Friday, June 18, 2010
Western Union Official Sponsor for World Music Awards
Western Union Official Sponsor for World Music Awards
St. Helens, Ore., residents win company sweepstakes to attend event in Monaco
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (June 17, 2010) /PRNewswire/ — The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), a leader in global payment services, is the official sponsor for this year’s World Music Awards, airing in the United States and Canada on My Network TV tonight.
The World Music Awards, held this year in Monaco, is the most widely broadcast awards show in the world, with more than 1 billion viewers in over 150 countries worldwide.
To promote its sponsorship of the event, Western Union held its first-ever mobile sweepstakes, the yes! box campaign. Prizes included iPod Touch music players, prepaid Visa gift cards, and a trip for two to the World Music Awards. More than 70,000 people played the sweepstakes, drawing 28,000 unique visitors to Western Union’s website, www.westernunion.com.
Grand-prize winners Mandy McCalister and Michelle Kaady from St. Helens, Ore., accompanied the Western Union team to the event.
About Western Union
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Custom House branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as send payments and purchase money orders. The Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services are offered through a combined network of more than 420,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2009, The Western Union Company completed 196 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $71 billion of principal between consumers, and 415 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
Media Contact:
Kristin Kelly
The Western Union Company
+1 720.332.4751
kristin.kelly@westernunion.com
Illicit Cigarette Trade Funds Terrorism and Organized Crime
18 Jun 2010 06:20 Africa/Lagos
Illicit Cigarette Trade Funds Terrorism and Organized Crime
KIEV, Ukraine, June 18, 2010/PRNewswire/ --
There is clear and convincing evidence that large sums are being siphoned from the multi-billion dollar revenues from the global cigarette smuggling trade into the pockets of terrorist networks and international organized crime.
A United Nations Security Council investigative body, the Group of Experts, has reported that millions of dollars in illicit tobacco revenues are reaching al-Qaeda, the Taliban and other terrorist organizations, and is financing Congolese rebels for the recruitment of child soldiers, mass rape and murders.
The World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has determined that 600 billion counterfeited and smuggled cigarettes cross national borders annually. This represents USD $50 billion in lost proceeds affecting nations throughout the world. The most recent edition of the authoritative Tobacco Atlas, released by the American Cancer Society and World Lung Foundation also concluded: "Cigarettes are the world's most widely smuggled legal consumer product."
Despite disturbing trends in many other nations, the Ukraine, with a population of 45 million, and with porous borders, has an extremely low rate of 1.7% of its total market in contraband tobacco. The Ukraine utilizes the EDAPS Tax Stamp System to control the illicit sales of products and EDAPS is now offering comparable systems to other nations.
"Our hologram technology and enforcement methodology with our Track & Trace System, enables government agencies to not only substantially increase their revenues from the sale of excisable products but to dramatically block illegal uses that often fund transnational criminal and terrorist activities," said Alexander Vassiliev, Chairman of EDAPS.
Since 9-11, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has reported that smugglers with ties to terrorist groups were acquiring millions of dollars from illegal cigarette sales and funneling the cash to al-Qaeda and the Taliban. At the same time, the booming black markets are fueling not only terrorist groups but dozens of organized crime gangs, who find the big profits and low risk hard to resist, according to the latest study by the Center for Public Integrity.
The first large-scale cigarette trafficking case tied to terrorism was prosecuted in North Carolina in 2002. A federal jury in Charlotte convicted Mohamad Hammoud, 28, of violating a ban on providing material support to terrorist groups by funneling profits from a multimillion-dollar cigarette-smuggling operation to them. Prosecutors were able to prove that huge profits from the venture were sent to high-ranking terrorist leaders.
"This is a major priority for us," Michael Bouchard, assistant director of the ATF told the Washington Post. "The deeper we dig into these cases, the more ties to terrorism we're discovering."
A Congressional study prepared by the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security -- "How Cigarette Smuggling is Funding our Enemies Abroad" -- concluded, "Recent law enforcement investigations have directly linked those involved in illicit tobacco trade to infamous terrorist organizations."
A report by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists -- "Tobacco Underground" -- charts the paths of smugglers working for the Taliban and others. The report explains how the multibillion-dollar business fuels organized crime, robs governments of tax money and spurs addiction.
As the Twelfth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice concluded at their meeting in Brazil last month, "Organized crime and terrorism pose greater threats to international peace and security than ever before."
"We are confident that our EDAPS Tax Stamp System can substantially contribute to global efforts to cut off essential funds from those engaged in a wide range of transnational crime and terrorism," Vassiliev concluded.
Source: EDAPS Consortium
Olga Lyubimova, +38044-5612570 ext. 11, Fax, +38044-5612545
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
18 Jun 2010
06:30
Maurel & Prom - Projet Nigeria : Accord de la NNPC
17 Jun 2010
20:00
IHV and Nigeria Partner with the U.S. to Combat Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
18:25
BET Awards '10 Adds Heat to an Already Explosive Performance Line Up With Eminem, Alicia Keys, Usher and T Pain
15:08
World's First Young Champions of Maternal Health Named by Ashoka and the Maternal Health Task Force
11:30
Global Planned Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry to 2013: Investment Opportunities, Analysis and Forecasts of All Planned Pipelines Now Available at ReportsandReports
16 Jun 2010
09:39
Presentation of the World Social Science Report 2010 on 25 June 2010 at UNESCO Headquarters
Illicit Cigarette Trade Funds Terrorism and Organized Crime
KIEV, Ukraine, June 18, 2010/PRNewswire/ --
There is clear and convincing evidence that large sums are being siphoned from the multi-billion dollar revenues from the global cigarette smuggling trade into the pockets of terrorist networks and international organized crime.
A United Nations Security Council investigative body, the Group of Experts, has reported that millions of dollars in illicit tobacco revenues are reaching al-Qaeda, the Taliban and other terrorist organizations, and is financing Congolese rebels for the recruitment of child soldiers, mass rape and murders.
The World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has determined that 600 billion counterfeited and smuggled cigarettes cross national borders annually. This represents USD $50 billion in lost proceeds affecting nations throughout the world. The most recent edition of the authoritative Tobacco Atlas, released by the American Cancer Society and World Lung Foundation also concluded: "Cigarettes are the world's most widely smuggled legal consumer product."
