Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sony Pictures Releasing International Sets New Studio Record for International Box Office With $1.634 Billion for the Year - and Counting
17 Nov 2009 00:02 Africa/Lagos
Sony Pictures Releasing International Sets New Studio Record for International Box Office With $1.634 Billion for the Year - and Counting
-Sony Pictures On Track For Best Box Office Year Worldwide In Studio History- Hit Films '2012,' 'Angels & Demons,' 'Terminator Salvation,' and 'Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT' Set the Pace
CULVER CITY, Calif., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, Sony Pictures Releasing International passed $1.634 billion at the box office, making 2009 the highest grossing year of all time internationally for the studio and breaking the division's previous all-time high which it set in 2006, it was announced today by Jeff Blake, chairman, Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing and Distribution.
The year has been driven by the success of a number of breakthrough hits in the international marketplace. The studio's most recent blockbuster is 2012, from director Roland Emmerich, which opened this past weekend to more than $165 million internationally ($230.4 million worldwide) and has yet to open in such markets as Japan, where it is expected to perform solidly.
Also contributing to the overseas record is Columbia Pictures' Angels & Demons, which opened in May and has taken in over $352 million in foreign markets. Sony Pictures Releasing International distributed Terminator Salvation in many overseas countries, taking in $220.6 million in SPRI's territories. District 9 proved popular around the world, too, taking in $88 million overseas, including $67.7 million from SPRI territories. Columbia's The Ugly Truth, a modestly budgeted comedy, took in more than $112 million from international audiences (and still going). Finally, Michael Jackson fans around the world have driven Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT to $155.2 million internationally so far and more than $222 million worldwide.
Commenting on the announcement, Blake said, "Our performance this year re-emphasizes the importance of the international marketplace and the enormous value of a release slate with global appeal. We couldn't be more proud of the films we have been privileged to work on this year and our extraordinary success reflects the achievements of our dedicated filmmakers as well as the creativity and innovation of our hardworking marketing and distribution teams all over the world."
In North America, Sony Pictures has released eight #1 movies in 2009 and has currently grossed $1.259 billion in ticket sales. With 2012 expected to continue to perform strongly all over the world, and with several films yet to be released, films from Sony Pictures Entertainment has already generated $2.893 billion worldwide, making 2009 the second-highest-grossing year ever for the studio, passing the $2.878 billion worldwide take from 2002.
SPE is also on track to make 2009 its best year ever worldwide and pass $3.334 billion, the record the studio set in 2006. In addition, SPRI could potentially pass the $2 billion mark at the international box office, an achievement that has been reached by any studio only four times in history.
About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 130 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at www.sonypictures.com.
For More Information:
Steve Elzer
Senior Vice President, Media Relations
Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group
(310) 244-7142
steve_elzer@spe.sony.com
Source: Sony Pictures Entertainment
CONTACT: Steve Elzer, Senior Vice President, Media Relations of Columbia
TriStar Motion Picture Group, +1-310-244-7142, steve_elzer@spe.sony.com
Web Site: SONY PICTURES
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Oberthur Technologies Helps Zain Break New Ground in the Field of Mobile Commerce
17 Nov 2009 08:00 Africa/Lagos
Oberthur Technologies Helps Zain Break New Ground in the Field of Mobile Commerce
PARIS, November 17/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Oberthur Technologies, the world's second largest supplier of smart card solutions, successfully completed the deployment of its M-Commerce security solution for Zain's 15 sub Saharan African operations. Zain's Mobile Commerce solution, Zap, is a state-of-the-art SIM security application and security gateway which enables Zain customers to use their mobile phone to securely pay bills and to pay for goods and services.
The service currently allows Zain customers in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda through their mobile phones to receive and send money to friends and family as well as to receive money from any bank account around the world and send money to other bank accounts. They can also top up their own, or someone else's, airtime account and manage their bank accounts. Over 100 million people in East Africa can now benefit from Zap. The service which will be rolled out soon in all Zain's operation across the Middle East and Africa, has a potential customer base of 600 million people, many of whom have never had access to formal financial services.
"For any market in the world, the combination of services we are providing through Zap mobile commerce would be exciting," declared Dr Saad Al Barrak CEO of Zain, "but when set in an African context, the implications are especially profound given the critical economic needs of many Africans living the countries in which Zain operates. In this sense, what we deliver contributes to more than just a healthy bottom line; it genuinely helps improve lives."
"We selected Oberthur Technologies as our security solutions partner because of the company's' proven leadership in the field of mobile smart card and security solutions, their global support for our offer, and the desire of the team to take the initial first steps to innovate technologically advanced and customized solutions to meet Zain's ground-breaking service offering," stated George Held, Marketing Director, Products and Innovation Zain Group.
