News & News In Spanish
Feb 19
President Hu stresses need for balance in regional development
Chinese President Hu Jintao on Feb.15 stressed the need for a more balanced development of China's regions.
At a study session of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, which addressed the theme of coordinated regional development, Hu, who is general secretary of the Central Committee, said the Party must ensure the country's balanced development in order to achieve common prosperity and guarantee the benefits of China's economic reform are shared by all people.
Three major development campaigns have been promoted by the government over the last five years - the "Western Development" drive focusing on the vast and poor western regions, the "Revive the old Northeastern industrial base" drive to boost the economy in three northeastern provinces and the "Central Rise" drive aimed at developing the landlocked central provinces.
The campaigns are attempts at enabling these regions to catch up with the more prosperous eastern areas.
Hu said the central government still encouraged the eastern regions to take the lead in development drives.
But he stressed that the coastal regions should guide and help other parts of the country to develop and the state would increase its support for developing regions that lag behind overall national development.
Hu called on the government to improve its financial, investment, industrial, land
El primer Festival Father Ted del mundo ficha a las leyendas del fútbol Tony Cascarino y John Aldridge
DUBLIN, Irlanda, Todos sus sistemas van para "Paddy Power Ted-Fest", el primer Festival Father Ted del mundo. Los tres días de espectáculo tendrán lugar este próximo fin de semana (23 - 25 de febrero) en la pintoresca isla de Inis Mor (Inishmore), frente a la costa de Galway en Irlanda. El Festival está patrocinado por el mayor corredor de apuesta de Irlanda, Paddy Power, que ofrecerá una serie de oportunidades de apuesta en torno al evento, cuyos beneficios irán enteramente para fines benéficos.
El lugar de celebración del Festival se anunció el mes pasado en controvertidas circunstancias, con la furiosa oposición de la isla vecina, Inis Oirr (Inisheer), que insiste en que la embarcación utilizada en la secuencia de inauguración de la serie de comedia premiada es una seña de identidad histórica y reconocible de su litoral.
Afortunadamente, se llegó a una tregua entre las islas enfrentadas con el acuerdo de competir en un partido de fútbol sala en la playa cuando la marea esté baja el día final del Festival. El equipo ganador recibirá el título de 'The Real Craggy Island' durante los 12 meses posteriores. El partido que se disputará en el último día del Festival ha atraído el apoyo de las leyendas del fútbol irlandés JOHN ALDRIDGE y TONY CASCARINO que capitanearán cada equipo. También se especula con que el celebre árbitro PIERRE-LUIGI COLLINA supervise el juego ese día.
Ken Robertson, de Paddy Power, dijo: "Va a ser el acontecimiento del año. El Festival Father Ted Faithful vivirá un fin de semana inolvidable. Todos sabemos que Ted era una fuente de apuestas de forma que nos parece algo que se adapta de forma natural a paddypower.com. Además, con los niveles sin precedentes de apuestas que hemos visto en la Lovely Girls Competition no hay duda de que muchos aficionados están deseando terminar el fin de semana con dinero "descansando" en sus cuentas".
En combinación con su patrocinio, Paddy Power ha presentado una amplia gama de oportunidades de apuesta dando a los que no tienen la suerte de asistir al evento una oportunidad de participar en la diversión. El corredor de apuestas también ha anunciado que TODOS los beneficios de su apuesta Ted-Fest serán donados a partes iguales a causas benéficas elegidas por todas las islas Aran.
Peter Philips, responsable de organización de Ted Fest, dijo: "Es fantástico que Paddy Power se involucre con Ted-Fest. Son una de compañías irlandesas más divertidas y de esto se trata precisamente el Festival".
Para más información sobre Ted Stock véase www.friendsofted.org
Para ver la serie completa de apuestas Father Ted visite www.paddypower.com
Source: Paddy Power Plc
Feb 18
Chinese leaders attended a grand gathering in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Feb.16 to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival and extend festival greetings to the Chinese people.
Chinese President Hu Jintao chaired the gathering of 4,000 people from various sections of society.
On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council, Hu, who is general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, conveyed festival greetings to all Chinese people and his thanks to the friends of China in the world.
Premier Wen Jiabao, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a speech.
The premier said China had made great achievements over the past year. "Looking into the new year, we are fully confident in the country's future development," he said.
Wen said China would fully implement the scientific concept of development, speed up the building of a harmonious socialist society and strive to maintain satisfactory and fast development of the national economy to create favorable condition and environment for the 17th National Congress of the CPC.
Wen pledged to continue to boost economic development, deepen reform and opening-up and listen to the people.
"To solve the problems in people's daily lives, we must persevere with making economic development our central task," Wen said.
Wen said China must adhere to scientific, harmonious and peaceful development and "greatly increase social wealth to lay a solid material foundation" for the improvement of people's lives.
Wen also highlighted China's reform of the socialist market economy, saying that China must continue to push forward economic, political, cultural and social reforms to protect people's democratic rights and legitimate interests, and safeguard social justice.
The Premier urged the Party and the government to further improve their working styles and remain closely connected with the people.
Wen said the Party and the government must "understand people's concerns, listen to their opinions, care about their difficulties" and take concrete measures to address issues concerning the immediate interests of the people, including education, health care, employment, income distribution and social security.
Wu Bangguo, Jia Qinglin, Zeng Qinghong, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun and Luo Gan, who are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also attended the gathering.
Other participants included leaders of various departments of the central authorities, leading officials of the capital city, representatives of retired senior cadres, leaders of non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, people without party affiliations, representatives of ethnic minorities, domestic and foreign experts and scholars, as well as representatives of various circles in the capital city.
The gathering was jointly held by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.
Spring Festival, the Chinese Lunar New Year's Day, falls on Feb. 18 this year.
NEWSWEEK: British Prime Minister Tony Blair's Reputation 'Shredded by Iraq,' Says Bush Official
Of 26 percent approval rating: 'Provided you think you're right, you can get through it,' says Blair
-- More than any Western leader other than President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair's reputation has been "shredded by Iraq," a senior Bush administration official who would only speak anonymously about a foreign leader, tells Newsweek. Perhaps even more so than Bush: Blair transformed the Labour Party into a juggernaut and oversaw a 10-year renaissance in Britain. He had further to fall than the American president.
Perhaps that's why he's digging in his heels now. Over the last two months, Blair allowed London Bureau Chief Stryker McGuire extraordinary access to himself and his top aides including several behind-the-scenes interviews at home and abroad. In the February 26 issue of Newsweek and the cover of Newsweek International (on newsstands Monday, February 19), McGuire reports that the leader he encountered was defiant to the point of denial. Again and again, he repeated the central point of his argument: that the war in Iraq is part of the war on terror, and that the war on terror is "a battle of values and for progress." When confronted by the charge that Iraq has been an abject failure, Blair says dismissively, "You waste your time and energy in that kind of negativity." Of his 26 percent approval rating, Blair says, "Provided you think you're right, you can get through it."
