Cable company beware; TV network duck for cover!
The [tag]Apple TV[/tag] is a paradigm-shattering invention, particularly in the niche video market. Think of being able to watch the latest Nollywood productions or local programs from your native country via iTune/iPod/Apple TV without having to buy any VCDs or deal with some lousy TV stations!
Although at about $300 a pop, it is still on the high side, but with time the price is bound to drop.
I can think of several ways this invention can be put to use…
http://www.apple.com/appletv/
It appears gone are the days when the Oscar (Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences) used to be a “white-only-event”, prompting Chris Rock to tag the event as a “million white men marchâ€.
But that was several years ago. Last night, two African American won two of the four major acting awards: Best Actor (Forest Whitaker: The Last King of Scotland, left photo) and Best supporting Actress (Jennifer Hudson [American idol castoff]: Dreamgirls, top photo).
Since Denzel Washington and Halle Berry broke the racial barrier at the Oscars in 2002, more blacks have been successful at the Oscars- Jamie Foxx (Ray Charles) and Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby) in 2004.
Is the movie academy finally shedding his monochromatic image?
Yes, that is snow right on my patio. The Upper midwest (and some cities on eastern sea-board of the U.S) is blanketed with snow. Several cities have had to declare snow emergency. Several people are snowed-in, and several events and flights have been canceled since the storm started late Friday. It appears the snow-show will continue all day today. Tomorrow will be a dig-out day…no doubt about that.
Some Happenings in my Neck of the Woods:
What is America agenda in Somalia? Peace? Fight terrorism? Strategic relevance?
“Washington backed the warlords in their losing battle against the Islamists. And it tacitly approved Ethiopia’s military intervention to support the TFG. It has even been passing aerial surveillance reports to Addis Ababa, according to US news reports. Preoccupied with the spectre of Islamic terrorism, the White House is thus party to an attempt by a repressive regime in Ethiopia to replace a popular de facto government in Somalia with a widely reviled official one. It is a dangerous gamble.”
Check Ethan Zuckerman’s …My heart’s in Accra for some insight.
Is Uganda Africa’s Newest Investment Darling?
“In the African context, if we are talking about recent economic growth amidst large hurdles, it is difficult to disregard Uganda. This is a country that has endured some major trials and has slowly over time edged it’s way back into a period of sustained economic growth. Does this make Uganda a role model for other developing economies wishing to grow foreign direct investment?”
Benin “Mwangi” on Business News from Africa has the facts
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The Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) begins its arduous task of investigating the root causes of the conflict in Liberia. The commission is “gathering statements in one of the most ambitious efforts ever by such a commission”, since it “will be the first time that such an investigation has reached so far into the ranks of people who were scattered by a prolonged conflict,” writes a local newspaper in Minnesota.
There are an estimated 25,000 Liberians in [tag]Minnesota[/tag], the largest in the United States; several of whom were victims and perpetrators of violence during the 14 year conflict killed about a quarter million people.
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Keith Ellison is the first black member of the US House of Representatives from the state of [tag]Minnesota[/tag]. Better still, Ellision is the first American Muslim congressman. Keith, a democrat from the fifth congressional district of Minnesota, did what seemed impossible at a time Islamic fundamentalists have brought shame and disrepute to Islam and all Muslims worldwide. And he did win the election without airing any radio or TV political advertisement. He kept his campaign positive and clean.
The recently concluded midterm elections would go down in American history as one of the most expensive, and the most adversarial and sleazy, in terms of political ads and media campaign that is. However, Ellison chose a different style, that of grassroots and old fashioned politics. And this wins him my admiration and respect, even if I do not fully subscribe to his political orientation.
As ground-breaking as [tag]Keith Ellison[/tag] victory is, one has to see beyond the man and his religion. His victory is about substance, value and building “bridges between communities rather than trying to divide and conquer.”
Ellison states in post-victory radio interview:Â
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