Thierry Siminger, Managing Director RMEA for the Card Systems Division of Oberthur Technologies commented, "This partnership has enabled the two innovative leaders, Oberthur and Zain, to raise the bar for future m-commerce solutions. Our successful partnership goes back many years and continues to grow from strength to strength."
About Zain
Zain is a leading telecommunications operator across the Middle East and Africa providing mobile voice and data services to 69.5 million active customers as at 30 June 2009. In terms of country footprint, Zain is the 3rd largest mobile operator in the world with a commercial presence in 24 countries.
Zain operates in the following countries: Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malawi, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Palestine (currently known as Paltel Group), Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. In Lebanon, the company manages 'mtc-touch' on behalf of the government. In Morocco, Zain owns 31% of Wana Telecom through a joint venture.
Zain offers innovative services in its markets such as 'One Network', the world's first borderless mobile telecommunications network enabling customers when abroad to receive calls and sms without charge and to make voice and data calls at local rates throughout 20 countries in Africa and the Middle East. This service allows a customer to top up airtime in one's home country or from more than 1,000,000 outlets within Zain's One Network footprint.
The Zain brand is wholly owned by Mobile Telecommunications Company KSC, which is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (Stock ticker: ZAIN). Zain is listed in the Financial Times' Global 500 Index which ranks the world's largest companies based on market capitalization ( http://www.ft.com/reports/ft5002008). Zain aims to become one of the top ten mobile operators in the world by end of the year 2011. For more, please visit http://www.zain.com or email info@zain.com
About Oberthur Technologies
With sales of 882 million Euros in 2008, Oberthur Technologies is a world leader in the field of secure technologies. Innovation and high quality services ensure Oberthur Technologies' strong positioning in its main target markets:
- Card Systems: The world's second largest provider of security
and identification based on smart card technology and associated
services for mobile, payment, transport, digital TV and convergence
markets.
- Identity: Leading international supplier for the manufacture and
personalization of secure identity documents such as passport, identity
card, driving license or health care card - traditional and electronic
- and associated services for both governmental and corporate markets.
- Security printing: World's third largest private security printer
specialized in high security for the production of banknotes, checks
and other fiduciary documents in more than fifty countries.
- Cash protection: World leader in the emerging market of
intelligent systems to secure cash-in-transit and ATM.
Close to its customers, Oberthur Technologies benefits from an industrial and commercial presence across all five continents.
Oberthur Technologies S.A. is a limited liability company (societe anonyme) registered in France with its registered office at 50 quai Michelet 92 532 Levallois Perret, France. Oberthur Technologies S.A.'s corporate registration number is 340 709 534 R.C.S. Paris.
Website: http://www.oberthur.com
Source: Oberthur Technologies
Matthew Stroud, Press Contact - Oberthur Technologies, Telephone: +33-1-47-85-58-06, Email: m.stroud@oberthur.com
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
17 Nov 2009
08:00
Oberthur Technologies Helps Zain Break New Ground in the Field of Mobile Commerce
07:00
China Precision Steel Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results
16 Nov 2009
15:30
SimbaNET Nigeria Launches iDirect-Based VSAT Service in Africa
Oberthur Technologies Helps Zain Break New Ground in the Field of Mobile Commerce
PARIS, November 17/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Oberthur Technologies, the world's second largest supplier of smart card solutions, successfully completed the deployment of its M-Commerce security solution for Zain's 15 sub Saharan African operations. Zain's Mobile Commerce solution, Zap, is a state-of-the-art SIM security application and security gateway which enables Zain customers to use their mobile phone to securely pay bills and to pay for goods and services.
The service currently allows Zain customers in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda through their mobile phones to receive and send money to friends and family as well as to receive money from any bank account around the world and send money to other bank accounts. They can also top up their own, or someone else's, airtime account and manage their bank accounts. Over 100 million people in East Africa can now benefit from Zap. The service which will be rolled out soon in all Zain's operation across the Middle East and Africa, has a potential customer base of 600 million people, many of whom have never had access to formal financial services.
"For any market in the world, the combination of services we are providing through Zap mobile commerce would be exciting," declared Dr Saad Al Barrak CEO of Zain, "but when set in an African context, the implications are especially profound given the critical economic needs of many Africans living the countries in which Zain operates. In this sense, what we deliver contributes to more than just a healthy bottom line; it genuinely helps improve lives."
"We selected Oberthur Technologies as our security solutions partner because of the company's' proven leadership in the field of mobile smart card and security solutions, their global support for our offer, and the desire of the team to take the initial first steps to innovate technologically advanced and customized solutions to meet Zain's ground-breaking service offering," stated George Held, Marketing Director, Products and Innovation Zain Group.