The echoes of Bush are not accidental. At least since September 11, the two men have been even closer than most people realize. They still speak at least once every couple of weeks. "They are completely comfortable with one another; they practically finish each other's sentences," says the senior administration official. If anything, the bond has grown tighter as the two leaders have each become more isolated, McGuire reports. In December, just after the Iraq Study Group report had dropped like a bomb on Bush's desk, Blair was quick to stand by his side. On the flight from London to Washington, Blair toughened up the speech he'd deliver at a joint press conference the next day: he thanked the embattled Bush for "the clarity of your vision."
That sort of sycophancy, McGuire reports, enrages critics who see the prime minister as Bush's "poodle." But Blair's aides, who ask for anonymity in order to discuss confidential meetings, insist their man was helping to set the agenda in Washington. Privately, Blair encouraged Bush to use the intelligence British troops in Basra had collected on Iranian-made weapons in order to confront Tehran. (Their foreign-policy teams had been discussing such a "pushback" strategy since the summer was in Lebanon.) "We tried to fashion a more coherent and tougher policy based on the Iran that we were seeing, which was a more regionally assertive Iran," says one of Blair's advisers.
When Blair backed Bush's plan to take on Saddam, he was if anything the "truer believer," says Sir Christopher Meyer, Britain's ambassador to Washington from 1997 until just before the war. The invasion satisfied Blair's criteria for using military power-to stop the killing of innocents, McGuire reports.
That moral high ground is pretty much all Blair has anymore. Soon after his Washington visit, he embarked on a whistlestop tour of the Middle East, traveling to five countries in as many days. The trip was reminiscent of his globe-trotting in the aftermath of 9/11, when he rallied support for America and reaffirmed Britain as its indispensable ally. But on the half-empty 747 that Downing Street had chartered, the traveling press despaired because their editors were so uninterested in the trip. ("Can you keep the word 'Blair' out of your lead?" one scribbler was told by his news desk.) One day the prime minister's official spokesman gathered the journalists to declare, "This is not a day for announcements." Translation: no news.
(Read article at www.Newsweek.com.)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17201006/site/newsweek/
Source: Newsweek
Web site: http://www.newsweek.msnbc.com/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17201006/site/newsweek
NEWSWEEK: Television 'Running Circles' Around Movies, Newsweek Says
On Eve of Academy Awards, Television Generating Better Entertainment Than the Multiplex; Challenging Movies Narratively and Visually -- and Winning
Denis Leary, Producer Brian Grazer, Tina Fey, Screenwriter Larry Mcmurtry, 'Lost' Producer Carlton Cuse Weigh in on Debate
In the current issue of Newsweek, Senior Editor Devin Gordon writes that there is a new "golden age of television" right now that is running circles around Hollywood. "For decades, if film was the Four Seasons, TV was a Motel 6," he writes. "You worked in television for the money, or to reboot your career, or just to hang on. Now actors like Alec Baldwin, Steve Carell and Salma Hayek go from hit movies to network-TV gigs, and no one thinks they're nuts."
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070218/NYSU008)
Gordon writes that the difference now with this age is TV is challenging movies on their own turf -- narratively and visually -- and winning. "The best shows tell their stories slowly, carefully and with exquisite detail, putting viewers inside the experience of another person with unparalleled intimacy. This is the grand achievement of 'The Sopranos,' and it's why the show's final season, which begins on April 8, is a safe bet to be the cultural happening of the year," Gordon writes in the February 26 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, February 19).
Others weighed in on the debate: * Actor Denis Leary tells Newsweek that it was an episode in the first season of "The Sopranos" that changed his notions about what television could be. It was the episode where Tony Soprano is driving Meadow to visit colleges and he runs into a snitch along the way and ends up brutally strangling him to death with a coil of wire. "I remember watching that and thinking, 'Oh, my God ... '," Leary says. "I don't think I blinked that entire episode. The show ended at 10 o'clock, and at 10:05 the phone in my apartment started ringing off the hook. That's when I thought, 'If they can do this, you can do anything in this format'." * Megamovie producer Brian Grazer, an Oscar winner for "A Beautiful Mind" whose company, Imagine Entertainment, also co-owns "24," says the economics of the movie business have created a climate of "paranoia" in Hollywood. The average film budget, according to the latest Nielsen figures, is about $60 million, with an additional $36 million in marketing costs. That means the typical Hollywood film is a $100 million bet-with the money paid upfront, before anyone sees a penny in return. That kind of environment has a stultifying effect on artists. "They begin to worry that their movie will never get made, that they'll never hear 'yes' again," Grazer says, "so they end up being much more accommodating to an executive's opinions." * Carlton Cuse, an executive producer on ABC's "Lost," says in television "the writer is king. We're at the top of the food chain." In the film world, the director is in charge, or the star. "It's almost impossible to write a movie with a big star and not have that person put his or her thumbprint on top of it," Cuse says. * Last year, when Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana shared a screenwriting Oscar for "Brokeback Mountain," McMurtry thanked his typewriter. During an interview, he grumbled while Ossana sang the praises of modern TV. "It's not a question of quality," McMurtry responded. "It just means the prestige is still with film, and I suspect it always will be. Put it this way: I'd rather have an Oscar than an Emmy." * "The movie business is still caught up in how it's always been done," says Todd Wagner, co-president of 2929 Entertainment ("Good Night, and Good Luck"), which has been leaning on studios to release films on several platforms-in theaters, online and on DVD-at once. "Film is still built around a business model where they're trying to get as many people as possible to see something on the very first weekend, at very select locations, for months before it's available any other way. Television isn't doing that. The realization they've come to is, why wouldn't you put it out there?" * Hollywood is determined to protect the "specialness" of movies, Gordon writes, and if you can get them any time, anywhere, how special can they be? "There's always going to be that excitement where you think, 'Oh, I made a movie! And it's gonna be at a theater! And people will be eating popcorn!'" says Tina Fey, who wrote the 2004 hit "Mean Girls" and created the NBC sitcom "30 Rock." "It's just different." * "The people working in television right now are the Shakespeares of the medium," says Ira Glass, host of the public-radio program "This American Life," which has been turned into a jewel of a TV series on Showtime and will start airing on March 22. "That's probably a pretentious thing to say, but I also think it's true. It's true in the same way that Leonard Bernstein was figuring out what you could do with a Broadway show when he wrote 'West Side Story,' or in music when Sinatra recorded his Capitol albums."
Source: Newsweek
Web site: http://www.newsweek.msnbc.com/
Senate Democrats pledged renewed efforts Sunday to curtail the Iraq war, suggesting they will seek to limit a 2002 measure authorizing President Bush's use of force against Saddam Hussein.
The top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said the proposal had little chance of succeeding. "I think the president would veto it and the veto would be upheld," said Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana.
A day after Republicans foiled a Democratic bid to repudiate Bush's deployment of 21,500 additional combat troops to Iraq, Senate Democrats declined to embrace measures — being advanced in the House — that would attach conditions to additional funding for troops.
Sen. Carl Levin who chairs the Armed Services Committee, said Democratic senators would probably seek to capitalize on wavering Republicans to limit the "wide-open authorization" Congress gave Bush in 2002.
"We will be looking at a modification of that authorization in order to limit the mission of American troops to a support mission instead of a combat mission, and that is very different from cutting off funds," said Levin, D-Mich.
