Thursday, June 30, 2011

Kobo Essay Contest Features Power Lunch With Author Kelly Cutrone



29 Jun 2011 19:09 Africa/Lagos


Kobo Essay Contest Features Power Lunch With Author Kelly Cutrone

Entrants Across North America Asked to Describe "How Normal Has Gotten Them Nowhere"

PR Newswire

TORONTO, June 29, 2011

TORONTO, June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kobo, a global leader in eReading with more than 4 million users worldwide, today announced the launch of a new essay contest in which the winner will enjoy a private power lunch with television personality and New York Times' bestselling author Kelly Cutrone.

Today through July 8, 2011, Cutrone fans can visit http://facebook.com/kobo and write a short essay answer to the question: "How has normal has gotten you nowhere and how are you ready to make new moves?"

Open to residents of the continental United States and Canada (excluding Quebec), the winning essay will be chosen by Cutrone. The winner will be flown to Toronto to power lunch with the author. Cutrone will share her unique brand of no-nonsense wisdom to help the winner move forward in his or her life.

"Kelly was recently in Toronto and expressed her love of Kobo as well as her desire to work with us in a way which would be truly meaningful for her fans. Kelly loves Canada and was keen to partner with Kobo on this content," said Liz Ridout, vice president of marketing at Kobo.

"Toronto stole my heart. Anytime I can come to Toronto to see my friends and fans is a good day!" said Cutrone.

Cutrone has been a force in the fashion industry for more than 25 years. She quickly moved from industry icon to media maverick, originally appearing on MTV's hit shows The Hills and The City. She executive produced and appeared on the Bravo series Kell on Earth and is a special contributor on the syndicated Dr. Phil show. Cutrone has penned two books: national and New York Times' bestseller "If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You" and "Normal Gets You Nowhere," released in May 2011 by HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins.

To enter the contest, visit http://facebook.com/kobo. Deadline for entry is July 8, 2011. No purchase is necessary to compete in this contest. The winning entry will be made available on Kobo's Facebook page after being selected.

About Kobo, Inc.

Kobo is a global eReading service with more than 2.4 million eBooks, magazines and newspapers – one of the largest eReading catalogues in the world. Kobo believes consumers should have the freedom to read any book on any device and has attracted millions of readers from over 100 countries across the globe. Kobo has top ranked eReading applications for iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows and MacOS, and is the eReading application of choice for leading tablet OEMs. Kobo eReaders are also available at leading retailers including Indigo, Walmart, Best Buy, Borders and WHSmith. Kobo's innovative Reading Life is an industry-first comprehensive social eReading experience – Kobo users can earn awards simply for time spent reading and encouraging others. Kobo is backed by majority shareholder Indigo Books & Music Inc, Cheung Kong Holdings, and institutional investors.

Contact:
Wendy Zaas/Karina Tang
Rogers & Cowan

310.854.8148/212.445.8419

wzaas@rogersandcowan.com

ktang@rogersandcowan.com

SOURCE Kobo




Click here to buy "Normal Gets No Where"

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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Chris Brown, 2Face Idibia and D'Banj shine at 2011 BET AWARDS



Sensational American R&B singer Chris Brown was the star of the night at the 2011 BET AWARDS Sunday night at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, hosted by Kevin Hart. Chris went home with the awards for Best Male Artist, Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice, Best Collaboration, and Video of the Year Awards.

Popular Nigerian artistes 2Face Idibia and D'Banj shared the Best International Act award.




Chris Brown


The following is the full report.

27 Jun 2011 07:55 Africa/Lagos


CEE LO GREEN CHANNELS HIS INNER PATTI LABELLE IN FULL COSTUME DURING HER TRIBUTE PERFORMANCE FOR THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
JUSTIN BIEBER FLIRTS WITH NICKI MINAJ ON STAGE
ALICIA KEYS PERFORMS NEW SONG "TYPEWRITER" AND SHARES STAGE WITH BRUNO MARS AND RICK ROSS
STEVE HARVEY INSPIRES THE AUDIENCE AS THE HUMANITARIAN AWARD RECIPIENT

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, June 27, 2011

NEW YORK, June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The hilarious Kevin Hart kept the crowd laughing out loud as a Hollywood House Husband during the BET AWARDS '11 opening act with Bobby Brown , Jermaine Dupri , Anthony Anderson , Nelly, and Nick Cannon . Chris Brown's powerful performance medley of "She Ain't You," "Look at Me Now," and "Paper Scissor Rock" illustrated just why he was named the 2011 Best Male R&B Artist, Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award winner when he took to the stage in two performances collaborating with Busta Rhymes and Big Sean. Later, a precocious Justin Bieber propositioned Nicki Minaj on stage when he said, "I'm all grown up now. I turn 18 next year so...what's up?"

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO )

Legendary songstress and diva extraordinaire Patti LaBelle was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award and her tribute was a performance unlike anything ever seen before. Beginning with a special introduction from another musical icon, Gladys Knight , Cee Lo Green took to the stage in a throwback Patti LaBelle costume performing "Somebody Loves You Baby," while Marsha Ambrosius jazzed up the room with her spot on rendition of "If Only You Knew," before the great Shirley Caesar took the crowd—and Patti LaBelle —to tears singing "You Are My Friend." But it was Patti herself that brought the house down performing two of her greatest hits, "Love, Need and Want You" and "Lady Marmalade." Steve Harvey uplifted the audience in his acceptance speech for his Humanitarian Award.

The cast of the Five Heartbeats movie surprised the audience with a reunited performance with R&B crooners After 7 with the famous hit, "Nights Like This," for the 20-year anniversary of the film. The beautiful Kerry Washington graced the stage for BET's Shine A Light moment to honor individuals who make the world a better place for young people.

Celebrating the 10-year Anniversary of her first album, Songs In A Minor, Alicia Keys graced the BET AWARDS '11 stage for a medley of her hits with Bruno Mars and Rick Ross as well as for the world premiere her latest song, "Typewriter."

Additional highlights of the 14 performances include: Trey Songz sexy, shirt-ripping rendition of "Making Love Faces" and "Unusual," and was later joined by Kelly Rowland to perform her smash hit, "Motivation," Donnie McClurkin, Deitrick Haddon and Mary Mary uplifted the audience with their rendition of the gospel hit, "Thank You Lord," in tribute to the late Walter Hawkins; Mary J. Blige , Anita Baker , DJ Khaled, and Jadakiss kicked off the show with a monumental mix of hits "All Night Long," "Joy," "Happy," Dreams," "Real Love," "Rapture," and "Over Til It's Over"; Jill Scott performed a soulful rendition of "Rolling Hills" with actor and DJ Idris Elba ; DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, Drake and Lil' Wayne amped the crowd performing "I'm the One"; and Beyonce closed the show singing "Best Thing I Never Had" and "End of Time" via live telecast from Britain's Glastonbury Festival.

This year's In Memoriam tribute celebrated the lives of Cali Swag District member M-Bone, Clarence Clemons , Teena Marie , Gil Scott Heron and Nate Dogg with performances and appearances by Doug E. Fresh and Cali Swag District, Queen Latifah, Ledisi, Scott Mayo, Snoop Dogg and Warren G.

In continuing the good that BET's S.O.S.: Saving Ourselves initiative has made over the years, the BET AWARDS '11 contained a special moment to show support for the victims of the tornadoes in the Southeast through a special message from Rev. Al Sharpton .