Despite disturbing trends in many other nations, the Ukraine, with a population of 45 million, and with porous borders, has an extremely low rate of 1.7% of its total market in contraband tobacco. The Ukraine utilizes the EDAPS Tax Stamp System to control the illicit sales of products and EDAPS is now offering comparable systems to other nations.
"Our hologram technology and enforcement methodology with our Track & Trace System, enables government agencies to not only substantially increase their revenues from the sale of excisable products but to dramatically block illegal uses that often fund transnational criminal and terrorist activities," said Alexander Vassiliev, Chairman of EDAPS.
Since 9-11, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has reported that smugglers with ties to terrorist groups were acquiring millions of dollars from illegal cigarette sales and funneling the cash to al-Qaeda and the Taliban. At the same time, the booming black markets are fueling not only terrorist groups but dozens of organized crime gangs, who find the big profits and low risk hard to resist, according to the latest study by the Center for Public Integrity.
The first large-scale cigarette trafficking case tied to terrorism was prosecuted in North Carolina in 2002. A federal jury in Charlotte convicted Mohamad Hammoud, 28, of violating a ban on providing material support to terrorist groups by funneling profits from a multimillion-dollar cigarette-smuggling operation to them. Prosecutors were able to prove that huge profits from the venture were sent to high-ranking terrorist leaders.
"This is a major priority for us," Michael Bouchard, assistant director of the ATF told the Washington Post. "The deeper we dig into these cases, the more ties to terrorism we're discovering."
A Congressional study prepared by the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security -- "How Cigarette Smuggling is Funding our Enemies Abroad" -- concluded, "Recent law enforcement investigations have directly linked those involved in illicit tobacco trade to infamous terrorist organizations."
A report by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists -- "Tobacco Underground" -- charts the paths of smugglers working for the Taliban and others. The report explains how the multibillion-dollar business fuels organized crime, robs governments of tax money and spurs addiction.
As the Twelfth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice concluded at their meeting in Brazil last month, "Organized crime and terrorism pose greater threats to international peace and security than ever before."
"We are confident that our EDAPS Tax Stamp System can substantially contribute to global efforts to cut off essential funds from those engaged in a wide range of transnational crime and terrorism," Vassiliev concluded.
Source: EDAPS Consortium
Olga Lyubimova, +38044-5612570 ext. 11, Fax, +38044-5612545
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
18 Jun 2010
06:30
Maurel & Prom - Projet Nigeria : Accord de la NNPC
17 Jun 2010
20:00
IHV and Nigeria Partner with the U.S. to Combat Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
18:25
BET Awards '10 Adds Heat to an Already Explosive Performance Line Up With Eminem, Alicia Keys, Usher and T Pain
15:08
World's First Young Champions of Maternal Health Named by Ashoka and the Maternal Health Task Force
11:30
Global Planned Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry to 2013: Investment Opportunities, Analysis and Forecasts of All Planned Pipelines Now Available at ReportsandReports
16 Jun 2010
09:39
Presentation of the World Social Science Report 2010 on 25 June 2010 at UNESCO Headquarters
Thursday, June 17, 2010
African Affairs Remarks / US Priorities on sub-Saharan Africa
16 Jun 2010 09:37 Africa/Lagos
African Affairs Remarks / US Priorities on sub-Saharan Africa
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- African Affairs Remarks / US Priorities on sub-Saharan Africa:
Johnnie Carson
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs
Remarks for the Diplomacy Briefing Series Conference
Washington, DC
June 14, 2010
Good afternoon. I would like to thank the Bureau of Public Affairs for organizing the Diplomacy Briefing Series and for inviting me to join all of you today to examine our key priorities in Africa.
I want to begin today by emphasizing the strong commitment of this Administration to working with our African partners to bring about a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous Africa. This Administration sees immense potential in Africa, and we are determined to work with Africans across the continent to help realize this promise.
Often, Africa has been overlooked as a top policy priority for the U.S. Government. I can tell you that this is not the case with this Administration. President Obama is not complacent about Africa, and is determined to forge a deeper and more lasting impact on our relationship with the continent, not just through words, but through concrete action.
As evidence of this commitment, Vice President Biden concluded just yesterday a week-long trip to Africa—a trip in which I participated. Some in the media focused on the World Cup as the centerpiece of this Africa visit, but this trip was more about substance than sport. The Vice President used this trip to focus on one of the Administration's highest priorities in Africa: the current situation in Sudan. In Egypt, the Vice President met with President Mubarak and other senior government officials to discuss Sudan policy. In Kenya, we met with Salva Kiir, the President of the Government of South Sudan and other South Sudanese leaders. And in South Africa, I accompanied the Vice President to his extended meeting with Thabo Mbeki, the AU's point person on Sudan.
The Vice President's trip was just the most recent example of high-level engagement by this Administration in Africa. The President's visit to Ghana last July, the earliest visit made by a U.S. president to the continent, underscored Africa's importance to the U.S. And last September, at the UN General Assembly, the President hosted a lunch with 26 African heads of state. Over the past year, he has also met in the oval office with President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, President Kikwete of Tanzania, President Khama of Botswana, and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangarai of Zimbabwe. And during the Nuclear Summit in April of this year, the President also met with President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria and President Zuma of South Africa.
All of the President's senior foreign policy advisors have followed his lead by traveling to Africa. The U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice visited five African countries last June, including Liberia and Rwanda. Deputy Secretary of State Jack Lew traveled to Ethiopia and Tanzania in June 2009, and was in Mali and Nigeria just last month.
Undersecretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero headed the U.S. delegation to the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa in January 2010, where we discussed a range of issues, including democracy and governance, climate change, and food security. Last month, she led the U.S. delegation to Abuja to the first meeting of the Democracy and Governance working group of the U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission. And last August, Secretary Clinton made an 11-day, seven-country trip across the continent.
These high-level visits are a testament to the importance this Administration places on Africa, and our commitment to meet and work with our partners to address the immense challenges facing the continent. Through our engagement and programs, the Administration is seeking to advance five key policy priorities on the continent.
First: We are working with African governments, the international community, and civil society to strengthen democratic institutions and protect the democratic gains made in recent years in many African countries.
Since the 1990's, we have witnessed an impressive wave of democratic transitions, during which dozens of African countries moved from dictatorship to democracy, in one of the most impressive political transformations in history. Recent democratic elections, including those in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, and Ghana, have served to remind the world of the importance that Africans attach to democracy, as well as the values that underpin it. The recent elections in Ghana and Mauritius were especially impressive, as they have resulted in a peaceful, democratic transition between two political parties.
