Monday, February 27, 2012

And the Winners Are The Artist and Others Following




Jean Dujardin wins Best Actor for THE ARTIST.

The night of the Oscars belonged to The Artist as the French Black and White film won the most coveted Oscars at the 84th Academy Awards, for Best Picture, Best Director, Actor in a Leading Role, Original Score and for Costume Design as well.



As the era of silent films draws to a close, two actors find their careers and their relationship influenced by the coming of talking pictures. While popular screen star George Valentin resists the transition to sound, young Peppy Miller embodies a modern age that is leaving Valentin behind.

The Iranian film A Separation by Asghar Farhadi won the Oscar for the best Foreign Language Film.

When an Iranian couple separate prior to their divorce, a chain of events is set in motion that will affect the future of two families. After his wife’s departure, Nadar hires a woman named Razieh to care for his elderly father, but complications in Razieh’s own life give rise to an escalating series of problems.

List of the 84th Annual Academy Award winners announced Sunday:

1. Best Picture: "The Artist."
2. Actor: Jean Dujardin, "The Artist."
3. Actress: Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady."
4. Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, "Beginners."
5. Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, "The Help."
6. Directing: Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist."
7. Foreign Language Film: "A Separation," Iran.
8. Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, "The Descendants."
9. Original Screenplay: Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris."
10. Animated Feature Film: "Rango."
11. Art Direction: "Hugo."
12. Cinematography: "Hugo."
13. Sound Mixing: "Hugo."
14. Sound Editing: "Hugo."
15. Original Score: "The Artist."
16. Original Song: "Man or Muppet" from "The Muppets."
17. Costume Design: "The Artist."
18. Documentary Feature: "Undefeated."
19. Documentary Short: "Saving Face."
20. Film Editing: "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."
21. Makeup: "The Iron Lady."
22. Animated Short Film: "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore."
23. Live Action Short Film: "The Shore."
24. Visual Effects: "Hugo."
------
Oscar winners previously presented this season:
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Oprah Winfrey.
Honorary Award: James Earl Jones.
Honorary Award: Dick Smith.
Gordon E. Sawyer Award: Douglas Trumbull.
Award of Merit: ARRI cameras.

Winners List compiled by FOX News.



Sunday, February 26, 2012

Bill Clinton, America, Boko Haram and Our Economic Injustice


President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria with Bill Clinton in one of his recent visits to Nigeria. Photo Credit: Sulekha.

Bill Clinton, America, Boko Haram and Our Economic Injustice


~ By John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D
.

As a result of a sizeable number of men and women and a system deep in corruption as indicated by past and every day happenings, Nigeria now presents with a national and international face of violence.

A former President, of United States of America, Bill Clinton recently observed how the continued religious and economic grievances are fueling fear, terror, insecurity and instability in Nigeria.

Ambassador of the United States to Nigeria, Terence P. McCulley has also called on the Nigerian Government to address the long standing poverty problems in the nation’s north where internal terrorism reigns with security forces doing their best to defeat the extremist group.

There is inequality and poverty everywhere, in the Northern stats mostly. Unlike many up and coming societies, one must wonder how effective and concerned are the offices or ministries of Labor and Productivity in regards to employment issues across the nation.

One needs to see more from the works of the ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development as well other related agencies in regards to job-related matters.
In all of our States, the northern states in particular, we see how lives of misery persist everywhere due to abject poverty. In a recent report, ‘Nigeria Poverty Profile 2010’ by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), at least 112.6 million of Nigerians are living below the poverty level. That is 69 per cent of the country’s population.

In the report by Mr. Yemi Kale, the Statistician-General of Nigeria, the highest poverty areas are within the North-West and North-East geo-political zones. In general, the number of Nigerians living in poverty continues to increase with 61 per cent of Nigerian currently living with less than one $1 per day, resulting in 60.9 per cent of them having minimum standards of foods, shelter, clothing, and healthcare.

In fact, 93.9 per cent of Nigerians currently consider themselves as poor, partly due to wealth and income inequality.

In the face of these painful statistics, it is time the government show us the national poverty reduction plans in the North, in regards to addressing vocational injustice both in the North and across the nation. And stop this nonsense about western education. It makes no sense to say that the economic emptiness in many Northern states is partly due some Muslims or members of the Boko Haram sect viewing "Western education” as sacrilege or "sin".

