Lady GaGa's New Single is Trending with this Hashtag #DoWhatUWantWithMyBody

I went on twitter this morning and saw that #DoWhatUWantWithMyBody was trending. I was wide-eyed and thought it was another of those porn inspired trends. Curiosity drove me to click it. With a glad surprise, I realized it was a Lady Gaga song. I used to be a fan but fell off the band wagon though I still enjoy one or two of her songs. 

"Do What U Want" is a collaboration with R & B Star R. Kelly. 

The cover of the single features a shot of Lady Gaga's 'backside' and the lyrics are supposedly aimed at negative comments directed at Lady Gaga about her image and body. 

In a series of tweets leading to the release of the single, Gaga dropped hints about the inspiration behind the lyrics of this song.

 The song was released at midnight on 20th October. Take a listen...

Is TOMS Shoes Listening to its Critics?

 TOMS comes in for a lot more criticism from academics and international development types than your average trendy footwear purveyor thanks to its trademark BOGO—“buy-one-give-one”—model: for every pair of shoes you buy, TOMS donates a similar pair to someone in a developing country. (The company recently expanded into eyewear using a similar model.)

The feel-good marketing of TOMS has been one of the keys to its success, but manycritics charge that in-kind donation programs are an inefficient way of helping people in need compared to simply donating money to dedicated antipoverty programs, and that dumping donated clothing in poor countries can actually hinder economic growth by undercutting local producers. (TOMS shoes are donated to over 50 countries but produced only in China, Argentina, and Ethiopia.)

Moreover, TOMS shoes reportedly often simply turn up for sale in markets in the countries where they are donated. (TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie has also taken flack for working with the controversial Christian group Focus on the Family.)

But there are some recent signs that TOMS is starting to get the message. The company announced recently that it will open a factory in Haiti, paying what it says will be “competitive” wages to 50 Haitian workers. According to Public Radio International, Mycoskie has also pledged that by 2015, the company will produce one-third of its shoes in the countries where they are being donated. 

There are still good questions to be raised about whether clothing donations are a helpful form of aid at all. One 2008 study, for instance, found that used clothing imports accounted for 50 percent decline in employment in the African apparel sector. Employing apparel workers in developing countries could simply be counteracting a problem that TOMS is itself contributing to.

To give credit where it’s due, the company does seem to be starting to think about its impact more seriously. But compared to, say, donating $50 to a reputable charity, buying a $50 pair of canvas sneakers probably still won’t be the most effective way to help people in need.

Story by:

Joshua Keating, Slate.com

OPCW beats Malala to Nobel Peace prize!

Remember Malala, the Pakistani girl who was shot by the Taliban for promoting girl's right to education? Well, after being tipped as favourite to win, she missed out on the coveted Nobel Peace prize which was won by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, OPCW.

Malala Yousafzai, is a 16 year old blogger and activist who was shot in the head whilst in a bus on her way home from school on the 9th of October, 2012. She came to prominence at the age of 11 for writing a dairy for the BBC Urdu program. On her blog, she wrote about life under Taliban occupation in her hometown of Swat Valley. Among other things, the Taliban prohibited girls from going to school.

Malala being taken to the hospital after being shot.

Malala, now living in Birmingham after receiving life-saving surgery in the UK, was tipped to win the Nobel Peace prize this year only a few days after winning the EU's Sakharov human rights prize. On 10th October, 2013, a year and a day after she was shot, she beat Edward Snowden, fugitive US whistle blower to win the 50,000 euro ($65,000) prize.

Malala received a standing ovation after delivering a speech at a special youth
assembly convention of the UN. 12th July, 2013, UN Headquarters.

This years Nobel Peace award went to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in honour of their 'extensive work to eliminate chemical weapons'. This is in the wake of their activities in Syrai. This is the first time that the OPCW, based in the Hague and established in 1997, is working in an active war zone. Accepting the gold medal and the 8m Swedish Kronor ($1.25m, £780,000) cash prize, Ahmet Uzumcu, Director General of the OPCW, said that is was a 'great honour' and will spur the organization on.

Ahmet Uzumcu, Director General OPCW.

Denis Mukwege, a gynaecologist from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was also in contention for the top award.

'The Hamilton Series' introduces Steeltown to visiting students

Every world traveler wants a taste of local flavour, and students are no exception. To satisfy the most insatiable global learners at McMaster International Student Services recently launched "The Hamilton Series" — a hands-on program that exposes visiting students to the city's unique history and popular attractions.

The initiative consists of educational workshops and off-campus excursions throughout the fall term, and was designed to help visiting students get the most out of their time in Hamilton. Organizers received a $4,700 Student Life Enhancement Fund grant to finance the pilot project.

"For international and exchange students, they don't really know what the city's history is like, or where we come from as people," said Jenna Levi, education abroad coordinator, International Student Services.

"International students often remain on campus, even well into their second and third years."

