CXOs in Europe, Finds Frost & Sullivan

LONDON, March 9, 2010/PRNewswire/ --


Laptops and smart phones are the mobile computing products most commonly used by European chief executive officers (CXOs). However, web-based collaboration tools, valuable particularly for business travel, are gradually gaining importance. Mobile-based applications, both location-based and multimedia contents, are relatively new concepts offering significant potential for service providers.


(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO)


New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.wireless.frost.com), 2009 European CXOs' Choice: Computing Products and Services, finds that the European CXOs expect the mobile communication as well as the computing products and services they use to be utilitarian rather than full of frills.


"Of the various mobile communication and computing products and services, all European CXOs surveyed in this research use or own laptops/notebooks," says Frost & Sullivan Research Manager Krishnendu Roy. "They perceive reliability as the core function of their laptop/notebook with all other features being secondary."


Smart phone ownership increased dramatically from 2008 to 2009, with the number of European CXOs now owning a smart phone doubling. This significant increase has directly affected standard feature phone ownership rates. Nearly all European CXOs perceive smart phones to be strictly business phones, while standard feature phones are seen as personal use phones. In either case, battery life and ease of use are perceived as the most important features.


"Overall, among those using web-based collaboration tools, 70 percent consider ease-of-use as the most important feature," concludes Roy. "Interestingly, having a powerful feature set is least important to European CXOs as few of them use mobile multimedia content applications or mobile location based applications."


If you are interested more information on this study, please send an e-mail to Joanna Lewandowska, Corporate Communications, at joanna.lewandowska@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country.


2009 European CXOs' Choice: Computing Products and Services is part of the Mobile & Wireless Growth Partnership Services programme, which also includes research in the following markets: Mobile Payments Markets, The Evolution of Mobile Location Based Services in Europe, Mobile Communications Markets in Eastern Europe, Mobile Communications Outlook, European Mobile Broadband - Melee between Mobile WiMAX and 3G LTE. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.


About Frost & Sullivan


Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.frost.com.



2009 European CXOs' Choice: Computing Products and Services
M482-65

Contact:
Joanna Lewandowska
Corporate Communications - Europe
P: +48-22-390-41-46
E: joanna.lewandowska@frost.com

http://www.frost.com


Source: Frost & Sullivan

Joanna Lewandowska, Frost & Sullivan Corporate Communications - Europe, +48-22-390-41-46, joanna.lewandowska@frost.com


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Hillary Clinton Speaks on Violence in Nigeria

9 Mar 2010 00:09 Africa/Lagos

Summary: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on violence in Nigeria and the tragic loss of life. Urges all parties to exercise restraint.


Verbatim: "Before I comment on our meeting, I wish to express our concern for the tragic loss of life in Nigeria. We continue to urge all parties to exercise restraint and seek constructive means for addressing the cycle of violence in Plateau State. The Nigerian government should ensure that the perpetrators of acts of violence are brought to justice under the rule of law and that human rights are respected as order is restored."

Media Contact: Robyn Monblatt, +1-202-647-5160, monblattre@state.gov

Source: U.S. Department of State

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

New Report Says Hispanics Are One and One-Half Times More Likely to Have Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Than Whites

9 Mar 2010 06:01 Africa/Lagos

New Report Says Hispanics Are One and One-Half Times More Likely to Have Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Than Whites

WASHINGTON, March 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to the Alzheimer's Association's® 2010 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, Hispanics are about one and one-half times more likely than whites to have Alzheimer's and other dementias. The report also indicates African-Americans are about two times more likely than their white counterparts to have Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Although whites make up the great majority of the more than five million people with Alzheimer's and other dementias, Hispanics and African-Americans are at higher risk for developing the disease.


There are no known genetic factors that can explain the greater prevalence of Alzheimer's and other dementias in Hispanics and African-Americans than in whites. On the other hand, high blood pressure and diabetes, which are known risk factors for Alzheimer's and other dementias in all groups, are more common in Hispanics and African-Americans than in whites. Socioeconomic factors, such as having a low level of education and low income are also associated with greater risk for Alzheimer's and other dementias in all groups. Data from a federal survey of older Americans shows that African-Americans and Hispanics are disproportionately represented among socioeconomically disadvantaged people in this country. The Association's new report points out that these health and socioeconomic factors probably contribute to the greater prevalence of Alzheimer's and dementia in Hispanics and African-Americans.


