Tag Archives: Ethiopia

Christian News

Eritrea Punishes Christians for their Faith

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By George Whitten

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By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

ASMARA, ERITREA (Worthy News)– Eritrean authorities are punishing 39 Christian high school students by subjecting them to beatings and hard labor, according to Open Doors.

Sources told Open Doors that after completing their mandatory four-month military training, the students were arrested for their “Christian beliefs and for their commitment to Christ” and are being held at the SAWA military training center; sources also report that Eritrean authorities are threatening them with long prison sentences should they fail to renounce Christ.

Since 2002, worship outside the government-sanctioned Sunni Muslim, Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eritrea has been forbidden; earlier this year, the government began a renewed crackdown on all Christians outside state-approved churches, according to Open Doors.

The architect of this religious repression is President Isaias Afewerki who has been in power since Eritrea's liberation in 1991. After a two-year border war with Ethiopia, Afewerki began cracking down on anything he perceived as a threat to Eritrea's national unity, wrote Elizabeth Kendal in the November 2012 Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin.

“He cancelled elections and closed all independent media. Opposition figures – politicians, activists and journalists – were removed, mostly to underground secret prisons for the 'disappeared.'”

According to Kendal, by the end of 2010, an estimated 3,000 Protestant Christians were incarcerated for their faith inside shipping containers at desert camps and in underground prison cells.

“The conditions are inhumane: Children and the elderly are amongst the prisoners sharing skin diseases, dysentery and other horrors in confined, unventilated spaces. Torture is routine … several Christians have died in custody, and others have perished in the desert trying to escape.”

Christians make up 47 percent of Eritrea’s population of 5.2 million, according to Operation World

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Source: Worthy News

News, Politics, Government

Caring for India's Women and Children

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By Dr. Jill Biden

Dr. Biden meets with community leaders, US and India agency officials, and NGOS

Dr. Biden meets with community leaders, US and India agency officials, and NGOS to discuss joint efforts to end childhood malnutrition. (Photo Credit: Carrie Levay)

Last June, the United States, India, Ethiopia, and UNICEF hosted the Global Child Survival Call to Action event in Washington, DC. In India, 43% of children under the age of five are underweight and 48% are chronically undernourished. To address this and other causes of child deaths that can be prevented, India issued a national Call to Action for Child Survival and Development to end all preventable child deaths by 2035.

Yesterday I wrote about my time in Kachhpura and how they are working to end malnutrition. Today I attended a roundtable discussion with Government of Maharashtra Officials, USAID, UNICEF, Indian civil society and private sector representatives to learn about their efforts to improve nutrition across the country and to make available other proven health interventions to prevent child deaths, such as immunizations, clean water, and treatment of pneumonia and diarrhea.

As a mom, this is a personal issue for me as no parent wants to see her child go hungry or be sick. I am inspired by how the communities that I have visited have launched into action to tackle this problem. I am heartened to learn of the joint efforts of the Indian government, civil society and private sector in close collaboration with the U.S. and UN Agencies to target children between 0 and 35 months old, one of the most vulnerable groups. I look forward to seeing their continued progress in the future.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at The White House

News, Politics, Government

Ethiopian troops leave Somali town, leaving gap

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A military spokesman in Somalia says that government forces will help to replace Ethiopian troops who vacated a Somali town in recent days.

The pull-out by Ethiopian troops from the town of Baidoa on Sunday and Monday increases the pressure on African Union and Somali forces to fill the vacuum before Islamist militants take over the region.

Col. Ali Aden Houmed, the spokesman of the African Union force in Somalia, said Wednesday that the AU and Somali forces would secure the town.

Ethiopia’s withdrawal raises questions as to how long Ethiopia will continue to deploy troops in western Somalia cities. The Ethiopian government didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

African Union forces primarily from Uganda, Burundi and Kenya are helping the Somali government fight against militants from al-Shabab.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News

News, Politics, Government

Ethiopian opposition holds rare protests

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Ethiopian opposition activists on Sunday demanded the release of journalists and political prisoners jailed under anti-terror legislation in demonstrations in two major towns.

