The Mirror Boy: Are you ready for the journey?

The latest sensational Nollywood rave of the moment is Obi Emelonye’s The Mirror Boy, that was seen by a mammoth crowd at the world premiere at The Empire in Leicester Square, Central London last Thursday February 24, 2011.

The best eye witness account of the event was the report of Lady C on the UK Zambians site and the best photo album of the grand occasion is on Bella Naija

The story:

“The Mirror Boy” is an enthralling journey through the picturesque terrains of The Gambia, as seen through the eyes of a London-born 12 year old boy, TIJANI.
On the 13th of June and wholly out of character, TIJANI gets involved in a street fight in which a boy is hurt. Convinced that TIJANI needs discipline, TEEMA, his mum decides to take him to the Gambia to live with her sister.

On their arrival in Banjul, TIJANI encounters what he considers to be a simple apparition- a boy smiling at him in a mirror and vanishing afterwards.

However, seeing the same boy in a crowded street market the next day sets in motion a chain of events that culminates in him getting lost.

While the panic-stricken TEEMA struggles with the Police Force to find her son in an intriguing game of survival brinkmanship, TIJANI is left alone in the company of the enigmatic MIRROR BOY who is only visible to him.

As a bruising spiritual rite of passage, the MIRROR BOY takes TIJANI on a magical journey through the dark belly of the forest.

After a series of edge-of-the-seat adventures in the forest, TIJANI emerges the next day, a bewildered boy; for whom the lines between reality and fantasy; between the physical and the spiritual have been forever blurred.
His arrival at a time of mourning for a small kingdom upsets the evil machinations of a desperate Queen who; threatened by his innocent presence; is not afraid wield her mysterious powers.

A cathartic climax helps TIJANI to unravel the mystery of the MIRROR BOY. It also provides him with a rather mystical explanation for the way his life has cascaded from the 13th of June towards this inter-twined fate with a father he has never met.

Côte d'Ivoire / Is War the Only Option?

3 Mar 2011 18:37 Africa/Lagos


Côte d'Ivoire / Is War the Only Option?

DAKAR, March 3, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Côte d'Ivoire is on the verge of a new civil war. This tragedy can only be avoided if Africans and the wider international community stand firm behind the democratically elected president, Alassane Ouattara, and he launches an initiative for reconciliation and a transitional government of national unity.

Côte d'Ivoire: Is War the Only Option?, the latest International Crisis Group report, examines the escalation of political violence and armed confrontations since Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept defeat in the November presidential election and has sought to retain office by manipulating institutions and violence. The report says war is imminent, with Gbagbo's army and militias already beginning to clash with the former insurgent Forces Nouvelles in Abidjan and the west of the country, close to the border with Liberia.

The requirements to avoid a disastrous new conflict include Gbagbo stepping down; Ouattara offering to negotiate, with civil society help, an agreement for unity, national reconciliation and an interim transitional government with him at its head (but without the irreconcilable former president); the UN peace-keeping mission standing firm to carry out its civilian protection mandate; and the international community unequivocally supporting any decisions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), including deployment of a military mission.

“The Gbagbo regime is a serious threat to peace, security and stability in the whole West African region”, says Rinaldo Depagne, Crisis Group's West Africa Senior Analyst. “Any proposal to end the crisis that endorses or extends the Gbagbo presidency would only prolong the chaos and increase the risks”.

The election was part of a peace process that began after the September 2002 rebellion and was endorsed by several accords, the latest the 2007 Ouagadougou Political Agreement that all candidates, including Gbagbo, accepted and that set out compromises on organisation and security for the balloting. Ouattara won the run-off with a margin of more than 350,000 votes over Gbagbo.

The UN certified that result, but Gbagbo used the country's highest court to throw out votes arbitrarily so he could stage a constitutional coup. Since then, he has relied on violence and ultra-nationalist rhetoric to cling to power. Over 300 people have been killed, dozens raped and many more abducted and disappeared by security forces. ECOWAS and the African Union (AU) have recognised Ouattara as president-elect and asked Gbagbo to step down, but he is apparently prepared to resist to the end, even if it means throwing Côte d'Ivoire into anarchy, war and economic disaster with terrible consequences for the entire region.