Nonetheless, we have seen worrying signs of backsliding in terms of democracy and good governance in a number of countries as a result of flawed elections, harassment of opposition groups, and attempts by presidents to extend their term limits. We have also seen a recurrence of military coups and interventions in several countries.
The political and economic success of Africa depends a great deal on the effectiveness, sustainability, and reliability of its democratic institutions. We are encouraging governments across the continent to get elections right. To level the playing field, clean up the voter rolls, open up the media, count the votes fairly, and give democracy a chance.
Source: US Department of State
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
16 Jun 2010
09:39
Presentation of the World Social Science Report 2010 on 25 June 2010 at UNESCO Headquarters
09:37
African Affairs Remarks / US Priorities on sub-Saharan Africa
09:37
Diplomacy Briefing Series Conference on Sub-Saharan Africa
15 Jun 2010
11:53
IMF Executive Board Approves US$109 Million ECF for Benin
African Affairs Remarks / US Priorities on sub-Saharan Africa
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- African Affairs Remarks / US Priorities on sub-Saharan Africa:
Johnnie Carson
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs
Remarks for the Diplomacy Briefing Series Conference
Washington, DC
June 14, 2010
Good afternoon. I would like to thank the Bureau of Public Affairs for organizing the Diplomacy Briefing Series and for inviting me to join all of you today to examine our key priorities in Africa.
I want to begin today by emphasizing the strong commitment of this Administration to working with our African partners to bring about a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous Africa. This Administration sees immense potential in Africa, and we are determined to work with Africans across the continent to help realize this promise.
Often, Africa has been overlooked as a top policy priority for the U.S. Government. I can tell you that this is not the case with this Administration. President Obama is not complacent about Africa, and is determined to forge a deeper and more lasting impact on our relationship with the continent, not just through words, but through concrete action.
As evidence of this commitment, Vice President Biden concluded just yesterday a week-long trip to Africa—a trip in which I participated. Some in the media focused on the World Cup as the centerpiece of this Africa visit, but this trip was more about substance than sport. The Vice President used this trip to focus on one of the Administration's highest priorities in Africa: the current situation in Sudan. In Egypt, the Vice President met with President Mubarak and other senior government officials to discuss Sudan policy. In Kenya, we met with Salva Kiir, the President of the Government of South Sudan and other South Sudanese leaders. And in South Africa, I accompanied the Vice President to his extended meeting with Thabo Mbeki, the AU's point person on Sudan.
The Vice President's trip was just the most recent example of high-level engagement by this Administration in Africa. The President's visit to Ghana last July, the earliest visit made by a U.S. president to the continent, underscored Africa's importance to the U.S. And last September, at the UN General Assembly, the President hosted a lunch with 26 African heads of state. Over the past year, he has also met in the oval office with President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, President Kikwete of Tanzania, President Khama of Botswana, and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangarai of Zimbabwe. And during the Nuclear Summit in April of this year, the President also met with President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria and President Zuma of South Africa.
All of the President's senior foreign policy advisors have followed his lead by traveling to Africa. The U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice visited five African countries last June, including Liberia and Rwanda. Deputy Secretary of State Jack Lew traveled to Ethiopia and Tanzania in June 2009, and was in Mali and Nigeria just last month.
Undersecretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero headed the U.S. delegation to the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa in January 2010, where we discussed a range of issues, including democracy and governance, climate change, and food security. Last month, she led the U.S. delegation to Abuja to the first meeting of the Democracy and Governance working group of the U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission. And last August, Secretary Clinton made an 11-day, seven-country trip across the continent.
These high-level visits are a testament to the importance this Administration places on Africa, and our commitment to meet and work with our partners to address the immense challenges facing the continent. Through our engagement and programs, the Administration is seeking to advance five key policy priorities on the continent.
First: We are working with African governments, the international community, and civil society to strengthen democratic institutions and protect the democratic gains made in recent years in many African countries.
Since the 1990's, we have witnessed an impressive wave of democratic transitions, during which dozens of African countries moved from dictatorship to democracy, in one of the most impressive political transformations in history. Recent democratic elections, including those in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, and Ghana, have served to remind the world of the importance that Africans attach to democracy, as well as the values that underpin it. The recent elections in Ghana and Mauritius were especially impressive, as they have resulted in a peaceful, democratic transition between two political parties.
Nonetheless, we have seen worrying signs of backsliding in terms of democracy and good governance in a number of countries as a result of flawed elections, harassment of opposition groups, and attempts by presidents to extend their term limits. We have also seen a recurrence of military coups and interventions in several countries.
The political and economic success of Africa depends a great deal on the effectiveness, sustainability, and reliability of its democratic institutions. We are encouraging governments across the continent to get elections right. To level the playing field, clean up the voter rolls, open up the media, count the votes fairly, and give democracy a chance.
Source: US Department of State
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
16 Jun 2010
09:39
Presentation of the World Social Science Report 2010 on 25 June 2010 at UNESCO Headquarters
09:37
African Affairs Remarks / US Priorities on sub-Saharan Africa
09:37
Diplomacy Briefing Series Conference on Sub-Saharan Africa
15 Jun 2010
11:53
IMF Executive Board Approves US$109 Million ECF for Benin
The New York Times Ranks as Top Online Newspaper
16 Jun 2010 18:30 Africa/Lagos
The New York Times Ranks as Top Online Newspaper According to May 2010 U.S. comScore Media Metrix Data
"The good news for publishers is that even as print circulation declines, Americans are actually consuming as much news as ever - it's just being consumed across more media," said Jeff Hackett, comScore senior vice president.
"The Internet has become an essential channel in the way the majority of Americans consume news content today with nearly 3 out of 5 Internet users reading newspapers online each month. As news evolves towards a more digital model, the issue is not attracting the eyeballs, but rather demonstrating the true value of those eyeballs to advertisers. As advertising rates for digital move closer into line with those of traditional media, the economics of the news business should begin to look a lot more promising."
