Agricultural experts push for a strong seed sector in West Africa

13 May 2011 19:57 Africa/Lagos


Agricultural experts push for a strong seed sector in West Africa

COTONOU, May 13, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Underlining that seed security is a prerequisite for achieving food security, agricultural experts participating in the just-concluded Regional Workshop on Seed Policy in West Africa urged decision-makers to support the sustainable growth and development of the West African seed sector, particularly for food security crops, such as rice, millet, sorghum, cowpeas and maize.


The experts recommended the need to formulate, adopt, and implement coherent strategies and policies at regional and national levels for the rapid development of viable seed enterprises which would help increase the steady supply of quality seed to millions of smallholder farmers in West Africa.


The workshop was jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) in Cotonou, Benin. It was inaugurated by His Excellency Michel Sogbossi, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Government of Benin.


“Strong research programs and solid seed systems are crucial to give farmers access to better varieties and quality seeds,” said Dr. Marco Wopereis, AfricaRice Deputy Director General & Director for Research at the workshop, which provided an overview of the current status of the West African seed sector as well as the challenges and opportunities associated with it.


Seed entrepreneurs in the sub-region face many challenges because of the absence of coherent seed policies, poor infrastructure and lack of access to improved seed, complementary inputs, production technologies, credits and training.


Highlighting the importance of developing national seed policies, Dr. Robert Guéi, Senior Officer from FAO, remarked that the seed industry was relatively more developed in other regions of Africa than in Central and West Africa.


“Until now only a few countries in West Africa, such as Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Benin, etc., have formulated and passed a coherent seed policy, while a few others are in the process of doing so,” Dr. Guéi said.


Key recommendations targeted to specific stakeholder groups were made by the participants to enable a sustainable seed production and distribution effort to take off in the sub-regions. These include the need to:

• Develop improved varieties and ensure their rapid delivery through effective seed systems;

• Develop national action plans to support the sustainable development of seed industries;

• Strengthen partnerships between the public and the private sector on seed-related issues, with clear delineation of their respective roles;

• Develop the capacity of the formal and informal seed sectors;

• Integrate a value-chain approach in the seed policies;

• Develop regulatory frameworks for rapid and sustainable growth of the seed industry; and

• Ensure the participation of the whole range of actors in the formulation of seed policies.

“A true partnership among all the actors will be the basis for success to develop a strong seed sector in West Africa,” said Dr. Rita Agboh-Noameshie, AfricaRice scientist, who coordinated the workshop in partnership with FAO.


The workshop was attended by decision-makers from 11 countries in West Africa and from Madagascar. Representatives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (WECARD/CORAF), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA), the African Seed Network (ASN), FAO and AfricaRice also took part.



Source: Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice)

Teens and the Media: Television is Dead and Facebook is Irresistible

YORK, Pa., May 13, 2011

YORK, Pa., May 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The "media" is an undeniably powerful entity in our daily lives. It's even more invasive for teens and college students, a generation growing up with more forms of media choices than any other generation before them.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100929/DC73342LOGO)

StageofLife.com, a blogging resource for high school students, Baby Boomers, and every life stage in between, wanted to know how teens felt about the media, so they asked its teen and college visitors, "What form of media impacts your life the most, and why?" as part of its national monthly writing contest series for students.

Over 5,190 students from all 50 U.S. states and 69 countries visited the teen writing contest page. From the scores of submitted blogs to StageofLife.com, four trends/ themes emerged about teens' attitudes towards the media:

1. Internet: Nearly a quarter of the student writers said that Internet was the media that affected them the most, citing that it's the perfect place to research, and to keep in touch with friends and family.

One contest finalist, Jenny Zhang, of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School from Middle Village, NY, wrote, in her essay entitled, Media: Are we really using the internet, or is it vice versa, "Our fast-paced society demands technology to be always moving at its fastest speed and to the best of it's ability with little to no errors. But has anyone considered the toll the internet has taken on our lives? Technology is frightening. The utmost terrifying development ever created by man. I won't deny that I am a victim of the internet because I find myself drawn to these technologies in ways I never thought I would be."

2. Television: While some students get their information from television, many wrote about the "mind numbing" effects of this medium. It received the most negative responses; students feel television is "distracting."

Essay finalist, Justina Tran of Garden Grove High School, Garden Grove, CA, wrote, "In essence, the news media presents us with what it thinks we should know, but it's ultimately our responsibility to use that knowledge to make a difference and thus spread hope to those who need it most. As a wise mentor advised me, two types of people dwell in this world: talkers and do-ers. The news media are fundamentally the talkers and it's up to us to be the do-ers," in her essay Media: The Difference Between Newscasters and Whom They Inform .