Thierry Siminger, Managing Director RMEA for the Card Systems Division of Oberthur Technologies commented, "This partnership has enabled the two innovative leaders, Oberthur and Zain, to raise the bar for future m-commerce solutions. Our successful partnership goes back many years and continues to grow from strength to strength."
About Zain
Zain is a leading telecommunications operator across the Middle East and Africa providing mobile voice and data services to 69.5 million active customers as at 30 June 2009. In terms of country footprint, Zain is the 3rd largest mobile operator in the world with a commercial presence in 24 countries.
Zain operates in the following countries: Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malawi, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Palestine (currently known as Paltel Group), Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. In Lebanon, the company manages 'mtc-touch' on behalf of the government. In Morocco, Zain owns 31% of Wana Telecom through a joint venture.
Zain offers innovative services in its markets such as 'One Network', the world's first borderless mobile telecommunications network enabling customers when abroad to receive calls and sms without charge and to make voice and data calls at local rates throughout 20 countries in Africa and the Middle East. This service allows a customer to top up airtime in one's home country or from more than 1,000,000 outlets within Zain's One Network footprint.
The Zain brand is wholly owned by Mobile Telecommunications Company KSC, which is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (Stock ticker: ZAIN). Zain is listed in the Financial Times' Global 500 Index which ranks the world's largest companies based on market capitalization ( http://www.ft.com/reports/ft5002008). Zain aims to become one of the top ten mobile operators in the world by end of the year 2011. For more, please visit http://www.zain.com or email info@zain.com
About Oberthur Technologies
With sales of 882 million Euros in 2008, Oberthur Technologies is a world leader in the field of secure technologies. Innovation and high quality services ensure Oberthur Technologies' strong positioning in its main target markets:
- Card Systems: The world's second largest provider of security
and identification based on smart card technology and associated
services for mobile, payment, transport, digital TV and convergence
markets.
- Identity: Leading international supplier for the manufacture and
personalization of secure identity documents such as passport, identity
card, driving license or health care card - traditional and electronic
- and associated services for both governmental and corporate markets.
- Security printing: World's third largest private security printer
specialized in high security for the production of banknotes, checks
and other fiduciary documents in more than fifty countries.
- Cash protection: World leader in the emerging market of
intelligent systems to secure cash-in-transit and ATM.
Close to its customers, Oberthur Technologies benefits from an industrial and commercial presence across all five continents.
Oberthur Technologies S.A. is a limited liability company (societe anonyme) registered in France with its registered office at 50 quai Michelet 92 532 Levallois Perret, France. Oberthur Technologies S.A.'s corporate registration number is 340 709 534 R.C.S. Paris.
Website: http://www.oberthur.com
Source: Oberthur Technologies
Matthew Stroud, Press Contact - Oberthur Technologies, Telephone: +33-1-47-85-58-06, Email: m.stroud@oberthur.com
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
17 Nov 2009
08:00
Oberthur Technologies Helps Zain Break New Ground in the Field of Mobile Commerce
07:00
China Precision Steel Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results
16 Nov 2009
15:30
SimbaNET Nigeria Launches iDirect-Based VSAT Service in Africa
Monday, November 16, 2009
40,000 Miles in 248 Days - Our Earth by Motorcycle
PRNewswire, London, November 13. MIEMING, Austria - Edelweiss Bike Travel: Circumnavigation of the world by motorbike, the fifth stage right across Asia and then home to Mieming/Tyrol. The last stage will take the participants right across the whole of Asia and back to the starting point in Mieming, Tyrol. Stamina and off-road experience are mandatory for this tour. (PRNewsFoto/Edelweiss Bike Travel) MIEMING AUSTRIA
13 Nov 2009 17:14 Africa/Lagos
40,000 Miles in 248 Days - Our Earth by Motorcycle
From November 14, 2010 to July 20, 2011, Edelweiss Bike Travel, Number One in the World for Guided Motorcycle Tours, will be Realizing a Never Before Attempted Expedition Over all 5 Continents
MIEMING, Austria, November 13/PRNewswire/ -- "We have been organizing professional motorcycle tours for 30 years now. To celebrate our anniversary, we are organizing an unforgettable expedition around our earth for motorcycle enthusiasts." says the founder of Edelweiss, Werner Wachter, about the unique and spectacular project, which will start and finish at the Edelweiss headquarters in Mieming/Austria.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091113/366761 )
DISCOVER OUR EARTH
The first stage starts on November 14, 2010, and leads via Paris to Dakar in Senegal. Man/woman and machine will then fly to Buenos Aires. Wachter: "We have allowed 9 weeks for the section from Argentina to Bogota in Columbia. The subsequent third stage from crossing the Panama Canal to Los Angeles in California will be relatively short at 5 weeks."