Sen. Joe Biden, a 2008 presidential candidate who leads the foreign relations panel, said the 2002 authorization should be repealed to restate the president's authority and clarify the mission of U.S. troops in Iraq.
"I've been working with some of my colleagues to try to convince them that that's the way to go ... make it clear that the purpose that he has troops in there is to, in fact, protect against al-Qaida gaining chunks of territory, training the Iraqi forces, force protection and for our forces," said Biden, D-Del.
The Democratic-controlled Senate failed to force debate on a nonbinding resolution opposing the troop buildup. The 56-34 vote fell four short of the 60 needed, but Democrats quickly claimed victory, noting that a majority of senators — seven of them Republicans — effectively voted against the escalation.
Tony Snow said it was important to remove Saddam from power and noted that a majority of senators voted in 2002 to authorize force in Iraq.
He said Bush should not see votes in Congress in opposition of his new Iraqi strategy as a rebuke. "The strategy has barely had a chance to begin working," Snow said.
The House passed a nonbinding resolution Friday that rejected the president's 21,500-troop buildup in Iraq. The vote put Bush on the defensive going into a far more consequential confrontation over paying for the plan.
House Democrats have said they will attempt to place restrictions on Bush's request for an additional $93 billion for the military in an effort to make it impossible for him to deploy all 21,500 additional troops.
Levin said limiting the 2002 war authorization would sidestep constitutional questions. Some legal experts have said that restricting money or attaching conditions could arguably encroach on Bush's powers as commander in chief to control tactics and operations.
"One thought is that we should limit the mission to a support mission — in other words, an anti-terrorist mission to go after al-Qaida in Iraq, to support and train the Iraqi army, to protect our own diplomatic personnel and other personnel in Iraq," Levin said.
"We think that that would be constitutional, and it also would move us toward the end of our presence in Iraq," he said.
Snow said the president understands the importance of debate about the war on Capitol Hill and understands lawmakers' anxiety about the war.
"What I would say to members of Congress is: Calm down and take a look at what's going on, and ask yourself a simple question: If you support the troops, would you deny them the reinforcements they think are necessary to complete the mission?'"
Levin was on "Fox News Sunday," Snow and Reid appeared on CNN's "Late Edition," and Biden and Lugar were interviewed on "Face the Nation" on CBS.
Feb 17
U.S. Census Bureau Black History Month Daily Feature for Feb. 17-19
-- Following is the daily Black History Month feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17: DORIS JONES
Profile America for the 17th day of Black History Month. Doris Jones, who died last year at the age of 92, was once described by a dance critic as "a national treasure." Growing up near Boston, Jones found that the Depression was a tough time for a teenaged African-American to get formal dance training. The solution was to found her own school of dance. Moving to Washington, D.C., in 1940, Doris Jones became a fixture on the dance scene in the nation's capital for more than 50 years. Her efforts to open careers in dance for young African-Americans won her many awards, including the Martin Luther King Jr. medal for outstanding service in human rights. One-and-a-half percent of African-Americans in the U.S. attend a ballet performance at least once a year.
This special Profile America for Black History Month is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18: DAVID CROSTHWAIT JR.
Profile America for the 18th day of Black History Month. Few people knew more about heating and air conditioning than David Crosthwait. When not many African-Americans did so, he had earned bachelor and masters degrees in engineering by 1920, and spent his entire working life improving the systems that make life easier for all of us today. He held 39 patents for heating systems, vacuum pumps, refrigeration methods and temperature regulating devices. In 1975 -- the year before he died -- Crosthwait was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from his old alma mater, Purdue University. The U.S. grants more than 164,000 patents each year, about half of them to U.S. citizens and corporations.
This special Profile America for Black History Month is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19: RENEE POWELL
Profile America for the 19th day of Black History Month. Renee Powell grew up with golf. Her father, William, developed the Clearview Golf Course in Canton, Ohio, after being denied admission to existing courses. Clearview was the first course designed, constructed, owned and operated by an African-American, and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Powell's daughter Renee began competing as a golfer at age 12, and became one of only three African-American women to play on the Ladies Professional Golf Association tour. Noted for her work to bring youngsters into the game, she received the First Lady of Golf Award from the Professional Golfers Association. About 13 million U.S. adults enjoy playing at least eight rounds of golf a year.
This special Profile America for Black History Month is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Web site: http://www.census.gov/
Rep. Fattah Votes for Resolution Disapproving of Iraq Escalation
He Calls Vote a First Step Toward Withdrawal from Civil War
Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), in a speech to the House of Representatives today, declared he was voting "YES" on the resolution disapproving of President Bush's latest Iraq troop escalation. He called the vote an important first step toward withdrawing American forces from the midst of that nation's civil war.
Countering arguments that the House vote would aid enemies of the United States, Fattah said: "Victory for our enemies is made possible by us pursuing a failed policy. We are creating an inevitable situation in which our country continues to lose prestige and support around the world, but much more importantly we're losing the precious lives of our young people ... "
Fattah, who voted against the original resolution authorizing war in 2002, said the Bush administration has "failed our troops on the ground on so many occasions." He cited shortages of bullets, long rifles, armored vehicles and body armor, among others.
"The embarrassment of the conduct of this war is only equal to the stupidity that took us to Iraq in the first place," he said.
American forces, he said, must be redeployed out of Iraq.
"Why would we want to have our young people in a situation where the only time the Sunnis and the Shiites stop killing each other is when they both are willing to turn their weapons against our young people," Fattah said. "We're in the middle of a civil war ... .we are unwelcome visitors."
The Congressman reiterated that the key to stabilizing Iraq is to introduce troops from Egypt and other "friendly Arab countries" as part of a multilateral force led by the United Nations. "Since the president said we went there in part to stabilize the region for our friendly Arab neighbors, let them step forward now and secure the region," he said.
House Concurrent Resolution 63, which expressed disapproval of Bush's January decision to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq, was the subject of four days of debate in the House, culminating in a resounding rebuke for the president's policy in a 246-182 vote Friday afternoon.
Fattah called the Resolution merely a first step. He is an original co-sponsor of "The Bring Our Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Act," which would cut funding, bring American troops home and restore real Iraqi sovereignty within six months of enactment.
"Let us rise on this day and speak not just in symbol but in substance on behalf of the fighting men and women of the American military," Congressman Fattah concluded.
Source: Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah
Web site: http://www.house.gov/fattah
Legion: Congress Sent Wrong Message Today
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 The leader of the nation's largest wartime veterans' organization provided the following statement in response to the House vote disapproving the President's decision to deploy more than 20,000 additional combat troops to the Iraqi theater.
"Congress may consider its vote today on H. Con. Res. 63 to be non- binding, but veterans of previous wars and those in the field of combat right now consider Congress's action to be a betrayal of trust and the first step toward surrender to the terrorists who caused this war in the first place.
"We must never forget the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, when two U.S. commercial aircraft were used to kill nearly 3,000 innocent people in an unprovoked attack against our nation's sovereignty. We must never forget those brave Americans who downed their plane in Pennsylvania, saving the lives of many in the Capitol. We must never forget the attack on the Pentagon, or on the USS Cole, or our embassies, or our Marine barracks in Beirut. The list goes on and on.