3. Facebook: It's no surprise that a large percentage of teenagers cited Facebook as their most influential form of media in their lives, since it connects the students to friends, family, and gossip. Several students raised privacy concerns about using Facebook in their essays, as well as larger issues like cyber-bullying.

Finalist Riley Brewer, of Rhea County High School from Cookeville, TN, wrote, "The power of Facebook isn't easily defined...I am aware of the most intimate details of my high school classmates' lives; I know who is getting divorced at 22, who is preparing to graduate summa cum laude, who has moved to Vegas to pole dance, and who has traded in football practice for burger flipping. True, I could choose not to read friends' status updates, but I must admit the temptation is too much for a mere mortal to resist," in the essay Media: The Facebook Juggernaut.

4. Overall, Media is Positive: Although there were some dissenters, the majority of student writers felt that media—in all forms and varieties—is an important, powerful, and positive influence on a person's life.

In the essay, Media: Children of the Techno-Revolution, teen blogger Katie Garner, of Vista High school from Oceanside, CA, wrote, "Nearly every aspect of my life, in some way or another, is consumed by the functions of modern technology. But I revel in it, for I am a child of the techno-revolution, an age that has spawned millions of other faithful offspring and captivated our thoughts and imagination. Friends may speak to each other from California to Tokyo without delay. Blogs may swap philosophical concepts or short stories, and people around the planet can share their experiences in a chat room. So, how could only one form of media possibly affect me when so many intertwine to shape the way I live? These innovations are all strands of the same web. They constantly surround us, my fellow children and I, so that we remain entangled together. Some might find this instant gratification distasteful; but quite frankly, I think it is wonderful."

Aside from the themes listed above, the student writing contest took in a wide variety of entries addressing various forms of media / communication that included blogs about social networking, cell phones, the internet, television, blogs, books/print, Facebook, celebrities, music, gossip, YouTube, texting, computers, video games, photo editing, prayer, verbal communication, the news, Skype, and the media in general.

StageofLife.com CEO, Eric Thiegs, stated, "If you get a chance to read these essays, you'll find they are truly amazing when you look at how the students break down and analyze the media. Our winner, Keilah Sullivan, a home schooled student from St. Louis, MO used a tongue and cheek approach to champion her love for print media in her essay, Media: I Like it Black, White, and Read All Over. "

Interested readers can read the summary report and find links to over 140 featured essays about Teens and the Media at http://www.stageoflife.com/TeensandMedia.aspx.

Teens & Media Writing Contest Finalists

• Kaleigh Somers, James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA., from Royersford, PA
• Yipeng Xie, Carlisle School, from Martinsville, VA
• Riley Brewer, Rhea County High School, from Cookeville, TN
• Jenny Zhang, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, from Middle Village, NY
• Justina Tran, Garden Grove High School, from Garden Grove, CA
• D.J. Schaefer, Waukesha South High School, from Waukesha, Wisconsin
• Keilah Sullivan, Home schooled, from St. Louis, MO
• Kimmy Tejasindhu, Cajon High School, from San Bernardino, CA
• Felicia Czochanski, Metuchen High School, from Metuchen, NJ
• Jennifer Pasatieri, Wellington C. Mepham High School, from North Merrick, NY
• Andrew Rauh, Divine Child High School, from Dearborn, MI
• Kammy Liu, John T. Hoggard High School, from Wilmington, NC
• Katie Garner, Vista High School, from Oceanside, CA
• Angela N., John F. Kennedy High School and California State University Northridge, from of Los Angeles, CA

May 2011 Writing Contest for High School Students

This month's writing contest for high school students on StageofLife.com asks high school students the question, "What was the most difficult thing you overcame this school year?" From friends to family to graduation to grades to self-esteem, teens go through a lot in the course of nine months. With graduation just around the corner (and already have happened for many college students), this contest writing prompt has already begun to elicit some unique responses. Entries will be accepted up till May 30th at Midnight PDT and the essay winner will receive a gift card/cash prize from sponsors like KodakGallery.com, StageofLife.com SWAG, and featured writing status on the site.