"Alzheimer's disease is the single largest, looming unaddressed public health threat facing the nation, but we now know the threat is even more substantial in the Hispanic and African-American communities," said Harry Johns, Alzheimer's Association President and CEO. "These groups are more likely to have Alzheimer's, less likely to know it and, as a result, less likely to receive available treatments and supportive services that can help them cope with the disease."


Diabetes and high blood pressure are potentially modifiable conditions. Better management of these conditions could help to reduce the prevalence of Alzheimer's and other dementias, especially if treatment were begun in people who have these conditions in midlife. Since diabetes is more common in Hispanics than in whites and both diabetes and high blood pressure are more common in African-Americans than in whites, effective treatments for these potentially modifiable conditions can be especially beneficial for these groups.


Socioeconomic disparities, such as lower income, translate into reduced access to health care and therefore, reduced opportunities to avoid or better manage diabetes and high blood pressure that in turn increase Alzheimer risk.


Under diagnosis of Alzheimer's and Dementia in Hispanics and African-Americans


Although Hispanics and African-Americans are more likely than whites to have Alzheimer's and other dementias, the report reveals that Hispanics and African-Americans are less likely than whites to have a formal diagnosis of their condition. National data show that Hispanics and African-Americans with Alzheimer's and dementias are less likely than whites to report that a doctor has told them they have a "memory related disease" (45 percent of whites with Alzheimer's and dementias compared with 34 percent of Hispanics and 33 percent of African-Americans with these conditions).


Although family members and others may notice early symptoms of possible Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, there are often long delays between this first recognition of symptoms and the scheduling of a medical evaluation. The resulting delays in diagnosis mean that Hispanics and African Americans are not getting treatment in the earlier stages of the disease, when the available treatments are more likely to be effective and do not have an opportunity to make legal, financial and care plans while they are still capable.


"The Association is committed to increasing awareness about risk factors for Alzheimer's and other dementias among all Americans," said Johns. "Greater understanding about the importance of proper management of diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes will allow individuals to make more informed health care decisions and adopt healthy life style behaviors that can also help to reduce Alzheimer and dementia risk."


Growing Impact of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia


According to the report, there are 5.3 million Americans living with the disease and every 70 seconds someone in America develops Alzheimer's disease. By mid-century someone will develop Alzheimer's every 33 seconds. In 2010, there will be a half million new cases of Alzheimer's, and there will be more new cases in each subsequent year. In 2050, there will be nearly a million new cases.


Alzheimer's was the seventh leading cause of death in the country in 2006, the latest year for which final death statistics are available. It was the fifth leading cause of death among individuals 65 and older. From 2000-2006 death rates have declined for most major diseases - heart disease (-11.1 percent), breast cancer (-2.6 percent), prostate cancer (-8.7 percent), stroke (-18.2 percent) and HIV/AIDS (-16.3) while Alzheimer's disease deaths rose 46.1 percent.


"Strategic investments in research for diseases such as heart disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, stroke and HIV/AIDS have all resulted in declines in deaths. We have not seen the same type of significant strategic investment in Alzheimer's and because of that, deaths from Alzheimer's disease continues to soar," said Johns. "Discovering effective treatments that prevent onset or delay disease progression takes on an all encompassing urgency as the nation braces for an onslaught of aging baby boomers. This disease, unlike any other, has the power to undermine all of our best efforts to control health care costs."


People with Alzheimer's and other dementias are high users of hospital, nursing home and other health and long term care services, translating into high costs for all payers. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that total payments for health and long-term care services for people with these conditions will amount to $172 billion from all sources in 2010. Medicare costs are almost three times higher for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias than for other older people, and Medicaid costs are almost nine times higher. Most people with Alzheimer's also have one or more additional serious medical conditions, such as diabetes or coronary heart disease. Their Alzheimer's greatly complicates medical management for these other conditions, resulting in more hospitalizations and higher costs.


Impact of Alzheimer's and Dementia on Caregivers


According to the new report, in 2009, nearly 11 million family members and other unpaid caregivers provided 12.5 billion hours of care for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias, an amount of unpaid care valued at $144 billion. In fact, Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers provided care valued at more than $1 billion in each of 36 states, and nine states saw an Alzheimer and dementia caregiver contribution valued at $5 billion or more per state.