After the flight over the Pacific, we will start traversing the Australian continent. "This means 7,000 miles in 4 weeks! Fitness and stamina will help," stresses Wachter. On the fifth and last stage from Beijing right across the whole of Asia and half of Europe, participants will be nearing their final destination, the Alps (8 weeks). On July 20, 2011 it will be time to celebrate the return of the expedition team in Mieming!
Kevin and Julia Sanders from GlobeBusters, the Guinness Book recordholders for the fastest circumnavigation of the world, will be supporting Edelweiss. Wachter: "Let's discover the entire globe!"
All current press texts also on http://www.pressetexter.at
Additional images under: http://www.tourismuspresse.at/redirect.php?qv20je45
A picture accompanying this release is also available on AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org (PRN Ref 1)
Contact:
Edelweiss Bike Travel
Karin Gritsch
Sportplatzweg 14
A-6414 Mieming/Austria
Tel.: +43-(0)5264-5690-10
Karin.gritsch@edelweissbike.com
http://www.edelweissbike.com
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091113/366761
Source: Edelweiss Bike Travel
Contact: Edelweiss Bike Travel,Karin Gritsch, Sportplatzweg 14, A-6414 Mieming/Austria, Tel.: +43-(0)5264-5690-10, Karin.gritsch@edelweissbike.com
Mr. President, Do Not Let Obama's Dream Die in Your Hands
Mr. President, Do Not Let Obama's Dream Die in Your Hands
Dear President Barack Obama,
On the eve of your visit to China, we urge you to take a firm stand on human rights issues to reaffirm to the world the core values of the United States of America and its dedication to those values.
Dear Mr. President, you challenged Americans to enact a change, and Americans have responded and sent you to the White House to be the catalyst of change. You took the message of change to Europe, and Europeans have responded and reengaged with the leader of the free world.
We now challenge you: Will you bring change to the US policy toward China, a policy of economic engagement that has tainted our nation's image for the past twenty years, or will you maintain the status quo?
The United States' engagement with China originally donned a pretext of helping to improve China's human rights. Over time, however, its true motive and consequence has emerged: with the passing of one so-called opportunity after another to improve human rights in China, including the granting of PNTR to China, the admission of China into the WTO, and the Beijing Olympics, more and more Chinese people have fallen victim to the Chinese regime's human rights abuses. As such, this policy has turned into our nation's worst example of hypocrisy, and the complete lack of acknowledgement of and accountability for its failure also makes it our worst example of irresponsible politics.
At the same time the US has been losing its moral standing. The former Soviet bloc was far more powerful then than China is now, and it took thirty-eight years for the Berlin Wall to fall. The US was never weak or vulnerable during the Cold War, and was a source of inspiration and hope for people in Eastern Europe. Now the US is not only increasingly timid about mentioning human rights to China, it is on its knees supplicating China to buy its debt. Internationally, the US has helped to fund the Chinese regime to become a new anti-human rights ringleader and has to face it on multiple continents. Domestically, we are suffering the consequences of our own deeds: We ignored China's suppression of workers' unions, and we lose our jobs to China's slave laborers who work under unsafe conditions; we ignore China's persecution of Christians and Falun Gong practitioners who merely want their right to conscience, and we receive unconscionable toxic products from China.
Most alarmingly, we are losing sight of our real national interest - our American values. Had Abraham Lincoln not been so dedicated to the founding principles of America, had he instead carried on a policy of economic engagement with the South, rationalizing that the profit would somehow trickle down in the form of greater freedom for the slaves, that would be equivalent to today's China policy, and there would be no President Obama. Today, our founding principles and values have eroded to the point where we have accepted a China policy based on greed rather than principle for the past twenty years.
Mr. President, in those twenty years how many of China's Obamas have been locked up and lynched in jail? How many of China's Obamas have been exiled to the US and cannot go back home to pursue their dreams? Over the globe, how many Obamas have suffered under various regimes that remain in power only because of the support of the Chinese regime?
Mr. President, we take it to heart when you claim Lincoln as your role model, so we ask you to carry on Abraham Lincoln's legacy to give people in China and around the world the opportunity to see their Obama's dream to come true.
Please do not let Obama's dream die in your hands.
~ From The Conscience Foundation
Contact: 619-280-3112
chinavisit@consciencefoundation.org
Please Sign the Petition to the President:
http://www.consciencefoundation.org/index.php?option=com_rsmonials
Dear President Barack Obama,
On the eve of your visit to China, we urge you to take a firm stand on human rights issues to reaffirm to the world the core values of the United States of America and its dedication to those values.
Dear Mr. President, you challenged Americans to enact a change, and Americans have responded and sent you to the White House to be the catalyst of change. You took the message of change to Europe, and Europeans have responded and reengaged with the leader of the free world.
