WONFIFTY

The Pan-African conference, the first of its kind to link state-of-the-art research to new markets, aims to develop a 10-year research-for-development strategy that will stimulate trade and boost the growth of the banana industry across Africa. Banana researchers, major industry players and farmers’ groups will be participating in the conference.

Bananas are among the most important food and staple crops in Africa, providing food security, nutrition and livelihood for millions of smallholder farmers. In the Great Lakes area of East Africa alone, the crop is worth some US$ 1.7 billion annually to 14 million resource-poor farmers. The conference seeks to link research, production, and marketing needs to support banana production and trade growth in Africa.  The role of research and the importance of public-private sector partnerships will also be highlighted.

The US$ 74,000 grant will be used to support the participation of Africa-based farmer groups, cooperatives and entrepreneurs at the conference, where they will have the opportunity to present their products and services at stands and booths. The conference will explore the breadth of the banana industry in Africa, including disease control, seed improvement, and the development of local and regional markets. Of particular interest are farmers’ groups and cooperatives that provide loans to support banana production and new markets, and entrepreneurs involved in innovative income-generating banana activities.

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Strike Orange plays for The Save Darfur Organization backed by Barack Obama and other presidential candidates to raise money as well as awareness for the people of Darfur that are dealing with genocide, social inequality and other horrific issues.

Through an all age’s collaboration, punk and metal bands united on June 20th to reach out to the people of Darfur located within the Sudan through the Peace Punk and Metal Festival 2008. Punk and metal bands gathered to raise money and develop awareness about genocide in Darfur. Ben Mench-Thurlow, drummer for Strike Orange, was at the top of the list to play with his band for this life-saving cause.

“I am honored to play and raise money for such a great cause,” Mench-Thurlow said. “Strike Orange loves to play anytime we can and especially for the people of Darfur.”

The Save Darfur Organization is backed by Barack Obama and other presidential candidates to raise money as well as awareness for the people of Darfur that are dealing with genocide, social inequality and other horrific issues. Chapters are popping up all over the country to contribute to the cause and when asked to be part of it, Mench-Thurlow was there to be part of it all.

“I was approached by Obama’s team to play for the presidential candidacy last week,” Mench-Thurlow said. “They found out that I was playing the Peace, Punk and Metal Festival 2008 for such a great cause and they asked me to play for their Albany campaign.”

Strike Orange, previously known as Orange Juice to their fans, has been playing around the New England area for several years. With three albums under their belt and industry interest on the rise from all around the country, Strike Orange promotes their non-violent values through songs like “war is hell” and “bombs away.” The remarkable talents of Strike Orange found a home at the Save Darfur benefit and in the hearts of all those who attended.  

The most unique thing about Strike Orange, who recently joined forces with Alonce Music Agency, is that none of the band members knew how to play an instrument until after they decided to start a band.  Each member is self taught and together they self recorded as well as self produced their albums. Listeners and industry professionals alike agree that Strike Orange has natural talent that can hold its own up against more known punk and metal bands around the nation.

Strike Orange can be heard live during their mini tour of the East Coast, called the East Coast Attack Tour. They are playing in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and all throughout New Jersey.

Ok, so here's the impartial report...

Supermodel NAOMI CAMPBELL has lashed out at British Airways (BA) bosses, accusing them of being racist and branding the airline "disgusting" - only hours after pleading guilty to assaulting two police officers on board a BA plane at London's Heathrow Airport.
The catwalk beauty was sentenced to 200 hours community service and fined $4,500 (£2,250) at a hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court, in west London on Friday (20Jun08).
Campbell was arrested in April (08) onboard a Los Angeles-bound plane following a dispute over her luggage, which was lost in the airport's recent Terminal 5 baggage handling fiasco.
The 38-year-old admitted three counts of assault, one count of disorderly conduct and two counts of threatening behaviour towards cabin crew at the London hearing.
And despite her spokesman Alan Edwards insisting the beauty was "concerned about her actions towards the police officers", who she pleaded guilty to assaulting, Campbell has no such remorse for the outburst she aimed at British Airways' cabin crew.
Speaking to Britain's Sky News after the court case, Campbell says, "As for British Airways, I don't apologise. I just think they're disgusting because there are people still waiting for their luggage.
"I have travelled with them for many years and I just think they have been harsh." The model accused the pilot and arresting officers of being racist, reportedly telling them, "You wouldn't be doing this if I was white" as she was escorted off the jet, magistrates heard in court on Friday.
And Campbell still believes she was targeted because she is black, telling the press how she was allegedly racially abused by BA staff on the plane.
She says, "I was called a racial name on that flight and that was part of my reaction - again, nothing to do with the police, but yes, from British Airways.
"I was called a 'gollywog supermodel'. I don't think that's really fair - do you?" However, BA executives refute the model's claims. A statement released by the airline after the court case reads, "BA does not accept any allegations of racism. We are proud of our diversity.
"We have strict policies concerning dignity at work and have long-standing training programmes on diversity and inclusion."