It is a false picture or perception in many peoples’ heads that a rejection of Euro-America or Western education/lifestyle signifies not embracing Western education; as such those individuals or localities with such mindset will not be able to attain the good life or economic progress.


Imam Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram.

It is essential to state that there could be grounds for some Nigerians including members of the Boko Haram to reject western education if judged from some well-known day to day standpoints. Even Bill Clinton and many Americans will testify to the reality that America, in a much deeper and prevalent way swims inside the infrastructure of sex clubs, and many of the Sex clubs stand out as studios of drugs, booze and violence.

There are drugs and alcohol addictions everywhere. There are constant threats and practice of violence in schools, homes and workplace. Strip clubs, pornography, prostitution, swapping of spouse, guns and huge dollar enterprises are the order of the day, at least socially.


Bill Clinton being welcomed in Northern Nigeria during one of his visits.

There is the general attraction to the allure of glamour, fast lifestyle, and other “sins”—at least from the point of Islamic psychology. So, could this be what some Muslims across the globe, and in Northern Nigeria view as bad-mannered, ungodly, irreligious and sacrilegious?

At the same time, no matter how deep is the rejection of Euro-America or Western education by the Boko Haram group or any other persons, the use of violence to make demands or to bring any meaningful change is never a welcomed strategy in a democracy.

Many in the government have asked what do many in the North want. They want what all humans want as in being able to make an adequate living. They hate economic injustice and corruption in governance.

The challenge of the Jonathan presidency on security matters in the North is to find useful ways to shrink poverty, illiteracy, and poor work conditions, and by the way, the English language is not the only avenue for doing this.

All over the globe there are new trends in training and work development for youths, adults and women, and vested interest could use native dialects to train potential employees to understand the most effective ways to do different jobs, even the so called Euro-American type vocations.

Remember, it is the individuals who usually help the economy, in terms of consumer spending; as such money to help local economies usually comes from both the employers and consumers.

In the United States of America, China, and in Latin America and Spanish societies, business is generally done with the natives using many native words. So in terms of business and economics, and from work-skill point of view, the Hausa/Fulani/Gwari/Kanuri languages and cultures could be looked upon as a set of avenues to enhance
employment. We can even make these Northern languages essential for the purpose of learning by other Nigerians as it could enhance everyday commercial relationship and our overall social relations.

In the North, we can focus on transportation, farming, mining and other related projects that could enhance the local economy.

We need to engage in various local activities to drive the economy in the North, which could result into a sustainable local economy and possibly drive up economic prosperity in the North. And in the process curtail regional frustration and irritability and help regenerate non-sectarian ways of living. If we are to understand former U.S.

President Bill Clinton’s warning that widespread poverty is plaguing Nigeria as well as fueling the religious violence in the country, in the Northern part especially; let us begin to reduce security challenges in the North by leveling the inequality that now exist.

It is time we create exemptions in our judicial guidelines and begin to use the tribal law as in public shaming, flogging, and whipping only if for the purpose of a threat, to alert any Nigerian involved in public corruption or found guilty of corruption in public office, especially.

And here is why?

A recent report from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) showed that a government official was caught hiding N2 billion cash in his house, so what do one tell that able bodied man or young adults, may be of Northern or Southern stock who is unsheltered, sleeping in the street, sleeping inside broke down vehicles and could still dance to a good music in the day time, and at night could become a part of an insurrection group with law enforcement officers as a collective or representational target, unfortunately.

What do you say to such a person?


~ John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D., is a Forensic/Clinical Psychologist and the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association (NPA), Abuja. Jos5930458@aol.com 08126909839.

Top News Releases

The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Anadarko Petroleum, Eni SpA, Statoil ASA and Petrobras

23:38 Address by Canada's Minister Baird at the London Conference on Somalia / February 23, 2012 - London, United Kingdom
23:35 Orient-Express Hotels Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 Results Highlights
23:33 US Secretary of State Press Availability on the London Conference
23:26 World Bank provides supplemental credit to help Niger deal with impact of Libyan crisis and drought / New US$15 million credit will help cover additional financing needs for programs to deal with food insecurity and the reintegration of migrant workers returning from Libya






Saturday, February 25, 2012

ABC Endorses Mitt Romney for President


Mitt Romney addresses Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) at its national board of directors meeting in Phoenix.