"Alzheimer's disease often progresses in a slow, unrelenting pace exacting a tremendous emotional, physical and financial toll on caregivers. Every day these caregivers rise to meet the challenges of Alzheimer's," said Robert J. Egge, Alzheimer's Association Vice President of Public Policy. "The uncompensated care they provide is valued at $144 billion, which is more than the Federal government spends on Medicare and Medicaid combined for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias."


More than 40 percent of family and other unpaid Alzheimer and dementia caregivers rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high, compared with 28 percent of caregivers of other older people. Caregivers often report a decline in their own health as they try to balance the demands of caregiving with their own work responsibilities. In 2009, 60 percent of Alzheimer and dementia caregivers were employed full-time or part-time and among those employed, two-thirds said they had to go in late, leave early or take time off because of caregiving; 14 percent had to take a leave of absence and 10 percent had to reduce their hours or take a less demanding job. Juggling the demands of caregiving, particularly in these financially difficult times, has placed additional stress on caregivers as their caregiving duties threaten their own job security.


Ultimately solving the Alzheimer crisis - with its far-reaching impact on families, Medicare, Medicaid and the health care system - will mean addressing the chronic underinvestment in research. A rapidly aging population and dramatic increases in the number of Alzheimer cases in coming years should catapult the government into action. "We know what the future will bring if we do nothing - more lives lost, overloaded nursing homes, overworked caregivers and an overwhelmed health care system," said Egge. "Our country must increase our investment in research and scientific innovation if we hope to soon live in a world together with Alzheimer survivors."


The full text of the Alzheimer's Association's 2010 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures can be viewed at www.alz.org after the embargo lifts. The full report will also appear in the March 2010 issue of Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association (volume 6, issue 2).


Alzheimer's Association's Facts and Figures


The Alzheimer's Association's Facts and Figures report is a comprehensive compilation of national statistics and information on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The report conveys the impact of Alzheimer's on individuals, families, government, and the nation's health care system. Since its 2007 inaugural release, the report has become the most cited source covering the broad spectrum of Alzheimer issues. The Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report is an official publication of the Alzheimer's Association®.


Alzheimer's Association


The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's.


Source: Alzheimer's Association

CONTACT: Toni Williams of Alzheimer's Association, +1-202-638-8666;
toni.williams@alz.org, or Alzheimer's Association media line, +1-312-335-4078


Web Site: http://www.alz.org/

Sandra Bullock and Kathryn Bigelow Win Historic Oscars!

Sandra Bullock and Kathryn Bigelow Win Historic Oscars!

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima


Sandra Bullock with her Oscar for Best Actress and having won two "Razzies" the day before for her role in All About Steve, she became the only performer to be named both "Best" and "Worst" for the same year. Wow!


Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win an Oscar for Best Director.


As I predicted on Supple magazine, Sandra Bullock and Jeff Bridges went home with the Oscars for the Best Acting in a leading role. And Kathryn Bigelow proved that her directing was the best as she won the Oscar for the Best Director and her film The Hurt Locker won a total of six Oscars for the following:
Directing
Film editing
Best picture
Sound editing
Sound mixing
Original screenplay


Mo’Nique was happy that she won an Oscar for her role as an abusive mother in “Precious.”
“I would like to thank the Academy for showing that it can be about the performance and not the politics,” Mo’Nique said.


Jeff Bridges accepts the Academy Award for Best Actor while Kate Winslet applauds him during the 82nd Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, on Sunday, March 7, 2010.


Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz arrives at the Governors Ball after the 82nd Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, March 7, 2010.

Nominees & Winners for the 82nd Academy Awards
View by Category View by Picture


Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart” -Winner
George Clooney in “Up in the Air”
Colin Firth in “A Single Man”
Morgan Freeman in “Invictus”
Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker”


Actor in a Supporting Role
Matt Damon in “Invictus”
Woody Harrelson in “The Messenger”
Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station”
Stanley Tucci in “The Lovely Bones”
Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds” -Winner


Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side” -Winner
Helen Mirren in “The Last Station”
Carey Mulligan in “An Education”
Gabourey Sidibe in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia”


Actress in a Supporting Role
Penélope Cruz in “Nine”
Vera Farmiga in “Up in the Air”
Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Crazy Heart”
Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air”
Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” -Winner