Editor: Quite frankly, this woman really needs a taste of her own medicine. How can she be allowed to get away with kicking police and spitting at people and merely be handed out community service? She uses the order to court more publicity and doesn't really care about the punishment intended. But more heinously, she accuses the British Airways staff of rascism and has a habit of using the race card when it suits her. I simply cannot believe that a long running, professional and succesful airline would knowingly hire staff who would refer a black person (especially a 'celebrity') a 'gollywog'...I just don't believe it. To me, this so called 'super' model is a disgrace and I can tell you, there certainly ain't nothing 'super' about her. She's an extremely bad role model.

Media mogul OPRAH WINFREY told 4,700 graduates at California's Stanford University to trust their instincts during a rousing commencement address on Sunday (15Jun08).
Winfrey told students to trust their feelings like "a GPS system for life".
She said, "When you are doing the work you are meant to do, it feels right.
Check your ego at the door and check your gut instead.
"Every wrong decision was the result of me not listening to my voice. If it doesn't feel right, don't do it." And the TV talk show host confessed to not following her instincts when building her scandal-hit school for girls in Africa.
Winfrey told the graduates she was too busy planning the school's look when she should have been paying more attention to the employees - one was charged with abusing girls at the academy last year (07).
Winfrey revealed, "I had been paying attention to all of the wrong things. I built a school from the outside in, instead of from the inside out." The commencement address at Stanford was extra special for Winfrey because her best friend Gayle King's daughter, the media mogul's goddaughter, was among the graduates.

A glance at some of the deadliest disasters in recent years that have also left millions hungry or homeless around the world
_ May 2008: Magnitude-7.9 earthquake hits Sichuan Province in China, 5 million homeless.
_ May 2008: Cyclone Nargis hits Myanmar, 2.4 million homeless.
_ August 2007: Magnitude-8 earthquake hits Peru, 300,000 homeless.
_ May 2006: Magnitude-6.2 earthquake hits Indonesia, millions homeless.
_ October 2005: Magnitude-7.6 earthquake hits Kashmir, 3.5 million homeless.
_ April 2005: Drought and locusts afflict Niger, 3.6 million hungry.
_ December 2004: Magnitude-9 earthquake ruptures sea floor off Sumatra island, triggering tsunami striking a dozen countries. 2 million in need of food, of which 700,000 homeless.
_ December 2003: Magnitude-6.6 earthquake hits Bam, Iran, 210,000 homeless.

_ May 2003: Magnitude-6.8 hits northern Algeria, 80,000 homeless.
_ Ongoing violence in Darfur, western Sudan, leaves 2.5 million refugees.
Sources: The Associated Press and the U.N. World Food Program

Charitybuzz, an online charity auction site, is now offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences ranging from VIP concert tickets, celebrity meet and greets to vintage hand-painted posters. Proceeds from the auction will benefit LIFEbeat.

Today’s biggest stars are always willing to step up for charity. Now a group of artists have joined forces with the non-profit organization LIFEbeat for an online auction hosted by charitybuzz. Stars like Madonna, Billy Joel, and James Taylor are lending their names to help LIFEbeat raise awareness for their Foundation.