We now challenge you: Will you bring change to the US policy toward China, a policy of economic engagement that has tainted our nation's image for the past twenty years, or will you maintain the status quo?
The United States' engagement with China originally donned a pretext of helping to improve China's human rights. Over time, however, its true motive and consequence has emerged: with the passing of one so-called opportunity after another to improve human rights in China, including the granting of PNTR to China, the admission of China into the WTO, and the Beijing Olympics, more and more Chinese people have fallen victim to the Chinese regime's human rights abuses. As such, this policy has turned into our nation's worst example of hypocrisy, and the complete lack of acknowledgement of and accountability for its failure also makes it our worst example of irresponsible politics.
At the same time the US has been losing its moral standing. The former Soviet bloc was far more powerful then than China is now, and it took thirty-eight years for the Berlin Wall to fall. The US was never weak or vulnerable during the Cold War, and was a source of inspiration and hope for people in Eastern Europe. Now the US is not only increasingly timid about mentioning human rights to China, it is on its knees supplicating China to buy its debt. Internationally, the US has helped to fund the Chinese regime to become a new anti-human rights ringleader and has to face it on multiple continents. Domestically, we are suffering the consequences of our own deeds: We ignored China's suppression of workers' unions, and we lose our jobs to China's slave laborers who work under unsafe conditions; we ignore China's persecution of Christians and Falun Gong practitioners who merely want their right to conscience, and we receive unconscionable toxic products from China.
Most alarmingly, we are losing sight of our real national interest - our American values. Had Abraham Lincoln not been so dedicated to the founding principles of America, had he instead carried on a policy of economic engagement with the South, rationalizing that the profit would somehow trickle down in the form of greater freedom for the slaves, that would be equivalent to today's China policy, and there would be no President Obama. Today, our founding principles and values have eroded to the point where we have accepted a China policy based on greed rather than principle for the past twenty years.
Mr. President, in those twenty years how many of China's Obamas have been locked up and lynched in jail? How many of China's Obamas have been exiled to the US and cannot go back home to pursue their dreams? Over the globe, how many Obamas have suffered under various regimes that remain in power only because of the support of the Chinese regime?
Mr. President, we take it to heart when you claim Lincoln as your role model, so we ask you to carry on Abraham Lincoln's legacy to give people in China and around the world the opportunity to see their Obama's dream to come true.
Please do not let Obama's dream die in your hands.
~ From The Conscience Foundation
Contact: 619-280-3112
chinavisit@consciencefoundation.org
Please Sign the Petition to the President:
http://www.consciencefoundation.org/index.php?option=com_rsmonials
Confronting the Global Financial Crisis: Bank Efficiency in Africa
13 Nov 2009 12:31 Africa/Lagos
Confronting the Global Financial Crisis: Bank Efficiency in Africa
TUNIS, November 13, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The current global financial crisis that originated in the collapse in the market for sub-prime mortgages in the United States in 2007 initially did not hit Africa directly. The crisis also had little impact on the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) financial systems because the financial sector in Africa remains shallow, uncompetitive and weakly integrated into the global markets.
Despite the fact that money, currencies, and capital markets had the significant pressures by the crisis, they have continued to function normally, and financial institutions in most countries have been stable without emergency support from monetary authorities.
Nevertheless, due to pressures intensified by the crisis, Sub-Saharan African countries are being hit hard as the global crisis has continued to deepen. The spiraling effects of a depressed world economy and the increased risk aversion of investors pose growing risks for Sub-Saharan African financial systems. As a matter of fact, frontier and emerging market countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya were hit first, suffering falling equity markets, capital flow reversals, and pressures on exchange rates.
Most African economies have a high degree of foreign bank penetration. The large share of foreign-owned banks across Africa has brought stability over the past years but also exposes the region to additional contagion risk. Also, the boosting of domestic banks' efficiency is mainly attributable to raising the number of foreign banks. Central bankers in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) recognize that efficiency in the banking sector is a key contributor to macroeconomic stability. It is also a precondition for economic growth and important for the effectiveness of monetary policy. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a number of African countries began to restructure their financial sectors in order to boost banking efficiency. However, at present, it is difficult to entirely analyze the impact of the current crisis on the African banking sector because of the limited availability of 2008 bank-level data.
In terms of the assessment of bank performance and profitability as well as the African banking system, commercial banks in SSA so far remain largely sound and do not pose the risks that may be exposed to contagion effects of the current financial crisis.
However, there may be contagion risks from distressed foreign parent banks to local subsidiaries within Sub-Saharan Africa because parent banks could withdraw capital from African subsidiaries; call in loans to their African subsidiaries; no longer invest local profits in local subsidiaries; or do a combination of these. Also, there exists a risk that governments engage in troubled banks that are non-systemic or that supervisory authorities loosen prudential regulations in response to the crisis.