About Stage of Life®: StageofLife.com is a free, non-partisan, grassroots online community that hosts blogs, information, and resources for teens, Millennials/Gen Y, Gen X, and Baby Boomer generations. Its specialized content allows users to share and archive their life stories. StageofLife.com includes free lesson plans and writing prompts for Language Arts teachers, monthly writing contests for high school students and college students, blogging resources, a platform that helps people promote their blogs, teen trends, custom news feeds for each stage of life, and My Life Rewards, an area dedicated to providing relevant coupons and discounts exclusively geared towards each stage of life.

If you'd like more information about StageofLife.com or an interview with CEO/Founder Eric Thiegs, please call (717) 244-0006, or use the Contact Us form on the website. You may also contact PR/Marketing Coordinator Megan Colyer at (717) 654-9554 or megan.colyer(at)stageoflife.com.

SOURCE StageofLife.com

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

I have no time for wacky songs – Shine of Rainbow FM

There is no dull moment with the black, bold and beautiful Shine of Rainbow FM in Nigeria. She is cheerful and sweet; pleasant; delightful; gracious and polite, but she knows her onions.

Please, meet the sweetest Nigerian MC in her own words.

My full names are Anino Judy Shine Begho, but a lot of people prefer to call me Shine because it’s easy to remember and it’s unique.

I hail from Warri, Delta State in the south-south region of Nigeria. I majored in mass communication in the university. I have contested in beauty pageants and modeled since I turned 18 and I have also been a professional dancer, but now I do it for fun and also as a form of exercise to keep fit.

I love music and since I graduated from the university in 2007, I’ve been in the media/entertainment industry. I started as a TV presenter and then moved to radio as a presenter too but alongside I host and mc events and parties. I also do voice over recordings for radio and TV jingles/promos. But in the mist of all these I try as much as possible to rest , have fun with family and friends, travel and do all the fun things I dreamt of as a kid.

I don’t like and I don’t play wacky songs on my radio show on Rainbow FM. That is why I don’t ask or collect any cash or gifts from artistes to play their songs or interview them. If your music is good enough then I will broadcast it gratis. I believe in merit.

You can listen to my new single on http://9jabreed.com/home/2011/05/12/shine-kolobi/

Chevron and the Invictus Memo

Karen Hinton of Hinton Communications, the spokeswoman for the Ecuadorian plaintiffs reported that last Tuesday at the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals on the Ecuadorians’ motion to stay U.S. Judge Lewis Kaplan’s preliminary injunction against the $18 billion judgment against Chevron in Ecuador for massive oil contamination, an appeals court judge correctly speculated that Chevron’s law firm, Gibson Dunn, has its own “Invictus” memo, and Chevron’s Randy Maestro argued that Ecuador’s court system has recently become politicized. In fact, reports and ratings concerning the country’s judiciary have been the same since at least 2001. Language in State Department reports has not changed in the past decade, and Transparency International’s 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index rated Ecuador 2.5 out of 10, compared to 2.3 in 2001. In other words, corruption is now less of an issue in Ecuador than it was in 2001 when Chevron, as well as the Southern District Court of New York, praised the court system.






The following is a report from the New York Law Journal by Mark Hamblett.

Attorneys Spar Over Impact of Injunction in Chevron Case

Mark Hamblett
New York Law Journal
May 11, 2011


The legal slugfest over an $18 billion environmental judgment against Chevron in Ecuador moved to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit yesterday, with arguments about how to handle Southern District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan's wide-ranging injunction blocking enforcement of the judgment.

James Tyrrell Jr. of Patton Boggs, appearing for the "Lago Agrio" Ecuadorans who won the judgment against Chevron in Ecuador in February, implored a three-judge motions panel to lift that portion of the judge's March 7 preliminary injunction that he said prevents the Ecuadorans from funding and planning enforcement actions in courts around the world.

Mr. Tyrrell said he was not expecting the court to immediately stay the "extraordinary" injunction. Instead, he asked Judges Ralph Winter, Rosemary Pooler and Barrington Parker to grant an expedited appeal on the injunction before a merits panel.

A merits panel, Mr. Tyrrell indicated, would not only vacate the injunction but also derail a racketeering suit scheduled for trial before Judge Kaplan in November in which Chevron is attacking the $18 billion judgment as procured by fraud with the aid of a corrupt Ecuadoran judiciary in an alleged conspiracy led by New York lawyer Steven Donziger, who represented the citizens suing Chevron in Ecuador.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tyrrell told the judges yesterday that he needed, immediately, a stay of the part of Judge Kaplan's injunction that prevents him from consulting with his clients and planning for and funding enforcement actions.

