OBAMA URGES LAURENT GBAGBO TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND RESPECT ELECTION RESULTS

WASHINGTON DC,December-3--------------United States President, Barrack Obama  has urged parties involved in the Ivorian electoral crisis including incumbent president,Laurent Gbagbo to acknowledge and respect the results and allow Cote d' Ivoire to move forward towards a peaceful and democratic future,leaving long years of conflict and missed opportunities in the past.

In a statement ,Mr Obama said "I congratulate  Alassane Outtara on his victory in Cote d' Ivoire 's November 28 elections.The Independent Electoral Commission ,credible and accredited observers,and the United Nations have all confirmed this result and attested to its credibility"

He indicated that the International Community will hold those who act to thwart the democratic process and the will of the electorate accountable for their actions.

Meanwhile despite all the international outcry,over the run-off which many thought would unify the once peaceful haven of Africa,Mr Gbagbo has been sworn in for a new term.

Source:EKOW MENSAH-SHALDERS-I.D.P.F-USA

FLORIDA GAY ADOPTION BATTLE RAGES ON

BROWARD-FLA-Pressure is being mounted on Florida's Attorney General, Bill McCollum to appeal a court decision that ruled as unconstitutional a ban on gay adoption. The pressure came from a group led by Rev.Dr.O'Neal Dozier of the Worldwide Christian Center on Thursday (October 14, 2010) in Ft Lauderdale Florida.


Their reaction was in response to a Florida court of appeal Striking down the last State Statue expressly banning all homosexual parents from adopting children. The group is strongly pushing for the Department of Children and families (DCF) and the State's Attorney General to appeal before the October, 22nd deadline. Speaking to reporters during the protest Rev.Dr. O'Neal Dozier said "Children deserve to grow in desiring mates of the opposite sex not the same sex, God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve." At the time of filling this report it was not clear if the DCF or the Attorney General will appeal the court's decision.

Others told this reporter after the protest that the issue could play a role in the mid-term elections and politicians are being careful with their comments on the issue. Some also hailed the court's decision, calling it a victory for the Obama administration in its effort to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", policy in the military, and the passing of the Employment Non-discrimination Act.

In the United States of America, only Six (6) States have laws that expressly prohibit discrimination against gay and lesbian adoption. (Massachusetts, Nevada, California, New Jersey, New York and Maryland). The Florida court of appeals' decision now decreases the number of States that restricts the adoption by Same-Sex couples to three (3)-Nebraska, Michigan and Mississippi.

This 33-year-old law in Florida's statues will be expunged if nobody appeals the September ruling or if the State loses the appeal

SOURCE:EKOW SHALDERS

GYAN CAUSED US A LOT OF TROUBLE,USA COACH.

RUSTENBURG,SOUTH AFRICA.   Are the bookmakers always right?During the start of the 2010 FIFA World cup in South Africa,bookmakers did not see hope in TEAM GHANA(BLACK STARS)The shining stars of Africa have proved a lot of people wrong including the connoisseurs who termed the match between Ghana and the United States of America(USA)as the payback time match in favor of the "Yankee Boys".Ghana ,the only   surviving African team in the tournament which is being held for the first time on the continent's soil however ended otherwise.

in the 2006 edition of the World Cup competition held in Germany ,and which Ghana qualified for the first time ,saw Ghana sending the Yankees packing home early in the group stages by beating them 2-1.
The story is the same in this 2010 competition .The only difference is that the 2-1 win over the Uncle Sam boys did not occur at the group stages.
Many Americans felt that this time there was noway a country like Ghana which is the size of Oregon should be given the opportunity  be it tactically or otherwise to humiliate almighty USA.Never again they said.
Back in 2006 it was coach Bruce Arena and the "Obama 11"  had fought hard to put that humiliation behind them.
With Bob Bradley now as the head coach of the USA national team,all arsenals are being amassed both technically and individual strengths to show the Black stars of Ghana that Uncle SAM it is!
Before Saturday's  big match here in Rustenburg ,White House press secretary,Robbert Gibbs issued a statement saying "President Obama and President Mills are eagerly anticipating the world cup between the United States and Ghana this afternoon,they reaffirmed the strong ties between the people of our two countries,including our shared passion on the soccer field,and have agreed that when they next meet they will exchange team jerseys in the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship that they look forward to seeing on the playing field today".