The auction begins Wednesday, May 28, 2008 online at www.charitybuzz.com and continues through Tuesday, June 17, 2008 with some lots ending early. Among the items on the auction block – the chance to see James Taylor in Atlantic City and take home an autographed acoustic guitar, tickets to the 2008 BET, front row tickets to various Madonna concert locations, tickets and meet & greets with the season 7 American Idols on their upcoming tour and more.

Interested bidders are encouraged to register at www.charitybuzz.com.

About LIFEbeat:

LIFEbeat is dedicated to reaching America's youth with the message of HIV/AIDS prevention. LIFEbeat mobilizes the talents and resources of the music industry to raise awareness and to provide support to the AIDS community.

Recognizing that music has always played a significant role in the lives of young people, LIFEbeat has carved out a unique niche by effectively using the power of music to reach this population. LIFEbeat strives to cultivate a strong sense of self-worth and self- respect in youth to help them resist negative influences that may lead to engagement in risky behaviors.

About charitybuzz:
charitybuzz provides auction and marketing services to non-profits worldwide and works with charities founded by the most famous names on the planet, including Bette Midler, Andre Agassi, Jorge Posada, Sting, Tony, Bennett, Ted Turner, Joe Torre, Bruce Springsteen, Rosie O'Donnell, Eddie Vedder, Petra Nemcova, Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy, President Clinton and Denis Leary, as well as with smaller charities that address particular needs in their local communities. charitybuzz is the leading upscale cause marketing global community for people who doGOOD and liveWELL. All charities, large and small, benefit from the increased traffic that is generated by star power. This star-centric strategy creates media buzz and generates sales and raises awareness for all its charity partners.

There is an old African proverb that says “It takes a village to raise a child.” Patrons of SoulFest took that to heart last year when they partnered with the festival in adopting over 500 children from the African village Namanjavira in Mozambique with the help of the humanitarian organization, World Vision. This year, from July 30 – August 2nd, during the 11th annual celebration of the largest multi-day music festival in the Northeast, patrons will attempt to sponsor the remaining 800 children that need adopting to escape the extreme poverty that holds Africa in a merciless grip. The sponsorship will provide things like clean water, health care, clothing, food and education to the children.

The festival has long had a “Love thy neighbor” mindset while working with New England based organizations such as White Mountain Ranch, Alton Bay Christian Conference Center, ChildVoice International, Lions Den, Jairus, and the Social Justice Army. The effort to save this village is an extension of that foundation. SoulFest founder, Dan Russell, wants people to realize that “True Love”, the festival’s theme this year, is inclusive and not exclusive.

“True Love doesn't turn a blind eye, doesn't ignore the pain of another, doesn't walk away, but goes the extra mile and transcends the limits and definitions that keep so many down,” states Russell, “This venture gives us the chance to wrap our arms around this impoverished community and let them know that God’s love is real and that there is a village of people in New England that care enough to act.”


About The SoulFest:

SoulFest is the largest multi-day music festival of its kind in the Northeast, attracting over 13,000 attendees. The four-day music festival features world renowned Christian music of all genres on five separate stages, guest speakers and authors from around the world, and numerous activities that include extreme sports, onsite camping, swimming, mountain biking, horseback riding, chair lifts to the Mountain Top Stage, nature walks, hiking, skateboarding, and lots of great food! Situated in the beautiful White Mountain range of New Hampshire, Gunstock Mountain Resort is an idyllic haven for guaranteed soul rejuvenation and celebration.

About World Vision:

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

For more information: http://www.thesoulfest.com
Contact: Roger Proulx – Roger@thesoulfest.com

A Polish fugitive has been apprehended after he revealed a “fatal weakness for sausages.” Marcin Kuszczak, 28, was wanted on a string of dangerous offences including armed robbery and serious assault, but had evaded police – until he stole a pound of sausages. Kuszczak was wanted by cops in Ilawa, Northern Poland, for a number of years. He had managed to stay below the radar until the fateful day earlier this year when he couldn’t resist the lure of pork and attempted to steal sausages from the local supermarket. A police spokesman said: "He was on file as a seriously dangerous criminal. But he seems to have had a fatal weakness for sausages."