In addition to all of these spectacular moments, the full list of BET AWARDS '11 winners are:

* Best Female R&B Artist: Rihanna
* Best Male R&B Artist: Chris Brown
* Best Group: Diddy-Dirty Money
* Best Gospel Artist: Mary Mary
* Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj
* Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Kanye West
* Best New Artist: Wiz Khalifa
* Best Collaboration: Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes "Look At Me Now"
* Video of the Year: Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes "Look At Me Now"
* Video Director of the Year: Chris Robinson
* Best Actress: Taraji P. Henson
* Best Actor: Idris Elba
* Young Stars Award: Jaden Smith and Willow Smith
* Best Movie: For Colored Girls
* Subway Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams
* Subway Sportsman of the Year: Michael Vick
* Centric Award: Marsha Ambrosius "Far Away"
* Best International Act: 2Face Idibia (Nigeria) and D'Banj (Nigeria)
* Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award: Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes - "Look at me Now"
* Humanitarian Award: Steve Harvey
* Lifetime Achievement Award: Patti LaBelle


About BET Networks:

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

SOURCE BET Networks

CONTACT: Marcy Polanco, +1-212-975-3327, marcy.polanco@BET.net, Zabrina Horton, +1-310-481-3737, zabrina.horton@BET.net, both of BET Networks; or Simone Smalls of Simone Smalls PR, Inc., +1-917-388-3890, simone@simonesmallspr.com; or Michelle Huff, +1-212-239-1732, michelle@huffent.com, Debbie Asrate, +1-212-239-1732, debbie@huffent.com, both of HUFF Events & PR; or Charlie Guadano of Simone Smalls PR, Inc., +1-917-388-3890, charlie@simonesmallspr.com

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


Saturday, June 25, 2011

Friday, June 24, 2011

Few Hate Shopping For Clothes, but Love of It Varies By Country



24 Jun 2011 11:04 Africa/Lagos


Few Hate Shopping For Clothes, but Love of It Varies By Country

To some, brands matter in clothes shopping, but to many, good brand names equal quality

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, June 24, 2011

NEW YORK, June 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- There are some people who just love to go clothes shopping. Then there are others who only do so when the clothes they currently own are literally wearing out and need to be replaced. Depending on where in the world one lives, there is a penchant for loving or hating shopping for clothes. In the U.S., there is a clear divide as 39% say they like shopping for clothes, and three in ten each say they neither like nor dislike it (30%) and dislike it (30%).

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

In other countries it is more clear and mostly in favor of shopping. Over nine in ten in India (92%) say they like shopping for clothes with over half (58%) saying they love it. Majorities in China (79%), Singapore (69%), Spain (60%), Italy (60%) and Great Britain (53%) all like clothes shopping as do just under half of Germans (47%). French adults are like Americans and a little divided on the issue with 38% liking it, 32% neither liking nor disliking clothes shopping and 30% disliking it.

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll conducted online by Harris Interactive among 9,222 adults in Singapore, Hong Kong, China and India (June 1 and 10, 2011), the U.S. (May 24 and 26, 2011) and Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain and Italy (May 25 and June 1, 2011).

Brand name importance in clothes purchases



In China and India, brand names are more important than in the rest of the countries surveyed. Almost three-quarters of adults in both India (74%) and China (72%) say brand names are important to them when purchasing clothes and fashion accessories. Around three-quarters of adults in Germany (78%), Great Britain (76%), France (75%), the U.S. (74%), Spain (72%), and Italy (72%) as well as two-thirds of adults in Singapore (64%) say brand names are not important to them when purchasing clothes or fashion accessories.

In China and India part of the importance of brand names may be because of perception of quality. Over nine in ten Chinese adults (92%) and 89% of Indian adults agree that good brand names provide better value due to quality. Although adults in other countries may place less importance on labels when shopping, they do agree that brand names provide better value due to quality—majorities of adults in Singapore (75%), the U.S. (65%), Italy (63%), and France (53%) as well as just under half of Britons (48%) and Germans (47%) say so.

Last purchases

When it comes to making clothing purchases two in five adults in India (44%) and China (42%) made a purchase in the last week, while one-third of those in Great Britain (33%) and Singapore (32%) and three in ten in Germany (31%), Italy (29%) and Spain (28%) as well as one-quarter of Americans (26%) made their last purchase more than a week ago but in the past month. Three in ten French adults (29%) made their last clothing purchase more than a month ago, but less than three months ago.

Looking at why the last clothing purchases were made, reasons vary. Half of Italians (49%) and Spaniards (49%), two in five Germans (43%) and French (41%) and just over one-third of Americans (36%) and Britons (34%) say their most recent acquisition was a necessary purchase. Two in five adults in Singapore (41%) and China (40%) made their last purchase because they were just browsing and the item caught their eye while one-quarter of Indians (25%) say they made their recent purchase for a specific occasion.

So What?

In some countries, like China and India, when marketing clothes it is important to highlight the brand names but in other countries, that does not seem to be as important to purchasing decisions. What is important in 8 of the 9 countries surveyed is an emphasis on classics rather than trendy. In every country but Spain, majorities agree with the statement "I tend to purchase classics versus trends." As these countries are still coming out of the economic downturn, each at their own pace, clothing manufacturers should keep this in mind as they roll out new lines.


Click here for the detailed report.


Top Topics






Monday, June 20, 2011

Bank of America Presents 19th HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival



20 Jun 2011 16:33 Africa/Lagos

The HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival Presented by Bank of America Celebrates Its 19th Year

FREE OUTDOOR CLASSIC FILM SERIES JUNE 20 - AUGUST 22
Director, Milos Foreman, will attend on opening night to introduce "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest"

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, June 20, 2011

NEW YORK, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Once again, Bryant Park will be a destination for film buffs on summer nights in New York City, with an all-star legendary film line up for the 19th year of the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival presented by Bank of America and in association with The Bryant Park Corporation.

Continuing the popular tradition of presenting "stars under the stars," the free outdoor festival returns Monday evenings at sunset, beginning June 20 and running through August 22. The season kicks off on the first day of summer with ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, starring Jack Nicholson as a patient who leads a revolt at a mental facility in this 1975 favorite.


A scene from "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"

The film's Oscar winning director Milos Foreman, will attend the opening night festivities in Bryant Park on June 20th to introduce the film.

The festival's closing night film, DIRTY HARRY, stars Clint Eastwood who made movie history when he took the role of Harry Callahan. Other highlights of this year's festival include Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell in GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, Paul Newman in COOL HAND LUKE, and Oscar winning film IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT.



"Support for the film festival reflects our belief that the arts, in all its forms, should be shared with the widest possible audience," said Jeff Barker, Bank of America New York City president. "Only in New York can you spend a summer evening outdoors with legends of the screen and people from all walks of life amid the city's skyscrapers."

"It is with great pride that HBO enters its 19th year of showing classic films on the big screen in Bryant Park. The festival has turned into a favorite summertime tradition for many New Yorkers. As neighbors of Bryant Park, it is a great way for HBO and Bank of America to give back to the city," said Bill Nelson, Chairman and CEO, HBO.

The films will be projected in 35mm onto a screen 20 feet high by 40 feet wide. Bryant Park is located at 42nd Street and the Avenue of the Americas. Snacks, meals and refreshments are available at Bryant Park food kiosks and restaurants. Each presentation will show on Monday evenings starting at sunset. The lawn opens at 5pm. Classic animation provided courtesy of Warner Bros.

For more information, call the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival hotline at (212) 512-5700. For film series information, visit the festival's website at hbo.com/hbobryantparkfilmfestival (will be live by June 1st).

THE HBO BRYANT PARK SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL 2011

PRESENTED BY BANK OF AMERICA

JUNE 20 ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (Saul Zaentz Co.)-Rebellious Jack Nicholson leads a patient revolt at a mental facility. He urges the inmates to rebel against the nasty Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). Based on the Ken Kesey novel, it has been directed with force, humanity and a sly smile by Milos Forman. It is the second film (after "It Happened One Night") to score an Oscar Grand Slam, winning the five top prizes. Kirk Douglas owned the screen rights for years, but was too senior to play the lead when son Michael finally co-produced. The American Film Institute ranked "Cuckoo" as #33 Greatest Movie of All Time. (1975) 133 Min.