"Even the Clinton administration tried to kill Osama bin Laden by lobbing missiles at him. This war didn't just start with the invasion of Iraq. It's been going on for decades. It's been going on in Republican and Democrat administrations and Congresses.
"It isn't about partisan politics. It's about America. It's about all of us, and especially those who are at this moment risking their lives on the field of battle.
"Americans are not the enemy here. The terrorists and all of those governments that support them are the enemy. We must never forget that. And, equally important, we must never forget the primary lesson learned in Vietnam: you cannot separate the war from the warrior.
"Congress can talk all it wants to about how it supports the troops. But its actions set the table. The message they sent today to the frontline is that America is preparing to cut and run. We essentially told our fighting men and women that 'we have taken step one in the plan to cut reinforcements, to cut armaments, and to withdraw any support you need to complete your mission.'
"The Speaker characterized it succinctly when she said, "(t)his legislation will signal a change in direction that will end the fighting and bring our troops home.'
"What she failed to add was ' ... in defeat, and without completing the mission they were trained to complete and ready to win if only America had not given up before they did.'
"The American Legion and the American people find this to be totally unacceptable and we will do everything within our power to ensure that our troops are not used as political pawns by a Congress that lacks the will to win."
Source: The American Legion
Web site: http://www.legion.org/
Senate gridlocks on Iraq war resolution
The Senate gridlocked on the Iraq war in a sharply worded showdown on Saturday as Republicans foiled a Democratic attempt to rebuke President Bush over his deployment of 21,500 additional combat troops.
The vote was 56-34. That was four short of the 60 needed to advance the measure, which is identical to a nonbinding resolution that Democrats pushed through the House on Friday.
"The Senate, on behalf of the American people, must make it clear to the commander in chief that he no longer has a rubber stamp in Iraq," said Majority Leader Harry Reid D-Nev., in the final moments before the vote.
Republicans blasted him and the Democratic leadership for refusing to allow a vote on an alternative that ruled out any reduction in money for troops in the field.
"A vote in support of the troops that is silent on the question of funds is an attempt to have it both ways," said Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the GOP leader. "So we are asking for an honest and open debate."
The vote marked the second time this winter that Senate Republicans have blocked action on nonbinding measures critical of the president's war policies.
Feb 16
Coty Inc. anuncia alianza para fragancias con el icono global Kate Moss
- La supermodelo se aventura por primera vez en el sector de las fragancias
Coty Inc., la mayor compañía global de fragancias, ha anunciado hoy la firma de la supermodelo e icono de la moda, Kate Moss, como la última socia de belleza de Coty para desarrollar y comercializar su propia línea de fragancias de firma.
La primera fragancia de Moss capturará su estilo único e intensificará su encanto universal. Reconocida como la mayor belleza de su generación, Kate Moss ha influido significativamente en las industrias de la moda y la belleza con su imponente presencia como supermodelo para marcas de lujo de todo el mundo.
"Como icono de la belleza moderna único en su clase, Kate Moss tiene influencia y credibilidad entre los fotógrafos, diseñadores de moda y la industria de la belleza. Esto la ha convertido en una cara bella líder del próximo milenio", dijo Bernd Beetz, consejero delegado de Coty Inc. "No hay nadie mejor para plasmar una nueva fragancia que Kate, que personifica el aspecto y sensación de los creadores de moda de hoy. Estamos muy contentos con esta colaboración en fragancia y esperamos que sea una alianza larga y fructífera".
"Para mí, Coty es el socio idóneo para crear mi propio perfume", comentó Moss. "Me ha encantado trabajar con Coty a lo largo de los años y estoy muy contenta de colaborar con ellos en mi primera fragancia".
Esta alianza en fragancia amplia la relación profesional de Moss con Coty; simultáneamente, seguirá siendo la imagen global de Rimmel London, la línea de cosméticos más vendida de Coty.
"Kate Moss define el glamour moderno de hoy. Su gama de estilos y modos inspira a las mujeres de todo el mundo. Su aspecto único impulsa los límites de la belleza hacia nuevas direcciones, y la hace más competitiva", comentó Steve Mormoris, vicepresidente de Marketing Global, Coty Beauty. "Tiene todo lo que es interesante en la mujer moderna y siempre he disfrutado trabajando con ella".
Prevista para estrenarse en el otoño de 2007, la línea de fragancia aún sin nombre, se lanzará en Europa, Oriente Medio y Australia con posteriores planes para ampliarse a Estados Unidos, Canadá y Latinoamérica. La línea incluirá eau de toilette, eau de perfume y productos complementarios.
Las condiciones financieras del acuerdo no se han revelado.
Acerca de Coty Inc.
Coty Inc. se fundó en París en 1904 por Francois Coty, reconocido por fundar la moderna industria del perfume.
Hoy, Coty Inc. es la compañía de perfume más grande del mundo y un líder reconocido en belleza con unas ventas netas anuales de 2.900 millones de dólares estadounidenses. Impulsada por un espíritu empresarial, pasión, innovación y creatividad, Coty Inc. ha desarrollado una cartera sin precedentes y ofrece sus innovadores productos a los consumidores de 91 mercados mundiales.
La cartera de marca Coty Prestige se distribuye en tiendas de prestigio y alto prestigio e incluye marcas de diseño, como Calvin Klein, Cerruti, Chloe, Chopard, Davidoff, Jennifer Lopez, Jette Joop, Jil Sander, JOOP!, Kenneth Cole, Lancaster, Marc Jacobs, Nikos, Sarah Jessica Parker, Vera Wang y Vivienne Westwood.
La cartera de marca Coty Beauty se distribuye más ampliamente e incluye marcas como Baby Phat, adidas, Aspen, Astor, Celine Dion, Chupa Chups, David and Victoria Beckham, Desperate Housewives, Esprit, Exclamation, Isabella Rossellini, Jovan, Kylie Minogue, mary-kateandashley, Miss Sixty, Miss Sporty, Nautica, Phat Farm, Pierre Cardin(1), Rimmel, Shania Twain, Stetson, y Vanilla Fields.
Para información adicional sobre Coty Inc, visite www.coty.com.
(1)Sólo licencia europea.
Página web: http://www.coty.com
Source: Coty Inc.
Shakira, la superstar de la chanson, crée un T-shirt à tirage limité pour la dernière collection Signature Series de Hard Rock Cafe
- Les bénéfices iront à la Fundación Pies Descalzos de Shakira
Depuis plus de dix ans, Shakira est une figure incontournable de l'industrie musicale mondiale. Plusieurs fois lauréate des Grammy Awards, auteure/interprète de talent, musicienne, productrice et généreuse philanthrope, elle est devenue l'artiste colombienne la plus populaire de tous les temps. À présent, grâce à son partenariat avec Hard Rock Cafe, la star planétaire nous révèle, pour la bonne cause, ses talents de créatrice de mode. Aujourd'hui, c'est au Hard Rock Cafe de Paris que Shakira a choisi de dévoiler et de procéder par la même occasion au lancement officiel mondial du tout dernier T-shirt de la collection Signature Series, un T-shirt portant un magnifique motif dessiné par ses soins. Tous les bénéfices des ventes de ce nouveau T-shirt seront reversés à la Fundación Pies Descalzos créée par Shakira, une fondation qui se consacre à trouver et à offrir une seconde chance aux enfants victimes de la violence en Colombie et qui a également pour objectif de construire de nouvelles écoles et/ou d'améliorer les infrastructures éducatives déjà existantes.