In rare public outpours of anger, people marched peacefully in the towns of Gondar and Dessie, chanting “freedom” and carrying pictures of jailed politicians and journalists.

Government officials said there were around 1,500 protesters in total in both towns, while the activists themselves claimed the number to be as high as 20,000.

“The protests were peaceful and successful,” said Senegas Gidada, protest organiser and chairman of the Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJ) party.

“We are unhappy about the lack of human rights and democratic freedom in Ethiopia,” he added.

The demonstrations follow a rally last month in the capital Addis Ababa when several thousand activists demanded the government adhere to basic human rights.

The recent rallies are the largest since post-election violence in 2005 resulted in 200 people being killed and 30,000 arrested.

“The cost of living is too high. We have no rights. They took away my family’s property and land and gave us no compensation,” said one young unemployed protester, who asked not be named, but who was speaking by telephone from Gondar.

“The dogs on the street have more freedom than we do. We are here to demand freedom and we will continue to protest until the government makes fundamental changes.”

But the government dismissed the protesters’ calls.

“The protesters are demanding the release of prisoners who have been convicted of terrorism, these are not pro-democracy protests,” government spokesman Shemeles Kemal told AFP.

“Most of these demonstrators are Islamic extremists. The government is not concerned by these demonstrations. They are meddling in religious issues and mixing them with political matters.”

The government had allowed the protests to go ahead despite earlier saying they had not received official permission.

Protesters have said they will continue to demonstrate until the government addresses their grievances.

Journalists, opposition members and religious leaders have been jailed under Ethiopia’s 2009 anti-terrorism legislation, which rights groups say is used by the government to stifle peaceful dissent.

Ethiopian journalist, Eskinder Nega, and UDJ Vice-Chairman, Andualem Arage, were both jailed last year under the government’s anti-terror legislation for treason and conspiring to commit acts of terror.

Another demonstration is planned for next month.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News

News, Politics, Government

Morocco eliminate Tunisia in African Nations Championship

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African Nations Championship (CHAN) holders Tunisia were eliminated this weekend in the first qualifying round.

They drew 0-0 away to Morocco in the second leg, but fell 1-0 on aggregate after losing at home last Saturday.

Packed with stars from CAF title-winning clubs Esperance, Etoile Sahel, CS Sfaxien, Club Africain and CA Bizertin, Tunisia were expected to advance.

But a last-minute breakaway goal from striker Abdessamad Mbarki in Mediterranean resort Sousse proved decisive over two defence-dominated games.

Tunisia won the second edition of the tournament for home-based footballers with a 3-0 drubbing of Angola in Sudan two years ago.

But coach Nabil Maaloul chose only goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha from the title-winning squad to confront the Moroccans.

The 16-nation 2014 tournament is scheduled for January 11-February 1 in South Africa and Morocco will appear at the finals for the first time.

South Africa qualify automatically as hosts and Ghana and Libya have secured places after opponents Benin and Algeria withdrew.

Uganda are set to join them after building a 1-0 away advantage over Tanzania in an east Africa derby.

Midfielder Brian Majwega was the architect of the 48th-minute winner, setting up defender Denis Iguma to fire across goalkeeper Juma Kaseja into the net.

Tanzania had more possession in the eagerly anticipated Dar es Salaam showdown, but were let down by woeful finishing.

Mrisho Ngasa was repeatedly off target with long-range shots and striker John Bocco also disappointed when offered scoring opportunities.

It was the third consecutive victory for Serb coach Milutin Sredojevic since succeeding sacked Scot Bobby Williamson as Uganda coach last month.

He guided the ‘Cranes’ to World Cup qualifying wins over Liberia and Angola, and a victory over Senegal during September would take them to the play-offs.

However, Sredojevic cautioned against premature celebrations, especially given the Ugandan habit of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

“By winning the first leg we have got only the passports for South Africa and now we need to get the visas by winning the return match,” he told reporters.

