Friday, June 3, 2011

NEW POLL: Belief in Economic Opportunity Unites Americans Across Ethnic/Racial Lines


Americans. Photo Credit: The Tree Hugger

3 Jun 2011 13:15 Africa/Lagos


NEW POLL: Belief in Economic Opportunity Unites Americans Across Ethnic/Racial Lines
Ninth Allstate-National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll Examines Americans' Views of Economic Opportunity in a Time of Demographic Transformation

PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2011

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In a rapidly diversifying America, whites and minorities share many common views about what it takes to succeed in today's economy and a cultural optimism about the progress America has made in expanding opportunity for people of all ethnic and racial backgrounds. However, they diverge in revealing ways about the role of government, the opportunities they see for the next generation, and the consequences of demographic change, according to poll results announced today by The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) and National Journal.

With the U.S. population projected to become "majority-minority" by 2042, the ninth quarterly Allstate-National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll examined questions of economic opportunity and beliefs about the future of America across a spectrum of racial and ethnic groups.



The poll results show significant agreement about economic opportunity and the path to success in America. Most Americans believe the U.S. has made real progress on economic opportunity, with 55% saying the country is doing a better job now at creating equal opportunity across ethnic and racial lines than when they were younger. By a 2-1 margin, Americans believe that our free market economy is successful at creating more opportunity than problems. Across all backgrounds, education was considered the most important factor for success in America, followed by the state of the economy and an individual's own skills, while only 2% of respondents believed it was a person's racial or ethnic background.

The results also show that Americans of all backgrounds believe that economic divides between rich and poor are the most significant contributor to disagreements on important issues – a greater wedge than ethnic, racial, or cultural divides.

"Our survey uncovers that a more diverse America is a more hopeful America – one that sees opportunities available to all, regardless of race or ethnic background," said Thomas J. Wilson , Allstate chairman, president and chief executive officer. "This optimism in the American dream is further illustrated by the belief that education, individual initiative and hard work are the keys to success. The poll reveals there is common ground as we work to harness the power of our diverse nation to make us all stronger and more successful. Americans of all backgrounds believe disagreements in this country on important issues are driven more by income differences than any other difference, including ethnic or cultural divides."

However, the survey points out notable divides in three areas: Americans' opinions on the role of government in fostering economic opportunity, the opportunities they foresee for the next generation, and the potential costs and benefits of the demographic change sweeping America. While a plurality of white respondents (42%) said they believe "government is the problem" for our economic environment, only 25% of Hispanics, 17% of African-Americans, and 16% of Asians hold that view. There is a significant partisan divide here as well, with 58% of Republicans saying government is the problem, compared to 36% of independents and 18% of Democrats.

Despite optimism about their own opportunities, a large majority of Americans are concerned for the next generation, with only 33% saying they believe today's children will have more opportunity to get ahead. Whites (24%) and Asians (37%) are significantly less likely to be optimistic for today's children, while African-Americans (57%) and Hispanics (56%) are more hopeful.

"This poll offers many reasons for optimism that more diversity in America is not guaranteed to produce greater division, but it also underscores the risk that racial and ethnic divisions could reinforce the ideological and partisan splits we're already experiencing," said Ronald Brownstein , Editorial Director of National Journal Group.

Key findings from the ninth Allstate-National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll (PDF) include:

1) Americans share optimism about opportunity for themselves and the progress America has made on equal opportunity for all people. They are less optimistic for the next generation, and there are considerable differences by race and ethnicity.

* Most Americans believe they have about the same or more opportunity to get ahead than their parents had, with 44% saying they have more opportunity, 24% saying it's about the same, and 29% saying they have less opportunity.
o African-Americans (69% see more opportunity), Hispanics (62%), and Asians (67%) are particularly optimistic about their opportunities compared to their parents.
o White Americans are less optimistic, with only 36% saying they have more opportunity than their parents did.
* Most Americans (55%) believe the country is providing more opportunity for people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds than when they were younger, while 30% say it is about the same, and only 14% say it is providing less.
* Americans are less optimistic about opportunities for the next generation, with only 33% believing that today's children will have more opportunity to get ahead. This continues a pattern from previous Heartland Monitor polls.
o African-Americans (57% see more opportunity) and Hispanics (56%) are more optimistic for the next generation than are Asians (37%) and whites (24%).
* When asked to choose the most important factor in determining a person's ability to get ahead, Americans cite education most often (39%), followed by the state of the economy (23%), a person's own skills (22%), and a person's income level (9%). Only 2% of respondents chose a person's ethnic or racial background as the most important factor.
o Hispanics (53% education) and African-Americans (51%) were most likely to choose education, while whites were more closely divided between education (34%), economic conditions (28%), and a person's own skills (23%).