Thus, the financial sector, particularly banks need to be monitored vigilantly in order to minimize vulnerabilities and mitigate risks.
For interview requests, see following contacts / Pour vos demandes d'interview, contacter l'équipe de la BAD à Addis:
Magatte Wade (global coordination): +251 (0) 91 29 45 910.
Lotfi Madani (broadcast): +251 (0) 91 29 45 882.
Aristide Ahouassou (administrative affairs and interviews): +251 (0) 912945873.
Yvan Cliche (web): +251 (0) 91 29 69 330
Sondes ben Chagra (web): +251 (0) 91 29 45 883.
Felix Njoku (press releases): +251 (0) 91 29 45 872.
Andrew Allimadi (UN Economic Commission for Africa communication team): +251 (0) 91 14 02 719.
Contact in Tunis:
Malika AFIF
External Relations and Communication Unit (ERCU)
African Development Bank
BP 323, 1002 – Tunis Belvedère
Tel: +216 71 10 39 03
E-mail: m.afif@afdb.org
Source: African Development Bank (AfDB)
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Confronting the Global Financial Crisis: Bank Efficiency in Africa
TUNIS, November 13, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The current global financial crisis that originated in the collapse in the market for sub-prime mortgages in the United States in 2007 initially did not hit Africa directly. The crisis also had little impact on the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) financial systems because the financial sector in Africa remains shallow, uncompetitive and weakly integrated into the global markets.
Despite the fact that money, currencies, and capital markets had the significant pressures by the crisis, they have continued to function normally, and financial institutions in most countries have been stable without emergency support from monetary authorities.
Nevertheless, due to pressures intensified by the crisis, Sub-Saharan African countries are being hit hard as the global crisis has continued to deepen. The spiraling effects of a depressed world economy and the increased risk aversion of investors pose growing risks for Sub-Saharan African financial systems. As a matter of fact, frontier and emerging market countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya were hit first, suffering falling equity markets, capital flow reversals, and pressures on exchange rates.
Most African economies have a high degree of foreign bank penetration. The large share of foreign-owned banks across Africa has brought stability over the past years but also exposes the region to additional contagion risk. Also, the boosting of domestic banks' efficiency is mainly attributable to raising the number of foreign banks. Central bankers in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) recognize that efficiency in the banking sector is a key contributor to macroeconomic stability. It is also a precondition for economic growth and important for the effectiveness of monetary policy. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a number of African countries began to restructure their financial sectors in order to boost banking efficiency. However, at present, it is difficult to entirely analyze the impact of the current crisis on the African banking sector because of the limited availability of 2008 bank-level data.
In terms of the assessment of bank performance and profitability as well as the African banking system, commercial banks in SSA so far remain largely sound and do not pose the risks that may be exposed to contagion effects of the current financial crisis.
However, there may be contagion risks from distressed foreign parent banks to local subsidiaries within Sub-Saharan Africa because parent banks could withdraw capital from African subsidiaries; call in loans to their African subsidiaries; no longer invest local profits in local subsidiaries; or do a combination of these. Also, there exists a risk that governments engage in troubled banks that are non-systemic or that supervisory authorities loosen prudential regulations in response to the crisis.
Thus, the financial sector, particularly banks need to be monitored vigilantly in order to minimize vulnerabilities and mitigate risks.
For interview requests, see following contacts / Pour vos demandes d'interview, contacter l'équipe de la BAD à Addis:
Magatte Wade (global coordination): +251 (0) 91 29 45 910.
Lotfi Madani (broadcast): +251 (0) 91 29 45 882.
Aristide Ahouassou (administrative affairs and interviews): +251 (0) 912945873.
Yvan Cliche (web): +251 (0) 91 29 69 330
Sondes ben Chagra (web): +251 (0) 91 29 45 883.
Felix Njoku (press releases): +251 (0) 91 29 45 872.
Andrew Allimadi (UN Economic Commission for Africa communication team): +251 (0) 91 14 02 719.
Contact in Tunis:
Malika AFIF
External Relations and Communication Unit (ERCU)
African Development Bank
BP 323, 1002 – Tunis Belvedère
Tel: +216 71 10 39 03
E-mail: m.afif@afdb.org
Source: African Development Bank (AfDB)
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Watch this Space: Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition Launched
Watch this Space: Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition Launched
ESPOO, Finland, November 16/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nokia (NYSE: NOK) today announced the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition, an entertainment hub that combines mobile broadcast TV (DVB-H), social networking, music and gaming in one compact 3G device. With mobile broadcast TV consumption on the rise - by 2012 there will be over 300 million people worldwide watching TV on their mobile phones - this handset offers easy access to anyone wanting to enjoy an exceptional live, on-the-move TV experience.