Animated Feature Film
“Coraline” Henry Selick
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” Wes Anderson
“The Princess and the Frog” John Musker and Ron Clements
“The Secret of Kells” Tomm Moore
“Up” Pete Docter-Winner


Art Direction
“Avatar” Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair-Winner
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Art Direction: Dave Warren and Anastasia Masaro; Set Decoration: Caroline Smith
“Nine” Art Direction: John Myhre; Set Decoration: Gordon Sim
“Sherlock Holmes” Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
“The Young Victoria” Art Direction: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Maggie Gray


Cinematography
“Avatar” Mauro Fiore-Winner
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Bruno Delbonnel
“The Hurt Locker” Barry Ackroyd
“Inglourious Basterds” Robert Richardson
“The White Ribbon” Christian Berger


Costume Design
“Bright Star” Janet Patterson
“Coco before Chanel” Catherine Leterrier
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Monique Prudhomme
“Nine” Colleen Atwood
“The Young Victoria” Sandy Powell-Winner


Directing
“Avatar” James Cameron
“The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow-Winner
“Inglourious Basterds” Quentin Tarantino
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels
“Up in the Air” Jason Reitman


Documentary (Feature)
“Burma VJ” Anders Østergaard and Lise Lense-Møller
“The Cove” Louie Psihoyos and Fisher Stevens-Winner
“Food, Inc.” Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
“The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers” Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
“Which Way Home” Rebecca Cammisa
Documentary (Short Subject)
“China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province” Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill
“The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner” Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher
“The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant” Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
“Music by Prudence” Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett-Winner
“Rabbit à la Berlin” Bartek Konopka and Anna Wydra


Film Editing
“Avatar” Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
“District 9” Julian Clarke
“The Hurt Locker” Bob Murawski and Chris Innis-Winner
“Inglourious Basterds” Sally Menke
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Joe Klotz


Foreign Language Film
“Ajami” Israel
“The Milk of Sorrow (La Teta Asustada)” Peru
“A Prophet (Un Prophète)” France
“The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos)” Argentina-Winner
“The White Ribbon (Das Weisse Band)” Germany


Makeup
“Il Divo” Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano
“Star Trek” Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow-Winner
“The Young Victoria” Jon Henry Gordon and Jenny Shircore


Music (Original Score)
“Avatar” James Horner
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” Alexandre Desplat
“The Hurt Locker” Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
“Sherlock Holmes” Hans Zimmer
“Up” Michael Giacchino-Winner


Music (Original Song)
“Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
“Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
“Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36” Music by Reinhardt Wagner Lyric by Frank Thomas
“Take It All” from “Nine” Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston
“The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett-Winner


Best Picture
“Avatar” James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
“The Blind Side” Gil Netter, Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson, Producers
“District 9” Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers
“An Education” Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers
“The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro, Producers-Winner
“Inglourious Basterds” Lawrence Bender, Producer
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, Producers
“A Serious Man” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Producers
“Up” Jonas Rivera, Producer
“Up in the Air” Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, Producers


Short Film (Animated)
“French Roast” Fabrice O. Joubert
“Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty” Nicky Phelan and Darragh O’Connell
“The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)” Javier Recio Gracia
“Logorama” Nicolas Schmerkin-Winner
“A Matter of Loaf and Death” Nick Park


Short Film (Live Action)
“The Door” Juanita Wilson and James Flynn
“Instead of Abracadabra” Patrik Eklund and Mathias Fjellström
“Kavi” Gregg Helvey
“Miracle Fish” Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey
“The New Tenants” Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson-Winner


Sound Editing
“Avatar” Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
“The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson-Winner
“Inglourious Basterds” Wylie Stateman
“Star Trek” Mark Stoeckinger and Alan Rankin
“Up” Michael Silvers and Tom Myers


Sound Mixing
“Avatar” Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson
“The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett-Winner
“Inglourious Basterds” Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti and Mark Ulano
“Star Trek” Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson and Peter J. Devlin
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers and Geoffrey Patterson


Visual Effects
“Avatar” Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones-Winner
“District 9” Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros and Matt Aitken
“Star Trek” Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh and Burt Dalton


Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
“District 9” Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
“An Education” Screenplay by Nick Hornby
“In the Loop” Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher-Winner
“Up in the Air” Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

Writing (Original Screenplay)
“The Hurt Locker” Written by Mark Boal-Winner“Inglourious Basterds” Written by Quentin Tarantino
“The Messenger” Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
“A Serious Man” Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
“Up” Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy

'Mummy and I'

'Mummy and I' is the second Single from Rodo's Debut Album, Dare to Differ.
Official Release date: 8th of March 2010. Available on itunes 8th of March 2010.
'Written for the best mum in the world'.
Produced by Calvin Gudu. 2010 Heartcut Records. All rights reserved.