U.S. Online Newspaper CPMs Nearly 3 Times Higher than Average
RESTON, Va., June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR) , a leader in measuring the digital world, today released a report of the top U.S. online newspaper groups based on the comScore Media Metrix service. The newspaper category represents the first site category for which each of the top ten ranked entities has transitioned to the comScore Media Metrix 360 (Unified Digital Measurement) methodology.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080115/COMSCORELOGO)
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080115/COMSCORELOGO)
Click here to see tables
The report showed that more than 123 million Americans visited newspaper sites in May, representing 57 percent of the total U.S. Internet audience, as the New York Times Brand led the category with more than 32 million visitors and 719 million pages viewed during the month. The average visitor viewed 22 pages of content on the New York Times, also leading the top ten. Tribune Newspapers ranked second in terms of audience with 24.8 million visitors, followed by Advance Internet (18.1 million visitors) and USA Today Sites (16.8 million visitors).
"The good news for publishers is that even as print circulation declines, Americans are actually consuming as much news as ever - it's just being consumed across more media," said Jeff Hackett, comScore senior vice president. "The Internet has become an essential channel in the way the majority of Americans consume news content today with nearly 3 out of 5 Internet users reading newspapers online each month. As news evolves towards a more digital model, the issue is not attracting the eyeballs, but rather demonstrating the true value of those eyeballs to advertisers. As advertising rates for digital move closer into line with those of traditional media, the economics of the news business should begin to look a lot more promising."
Online Newspapers Attract High CPM Rates from Advertisers
comScore's Ad Metrix service shows that among the top site categories where display ads appeared in April 2010, online newspapers accounted for 2.4 percent of impressions but a higher 6.7 percent of display advertising dollars. The average cost per thousand impressions (CPM) on online newspaper sites was $7, higher than each of the other top site categories and nearly three times the average CPM for the total U.S. Internet at $2.52.
"Online newspapers represent premium inventory for advertisers," added Hackett. "comScore research conducted last year for the Online Publishers Association showed that visitors who are exposed to display ads on news sites are more likely than average to visit the advertiser website, are heavier online buyers and tend to have higher household income. Online news publishers are also leading the way in the use of newer display ad formats, which are aiming to create a richer, more engaging experience for consumers."
In particular, online newspapers have demonstrated significantly faster adoption of the new OPA ad units. While these units currently account for just 0.06 percent of all display ads delivered online in the U.S., they account for 0.43 percent of ads on newspaper sites, or seven times higher than average. Notably, the Fixed Panel 336 x 860 unit is the most popular unit being used on newspaper sites among the new OPA units at a rate 35 times higher than average.
About comScore
comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCOR) is a global leader in measuring the digital world and preferred source of digital marketing intelligence. For more information, please visit www.comscore.com/companyinfo.
Follow Us on Twitter
twitter.com/comScore
twitter.com/m_abraham
twitter.com/gfulgoni
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080115/COMSCORELOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080115/COMSCORELOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: comScore, Inc.
CONTACT: Andrew Lipsman of comScore, Inc., +1-312-775-6510,
press@comscore.com
Web Site: http://www.comscore.com/
Hot Topics
Statement by Apple on iPhone 4 Pre-Orders
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac to Delist from NYSE
Glee Scores Third Consecutive #1 Album
The New York Times Ranks as Top Online Newspaper According to May 2010 U.S. comScore Media Metrix Data
TrueCar.com Releases June TrueTrends(TM) Report
Gulf Oil Spill
2010 World Cup
Father's Day
The New York Times Ranks as Top Online Newspaper According to May 2010 U.S. comScore Media Metrix Data
"The good news for publishers is that even as print circulation declines, Americans are actually consuming as much news as ever - it's just being consumed across more media," said Jeff Hackett, comScore senior vice president.
"The Internet has become an essential channel in the way the majority of Americans consume news content today with nearly 3 out of 5 Internet users reading newspapers online each month. As news evolves towards a more digital model, the issue is not attracting the eyeballs, but rather demonstrating the true value of those eyeballs to advertisers. As advertising rates for digital move closer into line with those of traditional media, the economics of the news business should begin to look a lot more promising."
U.S. Online Newspaper CPMs Nearly 3 Times Higher than Average
RESTON, Va., June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR) , a leader in measuring the digital world, today released a report of the top U.S. online newspaper groups based on the comScore Media Metrix service. The newspaper category represents the first site category for which each of the top ten ranked entities has transitioned to the comScore Media Metrix 360 (Unified Digital Measurement) methodology.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080115/COMSCORELOGO)
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080115/COMSCORELOGO)
Click here to see tables
The report showed that more than 123 million Americans visited newspaper sites in May, representing 57 percent of the total U.S. Internet audience, as the New York Times Brand led the category with more than 32 million visitors and 719 million pages viewed during the month. The average visitor viewed 22 pages of content on the New York Times, also leading the top ten. Tribune Newspapers ranked second in terms of audience with 24.8 million visitors, followed by Advance Internet (18.1 million visitors) and USA Today Sites (16.8 million visitors).
"The good news for publishers is that even as print circulation declines, Americans are actually consuming as much news as ever - it's just being consumed across more media," said Jeff Hackett, comScore senior vice president. "The Internet has become an essential channel in the way the majority of Americans consume news content today with nearly 3 out of 5 Internet users reading newspapers online each month. As news evolves towards a more digital model, the issue is not attracting the eyeballs, but rather demonstrating the true value of those eyeballs to advertisers. As advertising rates for digital move closer into line with those of traditional media, the economics of the news business should begin to look a lot more promising."
Online Newspapers Attract High CPM Rates from Advertisers
comScore's Ad Metrix service shows that among the top site categories where display ads appeared in April 2010, online newspapers accounted for 2.4 percent of impressions but a higher 6.7 percent of display advertising dollars. The average cost per thousand impressions (CPM) on online newspaper sites was $7, higher than each of the other top site categories and nearly three times the average CPM for the total U.S. Internet at $2.52.
"Online newspapers represent premium inventory for advertisers," added Hackett. "comScore research conducted last year for the Online Publishers Association showed that visitors who are exposed to display ads on news sites are more likely than average to visit the advertiser website, are heavier online buyers and tend to have higher household income. Online news publishers are also leading the way in the use of newer display ad formats, which are aiming to create a richer, more engaging experience for consumers."
In particular, online newspapers have demonstrated significantly faster adoption of the new OPA ad units. While these units currently account for just 0.06 percent of all display ads delivered online in the U.S., they account for 0.43 percent of ads on newspaper sites, or seven times higher than average. Notably, the Fixed Panel 336 x 860 unit is the most popular unit being used on newspaper sites among the new OPA units at a rate 35 times higher than average.
About comScore
comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCOR) is a global leader in measuring the digital world and preferred source of digital marketing intelligence. For more information, please visit www.comscore.com/companyinfo.