Nokia vice president Mark Selby said, "The introduction of the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition responds to the arrival of DVB-H broadcast mobile TV networks in new markets and offers an affordable device for new and existing customers alike. Customers are increasingly watching a variety of programmes on their mobiles, such as drama programs, news and sport, for a longer period of time. The Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition has the sound and image quality to hold audiences captive."
Watch TV. Anywhere
Thanks to the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition's DVB-H technology, programs burst through the QVGA 2.4" screen in full-colour, crystal clear, sharp images. Plug in 3.5mm headphones for personal viewing or use the loudspeaker option to share the experience with friends and family.
With one-click access to live broadcasts, the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition can pick up the best channels around. Set reminders for favorite shows to make sure key episodes aren't missed and create personal channel lists with Nokia's innovative Electronic Program Guide (EPG) for a truly tailored mobile broadcast TV experience.
The Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition provides broadcast picture quality while the headset acts as an antenna for outstanding reception, so no blank screens or interference during those all important moments. Long battery life gives up to six hours of DVB-H usage; enough time to watch three football matches - or six episodes of a soap opera - before recharging. The Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition will retail for 155 Euros before taxes and subsidies.
Franklin Selgert, Chairman, Broadcast Mobile Convergence Forum said, "It is essential for DVB-H service providers to have a variety of devices capable of serving the mass market. Having a complete portfolio of handsets is pivotal for the commercial success of mobile TV. The new Nokia DVB-H enabled mobile phone, the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition, is a great addition to the current portfolio of broadcast TV-capable handsets."
Catch up with friends. Anytime
The Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition comes with all the latest social networking software, making it simple to stay in touch with friends via Ovi Contacts, Facebook, MySpace and YouTube. Post status updates for friends and family to follow or instant message (IM) them via Windows Live(TM) Messenger, Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, ICQ, AOL and many others.
Capture photos and video clips, day or night, using the 3.2 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom and LED flash before uploading and sharing favourite shots via sites such as OviShare and Flickr. Alternatively, email them via Ovi Mail, Nokia Messaging, Windows Live Messenger, Gmail, or Yahoo! Mail.
Play music. Whenever
Accessing music and other apps is easy with dedicated music keys and links to the Nokia Music store (where available). The Nokia 5330 Mobile TV edition is also compatible with Nokia's innovative Comes with Music service - providing free, unlimited access to millions of tracks. Download free music anytime, anywhere - and keep all the music forever.
Keep up-to-date. Wherever
Check out the choice of personalized media and applications in the Ovi Store. A one-stop-shop for thousands of applications, games, videos, podcasts, productivity tools, web and location-based services and more, means personalizing the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition is just the touch of a button away.
Mobile TV. Roll-out
Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks work with more than 30 operators worldwide on Mobile TV implementations. Commercial launches with Mobile TV services based on DVB-H and OMA BCAST standards include Austria, Finland, Ghana, Kenya, India, Italy, Namibia, Nigeria, Netherland, Philippines and Switzerland. Additional commercial launches can be expected during the next 12-18 month in more than 20 countries.
Stefan Schneiders, Head of Mobile TV solutions at Nokia Siemens Networks said, "It is great that Nokia has affirmed its commitment to DVB-H by launching the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition. 2010 brings a series of high-profile global sporting events and this is a good opportunity for operators to create, drive and bundle innovative mobile TV services based on DVB-H. In fact, during the 2006 World Cup, Italy saw the launch of the most successful mobile TV Broadcasting service in Europe."
Francois Theron, CEO at DStv Mobile comments: "DStv Mobile has rolled out DVB-H networks in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Namibia and we are currently rolling out a number of new networks in other African countries. Our success has been built around offering innovative and premium television content at an affordable price while facilitating access to inexpensive handsets which suit the requirements of consumers in Africa. The introduction of the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition is a welcome development as Nokia is a trusted brand in Africa and will further encourage television viewers to access entertainment, sport and news on the DStv Mobile platforms."
Vincent Grivet, Vice President, Mobile TV TDF, France said "We are very excited by the launch of the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition. It is a highly seducing and compelling device and will be the perfect platform for introducing both European mobile users and operators to a high quality and constraint free mobile TV experience. This is exactly what the industry has been waiting for to accelerate the broadcast mobile TV roll out, and we look forward to the successful and fast distribution of this innovative device in our key European markets such as Finland, Austria, Germany and France.
