Extra Practice News Story 9: Investigative

The Gates, Turner and African Officials To Help Save Africa

Posted 6:45 p.m. MST, March 29, 2007

AFRICA -Bill and Melinda Gates and Ted Turner were witnessed getting off a private jet together on March 21, 2007. I followed them to find out that they were meeting with several African officials that afternoon to discuss creating an organization or institution to help with the health problems in Africa. The World Health Organization also has plans to be actively involved in this endeavor with the assistance and support of Director General Margaret Chan.

When asked if he was buying Africa, Bill Gates replied, “Yeah, I guess some people think that is my goal in life.” I discovered that his goal is something much better than buying Africa, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Ted Turner want to educate people throughout Africa about diseases such as HIV. Turner is involved in the United Nations and with his help there is more that can be done than just eradicating the diseases. By educating them their lives can be spared, rather than simply prolonged. African Mayor Melik Ok said, “My people don’t need fish, they need to learn how to fish.”

During the meeting, they talked about the opportunities that exist between the Gates, Turner, and the African people. Ok told me that his government has a little bit of money that they can use to help, but the main thing that they need is help them get this project started, after which they can take it over. This was not the first of these meetings, nor will it be the last. There is no official deal yet.

In 2008, Bill Gates will no longer be working with Microsoft, rather he plans on spending much of his time working on his organization. Warren Buffett announced in June 2006 that he would be leaving approximately $30 billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. His financial help will be a big part of this operation. The Gates plan to get local perspectives on what needs to be done and then take it to a larger organization such as the WHO. “I think the generosity of philanthropists in the world … is facilitating the programs we have; and their generosity, ambition, and goals really makes my organization effective and worthwhile,” said Chan.

Practice News Story 9: Investigative

The Gates Meet With Turner to Help Africa

Posted 4 :45 p.m. MST, March 28, 2007

AFRICA -Bill and Melinda Gates and Ted Turner, along with several African officials met Wednesday afternoon to discuss creating an organization or institution to help with the health in Africa. The World Health Organization will also be actively involved in this endeavor.

Their goal is to educate people throughout Africa about diseases such as HIV. By educating them, their lives can be spared. African Mayor Melik Ok said, “My people don’t need fish, they need to learn how to fish.”

Hopefully, this meeting with African officials will not be the last in the help to save African lives. “I think the generosity of philanthropists in the world… is facilitating the programs we have, and their generosity and ambition and goals really makes my organization effective and worthwhile,” said WHO Director General Margaret Chan.

Practice News Story 8: Sports

Jazz Control Clippers in Staples Center

Posted 11:53 p.m. MST, March 21, 2007

LOS ANGELES- For the Utah Jazz, Friday night's game proved to be a decisive turning point in the Jazz's season. The Jazz beat the Los Angeles Clippers 106-99. Some of the younger players rose to the top and helped Carlos Boozer and Derek Fisher lead the team to a victory. This is the Jazz's second straight win, coming from a four game loosing streak.

The Clippers led the Jazz 22-13 in the first quarter, and continued their momentum throughout the second quarter leading the Jazz 24-20. Going into halftime was like a whole new game for the Jazz. They came back in the third quarter to lead the Clippers by 10. In the fourth quarter, it was a close match-up, going into the final minutes, it was tied at 97. Mehmet Okur sank a three pointer to seal the deal for the Jazz.

Fisher, who has been playing professional basketball longer than anyone on the team said, “It was fun to have the energy we had tonight, we just came in with a lot of energy but so did they, so it was a great win.” Fisher had 12 points, 15 assists and two steals. Many of the young players rose to the occasion. C.J. Miles and Paul Millsap had great games. Millsap had 15 points and 7 rebounds. Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan said that “it has been great to see this organization rebuild.”

Elton Brand, high scorer for the Clippers scored 33 points. “Every loss is hard ... some nights I’m not at my best, other nights some others aren't at their best, we just have to step up,” said Brand. Brand shot a three pointer during the last 15 seconds, but missed and the Clippers lost the close game to the Jazz.

It is no doubt that the fans had as much to do with this win as did the players. “It was a great community, Salt Lake loves basketball … we have great fans come out to the games each night some even come out to LA,” said Millsap.

“We always plan to be going to the playoffs…for our fans, the team, our organization,” said Sloan. Marty Burns of Sports Illustrated mentioned that he thought Sloan had the Coach of the Year award wrapped up. It is true that Sloan has turned this team around, he has far surpassed some of the expectations from the beginning of the season. Burns said, “sure they have a chance, [at the Championship] but I just think that it will be tough for them to get past some of the powerhouses in the west.”

Extra Practice News Story 7: Business

Google Bids $50 Billion on Time Warner

Posted 12:10 a.m. MST, March 8, 2007

PALO ALTO, Calif. - Google Inc. (GOOG) formerly delivered a hostile takeover bid to Time Warner Inc. (TWX) today. The bid of $50 billion dollars was received by Richard D. Parsons, CEO of Time Warner. It is unknown at this time whether Parsons and his committee will accept the bid or not. The FCC is in the process of doing some preliminary investigations in order to stop a monopoly from forming if in fact Time Warner decides to accept the bid.

Parsons reported that they had not yet made the decision on whether or not to sell the company, but they are taking this bid very seriously. The board should be sitting down soon to calculate and see what amount they think Time Warner is worth. Time Warner has 30 days to decide what its decision is, and Parsons said that they would have an answer by then.

Google has been looking at expanding their company for some time. They recently purchased You Tube for $1.65 billion in stock. The major conglomerates are expanding and the race to buy major companies has begun. Eric Schmidt, CEO and Chairman of Google said that “to merge that user base, I think would be beneficial to both the producer and consumer.”

Schmidt mentioned that the bid was rounded up and it was placed for more money than they thought Time Warner was actually worth. Google apparently offered Time Warner $35 billion in stock, $10 billion in cash and $5 billion in debt. Schmidt said, “ I think that this is an opportune time to take advantage of the two companies … I think that it is long overdue.”

It is rumored that Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO) and Microsoft Inc. (MSFT) are also in the expanding and merging business. Microsoft was apparently talking to Time Warner about purchasing AOL. Chair of the Board at Microsoft, William (Bill) Gates said that “it is more streamlined to have everything under one roof.” It is unknown as to whether the FCC will actually step in to prevent a monopoly, or whether they are just to busy to care.

Practice News Story 7: Business

Posted 4:45 p.m. MST, March 7, 2007

Palo Alto, CALIF. - Google Inc. (GOOG) formerly delivered a hostile takeover bid to Time Warner Inc. (TWX). Google has been looking at their options for some time, and they are interested in expanding. Eric Schmidt, CEO and Chairman of Google said that “to merge that userbase, I think would be beneficial to both the producer and consumer.” The bid was placed for $50 billion dollars in cash, stocks, and debt.

Richard D. Parsons, CEO of Time Warner, reported that they had not yet made the decision on whether or not to sell the company, but they taking this bid very seriously. Parsons said that the board would be sitting down to calculate it and see what amount they think Time Warner is worth. Time Warner has 30 days to decide what its decision is, and Parsons said that they would have an answer by then.

Microsoft (MSFT) was apparently talking to Time Warner about purchasing AOL. Chair of the Board at Microsoft, William Gates said that “it is more streamlined to have everything under one roof.” Google apparently offered Time Warner $35 billion in stock, $10 billion in cash and $5 billion in debt. Eric Schmidt said, “ I think that this is an opportune time to take advantage of the two companies … I think that it is long overdue.” It is unknown as to whether the FCC will step in to prevent a monopoly.