Mr. Tyrrell said there has been "a race set up by Chevron" between the appellate court and the district court, and a "rush to judgment" to "try the Ecuadoran judiciary" by scheduling an expedited racketeering trial for November.

But Chevron lawyer Randy Mastro of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher said the expedited trial is needed because the real strategy of the Ecuadoran plaintiffs and Patton Boggs is to "extort" a settlement won by fraud from the oil giant by filing multiple enforcement actions and attaching Chevron assets around the world, especially in countries ready to grant such relief, like Venezuela and Argentina.

The Lago Agrio citizens and their attorneys, Mr. Mastro said, "are going to violate the injunction" by obtaining prejudgment attachment of assets so they are ready to swoop in the second an appeals court in Ecuador upholds the $18 billion judgment.

The citizens' lawyers both in Ecuador and elsewhere planned to do so, Mr. Mastro said, at the direction of Patton Boggs, which is why it was important for Judge Kaplan to block Patton Boggs from giving advice or arranging funding for enforcement.

But Mr. Mastro got some push-back from the panel yesterday, starting with Judge Winter, who had a question on timing.

"How much of all these horrible things are going to occur between now and when the merits panel hears the appeal?" he asked Mr. Mastro.

Mr. Mastro has filed a series of discovery actions in courts across the United States, including before Judge Kaplan, seeking information to attack and undermine a judgment obtained through the alleged conspiracy led by Mr. Donziger.

He said the Lago Agrio citizen plaintiffs, some of whom he turned into defendants in the racketeering case, will move on the affirmation of the judgment, or a lifting of Judge Kaplan's injunction, in "a red hot second."

But Judge Parker wanted to know if Mr. Mastro was sure that the "non-final" judgment in Ecuador that is still under appeal in that country can be the basis for attachment in other countries.

Mr. Mastro said that was exactly the strategy as revealed by the Patton Boggs memo called "Invictus," cited by Judge Kaplan in March in Naranjo v. Chevron Corp., 11-1264, detailing a "strategy to put pressure on Chevron" with a blizzard of attachments in multiple jurisdictions and force a massive settlement.

Judge Pooler was not impressed with Mr. Mastro's portrait of a nefarious legal conspiracy.

"Chevron has brought at least 20 actions in this country," she said, "and I can't believe there isn't a mirror image of this memo" at Gibson Dunn.

Judge Pooler also pressed Mr. Mastro on his denigration of the Ecuadoran judicial system, especially given the origins of the litigation.

The claims for personal injury, property damage and environmental contamination were originally brought in the Southern District against Texaco, whose stock was later acquired by Chevron.

In Aguinda v. Texaco, 93 Civ. 7527, the defendant oil company persuaded Judge Jed. S. Rakoff in 2001 to dismiss based on forum non conveniens after arguing that Ecuador was the more appropriate forum. The dismissal was upheld by the Second Circuit in 2002.

"You were the ones who wanted to try it in Ecuador," Judge Pooler said. "You wanted to get the case out of the Southern District and into Ecuador."

Judge Parker said he was sitting in White Plains as a district judge at the time and "I recall Texaco was in my court trying to get this case" to Ecuador.

Mr. Mastro said that "we did believe at the time" Ecuador was the better forum but "times have changed."

"You think times have changed that much in Ecuador?" Judge Parker asked.

"Absolutely," Mr. Mastro said, "The quality of justice in Ecuador is among the lowest in the world."

Mr. Tyrrell also had pressed that point, saying Texaco "fought for eight years" to get out of New York by extolling the high quality of the judiciary in Ecuador.

Now, he said, because of Judge Kaplan's injunction, clients have stopped paying their bills in a pending case in Washington, D.C., and other cases because of the block on funding, and advising on anticipated enforcement actions—and his clients cannot afford to undertake "massive discovery" in advance of November, when Chevron plans "to put the entire Ecuadorian judiciary on trial."

"In the interim, we would be bled dry—we simply don't have the resources to go through" a merits argument on the injunction on a non-expedited basis, Mr. Tyrrell said. "Existing contracts have been broken. Chevron has succeeded in that."

"There's no reason for us to hemorrhage blood we don't have," Mr. Tyrrell said, and it would not hurt Chevron to proceed on a narrower injunction on an expedited basis.