Speechless: Horror On Lagos - Benin Expressway ... Don't Look Away

SPEECHLESS: HORROR ON LAGOS - BENIN EXPRESSWAY ... Don't look away

~ From Correspondent in Lagos, Nigeria.

Please let us avoid night travels where possible.

If I were God, I will make sure the perpetrators of this heinous act are lynched.


Man's inhumanity to man. A bus was ambushed by armed robbers, the passengers were robbed and raped, those that had nothing to give were asked to lie down on the road face down and the driver on gun point was commanded by the robbers to drive the bus over them!!!!

WHO IS THE WICKED ONE. THE ARMED ROBBERS OR THE DRIVER?
the driver is wicked. the driver drove over them not the robbers.....pls lets avoid nite travelling.

iPad Available in US on April 3

5 Mar 2010 14:30 Africa/Lagos


iPad Available in US on April 3

Pre-Order on March 12

CUPERTINO, Calif., March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple® today announced that its magical and revolutionary iPad will be available in the US on Saturday, April 3, for Wi-Fi models and in late April for Wi-Fi + 3G models. In addition, all models of iPad will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK in late April.


Beginning a week from today, on March 12, US customers can pre-order both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models from Apple's online store (www.apple.com) or reserve a Wi-Fi model to pick up on Saturday, April 3, at an Apple retail store.


"iPad is something completely new," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "We're excited for customers to get their hands on this magical and revolutionary product and connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before."


Starting at just $499, iPad lets users browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more. iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds--thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook--and delivers battery life of up to 10 hours.*


iPad's revolutionary Multi-Touch(TM) interface makes surfing the web an entirely new experience, dramatically more interactive and intimate than on a computer. You can read and send email on iPad's large screen and almost full-size "soft" keyboard or import photos from a Mac®, PC or digital camera, see them organized as albums, and enjoy and share them using iPad's elegant slideshows. iPad makes it easy to watch movies, TV shows and YouTube, all in HD, or flip through the pages of an ebook you downloaded from Apple's new iBookstore while listening to your music collection.


The App Store on iPad lets you wirelessly browse, buy and download new apps from the world's largest app store. iPad includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for iPad and will run almost all of the more than 150,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for your iPhone® or iPod touch®. Developers are already creating exciting new apps designed for iPad that take advantage of its Multi-Touch interface, large screen and high-quality graphics.


The new iBooks app for iPad includes Apple's new iBookstore, the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile product. The iBookstore will feature books from the New York Times Best Seller list from both major and independent publishers, including Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishers, Penguin Group and Simon & Schuster.


The iTunes® Store gives iPad users access to the world's most popular online music, TV and movie store with a catalog of over 12 million songs, over 55,000 TV episodes and over 8,500 films including over 2,500 in stunning high definition. All the apps and content you download on iPad from the App Store, iTunes Store and iBookstore will be automatically synced to your iTunes library the next time you connect with your computer.


Pricing & Availability


iPad will be available in Wi-Fi models on April 3 in the US for a suggested retail price of $499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB. The Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available in late April for a suggested retail price of $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB and $829 for 64GB. iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers.


iPad will be available in both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models in late April in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. International pricing will be announced in April. iPad will ship in additional countries later this year.


The iBooks app for iPad including Apple's iBookstore will be available as a free download from the App Store in the US on April 3, with additional countries added later this year.


*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.


Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.


© 2010 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, Multi-Touch, iPhone, iPod touch, iTunes and Apple Store are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.