2) Americans of all backgrounds believe that the country's free market system works to create opportunity. Views on the role of government are more divergent, and show division along racial and ethnic lines, as well as partisan ones.

* A strong majority of Americans express support for the free market economy, with 62% who say that, left to itself, the free market creates more opportunities than problems, while just 32% believe that it creates more problems than opportunities.
o Whites (63%-31%), Hispanics (61%-30%) and Asians (61%-28%) are consistent in this belief, while African-Americans (49%-43%) are more split.
o Partisan differences are more dramatic, between Republicans (79% more opportunities than problems), independents (59%), and Democrats (52%).
* On the role of government in the economy, Americans are split among those who believe that "government is the problem" (36%), those who believe government should play an active role in the economy but are skeptical about its effectiveness (34%), and those who believe the government must play an active role (27%).
o A plurality of whites (42%) say government is the problem, compared to only 25% of Hispanics, 17% of African-Americans, and 16% of Asians.
o People of color are more likely to unreservedly endorse an active role, including 42% of African-Americans, 37% of Hispanics, and 36% of Asians.
o Partisan differences also show up dramatically, with 58% of Republicans saying government is the problem, compared to 36% of independents and only 18% of Democrats. White Republicans (64%) are especially wary.
* When asked which institution in society does the most to improve their lives, 31% of Americans say small businesses, 22% say community and nonprofit organizations, 14% say the government, 12% say big companies and 12% say religious institutions.
o African-Americans (22%), Hispanics (22%), and Asians (23%) are twice as likely as whites (11%) to say government does the most.


3) Americans of all backgrounds believe disagreements in this country on important issues are driven more by income differences than any other difference, including ethnic or cultural divides.

* Across all racial and ethnic lines, economic differences between rich and poor were consistently rated more important than political, cultural, generational, ethnic and racial, or religious differences as a factor contributing to Americans' disagreements about important issues. A total of 57% rated economic differences at the high end of the scale, indicating they contribute "a great deal" to disagreements about important issues, while fewer than 46% assigned the same importance to cultural, ethnic/racial, generational or religious differences. The only factor that approached economic differences in importance was political differences, rated at the high end of the scale by 51% of respondents.
* Hispanics rated cultural differences between native-born Americans and immigrants more important than other groups (57% chose the high end of the scale, versus 45% for all groups combined). African-Americans rated ethnic and racial differences more important than other groups (54% chose the high end of the scale, versus 35% for all groups). However, both Hispanics and African-Americans still rated those two factors well below economic differences in importance.


4) Americans are deeply ambivalent about the rapidly changing demographic face of the country and its impact on American culture and politics.

* When informed that the U.S. is expected to have a "majority-minority" population by 2042, a full 50% of Americans agreed with the idea that the demographic trends are troubling because the population change is happening too quickly and changing the character and values of the U.S. during a time of economic crisis.
o Majorities of whites (53%) and African-Americans (51%) took this position.
o Among whites, older (56%), less-educated (58%), lower-income (56%), and Republican (59%) respondents were most likely to hold this view.
o Among African-Americans, younger (55%), less-educated (56%) and lower-income (56%) respondents were most likely to hold this view.
* The alternative view – that the trends reflect a positive American tradition of welcoming all backgrounds and that immigrant and minority populations contribute to America's position as the world's largest economy – was agreed with by 42% of respondents, including 60% of Hispanics and 62% of Asians.
* A majority of Americans believe increased diversity will lead to both more racial tolerance (85%) and more racial tension (67%), as well as more success for minority-owned businesses (84%), more income inequality (64%), fewer skilled workers (62%), and fewer people upholding America's cultural heritage (63%).
* While 41% of Americans overall say racial and ethnic minorities have about the right amount of influence in the political process, people of color widely agree that they have too little, including 60% of African-Americans, 51% of Hispanics, and 53% of Asians.


5) Americans remain pessimistic about the direction of the country, but President Obama's approval rating has improved slightly since the last poll. Opinions of the President and the country's direction show sharp racial and ethnic divides.