Follow Us on Twitter
twitter.com/comScore
twitter.com/m_abraham
twitter.com/gfulgoni
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080115/COMSCORELOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080115/COMSCORELOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: comScore, Inc.
CONTACT: Andrew Lipsman of comScore, Inc., +1-312-775-6510,
press@comscore.com
Web Site: http://www.comscore.com/
Hot Topics
Statement by Apple on iPhone 4 Pre-Orders
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac to Delist from NYSE
Glee Scores Third Consecutive #1 Album
The New York Times Ranks as Top Online Newspaper According to May 2010 U.S. comScore Media Metrix Data
TrueCar.com Releases June TrueTrends(TM) Report
Gulf Oil Spill
2010 World Cup
Father's Day
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Nike Oshinowo-Soleye Brings Back Miss Nigeria
Miss Nigeria organiser Nike Oshinowo-Soleye, flanked by past Miss Nigeria winners
Former Queen of the rested Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageant Nike Oshinowo-Soleye is poised to relaunch the beauty pageant according to a news report published by the NEXT newspaper.
Continental Airlines Announces New Daily Service From Houston Hub to Lagos, Nigeria
14 Jun 2010 16:06 Africa/Lagos
Continental Airlines Announces New Daily Service From Houston Hub to Lagos, Nigeria
- First daily scheduled service offered between Texas and Africa - New Africa route to be flown with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner - Planned as Continental's first new international service to operate with the new jet - Nonstop flight will reduce travel time between the two cities by over four hours
HOUSTON, June 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced plans to launch new daily nonstop flights between Houston and Lagos, Nigeria, beginning Nov. 10, 2011, subject to government approval. It will be the first daily scheduled service offered between Texas and Africa by any carrier.
Lagos will be Continental's first destination in Africa and the 30th city in its trans-Atlantic route network. It is the second new international destination announced in the last month that will be served nonstop from Houston, Continental's largest hub. Continental currently serves 63 international destinations nonstop from Houston and recently announced plans to begin nonstop service between Houston and Auckland beginning Nov. 16, 2011, subject to government approval.
With the addition of flights to Africa, Houston will become one of just four cities in the world - and the only city in the Western Hemisphere - to have nonstop service to every inhabited continent on the globe.
"We are excited to continue to expand our international route network from Houston by adding nonstop service to Lagos," said Jeff Smisek, Continental's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "This flight will link two energy capitals and fill the growing demand for nonstop service between the two cities - a route which is currently not served by any other airline."
On May 3, Continental announced that it has agreed to merge with United Airlines in a merger of equals to create the world's leading airline. The success of the Houston-Lagos route will be enhanced by the additional traffic flows through Houston that are expected to result from the merger.
"Houston stands to gain economically from this new direct connection to Africa, particularly in our energy and tourism industries," said Houston Mayor Annise Parker. "It's a win that will help facilitate increased commerce and trade, a direct benefit to the businesses and citizens of both regions."
"It is vitally important to our local economy that Continental continue to expand and add critical destinations like Lagos, Nigeria, for service from Houston's Intercontinental Airport," said Congressman Gene Green. "This new route will also prove important for the growth of our energy industry here in Houston."
"With this new USA-Africa route, Continental is doing more to make the business of international business its business and that's a good thing," said Congressman Al Green.
"This new service will drive the creation of new business connections between Houston and Nigeria, particularly in the energy sector," said Congressman Kevin Brady. "Growth at Houston's Intercontinental airport helps create jobs here at home and bring in dollars to our communities while offering more options for our business travelers."
"As international trade continues to be an increasingly integral part of growing our economy, this improved service by Continental will enhance economic development and create jobs not only for the energy industry, but for all Houston and the state of Texas as a whole," said Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis.
Proposed Schedule
Continental will operate the approximately 6,500-mile flight with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, seating 36 customers in BusinessFirst and 192 customers in economy class. Flying times will be approximately 11 hours eastbound, and 12 hours 30 minutes westbound. The new flight will reduce travel time between the two cities by over four hours by eliminating any connection en route.
The preliminary schedule for the new service is as follows:
Leave Houston Arrive Lagos Leave Lagos Arrive Houston
9:40 a.m. (next 4:40 p.m.
Winter 3:45 p.m. day) 11:10 a.m. (same day)
------ --------- --------------- ---------- ----------
9:15 a.m. (next 4:40 p.m.
Summer 3:50 p.m. day) 10:45 a.m. (same day)
------ --------- --------------- ---------- ----------
The flight will be timed to provide convenient connections at Continental's Houston hub to more than 100 other cities throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America and the Pacific. Continental will begin taking reservations and selling tickets on the new route later this year.
About Lagos
Lagos is the economic, commercial and cultural center of Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa. The metropolitan area, an estimated 300 square kilometers located on the Atlantic coast of Africa, is a group of islands endowed with creeks and a lagoon. Lagos is Nigeria's leading port, particularly for imports of consumer goods, foodstuffs, motor vehicles, machinery and industrial raw materials, with more than half of Nigeria's industrial capacity located in Lagos's mainland suburbs.
Continental Background
Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,700 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 132 domestic and 137 international destinations. Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which overall offers more than 21,050 daily flights to 1,167 airports in 181 countries through its 27 member airlines. With more than 40,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.
Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. For nine consecutive years, FORTUNE magazine has ranked Continental as the top U.S. airline on its "World's Most Admired Companies" airline industry list. For more company information, go to continental.com.
Important Information For Investors And Stockholders
This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. The proposed merger of equals transaction between UAL Corporation ("UAL") and Continental Airlines, Inc. ("Continental") will be submitted to the respective stockholders of UAL and Continental for their consideration. UAL will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a joint proxy statement of Continental and UAL that also constitutes a prospectus of UAL. UAL and Continental also plan to file other documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF CONTINENTAL ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and stockholders will be able to obtain free copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other documents containing important information about UAL and Continental, once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov/. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by UAL will be available free of charge on UAL's website at www.united.com under the tab "Investor Relations" or by contacting UAL's Investor Relations Department at (312) 997-8610. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Continental will be available free of charge on Continental's website at www.continental.com under the tab "About Continental" and then under the tab "Investor Relations" or by contacting Continental's Investor Relations Department at (713) 324-5152.