Photo Credits: Green Energy News

NEWS EXTRA

• Cinemas on motorbikes launch in two African countries
• Sofia Vergara named newest spokesmodel for COVERGIRL
• Amnesty International 2011 Annual Report Release Thursday, May 12
• Rod Stewart returns To Las Vegas
• Chevron and the Invictus Memo

Cinemas on motorbikes launch in two African countries

mobiCINE launch in Dakar, Senegal and Bamako, Mali

14 cinemas-on-a-motorbike invent urban video guerilla

Since Monday May 9, 7 mobiCINE mobiCINE cruise in Dakar, 7 more in Bamako next June.

mobiCINE tests a pathbreaking screening system in 2 African capital cities, proposing a new way of watching films in places where all legal movie theaters shut down.

Soon on mobiCINE screen : Henri Duparc, Faro, Ezra, Benda Bilili, Kirikou, Océans, etc.

People no longer go to the movies, the movies shall come to the people

Every week, the 14 mobiCINE units will make 2 to 300 hundred screening in comunity venues and schools. Viewers pay 300 FCFA (0,45€) or attend for free when an NGO or brand finances the show.

A fantastic line-up thanks to the support and trust of African and European rights owners

mobiCINE prioritizes African productions, which have been deprived of public and cash by piracy. More than 30 deals where therefore signed with African production houses, completed by the empathic support of top companies from France and Belgium : AGORA FILMS & DOMINIQUE CABRERA - ARDECHE IMAGES PRODUCTIONS - ARTE with 50+ titles - BELLEKINOISE, FUNNY BALLOONS, STUDIO 37 - CHIC FILMS - CIPANGO - DOC & FILMS - EKLEKTIK PROD – FILMS DISTRIBUTION - Galatée films & Jacques Perrin - ICTV SOLFERINO – MEDIATOON - PRIMA LINEA - REZO FILMS - ZARADOC, etc.

Over 200 features, cartoons and docies from Africa and Europe suitable for all ages and tastes. Focus on the youngest: 400 screenings in schools already on the go, sponsored by the City of Dakar.

Simple and safe field application of edgy digital tech

Each moped carries a ‘balack box’ (a flight-case lodging a 1.300 lumens beamer + a laptop), self-amplified loudspeakers, a 2,40m screen and a power generator. Plus 50 buckets for people to sit.

The film files that are loaded on the laptop are encrypted, and can be unlocked only by a digital ‘token’, which is prepaid by the exhibitor (PlaySmart DRM technology by OnlineLib, Germany). All cables and plugs of the PC and beamer are sealed, so as to prevent any unauthorized show.

A new cultural job, a path-breaking business model

The exhibitors sign a franchising contract and are eager to increase the box office... as their net earning will be what’s left of it once they’ve paid the equipment rental and a screening fee that goes directly to film owners. The objective is to validate a ‘3 tiers’ business model, along which each stakeholder finds his win : décent wage for the exhibitors (~200 €), fair rolyalties for the producers, and : sustainability without public money for mobiCINE.

A very modest test-market for a very ambitious vision

After 6-9 months of market-test, the whole statistics will be screened by a Steering Committee that will analyse the sustainability and fairness of the mobiCINE model. If it proves fair and sound, mobiCINE will consider a roll-out in more cities and countries, seeking microcredit backers for spreading it swiftly.

mobiCINE is driven by IDmage (Paris – Enrico CHIESA ) and SOON (Dakar – Vincent LAGOEYTE), in partnership with SARAMA FILMS (Bamako - Salif Traoré) and STUDIO SANKARA (Dakar - Didier Awadi). mobiCINE is developed in synergy with the legal downloading portal Africafilms.tv, ‘’VOD 100% AFRICA’’(www.Africafilms.tv) .

Project developed thanks to a strong funding (0,5 m€) from ACP Films, the ACP-EU co-operation programme for the support of the ACP (Africa Caribbean Pacific) film sector, currently supported also by : French Ministry of Culture and Embassies, Swiss Co-operation in Mali, Stichting DOEN, Jan Vrijman and Lettera 27 / WikiAfrica foundations, TV5MONDE, The Cities of Dakar and Bamako, the Cinema Center of Mali. It counts with a network of talent scouts in Europe (African Film Festivals of Tarifa, Spain and Verona, Italy) and throughout Africa (Goethe Institut, Instituts français, Spanish Embassy, etc.)