Ethiopia host Rwanda later on Sunday in the remaining fixture this weekend with second-leg fixtures scheduled for late July.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News

News, Politics, Government

Cosafa Cup favourites Zambia begin campaign

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Hosts Zambia embark on Sunday on a Cosafa Cup journey they hope will last seven days and finish with a record-equalling fourth title.

They face Mozambique in the second half of a quarter-finals double-header at Nkana Stadium in mining city Kitwe.

Surprise qualifiers Lesotho, who topped a qualifying group ahead of Botswana and Kenya, meet Angola in the other match.

Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) won the first two editions of the 16-year southern Africa national team championship.

They were successful again in 2006, but the closest they came to glory since was collecting silver medals twice.

Although France-born coach Herve Renard has chosen an experimental squad, his side are favoured to lift the trophy.

And he accepts the pressure is on him and his team as they try and put a miserable year for the Copper Bullets behind them.

“Every Zambian believes we will win the Cosafa Cup this year, especially as we are hosting the tournament,” admitted Renard.

“This means there is only one path for us to follow — the one that leads to the winners’ podium in Ndola next Saturday.”

Renard became a national hero in Zambia last year when his team emerged as shock winners of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

After 120 goalless minutes against Didier Drogba-skippered Ivory Coast, the underdogs won a penalty shootout in Gabon.

But little has gone right for Zambia since with a disappointing Africa Cup title defence followed by poor World Cup qualifying results.

They failed to win at the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa, drawing with Ethiopia, Nigeria and Burkina Faso and making a first-round exit.

And draws with minnows Lesotho and Sudan have left dreams of a first World Cup appearance on the verge of extinction.

Renard hopes goalkeeper Danny Munyau, defender Kondwani Mtonga and midfielder Mukuka Mulenga can lead by example in Kitwe.

The local stars were promoted to the first team for recent World Cup ties and offer experience amid exciting but untested talent.

Mozambique coach Joao Chissano has been in charge less than a month since German Gert Engels paid the price for a 6-1 World Cup drubbing in Guinea.

His Cosafa Cup build-up has been nightmarish with a spate of withdrawals owing to injuries and club commitments leading to 11 squad changes.

Almiro Lobo and Dario Khan are long-serving defenders and Alberto Diogo is a midfielder with a fondness for goals.

Striker Josimar Machaisse gave Chissano a timely boost by scoring in a 1-0 friendly victory away to Malawi last weekend.

Lesotho held Kenya 2-2 and Botswana 3-3 before defeating Swaziland 2-0 to top Group B on goal difference and book an unexpected last-eight place.

The Botswana clash stamped Likuena (Crocodiles) as a team to watch when they came from behind twice to level deep in stoppage time.

Angola dare not concede any penalties as midfielder Ralekoti Mokhahlane has proven his worth by converting two spot kicks.

Striker Thapelo Tale has also netted twice and defender Nkau Lerotholi and strikers Mojela Letsie and Tsepo Seturumane once each.

A team averaging 2.3 goals a game and full of never-say-die spirit could trouble Angola, even though they are 65 …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News

News, Politics, Government

S.Africa wary of Namibia ahead of Cosafa Cup quarters

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South Africa coach Gordon Igesund is wary of Namibia before a Cosafa Cup quarter-final in Zambia on Saturday.

The ‘Brave Warriors’ have shocked ‘Bafana Bafana’ (The Boys) twice in previous editions of the annual southern Africa national team championship.

Boths upsets came in Windhoek with an extra-time goal bringing a 3-2 victory and Namibia winning another showdown on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate.

South Africa received a FIFA rankings-related bye into the quarter-finals this year and withdrawals have robbed Igesund of half his original 20 players.

Namibia secured a date with their neighbours by defeating Indian Ocean challengers Mauritius 2-1 and Seychelles 4-2 to top Group A.

Both wins came at the compact Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, the setting for a last-eight double-header with title-holders Zimbabwe facing Malawi first.