* Americans are still pessimistic about the direction of the country, with 58% saying it is on the wrong track, down only slightly from 60% in the March 2011 Heartland Monitor poll.
o While 66% of whites say the country is on the wrong track, 57% of African-Americans say it is headed in the right direction.
* President Obama's approval (50%) and disapproval (42%) numbers have improved slightly since March, when they were 49%-44%.
o Whites (43% approve) are much less likely to approve of the president's job performance than Hispanics (65%), Asians (70%), or African-Americans (90%).
o Whites (34% Obama, 54% someone else) are the only group who would not vote to re-elect President Obama today. Obama wins with Asians (49%-25%), Hispanics (52%-36%), and African-Americans (89%-5%).
* Ethnic and racial minorities are also much more likely to believe the country's economy will improve over the next 12 months, including 86% of African-Americans, 80% of Asians, and 74% of Hispanics, compared to just 54% of whites.


Notes to Editors

Survey Methodology

A nationally representative survey of American adults conducted May 18-23, 2011, among N=1,427 American adults age 18+. Respondents were reached via landline and cell phone. The survey included extra interviews in order to reach a significant number of African-Americans (N=305), Hispanics (N=304 total interviews), and Asians (N=110). Hispanic respondents were given the option to take the survey in English or Spanish.

The data for the total American public represents all interviews conducted, weighted to N=1,000 interviews to match the demographic profile and geographic distribution of the country. For purposes of this analysis, "white" adults refers to non-Hispanic whites, while "African-American/Black" adults refers to non-Hispanic African-American/Blacks. "Hispanics" self-identified as being of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish descent, regardless of racial background.

About Allstate

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. For an overview of the other Allstate-National Journal Heartland Monitor Polls, visit http://www.allstate.com/heartland-monitor. Additional information is available at www.storiesfromtheheartland.com.

About National Journal Group

Since 1969, National Journal Group has provided insight for insiders through nonpartisan reporting on current political and policy issues as well as tools professionals need to do their jobs well. National Journal Group properties include National Journal, National Journal Daily, NationalJournal.com, The Hotline, The Almanac of American Politics and Global Security Newswire.

About FD

One of the most highly regarded consultancies in the communications industry, FD employs more than 750 staff and advises more than 1,000 clients worldwide through its hub offices in London and New York, as well as its network of wholly owned offices in Bahrain, Beijing, Bogota, Boston, Brussels, Cape Town, Chicago, Dubai, Dublin, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, Manchester, Melbourne, Moscow, Panama City, Paris, San Francisco, Shanghai, Sydney and Washington, DC. With a 20-year history of advising clients in both the private and public sectors, FD's services include financial public relations, capital markets communications, public affairs, crisis and issues management and corporate, business-to-business and business-to-consumer communications. FD is also a market leader in M&A advisory work. FD is structured around specialist sector teams operating on an international basis, covering consumer industries, financial services, basic industries, business services, life sciences & healthcare, media, real estate, technology and telecommunications. FD is a division of FTI Consulting Inc. (NYSE: FCN), the global business advisory firm. For more information, please visit www.fd.com.

SOURCE The Allstate Corporation

CONTACT: Media Inquiries: Jennifer Williams, Associate of FD, +1-212-850-5775, Jennifer.Williams@FD.com; or Taylor West, Communications Director of National Journal Group, +1-202-266-7756, twest@nationaljournal.com

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



Rezidor Announces the Park Inn Lagos, Apapa in Nigeria


Park Inn Lagos


Rezidor Announces the Park Inn Lagos, Apapa in Nigeria


PR Newswire

BRUSSELS, June 3, 2011




BRUSSELS, June 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, announces its 7th hotel in Nigeria: The Park Inn Lagos, Apapa featuring 125 rooms is already under construction and scheduled to open in Q1 2013.

"Nigeria is one of our key markets in Africa and extremely suitable for our dynamic mid-market brand Park Inn by Radisson. We are already developing a Park Inn in Lagos, Ikeja and have also established the brand in Abuja and Abeokuta," said Kurt Ritter, president & CEO of Rezidor.

Lagos is one of the most dynamic hotel markets in Africa – but still lacking internationally branded hotel rooms as a result of a surging economy buoyed by high oil prices and high barriers to entry limiting hotel development. Apapa is the major port of the city of Lagos and has a high concentration of businesses related to shipping and petroleum.

Besides 125 guest rooms, the new Park Inn will comprise an all-day dining restaurant, a sports bar, 330 m2 of meeting space, an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness centre. The surrounding area is heavily landscaped and park-like, which is a major advantage in Lagos.

Rezidor has identified the emerging markets of Africa as a focus area for future business development; the group currently has the largest pipeline in Sub-Saharan Africa and develops its core brands Radisson Blu (upper upscale) and Park Inn by Radisson (mid market) across the continent. Future openings include hotels in Addis Ababa/Ethiopia, Lusaka/Zambia, Kigali/Rwanda and Tete/Mozambique.