PHOENIX, Feb. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today endorsed Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to be the 45th president of the United States. The association's endorsement of Romney came during the ABC National Board of Directors meeting in Phoenix.

"The election of Mitt Romney as president is a top priority for the commercial and industrial construction industry and the millions of Americans it employs," said 2012 ABC National Chairman Eric Regelin, president of Granix, LLC, Ellicott City, Md. "He has articulated a clear position on issues important to ABC members, including opposing federally mandated project labor agreements, returning the National Labor Relations Board to a neutral arbiter of labor disputes and supporting the free-market, merit shop philosophy."

In his speech before the ABC board, Romney said, "If I become president of the United States I will curb the practice we have in this country of giving union bosses an unfair advantage in contracting. One of the first things I will do - actually on day one - is I will end the government's favoritism towards unions in contracting on federal projects and end project labor agreements.

"I also will make sure that workers in America have the right to a secret ballot and I will fight for right to work laws."

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national association with 74 chapters representing 22,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms. Visit us at www.abc.org.


SOURCE Associated Builders & Contractors Inc.


RELATED LINKS
http://www.abc.org



Thursday, February 23, 2012

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka Endorses The Missing Clock


Prof. Wole Soyinka endorsing "The Missing Clock" with the author Adeleke "Mai Nasara" Adeyemi and others standing beside him.

The first African Nobel Prize winner for Literature, Prof. Wole Soyinka has endorsed The Missing Clock, the children’s book of Adeleke “Mai Nasara” Adeyemi, the winner of the 2011 Nigeria Prize for Literature sponsored by the Nigeria LNG Limited.









Wednesday, February 22, 2012

IMAX Corporation Appoints Andrew Cripps as President, Europe, Middle East and Africa


IMAX Corporation Names International Studio Executive Andrew Cripps President of IMAX EMEA. (PRNewsFoto/IMAX Corporation)

22 Feb 2012 16:00 Africa/Lagos

IMAX Corporation Names International Studio Executive Andrew Cripps President of IMAX EMEA

Cripps to Lead Company's Network Growth and Film Development Efforts in EMEA

NEW YORK, Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX; TSX:IMX) today announced the appointment of Andrew Cripps as President, Europe, Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"). In this role, Cripps will be responsible for the expansion of IMAX's theatre network in these regions and will work closely with the Company's Filmed Entertainment division to identify international local-language IMAX DMR® and distribution opportunities. Cripps was also named Executive Vice President of IMAX Corp.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120222/NY57522)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111107/MM01969LOGO)

Cripps joins IMAX from London-based Paramount Pictures International, where he had been President since January 2007. Previously, Cripps was President and COO of UIP, a joint venture distribution company between Paramount and Universal. He joined UIP in 1986 as Executive Assistant to the General Manager, Japan, and was later promoted to the roles of Vice-President Sales, South East Asia and Senior Vice-President, International Sales. Cripps spent 19 years in Japan and speaks fluent Japanese.

"Given Andrew's leadership, vast industry experience and strong relationships with exhibitors and studios, we believe he is well-equipped to help us maximize the growth opportunities that exist in the underpenetrated markets of EMEA," said Gelfond. "Our goals for 2012 include igniting our expansion efforts in Latin America, India and Europe, and bringing someone of Andrew's caliber on board further demonstrates our commitment to achieving these objectives. I am confident that Andrew's international expertise will benefit our organization beyond EMEA and we welcome him to the IMAX family."

"I am delighted to join IMAX, a company I know and respect and a name that is synonymous with quality entertainment," said Cripps. "I hope to leverage my more than 20 years in Europe, as well as my relationships with exhibitors, to expand the IMAX network and grow the brand."

"I have known and worked with Andrew for many years and hold him in the highest regard both personally and professionally," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President, IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "He is one of the most well-respected and creative entertainment executives in Europe, and his strategic knowledge and relationships within the international exhibition and film industry are a perfect fit for accelerating our growth efforts in EMEA. I look forward to continuing to partner with him to expand and build new studio relationships and bring international audiences more local-language films in the immersive IMAX format."

IMAX currently has 96 IMAX® theatres open in EMEA (76 commercial multiplex, 8 commercial destination and 12 institutional), and another 33 IMAX theatres in backlog scheduled to open throughout the region by 2014. The Company's current analysis of the market suggests that 350 theatres could exist in the region over time.