Tackling Bafana Bafana is a dream come true for Namibia coach Ricardo Mannetti, a South Africa-based professional for many years.

His most successful spell was under Igesund as unfashionable Cape Town outfit Santos defied the odds to be crowned 2002 South African Premiership champions.

“Anything can happen when Namibia face South Africa because it is always an emotional occasion,” recently appointed Mannetti told reporters.

“We have defied the odds to shock Bafana Bafana several times in the Cosafa Cup and I would love to get one over my former boss Gordon.”

Igesund concedes that the 66-place advantage South Africa enjoy over Namibia in the FIFA world rankings will count for little this weekend.

“It would be foolhardy to take Namibia for granted after they achieved good victories over Mauritius and the Seychelles.

“They held Africa Cup of Nations champions Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier last month and that is sufficient warning for us,” he stressed.

While Mannetti watched his team waste many chances when beating the Mauritians and the Seychellois, Igesund battled with a spate of pull-outs.

“My players are not horses,” fumed Kaizer Chiefs official Bobby Motaung after withdrawing four players.

Other clubs preparing for a new Premiership season took similar action, leaving Igesund with a squad including two players from second-tier side Jomo Cosmos.

Anger over a $10,000 (7,600-euro) bonus offer to Malawi caretaker coach Tom Saintfiet has overshadowed the clash with Zimbabwe.

The Belgian says he is working for free and will pocket the cash only if Malawi win in Nigeria during September and reach the play-offs for 2014 World Cup slots.

“Why do officials not make similar offers to the players?,” asked captain and midfielder Joseph Kamwendo before the squad left for Zambia.

“We have been fighting for bonus increases for a long time, but officials just ignore us.”

Kamwendo, once on the books of South African giants Orlando Pirates, says he and his team-mates will get just $85 (65 euros) each for toppling Zimbabwe.

Ex-Namibia and Ethiopia coach Saintfiet has made changes to the list of predecessor Edington Ng’onamo, including axing goalkeeper Charles Swini.

Zimbabwe coach Klaus-Dieter Pagels can draw confidence from a 1-1 friendly draw in Malawi last month as he takes an experimental squad to Lusaka.

Among those called up for the first time are strikers Tendai Ndoro and Lot Chiwunga and goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube.

The other …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News

News, Politics, Government

Ethiopia flies first Dreamliner since grounding

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A Boeing 787 operated by Ethiopian Airlines flew from Ethiopia to Kenya‘s capital Saturday, the first commercial flight since air safety authorities grounded the Dreamliners after incidents with smoldering batteries on two different planes in January.

The Boeing 787 passenger jet arrived in Nairobi on Saturday afternoon after a two-hour trip from Ethiopia‘s capital, Addis Ababa, according to the Kenya airport website. The Dreamliner arrived at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 12:40 p.m. local time, according to the Kenya Airports Authority.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has approved Boeing’s redesigned battery system, which the company says sharply reduces the risk of fire.

Richard J. Horigan, a Boeing engineer, told reporters in Nairobi this week that all potential causes of battery fire have been eliminated with the new system. But he noted that the root cause of smoldering batteries experienced by the two different 787s may never be known because the evidence was destroyed by heat.

“We would like to thank Ethiopian Airlines for the patience, support and leadership shown throughout the period that the 787 Dreamliner has been grounded,” Boeing Commercial Airplanes President Ray Conner said in a news release.

There are 50 Dreamliners in service around the world. Once the FAA approves the fix on individual planes, airlines can start flying them again. United Airlines, the only U.S. airline with the planes, moved one of its six 787s to a Boeing facility in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday so it can get the battery fixed. Neither of the battery incidents involved a United jet.

Boeing said Wednesday that deliveries of the 787 should resume in early May.

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News

News, Politics, Government

787 Dreamliner flies to Kenya from Ethiopia

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An official with Ethiopian Airlines says one of the company’s Dreamliners is scheduled to fly from Ethiopia to Kenya‘s capital, the first commercial flight since air safety authorities grounded the passenger jets after incidents with smoldering batteries on two different planes in January.