UAL, Continental and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Continental in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Continental is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 23, 2010. Information about the directors and executive officers of UAL is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 30, 2010. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are not limited to historical facts, but reflect Continental's and UAL's current beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding future events. Words such as "may," "will," "could," "should," "expect," "plan," "project," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "pursue," "target," "continue," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Continental's and UAL's expectations with respect to the synergies, costs and other anticipated financial impacts of the proposed transaction; future financial and operating results of the combined company; the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions with respect to future operations and services; approval of the proposed transaction by stockholders and by governmental regulatory authorities; the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the proposed transaction; and the timing of the completion of the proposed transaction.
All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Continental and UAL and are difficult to predict. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (1) the possibility that the proposed transaction is delayed or does not close, including due to the failure to receive required stockholder or regulatory approvals, the taking of governmental action (including the passage of legislation) to block the transaction, or the failure of other closing conditions, and (2) the possibility that the expected synergies will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period, because of, among other things, significant volatility in the cost of aircraft fuel, the high leverage and other significant capital commitments of Continental and UAL, the ability to obtain financing and to refinance the combined company's debt, the ability of Continental and UAL to maintain and utilize their respective net operating losses, the impact of labor relations, global economic conditions, fluctuations in exchange rates, competitive actions taken by other airlines, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, difficulties in integrating the two airlines, the willingness of customers to travel by air, actions taken or conditions imposed by the U.S. and foreign governments or other regulatory matters, excessive taxation, further industry consolidation and changes in airlines alliances, the availability and cost of insurance and public health threats.
UAL and Continental caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors is contained in Continental's and UAL's most recently filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other SEC filings. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Continental, UAL, the proposed transaction or other matters and attributable to Continental or UAL or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Neither Continental nor UAL undertakes any obligation to publicly update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof.
Source: Continental Airlines
CONTACT: Corporate Communications of Continental Airlines,
+1-713-324-5080, corpcomm@coair.com
Web Site: http://www.continental.com/
http://www.continental.com/company/news
10 Jun 2010
20:04
Progress in Regulatory Reform Expands Business Opportunities throughout Nigeria
Continental Airlines Announces New Daily Service From Houston Hub to Lagos, Nigeria
- First daily scheduled service offered between Texas and Africa - New Africa route to be flown with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner - Planned as Continental's first new international service to operate with the new jet - Nonstop flight will reduce travel time between the two cities by over four hours
HOUSTON, June 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced plans to launch new daily nonstop flights between Houston and Lagos, Nigeria, beginning Nov. 10, 2011, subject to government approval. It will be the first daily scheduled service offered between Texas and Africa by any carrier.
Lagos will be Continental's first destination in Africa and the 30th city in its trans-Atlantic route network. It is the second new international destination announced in the last month that will be served nonstop from Houston, Continental's largest hub. Continental currently serves 63 international destinations nonstop from Houston and recently announced plans to begin nonstop service between Houston and Auckland beginning Nov. 16, 2011, subject to government approval.
With the addition of flights to Africa, Houston will become one of just four cities in the world - and the only city in the Western Hemisphere - to have nonstop service to every inhabited continent on the globe.
"We are excited to continue to expand our international route network from Houston by adding nonstop service to Lagos," said Jeff Smisek, Continental's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "This flight will link two energy capitals and fill the growing demand for nonstop service between the two cities - a route which is currently not served by any other airline."
On May 3, Continental announced that it has agreed to merge with United Airlines in a merger of equals to create the world's leading airline. The success of the Houston-Lagos route will be enhanced by the additional traffic flows through Houston that are expected to result from the merger.
"Houston stands to gain economically from this new direct connection to Africa, particularly in our energy and tourism industries," said Houston Mayor Annise Parker. "It's a win that will help facilitate increased commerce and trade, a direct benefit to the businesses and citizens of both regions."
"It is vitally important to our local economy that Continental continue to expand and add critical destinations like Lagos, Nigeria, for service from Houston's Intercontinental Airport," said Congressman Gene Green. "This new route will also prove important for the growth of our energy industry here in Houston."
"With this new USA-Africa route, Continental is doing more to make the business of international business its business and that's a good thing," said Congressman Al Green.
"This new service will drive the creation of new business connections between Houston and Nigeria, particularly in the energy sector," said Congressman Kevin Brady. "Growth at Houston's Intercontinental airport helps create jobs here at home and bring in dollars to our communities while offering more options for our business travelers."
"As international trade continues to be an increasingly integral part of growing our economy, this improved service by Continental will enhance economic development and create jobs not only for the energy industry, but for all Houston and the state of Texas as a whole," said Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis.
Proposed Schedule
Continental will operate the approximately 6,500-mile flight with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, seating 36 customers in BusinessFirst and 192 customers in economy class. Flying times will be approximately 11 hours eastbound, and 12 hours 30 minutes westbound. The new flight will reduce travel time between the two cities by over four hours by eliminating any connection en route.
The preliminary schedule for the new service is as follows:
Leave Houston Arrive Lagos Leave Lagos Arrive Houston
9:40 a.m. (next 4:40 p.m.
Winter 3:45 p.m. day) 11:10 a.m. (same day)
------ --------- --------------- ---------- ----------
9:15 a.m. (next 4:40 p.m.
Summer 3:50 p.m. day) 10:45 a.m. (same day)
------ --------- --------------- ---------- ----------
The flight will be timed to provide convenient connections at Continental's Houston hub to more than 100 other cities throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America and the Pacific. Continental will begin taking reservations and selling tickets on the new route later this year.
About Lagos
Lagos is the economic, commercial and cultural center of Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa. The metropolitan area, an estimated 300 square kilometers located on the Atlantic coast of Africa, is a group of islands endowed with creeks and a lagoon. Lagos is Nigeria's leading port, particularly for imports of consumer goods, foodstuffs, motor vehicles, machinery and industrial raw materials, with more than half of Nigeria's industrial capacity located in Lagos's mainland suburbs.
Continental Background
Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,700 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 132 domestic and 137 international destinations. Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which overall offers more than 21,050 daily flights to 1,167 airports in 181 countries through its 27 member airlines. With more than 40,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.
Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. For nine consecutive years, FORTUNE magazine has ranked Continental as the top U.S. airline on its "World's Most Admired Companies" airline industry list. For more company information, go to continental.com.