All indications were that the Americans were really burnt on finishing their unfinished business with the Ghanaians and the Ghanaians were also burnt on holding the flag of Africa high and keep the flame of Africa burning.

 From the blast of the whistle of Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium,the Black stars piled the needed pressure on the USA making nonsense of  the  American midfield and forcing them to giveaway most of the balls.Ghana eventually took the lead  through Kevin Prince Boateng which the Yankees equalized after halftime.Both teams battled it out till the game went into extra time .
The Stars of Ghana made it 2-1 courtesy Asamoah Gyan's goal to end proceedings .Ghana again sending USA packing.
In a post match interview here with ESPN,Bob Bradley US coach said"Ghana was a good team and we did not get the job done.Certainly  Gyan(Asamoah Gyan)caused us a lot of trouble,physically he is a real handfull and at the end of the day that took care of things".
Will  Team Ghana continue to hold high the flag of Ghana?Will Ghana again make history by going to the finals in the name of Africa?
Ghana should play the theme song of the world cup in their camp to let it motivate and spur them on.

 YOU ARE A GOOD SOLDIER
CHOOSING YOUR BATTLES
PICK YOURSELF UP
 AND DUST YOURSELF OFF
 AND BACK-ON THE SADDLE
 YOU 'RE ON THE FRONTLINE
 EVERYONE IS WATCHING

 YOU KNOW IT'S SERIOUS
 WE'RE GETTING CLOSER
 THE PRESSURE IS ON
 YOU FEEL IT
 BUT YOU'VE GOT IT ALL
 BELIEVE IT
 WHEN YOU FALL GET UP
 TODAY'S YOUR DAY
 I FEEL IT,YOU PAVE THE WAY BELIEVE IT
 IF YOU GET  DOWN
 GET UP
 THIS TIME IS FOR AFRICA
 TSAMINA MINA
 WAKA WAKA
 TSAMINA MINA ZANGALEWA 


 LONG LIVE GHANA!LONG LIVE AFRICA
 The OMUNTU SPIRIT IS ON!

Story by:Ekow Shalders

FEDRAL BEAURAU OF INVESTIGATIONS (FBI) RELEASES IC3 2009 Annual Report on Internet Crime

IC3 2009 Annual Report on Internet Crime Released

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), today released the 2009 annual report about fraudulent activity on the Internet.

Online crime complaints increased substantially once again last year, according to the report. The IC3 received a total of 336,655 complaints, a 22.3 percent increase from 2008. The total loss linked to online fraud was $559.7 million; this is up from $265 million in 2008.

Year	Complaints Received	Dollar Loss
2009	336,655	$559.7 million
2008	275,284	$265 million
2007	206,884	$239.09 million
2006	207,492	$198.44 million
2005	231,493	$183.12 million

Although the complaints consisted of a variety of fraud types, advanced fee scams that fraudulently used the FBI’s name ranked number one (16.6 percent). Non-delivery of merchandise and/or payment was the second most reported offense (11.9 percent).

The 2009 Internet Crime Report details information related to the volume and scope of complaints, complainant and perpetrator characteristics, geographical data, most frequently reported scams and results of IC3 referrals.

“Law enforcement relies on the corporate sector and citizens to report when they encounter on-line suspicious activity so these schemes can be investigated and criminals can be arrested,” stated Peter Trahon, section chief of the FBI’s Cyber Division. “Computer users are encouraged to have up-to-date security protection on their devices and evaluate e-mail solicitations they receive with a healthy skepticism—if something seems too good to be true, it likely is.”

NW3C Director Donald Brackman said the report’s findings underscore the threat posed by cyber criminals. “The figures contained in this report indicate that criminals are continuing to take full advantage of the anonymity afforded them by the Internet. They are also developing increasingly sophisticated means of defrauding unsuspecting consumers. Internet crime is evolving in ways we couldn’t have imagined just five years ago.” But Brackman sounded an optimistic tone about the future. “With the public’s continued support, law enforcement will be better able to track down these perpetrators and bring them to justice.”

About IC3

The Internet Crime Complaint Center is a joint operation between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center. The IC3 receives, develops, and refers criminal complaints regarding the rapidly expanding arena of cyber crime. The IC3 gives the victims of cyber crime a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism utilized to alert authorities of suspected criminal or civil violations. For law enforcement and regulatory agencies at the federal, state, local, and international level, the IC3 provides a central referral mechanism for complaints involving Internet-related crimes.

