Northerners have bigger eyes and brains

Northerners have bigger eyes and brains, study finds

July 28, 2011


People from northern parts of the world have larger brains and eyeballs to help them deal with long, dark winters, scientists find.

Copyright (c) CBC 2011

Jane's Addiction and LG Mobile "Thrill" Attendees and YouTube Viewers

Glasses-free 3D phone, LG Thrill 4G™, creates first-of-its-kind entertainment experience for next-generation technology enthusiasts

NEW YORK – July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — LG Mobile and alternative rock pioneers, Jane’s Addiction, made innovation history last night at the world’s first 3D user-generated concert broadcasted live on YouTube to be later broadcasted on YouTube 3D. At a packed Terminal 5 with 1,500 guests in Hell’s Kitchen, New York, more than 100 ticket holders selected by LG and Jane’s Addiction received a rare opportunity to be the first to experience LG Thrill 4G™ and capture live, 3D footage of the exclusive Jane’s Addiction performance. Equipped with a stunning 360° stage that allowed for surround-sound and panoramic viewing, the concert also featured LG CINEMA 3D TVs throughout the venue to help put every attendee directly into the action. This unique concert experience was part of LG’s “Bring Your World Alive” campaign empowering consumers to experience the benefits of mobile 3D entertainment by creating content that is unique and personal.

Armed with LG Thrill 4G devices, Jane’s Addiction’s fans enjoyed the band’s most famous songs -- including their new tracks “Irresistible Force” and “End To The Lies” from their upcoming album The Great Escape Artist (Capitol Records)-- while capturing 3D video of the concert that will help create a 60-minute documentary of the “World’s First 3D User-Generated Concert.” Premiering on LG Thrill YouTube 3D channel (youtube.com/comealive) on August 4, 2011, the 3D documentary will tell the story of how technology has changed the way we create, view and share life’s most memorable moments.

“Tonight’s Jane’s Addiction concert was not only a great show from a visual and performance standpoint, it also illustrated the benefits of capturing life’s remarkable experiences in 3D,” said Tim O’Brien, vice president of marketing for LG Mobile. “When LG and YouTube premier the world’s first 3D user-generated concert, music and technology fans as well as the general public will see that 3D enabled mobile devices are the next step in the evolution of entertainment.”

In addition to the Jane’s Addiction concert, the “Bring Your World Alive” campaign will also challenge consumers to battle it out in a 3D Gaming Tournament with LG partner Gameloft at the Ferry Building Marketplace in San Francisco on August 10, 2011. Using LG Thrill 4G devices, teams of gamers will battle it out in “Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance (N.O.V.A.) 3D,” Gameloft’s 3D action game, during this exclusive 3D event experience. After multiple timed battles, top scorers will go head-to-head in a projected 3D main event for the chance to be crowned the N.O.V.A. Intergalactic Gaming Champion.

The “Bring Your World Alive” campaign kicked off earlier this summer at the 3D Entertainment Summit in New York on June 22 with a keynote speech delivered by Tim O’Brien, vice president of marketing for LG Mobile, encouraging all consumers to experience barrier-free, LG 3D mobile technology.

The ideal handset for on-the-move entertainment enthusiasts, LG Thrill 4G allows users to do it all in 3D – create, share and enjoy content in 3D. LG Thrill 4G will be available for pre-order on and in AT&T company owned stores in the coming weeks for $99.99 with a two-year contract. For more information on the LG Thrill 4G, please visit www.thrillbylg.com.

# # #

About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 93,000 people working in over 120 operations around the world. With 2010 global sales of 55.8 trillion Korean won (USD 48.2 billion), LG comprises four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions. LG is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines, and refrigerators. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula 1™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company
The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit http://www.lgmobilephones.com.