Vincenzo Novari, CEO at Hutch 3G, Italy, said: "As the largest handset producer in the world, Nokia's announcement is real evidence of their commitment to the development of the broadcast mobile TV market. Networks, content and handsets made for mass consumer consumption are the key ingredients for fuelling the market's growth".
Erik Sylvestersson, Vice President Sales & Marketing at DNA Finland said: "Live digital TV broadcasts over DVB-H networks is becoming more accessible to more people. In Finland, we have found that sport and news are the key drivers for broadcast mobile TV consumption among consumers. People want to be able to watch the action as it happens - rather than settle for highlight shows once they get home. Consumers expect an exceptional on-the-move TV experience at an affordable price, something the Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition is fully equipped to deliver."
Notes to editors:
Compatibility with the aforementioned services may be limited to certain countries.
Nokia's first commercial DVB-H device was the Nokia N92, launched in November 2005. Nokia's DVB-H device range includes the Nokia N92, Nokia N77, and the Nokia N96. In addition Nokia enables DVB-H reception on multiple devices including the Nokia N97, Nokia N97 mini, Nokia N86 8MP, Nokia E75, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic and Nokia X6 by using the Nokia Mobile TV Receiver SU-33W.
About Nokia
Nokia is a pioneer in mobile telecommunications and the world's leading maker of mobile devices. Today, we are connecting people in new and different ways - fusing advanced mobile technology with personalized services to enable people to stay close to what matters to them. We also provide comprehensive digital map information through NAVTEQ; and equipment, solutions and services for communications networks through Nokia Siemens Networks.
http://www.nokia.com
Source: Nokia Corporation
Media enquiries: Nokia Communications, Tel: +358-7180-34900, Email: press.services@nokia.com
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16 Nov 2009
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Watch this Space: Nokia 5330 Mobile TV Edition Launched
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Thursday, November 12, 2009
How To Get Big Things Done In Government
12 Nov 2009 15:00 Africa/Lagos
How To Get Big Things Done In Government
What: National book launch and panel discussion event for "If We Can
Put a Man on the Moon: Getting Big Things Done in Government"
Who: William D. Eggers, global director for Deloitte Research-Public
Sector John O'Leary, senior fellow, Harvard Kennedy School of
Government
When: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Where: Grand Hyatt Hotel
1000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Details: Ever wonder why some government programs succeed brilliantly and
other programs struggle to achieve their promise and full
potential?
To help answer that question, Deloitte, the National Academy of
Public Administration (NAPA), and the Partnership for Public
Service will host a national launch event for the new book, "If
We Can Put a Man on the Moon: Getting Big Things Done in
Government," co-authored by Eggers and O'Leary. A panel
discussion on how to increase the odds of translating policy
ideas into successful initiatives will also take place at the
launch event.
NAPA Chairman Emeritus, Dwight Ink, one of the longest-serving
senior public servants in the post-war era, is profiled in the
book and will be recognized at the event. Registration
required, please visit www.govexec.com/specialevent or contact
Tourang Nazari at tnazari@deloitte.com.
About Deloitte
As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte Consulting LLP and Deloitte Services LP, separate subsidiaries of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries.
CONTACT: Tourang Nazari, Public Relations, Deloitte, +1-571-882-6252, tnazari@deloitte.com
/PRNewswire -- Nov. 12/
Source: Deloitte
Web Site: http://www.deloitte.com/us
How To Get Big Things Done In Government
What: National book launch and panel discussion event for "If We Can
Put a Man on the Moon: Getting Big Things Done in Government"
Who: William D. Eggers, global director for Deloitte Research-Public
Sector John O'Leary, senior fellow, Harvard Kennedy School of
Government
When: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Where: Grand Hyatt Hotel
1000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Details: Ever wonder why some government programs succeed brilliantly and
other programs struggle to achieve their promise and full
potential?
To help answer that question, Deloitte, the National Academy of
Public Administration (NAPA), and the Partnership for Public
Service will host a national launch event for the new book, "If
We Can Put a Man on the Moon: Getting Big Things Done in
Government," co-authored by Eggers and O'Leary. A panel
discussion on how to increase the odds of translating policy
ideas into successful initiatives will also take place at the
launch event.
NAPA Chairman Emeritus, Dwight Ink, one of the longest-serving
senior public servants in the post-war era, is profiled in the
book and will be recognized at the event. Registration
required, please visit www.govexec.com/specialevent or contact
Tourang Nazari at tnazari@deloitte.com.
About Deloitte
As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte Consulting LLP and Deloitte Services LP, separate subsidiaries of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries.
CONTACT: Tourang Nazari, Public Relations, Deloitte, +1-571-882-6252, tnazari@deloitte.com
/PRNewswire -- Nov. 12/
Source: Deloitte
Web Site: http://www.deloitte.com/us
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