FILED BY:EKOW SHALDERS

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY SET STAGE FOR BIGGEST AFRICAN RENAISSANCE IN USA

NEW YORK..................All is set for the biggest African Cultural Festival in the Empire State in March 2010.Living by it's Jesuit principles.Fordham University the only Jesuit University in New York and also finding itself in an area which has the largest concentration of African immigrants in the whole of the United States(Bronx)is bringing  Africa to the rest of the world in the united States of America,with an annual African week celebration---African Cultural Festival.

The maiden edition is scheduled for March 20 to the 26, 2010 at the RoseHill Campus Bronx New York.Themed Culture and Democracy---"Using Culture as a tool to enhance   the growth of Democracy in Africa."The festival aims  to showcase Africa's contribution to world democracy and exposing Africa's diverse culture to the world.The brain behind this enterprise is the African Cultural Exchange(ACE) a vibrant student organization of Fordham University.
"We are very much delighted that this event will assemble the best African brains to look at how best our culture as Africans could be used to accelerate democracy in our continent and expose what we have as a people to the outside folks"Mike Moghi,president of African Cultural Exchange.
He stated that so far 90% of the African Embassies and consulates in the United States have given their endorsement of the festival and it's indeed going to be a big success for Africa.

Mr Moghi was very grateful to the university authorities  especially the department of African and African-American studies for collaborating with African Cultural Exchange to host the event.
He added that some people feel Africa as a continent has nothing good to offer apart from wars and stories of genocide and other un-presentable issues."Let me tell you,we are good  people  people and we have very good things to contribute to world development and our continent",All these issues will be address through a public lecture during the event.The festival will bring to the people first hand information  from Africa ,by Africans for the whole world.
 African cultural Exchange is seeking to demystify Africa.

Touching on the festival,the chairman of the Department of African and African -American studies,Professor Mark Naison explained  why his department thought it wise to collaborate with A.C.E to host the biggest African Renaissance in the US.
"The department established in 1969 have always made the teaching of African History and the promotion of African culture a major priority and with the founding of a student club (African Cultural Exchange) dedicated to those goals,we have an opportunity to transform what we teach in our classes into a major effort to show the entire university community and the rest of the world what Africans have contributed to world civilization over the centuries."
He made it clear that currently  African immigrants are contributing immensely towards the economic and cultural vitality of New York City.
"We feel we have a very special opportunity and a special responsibility to showcase African culture on our campus and the whole of New York State .This maiden edition ,we have invited a cultural troupe from Ghana,the Twereampong cultural troupe will be doing a live performance and Fordham University is looking forward to welcoming thousands of people from all walks of life and around the world to witness the maiden event of this annual festival.

The official media launch for the event is on February 22  2010 at the Flom Auditorium ,RoseHill campus,Fordham University New York at 2:30 pm.

SOURCE:EKOW SHALDERS

TRANSCRIPT: Ambassador Yates Roundtable with Ghanaian Journalists - US AFRICOM News

TRANSCRIPT: Ambassador Yates Roundtable with Ghanaian Journalists - US AFRICOM News

Bill Clinton hospitalized in New York

Bill Clinton hospitalized in New York
By Scott Butterworth, Philip Rucker and William Branigin and Filed By Ekow Mensah-Shalders
NEW YORK…………… Former president Bill Clinton has been admitted to a hospital in New York City after suffering from chest pain and received two stents in one of his coronary arteries, his office said Thursday afternoon.
In a statement, Douglas Band, a longtime aide to the 63-year-old former president, said Clinton "was admitted to the Columbia Campus of New York Presbyterian Hospital after feeling discomfort in his chest.
"Following a visit to his cardiologist, he underwent a procedure to place two stents in one of his coronary arteries. President Clinton is in good spirits, and will continue to focus on the work of his Foundation and Haiti's relief and long-term recovery efforts," Band added.
A stent is a small mesh tube inserted into a narrowed or weakened artery to support it.
Clinton's wife, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, met Thursday afternoon with President Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner. She "is now headed to New York City," a State Department official said Thursday afternoon. "If we have anything to add beyond that, we will, including any changes to her schedule in the coming days."
She is scheduled to leave Friday for a diplomatic trip to Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
In 2004, Clinton underwent emergency heart bypass surgery at Columbia Presbyterian. Doctors then found four major blood vessels that supply oxygen to Clinton's heart were blocked, some by as much as 90 percent.
That surgery was scheduled on short notice after Clinton had experienced prolonged chest pains and shortness of breath. Tests found that his coronary arteries were clogged.
With a family history of heart disease, plus high cholesterol and high blood pressure, Clinton had three major risk factors for a heart attack. In addition, he was known to smoke cigars and indulge in fast food during his presidency.
Before the bypass surgery, Clinton's level of LDL, or "bad," cholesterol had been measured at 114. During his last physical in the White House, his bad cholesterol was at 177. Doctors now recommend that number be less than 70.
After the surgery, Clinton blamed his heart problems in part on a genetic predisposition to heart disease on his mother's side of the family. But he also acknowledged that he "may have done some damage in those years when I was too careless about what I ate."
In March 2005, Clinton underwent a follow-up operation, to remove scar tissue and fluid from his chest cavity that resulted from the bypass surgery.
ABC News quoted an unnamed official as saying that Bill Clinton's current ailment seemed more like "discomfort...something wasn't right," rather than a health "crisis."
A friend of the former president told ABC that Clinton had been suffering from a cold and had been worn out from his recent trip to Haiti. He is the United Nations' special envoy for Haiti and, in recent weeks, has been helping lead the public campaign for donations to help that country recover from its devastating earthquake
Filed by :Ekow Mensah-Shalders