Important Information For Investors And Stockholders
This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. The proposed merger of equals transaction between UAL Corporation ("UAL") and Continental Airlines, Inc. ("Continental") will be submitted to the respective stockholders of UAL and Continental for their consideration. UAL will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a joint proxy statement of Continental and UAL that also constitutes a prospectus of UAL. UAL and Continental also plan to file other documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF CONTINENTAL ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and stockholders will be able to obtain free copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other documents containing important information about UAL and Continental, once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov/. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by UAL will be available free of charge on UAL's website at www.united.com under the tab "Investor Relations" or by contacting UAL's Investor Relations Department at (312) 997-8610. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Continental will be available free of charge on Continental's website at www.continental.com under the tab "About Continental" and then under the tab "Investor Relations" or by contacting Continental's Investor Relations Department at (713) 324-5152.
UAL, Continental and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Continental in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Continental is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 23, 2010. Information about the directors and executive officers of UAL is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 30, 2010. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are not limited to historical facts, but reflect Continental's and UAL's current beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding future events. Words such as "may," "will," "could," "should," "expect," "plan," "project," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "pursue," "target," "continue," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Continental's and UAL's expectations with respect to the synergies, costs and other anticipated financial impacts of the proposed transaction; future financial and operating results of the combined company; the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions with respect to future operations and services; approval of the proposed transaction by stockholders and by governmental regulatory authorities; the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the proposed transaction; and the timing of the completion of the proposed transaction.
All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Continental and UAL and are difficult to predict. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (1) the possibility that the proposed transaction is delayed or does not close, including due to the failure to receive required stockholder or regulatory approvals, the taking of governmental action (including the passage of legislation) to block the transaction, or the failure of other closing conditions, and (2) the possibility that the expected synergies will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period, because of, among other things, significant volatility in the cost of aircraft fuel, the high leverage and other significant capital commitments of Continental and UAL, the ability to obtain financing and to refinance the combined company's debt, the ability of Continental and UAL to maintain and utilize their respective net operating losses, the impact of labor relations, global economic conditions, fluctuations in exchange rates, competitive actions taken by other airlines, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, difficulties in integrating the two airlines, the willingness of customers to travel by air, actions taken or conditions imposed by the U.S. and foreign governments or other regulatory matters, excessive taxation, further industry consolidation and changes in airlines alliances, the availability and cost of insurance and public health threats.
UAL and Continental caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors is contained in Continental's and UAL's most recently filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other SEC filings. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Continental, UAL, the proposed transaction or other matters and attributable to Continental or UAL or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Neither Continental nor UAL undertakes any obligation to publicly update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof.
Source: Continental Airlines
CONTACT: Corporate Communications of Continental Airlines,
+1-713-324-5080, corpcomm@coair.com
Web Site: http://www.continental.com/
http://www.continental.com/company/news
10 Jun 2010
20:04
Progress in Regulatory Reform Expands Business Opportunities throughout Nigeria
Black Radio Network Sues NYPD
15 Jun 2010 02:51 Africa/Lagos
Black Radio Network Sues NYPD
NEW YORK, June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Radio Network (BRN) and its principals today filed suit in New York Federal District Court, charging the New York Police Department violated the minority news service's civil rights by denying the renewal of its working press credentials.
BRN had been fully accredited by the NYPD for the past 40 years while serving radio stations with daily newsfeeds. It is the nation's oldest such minority news service.
"It appears the standard now used by the NYPD to deny the vital press credentials of Black Radio Network differs from the standard applied to non-minority oriented media," declared BRN attorney Earl Ward. "The facts speak for themselves," said Ward.
"We have waited more than a year to have our credentials renewed so that we can cover New York news, in our own style, on a equal footing with other media companies," said BRN president and news director Jay Levy.
"We have held up the worldwide distribution of our daily Minority News report at blackradionetwork.com until such time as we gain the renewal of our working press credentials by the NYPD," said Levy. "In my more than 50 years in the New York news business, I never witnessed such discriminatory treatment by the NYPD," observed the BRN official.
Contact: Earl Ward at 212-763-5070; Jay Levy at 212-686-6850
A FULL COPY OF THE BLACK RADIO NETWORK FEDERAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE NYPD IS AVAILABLE BY CLICKING HERE
Source: Black Radio Network
CONTACT: Earl Ward, +1-212-763-5070; or Jay Levy, +1-212-686-6850
Web Site: http://www.blackradionetwork.com/
Hot Topics
Employer Healthcare Costs Expected to Rise 9 percent in 2011, According to PricewaterhouseCoopers
Restaurants to Add 428,000 Summer Jobs in 2010, According to National Restaurant Association Projections
Affluent Investor Confidence Declines as Stock Market and Economic Fears Increase
Turner Building Cost Index Shows a 13.16% Decline from Peak in 2008
Garth Brooks Announces New Concert Dates for September, October and November 2010
Commodity Markets Adversely Affected by May Market Uncertainty; Recent Price Weakness May Offer a Favorable Entry Point into the Asset Class
2010 World Cup
Gulf Oil Spill
Black Radio Network Sues NYPD
NEW YORK, June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Radio Network (BRN) and its principals today filed suit in New York Federal District Court, charging the New York Police Department violated the minority news service's civil rights by denying the renewal of its working press credentials.
BRN had been fully accredited by the NYPD for the past 40 years while serving radio stations with daily newsfeeds. It is the nation's oldest such minority news service.
"It appears the standard now used by the NYPD to deny the vital press credentials of Black Radio Network differs from the standard applied to non-minority oriented media," declared BRN attorney Earl Ward. "The facts speak for themselves," said Ward.
"We have waited more than a year to have our credentials renewed so that we can cover New York news, in our own style, on a equal footing with other media companies," said BRN president and news director Jay Levy.
"We have held up the worldwide distribution of our daily Minority News report at blackradionetwork.com until such time as we gain the renewal of our working press credentials by the NYPD," said Levy. "In my more than 50 years in the New York news business, I never witnessed such discriminatory treatment by the NYPD," observed the BRN official.
Contact: Earl Ward at 212-763-5070; Jay Levy at 212-686-6850
A FULL COPY OF THE BLACK RADIO NETWORK FEDERAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE NYPD IS AVAILABLE BY CLICKING HERE
Source: Black Radio Network
CONTACT: Earl Ward, +1-212-763-5070; or Jay Levy, +1-212-686-6850
Web Site: http://www.blackradionetwork.com/
Hot Topics
Employer Healthcare Costs Expected to Rise 9 percent in 2011, According to PricewaterhouseCoopers
Restaurants to Add 428,000 Summer Jobs in 2010, According to National Restaurant Association Projections
Affluent Investor Confidence Declines as Stock Market and Economic Fears Increase
Turner Building Cost Index Shows a 13.16% Decline from Peak in 2008
Garth Brooks Announces New Concert Dates for September, October and November 2010
Commodity Markets Adversely Affected by May Market Uncertainty; Recent Price Weakness May Offer a Favorable Entry Point into the Asset Class
2010 World Cup
Gulf Oil Spill
Monday, June 14, 2010
Please, before you crucify Nigerian Hip-hop Stars and Wannabes
Please, before you crucify Nigerian Hip-hop Stars and Wannabes, look at the brains behind them.