Source: Apple

CONTACT: Natalie Harrison, +1-408-862-0565, harri@apple.com, or Natalie
Kerris, +1-408-974-6877, nat@apple.com, both of Apple


Web Site: Apple

Global Oil and Gas Upstream M&A 2009 Review: New Assets and New Buyers Bring Deal Value to $153 Billion

5 Mar 2010 13:31 Africa/Lagos

Global Oil and Gas Upstream M&A 2009 Review: New Assets and New Buyers Bring Deal Value to $153 Billion

PLS, Inc., Derrick Petroleum Services and Rystad Energy Study indicates E&P Transactions Markets are well supplied now with $46 billion of Deals on the Market

HOUSTON, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- PLS, Inc. with its international partner Derrick Petroleum Services and further analysis from Rystad Energy report, despite a difficult economic cycle, Global Upstream M&A activity for oil and gas deals in 2009 totaled $153 billion and surpassed the pre-crash levels in 2007. According to Brian Lidsky, Managing Director of Houston-based research, transactions and advisory firm PLS, Inc., "Despite the recovery in the total dollar amount of Global oil and gas deals in 2009, the markets have not yet fully recovered as tracked by the number of actual transactions above the $100 million mark, which came in at 124 in 2009 versus 160 in 2008 and 168 in 2007. Furthermore, the 2009 market is characterized by new buyers and new assets, a trend we believe will continue in 2010 and beyond."


Oil and gas valuations globally, based on an evaluation of the $100 million plus deal market and prices paid per 2P entitlement reserves, ended 2009 at the $14.40 per BOE level, up 40% from a trough number of $10.20 per BOE seen in Q1 2009 but down from the $20.90 per BOE peak seen in Q1 2008. In the U.S., valuations for 1P oil reserves ended the year at about $14.10 per barrel, down 25% from the 2008 peak. For 1P gas reserves, values ended 2009 at about $1.80 per Mcf, down 40% from the 2008 peak.


The oil and gas deal markets have shifted to a new paradigm and new asset types - namely unconventional oil and gas production primarily sourced from gas shales, tight gas sands and oil sands. This asset class garnered 45% of the market in 2009, up dramatically from just 9% in 2007.


On the buyer side, foreign National Oil Companies ("NOC's") and Government-backed entities represented 50% of all deals greater than $1 billion in 2009; also marking a shift to a new buyer profile in the oil and gas markets. The traditional major international oil companies ("IOC's") had limited activity, but when active the IOC's focused on unconventional assets. A prime example was ExxonMobil's $41 billion purchase of U.S. independent XTO Energy.


Interestingly, $35 billion of the $153 billion in 2009 is classified as cross-border transactions. According to Yashodeep Deodhar, President of Derrick Petroleum Services, "The Chinese NOCs clearly are on a global buying spree, having accounted for 45% of the deal value in cross-border deals. In 2009 alone, China spent $16 billion gaining footprints in Canadian oil sands, the Gulf of Mexico, Nigeria, Gabon, Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Indonesia and Kazakhstan." Following China in cross-border deals are the European majors (primarily into the U.S. shales, $5.6 billion) and Korea (3 deals, $5.25 billion).


Dissecting the oil and gas markets even further reveals another market shift in 2009. Pure asset deals accounted for 28% of the volume in 2009, down markedly from 65% in 2007. Volatility in oil and gas prices and economic conditions early in 2009 drove this shift as companies found it more effective to buy entire companies rather than attempt to complete a deal where both buyer and seller could agree on the price of an asset.


In terms of emerging trends, Africa continues to be a growing area of interest for buyers with its share of the global market growing to 14% in 2009, up from 5% in 2007. According to Anders Wittemann, Consulting Manager with Rystad Energy, "Hess and Shell's cross-border swap of North Sea and Gabon assets, valued by Rystad Energy at $2.9 billion, ranks the deal at the #9 spot for 2009. This is a unique example of portfolio management driving strategic and operational goals. Hess is a global leader in cross-border asset swaps and both companies demonstrated persistence and flexibility through this transaction."


According to Lidsky, "Looking forward, we currently have more than $46 billion of deals on the market and have already transacted $18 billion in the first two months of 2010. For perspective, in May 2009, we only had $20 billion of deals on the market. The markets are well supplied - particularly on the asset side. The difficult cycle the industry is coming out of requires managers to laser focus on execution and strategy."


Drivers for oil and gas M&A deals in 2010 include, (1) North American companies focusing on resource plays and divesting conventional and/or cash flowing assets, (2) capital needs for world class development projects, and (3) normal portfolio balancing and risk management.