(Photo : http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070216/NYF013 )
Shakira, la 23ème artiste de rock et seulement la seconde femme à participer au programme de T-shirts Signature Series Hard Rock Cafe, rejoint des légendes du rock telles qu'Elton John, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks et Ozzy Osbourne, qui ont déjà contribué à récolter des millions de dollars pour de nombreuses oeuvres caritatives à travers le monde.
Le motif du T-shirt Signature Series édition XXIII représente une guitare rose vif dotée, à sa base, de deux ailes d'ange qui forment un coeur rose scintillant, et de fleurs enveloppant le cou de la guitare. Le dessin créé par Shakira est présenté sur un T-shirt noir et est, pour la première fois, disponible dans une coupe cintrée exclusivement destinée aux femmes. Hard Rock International offre ainsi aux fans de Shakira la chance de posséder un T-shirt en édition limitée, vendu en ligne à www.hardrock.com/rockshop et dans les boutiques des cafés, hôtels et casinos Hard Rock du monde entier.
<< Je suis très heureuse de faire partie du programme Signature Series et très enthousiaste à l'idée de m'associer à cette belle initiative, >> a affirmé Shakira. << Le programme va aider tellement d'enfants dans mon pays et au nom de tous les enfants colombiens, je tiens à remercier du fond du coeur Hard Rock. >>
En 1997, Shakira a créé la Fundación Pies Descalzos, dont le but est de promouvoir l'éducation et de répondre aux besoins de base des enfants colombiens victimes de la violence dans leur pays. La fondation a aussi pour objectif de construire de nouvelles écoles et/ou d'améliorer les infrastructures éducatives déjà existantes. En reconnaissance de ses efforts, Shakira a d'ailleurs été nommée ambassadrice de l'UNICEF : à ce jour, la plus jeune représentante de cette organisation.
<< Nous sommes enchantés qu'une si grande artiste et si généreuse bienfaitrice ait rejoint le programme mondial de T-shirts Signature Series, >> a ajouté Hamish Dodds, président et directeur général de Hard Rock International. << Nous sommes également ravis d'apporter notre soutien à la Fundación Pies Descalzos et ainsi de contribuer à améliorer la qualité de vie des enfants du pays natal de Shakira : la Colombie. >>
Depuis sa création en 1971, Hard Rock s'est toujours impliqué dans de nombreuses causes et activités humanitaires dans le monde. C'est en 1990 que Hard Rock International a eu l'idée de s'associer à des musiciens et groupes de renommée mondiale et de leur demander d'imaginer des motifs créatifs et d'en faire don afin de les appliquer sur des T-shirts vendus au profit de l'oeuvre de charité de leur choix. À ce jour, 23 artistes ont participé au programme Signature Series, notamment Eric Clapton, Elton John, Sting, Michael Stipe, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks et Ozzy Osbourne, et ont recueilli des millions de dollars pour un grand nombre d'organisations telles que Crossroads Centre Antigua, the Elton John AIDS Foundation et World Hunger Year.
Cette année, Hard Rock propose également à la vente les très populaires T-shirts Signature Series d'Ozzy Osbourne, de Bruce Springsteen et d'Eric Clapton, en modèles pour hommes et pour femmes. Et de nombreux autres articles sont à venir.
Pour en savoir plus sur la Fundación Pies Descalzos, visitez le site : www.fundacionpiesdescalzos.com.
Pour de plus amples détails sur le programme Signature Series, visitez le site : www.hardrock.com.
À propos de la Fundación Pies Descalzos
La fondation Pies Descalzos est une organisation non-gouvernementale colombienne créée par l'artiste internationale Shakira. L'organisation se consacre à trouver et offrir une seconde chance aux enfants victimes de la violence en Colombie. Elle a vu le jour à Barranquilla, une ville sur la côte caribéenne de Colombie, mais son action se déploie désormais dans d'autres parties du pays. La fondation a pour objectif d'améliorer l'éducation, la nutrition et la vie de milliers d'enfants déplacés et vivant dans des conditions dangereuses en raison des luttes internes violentes qui font rage en Colombie. Pour en savoir plus, visitez www.fundacionpiesdescalzos.com.
À propos de Hard Rock International
Forte du dynamisme de ses 124 Hard Rock Cafes, de ses sept hôtels-casinos (sans compter ceux en construction) et de son casino seul répartis dans plus de 46 pays, Hard Rock International est l'une des marques commerciales les mieux connues du monde. Avec comme point de départ une des guitares d'Eric Clapton, le groupe Hard Rock a assemblé l'une des collections de souvenirs musicaux les plus complètes au monde ; cette collection est répartie entre et exposée dans les sites Hard Rock du monde entier. La marque Hard Rock est également renommée pour ses gammes de marchandises à thème musical et d'articles de mode de collection, pour ses concerts en direct et pour son site web couronné de nombreuses récompenses. Hard Rock International, Inc. fait partie du groupe Rank Plc (RNK.L). Pour un complément d'information sur le groupe Hard Rock, visitez le site www.hardrock.com.
Sites Web : http://www.hardrock.com/rockshop http://www.hardrock.com http://www.fundacionpiesdescalzos.com
Source: Hard Rock International
Feb 12
Illegal Immigration, Loss of Jobs to Foreign Countries, Natural Disaster and Energy Shortage Seen as Events Most Likely to be Major Threats to the U.S. in the Next Five Years
Other possible threats seen as likely by many people include impact of trade and budget deficits, terrorist attacks, and rising sea levels
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A recent Harris Poll asked a cross-section of U.S. adults to say how likely they think it is that various possible events would be "a major threat to the United States in the next five years." Two of these possible threats are seen as extremely or very likely by over half of the public:
* 55 percent of all adults think it is extremely or very likely that a
large number of illegal immigrants coming into this country would be a
threat;
* 52 percent of adults believe that a significant loss of jobs to foreign
countries would be an extremely or very likely threat.
These are some of the results of a Harris Poll of 1,508 U.S. adults, surveyed online between January 5 and 12, 2007. However, because split samples were used, each individual item on the list was asked of between 400 and 500 adults.
The only other possible event seen as an extremely or very likely threat by more than 40 percent of all adults is a significant natural disaster destroying areas of a major city (43%). Almost as many (40%) think that our energy needs exceeding supplies is an extremely or very likely threat. Thirty-five percent feel that a trade imbalance leading to foreign ownership of the nation's debt and property is an extremely or very likely threat.
Substantial, but smaller, percentages of people feel that various types of terrorist attacks are a threat:
* 26 percent think that attacks against a number of airplanes is an
extremely or very likely threat;
* 24 percent think that an attack with biological weapons is an extremely
or very likely threat;
* However, fewer people (14%) think an attack with a nuclear weapon is an
extremely or very likely threat.