Meet AfricaFilms.tv at Cannes Film Festival, May 11-21 -’Cinémas du Sud’ Pavillion, international villageEveryday 10 to 12 / presentation 16 mai 10:30
Contact / Béatrice Boursier catalogue@idmage.fr Tel +33(0) 6 60 66 55 10

Over 50 African Members of Parliament to be trained in International Development

11 May 2011 15:47 Africa/Lagos



Over 50 African Members of Parliament to be trained in International Development

JOHANNESBURG, May 11, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The World Bank and the Pan-Africa Parliament (PAP), in partnership with the African Parliamentary Centre will hold a special seminar on International Development for over 50 members of parliament from Africa, May 13-14, 2011. The training will also focus on the role of the World Bank Group in Africa's development.


“African Parliamentarians are a very important constituency in the development agenda, and they have shown, in many instances, that they can hold their government accountable and influence the political will for attainment of their set development goals,” said Colin Bruce, World Bank Director for Operations in the Africa Region.


The goal of the training is to provide parliamentarians in Africa with practical knowledge about international development and expose them to thousands of freely available development resources, as a way of fostering informed debate in Africa as well as equipping the legislators to better exercise their oversight role both at the national and global levels.


“One of the aims of the PAP is to encourage good governance, transparency and accountability in Member States and we hope that this training in international development will equip the members with the requisite skills to debate development issues constructively and with the requisite knowledge,” said

Hon. Dr. Moussa Idriss Ndélé, President of the Pan-African Parliament.


The training will take place during the Fourth Ordinary Session of the Second Parliament at the PAP Precincts in Midrand, South Africa (9 – 20 May 2011) in order to attract and engage a diverse pool of talented parliamentarians to participate and benefit from this unique learning opportunity. Among the key topics to be discussed at the training is the issue of voice and representation, as well as the financial, fuel and food crises that are currently key factors affecting Africa's development.


Participants will also have a chance to discuss concrete development success stories. Presentations would be given by experts from the World Bank, parliamentary organizations, parliamentarians and scholars.


The 235 Member Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is the legislative body of the African Union formed in 2004 and is currently headquartered in Midrand, South Africa. In October 2009, the Second Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament opened its First Ordinary Session and began a new 3-year mandate. PAP Members are nominated by the legislatures of the 47 out of the 53 Member States of the African Union, who have so far ratified the PAP Protocol. The current President of the Parliament is Hon. Dr. Moussa Idriss Ndélé from Chad (Central Africa), who is supported by four Vice-Presidents representing the other four regions of the continent: Hon. Bethel Amadi from Nigeria (West Africa), Hon. Mary Mugyenyi from Uganda (East Africa), Hon. Laroussi Hammi from Algeria (North Africa) and Hon. Joram Macdonald Gumbo from Zimbabwe (Southern Africa).;




Source: Pan-African Parliament (PAP)

18:45	Africa / Stronger cross-border ties key to social and economic progress
18:40	Nigeria: the Italian Foreign Ministry condemns the killing of 16 ChristiansRome 06 May 2011
07:20	Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling Co SA: Results for the Three Months Ended 1 April 2011

13:00 Microsoft and Skype Hold Press Conference on Microsoft's Acquisition of Skype

13:00 Microsoft to Acquire Skype

Trailer of the Week: Unlawful Killing of Princess Diana

UNLAWFUL KILLING – SYNOPSIS
The Unlawful Killing was finished on 9 March 2011, after three years of research and production, culminating (after a decade of delay) in an Inquest held at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.



Keith Allen (father of Lily Allen) was at the centre of the inquest, covertly observing proceedings in the courtroom and amongst the press. His groundbreaking documentary recreates key moments from the inquest, and demonstrates how the cover-up was perpetrated. It shows how vital evidence of foul play was hidden from public scrutiny, how the royal family was exempted from giving evidence, and how journalists, particularly those working for the British media, systematically misreported what was happening.

This is not about a conspiracy before the crash, but about a provable cover-up after the crash.

With An Important Chapter Closed, the Story Of 9/11 Is Not Over

Help Build The Flight 93 National Memorial Honoring The Heroes Of United Flight 93, Visit www.honorflight93.org Or Text “MEMORIAL” To 90999 And Donate $10 Today

Washington, D.C. (May 2, 2011) /PRNewswire/ — In the wake of world events, Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation, charitable partner of the Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign, issued the following statement:

“The death of Osama bin Laden marks an important moment in the history of 9/11, however the story is far from over and our work is not done. As people around the world reflect on recent events, and as the 10th anniversary of September 11th grows near, it is more important than ever that we remember that fateful day, pay homage to the ones we lost, and honor our heroes – including the 40 passengers and crew of United Flight 93, who sacrificed their own lives so others could live. May their courage, sacrifice and heroism never be forgotten.”