To help familiarize newcomers with their adopted home, Levi and her team focused on a number of key areas related to Hamilton, including: the arts, the changing economy, local history, urban attractions and natural resources. The goal was to offer well-rounded, informative and fun sessions to students from all over the world.

To date, the seminars have included participants from Brazil, China, Australia, Singapore, Japan and numerous countries in Europe and the U.K.> "What's the point of going abroad if you don't truly know where you're living? We want these students to learn all about the city's industrial heritage, but also get a sense of the beautiful, natural resources in their backyard, including Hamilton Harbour and Cootes Paradise," said Levi.

Ron Hermenau, a 23-year-old exchange student from Atlenburg, Germany, has already attended two of the fall sessions — one at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, and another in scenic Cootes Paradise. He says the Hamilton Series is a great opportunity for newcomers to feel connected with the city in a more meaningful way.

"You can only learn so much by reading," said Hermenau, who's studying chemical biology at McMaster during his six-month exchange. "I wanted to gain a deeper insight into the culture and environment in Hamilton, and also understand what it looked like in the past. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone Interested."

Upcoming Hamilton Series events are as follows:
"A Town Called Hamilton: A Historical Perspective" — Friday, Oct. 11
Speaker: Margaret Houghton, Local History & Archives, Hamilton Public Library
Excursion: Dundurn Castle

"Neighbourhood Watch: A Look at Hamilton's People & Communities" — Friday Oct. 18
Speaker: Terry Cooke, Hamilton Community Foundation
Excursion: TBA

"Progress from a Steeltown: Hamilton's Economy" — Friday Nov. 8
Speaker: Jennifer Patterson, Economic Development
Division, City of Hamilton
Excursion: TBA

Story by:
Andrew Baulcomb, Dail Mail, McMaster University.

DJ Switch emerges Winner of the 2013 Glo X Factor – Photos & Scoop of the Finale

And the winner of the Africa’s debut X Factor show is DJ Switch.

29 year old rapper DJ Switch (real name - Obianuju Catherine Udeh) has been crowned winner of the 2013 Glo X Factor singing competition. The finale show was recorded on Wednesday 18th September 2013 and just aired today Saturday 21st September 2013.

DJ Switch who is a geology graduate from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers, beat out the two other finalists Ethel Eshun and Victoria “Vicky” Gomoti in the last round of voting. She wins a cash prize of N 24 Million and a recording contract with Sony Music. Just before the announcement, there were performances by UK X Factor winner Alexandra Burke as well as Efya and Flavour. The finalists – DJ Switch, Vicky Gomoti and Ethel Eshun also took to the stage to give their farewell performances.

Spiro Damaskinos (Sony Marketing Director), Alexandra Burke, DJ Switch & Bella Disu

DJ Switch & Her Mum

The first runner-up  Ethel Eshun as well as the second runner Vicky Gomoti, both won a cash prize of N 1 Million. Glo ambassadors Chee and Omawumi were also present at the event.

Check out more photos from the event

Ethel Eshun

Victoria Gomoli

Courtesy: BellaNaija

Ghana can earn $300m from cashew if production increases – Association

The prospects of Ghana’s cashew production is high because the country can rake in between $300 and $400 million if she increases her cashew production from the current 50,000 metric tonnes to 200,000 tonnes annually. 

Mr Windfred Osei Owusu, President of the Ghana Cashew Industry Association, who made the observation on Tuesday, added that the country could attain the goal if 90 per cent of the raw cashew nuts were processed. He was speaking in Accra at the launch of the World Cashew Festival and Expo 2013 in Africa, on the theme: “Value Chain and Gains-Focusing on the Potential to Leverage Profit in Each Sector of the Cashew Industry and in New Markets.” The event, which is expected to come off between September 16 and 19, would be organised by the African Cashew Alliance’s (ACA), to assist players in the industry to develop the value-chain process. The four-day programme would also provide a platform for cashew farmers, processors, traders, exporters, service providers, retailers, equipment manufacturers, bankers and other stakeholders to fashion out innovative ways to improve and sustain the industry. Mr Owusu called on the Government to roll out the Cashew Development Project and similar policy interventions to sustain the industry. He was optimistic that if the players received Government support, similar to those enjoyed by cocoa, palm and mango farmers, the cashew business would thrive. 

Mr Owusu appealed to Government to make funds available to cashew farmers through the Export Development and Agricultural Investment Fund. He called on the farmers to join associations and apex bodies to access technical support to build their capacity to sustain their businesses. Mr Owusu said increased investor interest in the industry was a positive indication that the sector had much to offer in terms of job creation, poverty alleviation and income generation. He said one of Brazil’s leading cashew businesses, was in the process of setting up a 35,000-metric-tonne capacity facility at Prampram, in the Eastern suburb of Accra. Mr Owusu said he was hopeful the project would create 2000 direct jobs and other auxiliary employment opportunities and called on the media to sensitise the public on the economic and the nutritional value of cashew products. 