Do not blame the babies swimming in a dirty pool and may even stool in the pool.
Blame their careless guardians or parents who left them in the mess.
The recording studios and DJs should be held responsible for exploiting the naivety and ignorance of majority of these artistes who actually can still improve and excel if well groomed, managed and produced by seasoned musicians and not semi-literate sound engineers and DJs who just want to collect the cash and record any rubbish with mixed and sampled music from keyboards. Then bribe Radio DJs and TV VJs to give them constant rotation and hype them to the public.
Mo' Hits All Stars label spends millions of naira to pay DJs and VJs to hype their artistes. But most of these DJs and VJs are illiterates in music. Their knowledge of music history is even poor. So, they cannot do much for these artistes. They are birds of the same feather.
Most of these artistes will fail performance auditions for High School pupils in the U.S.
Their live performances show their shortcomings when they are not Lip-synching and miming.
The first place for any prospective Pop, R&B, Hip-hop and others is the Artists and Repertoire (A&R) dept of a recording label or company where you must pass through the mill until you are Okayed for recording.
In our days, no "demo", no "deal memo".
But today, the A&R is absent and majority of them do not even know the meaning.
If you cannot play any musical instrument like the guitar or piano, and have not had voice training, then keep away from the recording studio.
U.S. Healthcare System Wastes $700 Billion a Year
"Last year, we published a report concluding that the U.S. healthcare system wastes $700 billion a year," said Bob Kelley, vice president for healthcare analytics at Thomson Reuters and co-author of the paper released today. Read more.
Thomson Reuters Paper Charts Course to Eliminating $3.6 Trillion in Healthcare Waste in a Decade
14 Jun 2010 07:00 Africa/Lagos
Thomson Reuters Paper Charts Course to Eliminating $3.6 Trillion in Healthcare Waste in a Decade
ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. healthcare industry can eliminate $3.6 trillion in healthcare waste over the next 10 years by addressing a series of operational inefficiencies, according to a white paper published today by Thomson Reuters.
The report analyzes the country's leading public and private sector efforts to reduce waste in the healthcare system and identifies five proven strategies that have been deployed in the real world to cut costs and improve patient care.
"Last year, we published a report concluding that the U.S. healthcare system wastes $700 billion a year," said Bob Kelley, vice president for healthcare analytics at Thomson Reuters and co-author of the paper released today. "This new report describes a possible path for significantly reducing that waste."
By systematically incorporating these best practices into the organizational structure of the healthcare industry, the new paper says, it's possible to cut waste 5 percent per year. Over 10 years, that would add up to $3.6 trillion and keep total healthcare expenditures at their current rate of about 17 percent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP). Among the strategies outlined in the paper are the following:
-- Engage Consumers: By engaging the public in discussions with their
caregivers regarding the value and risk of specific treatment options,
it is possible to dramatically reduce money spent for unnecessary
treatments.
-- Coordinate Care: Healthcare providers lacking access to patients'
medical records leads to the duplication of tests and inappropriate
treatments that are estimated to cost up to $50 billion annually.
Simple incentives have made a significant difference in the
implementation of electronic records in several healthcare systems.
-- Manage Disease and Maintain Wellness: This strategy ensures that
patients are actively engaged, along with their clinicians, in
managing their own health through attention to personal behavior,
disease prevention, early detection and appropriate care for chronic
diseases.
-- Design for Patient Safety and Quality: Preventable medical errors
account for $50 billion to $100 billion in annual healthcare spending.
By implementing a simple checklist approach based on evidence-based
best practices, several healthcare systems have improved patient
outcomes and reduced costs.
-- Reduce Opportunities for Fraud: In 2007, when the U.S. spent roughly
$2.3 trillion on healthcare, fraud was estimated to account for as
much as 5 to 10 percent of healthcare spending, according to a report
published by the George Washington University School of Public Health
and Health Services. Computerized systems that track data anomalies to
identify fraud and breaches in payment integrity have been proven to
stem these costs in several state Medicaid programs.
"We started with a premise that RAND Health researchers put forth in a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine -- it is reasonable to set a goal of constraining healthcare spending to its current share of the GDP," said Ray Fabius, M.D., chief medical officer at Thomson Reuters and co-author of the white paper. "Then we investigated initiatives that have successfully reduced healthcare costs without sacrificing quality -- real-world examples of what's possible -- and in some cases estimated the savings if they were widely replicated.
"The result, detailed in this paper, is one path for reaching this goal over the next decade."
The study can be downloaded at www.factsforhealthcare.com. (A simple registration is required.)
Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, healthcare and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs 55,000 people and operates in over 100 countries. For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com.
Source: Thomson Reuters
CONTACT: David Wilkins, Director, Public Relations, Healthcare &
Science, +1-734-913-3397, david.wilkins@thomsonreuters.com
Web Site: http://www.thomsonreuters.com/
Health care reform in the United States - Wikipedia, the free ...
The debate over health care reform in the United States centers on questions about. whether there is a fundamental right to health care, ...en.wikipedia.org/.../Health_care_reform_in_the_United_States -
Health Reform
13 Jun 2010 ... Learn how the Affordable Health Care Act can help increase your health security ... Healthcare Reform & Insurance Companies March 23, 2010 ...www.healthreform.gov/ - 15 hours ago -
News for Healthcare reform
TopNews United Kingdom (blog)
Health care reform hurts many retirees - 22 hours ago
The new 2010 version of health care reform law has left the 28 percent subsidy intact and continued to exempt it from taxation. But companies will no longer ...Republican & Herald - 63 related articles »
Former Health Secretary Highlights Importance of Private Insurance ... -TopNews United Kingdom (blog) - 12 related articles »
Why is $125M Healthcare Reform Law "Sales Pitch" Needed? -AXcess News - 7 related articles »
Health Care Reform News - The New York Times
News about health care reform. Commentary and archival info
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)