JUNE 27 THE 39 STEPS (MGM)-An innocent man goes on the run to prove he is not a murderer and that a spy ring exists in Scotland. The exuberant thriller is one of Alfred Hitchcock's early British masterpieces. Robert Donat is the "everyman" in trouble and Madeleine Carroll is the classy blonde who lends a helping hand. It has been remade several times for big screen, small screen, even radio, but never as successfully. It even turned up recently as a cleverly conceived show on Broadway and in London's West End. Watch out for a villain with a missing finger and a music hall performer named Mr. Memory. You won't forget him. Special thanks to the British Academy of Film and Television Arts New York (BAFTA New York) (1935) 86 Min.

JULY 4 EASY RIDER (Sony/Col) Stoners Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper (he also directed) hit the road on their customized motorcycles to find the "real" America. 1960's peace and love soon turn to fear and hate. The script was Oscar-nominated, though reportedly much was improvised between L.A. and New Orleans, as the low budget movie was being shot by Laszlo Kovacs. Rumor also has it that plenty of marijuana was smoked on this road trip, giving new meaning to the term "high"way. Steppenwolf, The Byrds, The Band, Jimi Hendrix and Little Eva are heard on the soundtrack. And yes, that is legendary record producer Phil Spector making a cameo appearance as a drug dealer. (1969) 94 Min.

JULY 11 GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (TCF)-They may be just "two little girls from Little Rock," but Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell are on the trail of bigger stones. As we all know, "diamonds are a girl's best friend." Two gold digging showgirls head for Paris in this brightly colored musical comedy based on the Anita Loos story and a Broadway hit starring Carol Channing. Fox intended it as a movie showcase for their biggest star Betty Grable, but Marilyn came cheaper. The musical number "Anyone Here For Love?" featuring the statuesque Russell and a gaggle of disinterested chorus boys (as the U.S. Olympic team!) is a genuine camp classic. (1953) 91 Min.

JULY 18 IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (MGM)-This taut murder mystery was the surprise Oscar winner for Best Picture over "Bonnie and Clyde" and "The Graduate." Ironically, that very award ceremony was postponed due to the assassination of Martin Luther King. Rod Steiger plays a bigoted Mississippi sheriff who is reluctant to accept help from a black, big city detective Sidney ("Call me Mister Tibbs") Poitier. Due to racial unrest in the South, filming necessarily took place in Illinois. The moody Quincy Jones score was Grammy nominated and Ray Charles made the title song an instant standard. (1967) 109 Min.

JULY 25 THE LADY EVE (Universal)-This sparkling romantic comedy is the work of a master, Preston Sturges. Barbara Stanwyck (at her most tempting) is a con artist/card shark out to dupe the clueless heir to a brewery fortune (Henry Fonda). He is an ophiologist by trade and knows more about snakes than girls. Just back from a year up the Amazon on a serpent hunt, he is an apple ripe for the plucking. The script is brimming with sophisticated banter (earning an Oscar nomination for Best Writing, Original Story), but Sturges is not above some well-placed slapstick and physical pratfalls. In 2002, the AFI placed it #26 on a list of Top 100 Greatest Love Stories in American cinema. (1941) 94 Min.

AUG. 1 COOL HAND LUKE (Warner Bros.)-"What we've got here is…failure to communicate." So says a sadistic guard (Strother Martin) to Luke (Paul Newman) who is serving time on a Dixie chain gang. Luke has trouble with authority figures and will find countless ways to rebel against the system during his incarceration. You may never be able to face an egg again after the justifiably famous (and excruciating) eating scene in which Luke puts away over four dozen of the hard-boiled variety. Newman received his fourth Oscar nomination, but it was supporting actor George Kennedy, as a fellow inmate, who took home an acting prize. (1967) 126 Min. (Panavision)

AUG 8 AIRPLANE! (Paramount)-"You ever been in a cockpit before?" No? Well, now's your chance. The gags just keep coming and coming in this raucous spoof of Hollywood's all-star disaster epics. A Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker collaboration, it was nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Comedy and won a WGA award for Best Comedy Script. These are the same wild and crazy guys responsible for the popular "Naked Gun" series. Star turns by Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves and the late, great Leslie ("Don't call me Shirley") Nielsen. Cameos are by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Maureen McGovern and an autopilot inflatable doll! (1980) 86 min.

AUG. 15 HIGH SIERRA (Warner Bros.)-The landmark crime drama by Raoul Walsh took Humphrey Bogart off the "B" list and propelled him into superstardom. His big hit "The Maltese Falcon" came out later the same year. Here he is Roy "Mad Dog" Earle, a hardened ex-con on the lam from the cops, who, way deep down, has a heart of gold. The part was intended for Paul Muni (contract dispute) or George Raft. Bogie himself convinced Raft to turn down the role. Good move. "Sierra" was co-scripted by his old friend and drinking buddy, John Huston. Top-billed Ida Lupino co-stars as the devoted moll and Bogart's own pooch, Zero, appears as the cute mongrel Pard. (1941) 100 Min.

AUG. 22 DIRTY HARRY (Warner Bros.)-Clint Eastwood made movie history when he took the role of Harry Callahan. He went on to play the iconic cop four more times. Originally considered for the part were Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen and Paul Newman, but the "Gods of Hollywood Casting' were smiling down on Clint. No more Italian westerns. Don Siegel's direction packs quite a punch, as Harry goes about ridding the San Francisco streets of a serial sniper. His unique take on law enforcement involves carrying a very large .44 Magnum. Are ya feeling lucky, punk? Come on, make Harry's day. (1971) 102 min. (Panavision)

HBO

Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., providing two pay television services – HBO® and Cinemax® – to approximately 85 million subscribers worldwide . The services offer the most popular subscription video-on-demand products, HBO On Demand® and Cinemax On Demand® as well as HBO GO® and MAX GO®, HD feeds and multiplex channels. Internationally, HBO branded television networks, along with the subscription video-on-demand products HBO On Demand and HBO GO, bring HBO services to over 60 countries. HBO programming is sold into over 150 countries worldwide.

HBO's philanthropic efforts are defined by a mission to cultivate and develop new talent through support of innovative educational organizations. We are committed to ensuring the stories we present reflect the diverse world in which we live and the voices from all communities are provided the access and resources to share their experiences with audiences around the world.

BANK OF AMERICA AND THE ARTS

As one of the world's largest financial institutions and a major supporter of arts and culture, Bank of America has a vested interest and plays a meaningful role in the international dialogue on cultural understanding. As a global company, Bank of America demonstrates its commitment to the arts by supporting such efforts as after-school arts programs, grants to help expand libraries, programs to conserve artistic heritage as well as a campaign to encourage museum attendance. Bank of America offers customers free access to more than 150 of the nation's finest cultural institutions through its acclaimed Museums on Us® program, while Art in our Communities® shares exhibits from the company's corporate collection with communities across the globe through local museum partners. The Bank of America Charitable Foundation also provides philanthropic support to museums, theaters and other arts-related nonprofits to expand their services and offerings to schools and communities. Bank of America partners with more than six thousand arts institutions worldwide.

BRYANT PARK CORPORATION

Bryant Park Corporation (BPC), a private not-for-profit company, was founded in 1980 to renovate, finance, and operate Bryant Park in New York City. BPC is funded by income from events, concessions, and corporate sponsors, as well as an assessment on neighboring properties, and does not accept government or philanthropic monies. In addition to providing security and sanitation services, and tending the park's lush lawn and seasonal garden displays, BPC provides public amenities and activities, including movable chairs and tables, café umbrellas, restaurants, food kiosks, world-class restrooms, and a wide range of free events throughout the year. The Midtown park, conveniently located at 6th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets, is visited by over 5 million people each year and is one of the busiest public spaces in the world. BPC's website, www.bryantpark.org, provides more detailed information and a schedule of upcoming events.

