The GSMA – an inernational organisation that represents the mobile industry – launched the GSMA mWomen programme yesterday. It's designed to bring the socio-economic benefits of mobile technology to women in developing markets. The scheme is a partnership between the global mobile industry and the international development community that aims to bring the 'power of mobile' to more than 150 million women within three years.

The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act has passed both chambers of Congress in the USA and is expected to be signed by President Obama. In general terms, the new law would requires telecommunications equipment to be usable by individuals with disabilities unless it's too difficult or too expensive to arrange this.

The University of Leeds is loaning smartphones to all its fourth and fifth year medical students, enabling them to access files and assessments when they're off-campus. It's believed to be the first time a UK medical school has provided undergraduates with this level of mobile phone technology.

The death of a man in India last week is being blamed on his mobile phone by many people, although a lightning strike is also being suggested as the cause. Gopal Gujjar died after taking cattle to graze near in the village of Kota. His death wasn't witnessed; he was found dead the following day, having suffered burns to his head. His shattered mobile phone was discovered nearby.

CTIA The Wireless Association – one of the wireless communication industry's international trade bodies – has filed a lawsuit against the city of San Francisco. It's unhappy with the new so-called "Cell Phone Right-to-Know" ruling, which insists that retailers publish Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) figures for the mobile phones they sell.