About Jane’s Addiction
Forming in 1985 in L.A., JANE’S ADDICTION has been firmly embedded in the collective pop culture consciousness for 25 years now. Perry Farrell stands out as one of music’s most forward-thinking and enigmatic frontmen. Dave Navarro remains a veritable guitar god. Drummer Stephen Perkins’ tribal stomp has also influenced a generation of percussionists. The hugely influential Los Angeles-based band has sold in excess of seven million records in the U.S. alone. When lead singer Perry Farrell created the traveling Lollapalooza festival, it galvanized the alternative rock movement and brought it to a whole new level. JANE’S ADDICTION have written the rule book for alternative music and culture through a combination of genre-defying classic songs and a cinematic live experience. For THE GREAT ESCAPE ARTIST, their new album due out fall 2011 on Capitol Records, JANE’S ADDICTION are working with producer Rich Costey (Muse, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol), with TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek on the team. Sitek, best known for his production work on TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Foals, is writing, programming, and playing bass on the album. The band, with Chris Chaney on bass, will be touring throughout 2011. Great bands break rules, but legends write their own. www.janesaddiction.com; www.facebook.com/janesaddiction; www.twitter.com/janesaddiction.


Media Contacts:
LG Electronics, Inc.
LG MobileComm U.S.A., Inc
Elizabeth Latham
(858) 805-6701
Elizabeth.Latham@lge.com
LG-One
Erica Samadani
(310) 280-2456
Erica.Samadani@lg-one.com

Another woman journalist jailed for reporting rape allegations in Sudan

Sudan Tribune Sudanese female journalist in a protest against censorship (FILE)

25 Jul 2011 16:01 Africa/Lagos

Sudan / Another woman journalist jailed for reporting rape allegations

PARIS, July 25, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Amal Habani, a woman reporter for the daily Al-Jarida, was today sentenced to a fine of 2,000 pounds (600 euros) or a month in jail for reporting a woman activist's claims that she was raped by members of the security forces. As Habani refused to pay the fine, she was immediately taken to Omdurman women's prison, northwest of the capital, to begin serving the jail sentence.


Photograph of women protesting against rape in war torn Sudan.Credit: Rights Monitoring Organization.

Habani was convicted by Judge Modather Al-Rasheed of the Khartoum media court, who fined her editor, Saadeldin Ibrahim, 5,000 pounds (1,500 euros). Agence France-Presse quoted her lawyer as saying they were found guilty of publishing false information and violating journalistic ethics.


She is the second woman journalist working for Al-Jarida to be tried in the past three weeks for reporting human rights activist Safia Ishag's rape allegations. Fatima Ghazali was convicted on 5 July and was taken to Omdurman prison the same day. She was released two days later after paying her fine.


Seven other journalists and media contributors are due to be tried or are still the subject of judicial investigations for the same reason. They are Faisal Mohamed Salih, Babikir Omer Al-Garrai, Abdalla Al-Shaik, Mohamed Latif, Faiz Al-Selaik, Mohamed Osman and Dr. Nahid Al-Hassan.


More information: http://en.rsf.org/sudan-ten-journalists-hounded-and-18-06-2011,40485.html


Source: Reporters without Borders (RSF)


26 Jul 2011 07:40 Africa/Lagos


Regional Conference On Migration In Africa Promotes Circular Labour Migration

GENEVA, July 26, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Migration experts are meeting this week in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, to discuss how Africa and the European Union can benefit from organized labour migration.


The conference which opened yesterday, 25 July, 2011, has been organized by the IOM through funds from the EU's AENEAS 2006 programme, which provides financial and technical support for countries on migration and asylum. It is attended by officials from EU, Africa and Canada as well as major international bodies, such as the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern African Development Commission (SADEC)


The conference builds on a previous event which took place in 2008, during which IOM with funds from the AENEAS 2006 programme, launched a Labour Migration Project for West Africa (LAMIWA). The project aimed at reversing the negative trends of increased irregular migrations from Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal to Europe, with Libya as the main transit country.


The conference is assessing the overall benefits of the LAMIWA programme on the participating countries, namely Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Italy. It also aims to gain understanding of different approaches taken by regional bodies to labour mobility.


One of the key areas for discussion is circular migration - a scheme whereby migrant workers from Africa enter the European labour market for a limited period of time in line with specific country entry quotas and then return home once their contracts are over.