A British citizen born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Andrew Cripps holds a BSc in Industrial Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, and an MBA in International Business from Georgia State University, Atlanta.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment and technology companies, specializing in the creation and delivery of premium, awe-inspiring entertainment experiences. With a growing suite of cutting-edge motion picture and sound technologies, and a globally recognized entertainment brand, IMAX is singularly situated at the convergence of the entertainment industry, innovation and the digital media world. The industry's top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and as such, the IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe. The Company's new digital projection and sound systems - combined with a growing blockbuster film slate - are fueling the rapid expansion of the IMAX network in established markets such as North America, Western Europe, and Japan, as well as emerging markets such as China and Russia. IMAX theaters deliver the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, and IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-Mastering) technologies. IMAX DMR enables virtually any motion picture to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience®.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing. As of September 30, 2011, there were 583 IMAX theatres (441 commercial multiplex, 23 commercial destination and 119 institutional) operating in 48 countries.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience® and The IMAX Experience® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on IMAX management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Important factors that could affect these statements include, but are not limited to, general economic, market or business conditions, including the length and severity of the current economic downturn, the opportunities that may be presented to and pursued by IMAX, the performance of IMAX DMR films, conditions in the in-home and out-of home entertainment industries, the signing of theatre system agreements, changes and developments in the commercial exhibition industry, the failure to convert theatre system backlog into revenue, new business initiatives , investments and operations in foreign jurisdictions, foreign currency fluctuations and IMAX's prior restatements and the related litigation. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.


For additional information please contact:


Business Media:

Ann Sommerlath

212-821-0155

asommerlath@imax.com

Sloane & Company – New York

Whit Clay

212-446-1864

wclay@sloanepr.com

Investors:

IMAX Corporation – New York

Heather Anthony

212-821-0121

Entertainment Media:

IMAX Corporation – Santa Monica

Christine Tasto

310-255-5547

ctasto@imax.com

Principal Communications Group – Los Angeles

Melissa Zukerman/Paul Pflug

323-658-1555

melissa@pcommgroup.com

paul@pcommgroup.com



Tuesday, February 21, 2012

84.4 Percent of the U.S. Internet Audience Viewed Online Video



84.4 percent of the U.S. Internet audience viewed online video.
181 million U.S. Internet users watched nearly 40 billion videos of online video content in January.

The duration of the average online content video was 6.1 minutes, while the average online video ad was 0.4 minutes.

Video ads accounted for 12.2 percent of all videos viewed and 0.9 percent of all minutes spent viewing video online.


Top 10 Video Content Properties by Unique Viewers

Google Sites, driven primarily by video viewing at YouTube.com, ranked as the top online video content property in January with 152 million unique viewers, followed by VEVO with 51.5 million, Yahoo! Sites with 49.2 million, Viacom Digital with 48.1 million and Facebook.com with 45.1 million. Nearly 40 billion videos views occurred during the month, with Google Sites generating the highest number at 18.6 billion, followed by Hulu with 877 million and VEVO with 717 million. The average viewer watched 22.6 hours of online video content, with Google Sites (7.5 hours) and Hulu (3.2 hours) demonstrating the highest average engagement among the top ten properties.

Click here for the details with tables and figures.

*A video is defined as any streamed segment of audiovisual content, including both progressive downloads and live streams. For long-form, segmented content, (e.g. television episodes with ad pods in the middle) each segment of the content is counted as a distinct video stream.

Top Topics of Today

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comScore Releases January 2012 U.S. Online Video Rankings

Kimberly-Clark's Kotex Brand Achieves Billion-Dollar Status

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas teams up with Texas Instruments to launch new badge, interest local girls in STEM

NASA Spacecraft Reveals Recent Geological Activity on the Moon

LightSquared Statement Regarding Inmarsat Notice

Star's Death Places Spotlight on Xanax

Is He A Cheater? There's An App for That!

Quarterly Earnings Reports

American International Toy Fair

Black History Month





Monday, February 20, 2012

Stars Celebrate Muhammad Ali's 70th Birthday in Las Vegas



Keep Memory Alive's 16th Annual "Power of Love Gala" Honors Muhammad Ali With Star-Studded 70th Birthday Celebration in Las Vegas MultiVu Video Feed: Keep Memory Alive.