About The Rezidor Hotel Group:

The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world. The group features a portfolio of more than 400 hotels in operation and under development with 86,300 rooms in over 60 countries, including a wide range of hotels in Lagos, Cape Town hotels, hotels in Rome and hotels in Stockholm.

Rezidor operates the brands Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites in Europe, Middle East and Africa, along with the goldpoints plus(SM) loyalty programme for frequent hotel guests. Under a worldwide licence agreement with the iconic Italian fashion house Missoni, Rezidor also operates and develops the new lifestyle brand Hotel Missoni.

In November 2006, Rezidor was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Carlson, a privately held, global hospitality and travel company, based in Minneapolis (USA), is the majority shareholder.

The Corporate office of the Rezidor Hotel Group is based in Brussels, Belgium.

For further information please contact:
Christiane Reiter
Director Corporate Communications
The Rezidor Hotel Group
Avenue Du Bourget 44
B-1130 Brussel
Belgien
+32 2 702 9331
www.radissonblu.com

SOURCE The Rezidor Hotel Group


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


Thursday, June 2, 2011

ECOWAS, development partners review progress in regional integration process



2 Jun 2011 15:22 Africa/Lagos

ECOWAS, development partners review progress in regional integration process

ABUJA, June 2, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The 8th Annual Coordination Meeting between ECOWAS and Development Partners opens at the ECOWAS Commission's headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, 2nd June 2011 focusing on major developments in the regional integration process, including achievements and challenges.

The President of the Commission, His Excellency James Victor Gheho, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations and the leader of the European Union Delegation are among key speakers at the two-day meeting.

Representatives of development partners will be briefed on key activities and achievements of ECOWAS Departments over the past four years and also strategize with senior officials of the Commission's Directorates during thematic group sessions.

The discussion topics will include Status of the Regional Integration Process in West Africa and Medium-Term Prospects; Evolution of the Strategic Planning Process of the Commission: Achievements and Challenges; Status of the Community Decision-making Tool and the Role of the Development Partners in the ECOWAS Integration Process as well as Issues related to the Coordination and aid effectiveness.

Others are the Security Situation in West Africa: Electoral, Security and Humanitarian Challenges; Deepening of the Regional Integration Implementation of the Sectoral Policies, as well as Networking and Bilateral Discussions.

ECOWAS, founded 36 years ago through the Treaty of Lagos to foster regional integration, has continued to earn and enjoy the respect and cooperation of numerous international partners, who meet annually with senior officials of the Community to review the progress oof the regional integration project.

In a related development, the ECOWAS Commission will, on the margin of the annual Coordination meeting, sign two separate financial agreements with the French Development Agency (AFD) in support of the ECOWAS Water Resources Coordination Centre (ECOWAS/WRCC) and to boost food security in the region.

The agreement to boost food security is worth 10,400,000 Euros, while the accord to support ECOWAS/WRCC is for 400,000 Euros.

The President will sign the two agreements on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission, along with Ambassador Jean-Michel Dumond, the French Ambassador to Nigeria accredited to ECOWAS, and Mr. Michel-Stanislas Villar, the AFD Deputy Country Director.


Source: Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS)


Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time

2 Jun 2011






Shell and Cosan: fuelling a lower-carbon future with biofuels




Shell and Cosan: fuelling a lower-carbon future with biofuels

The Hague and São Paulo, June 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Shell and Cosan today launched a multi-billion dollar joint venture that will become a leading producer of the low-carbon biofuel, ethanol made from sugar cane. Named Raízen, this major retail and commercial fuels company will operate in Brazil, one of the world's fastest-growing markets.



In one of the biggest biofuels deals to date, Shell is combining its extensive retail experience, global network and research in advanced biofuels with Cosan's technical knowledge of producing biofuels on a large scale. Raízen will produce and sell over 2 billion litres a year of the lowest-carbon biofuel commercially available - ethanol made from Brazilian sugar cane.

Shell is already one of the largest distributors of sustainable biofuels: now it is moving for the first time into production. The deal with Cosan is a major development in Shell's strategy of investing for selective growth in its fuels business.

Raízen will distribute biofuels and over 20 billion litres of other industrial and transport fuels annually through a combined network of nearly 4,500 Shell-branded service stations. In Brazil it becomes the third largest fuels company. Plans would extend the company's reach in future years to export more ethanol to other key markets.

