Secretary Clinton Speaks On the Attack in Benghazi

US ambassador Chris Stevens had supported the Libyan revolt that overthrew Moamer Kadhafi, but has now been struck down in an attack by militant forces unleashed after the strongman's fall. Stevens, 52, was killed in an attack on the US consulate in Benghazi late Tuesday by armed Islamists outraged over an amateur American-made Internet video mocking Islam, less than six months after being appointed to his post.


12 Sep 2012 04:01 Africa/Lagos


Statement by Secretary Clinton on the Attack in Benghazi

WASHINGTON, September 12, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- I condemn in the strongest terms the attack on our mission in Benghazi today. As we work to secure our personnel and facilities, we have confirmed that one of our State Department officers was killed. We are heartbroken by this terrible loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and those who have suffered in this attack.


This evening, I called Libyan President Magariaf to coordinate additional support to protect Americans in Libya. President Magariaf expressed his condemnation and condolences and pledged his government's full cooperation.


Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet. The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation. But let me be clear: There is never any justification for violent acts of this kind.


In light of the events of today, the United States government is working with partner countries around the world to protect our personnel, our missions, and American citizens worldwide.


Source: US Department of State

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Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
12 Sep 2012
14:54	CAIR: U.S. Muslims to Condemn Killings of American Diplomats
09:26	Statement on the Death of American Personnel in Benghazi, Libya
09:07	Norway condemns attack on US consulate in Benghazi
08:28	Statement on the Attack in Benghazi
06:06	UK Foreign Secretary condemns attack on US Consulate in Benghazi

Attack on U.S. Consulate in Libya

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US News & Worlld Report Ranks America's Top Colleges

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Corelogic® Reports Number Of Residential Properties In Negative Equity Decreases Again In Second Quarter Of 2012

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The Most Uncelebrated Achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Government

The following are three of the most uncelebrated achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Government

• Nigerians spend N160 billion annually on university education in Ghana, more than Nigeria’s annual budget for education in 2011.
~ Prof. Ayo Olukotun, Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria.


• 800 companies shut down in Nigeria due to harsh and insecure operating environment.
~ Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) .


• 33 million Nigerians are jobless.
~ Dr. Yemi Kale, Statistician General of the Federation of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

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Africa Independent Television is the Best TV in Nigeria

Africa Independent Television is the Best TV in Nigeria

Presently there are over 116 stations, including cable stations in Nigeria.

The impact of private broadcasting has helped in pursuance of mass literacy and democracy in Africa’s most populous nation and thanks to the deregulation of broadcasting in Nigeria in 1992 by the regime of Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), and the National Broadcasting Commission decree ended the monopoly of the government owned Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

Nigerians watching TV.

Africa Independent Television (AIT) launched by High Chief, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, is the first private television in Nigeria and also Africa’s first satellite T.V. station.

I have been following developments in Nigerian TV stations since 1980 to date with opportunities to work as an independent producer for the NTA and also for the private DBN TV and witnessed the progress of public and private televisions in Nigeria.

The fast development of private TV stations in Nigeria is due to the employment of the best trained professionals who left the NTA to work for the private stations. Their departure affected the NTA in terms of the standards of production, because those who replaced them at the NTA could not boast of the professional competence and expertise of their predecessors. So, what the public TV stations lost, the private stations gained.

Of all the leading private TV stations, AIT has proved to be the flagship so far in management and content.

What makes a TV station successful is the quality of the staff and the programmes. Incompetent management cannot produce good programmes. When a TV station is run like a family entertainment boutique or a fraternity club, professionalism will be compromised and standards will definitely fall. Moreover, there are not enough trained professionals to go round the scores of TV stations in the country, so many of them are in the hands of amateurs who would have fared better in other occupations but found their way into TV stations, because of their familiarity with the bosses and cronies.

AIT has been able to operate above board in the employment of TV professionals and you can see the success in the quality of the TV presenters, news anchors, and programme managers and directors. Both on TV and the internet AIT is miles ahead.
Many of the public and private TV stations have bad websites and are losing millions of naira that would have been earned from internet advertising. The popular Iroko TV on the internet started by a young Nigerian Jason Njoku a couple of years ago has more online viewers than the NTA and AIT and generates more advert revenue than the website of any TV station in Nigeria. The audience on the internet is more than the estimated 56.9 million TV viewers in Nigeria. Moreover, majority of Nigerians don’t have power supply to view TV, because of the lack of electricity in the majority of homes in Nigeria. How many poor Nigerians can see TV programmes when there are frequent power outages than regular power supply?