Ten years after the events of September 11th, memorials in New York and at the Pentagon are funded. However, the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, PA has yet to receive the funds necessary to be complete. An additional $15 million is needed to finish the project. To support the Flight 93 National Memorial, people are invited to visit www.honorflight93.org or text “MEMORIAL” to 90999 from their mobile device to donate $10 immediately.

The Flight 93 National Memorial will be the nation’s permanent memorial to the 40 passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93, and all of those lost on September 11, 2001. United Flight 93, originally destined for San Francisco, was hijacked by terrorists in the skies over Ohio. Once they received word of the attacks in New York and Washington, the passengers and crew took decisive action, choosing to fight their terrorist hijackers. Together they fought, and through their heroic actions, sacrificed their own lives, ultimately causing United Flight 93 to crash in a field outside of Shanksville, PA, where no individuals on the ground were harmed. The most popular conclusion, including that of the 9/11 Commission, is that Flight 93 was headed for the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The actions of the 40 heroes on United Flight 93 saved countless lives and our nation’s capital.

The Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign is an ambitious $60 million initiative. To date, $45 million has been committed through public and private sources. The National Park Foundation continues to spearhead the campaign, working to raise the final $15 million to complete the Memorial. The memorial site is currently under construction with plans to dedicate the memorial on September 10, 2011. The Flight 93 National Memorial will be the only national memorial dedicated to the events of 9/11. To view the memorial site live, visit www.honorflight93.org/webcam.
About the Flight 93 National Memorial

On September 24, 2002, Congress passed the Flight 93 National Memorial Act. The Act created a new national park unit to commemorate the passengers and crew of Flight 93 who, on September 11, 2001, courageously gave their lives thereby thwarting a planned attack on our nation’s capital. The memorial is outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed with the loss of its 40 passengers and crew. For more information about the Flight 93 National Memorial, please visit www.nps.gov/flni. For information on how to support the building of the memorial, go to www.honorflight93.org.
About the National Park Foundation

The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks. Chartered by Congress, we work hand in hand with the National Park Service to strengthen and connect all Americans to our parks, so they are protected for present and future generations. It is a legacy that began more than a century ago, when private citizens took action to first establish, then protect and endow our national parks. Today, the National Park Foundation carries on that tradition as the only national charitable partner for America’s national parks. To learn more visit www.nationalparks.org.

# # #

Media Contact:
Victoria Tagliabue
202-354-6488
vtagliabue@nationalparks.org

Post Bin Laden Death, President Obama's Job Rating Rises 8 Points

Post Bin Laden Death, President Obama's Job Rating Rises 8 Points
Highest rating for President Obama since September, 2009

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, May 9, 2011

NEW YORK, May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With the news that the most wanted man in America had been killed by Navy Seals, President Obama had one reason to breathe a sigh of relief last week. Now, he has another as Americans seemed to rally around not only him but also feel better about the state of the country. Currently, just under half (46%) of U.S. adults give President Obama positive ratings on the overall job he is doing, a rise of eight points from last month when only 38% gave him positive marks. Just over half (54%) give the President negative ratings, down from 62% who did so last month. This is also the highest rating for the President since September of 2009 when almost half (49%) of Americans gave him positive ratings.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100517/NY06256LOGO )

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,104 adults surveyed online between May 4 and 6, 2011 by Harris Interactive.



Democrats and Independents contribute the most to this rise. Over three-quarters of Democrats (77%) now give President Obama positive marks for his overall job approval, up from seven in ten (69%) last month. Among Independents, almost two in five (38%) give the President positive ratings up from three in ten (31%) in April. There is even a small rise among Republicans – in April, just 9% gave the President positive ratings; now, 12% do.

Congress also sees a small rise in their job ratings. Currently, just over one in ten Americans (13%) give the overall job Congress is doing positive ratings, up five points from last month when just 8% gave them positive marks. However, almost nine in ten (87%) still give them negative ratings.

The largest positive jump is in how the country overall is doing. In April, just one-quarter of Americans (26%) thought the country was heading in the right direction while 74% thought it was going off on the wrong track. Now, two in five U.S. adults (39%) say it is going in the right direction while 61% believe it is on the wrong track – a jump of 12 points.

So What?

The news from the White House late on Sunday, May 1st has caused many Americans to feel more positive about life in general and the way this country is going. This, in turn, translates into positive feelings about the President and even, albeit to a lesser extent, Congress. The question is does this hold or is it a temporary rise until something brings it back down. If the election were held today, the country is split on President Obama's re-election as 46% of Americans would be likely to vote for him and 47% would not be likely to do so. More than his approval ratings, these are the numbers the White House and re-election committee are watching closely.