Low-carbon biofuels will be the most practical and commercially realistic way to take carbon dioxide (CO2) out of transport fuel in the coming years and will be a vital part of the future energy mix.

The joint venture also combines Shell's expertise and technology partnerships in advanced biofuels with Cosan's experience in the commercial production of low-carbon biofuels. This has the potential to accelerate the commercial production of biofuels from crop waste and inedible plants.

Raízen's 24 mills can process up to 62 million tonnes of cane into sugar or ethanol each year, with the flexibility to adapt to market demand.

"We are building a leading position in the most efficient ethanol-producing country in the world,” says Peter Voser, Shell Chief Executive Officer. "Low-carbon, sustainable biofuels will be increasingly important in the global transport fuel mix."

"This is a turning point in the search for alternative energy sources," says Rubens Ometto Silveira Mello, Cosan's Chairman of the Board. "Raízen is one of Brazil's largest companies and is ready to offer international markets a clean, renewable and economically viable solution."
Meeting demand

New energy policies in Europe and the USA are calling for more renewable, lower-carbon fuels for transport. Biofuels make up around 4% of transport fuel in Europe, and 3% in the USA. Globally biofuels currently meet around 3% of road-transport fuel demand. Shell expects this to rise to about 9% by 2030.

Brazil leads the world in the use of biofuels for transport. They are likely to make up more than 40% of the country's transport fuel mix by 2030, double today's proportion. Raízen's current annual production capacity will be enough to meet nearly 9% of Brazil's current ethanol demand.

At the pump Brazilian motorists are offered the choice of pure ethanol or a blend of petrol (gasoline) and ethanol. Around 90% of the country's new cars can run on either fuel type.

"The Raízen business model, which combines Shell and Cosan assets and has direct access to consumers, is a breakthrough in the biofuels sector,” says Marcos Marinho Lutz, Cosan Chief Executive Officer.

The sugar-cane-to-ethanol process used by Raízen is the most efficient in turning biomass into fuel. Brazilian sugar cane yields 7,000 litres of ethanol per hectare of cane compared to, for example, 3,800 litres for a hectare of corn in the USA and 2,500 litres for a hectare of wheat in Europe, according to Unica, the Brazilian sugar-cane industry association.

"Sugar cane is the most efficient plant we know in converting sunlight into energy," says Professor Edgar de Beauclair, of the Crop Production Department São Paulo State University.
Better biofuels

Turning sugar cane into ethanol offers a number of environmental benefits over other biofuel production processes. As it grows, sugar cane generally absorbs CO2 at a greater rate than other biofuel crops such as soy.

Ethanol made from Brazilian sugar cane produces around 70% less CO2 than petrol, when the cultivation and production processes are taken into account. Since 2003 the use of ethanol in Brazil has avoided over 103 million tonnes of the CO2 that the petrol it has replaced would have produced, according to Unica.

By-products from turning sugar cane into ethanol are recycled as organic fertiliser. Plant waste, called bagasse, is burned to produce power for the processing mills and surplus energy is supplied to the national grid.

To further improve productivity, Raízen will use its own advanced geographical information system to monitor its land. This allows its scientists to make accurate predictions about crop yields and adjust fertiliser or pest control, for example, to help boost production.

"Brazilian sugar-cane ethanol is one of the most sustainable and lowest-CO2 biofuels available," says Mark Gainsborough, Shell Executive Vice-President Alternative Energies. "We expect the development of advanced biofuels to benefit from Cosan's feedstock and its expertise in large-scale biofuels production. This has the potential to accelerate the future commercial viability of cellulosic ethanol."

The deal includes part of Shell's interest in the firm Iogen, which uses enzymes to break down plant waste into ethanol, as well as Shell's interest in Codexis, developers of "super-enzymes" for the faster conversion of plant waste into transport fuels.
Sustainable production

Raízen will work to improve the sustainability of its operations. Sugar cane for ethanol requires little water to be added because Brazil's tropical rainfall provides natural irrigation. In the industrial process Raízen has been introducing a system that recycles up to 90% of water used.

Raízen supports the development of varieties of sugar cane to suit regional climate and resist disease. To protect cane from pests, it breeds and releases natural predators, further reducing the use of chemical pesticides.

As a member of Bonsucro, formerly the Better Sugarcane Initiative, Raízen has joined with other producers, non-governmental organisations and other experts to establish an EU-approved certificate for sustainable sugar-cane production. This covers areas such as human rights and the impact of activities on biodiversity.

Raízen is working towards achieving certification for all ethanol produced by its own operations over the coming years. It also plans to have certified all ethanol produced from suppliers' cane.