Television production has not improved at the NTA since their best professionals left for the private stations and to make movies for Nollywood. The best TV producers are now busy producing home videos and pursuing more advanced careers where they make more money than their meager salaries when they were working for the NTA. The NTA could boast of being the largest TV network in Africa before the emergence of private TV stations, but not so at the moment, because the AIT has more coverage, mileage and patronage in the world than other Nigerian TV stations.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

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eleases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
12 Sep 2012
04:00	Investment in retail real estate globally expected to hit US$180bn p.a. by 2020
11 Sep 2012
19:03	Platts: August OPEC Oil Output Climbs to 31.54 Million Barrels per Day

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Candle Lights and Roses Mark Anniversary of 9/11

Many families and relations of the 3,000 people killed when hijacked airliners slammed into New York's World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, are having candlelight vigils at Ground Zero and others also came with roses to mark another Anniversary of 9/11, the 11th one today.

11 Sep 2012 16:15 Africa/Lagos


Statement by 9/11 Commission Chairs Tom Kean and Lee Hamilton

"We owe it to the American people to keep our attention riveted on ensuring we are taking every step to keep the country secure."

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former 9/11 Commission Chair and Vice Chair Tom Kean and Lee Hamilton, now co-chairs of the Bipartisan Policy Center's Homeland Security Project, released the following statement today on the eleventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks:

"Today marks eleven years since the 9/11 attacks on our country. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims and survivors of that tragic day. We commend the progress our government has made in reforming and strengthening the institutions that protect us. We commend the sustained commitment and dedication of the tens of thousands of military, federal, state, and local officials, law enforcement and first responders who have done so much to keep us safe.

"As the years pass the danger exists that we will lose focus, divert attention to other concerns. But the threat of terrorism persists and our enemies continue to devise new ways to harm us. Fighting these emerging threats should not be a partisan issue. We owe it to the American people to keep our attention riveted on ensuring we are taking every step to keep the country secure.

"Eleven years after the event, some important 9/11 Commission recommendations have still not been implemented and require immediate attention. We call on the government to build out an interoperable, broadband network for first responders. We encourage Congress to take the steps to reform its oversight of intelligence and national security institutions, and to help those agencies make the changes and confront the challenges that will make them stronger and better. Congress and the administration should remain ever vigilant and exert maximum leadership to ensure terrorists do not acquire nuclear or radiological weapons, a prospect that would be a grave threat to us. And finally, we encourage the administration to put teeth into the Privacy and Civil Liberties Board that the Commission recommended and legislation created. That Board will help ensure that there is a proper balance between the many security measures that have been implemented since 9/11 and our tradition of privacy and civil liberty."

About the Bipartisan Policy Center:
Founded in 2007 by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole and George Mitchell, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a non-profit organization that drives principled solutions through rigorous analysis, reasoned negotiation, and respectful dialogue. With projects in multiple issue areas, BPC combines politically-balanced policymaking with strong, proactive advocacy and outreach. For more information, please visit our website: www.bipartisanpolicy.org.

SOURCE Bipartisan Policy Center

CONTACT: Ashley Clark, +1-202-637-1456, aclark@bipartisanpolicy.org

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

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Call For Entries: Top 100 Dealer Competition

11 Sep 2012 10:00 Africa/Lagos

Call For Entries: Top 100 Dealer Competition

Entry deadline extended for powersports industry's largest, longest running and most prestigious retail competition. Top 100 Dealers of 2013 to be announced in December.

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dealernews, the premier business news and information resource for North American powersports retailers, announces that entries are open for the 2013 Top 100 Dealer competition. The deadline for entries to has been extended to 11:59 p.m. October 20, 2012.

Access the entry form here (LINK: http://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/register-top-100). The 2012 Top 100 Awards competition is sponsored by American Express OPEN.

The Dealernews Top 100 Awards recognizes motorcycle/powersports dealerships for their achievements in retail design and merchandising, marketing, e-commerce, customer service, community involvement and general business management. It is a juried competition that awards franchised dealers, nonfranchised retailers and independent service shops for their efforts to promote the sport, the industry, and the rider lifestyle.