Mr Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture expressed Government’s commitment to partner ACA to ensure that the cashew industry became vibrant. He discredited speculations in the media that the cashew production in the country was dwindling. Speaking on the upcoming Cashew Festival, Mr Roger Brou, Managing Director of ACA, said the event would give farmers the platform to explore innovative business prospects in the industry. Beekeeping and production of cashew-apple juice are some new markets farmers could discover. Ghana is said to have produced more than 20,000 metric tonnes of raw cashew nuts in the year 2012, with its production largely centered in the Brong-Ahafo Region. 

The country is considered to be the hub for trading cashews from neighbouring countries, including Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. In total, more than 80,000 metric tonnes of raw cashew nut was exported in 2011. On the processors side, Ghana has an installed processing capacity of about 18,000 metric tonnes.

Story by: 

Ghana Business News 

Mary of Nazareth, Epic Film on the Mother of Christ in Theaters this October, 2013

This fall’s must-see Catholic movie?  Fr. Donald Calloway got an early look and raved:

The most stunning portrayal of the Virgin Mary on film. It will make you want to love her more than ever. An absolute masterpiece! Yes, my friends, I can assure you that we finally have a movie that gets Mary totally right! Trust me, I am super hard to please when it comes to any portrayal of Mary in film, but this one nailed it entirely!

(Um…Father, is “nailed it” really the way you want to describe a movie about the mother of Jesus?)

Anyway…check out the trailer.

Courtesy: 
Catholic News Agency

Ghana's National Chief Imam praises Akufo-Addo

Sheikh Dr Osumanu Nuhu Sharubutu, National Chief Imam, has applauded Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, 2012 Presidential Candidate for New Patriotic Party (NPP) for helping to maintain national peace. He gave the commendation when he led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Nana Akufo-Addo in Accra. 


The delegation made up of Imams, Muslim Chiefs and Islamic Scholars thanked Nana Akufo-Addo for accepting the Supreme Court verdict on the election petition filed by the NPP challenging the election of President John Dramani Mahama in the 2012 general election. Sheikh Sharabutu said the decision of the NPP flagbearer helped in sustaining peace and stability. He said it is important for Ghanaians to preserve the country’s peace towards national development. 

“There is the need for us to unite, preserve and sustain the peace that Ghana is enjoying,” stressed. He said political tolerance is the only means by which Ghana could consolidate the gains of democracy and called on the citizenry to be tolerant and promote tranquillity. 

Sheikh Sharabutu appealed to Muslim religious leaders to remain as peace ambassadors, to ensure national development. Nana Akufo-Addo said the NPP would not seek a review of the Supreme Court’s ruling, observing that Ghana’s election would never be the same again. He also said the NPP had set precedence for generations to follow. 

Read more in Ghana Business News

September 10th 'should brighten everyone's day': Apple announce launch date of new iPhone 5S that will reportedly come in a variety of colors

Apple has officially announced that September 10th will be the date it launches its much anticipated new iPhone 5s. The event will take place at 10 a.m. Pacific time at the Apple Campus in Cupertino a week today and according to rumors will see the unveiling not only of new and improved smartphone but also for the low-cost iPhone, dubbed the 5C.

The 5S will reportedly come with a new and improved camera and in different colored options, while the iPhone 5C will feature a plastic backing but remain essentially the same technology-wise as the iPhone 5. The firm sent out invites today to the press featuring the phrase, 'This should brighten everyone's day' along with a graphic depiction of multi-colored dots, which has led some to suggest indicates the new iPhone 5 will come in a variety of colors.

Walmart Slashes iPhone 5 Price to $98 Ahead of 5S Launch in September, 2013

With the Apple iPhone 5S expected to launch in just a few short weeks, retailers are looking to clear the stock of Apple's current flagship handset any way they can. To that effect, Walmart slashed the cost of the iPhone 5 today, dropping it $100 below its price at launch. The mega-retailer is now selling the device in-store for just $98 with a two-year contract on AT&T, Sprint and Verizon.

This isn’t the first time Walmart has cut the price on the iPhone in recent memory. Back in June, the company started offering the handset for $129 (down from $189.97). It also started selling the iPhone 4S —which may be discontinued if Apple unveils two new smartphones next month—for just $39 at the same time (down from $99).

With the iPhone 5S launch so close, there’s no real reason to take Walmart up on its offer. In a few weeks, the iPhone 5 will naturally drop to $99 on-contract as Apple rolls out a new flagship handset. At that point you’ll have a choice between the 4-inch iPhone 5 and the updated 5S, which is expected to feature a more powerful processor, a larger battery, possibly a built-in fingerprint scanner, but no noticeable external changes.

Story by
Jacob Kleinman

Source: TechnoBuffalo / WALMART