The international community has an important role to play in assuring a peaceful outcome. The UN Security Counsel must support the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and encourage it to use all necessary means to accomplish its mandate. A new list of Ivorians subject to targeted sanctions should be developed, and the illegitimate Gbagbo regime's sources of finance should be examined. African states in particular need to show unity, and in particular South Africa should support ECOWAS efforts to remove Gbagbo and install Ouattara rather than pursue dangerously mistaken power sharing notions.

“The most likely scenario is an armed conflict involving massive violence against civilians that could provoke unilateral military intervention by neighbours”, says Crisis Group West Africa Project Director Gilles Yabi. “To prevent this, ECOWAS must reclaim responsibility for political and military management of the crisis, with the unequivocal support of the AU and the UN”.



Source: International Crisis Group

Hearst Television Receives Sixth Consecutive Walter Cronkite Award

3 Mar 2011 18:01 Africa/Lagos


Hearst Television Receives Sixth Consecutive Walter Cronkite Award for Political Journalism

Station Group, Sole Recipient in its Category since Award's 2001 Inception, Once Again Earns Nation's Highest Honor for Election, Issues Reporting on Local TV
Honors Also Go to WISN-TV, Milwaukee, for Town Hall Coverage

PR Newswire

NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, March 3, 2011

NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, March 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hearst Television Inc. has earned its sixth consecutive USC Annenberg Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism, in recognition of coverage of the 2010 election season.

The Cronkite Awards, named for the legendary CBS newsman, were established at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication following the 2000 election season to recognize excellence in television coverage of politics and political issues, quickly becoming the industry's most recognized honor in the field. They have been issued six times – following the 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 election seasons.

The Hearst station group has received the Cronkite for the Station Group category each time; its six consecutive honors surpass the total of Cronkite Awards to any other single entity in any category during the life of the awards.

Judges commended Hearst Television for its "clear, well-edited and comprehensive" reporting. They cited coverage of topics including bipartisanship, campaign expenditures and the accuracy of campaign ads. Judges said issues were clearly discussed and audience-friendly, adding that "Hearst continues to be a consistent success in this arena."

Also honored, in the Local Broadcast Station category, was Hearst's WISN-TV, the ABC affiliate in Milwaukee, which earned a Special Commendation for its political "town hall" programming.

The panel of eight judges was chaired by Geneva Overholser, director of the USC Annenberg School of Journalism. Entries were screened by 19 Annenberg faculty and alumni with experience in broadcast journalism.

The awards will be presented on the USC campus in Los Angeles on April 26.

Located in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California, the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism (www.annenberg.usc.edu) is among the nation's leading institutions devoted to the study of journalism and communication, and their impact on politics, culture and society. With an enrollment of more than 1,900 graduate and undergraduate students, USC Annenberg offers degree programs in journalism, communication, public diplomacy and public relations. The mission of The Norman Lear Center (www.learcenter.org) is to study and shape the impact of media and entertainment on society. For more information about the Cronkite Awards, visit www.cronkiteaward.org.

Hearst Television Inc. is a leading local media company comprising 29 television stations and two radio stations. The Company's television stations reach approximately 18% of U.S. TV households, making it one of America's largest television station groups. It also owns more than two dozen websites and multicasts more than two dozen digital channels providing news, weather and entertainment programming. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst Corporation. The Company's Web address is www.hearsttelevision.com.

SOURCE Hearst Television Inc.

CONTACT: Tom Campo of Campo Communications, LLC, +1-212-590-2464, Tom@CampoComm.com

Web Site: http://www.hearsttelevision.com

Clinton warns of civil war as Libya is suspended from the UN Human Rights Council

Clinton warns of Libya civil war



U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is warning that Libya could descend into civil war if Muammar Gaddafi refuses to quit. Jon Decker reports.

© 2011 Reuters


3 Mar 2011 13:15 Africa/Lagos

Libya suspended from the UN Human Rights Council

OSLO, March 3, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The UN General Assembly has suspended Libya from the UN Human Rights Council in response to the Libyan authorities' gross and systematic human rights violations against the country's own population.