"The Top 100 competition, now in its 22nd year, is the largest non-affiliated competition of its kind in the motorcycle/powersports industry," said Mary Slepicka, editorial director at Dealernews. "Because judging is based on qualitative factors rather than revenue or units sold, retailers of all shapes and sizes have an equal chance at winning."

Winners will be announced Dec. 20, 2012. Special category ("Merit Award") winners and the Dealer of the Year will be revealed in an awards dinner/gala to be held the evening of Friday, Feb. 15, in Indianapolis, Ind., in conjunction with the 2013 Dealernews International Powersports Dealer Expo.

The Top 100 Dealers for 2013 will receive:

Marketing support for their achievement through general and industry media press releases
Top 100 Dealer certification on Dealernews.com and on www.motorcycleshows.com, the website for the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows
"Full Throttle" VIP membership during the Feb. 15-17 Dealer Expo, including guaranteed downtown hotel room reservations and assisted booking; full staff registration; access to a members-only dealer lounge; breakfast and lunch accommodations; concierge/receptionist services; and more.
Complimentary invitations to the 2013 Top 100 Dealer Awards gala, an exclusive dinner and awards event to be held Friday evening, Feb. 15, 2013 in Indianapolis, Ind.
Advance notification on Dealernews-generated market research throughout the year
A members-only discussion group on Dealernews.com for networking purposes
And much more.

"Members of the industry and even consumers are invited to encourage their favorite dealerships to enter the 2013 Top 100 Dealer Competition," said Slepicka.

Those interested in sponsoring the 2013 Top 100 Dealer Competition should contact their Dealernews representative at dnsales@dealernews.com.

About Dealernews

Dealernews Is The Voice of Powersports Retailers, helping them combine their passion for the sport with their pursuit of profit. Dealernews is an integrated information service, encompassing the flagship monthly magazine, the industry's largest B2B media website (www.dealernews.com), and the industry's largest family of B2B e-newsletters, the DealerNEWS ALERTS. Dealernews is a member of the Advanstar Powersports Group, which includes the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows, the Dealernews International Powersports Dealer Expo, and the American V-Twin Dealer Show. www.dealernews.com

About Advanstar Inc.

Advanstar Inc. serves business professionals and consumers in the Fashion, Life Sciences and Powersports industries with its portfolio of 143 events, 54 publications and directories, and 253 electronic products and websites – along with educational and direct marketing products and services. Market-leading brands and a commitment to delivering innovative, quality products and services enable Advanstar to "Connect Our Customers With Theirs." Advanstar has approximately 600 employees and operates from multiple offices in North America and Europe. www.advanstar.com

Contact:
Jeanne Paloma
jpaloma@advanstar.com
(310) 857-7376

SOURCE Dealernews

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


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Toyota Camry Tops the List of Best-Selling Cars

11 Sep 2012 12:00 Africa/Lagos

Experian Automotive: Midrange cars are top-selling segment; Toyota Camry top vehicle
Ford F-150 second overall but dominates regionally as top-selling vehicle in 19 states

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Sept. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Experian Automotive today announced that midrange cars were the highest-selling vehicle segment in the first half of 2012, according to its latest vehicle registration analysis. The analysis also showed that the Toyota Camry topped the list of best-selling vehicles for the first half, with the Ford F-150 coming in a close second. In the first half of 2011, the F-150 was the best-selling vehicle, with the Camry coming in second.

Click here to read the complete report.

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20-year-old Ghanaian Diva Makes History in ₤5 million Record Deal

Ghanaian born Jeanette Akua Yeboah-Mensah, popularly known as Zena has signed a five million pound deal with Invincible Records making her the first African artist to sign up with the record label which launched the Urban Music Awards (UMA) in 2003.
UMA has worked with honoured artists such as Beyonce, Kanye West, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, to name a few.



Invincible/UMA CEO Jordan Kensington signed the 20 year old singer to a five-year album deal with one of the world’s biggest music organizations, making Zena one of the most bankable young singers in the world.
Zena said she has always been ridiculed by her siblings for being a professional auditionee.

“I am still in shock, but I am so thankful and blessed to have been given this opportunity to represent Africa globally. It’s been a journey, but I believe you can achieve anything with faith, determination and belief in God,” she said excitedly.

“A friend of mine organized a meeting with me and Mr Kensington at the UMA buildings.
“I wasn’t aware that he had seen my clips, so I was nervous. I performed 14 songs for him and it was intense. The meeting lasted almost five hours,” she said.
“Jordan kept a straight face the whole time so I thought he wasn’t interested.
“At the end of the showcase he had this smirk on his face and said ‘You’re going to be a huge star’.
“He signed me on the spot and the rest is history.”