SOURCE HBO

CONTACT: Suzanne Pinto, HBO, +1-212-512-1904; T.J. Crawford, Bank of America, +1-646-855-3301

Web Site: http://www.hbo.com/hbobryantparkfilmfestival



Friday, June 17, 2011

LG Turns the Red Carpet Green with Envy at Los Angeles Movie Premiere




LG Mobile Awakens the "Green Lantern" Power Within Through Multi-Platform Marketing Campaign LG Mobile Awakens the

LG Turns the Red Carpet Green with Envy at Los Angeles Movie Premiere with Action Adventure Film Stars and Supercharged Revolution™ by LG

LOS ANGELES, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — LG Mobile Phones, in partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures, set the red carpet aglow last night at the Los Angeles premiere of the highly anticipated summer film “Green Lantern.” Fusing next-generation mobile technology with the contemporary story of a human-turned-superhero, the evening highlighted LG’s multi-faceted marketing campaign and brought tech fans and moviegoers together to celebrate superphones and superhero powers.


Angela Bassett

Created specifically for the premiere, LG Mobile Phones debuted a fun and sophisticated “LG Lounge” at the exclusive after-party for attendees to experience 4G power of the Revolution™ by LG. One of the first 4G handsets from LG, Revolution offers complete HD support for streaming, playing and recording video multimedia while on-the-go. Equipped with a chic design, large 4.3-inch touchscreen and Android 2.2 platform, Revolution is the ideal device for users ready to experience the next level of smartphone power. “Green Lantern” cast members and premiere attendees seen at the after party included Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Zachary Levi, Jason Bateman, Michael Clarke Duncan and Tim Robbins.


Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

In addition to its own presence at the premiere, LG invited consumers to harness the “Green Lantern” power within through a movie-themed online giveaway that offered users a chance to win tickets to the premiere, as well as their very own Revolution™ device. LG also launched an integrated TV and cinema commercial to highlight the supercharged capabilities of the handset and the superhero powers of Green Lantern. “Green Lantern” trailers, wallpapers and buddy icons can be downloaded at the LG microsite, http://www.RevolutionByLG.com/, and banner ads for the film as well as information about the partnership are available at http://www.facebook.com/LGUSAMobile and m.RevolutionByLG.com.
About “Green Lantern”

Bringing the popular superhero to the big screen for the first time, “Green Lantern” stars Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, the human-turned-superhero by the power of a mysterious, out-of-this-world ring. When a new enemy threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, it’s up to Hal to overcome his fears and save the world.

Under the direction of Martin Campbell, the film also stars Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Angela Bassett and Tim Robbins. The screenplay is by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim and Michael Goldenberg, story by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim, based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. “Green Lantern” is produced by Donald De Line and Greg Berlanti, with Herbert W. Gains and Andrew Haas executive producing.

The film opens in 3D and 2D on June 17, 2011. “Green Lantern” is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. www.greenlantern.com.
About LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 93,000 people working in over 120 operations around the world. With 2010 global sales of 55.8 trillion Korean won (USD 48.2 billion), LG comprises four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions. LG is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines, and refrigerators. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula 1™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.
About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company

The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit www.lgmobilephones.com.


Media Contact:
Elizabeth Latham
LG MobileComm U.S.A., Inc
(858)-805-6701
Elizabeth.Latham@lge.com
Erica Samadani
LG-One
(310)-280-2456
Erica.Samadani@lg-one.com



China must arrest Sudanese President

17 Jun 2011 12:42 Africa/Lagos


China must arrest Sudanese President

LONDON, June 17, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Chinese government should immediately withdraw its invitation to Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir, and arrest him if he travels to Beijing, Amnesty International said today.

Omar Al-Bashir is due to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao and other high-ranking officials as part of a visit from 27-30 June

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued two arrest warrants for Omar Al-Bashir for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. The warrants, issued in 2009 and 2010, charge him with criminal responsibility on 10 counts, including murder, extermination, forcible transfer of population, torture and rape.

“If China welcomes Omar Al-Bashir it will become a safe haven for alleged perpetrators of genocide”, said Catherine Baber, Deputy Asia Pacific Director at Amnesty International. “China should not allow Omar Al-Bashir to enter its territory, and must arrest him if he turns up.”

Although China is not a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, it is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, which decided in 2005 to refer the situation in Darfur – since 1 July 2002 – to the ICC Prosecutor.

The resulting resolution –which China had the power to veto but did not – urges all states to cooperate fully with the ICC.

All states have a shared responsibility to ensure that persons suspected of genocide and crimes against humanity are investigated. Where there is sufficient admissible evidence, suspects must be prosecuted in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty.

“If China provides a safe haven for Al-Bashir thousands of victims in Africa will perceive China as an accomplice to crimes under international law”, Catherine Baber said.

Read More

Malaysia: Arrest Sudanese President wanted for war crimes (Public statement, 13 June 2011)

Djibouti refuses to arrest Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir (Public statement, 9 May 2011)

Central African Republic must arrest Omar al-Bashir during visit (Public statement, 1 December 2010)

Kenya refuses to arrest Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir (Public statement, 27 August 2010)


Source: Amnesty International


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Thursday, June 16, 2011

Microsoft Survey Reveals Extent of Emerging Internet Phone Scam


Photo Credit: IT PVOIP BLOG


16 Jun 2011 08:01 Africa/Lagos


Microsoft Survey Reveals Extent of Emerging Internet Phone Scam

Criminals targeting English-language markets, expected to go global.

PR Newswire

LONDON, June 16, 2011


Bill Mullins Files


LONDON, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. today released findings of a survey* into an emerging form of Internet scam that targets English-language markets and costs victims on average $875 (U.S.).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)

The scam works by criminals posing as computer security engineers and calling people at home to tell them they are at risk of a computer security threat. The scammers tell their victims they are providing free security checks and add authenticity by claiming to represent legitimate companies and using telephone directories to refer to their victims by name.

Once they have tricked their victims into believing they have a problem and that the caller can help, the scammers are believed to run through a range of deception techniques designed to steal money.

To establish the extent of this emerging form of Internet fraud, Microsoft surveyed 7,000 computer users in the U.K., Ireland, U.S. and Canada. The survey showed that across all four countries, 15 percent of people had received a call from scammers. In Ireland this rose to 26 percent.

Of those who received a call, 22 percent, or 3 percent of the total survey sample, were deceived into following the scammers' instructions, which ranged from permitting remote access to their computer and downloading software code provided by the criminals to providing credit card information and making a purchase.

The vast majority (79 percent) of people deceived in this way suffered some sort of financial loss. Seventeen percent said they had money taken from their accounts, 19 percent reported compromised passwords and 17 percent were victims of identity fraud. More than half (53 percent) said they suffered subsequent computer problems.

Across all four countries surveyed, the average amount of money stolen was $875 (U.S.), ranging from $82 (U.S.) in Ireland up to $1,560 (U.S.) in Canada. The average cost of repairing damage caused to computers by the scammers was $1,730 — rising to $4,800 in the U.S.

"The security of software is improving all the time, but at the same time we are seeing cybercriminals increasingly turn to tactics of deception to trick people in order to steal from them," said Richard Saunders, director of International Public and Analyst Relations at Microsoft. "Criminals have proved once again that their ability to innovate new scams is matched by their ruthless pursuit of our money."

While Microsoft's research shows the huge scale of the phone scam issue, at this stage it is believed to only affect countries where the main language is English. However, according to Saunders, it's only a question of time before the scammers acquire skills in other languages and look to expand their operation. "Fake lottery scams and other forms of Internet scams have followed this pattern," Saunders said.

Because phone scammers rely on deceiving, Microsoft believes the most effective protection lies in consumer education to prevent people from becoming victims in the first place.