This is the first time a member of the Human Rights Council has been suspended since the Council was established in 2006. Suspension requires a two-thirds majority among the member countries. The decision taken in New York was unanimous.

Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre commented: “This decision by the General Assembly is important most of all for the credibility of the UN. It underscores that member states were serious when in 2006 they said that members of the Human Rights Council would be suspended if they committed gross and systematic violations of human rights.”




Norway co-sponsored the resolution, which was put forward by the Arab countries Lebanon, Jordan and Qatar together with the African countries Botswana, Gabon and Nigeria. The fact that the resolution was supported by the two regional groups Libya belongs to underscores the broad consensus on the suspension of Libya.

In the course of five days, the UN has unanimously condemned the situation in Libya in clear terms by means of separate decisions by the Human Rights Council (on Friday), by the Security Council (on Saturday) and by the General Assembly (on Tuesday). These decisions have also imposed measures that put further pressure on the Libyan authorities and serve to hold them accountable.

“This latest decision demonstrates once again that the UN member countries stand united in their condemnation of the regime in Tripoli. The Libyan authorities have a responsibility to protect the country's own population. The abuses must come to an end immediately, and those responsible be held accountable,” said Foreign Minister Støre.

Source: Norway - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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Shattering the Glass Ceiling

3 Mar 2011 10:00 Africa/Lagos


Shattering the Glass Ceiling

LONDON, March 3, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

- Despite 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day, Female Earnings Gap Persists

There continues to be an earnings gap appearing between men and women according to new research released by recruiter Robert Half UK from the fifth annual ICAEW/Robert Half Career Benchmarking Survey. Overall, an average basic salary of GBP62,300 (median GBP55,000) for females is around 70% that of their male colleagues' GBP89,500 (median GBP76,500). For those in the earlier stages of their career (under the age of 30), the earnings gap between females and males appears to be widening. In 2010 males under 30 earned an average of GBP8,000 more than their female counterparts and in 2009 the difference was an average of GBP2000.

This discrepancy reflects in part at least influences from other factors found in the same survey, such as female ACAs being more likely to work part-time at critical career development stages, for example 24% of female ACAs aged 30-45 are working part-time, compared with only 3% of their male colleagues, or that male ACAs are more likely to work within the private sector or outside the UK where higher salaries are on offer.

"These results are certainly concerning, and indicate that there are inconsistencies between men and women within the accountancy profession," said Phil Sheridan, managing director of Robert Half UK. "Robert Half supports emerging policies to make recruitment processes more transparent and offer women a seat at the decision-making table, especially in light of the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. It is also important that women who are looking for an executive or C-level role have a plan in place to tackle any challenges they may encounter on their climb up the career ladder."

Robert Half UK offers the following advice on how women can successfully manage their executive career path:

Create a Career Plan

Determining where you want to go and then developing a detailed career plan for getting there will allow you to make a difference in your organisation, while assisting you in laying the groundwork for your journey to the top. You'll find it much easier to keep your eye on your ultimate career goals if you have outlined an effective plan on how to do this.

Consider What You Really Want

Initiate your planning process by taking time to think about what you want to accomplish and why. Ask yourself the difficult questions you need to consider, like are you prepared for the long hours and responsibility that comes with being a senior-level executive? Do you enjoy managing people and solving complex problems? And finally, is your family prepared to make the adjustments and sacrifices necessary so that you can pursue your leadership aspirations?

Develop and Build Your Skills Now

Skills development, especially for executive leaders, is an ongoing process and essential for women who have their eye on the C-suite. Developing the appropriate technical, managerial and interpersonal skills can lead to advancement opportunities as well as help prepare for the challenges that lay ahead. Thoroughly investigate what advanced education and training opportunities are available and take advantage of any tuition reimbursement programs offered.

Take Risks

Risk-taking in business requires leaving your comfort zone and tackling the problems that no one else wants to undertake. One of the best ways to do this is to seek a variety of responsibilities or positions within your current organisation, even if some are lateral moves. Showing that you not only understand, but have been accountable, in part, for a company's fiscal health, will help you build your skills, while exposing you to a variety of people and business situations.

