Extra Practice News Story 9: Investigative

A New Hope for Africa

Posted: 10:55 p.m., MST, March 29, 2007

AFRICA - The seed of what may grow to be the worlds most expensive, largest, and most beneficial philanthropic endeavor in recorded history has been planted in a small village in Africa. Africa has been caught in a deadly maelstrom of disease, starvation, war, political corruption, and rising pollution for years; but two multi-billionaires are coming together to help the people gain a better quality of life. Ted Turner and Bill Gates with his wife Melinda stepped off a private jet in a small town in Africa on March 21, on a mission to start a new charitable program. Bill said, “we want educational institutions throughout the continent … too empower the children.” From the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation website it also reads, “Every life has equal value, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation works to reduce inequities and improve lives around the world.”(Gates Site) Clearly a venture of this magnitude has never been attempted before, but the Gates and Ted Turner did seem like a bit of an odd pairing, because Turner mostly focuses on wildlife conservation and protection. However with both of them working together, along with many other wealthy philanthropists, it can be assured that this new idea will be a great benefit to the world.

The village where the Gates and Turner began negotiations is a clue to just how serious they are about this new endeavor. Mayor Malik Ok said that the greatest need for his people wasn’t just money or clothes, it was education. “My people don’t need fish, they need to be taught how to fish.” According to Ok the Gates and Turner mostly talked about what new opportunities their idea would bring to the people of Africa, but no concrete ideas have been set in place. One of the main goals according to Gates is also to help the World Health Organization. Director General Dr. Margaret Chan said, “The generosity of philanthropists … is facilitating the programs we have. They drive the goals of the WHO.” We can only hope that their great generosity will come to fruition.

Practice News Story 9: investigative

Posted: 4:50 p.m., MST March 28, 2007

AFRICA- Some of the most powerful people in the world are descending on Africa with much needed aid. Bill and Melinda Gates, and Ted Turner stepped off a private jet in a town in Africa, with big goals and even bigger hearts. All three met with local officials to discuss what is known as a program to help save the African people. The Gates and Turner, along with other millionaires, are reportedly starting an enormous financial endeavor to help the World Health Organization in its campaign for disease eradication, which is one of the primary goals of the Gates foundation. The mayor of the town where the meeting took place, Malik Ok said that this new endeavor will greatly help his people. But he did say that it was not going to be a long-term stay. Bill Gates later said one of his main goals was to “empower” young children with better education. He also said that they envision “educational institutions” throughout the continent

Practice News Story 8: Sports

Jazz Edge Clippers

Posted: 11:35 p.m., MST, March 22, 2007

Los Angeles- After an overcast feeling during the four game loosing spell, two rays of glorious sunshine have finally broken the grey skies for the Jazz. Last nights win over the LA Clippers was a fantastic show of just how committed the Jazz are to getting a good spot in the finals. The 106-99 win was a nail biter all the way to end, the score was tied at 97going into the last minutes of the game, when Memot Okur (stats) stepped up and sank a crucial three that led to the seven point win for the Jazz. The Jazz trailed for most of the first half, but Fisher gave the Jazz the push they needed after halftime and brought the Jazz into the lead going into the last quarter. But the Clippers and especially Elton Brand (stats) did not take the run sitting down, and kept up all the way to the last minutes. Brand had a game leading 33 points which kept the Clippers in firing range of the Jazz, but even his efforts couldn’t stop last nights team effort.

Fisher was defiantly the key to last nights win, and his amazing contribution of 12 points and a astounding 15 assists gave the team the much needed second half momentum. “It’s great … we had lots of energy tonight.” Fisher later said. Paul Millsap who later would set the screen for the crucial Okur three had 15 points, and 7 rebounds. Carlos Boozer gained a “double double” with 22 points and 11 rebounds, another part of last nights team win. Talking about Fisher and Millsap, Coach Jerry Salone said it was the young guys who, “makes me want to coach.” He pointed to Fishers’ crucial role in the win, “the Fish stepped up … and gave us momentum during the second half.” Now many are saying that Salone has this seasons “Coach of the Year” award in the bag, but competition is stiff, as usual he doesn’t pay attention to the publicity. We can only hope that the Jazz can keep this seed of a wining streak alive.

Extra Practice News Story 7: Business

Google Bids on Time Warner

Posted: 9:19 p.m., PST, March 8, 2007

PALO ALTO Calif- It seemed as though the closing bell of the NYSE had a different tone today with news of Google Inc. (GOOG) hostile takeover bid of Time Warner Inc. (TWX). In response to the 50 billion dollar bid the CEO of Time Warner Richard Parsons said, “it was unexpected” but he later said that he would take it seriously. Parsons said that the offer would force them to evaluate their worth, only then would Time make the decision to sell, or be sold. William Gates the CEO of Microsoft Inc. (MSFT) was blown away at Googles’ bid for Time Warner, he told reporters, “I never would have guessed,” and it seems that the rest of the corporate world feels the same way. That is, everyone except Google.

When asked about today’s unexpected bid Google CEO Eric Schmidt simply said it was the opportune time for a, “long overdue” merger. The bid consisted of 10 billion in cash, 35 billion in stocks, and five billion in debt relief. Parsons has 30 days to provide an answer. But everyone really wants to know what Michael Powell, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission has to say about a merger of this magnitude. “We would stop it … if it proved negative for consumers” Powell said. Whispers of a anti-trust case started to float around after word of the bid came out, but Powell simply said that only after the deal was signed, then the FCC would investigate the claim of market monopoly.

Practice News Story 7: Business

Google Bids on Time Warner

Posted: 3:51 p.m., PST, March 7, 2007

PALO ALTO California- Internet powerhouse Google Inc (charts) put a hostile bid into the laps of Time Warner Inc. (charts) earlier today of a estimated 50 billion dollars in cash, stocks, and debt relief. The CEO of Time Warner, Richard D Parsons gave no comment of real interest, but he did say they would, “take it seriously.” Time Warner have thirty days to evaluate their net worth, and accept Googles offer. Parsons said, “it was unexpected,” the business world was stunned by the news. Google CEO Eric Schmidt said they have been interested in Time Warner for a very long time, and it was a great opportunity for a merger such as this. Google offered Time Warner 35 billion in stocks, 10 billion in cash, and five billion in debt relief. Schmidt went on to say that the plans for a merger have been “long overdue.”
The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Michael Powell said that if consumers would be affected negatively, then “we would stop it.” Powell also said he was “hesitant to say yes,” when asked is the merger would qualify as a monopoly, but the FCC will only investigate if the merger pulls through. Yahoo Inc, (charts) and Microsoft Inc. (charts) were stunned by the news of Googles bid, William Gates, the CEO of Microsoft told reporters “I never would have guessed.”