Relatively few people think any of the following are extremely or very likely threats:
* A major stock market crash (11%);
* A large scale Avian flu epidemic (11%);
* The banking system experiencing a major financial collapse (14%);
* A world war (15%);
* Major riots by groups within the U.S. (20%).
Differences between Republicans and Democrats
There are a few potential threats that are viewed as more or less likely by Republicans and Democrats. Specifically:
* Republicans (73%) are much more likely than Democrats (43%) to see large
scale illegal immigration as an extremely or very likely threat;
* Democrats (57%) are somewhat more likely than Republicans (42%) to see a
significant loss of jobs to foreign countries as an extremely or very
likely threat;
* Democrats (35%) are three times more likely than Republicans (12%) to
see the government not being able to borrow money, due to the debt load;
* Democrats are also much more likely to see a significant rise in ocean
levels as a very or extremely likely threat (31% vs. 11%).
TABLE 1
LIKELIHOOD THAT 15 POSSIBLE EVENTS WILL BE MAJOR THREAT TO U.S. IN NEXT FIVE
YEARS
"There are a number of possible threats that the U.S. might face. How likely
do you think the following will be a major threat to the U.S. in the next 5
years?"
Base: All Adults
Extremely Extremely Very Somewhat Not at Not at
/Very Likely Likely Likely Likely All All
Likely Likely Familiar
(NET) with
This
% % % % % % %
A large number
of illegal
immigrants
come into the
country 55 37 18 20 14 7 4
A significant
loss of jobs to
foreign countries 52 28 23 20 18 8 2
A significant
natural disaster
destroys large
areas of a
major city 43 21 22 23 24 8 3
Energy needs
significantly
exceed energy
supplies 40 17 23 23 22 11 5
Significant trade
imbalances lead
to foreign
ownership of the
country's debts
and property 35 15 20 21 24 12 9
Terrorists launch a
number of attacks
against airplanes 26 10 16 21 35 15 3
The national
government becomes
unable to borrow
money due to a
huge debt load 26 10 16 17 25 26 5
The country is
attacked with
biological
weapons 24 8 16 20 38 15 3
A significant rise
in the level of
the oceans 23 8 16 21 25 22 8
Major riots by
groups within
this country 20 8 12 23 33 22 3
A major world war
occurs involving
most industrialized
nations 15 7 7 22 30 29 4
The banking system
experiences a major
financial collapse 14 6 8 15 24 42 5
A city within the
country is attacked
with a nuclear
weapon 14 3 11 12 35 35 3
A large scale avian
flu epidemic 11 3 9 21 34 28 5
A major stock
market crash
occurs 11 4 6 23 35 24 7
Note: Totals may not add to 100% because of rounding.
TABLE 2
POSSIBLE THREATS SEEN AS EXTREMELY OR VERY LIKELY . BY PARTY
"There are a number of possible threats that the U.S. might face. How likely
do you think the following will be a major threat to the U.S. in the next 5
years?"
Base: All Adults
Party
Total
Republican Democrat Independent
% % % %
A large number of illegal
immigrants come into
the country 55 73 43 57
A significant loss of jobs
to foreign countries 52 42 57 54
A significant natural
disaster destroys large
areas of a major city 43 39 46 45
Energy needs significantly
exceed energy supplies 40 32 41 42
Significant trade
imbalances lead to foreign
ownership of the country's
debts and property 35 32 32 44
Terrorists launch a number
of attacks against
airplanes 26 21 27 31
The national government
becomes unable to borrow
money due to a huge
debt load 26 12 35 25
The country is attacked
with biological weapons 24 17 29 24
A significant rise in the
level of the oceans 23 11 31 23
Major riots by groups
within this country 20 16 23 20
A major world war occurs
involving most
industrialized nations 15 17 16 12
The banking system
experiences a major
financial collapse 14 9 14 13
A city within the country
is attacked with a
nuclear weapon 14 14 14 15
A large scale avian flu
epidemic 11 8 15 11
A major stock market crash
occurs 11 5 10 17
Methodology
This Harris Poll(R) was conducted online within the United States between January 5 and 12, 2007, among 1,508 adults (aged 18 and over). However, because split samples were used, each individual item on the list was asked of between 400 and 500 adults. Figures for age, sex, race, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
All surveys are subject to several sources of error. These include: sampling error (because only a sample of a population is interviewed); measurement error due to question wording and/or question order, deliberately or unintentionally inaccurate responses, nonresponse (including refusals), interviewer effects (when live interviewers are used) and weighting.
With one exception (sampling error) the magnitude of the errors that result cannot be estimated. There is, therefore, no way to calculate a finite "margin of error" for any survey and the use of these words should be avoided.
With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With a pure probability sample of 400, one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/-5 percentage points. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
J W11351Z
Q 625
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is the 12th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides innovative research, insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what it believes to be the world's largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at www.harrisinteractive.com.
Feb 9
IHOP Corp. to Address Trademark Registration Issues
February 09, 2007 -- IHOP Corp. (NYSE: IHP) today disclosed that it has become aware of issues relating to the lapsing of certain IHOP federal trademark and service mark registrations on file with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. As a consequence of the lapsing of these registrations, IHOP's Uniform Franchise Offering Circular ("UFOC") must be revised. Only certain franchise agreements entered into during and after November 2000 were affected by these federal trademark registration issues. IHOP will commence taking corrective measures required by state law with respect to franchisees of the affected restaurants.
IHOP is in the process of taking the steps necessary to obtain new registrations for the affected trademarks and service marks. Additionally, IHOP has temporarily stopped offering franchises pending revisions to the UFOC and receipt of attendant state regulatory approvals. The Company anticipates that the corrective measures required to resume offering franchises in 45 states will be completed very shortly and within the next few weeks with respect to the five remaining states; however, there can be no assurance that all requisite regulatory approvals will be obtained within this time frame.
The Company has not yet determined the extent or financial impact of the corrective measures, but believes that any issues regarding the validity of its federal trademark and service mark registrations will not have a material impact on the business of IHOP Corp. or its franchisees.
About IHOP Corp.
The IHOP family restaurant chain has been serving a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner selections for more than 45 years. Offering 14 types of pancakes as well as omelettes, breakfast specialties, burgers, sandwiches, salads, chicken and steaks, IHOP's diverse menu appeals to people of all ages. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, California-based IHOP Corp. As of December 31, 2006, the end of IHOP's fourth quarter, there were 1,302 IHOP restaurants in 49 states and Canada. IHOP Corp. common stock is listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol "IHP." For more information, call the Company's headquarters at (818) 240-6055 or visit the Company's Web site located at www.ihop.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
There are forward-looking statements contained in this news release. They use such words as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "plan," or other similar terminology. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the implementation of the Company's strategic growth plan; the availability of suitable locations and terms for the sites designated for development; the ability of franchise developers to fulfill their commitments to build new IHOP restaurants in the numbers and time frames covered by their development agreements; legislation and government regulation including the ability to obtain satisfactory regulatory approvals; conditions beyond the Company's control such as weather, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics impacting the Company's customer base or food supplies or acts of war or terrorism; availability and cost of materials and labor; cost and availability of capital; competition; continuing acceptance of the IHOP and International House of Pancakes brands and concepts by guests and franchisees; the Company's overall marketing, operational and financial performance; economic and political conditions; adoption of new, or changes in, accounting policies and practices; and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's news releases, public statements and/or filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking information is provided by IHOP Corp. pursuant to the safe harbor established under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and should be evaluated in the context of these factors. In addition, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements
USGBC Begins Pilot Test of New Rating System - LEED® for Neighborhood Development to Promote Smart Growth and Community Enhancement
February 9, 2007 – (Washington, DC) – The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is now accepting applications for pilot projects to participate in the LEED for Neighborhood Development program. This new rating system integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism, and green building into the first national standard for neighborhood design.