Network

People like to work with and support people they know, so don't underestimate the power of traditional and online networking. Increasing your visibility by expanding your contacts, both internally and externally, can play a considerable role in your career advancement. To develop your network, consider joining professional organisations and attending conferences and seminars.

About the Survey

The fifth annual ICAEW/Robert Half Career Benchmarking Survey examines salary and remuneration, recruitment and life cycle trends affecting ACAs. Conducted by an independent research company in the fourth quarter of 2010, it includes responses from over 3,000 ACAs in business.

To view a three part video series summarising the findings of the ICAEW / Robert Half Career Benchmarking Survey, visit our video page ( http://www.roberthalf.co.uk/video).

About Robert Half

Robert Half pioneered specialised recruitment services and today is the world's leader in the field. Founded in 1948, the company is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: RHI) and operates five separate divisions in the UK, each serving distinct markets. They include: Robert Half Finance & Accounting and Robert Half Management Resources, for temporary, permanent and project professionals, respectively, in the fields of accounting and finance; OfficeTeam, for administrative support, Robert Half Financial Services Group, for finance and banking professionals and Robert Half Technology, for IT professionals.

There are more than 350 Robert Half locations in North America, South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information about Robert Half please visit: http://www.roberthalf.co.uk

Source: Robert Half

Contacts: Kristie Perrotte, Kristie.perrotte@rhi.net, +44(0)2073312222

Akunyili: Why I am running for the Senate

Prof. Dora Akunyili


"WHAT does this woman really want?” “What is wrong with her?” “Why didn’t she just remain as Minister of Information and Communications instead of jumping into the murky waters of Nigerian politics?” These are some of the questions which several people have been asking since December 15 when I announced my resignation as a minister and my entry into the senatorial race. To further confound most political observers, I equally resigned from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pitched my tent with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in my bid to realize my senatorial ambition.

Several theories have been making the rounds since then, as political analysts try to understand what I am really up to. With my campaign machinery now running at full steam following my victory in the APGA primaries and my recognition by INEC as the party’s candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District in the April 2 elections, I believe the time has come for me to clear the air on why I have embarked on what some people consider to be a risky political adventure.

To be sure, the contest for the Anambra Central senatorial seat is one of the toughest in the land. This is only to be expected in view of the caliber of candidates being fielded by some of the parties. I will, however, disappoint those who expect me to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of my opponents; I would rather concentrate on explaining why I am in the race and why the good people of Anambra Central should give me the mandate to represent them in the Senate in the coming political dispensation.

For the avoidance of doubt, I recognise and respect the right of every qualified person, irrespective of gender or place of origin, to aspire to any position of his or her choice, including the senatorial seat of Anambra Central. I will, therefore, be the last person to engage in the politics of name-calling. I believe that we must base politics on issues. For this reason, I have directed all those working with me and for me that there should be no abuses, no bitterness and no unnecessary quarrel, even if it is in my favour. All the people contesting the position with me have the constitutional right to do so and must not be either discouraged or scared out of the race. The contest is between brothers and sisters and our actions should reflect that.

Trusting in God for victory in the elections, I have since entered into a covenant with Him and with the good people of Anambra Central. Under that covenant, I have promised to do more for my constituency than any other person seeking this position because I know the system and I have the right contacts nationally and internationally. It was for this reason that I resigned my appointment as a minister when, after reflecting deeply about events in Nigeria and in particular my state, Anambra, I came to a point where I felt that the time had come for me to make the sacrifice of leaving a comfortable place to go to a difficult terrain in order to build a better place for our children and our children’s children.

My sole motivation for contesting the April 2011 senatorial elections is my desire to use my wealth of experience to attract more attention to my senatorial district, to Anambra State and to the South East geo-political zone, as well as to make Nigeria a better place through robust contributions to the lawmaking process and in performance of my oversight functions as a Senator. My ambition is not driven by the desire for pecuniary gains but by patriotic considerations and a strong desire to contribute more meaningfully to positively touch the lives of my people – the people at the grassroots.

My record as a public servant, especially as the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and as Federal Minister of Information and Communications, bears eloquent testimony to my ability to serve as a change agent in whatever position I find myself. The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will not be an exception.