Jordan Kensington said: "I instinctively knew Zena was destined to become a global superstar but what made me more certain was her versatile talent, faith, believe, and tenacity in pursing her ambition. I have always known that Africa has some very talented musicians who if given a global platform will exceed to become household names worldwide and inspire many to see a much more bright, vibrant and successful side to Africa. Zena, is one artist who is set on becoming a global superstar and an ambassador to Africa worldwide”.

Zena was born in East London and moved to Johannesburg at the age of eight.

Click here for the official press release on Supple Magazine Blog.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

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Fans Compete To Outvote Rivals in Contest for Nollywood Divas Awards

To Vote Text Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde to 33967

Jay on September 4, 2012 at 10:29 pm said:
Voting for queen Ini edo till my battery dies off.

The contest for who will be crowned the first ever Nollywood Diva of the Year is fast becoming the battle of the fans of the top 20 nominees with Genevieve Nnaji, Ini Edo and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde attracting more fans so far.

david on September 5, 2012 at 3:58 pm said:
nice one, i can’t wait to vote my sweet and loving omotola, who truly deserves it.

To Vote Text Genevieve Nnaji to 33967

To Vote Text Ini Edo to 33967

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Global Hotel Prices Rise in all Regions

Global Hotel Prices Rise in all Regions

LONDON, September 4, 2012/PRNewswire/ --

Recovery in the hospitality sector gathered speed with a 4% increase in the

first half of 2012 but average prices remain at 2005 level, says new Hotels.com

[http://hotels.com ] Hotel Price Index

For the first time in five years, travellers paid more on average for their hotel rooms during the first six months of 2012 in all parts of the world, according to the latest Hotels.com [http://hotels.com ](R) Hotel Price Index[TM] (HPI(R)). The global 4% rise, compared to the same period the year before, demonstrated that the economic recovery in the hotel industry was well-established.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56589-global-hotel-prices-rise-in-all-regions

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120628/540164 )


The Index stood at 108 for this period meaning that, despite the latest increase, hotel prices in general were still considerably lower than in the first half of 2007 when the HPI was at its peak of 119.

Launched in 2004, the HPI looks at prices that people actually paid for their hotel rooms around the world. During the first six months of 2012, prices rose across the board with Pacific rates up 6%, North America up 5% and Asia up 4% while Latin America as well as Europe and the Middle East experienced a slower trajectory, up 1%.

David Roche, President, Hotels.com, said: "The hotel industry bounced back in the first half of this year from a number of natural and political crises in 2011 and it is encouraging to see growth in the sector. While initially it may not seem good news for consumers, hotel prices are still only around their 2005 level, representing great value for travellers when both wages and other prices have risen considerably."

Following the turmoil of the Arab Spring in early 2011, confidence returned to much of the Middle East and North Africa and hotel prices rose accordingly.

The same was true in Asia as the Japanese began to travel again after the turbulence of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in March 2011 but there were other factors at play here as well. The significant increase in the number of Chinese international travellers helped to drive rates higher and expansion by the region's low cost carriers, such as Peach Aviation and Scoot, also boosted travel.

In the US, increasing business travel combined with higher consumer spending meant hotels were busier with less need for discounting. In the Pacific, the resources boom in Australia meant that space was at a premium, particularly in Western Australia with international business visitors vying with mining executives for rooms.

Although rates rose as a whole in Europe, the results showed a mixed picture. One of the areas where prices dropped was in parts of the Eurozone where falling consumer confidence and spending power led to lower occupancy in the major cities and holiday hotspots.

David Roche said: "The first six months of 2012 have proved a promising start for most hotels. However, the second half of the year, with increasingly mixed economic signals, will be interesting to watch. What our regular Hotel Price Index gives consumers is a good guide as to where they can make the most of their travel budget, no matter what outside influences are impacting prices."