“The future of green building is to think beyond just buildings, by addressing important issues like density development, community infrastructure, resource availability, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “LEED for Neighborhood Development is an important and exciting step towards transforming the marketplace to create a healthy and sustainable future.”
Interested projects can apply to join the pilot until April 6, 2007. Application information is available from the USGBC Web site, www.usgbc.org/leed/nd. The pilot test neighborhoods will be the first neighborhood development projects to earn the distinction of LEED certification while also helping to refine the new LEED rating system. The pilot phase of the program will conclude in early 2008. Based on feedback gathered during the pilot, the rating system will be revised as necessary prior to being balloted by USGBC's membership.
The LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system is a collaboration between USGBC, the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
"Smart growth is about innovation triumphing over our community development challenges," said Kaid Benfield, Director of Smart Growth, Natural Resources Defense Council. "This new program supports developers who are eager and willing to innovate, and levels the playing field for everyone."
Just as other LEED systems have improved building efficiency and energy performance, LEED for neighborhoods will reward efficient use of land and the building of complete and walkable communities," says John Norquist, President and CEO of the Congress for the New Urbanism. "It is helping to reinforce a more complete understanding of sustainability that extends all the way from the individual building to the neighborhood and community."
The program emphasizes the design and construction elements that knit buildings together into a neighborhood, and provides guidelines for better location, design, and construction of new residential, commercial, and mixed use development. Specifically, the pilot program for neighborhood development evaluates projects in four areas:
- Smart Location & Linkage
- Neighborhood Pattern & Design
- Green Construction & Technology
- Innovation & Design Process
LEED encourages development within or near existing communities or public infrastructure in order to reduce the environmental impacts of sprawl. By promoting communities that are physically connected, the program fosters community, conserves land, and promotes transportation efficiency and walkability. LEED strives to create healthy, safe neighborhoods in which people from a wide range of economic levels and age groups can live and work together. For additional information about the pilot and to learn about how to participate, visit www.usgbc.org/leed/nd.
About USGBC
The U.S. Green Building Council is the nation’s leading coalition of corporations, builders, universities, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations working together to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. Since its founding in 1993, the Council has grown to more than 7,600 member companies and organizations, an 85-person professional staff, a broad portfolio of LEED® products and services, the industry’s popular Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, and a network of over 70 local chapters, affiliates, and organizing groups.
About LEED
The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ is a feature-oriented rating system where credits are earned for satisfying specified green building criteria. The five major environmental categories of review include: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality. Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels of LEED green building certification are awarded based on the total number of points earned within each LEED category. LEED can be applied to various building applications including new construction, commercial interiors, core & shell developments and building operation and maintenance. LEED is currently in pilot test for neighborhoods and homes. LEED has been adopted nationwide by Federal agencies, state and local governments, and interested private companies as the guideline for sustainable building. For more information visit www.usgbc.org.
Feb 8
The Senate today confirmed Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. to be the next Army chief of staff.
The vote was 83-14 in favor of Casey, who has lead Multinational Force Iraq since July 2004. Casey replaces Army Gen. Peter Schoomaker, who is retiring. President Bush nominated Casey for the Army's top uniformed position Jan. 17, and Casey faced tough Senate confirmation hearings Feb. 1. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has supported Casey's nomination. At a Pentagon media roundtable Jan. 26, Gates noted that Casey spent 30 months on the ground in Baghdad during what was supposed to be an 18-month tour and adjusted tactics to deal with the rise in sectarian violence. "He was the first choice of the professional military and the secretary of the Army for this position," Gates said. "He served as the vice chief of staff of the Army. So I think he's eminently qualified. I think he's rendered good service. I think he deserves this position." As commander in Iraq, Casey oversaw the largest sustained ground forces operation by the U.S. military in a generation. After the Golden Mosque in Samarra was bombed in February 2006 and sectarian violence surged, Casey adjusted troop levels and tactics. He was also a key figure in implementing Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Baghdad security plan. In his confirmation hearings before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Casey said that Bush's new Iraq strategy can work, emphasizing the importance of securing the Iraqi population. "For the Iraqis to successfully assume and sustain security responsibility, their security forces must emerge as the dominant security forces in the country," Casey said. "To do this, political and militia influence over the security forces must be eliminated, and levels of sectarian violence, particularly in the capital, must be brought down substantially -- brought down to the point where the people in Baghdad can be safe in their neighborhoods. This is what we are working toward in Baghdad. It will take time, and the Iraqis do need our help." Casey also said that the Army has not been overly strained by the war on terror and is still the world's preeminent land power. He said he believes in the Army vision and transformation and that his position in Iraq has given him an opportunity to see the Army at work in the war on terror. "I see in Iraq every day a splendid Army," he said. "I know that General Schoomaker has problems with the forces yet to deploy and with some of the strategic elements that will deploy later, but from what I see in Iraq, the Army is far from broken." Today's soldiers are the best he has seen in his entire career and make a difference in Iraq every day, Casey said. He pledged that U.S. soldiers and their families, who also make tremendous sacrifices, will be his top priority. Casey is set to hand over command of Multinational Force Iraq to Army Gen. David Petraeus on Feb. 10.
Feb 5
http://montebubbles.net/blog9/2007/01/news_news_in_spanish.html
Proven NCLB Program That Improves Student Achievement Zeroed Out in President's Proposed Budget
Despite Its Focus on Competitiveness, the Bush Administration Eliminates Education Technology Funding -- Limiting Schools' Ability to Modernize & Address the Needs of Today's Students
ARLINGTON, VA -- February 05, 2007 -- The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) continues to be dismayed at President Bush's justification for eliminating the only federal dedicated educational technology funding, NCLB Title II, Part D (EETT), despite rhetoric around America's Competitiveness and Innovation. Stating that "the job is done" and that other funding is available for technology purchases, the President displays his lack of understanding for the critical need for systemic change to modernize America's schools for the 21st Century -- a task that cannot be accomplished without the leadership and careful planning to maximize the potential of technology.
This also appears to contradict the U.S. Department of Education's Reauthorization focus. Secretary Spellings, in sharing the Department's NCLB Reauthorization recommendations on January 24, 2007, stated that America has an opportunity to change America's schools. She said, "If we let this opportunity pass us by, the loss will be felt greatest by our nation's young people -- the very individuals we will be counting on to keep America globally competitive and nationally secure. Congress has the ability right now to put more effective tools in the hands of school districts to impact student achievement." Educational technology tools are key to making this happen.