The following is Microsoft's advice:

* Be suspicious of unsolicited calls related to a security problem, even if they claim to represent a respected company.
* Never provide personal information, such as credit card or bank details, to an unsolicited caller.
* Do not go to a website, type anything into a computer, install software or follow any other instruction from someone who calls out of the blue.
* Take the caller's information down and pass it to the authorities.
* Use up-to-date versions of Windows and application software.
* Make sure security updates are installed regularly.
* Use a strong password and change it regularly.
* Make sure the firewall is turned on and that antivirus software is installed and up to date.
* Microsoft Security Essentials is a free antivirus product and is available at http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security_essentials/default.aspx.


The Microsoft survey showed that 67 percent of people who lost money were able to recover, on average, 42 percent of it. Microsoft advises anyone who thinks they may already have been a victim of a phone scam to do the following:

* Change their computer's password, change the password on their main email account and change the password for any financial accounts, especially bank and credit cards.
* Scan their computer with the Microsoft Safety Scanner to find out if they have malware installed on their computer.
* Contact their bank and credit card companies.


Further guidance is available at http://www.microsoft.com/security .

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

* Independent research commissioned by Microsoft Trustworthy Computing and conducted by Dynamic Markets Ltd. in April 2011.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Rapid Response Team of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, +1-503-443-7070, rrt@waggeneredstrom.com, for Microsoft Corp.

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


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Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time

16 Jun 2011












Free Speech TV to Broadcast Exclusive Live Coverage of Netroots Nation 2011

16 Jun 2011 01:39 Africa/Lagos


Free Speech TV to Broadcast Exclusive Live Coverage of Netroots Nation 2011

PR Newswire

DENVER, June 15, 2011

Thom Hartmann & Laura Flanders to Host Live from FSTV's e-Studio in Minneapolis, MN

DENVER, June 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Free Speech TV (FSTV) announced today that Thom Hartmann and Laura Flanders will host Free Speech TV's exclusive live coverage of the Netroots Nation in Minneapolis, Minnesota beginning Thursday, June 16 through Saturday, June 18, 2011.

The event is expected to draw thousands of online activists, community organizers, bloggers, elected officials and union workers from all over the country to participate in more than 100 panels, training sessions and keynotes that will help shape the dialog for progressives in the coming months. Speakers for this sixth annual conference include Russ Feingold, Al Franken, Howard Dean, Van Jones, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Keith Ellison, Donna Edwards, Jared Polis, Dan Pfeiffer, Luis Gutierrez, Ben Cardin, Sheldon Whitehouse, Raul Grijalva, Amy Klobuchar, Jerrold Nadler, Tim Walz, Jan Schakowsky, John Garamendi, Bruce Braley, Brad Miller, Judy Chu and many more.

"We're thrilled that Free Speech TV is providing head-to-toe coverage of our biggest conference yet, allowing us to expand the reach of our content to tens of thousands of progressives around the country," said Netroots Nation Communications Director Mary Rickles. "Our attendance of 2,000-plus smart, passionate activists aligns perfectly with Free Speech TV's savvy viewership."

Netroots Nation, the country's largest progressive gathering, is a time for progressives of all stars and stripes to come together and build a stronger, more united movement.

"Free Speech TV is proud to provide a national platform for Netroots Nation, an annual groundbreaking and interactive gathering that aligns with the direction that our own network is fast adopting. Free Speech TV utilizes online tools as an extension to our broadcasting arm, to empower our audiences to take action and share information. We are honored to provide this exclusive live coverage to over 35 million U.S. homes," said Free Speech TV's Executive Director, Don Rojas.

The live television broadcast will include keynote speeches and exclusive interviews with online activists, politicians and analysts. It will air nationally on DISH Network channel 9415, DIRECTV channel 348 and numerous cable stations across the country.

Free Speech TV's coverage will also be streamed live at www.freespeech.org , as well as on the sites of partnering organizations like DailyKos, The Nation, Mother Jones, Yes magazine, Huffington Post, and many more. The television coverage will also be carried live by LINK TV.

The conference, in its sixth year, is June 16-19 in Minneapolis. For more information, visit www.netrootsnation.org.

About Free Speech TV

Launched in 1995, Free Speech TV is an independent, publicly-supported, non-profit TV multi-platform digital media pioneer. Using both television and the Internet, Free Speech TV inspires viewers to become civically engaged to build a more just, equitable, and sustainable society. Free Speech TV is owned and operated by Public Communicators, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax-exempt organization, founded in 1974. Free Speech TV reaches 35 million U.S. homes, broadcasting full-time on DISH Network channel 9415, DIRECTV channel 348, part-time on 200 US community cable affiliate stations, and online at www.freespeech.org.

SOURCE Free Speech TV

CONTACT: Giselle Diaz Campagna, Development and Marketing Director, +1-303 720-9947, giselle@freespeech.org

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



Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Americans are getting distracted from TV


Photo Credit: The Mobile Marketer

15 Jun 2011 11:04 Africa/Lagos

Distracted TV Viewers

Most Americans surf online while watching TV and many people do other activities as well

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, June 15, 2011

NEW YORK, June 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The invention of the DVR system presented a hurdle for television advertisers, as they worried their valued audience would fast-forward through their messages. While those concerns may have merit, a recent Adweek/Harris Poll shows that regardless of the ability to use a DVR system, Americans may not be giving their undivided attention to their TV screens. According to the recent survey, while watching TV most Americans also surf the Internet (56%) and many do other activities like read a book, magazine or newspaper (44%), go on a social networking site (40%) or text on their mobile phone (37%).

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

These are some of the findings of a recent Adweek/ Harris Poll survey of 2,309 U.S. adults surveyed online between May 24 and 26, 2011 by Harris Interactive.

Additional findings include:

* Three in ten say they shop online while watching TV (29%);
* Few say they read a book on an eReader device while watching TV (7%) although over two in five admit to reading a traditional book, magazine or newspaper (44%) while watching TV;
* Similarly small numbers surf the Internet on a tablet computer while watching TV although a majority do so on a regular computer (56%) and 18% do so on their mobile phone;
* Three in ten Americans say they do something else while watching TV (30%) and only 14% say they do not do any other activity while they watch TV.

Click here for more details,


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Lara Lee and other top filmmakers set for 2nd Eko International Film Festival


Korean-Brazilian filmmaker Iara Lee [Photo: Michael (Yeong-ung) Yang, The Korea Central Daily News]


International award winning Korean Brazilian film producer and director Lara Lee is among the leading filmmakers who have already submitted films for the 2nd Eko International Film Festival coming up from Saturday July 9 to Thursday July 14, at the Silverbird Galleria in Lagos, Nigeria. The popular filmmaker who is based in New York City celebrated as the director of the documentaries Synthetic Pleasures and Modulations, as well as for her involvement with the "Gaza Freedom Flotilla", in which at least nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed by Israeli naval forces.
She is the founder of the Caipirinha Foundation and a member of the Council of Advisors to the National Geographic Society.

Lee was the producer of the São Paulo International Film Festival.
"Synthetic Pleasures", which deals with the impact of high technology on mass culture was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival, and won the Jury Award for Best Documentary at the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival.

In 1998, she released the multimedia project "Modulations", which traces the evolution of electronic music. Her most recent film was "Beneath the Borqa", a 2000 short documentary film about the lives of women and children under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
Her Cultures of Resistance, which celebrates creative acts of political struggle is a special selection of the Eko International Film Festival.