This scheme will benefit migrants and both origin and the host countries. The countries of origin will benefit from the skills and knowledge acquired by the migrant workers, technology transfer, unemployment reduction and the remittances. Host countries will have access to migrant workers willing to fill short-term labour market needs.


Through LAMIWA project, a pilot scheme for circular migration scheme is taking place between Ghana and Italy. As part of the scheme, an initial group of twenty selected Ghanaian migrant workers will depart later this week for Italy where they will spend three months working in the agricultural sector. IOM will provide pre-departure counselling, including information on contract and working conditions as well as return and reintegration assistance in Ghana upon completion of the contract.


Apart from initiating circular migration scheme between Ghana and Italy, the funds provided by EU's AENEAS 2006 programme, have enabled IOM to provide assistance to the governments of Ghana and Nigeria in drafting labour migration policies, and support for the two governments' efforts to reduce irregular migration in the region.


In addition, AENEAS 2006 funding facilitated IOM to conduct national assessment of labour migration policies, legislation and practices in Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Libya.


Source: International Office of Migration (IOM)

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time

26 Jul 2011

05:37 Experts to validate report of study on equivalence of certificates in ECOWAS region

05:23 IMF Statement on South Sudan

16:01 Sudan / Another woman journalist jailed for reporting rape allegations

15:52 Minister Oda reiterates Canada's support to South Sudan

11:00 Resort Developers Sue Credit Suisse For Up To $7.5 Billion

25 Jul 2011

16:18 Nigeria security forces in random killing following bomb blast

11:00 Baker Hughes Announces Second Quarter Results

22 Jul 2011

08:57 IFJ and FAJ Hold Conference on the Welfare of African Journalists in Nigeria

15:59 UN experts alarmed over reports of atrocities in Southern Kordofan region of Sudan

13:49 Conflict in South Kordofan / The International Community Must Take Action Now / The Parties Must Immediately Put an End to Serious Violations

13:22 Darfur / UNAMID Media Brief

09:45 World Bank Applauds Action by the UK Serious Fraud Office in Relation to Bribery Charges Against Macmillan Publishers Limited In An Education Project in Sudan / The announcement highlights the World Bank's commitment to working with enforcement agencies worldwide to advance global action against corruption in development projects

08:40 Thousands Of Stranded South Sudanese Returnees Desperate For Assistance To Reach Final Destination

08:10 UN Security Council press statement on Lord's Resistance Army

07:01 Opportunities and Challenges for the Republic of South Sudan

06:57 President of the General Assembly of the United Nations Joseph Deiss meets with President Jacob Zuma

20 Jul 2011

08:41 ICC reaches out to the Sudanese diaspora in Dublin, Ireland

08:36 Famine in Somalia: FAO launches appeal to avert regional disaster / International emergency meeting to mobilize support

05:35 Briefing on the Current Situation in the Horn of Africa

19 Jul 2011

15:12 Darfur / UNAMID Media Brief

14:14 Drought Related Migration on the Increase in the Horn of Africa

04:11 Libya: medical services in Nefusa mountains struggling

First Lady Michelle Obama in CHRIS BENZ

25 Jul 2011 19:56 Africa/Lagos


First Lady Michelle Obama in CHRIS BENZ

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, July 25, 2011

NEW YORK, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- First Lady Michelle Obama stays cool in the Summer heat while wearing CHRIS BENZ' Resort Nelda Dress for her appearance on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Thursday, July 21st, 2011.

The episode, which is set to air in October, focuses on redesigning and expanding a North Carolina community resource center for homeless female veterans.

ABOUT CHRIS BENZ

The CHRIS BENZ collection is a reflection of Chris' Seattle upbringing and his ability to transform his influences to create a unique American style. His collection reflects the ease and carefree attitude one can expect from a true American Sportswear collection, which is made in the USA. In February 2007, Chris Benz presented his first ready-to-wear collection to high acclaim from fashion press and retailers during New York Fashion Week.