For more on the 2009 Study or the M&A Database, please contact PLS, Inc. at (713) 650-1212.


PLS, Inc. and Derrick Petroleum Services are partners in providing U.S., Canadian and International clients with leading M&A and E&P databases and services.


PLS, Inc. is a leading industry research, transactions and advisory firm based in Houston, Texas.


Derrick Petroleum Services is an independent oil and gas research and consulting firm with special emphasis on emerging plays and transactions internationally.


Rystad Energy is an independent and integrated E&P advisory and business intelligence data firm offering global database applications, stand-alone research products and strategy consulting services.


For more information:


Contact Brian Lidsky at PLS, Inc. at 713-650-1212 or email blidsky@plsx.com for further inquiries or to access and subscribe to the M&A database and 2009 Study.


Source: PLS, Inc.

CONTACT: Brian Lidsky, Managing Director of PLS, Inc. +1-713-600-0134,
blidsky@plsx.com


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

Tomorrow is the Big Day of the Oscars

82nd Annual Academy Awards, March 7th, 2010



Best Picture:
Avatar,
The Blind Side,
District 9,
An Education,
The Hurt Locker,
Inglourious Basterds,
Precious,
A Serious Man,
Up,
Up in the Air

Actor in a Leading Role:
Jeff Bridges,
George Clooney,
Colin Firth,
Morgan Freeman,
Jeremy Renner

Actress in a Leading Role:
Sandra Bullock,
Helen Mirren,
Carey Mulligan,
Gabourey Sidibe,
Meryl Streep

Directing:
Avatar,
The Hurt Locker,
Inglourious Basterds,
Up in the Air,
Precious

www.oscars.org


Zoe Saldana poses beside her character Neytiri in James Cameron's Avatar.

Do not be surprised if the director of Avatar, the most debated movie on the Internet‎, James Cameron loses the coveted Oscar for Best Director to his ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow or Lone Scherfig, director of An Education. One thing for sure is it is not going to be a walk over for any of the directors of the films nominated for the Best Picture.

Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker has already won the BAFTA and in fact, James Cameron ‎said he would be glad to see her winning the Oscar for the Best Picture as well. He knows that she really excelled in directing her Iraqi war thriller.

I see Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side) and Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart) clutching their Oscars for the Best Actress and Best Actor in leading roles..Many film critics say it is going to be either George Clooney (Up In The Air) or Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker), but I am betting on Jeff Bridges. And of course Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia) knows her greatest contender for the Best Actress Oscar is Sandra Bullock.
I wish all the Oscar Nominees the best wishes of their dreams.

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

NOTE: The news video of the Oscars will be on Supple magazine and you can watch it full screen no matter the size of your monitor. Enjoy it!

US Still Worried About the Political Situation in Nigeria

5 Mar 2010 12:52 Africa/Lagos


Political Situation in Nigeria


WASHINGTON, March 5, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Office of the Spokesman.


Nigeria is very important to the region, the continent, and to the United States, yet it remains unsettled as a result of President Yar'Adua's uncertain medical condition. Since his return home from Saudi Arabia, President Yar'Adua has not been seen publicly or met with members of his cabinet or any of his country's key political leaders, generating additional unease about the stability of the country and physical capacity of the president to lead the government. In a modern democracy, senior cabinet members and legislative leaders have a right to know the health status of their president and so do Nigeria's citizens.


In President Yar'Adua's absence, we applaud the Nigerian leaders who have taken steps to restore confidence in the country's political system while adhering to democratic principles. We welcome Acting President Jonathan's commitments on electoral reform, anti-corruption, post-Amnesty programs in the Niger Delta, and justice for the perpetrators of sectarian violence and extra-judicial killings.


As Nigeria deals with its current political crisis, it is essential for the country's leaders to avoid any actions that will imperil Nigeria's last ten years of democratic progress as well as the accomplishments that have been achieved under civilian rule. Nigerians have a right to expect their civilian and military leaders to work through their country's democratic institutions, ensuring that the good of the many triumphs over the ambitions of the few.

Source: US Department of State

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time

5 Mar 2010

13:31
Global Oil and Gas Upstream M&A 2009 Review: New Assets and New Buyers Bring Deal Value to $153 Billion

12:52
Political Situation in Nigeria