Already with 10 million subscribers and counting, Disney Plus launches and the initial reviews are promising.....

CC™ Entertainment News  

Disney+ (DIS), Disney's new streaming video service, launched on Tuesday. 

On Wednesday, the company announced that 10 million people have signed up for the service. 

This blows expectations out of the water — in a note to clients published in late October, UBS analysts said they expected 4 million people would sign up by the end of this year and 8 million within a year of the Disney+ launch. 

Within five years, Disney’s highest estimates for Disney+ signups is 90 million; in less than 48 hours the company is more than 10% of the way there. 

On its earnings call last week, CEO Bob Iger said Disney+ is, "the culmination of four years of planning, organizational transformation and a lot of hard work, and we're excited to be on the verge of this new era."

The company bought BAMTech to power Disney+. Disney bought 21st Century Fox to bolster its catalogue. And Disney spent hundreds of millions of dollars making content from its premier franchises like Star Wars to make Disney+ more than just a back catalogue at launch.

And although some Disney+ users faced outages on Tuesday, and while Disney's deal with Verizon certainly helped bolster sign-ups on day one, the first 48 hours of Disney+'s life is a no doubt home run for the company.

In response to this news on Wednesday, shares of Disney (DIS) surged 7.2%.

But the real work of building an enduring streaming service begins now.

"I think established IP has a leg up with consumers," Netflix (NFLX) content chief Ted Sarandos said on the company's earnings call last month. "[Consumers] know what they're getting into. There's a lot of pre-built-in excitement. It makes the marketing a little easier."

And while it's not surprising to hear Sarandos somewhat downplay the task of flipping on the switch and bringing the Disney+ monster to life, his point is that the future, enduring success of Disney+ will hinge on what doesn't yet exist. And what popularity really means in the streaming world isn't measured just in box office takes and licensing agreements.

"In this past quarter, we made a movie called ‘Tall Girl,’ a hugely unknown cast, who, in 7 days, grew their social media following into the millions on Netflix and had over 40 million people watch it," Sarandos said on the call. "That's the ability to create a brand almost out of thin air, which, I think, is every bit as valuable as drafting off a bunch of other franchises waiting for them to burn out."

Disney, of course, has a demonstrated track record of doing more or less exactly what Sarandos describes. One day “Toy Story” didn’t exist, the next day it did.

But how franchises are conceived and thrive in the streaming world is different than a world in which viewer experiences are mediated only through liner television and movie theaters. Because streaming is a creation of and for the internet. And “winning” means you play by the internet’s measures of success: if it engages, it is successful.

In recent quarters, Netflix has emphasized at various points the social media impact its original shows and movies had on previously unknown stars. In its 2018 third quarter shareholder letter, for example, Netflix highlighted that “Stranger Things” star Millie Bobby Brown had no Instagram followers in July 2016 — a little over two years later, she had more than 17 million. (Today, Brown has 30.5 million.)

Compared to box office takes, Instagram follower counts can seem like a sort of knock-off measuring tool for a franchises's success. But unlike Disney, Netflix built its business on the internet first. In the Netflix worldview, then, Instagram measures what "the internet" — broadly defined — really thinks of its original content. Again: engagement is success. 

Source: Yahoo Finance

Anthony Joshua advised to go back to basics.....

Anthony Joshua - Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

CC™ Pugilist

Legendary British fighter John Conteh has urged Anthony Joshua to rediscover what makes him a champion ahead of his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr. 

Anthony Joshua will look to avenge his loss against Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch on December 7.And Conteh is a man who knows how that feels. He never regained the WBC light-heavyweight title he lost in 1978, despite three attempts.

"A couple of fights I thought I won anyway," he told talkSPORT. "You can only do the best you can. Some get it back and some do not. "The effort he put into putting the muscles on, he should now put into remembering where he was in Watford.

"Don't try and be a scientist or a mathematician, go back to when you were a kid, before you even came into boxing.

"When you were getting out of trouble, avoiding obstacles and overcoming them.

"Go back there. It's not an ego thing I'm talking about. It's about choosing the right way."

Italian mafia chased me out of Milan - Taribo West

Taribo West

CC™ SportsWire

Former Super Eagles defender Taribo West says he was sent packing from Italian giants AC Milan by The Mafia. Taribo joined the Rossoneri from city rivals Inter Milan in December 1999 and made just four appearances before he was sent on loan to Derby County, then in the English Premier League.

In  an interview with ScoreNigeria, Taribo said Italian mafia could not accept the fact that an African defender would play ahead of their Italian club legends Allesandro Costacurta, Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi. 

"The Mafia would do anything in their powers to make sure I was done with at Milan," Taribo said. "They cooked a vicious story in the press that I was injured in the desperate bid to send me out of Milan.

"The doctors were bribed to say I was injured, but it was a lie. They did that because they felt it was unthinkable for an African player to take the place of those three aging defenders.

"Liverpool came with an offer, but at the end of the day, I had to settle for Derby County."

Taribo had a successful playing career at both international and club levels, notably winning gold as a member of Nigeria's inaugural "Dream Team" that shocked the football world at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. 

Taribo also represented Nigeria at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cup™. 

Sex Trafficking: Nigerian women forced into prostitution in Europe for as little as $11.....

CC™ Investigative

Nigerian girls and women trafficked to Europe mostly between the ages of 17 to 30 have been reported to make up to $166,000 a month for their syndicate, selling sex for as little as $11. 

The women according to reports, claimed they are made to undergo “juju” (black magic) rituals before leaving Nigeria for Europe, notably Italy, during which they vow to repay their transport fare to the strange land by working harder (engaging in prostitution).

The masterminds of the trafficking including a pastor, have been nabbed and are currently on trial. 

This was the latest case to highlight the growing use of Nigerian migrants as sex slaves in Europe.

Nigeria was the main country of origin of the migrants arriving across the Mediterranean to Italy in 2016 and 2017, although the numbers have since dwindled.

The twenty-four suspected members of the sex trafficking ring accused of forcing Nigerian women into prostitution in France went on trial Wednesday.

Many of the trafficked were women and girls lured to Europe with false promises of jobs as hairdressers or seamstresses, only to find themselves selling sex on arrival to repay their debts.

Nigerians now outnumber Chinese or Eastern European sex workers on the streets of France and some other European countries.

Last year, 15 members of a Paris-based female-led pimping ring known as the “Authentic Sisters” were sentenced to up to 11 years in prison for forcing girls into sex slavery in France.

Many were themselves former trafficking victims-turned-perpetrators. Similar gangs have also been dismantled in Italy and Great Britain.

The investigation in Lyon, where police estimate half the city’s sex workers are Nigerian, began after authorities received a tip about a Nigerian pastor accused of exploiting several sex workers who lived in apartments he owned.

The pastor, Stanley Omoregie, has denied the charges, which include aggravated pimping and slavery.

But in the transcript of a conversation submitted to the court, he is heard saying he wanted “those with beautiful bodies, who can be controlled, not those that cause problems.”

The prosecution has presented him as the kingpin of a family-based syndicate made up of 10 women and 14 men, including one of Europe’s most wanted women, Jessica Edosomwan, accused of recruiting destitute women in Nigeria for the sex trade in Lyon, Nimes and Montpellier.

Edosomwan, who is believed to be on the run in the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg), Italy or Germany, will be tried in absentia.

The UN has estimated that 80 per cent of young Nigerian women arriving in Italy — their first port of call in Europe — are already in the clutches of prostitution networks, or quickly fall under their control.

The accused in Lyon cover the entire gamut of sex trafficking activities, from iron-fisted “madams” and violent pimps as well as drivers of the vans in which the women perform sexual acts, and those tasked with laundering the proceeds of the trafficking.

Prosecutors estimate that 17 alleged victims, aged 17 to 38, made up to $166,000 a month for the syndicate, selling sex for as little as $11.

Most of the women come from Benin City, capital of Nigeria’s southern Edo State, a human trafficking hotbed with a long history of dispatching women and men to Europe to earn money to send back home.

Many told investigators they had taken part in “juju” or black magic rituals before leaving Nigeria, during which they promised to repay the money they owed for their passage to Europe.

Many of the woman took the perilous migrant trail across the Sahara Desert to Libya and then across the Mediterranean to Italy before winding up in Lyon.

Among the accused is a 28-year-old former prostitute who was herself released from sex slavery after paying off her debts and who in turn brought over another young woman from Nigeria.

Months of police wiretaps and surveillance led to the arrest of the suspects between September 2017 and January 2018.

They risk 10 years in jail if convicted.

The Maybach Landaulet G-Wagen: If you have $1.5M to waste.....

CC™ Carmatic

Nigerian defrauded by American in Green Card scam

CC™ Investigative

A Nigerian businessman, Mr. Olukayode Sodimu, on Friday told an Ikeja Special Offences Court how an American and alleged serial conman, Marco Ramirez, defrauded him of $145,000 in a Green Card scam.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ramirez is accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of defrauding five Lagos-based Nigerians of $1.5M.

Ramirez faces two separate criminal suits at the Special Offences Court.

He is standing trial alongside his companies - USA Now LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now Capital Group.

In the first suit, the American is accused of allegedly defrauding two Nigerians - Gabriel Edeoghon and Oludare Talabi of $388,838.

In the second suit, he allegedly defrauded three Nigerians- Amb. Godson Echejue, Mr. Abubakar Umar and Sodimu of $1.2M.

While being led in evidence by Mr. M. F. Owede, the EFCC's Prosecuting Counsel, Sodimu, told the court that he first got to know Ramirez and his company in 2013 through an advertisement in a national newspaper for an Employment-based Fifth Preference (EB-5) American Investment programme.

"The advert in the paper said that USA Now LLC was the regional centre for the EB-5 Investment Programme and that one could invest $500,000 in it.

"It stated that by investing $500,000, the investor and his children under 21-years of age will be issued a U.S. Green Card, which implies permanent residency in the U.S."

Elizabeth Warren's wealth tax: Bill Gates says the draconian tax would leave him 'counting his change'.....

Philanthropist Bill Gates

By Samuel Osborne

Bill Gates has criticised Elizabeth Warren’s proposed wealth tax, claiming it left him doing “a little math about what I have left over”.

The Microsoft founder and billionaire spoke about the Democratic presidential candidate’s plan at The New York Times DealBook conference on Wednesday.

“I’ve paid over $10bn [£7.8bn] in taxes. I’ve paid more than anyone in taxes,” he said. ”If I had to pay $20bn, it’s fine.

“But when you say I should pay $100bn, then I’m starting to do a little math about what I have left over.”

He added: “Sorry, I’m just kidding.”

Ms Warren has proposed a 6 per cent tax on wealth above $1bn.

Asked if he would speak to Ms Warren about her tax plans, he said: “You know I’m not sure how open minded she is.

“Or that she’d even be willing to sit down with somebody who has large amounts of money.”

Mr Gates also said he would not make “political declarations” about who he would vote for if the choice was between Donald Trump and Ms Warren.

“But I do think no matter what policy somebody has in mind, a professional approach is even – as much as I disagree with some of the policy things that are out there, I do think a professional approach to the office – whoever I decide would have the more professional approach in the current situation probably will weigh. That is the thing that I will weigh the most.

“I hope the more professional candidate is an electable candidate.”

Ms Warren responded on Twitter, saying she would be happy to meet with Mr Gates to “explain exactly how much you’d pay under my wealth tax”.

She added: “I promise it’s not $100bn.”

Mr Gates is worth an estimated $107bn, according to Bloomberg.

Last week, Ms Warren revealed how she would fund her controversial Medicare for All plan, insisting ordinary Americans would not pay “one penny” extra in taxes.

Source: The Independent

Bill Gates' critical key to success: Delegate and replicate yourself in the process.....

Bill Gates

By Marcel Schwantes -Founder, Leadership From the Core

Bill Gates has had plenty to say about achieving success over the years. The co-founder of Microsoft, an avid reader of about 50 books a year returned to his alma mater, Lakeside School, to help celebrate the prep school's 100th anniversary.

Speaking to high schoolers about what type of mindset is required to build your own success, Gates offered up plenty of great advice, including having an unquenchable desire to learn and a sense of wonder and curiosity about how things work.

Gates said, "For the curious learner, these are the best of times because your ability to constantly refresh your knowledge with either podcasts or [online] lectures is better than ever."

The top takeaway that I found useful for entrepreneurs juggling intense workloads and schedules came from an early lesson Gates had to learn: delegation.

In the early days of Microsoft, Gates recalled, he was doing what he had been most passionate about since the age of 13--writing software. He would do most of the code and edit most of other people's code. But he knew his obsession with programming wasn't sustainable if the company was to scale, so he chose to trust in other people's coding skills and let go of the rein.

As the company grew, he had to delegate what he knew to be one of his weaknesses since he was a kid to other people's natural strengths. In this case, it was people management. 

Being that it is the job of any leader to navigate the human side of the business, Gates brought in the exuberant Steve Ballmer, who "really liked people and management," says Gates. Ballmer took the helm as chief executive officer of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014. 

The very act of delegating alone doesn't work. Having a great team in your corner is the first pillar to successful delegation for a leader. And two-way trust must be established for a leader to feel comfortable delegating and sharing responsibilities.

If you're a reluctant leader unwilling to let go of control, look at the upside: Filling up your employees' plates with shared and delegated work will make you a resource, a mentor, and put you in a position to facilitate coaching conversations that will build the trust you need to strengthen ties with team members. 

While some level of patience is required, delegating tasks effectively leads to employees feeling useful, empowered, and integral to the functioning of the organization.

On the flipside, in micromanaged environments, the work is scrutinized to the last detail. The environment can be stifling because control-freak-managers want to oversee and have the final say in all the decisions.

In such a psychologically-overwhelming setting, there's hardly room for group discussion or input to foster healthy collaboration. Loyal workers trying to find meaning in their jobs are left with nothing but taking their marching orders. In the end, this crushes the spirits of people and is bad for business.

Nigerian appointed California oil and gas supervisor

California Governor Gavin Newsom

CC™ News

California Governor, Gavin Newsom, has appointed a Nigerian, Uduak-Joe Ntuk, as the State Oil and Gas Supervisor, responsible for managing the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR).

DOGGR uses science and sound engineering practices to regulate the drilling, operation and permanent closure of energy resource wells.

The division prioritises protecting the public and the environment in its oversight of the oil, natural gas and geothermal industries within the largest state in America.

A statement from the governor's office said that Ntuk had served as the Petroleum Administrator for the City of Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States of America.

"In Los Angeles, he was responsible for oversight and policy of oil fields, gas storage facilities, petroleum refineries and pipeline franchise agreements.

"Prior to joining the city of Los Angeles, he had worked for several companies, including Tyco, General Electric and Chevron.

"Being a technical professional with both public and private sector energy experience, he provided technical advice to the Mayor, City Council, and various City Departments," said the governor's office.

It added that Ntuk, a strong believer in Nigeria and its potentials, had expressed his will to share his expertise to further develop the Nigerian petroleum industry and the possibilities of building a mutually-beneficial relationship with the state of California.

"A Nigerian-based Oil and Gas Consulting Company is exploring the possibilities and has initiated discussions regarding building a business relationship between the Nigerian oil and gas industry and the state of California through Mr Ntuk.

"He is the first Nigerian-American to hold this position in California's history and his family is from the Port City of Calabar, Cross River State," said the statement.

The Seahawks should consider replacing Ken Norton Jr with Dan Quinn.....

Ken Norton Jr is great with linebackers but struggles as a DC

By Lee Vowell

The Seahawks might need to make a change at defensive coordinator. Atlanta might fire their head coach. One plus one might make two.

It is easy to look back with on Dan Quinn’s time as defensive coordinator for the Seahawks and think he was a great coach. He was a good coach for the defense, but he also had players like Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas young and hungry. Quinn was the defensive coordinator for Seattle from 2013 through 2014, back-to-back Super Bowl years.

Ken Norton Jr. is well-liked by coach Pete Carroll. Norton is the current defensive coordinator for Seattle and has been since 2018. Norton Jr. was the linebackers coach in Seattle from 2010 until 2015 before he left to become the coordinator with the Raiders. To be fair, Norton Jr. does not have the same kind of talent on his defense as Quinn did on his when he was in Seattle.

But a good coordinator will make the pieces of his defense better as a whole. And Seattle has struggled the last two seasons. The most glaring statistic is yards-per-play given up. There is probably a really good reason both the Patriots and 49ers are unbeaten. This year, the Patriots and 49ers are tied at first in the NFL giving up just 4.1 yards-per-play.

The last ranked teams in the league in the same category? That would be the winless Bengals (32nd at 6.6) and the winless Dolphins (31st at 6.5). Guess who is 30th? That would be the Seattle Seahawks giving up 6.2 per play. And this is actually worse from last year when Seattle was 25th in the NFL allowing 5.9 yards-per-play.

In 2017 during Kris Richard’s last year as defensive coordinator, Seattle ranked fifth in the NFL giving up 4.9 yards-per-play. That same season Norton Jr.’s Raiders were 27th in the league at 5.6 per play. In 2016, the Raiders were last in the league and in 2015, Norton Jr.’s first year in Oakland, were 11th. This means that Oakland’s defense actually got worse during Norton Jr.’s time there.

Still, Norton Jr. is excellent teaching linebackers. He has been since he coached that group under Pete Carroll at USC. In the NFL Norton Jr. has almost always had a good group at linebacker, the position he played in the NFL himself. But it is the rest of the defense he struggles with.

Quinn’s record has been getting worse since the Falcons lost the Super Bowl to the Patriots at the end of the 2016 season. Atlanta has one win this year and Quinn is likely to be fired by the end of the year. He might not find a head coaching job right away. But he is a good defensive coach, it might just be the rest of the team he struggles with.

In 2013 and 2014, the Seahawks ranked first in yards-per-play in the NFL, both seasons Quinn was head of the defense. But even between 2015 and 2017, the lowest Seattle ranked was fifth. Maybe Seattle starting losing defensive players, but did they really go from fifth in the league to 25th in one season? Maybe it is the coach calling the defensive plays and the scheme.

What would be great to see, though I have no hopes that it will, would be for Carroll to rehire Quinn as defensive coordinator for the 2020 season and have Norton Jr. move back to coaching the linebackers. Likely, Norton Jr. wouldn’t be able to get a coordinator’s job elsewhere and Quinn won’t be hired as a head coach. But they are both great fits for the Seahawks and would help make the defense very good again.

Source: 12thmanrising.com