Muhammad Ali, with wife Lonnie, gets a birthday greeting from Top Rank's Bob Arum during the ''Power of Love Gala'' in Las Vegas benefitting the Cleveland Clinic Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images.

Event Honored “The Greatest of All Time” at Fundraiser for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the Muhammad Ali Center
“Ali 70th From Las Vegas” Airs on ESPN2 on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 10 p.m.
Presented by Bill Edwards Presents



Sean Combs honors Muhammad Ali during his70th birthday celebration at the 16th annual ''Power of Love Gala'' benefitting the Cleveland Clinic. Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, Las Vegas /PRNewswire/ — Keep Memory Alive’s 16th annual Power of Love Gala on Saturday, Feb. 18, at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas brought out some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment to celebrate Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday and raise funds for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the Muhammad Ali Center.

Highlights of the evening included a heartfelt “Happy Birthday” serenade by Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg leading the crowd in chanting “Ali” during his performance of “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?” and famed boxers Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield and Tommy “Hitman” Hearns joining LL Cool J on stage for “Mama Said Knock You Out.” Stars like Sean Combs, Samuel L. Jackson, Terrence Howard and David Beckham gave personal remarks and remembrances about “The Greatest” while Lenny Kravitz, Cee Lo Green and Kelly Rowland performed for Ali and the sold-out crowd of about 2,000.

The once-in-a-lifetime birthday celebration, “Ali 70th From Las Vegas,” will air nationally on ESPN2 on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 10 p.m. local time in all markets. ABC will air the celebration in Las Vegas at 4 p.m. PT that day as well. For possible ABC broadcast in all other markets, viewers should check their local listings.

Performers and celebrity supporters who appeared at the event included Cindy Crawford, Randy Gerber, Samuel L. Jackson, David Beckham, Larry King, Quincy Jones, Ken Jeong, Buzz Aldrin, Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, Common, Lenny Kravitz, Sean Combs, Anthony Hopkins, John Legend, Chris Cornell, Cee Lo Green, Joe Perry, Slash, Terrence Howard, Kris Kristofferson, David Copperfield, Siegfried & Roy, Andre Agassi, Stefanie Graf, Jim Brown, Randy Couture, Brad Garrett, Kelly Rowland, Dave Koz, Robin Leach, James Gandolfini, Steve Schirripa, John Paul DeJoria, Tony Danza, Raphael Saadiq, Haley Reinhart, and Sammy Hagar. Boxing icons who attended include Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield, Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and Tommy “Hitman” Hearns.

In keeping with its 16-year history, the Power of Love Gala showcased a celebrity-chef-packed dinner featuring creations by Tom Colicchio, Scott Conant, Michael Mina and Wolfgang Puck. Guests were treated to a Dom Perignon reception and were able to bid on one-of-a-kind live and silent auction items, including Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves he wore to defeat Floyd Patterson in Las Vegas in 1965 and an extravagant vacation of a lifetime for two couples on David Copperfield’s private island in the Bahamas.

The gala’s celebration for Ali aligns with the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health’s recent launch of a landmark study examining the long-term brain health of professional fighters. Aiming to improve the safety and health of fighters, the study will help determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, along with other tests, can detect subtle changes in brain health that correlate with impaired thinking and functioning. Researchers hope the information uncovered by this research will eventually result in better ways to prevent permanent brain injury in not only fighters, but also in others who may suffer from brain trauma.

The Power of Love Gala was produced by Bill Edwards Presents Inc. and supported by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), Muhammad Ali Enterprises and Keep Memory Alive, the fundraising arm of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. The star-studded celebration for Ali honored the boxing legend’s contribution to the world and raised awareness for Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

About Cleveland Clinic:
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S.News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. About 2,800 full-time salaried physicians and researchers and 11,000 nurses represent 120 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic Health System includes a main campus near downtown Cleveland, eight community hospitals and 18 Family Health Centers in Northeast Ohio, Cleveland Clinic Florida, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, Cleveland Clinic Canada, and opening in 2013, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. In 2010, there were 4 million visits throughout the Cleveland Clinic health system and 167,000 hospital admissions. Patients came for treatment from every state and from more than 100 countries. Visit us at http://www.clevelandclinic.org/. Follow us at www.twitter.com/ClevelandClinic.

About Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health:
Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health provides state-of-the-art care for cognitive disorders and for the family members of those who suffer from them. The physicians and staff at the Center for Brain Health continuously work towards the development of early diagnosis and the advancement of knowledge concerning mild cognitive disorders, which could one day delay or prevent their onset. Patients receive expert diagnosis and treatment at the Center for Brain Health, which offers a multidisciplinary patient-focused approach to diagnosis and treatment, promoting collaboration across all care providers, offering patients a complete continuum of care and infusing education and research into all that it does. The facility, designed by Frank Gehry, houses clinical space, a diagnostic center, neuroimaging rooms, physician offices, laboratories devoted to clinical research and the Keep Memory Alive Event Center. For more information, visit www.clevelandclinic.org/brainhealth.


About Keep Memory Alive:

Keep Memory Alive, whose mission is to provide enhanced treatment and ultimately cures for patients and their families suffering from neurocognitive disorders, raises awareness and funds in support of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. By supporting Keep Memory Alive and its fight against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, ALS and memory disorders of all kinds, we can ensure progress towards better treatments and ultimately cures will occur in Las Vegas. For additional information call (702) 263-9797 or visit www.keepmemoryalive.org.

About The Muhammad Ali Center:
The Muhammad Ali Center is a cultural attraction and international education center that is inspired by the ideals of Muhammad Ali. The Center serves as the global hub for championing the social significance of Muhammad Ali; its experience incorporates as organizing elements, six prevailing core values of Ali’s life: respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, and spirituality. Much more than a place to tell the story of one man’s incredible 70-year journey, the Muhammad Ali Center reaches beyond its physical walls to fulfill its mission. In 2012, the Center’s activities will ensure that the rising generation understands and actively adopts Ali’s core values to create a powerful new movement: Generation Ali. For more information, please call (502) 584-9254 or visit www.alicenter.org.

About Bill Edwards Presents Inc.:

A premier live entertainment company, Bill Edwards Presents Inc. has been producing world-class attractions for more than a decade. The company has established itself through producing shows and events in a variety of venues – including festivals, theaters, casinos-resorts, performing arts centers and arenas. Known for its reputation of aligning with award winning talent, Bill Edwards Presents is based in St. Petersburg, Florida. www.billedwardspresents.com


About The LVCVA:

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide, and also with operating the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center. With approximately 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and more than 10.6 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA’s mission centers on attracting ever-increasing numbers of leisure and business visitors to the area. For more information, go to www.lvcva.com or www.VisitLasVegas.com.

Media Contacts:


Megan F. Pruce
Cleveland Clinic
prucem@ccf.org
216-445-7452

Kate Whiteley
Kirvin Doak
kwhiteley@kirvindoak.com
702-737-3100



Sunday, February 19, 2012

Will the Republicans Ever Have Another Ronald Reagan?


Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was the 40th President of the United States, serving from 1981 to 1989. Prior to that, he was the 33rd Governor of California from 1967 to 1975 and a radio, film and television actor.

Incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama is having a roller coaster ride in the 2012 United States presidential election campaign, because the Republicans have no credible presidential candidate.


Senator John McCain lost to Barack Obama in the last presidential election.

In fact Senator John Sidney McCain III is still better than Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul. I just feel sorry for the GOP, because none of their presidential candidates can beat Barack Obama even if he does not campaign.


Mitt Romney does not have what it takes to beat the incumbent President Barack Obama.


The Republican presidential primaries were more exciting and thrilling in the 2008 campaign compared to the current boring primaries.

Will the GOP ever produce another Ronald Reagan?
He remains the best Republican presidential candidate in modern history. A new Ronald Reagan will beat Barack Obama in any presidential election.



Saturday, February 18, 2012

President Obama Leads Mitt Romney by 9 points and Rick Santorum by 12 points


President Barack Obama and main Republican opponent Mitt Romney.

17 Feb 2012 17:29 Africa/Lagos

President Obama Leads Mitt Romney by 9 points and Rick Santorum by 12 points
Ron Paul does best against the President

NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With about ten days to go before the next primaries in the Republican race for the nomination, all four remaining Republicans are losing to President Obama by between 8 and 17 points. As the race narrows down to the final candidate, just half of Americans (51%) say they are satisfied with the choices available to them for President while more than two in five (44%) are not satisfied. Independents are the most dissatisfied with over half (55%) saying they are not satisfied with the choices while two-thirds of Democrats (68%) are satisfied. Republicans are more split as half are satisfied (52%) and 44% are not satisfied. But the Republican satisfaction is soft with just 13% very satisfied and 39% saying they are only somewhat satisfied.