The Boeing 787 passenger jet was scheduled to arrive in Nairobi from Addis Ababa on Saturday afternoon.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has approved Boeing’s redesigned battery system, which the company says sharply reduces the risk of fire.

A Boeing engineer told reporters in Nairobi this week that all potential causes of battery fire have been eliminated with the new system.

There are 50 Dreamliners in service around the world. Boeing said Wednesday that deliveries of the 787 should resume in early May.

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News

News, Politics, Government

Hundreds gather for vigils in Boston as runners across nation offer tributes

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Hundreds of people gathered for vigils in Boston Tuesday night to remember the victims and show solidarity with those hurt in the bombing attack on the city’s marathon.

MyFoxBoston.com reports that several hundred people turned out on the Boston Commonand wrote messages of peace and love on a large sign declaring, “Boston, you’re our home.”

Participants sang songs including “Amazing Grace” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” and lit candles one day after three people were killed and more than 170 people were injured in the bombings near the end of the race on Monday.

Northeastern University student Scott Turner hugged friends, wept and prayed at the vigil. He said the people of Boston would not be afraid and would respond by showing peace and supporting one another.

There was also a heavy military presence on the Common with dozens of National Guard troops.

Hundreds also turned out for a vigil for the family of Martin Richard, the 8-year-old boy who was killed in one of the explosions at the end of the marathon as he cheered runners completing the race, according to MyFoxBoston.com.

Meanwhile, distance runners all over the country banded together Tuesday by putting on their shoes and going for a jog to honor the victims and deal with their own emotions.

The Twitter hashtag “runforboston” turned into a virtual meeting spot for a steady, somber stream of social media users eager to show solidarity with those hurt in the blasts — along with pride in their sport — by pounding the pavement, even for just a few miles.

Some Boston College students used Facebook to plan a walk of the marathon’s last five miles Friday afternoon “to stand united” with runners who didn’t finish, bystanders who were injured and those who lost their lives.

“We will walk to show that we decide when our marathon ends,” the invitation read. As of mid-afternoon on Tuesday, more than 12,000 people clicked on “join” to signal their participation.

Mike Ewoldt, the co-owner of a running equipment store based in Omaha, Neb., had previously organized an informal run for Tuesday evening to test a new shoe brand. He shifted gears to turn the event into a memorial for the victims.

“Everybody looks at Boston as the pinnacle of running. First, you have to qualify and meet a standard to get to Boston. If you qualify, you have two years to run it. It is a one-time shot for a lot of them. They may never get this opportunity again,” Ewoldt said.

Ewoldt, like many in the massive community that is distance running, wanted to show he cared.

No other sport is so available to the public, with a good pair of shoes and a positive attitude all that’s needed to take part. Though the elites from Ethiopia and Kenya compete for big money in the most famous of the marathons, clicking off 5-minute miles, average athletes of all ages, backgrounds and sizes are behind them on the course running the very same race.

Then there are the tens of thousands of family members and friends who pack

From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/national/~3/1NTrhJKyE7E/

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Why Ladbrokes, Tullow Oil, and Premier Oil Should Lag the FTSE 100 Today

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By Alan Oscroft, The Motley Fool

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LONDON — The FTSE 100 has opened the week poorly, falling 0.61% to 6,490 points by 7:50 a.m. EDT after the latest figures from China saw first-quarter economic growth come in lower than expected. Amid a sell-off of commodities, the gold price fell 5% to its lowest level for two years — it’s now down 25% since its peak of September 2011.

But even with the index falling, there are companies doing worse. Here are three whose share prices are tumbling today.

Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes‘ shares have dropped 8.2% to 190 pence after the bookmaker issued a first-quarter profit warning. Full-year operating profit is now expected to come in at the bottom end of expectations after Q1 was hit by “a significant reduction in profit” from horse racing at Cheltenham and weakness in online gambling. Operating profit for the quarter dropped 13 million pounds to 37.4 million pounds.