Current sugar-cane production in Brazil takes up 8.1 million hectares, around 0.9% of the country's land. Government legislation forbids industries from entering sensitive areas such as rainforests or land needed for other food crops, and from displacing food crops into other sensitive areas. National laws also recognise the rights of indigenous communities and their claims to land ownership. The main sugar-growing areas are hundreds of kilometres from the Amazon rainforest.

Raízen is well advanced in phasing in mechanised harvesting, ahead of requirements due to come into force in the main Brazilian sugar-cane growing state of São Paulo in 2014. It already uses machines on around 64% of its suitable land (with a slope of less than 12%). CO2 emissions can be reduced because it avoids the need to burn the hard straw, a necessary step in manual cutting.

For more information, interview requests or photography, please contact:

Shell Media Relations
David Williams +31 70 377 3600

Shell Investor Relations
Europe - Gustavo Bursztyn: + 31 70 377 3996
United States - Ken Lawrence: +1 713 241 2069
www.shell.com
Cosan Media Relations
Daniela Christovão +55 11 3897 9797
www.cosan.com.br


Cautionary Note

The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release "Shell", "Shell group" and "Royal Dutch Shell" are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. ''Subsidiaries'', "Shell subsidiaries" and "Shell companies" as used in this press release refer to companies in which Royal Dutch Shell either directly or indirectly has control, by having either a majority of the voting rights or the right to exercise a controlling influence. The companies in which Shell has significant influence but not control are referred to as "associated companies" or "associates" and companies in which Shell has joint control are referred to as "jointly controlled entities". In this press release, associates and jointly controlled entities are also referred to as "equity-accounted investments". The term "Shell interest" is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect (for example, through our 24% shareholding in Woodside Petroleum Ltd.) ownership interest held by Shell in a venture, partnership or company, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management's expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ''anticipate'', ''believe'', ''could'', ''estimate'', ''expect'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''plan'', ''objectives'', ''outlook'', ''probably'', ''project'', ''will'', ''seek'', ''target'', ''risks'', ''goals'', ''should'' and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this press release, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for the Shell's products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserve estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including potential litigation and regulatory measures as a result of climate changes; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; and (m) changes in trading conditions. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in Royal Dutch Shell's 20-F for the year ended 31 December, 2010 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov - opens in new window). These factors also should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, 2 June 2011. Neither Royal Dutch Shell nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. There can be no assurance that dividend payments will match or exceed those set out in this press release in the future, or that they will be made at all.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved reserves that a company has demonstrated by actual production or conclusive formation tests to be economically and legally producible under existing economic and operating conditions. We use certain terms in this press release, such as resources and oil in place, that SEC's guidelines strictly prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov - opens in new window. You can also obtain these forms from the SEC by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.


The Internet is ruled by Amazon, Google, Apple and Facebook

The Internet is ruled by Amazon, Google, Apple and Facebook.

~ Eric Schmidt, Google’s Executive Chairman





4 Most Annoying Things to Airline Travelers


Photo Credit: Global Express Airways


4 Most Annoying Things to Airline Travelers

CHICAGO, June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The DDB Life Style Study® asked Americans what was the worst experience to have on an airplane:

1. Sitting next to a boring person who won't stop talking.
2. Sitting next to a crying baby.
3. Sitting next to an obese person.
4. Sitting next to somebody with strong body odor.
Across gender, age and parenthood status, sitting next to somebody with strong body odor was considered the worst among the four choices by 64% of people.

The unpleasantness of sitting next to a crying baby pales in comparison, with only 23% of people citing this as the worst. Apparently, boring people can keep talking because only 8% of people found this the worst, and only 6% of people claimed sitting next to an obese person as the worst.

"Considering there are several movements currently taking place to create family-only sections of aircrafts, we were surprised to find that crying babies didn't rate higher as an annoyance to airline travelers," said James Lou, U.S. Chief Strategist at DDB. "There has been a lot of press indicating that people wish there were child-free flights. Stories of lawsuits about passengers claiming hearing loss as a result of sitting next to screaming children and news of families who were removed from flights because of their unruly children have received a lot of attention, but apparently those issues are in reality less bothersome than others."

Unsurprisingly, parenthood status does seem related to feelings about sitting next to a crying baby. According to the study, people who have children aged five or under are more tolerant of sitting next to a crying baby, with only 8% citing this as the worst choice. People with children aged 6 or older are less tolerant, with 18% claiming that sitting next to a crying baby is the worst.