Chris grew up in Seattle, before arriving in New York City at the age of seventeen to study at Parsons School of Design. He graduated in 2004 winning the prestigious CFDA Emerging Designer Award. While at Parsons, Chris interned with Marc Jacobs where he reinforced his Parsons curriculum with the fundamentals of design. After graduation, Chris joined the dynamic J. Crew team as Designer of Dresses and Special Occasion.

Chris Benz is fascinated by innovation, proportions, refined tailoring and finishing details. The Seattle color palette prevails, with its deft blend of muted and neutral tones, shaken to life with an infusion of color. Classic silhouettes incorporate specialty details and elements of surprise. With an emphasis on layers, sheerness and directional color palette, the result is a beautifully crafted collection with a modern spirit. Chris Benz' vision is one of meticulous but effortless design: vintage and surplus elements, retooled in classic luxury fabrics that set the temperature of new American sportswear.

www.chris-benz.com

SOURCE CHRIS BENZ

CONTACT: PUBLICITY: Sidney Prawatyotin of Krupp Group, +1-212-462-4192, sidney@kruppgroup.com; or SALES: Eugene Migliaro of CHRIS BENZ, +1-212-244-2020, gene@chris-benz.com

Nigerian Joint Military Task Force in random killing in Maiduguri

25 Jul 2011 16:18 Africa/Lagos

Nigeria security forces in random killing following bomb blast

LONDON, July 25, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Nigerian authorities must immediately put a stop to unlawful killings by security forces, Amnesty International said today after at least 23 people were killed by police following a bomb blast on Saturday in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri.


The bomb, allegedly set off by the Islamist group Boko Haram, went off in the Budum market in central Maiduguri and injured three soldiers. According to reports received by Amnesty International, the Nigerian Joint Military Task Force (JTF) responded by shooting and killing a number of people, apparently at random, before burning down the market.


“President Goodluck Jonathan must get a grip on the Nigerian armed forces and immediately prevent them from carrying out further human rights violations and unlawful killings,” said Tawanda Hondora, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for Africa.


“The government must now investigate these heinous crimes and put on trial those found to be responsible for the killings. Allowing troops to go on the rampage will not bring to justice those who carry out these terrible bomb attacks on civilians,” he said.


“While staying within the law, the government must step up efforts to bring to justice members of Boko Haram who wreck untold suffering on people in the middle belt.”


One wing of Boko Haram has reportedly disowned the bomb blast, saying it may have been carried out by a splinter group.


The JTF was set up by the federal government in June 2011 to restore order in Borno state. In recent months, Amnesty International has received numerous reports that security forces in Borno state have resorted to unlawful killings, dragnet arrests, arbitrary and unlawful detentions, extortion, and intimidation.


One human rights defender told Amnesty International “Soldiers went on the rampage. They shot several people and burned all their shops and properties and burned their cars.”



Following a bombing in Maiduguri two weeks ago, members of the JTF reportedly threatened to shoot residents if they failed to report planned attacks.


“House to house searches, brutalisation, unlawful arrests, killings and disappearances have been the operating practice in Maiduguri for some months now. Unless steps are taken to ensure security forces operate within the law and respect human rights at all times, the next time Boko Haram attacks or kills a soldier, we are likely to see the same thing happen again,” said Tawanda Hondora.


Thousands of people living in Maiduguri have already left the city; and many more continue to do so.


The JTF have also been accused of raping women during their operations in recent months.


“Allegations of rape of women by members of the JTF have to be investigated and perpetrators brought to justice, “Tawanda Hondora said.


“Survivors of rape and sexual violence must be provided with appropriate support and aftercare,” he added.


Since July 2010, attacks by people believed to be members of the religious sect Boko Haram have increased. More than 250 people have been killed in such attacks, many of which have targeted police officers and government officials.


Several religious leaders have been killed and churches have also been targeted.


Since June 2011, Boko Haram has also attacked bars and beer-gardens, killing scores of people.