EXCERPTS OF PRESIDENT OBAMA's STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

Washington DC......".We face big and difficult challenges. And what the American people hope – what they deserve – is for all of us, Democrats and Republicans, to work through our differences; to overcome the numbing weight of our politics. For while the people who sent us here have different backgrounds and different stories and different beliefs, the anxieties they face are the same. The aspirations they hold are shared. A job that pays the bill. A chance to get ahead. Most of all, the ability to give their children a better life." President Barrack Obama.

You know what else they share? They share a stubborn resilience in the face of adversity. After one of the most difficult years in our history, they remain busy building cars and teaching kids; starting businesses and going back to school. They are coaching little league and helping their neighbors. As one woman wrote to me, “We are strained but hopeful, struggling but encouraged.”

It is because of this spirit – this great decency and great strength – that I have never been more hopeful about America’s future than I am tonight. Despite our hardships, our union is strong. We do not give up. We do not quit. We don’t allow fear or division to break our spirit. In this new decade, it’s time the American people get a government that matches their decency; that embodies their strength. And tonight, I’d like to talk about how together, we can deliver on that promise.

…

By the time I’m finished speaking tonight, more Americans will have lost their health insurance. Millions will lose it this year. Our deficit will grow. Premiums will go up. Co-pays will go up. Patients will be denied the care they need. Small business owners will continue to drop coverage altogether. I will not walk away from these Americans. And neither should the people in this chamber.

…

Rather than fight the same tired battles that have dominated Washington for decades, it’s time for something new. Let’s try common sense. Let’s invest in our people without leaving them a mountain of debt. Let’s meet our responsibility to the people who sent us here.

To do that, we have to recognize that we face more than a deficit of dollars right now. We face a deficit of trust – deep and corrosive doubts about how Washington works that have been growing for years. To close that credibility gap we must take action on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue to end the outsized influence of lobbyists; to do our work openly; and to give our people the government they deserve.

That’s what I came to Washington to do. That’s why – for the first time in history – my Administration posts our White House visitors online. And that’s why we’ve excluded lobbyists from policy-making jobs or seats on federal boards and commissions.

But we cannot stop there. It’s time to require lobbyists to disclose each contact they make on behalf of a client with my Administration or Congress. And it’s time to put strict limits on the contributions that lobbyists give to candidates for federal office. Last week, the Supreme Court reversed a century of law to open the floodgates for special interests – including foreign companies – to spend without limit in our elections. Well I don’t think American elections should be bankrolled by America’s most powerful interests, and worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people, and that’s why I’m urging Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to right this wrong.