Other notable filmmakers are Gugu Michaels, a Nigerian American director who is an accomplished filmmaker who has worked as a director and producer on a number of commercial and independent projects including the feature films "Thugz", "Repentance" and "Dangerous County". He has also helmed a number of campaigns for retailers like Cadillac, Lamborghini and Porche. Prior to co-founding New Era Pictures, Michaels served as president of Dallas based Redrumm Records and worked with such artists as hip hop giants UGK; Alix François Meier from Essen / Germany. An editor for documentaries at SPIEGEL TV, and since 1992, a director for documentaries and commissioned producer for public television and private broadcaster. He has a natural fondness for France and Spain: from the culinary bon-vivant image down to the catacombs in Paris, the half-Frenchman loves anything and everything to do with the two countries. But he particularly likes widening his horizons. This is what has already taken him half way round the world to meet protagonists in unusual situations and get them to tell their story. Meier's "The King of Palma – Life according to Bruno“ is one of the top documentaries to be screened at the festival; and another notable filmmaker is the international award winning Nigerian director Chike Ibekwe, whose feature "Eternal" shared 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) in 2010.

Another special selection is the award winning short documentary Dream for Nigeria produced by McNally Temple Associates, Inc. It is based on the challenges and achievements of seven female members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, and the role they play in their country’s political, social and economic development.

The final list of the selected films will be announced on June 25, 2011.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima



Ex-Im Bank Chairman Joins President Obama In Raleigh For Jobs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2011

Ex-Im Bank Chairman Joins President Obama In Raleigh For Jobs Council Meeting



Fred P. Hochberg


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2011

Ex-Im Bank Chairman Joins President Obama In Raleigh For Jobs Council Meeting

Media Contact: Jamie Radice (Ex-Im Bank): 202-565-3200

Raleigh, North Carolina -- Today, the Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank), Fred P. Hochberg, joined President Obama and other senior government and corporate officials in Raleigh, North Carolina to meet with members of the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness (Jobs Council). Hochberg participated in the Council's Manufacturing, Listening, and Action session.

"I was honored to be with the President in Raleigh today to talk about the important economic issues facing our country," said Chairman Hochberg. "Exports create and sustain American jobs, and are a vital component of our economic recovery. President Obama has made the National Export Initiative a top priority, and because of that emphasis we are on track to double U.S. exports by 2015."

Administration officials who attended the Jobs Council forum included Senior White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett, Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, White House Domestic Policy Advisor Melody Barnes, and Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors Austan Goolsbee. Participants in the Manufacturing, Listening, and Action session were Ex-Im Bank Chairman Fred Hochberg, Small Business Administrator Karen Mills, DuPont Chair and CEO Ellen Kullman, Intel Corporation President Paul Otellini, and BNSF Chairman and CEO Matt Rose.

The President's Jobs Council was created to provide non-partisan advice to the President on how best to strengthen the nation's economy and look for additional ways to create jobs, opportunity, and prosperity for the American people.

Chairman Hochberg was in Raleigh earlier this month, where he hosted a Global Access for Small Business forum with Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC). At the event, North Carolina small business owners learned how to gain a competitive edge in today's global marketplace when selling their goods and services overseas. Ex-Im Bank has hosted more than a dozen Global Access events across the country this year.

Small business owners who are interested in learning more about how they can successfully export their products can call 1-800-565-EXIM (3946). Ex-Im Bank also offers information specifically designed to assist small business exporters on its website at http://www.exim.gov/smallbusiness/.

About Ex-Im Bank:
Ex-Im Bank is an independent federal agency that helps create and maintain U.S. jobs by filling gaps in private export financing at no cost to American taxpayers. The Bank provides a variety of financing mechanisms, including working capital guarantees, export-credit insurance, and financing to help foreign buyers purchase U.S. goods and services. In the first seven months of fiscal year 2011, Ex-Im Bank approved $14.8 billion in total financing authorizations, supporting $17.8 billion in U.S. export sales. These sales will support more than 129,000 American jobs in communities across the country. This seven-month authorizations figure is the highest in the Bank's history.

For more information, visit Ex-Im Bank's Web site at www.exim.gov.


Media Contact: Jamie Radice (Ex-Im Bank): 202-565-3200


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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at African Union, June 13, 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia



14 Jun 2011 14:15 Africa/Lagos




Remarks by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at African Union, June 13, 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

WASHINGTON, June 14, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Remarks by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at African Union, June 13, 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia


SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon. It is a great honor to join you here in Addis Ababa and to address the African Union. I want to thank Chairperson Ping, members of the African Union Commission, ambassadors to the AU, representatives of United Nations agencies, and, most of all, representatives of the nations and people of Africa. Thank you for the opportunity to be here with you. It is good to be back in Africa, and it is a singular honor to address this body.


During the past few days, I have traveled to Zambia, Tanzania, and now Ethiopia, meeting with leaders and citizens who are rising to meet challenges of all kinds with creativity, courage, and skill. And I am pleased to come to the African Union today as the first United States Secretary of State to address you, because I believe that in the 21st century, solving our greatest challenges cannot be the work only of individuals or individual nations. These challenges require communities of nations and peoples working together in alliances, partnerships, and institutions like the African Union.


Consider what it takes to solve global challenges, like climate change or terrorism, or regional ones, like the African Union's work in Sudan and Somalia. Your efforts to end the brutal campaign of the Lord's Resistance Army, your push to create a green revolution for Africa that drives down hunger and poverty, the challenge of helping refugees displaced by conflict, the fight against transnational crimes like piracy and trafficking: These are diplomatic and development challenges of enormous complexity. But institutions like this make it easier for us to address them, by helping nations turn common interests into common actions, by encouraging coalition building and effective compromising, by integrating emerging nations into a global community with clear obligations and expectations.


That is why, as Secretary of State, I have emphasized the work of regional institutions throughout the world, in Latin America, in Asia, in Europe, and in Africa. Now, regional institutions, of course, may differ, but increasingly they are called upon to be problem solvers and to deliver concrete results that produce positive change in people's lives.

To solve the problems confronting Africa and the world, we need the African Union. We also need Africa's sub-regional institutions, all of whom must help lead the way. Because the results you will achieve will shape the future, first and foremost, of course, for the people of Africa, but also for the people of my country, and indeed for people everywhere because what happens in Africa has global impact. Economic growth here spurs economic growth elsewhere. Breakthroughs in health research here can save and improve lives in other lands. And peace established here makes the world more secure.


So the United States seeks new and dynamic partnerships with African peoples, nations, and institutions. We want to help you accelerate the advances that are underway in many places and collaborate with you to reverse the dangerous trends and encourage political, economic, and social progress.


Today, I'd like briefly to discuss three areas, which are areas of emphasis for you and for us and where I think we can make particular progress through regional institutions like the AU. They are democracy, economic growth, and peace and security. These are, of course, the core areas of focus for the African Union, and that's for a reason. All three are critical for a thriving region. All three must be the work both of individual nations and communities of nations. And all three present challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities we must address together.


First, democracy. Let me begin by saying this is an exciting time for African democracy. More than half the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have embraced democratic, constitutional, multi-party rule. Now, some, like Botswana, Ghana, and Tanzania, have spent decades building strong institutions and a tradition of peaceful, democratic transitions. (Interruption to audio.) When things like this happen, you just keep going. (Laughter.) (Applause.) Now, those countries that I mentioned are models, not only for their neighbors, but increasingly for countries everywhere.


Other African nations have been also making important advances. In Nigeria, President Jonathan was inaugurated 15 days ago after what many have called the fairest election in Nigeria's recent history. Benin and Malawi both held successful elections this spring, building on previous successful multiparty contests. Kenya's democracy got a boost from last year's referendum on its new constitution. The vote took place without violence, and the constitution, which includes a bill of rights and limits on executive power, passed by a large margin. Niger and Guinea, both of which endured recent military coups, held successful elections in the past year. And in Cote d'Ivoire, the crisis that followed the 2010 elections was finally resolved two months ago with the help of the AU, and the elected winner is now serving as president.


