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Jobless claims dip, spending up in sign of rebound- In a hopeful sign for the economy, the number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits fell below 500,000 last week for the first time since January.
Obama expects support for more Afghanistan troops- President Barack Obama will announce his plan to bolster the war in Afghanistan in a speech Tuesday night from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, his spokesman said, a surge that military officials say could top 30,000 troops.
Polanski wins $4.5M bail, house arrest likely- Roman Polanski was granted $4.5 million bail Wednesday, clearing the way for the fugitive director to move within days from a Swiss jail to house arrest and electronic monitoring at his Alpine resort chalet.
Toyota replacing some 4M gas pedals that could jam- Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it will replace accelerator pedals on about 4 million recalled vehicles in the United States because the pedals can get stuck in the floor mats, another blow to the reputation of the world's largest automaker.
- Millions of Americans got an early jump on their Thanksgiving travel Wednesday, with many opting to drive or take trains and buses instead of shelling out more money for flights amid a sour economy still hitting household budgets hard.
- Top aides to President Barack Obama have met early and often with lobbyists, Democratic political strategists and other interests with a stake in the administration's national health care overhaul, White House visitor records obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press show.
Shuttle Atlantis leaves space station, headed home- Shuttle Atlantis undocked from the International Space Station early Wednesday and headed home with one astronaut eager to hold his newborn daughter for the first time and another who's been away from her young son since the summer.
- Former CNN anchor Lou Dobbs is seriously considering running for U.S. Senate in New Jersey as "an intermediary step" that could lead to a run for the White House.
Obama's first pardon: A turkey named 'Courage'- After 10 months in office, President Barack Obama granted his first pardon Wednesday to "Courage," a 45-pound turkey spared from the Thanksgiving table.
Roger Federer reclaims year-end No. 1 ranking- Roger Federer has reclaimed his spot at the top of the tennis world, securing the year-end No. 1 ranking for the fifth time.
ORBIS and its Global Sponsors Join Forces to Bring a Five-Week Sight-Saving Program to Vietnam
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The five-week program will begin with Alcon's sponsorship in Da Nang (
"The support we receive from our global sponsors and donors enables the delivery of improved eye care services to numerous people, while bringing awareness of avoidable blindness to many more," said
Eliminating Avoidable Blindness Requires Comprehensive Long-term Solutions
Like many emerging nations, Vietnam has a high rate of avoidable blindness and is working hard to provide quality eye care service to its entire population. There are half a million blind people in Vietnam, with the majority living in rural areas. Practicing mostly in the major urban centers, there are an estimated 13.5 ophthalmologists per million Vietnamese, compared to 10 ophthalmologists per 100,000 in the
In 2007, Vietnam emerged strongly and successfully into mainstream international life with a surge in economic growth and development that is reported to steadily reduce poverty levels. Recently, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organization (VUFO) called for more assistance from non-governmental organizations -- whereby ORBIS was cited as one such organization -- to help strengthen the nation as a whole. While the government is taking the reigns of its future into its own hands, it is still relying on aid from overseas. Last year, the VUFO reported that Vietnam received US$251 million in aid from NGOs, an increase of US$35 million over the previous year.
ORBIS is developing long-term national plans in Vietnam to promote blindness prevention, expand availability of pediatric eye care facilities and enhance the country's eye banking capabilities. ORBIS has been especially successful in introducing treatment strategies and resources for retinopathy of prematurity, a leading cause of childhood blindness. Last year, as a result of 13 major ORBIS projects, 6,070 doctors, nurses and community eye health workers received training. More than 675,026 people were examined for eye disease, and medical treatment and/or surgery was provided to 133,095 patients.
ORBIS and Alcon -- Leading The Way To A World Without Blindness
For more than 25 years, Alcon has supported ORBIS' sight-saving programs and initiatives worldwide. In 2007, Alcon strengthened its commitment to ORBIS by renewing its global sponsor status for a further two-year period. This grant, exceeding US$2.7 million, provides cash and medical gifts-in-kind. It also increases Alcon's support of training initiatives in developing countries through a combination of Flying Eye Hospital programs, hospital-based programs, fellowships and online Cyber-Sight consultations. Under this grant, Alcon will sponsor two Flying Eye Hospital programs -- the first being in Da Nang, Vietnam, and the second to be selected in 2009.
Over the years, Alcon has donated state-of-the-art ophthalmic equipment, pharmaceuticals and supplies for the Flying Eye Hospital, making it possible for ORBIS volunteer ophthalmologists to teach advanced surgical techniques to doctors in the developing world. Additionally, they have contributed equipment and supplies to selected ORBIS partner hospitals around the world and have established the Alcon Volunteer Biomedical Corps, a dedicated group of Alcon biomedical technicians who participate in ORBIS training programs, sharing their skills with those in developing countries.
ORBIS and FedEx -- Delivering Sight Worldwide
As a global sponsor of ORBIS for more than 20 years, FedEx has committed its unparalleled networks, dedicated employees and vast aviation expertise to assist ORBIS in delivering the gift of sight to countless individuals throughout the developing world. In 2006, FedEx renewed its support to ORBIS with a US$5.5 million commitment, which includes financial, logistical and operational support for ORBIS and its Flying Eye Hospital through 2011. During this time, FedEx has agreed to support 10 Flying Eye Hospital programs and has created a new fellowship program -- the FedEx Fellows -- in which ORBIS will award medical training fellowships to ophthalmologists around the world over the next five years.
Delivering unwavering support, FedEx completes the annual safety check for the Flying Eye Hospital at no cost to ORBIS. In addition, FedEx pilots volunteer their time to fly the Flying Eye Hospital to medical program locations worldwide. FedEx also gives complimentary access to its powerful network providing transportation services in support of ORBIS initiatives around the world.
About ORBIS
Since 1982, ORBIS programs have enhanced the skills of over 154,000 eye care professionals in 85 countries and have provided eye care treatment to more than 4.4 million people. To learn more about ORBIS, visit www.orbis.org.
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