Source: Amnesty International

Get Ahead of the Class with AT&T Campus Guide

Go back to school with the latest technology. AT&T Campus Guide connects, informs and engages college communities through an innovative mobile platform, complete with important contacts, maps, events calendars, news updates, social networking, course information and more. (PRNewsFoto/AT&T Inc.)

25 Jul 2011 14:00 Africa/Lagos


Get Ahead of the Class with AT&T Campus Guide

New Mobile Platform Connects, Informs and Engages Campus Communities

PR Newswire

DALLAS, July 25, 2011

DALLAS, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- It's time to ditch the bulky directories and printed flyers. With AT&T Campus Guide, on-the-go students, faculty, alumni and staff can access campus information right on their smartphones. Community members can check out upcoming events, catch up on university sports scores and read course materials – all without skipping a beat in their busy schedules.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110725/CG40358)

AT&T* is the first carrier to offer this type of mobile platform, an affordable, leading-edge technology for higher education institutions. The AT&T Campus Guide app, which users can download for free, works with any service provider and on most major mobile operating systems. AT&T is working with DubMeNow, a pioneer in mobilizing higher education, to bring AT&T Campus Guide to schools all over the country.

Colleges and universities using AT&T Campus Guide can customize the app, adding school colors and banners to make it their own. And with its quick and easy set-up, AT&T Campus Guide is ready to go in a matter of weeks rather than months.

AT&T Campus Guide offers nine different features:

* Courses: Students can connect with classmates and professors in real-time using AT&T Campus Guide, viewing grades, assignments, announcements and detailed class information.
* Events: Wondering when the next big game is? Not sure when exams start? The events calendar on AT&T Campus Guide provides important dates and times for campus happenings.
* Directory: Search and browse contact information and connect with other students and faculty, without paging through a campus phonebook.
* Maps: Freshmen, visiting students and alumni will particularly appreciate campus maps and turn-by-turn directions between buildings.
* Notifications: Timely notifications announce school cancellations and remind students about overdue library books, tuition payments and more.
* News: Find the latest campus news, sports scores and Tweets – all in one place.
* Friends: An always up-to-date and backed-up address book of all students' classmates, friends and campus contacts. Any time students lose or replace their phones, they can just reinstall the AT&T Campus Guide app to their new phones and all of their contacts are restored.
* My Card: Students can easily share their customizable contact information to keep in touch with their friends, classmates, potential employers, alumni and advisors..
* Info: Looking for more information? Click on Info for miscellaneous details about campus.


"Students gravitate toward schools that have the best resources, the best technology," said Chris Hill, Vice President, Advanced Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions. "They're mobile and they're looking for colleges and universities that are mobile too. AT&T Campus Guide supports community engagement and communication in a comprehensive and cost-effective manner."

"More than 600 schools currently license our platform to connect, inform and engage their students and campus communities," said Manoj Ramnani, CEO of DubMeNow. "With nearly 4,000 U.S. colleges and universities eager to catch up on mobile, the AT&T Campus Guide application gives campus leaders an effective way to draw students' interest. Our mobile platform, which powers AT&T Campus Guide, offers advanced integration, configuration, management and administration features in a complete solution."

AT&T will begin pre-selling AT&T Campus Guide on July 29th. Schools that participate in the pilot period (July 29th through September 29th) will receive the application free of charge until October 1st.

AT&T is dedicated to supporting education with products and services that help institutions improve productivity both in and out of the classroom. In addition, AT&T's University Advantage Program provides tailored contracts and discounts for colleges and universities.

For more information on AT&T Campus Guide, visit: http://go-att.us/CampusGuide.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About Powered by DUB

Powered by DUB is the first comprehensive and intuitive open, mobile application platform for higher education, associations and events. The Powered by DUB platform allows organizations to connect, inform and engage with their community. For more information, visit http://www.poweredbydub.com or email sales@poweredbydub.com.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

© 2011 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

CONTACT: Jessica Rich, +1-212-453-2327, jr105t@att.com, or Melissa (Mirabile) Salottolo, +1-212-453-2327, mmirabil@attnews.us, both of AT&T Corporate Communications

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

Google is still the number one Online

RESTON, Va., July 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released its monthly analysis of U.S. web activity at the top online properties for June 2011 based on data from the comScore Media Metrix service. Several Travel subcategories ranked among the top-gainers in June as summertime officially began. Sporting Goods and Toy sites also saw gains as parents looked for ways to keep their kids occupied during the summer recess.