"It's possible that these parents have selective memories of their own children's behavior or higher opinions of their own abilities to console their little bundles of joy," added Lou.

"Given how much conversation there has been around overweight individuals having to pay for an extra seat on some airlines, we were also surprised to find that sitting next to an obese person was the least bothersome to our respondents," added Lou. "It seems that we as a society may be more tolerant of overweight people than some of the new airline policies would have us believe."

About DDB
DDB Worldwide Communications Group Inc (www.ddb.com) ranks among the top five consolidated advertising and marketing services global networks, according to Advertising Age. Consistently one of the most awarded networks globally for creative excellence, DDB was Campaign's 2009 Global Network of the Year, the 2010 Spikes Asia Network of the Year, 2010 Eurobest Network of the Year, 2010 Campaign Asia Pacific Creative Network of the Year and captured both the Cyber Grand Prix and Film Craft Grand Prix at the 2010 International Advertising Festival in Cannes. With more than 200 offices in over 90 countries, the DDB Group helps grow the value and influence of leading brands around the world. DDB Worldwide is part of Omnicom Group Inc. (OMC).
SOURCE DDB

CONTACT: Mia Sissac, DDB Chicago, +1-313-552-6439, or Pat Sloan, DDB Worldwide, +1-212-415-3271
Web Site: http://www.ddb.com


Google to double Internet penetration in Nigeria



Goggle says internet penetration in Nigeria is still very low at 12 percent and wants to double this within the next three years, according to a top official of Google in Nigeria. He also announced the launch of Google Trader in Ghana and Google online phone in Kenya which would also be extended to Nigeria.

He disclosed that Nigerians are already making millions from the new Google Trader, an initiative which puts a trader online thereby enabling consumers globally to have a contact with the traders without hitches or meddlesome middle men/women. He said that a Nigerian trader Mrs. Funke, sold one year inventory in a month by taking advantage of the Internet. Her business moved from N150,000 to N15 million in four months. She has been using a website to promote and sell her baby products to numerous customers in the global village. And another Nigerian is also presently make millions of naira yearly by selling Nollywood videos online.



Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda as leading countries in ICT development in the continent, “but Nigeria is key,” because the country’s ICT potentials and business opportunities are simply enormous. But presently, only few Nigerians are benefiting from the business opportunities, which the Internet, particularly Goggle, provide.


Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Nigerian President Jonathan Meets with Chinese President's Special Envoy

1 Jun 2011 14:35 Africa/Lagos


Nigerian President Jonathan Meets with Chinese President's Special Envoy

BEIJING, June 1, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- On May 30, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan met in Abuja with Chinese President Hu Jintao's special envoy and Minister of Railways Sheng Guangzu, who was here to attend Jonathan's presidential inauguration.


Jonathan thanked Sheng for attending his presidential inauguration ceremony as President Hu's special envoy. He said China is a great friend of Nigeria and that he is satisfied with the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Nigeria is now witnessing a new period of development, he said, adding that he expects more Chinese enterprises to take part in railway and other infrastructural construction in Nigeria and offer assistance for Nigeria's economic development. Jonathan said Nigeria hopes to continue getting China's support in the United Nations and other international affairs.


Sheng conveyed the Chinese president's congratulations to Jonathan. He said, in the past four decades since China and Nigeria forged diplomatic ties, especially since 2005 when the two countries established strategic partnership, the two sides have enhanced mutual political trust. He said on major international issues, the two countries kept close communication and coordination and that they conducted effective cooperation in various areas. The Chinese government is ready to further enhance high-level exchange with Nigeria and deepen the cooperation in bilateral and international issues, the envoy said. China will encourage Chinese enterprises to take part in and support Nigeria's economic construction so as to promote the development of the strategic partnership between the two countries, Sheng added.


The Chinese special envoy attended Jonathan's presidential inauguration on May 29.


Source: China - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time


1 Jun 2011

20:10 IBM Continues Africa Expansion with New Office in Tanzania

19:41 Celebration of Africa Liberation Day and the International Year for People of African Descent

18:03 SPINLET consigue un aumento de fondos gracias a Verod Capital

14:35 Nigerian President Jonathan Meets with Chinese President's Special Envoy

14:00 Growth in Location-Based Services: Opportunity or Threat for Mobile Operators?