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Xodus Group launches first in Africa operation in Nigeria

Offshore
Xodus Group provides integrated oil and gas field development and operational expertise to support the drive to maximise production, to work safely and to respect the environment throughout the asset lifecycle. The fundamental principles are common to both offshore and onshore developments but each require specific attention and expertise in certain areas.

Offshore projects are dominated by the challenge of operating in marine environments, with ever increasing water depths being the norm. Specialist expertise from across our service lines enables the following challenges to be addressed:

9 May 2011 09:00 Africa/Lagos



Xodus Group Announces Arrival in Africa


LAGOS, Nigeria, May 9, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

- Nigeria Joint Venture Will Pursue Robust Growth Strategy in Oil & Gas

International energy consultancy Xodus Group today joined forces with Nigerian company Mos Baker to launch a brand new operation in Lagos called XMOS.

XMOS brings integrated field development and front end services to the African oil and gas markets with an initial focus on three divisions, process and facilities, flow assurance and subsea engineering. Ultimately the full suite of Xodus services will be rolled out which will add technical safety, environmental and subsurface capabilities

The partners are each investing more than $1 million setting up the joint venture which will recruit 20 people in the first year and grow to 100 people within three years. The Nigerian government intends to double national oil production from 1.8 million barrels per day and Xodus believes there are significant opportunites for XMOS and the experience it can bring to the region.

Colin Manson, chief executive of Xodus Group said: "Setting up a joint venture is a first for Xodus Group and we are making the move now because we have tremendous confidence in the size of the market opportunity in Nigeria and in our new partners. Many of the new developments will be in very deep water off the Nigerian continental shelf, where our subsea and technical credentials, integrated field development and front-end experience are ideally suited. This move presents a new chapter in the evolution of Xodus Group."

Sam Unuigbe, a former director of Stanbic IBTC Bank and owner of Mos Baker will take on the role of chairman and his son Ohioze Unuigbe, a chemical engineer with an MBA from Imperial College London and experience with UK engineering contractors, is Managing Director.

Rod McInnes has been appointed operations director of XMOS. Mr McInnes has more than 30 years of engineering experience with the last 15 in senior management positions. He has worked in West Africa previously and has extensive international project management experience with operators such as ExxonMobil, Statoil and Texaco and global oil refineries.

Colin Manson will sit on the board from Xodus Group along with Xodus directors Stephen Swindell and Dave Rayburn who will provide specialist support from the Xodus London office.

Sam Unuigbe said: "We believe that by joining our local know-how and business acumen with Xodus Group's exceptional engineering experience, we will grow to have a significant presence within three years. We will be recruiting from day one and will be on the search for the most talented forward thinking engineers to come on board with this exciting new venture. We will be investing in training local people and will be looking to attract skilled engineers working overseas interested in returning to Africa."

Mr Unuigbe, a qualified chartered accountant is a well respected businessman in Nigeria and until last year spent more than 17 years as a director of Stanbic IBTC Bank, one of the largest banking groups in Africa

He established his own firm of chartered accountants Unuigbe Akintola & Co in the 1970s of which he remains managing partner. He serves on the board of several companies including NENSCO ltd and Philips Project Centre - an affiliate of Philips Electronics NV of the Netherlands. He has invaluable oil and gas experience in Nigeria and as well as Mos Baker he is a shareholder in Delta Afrik and Delta Tek Engineering and previously worked as a manager with Mobil Petroleum Nigeria.

Xodus Group is headquartered in Aberdeen and employs more than 310 people in offices throughout the UK with its London office heading up high profile international contracts in key regions across the globe. The company also recently opened an office in Houston as part of its ambitious international growth strategy.

Xodus launched in 2005 and has grown into a dynamic integrated consultancy with expertise in oil, gas and renewables. With an annual turnover of GBP30 million, Xodus has six divisions comprising: Wells and Subsurface; Subsea; Process and Facilities; Integration Technology; Technical Safety and Risk; Environmental (Xodus Aurora).

Issued on behalf of Xodus Group by the BIG Partnership

Source: Xodus Group

For further information contact Tracey Miller, Senior Account Executive on +44(0)1224-615011 or Gayle Nicol, Senior Account Manager tel +44(0)1224-615019, +44(0)7702-737135 email gayle.nicol@bigpartnership.co.uk