Tuesday, March 1, 2011
National Jury Summit Seeks to Mold the Jury Trial of the 21st century
National Jury Summit Seeks to Mold the Jury Trial of the 21st century
http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/abota/48825/docs/48825-Jury_Summit_Reg_Form_ABOTA_Member1.pdf
Collaborative forum to direct attention to opportunities for advancements in the trial system and improving public access
DALLAS (Feb. 25, 2011) /PRNewswire/ — The dramatic reduction in the number of civil jury trials in recent years is a wake-up call to anyone interested in preserving a fundamental constitutional right, say planners of the upcoming National Jury Summit in Chicago, June 23-24. One of the most basic rights of Americans is in jeopardy. This is a story that needs to be told.
Themed as “The Jury Trial of the 21st Century,” the National Jury Summit is a call to action that will feature goal oriented sessions on the best practices for jury innovations, reforms to improve access to jury trials, technological advancements in courtroom presentation, and assessment of the public perception of the jury trial.
Numerous studies, including a recent one conducted for ABOTA, have demonstrated that there is overwhelming support for the jury trial among Americans. And yet, there is an alarming downward trend occurring in the nation’s civil courts.
“We intend to make reforms and innovations happen, not just ponder them,” said Harry T. Widmann, president of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the organization sponsoring the Summit.
ABOTA, in collaboration with the National Center for State Courts, has advocated changes that will improve the system’s ongoing quality and relevancy.
“Juries are the backbone of our democracy and are as critical as the right to vote itself,” said Summit Chair Gilbert H. Dickinson of the Denver law firm of Dickinson, Prud'Homme, Adams & Ingram, LLP. “The jury trial not only provides protection to the litigants, it also directly involves our citizens in the judicial branch of government. The declining numbers of jury trials demonstrates the need for innovations that will make the system more effective and efficient. Inaction is not an option.”
Summit speakers were chosen because they have backed up their research with action and are dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the jury trial.
* Federal Judge Mark W. Bennett of the Northern District of Iowa has written extensively about the vanishing jury trial and has been an active proponent of using technology in the courtroom.
* Professor Robert P. Burns of Northwestern University is the author of the books, “The Theory of the Trial” and “The Death of the American Trial.”
* Daniel J. Hall and Paula L. Hannaford-Agor are from the National Center for State Courts, a clearinghouse for research information and comparative data to support improvement in judicial administration in state courts conducts research on emerging issues.
* Justice Rebecca L. Kourlis (retired) is the executive director of the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, a national, non-partisan organization dedicated to improving the process and culture of the civil justice system.
* Professor Nancy S. Marder of the Chicago-Kent College of Law has written and researched a wide range of issues regarding jury innovations.
The National Jury Summit is open to lawyers, judges, legal professionals, and the public. For registration and event information, call (800) 932-2682 or go to www.abota.org.
ABOTA is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges. ABOTA and its members are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the 7th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Foundation of ABOTA is an affiliated charitable entity, the mission of which is to support the purposes of ABOTA through education and research. ABOTA membership consists of more than 6,400 lawyers and judges spread among 96 Chapters in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. ABOTA publishes Voir Dire magazine, which features in-depth articles on current and historical issues related to the 7th Amendment.
For more information:
Brian Tyson
(214) 871-7523
briant@abota.org
HotelsCombined.com Price Index™ Review of Global Hotel Prices for March 2011
28 Feb 2011 18:18 Africa/Lagos
HotelsCombined.com Price Index™ Review of Global Hotel Prices for March 2011
PR Newswire
SYDNEY, Feb. 28, 2011
SYDNEY, Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- HotelsCombined.com has revealed the HotelsCombined.com Price Index™ review of global hotel prices for March 2011. If you are looking for the best value accommodation deals in March, then the HotelsCombined.com™ Price Index is for you. Every month we search our database of over 2,500,000 hotel deals to bring you the biggest hotel destination reductions available over the upcoming month as well as year-on-year falls and rises.
Online HotelsCombined.com Price Index™ Review of Global Hotel Prices March 2011 Report: http://press.hotelscombined.com/Price-Index/March2011.pdf
Insights
Biggest Price Falls in March 2011 (Month-On-Month)
The biggest price fall for March (down 25.26%) and our pick as the top destination for value conscious travelers is Nuremberg, Germany. March to May is generally considered the best time to visit Nuremberg as the weather is quite pleasant. Based on historical data, prices are expected to rise in April, reaching a peak in May.
Prices will dip in Hanoi, Vietnam by 12.91% as the city approaches the end of its dry season. Travelers would be well advised to take advantage these savings while they last.
Both Macau, China (down 14.72%) and Krabi, Thailand (down 13.41%) will have seasonal drops in room rates. The falling prices are in-line with prices we normally see at this time of year for the two cities. For travelers that don't mind the wet weather, this is an amazing deal.
Unrest in Egypt will drive room rates down by 13.60% in Cairo for the month of March. Although the country has begun to stabilize politically, we suspect there will be further decreases in tourism country-wide in coming months. We strongly suggest travelers consult their local government's travel warnings before visiting Egypt.
Biggest Price Falls in March 2011 (Year-On-Year)
Not surprisingly, Cairo, Egypt will experience the biggest drop in average room rate year-on-year for March. The city will see prices fall 20.23% when compared to the same time last year. Again, we urge all travelers to consult travel warnings before visiting the region.
For a third month in a row, Hamburg, Germany is one of our biggest price drops year-on-year with average room rates falling 19.31%. This could be the lingering effect of the economic downturn as well as the impact of low cost carrier Ryanair cutting routes from Barcelona to Hamburg Lubeck Airport.
Other notable decreases in March are Warsaw, Poland (down 16.30%) Cebu City, Philippines (down 15.87%) and Phi Phi Island, Thailand (down 15.12%).
Biggest Price Rises in March 2011 (Year-On-Year)
The steepest hotel price rise year-on-year is seen in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (up 48.75% to $203), with Rio Carnival happening from the 4th until 8th March this year. This euphoric event, also referred to as 'sex and samba on a stick', draws around a million people each year for its throbbing, four day festivities all over the place, from the streets, squares, bars and clubs to the Carnival Balls and culminating Samba Parade. Due to the limited supply, accommodation is booked up early (at least 3 or 4 months in advance) and at an ever-increasing rate.
Wales will take on Ireland at the Millennium Stadium in the penultimate round of matches in the 2011 Six Nations Championship. Rugby fans and travelers alike planning on visiting Cardiff, Wales should expect a hotel price rise around the match on March 12 (up 32.46% to $166).
The famous and spectacular Mardi Gras in New Orleans continues until Fat Tuesday on March 8. Drawing hundreds of thousands of revelers, hotels (especially in the French Quarter) are running at high occupancy and rates are up 28.62% to $156 with many requiring a minimum stay of four to five days.
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The HotelsCombined.com Price Index™ is a monthly survey of hotel prices in major city destinations across the world. The international scale of HotelsCombined.com with 2,500,000 hotel deals in 50,000 destinations across 200 countries makes the HotelsCombined.com Price Index™ the most comprehensive benchmark available, incorporating hotel price data direct from hotels and online travel agent websites.
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International Family Film Festival Set for Raleigh Studios
Nigeria and other countries are going to participate in the 16th edition of the International Family Film Festival taking place at the Raleigh Studios in Hollywood from March 16-20, 2011. The details are in the following press release from the organizers.
28 Feb 2011 15:00 Africa/Lagos
International Family Film Festival Set for Raleigh Studios on March 16-20
16th edition to feature Screenings, Panels & Awards
Opening Press Conference at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 16
PR Newswire
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 28, 2011
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- It's the film festival with a global reach and a family heart.
The 16th International Family Film Festival - unspooling over 85 family-friendly films from around the world - is set for March 16-20 at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood. This year's festival includes 33 feature-length films, opening with Cafe, a Philadelphia-based drama with Jennifer Love Hewitt, Amish Grace, a biographical drama with Kimberly Williams (We Are Marshall), plus high-profile shorts such as Chapman University's Without Wings, starring Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit).
A large Chinese film delegation will be on hand to support local entries, and Chinese actress Ruoming Huar of the Mongolian-language film Horizon, is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 19. Other filmmakers are traveling to the festival to support film projects from as far as Australia, Syria, Nigeria and Alaska. A half-dozen student filmmakers from Sydney will be on hand to cheer on Almost 100, a short about life-threatening teenage challenges. Another entry, a feature-length survival drama entitled 48 Below! - employed many residents of Sterling, Alaska, to assist in its production, and a local contingent will travel to the fest.
Last year's IFFF drew 5,000-plus film fans and industry professionals. The festival market generally produces several film-distribution deals, and many screenplays from its screenwriting readings have secured option deals following the Screenwriter's Showcase being held this year on Sunday, March 20th. A film produced from a 2010 IFFF screenplay winner, First Dog, has been accepted into the film competition this year.
The festival wraps Sunday, March 20th with a full awards ceremony that is both uplifting and entertaining. Annually IFFF recognizes outstanding achievement in multiple feature and short-film categories, acting and screenwriting. The fest also screens the finalists of the "Movies With A Message" contest (www.messagemovies.org) sponsored by Happy House - Good Choices, a non-profit that encourages youth to make inspirational movies with their families.
TICKETS:
$250 all-festival pass (includes all films and panels)
$40 all-day pass (includes all films)
$25 opening-night film and reception
$15 individual panels
$10 film tickets, $8 for IFFF members or group rate of 10 or more
For schedule and tickets visit www.iffilmfest.org or call 818-230-2572 or 661-257-3131.
SOURCE International Family Film Festival
CONTACT: Carl DiOrio, IFFF publicist, +1-310-415-9003, carldiorio@gmail.com
Web Site: http://www.iffilmfest.org
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time | |
28 Feb 2011 | |
15:00 | International Family Film Festival Set for Raleigh Studios on March 16-20 |
25 Feb 2011 | |
05:10 | DHL Global Forwarding ?lu affr?teur aerien international de l'ann?e en Afrique |
24 Feb 2011 | |
12:00 | IBM Deploys 1,000th Corporate Service Corps Volunteer |
07:00 | DHL Global Forwarding is Africa's International Freight Forwarder of the Year |
02:01 | Partnership Cooks Up New Solution to Poverty and Climate Change |
Monday, February 28, 2011
There is no Progress in Darkness
Photo Credit: Eyes Witness News.
Every Nigerian is gifted in one way or the other but due lack of energy we cannot realize our potentials.
Any government in power that cannot provide 24 hours light for Nigerians is worthless because there is no progress in darkness.
~ By Hope Obioma Opara,
The Publisher/CEO, Supple Magazine, http://www.supplemagazine.org/
Natalie Portman and other winners of the 83rd Academy Awards
Actress Natalie Portman (R), winner of the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for 'Black Swan', poses in the press room during the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011 in Hollywood, California.
Photo Credit: Zimbio.
The leading lady of the silver screen Natalie Portman won the Oscar for Best Actress to add to the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, the BAFTA Award for Best Actress for her classic performance as "Nina Sayers" in Black Swan.
"I want to thank my parents ... for giving me my life," she said with a smile. "And for giving me the opportunity to work."
Actor in a Leading Role
- Colin Firth in “The King's Speech”
Actor in a Supporting Role
- Christian Bale in “The Fighter”
Actress in a Leading Role
- Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”
Actress in a Supporting Role
- Melissa Leo in “The Fighter
Animated Feature Film
- “Toy Story 3” Lee Unkrich
Art Direction
- “Alice in Wonderland”
Production Design: Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Karen O'Hara
Cinematography
- “Inception” Wally Pfister
Costume Design
- “Alice in Wonderland” Colleen Atwood
Directing
- “The King's Speech” Tom Hooper
Documentary (Feature)
- “Inside Job” Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs
Documentary (Short Subject)
- “Strangers No More” Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon
Film Editing
- “The Social Network” Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter
Foreign Language Film
- “In a Better World” Denmark
Makeup
- “The Wolfman” Rick Baker and Dave Elsey
Music (Original Score)
- “The Social Network” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Music (Original Song)
- “We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3" Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
Best Picture
- “The King's Speech” Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, Producers
Short Film (Animated)
- “The Lost Thing” Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann
Short Film (Live Action)
- “God of Love” Luke Matheny
Sound Editing
- “Inception” Richard King
Sound Mixing
- “Inception” Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo and Ed Novick
Visual Effects
- “Inception” Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
- “The Social Network” Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin
Writing (Original Screenplay)
- “The King's Speech” Screenplay by David Seidler
Discuss here:
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Nigerian filmmaker competes for the Golden Stallion of Yennenga at 2011 FESPACO
A scene from “Restless City”. New York based Nigerian filmmaker Andrew Dosunmu’s Restless City is among the 18 films competing for the Golden Stallion of Yennenga, the most coveted prize at the 22nd Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in the melodramatic Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso from February 26 – March 5, 2011. The golden “Étalon de Yennenga” (Stallion of Yennenga) symbolizes the legendary founder of the 11th century Mossi empire of Burkina Faso and is awarded to the best feature film.
The winner in 2009 was the Ethiopia born director Haile Gerima for his movie “Teza”. Newton I Aduaka of Nigeria won it in 2007 with his “Ezra”, a riveting film on blood diamonds and child soldiers in Sierra Leone.
Other special awards include the Oumarou Ganda Prize, given for the best first film, and the Paul Robeson Prize for the best film by a director of the African diaspora.
“Restless City” is Andrew Dosunmu’s first feature film. It tells the story of an African immigrant surviving on the fringes of New York City where music is his passion, life is a hustle and falling in love is his greatest risk.
Djibril, an aspiring young musician from Senegal, lives in New York. Although he dreams of greatness, imagining the day his own child might be president of the United States, his path is unstructured, and he glories in the chaos of the street. When Djibril meets Trini, a prostitute under the control of Bekay, the local loan shark, his life assumes new purpose and momentum; however, whether Djibril and Trini can outrun Bekay’s nefarious influence is another story.
The other Nigerian filmmakers at the biennial pan-African event are Mak Kusare with “Champions of our time” Kunle Afolayan with “The Figurine” in the 24 entries for the TV and video films category, Didi Cheeka, a founding Director of AlternativCinema with “Bloodstones” and Julius Morno with “The Camera” in the short film category.
Another major news is the premiere of “Ouaga Paradiso,” a 52-minute documentary on African cinema.
There are 111 films in competition – including 18 feature films, 13 short films, 22 documentaries, 37 TV and video productions, 10 films from the African diasporas and 11 student films.
Click here to read the complete report
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Viasat Documentary Channels-Press Conference in Lagos, Nigeria
Mr. Martin Letzter
Martin Letzter from Viasat World in the UK was in Nigeria for the launch of Viasat’s Documentary Channels. He presented the unique series at a well attended press conference on Friday February 25, 2011, at the Sofitel Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The Viasat’s documentary channels are from the Modern Times Group (MTG), an international entertainment broadcasting group that is launching four pay-TV channels in Africa on 28 February. Viasat History, Viasat Nature, Viasat Explorer and Viasat Crime will initially be made available to satellite pay-TV subscribers in Nigeria and cable pay-TV subscribers in Kenya.
Mr. Tony Ikeokwu, MD/CEO of Infinity TV and Mr. Martin Letzter
Mr. Ingram Osigwe, the Media Consultant, Infinity TV and Mr. Martin Letzter
The channels are localised versions of Viasat Broadcasting's existing thematic documentary channels. Three of the channels are currently available in 29 countries across Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. Viasat Crime is available in the Nordic region. Each channel will be broadcast 12 hours per day, with Viasat History and Viasat Nature sharing one satellite feed, and Viasat Explorer and Viasat Crime sharing another. Distribution agreements have initially been signed with the HiTV and Infinity TV satellite networks in Nigeria, and with cable network operator Zuku in Kenya.
Mr. Julius Osuma, the Chief Marketing Officer of Infinity TV, Mr. Martin Letzter and Mr. Ingram Osigwe
Mr. Ingram Osigwe with an executive of HiTV
Executives of Infinity TV and HiTV seated with invited journalists and guests.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Is Living in Nigeria a Nightmare?
Lagos city is seen as one of the world's worst places to live according to the 2011 Economist Intelligence Unit's liveability survey.
The video is by Al Jazeera's Yvonne Ndege on what is one of Africa's most overcrowded cities on March 26, 2010.
Top News:
Gaddafi addresses crowd in Tripoli
Infinity TV brings Modern Times Group to Nigeria
Infinity TV brings Modern Times Group to Nigeria
The new satellite pay-TV station Infinity TV has brought the Modern Times Group (MTG), to Nigeria with the launch of four pay-TV channels in Africa. The company released the details of the Viasat History, Viasat Nature, Viasat Explorer and Viasat Crime channels at the first press conference on Friday February 25, 2011, at the Sofitel Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos. Viasat is the brand for the digital satellite TV platforms operated by MTG, a leading international entertainment broadcasting group with over 50 million subscribers and attracting over 125 million viewers in 31 countries worldwide.
The channels have award winning documentaries such as Nature’s Babies, Untamed Europe and Winter in Yelowstone on Viasat Nature Channel.
Visual History… Bringing History to Life, Gladiators: Back From the Dead, The Somme and The Black Death on Viasat History Channel.
Star Wars Tech, Toughest Career Jobs and Escape To The Legion on Viasat Explore Channel.
The Hunt for the Texas 7, Inside: LA Gang Wars, and Final Approach on the Viasat Crime channel.
The localized documentary channels will initially be offered to satellite pay-TV subscribers in Nigeria and cable pay-TV subscribers in Kenya.
MTG has signed distribution agreements with Infinity TV and HiTV in Nigeria and with the Zulu cable TV network in Kenya. The launch of the four pay-TV channels will expand the distribution in Africa, including a free TV operation in Ghana and more networks will be developed in the remaining parts of Africa.
~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Nokia meets local bloggers in Lagos
The meeting was organized by the Quadrant Company coordinated by Oreoluwa Etti.
Mr. Osagie Ogunbor, the head of communications, Nokia West Africa discussed the latest developments from the world's leading mobile phone company and how a rapport with the bloggers would be highly appreciated.
Notable bloggers at the event were Yomi Adegboye, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of
Mobility Nigeria, Hope Obioma Opara, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Supple magazine, representatives of Bella Naija and Linda Ikeji among other invited guests.