03:03 SPINLET consigue inyección de fondos por parte de Verod Capital

01:21 SPINLET erhält Finanzmittel von Verod Capital

01:18 SPINLET bénéficie d'un apport de capitaux de Verod Capital

U.S. Auto Sales in May

Big Companies, PACs, Banks, Financial Institutions and Lobbyists Seen by Strong Majorities as Having Too Much Power and Influence in DC

Online Labor Demand Rises 148,800 in May, The Conference Board Reports

The DDB Life Style Study® Uncovers What Most Annoys Airline Travelers

Investors Expect Global Economic Growth with Best Prospects in Emerging Markets and Commodities, but Majority Fear Downside Global Risks, According to BNY Mellon-Sponsored Survey

Foreclosure Crisis Falling and Rising in Major Cities

Monsters Rule! Lady Gaga's Born This Way Album Sells 1,108,000 in the U.S. as Part of a Global Sales Mark of Over 2,000,000 Copies in the First Week

Space Shuttle Endeavour Sails to Home Port for Final Time

Tornado in Joplin, Mo.

Health hazards of Car A/C (Air Conditioning)




No wonder more folks are dying from cancer than ever before. We wonder where this stuff comes from but here is an example that explains a lot of the cancer causing incidents. Many people are in their cars first thing in the morning and the last thing at night, 7 days a week. As I read this, it makes me feel guilty and ill. Please pass this on to as many people as possible. Guess it’s not too late to make some changes

Car A/C (Air Conditioning) MUST READ!!!


FROM STANFORD HOSPITAL & CLINICS FOR MORE.


Please do NOT turn on A/C as soon as you enter the car.

Open the windows after you enter your car and turn ON the AC after a couple of minutes.

Here's why:

According to a research, the dashboard emits Benzene, a cancer-causing toxin (carcinogen - take time to observe the smell of heated plastic in your car).

In addition to causing cancer, Benzene poisons your bones, causes anemia and reduces white blood cells.

Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer.

Can also cause miscarriage. .

Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. ft. A car parked indoors with windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene.

If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 70 degrees F, the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level.

People who get into the car, keeping windows closed will inevitably inhale, in quick succession, excessive amounts of the toxin.

Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver. What's worse, it is extremely difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff.

So friends, please open the windows and doors of your car and give time for the deadly interior air to clear out before you enter.




Thought:

'When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others.'



Taking Nollywood to the next level


The most famous Nollywood star Genevieve Nnaji


Taking Nollywood to the next level

Recently stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry met at the last quarterly stampede of the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) to discuss “The New Trend in Nollywood”. The event was held on Sunday May 22, 2011, at the Freedom Park on Broad Street, Lagos. The forum was convened by CORA and Mr. Femi Odugbemi’s iRepresent International Documentary Film Festival (iREP).

It was well coordinated and well attended by most of the notable personalities in Nollywood and related fields. Celebrated actors Richard Mofe-Damijo, Joke Silva-Jacobs, Francis Onwochei and other Nollywood stars sat quietly without any sort of fanfare or glamour in the audience.

The invited filmmakers identified as leaders of the new trend had an interactive session on their movies. Mahmood Ali-Balogun discussed his matrimonial drama “Tango With Me”, Kunle Afolayan spoke on his horror thriller “The Figurine 'araromire'”, Stephanie Okerereke on her romantic comedy “Through the Glass”, Chidi Nwokobia on his family drama “Champions Of Our Time”, Emem Isong said she is excited about the successes she has made screening her videos in cinemas, Lilian Amah-Aluko had more to address than her “Jungle Ride”, Vivian Ejike talked about the challenges of making her “Private Storm”, appreciating the local talents and professionals she found worthy in making good movies, but Chineze Anyaene was absent and the young man Kelechi Ikata she sent to represent her could not say much on her outstanding thriller “IJE - The Journey”.

The filmmakers, journalists and other contributors had a common resolution that with the provision of adequate resources by all the stakeholders and a conducive environment the Nigerian film industry will make more impact in the world.

The moderator was the notable film critic and journalist Steve Ayorinde who is now the Managing Editor of The National Mirror Newspaper. The coordinators Shaibu Husseini and his senior colleague Jahman Anikulapo, Editor of The Guardian on Sunday Nespaper and Programme Chairman of CORA deserve commendation for making sure that the event went well and recognizing the presence of Mr. Hope Obioma Opara, the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Supple magazine and President of Eko International Film Festival and Chike Ibekwe whose movie “Eternal” was a co-winner of the Golden Screen Best Film award with “An Unusual Woman” by Burkinabe director Abdoulaye Dao at the 14th annual Ecrans noirs Film Festival in Yaounde, Cameroon, last year. And thanks to Toyin Akinosho, Secretary-General of CORA and Femi Odugbemi and their organizing committee for hosting the laudable forum.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima