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On arrival we were taken by the chef into a pitch black room and conga-style wound our way through an enormous ballroom. Bumped up together in a group, we had come to a halt when a spotlight came up on a long narrow table that appeared to be floating in a sea of darkness from which emerged a group of waiters to take our coats.

Clear plastic baubles full of black and white chocolates hung down over the jet black tablecloths and brilliant white plates, creating a stylish, yet simple setting for the visual feast which followed.

Geneva, 5 December 2008 – With 37 speakers from 15 different countries, 300 delegates, and over sixty registered media and eighteen sponsors, the first edition of the World Yacht Racing Forum has established itself as a major new platform for the business of yacht racing.

• ‘This is a wonderful programme that demonstrates how the power of sport can make a difference to young people’s lives’- says two-time World Champion
• Laureus Academy members Boris Becker, Sean Fitzpatrick and Hugo Porta join Hakkinen to present Laureus MotorV8 with €100,000 cheque to fund programme
• Young people and instructors demonstrate project activities to sports legends
• Daytona track in Milton Keynes provides backdrop for Laureus MotorV8 launch

A pluralist, believing in consensus and respect for the other, His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal, believes in societies in which all peoples can live, work and function in freedom and with dignity. This goal has been the moving force behind his interest and involvement in humanitarian and interfaith issues, with particular stress on the human dimension of conflicts. His Royal Highness has initiated, founded and is actively involved in a number of Jordanian and international institutes and committees. He co-chaired the Independent Commission on International Humanitarian Issues (ICIHI), 1983 and is currently President and Patron of the Arab Thought Forum. In September 2003, His Royal Highness was elected Chairman of an Independent Eminent Experts group, appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, to implement the Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance that took place in Durban in 2001. His Royal Highness is a founding member of the Parliament of Cultures which was established in Istanbul in July 2002. On his call for humanitarian and cultural outreach, His Royal Highness is currently working with American Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on a programme called Partners in Humanity, the aim of which is to carry out a series of activities that serve to improve understanding and build positive relationships between the Muslim world and the United States. In March 2009, His Royal Highness agreed to chair the Integrity Council for the Global Commons.

Prince Hassan is the author of seven books.

In an environment of ever decreasing voice and data prices, competitive forces in the market are forcing mobile operators to review their business models and provide differentiated service offerings which at the same time offset their declining margins. Where no new ‘killer services’ are on the horizon, operators have gone back to their traditional cash generating services, voice and messaging, and are analyzing ways to inject additional value on top of these traditional services to lift the dipping curve of declining margins.

NOTE: The Global Property Guide rates the investment attractions of different countries’ residential property on a scale from 1-star (strongly avoid) to 5-star (highly recommended)

As the European Year Intercultural Dialogue (EYID) 2008 draws towards its conclusion, a major event on the 17-19 November celebrates the achievements of the year so far but also looks ahead to new perspectives for intercultural dialogue in Europe. With hundreds of activities and projects highlighted, promoted and disseminated during this Year, the communication campaign has raised awareness throughout Europe of the importance and benefits of intercultural dialogue

Butch James and Laureus World Sports Academy member Sean Fitzpatrick met the Operation Breakthrough Under 16s team at the International Youth Tournament being held in Hong Kong and Fitzpatrick, who captained the All Blacks a record 51 times, delighted the players and the spectators by performing the ritual Maori ‘Haka’ dance.

They were joined in Hong Kong by celebrated British mountaineer Annabelle Bond, also a Laureus Friend and Ambassador, who scaled the highest summits on seven continents in just 360 days, making her the fastest woman climber in the world. Formerly a Hong Kong resident, she took part in the 63-mile Machlehose Trail mountain marathon for four straight years. She has raised over US 1.6m for an ovarian cancer charity.

During the day long itinerary, Moses and Thompson shared life experiences, “shot hoops” and joined children in basketball drills and match play.

"We're very happy with the renewal of these international rights. We recognise the importance of our football and will be providing some exciting moments from Brazil's main sport to the worldwide market", comments Ricardo Scalamandré, director of International Business at Globo TV.

Fábio Koff, president of the Clube dos 13 believes that the renewal is of strategic importance for the visibility of national football. "We're very satisfied with the results following the first three years of this partnership and we're certain that the next few years will also be prosperous for Brazil's national passion. The Clube dos 13 believes that Globo TV Sports is the ideal partner, as its business model of quality and excellence is tailor-made for our expectations", he confirmed.

With the goal of improving the matches broadcast for the international public, the Clube dos 13 is studying the possibility of broadcasting one game per round of the Brazilian Championship at the fixed time of 11 am, Sundays (Brazilian Time) so that countries in various different time zones can watch the games at a reasonable hour.