Mary Ann Wolf, SETDA's Executive Director, stated that, "EETT has demonstrated results of innovative teaching approaches using technology that are proven and effective strategies to improve student achievement -- yet the program is slated for elimination in the President's 2008 proposed budget. Appropriate uses of technology have revolutionized the global marketplace -- how can we ignore the same innovative approaches as we seek to modernize education and engage the 21st Century student? EETT provides states with targeted resources to systemically change education -- to dramatically increase the effectiveness of teachers, improve student achievement, and ensure that students have access to rigorous and innovation-inspiring learning."
The following EETT funded programs demonstrate its positive impact on education and the opportunity for replication across states:
-- In Utah, Missouri, and Maine, the eMINTS program provides schools and teachers with educational technology tools, curriculum, and over 200 hours of professional development to change how teachers teach and students learn. In classrooms in the same school (one with eMINTS and one without), the student achievement of students in the eMINTS classroom was repeatedly over 10% higher than the control classroom. -- In West Virginia, students receiving access to on-line foreign language courses performed at least as well as those in face-to-face versions of the classes, providing access to high quality foreign language classes for those in rural areas. -- In Michigan, students participating in the Freedom to Learn program showed increases in 8th grade math achievement increased from 31% in 2004 to 63% in 2005 in one middle school, and science achievement increased from 68% of students proficient in 2003 to 80% 2004. -- In Texas, the Technology Immersion Pilot (TIP), implemented in middle schools, demonstrated that discipline referrals went down by over 1/2 with the changes in teaching and learning. In one school, 6th grade standardized math scores increased by 5%, 7th grade math by 42%, and 8th grade math by 24%. -- In Iowa, connecting teachers for sustainable professional development with curriculum interventions resulted in scientifically-based research findings of 8th grade math scores were 14 points higher, 4th grade math scores were 16 points higher, and 4th grade reading scores were 13 points higher than control students.
Without EETT, programs like the above that are changing teaching and learning and ensuring that our students are competitive may not survive and will certainly not be made available for all students. The EETT program offers an opportunity to provide our students and teachers with the tools they need to ensure America's Competitiveness through dedicated educational technology funding.
About SETDA
The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is the principal association for state directors of technology and their staff members. SETDA provides its membership consisting of 50 states and two territories with opportunities to collaborate and learn from one another as well as the broader education community. For more information about SETDA and/or its events, visit http://www.setda.org.
Comcast y Common Sense Media anuncian asociación para ofrecer herramientas educativas de contenido mediático de multiplataforma para los padres
Acuerdo por varios años requiere que las revisiones de programas de Common Sense Media estén disponibles a pedido y en línea
FILADELFIA y SAN FRANCISCO, 5 de febrero Con el dramático crecimiento en acceso del consumidor a una creciente variedad de contenido mediático a través de multiplataformas, Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) (NASDAQ:CMCSK) , el proveedor líder nacional de productos y servicios de cable, entretenimiento y comunicaciones y Common Sense Media anunciaron hoy que están trabajando juntos para ofrecer revisiones y recomendaciones para ayudar a los padres a hacer sus selecciones informadas acerca de qué es lo que sus hijos ven. El compromiso por varios años llevará la información detallada y basada en la edad acerca de programas de TV, películas, sitios Web, juegos de video y libros a las manos de millones de clientes de Comcast en toda la nación, ofreciendo otra herramienta para ayudar a los padres a asegurarse de que sus hijos tengan una experiencia agradable y segura cuando utilicen diferentes tipos de medios.
Comcast planea poner a disposición docenas de revisiones de películas y programas de televisión de Common Sense Media en su servicio exclusivo ON DEMAND y en su portal de banda ancha, Comcast.net, más tarde este año. Common Sense Media, la organización líder no partidista dedicada a los niños y los medios, ofrece revisiones y clasificaciones independientes y basadas en la edad de películas, programas de televisión, libros, juegos de video, sitios Web y música de manera que las familias puedan determinar si la selección es correcta para ellos. Los programas informativos de Common Sense Media sobre temas mediáticos de preocupación para la familia, tales como la seguridad en la Internet, también estarán disponibles.
"La integración de las revisiones y recomendaciones de Common Sense Media con los servicios de Comcast ofrece a los padres un recurso confiable para ayudarles a tomar decisiones informadas y con mejor juicio acerca de qué es lo que sus hijos ven, leen y juegan", dice Greg Butz, vicepresidente sénior de desarrollo de producto de gerente general de servicios de video para Comcast. "Este es otro ejemplo de cómo continuamos ofreciendo a nuestros clientes más opciones, respaldadas por herramientas, desde controles de padres en nuestro servicio de cable digital a funciones de seguridad y protección en línea en nuestro servicio de Internet de alta velocidad para ayudar a manejar el uso de los medios en sus hogares".
Comcast Digital Cable ofrece una amplia gama de opciones de controles para los padres, lo que permite que los usuarios puedan restringir el acceso a programas específicos en base a las clasificaciones, títulos o canales. En 2005, la compañía lanzó un paquete de programación familiar con un promedio de 35-40 canales, incluyendo 16 redes adecuadas para la familia con programación principal clasificada G (apta para todo público) así como todos los canales de transmisión nacional y local y más. Comcast High-Speed Internet también ofrece numerosas opciones de controles para padres, incluyendo la capacidad de restricción de e-mail entrante a una lista específica de remitentes, bloqueando sitios Web específicos y señalando límites de tiempo de acceso a Internet.
"Estamos muy contentos de ayudar a Comcast a empoderar a millones de padres y niños con información fácil de usar y basada en la edad justo al punto de una decisión para ayudarles a navegar a través del ambiente mediático de rápido cambio", dijo James P. Steyer, CEO y fundador de Common Sense Media. "Comcast ha sido desde hace largo tiempo un líder en ofrecer servicios de comunicación y entretenimiento de calidad a sus clientes, y esta asociación demuestra su compromiso sólido con los niños y las familias".
Acerca de Comcast
Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) (NASDAQ:CMCSK) (http://www.comcast.com/) es el proveedor líder nacional de servicios y productos de cable, entretenimiento y comunicaciones. Con 24.2 millones de suscriptores a cable, 11.5 millones de usuarios de Internet de alta velocidad y 2.5 millones de usuarios de voz, Comcast se dedica primordialmente al desarrollo, administración y operación de sistemas de cable de banda ancha y a ofrecer contenido de programación.
Las inversiones y redes de contenido de Comcast comprenden E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, VERSUS (anterior OLN), G4, AZN Television, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One y cuatro canales regionales Comcast SportsNets. Comcast también tiene una participación mayoritaria en Comcast-Spectacor, cuyas principales participaciones incluyen el equipo de hockey de la NHL Philadelphia Flyers, el equipo de básquetbol de la NBA Philadelphia 76ers y dos grandes estadios de varios propósitos en Filadelfia.
Acerca de Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media es la organización no partidista líder nacional dedicada a mejorar el impacto de los medios y entretenimiento en los niños y las familias. Common Sense Media ofrece clasificaciones y revisiones confiables de medios y entretenimiento sobre la base de un criterio de desarrollo infantil creado por expertos líderes nacionales. Para obtener mayor información, visite, http://www.commonsensemedia.org/.
Source: Comcast