For a full copy of the HPI report (live from 05:00 hrs BST 4th September 2012), graphics and video interview with Hotels.com [http://hotels.com ]'s David Roche go

to:

http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56589-global-hotel-prices-rise-in-all-regions

Detailed country-specific numbers for the US and Canada will be issued in separate press releases. For US information see http://press.hotels.com/en-us for Canadian see http://press.hotels.com/en-ca

About Hotels.com [http://hotels.com ]

As part of the Expedia, Inc. group, which operates in all major markets, Hotels.com [http://hotels.com ], LP offers almost 155,000 hotels, B&Bs and serviced apartments worldwide. Hotels.com [http://hotels.com ], LP benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry obtaining the best rates for its customers, plus there are more than 6.5 million reviews from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers make an informed choice when booking. Travellers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centres.

Hotels.com, Hotel Price Index, HPI, and the Hotels.com Logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotels.com, LP in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. (c) 2012 Hotels.com, LP. All rights reserved.


Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120628/540164
Video: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56589-global-hotel-prices-rise-in-all-regions

Source: Hotels.com

Email press@hotels.co.uk or call +44(0)207-019-2428. Detailed country-specific numbers for the US and Canada will be issued in separate press releases. For US information see http://press.hotels.com/en-us/ for Canadian see http://press.hotels.com/en-ca/ or email pat@finnpartners.com

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All-New Range Rover Revealed At Royal Ballet School, Richmond Park

Victoria Pendleton and Zara Phillips Launch of the All-New Range Rover




ALL-NEW RANGE ROVER REVEALED AT THE ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL, RICHMOND PARK

All-new Range Rover revealed to an international audience of celebrities, business leaders, sports stars and royalty
World’s most capable and luxurious SUV
Step change improvements in sustainability with a 420kg weight saving and plans for hybrid model announced
Surprise performance by Dire Straits founder Mark Knopflerr
Guests included Zara Phillips, Victoria Pendleton, Yasmin Le Bon, Jessica Schwarz, David Gandy, Julian McDonald, Alex James, Jimmy Carr


LONDON, 7 September 2012, PRNewswire - : Last night, in the quintessentially British setting of the Royal Ballet School in Richmond Park, Land Rover revealed the All-New Range Rover, the fourth generation of the world’s most capable and luxurious SUV.

The international audience, including leaders from business, film, television and sport gathered to witness a dramatic dynamic reveal and celebrate one of the world’s most iconic vehicles. Many of the guests, from Olympic medallists to royalty, were long-standing Range Rover owners and enthusiasts keen to get the first view of the All-New Range Rover in the metal.

In front of a packed house, the All-New Range Rover was unveiled in spectacular style and demonstrated its world-class capabilities by wading through a water pool that was almost a metre deep and gracefully climbing a rocky causeway before coming to a stop in front of White Lodge – a formal royal residence and home to the Royal Ballet School.

The dramatic reveal culminated in a surprise seven-song performance by long-term Range Rover driver and former Dire Straits founder, Mark Knopfler. Classics including, ‘Sultans of Swing’ and ‘Money for Nothing’ rocked the grounds of Richmond Park and guests including Mike Tindall, Martin Johnson, Holly Vallance, Nick Candy, Karen Brady, Theo Paphitis, Nick Love, Kenny Logan partied the night away.

The all-new Range Rover has been developed from the ground up to provide the ultimate luxury SUV. It is the world’s first SUV to have a lightweight all-aluminium body and is 20% lighter than the outgoing model with a weight saving of 420kg.

The lighter body structure has driven a dramatic 22 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, achieving figures of 37.7mpg and 196g/km respectively.

Land Rover also used the event to announce plans for a hybrid Range Rover – the world’s first fully capable SUV. The state-of-the-art high-efficiency diesel hybrid model, which is planned for production late in 2013, will see step changes in Range Rover’s environmental credentials and will target Co2 emissions of less than 169g/km.

John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director said during the evening; “The Range Rover is a British icon and the all-new model revealed this evening has set the benchmark for luxury in SUVs. It is quieter, smoother and lighter than any vehicle in its class.”

Edwards continued; “Like the Royal Ballet School, Land Rover is quintessentially British and has been setting world standards in performance and capability for many years. We wanted to launch the All-New Range Rover in the UK and White Lodge was the perfect venue.”

Order books for the All-New Range Rover are now officially open with prices in the UK starting at £71,295 for a Vogue TdV6, rising to £98,395 for a the Supercharged Autobiography model.

The All-New Range Rover is designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK and will be exported to over 170 global markets. Over £370million has been invested in the Solihull manufacturing plant to create a state-of-the art, aerospace inspired, aluminium body shop – the largest of its kind in the world.

For further information, video and images log onto www.media.landrover.com


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