Ladbrokes shares are now down more than 20% from a mid-March peak of 245 pence, with the previous six months’ bull run now almost completely reversed.

Tullow Oil
Shares in Tullow Oil have fallen 4.3% to 1,110 pence after the explorer delayed its Sabisa-1 well in Ethiopia, citing “hole instability issues” that require the drilling of a secondary “sidetrack” bore. Exploratory results are now due in late May. But on the upside, initial drilling did reveal hydrocarbon indications.

In other positive news, we were told that the first of the firm’s six well tests at Ngamia-1 in Kenya has demonstrated flows of 281 barrels of oil per day. Further tests should soon reveal the area’s full production potential.

Premier Oil
Premier Oil have also slipped 4.3% today, despite the firm announcing the first oil flows from its Huntingdon field in the North Sea, which commenced last Friday. Chief executive Simon Lockett said: “This marks the first of four U.K. North Sea projects from our development portfolio which will come on-stream over the next few years.”

After ramping up from an initial 30,000 bopd, the field is expected to produce 250,000 bopd to 300,000 bopd when in full flow.

Finally, reliable dividends can more than compensate for the day-to-day ups and downs of share prices. So how about a company that’s offering a 5.7% yield and could be set for some nice share-price appreciation, too? It’s the subject of our brand-new report “The Motley Fool’s Top Income Share For 2013,” which you can get completely free of charge — but it will only be available for a limited period, so click here to get your copy today.

The article Why Ladbrokes, Tullow Oil, and Premier Oil Should Lag the FTSE 100 Today originally appeared on Fool.com.


Alan Oscroft has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30

From: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/04/15/why-ladbrokes-tullow-oil-and-premier-oil-should-la/

News, Politics, Government

Report: Sudan is supporting rebels in South Sudan

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A new report says that Sudan has supplied weapons to rebels fighting South Sudan‘s government.

Sudan denies it is supporting rebels led by David Yau Yau, who is based in the restive Jonglei state. But the Small Arms Survey said it has evidence Sudan airdropped weapons to the rebels last year.

The Swiss group released its report Friday, three days before a joint Sudan-South Sudan committee meets to discuss the prickly issue of rebel groups based in both countries.

South Sudan‘s government spokesman accuses Sudan of supporting Yau Yau‘s rebellion to block South Sudan‘s plans to build an oil pipeline through Ethiopia. South Sudan currently transports its oil through Sudan‘s pipelines.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir made a visit to South Sudan Friday and denied his government is supporting Yau Yau.

From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/world/~3/kGyU0o5vmY0/

News, Politics, Government

Yemen president orders military shakeup

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State television says Yemen‘s president removed the son and nephews of his predecessor from powerful security posts in the most dramatic step yet in sidelining top old regime figures.

Former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who stepped down in early 2012 after more than a year of protests against his rule, had seeded relatives and loyalists into top military and government posts. His successor, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, has been progressively trying to remove many.

On Wednesday, Hadi ordered Saleh’s son Ahmed moved from his post as head of the Republican Guard to serve as ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.

Saleh’s nephew Ammar, the intelligence chief, was made a military attaché in Ethiopia. Ammar’s brother, Tareq Yahia, head of the Presidential Guard, was made a military attaché in Germany.

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News

Science & Technology

Rare primate's vocal lip-smacks share features of human speech

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The vocal lip-smacks that geladas use in friendly encounters have surprising similarities to human speech, according to a study reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on April 8th. The geladas, which live only in the remote mountains of Ethiopia, are the only nonhuman primate known to communicate with such a speech-like, undulating rhythm. Calls of other monkeys and apes are typically one or two syllables and lack those rapid fluctuations in pitch and volume. …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Phys.org

Articles of Interest

International Adoption: Why Are There Are 153 Million Orphans When Countless Parents Want Kids?

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By The Huffington Post News Editors

When Des Aronson was adopted from Ethiopia, he was old enough to recognize that his feelings were often times confounding.