These are just a few examples of Africa's recent democratic gains. A complete list would fill all the time we have today. In several nations, the institutions of democracy are becoming stronger. There are freer medias, justice systems that administer justice equally, and impartially, honest legislatures, vibrant civil societies.


Now, much of the credit for these hard-won achievements rightly belongs to the people and leaders of these countries who have passionately and persistently, sometimes at great risk to themselves, demanded that their leaders protect the rule of law, honor election results, uphold rights and freedoms. But credit is also due to the African Union, which has prohibited new leaders who have come to power through military rule and coups from being seated in the organization. The AU and Africa's other regional institutions have also played a pivotal role in ending crises and creating the conditions for successful, democratic transitions, with the AU's work to monitor elections being an especially important contribution.


But, even as we celebrate this progress, we do know that too many people in Africa still live under longstanding rulers, men who care too much about the longevity of their reign, and too little about the legacy that should be built for their country's future. Some even claim to believe in democracy – democracy defined as one election, one time. (Laughter.) (Applause.)


Now, this approach to governing is being rejected by countries on this continent and beyond. Consider the changes that have recently swept through North Africa and the Middle East. After years of living under dictatorships, people have demanded new leadership; in places where their voices have long been silenced, they are exercising their right to speak, often at the top of their lungs. In places where jobs are scarce and a tiny elite prospers while most of the population struggles, people – especially young people – are channeling their frustration into social, economic, and political change.


Their message is clear to us all: The status quo is broken; the old ways of governing are no longer acceptable; it is time for leaders to lead with accountability, treat their people with dignity, respect their rights, and deliver economic opportunity. And if they will not, then it is time for them to go.


Every country in the world stands to learn from these democracy movements, but this wave of activism, which came to be known as the Arab Spring, has particular significance for leaders in Africa and elsewhere who hold on to power at all costs, who suppress dissent, who enrich themselves and their supporters at the expense of their own people. To those leaders our message must be clear: Rise to this historic occasion; show leadership by embracing a true path that honors your people's aspirations; create a future that your young people will believe in, defend, and help build. Because, if you do not – if you believe that the freedoms and opportunities that we speak about as universal should not be shared by your own people, men and women equally, or if you do not desire to help your own people work and live with dignity, you are on the wrong side of history, and time will prove that.


The United States pledges its support for those African nations that are committed to doing the difficult but rewarding work of building a free, peaceful, and prosperous future. And we look to institutions like the African Union, that are dedicated to democracy and good governance, to continue to encourage countries to walk that path or risk isolating themselves further.


Now, of course, creating the conditions that allow people and communities to flourish in a democracy cannot simply be a matter of holding elections; they are a necessary but not sufficient condition. Good governance requires free, fair, and transparent elections, a free media, independent judiciaries, and the protection of minorities. And democracy must also deliver results for people by providing economic opportunity, jobs, and a rising standard of living.


Now, here, again, the map of Africa is lit up with success stories. Six of the world's 10 fastest growing economies in the last decade are in Sub-Saharan Africa, and that percentage is expected to grow in the next five years. At a time when investors everywhere are hunting for promising new markets and worthy new ventures, Africa is attracting attention from all corners.


But a prosperous future is not guaranteed. Several of Africa's highest performing economies are dependent on a single industry or a single export, often a commodity, which we know can have both good and bad consequences. It can discourage the rise of new industries and the jobs that come with them, and it can concentrate a nation's wealth among a privileged few. Meanwhile, even while growth rates skyrocket in some countries, in others they are rising too slowly and it can take too long for growth on paper to translate into jobs that are spread across a country. But it is this desire that is especially urgent among the youth of Africa that cannot be ignored.


When we saw the uprisings first in Tunisia and then in Egypt, they were about both political change and economic change. Too many young people said they had studied, they had worked hard. The tragic story of the young vegetable vendor who finally, in great frustration – because no matter how hard he tried, a corrupt regime would not give him the chance to have the sweat of his brow translated into economic benefits for himself and his family. More than 40 percent of the people living in Africa are under the age of 15. It rises to nearly two thirds if we look at under the age of 30. These young people are all coming of age at once and they are all connected. There are no more secrets because of social media, because that incredible technology can inform a young person in a rural area, where there are no roads, but there are cell phones, what is going on in his capital or in neighboring countries.


Creating jobs and opportunity for these young people is an enormous challenge, and one that I know the African Union is committed to addressing. Your summit later this month is focused on youth empowerment for sustainable development. You are right that young people must be brought into this work themselves, otherwise your hardest working, your best and your brightest, will either be frustrated and act out against the leaders of their country or they will leave to find opportunities in other lands. After all, the people who are speaking out most passionately across Africa are doing so with an eloquence and an advocacy that should, as the older generations, make us proud. These are young people who want to make something of themselves. All they need is the chance to do so.


Countries such as Zambia, Mali, Ghana, and Rwanda have had strong successes with their approaches to development. They have diversified their economies and created jobs across many sectors, which has helped to decrease poverty. They have continuously reinvested in the foundations of their economies, building roads and power plants and expanding access to financial services so more people can start or grow businesses. Based on lessons we've learned from our work around the world, the United States wants to deepen our partnerships with countries that take a broad-based, inclusive, sustainable approach to growth.


Now, I will be the first to admit that too much of our development work in the past provided only temporary aid and not the foundation for lasting change that helps people permanently improve their lives and communities. But the Obama Administration is taking a different approach. Our goal is to help countries' economies grow over time so they can meet their own needs. Ultimately, we believe that the most effective development programs are the ones that put themselves out of business because they spark economic activity, they help create strong institutions, they nourish a private sector that, unleashed, will create more jobs.


And at the same time, we are asking our partners to do their part. How? Increased transparency, strengthen tax systems, fight corruption. Every bribe paid to a customs official or a government employee represents a hidden tax on the cost of doing business and a drag on economic growth. We are making this a priority in our diplomatic engagement, and we look to our partners to take concrete actions to stop corruption. One of the possible benefits of technology is doing what's called electronic government, e-government, putting government services online so you don't have to go through so many hands to get that permit to start a business. And we are encouraging and will work with countries interested in pursuing that kind of opportunity.


We're also putting a new emphasis on trade. I spoke about this a few days ago at the AGOA Forum in Lusaka. During the past decade, Africa's non-oil exports to the United States quadrupled, and we've only begun to tap the potential. We can and we will trade much more with each other. In fact, we are establishing, with a $120 million commitment over the next four years, trade hubs to help businesses write business plans; to learn how to market their products; to get the kind of technical advice that would not be affordable for a small or medium-sized business.


Trade should not only, however, increase across the ocean or the sea to Europe and the United States. Trade has to increase across this continent. There is less trade among the countries within Sub-Saharan Africa than within any other region in the world, and yet there are consumers and there are producers, but there are barriers – tariff barriers, non-tariff barriers, longstanding suspicions that have to be overcome in order to take advantage of the economic engine that Sub-Saharan Africa can be.


I commend those countries and institutions working to accelerate economic integration, such as the East African Community. And last year, the United States became the first country to nominate an ambassador to the EAC, and we are pursuing a partnership to help build a customs union and a common market. And we applaud the efforts that began with the meeting in South Africa, last week, to discuss a tripartite free trade agreement that will lower trade barriers across dozens of countries.


And the vision of an African common market is worth pursuing. This approach is reflected in our Millennium Challenge Compacts, which form partnerships with developing countries devoted to good governance, economic freedom, and investing in one's citizens. You can see it in our Partnerships for Growth Program: We picked four countries in the world that we thought could put all the pieces together, and two of them are in Africa, Tanzania and Ghana. These nations have made strong commitments to democracy, to their own development progress, and we're stepping up our economic relations with these top performers.