I’m also calling on Congress to continue down the path of earmark reform. You have trimmed some of this spending and embraced some meaningful change. But restoring the public trust demands more. For example, some members of Congress post some earmark requests online. Tonight, I’m calling on Congress to publish all earmark requests on a single website before there’s a vote so that the American people can see how their money is being spent source: EKOW MENSAH-SHALDERS

State of the Union Address Preview - C-SPAN Video Library

State of the Union Address Preview - C-SPAN Video Library

Tagged - My Comments

Tagged - My Comments

PRESIDENT OBAMA ON NATIONAL ANGEL ISLAND DAY 2010

WASHINGTON DC...........According to the office of the press secretary of the White House,the president of the United states of America ,Barrack Obama has proclaimed January 21 2010 as National Angel Island Day,with a call on Americans to   learn more about the history of Angel Island and observe the anniversary with appropriate ceremonies.below is the full text

One hundred years ago, the Angel Island Immigration Station

in San Francisco Bay opened for the first time, and an important

chapter of the American narrative began. It would be written by

those who walked through the station's doors over the next three

decades. From the cities, villages, and farms of their birth,

they journeyed across the Pacific, seeking better lives for

themselves and their children. Many arrived at Angel Island,

weary but hopeful, only to be unjustly confined for months or,

in some cases, years. As we remember their struggle, we honor

all who have been drawn to America by dreams of limitless

opportunity.

Unlike immigrants who marveled at the Statue of Liberty

upon arrival at Ellis Island, those who came to Angel Island

were greeted by an intake facility that was sometimes called the

"Guardian of the Western Gate." Racially prejudiced immigration

laws of the time subjected many to rigorous exams and

interrogations, as well as detention in crowded, unsanitary

barracks. Some expressed themselves by carving poetry and

inscriptions into the walls in their native language -- from

Chinese, Japanese, and Korean to Russian, German, and Urdu.

These etchings remain on Angel Island today as poignant

reminders of the immigrant experience and an unjust time in

our history.

If there is any vindication for the Angel Island immigrants

who endured so many hardships, it is the success achieved by

those who were allowed entry, and the many who, at long last,

gained citizenship. They have contributed immeasurably to

our Nation as leaders in every sector of American life. The

children of Angel Island have seized the opportunities their

ancestors saw from across an ocean. By demonstrating that all

things are possible in America, this vibrant community has

created a beacon of hope for future generations of immigrants.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the

United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in

me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do

more

hereby proclaim January 21, 2010, as National Angel Island Day.

I call upon the people of the United States to learn more about

the history of Angel Island and to observe this anniversary with

appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this

twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord

two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States

of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

Filed by:Ekow Mensah-Shalders
GLOBALVILLAGE NEWS NETWORK.

TERORISM IS DEVILISH AND UNACCEPTABLE –AFRICAN CULTURAL EXCHANGE.

TERORISM    IS DEVILISH AND UNACCEPTABLE –AFRICAN CULTURAL EXCHANGE.

NEW YORK…………………..In the wake of the abortive terrorist attack on board flight NW235 from Amsterdam Schiphol  to Detroit USA on December 25 2009,The African Cultural Exchange(A.C.E) of Fordham University says the act  is barbaric and devilish  and must be condemned by all well meaning individuals and organizations the world over.

The African Cultural Exchange, An organization that promotes African values and culture says it is appalled by this act of terrorism and condemns it in no uncertain terms.

In a Media release signed by the secretary of the organization, Mr.Kojo Ampah .The A.C.E said “terrorism is a crime against humanity no matter where it is committed and whom it is committed against. It is an act of cowardice, devilish and unacceptable.”

Even though the unfortunate incident according to the release has placed Africa in a bad light, it believes America will not shut the open doors of opportunities in the face of Africans who mean well. It says some great African leaders like Dr Kwame Nkrumah and a host of others were beneficiaries of the American opportunities and used their studies here to liberate the African continent.

The group believes the energies and intelligence of the suspect Mr.Umar Muttallab could have been channeled into a more positive venture like: Crusading for a better Darfur, spreading the message of deepening democracy in Africa and poverty alleviation rather than committing this stupid and unimaginable crime.

The statement also commended the passenger who helped in over powering the suspect and urged all well meaning people globally to join them in saying NO to TERRORISM.

SUSPECT TERRORIST FOR COURT.

Meanwhile Umar Abdul Muttallab the 23year old terrorist suspect will be in a federal court in Michigan on Friday .Authorities are tight lipped so not to interfere with the case, but are hopeful that he will agree to a plea deal exchange for reduced prison sentence. It is believed the suspect travelled to the United States on a one-way ticket and had no luggage .Sources say he has provided useful information to the FBI in interviews on December25.The day of his arrest, explaining his travels to Yemen and connections to the al-Qaeda group there.

Investigators are finding leads overseas in response to the information the suspect provided.

   SOURCE:EKOW SHALDERS