As Senator representing Anambra Central, I promise to work selflessly to justify my mandate and to serve my people with sincerity of purpose and with the fear of God. I will work very hard to attract development from the Federal Government and from outside the country through various international organizations and philanthropists from across the world with whom I have built good relationships over the years. All over the world, people are waiting for an opportunity to help me because of the war I waged against drug counterfeiters not just in Nigeria but also internationally during my days as NAFDAC DG from 2001 to 2010.



My representing Anambra Central in the Senate will therefore give me the right platform to attract various forms of developmental schemes to the zone, not just from Nigeria but also from outside the country. As a Senator, I will publicly announce the constituency allowances for Anambra Central and will ensure that they are judiciously spent – used for projects chosen by the communities. Even my personal salaries and allowances will be announced, part of which will be used for developmental projects in the zone.

Within my first month as a Senator, every major market in Anambra Central will get toilet facilities and a bore hole. This will be followed by a scholarship programme for indigent students in the zone, to be introduced within the first three months of my being in the Senate. The scholarship scheme will be followed by empowerment projects for widows to enable them carter for the needs of their families. As I have repeatedly told my people, if after one year of representing Anambra Central as a Senator, they do not experience a tangible difference as an outcome of my representation, I will resign. I will have no business representing them at Abuja if they are not gaining from my being there. If I fail them, I will not wait to be recalled, but will keep my promise, be on the path of honour, and resign.

I am, however, confident that it will never get to that. I have never been associated with failure. By God’s grace, my senatorial odyssey will not be an exception.



• Prof. Akunyili is the APGA candidate for Anambra Senatorial District in the forthcoming elections.

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Americans Give President Obama Negative Job Rating

President Barack Obama

28 Feb 2011 15:53 Africa/Lagos


Almost Six in Ten Americans Give President Obama Negative Job Rating

Almost nine in ten give Congress negative ratings

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2011

NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking ahead, President Obama most likely sees many battles forthcoming. There's the current budget showdown which has the potential to lead to a government shutdown. There is the labor issue and all eyes are watching to see how the White House responds to what is happening in Wisconsin. And then there is his own electoral battle, albeit 20 months from now, but still on the horizon.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100517/NY06256LOGO)

Going into these battles, almost three in five Americans (58%) have a negative opinion of the job the President is doing while 42% have a positive opinion of it. This is slightly down from last month when 44% of U.S. adults gave the job the President was doing positive marks and 56% gave it negative ratings.

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 3,171 adults surveyed online between February 14 and 21, 2011 by Harris Interactive.

Partisanship definitely exists in looking at President Obama's job approval ratings. Nine in ten Republicans (90%) give the President poor ratings while almost three-quarters (73%) of Democrats give him positive marks and Independents are more negative than positive with 60% giving the President negative marks and 40% positive. What is interesting is the depth of support among Republicans and Democrats. Almost six in ten Republicans (57%) give President Obama a rating of poor, the worst on the scale. Among Democrats, just one in five (22%) give the President a rating of excellent, while half (50%) say he is doing a pretty good job.

There is also a large regional divide. Just three in ten Southerners (31%) give President Obama positive ratings as do 42% of Midwesterners. Westerners are very split as 49% give the President positive ratings while 51% give him negative marks. The President's strongest ratings come from the East where over half (54%) give him positive ratings on the job he is doing.

It is almost two months into the new Congress and yet they are not faring much better than the previous Congress did in terms of their ratings. Over four in five Americans (86%) rate the overall job Congress is doing negatively while just 14% give Congress positive ratings. Last month, 84% of U.S. adults gave them negative marks while 16% positive ratings.

It's not just Congress and the President who are mired in negative ratings, the direction of the country is as well. Almost two-thirds of Americans (64%) say things in the country are going off on the wrong track, almost the same as last month (63%). Over one-third of U.S. adults (36%) say things are going in the right direction; 37% said this last month.

So What?

Americans may be hearing that things are getting better and they can see the stock market has had a nice run, but this hasn't translated into better job ratings for President Obama or for Congress. And, if turmoil in the Middle East continues and impacts gas prices for the summer driving season, expect these numbers to move down, not up. That's something the White House definitely does not want to see one year before the presidential election.

Click here for more details

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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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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

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28 Feb 2011
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