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,056 adults surveyed online between February 6 and 13, 2012 by Harris Interactive .

Head to head match-ups

If the presidential election were held today, 46% of Americans would vote for President Obama, 37% would vote for Mitt Romney and 17% are not at all sure. Last month, two in five U.S. adults (43%) said they would vote for President Obama while 39% said they would vote for Mitt Romney. Among Independents, it's a slightly closer race with 43% voting for the President and 37% voting for the former governor and 46% of adults in the 2012 Swing States (Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia) would vote for President Obama and 39% would vote for Mitt Romney.

Ron Paul may not be in the fight for front-runner, but he actually makes it a slightly tighter race as 45% of Americans would vote for President Obama and 37% would vote for the Congressman while 18% are not at all sure. Among Independents, Paul is ahead 42% to the President's 40% but in the 2012 Swing States the President is ahead 45% to 41% for Paul.

He may be jockeying for front-runner status but the former Senator from Pennsylvania is more than ten points behind the President. Almost half of Americans would vote for President Obama (47%) while 35% would vote for Rick Santorum and 18% are not at all sure. Among Independents, 44% would vote for President Obama and 35% for Santorum with 20% not at all sure. In the 2012 Swing states, 46% would vote for the President while 40% would vote for Santorum.

Finally, if the election was held today, half of Americans (50%) would vote for President Obama and one-third for Newt Gingrich (33%) with 18% not at all sure. Among Independents, President Obama leads Newt Gingrich 47% to 32% with 20% not at all sure and among people in the 2012 Swing states President Obama leads Newt Gingrich 48% to 36% with 16% not at all sure.

So What?

The Republican primary continues to be a road full of twists and turns and the main benefactor to these constant changing stories is President Obama. In each of these four races the President has expanded his lead. The question is what happens when the primary race is over and the Republicans have decided on a candidate. If that happens quickly, he will have time to make the race close, but the longer the primary goes, the shorter the general election timeframe becomes.

Click here for the complete report.

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President Obama Leads Mitt Romney by 9 points and Rick Santorum by 12 points
17 Feb 2012
20:23 Stefanini Attending IAOP 2012 Outsourcing World Summit
19:45 Water and Sewerage Corporation (Bahamas) Awards Miya Contract Estimated at $83M to Maximize Efficiency of Water System Water and Sewerage Corporation (Bahamas) erteilt Miya einen Auftrag im Wert von sch?tzungsweise 83 Millionen Dollar zur Maximierung der Effizienz des Wassersystems WSC concede a Miya un contrato de 83 millones de d?lares para maximizar la eficiencia del sistema de agua La ?Water and Sewerage Corporation des Bahamas a attribu? un contrat estim? ? 83 millions de dollars ? Miya pour optimiser l'efficacit? de son r?seau d'alimentation en eau
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President Obama Leads Mitt Romney by 9 points and Rick Santorum by 12 points


President Barack Obama and main Republican opponent Mitt Romney.

17 Feb 2012 17:29 Africa/Lagos

President Obama Leads Mitt Romney by 9 points and Rick Santorum by 12 points
Ron Paul does best against the President

NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With about ten days to go before the next primaries in the Republican race for the nomination, all four remaining Republicans are losing to President Obama by between 8 and 17 points. As the race narrows down to the final candidate, just half of Americans (51%) say they are satisfied with the choices available to them for President while more than two in five (44%) are not satisfied. Independents are the most dissatisfied with over half (55%) saying they are not satisfied with the choices while two-thirds of Democrats (68%) are satisfied. Republicans are more split as half are satisfied (52%) and 44% are not satisfied. But the Republican satisfaction is soft with just 13% very satisfied and 39% saying they are only somewhat satisfied.

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,056 adults surveyed online between February 6 and 13, 2012 by Harris Interactive .