Google Sites ranked as the #1 property in June with 182.5 million visitors, followed by Yahoo! Sites with 178.4 million and Microsoft Sites with 173.6 million. Amazon Sites jumped 1 position to rank #6 with 95.8 million visitors, Disney Online jumped 8 positions to #32 (32.6 million visitors), and Twitter.com jumped 9 positions to #37 (30.6 million visitors). Expedia Inc appeared in the top 50 ranking at #39 (28.1 million visitors).

Top 50 Ad Focus Ranking

Google Ad Network led the June Ad Focus ranking with a reach of 92.8 percent of Americans online, followed by Yahoo! Network Plus (86.3 percent), AOL Advertising (85.9 percent), Yahoo! Sites (83.2 percent) and Google (82.2)

Click here for the complete detailed report.

Top Topics

Summer Heat

Debt Ceiling Debate

Statement from Bruce Bennett, Attorney for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Regarding the Order Issued Today by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware

AARP The Magazine Reveals its Annual List of the Top 10 Best Places To Live (and Retire) Affordably in the U.S.

Over Half of all Americans Favor National Recognition for Same-Sex Marriages

comScore Media Metrix Ranks Top 50 U.S. Web Properties for June 2011

Economy Struggling to Regain Momentum According to Fannie Mae's Economics & Mortgage Market Analysis Group

Quarterly Earnings Reports

New Cancer Treatment Device Goes Into Service Today

KCBS News: Dr. Percy Lee talks about the new Novalis Tx radiosurgery machine at UCLAs Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

25 Jul 2011 07:00 Africa/Lagos

New Cancer Treatment Device Goes Into Service Today



MANCHESTER, England, July 25, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

- Experts Welcome Latest Advance as Promising Development for UK Patients

A treatment system called the Novalis(R) Tx(TM) has gone into service today, which has the ability to destroy cancerous cells virtually anywhere in the body in a single, 20-minute session, without the need for a single cut of the scalpel.

The Novalis Tx, installed in The Christie at Salford Royal, a brand new radiotherapy centre in the North West, treats cancer using a specialised technique called radiosurgery which is especially beneficial for tumours of the brain and spine previously thought untreatable by surgeons.

Using powerful, highly accurate beams of radiation shaped to fit the precise shape of even the most complex tumours, the system is able to treat painlessly without the need for invasive[1] surgery and with fewer side effects. The short treatment times of the system benefit both doctor and patient; and mean more patients can be treated on the system in one day. Patients are often able to attend clinic just as an outpatient, returning to life the same day. Frameless radiosurgery provides a patient-friendly alternative to techniques that require immobilisation with an invasive head ring that is affixed to the skull[1].

Rachel Good, Christie radiotherapy manager for the new centre, says: "The Novalis Tx[TM] was the perfect choice for the centre because it will help The Christie treat more patients by switching between specialised radiosurgery for tumours in the brain to standard radiotherapy for other cancers of the body. In our first year we are looking to treat 720 patients with the Novalis Tx, 120 of which will be priority brain tumour patients where precise, non-invasive treatment is particularly effective."

News will be welcomed by the 300,000 people in the UK diagnosed with cancer each year[2]. Of these 50,000 people are estimated to develop either primary or secondary brain tumours[3], where traditional treatment is difficult to provide. Malignant primary brain tumours take more years off the average person's life than any other cancer and are the most significant cause of cancer death amongst men under 45 years and women under 35[1].

Ms Tina Karabatsou, Consultant Neurosurgeon at the Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, says: "One of the fantastic advantages of the new Novalis Tx treatment is we will be able to treat brain conditions we were previously unable to treat; such as tumours really deep in the brain where open surgery is too dangerous. Equally important is the non-invasive nature of treatment, which means treatment sessions can be performed as an outpatient day-case and with significantly less side effects."

The launch of the high-quality treatment coincides with new guidelines released by the NHS National Cancer Action Team which state that radiosurgery should be made available to all suitable cancer patients in England. By the end of 2011 three sites will be treating with the Novalis Tx developed by Varian Medical Systems and Brainlab in England and Scotland, improving access to advanced cancer care to patients across the UK.

Helen Bulbeck, Director of patient charity Brainstrust, comments: "The launch of the Novalis Tx system is a huge stride towards modernising cancer care in the UK to levels seen in Europe and the US. This is a great achievement for brain tumour treatment and one that we hope to see the NHS continue to build on in the years to come."

Further information:

About Brainlab

Together we are making medical technology and knowledge more impactful and accessible to physicians and their patients.



Brainlab develops, manufactures and markets software-driven medical technology that supports targeted, less-invasive treatment. Core products are image-guided systems and software that provide real-time information used for surgical navigation and radiosurgical planning and delivery.

Brainlab technology drives collaboration between hospitals and clinicians from a wide variety of subspecialties-from neurosurgery and oncology to orthopedics, ENT, CMF and spine and trauma. This integration delivers better access to improved and more efficient treatment.

Founded in 1989, the privately held Brainlab group has more than 5,000 systems installed in over 80 countries. Based in Munich, Germany, Brainlab employs 970 people in 16 offices worldwide.

To learn more, visit http://www.brainlab.com.

About Varian Medical Systems

Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centres and medical oncology practices. Varian is a premier supplier of tubes and digital detectors for X-ray imaging in medical, scientific, and industrial applications and also supplies X-ray imaging products for cargo screening and industrial inspection. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 5,100 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America, China, and Europe and in its 79 sales and support offices around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com.

About The Christie Foundation Trust

The Christie is one of the leading cancer centres in Europe treating about 40,000 patients every year and an international leader in research.

The new GBP18 million radiotherapy centre in Salford is part of a unique network of Christie radiotherapy centres to bring treatment closer to people's homes. As well as being equipped to deliver stereotactic radiosurgery, a highly specialised neurosurgical technique for brain conditions, the centre will be treating 60 patients a day from the local area for the most common cancers like breast, bowel and lung.

About Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust

Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust is recognised as one of the best Trust's in the NHS and aims to provide safe, clean and personal care to all patients. Salford Royal is large teaching Trust providing a range of medical, surgical, maternity and emergency services to the people of Salford. The Trust also offers specialist care to people from all over the UK who require expert tertiary help with, for example, neuroscience and kidney conditions. On 1 April 2011, Salford Royal integrated with Salford Community Health; the Trust now provides a range of community and primary care services. Our core purpose is to provide clinical, academic and service excellence ensuring the patient experience is at the forefront of care.

http://www.srft.nhs.uk

1. Some doctors may opt for a minamally invasive head frame depending on the specific treatment and patient.

2. Cancer Research UK. Cancer incidence - UK statistics. 2007. http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/incidence/ (Last accessed 18 Jul 2011)

3. Brain Tumour Research, Brain Tumour UK, International Brain Tumour Alliance & Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust. A manifesto for everyone affected by a brain tumour.

Source: Brainlab

Press enquiries: Rob Jones, Contact: rjones@pegasuspr.co.uk +44(0)1903-821550 / +44(0)7768-637786

I came to see films and I saw films

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe sitting in the audience at the 2nd Eko International Film Festival.

"I came to see films and I saw films ; that is what film festivals are all about, not talk shops,” said Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the CEO of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) on the fourth day of the 2nd Eko International Film Festival when Joseph Ugochukwu Ubaka’s Lilies of the Ghetto and Abba Makama’s Direc-Toh were screened at the Silverbird Galleria in Lagos, Nigeria.


Bic Leu of Finding Nollywood and Faruk Lasaki, Director of the Changing Faces at the 2nd Eko International Film Festival.


Peace Anyiam-Osigwe and Deborah, a guest from the United States.


Hope Obioma Opara, President Eko International Film Festival and Joseph Ugochukwu Ubaka, Director of Lilies of the Ghetto..

Click here for the Photo Gallery of the 2nd Eko International Film Festival.

UNICEF: Horn of Africa is a "Crisis for Child Survival"

Hunger is eating up the poor children in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya while children in America and other developed nations are over fed and obese.

~ Orikinla Osinachi, Nigerian poet and blogger



22 Jul 2011 16:15 Africa/Lagos


UNICEF: Horn of Africa is a "Crisis for Child Survival"
Children's agency massively scaling up operations to respond to urgent needs

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, July 22, 2011

NEW YORK, July 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With famine now declared in two regions of Southern Somalia and malnutrition rates at emergency levels in arid and semi-arid regions across the Horn of Africa, nearly 720,000 children are at risk of death without urgent assistance. In total 2.23 million children in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are estimated to be acutely malnourished.

"This summer has been an unspeakable nightmare for millions of children in the Horn of Africa," said President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF Caryl Stern. "We cannot control the weather patterns that have led to drought and famine, but we can do something about helping those who suffer from it. The sooner we act, the more children's lives can be saved. As little as $10 can feed a child for 10 days."

So far this month, by plane, truck and ship, UNICEF has delivered 1,300 metric tons of life saving supplies to some of the hardest hit areas in southern Somalia, including enough therapeutic supplies to treat over 66,000 malnourished children. In the next few months, UNICEF will expand supplementary feeding to reach 240,000 children and expand as quickly as is possible to reach more children and their families. $1.2 million in UNICEF emergency supplies have been dispatched to the Somali region of Ethiopia, and UNICEF has provided partners in Kenya with $1.4 million in supplies for children in camps and drought-affected pastoral areas.

Supplies prepositioned within the region had already been used to reach children in remote drought-affected communities, as well as children in camps for refugees and internally displaced people. UNICEF is working with partners in the field to see how it can expand existing operations and build on opportunities like Child Health days that happen on a regular basis in many parts of the region.

"We are gearing up our logistics to deliver unprecedented supplies of therapeutic and supplementary foods across the Horn," said Shanelle Hall, Director of UNICEF's supply division. "If we are to save lives, we need to act now – to bring in massive quantities of medicines, vaccines, nutrition supplies into the region as quickly as we are able and then get them out to the children who need it most."

"UNICEF is using every means possible to reach every child. There simply can be no compromise on the objective to keep children and their families alive," said Elhadj As Sy, Regional Director for UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa. "Every life must count, and we cannot afford to lose more lives to this crisis."

Insecticide-treated mosquito nets to prevent malaria and essential medicines, including vaccines, are being airlifted to support massive vaccination campaigns that will be conducted over the coming weeks to prevent the outbreak of disease. To expand provision of safe water and access to sanitation, boreholes will be drilled and rehabilitated; water trucking and hygiene activities will be expanded.

"We appreciate the generosity of the international community and those contributions are already making a difference. We urgently need more funds to meet the enormous need. Every minute that they are without lifesaving support is the difference between life and death," Sy said.

UNICEF estimates it will need $100 million over the next six months for a massive scale up of operations to reach children in the drought affected areas with emergency and preventative assistance.

For more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution to relief efforts in the Horn of Africa, please contact the U.S. Fund for UNICEF:

Website: www.unicefusa.org/donate/horn
Toll free: 1-800-4UNICEF (1-800-486-4233)
Text: Text "FOOD" to UNICEF (864233) to donate $10
Mail: 125 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038

About UNICEF

UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in more than 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.

UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress: the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.1 million in 2009. But still, 22,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF

CONTACT: Susannah Masur, +1-212-880-9146, (m), +1-646-428-5010, smasur@unicefusa.org, or Kini Schoop, +1-212-922-2634, kschoop@unicefusa.org, both of U.S. Fund for UNICEF

Web Site: http://www.unicefusa.org