Another example of our new approach is our Feed the Future food security initiative. We're investing $3.5 billion in 20 focus countries, including 12 in Africa, to revitalize agricultural sectors so you can increase food production and availability, raise your farmers' incomes, decrease hunger and under-nutrition. And through the Feed the Future, we are supporting the AU's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program, which, we think, has laid the foundation for more effective agricultural policies across the continent. By investing in agriculture and strengthening nations' food security, we will see economies grow and stability increase.


There's another important element of sustainable economic development, and that is improvements in health. Right now, several African countries are making great strides in bringing life-saving health interventions to more of their people. Zambia has significantly reduced mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Nigeria has made great progress in fighting polio through renewed vaccination efforts. And Ethiopia has mobilized an army of 30,000 health workers to bring a basic package of care to remote regions. We are backing these kinds of improvements through our Global Health Initiative, which supports country-led programs and helps countries unite separate health programs into one sustainable health system.


So we are combining our efforts through PEPFAR, through AID, through CDC, and other U.S. Government approaches, because we think health is a critical element of a nation's security. When epidemics are prevented from occurring or ended or controlled quickly, when people can get life-saving care when they need it and return to their jobs and their lives, families are stronger, communities are stronger, and nations are stronger.


And finally, when it comes to economic opportunity and development, we must empower the continent's women. The women of Africa are the hardest working women in the world. And so often – (applause) – so often what they do is not included in the formal economy, it is not measured in the GDP. And yet, if all the women in Africa, from Cairo to Cape Town, decided they would stop working for a week, the economies of Africa would collapse. (Applause.)


So let's include half the population. Let's treat them with dignity. Let's give them the right and responsibility to make a contribution to the 21st century of African growth and progress. And the United States will be your partner, because we have seen what a difference it makes when women are educated, when they have access to health care, when they can start businesses, when they can get credit, when they can help support their families. So let us make sure that that remains front and center in the work we do together.


And finally, let me address peace and security. In recent years, a quiet storyline has emerged out of the security challenges that have developed on the continent. More and more, the African Union and Africa's sub-regional organizations and African states, working alone or in concert, are taking the lead in solving Africa's crises. In Somalia, AMISOM, the African Union's peacekeeping mission, thanks to heroic efforts by Ugandan and Burundian soldiers, has helped the Transitional Federal Government make remarkable security gains in Mogadishu over the past couple of months. Al-Shabaab, an affiliate of al-Qaida, is finally on the defensive, and we see that because they are increasingly resorting to suicide bombers and the targeting of civilians, a sign of desperation.


Now, we expect Somalia's Transitional Federal Government to create political and economic progress to match AMISOM's security progress. It cannot continue operating the way it has in the past. We look to the TFG to resolve their internal divisions and improve the lives of the millions of Somalis who continue to suffer, and we know that the AU will be their partner in doing so.


In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we remain concerned about the continued violence against women and girls and the activities of armed groups in the eastern region of the country. Every effort by the AU and UN will be necessary to help the DRC respond to these continuing security crises.


And then there is the situation in Sudan: South Sudan is less than one month away from becoming the world's newest state. And the governments of Sudan and South Sudan have made laudable progress in implementing certain provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. But recent developments along the border, particularly in the Abyei region, are deeply troubling. The parties must resolve the remaining CPA issues peacefully through negotiations, not violence. And again, the African Union has played a critical role in facilitating negotiations in Sudan. And I also want to thank the prime minister of Ethiopia, our host country, for everything he has done and is doing as we speak today.


I will have the opportunity later this evening to meet with representatives from both the North and South to add my voice and that of President Obama and my government to the chorus of voices saying the same thing: Resolve your differences, settle the problem in Darfur. And we got some good news out of Doha today that we hope will translate into real progress. But come together and make it possible for both of these countries to have peaceful, prosperous futures.


And there is, of course, another country whose security matters to all of us, and that is Libya. Libya has been the subject of many of our discussions during the past few months. And I believe there is much on which we can agree. There is little question that the kind of activities that, unfortunately, have affected the Libyan people for more than 40 years run against the tide of history. And there is little question that despite having the highest nominal GDP in Africa, thanks to oil, Libya's wealth was too concentrated within Qadhafi's circle.


But of course, all the countries here are not in agreement about the steps that the international community, under the United Nations Security Council, have taken in Libya up to this point. Having looked at the information available, the Security Council, including the three African members, supported a UN mandate to protect civilians, prevent slaughter, and create conditions for a transition to a better future for the Libyan people themselves.


Now, I know there are some who still believe that the actions of the UN and NATO were not called for. And I know it's true that over many years Mr. Qadhafi played a major role in providing financial support for many African nations and institutions, including the African Union. But it has become clearer by the day that he has lost his legitimacy to rule, and we are long past time when he can or should remain in power.


So I hope and believe that while we may disagree about some of what has brought us to this place, we can reach agreement about what must happen now. For as long as Mr. Qadhafi remains in Libya, the people of Libya will be in danger, refugee flows by the thousands will continue out of Libya, regional instability will likely increase, and Libya's neighbors will bear more and more of the consequences. None of this is acceptable, and Qadhafi must leave power.


I urge all African states to call for a genuine ceasefire and to call for Qadhafi to step aside. I also urge you to suspend the operations of Qadhafi's embassies in your countries, to expel pro-Qadhafi diplomats, and to increase contact and support for the Transitional National Council. Your words and your actions could make the difference in bringing this situation to finally close and allowing the people of Libya, on an inclusive basis, in a unified Libya, to get to work writing a constitution and rebuilding their country. The world needs the African Union to lead. The African Union can help guide Libya through the transition you described in your organization's own statements, a transition to a new government based on democracy, economic opportunity, and security.


As we look to the future, we want to work with the African Union not only to react to conflicts and crises but to get ahead of them, to work together on a positive agenda that will stop crises before they start. And I think we can find many areas for collaboration.


On youth engagement, which is a priority for both the AU and President Obama, we seek to pursue a specific work plan with you. On democracy and good governance we already work together to monitor elections across Africa. Now we need to do more to help countries strengthen democratic institutions. On economic growth and trade the AU plays a major role in building Africa's sub-regional architecture, and we stand ready to support you.


So I want to commend Africa's institutions for what you have already accomplished, and in some cases, just a few years after your creation. And I will pledge my country's support as you continue this work. Whether you seek to deepen the integration among your members, improve coordination, or reform your operations, we will be with you.


A good example that the chairman mentioned is what we can offer in the work we are doing to help reform the UN's support for the African Union here in Addis Ababa. The UN and the African Union asked the United States to identify ways their work together could become more effective and strategic. We said yes, and now there are people at the State Department focused on this issue working closely with many of you in this room.


And as has already been announced, we are rejoining the UN Economic Commission for Africa, another sign of our commitment to engaging with Africa's regional institutions. (Applause.)


On this trip to Africa, I am reminded every hour that for every challenge now facing Africa, a solution can be found somewhere in Africa. (Applause.) You do not have to look far afield to see political, economic, and social success.


Earlier I mentioned the Arab Spring, a name that suggests the blossoming of something new. And what is now blooming across the Arab states has already taken root in many African nations, commitment to democracy, recognition of human rights, investment in economic health and education programs, and an emphasis on meeting the needs of our young people.


Across this continent the work is underway, but there is a long season ahead. So I urge you not to be impatient; do not grow weary while doing good. Keep showing leadership. Keep building a path to a future worthy of the talents and aspirations of the young men and women of Africa. The United States believes deeply in these values. We believe passionately in the promise and potential of pluralistic democracies, of free markets. We welcome to our shores immigrants from every country represented here, and we can see the success stories that so many of them have built in the United States. But I have never met an immigrant from Africa who has not said he or she wished they could have done the very same in their own country, among their own people, close to their family, eating the food, smelling the flowers, seeing the sights that are in their blood. I want to see that for Africa, where people are coming home to Africa because this is where opportunity for the future resides.


Thank you and God bless you. (Applause.)


Source: US Department of State


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