Head to head match-ups

If the presidential election were held today, 46% of Americans would vote for President Obama, 37% would vote for Mitt Romney and 17% are not at all sure. Last month, two in five U.S. adults (43%) said they would vote for President Obama while 39% said they would vote for Mitt Romney. Among Independents, it's a slightly closer race with 43% voting for the President and 37% voting for the former governor and 46% of adults in the 2012 Swing States (Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia) would vote for President Obama and 39% would vote for Mitt Romney.

Ron Paul may not be in the fight for front-runner, but he actually makes it a slightly tighter race as 45% of Americans would vote for President Obama and 37% would vote for the Congressman while 18% are not at all sure. Among Independents, Paul is ahead 42% to the President's 40% but in the 2012 Swing States the President is ahead 45% to 41% for Paul.

He may be jockeying for front-runner status but the former Senator from Pennsylvania is more than ten points behind the President. Almost half of Americans would vote for President Obama (47%) while 35% would vote for Rick Santorum and 18% are not at all sure. Among Independents, 44% would vote for President Obama and 35% for Santorum with 20% not at all sure. In the 2012 Swing states, 46% would vote for the President while 40% would vote for Santorum.

Finally, if the election was held today, half of Americans (50%) would vote for President Obama and one-third for Newt Gingrich (33%) with 18% not at all sure. Among Independents, President Obama leads Newt Gingrich 47% to 32% with 20% not at all sure and among people in the 2012 Swing states President Obama leads Newt Gingrich 48% to 36% with 16% not at all sure.

So What?

The Republican primary continues to be a road full of twists and turns and the main benefactor to these constant changing stories is President Obama. In each of these four races the President has expanded his lead. The question is what happens when the primary race is over and the Republicans have decided on a candidate. If that happens quickly, he will have time to make the race close, but the longer the primary goes, the shorter the general election timeframe becomes.

Click here for the complete report.

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time

President Obama Leads Mitt Romney by 9 points and Rick Santorum by 12 points
17 Feb 2012
20:23 Stefanini Attending IAOP 2012 Outsourcing World Summit
19:45 Water and Sewerage Corporation (Bahamas) Awards Miya Contract Estimated at $83M to Maximize Efficiency of Water System Water and Sewerage Corporation (Bahamas) erteilt Miya einen Auftrag im Wert von sch?tzungsweise 83 Millionen Dollar zur Maximierung der Effizienz des Wassersystems WSC concede a Miya un contrato de 83 millones de d?lares para maximizar la eficiencia del sistema de agua La ?Water and Sewerage Corporation des Bahamas a attribu? un contrat estim? ? 83 millions de dollars ? Miya pour optimiser l'efficacit? de son r?seau d'alimentation en eau
16:57 "One Person Can Make a Difference:" Getrude Matshe, Author and Activist, to Speak at Cambridge College on February 28, 2012
16:47 Objet 3D Printer Filmed for Brand New Channel 4 Series, Home of the Future, Airs February 19th, 7.00pm on Channel 4
15:51 Zacks Releases Four Powerful ''Buy'' Stocks: Zynga, Philip Morris International, Post Properties and Textainer Group Holdings
15:25 Over 1.3 Million Members Participate in the Vitality Health Enhancement Program in the U.S.
14:39 The United Nations pledges continued support to the newly elected ECOWAS leadership
14:27 Japan / Emergency Grant Aid for the 2012 Presidential Election in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau
13:15 POWER HORSE: 35 % More Sales Volume
12:47 Eutelsat and ViaSat Innovation in New-Generation Broadband Satellites Awarded by the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) Eutelsat et ViaSat reçoivent le Prix de l'innovation de la Société Internationale des Professionnels du secteur des Satellites (SSPI) pour leurs satellites d'accès au haut débit
12:46 Entry into force of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance
11:39 South Africa / Media briefing on Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster and governance and administration cluster
11:24 Violence in northern Mali causing a human rights crisis
11:08 Legislators begin assessment of Lake Victoria sanitation programmes / Tour takes Members to focal towns in Kenya and Uganda
10:36 Legislators begin assessment of Lake Victoria sanitation programmes / Tour takes Members to focal towns in Kenya and Uganda
07:44 Higher Gold Price Contributes to Improved Earnings
07:33 FAO to help conflict-scattered families in South Sudan / Vaccines, fishing, planting supplies needed before rains
06:34 Orange launches new service to make Facebook® accessible on every phone in Africa
06:01 U.S. Census Bureau Black History Month Feature for February 17