Des, one of 153 million people without parents worldwide, described losing his father and being adopted by his new mom, Dr. Jane Aronson, who went on to found the Worldwide Orphan Foundation.

“I was afraid to lose something again,” the now-14-year-old told HuffPost Live. “It was sad when [my father] passed because I actually saw him, but it was really special to be able to be open to a new family. And they welcomed me in, and I feel like I’ve been with them all these years.”

Read More…
More on Adoption

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Huffington Post

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Concludes Month-Long Immersion in Dubai

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By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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Starwood Hotels & Resorts Concludes Month-Long Immersion in Dubai


During Five-Week Relocation, Starwood’s Leaders Visited 19 Cities in 12 Countries Covering 38,000 Miles from World’s Most Vibrant Travel Hub

DUBAI–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Marking the conclusion of Starwood’s month-long relocation to Dubai, Frits van Paasschen, President & CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYS: HOT) , today shared highlights and insights from the company’s immersion in the Middle East.

Throughout the month of March, van Paasschen and members of Starwood’s Senior Leadership Team met with 3,000 associates, conducted nearly 50 owner meetings and visited all 14 Starwood hotels in Dubai, which is the company’s second largest hotel market behind only New York City. The team also took advantage of Dubai’s strategic location to travel to 19 cities across 12 countries, meeting with government officials and potential development partners in fast-growing markets, including Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and India. During the five-week relocation, the team travelled 61,000 kilometres (38,000 miles) – the equivalent of circling the globe one and half times.

Over the course of the month, more than 200 of Starwood’s senior leaders and General Managers travelled to Dubai as the company ran day-to-day operations almost 7,000 miles and an eight-hour time zone difference away from the company’s global headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

During the relocation, Starwood executives also met with more than 150 corporate and leisure customers who drive business to hotels globally. The Middle East is an increasingly important outbound travel market, and regional membership in Starwood Preferred Guest, the company’s loyalty program, has increased 140% over the last five years.

“It is hard to overstate the potential for our business in this region of the world. By bringing our executives here and spending time with our partners and local teams, we are uniquely positioned to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime growth opportunity,” said van Paasschen. “I have no doubt that our time spent here will drive future hotel contracts in the region, accelerate Starwood’s position as the most global high-end hotel company and further define our culture.”

Last month Starwood announced that it will increase its Middle East and Africa (MEA) portfolio by more than 60 percent with nearly 50 new hotels set to open over the next five years, adding more than 14,000 guest rooms to the …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Automobiles

New York: Wonder Woman Kia Sportage is anything but invisible

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By Seyth Miersma

Wonder Woman Kia Sportage - live at 2013 NY Auto Show

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The spectacular partnering of Kia and DC Entertainment (the company we grew up loving as DC Comics) continues here at the New York Auto Show, with this Wonder Woman-inspired 2013 Kia Sportage. Ardent Autoblog readers will undoubtedly remember the fruits of earlier Kia/DC efforts: Batman Optima, Flash Forte Koup, Green Lantern Soul, Cyborg Forte, Aquaman Rio and Superman Optima Hybrid. (We’re still trying to figure out who Cyborg is, too.)

The Wonder Woman Sportage, sporting the Amazing Amazon‘s particularly patriotic livery, is perhaps the most, eh, eye-catching super-Kia to date. (Actually, no, none of the superhero rides seared our eyeballs like Supe’s hybrid.) Red, white and blue paint with spangled sides, an aggressively low body kit and a WW logo grille really sell the theme. Of course, The Lasso of Truth is represented too, showing up in the design as a subtle gold line that wraps around the bodywork.

As with the earlier DC concept cars, the Wonder Woman Sportage’s real goal – aside from entertaining the kid-contingent of auto show goers – is to raise awareness for the We Can Be Heroes charity. The DC charitable program seeks to raise money and awareness about the hunger crisis in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. Get a better look at Wonder Woman‘s crossover in our attached galleries and find the Kia press release below.

Continue reading Wonder Woman Kia Sportage is anything but invisible

Wonder Woman Kia Sportage is anything but invisible originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog