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WHAT UK NEWSPAPERS SAY - IKO NINI BWANA SEED ARCHIVE
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Martyns & Rose Solicitors - CAPITALfm RADIO fff - KAMEME RADIO IS BACK AGAIN
A Kenyan man has passed away in UK
A Kenyan man has passed away in Birmingham UK. The late Solomon Kipruto Kamuren of Birmingham passed away in Birmingham on Tuesday 29 March 2011. According to reliable sources, the deceased was found dead in his house on Tuesday morning. He was a brother to Mr Kennedy Ruto and Sister in-law to Mrs Rachel Ruto of Woodgate Valley Birmingham. He was a relative of Pastor Silas Tochim of Coventry, West midlands. Friends and relatives are meeting at his brothers residence 96 Sommerfield road Woodgate valley Birmingham B32 3SJ everyday between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Those touched and willing to contribute helping repatriate the body back to Kenya can make their contributions to the following account, LIoyds TSB, SORT CODE: 778509, ACCOUNT: 31030960 and the name is NAME :MRS RACHEL RUTO. The burial will take place in Kokwomoi Village in Eldama Ravine. For more details contact Mr/Mrs Ruto on 07920433187/07761265322.
Mau Mau group wants Sh140 trillion from UK
A group calling itself ‘Mau Mau Original’ wants the British Government to pay them Sh140 trillion for alleged atrocities during colonisation. The group Tuesday met British High Commissioner in Nairobi Rob Macaire and told him their demands. The 18 members were led by Mau Mau Original Trust Chairman Ngacha Karani, who said Mr Macaire promised to communicate back to them after informing his superiors in London. "He told us he has to consult before he tells us the way forward. All we want is compensation for the sufferings we and our families went through then," said Karani. He said the trust has five million members, and each of them wants about Sh70 million from Britain. We could not get a comment from the embassy if indeed the meeting took place. The issue of compensating Mau Mau veterans began almost ten years ago when President Kibaki discussed it with the then High Commissioner Edward Clay. A group of veterans then filed a case in the UK alleging that they suffered serious physical and sexual abuse at the hands of the British during the Kenyan "emergency" of 1952 to 1960. However, the British government has challenged the suit arguing that it is "not liable for the acts and omissions of the Kenyan colonial administration". They say the Kenyan Government was now responsible for events that took place while the country was a British colony. - The Standard.
A Kenyan lady passes away in Iowa
Kenyans in Marshalltown, Iowa, USA are mourning the death of Sister Mary Wamoto-Onyeka which occurred on Tuesday 22nd March, 2011 after a long battle with Breast and Brain cancer. Sister Mary was the Wife of Pastor Polycarp Onyeka Ezebuike of Marshalltown, Iowa. Daughter of the Late Japheth and the Late Phoebe Wamoto. Daughter-in-law of Thomas Nweke Ezebuike and the Late Justina Ekedinma Ezebuike of Mbaukwu, Anambra State, Nigeria. Loving mother of Roy Onyeka (Baltimore), Chika Onyeka, Emeka Onyeka and Daniel Onyeka. Loving Grandmother of Marquise Onyeka. She was Sister of Catherine Nambisia (TJRC), Peter Wamoto (Geneva), Ambassador Patrick Wamoto (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Philip Wamoto (Webuye), Jane Tambwe (UK), Margaret Wamoto (MEAC), Christine Khaemba (Kiminini), Agnes Kiranga (Sagana) and Barnabas Wamoto (Hotel Intercontinental). Aunt of Joe Wamoto, Rachel W. Okello, Rachel Robina, Tracy Nambisia, Cindy Nambisia, Yusuf Wamoto, Angela Wamoto, Jacky Khaemba, Eliza Khaemba, Paul Wamoto, Phoebe Wamoto among others. Cousin of the Openda’s, Ocholi’s, Maloba’s, Chiuli’s, among others. Niece of Robai Chiuli, David Wamoto, Ham Wamoto, Selina Khabega, Loice Maneno, Late Hezekiah Openda, Late Washington Ocholi, and Late Barnabas Maloba among others. Sister-in-law of Edward Nambisia, Rosemary Wamoto, Janet Wamoto, Claude Tambwe, Eng. Kiranga, Andrew Khaemba, Lula Wamoto and Judy. Nairobi memorial arrangements are as follows: Memorial Service at Redeemed Christian Church of God (R.C.C.G) Solution Centre, Mbagathi Way on Tuesday March 28, 2011 at 11.00am. There will be a fundraising there-after at the Railways club at 5.00pm. Funeral and Burial Service are in Marshalltown, Iowa, on Saturday April 9, 2011 at 10.00am. Donations to offset funeral expenses are highly appreciated. Bank of America Routing# 052001633 Account# 446022193436. For More Information contact Roy Onyeka 443 470 0371 Email: \n royonyeka@yahoo.com This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Polycarp Onyeka 641 352 5265 Email: \n rccgwichita@hotmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Source: Diasporamessenger
OVERHEARD BY MR. SEED: "Middle class sprawls in Nairobi, Kenya yes, its well known as Nairobbers because of robbers." - American TV Presenter The 10 most common scams As fraudsters get more sophisticated, we need to be on our guard. Nathalie Bonney reveals the 10 most common scams and how to avoid them. Ever received a letter congratulating you on winning a lottery you're sure you never entered, or received a phone call telling you to ring some expensive premium-rate telephone number in order to claim your 'star prize'? While some scams are fairly easy to spot, others aren't. Although we might pride ourselves on our ability to smell a rat a mile off, swindlers aren't stupid; they make their operations look as plausible as possible. In fact, according to Consumer Direct, three million UK adults fall victim to mass marketing scams every year — losing on average £850. And these of course are only the official figures; a large number of victims don't report their experiences. Unfortunately, if you've fallen victim to a scam, catching the swindlers and getting your money back is extremely tricky. "It's a sad reality that it's very difficult to get any money back at all, because a lot of the scammers are based overseas and can be incredibly difficult to track down," says Frank Shepherd, a spokesperson from Consumer Direct. With so many mass-market scams ready to trip us up, and our relative powerlessness in the face of them, the best cure is prevention. "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Exercise a good degree of scepticism," advises Shepherd. Moneywise reveals below how to spot the top 10 most common scams, how to avoid them, and what to do if you've been caught out.
1. Premium-rate telephone numbers You will receive some form of correspondence via post, a text message or automated voicemail informing you that you have won a major prize and all you need to do to claim it is call an 090 premium-rate number. You will invariably be kept on hold for a long time, all the while racking up more costs. Even though you may realise each minute is costing you more money, the temptation is to keep on waiting to find out what you've won. Nearly everyone who does call in gets a prize, but it's a token gesture, particularly when compared with all the money you have spent on the phone call. An estimated 1.08 million people fall victim every year, according to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), making this one of the biggest scams. The average victim loses around £80. To protect yourself against these types of calls and texts, register your phone number with the Telephone Preference Service at tpsonline.org.uk or call 0845 070 0707, which will reduce unwanted sales calls and messages. You can also check with your telephone company if it offers a number-blocking service: it should be able to block withheld UK numbers. To report the scam, you can forward the unwanted texts to Phonepayplus on 020 7407 3430. Alternatively, call it on 0800 500 212 or go to phonepayplus.org.uk. 2. Pyramid selling These schemes invite you to sign up to a money-making club, typically through websites but also through friends' invitations. The premise is that you have to pay a small joining fee and then invite a specified number of other people to join in order to claim your reward. The reality is that only those at the top of the pyramid can expect lucrative rewards. Matrix schemes work in a similar way but offer a gadgety gift instead. We fall for pyramid and matrix schemes in part because they come across as reasonable propositions. However, you should steer clear of these types of money-making schemes, especially the ones that ask you to sign up new members. The swindlers are relying on you failing to recruit enough members — and so far this has paid off, with the average victim of pyramid selling losing £930. 3. Internet dialler We're all getting pretty good at recognising spam emails and hitting 'delete' straight away, but awareness of internet dialler scams is lower. All you have to do is click on a pop-up box, open the wrong email or visit a pay-per-view website and without realising it you have downloaded dial-up software that can change your computer settings. The rogue dialler will connect you to the internet via an expensive telephone line instead of your existing connection — at the average loss of £61. So make sure your computer has up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall, think before you click on pop-ups and links that you don't recognise and beware of leaving your personal details online, which can make you an easy target. 4. Bogus holiday scams This is one of the most costly scams, with the average victim losing £3,030, according to the OFT. They usually work as follows: you're handed a scratch card and discover you have won a free holiday. You have to attend a presentation to collect your prize. The presentation is usually at a swanky hotel, with glossy brochures and posters all adding to the air of authenticity. However, genuine holiday clubs will allow the consumer time to look over a contract before signing it, while bogus holiday clubs will pressurise hopeful holidaymakers into signing on the dotted line, without reading through everything properly. After committing yourself you will suddenly find that your 'free' holiday has a lot of extra costs, such as transport and other less obvious but nonetheless 'compulsory' extras. Be especially wary of presentations that ply you with unlimited alcohol or offer special discounts that only last that day, and withstand the pressure to sign anything until you have taken the information away with you to study in your own time. If you have already signed up to one of these clubs, contact the UK's European Consumer Centre (ECC) on 08456 040503 or via its website, ukecc.net. The ECC can advise you on your rights in your specific case and help in cross-border disputes. 5. Prize draw/sweepstakes You will usually receive a letter, email or telephone call that tells you that you have won a large prize. To claim your winnings you have to purchase some smaller prizes or send an administration fee. Swindlers rely on the fact that the small print is in a font that's so small most people won't bother to scrutinise it. However, if you do read it, you'll discover that you've simply been given the opportunity to enter a sweepstake you have only a very small chance of winning. Compared with bogus foreign lotteries and advance-fee scams, which offer much vaster sums in prize draws, these scams seem more plausible because the amount of money is more realistic. You can check if the mailing comes from a member of the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) at dma.org.uk. To reduce unwanted mail, register for free with the Mailing Preference Service at mpsonline.org.uk or call 0845 703 4599. 6 Work at home / job opportunities Who wouldn't relish the idea of rolling out of bed, making yourself some breakfast, and then settling down to work while still in your pyjamas? Thanks to more people facing financial worries, work-at-home scams have claimed a special place in the swindlers' armoury. Whether you've been made redundant and are looking for interim work, or need to supplement your existing income, these scams offer opportunities to earn extra cash for very little effort. Promises such as "You could make a small fortune in your coffee break" or "Get paid over £76,000 for just 90 minutes' work", illustrated by personal case studies, are appealing and usually appear genuine. The swindlers make their cash through registration fees, but you'll soon discover that the amount of work you need to put in to recoup your initial outlay — let alone make a profit — is totally disproportionate. If you would like to work from home, it's better to approach local companies that have a known presence as opposed to a faceless website or telephone service you've seen advertised on a poster. Contact Homeworkers Worldwide on 0113 217 4037 or go to homeworkersww.org.uk. 7. Miracle health cures Who wouldn't pay for diet pills that meant you could literally have your cake and eat it? Like other unsolicited mail or emails, health swindlers aim to appear as professional as possible, reeling off an impressive amount of medical qualifications and fake personal testimonials from "satisfied customers". Look out for exaggerated claims and don't let your desire to believe the claims overrule the logical part of you that knows they probably aren't true. Philip Hodson, fellow at the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, illustrates how the scams work. "I recently got a spam email, apparently from HM Revenue & Customs, offering me a £1,500 rebate on my tax. I forwarded it on to my accountant, asking 'Is this a spam email?' I knew it was, but I still asked the question," he said. Although Hodson's example isn't medically related, the same principle applies — even more so when the scam exploits the desire to be thin, or free of an illness or debt problems. Seek professional advice before answering this kind of email. 8. Clairvoyant letters Victims receive letters in the post warning them that if they don't reply they could face bad luck or even endanger their family. The letters appear to be addressed personally to the sender and often come with a photograph of the supposed expert. Marilyn Baldwin, founder of the Think Jessica campaign, which supports families of chronic scam victims, points out how scammers particularly prey on the older and often more vulnerable members of society. "Older generations can be overly trusting and don't understand that they are mass mail-mergers," she says. "They imagine it's one person at a typewriter tapping out personal letters." The average victim loses £240 to swindlers, but in addition to the financial loss, bogus clairvoyant schemes, like other mass-mail schemes, can also cause emotional damage. Baldwin set up the Think Jessica campaign after her mother Jessica became a chronic scam victim. A chronic victim is someone who repeatedly falls victim to scams — if you think a family member is being targeted, contact thinkjessica.com for support and advice. 9. Foreign lottery scams Logically, if you haven't entered a lottery, you can't win it, so any letters or emails that tell you otherwise should be treated with suspicion. The 'winner' will be told to phone the prize line, which unsurprisingly is a premium-rate number, or asked to send off a cheque for a small amount to cover administration fees. Of course, the promised huge cash prize never materialises and the swindlers make a tidy sum from the thousands of victims' payments. The key to their success is to offer such a large amount of money that you're blinded by the figures, and the admin fee appears minimal in comparison. "You fall into the trap of thinking 'it's only £20'. But if you send it you're likely to be put on a list [known as a 'sucker's list'] for other mailings and will be more regularly targeted in the future," warns Shepherd. "Consider contacting the mail and telephone preference services to reduce this type of marketing." 10. Money loans You often come across advertisements in local papers offering fast money loans without formal credit checks. You call up a freephone number and are then told that your loan is agreed but you need to pay insurance costs via a money transfer. But once you've paid the fee, you never receive your loan or hear from the company again. Never, ever give your bank details to someone you don't know, and be sure to report the swindlers too. If you have fallen victim to this scam, report it to the police and the OFT. Although it isn't easy to track down the perpetrators, the more victims report their experiences, the easier it will be to stop them in the future. Other scams to avoid at all costs... African advance fees: One of the swindler's most lucrative ways to make money — on average, a victim loses £5,000. They pose as a government official, charity worker or similarly well-respected professional, and ask for help transferring money overseas In return for using your bank account, they promise to give you a chunk of money — typically, around 25-30% of the transfer sum. All they really want, however, is your bank account details. Career opportunities: Aspiring novelists, models and inventors are lured by advertisements promising to turn their dreams into reality. However, in order for the manuscript to be published, the invention patented or the model to step onto the catwalk, initial outlay costs and fees must be paid upfront. Property investment: These scams cost victims an average £4,240 a year. You are invited to attend a free presentation about making money from property investment, but whereas the real thing would allow you time to go away and think it over before handing over any money, the fake setups push for money straight away. Swindlers' top tactics
Five ways to make sure you don't get swindled 1. Read the small print on any documentation you receive and make sure you understand it all before agreeing to anything. Don't rush into decisions. 2. Don't be taken in by the apparent authenticity of a document or professional appearance of a company. 3. Check the company is legitimate by asking for full contact details, including the street address and local telephone numbers. 4. Never pay for a 'free' gift or reveal any personal information; this will be used to bombard you with future scams and possibly take more money off you. 5. Trust your gut instinct.
Sh8.3bn WB loan to improve Kenya slums A $100 (Sh8.3bn) million loan announced on Monday by the World Bank aims to give Kenyan slum dwellers home security. The initiative is also intended to improve the infrastructure in “informal settlements” in 15 of the country's cities, bank officials said. “The government recognises that the quality of life in cities cannot improve without improving planning, strengthening security of tenure, and investing in infrastructure in informal and poor neighbourhoods,” said Sumila Gulyani, a team leader of the bank's Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project. “This is crucial not only for enhancing competitiveness of cities and overall growth, but for directly addressing poverty and promoting more inclusive service delivery.” The project will help implement Kenya's new constitution, bank officials added. They noted that the constitution's bill of rights guarantees every Kenyan access to adequate housing, sanitation and safe water. The low-interest loan will also facilitate the country's new land policy by introducing planning, the bank said in an announcement in Washington. Another $65 million is being jointly allocated to the project by the Kenyan government and by the Swedish and French development agencies. - Daily Nation.
Sleep patterns affect weight loss
Managing sleep and stress levels can help in the battle against obesity, according to scientists in the US. People getting too little or too much sleep were less likely to lose weight in a six month study of 472 obese people. Their report in the International Journal of Obesity showed that lower stress levels also predicted greater weight loss. A UK sleep expert said people need to "eat less, move more and sleep well". Approximately a quarter of adults in the UK are thought to be clinically obese, which means they have a Body Mass Index greater than 30. Nearly 500 obese patients were recruited for the first part of a clinical trial by the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in the US. For six months they had to eat 500 fewer calories per day, exercise most days and attend group sessions. The authors report that "sleep time predicted success in the weight loss programme". People with lower stress levels at the start also lost more weight. The researchers added: "These results suggest that early evaluation of sleep and stress levels in long-term weight management studies could potentially identify which participants might benefit from additional counselling." Dr Neil Stanley, from the British Sleep Society, said the sleep community had been aware of this for a while, but was glad that obesity experts were taking notice. "We've always had the eat less move more mantra. But there is a growing body of evidence that we also need to sleep well", he said. "It's also true that if you're stressed, then you're less likely to behave, you'll sit at home feeling sorry for yourself, probably eating a chocolate bar." Dr David Haslam, chair of the National Obesity Forum, said: "It's a great idea to find predictors of who will respond to therapy, if this is a genuine one."
A Kenyan man on his late 40s was found dead in his house in Birmingham, UK on Tuesday morning 29th March, 2011. More information later.
INVESTING FOR THEIR RETIREMENT
The couple posing in front of their apartments Mr. Peter Sell and his wife Catherine Sell She used to live in the UK and at the end of it all she decided to move back to Kenya. She is one of the Kenyans who are proud of their country. Nanjivunia kua Mkenya is one of her daily slogans. Mrs. Catherine Sell formerly known as Catherine Mwangi while others used to call her Mama Njeri wa North London or Wanjeri used to have a ladies fashion shop in Finsbury Park, North London. Now she has settled with her husband Mr. Peter Sell in Mombasa. Having successfully finished some apartments Hotel in Shanzu, at the North Coast of Mombasa just opposite the Serena Beach Hotel. They can now truly say it is time to retire.
Front Yard of the apartments in the Evening While talking to Mr. Seed from Mombasa, the jovial Mama Njeri who was a classmate of Mrs. Seed had this to say “I worked very hard when I was in the UK with a vision to go back to Kenya and invest. I thank God for this project and also for my husband who has contributed the most to make this a success. It was very hard on us but God has seen us through and we thank Him tremendously. With God everything is possible.”
Restaurant In the Evening - Is there nyama choma - we are carnivorous On your next visit to Mombasa make a date to enjoy the beautiful environment and a treat at The Nightingale Apartments Hotel and don’t forget to take greetings from Mrs. Seed. She is her very good friend and you might get a discounted rate, you never know. Mama Njeri is also willing to share a few tips with the Kenyans who are relocating from the diaspora. Kenya is Beautiful she says and we can make it better. The hotel consists of 27 one-bedroom self catering apartments. For more information go to www.nightingaleapartments.com - For reservations and enquiries please contact +254 0722722084 or 728589287 - Email: info@nightingaleapartments.com - OR reservations@nightingaleapartments.com
"Sometimes forgiving was easy for me; sometimes forgiving was a very bold choice. Whatever kind of choice it was, it always led me to a more peaceful heart. It always left me happier and free to move on to create healthier relationships with others and with myself." - Robin Casarjian - Forgiveness: A Bold Choice For A Peaceful Heart Kenyan woman on drug charges in Indonesia A Kenyan woman is being held in Indonesia on allegations of attempting to smuggle drugs into the country. Customs and excise officers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport said they had foiled an attempt to smuggle 1.46 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine from Ivory Coast, West Africa, into Indonesia via the airport. "We arrested a Kenyan woman identified as PN, 37, as suspect in the smuggling attempt," Soekarno-Hatta customs office chief Iyan Rubianto said at press conference at the airport on Monday. The suspect flew in from Dubai on board Emirates airlines flight EK-358 and arrived at terminal II D of Soekarno-Hatta on Friday. "Scanning devices at the check point idetified strange objects in the suspect's luggage. Officers in charge at the passenger profile analyzing unit then conducted physical examination of the suspect," he said. During the examination, officers found 100 capsules containing the crystal meth hidden in the walls of the suspects luggage. The suspect said she had carried the drug from Abijan, Ivory Coast, on orders from a Nigerian man called M. According to Iyan, the woman said she was willing to take the drug to Jakarta because she needed money to pay for her sister's hospital treatment and M had promised to pay her US$5000 after submitting the drugs to someone in Jakarta. The suspect and the drugs were submitted to the National Narchotics Agency (BNN) for further investigation. The woman will be charged for violating Article 113 of the 2009 Law on Narcotics. The article carries a maximum penalty of death. Since January, customs officers have foiled 12 drug smuggling attempts through the same airport, and have seized assorted drugs including 17.6 kilograms of crystal meth, 1 kilogram of ketamine and 50 grams of cocaine. The suspects arrested in the 12 cases comprised five Iranians, three Indonesians, a Nigerian man, a French man, a Philipino, a Taiwanese man, an Italian man and a Kenyan woman.
The beauty of male has not yet been portrayed by the only one who can do so-the female.
An Olympic effort: 80,000-seat stadium is declared finished
London today broke the world record for completing an Olympic stadium. Construction of the landmark venue was declared finished today as the last piece of turf was laid by Olympic officials. It has taken only 1,000 working days to complete the 80,000-seat venue in Stratford at a speed that was hailed as showing the capital's readiness to stage the "greatest show on earth". The final £486 million cost came in £10 million under budget. As an International Olympics Committee delegation made their eighth visit to the capital today to check on preparations, Mayor Boris Johnson said the breakthrough gave London a huge advantage over other host cities such as Barcelona, Sydney and Athens. Mr Johnson said: "This is yet another fantastic milestone in the preparations for London 2012. The faultless construction of the stadium, on time and under budget, is a shining example of how London is primed and ready to host the greatest show on earth. "The real joy of being so far ahead is that, unlike any other host city, we are already able to focus on securing the legacy we are so determined to deliver from the Games." Some work remains to be done, such as laying the running track. But this has been deliberately delayed to prevent it being damaged when giant cranes arrive to erect gantries for the opening and closing ceremonies. The Games will begin on Friday July 27 next year.
Netherlands embassy ready to facilitate MPs travel to The Hague
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya said Monday it was committed to facilitating the travel of Members of Parliament and others who want to observe the ICC hearings of April 7 and April 8 at The Hague. This follows an announcement by MPs that they intended to travel to The Hague to observe the hearings of the cases against the so-called Ocampo Six. The embassy maintains it has no intention to limit the number of Kenyans visiting the Netherlands for the purpose of observing the hearings. However, the Embassy says so far it has not yet received visa applications from any Member of Parliament in this context and is urging Members iof Parliament intent on travelling to the country to make their applications early to expedite the process. "The processing of a visa application takes a minimum of 3 working days based on a Monday - to Thursday working week of the visa section, and it may take up to two weeks, " the embassy said. "In order to be able to process a visa application in three working days, the application needs to be complete. We do try and accommodate urgent visa requests and treat them with priority within the limits of our operational capacity," it added. "Any resident of Kenya can apply at the Netherlands Embassy for a visa to travel to the Netherlands, and each application is processed without prejudice". Applicants should be holders of an ordinary passport and should pay a fee of Ksh 7 200. Cases against the Ocampo Six are scheduled for April 7 and 8. The six who are alleged to bear the greatest responsibility for the 2008 post election violence are deputy prime minister Uhuru Kenyatta, head of civil service Francis Muthaura, post master general major general Hussein Ali, former cabinet ministers William Ruto and Henry Kosgey and journalist Joshua Arap Sang. Samui Body Painting Competition 2011
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Koh Samui Municipality are staged the Samui International Body Painting Competition on March 26-27, 2011, on Koh Samui, Surat Thani province. Koh Samui, Thailand’s paradise island resort, aimed to compete as a venue for top international body painting competitions, such as the International Body Painting Festival in Germany, World Body Painting Festival in Austria and the Canadian Body Painting Festival. The event attract both local and international tourists, and stimulate interest in Thai art. It brought together artists and models from countries including Austria, Germany, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, the US and Thailand. Together they has created exquisite art on Koh Samui’s beaches under the theme ‘Preserve the Paradise.’
£180m bursary scheme replaces EMA The UK government has announced a £180m bursary scheme to replace the Education Maintenance Allowances which were scrapped in England last year. The £560m EMA scheme had provided up to £30 a week to help low-income students stay on at sixth forms and colleges. Education Secretary Michael Gove said the revised system would provide a "more targeted" support system. Labour's Andy Burnham attacked the plans as an attempt to "put a positive gloss" on deep spending cuts. The shadow education secretary told MPs that Mr Gove had "taken a successful policy, which improved participation, attendance and achievement in post-16 education, and turned it into a total shambles". Mr Burnham said the re-launched support scheme represented a "humiliating climbdown". Drop-outs But Mr Gove said that MPs had to consider "whether it is socially just to be paying 45% of students a cash incentive to stay in learning when we could be concentrating our resources on removing barriers to learning faced by the poorest". The UCU lecturers' union said the reduction in overall support raised "the prospect of thousands of poorer students being priced out of studying". The replacement student support scheme is intended to target funding at those most in need. The biggest amounts - £1,200 per year - will be given to 12,000 teenagers with the greatest needs, such as pupils in care, care leavers and the severely disabled. After these payments, from the £180m overall funding, there will be £165m for colleges and schools to make discretionary payments to support low-income students with costs such as transport, food and books. The Association of Colleges highlighted the importance of being able to help students with transport costs, which had been a "key barrier". There will also be a partial reprieve for students who are already on courses and receiving EMAs, who had previously not known whether funding would continue beyond September 2011. Those who started courses in 2009-10 will now continue to receive the same payments until the end of the 2011-12 academic year. And students who started courses last September and currently qualify for £30 per week payments will receive continuing support of £20 per week until the end of the next academic year. Mr Gove said that the bursary scheme would "ensure that every child eligible for free school meals who chooses to stay on could be paid £800 per year - more than many receive under the current EMA arrangements". Under the EMA scheme, 650,000 16 to 19 year olds young people from low-income families had received grants of between £10 and £30 per week. The allowances had been introduced by Labour in an attempt to tackle the long-standing problem of a high teenage drop-out rate from education, particularly among poorer students. But the coalition government attacked the EMA scheme as wasteful - and announced last year that it would replace it with a smaller, discretionary fund. Leader of the ASCL head teachers' union, Brian Lightman, said schools and colleges would be "relieved that the government has listened to their concerns about the abolition of the EMA and the harmful effect it would certainly have on efforts to improve social mobility". But Mr Lightman said the replacement system had to be explained as soon as possible to young people, so doubts over funding would not damage efforts to encourage them to stay in education. The National Union of Students said that the overall package represented a "shadow of its predecessor". "Almost £400m is still being cut from support to young people and EMA, which has been proven to work by ever measure available, is still being scrapped," said NUS vice-president, Shane Chowen. The Save EMA campaign said: "If Michael Gove thinks that he deserves credit after giving 70p extra a week to 12,000 of the poorest students whilst at the same time taking away £30 a week to many of their classmates whose finances are marginally better, then he really is delusional." EMA schemes in Scotland and Wales are continuing - and the allowances in Northern Ireland are under review. IS SHE HER TWIN SISTER SHE HAS NEVER MET
While attending a wedding in Swindon on Saturday 26th March, 2011 Gospel Singer from Nottingham Ms Rache Njeri met a lady (Maggie) who is like her twin sister. The two took a photo together and sat down for a chart..."you are my sister...ooh my.... how come that we have never met?....People from Swindon always tells me about you....where are you from in Kenya?...." the conversation between the two continued .... Karibu wasahau Bibi Harusi on right. Broke Sang banks on fundraising for trip to The Hague
Radio presenter Joshua Sang’s trip to The Hague remained uncertain on Monday as the suspects summoned to the International Criminal Court finalised their travel plans. Mr Sang told the Nation he was not sure he could raise money for air ticket and accommodation at The Hague, Netherlands, where six Kenyans accused of bearing the greatest responsibility for the post-election violence are expected on April 7 and 8. He said the ICC was yet to respond to his request for funding to enable him honour the summons. “ICC sent me what they call financial assistance form to fill and return it to them so that they could determine what type of assistance I need. I’ve not heard from them since, so I’m still waiting,” he said. Mr Sang said he would go to the Dutch embassy on Tuesday morning to check on his visa application. “Some friends are also organising harambees to raise money for me just in case ICC does not respond. We have one harambee at the Railway Club in Nairobi on March 31,” he said. If Mr Sang fails to make it to the Hague on April 7, it opens the way for Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo to apply for a warrant of arrest against him. - Daily Nation.
TRIPPLE EM FOODS PRESENT; OLDIES BOOGIE NITE LOST IN THE 80`S, 90`s & 00`s
"The one who pursues revenge should dig two graves." - Allen C. Guelzo - Fear Of Forgiving (article, Christianity Today, February 8, 1993)
Why skipping lunch is bad for your health
Health consequences More than one in five of those surveyed said working through their lunch left them feeling irritable and stressed. Other studies have linked prolonged time spent sitting at a computer with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Working in the same position without a break has also been shown to increase the risk of chronic musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain, a major cause of long-term sick leave in the UK. Research has shown that skipping lunch or snacking at the computer can cause people to eat more food later in the day than they otherwise would have done, promoting weight gain. Skipping lunch can affect your mental well-being, especially in the winter months when days are short. By not going outdoors in the middle of the day, you're missing precious sunlight. This, in turn, affects your body's production of melatonin, which affects your mood. Dr Jenny Leeser, Bupa clinical director of occupational health, said: “Instead of taking a break to refuel, workers are using props including chocolates and sweets and caffeinated drinks to get them through the day, which can lead to insomnia and dehydration." For this reason, Christina Merryfield, Bupa’s lead dietitian, has the following advice:
Uhuru spoils for a fight with Raila
Nairobi, Kenya, Mar 28 - With only a few days before traveling to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta held a massive public rally in Muranga on Sunday where he declared that he was firmly in the 2012 Presidential race. Mr Kenyatta’s tour of Mt Kenya has been seen as his bid to consolidate the region’s vote. He used the well attended rallies to rally residents to stay behind him in his plan to succeed President Mwai Kibaki. The Finance Minister was accompanied by over 10 Members of Parliament among them Eldoret North MP William Ruto who is also bound for The Hague. “We are ready even to unite with people of Nyanza in this race (to State House). We have no problem with them; we only have a problem with one person,” he said amid jeers from the crowd of Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto on Saturday heightened their war against Mr Odinga vowing to fight him politically to the end. Speaking in Meru, the two leaders accused the PM of fighting for their political downfall and swore they were all out for "political war." "Since 2008, we went to work until Raila became too much. Now we are doing politics and we will push him to the end," said Mr Kenyatta. While issuing a statement in Parliament last week the PM hit out at the two and told them to go plead their innocence at The Hague.
Atwoli: Protect Kenyans from rising fuel prices The Central Organization of Trade Unions -COTU is calling on political leaders to stop engaging in 2012 politics and instead address issues affecting Kenyans such as escalating fuel prices. COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli says the cost of living is increasing every day but the political class seems to be too pre-occupied with politics to care. Addressing journalists at the COTU headquarters, Atwoli challenged the government to reduce fuel prices which shot up last week to cushion Kenyans from further food price increases. Several organizations have also called for urgent interventions to curb skyrocketing fuel prices that have pushed the prices of essential goods and services through the roof. High kerosene prices have hit the poor particularly hard, being the cooking fuel of choice among low-income earners. Both Government and private sector players continue to trade accusations as to who is to blame for the rising fuel prices. On Thursday, Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi said a price control attempt by Government had failed to deliver desired results and other options needed to be explored. Some stakeholders are now proposing extreme measures to stabilise prices in the short term, including expanding state capacity in importation, refinery and distribution of products.
Samui Body Painting Competition 2011
A model poses as she presents the 'Under the Deep Blue Sea' theme body painting by created by Italian artist Fillippo Loco at Samui Island, Surat Thani province southern Thailand, 26 March 2011. Models and artists from various countries, such as Austria, Germany, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Britain, the US and Thailand participate in the two-day event wich runs until 27 March 2011 and on right Models display body art during the Samui International Body Painting Competition on Samui island in Surat Thani province, about 800 km (500 miles) south of Bangkok
Take-home pay down 5% in real terms since 2009, says study The average employee takes home £1,088 a year less than two years ago when the sum is adjusted for inflation, research commissioned by BBC Panorama suggests. The sharp drop, in real terms, highlights the effect of stagnant wages and above-target inflation on incomes. The average British worker earned £20,149 at the start of 2011 - a real terms fall of 5% from what they were earning in the middle of the recession. The research was based on actual salaries paid into bank accounts. It was carried out by the Centre for Economics and Business Studies and based on data on salaries from the payment processor, Vocalink, which looks after more than 90% of deposits into employees' bank accounts. It was commissioned by Panorama to work out how much worse off employees have become since wages hit their peak. Job fears When inflation is taken into account, average pay has dropped from the start of 2009 - when the recession was in full swing. The research shows that if you allow for inflation, the average take-home pay is lower today than it was in 2004. Salary payments are key because, unlike assessments of pay before tax or other deductions, they show the actual amounts hitting people's bank accounts. Some economists believe that pay has lagged behind inflation because the fear of unemployment has prevented people asking for more than a modest pay rise. Former monetary policy committee member David Blanchflower said: "One of the bleak things going on right now, is that people are very fearful of losing their jobs. They're worried about the austerity that's coming, and that's especially true of people in the public sector. "And company profits have been also relatively low so the ability of firms to pay has actually prevented wages from rising." One company that says it is not in a position to pay wage rises is AE Gough & Sons, a family-owned tipper truck company based in Llandindrod Wells in Wales.
Wage freeze As the price of diesel has climbed, AE Gough's costs have soared. And now its owners are struggling to realise any kind of profit. In this fuel-intensive business, fuel is normally 30% of their costs. But with diesel close to £1.40 a litre, that number has reached 50%. The firm's boss Michael Gough said: "It makes it very difficult to get a profit out of anything. We're having to watch vehicles very closely - on how far they go before they collect their next load. We can't pass wage rises onto our drivers, who again are feeling their own pressures." Darren Collins, one of AE Gough's drivers, earns between £450 and £500 a week, relatively good pay for his line of work, although it entails spending four nights a week on the road. But because he has not had a pay rise in more than three years, his take-home pay has fallen in real terms by more than 10%. "When you fill one of these lorries up you're looking at it and you think - that's £600 or £700 worth of fuel gone in there. I wouldn't like to pay that bill myself. It's hard on everyone." Mr Collins said among the sacrifices is a foreign holiday for his family of five, even though both he and his wife are working. 'Heartbreaking' The construction industry is a prime example of why workers are not pushing for pay rises. According to the research carried out for Panorama, construction companies cut their staff by more than 10% over the past year. Construction - whether commercial or residential - saw the sharpest drop in real pay in 2010. David Atkinson has run his own joinery business for more than three decades. In 2003 he took out a mortgage for £70,000 to support an expansion of the business into making and fitting windows and doors for new-build houses.
Anti-cuts march: Tens of thousands at London protest
More than 250,000 people have attended a march and rally in central London against public spending cuts. Labour leader Ed Miliband addressed crowds in Hyde Park and the main march organised by the Trades Union Congress passed off peacefully. But small groups attacked shops and banks with a stand-off in Piccadilly. There have been 202 arrests and 35 people injured, including five police. Ministers say the cuts are necessary to get the public finances in order. In the largest public protest since the Iraq war rally in 2003, marchers from across the UK set off from Victoria Embankment to Hyde Park, where TUC general secretary Brendan Barber was first in a line of speakers. "We are here to send a message to the government that we are strong and united," he said. "We will fight the savage cuts and we will not let them destroy peoples' services, jobs and lives." Mr Barber was followed by Mr Miliband, who said: "The Tories said I should not come and speak today. But I am proud to stand with you. There is an alternative." The march began at 1200 GMT and it took more than four hours for the protesters to file past the Houses of Parliament on their way to the park. The TUC, which organised the event, said more than 250,000 people had taken part, and the Metropolitan Police confirmed the numbers. BBC political reporter Brian Wheeler, in central London, said there were lots of families and older people, and the atmosphere was good-natured but the anger was real.
"The noise in Whitehall was deafening as thousands of protesters banged drums, blew whistles and shouted anti-cut slogans, slowly making their way towards Trafalgar Square. "The crowds were booing as they went past Number 10, but the demonstration was good-natured and friendly. "There are hundreds of trade union banners, but we have also spoken to public sector workers who have come to make their voices heard." One of those protesting was Peter Keats, 54, from Lowestoft, Suffolk, who works for Jobcentre Plus. "I'm not so much worried about myself but the customers I deal with are vulnerable and I'm worried about them and I'm worried about the kids of this country." Demonstrator Christine Nugent, a university research fellow, said: "The size and scale of it, and the range of people here, is great." The veteran of anti-Margaret Thatcher demonstrations in the 1980s said protesters came from all walks of life, adding: "There are a lot of trade unionists here, but it's not just the usual suspects." There have been separate incidents involving a number of protesters, some with their faces covered by scarves, away from the main march:
Scotland Yard said there had been 202 arrests for public order offences, criminal damage, aggravated trespass and violent disorder. Commander Bob Broadhurst said: "The main TUC march has been going well. We have had more than a quarter of a million people with hardly any problems. "Unfortunately we have had a group of approximately 500 criminals committing some disorder including throwing paint at Topshop in Oxford Street and at the police, and scaring the public who are trying to shop." Policing minister Nick Herbert said the government was "committed to supporting peaceful protest" and blamed the violence on "a small minority of individuals". Mr Miliband condemned the violence, saying: "There is no excuse for it. It is unlawful and wrong." Civil rights group Liberty said the march had been "infiltrated by violent elements" who attacked buildings before "melting into the demonstration once more".
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In pictures: Carnival in Brazil
PRIDE OF KENYA –UK AWARDS LAUNCHED http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/-/1064/1132952/-/7q6xqm/-/index.html Oceanic sports management and corporate hospitality (http://www.oceanicsports.co.uk) presents to you Pride of Kenya-UK Awards. We are fully committed to produce a professional credible, open and transparent event. We shall reach out to all Kenyans in UK and outside the UK (Diaspora Award).The winners will be unpredictable based on real and proven outstanding achievements selected through a fair but stringent process by a competent judging panel and votes cast. We shall also name, recognize and appreciate all the students who have graduated from UK universities with an objective of exposing them to opportunities and employers. To receive a sponsorship benefit package please write to sales@oceanicsports.co.uk. More information soon.
WORD is a program set up to fight global poverty and to relieve poverty, sickness and distress of the widows, widowers and orphans especially in Africa by raising awareness, disseminating information and advancing education among the orphans, widows & widowers and the general community. To do this we work with the Diaspora of the country to establish programmes for the widows and orphans. Many people always say they send remittances home to family. Yes but what about the child who has no Diaspora relative? This is where you and I come in. We have so far reached out to more than 8000 people in 15 countries and we are launching our 16th country India next week.We are launching another 17th programme in Kenya in August this year. We are sincerely asking for your support. High radiation levels at Japanese plant raise new worry
Police who have finished checking Minamisoma City for radiation are screened for radiation contamination in Kawamata, Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan, in this photo by Kyodo on March 25 and on right a man grieves at a temporary mass grave site where victims of the earthquake and tsunami are to be buried in Higashi-Matsushima, Miyagi prefecture, northern Japan March 25, 2011.
(Reuters) - Highly radioactive water has been found at a second reactor at a crippled nuclear power station in Japan, the plant's operator said, as fears of contamination escalated two weeks after a huge earthquake and tsunami battered the complex. Underscoring growing international concern about nuclear power raised by the accident in northeast Japan, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement it was time to reassess the international nuclear safety regime. Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, making his first public statement on the crisis in a week, said the situation at the Fukushima nuclear complex, 240 km (150 miles) north of Tokyo, was "nowhere near" being resolved. "We are making efforts to prevent it from getting worse, but I feel we cannot become complacent," Kan told reporters. "We must continue to be on our guard." The comments reflected a spike of unease in Japan after several days of slow but steady progress in containing the nuclear accident, which was triggered by a devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11. The 9.0 magnitude quake and giant waves it triggered left more than 10,000 people dead and 17,500 missing. Despite such a shocking toll, much attention since the disaster has been on the possibility of a catastrophic meltdown at Fukushima. Two of the plant's six reactors are now seen as safe but the other four are volatile, occasionally emitting steam and smoke. More than 700 engineers have been working in shifts to stabilise the plant and work has been advancing to restart water pumps to cool their fuel rods. But fresh fears were raised on Thursday when three workers trying to cool the most critical reactor were exposed to radiation levels 10,000 times higher than normally found in a reactor. They were hospitalised after walking in contaminated water though they are expected to be discharged soon. The high level of contamination raised the possibility of a leak of radioactive material through a crack in the core's container which would mean a serious reversal following slow progress in getting the plant under control. The reactor, the No. 3 unit, is the only one to use plutonium in its fuel mix which is more toxic than the uranium used in the other reactors. The plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), and the state nuclear safety agency said late on Friday similarly contaminated water had been found at the turbine building of the No. 1 reactor. "We do not know the cause," a TEPCO official told a news conference. The new finding had delayed work again, another official said. Senior nuclear safety agency official Hidehiko Nishiyama said the high radiation meant there could be damage to the reactor but he later said it could be from venting operations or water leakage from pipes or valves.
Mr. Stuart Seymour-Spicer of Kent, UK has passed away
Mr Stuart Seymour-Spicer, who is married to Kenyan lady has passed away in UK. Mr. Seymour-Spicer (left) who was in his 60s passed away in Whitstable, Kent on Wednesday 16th March, 2011 in his house in what is thought to be a heart attack. He was the husband to Lydiah Seymour-Spicer (Cafenol, Gathoni - right). Brother to Ian Seymour Spicer. Father to Dr Elizabeth Seymour Spicer. Step father to Nick Mutahi, Beatrice Nyambura and Daniel Mwangi Kariuki of Australia, Melbourne, Vic. Uncle to Tom and Imogen. Grandfather to Russell. friends and family are meeting daily at, 14 St. Swithins Road, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2HT. For more information please contact the family on Mama Russell 07962342097, Nick 07879282727, Mama Mutahi 07921768817, Mama Methu 07930540868. Beth Mutahi 07940081617. Friends donations can be made on Account No. 11377469, Sort code 40-44-45 and the bank is HSBC, Account name: Lydia Seymour-Spicer. The funeral and burial service will be held at All Saints Church/Cemetery, Church Street, Whistable, CT5 1PG on Friday 1st April, 2011 as from 2.0 p.m.
METHALI YA KISWAHILI Miye nyumba ya udongo, sihimili vishindo I am a mud hut, I can not stand shocks.
A ‘Night Stalker’ in UK jailed for 27 years
'Utterly depraved': Delroy Grant was told he would serve at least 27 years in jail for a string of sex attacks. Grant, who raped and sexually assaulted women and men in their 70s and 80s after stalking them and breaking into their homes at night, was convicted of 29 charges against 18 victims between October 1992 and November 2009. But police fear the true number of victims is much higher. His unprecedented crime spree left thousands of elderly people living in fear in South East London, Kent and Surrey. Detectives admitted basic errors meant he should have been caught a decade earlier. The investigation is estimated to have cost more than £10million. A crowbar which Grant had used to enter a house was found in the boot of the Zafira in which he was driving when he was caught.
KWANINI HUYU MWENDA USIKU HAJAPATIKANA MIAKA HII YOTE?
When a man is wrong and won’t admit it, he always gets angry. THANKS GIVING TO ALL KENYANS
Residents of St. Louis, USA woke up this morning (Friday 25th March, 2011) to find snow all over the place. Talk of climate change.
Kenyan police seize drug haul worth Ksh 500M
Coast Provincial Criminal Investigations officer Ambrose Munyasia (left) views packed sachets containing heroin worth Sh500m, which was netted in a sting operation after it was sneaked into the country via an illegal landing bay at Shanzu, Mombasa. Six people were arrested including three Kenyans, one Pakistani and two Iranians. Police have seized illicit drugs worth 500 million shillings in Shanzu area of Mombasa County. The drugs believed to be heroine were seized after police intercepted the two vehicles transporting the haul following a tip off from members of the public. Two pistols and more than 30 rounds of ammunitions were also recovered in the Thursday night operation. Three Kenyans and three foreigners who were in the vehicles have been arrested. Coast provincial criminal investigations officer Ambrose Manyasia told journalists that the drugs were camouflaged as dog food. Manyasia said samples of the drugs have been taken to the Government Chemist for testing and confirmation. The seizure comes just a day after Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere told the parliamentary committee on administration and national security that there was need for a special court to be constituted to try drug dealers in a bid to fight the illicit trade. Iteere who appeared before the Committee said currently many cases against drug dealers were taking too long to determine. He said the law was lenient on drug dealers and expressed need for more punitive measures to curb the illicit trade.
A KENYAN FAMILY IN LONDON HAS LOST THEIR MUM
It is regret that we announce the death of Mrs. Hannah Wanjiru Kahara of Githunguri on Tuesday 22nd March, 2011. She is the mother of Kamau Kahara, Ciru and Nduati (above) among others. Mrs. Kahara passed away in Kijabe Hospital after a short illness. Before returning back to Kenya she has been visiting her children in London for three months and the photo above was taken by Mr. Seed at CCBC Swahili Service Church in September last year. Family and friends are meeting for prayers and arrangements at 31 St. Nicholas Ct. 121 Aldriche Way, Highams Park, Chingford, E4 9LX. The burial takes place on Wednesday 30th March, 2011 at Ngochi, Githunguri, Kenya. The burial takes place on Wednesday 30th March, 2011 at Ngochi, Githunguri, Kenya. The memorial service will take place on Tuesday 29th March, 2011 at CCBC Swahili Church, Greatfield Road, Barking IG11 7TR as from 6.00 p.m. Those wishing to donate can do so through Halifax Bank, Account no. 01140296, Sort Code 110454, Account name: A. Abdallah or through Barclays Bank, Account no. 50383295, Sort Code 206790 and Account name: K.S. Kahara. For more information contact Ciru on 07578609050 or Kamau on 07727111720.
Horse-boarding: the new extreme sport
Thrill-seekers listen up. The latest sport to arrive on the market involves a skateboard, some rope, and a horse. They call it horse-boarding. Speed demons: Daniel Fowler-Prime and Tom Kilroy got for a ride The horses go up to 56kph
Legislators decry traffic congestion in Nairobi Roads assistant minister Lee Kinyanjui was on Wednesday put to task to explain measures the ministry is taking to ease traffic jams in Nairobi city and its environs. Members of Parliament accused the ministry of laxity in addressing the issue saying that many city residents are constantly held up for hours on end in traffic snarl ups, wasting resources. Kitui West MP Charles Nyamai sought to know why it had taken so long for the ministry to address the issue. Nominated MP Musikari Kombo also complained of frequent traffic jam in the city and sought to know if other line ministries like Metropolitan and Transport ministries were involved in addressing the matter. Makadara MP Gideon Mbuvi cited the City Stadium and Donholm round abouts on Jogoo Road as being among the most notorious for traffic jams and sought to know what the ministry was doing to solve the problem. Kinyanjiu defended the ministry saying it was involved in various projects aimed at easing traffic in the city such as expansion of roads and construction of by-passes. Meanwhile the Parliamentary Committee on Local Authority has raised concern over poor services at the Nairobi City Mortuary and Nairobi City Fire Brigade. The committee said the two institutions were no longer capable of offering high quality services to the public. Addressing the press at the parliament buildings on Wednesday the committee chairperson Mohammed Hussein Ghabo accused the city council of failing to meet the required standards in the two institutions. Ghabo said that the committee had received complaints from doctors over poor body preservation facilities at the city mortuary which were seen to undermine post mortem services. Ghabo said the city fire brigade can no longer handle fire emergencies in the capital. He claimed that 90 percent of the fire brigades are not functional and accused the city council of failing to offer financial support to the all important institutions despite improved revenue collection.
In pictures: Carnival in Brazil
Kenya's health minister dismisses faith and traditional healers
Public Health and Sanitation Minister Mrs. Beth Mugo has dismissed so-called traditional and faith healers saying the government would not allow them to mislead the public that they can cure all sorts of illness. Speaking in Machakos in celebrations to mark the World Tuberculosis Day Mrs. Mugo said the faith and traditional healers posed a threat to the health of Kenyans. She said claims that the healers could cure all manner of diseases including known epidemics like HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis by praying facilitated transmission of the illnesses to other people. "It is bad for pastors and traditional healers to tell people they can heal all diseases and ask them to quit drugs. Get prayed for but continue taking your medicines. This is a lie that is causing confusion among people", said Mrs. Mugo. Mrs Mugo dismissed reports in a section of the media that a doctor in Loliondo, Tanzania was curing all illness by giving some herb from a poisonous tree to the patients and asked the Tanzanian Government to close down the place and ban people from visiting the "healer". "When we meet with health ministers from the East African Community soon in Burundi, I will ask the Tanzanian health minister to lock up that man and close down his outfit. People going there will come back to spread diseases like TB and HIV/Aids much further", she said. She said the Government was also monitoring television and radio preachers who claim to heal all diseases with a view to taking an appropriate action to avoid the spread of diseases and creation of confusion on use of medicines in the country. The minister ordered public health Permanent Secretary (PS) Dr Mark Bor to ask such a healer camping outside Afya House to relocate to a different place. She also asked Machakos District Commissioner (DC) Mr. Kamau wa Kobia to remove healers and their signboards posted outside Machakos General Hospital to a different place.
"We are not at war with traditional healers and faith healers because we know some traditional herbs may treat some ailments but not all. However, our people must use conventional medicines that have been proved to cure diseases rather than leaving our people t the mercy of witchdoctors and pastors claiming to have healing powers", she said. She said that while Christians and other religious groups were free to attend healing prayers, those sick with diseases like Tuberculosis and HIV/Aids and other terminal illnesses needed to visit qualified medical personnel. As the world marked the TB Day a report released by the international medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)promises new diagnostic test that will finally help detect more people with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), increasing the urgency to solve major problems around the pricing and supply of DR-TB medicines. According to the report, DR-TB is on the rise, but less than 7% of 440,000 new cases each year receive treatment with the disease killing 150,000 people annually. The treatment of DR-TB relies on old antibiotics, many of which have severe side effects, ranging from constant nausea to deafness, and must be taken as complex regimens - patients must take up to 17 pills every day for up to two years. However, these are the only drugs that exist today that can tackle DR-TB. MSF's report shows that these drugs are riddled with persistent supply and price problems that must be urgently addressed. Additionally, MSF's report found that several DR-TB medicines are very expensive, with prices for two drugs having increased by more than 600% and one drug by more than 800% over the last decade. A 24-month DR-TB treatment regimen can cost as much as US$9,000 for one patient - 470 times more than the $19 per patient it costs to cure standard, drug-sensitive TB. Meanwhile failure by patients to adhere to prescriptions has led to emergence of multi drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) in Homa Bay District. The district has recorded the highest default rate at 7%, complicating efforts to fight the disease. The high prevalence rate of HIV/Aids has further compounded the war against the killer disease, said area officer in charge of Leprosy and TB Apollo Odongo. Speaking at Rodi market during the World TB Day, Odongo said some 1, 165 cases of the TB have been reported in the district. He described the district as one of the areas with the highest number of TB patients living with the HIV/ Aids virus saying the co-infection rate stands at 80% against the national figure of 60%. The medic said treatment of the MDR TB was too expensive with Ksh 1.3 million required to treat one case and appealed to all stakeholders to contribute towards the prevention and treatment of the disease saying the responsibility should not be left to the Ministry of Health alone.
Portugal government collapse complicates EU summit
African Diaspora organisations in the UK are at the forefront of life-changing developments across sub-Saharan Africa. Widows and Orphans International, an East London based organisation, protects and supports street children, as well as vulnerable women and orphans in Kenya who are affected by HIV and poverty. Joshua Odongo, Widows and Orphans Internationals’ CEO, with other likeminded community members, set up the organisation in 1997, almost 10 years after arriving in London from his native Kenya. The UK organisation works in collaboration with partner organisations in Kenya, Sierra Leone and Zambia to run a wide range of healthcare and education programmes for Africans based in the UK and in Africa. Joshua works in the UK office which manages the fundraising and grant applications needed to support partner organisations to deliver community based projects. Widows and Orphans International’s projects to support street children are particularly close to Joshua's heart. He says: “I wasn't an orphan but I grew up in other relatives’ houses almost as a street child. My family was very poor and I would go for days without food. Now I go back to Kenya to oversee the programmes and spend time with the street children. They trust me because I understand them and their story.” He adds that when a child goes out to live on the streets they can find themselves in a gang with other street children who may have been there for several years, sleeping in doorways, eating from rubbish bins and remains from food kiosks and occasionally stealing food and committing petty crimes to survive. Many also become addicted to glue. “I've seen boys as young as four out on the streets and young girls trapped in prostitution. The longer a child is out on the streets, the harder it is to get them back home or re-integrate them back into the society. They are often involved in petty crime and don't trust anyone outside their gang.” Widows and Orphans International works very closely with Hope for Victoria Children (HOVIC) who send out specially trained outreach workers, including social workers and teachers, onto the streets in Kisumu - Kenya to talk to the street children and their leaders. They invite them to a drop in centre where they receive a shower and a hot meal and interact with other children. They can also be seen by a centre nurse when they are unwell. “What street child can say no to that?” asks Joshua. “Once you earn the trust of the leader the other children soon follow. Then we can talk to them about why they're on the streets and explain how we can help them. Our programme provides food and shelter, pays for education and often places street children with foster families, which has had a huge amount of success in securing a future for the children.” One street child who was helped by Widows and Orphans International is ten-year-old Fred, who ended up on the street after both his parents died when he was four. Overnight, he was separated from his three older sisters and sent to live with an alcoholic and abusive aunt. At the age of five Fred left for the big city of Kisumu in search of a better life, making the 50km journey on foot and on the back of cars. After three days he arrived and tried to earn enough money to eat by sweeping, clearing dustbins and mopping people’s floors. Life was harsh, insecure and quite often terrifying, with harassment from both older street children, who would steal his food, as well as the Police, who would move him on. He lived like this for five years until he saw an advertisement for the famous Kenyan musician and former street child Mighty King Kong, who was playing at the nearby HOVIC centre. After the concert a project worker explained to Fred that they could help and he started coming to the centre where he was given medical health checks, meals, counselling and education. He is now privately sponsored to go to boarding school and hopes to grow up and become a footballer for the national team. Widows and Orphans International have a long standing relationship with Comic Relief, who with the support of UK aid (from the Department for International Development) are supporting African Diaspora organisations, enabling them to create a bigger impact and reduce poverty and injustice in Africa. Thousands scramble for ‘miracle’ drink PART TWO
They are flocking there on foot, bicycles, vehicles and even in helicopters in search of a miracle cure dispensed by a retired Lutheran pastor. The sleepy village of Samunge in Arusha, Northern Tanzania, is teaming with thousands of ailing people from all walks of life who have heard that 76-year-old Ambikile Mwasapile, has discovered a miracle cure for all types of diseases. But on Tuesday, the Tanzanian government announced it was temporarily halting the inflow of thousands of people streaming to Samuge Village believing that they can be cured of such ailments as Aids, cancer and diabetes, among others. The move announced by the Arusha regional commissioner, Mr Isidore Shirima, came as a humanitarian crisis was building up around Samunge Village where the pastor-turned-herbalist has, for the last few months, hosted a multitude of patients out to get his herbal medicine. Mr Shirima said torrential rains have rendered the village inaccessible while long queues of vehicles running up to 20km from the village had necessitated the intervention. - VIDEO Hospital explains baby death after Viagra dose
The baby was put on Sildenafil (Viagra) after it developed complications of “meconium grade three” and on March 19, 2011, the baby’s ability to breathe worsened leading to its death at 6pm the same day. Kenyatta National Hospital on Wednesday released details of Viagra treatment given to a baby a week ago when it developed breathing problems after birth. According to the referral hospital, the baby was delivered on Tuesday last week at the labour ward. After delivery it was found to have complications of “meconium grade three” and was transferred to New Born Unit for further management. Meconium are the earliest stools of an infant. Unlike later faeces, meconium is composed of materials ingested during the time the infant is in the uterus. “At the unit the baby was put on oxygen and a chest X-ray done the next day, which showed the baby stool in the womb had gone into the lungs, causing complications,” said Dr Simon Monda on behalf of the hospital. The baby was immediately put on Sildenafil (Viagra) and on March 19, 2011, the baby’s ability to breathe worsened and its health continued to deteriorate and was put on assisted breathing, Dr Monda added. The baby died at 6pm on the same day. Efforts to trace the whereabouts of the parents were fruitless. High pressure “The doctors and nurses did their best to save the child, having done all the procedures correctly and timely services provided to the patient,” the hospital said in a press statement. “Some babies develop persistent pulmonary hypertension of the neonate (PPHN), a condition where the pressure in the blood vessel that allows blood to flow to the lungs remains abnormally high. This also occurs in babies who have aspirated meconium. “Persistent high pressure in these vessels leads to less blood flow to the lungs and, therefore, less oxygen reaching the blood and all organs of the body. “Sildenafil may cause these vessels to relax and allow for improved blood flow and improved oxygen delivery to all organs,” read the statement. Want to live long? Laugh less, not more Happy-go-lucky people may joke themselves to an early grave, says study conducted since 1921 |
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The National Anthem in English:“Oh God of all creation Let one and all arise Let all with one accord |
The National Anthem in Swahili:“Ee Mungu nguvu yetu Amkeni ndugu zetu Natujenge taifa letu |
The national anthem became official in 1963, the date of Kenya’s independence. The words were written by a commission appointed by the government, consisting of Thomas Kalume, Washington Omondi, Peter Kibukosya, George Senoga-Zake and Graham Hyslop. The task given to them by the government was to select a tune that took into account the traditional music of Kenya, which would both have dignity and also lend itself to harmonisation and orchestration for performance by orchestras and military bands. The music would also have to fit both the English and Swahili lyrics. Tunes from many parts of the country were considered. The final choice was a tune sung by mothers for their children from Pokomo country. The lyrics were meant to establish a common identity for Kenyans from all tribes and to express convictions held deeply by all of them.
Geneva Motor Show 2011: new models and concept cars
US firm hires ex-soldiers for foreign tasks
An American private security firm has set up a base in Nairobi to recruit former members of the armed forces for jobs abroad. The company has set up offices at the Ukulima Co-operative Building on Hailesellasie Avenue, where recruitment has been ongoing in the past weeks. The same company has offices at the Railways Club where applicants undergo interrogation. Ex-armed officers, who attended the interviews on Sunday, said they had been told they would go to work in Afghanistan and Iraq. "They say successful candidates will be taken to Iraq and Afghanistan but I am not sure. You may find we are going to Libya," said a man, who claimed to be a former military soldier. At the 12th floor of the building where the offices of the company are based, there were about 40 men queuing to be served. They all carried documents with anticipation of being successful. Some looked tired after traveling from upcountry. Those interviewed said the company requires a valid passport, certificate of good conduct, certificate of appointment and that one must have handled guns for at least three years while in service. Those who were sacked for various reasons must have stayed out for seven years to qualify for recruitment. After one is recruited, his fingerprints are taken and kept by the company managers.
Those who succeed in the first phase are sent to a private hospital in Langata where they undergo mandatory HIV/Aids tests.
"Those found to be HIV positive are not taken for the job. They are sent away," said another ex-police officer, who said he had come from Samburu. The company operates 24 hours and according to a register there, job seekers had been coming even at midnight. Successful candidates are on every Wednesday flown out of the country to their places of work after being paid Sh50,000, which they leave with their families. Guards at the building said there have been about 40 people who had been reporting at the floor since Wednesday. "We are informed the last group left the country last week. Some of them have been spending nights there," said a guard there. A manager at the office, who refused to identify himself, said they are legally registered without elaborating. He later ordered the removal of journalists from the floor. There have been speculations Kenyans are involved in fighting in Libya to help Colonel Muammar Gaddafi stay in power. Defecting officials from the Libyan regime have been claiming Kenyan mercenaries are fighting on Gaddafi’s side. One of them, Nouri al Masmari who has been chief of protocol for the Libyan government told Al Jazeera that the presence of Kenyan mercenaries in the North African country has been "confirmed". "It was, officially confirmed by the Kenyan government that some mercenaries are being flown into Libya," he said. No official word has come from the Government. - The Standard.
Royal Mail to cut 1,700 jobs and close two mail centres
The Royal Mail has announced that it will cut more than 1,700 jobs and close two mail centres in London. The job losses include 1,000 managers across the UK and 751 employees in London after the "phased closures" of the centres in south and east London. The company said the cuts were necessary as it expected the volume of mail posted in London to have halved from 2006 levels by 2014. Royal Mail said it had cut 65,000 positions since 2002. The Royal Mail's south London centre in Nine Elms Lane and its east London centre in Bromley-by-Bow will close, saving an expected £30m, the company said. The company said it believed it would not be forced into making compulsory redundancies. "With people demonstrating reasonable flexibility, Royal Mail expects that everyone who wants to remain in the business will be able to do so," it said. Mark Higson, the company's managing director of operations and modernisation, said: "Royal Mail's modernisation programme, which is vital to ensuring a successful future for the letters and parcels business, depends on having the right number of people in our business, as well as deploying the right technology and equipment." The firm also said that about half of its 64 UK mail centres that were open in 2010 could close by 2016. Royal Mail has suffered as more people use the internet to communicate, with e-mail replacing the need for letters in many cases. It has also been hit by increasing competition from a growing number of private operators. Next month, the price of stamps will increase sharply as it looks to increase revenues. The cost of a first-class stamp will go up by a record 5p to 46p, while that of a second-class stamp will rise by 4p to 36p. Last month, the service was also given permission by the regulator to charge more to business customers.
"GATHER THE KENYANS FOR ME"
"Gather the Kenyans for Me" this is the message which was received by a Kenyan lady five years ago. "How can I gather Kenyans and I am just a simple lady and I don't know many people, no connections and all in all this is not mine." the lady concluded. Once again in 2007 she heard the same message again and still did nothing as she thought that the message was right but to the wrong person. On 1st January, 2011 the message came to her, this time, very clear. "I gave you the job and you never did. Gather the Kenyans for Me. This time it is ME who going to take you all through. The gathering will be on Saturday 19th March, 2011. I have a message for them. The message is not for Kenyans in the diaspora alone, it is for Kenyans all over the world including those in Kenya. Christian and non-Christians, those who will attend and those who will not at. I have a message for them. This was the message from Mrs. Jane Wamae previously Jane Kiguru. Then come Saturday 19th 2011, Kenyans came from all walks of life in UK while others ignored but all the same the message was clear and loud. The High Commissioner HE Ephraim Ngare and his wife Mrs. Jane Ngare attended the meeting. What was the message for Kenyans? Coming soon!
Time for the Kenya National Anthem for this young Kenyans in UK
NCCK opposes deferral of Kenya ICC cases
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has opposed the deferral of Kenyan case saying it is only through the International Criminal Court -ICC that the victims of the post election violence will get justice. Speaking Sunday during a church service at African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa of Bahati in Nairobi, NCCK Secretary General Canon Peter Karanja expressed disappointment over the misuse of public funds in what he termed a futile diplomacy mission. He said the move to have the cases postponed is aimed at protecting political careers of individuals at the expense of public interest. Karanja at the same time appealed to the leaders in the coalition government to put aside their political differences and focus on implementation of the new constitution. He expressed fears that too much politicking in the country could derail the implementation process. At the same time Karanja supported the Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution that the next General Elections be held in August next year. Elsewhere, Information Minister Samuel Poghisio has criticized leaders and civil society groups supporting the ICC process. Poghisio who spoke while on a tour to schools in Pokot County, said that the new constitution allows for the suspects to be tried locally. He urged Kenyans to maintain peace as they pray for the six suspects. And Assistant Minister for Local Government Lewis Nguyai says he will push for the postponement of the general election if the case against the six suspected masterminds of the post election violence is not resolved by next year. Nguyai who is also the Kikuyu MP claimed that 153 MPs are in support of the move. Speaking at Kibiru Girls Secondary school in Gatundu South constituency, the legislator alleged the naming of the suspects by ICC was politically motivated. On Saturday, the United Nations Security Council declined to support Kenya's bid to defer the cases for a one year to allow the government establish a local judicial mechanism to try the post election violence suspects. The security council members dismissed assertions that the ICC trials could undermine international peace and and instead directed Kenya to explore the option of challenging the admissibility of the cases and jurisdiction of the ICC in line with article 19 of the Rome Statute. But Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has clarified that the United Nations Security Council has not rejected the Kenyan request for the deferral of the International Criminal Court case. Mr. Musyoka said that Kenya has not yet had a formal deliberation with the UN Security Council but had only sought for an informal meeting which will not provide a final verdict until a formal meeting is held. Meanwhile, Eldoret North Mp William Ruto took a different stance Sunday over the issue. Ruto who was speaking in Kisii called on fellow politicians to abandon The Hague debate and concentrate on matters of national development. He said concerns of the Ocampo six should not overshadow the interests of millions of Kenyans. Eugene Wamalwa who had accompanied Ruto launched a spirited campaign against the old guard claiming they had lost touch with the realities of the recent times.
"KENYAN IDs TO BE ISSUED IN LONDON"
Councillor Elizabeth Kangethe, a Kenyan councillor in London welcomes The Kenya High Commissioner HE Ephraim Ngare to address Kenyans at the Kenyan gathering in West London on Saturday 19th March, 2011. During his speech the High Commissioner explained that Kenyans in the Diaspora will be able to register and vote during the coming Kenyans elections in Kenya next year. Again he said that Kenya High Commission in London will start issuing Kenya Identity Cards in a few week's time in addition to the Kenyan passports which will be taking only 2-3 days to get one.
OVERHEARD BY MR. SEED: "Rîu ndîroria atîrî, athûngû aya tondû nîmanjia haro Lîbya na haro îrîa îngî menacio Iraq na Afghanistan nî-imaremete rî, megwîka atîa na nîmanjia gûkua mwatû wa njûkî na mûtwe."
MEANING: Hawa watu wameaza vita zingine na vile wameshindwa na Iraq and Afghanistan. Kwanini tena wameamusha nyuki?
TWO NAIROBI COUNCILLORS ARE IN LONDON
Two Nairobi Councillors are in London. The two councillors, Councillor Wanjohi of Huruma Ward, Nairobi (right) and Councillor Mutura (2nd right) of Kimathi Ward, Nairobi joined other Kenyans on Saturday 19th March, 2011 in West London to hear what the prophetic word about Kenya was all about. They had been on Local Authority meeting in Cardiff. Seen with the councillor is Mr. Muthaka (2nd left) who is not yet decided whether to go for the Council seat in UK or in Kenya and on far is the host of the councillors Mr. Martin Karau of Oxford. The councillors contact in UK is 07950457580.
"The 'Somali' question is an issue we need to address immediately. The increasing influx of Somali refugees come with deep trouble. Yet our government has continually let corruption loose at the Immigration department, and innocent Kenyans are being killed as a result." - Daily Nation
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
)))))))))))))))))))))) Freemovement - Say No to Removals/Deportations ))))))))))))))))))))))
Changes in the Immigration Rules - Zimbabwe judgement, underlining the positives - Jimmy Mubenga: security firm G4S may face charges over death -Woman used as 'slave' wins case against former hospital director - Greece ill-treatment of migrants/asylum seekers continues
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Charter Flight PVT 007 to Jamaica on Thursday 24th March 2011 Charter Flight PVT 008 to Afghanistan on Tuesday 29th March 2011
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Changes in the Immigration Rules
Settlement On settlement the rules change applies a new criminality threshold to settlement applications, requiring all applicants to be clear of unspent convictions and also extends the income criteria that applies to those on a temporary route, so that it also applies when they apply for settlement, and to require such applicants to pass the 'Life in the UK' test prior to gaining settlement, subject to some transitional provisions.
Re-entry bans I am also introducing an amendment to the Immigration Rules relating to the general grounds for refusal. The existing re-entry ban for those previously removed from the UK is being amended to make it clear that where migrants participate in an assisted voluntary return programme or leave otherwise voluntarily, we expect them to do so promptly after being told to leave the UK. Those who voluntarily leave the UK promptly at public expense will have their re-entry ban reduced from 5 years to 2 years. Those who continue to delay receive a 5 year or 10 year re-entry ban. This addition seeks to bring cases to a conclusion earlier by providing a clear incentive for people to depart from the UK sooner and increase participation in assisted voluntary return programmes.
Asylum There are also changes to the Immigration Rules in respect of certain family members of refugees and those granted humanitarian protection, where the family relationship arose after the sponsor in the United Kingdom left his or her home country.
Home Office press release Wednesday 16th Mach 2011 Download: Statement Of Changes In Immigration rules.pdf
French jets resume Libya sorties
Col Muammar Gaddafi says Libya will fight a "long war" after Western air strikes against his forces to protect rebel-held areas. Military officials are said to be assessing the damage after at least 110 missiles were fired by the US and UK. After an attack by French planes, some 14 bodies were lying near destroyed military vehicles outside the rebel-held city of Benghazi, Reuters says. The head of the Arab League has criticised the bombardments. His comments are significant because the Arab League's support for the no-fly zone was a key factor in getting UN Security Council backing for the resolution authorising the move. "What is happening in Libya differs from the aim of imposing a no-fly zone, and what we want is the protection of civilians and not the bombardment of more civilians," said Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.
Twenty largest student debts revealed
The biggest debt currently owed to the Student Loans Company is £66,150, the BBC has learned. A Freedom of Information request has revealed that the total sum of the 20 largest student debts is over £1m. All but one of the students went to London institutions, where loans for living costs are higher, and were on courses that lasted a minimum of five years, like medicine and law. Universities Minister David Willetts said the amounts owed were "unusual". If these people were training to become lawyers or doctors they were likely to have substantial earnings later on in life, he told BBC Radio 4's Money Box programme.
Higher future debts predicted
Students in England can currently borrow almost £5,000 a year to cover their tuition fees and living costs, and undergraduates in London can receive up to £7,000. But the maximum tuition fee loan in England will go up to £9,000 in September 2012, and maintenance loans will also rise. Student debts could then reach £83,000 when the new system is introduced in England in 2012. Figures calculated by leading accountants, show that a student borrowing £39,000 for a three-year course could pay back that amount in total, in cash terms.
'Graduate tax'
Mr Willetts accepted that the loans would take longer to be repaid under the new system, but he said monthly payments would be smaller. "Under the proposed new system, you will pay 9% on all your earnings over £21,000, instead of the current threshold of £15,000," he said. "If you earned £25,000, repayments would be about £30 a month. "The burden of the monthly repayment is what really matters to people." He conceded the new proposals would constitute a "graduate tax".
Managing repayments
Students should not be put off by the headlines, according to Lynne Condell, who chairs the National Association of Student Money Advisers. She said the monthly repayments are manageable and that going to university is an investment. "There's so much value in going to university. It's not just about the money - it's a life changing experience," she said. Students should plan their finances ahead and look for alternative benefits and support, Ms Condell advised. "Universities have money to help students who are in financial difficulties; bursaries, the Access to Learning fund and scholarships, which hopefully will still be available in 2012," she said. "If students have mortgages or children, or have a disability, lots of support is available to them, but nothing is given automatically, so students should seek advice to check which benefits they are eligible for." Under the new system, which starts in September 2012 any unpaid debt will be written off after 30 years.
A person who never makes mistakes never makes anything.
Getting tough on NHS debtors
Home Office, 18 March 2011
Tough action to tackle health tourism was promised today, following the publication of 2 consultations on charging overseas visitors for NHS hospital care. The UK Border Agency and Department of Health consultations follow a 2009 review that set out to examine the rules on charging overseas visitors for access to NHS services in England. NHS measures for England include:
As part of the Home Office measures for the UK, anyone owing the NHS £1,000 or more will not be allowed to come or stay in the UK until the debt is paid off. It is hoped the £1,000 threshold, which will be implemented later this year, will capture 94 per cent of outstanding charges owed to the NHS. To enforce this action, the NHS will provide information to enable UK Border Agency to identify the debtors when they make their application to return or stay in the UK. Anne Milton, Public Health Minister, said:
'The NHS has a duty to anyone whose life or long-term health is at immediate risk, but we cannot afford to become an international health service, providing free treatment for all.
'These changes will begin the process of developing a clearer and fairer system of access to free NHS services which our review of the charging system will complete. I want to see a system which maintains the confidence of the public while preventing inappropriate free access and continuing our commitment to human rights and protecting vulnerable groups'.
Damian Green, Immigration Minister, said:
'The NHS is a national health service not an international one. If someone does not pay for their treatment we will not let them back into the country.
'We need robust controls to protect our public services.'
A full copy of the consultation report can be found in the Consultations section of this website. To find out more about the Department of Health consultation, please see the Department of Health website. - FULL STATEMENT
ICC summonses spurs reactions
The Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has convened the hearing for the initial appearance of head of civil service Francis Muthaura, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Mohammed Hussein Ali on 8th of April at 2:30. pm.The Hague local time, instead of 7th April as previously ordered. In a statement, the Chamber said that the change of date is due to the fact that, during the afternoon of 7th of April, the Courts' rooms are occupied with the ongoing hearings related to the Trial Chambers. The date of the initial appearance of William Ruto, Henry Kosgey and Joshua Arap Sang however remains scheduled for 7th of April at 9:30 AM the Hague local time. Meanwhile the issuance of summonses to the six suspects of post election violence seemed to have ignited fury among a section of legislators, who claim the international criminal court process is being used as a platform to settle political scores and malign some front runners for presidency in the 2012 general elections. Konoin MP Julius Kones is accusing ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo of politicizing the post election case rather than genuinely pursuing justice for the victims. At the same time, Nithi MP Kareke Mbiuki is accusing the western countries of reluctance to support the deferral of the ICC case, to impose their agendas in the country, in what the call latter day colonialism. With the 2012 general elections nearing, the race for the executive seat is proving to be one tough battle. The elections scheduled to come at a time when the prosecution of the six suspects of the 2007 post election violence is at its peak, temperatures in the political landscape seems to be mounting, with some now reading political mischief in the timing and the manner in which the case is being handled both locally and at the Hague. The chief prosecutor Moreno Ocampo has also come under attack, for what some legislators claim is a ploy to serve political interests for some quarters, some MPs have lashed out at some western countries, for their reluctance to support Kenya's bid to have the ICC case deferred, and claiming the unwillingness by the West is a sign of latter day colonialism. The ICC process has in many times continued to cause divisions in the coalition government, a government that is now split over the issue.
Ladies day Cheltenham 2011
G7 central banks take rare currency action after yen surge
(Reuters) - A coordinated move by central banks of rich nations to stabilise the yen appeared to be working on Friday, tamping its value down after Japan's devastating earthquake and nuclear crisis triggered a yen surge and raised fears about the global economy. The action by the Group of Seven, in which they poured billions of dollars into markets, was the first joint intervention in currency markets since the G7 came to the aid of the newly launched euro in 2000. The U.S. dollar surged two full yen to as much as 81.98 yen in response, up from a record low of 76.25 hit on Thursday. It dropped back to under 81 yen in early afternoon trade but remained above what some analysts suggested was a psychologically important level of 80 that could heighten chances of more intervention. The G7 move reflected concern that a soaring yen could curb Japan's exports and throw the world's third largest economy back into recession, slowing global growth and sapping market confidence. The yen's surge in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami may have seemed counter-intuitive at first glance, but it reflected, in part, market speculation that Japanese firms and the Japanese government will repatriate money now invested overseas in order to pay insurance claims and the cost of rebuilding. Traders on Friday estimated the Bank of Japan alone bought more than $25 billion (15 billion pounds), paying with yen to effectively weaken the currency's value by boosting the supply. Every member of the G7 was involved in Friday's market intervention, a massive show of unity designed to brush back speculators who might have been more willing to question the resolve of Japan if it had attempted the effort alone. The U.S. Federal Reserve, Bank of England, Bank of Canada and European Central Bank, which represents all 17 countries that use the euro, each separately confirmed they were intervening to keep the yen's value from climbing. The action helped settle equity markets, which had seen heavy selling in volatile trade since the earthquake and tsunami struck Japan last Friday and triggered a crisis at nuclear power plants. Investors have struggled to get a handle on the economic fallout. Tokyo Electric Power Co (9501.T) on Friday afternoon North American time said it had connected an external power cable to the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, a first step towards restarting the plant's cooling pumps as it races to prevent a catastrophic radiation leak. "The impact on the Japanese economy in isolation is likely to be contained, but the ripple effects could be substantial, and perhaps long-lasting," the Institute of International Finance, which represents global banks, said in a statement. Japan's deputy finance minister, Fumihiko Igarashi, warned that currency traders shouldn't consider the intervention a one-time-only move, pledging that the G7 would "act decisively" again if speculators tried to push the yen higher. "G7 countries agreed that if we caved in to such speculators that took advantage of people's misfortunes, the Japanese economy would be ruined and the whole world economy would be harmed," Igarashi told Reuters in an interview. "Our stance remains unchanged that we will take decisive steps against speculators who act like sneaky thieves at a scene of a fire. The G7, in its statement Thursday night announcing the decision to intervene, said that "excess volatility and disorderly movements in exchange rates have adverse implications for economic and financial stability."
A LUO PROVERB
Tho mariwa.
In death all human beings are equal.
Death is an equaliser.
We regret to announce the death of Mzee Ayub Ngure, 92, father to Evangelist Noel Ngure, minister at ECC, Dallas, USA on Friday 18th March, 2011 in Kenya. A memorial service will be held on ECC at 3.00 p.m. on Sunday 20th March, 2011. Friends and family are meeting at Noel's House, 6805 Edgefield Dr. Denton, TX, 76210. For more information please contact Noel on 4843191043 or Pastor Tony on 2146038411.
SOMALIA POLICE TRAINING IN MANYANI
Somali Police Force during a pass out parade at Kenya Wildlife Service Field Training School, Manyani, Kenya. Wajir Police are holding three Somali soldiers who defected from the force. The soldiers were among 2, 400 Somalis trained in Isiolo who were heading back to their country via Wajir and Mandera. The three soldiers jumped out of a convoy of about 22 lorries in Wajir town at about 9pm on Thursday and disappeared into the town. However, the local anti terror police unit launched a manhunt and arrested them yesterday morning. It was not clear how many soldiers defected from the force as police were not willing to disclose more information.
METHALI YA KISWAHILI
Mtaka nyingi nasaba hupata mwingi msiba.
He who boasts of his ancestry unduly will bring plenty of trouble upon himself.
Japan reports rising radiation levels in spinach and milk
Food scare comes as engineers battle to cool dangerously overheated fuel at Fukushima power plant and evacuation of Britons is stepped up. Japan has reported elevated radiation levels in spinach and milk from farms near the crippled Fukushima nuclear power station. The tainted milk was found 30km (20 miles) from the plant while the spinach was collected up to 100km (65 miles) to the south. Chief cabinet secretary Yukio Edano told reporters in Tokyo that the radiation levels exceeded the limits allowed by the government, but the products "pose no immediate health risk" and testing was being done on other foods. If tests show further contamination, Edano said food shipments would be halted from the area. "It's not like if you ate it right away you would be harmed," Edano said. "It would not be good to continue to eat it for some time." Edano said the amount of radiation detected in the milk was the equivalent to one CT scan – the series of X-rays used for medical tests – if consumed continually for a year.
Kenyans evacuated in Japan nuclear scare
The first group of 15 Kenyans evacuated from Japan is expected to arrive in Nairobi on Saturday morning as the government temporarily closed its embassy in the tsunami-ravaged country. The closure came amid growing fears of deadly radiation levels from a nuclear plant destroyed by the earthquake. Mission staff and their families, expected home tomorrow, joined a rush of foreigners leaving Japan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: “Due to the prevailing circumstances the Kenya mission in Tokyo will close temporarily from 18th March 2011 until further notice.” The government said the situation had gone from bad to worse and radiation particles from the nuclear plant were being blown beyond designated areas. “Due to the greater damage and potential fallout from the reactor, the mission has embarked on immediate evacuation of mission staff plus their families from Japan,” the statement said. The government said that since the tsunami, the mission had been in touch with the 231 Kenyans living in Japan and had confirmed their safety. On Monday, Kenyan athlete Dorcas Obare, who was thought to have disappeared in the tsunami, was found. However, the mission has issued several measures it wants the residents to observe in a bid to safeguard their lives. “Residents should ensure they observe the advice provided by the authorities especially in the Fukushima area by observing the set evacuation zones. “They should also avoid all travel to north eastern Japan and Tokyo,” it said.
The government said Kenyans in Japan should leave to avoid the lethal consequences of exposing themselves to high radiation levels. “The mission has also advised Kenyans in Japan to consider leaving the country as high radiation levels being experienced could be detrimental to human health,” the statement said. The Finnish government said on Friday it was moving its embassy out of Tokyo to Hiroshima as a precaution against “uncertain” security in the capital city. Germany and Austria had already made the same decision. Airline tickets sold out in Tokyo and private jet firms were swamped with bookings on Thursday as foreigners scrambled to leave after more governments advised their citizens to flee. With fears escalating, Britain and Australia were among the nations advising citizens to leave Tokyo, while the United States chartered special flights. The well-heeled were taking drastic measures as Japanese engineers battled to prevent a major radiation leak from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, located 250 kilometres northeast of the capital. Iris Riesen, managing director of Jet Aviation Hong Kong, said the Chinese territory’s private jet firms had seen a huge jump in requests from people desperate to get out of Japan quickly. “There has been high, high demand — we’ve been flooded with requests,” she told AFP, adding that a return flight between Hong Kong and Japan costs between $90,000 and $140,000 depending on the size of the plane. – Daily Nation.
Mrs. Noel Njeri Mugo well known as Mama Carol of Danton, Dallas, USA has lost her father the late Ayub Ngure back in Kenya on Friday 18th March, 2011. Her contact in USA is 001-48431-91043.
School Link Africa
Give Your Child Quality Education in Uganda in
A Conducive Environment where
Discipline is Highly Observed
"REDBRIDGE DISTRICT CHOIR THIS WEEK"
Just as the mother church back in Kenya, PCEA UK Outreach in London has divided their congregation with their district where they hold fellowship and meetings in their own districts. Duties are located according to the district and on Sunday 13th March, 2011 Redbridge District was presenting a song during the service. This is where the head of the UK church lives Rev. Edwin Kibathi (far left) and his wife (2nd right) joined the team. When your team is presenting, you have to do abit of homework as you can see it everyone for himself as the couples seems to be away from each this time all round. If it was in Kenya you would have heard: "enakû mûtumia wa gwitû anyinithie". If you would like to join one of their district near your area contact Rev. Kibathi on 07946700301.
THE KINGDOM CHURCH LONDON
I was facing A Big Court case, someone invited me to attend Holy Ghost Fire Night at TKC - When I put my documents on Fire, the following Monday my case was dismissed - Are you having all kinds of troubles, and terribly disgraced, that's is exactly what I saw in spirit this morning as I was praying for you. I wept and God has given me the answer & anointing to set you free: This weekend Friday 7:30 & 3am it's ALL Night Miracle, Prayer & deliverance. Saturday 7:30 pm its Holy Ghost fire Night : Bring the Names of all your enemies and all your Bad reports from the doctors & immigration and see Victory : Sunday 11am is Word service & 2:30pm is Special Prophetic Miracle Service. It's time for Revival,restoration & Rejoicing. I see Victory tonight over your Life Pls bring all photos, letters for point of contact At TKC- THE KINGDOM CHURCH LONDON - Bishop Climate Ministries 2nd floor Chateleine Hse, 186 Walworth Rd London SE17 1JJ Call 02077406001, Watch it Live at www.bishopclimate.tv - from Bishop Climate Irungu as seen on TV.
From Kenya to Bedford and Beyond
Mr Nokadie and Egla receiving gifts from the David Brewer the Bedford's Borough Head of Partnership and Community engagement and on right Egla Chemos aspiring to compete in London Olympics made friends with some Kenyan children in Bedford
Click here for a BBC documentary featuring part of an olympic dream project.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympic_games/world_olympic_dreams/9399619.stm
Bishop Okiring Secondary school in Kenya is one of the many schools which has twinned with schools across UK for the Olympic Dream Project. The school was twinned with Bedford Academy. Recently Misterseed featured a story on this partnership. Kenyan Community Bedford is assisting the two institutions achieve desired objectives. We are in regular communication with the Headmaster Mr Naboth Okadie and Egla. Any organisation or anyone willing to assist Egla Chemos or Bishop Okiring Secondary can contact Kenyan Community Bedford on kenyancommunitybedford@yahoo.co.uk or nabothokadie@yahoo.com. Did you know you can assist your old school in Kenya partner with a UK school as part of the Olympics dream project? Just pop into a local school in UK and make the request to the headmaster. You will be surprised with their interest and you could help change a child's life. We shall bring more coverage of the documentary as the partnership progresses.
The World's 5 Most Powerful Women
#1 Power Woman
Michelle Obama
She has made the office of First Lady her own. A forceful advocate of school nutrition standards and military families' affairs, she's more involved in policy than Laura Bush was. But unlike Hillary Clinton, who championed a secretive (and ultimately unsuccessful) health care reform, Obama has stayed away from hard policy. A fashion icon and an athletic mother of two, she's Jackie Kennedy with a law degree from Harvard and street sense from Chicago's South Side. She's also effective: In response to her Let's Move! campaign against childhood obesity, companies like Coca-Cola, Kellogg and General Mills have pledged to reduce the calorie content of their foods by 2012. The first lady remains popular: 54% of Americans view her favorably.
#2 Power Woman
Irene Rosenfeld
Her $26.3 million compensation package in 2009 made Rosenfeld the nation's second-highest-paid female, after Yahoo!'s Carol Bartz. She earned it, drawing fire early this year after announcing plans to acquire British candymaker Cadbury. Warren Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway owned 9.4% of Kraft, voted against the deal, calling it "dumb." When Rosenfeld refused to back down, Buffett retaliated by selling 33.1 million Kraft shares (one-third of Berkshire's stake). Who was right? Kraft's second-quarter revenues rose 25.3% to $12.3 billion, boosted largely by Cadbury's business in Europe and in developing markets. "Obviously I'm very pleased with the outcome," she says. On the home front, Kraft is spending more on ads to push core brands--Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Kraft Singles, Oreos and Mac & Cheese (her favorite).
#3 Power Woman
Oprah Winfrey
The queen of daytime TV is now the queen of cable. Winfrey's OWN station launched in the beginning of 2011. Programming so far is thin and heavy on Winfrey proteges like Dr. Phil and Gayle King. Expect more diversity as the station finds its feet. In addition to her cable channel, Winfrey in overseeing the last season of her syndicated show, a magazine and Harpo productions. She also started a school for girls in South Africa. Winfrey has 5.2 million followers on Twitter.
#4 Power Woman
Angela Merkel
Most powerful woman on the planet. Chancellor of Germany oversees Europe's largest economy. Renowned free-market champion and favorite of big business, boasts nine public companies with annual sales in excess of $70 billion. In all, there are 57 German companies on the Forbes Global 2000 ranking of the world's largest public companies, with aggregate sales of $1.7 trillion.
#5 Power Woman
Hillary Clinton
Former first lady and U.S. senator has been careful not to let her international celebrity outshine that of her boss. Two now said to have excellent working relationship, so good that inside-the-beltway gossips whisper her name as a possible replacement for hapless U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in 2012. Despite fashion "sense" that leans towards pantsuits, blinding colors, now America's most popular politician, with favorability rating nine percentage points higher than Obama's.
"I heard the voice"
It was in 2008 that I first heard the voice in my dream. "Call the Kenyans together, I have a message for them". explained the voice in her dream. When she woke up they thought that it was just another dream because she thought "what have I got to do with Kenyans. I am just an ordinary and unknown person. Where do I start and where do I end up. That is not not for me." Mrs. Jane Wamae previously known as Jane Kiguru concluded. It was 1st January 2011 that she heard the voice again: "I gave you the job of calling Kenyans together and you did not do. I have laid out everything for you and this time call all Kenyans together for I have a message for them. Yours is to call them and leave the rest to me. The date will be on Saturday 19th March, 2011." the voice explained. Before the message ended, Mrs. Wamae started arguing about the date saying it was too soon. But to sum it all it was written on the wall clearly "19th March, 2011". "Where do I start and where I end up. I am confused" Jane explained to herself. A week later a worshiper from a different church met with Jane and she explained to Jane: "Why did you refuse to do the job you were given to do by God. God says that He has laid down all the systems and yours is just to obey." With this confirmation, Mrs. Jane Wamae has no alternative but to call Kenyans together. When you read this information and you are in the UK and you are from Kenya, this message is for you. Take it or leave it but the message is delivered. If you would like to know more about this message contact Mrs. Jane Wamae on 07886785412. For more information see the posters below:
Housing market 'stuck in a rut' says CML
UK mortgage lending remained at low levels in February as the housing market remained "stuck in a rut", lenders have said. Gross mortgage lending during the month was £9.5bn, almost identical to January's low level, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said. The lenders' group said 2011 would be "challenging" for the housing market. A shortage of homes caused rents to rise for tenants, a separate survey indicated. Rents rose by 0.2% in February to £684 a month, following a dip in the cost to tenants in January, the research from LSL Property Services found.
Weak lending
The CML said that lending remained weak, partly because banks were restricted, but also because there was little appetite for new borrowing among people concerned about their jobs and the economy. Total lending was marginally higher than the same month a year ago, when activity in the market was also sluggish. Bob Pannell, the CML's chief economist, said the picture was unlikely to change during the year ahead. "Nothing that alters our underlying view that this is going to be a challenging year for households and the housing market," he said. "The housing market remains stuck in a rut and... we do not anticipate much relief in next week's Budget." The normal pick-up in house purchases after the New Year break was weaker than a year ago, the CML said, although sales to cash buyers had remained steady. The figures suggest a shift from mortgage borrowing for new house purchases, to remortgaging. This could indicate that some people were locking into new fixed-rate deals ahead of an anticipated rise in interest rates later in the year.
Cost to tenants
Tough economic conditions has also had an effect on the rental market in February, the LSL survey indicated. The trend of a rising number of tenants falling behind with their rental payments continued. The survey found that 12.6% of all UK rents were in arrears, compared with 11% in January. Although the average rent in England and Wales was up, there were significant regional variations. The biggest monthly change, of 1.9%, was in Wales, followed by the North West of England rose by 1.1%. In London rents have increased by 7.7% in the year to February. However, average rents fell in four regions, with the North East of England recording a 1.4% drop, and a broadly static picture in the last year in the North East, North West and East of England. "The fierce competition among renters in many areas of the country has cut short the traditional lull we tend to see between December and February," said David Newnes, estate agency managing director of LSL Property Services, owners of Your Move and Reeds Rains. "The consistently constrained level of lending to home buyers has bolstered demand - and rents - in the private rental sector during what is typically a slower period. "With the mortgage market even more sluggish since the start of 2011, this backlog of frustrated buyers has increased even further and rents have risen correspondingly."
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Kenya shilling depreciates to it's highest ever as the exchange rate against the British pound goes up in UK to KShs. 132.20 and KShs. 142.93 in Nairobi
Prepare to Meet Your God by Angelica Zambrano
My brethren, even if you do not believe that she saw heaven and hell, listen to the message that God is telling us! Why do we let ourselves be deceived and hide away from the truth? What do you lose from accepting Jesus as your saviour? What do you lose from repenting? What do you lose from forgiving? You lose nothing except for the sinful ways that you were once acquainted with. What do you gain? You gain a new life, a new chance, a fresh soul. Let us prepare ourselves, for The Almighty is coming! - VIDEO
A Kenya man in his 60s collapsed and died in his house in Kent, UK on Wednesday 16th March, 2011. More information soon.
GENERAL SECURITY TIPS
Having a professional monitored alarm system installed to protect your home, your business, or loved ones makes perfect sense, however there is a number of things you can do to increase the level of security and your safety even more.
Heres a few crime prevention tips from the Safe Streets Coalition:
FOR YOUR HOME
Use exterior doors with strong door hinges on the inside of the door with non-removable or hidden pins.
Every entry door should be well-lit and have a wide-angle peep hole.
Repair damages to your home and property.
Use motion lighting.
Trim trees and bushes to remove potential hiding places.
Keep doors, windows and garage doors locked.
FOR YOUR PROPERTY
Don't leave property (such as lawn mower, bikes, tools, etc.) lying in your yard. Put them away.
Don't leave items of value in your car.
Keep an inventory of your property and corresponding serial numbers.
Mark your property with an identifier, such as a drivers license number (do not use a social security number).
FOR YOUR CAR
Close your windows, lock your door and remove all valuables from your car.
Park in well-lit areas at night.
Don't pick up hitchhikers.
Leave enough space to pull around the vehicle in front of you when you're stopped at a light or stop sign.
FOR YOURSELF
Always be aware of your surroundings.
Report all suspicious persons, vehicles or activities.
Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the situation.
Cooperate with officers investigating a crime in your neighbourhood and be willing to testify if necessary.
Know your neighbours and look out for one another.
Never give out your credit card number, Social Security, or bank account number over the phone.
Only give it to people you have called.
WHEN OUTSIDE
Walk with a friend.
Don't wear headphones while jogging/walking.
Vary your route.
Stick to well-lit, well travelled areas.
Carry a purse close to your body and put a wallet inside coat or front pants pocket.
Have your car or house key in hand before you reach the door.
FOR YOUR KIDS
Dont accept rides or gifts from someone you dont know well and trust that includes people youve met through the Internet.
Make sure you know your full name, address and phone number.
If someone tries to force you to go with them, scream Help, this is not my mommy or daddy! and run from the area.
Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.
Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the person or situation and leave as soon as possible. Talk to a trusted adult.
Always walk with friends. Walk in well-lit, well-traveled areas and be familiar with businesses in the area you could go to if you needed help.
Avoid walking or playing in isolated areas such as alleys, wooded areas or vacant buildings.
Barclays in Kenya withdraws ATM charges to lure customers
Barclays Bank of Kenya has waived charges on ATM services, taking the competition a notch higher but also forfeiting a key revenue source. Customers can now carry out transactions in any of its 236 automated teller machine (ATMs) spread across the country free of charge from Sh30 per transaction. This is a major coup on its rivals, who are still charging between Sh20 and Sh50 for a single transaction, and hopes to use this to attract more customers. The bank has also introduced free internet banking services and mobile phone banking platform, Hello Money. “These new offers are in line with our strategy to enhance customer service, support branch expansion and improve management of customer complaints and resolution,” said East and West Africa managing director Adan Mohamed, when he made the announcement. To facilitate greater ease of transactions over the past two years, Barclays Kenya has invested in information and communications technology, including upgrade of the credit card system and the core banking system, he said. It has also partnered with Safaricom to offer M-Pesa services. - Daily Nation.
Ladies day Cheltenham 2011
They are richer than some African republics and command respect from Reykjavik to Cape Town. One of them is said to be among the few people who are legally allowed to fly over London in a helicopter because he cannot stand the traffic jam. Meet Africa’s colossuses
Once again, the annual roll call of the world’s richest was released last week. The Africans on the list are the usual suspects… and six newcomers. There are no Kenyans. Or East Africans for that matter.
Africa’s lucky loaded are from Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa. Sitting pretty atop the perch for the second year running is Mexican telecoms mogul Carlos Slim Helu.
According to America’s Forbes magazine that tracks the financial windfalls of the planet’s wealthiest, the 71-year-old is worth an estimated $70 billion (Sh6 trillion), up from $53.5 billion (Sh4.4 trillion) last year, courtesy of a 19 per cent upward swing in Mexico’s stock market.
His Sh6 trillion can run Kenya’s entire government budget for six years. Helu owns American Movil, Latin America’s largest mobile phone company, with 225 million subscribers — twice Nigeria’s population.
In second place is Bill Gates, the 53-year-old chairman of software giant Microsoft Corporation ,with $50 billion (Sh4.1 trillion).
To make a maiden entry into this A-List, one must have made a billion dollars in quotable and quantifiable investments. That excludes the dirty billions of the kind made by Colombian drug dealers.
In 2010, money was coined from ball bearings, booze, bakeries, palm oil, pipelines, steel pipes, Star Wars, coffee, car rental, the Internet, fertilizer, flavourings, plastics, pet food, generic drugs, discounted stocks, screws… and in the case of German Aloys Wobben, wind energy, that accounts for his $3.1 billion (Sh251 billion) fortune.
Here are Africa’s dollar billionaires:
1. Aliko Dangote $13.8 billion (Sh1.1 trillion)
Position this year: 51
Last year: 463
Source : Assorted, self-made
The Nigerian is the richest African whose fortune at Sh1.1 trillion is equivalent to the entire value of all companies listed at the Nairobi Stock Exchange.
Actually, he is richer than American property impresario Donald Trump, who is worth $2.7 billion (Sh224 billion) and whom he can buy out and tell: “You’re fired!”
Dangote can acquire Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and employ him as a flight attendant on Virgin Air. Branson is worth $4.2 billion (Sh348 billion) at position 254.
That is not all. He makes Oprah Winfrey’s $2 billion (Sh166 billion) read like pocket change, meaning Dangote can buy out Oprah and make her his secretary.
Dangote, a father of three, has leapt 412 places up, one of the biggest gainers on the Forbes list. Dangote’s holdings in sugar, flour mills, salt processing, transport, textiles, rice, vegetable oil, fish, real estate, oil, gas, millet, cashew nuts, cotton, cocoa, large scale millet farming, and cement concerns made his fortunes surge by 557 per cent in the past year.
The icing on his cake was the listing of Obajana Cement on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, where it commands a quarter of the total market capitalisation.
Obajana Cement is Africa’s largest cement maker, while Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc is the most capitalised company at the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
With a capacity to refine 700,000 tonnes a day, Dangote Sugar is the world’s third largest sugar refinery, controlling 60 per cent of the Nigerian market.
He has other cement plants under construction in Zambia, Tanzania, Congo, and Ethiopia, with cement terminals in Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Liberia.
To congratulate himself, Dangote bought himself a $45 million (Sh3.7 billion) Bombardier aircraft for his 53rd birthday. Not bad for someone who began his financial ascent at 21 with a soft loan from uncle Sanusi Dantata in 1978.
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2. Nicky Oppenheimer and family $7 billion (Sh581 billion)
Position this year: 136
Last year: 154
Source: Inheritance, diamonds
The richest South African inherited his fortune through diamond giant, De Beers. He is worth $7 billion (Sh581 billion), up from $5 billion (Sh415 billion) last year.
The 65-year-old Oxford-educated father of Jonathan, his only child, will thank the day grandpa Ernest Oppenheimer founded Anglo American in 1917.
De Beers controls 40 per cent of the world’s diamond trade, and owns 45 per cent of Anglo American. Oppenheimer, who owns Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa’s largest private game reserve, is also the Rainbow Nation’s richest via a 40 per cent stake in De Beers — the company that popularised the slogan “Diamonds are Forever.”
Oppenheimer is the only private individual permitted by the City of London to fly within a kilometre in the city by helicopter since the late Robert Maxwell. “It is the only way to travel, especially when I look down at London’s traffic jams,” he told Mail&Guardian.
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3. Nassef Sawiris $5.6 billion (Sh464 billion)
Position this year: 182
Last year: 127
Source: Inheritance, construction
He heads the construction and fertilizer arms of Orascom Corporation, Egypt’s biggest business dynasty founded by his father, Onsi Sawiris, in the 1960s.
The University of Chicago graduate is Onsi’s youngest son, who inherited his wealth in 1998. The 50-year-old owns 13.5 per cent in French cement giant Lafarge — that in turn owns a majority stake in Kenya’s Bamburi Cement. Sawiris’ wealth has been eroded down to $5.6 billion (Sh464 billion) from $5.9 billion (Sh489 billion) in 2010.
4. Johann Rupert and family $4.8 billion (Sh398 billion)
Position this year: 219
Last year: 421
Source: Inheritance, luxury goods
The 60-year-old father of three inherited the publicly quoted Swiss luxury goods concern, Richemont, that owns Cartier, Chloe, Mont Blanc pens and the Dunhill brand of cigarettes.
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5. Naguib Sawiris $3.5 billion (Sh290 billion)
Position this year: 310
Last year: 374
Source: Inheritance, telecommunication
Is the elder brother of Nassef, who inherited Orascom Telecom, and was recently in the news calling for Mubarak’s exit.
The 56-year-old father of four controls mobile telephony in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Europe, and Canada through Wind Telecom, which with over 60 million subscribers makes it one of the largest anywhere.
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6. Patrice Motsepe $3.3 billion (Sh274 billion)
Position this year: 336
Last year: 421
Source: Mining, self-made
A mining fortune made him the first South African black dollar billionaire. Born in Soweto township, Motsepe trained as a lawyer and later became the first black partner at Bowman-Gilfillan law firm in Johannesburg.
But the 49-year-old father of three (who worked at his father’s store as a child) was to make a fortune via African Rainbow Minerals that produces gold mine shafts, besides interests in platinum, nickel, chrome, iron, manganese, coal, and gold.
Motsepe, however, benefited greatly from South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment Laws that require that companies be at least 26 per cent black owned before being awarded a government mining licence.
7. Onsi Sawiris $2.9 billion (240 billion)
Position this year: 393
Last year: 307
Source: Construction, self-made
The patriarch of Egypt’s most formidable business dynasty the Orascom conglomerate. He studied agriculture but found it boring and started a small construction company, Orascom.
The 81-year-old (the rich are blessed with longevity, courtesy of, among others, superior medical care) has seen his fortune dip from $3.1 billion (Sh257 billion) last year.
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8. Mohamed Mansour $2 billion (Sh166 billion)
Position this year: 595
Last year: Newcomer
Source: Inheritance, cotton trading, real estate
Inheritance is the easiest route to wealth, as the 63-year-old former Egyptian minister for Transport proves via his fortune coined through cotton trading.
His family business, The Mansour Group, is the biggest seller of GM vehicles worldwide. The graduate of Auburn University also runs Egypt’s largest supermarket chain and the second biggest real estate concern.
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9. Mike Adenuga $2 billion (Sh166 billion)
Position this year: 595
Last year: Newcomer
Source: Banking, telecommunication, self-made
Yet another Nigerian who is a Forbes newcomer through Globacom, a mobile telephone firm that has put $1 billion (Sh83 billion) on a submarine cable that will connect Nigeria with the rest of the world.
Adenuga, 57, made his first million at 26, selling lace and distributing Coca-Cola to some of Nigeria’s 100 plus million throats. But he hit it big time when he won a tender to construct a military barrack in the late 1980s.
The soccer fanatic has stakes in Equatorial Trust Bank and Conoil, a Niger Delta oil exploration company. “The Guru” is an MBA graduate from Pace University, New York, where he worked as a guard and taxi driver to survive.
“The Gold Digger”, as he calls himself, lost two mobile phone company licences and a bank, fled to exile, but now holes up in Banana Island, Nigeria’s most exclusive address.
10.Yasseen Mansour $1.8 billion (Sh149 billion)
Position this year: 692
Last year: Newcomer
Source: Inheritance, real estate
He heads Palm Hills Development, Egypt’s second largest real estate concern that’s into luxury housing and resorts. The 49-year-old father of four is a graduate of George Washington University.
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11. Youssef Mansour $1.8 billion (Sh149 billion)
Position this year: 692
Last year: Newcomer
Source: Inheritance, retailing
Is the elder brother of Yasseen and heads Egypt’s largest supermarket chain, Metro Stores, that was saved any looting during the political mayhem that rocked Egypt by loyal employees who stood guard.
With his kind of dough, Youssef’s wife can afford to indulge in collecting Louis XIV furniture and Renaissance paintings in between missions to eradicate illiteracy in Egypt.
“Baba Youssef”, 65 and a father of five, is an alumnus of North Carolina State University, where he studied textile chemistry (as the family was in the cotton business.)
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12. Christoffel Wiese $1.6 billion (Sh132 billion)
Position this year: 782
Last year: Newcomer
Source: Retailing, self-made
Another South African makes a debut on the Forbes list. “Christo” owns Shoprite, Africa’s biggest supermarket chain with over 1,000 outlets in 17 African countries. Shoprite, which is listed on the Namibian and Lusaka stock exchanges, controls 70 per cent of South Africa’s retail market.
Christo also owns a private game reserve in the Kalahari, a vineyard, and a textile chain, Pepkor. The father of three, now 69, studied at Stellenbosch University.
When asked by South Africa’s BusinessLIVE whether Forbes’ estimation was correct he retorted: “People who know how much they’re worth aren’t usually worth that much.”
13. Samih Sawiris $1.4 billion (Sh116 billion)
Position this year: 879
Last year: 655
Source: Inheritance, hospitality
He inherited Orascom’s hotel division that operates luxury hotels in eight countries, including Jordan, Oman, UAE, Switzerland, and his native Egypt.
Sawiris has been on a downward spiral. The fortunes of Samih, 54, stood at $1.5 billion (Sh124 billion) last year, and $2.9 billion (Sh240) in 2008.
worth aren’t usually worth that much.”
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14. Mohamed al-Fayed and family $1.2 billion (Sh99.6 billion)
Position this year: 993
Last year: Newcomer
Source: Hospitality, shipping, department store, self-made
Pulling the financial tail is probably one of the most famous Egyptians who came into the global limelight when playboy son Dodi al-Fayed died in a car crash with Princess Diana in 1997.
Flamboyant al-Fayed, 78, was once the financial adviser of the Sultan of Brunei — who, as the world’s richest man in the 1980s— was the right person to advise.
The “Phony Pharaoh” sold Harrods department store, the crown jewel of British retailing, to the Qatari royal family for £1.5 billion to clear bank debts.
The son of a poor school teacher, al-Fayed peddled homemade lemonade to his classmates over break time, sold Pepsi in market stalls, and worked as a sewing machine salesman before becoming a sidekick of arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi — whose sister Samira he eventually married.
The father of five invested in a shipping line, bought a castle in Scotland, the ritzy Ritz Hotel Paris, and English Premiership side Fulham Football Club.
Kenya general election should be held in August, says CIC
The Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution insists the next general election will be held in August next year. The commission maintains that the constitution must be respected since it clearly provides that all general elections be held on the second Tuesday of August. This assertion may create a showdown with the political class who have indicated that the 2012 general election will delay due to the failure to meet deadlines in putting in place institutions like the electoral commission and other critical institutions needed to ensure a fair and transparent exercise. Some MPs have been pushing for the elections to be held in December 2012, while others are in favour of January 2013. Chairman Charles Nyachae said Thursday that the new Constitution is clear that the elections shall be held on the second Tuesday of August after every five years. "In our plain reading of Article 101 of the Constitution, the first General Election under the Constitution, will be held on the second Tuesday of August of the fifth year, namely 2012," said Mr Nyachae. He was addressing the press at the Commission's offices at Delta House, Nairobi. More details to follow...........
Ladies day Cheltenham 2011
Royal attendance. Zara Phillips (centre) watches a race in the parade ring during Ladies Day at Cheltenham Racecourse and on dear, fox hunting may be banned but not for this lady's hat. The Festival 2011 at Cheltenham marks 100 years of the most exciting and prestigious event in Jump racing's calendar.
UN meeting on Kenya cancelled
An informal meeting between the Kenyan delegation and the United Nations Security Council was canceled at the last minute without explanation. According to Inner City press, the meeting had not been rescheduled. However, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka's press secretary Barsito Kaplich told KBC that the meeting had been postponed to another date. He said they were yet to confirm the new date for the meeting. The meeting which had been scheduled to take place at 3 am Kenyan time was meant to give the delegation a chance to explain Kenya's deferral case. The delegation is detailed to tell the council that Kenya is seeking to postpone action by the ICC against the six Kenyans named as the suspects of the 2007/08 post election violence to allow for local trials through a national judicial mechanism. Led by Macharia Kamau the Kenyan permanent representative to UN, the team will also brief the officials on reforms already underway in the country which indicates that Kenya is in a position to carry out credible local prosecutions. They will base their argument on the promulgation of the new constitution which has created independence of institutions among them the Judiciary.
Radioactive steam billows from wreckage
Radioactive steam billows from wreckage of the Fukushima nuclear plant today, as Japan rallied behind the anonymous emergency workers at the plant. Heartbreaking details of the plight of the 'Fukushima Fifty' emerged as relatives told how the employees had accepted their fate 'like a death sentence'. One worker sent his wife an email that said: 'Please continue to live well, I cannot be home for a while.'
Five police officers perish in road accident
Nairoi, Thursday 17th March, 2011. Five police officers died Wednesday morning in a tragic road accident along the Narok-Mai mahiu road in Rift Valley. Six other officers were injured in the accident that occurred when the wheel of the vehicle they were traveling in got dislodged, causing it to roll several times at Duka Moja Trading Centre. Two officers died on the spot, 2 others at Narok District Hospital as they underwent treatment and the fifth one as he was being transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital. At the district hospital health workers led by the Acting Medical Superintendent Dr. Grace Odhiambo had a hectic time as they worked against time in an attempt to to save the lives of the officers. Dr. Odhiambo said that among the injured, four were in critical conditions while two others had minor injuries. Speaking to the press in Narok, the local officer commanding Police Division (OCPD) Peterson Maelo said the 7.45am accident occurred when the driver of the vehicle lost control after the rear tyre dislodged, causing the vehicle to roll several times before landing in a ditch. Maelo said those killed were student drivers training at the Force Driving School and they were moving in a convoy of seven vehicles. The bodies were transferred from the Narok District mortuary to Chiromo mortuary in Nairobi.
Britons are urged to leave Tokyo
Britons are being advised to consider leaving Tokyo as the crisis at Japan's stricken nuclear plant appeared to worsen. Frantic attempts to cool down the reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant following Friday's earthquake and tsunami had to be suspended after high radiation levels were recorded. Technicians later returned, but it was another setback in Japanese efforts to avoid a nuclear catastrophe. The Foreign Office issued advice to any British nationals in - or to the north of - Tokyo to consider leaving the area because of the "evolving situation" in Fukushima and potential disruptions to the supply of goods, transport, communications and power. Five days on, and as snow fell, the official death toll from the disaster reached more than 4,000, and is likely to rise substantially with more than 8,000 people missing. A team which wanted to help in the rescue effort said it was prevented from travelling to the disaster zone because the UK embassy in Tokyo refused to issue the necessary documentation. But Foreign Secretary William Hague pinned the blame for the aborted mission on the team's own failure to be properly equipped. In a rare address to the nation, Emperor Akihito, 77, said: "It is important that each of us shares the difficult days that lie ahead." He added: "I pray that we will all take care of each other and overcome this tragedy."
WE ARE DOING WELL
I AM KINDLY ASKING FOR SOME HELP - SCHOOL FEES - AM IN RUSSIA
My name is Eunice a young lady from Kenya currently studying in Russia. I am a frequent reader of misterseed.com. I am in real stress, my name today appeared among the few who will be expelled from the university on this Monday 14th March, 2011. I came to study here Russia three years ago for a 3-year Nursing course. I have been unable to pay for the 3rd year which should be over in the next SIX months. I was supposed to pay school fees a month ago and they are not patient with me any more. I have tried all my best to get money from all sources but I have not succeeded. I have only 6 months left to graduate as a nurse here where life has been very hard for me and I would not like all to go to waste. My parents cannot afford for the fees and I suffered a lot here even going for days without food. I feel like loosing my mind.
I written this to Mr. Seed to put my article on misterseed site just to see if any good Samaritan can help me. I have come to the end of the road. May God bless you mightily. Kindly find enclosed the letter from school in Russian and its English translation. - My contact is
mugure1@live.com and telephone contact in Russia +79518561988.
HOW TO HELP HER:
Mr. Seed does not like to involve himself with people's money but after speaking to this lady I have found that this desperate case I will involve myself because the lady does not have a PAYPAL account. You can send the money to her or to Mr. Seed London and then send her an email mugure1@live.com to inform her how much you have given and where you have sent it. You can send to her through Western Union or Moneygram to Moscow, Russia and the name is Eunice Mugure Nganga and then email her the transaction Number and name and town of the sender. If not you can send it through Mr. Seed PAYPAL which is misterseed@hotmail.co.uk or if in UK through Barclays Bank, Account no. 40193194, Sort Code 207291, Account name: P. Kiruthi. I will send the money to her which in general will reduce the costs of sending individually. You should contact her directly through the above email to inform her about your donation. She needs about £2,000 (about $3,000) and with this should be finishing her course in the next six months. Let's all put up and help this lady with whatever you can even if it means £20, £50, £100, £500 or $20, $50, $100, or $500 whatever God leads you.
Geneva Motor Show 2011: new models and concept cars
Unemployment in UK soars to 17-year high
Unemployment has reached a 17-year high of more than 2.5 million and youth joblessness is at record levels, new figures have revealed. The jobless total jumped by 27,000 in the three months to January to 2.53 million, the worst figure since 1994, while the number of 16 to 24-year-olds out of work increased by 30,000 to 974,000, the highest since records began in 1992. The unemployment rate for young people rose by 0.8% to 20.6%, also a record high. The number of people classed as economically inactive also increased - up by 43,000 to 9.33 million, including 2.3 million looking after a family. The total claiming Jobseeker's Allowance fell by 10,200 last month to 1.45 million, the biggest reduction since last June. Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that male claimants fell by 17,500 - the 13th consecutive monthly fall - while female claimants increased by 7,300 - the eighth monthly rise in a row. Other data revealed that the number of over-65s in work increased by 56,000 in the latest quarter to reach 900,000, the highest since records began in 1992. There was also a record number of 50 to 64-year-olds in work - up by 25,000 to 7.3 million. Meanwhile, the number of people in work increased by 32,000 to 29.16 million, the highest figure since last autumn. There were almost half a million job vacancies in the three months to February, up by 24,000 over the previous quarter, although that figure included 29,000 temporary jobs for this year's census. Employment minister Chris Grayling said: "There's been a welcome drop in the number of people on benefits, and the increase in full-time private sector jobs is a step in the right direction. But the rise in overall unemployment is a real concern and underlines the need to press ahead with policies which will further stimulate growth in the private sector."
In pictures: Carnival in Brazil
FTSE drops as Japan nuclear crisis intensifies
(Reuters) - Heightened fears about the nuclear crisis in Japan saw investors shun equities on Wednesday, with falls by heavyweight commodity issues dragging the top share index lower. Banks were the biggest fallers, however, also under pressure as a downgrade of Portugal's credit rating by Moody's further unnerved investors. At the close, the FTSE 100 .FTSE was down 97.05 points, or 1.7 percent at 5,598.23, dropping after a brief rally back above 5,700 earlier in the session was snuffed out. "We are now getting in to the realms of selling the rally rather than buying the dips," said David Morrison, market strategist at GFT Global. The blue chip index ended down for a sixth consecutive session, taking its total fall over that period to 6.3 percent. "We have now scythed through some pretty significant support levels which we need to rally and recapture very quickly or else we are talking about a pretty sizeable breakdown in the market structure," GFT's Morrison added. Japan's nuclear crisis appeared to be spinning out of control on Wednesday after workers withdrew briefly from a stricken power plant because of surging radiation levels and a helicopter failed to drop water on the most troubled reactor. Investors were spooked by comment from Europe's energy chief that warned of a further catastrophe at the Japanese site in the coming hours, although his spokeswoman said he had no specific or privileged information on the situation. Weak banks took the most points off the index after Moody's overnight cut Portugal's sovereign debt rating by two notches and said it may have to downgrade again. Global lender HSBC (HSBA.L) shed 3.6 percent, with the stock trading ex-dividend together with insurer Standard Life (SL.L) and real estate investment trust Land Securities (LAND.L). Rising oil prices also knocked sentiment, with Brent crude futures up over $2 to $110.75 a barrel on the Japan fears and renewed concern over unrest in the Middle East. Bahrainis were warned by officials to avoid gathering in public areas for their own safety, while demonstrations in Yemen and Syria were violently dispersed by security forces. International Consolidated Airlines Group (ICAG.L) was a big blue chip faller on increasing fuel costs and the uncertainty caused by the situation in Japan, losing 3.5 percent. Associated British Foods (ABF.L), however, bucked the weaker market trend, adding 1.0 percent after Credit Suisse lifted its rating on the food producer and retailing group to "outperform" from "neutral," citing the benefits of high sugar prices. Richard Curr, head of dealing at CFD specialists Prime Markets said AB Foods shares have been significantly oversold.
Annoyed owner smash-up a KShs. 70 million car
An irate owner of an 'unreliable' £500,000 (Kshs. 70 million) Lamborghini drafted a team of men with sledgehammers to batter the car after the makers allegedly failed to fix it. The Lamborghini Gallardo L140 luxury sports car - worth the equivalent of £465,000 in China - had recurring problems after the owner purchased it in October last year, it was claimed, But far from fixing the problem, the dealership managed to mess up the bumper and chassis when it was in their care, according to reports in China. So the Chinese entrepreneur decided to pummel his pride and joy on World Consumer Rights Day by hiring a group of workers, giving them sledgehammers and letting them do the rest. The extreme display attracted a large crowd in Qingdao, eastern China's Shandong province. - SEE VIDEO
METHALI YA KISWAHILI
Usisahau ubaharia kwa sababu ya unahodha.
Do not forget what it is to be a sailor because of being a captain yourself.
Government announces removal of 8
occupations from shortage occupation list
Home Office, 14 March 2011
The government has announced that it will remove 8 occupations from the points-based system's shortage occupation list. If an occupation is on the shortage occupation list, this means that there are not enough resident workers in the UK to do the available jobs in that occupation. When the 8 occupations are removed from the list, the number of jobs available to migrants under the list will be reduced from 500,000 to around 230,000. The government is also removing 71 professions from the list of 192 approved jobs under Tier 2 of the points-based system, as they have been deemed to be below graduate level. Under new rules to be introduced in April, anyone wishing to enter the UK under Tier 2 must be coming here to do a job that is deemed to be at or above graduate level. This announcement follows the government's decision to accept all of the Migration Advisory Committee's (MAC) recommendations following the publication of 2 reports looking at graduate-level jobs and the shortage occupation list for Tier 2. The MAC estimates that, of the 8,400 certificates of sponsorship issued in 2010 to workers on the shortage occupation list, 65 per cent would not have qualified under the new criteria. Immigration Minister Damian Green said: 'These changes to the shortage occupation list will ensure that only skilled workers are coming to the UK through Tier 2 of the points-based system. It will allow firms to bring in people with necessary skills without migrants becoming the first resort to fill a wide range of available jobs. 'This government is also determined to get people back to work and provide business with the skills they need from the British workforce - reducing the need for migrants at the same time as we reduce their number.' The government has now commissioned the MAC to review shortages across the entire labour market, with a view to amending the shortage occupation list.
7ft-wide home for sale - but it will cost you £95,000
A Suffolk home that is only 7ft wide (2m) and boasts an upside-down design has gone up for sale - for the grand total of £95,000. The tiny Victorian property in Framlingham, Suffolk, has the kitchen on the first floor and the bedroom underneath – and once formed part of a steam mill. The one-bedroom house is part of the sought-after Mauldens Mill development. It is the last remaining Victorian part of the old steam mill. The rest of the mill has been redeveloped or was knocked down for new buildings. ‘It’s really for only one person,’ said estate agent Julie Williams. ‘I wouldn’t like to share it.’ The building used to be a bookies but was converted into a home eight years ago. It must be one of the smallest houses in the country, offering just 308 square feet of space inside. Ms Williams added: 'It has an upside down design, with a kitchen and reception room on the first floor and a bedroom and shower room on the ground floor.'
Top 10 must-eat foods for a healthy diet
Many people believe that the crux of a healthy diet is the exclusion of unhealthy foods. However, rather than just focusing on cutting things out, a good diet should also incorporate an increased intake of nutritious, health-boosting foods. Fortunately, there are many foods out there which will improve health and wellbeing as well as protect against future illness. Here are 10 of the best foods for healthy eaters to stock up on.
Although nuts are high in calories and so should be eaten in moderation, the calories in nuts come mainly from their high levels of monounsaturated fats, which are extremely good for health. Eating foods rich in these fats can help reduce bad cholesterol and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. As well as their heart benefits, nuts are also a great source of protein and are packed with fibre, antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamins and minerals. It is worth noting that peanuts are actually legumes and have different nutritional properties from tree nuts, but there are many other good options to pick from including Brazil nuts, cashews, walnuts, pecans and pistachios.
Oily Fish
Oily fish - such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and trout - are renowned for their health benefits when eaten in moderation (between two and four portions a week). Not only are they a great source of vitamins and minerals - including immune-boosting vitamins A and D - but they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These super healthy unsaturated fatty acids have many health benefits, having been linked to a lowered risk of heart disease, brain damage, stroke, dementia and prostate cancer. Research findings published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology also suggest that omega-3 fatty acids can benefit eye health by halting the progress of age-related macular degeneration.
Beetroot
Beetroot is one of the latest vegetables to be hailed as a 'superfood', and looking at its reported health benefits it is easy to see why. Various studies have suggested that drinking beetroot juice can improve stamina when exercising, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve heart health and liver function, reduce risk of dementia, and fight against cancer. The versatile vegetable is also a good source of many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, which is important for tissue growth and repair, and folate, which helps to reduce the risk of birth defects in unborn babies, as well as helping to prevent anaemia.
Onions
The onion family (part of the genus Allium) contains many foods that may do wonders for our health including onion, garlic, leeks and chives. Studies have suggested that both onions and garlic can help lower cholesterol, while findings published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that onions could help lower blood pressure. Onions and garlic also have antiviral and antibacterial properties, so can help to fight against bacteria and illness in the body, while a study by researchers at the King's College London and the University of East Anglia found that eating foods from the onion family could help prevent hip osteoarthritis.
Dark, Leafy Greens
Dark, leafy greens such as spinach, watercress and kale are automatically associated with healthy eating for many due to the "eat your greens mantra" that has been drummed into our heads over the years. However, this faith in the health properties of green veg is well-founded, as these vegetables are bursting with nutrients including iron, calcium, potassium and vitamin C, and packed with health-boosting phytonutrients. Some of the reputed health benefits of eating your greens include lowered blood pressure, improved eye health and a reduced risk of cognitive decline.
Quinoa
Quinoa has only recently become widely available and well known in many places, but it has quickly become popular with healthy eaters due to its great body benefits. Mostly treated as a grain (although it is actually a seed), quinoa can be used in the place of pasta, wheat or oats for an extremely nutritious meal. Quinoa, like most grains, is high in fibre, making it great for the digestive system, but perhaps its best attribute is that it is one of the few plant sources of high quality protein, containing all eight essential amino acids. On top of this, quinoa is a great source of nutrients including magnesium, manganese, iron, calcium, potassium and several B vitamins.
Berries
Acai berry, blueberry, goji berry, blackberry... With a new "super berry" hitting the headlines seemingly every week, it can be hard to keep up with which berry you should be buying this week. Luckily, the truth of the matter is you generally can't go wrong with any commercially available berry. These super healthy fruits are extremely high in antioxidants and have many individual health benefits, including the ability to help prevent dementia (blackcurrants and boysenberries), fight off colon cancer (blueberries), improve vision (bilberries) and ward off urinary tract infections (cranberries).
Oats
Grains are notoriously good for our health, but the closer they are to their natural state when eaten the better their benefits, meaning that whole oats are a particularly good choice of grain. Oats not only contain many minerals - including zinc, iron and calcium - but they are a good source of B vitamins, which are great for the nervous system. This popular breakfast ingredient has countless other health benefits; helping to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure and benefit the digestive system. Oats are also a great source of slow release energy, meaning that they will keep you feeling full and active for longer.
From the macrobiotic to the student, many diets rely on the humble bean in its dry, tinned or baked form - and this could be great news for our health. Studies have found that beans are not only excellent weight-loss and energy foods, but they are a great source of antioxidants, protein and nutrients (such as iron, manganese and B vitamins). Beans are also an excellent source of soluble fibre, which can help to reduce cholesterol, stabilise blood sugar and improve the digestive system, while a study by scientists at the University College of London showed that beans can also help prevent cancer.
Tomatoes
With many people turning to expensive "superfoods" to safeguard their health, basic salad ingredients such as the tomato are often overlooked for their health-giving properties. However, a 2008 publication of collated research findings - The Red Bodyguard by Ron Levin and Gerald Cheshire - demonstrated the health properties of this common fruit. Some benefits attributed to eating the tomato included a strengthened immune system, better heart health, the neutralising of free radicals and safeguarding of disease (including cancer) and the prevention of blood clots.
3rd Richest Man in this Planet
Warren Buffett
Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett attends the Fortune Most Powerful Women summit at Mandarin Oriental Hotel on October 5, 2010 in Washington, DC. The venerable investor's Berkshire Hathaway climbed more than 15% over the last year adding $3 billion to his to fortune. The 80-year-old is still hunting big deals: "Our elephant gun has been reloaded, and my trigger finger is itchy." Along with bridge partner Bill Gates, the Oracle of Omaha is coaxing America's richest to pledge half their fortunes to charity. "Too often a vast collection of possessions ends up possessing its owner. The asset I most value, aside from health, is interesting, diverse and long-standing friends." Buffett faked breathing problems when he was 12 so he could move back to Omaha from Washington, D.C., where his father was a freshman congressman. He had read every book about investing in stocks in the Omaha Public Library by the time he was 12. He met value investor Benjamin Graham at Columbia; bought textile firm Berkshire Hathaway 1965, and transformed it into massive holding company: food, insurance, utilities, industrials. Buffett acquired railroad giant Burlington Northern Santa Fe for $26 billion in 2009.
WHAT IS QUINOA? One of the Super Foods
Quinoa ( or , Spanish quinua, from Quechua kinwa), a species of goosefoot (Chenopodium), is a grain-like crop grown primarily for its edible seeds. It is a pseudocereal rather than a true cereal, or grain, as it is not a grass. ... A goosefoot Chenopodium quinoa native to the Andes and cultivated for its edible seeds; The high-protein dried fruits and seeds of this plant, used as a food staple and ground into flour. Quinoa (pronounced “keen-wa”) is a seed originally grown in South and Central America, with some of the crop now grown in Canada. Quinoa has a high protein value; complete with all eight of the essential amino acids needed for tissue development in humans. ...While quinoa is usually considered to be a whole grain, it is actually a seed, but can be prepared like whole grains such as rice or barley. Try a quinoa pilaf salad recipe, or serve avegetable stir-fry over cooked quinoa instead of rice. Quinoa is my favorite grain for three reasons: First, it takes less time to cook than other whole grains – just 10 to 15 minutes. Second,quinoa tastes great on its own, unlike other grains such as millet or teff. Add a bit of olive oil, sea salt and lemon juice and - yum! Finally, of all the whole grains, quinoa has the most protein, so it's perfect for vegetarians. Quinoa provides all 9 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Quinoa is a gluten-free and cholesterol-free whole grain, is kosher for Passover, and is almost always organic.
"Forgiveness is the only way to break the cycle of blame--and pain--in a relationship...It does not settle all questions of blame and justice and fairness...But it does allow relationships to start over. In that way, said Solzhenitsyn, we differ from all animals. It is not our capacity to think that makes us different, but our capacity to repent, and to forgive." - Old Chinese Proverb
Ocampo six recieve summonses
The six suspected masterminds of the 2007/2008 post election violence were on Wednesday served with summonses to appear before the International Criminal Court pre-trial judges on April 7. The six were served by police commissioner Mathew Iteere. The move follows Attorney General Amos Wako's directive that Iteere serves the so called Ocampo six with the summonses as soon as possible. Wako processed and forwarded the summonses to Iteere on Tuesday. Kass FM presenter Joshua Sang's lawyer Kimutai Bosek confirmed that his client had received the summons. Bosek said his client was ready to appear before the judges but he is yet to secure an air ticket and has no money for other expenses. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for finance Uhuru Kenyatta, Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, Post Master General Hussein Ali, former cabinet ministers William Ruto and Henry Kosgey and Sang will be formerly presented with the charges when they appear before the judges. Meanwhile Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has warned the Deputy Prime Minister and Uhuru Kenyatta and head of public service Francis Muthaura that they risk being issued with warrants of arrest if they continue holding top positions in key security committees. Kenyatta is a member of the Witness Protection Committee while Muthaura is the chairman of the National Security Coouncil. KNCHR says that the two may interfere with ICC's investigations by virtue of being members of the two committees. KNCHR commissioner Hassan Omar called on Kenyatta and Muthaura to step aside as advised by ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo. Hassan said those criticizing Ocampo's request do not understand the law. On Monday, Ocampo said he would write to the government requesting it to limit the powers of Kenyatta and Muthaura.
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Sending money to Kenya has never been easier than using mobile money transfer. Now you can send money through M-Pesa from UK to Kenya and it is now more reliable than ever. M-Pesa UK to Kenya transfers has been in the UK from 2009 and is now headed for the second year.
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ICC suspect issued with summons
Head of Operations in the Police force King'ori Mwangi on Wednesday morning 16th March, 2011 served Kass FM presenter Joshua Sang' with summons issued by the International Criminal Court requesting him to appear before the pre- trial chamber judges on April 7 to be formerly presented with the charges against him. Sang's lawyer Kimutai Bosek says his client is ready to cooperate with ICC. Sang' alongside suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto and former Industrialization minister Henry Kosgey are accused of murder, deportation or forcible transfer of population, torture and persecution during the 2008 post election violence. The three are among six suspects summoned by the ICC in relation to crimes against humanity during the chaos following the disputed results of the 2007 general elections. The other three, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Head of civil service Francis Muthara and Post Master General Major General Husseini Ali are accused of rape, forcible transfer of populations and murder. On Tuesday Attorney General Amos Wako instructed Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere to serve the six suspected masterminds of the post election violence with the ICC summons. The move comes as a Kenyan delegation is expected to informally meet the United Nations Security Council and African Union officials in New York on Wednesday to explain reasons for seeking deferral of cases against the six suspected masterminds of the 2007-2008 post election chaos. The delegation is led by Amb Macharia Kamau, the Kenyan permanent representative to the UN. The officials will then decide whether to include the Kenyan request on the agenda of the Security Council's formal meeting. The main conference will involve the council's 15 member states. On Tuesday US ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger and his British counterpart Rob Macaire maintained that their countries will oppose the deferral while French ambassador Etienne de Poncins said they were still looking at the request and will make their stand known on Wednesday. The meeting comes barely a week after ICC issued summonses requesting the six suspects to appear before the ICC pre-trail chamber judges on April 7. Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court dissenting Judge Hans-Peter Kaul maintains that the six suspects believed to bear the greatest responsibility in the 2007/2008 post election violence can be tried locally. Kaul, who declined to issue summonses to the six, said ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo had not convinced him that the crimes committed during the chaos meet the threshold of crimes against humanity and therefore fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC. Although the judge acknowledged that the violence took place in the country, he argued that the crimes committed were serious common crimes to be investigated and prosecuted by competent authorities in the country. However, the court's pre-trial division legal officer Mohhamed Zeidy says Kaul's dissenting view has no implication on the process or future proceedings. Last week, the other two Pre-Trial Chamber judges Ekaterina Trendafilova and Cuno Tarfusser ruled that there was sufficient evidence to try the six suspects at The Hague.
Bomb squad defuse vibrating sex toy
A Russian bomb squad were called out to defuse a bomb on Monday, but an investigation into the ticking package revealed it to be a vibrating sex toy. The crack team of bomb experts were called out to a post office in Petrozavodsk after receiving a call from a postal worker who had encountered a suspicious parcel emitting a ticking sound. A spokeswoman said: ‘The building was ringed by the security forces and people were evacuated. ‘In the package, the bomb squad found a vibrator.’ It seems the sex toy had turned itself on prior to reaching its addressee in the post. Russian police have been on high alert since the Domodedovo Airport suicide bombing in January. Fortunately this incident turned out to be a false alarm. Having been identified as erotic rather than explosive, the package will now be returned to the post office before being sent to its intended recipient.
Tough times ahead as Kenya shilling weakens further
Manufacturers have warned of further increases in commodity prices as the shilling exchange rate falls to its lowest level ever. On Tuesday 15 March, 2011 , the local currency opened trading at a mean rate of Sh86.32 to the dollar, selling at Sh86.41 to the greenback after the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) ruled out the possibility of intervention. "There was a bit of weakening of the shilling which we can be attributed to speculators on the prowl. However, in the second half of the day, the shilling tried to recoup some of its earlier losses mainly because of profit taking by banks," said Mwambu Malamba, senior dealer at the Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA). The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) said the weakening of the local unit has since pushed up the cost of production by seven per cent. Mr Jaswinder Bedi, the association’s chairman said the worrying situation has been compounded by an increase in fuel prices. He said the two factors have affected the price of raw materials and pushed up the cost of inputs. "Kenyans will be affected by the double impact of an increase in oil price and the weakening of the shilling, which have inflationary pressures," Bedi told The Standard on Tuesday. Bedi said manufacturers will have to cushion themselves by passing some of the costs to consumers through increases in commodity prices. "There will be some cushioning that the industry will do. There will an upward increase in prices of commodities," said Bedi. The shilling has been weakening against a basket of currencies in the last few weeks, extending a losing streak that started in the fourth quarter of last year. Figures from CBK also indicate that the local unit opened the markets trading at a mean rate of Sh139.09 to the British Pound and Sh120.22 against the Euro. A weakening shilling is happening when the Arab crisis is causing an upward movement in fuel prices, also providing side shocks on cost of living index. High crude oil prices pushed up by political problems in the Arab World and reduced tea exports is causing the shilling to lose ground against the dollar. It is expected that local manufacturers of food items such as flour and cooking oil will continue to adjust prices upwards as they seek for more shillings to import raw materials.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS OF HEALTH EFFECTS OF RADIATION
The Japanese authorities say radiation levels from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant have fallen back from a brief spike on Tuesday. A 20km (12 mile) evacuation zone has been imposed around the plant, and residents living within 30km (18 miles) have been advised to leave the area, or to stay indoors, and try to make their homes airtight. Experts have stressed that swift action should be able to minimise any impact on human health.
What are the immediate health effects of exposure to radiation?
Exposure to moderate levels of radiation - above one gray - can result in radiation sickness, which produces a range of symptoms. Nausea and vomiting often begin within hours of exposure, followed by diarrhoea, headaches and fever. After the first round of symptoms, there may be a brief period with no apparent illness, but this may be followed within weeks by new, more serious symptoms. At higher levels of radiation, all of these symptoms may be immediately apparent, along with widespread - and potentially fatal - damage to internal organs. Exposure to a radiation dose of four gray will typically kill about half of all healthy adults. For comparison, radiation therapy for cancer typically involves several doses of between one and seven gray at a time - but these doses are highly controlled, and usually specifically targeted at small areas of the body.
How is radiation sickness treated?
The first thing to do is to try to minimise further contamination by removing clothes and shoes, and gently washing the skin with soap and water. Drugs are available that increase white blood-cell production to counter any damage that may have occurred to the bone marrow, and to reduce the risk of further infections due to immune-system damage. There are also specific drugs that can help to reduce the damage to internal organs caused by radioactive particles.
How does radiation have an impact on health?
Radioactive materials that decay spontaneously produce ionising radiation, which has the capacity to cause significant damage to the body's internal chemistry, breaking the chemical bonds between the atoms and molecules that make up our tissues. The body responds by trying to repair this damage, but sometimes it is too severe or widespread to make repair possible. There is also a danger of mistakes in the natural repair process. Regions of the body that are most vulnerable to radiation damage include the cells lining the intestine and stomach, and the blood-cell producing cells in the bone marrow. The extent of the damage caused is dependent on how long people are exposed to radiation, and at what level.
What are the most likely long-term health effects?
Cancer is the biggest long-term risk. Usually when the body's cells reach their "sell-by date" they commit suicide. Cancer results when cells lose this ability, and effectively become immortal, continuing to divide and divide in an uncontrolled fashion. The body has various processes for ensuring that cells do not become cancerous, and for replacing damaged tissue. But the damage caused by exposure to radiation can completely disrupt these control processes, making it much more likely that cancer will result. Failure to properly repair the damage caused by radiation can also result in changes - or mutations - to the body's genetic material, which are not only associated with cancer, but may also be potentially passed down to offspring, leading to deformities in future generations. These can include smaller head or brain size, poorly formed eyes, slow growth and severe learning difficulties.
Are children at greater risk?
Potentially yes. Because they are growing more rapidly, more cells are dividing, and so the potential for things to go wrong is greater. Following the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident in the Ukraine in 1986, the World Health Organization recorded a dramatic increase in thyroid cancer among children in the vicinity. This was because the radioactive materials released during the accident contained high levels of radioactive iodine, a material that accumulates in the thyroid.
What risk does Fukushima pose currently?
The Japanese authorities have recorded a radiation level of up 400 millisieverts per hour at the nuclear plant itself. A sievert is essentially equivalent to a gray, but tends to be used to measure lower levels of radiation, and for assessing long-term risk, rather than the short-term acute impact of exposure. Professor Richard Wakeford, an expert in radiation exposure at the University of Manchester, said exposure to a dose of 400 millisieverts was unlikely to cause radiation sickness - that would require a dose of around twice that level (one sievert/one gray). However, it could start to depress the production of blood cells in the bone marrow, and was likely to raise the lifetime risk of fatal cancer by 2-4%. Typically, a Japanese person has a lifetime risk of fatal cancer of 20-25%. A dose of 400 millisieverts is equivalent to the dose from 50 -100 CT scans. Prof Wakeford stressed only emergency workers at the plant were at risk of exposure to such a dose - but it was likely that they would only be exposed for short periods of time to minimise their risk. The level of exposure for the general population, even those living close to the plant, was unlikely to be anywhere near as high. There should be no risk to people living further afield.
How can the Japanese authorities minimise the cost to human health?
Prof Wakeford said that provided the Japanese authorities acted quickly, most of the general population should be spared significant health problems. He said in those circumstances the only people likely to be at risk of serious health effects were nuclear workers at the plant or emergency workers exposed to high levels of radiation. He said the top priority would be to evacuate people from the area and to make sure they did not eat contaminated food. The biggest risk was that radioactive iodine could get into their system, raising the risk of thyroid cancer. To counter that risk, people - in particular children - could be given tablets containing stable iodine which would prevent the body absorbing the radioactive version. The Japanese already have a lot of iodine in their natural diet, so that should help too.
How does Fukushima compare to Chernobyl?
Professor Gerry Thomas, who has studied the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster, said: "It is very unlikely that this will turn into anything that resembles Chernobyl. "In Chernobyl you had a steam explosion which exposed the reactor core, which meant you had a lot of radiation shooting up into the atmosphere." Prof Thomas said although the Chernobyl disaster had led to a rise in thyroid cancer cases, the only people affected were those living in the areas of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia that lie closest to the site of the Chernobyl Power Plant, and who were young at the time.
| Source: World Nuclear Association | |
| 2 mSv/yr (millisieverts per year) | Typical background radiation experienced by everyone (average 1.5 mSv in Australia, 3 mSv in North America) |
| 9 mSv/yr | Exposure by airline crew flying New York-Tokyo polar route |
| 20 mSv/yr | Current limit (averaged) for nuclear industry employees |
| 50 mSv/yr | Former routine limit for nuclear industry employees. It is also the dose rate which arises from natural background levels in several places in Iran, India and Europe |
| 100 mSv/yr | Lowest level at which any increase in cancer is clearly evident. |
| 350 mSv/lifetime | Criterion for relocating people after Chernobyl accident |
| 1,000 mSv single dose | Causes (temporary) radiation sickness such as nausea and decreased white blood cell count, but not death. Above this, severity of illness increases with dose |
| 5,000 mSv single dose | Would kill about half those receiving |
A KENYAN LADY HAS PASSED AWAY IN SEATTLE, USA
Kenyans in Seattle are mourning the death of Grace Nyambura Wainaina which occurred on March 11th 2011 after a short battle with Cancer. Grace was the sister of Eliud Ngige Ng’ang’a of Richmond, VA, Margaret Waithera Ng’eera (Seattle/Tacoma, WA formerly of Boston, MA). She was the daughter of the late Joseph Ng’ang’a Chege and Esther Njeri Ng’ang’a, beloved wife to Musa Wainaina. Loving mother of Samuel Kimemia, Joseph Ng’ang’a (Boston, MA USA), Hosea Ndugu, Tabitha Wangari, Esther Njeri, and Serah Mwihaki. Mother in law of Richard Macharia, Sister of the late Peter Chege Ng’ang’a, the late Elizabeth Waceke, and Molly Wambui Ngugi (formerly of World Concern). Grandmother of Nina Neema, Teddy Wainaina and Gracie Nyambura. Friends and Family are meeting daily at Margaret Waithera Ngeera’s Residence at 1717S 84th St. Apt. A II Tacoma, WA 98444. There will be a funeral service at Emmanuel Celebration Center (9244 Pacific Avenue Tacoma, WA 98444) and burial at Mountain View Funeral Home (4100 Steilacom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499) on Friday 18th March, 2011. For more informatin contact Margaret Ng’eera 617-642-1481, Peterkin Ng’eera 978-457-3829, Pastor P. K. Muigai 253-929-4545, Eliud Ngige Ng’ang’a 804-334-8922, Alice N Ngige 804-334-3724, Mjr. Geoffrey Wariuki Kimani 804-426-9604. The Bank details are as follows Seattle, BECU, Routing No. 325081403, Account No. 3583826737, Account Name Margaret W Ng’eera. - Diaspora News
In pictures: Carnival in Brazil
With millions of people without electricity, thousands missing and warnings of an imminent second earthquake, the task for Japanese authorities is too daunting to imagine. Some 3,000 people have now been confirmed dead since last week’s earthquake and subsequent tsunami but officials believe the death toll could rise into the tens of thousands, with a further 2,000 bodies washing up on the shores of north-east Japan yesterday. Bodies wrapped in blue tarpaulins were laid on military stretchers and lined up for collection while panic-buying has begun in Japan amid fears of a second quake and growing concern about nuclear leaks. Survivors are also struggling to find food and water as supplies run low. There have been major power outages since the double disaster, many planned to preserve resources.
The death toll from last week's earthquake and tsunami jumped today as police confirmed the number killed had topped 3,300, although that grim news was overshadowed by a deepening nuclear crisis. Officials have said previously that at least 10,000 people may have died in Miyagi province alone. The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that radiation had been released into the atmosphere after yet another explosion at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, inside Number 2 reactor. Explosions had already occurred in the Number 1 and Number 3 reactors. Number 4 reactor is also on fire and there are fears for those who have not yet made it outside the 12-mile exclusion zone. Rescuers have pulled a 70-year-old woman from her the wreckage of her home , four days after it was demolished in the Japanese quake. The rescue of the elderly Sai Abe and a younger man pulled from rubble elsewhere in the region were rare good news following Friday's disaster. Mrs Abe's son said he had tried to save his mother but could not get her to flee her home in the port town of Otsuchi. His relief at her rescue, he said, was tempered by the fact that his father is still missing. 'I couldn't lift her up, and she couldn't escape because her legs are bad,' Hiromi Abe said. 'My feelings are complicated, because I haven't found my father.'
"Good boys and Good Girls still remains"
It was very encouraging in PCEA UK Outreach Church in London when two members of the church volenteered to give a number from the old hymn books. Mr. Charles (left) who is the treasurer of the church and Mrs. Michuki presented the hymns at the service. This reminded me of the old good days and it seems the good boys and girls are still around.
Israel to help Kenya fight terrorism
The government of Israel on Tuesday pledged to help Kenya police its borders with Somalia in a bid to away the militias and keep fundamentalist forces. Israel also pledged to foster closer collaboration with Kenya in fighting terrorism. At a meeting with Prime Minister Raila Odinga at his offices, the Minister for Public Security for the State of Israel Mr Yitzhak Aharonovich said Kenya remains a critical ally of the state of Israel and its stability was crucial. Mr Odinga called for support in monitoring the porous border between Kenya and with Somalia which was seen as a security threat to the country. The PM said Kenya cannot cope with illegal immigrants entering the country from Ethiopia while the refugee camps cannot take any more people. He said instability in Somalia, while costing Kenya on land, has lately become a problem in the seas where piracy has made transportation of cargo along the East African Coast a risky and expensive venture and called for cooperation in fighting piracy. Mr Aharonovich is in the country on his first trip to Africa. He has already met President Mwai Kibaki and the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka. Mr Odinga expressed hope that democratization would ensure peace and stability in the Middle East. Mr Aharonovich said Israel was keenly watching developments in the Arab world. He said the developments in Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Yemen, among other countries are both welcome and worrying to Israel. "There is uncertainty about how all these developments will end," the minister said. He said the developments could usher in democracy or create more instability that could be exploited by extremist groups to perpetuate terrorism.
Hope for cheaper homes as NHC puts up plant to make materials
Pound tumbles to four-month low against euro
(Reuters) - Sterling fell broadly on Tuesday, as fears of a nuclear crisis in Japan sparked a global pullback in riskier currencies and led investors to pare expectations of an early rate hike by the Bank of England. In contrast, investors' expectations that the European Central Bank will start raising rates as early as next month despite the earthquake in Japan sent the euro to a four-month high against the pound. The euro rose more than 0.5 percent on the day to 86.98 pence, its highest since November 5, when it reached a peak of 87.78 pence. Analysts say the pair could test last October's high of 89.40 pence. "There has been a buildup of positions in sterling as money markets price in rate hikes, which is seen as a huge risk given what's happening in Japan," said Hans-Guenter Redeker, global head of FX strategy at BNP Paribas. "People are taking risk off and liquidity is reducing. Sterling is under selling pressure, and there has been a reversal of rate hike expectations." Currencies considered to be higher risk tracked a sell-off in stock and commodity markets as Japan struggled to contain a series of explosions at one of its nuclear power plants while political turmoil escalated in North Africa and the Middle East. There are concerns that the earthquake and the unfolding nuclear disaster could hurt Asian growth, driving investors to the safety of the yen, the Swiss franc and the U.S. dollar. The pound fell to $1.5978 before recovering to $1.6065, but was still trading 0.6 percent lower on the day. Traders said there were decent corporate orders around $1.60. Apart from the bids from UK corporates, there was key technical support which checked sterling's fall. Technical support was seen around $1.5962, the 38.2 percent Fibonacci retracement of the pound's December-March rally. Sterling also hit a 2-1/2-month low against the safe-haven Swiss franc. The pound fell as low as 1.4735 francs, its weakest since January, before recovering to trade at 1.4766 francs. Sterling also fell to a two-month low against the yen to 129.20 pence, before recovering to 130.04 yen. The yen has seen big gains as investors like hedge funds and macro names unwound leveraged positions on Tuesday. The pound's broad fall kept sterling index at its lowest in six weeks.
United in death: The bodies of victims at a village destroyed by the tsunami in Rikuzentakata (left) and the wreckage of Toyota Yaris at the port of Sendai and on right Firefighting: Ships try to extinguish a blaze at oil refinery tanks in Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, which has been burning since Friday's earthquake and tsunami
Yen eyes record high on repatriation
(Reuters) - The dollar fell against the yen on Monday and could test its all-time lows as Japanese insurers and companies repatriated funds to help pay claims and reconstruction costs in the wake of the country's devastating earthquake. The dollar had dipped as low as 80.60 yen overnight, less than a yen from the record low of 79.75 hit in 1995. One-month dollar/yen volatility jumped a four-month high around 11.7 percent from about 8 percent before the quake, suggesting expectations for large price fluctuations. Analysts said the yen could rise further in the near term, potentially testing its previous record, though they cautioned against betting aggressively on yen strength. The currency may come under pressure in the medium to long run as the earthquake will likely force the Bank of Japan to keep its easing policy for longer to help the economic recovery. "We are neutral on the yen. In the short term, there's going to be some repatriation. But from a long-term perspective, Japan will go through some very difficult times, which means lower interest rates and a lot of stimulus for the economy," said Jonathan Xiong, director and global investment strategist at Mellon Capital Management in San Francisco.
Safaricom now goes for integrity tests
Senior Safaricom managers are being subjected to an integrity test as chief executive officer Bob Collymore continues re-organising the firm. In a move that signals his desire to clean the mobile phone company’s operations, he has extended the ethical probe into the firm’s distributors, an exercise that has seen contracts of three dealers terminated and seven suspended. “It is important to have staff of high integrity. I’m also ready to be subjected to scrutiny,” said Mr Collymore. He denied that the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission has moved in to probe the company’s staff over corruption, but said he is open to them if need be. “The reports that KACC is investigating our staff are speculative but we are open to their assistance. There is corruption everywhere,” he said. Mr Collymore last week ordered a restructuring of Safaricom which is due to reduce the number of chief officers and instead align the business along profit centres such as M-Pesa or back office and front-office operations. All top managers have been asked to reapply for their positions. - Daily Nation.
POWER OF NATURE
Precarious: A house perches on top of a bridge in Ishinomaki after being swept away by the tsunami and on right A ship is seen perched on top of a house in the tsunami devastated remains of Otsuchi, Iwate prefecture
Five family members perish in inferno
Nairobi, Tuesday 15th March, 2011. Five members of a family were burnt beyond recognition when their house caught fire at King'eero Village, lower Kabete, Kikuyu, Kiambu County. According to Central Province AP Commandant Joseph Keitany, Ann Mumbi (26) and her four children aged between one month and 6 years perished when the iron sheet house they were sleeping caught fire. It could not be immediately established what caused the inferno. The husband and father who is a night security guard collapsed upon arriving home only to behold the ghastly sight. Meanwhile a sand harvesting mission in Kikopey area, Gilgil ended tragically when two middle aged men died after the walls of the quarry they were working in caved in on them. The two, one of whom was an IDP from a nearby camp died as fellow workers tried to save their lives. Emotions run high in the area as locals joined hands in trying to scoop the sand from the quarry said to be the largest in the area. The death brought to fourteen the number of people who have died in the quarry since 2000. Incidentally, among those who died on Tuesday was Antony Kinuthia whose elder brother died in the same quarry under the same circumstances in 2008. Eyewitnesses said they attempted to save the two who for some time could be heard calling for help but their efforts were futile as by the time they managed to get to them they were already dead.
Two Japan Survivors Pulled From Rubble
Two survivors of the Japan earthquake have been pulled alive from the rubble, four days after the 9.0 magnitude tremor. A 70-year-old woman was found alive in her house in the town of Otsuchi in Iwate prefecture, public broadcaster NHK reported. She was suffering from hypothermia but was not in a life-threatening condition, it said, adding that she had been hospitalised. A man, whose age was not given, was rescued in the town of Ishimaki in Miyagi prefecture, the network said. Miyagi was particularly badly hit by the quake and the subsequent tsunami that swept away whole towns and villages. Emergency personnel were reported to have found 2,000 bodies in the prefecture on Monday. The rare rescues came just a day after a four-month-old girl was plucked - apparently uninjured - from the rubble of the town of Ishinomaki, also in Miyagi. Emergency workers had rescued 15,000 people and about 550,000 had been evacuated to about 2,600 shelters across six prefectures by Monday, Kyodo News reported. However, local officials are estimated to have lost contact with about 30,000 people. Roads and rail, power and ports have been crippled across much of the northeast of Japan's Honshu island, hampering relief efforts. The government has mobilised 100,000 soldiers to deliver food, water and fuel and around 70 countries have offered assistance. "It is the elderly who have been hit the hardest," said Patrick Fuller of the International Federation of Red Cross, in a memo written from Ishinomaki. "The tsunami engulfed half the town and many lie shivering uncontrollably under blankets. They are suffering from hypothermia having been stranded in their homes without water or electricity." The Japanese Red Cross has deployed about 90 medical teams who are trying to provide the basics in care for 430,000 in remote towns spread along the coast.
Suzanna Owiyo during her Europeen Tour
Here is a photo of Suzanna Owiyo during her Europeen Tour. Suzzana Owiyo is known for her beautiful voices and Suzanna’s music is a fusion of traditional western Kenyan music and contemporary rhythms. Traditional instruments (nyatiti, orutu, etc.) In December 2004, Suzanna Owiyo beat a host of African artistes to clinch the single berth reserved for a female African artiste to perform at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, where she performed with her band. She was accompanied with the famous Senegalese singer Youssou N'dour who is embraced for his beautiful voice and fine song writing, N'Dour, with his band the Super Etoile de Dakar, has toured the globe for 20 years, all the while adding other styles such as Afro-Cuban and rock. Grammy-winning Senegalese music legend and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Youssou N’Dour. They both set ablaze the audience in Europe with their natural and traditional way of singing. Both dressed in African attires and setting the audience to dance to their music, the audience which was a mixture of the four continents really enjoyed their music and we all wish them success in the coming years.
Friends are like pieces of puzzles hard to find but easy to lose. I want you to know that your one of the pieces I cannot afford to lose.
2012 Olympics tickets go on sale
Olympic Games tickets are available now. Submit your application by 11.59pm on 26 April 2011. There is no advantage to submitting your application on the first day or the last day. Applications for Paralympic Games tickets will be open in September 2011 and will follow a similar sales process. Tickets for Test Events and the London 2012 Festival will be available for sale later in 2011. Tickets for the London 2012 Olympics have gone on sale, 500 days ahead of the event. Some 6.6 million tickets are available from the London 2012 website over a six-week period and organisers say all applications will be treated equally. Prices range from £20 to £2,012 and oversubscribed events will be decided by a ballot. On Monday a giant clock counting down the days until the start of the Games was unveiled in Trafalgar Square. Lord Coe, the chairman of London 2012, said: "If you look at the way we have put the price points together I think we've done that in a really smart way. I think those prices are affordable. "Yes, the big ticket events are always going to be the big ticket events, but there are plenty of opportunities to see the big stars at the lower price points." Lord Coe said he was confident the Games would be a sellout.- To book your ticket follow: - http://www.tickets.london2012.com
Kenyans in Japan safe
The Kenya government on Monday 14th March, 2011 moved to assure the nation that so far there are no reported casualties among Kenyans living in Japan after the country experienced a devastating earthquake in the North East Coast on Friday. Though international air travel has been disrupted the government says arrangements are being made for the Kenyans to fly back to Nairobi once international outbound flights resume most likely on Monday. A statement from the ministry of foreign affairs says following the quake that was swiftly followed by a tsunami, the Kenyan Embassy in Japan embarked on accounting for Kenyans in Japan, particularly in the most affected area, Tohuku region (North East part of Japan), of which Sendai is the capital. The government however says communication within Japan is difficult because of the damage caused by the Tsunami and mobile phones are not going through. Consequently, the Embassy has advised Kenyans in the affected areas and other parts to get in contact with the Mission through any means, preferably through emails. The Mission has confirmed that the 5 Kenyans in Sendai and Iwate, the worst hit area, are all safe. Professor Wakimoto of the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI) has also confirmed that the 15 Kenyans who recently completed a course in Juvenile Delinquent Treatment System for Kenya, in Tokyo are safe. They are from the Office of the Vice -President and Ministry of Home Affairs; the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social development, the Judiciary and Kenya Police Service. The JCIA Tokyo Center has further confirmed that there are currently 9 Kenyans participating in various training programs. They are all safe. The Embassy has shared with the Japanese Foreign Ministry data pertaining all the 200 Kenyans registered at the Mission, as per the request of the Japanese authorities. The information is needed to facilitate identification of missing foreign nationals or those sheltering in emergency evacuation centers. This is also due to the fact that serious aftershocks are being felt (more than 300 so far). A high alert has been issued throughout Japan on the possibility of another major earthquake (in the region of 7 on the Richter scale) in the next few days. The Kenyan Embassy in Japan is also in touch with the Foreign Ministry's Disaster Counter Measure Division which is coordinating emergencies with diplomatic corps.
Geneva Motor Show 2011: new models and concept cars
DO WE RECEIVE OUR MINERALS
FROM DRINKING WATER?
Minerals are essential for the basic functions of the human body to take place. They help to control bone growth, regulate fluids, normalize nerve and muscle functions, keep up metabolism, grow connective tissues, and so much more.
However, a big misconception is that that we obtain enough minerals from our drinking water. This is actually not true because in reality, the main source of minerals is always from our food and diet, not from our drinking water. Because in order to receive enough minerals for our bodies, we would need to drink a full bathtub amount of water everyday! Not very feasible. We are sure that your doctor will not prescribe you a "bathtub of water" if you are deficient in minerals, right?
Also watch out for the water products which claims that they can take out ALL of the bad contaminants and leave you only the good stuff (healthy minerals) in the water. There is no real purification method that can be selective and leave you only the "good" stuff. When filters leave you the "good" stuff, they actually leave you "most" of the stuff in the water. "Most of the stuff" meaning besides calcium and magnesium, they also leave fluoride, arsenic, chromium, perchlorate, heavy metals, radioactive materials, bacteria, viruses, and pharmaceutical drugs. These are all harmful contaminants that can cause illness, cancer or death. In this era of pollution where water contains much more disease-causing contaminants than beneficial minerals, it makes sense that the water we drink should be as pure and clean as possible.
Keep in mind that water contains only inorganic minerals which can actually be detrimental to human health. Our bodies have a hard time processing inorganic minerals and what we cannot absorb may be stored in our tissues and organs and become toxic. The primary culprits are calcium salts and over time they can cause gallstones, kidney stones, bone & joint calcification, arthritis, and hardening and blocking our arteries. Organ failure and cancer could also occur from long term exposure to certain types of toxic or radioactive minerals found in tap and natural spring water. Organic minerals which are abundant in food are much easier to absorb and preferred by our bodies because they do not contain toxic minerals.
So remember to eat healthy and enjoy a variety of vegetables and grains everyday which will provide you with the beneficial organic minerals to stay healthy the natural way.
A LUO PROVERB
Dhap jokang'ato kik idonjie
A quarrel between family members has no room for outsiders.
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Second Explosion At Fukushima Nuclear Plant
A mother tries to talk to her daughter isolated in the northern Japanese town of Nihonmatsu for signs of radiation. A second hydrogen explosion has occurred at a quake-hit nuclear plant in Japan, as the US moved ships and aircraft away due to low level radiation. Plumes of grey smoke billowed into the air after the blast at the Fukushima Daiichi plant's number 3 unit. Officials insist the inner reactor container remains intact - but fears are growing of a third blast in the number 2 unit after falling water levels left the fuel rods partly exposed. Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency says there is "absolutely no possibility of a Chernobyl" style accident at the site. The reactor had been under emergency watch for a possible explosion as pressure built up there following a hydrogen blast on Saturday in the facility's number 1 unit. Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yukio Edano said the reactor's inner containment vessel holding the nuclear rods is safe, allaying some fears of the risk to the environment and public.
In pictures: Carnival in Brazil
MAU MAU WAR VETERANS COMING TO LONDON
Mashujaa (Mau Mau War Veterans) will be in London from the 1st of April to the 10th April 2011 for the hearing of the court case filled against the British Government.
The group led by Kenya Human Rights officials get here on the 1st, they are only 5 people and it will be great for us to welcome them as well as join them that Royal Law Courts on the Monday Morning 4th April, 2011 when the case is mentioned. These people gave up their lives to fight foreign domination to liberate Kenya. Irregardless of your ancestral background, Kenya's History, future is very much contributed to by the work of the freedom fighters. For more information contact 07814641567.
Darkness looms as KPLC workers go on strike
A nationwide strike for the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) kicked off Monday amid assertions by the company's management that operations were going on as usual. The Kenya Electrical Trades and Allied Workers (KETAWU) officials addressed over three hundred striking workers at the Ruiru KPLC complex. The nation wide strike follows failure by the company management to address the coast region workers grievances who begun a strike on Tuesday last week. The company is now warning workers participating in the countrywide strike of disciplinary action. Last week, KPLC workers in the coast region went on strike protesting against unpaid allowances but the managenment declined to address their grievances and instead called on them to return to work failure to which action would be taken against the. This prompted KETAWU to call for a nation wide strike beginning Monday, an action that threatens to plunge the whole country in darkness. According to the union's national general secretary Ernest Nadome the strike will continue until the employees grievances are addressed. In a rejoinder KPLC management has termed the strike illegal maintaining that most of its workers had reported for duty especially in Mt Kenya, West and Nairobi regions except a few who feared for their safety. The sole energy distributor in the country says it has already written disciplinary letters to "the 360 members of staff who absented themselves from work on Thursday last week". "With regard to the national strike called by KETAWU beginning Monday 14th March 2011, KPLC is conducting a roll call throughout the country today. Staff not at the work places will be considered to have absconded duty and will also face disciplinary action," the company says. The company was also quick to assure Kenyans that it has put in place measures to ensure power is not disrupted. The management further alleges that KETAWU ignored laid down procedures before calling on their members to down tools as contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Recognition Agreement and in the Labour Laws. In Kisumu Kenya Electoral Traders and Allied Workers Union secretary general Vincent Okulu was arrested as he prepared to address striking workers at the Kisumu KPLC offices. There was heavy presence of security personnel at the KPLC regional offices as most workers kept off the premises. The few who reported on duty gathered outside the office with little activity going on inside.
“It’s never the cards your dealt, but always how you play the hand.”
Heads to roll at Safaricom under new structure
Currently all top positions at the firm, except that of chief executive officer Bob Collymore (above) are vacant
All senior managers at mobile phone firm Safaricom are this week expected to make fresh applications for their jobs following a restructuring exercise that is expected to see some big heads roll. Currently all top positions at the firm, except that of chief executive officer Bob Collymore are vacant. “The offices are vacant. They (senior managers) will be making fresh applications and talent will be placed where it is needed,” said a source, whom we cannot name due to the sensitivity of the matter. The letters are due to be looked at by the board and interviews carried out during the week to ensure continuity in service delivery at the giant firm. Dubbed the Safaricom 2.0, the new management team is expected to be fully in place beginning next month. Mr Collymore informed the staff on Thursday last week of the exercise, saying it is aimed at enabling the Nairobi Stock Exchange listed firm to meet its objectives. Analysts, however, view the move as meant to infuse a new management in line with Mr Collymore’s style. The CEO, who took over the seat on November 1, 2010 has done away with the title “chief” by which heads of department were addressed until last week and replaced it with “director.”
Among those in the spotlight in this new drive are previous heads of department Mr Chris Tiffin, finance, Mr Les Baillie, investor relations, Mr Francis Murabula, procurement. The three departments have been merged. Also on the radar are Ms Wangari Murugu, marketing and Ms Pauline Warui, customer service, whose departments have also been merged. Mr Robert Mugo, information, will have to battle it out with Mr John Barorot, technical, for a new department, technical/information technology. Ms Clare Ruto, corporate affairs, will try to capture the newly formed legal and external affairs, communication. The communications docket has been hived off the marketing docket to form the new directorate. Mr Joseph Ogutu, who has been heading the human resources docket, will be eyeing the new directorate of resources. While Mr Collymore promised the redesign would not result in job losses, analysts will be quick to note that this is imminent. Word has it that the new structure will not be keen on retaining managers who have held their positions for “long enough.” According to the firm’s information memorandum to the NSE when it was raising its first tranche of the Sh12 billion bond, most of the managers were appointed to their positions after 2003. Some joined the company at its inception in 2000 and rose through the ranks to become part of former chief executive officer Mr Michael Joseph’s management team. – Daily Nation.
UN Security Council summons President Kibaki
Nairobi, Kenya - The United Nations Security Council has invited Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki to New York to discuss the east African country's desire to have the post-election violence case now in the hands of the International Criminal Court (ICC) deferred. Kibaki is expected to fly out to New York for what the Security Council described as an informal discussion of the Kenyan request on Wednesday, according to a news dispatch from the UN headquarters in NewYork, Saturday. The six key suspects in the post-poll violence which left 1,300 people dead and 350,00 misplaced, whom ICC Chief Prosecutor, Louis Moreno-Ocampo described as the ones “bearing the greatest responsibility for the violence” which occurred in December 2007-January 2008, have since been summoned by the ICC. They are Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Uhuru Kenyatta, former Agriculture Minister William Ruto, former Industrialisation Minister Henry Kosgey, former Police Commissioner (now Chief Executive Officer, Postal Corporation of Kenya, Maj Gen (Rtd) Hussein Ali, Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura and journalist and vernacular radio station presenter, Joshua Sang. The ICC Pre-Trial Chambers ruled that they have cases to answer and should appear before the court at the Hague on 7 April. They will be the first Kenyans to appear before the ICC. Ruto and Kosgey were dropped from the cabinet after the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission found found they had cases to answer on abuse of office. Charges against the six, known in Kenya as the 'Ocampo Six', range from rape, murder, abuse of human rights, ordering police not to interfere with proscribed militia, Mungiki, as it attacked supporters of a political party here, funding, convening meetings with the Mungiki and forceful eviction of people from certain parts of the country.
The appointing authorities - President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga -- asked them to step aside as per the new constitution. The cases are in court. Kibaki's invitation to the UN Security Council comes at a time when Kenya engaged in shuttle diplomacy, lobbying the Security Council members to support Kenya's bid for deferral. Kenya is pleading with the UN to defer the case by one year and give the country time to establish a Special Tribunal or court to try the post-election suspects. Vice- President Kalonzo Musyoka has since been to South Africa, Nigeria and Libya in a bid to lobby the African Union to support the bid. He also led a strong delegation to the UN earlier in the week, which met the UN Secretary- General Ban Ki Moon and the US Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr Susan Rice, and and senior deputy secretary of state. Extending the invitation, the UN Security Council invited Kibaki and an African Union representative to the UN for what the global organisation described as informal talks. But there are strong fears here that Kenya's bid was bound to fail as the French, British and German governments, through their ambassadors here, have indicated that they will not support the bid because it would encourage impunity. Also critical of the move is one half of the cabinet, who feel the last-minute effort has come too late and will deny the victims of the mayhem justice. Among the people opposed to the bid is Justice Minister, Mutula Kilonzo, who says as signatory to the Rome Statutes, Kenya has no reason for seeking deferral. 'For the last three years, we have failed to establish a local tribunal to try the suspects, how can we convince the ICC and UN that we will establish the special court,' he asked. Kenyans are strongly opposed to the setting up of the Special Tribunal, saying it would be used by the principals to protect the suspects who are their cronies. - Afriquejet.com
Japan quake: Survivor rescued from roof out at sea
A 60-year-old man has been rescued from the roof of his floating home far out at sea, two days after a tsunami devastated Japan's north-east coast. Hiromitsu Shinkawa was found by a defence ministry destroyer 15km (10 miles) from shore, officials said. Mr Shinkawa's house in Minami Soma city in Fukushima prefecture had been ripped from its foundations and swept away by the retreating tsunami. He was spotted waving a piece of red cloth, while clinging to the wreckage. Mr Shinkawa told his rescuers that the tsunami had hit as he and his wife returned home to gather some possessions after the earthquake, and that his wife was swept away. "Several helicopters and ships passed by, but none of them noticed me. I thought that day was going to be the last day of my life," he was quoted as saying by a defence agency spokesman. "I ran away after I heard a tsunami was coming. But I turned back to fetch something from home and was swept away. I was rescued while hanging on to the roof of my house," he said. Mr Shinkawa was reported to be in "good condition" after being taken to hospital by helicopter. Military officials said mild weather and relatively calm seas had helped him stay adrift for 48 hours, Kyodo news agency reported.
A KIKÛYU PROVERB
Njûkî ndîrî mboora igîrî
The bee has not got two stings.
The proverb is told to greedy people, who when given something are not satisfied and want more.
"SIN MADE US TO LOSE AUTHORITY"
"When man sinned in the garden of Eden, he lost 3 things: He lost dominion, he lost cover and above all he lost the authority." this was message was explained by Rev. Edwin Mbugua Kibathi (above right) of PCEA UK Outreach Church in London on Sunday 13th March, 2011. Quoting the Bible from Genesis 3:1-24 Rev. Kibathi explained that we should always be very careful in temptations because Satan tempted Adam and Eve and again he tempted our Lord Jesus and he is always there for temptation. He concluded his message by explaining that there is a difference between Trials and Temptations by quoting James 1:12-15 - 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. - PCEA UK Outreach contact is Rev. Kibathi on 07946700301.
MYSTERIES OF THE UNEXPLAINED
Mrs Wright, the mother of John Wright, a London linen draper, was hospitalized for severe burns from which she was not expected to recover. Her injuries were the culmination of a series of strange spontaneous fires that had been plaguing the Wright household since January 5, 1820. On that date there was an unexplained small fire; then, on January 7, Mrs Wright, who had been sitting with a servant girl by the kitchen hearth, noticed her own clothes were on fire as she stood up to walk away. On January 12, her clothes flamed up again, in the presence of the same girl, but this time Mrs Wright had been nowhere near the hearth. Then sometime of the following day:
Wright heard screams from the kitchen, where his mother was, and where the girl had been. He ran into the room, and found his mother in flames. Only a moment before had the girl left the kitchen, and this time Wright accused her. But it was Mrs Wright belief that the girl had nothing to do with her misfortunes, and that "something supernatural" was assailing her. She sent for her daughter, who arrived to guard her. She continued to believed that the girl could not have had nothing to with the fires and went to kitchen, where the girl was, and again "by some unknown means, she caught fire. She was so dreadful burned that she was put to bed." When she had gone to sleep, her son and daughter left the room-and immediately brought back by her screams, finding her surrounded by flames. Then the girl was told to leave the house. She left and there were no more fires. This seemed conclusive, and the Wrights caused her arrest. At the hearing, the magistrate said that he had no doubt that the girl was guilty, but that he could not pronounce sentence, until Mrs Wright should so recover as to testify. [Charles Fort, The Complete Books of Charles Fort pp. 927-28].
"I AM FROM PCEA THIKA"
Mrs. Ruth Njeri Kinyanjui (standing right) is in London. While in London, Mrs. Kinyanjui who is visiting her children in UK visited PCEA UK Outreach Church in Stratford, London where she expressed her joy to rejoin her church in UK. Mrs. Kinyanjui who comes from Thika PCEA explained that she would not have imagined coming to London and find PCEA women wearing their PCEA head gear. "This is one of my best days in my live and I have explained to my family here that I cannot go back without attending a church service in this church.", Mrs. Kinyanjui explained.
Japanese inspired and angered; resigned to more quakes
(Reuters) - While images of brutal destruction wreaked by a devastating earthquake and tsunami have stunned the nation and the world, Japanese are finding both inspiration and reasons to vent in the aftermath of the disaster. One sentiment that is emerging is that such a calamitous event could occur again at any time, in any place. "We don't know when it will happen to us," said Masatoshi Masuda, 52, a seal carver in the southwest city of Kagoshima, far from the deadly, three-meter-high waves that surged across farmland, villages and cities in Japan's northeast Friday. Masuda noted that an active volcano, Mount Sakurajima, spews ash onto Kagoshima almost daily. And not far away is Shinmoedake, another volcano that began erupting in late January in its most significant activity in some 300 years. "We're worried about what will happen next time," Masuda said. "But whatever happens it won't be a surprise." A clearer picture of the deaths from the massive quake was emerging with estimates reaching at least 10,000, and damage at least in the tens of billions of dollars. Letters to the editor printed in the Asahi Shimbun newspaper Sunday ran through a range of emotions, from praising the spirit of extending helping hands to strangers to fuming why infrastructure could collapse in this technologically advanced country. Akiko Takushima, 46, of Yokohama, which neighbors Tokyo, said the tragedy brought out the best in people. She was forced to walk for more than six hours to get home Friday night when train service in the Tokyo region was shut down. "It was terrible, but I was touched by many warm hearts along the way," she said, singling out people who served passers-by tea or recharged cellphone batteries. Aiko Miyake, a 21-year-old from Ashiya City, in western Hyogo prefecture, who was in Tokyo for job interviews when the quake struck, wrote that the events left her sober and pensive. Experiencing the temblor made her think of Japan's last severe earthquake, in Ashiya's neighboring Kobe in 1995, when she was 6 years old. Naohiro Hoshina, a 47-year-old worker with a shipping company in Fujisawa, west of Tokyo, wished recovery to tsunami victims but fumed at how local mobile phone systems were taken out. "Isn't the basic point of having a mobile phone to make phone calls?" he asked. Government aid efforts has also fallen short, Akemi Kanno said Sunday in Rikuzentakata, a town in the northeast prefecture of Iwate that was devastated by the tsunami. "At the quake response headquarters, they are not providing food. All the lifelines are down," Kanno, 53, told Reuters. "I went to the headquarters but the mayor was standing outside laughing, and that made me upset," she said. "I do not know what the national government is doing."
The World's Youngest Billionaires 2011
The world's 20 youngest billionaires are evidence that enormous fortunes can be created in far less than a lifetime. All of them are under 40. The youngest, Dustin Moskovitz, is just eight days younger than his Facebook cofounder Mark Zuckerberg (both are 26). The oldest in this group, Google cofounder Sergey Brin (age 37), is also the group's richest, boasting a net worth of $19.8 billion. All ages are as of March 28, 2011. The world's youngest billionaire, Dustin Moskovitz, was Mark Zuckerberg's Harvard roommate and Facebook's third employee. He is just eight days younger than his friend. The two dropped out of Harvard and moved to California to work for the social networking firm full time; he was its first chief technology officer and then vice president of engineering. He left in 2008 to start Asana, a software company that allows individuals and small companies to better collaborate. Values of his new company: "pragmatism," "being a mensch," "admitting when you're wrong" and "chill-ness."
Uhuru, Ruto could miss 2012 polls
Eldoret North MP Wiliam Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta at a political rally in Embakasi grounds on March 5, 2011 FILE | NATION
The political landscape of two vote-rich regions could be altered significantly if two of the six post-election violence suspects go on trial at the International Criminal Court. As The Hague process rolls on, it remains to be seen whether President Kibaki’s heir apparent in Central Province, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, and Eldoret North MP William Ruto, will continue wielding influence over their ethnic groups. The Kikuyu, from whom Mr Kenyatta comes from, and Mr Ruto’s Kalenjin are the largest and third largest ethnic groups respectively, according to last year’s census results, hence they produce the highest number of voters.
The two have a tendency to vote as blocs, as demonstrated in last year’s referendum and the 2007 General Election. This makes them attractive to presidential candidates. But the political future of the two groups remain uncertain following the naming of Mr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta by ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo as some of the people suspected of bearing the biggest responsibility for the 2008 violence. But some pundits say the duo will continue wielding influence even as they battle to clear their names. Yet others expect a fragmentation in their absence. Moi University law lecturer Onesmus Murkommen says the ICC case will likely bind the two groups in the short run, but acknowledges that they might disintegrate eventually.
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri is of the opinion that the cases have had the effect of uniting the two peoples behind the two politicians. “They are being embraced in areas where they had difficulties before and I think that will last for some time,” Mr Kiunjuri said. Mr Murkommen concurs with Mr Kiunjuri in this respect, adding that the perception that they are being persecuted has raised their profile. Even in the worst case scenario – where they are jailed – I believe they will still influence political directions from wherever they will be, he said. Following his appointment to the key Finance docket and the post of deputy prime minister in the power-sharing arrangement, Mr Kenyatta has been perceived as President Kibaki’s heir apparent in the vote-rich Central Province, a view that has been reinforced by the Environment minister John Michuki. Political observers say he is best placed among the current crop of politicians from Mt Kenya region — including the Embu, Mbeere and Meru, who have always been supportive of Mr Kibaki’s leadership — can rally around. “It will be difficult for the Meru to rally around another person from Central Kenya apart from Uhuru,” says former Siakago MP and a close Uhuru ally, Justin Muturi. “In the event that the worst happens and he is taken to The Hague, then the Meru will probably go their separate way,” Mr Muturi said. It can be argued that other leaders will rise to take their places, but the more critical question is whether their would-be successors can carry the weight the two currently do. Gichugu MP Martha Karua, a presidential hopeful, is Mr Kenyatta’s main challenger to the Central Kenya mantle so far. But political observers contend that she does not enjoy wide support as the DPM. There has also been talk that Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth will seek the presidency, although he has neither confirmed nor denied it. The naming of Mr Ruto, arguably the most popular leader among the Kalenjin, and Mr Kosgey, a long serving politician, has dramatically changed the politics of the region. Since the retirement of President Daniel arap Moi, Mr Ruto has emerged the de facto Kalenjin leader, currently commanding the support of 26 of the 33 MPs from the community. Like Mr Kenyatta, Mr Ruto commands support and is seen as the only politician around whom the seven Kalenjin sub-tribes can rally.
Sunday's Newspapers Front Pages
The Mail, picture on the left, has a picture of a town that was swept away in the tsunami where thousands are feared dead, while
The Telegraph (centre picture) shows a picture of a Japanese town smashed to matchwood with the sombre heading 'Devastation'. he People (picture on the right) goes with nuclear radiation fears after the explosion at the Fukushima plant.
Explosion at Fukushima nuclear plant
A powerful explosion has hit a nuclear power station in north-eastern Japan which was badly damaged in Friday's devastating earthquake and tsunami. A building housing a reactor was destroyed, but authorities said the reactor itself was intact. The government sought to play down fears of a meltdown at the Fukushima 1 plant. But officials later announced the cooling system of a second reactor at the plant had failed. The news sparked fears of a the risk of a further explosion or leak of radioactive material. A huge rescue and relief operation is under way in the region after the earthquake and subsequent tsunami, which are thought to have killed more than 1,000 people. Tokyo Electric Power said four of its workers had been injured in Saturday's blast at Fukushima, 250km (155 miles) north of Tokyo, but that their injuries were not life-threatening. An evacuation zone around the damaged nuclear plant has been extended to 20km (12.4 miles) from 10km, and a state of emergency declared. An estimated 200,000 people have been evacuated from the area, the International Atomic Energy Agency says. The government has urged residents to remain calm and is preparing to distribute iodine to anyone affected. Tests showed at least three patients evacuated from a hospital near the plant had been exposed to radiation, public broadcaster NHK quoted local government officials as saying. They were among a group of people waiting outside the hospital for rescue helicopters when the explosion hit the plant. Government spokesman Yukio Edano said the force of the explosion had destroyed the concrete roof and walls of a building around the plant's number one reactor, but a steel container encasing the reactor had not been ruptured. Mr Edano said radiation levels around the plant had fallen after the explosion. He added that sea water was being pumped into the site to lower temperatures. Before the explosion, Japan's nuclear agency had said that radioactive caesium and iodine had been detected near the number one reactor. The agency said this could indicate that containers of uranium fuel inside the reactor may have begun melting. Air and steam, with some level of radioactivity, was earlier released from several of the reactors at both plants in an effort to relieve the huge amount of pressure building up inside.
Geneva Motor Show 2011: new models and concept cars
Bill Gates
2nd Richest Man in this Planet
Microsoft mogul, futurist and America's richest person has, with help from billionaire buddy Warren Buffett, convinced nearly 60 of the world's wealthiest to sign his "Giving Pledge," promising to donate the majority of their wealth to charity either during their lifetime or after death. He is no longer the planet's richest person, but that's because he's given away $30 billion to his foundation. The Gates Foundation, the world's most influential charity, tackles tuberculosis and polio and funds famine-resistant crops to fight hunger. He is calling for "a higher sense of urgency" in AIDS vaccine development and also pushing for better tools to rate teacher performance. Gates holds 70% of his wealth in investment fund Cascade, dabbling in everything from autos to hedge funds to Mexican Coke bottler Femsa; the rest of his wealth is held in Microsoft stock.
Japan: A fragile country at the mercy of nature
The world is reacting with shock at the huge quake and tsunami that has devastated Japan, but people there have learnt to expect natural disasters. The first indication was a humming and a rattling. Hundreds of upturned beer glasses on wooden shelves, shook from side to side, then knocked into each other. Conversation dimmed then stopped completely. Faces looked from one to another across the plates of tempura and sushi. "Quick," shouted the barman, "turn off the gas." It was my first experience of a tremor, just a few days after I had gone to live in Japan. And it was typical - everyone trying to gauge just how serious this quake was going to be. When should we get up and try to run outdoors? Or would we have to dive under the tables? Or seek safety under a door frame - which we all knew was the strongest part of the room? After a few seconds the tremor subsided, the conversation picked up, the sushi chef started wielding his heavy knife on the chopping block. Just a few seconds later, a white subtitle appeared on the TV in the corner - it was on all channels - indicating the size of the quake and the location of the epicentre. It was not the "big one". But everyone knew that one was coming. The question was: when? Tradition held that animals and fish would act strangely ahead of a quake - carp, for example, would jump out of the water. The Japanese government even sponsored an experiment to monitor carp activity to see if they could be used to predict tremors. Japanese people live with an ever-present expectation of natural disaster - floods, hurricanes, fires, and most of all earthquakes and the massive waves they can generate.
Hell on earth?
It is no coincidence that tsunami is a Japanese word. The native religion, Shinto, is animist - speaking of the divine nature of trees and mountains, of goddesses who emerged from deep clefts in the rocks. The very earth can seem alive. The islands sit on a massive fault line and the classic image of the country is the perfect volcanic cone of Mount Fuji. Boiling hot water steams up from cracks in the rocks, exploited for the natural hot springs that are one of the country's great wonders. In the town of Beppu you can see pools of foul-smelling sulphuric waters that emerge from the earth. But the big draw is the dark red pool guarded by statues of ferocious, boggle-eyed deities. It is called Jigoku - Hell. All Japanese know that at any time the powers of the earth can turn against them. In 1923, the great Kanto earthquake devastated Tokyo. Fires raged across a city built of wooden houses, killing an estimated 140,000 people. Since then the population on the Kanto plain has grown massively in an interconnected series of cities from the mountains down to the sea. Everyone knows that the pressure between the tectonic plates deep underground will be released sometime. Everyone prepares. Schools and office workers take part in earthquake drills. And these are dramatic. The authorities bring along a mock-up of a living room, complete with a sofa and a dining table, with one wall missing so you can see inside. The whole room is mounted on a machine on a truck and gently the mechanism rocks the room from side to side - simulating the usual tremors that you feel every few days. Curtains sway and plates slide across tables. The movement gets stronger and stronger, wilder and wilder. Crockery smashes, the furniture is hurled about furiously. Just watching, you can feel the panic rising in your stomach. And this is just a mock-up of a moderate quake.
Extraordinary resilience
An ever-present sense of disaster is deeply woven into traditional ways. Japanese culture has long-prized fragility, impermanence, transience. The cherry blossom is the most prized of all expressions of nature because it achieves such a brief perfection before falling carelessly. Samurai - so it was said - gave up their lives with similar carelessness, because their honour was more important. Zen teaching praised the way bamboo's flexibility gave it a special strength. Subjected to force it sways and bends. It does not snap. The Japanese traditionally built their houses lightly out of wood and it is said this is so they would sway in an earthquake rather than simply collapse. The city of Tokyo has shown extraordinary resilience. In March 1945, a couple of decades after the great earthquake, American B29s dropped incendiary bombs on the city of wooden houses. The resulting firestorm killed 100,000 people in the course of a single night. Waiting for the "big one" is a part of Japanese life and the carp, it turns out, are no help. They have no better idea of when a tremor will strike than the rest of us.
FORCES OF NATURE
A day after the Japanese earthquake, there are reports that as many as 10,000 people are unaccounted for in the devastated town of Minamisanriku, in the Miyagi prefecture. It was one of the areas that bore the brunt of Friday's tsunami and is now largely buried under mud.
Advantages of Drinking good quality water:
Does the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) affect the taste of water?
Yes. If your water has a moderate to high total dissolved solids content, it can affect taste. Taste is very subjective however, and the ability to taste varies widely from person to person. The higher the TDS level, particularly when it reaches over 500 ppm (the recommended USEPA aesthetic guideline), the more people will want to purify the water. So how can water with high TDS be undesirable or harmful? It may taste bitter, salty, or metallic and may have unpleasant odors. High TDS water is also less thirst quenching. High TDS interferes with the taste of foods and beverages, and makes them less desirable to consume. Some of the individual mineral salts that make up TDS pose a variety of health hazards. The most problematic are Nitrates, Sodium, Sulfates, Barium, Cadmium, Copper, and Fluoride.
If a person drinks 2 pints of water a day, his or her body will have processed 4500 gallons of water over a 70 year span. If the water is not totally pure, this 4500 gallons will include 200-300 pounds of rock that the body cannot utilize. Most will be eliminated through excretory channels. But some of this will stay in the body, causing stiffness in the joints, hardening of the arteries, kidney stones, gall stones and blockages of arteries, microscopic capillaries and other passages in which liquids flow through our entire body.
Landlord visits house to collect rent, finds house has gone
A Malaysian landlord received a rather unpleasant surprise when he went to collect rent from some tenants and found his property had disappeared. All that remained of Zuria Ali's house, which he had inherited from his parents, were 24 concrete pillar holders, a smashed TV and pieces of broken wood. The main structure of the house, including its walls, had disappeared, along with items like cutlery, cupboards, a dining table and a refrigerator, Malaysian newspaper The Star reported. Police confirmed they have received a report of a 'missing' property. 'I had heard that my house had vanished and was curious to find out the truth,' Mr Ali said. One neighbour told the news provider the dwelling had been missing since the beginning of last month. 'I thought the three were carrying out the dismantling work on instructions from the landlord. I did not suspect anything until he [Zuria] asked me about it,' he said. Film director Guy Richie also recently found himself in a rather bizarre property crisis, after a group of squatters moved into his £6 million London mansion while it was being renovated. At least 12 people are thought to have moved into the property and were planning on turning it into a school.
METHALI YA KISWAHILI
Simbiko haisimbuki ila kwa msukosuko.
A thing that is firmly fixed cannot be dislodged except with much trouble.
Kenya Banks to submit clients’ credit history under new system
A mechanism that requires all commercial banks to submit databases on the credit history of their customers has been launched. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has initiated Credit information sharing system that would give clients’ information especially on non-performing loans. Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Bankers Association, Habil Olaka, while addressing a sensitising workshop in Eldoret, said the initiative is aimed at improving credit disbursement. "Central Bank has identified a key initiative which is considered critical for improving customers’ financial access," he said. Olaka, who was accompanied by Eldoret CBK Branch Manager Peter Kigondu, said they had partnered with KBA to find solutions to the high cost of credit. He added: "We are working jointly to ensure lending money to the private sector is more affordable and accessible." Olaka said they would soon roll out other initiatives such as Cheque Truncation to increase the efficiency of the National Payments Systems.
Currency management
In addition, he said, currency centres would be introduced to improve currency management where CBK does not have branches. Only the licensed banks, he said, would share the information through Credit Reference Bureaus (CRB) to obtain credit worthiness of a customer seeking a loan or to enter into a business relationship. He, however, dispelled fears that CRB was a blacklist of defaulters, and said it is intended to become a database of all borrowers, regardless of their performances. "The system is an important tool for proving the credit worthiness of both performing and non-performing customers," he explained. Olaka stated that the banking fraternity would rely more on clientele’s credit histories in assessing risks to reduce reliance on physical collateral in favour of credit reports, increasing access to credit. Mr Kigondu said the availability of comprehensive data on information capital would enable lenders and credit providers to evaluate the creditworthiness of borrowers. "Credit information will increase efficiency, reduce information search costs of lending and allow credit to be made available at lower interest rates to Kenyans," he added. - The Standard.
A NEW CHURCH IN LEICESTER, UK
A new church has come up in Leicester, UK with Pastor Samuel Muiruri Kinuthi as the head pastor. The Church, "Gethsemane Global Foundation Outreach" with a theme "You can Kill the Dream But you cannot Kill the Dreamer" will be meeting every Sunday at Ex. Salvation Army Church Building, Jarrom Street, Leicester, LE2 7DX. The services take place every Sunday as from 1.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. and there will be a "Kigocho" in every 3rd Sunday of the month. For more information please contact Pastor Samuel Muiruri Kinuthi on 07931477134 or 07832915163, email samkinuthia55@yahoo.co.uk and sammuelmuiru@yahoo.com . You are most welcome. More details to follow.
FRIDAY 11TH MACH TO SUNDAY 13TH MARCH 2011
The Kingdom Church
This SPECIAL & POWERFUL weekend here in London, come and experience the POWER of God like never before. With our guest speaker Dr. Sven Levin from the USA & the wonderful woman of God My Beautiful wife Dr. Jennifer.
Times: Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 3 am Deliverance Service, Sunday 11 am Word Service and 2 pm Miracle Service @ The Kingdom Church, 2nd Flr Chatelaine House, 186 Walworth Rd, SE17 1JJ.
SUNDAY 13TH MARCH is also my BIRTHDAY! Come and be blessed!
Contact us at Tel: 02077406001 or online at www.bishopclimate.org - from Bishop climate.
Oldest woman in the world named as Besse Cooper, 114
Besse Cooper has officially been named as the oldest person in the world, having reached the ripe old age of 114. Guinness World Records officially named the great-great-grandmother as the person who has lived the longest, following the death of Eunice G Sanborn earlier this year. The feat was certified by the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group, which confirms the age of supercentarians - people who have lived to be at least 110 years old. Ms Cooper was born in Tennessee in 1896, during the second term of president Grover Cleveland. During the First World War, she moved to Georgia to teach and married her husband of 40 years in the 1920s, The Daily Telegraph reports. She previously told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that her long life is down to minding her own business and not eating junk food. Ms Cooper was presented with a plaque recognising her achievement at the Monroe nursing home in Georgia. Joining her for the small ceremony were a number of relatives, including her 75-year-old son. Earlier this year, Ramjeet Raghav was reported as being the oldest Dad in the world at the age of 94. The nonagenarian and his partner Shakuntala have a two-month-old son named Vikramjeet.
Minds are like parachutes - they function only when open
In pictures: Carnival in Brazil
Why the ICC judges dealt Ocampo a major blow Citizens
BY KIBE MUNGAI
Last Tuesdays majority decision of the Pre-trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court to issue summonses against the Ocampo Six is anything but music to ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo and his Kenyan supporters and fans who may never get to read and understand the significance of the ruling.
Without a doubt, serious crimes under Kenyan law and international law were committed between December 2007 and January, 2008 but the ICC Prosecutor set about his job in a politically-motivated way whose consequences are discernible in the majority decision of the ICC Chamber II.
It should be remembered that before and after 31st March, 2010 when the ICC Chamber granted the Prosecutors request to commence an investigation into the post election violence (PEV) in Kenya he often said that he intended to prosecute a number of persons from both the ODM and PNU side of the Kenyas political divide. By mid-2010 Ocampo had indicated that the list of his suspects will include three pro-ODM and three pro-PNU Kenyans. In early December, 2010, Ocampo announced in Nairobi that despite the fact that investigations into PEV were incomplete his office will not prosecute more than the six Kenyans he had already identified and was planning to name.
This critical background is necessary to bear in mind for two reasons. First the identification of the six suspects was not a direct result of evidence. On the contrary Ocampo intentionally sought to gather evidence to punish some people from ODM and PNU sides to make an example out of Kenya to the world and presumably to prevent recurrence of the PEV in the 2012 general elections. Secondly, Ocampos vow that no other persons will be charged at the ICC was not only a gross abuse of power but an indirect exoneration of other persons that many Kenyans believe they as much, if not more, responsibility for the atrocities committed in Kenya after the 2007 general election.
When the names of the suspects and the charges against them were announced on 15th December 2010, I took the position that Ocampos politically motivated charges will be hard to prove in Court. Besides the fact that the identification of the suspects was politically driven, the choice of offences was selective and the motive was rather fictional and oblique. The majority decision of the ICC chamber vindicates my skepticism about Ocampos intentions and modus operandi in several ways.
Ocampos central thesis is more political than legal and will ultimately prove to be his undoing in the case against the six Kenyans. On one hand William Ruto, Henry Kosgey and Joshua arap Sang are accused of having coordinated a series of actors and institutions to establish a network whose goals were firstly, to gain power in the Rift Valley Province and ultimately in the Republic of Kenya. The second purpose was to punish and expel from the Rift Valley those perceived to support the PNU. Two issues are notable. First, whereas Ruto and Kosgey were senior leaders in ODM which was competing for power with PNU, Ocampo charges accuse them of creating a network outside ODM which effectively leaves ODM out of the ICC equation. Secondly, any Kenyan imbecile alive during the PEV knows that there was no competition for power in the Rift Valley. The truth of God is that Ruto and his group sought to install Raila Odinga the ODM presidential candidate as Kenyas chief executive.
The other hand of Morenos thesis relates to PNU. The charge here is that in response to the Ruto, Kosgey and Sangs planned attacks on PNU supporters, Francis Muthaura, Uhuru Kenyatta and Mohammed Hussein Ali developed and executed a plan to attack perceived ODM supporters in order to keep the PNU in power. Thus the three planned the killing of ODM supporters in Nairobi and Kisumu through excessive force by the Police and they also co-ordinated Mungiki-led attacks in Nakuru and Naivasha. The interesting bit here is that whereas Muthaura, Uhuru and Ali were supposed to be responding to actions of Rutos network rather than ODM-inspired mass action agenda, Moreno basically accused them of killing ODM Luo and Luhya supporters as opposed to the ODM Kalenjin supporters on whose behalf the network was acting.
Given this backdrop I am not surprised that Moreno scored rather poorly before the ICC Chamber in at least five respects. First, the two judges found that Ocampo did not present sufficient evidence to establish reasonable grounds to believe that Ruto and his group committed acts of torture as alleged in Count 3 which was consequently dismissed. Secondly, the judges rejected Ocampos arguments that the attacks in Nakuru and Naivasha occurred pursuant to an organised State policy.
Thirdly, the judges found that the evidence presented by Ocampo did not provide reasonable grounds to believe that the events which took place in Kisumu and/or Kibera can be attributed to Muthaura, Kenyatta and/or Ali and so the charges were dropped. Fourthly, the judges found that Ocampo failed to provide evidence to support his allegation that rape was committed as part of the attack in Naivasha. Finally, the judges rejected Ocampos request for Uhuru, Muthaura and Ali not to have contact with other suspects personally, by telephone, in writing or through intermediaries.
Evidently, in round one of the trial Ocampo scored poorer against Uhurus group than against Rutos group despite the fact that the suspects had no right to challenge his case. At the next stage of the prosecution Ocampo will face a more daunting task. With allegations about alleged crimes in Kibera and Kisumu having been dropped, Ocampo will stand or fall depending on the judges take on the alleged atrocities in Nakuru and Naivasha. I believe Ocampo will meet his waterloo in either or both Nakuru and Naivasha because evidence will let down his politically motivated charges.
According to the Waki Report, 278 Luos, 268 Kikuyus and 158 Kalenjins were killed during the PEV. There were 119 unidentified bodies, the majority in Uasin Gishu, Nakuru and Trans Nzoia Counties where Kikuyus were the main victims of the PEV. In Naivasha 50 people were killed while in Nakuru 213 people were killed. Since Naivasha is in the greater Nakuru District and indeed is part of Nakuru County, in todays parlance this means that Nakuru County with 263 people killed was the most affected followed by Uasin Gishu County with 230 fatalities.
Whereas the Waki Report does not provide the ethnic breakdown of deaths in Nakuru, anecdotal evidence shows that more PNU supporters than ODM supporters/Rutos network supporters died in the violence and even more PNU supporters were displaced in Nakuru County. I can hardly wait to see how in a County where more Kikuyus or PNU supporters were killed and displaced, Ocampo will prove that the PNU trio were the aggressors. Who then will take responsibility for the atrocities committed in Nakuru County now that Ruto and his network were not charged with them? What does ICC justice have to offer to the majority of victims in Nakuru County now than it has embraced the justice for the minority? If ODM as an institution seeking power in the 2007 general election is innocent as Ocampo implies, is any other organisation really guilty of PEV atrocities? Is Ocampo really acting in the best interests of victims?
(Mr Mungai is a Nairobi based lawyer) - CapitalFM
TIME FOR WORSHIP
Caught at Glory Restoration Ministry, Coventry during a service
Board rejects 47 degree courses
The Engineering Registration Board (ERB) has rejected to accord accreditation status to 47 ongoing and planned engineering degrees in local public and private universities. The degrees were submitted for accreditation late last year. According to ERB’s Report on Accreditation of the Engineering Degree Programmes, degrees were rejected because of their low quality curriculum, lack of qualified lecturers, segmentation, and duplication of the programmes and absence of professional focus. The report, produced last year, accuses universities of enhancing mediocrity by developing sub-standard degrees which amounted to cheating the public that they were offering engineering degrees, while the menu consisted of technician based courses. Kenyatta University had its eight engineering degrees in energy, manufacturing, water, construction, civil, mechanical, computer and electrical and communication rejected on the basis of lack of lecturers, inadequate laboratories and segmentation of degrees. By the time the university was seeking accreditation for Bachelor of Science in Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, the programmes had only two members of staff and none was a registered engineer.
Recruit academics
"If the university wants to mount courses in those disciplines, then it should recruit academics in control, engineering, power systems and machines, telecommunications and microwaves, electronics and microprocessors," says the report. On the university’s Bachelor of Energy Engineering, ERB points out that energy is basically an application course and relies on other courses in mechanical and electrical engineering. "An undergraduate course should therefore concentrate on the disciplines on which energy management is based rather than focus on energy alone," says the report. Egerton University had also its eight degrees in various fields of engineering and technology rejected for various reasons that ranged from lack of qualified staff, weak curriculum as some units lacked depth of coverage, segmentation and duplication. The issue is serious in that while Egerton proposed to offer BSc in Electrical and Control Engineering, BSc in Telecommunications and BTech in Electrical Engineering, BSc Instrumentation and Control Engineering, the university had only seven lecturers and none was registered as an engineer. "How can only seven staff members run four degree programmes without compromise in quality?" ERB queries. A review of specialisation of engineering staff at Egerton showed only two lecturers had a specialisation manufacturing engineering. "The staff proposed are either specialised in mechanical or agricultural engineering, as well as B.Ed and their numbers are not adequate," says the report.
Lacks qualifications
However, it is not only Egerton that is using B.Ed degree holders to produce engineers. According to the report, the most senior member of staff at the Department of Telecommunication Engineering at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology has basic degrees in education and physics. "He lacks the required background to offer academic leadership in an engineering environment," says ERB. According to the report, the coordinator of the BSc Telecommunication at JKUAT is also not a registered engineer or a corporate member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya. The university was also faulted for providing an outdated list of its staff, many of which had left the university. Besides, the university failed to indicate universities attended by its staff as required by ERB regulations. Whereas, JKUAT had proposed to conduct a degree programme in mining and processing engineering, the university had nobody qualified in mining. ERB recommended that before the university could launch the programme there should be evidence of staff with responsibility and authority to define academic standards. ERB is worried that while universities mounted degrees in environmental engineering and submitted their degrees for accreditation, the content is deemed to be very low. Curriculum developed in those areas have failed to show that graduates will have adequate mathematical proficiency through study of differential equations, probability and statistics, calculus-based physics, advanced chemistry and earth sciences. The programmes also lacked grounding in geology, meteorology, aquatic biology, toxicology and fluid mechanics among other relevant units. However, serious academic anomalies were also noted at Muliro University of Science and Technology where engineering courses are being conducted by professionals from other disciplines. Some core units are also being taught by technicians. For instance, a course named highway Materials and Pavement Design is being taught by a technician, while Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering Materials is being taught by a geologist while Highway Geometric Design is being taught by a surveyor. Last year, the university had also engaged a part-time graduate in home economics to teach Public Health Engineering in the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering. The issue of local universities offering inferior engineering education is not just contrary to ERB’s regulations but also against Washington Accord, a global agreement that specifies recognition and international equivalence of engineering qualifications. According to Dr Win Phillips, the chairperson of the International Engineering Alliance, it is not prudent for universities and other degree awarding colleges of engineering to segment professional disciplines. This means graduates of segmented or sub-standard degrees cannot be registered by affiliates of the Washington Accord that comprise national registration bodies such as the ERB and other similar signatories.
Develop careers
Notably the price is high for students who join unaccredited programmes in universities, not just in Kenya but also in other countries. This means such graduates cannot develop successful careers in engineering since they cannot practice as professional cadres. According to Engineers Registration Act Cap 530 only registered engineers that are authorised to practice and offer engineering professional services in the country. As ERB has pointed out, it is apparent that most universities in the country are pursuing the path to make technician courses to be degree programmes. But it is necessary to draw a bold line to establish the difference between technicians and engineers. Summary of undergraduate engineering programmes not approved by the engineering registration board:
University of Nairobi
1. Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Biosystems Engineering
Moi University
1. Bachelor of Engineering in Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering
2. Bachelor of Engineering in Manufacturing, Industrial and Textile Engineering
3. Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering
4. Bachelor of Science in Electrical Apparatus and Systems
5. Bachelor of Engineering in Telecommunication Engineering
Kenyatta University
1. Bachelor of Science in Energy Engineering
2. Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering
3. Bachelor of Water Engineering
4. Bachelor of construction Engineering
5. Bachelor of Science in Civil and Water Engineering
6. Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering
7. Bachelor of Mechanical and Energy Engineering
8. Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
1. Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication and Information Engineering
2. Bachelor of Science in Electronic and Computer Engineering
3. Bachelor of Science in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
4. Bachelor of Science in Biomechanical and Processing Engineering
5. Bachelor of Science in Soil, Water and Environmental Engineering
6. Bachelor of Science in Mining and Mineral Engineering
Egerton University
1. Bachelor of Science in Instrumentation and Control Engineering
2. Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
3. Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering
4. Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering
5. Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering
6. Bachelor of Technology in Industrial Technology
7. Bachelor of Science in Water and Environmental Engineering
8. Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication Engineering
9. Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Control Engineering
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
1. Bachelor of Technology in Production Technology
2. Bachelor of Technology in Electrical and communication Engineering
3. Bachelor of Technology in Civil and Structural Engineering
Kenya Methodist University
1. Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering
University of Eastern Africa, Baraton
1. Bachelor of technology in Automotive Engineering
Daystar University
1. Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering
Mombasa Polytechnic University College
1. Bachelor of Engineering in Building and Civil Engineering
2. Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
3. Bachelor of Engineering in Telecommunication and Information Engineering
4. Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and electronics Engineering
5. Bachelor of Engineering in Instrumentation and Automation Engineering
Kenya Polytechnic University College
1. Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
2. Bachelor of Technology in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Kimathi University College of Technology
1. Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication and Information Engineering
2. Bachelor of Science in Mechatronic Engineering
3. Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
4. Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Food Preservative – The acidity of lemon can kill any trace of bacteria that resides in meat. Bacteria will instantly neutralize the lemon juice’s abrasive properties. As for parasites, you still need to wash and boil the meat to keep it free from microbes. You can mix lemon juice with water, when washing, to improve the microbe-killing rate.
Rev.Elijah Kimani (centre) and his wife Mrs. Agnes Kimani (right) sharing a light moment with Mr. D.K.Kamanu during their fundraising ceremony on Saturday 5th March, 2011 in Coventry, UK
Mild Tsunami to hit Kenyan coast after Japanese quake
Kenyans have been advised to be on the lookout for the effects of a Tsunami that originated from a quake that hit eastern Japan at 8.46am Kenyan time Friday. However the Tsunami waves projected to hit the Kenyan coast on Saturday at around 4am will be weak. The Tsunami was occasioned by an earthquake of magnitude 8.9 which erupted in the Sanriku Oki region in Japan, causing massive damage and killing at least 22 people. The resulting Tsunami has adversely affected Japan and neighboring areas in the Pacific and in some locations in eastern and even western Japan, the waves hitting the coast have been 3m and over going to as high as 7.3m. The major adverse impacts of the Tsunami are projected to be confined to the Pacific Ocean. However, some waves will penetrate through Indonesia into the Indian Ocean and on to the Kenyan coast. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-meter tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, cars and farm buildings on fire. The Philippines, Taiwan and Indonesia all issued tsunami alerts, reviving memories of the giant tsunami which struck Asia in 2004 killing at least 140 000 people. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued alerts for countries to the west and across the Pacific as far away as Colombia and Peru. There were several strong aftershocks. In Tokyo, buildings shook violently. An oil refinery near the city was on fire, with dozens of storage tanks under threat. Stunning TV footage showed the tsunami carrying the debris and fires across a large swathe of coastal farmland near the city of Sendai, which has a population of one million. The pictures suggested the death toll was going to rise. Sendai is 300 km (180 miles) northeast of Tokyo and the epicenter at sea was not far away.
The Richest Black Man is No. 51 Worldwide
The 53 year old is from Nigeria and worth $13.8 Billion
Aliko Dangote
The Nigerian businessman's fortune surged 557% in the past year, making him the world's biggest gainer in percentage terms and Africa's richest individual for the first time. The catalyst was listing Dangote Cement, which integrated his investments across Africa with his previously public Benue Cement; it now accounts for a quarter of the Nigeria Stock Exchange's total market cap. Already the continent's biggest cement maker, he has plants under construction in Zambia, Tanzania, Congo and Ethiopa and is building cement terminals in Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Liberia, among other places. Dangote, who recently bought himself a $45 million Bombardier aircraft for his birthday, has been shuttling back and forth to London for months, in anticipation of a public offering there later this year. Dangote began his career as a commodities trader; built his Dangote Group into conglomerate with interests in sugar, flour milling, salt processing, cement manufacturing, textiles, real estate, and oil and gas.
A KENYAN LADY HAS PASSED AWAY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA
We regret to announce the passing of our Sister in Christ Aida Wanja Waweru of Atlanta Georgia on Tuesday March 8, 2011, after a long fight with liver cancer. She is the wife of Andrew Mugalla and the mother to JJ and Nasimiyu. She is a daughter to David Waweru and sister to Njeri Waweru of Nairobi, Kenya; Sister in law to Ileko Mugalla, Mercy Mugalla, Toni Mugalla, Henry Mugalla, Elizabeth Murabwa, Mary Mugalla, Shikali Mugalla, Carol Mugalla, Felix Mugalla, and Sylvia Mugalla. Family, friends and well wishers are meeting daily for prayers and support from 6pm to 10pm at 3787 Lavista Road, Tucker, GA 30084 at Dru’s residence. A memorial Fundraiser will be held on Saturday March 19, 2011. The venue will be communicated to you shortly. A bank account has been set up at the Chase Bank in the name of Andrew Mugalla, Bank routine number: 061092387; Account number: 2986392644. Deposits can be made at any Chase Bank. Your presence, prayers and support will be greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Andrew Mugalla: 404- 934-0183, Ileko Mugalla: 404- 729-8153 or Tuz Mdodo: 404- 428-9109.
Tsunami hits Japan after massive quake
A massive earthquake has hit the north-east of Japan, triggering a tsunami that has caused extensive damage. Japanese television showed cars, ships and even buildings being swept away by a vast wall of water after the 8.9-magnitude earthquake. The quake has sparked fires in several areas including Tokyo. At least 32 people were killed, officials said. It struck about 250 miles (400km) from the capital at a depth of 20 miles. There have been powerful aftershocks. The tremor, measured at 8.9 by the US Geological Survey, hit at 1446 local time (0546 GMT). Seismologists say it is one of the largest earthquakes to hit Japan for many years. A tsunami warning was extended across the Pacific to New Zealand in the south and North and South America to the east. The Red Cross in Geneva warned that the tsunami waves could be higher than some Pacific islands, Reuters news agency said. Coastal areas in the Philippines, Hawaii and other Pacific islands were evacuated ahead of the tsunami's expected arrival.
Wall of water
Strong waves hit Japan's Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, officials said, damaging dozens of coastal communities. Kyodo news agency said a 10-metre wave (33ft) struck the port of Sendai in Miyagi prefecture. Japan's NHK television showed a massive surge of debris-filled water sweeping away buildings, cars and ships and reaching far inland. Motorists could be seen trying to speed away from the wall of water. Farmland around Sendai was submerged and the waves pushed cars across the runway of the city's airport. Fires were burning in the city's centre. Another fire was reported to be burning in the turbine building of the Onagawa nuclear plant in Miyagi prefecture. The UN's nuclear agency said four nuclear power plants had shut down safely. Prime Minister Naoto Kan said there had been no radiation leaks. Police and local officials said at least 32 people had been killed in the earthquake and tsunami. It is believed the death toll could rise significantly.
'Seasick'
The earthquake also triggered a fire at an oil refinery in Ichihara city in Chiba prefecture near Tokyo, engulfing storage tanks. There were reports of about 20 people injured in Tokyo after the roof of a hall collapsed on to a graduation ceremony. Residents and workers in Tokyo rushed out of apartment buildings and office blocks and gathered in parks and open spaces as aftershocks continued to hit. Many people in Tokyo said they had never felt such a powerful earthquake. In central Tokyo, Jeffrey Balanag said he was stuck in his office in the Shiodome Sumitomo building because the elevators had stopped working. "There's no panic but we're almost seasick from the constant rolling of the building," he told the BBC. Bullet train services to northern Japan were halted and rapid transit in Tokyo was suspended. In a televised address, Prime Minister Naoto Kan extended his sympathy to the victims of the disaster and said an emergency response headquarters had been set up.
Deadliest earthquakes
27 July 1976, Tangshan, China: est 655,000 killed, 7.5
26 Dec 2004, Sumatra, Indonesia: 9.1 quake and tsunami kills 227,898 across Pacific region
12 Jan 2010, Haiti: 222,570 killed, 7.0
12 May 2008, Sichuan, China: 87,587 killed, 7.9
8 Oct 2005, Pakistan: 80,361 killed, 7.6
31 May 1970 Chimbote, Peru: 70,000 killed, 7.9
20 June 1990, Manjil, Iran: 40,000 killed, 7.4
26 Dec 2003, Bam, Iran: 31,000 killed, 6.6
26 Jan 2001, Gujarat, India: 20,023 killed, 7.7
17 Aug 1999, Izmit, Turkey: 17,118 killed, 7.6
30 Sep 1993 Latur, India: 9,748 killed, 6.2
16 Jan 1995, Kobe, Japan: 5,530 dead, 6.9
Source: USGS
METHALI YA KISWAHILI
Msitukane wagema na ulevi ungalipo.
Do not abuse palm-wine tappers while drunkness persists.
Kenyan cabinet approves Sports Bill
The Cabinet on Thursday approved the Sports Bill 2010 which will pave way for setting up of the Sports Development Authority. The Authority that will be charged with the responsibility of regulating sports organizations in the country will support development of sports in the country by;
The Sports Development Authority will operate autonomously under the direction of a board of directors. The cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of President Mwai Kibaki at State House also approved the New Co-operative Development Policy and Sessional Paper for presentation to Parliament. The new policy is intended to place the co-operative movement on a modern and sustainable development path. It addresses the challenges faced by the movement and spells out the strategy for aligning it with the country's economic blueprint, Vision 2030. It also seeks to re-engineer the movement as a model for rapid economic development with emphasis on creating an enabling policy development for rapid and sustainable expansion of co-operatives in the country. The policy further aims at enhancing the co-operative regulatory and oversight framework to be in tune with the demands of a modern and dynamic economy. The cabinet meeting also resolved to re-locate the proposed Nairobi Fresh Produce Wholesale market from the land initially hived off at Kasarani. The market will now be re-located to a new site to be identified by the Ministries of Local Government, Lands and Nairobi Metropolitan. The current proposed site at Kasarani was found to be inappropriate because of the planned expansion of sporting facilities at Kasarani Sports Complex. The Cabinet also approved the request for the establishment of regional headquarters of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Association in Nairobi.
When God closes a door, He opens a window... but at times He shuts both. Worry not for He would tear down the roof... so His blessings could overflow. God Bless!
School Link Africa
Give Your Child Quality Education in Uganda in
A Conducive Environment where
Discipline is Highly Observed
A Gallant Kenyan Daughters who blurred gender line
Millie Odhiambo, Martha Karua and Wangari Maathai are some of the constant thorns in the flesh of male dominance; these Kenyan amazons have redefined the rules of the game. Photos/FILE
These women ventured into elective politics when it was supposed to be an all-male game, re-wrote the rules and the roles, and are not done with the struggle for equal opportunities yet. They have been beaten up and their cars smashed. They have been accused of infidelity.
Some have had their businesses ruined, but they have been cool under sustained fire, eventually putting their tormentors to shame. Most importantly, they have proved that, to succeed, you have to be yourself — in a way defying the gender construct. Constant thorns in the flesh of male dominance, these Kenyan amazons have redefined the rules of the game. Like the women warriors of Scythia in Greek mythology who burned off their right breasts in order to use a bow and arrow more effectively, they have burned off timidity in order to tear through oppression. As we mark the World Women Day, let’s keep in mind that the price was never going to be a slap on the back. This is a tribute to them, to Kenya’s women of steel.
Martha Karua
Gichugu MP Martha Karua earned the accolade “the only man in PNU” during the tallying of the disputed presidential vote at the KICC in 2008, and cemented it during the subsequent protracted negotiations that led to the signing of the National Accord. The vocal MP, however, would resign her ministerial post in 2009 over what she termed as frustration in discharging her duties. Actually, she had differed with powerful people over the appointment of certain judges of the High Court. Always shooting from the hip, she declared former British envoy to Kenya Sir Edward Clay a persona non grata during an interview with the BBC’s Hardtalk show in January 2008. Other people would have pinched themselves and stopped mid-sentence because Britain and the US are the lands where Kenyans of Karua’s social standing take their children to college, hence the necessity to mind the small matter of the Visa and travel bans. Born in Kirinyaga District 53 years-ago, Karua made a name as a magistrate, a human rights activist, an advocate and an opposition activist before her election to Parliament and subsequent appointment as Minister of Water Resources Management.
Through Martha Karua & Co Advocates, she handled many cases on pro bono basis, among them the treason trial of Koigi Wamwere. As an opposition MP, she, under the prevailing political culture, did the unthinkable: sauntering off the presidential dais in defiance during a rally addressed by former President Daniel arap Moi at Kerugoya Stadium in Kirinyaga. Such cheek earned you detention those days. When the Constitutional Review Bill was tabled in Parliament, she stayed put after the entire opposition walked out in protest. Although the Bill had been rejected by the opposition and the civil society, she argued that she chose to remain in the house to put her objections on record. In 2003 she was carjacked and robbed while in Fr Dominic Wamugunda’s car. Asked in Parliament to elaborate the circumstances under which the incident occurred, Karua said she was under no obligation to do so. Such is the unnerving finality of a politician who is gunning for the presidency in 2012. Read more...
Famous, Rich and in the Kibera Slums - Part 2
The experience that made the UK celebrity to cry
The four celebrities spend some time living with residents of Kibera. In the second episode of this documentary series exploring life in Africa's largest slum, the four celebrities spend some time living with residents of Kibera - CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL FILM
Barnardo's will provide welfare services for families at new pre-departure accommodation
Home Office, 10 March 2011
The highly respected children's charity Barnardo's has agreed to deliver key welfare, safeguarding and support services for families at the UK Border Agency's new 'pre-departure' family accommodation. Last week we announced the national rollout of our radical new child-focused approach to working with families. This will ensure that families with children are treated with compassion and humanity, while also ensuring that those will no legal right to be in the UK can be returned. The new approach to family returns emphasises close engagement with families, providing a range of structured opportunities for them to take up assisted returns or leave voluntarily. If enforcement action is necessary, the new independent family returns panel will provide expert advice so that family return plans take account of children's welfare. As a last resort, these plans may include the use of pre-departure accommodation. The new pre-departure accommodation is being designed with the needs of children and families at the fore, and guarantees a high level of privacy for families. They will have free movement around the site, security will be low-key, and the site will not have an institutional feel. Only a small number of families will be held in pre-departure accommodation. Stays will normally be limited to 72 hours - and never more than 1 week - and Barnardo's will provide support services and help the family prepare for their return during that time. Family members, including children, may be allowed to leave the pre-departure accommodation following a risk assessment and with suitable supervision.
Immigration Minister Damian Green said:
'I am very pleased that Barnardo's have agreed to provide welfare, safeguarding and support services for families at our new pre-departure accommodation.
'It is crucial that the welfare of children remains an absolute priority during the returns process, and the use of this new accommodation will be a last resort. It will, however, have an entirely different look and feel to an immigration removal centre, with a high degree of privacy for each family.
'I believe our new approach is both fair and humane. We are providing assistance packages and family conferences to ensure families understand their options, and will be trying to ensure that families can remain in the community prior to their departure home.'
Billionaires List Growing Despite Downturn
The number of billionaires in the UK has increased to 32, with the Duke of Westminster Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor again named the country's richest man. Despite the property slump, the 59-year-old landowner increased his worth to £8bn ($13bn) - but still only managed 57th on the Forbes global rich list. Despite the global economic downturn, the Forbes 25th list of the richest people on the planet saw the number of billionaires increase by 214 to a record 1,210. The world's richest man was Mexican Telecoms tycoon Carlos Slim Helu, who topped the list for a second year and increased his wealth by $20.5bn to $74bn. Microsoft boss Bill Gates was second with $56bn and investor Warren Buffett was third with $50bn dollars. Also on the list are the six Facebook billionaires, including founders Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin, as well as the world's youngest billionaire, Dustin Moskovitz, who is just 26. The other three Facebook rich are Sean Parker, Peter Thiel and Russian investor Yuri Milner. Property tycoons David and Simon Reuben were second on the UK rich list with $8bn, followed by high street mogul Sir Philip Green with $7.2bn. Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson, landowner Charles Cadogan and Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone were next, each with a fortune of $4.2bn. And other UK billionaires included Harry Potter author JK Rowling who is worth $1bn and has been on the list for a number of years. The richest UK resident was Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, who was sixth richest in the world, with a £19.1bn ($31.1bn) fortune.
A RAIN PRAYERS CRUSADE WITH BISHOP MUYA
Last weekend Friday 4th March to Sunday 6th March, Bishop Samuel Kamuri Muya the presiding Bishop of Talents Revival Churches International held one of the largest crusades in Elburgon town to pray for rain. This followed the prolonged months of drought. Five minutes after the prayers rain fell giving people a great surprise as there were no clouds, as an indication that God had accepted the prayers. We give glory to God. Bishop Muya's contact in Kenya is 0725492076 or samuelmuya2003@yahoo.com
Smile, it takes only 13 muscles; A frown takes 64
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Tube shotgun horror: Terrified commuters watch as man boards train after being shot in the back
London, Thursday 10th March, 2011. - A man blasted with a shotgun staggered on to an Underground train to escape a gunman and managed to travel one stop before collapsing on a platform in front of horrified passengers. The 27-year-old victim was shot on the steps of Harlesden station in a clash between two gangs. He ran down to the Bakerloo line and jumped on to the first southbound train before getting off at Willesden Junction. Police and paramedics were called to the Tube station and the injured man was given emergency treatment on the platform. The Underground train was held and police interviewed shocked witnesses yesterday afternoon. Commuters were forced to take buses from Harlesden station after it was closed for four hours, while police forensic science officers examined the scene. The victim, who is from south London, was today said to be in a stable condition in hospital.
King Solomon is tipped to have been worth $500 billion
The Richest Man on this Planet
This year's list broke records in size (1,210 billionaires) and total net worth ($4.5 trillion). China doubled its number of 10-figure fortunes, and Moscow now has more billionaires than any other city. Mexico's Carlos Slim widened his lead. Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim smiles during a Bloomberg Television interview in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. Slim, named the world's richest man by Forbes Magazine, said he's seeking to boost his investments in Colombia because of the country's open policy on oil exploration, its mineral assets and growing middle class.
82 percent of US schools may be labeled 'failing'
An estimated 82 percent of U.S. schools could be labeled as "failing" under the nation's No Child Left Behind Act this year, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Wednesday. The Department of Education estimates the number of schools not meeting targets will skyrocket from 37 to 82 percent in 2011 because states are toughening their standards to meet the requirements of the law. The schools will face sanctions ranging from offering tutoring to closing their doors. "No Child Left Behind is broken and we need to fix it now," Duncan said in a statement. "This law has created a thousand ways for schools to fail and very few ways to help them succeed." Duncan delivered the news in remarks to a House education and work force committee hearing, in urging lawmakers to rewrite the Bush-era act. The law was established in 2002 and many education officials and experts argue it is overdue for changes. President Barack Obama has highlighted reforming the act as a priority for his administration, and both Democrats and Republicans have agreed that it needs to be changed — though disagreements remain on how. The current law sets annual student achievement targets designed with the goal of having all students proficient in math and reading by 2014, a standard now viewed as wildly unrealistic. Duncan said the law has done well in shining a light on achievement gaps among minority and low-income students, as well as those who are still learning English or have disabilities. But he said the law is loose on goals and narrow on how schools get there when it should be the opposite. "We should get out of the business of labeling schools as failures and create a new law that is fair and flexible, and focused on the schools and students most at risk," Duncan said. The Department of Education said its estimate was based on four years of data and the assuming all schools would improve at the same rate as the top quartile. "Even under these assumptions, 82 percent of America's schools could be labeled `failing' and, over time, the required remedies for all of them are the same — which means we will really fail to serve the students in greatest need," Duncan said.
Mum expecting 19th child
A mother with 18 children is pregnant again. A couple with 18 children, all with names beginning with ‘J’ are to welcome another baby into the family — but this time, the child will be christened with the letter ‘M’. Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar, who are expecting their 19th child in March, will next month receive their first grandchild — Mackynzie Renee. Their eldest son Josh and his wife Anna, both 21, will have the baby girl just nine months after his most recent sibling, Jordyn-Grace, was born. While Jim Bob, 44, a businessman and former state legislator, said, “This never gets old. We are so grateful for each child. We are looking forward to our first grandbaby and our 19th child.” Josh, who was home schooled and brought up as a devout Christian, said, “I think it is going to be awesome, it is going to be great. We have been looking forward to the arrival of my little girl and to now get to celebrate for my parents, it’s a wonderful thing.” Anna and Josh live with his parents in a house they built themselves along with twin siblings Jana and John-David, 19, Jill, 18, Jessa, 16, Jinger, 15, Joseph, 14, Josiah, 13, Joy-Anna, 11, twins Jedidiah and Jeremiah, ten, Jason, nine, James, eight, Justin, six; Jackson, five; Johanna, three, Jennifer, two, and Jordyn-Grace, eight months. The Duggars, who feed their brood by spending £1,250 a month, claim they have changed an estimated 90,000 nappies and do approximately 200 loads of laundry a month.
METHALI YA KISWAHILI
Mgaagaa na mpwa hali wali mkavu.
A lazy person with a nephew does not eat dry rice.
Discovery Lands After 39th And Final Mission
The space shuttle Discovery has landed in Florida after its last scheduled flight. The Nasa craft blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre on February 24, on what was its 39th mission with the US space programme. Its last assignment was a cargo resupply and construction mission to the International Space Station. The world's most-travelled and Nasa's oldest spaceship is now heading for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, where it will soon be joined by shuttles Endeavour and Atlantis - which are also being retired. Discovery has spent a total of 365 days in space and notched up almost 149 million miles during its 27 years in service. Endeavour will make its final journey in April when it will be commanded by astronaut Mark Kelly, the husband of congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head in January. The American government is ending the 30-year space shuttle programme due to high operating costs and to free up funds to begin work on new spaceships. Two other shuttles in the programme were destroyed in accidents. Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean in 1986, while Columbia disintegrated as it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere in 2003. Seven astronauts were killed in each incident. The US will now rely on the Russian government to fly astronauts to the space station, although it hopes to eventually buy rides from commercial companies if any develop the capability. Cargo runs will be handled by Russia, Europe and Japan, as well as two US firms.
"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." - Philip Yancey - The Unnatural Act (article, Christianity Today, April 8, 1991)
Geneva Motor Show 2011: new models and concept cars
Underwater mortgages rise as home prices fall
WASHINGTON – The number of Americans who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth rose at the end of last year, preventing many people from selling their homes in an already weak housing market. About 11.1 million households, or 23.1 percent of all mortgaged homes, were underwater in the October-December quarter, according to report released Tuesday by housing data firm CoreLogic. That's up from 22.5 percent, or 10.8 million households, in the July-September quarter. The number of underwater mortgages had fallen in the previous three quarters. But that was mostly because more homes had fallen into foreclosure. Underwater mortgages typically rise when home prices fall. Home prices in December hit their lowest point since the housing bust in 11 of 20 major U.S. metro areas. In a healthy housing market, about 5 percent of homeowners are underwater. Roughly two-thirds of homeowners in Nevada with a mortgage had negative home equity, the worst in the country. Arizona, Florida, Michigan and California were next, with up to 50 percent of homeowners with mortgages in those states underwater. Oklahoma had the smallest percentage of underwater homeowners in the October-December quarter, at 5.8 percent. Only nine states recorded percentages less than 10 percent. In addition to the more than 11 million households that are underwater, another 2.4 million homeowners are nearing that point. When a mortgage is underwater, the homeowner often can't qualify for mortgage refinancing and has little recourse but to continue making payments in hopes the property eventually regains its value. The slide in home prices began stabilizing last year. But prices are expected to continue falling in many markets due to still-high levels of foreclosure and unemployment. That means homes purchased at the height of the real estate boom are unlikely to recover lost value for years. Underwater mortgages also dampen home sales. Homeowners who might otherwise sell their home refuse to take a loss or can't get the bank to agree to a short sale — when a lender lets a borrower sell their property for less than the amount owed on the mortgage. Home sales have been weaker in areas where there are a large number of homeowners with negative equity. Many banks are also requiring homebuyers to put as much as 20 percent of a home's value as down payment and the Obama administration is pushing for a 10 percent down payment requirement on all conventional loans guaranteed by the ailing mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Few homeowners in states hit hard by foreclosures, including Colorado, Georgia and Nevada, have 20 percent or more equity in their homes. Higher down payments make it increasingly difficult for those people to sell their homes. The total amount of negative equity increased to $751 billion nationwide, up from $744 billion in the previous quarter.
In pictures: Carnival in Brazil
Birds have bills too and they keep on singing
Treatment for Sore Throat – Slice a lemon and extract the juice. Cut the peel into small pieces and mix them with the juice. Heat the mixture then add honey, depending on your tolerance for sourness. Now, drink the mixture. Your throat will gradually clear up. Just repeat the entire process if your throat gets clogged again.
Reject ill mannered politicians, says NCIC
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission Chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia is urging Kenyans not to vote for Prime Minister Raila Odinga, his Deputy Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto once the seek for presidency in the 2012 General Elections following their recent public exchanges. Mr Kibunjia says Kenyans should shun the three leaders since they have remained intolerant to each other. Speaking during the launch of the Commission three year's strategic plan on Wednesday he said the behaviour and public spat of the three leaders is likely to spill over to their leadership if either of them clinched the Presidency. "Ordinary Kenyans, civil society, church leaders and even the President have all spoken asking these leaders to stop their insults. The question is if they get power in 2012 who will they listen to since they have failed to listen to all these people?" The Commission last week issued warning letters to the three leaders urging to stop their public exchanges or face action. Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto later in the weekend bounced back the warnings telling the Commission to first take action against Mr Odinga. The two leaders who have announced a political partnership towards the 2012 election said the Commission must be impartial in its work. Speaking during the same function at the KICC, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Mutula Kilonzo supported Mr Kibunjia's suggestion but called on the Commission to institute legal action against the three leaders. - CapitalFM
Tobacco display ban announced
Tobacco will no longer be displayed in shops under new legislation being implemented by the Government. The regulations will come into force for large stores on April 6 2012 and on April 6 2015 for all other shops. Only temporary displays in "certain limited circumstances" will be allowed, with the rules phased in to minimise the impact on businesses, according to a statement from the Department of Health. The Government is keeping an "open mind" on plain packaging for cigarettes and other tobacco products, and is planning a consultation on different options before the end of this year.
Washington (AFP) – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Wednesday urged Americans downcast by their woeful economy to embrace, not fear, China's explosive growth while pressing Beijing to be "a good global citizen." "There is no reason for Chinese prosperity to detract from prosperity in Australia, the United States or anywhere in the world," she told a joint session of the US Congress. "Prosperity can be shared. We can create wealth together." In a friendly but bracing speech, Gillard pleaded for US engagement in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, urged cooperation to battle climate change, and vowed unflinching Australian support in "hard days ahead" in the Afghan war. "Australia will stand firm with our ally the United States," she said, calling herself "cautiously encouraged" about progress in the nearly 10-year-old conflict but warning "we must be very realistic about Afghanistan's future." Gillard, wrapping up her first official US visit since becoming Australia's first woman prime minister, did not spell out her concerns but warned against a hasty disengagement that could force a return to the strife-torn country. "We know transition will take some years. We must not transition out only to transition back in," said the prime minister, who stressed that "we have the right strategy in place," the right commander, and "the resources needed."
Australia is the largest non-NATO contributor of troops to the decade-long fight against Taliban militants, with a contingent of some 1,500 soldiers. And Gillard said she backed President Barack Obama's approach, which calls for beginning a troop withdrawal in mid-2011 and handing Afghans responsibility for their own security by late 2014. In October, Gillard had predicted that Australian training of Afghan security forces as well as support for civilian-led aid and development would last "through this decade at least." The prime minister confronted head-on US lawmakers' deep worries about China's rising economic and diplomatic influence at a time when stubbornly high unemployment and lasting overseas conflicts have sown doubts about US influence. "Like you, our relationship with China is important and complex. We encourage China to engage as a good global citizen and we are clear-eyed about where differences do lie," she said. US lawmakers charge that Beijing is an economic predator that keeps its currency -- and thus its exports -- artificially cheap, turns a blind eye to or even encourages rampant US intellectual property theft, and favors domestic producers over their foreign competitors in lucrative government contracts. The prime minister told the joint session that "America has always understood this principle of the economy, that everyone can benefit when everyone competes" and stressed: "The global economy is not a zero-sum game." Her comments came as Obama nominated Gary Locke as the first Chinese American to be ambassador to Beijing, picking him to replace Jon Huntsman, widely seen as mounting a Republican bid for the White House in 2012. Gillard reassured her audience that the United States remains an "indispensable" partner and that its "growing engagement" with countries like Japan, India, South Korea and Indonesia was "enormously welcome."
"Be bold," she urged.
Gillard's speech was the 110th address by a foreign leader or dignitary to a joint session of the US Congress, starting with King David Kalakaua of Hawaii in 1874, according to the official House of Representatives web site. She won standing ovations when she told the audience the United States "can do anything," when she condemned Iran's suspect nuclear program, and paid tribute to a New York City firefighter killed when the World Trade Center collapsed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist strikes. But observers noted that youthful House pages and staff, rather than lawmakers, made up much of her audience, and one aide called the sparse attendance by elected officials and US media "not our finest hour."
The British 2011 best dresses
Warning Of 'Food Price Riots In The UK'
A senior economist at the worldwide bank HSBC has warned of civil unrest in Britain if food prices continue to soar. Speaking on Jeff Randall Live, senior global economist Karen Ward cautioned that the UK could experience the kind of food riots seen in other countries. "Even in the developed world I think we have very, very low wage growth, so people aren't getting more in their pay packet to compensate them for food and energy, and I think we could see social unrest certainly in parts of the developed world and the UK as well." She went on to highlight the link between high food prices and the escalating cost of crude oil. "More and more we are seeing that some of these foodstuffs are actually substitutes for energy itself, particularly biofuels. So I think the energy markets are a significant contributor to these food price gains." The comments come as the United Nations warned the cost of food is now at the highest level for 21 years and set to rise further. Food costs have gone up for eight months in a row, with the National Farmers Union forecasting the trend will continue for the rest of 2011. The cost of basic foodstuffs has been caused by increasing demand and extreme weather destroying crops and has been partly to blame for the unrest sweeping the arabic world. Rising prices contributed to riots across North Africa and the Middle East in the past several months that have toppled leaders in Egypt and Tunisia. Wheat has nearly doubled in price over the past six months and rising demand has caused the cost of sugar to rise by 14% over the past 12 months.
Residents oppose leasing of land for Billionaires’ Club project
Relatives and friends of Italian billionaire Flavio Briatore on holiday in Malindi. The Italian wants to put up an exclusive club for the extremely wealthy. The businessman is said to have been leased part of the Malindi Marine Park for part of the project.
Plans for a Sh500 million club in Malindi have hit a brick wall after residents opposed a 25-year land lease to the investor by Kenya Wildlife Service. Italian billionaire Flavio Briatore wants to put up an exclusive club for the extremely wealthy. The businessman is said to have been leased part of the Malindi Marine Park for part of the project. But the plan is hanging in the balance after residents protested, during a meeting at Malindi Marine Park on Tuesday, over the lease to Keniaku Ltd, a company owned by Mr Briatore, for Sh1.5 million a year. The Italian, who owns the luxurious Lion in the Sun Retreat in Malindi, intends to build a club similar to another he owns in Sardinia, Italy, which can only be accessed by the super rich. The Billionaire’s Club would be the only one of its kind in Africa. The residents’ meeting had been called by area MP Gideon Mung’aro after he was accused of involvement in the lease deal. There was tension at the venue before and during the open door meeting. Armed KWS rangers guarded the entrance following reports that a group opposed to the lease would hold a demonstration. - Daily Nation.
We will go to The Hague, say Ocampo six
The six Kenyans suspected of being behind the post election violence have confirmed through their lawyers that they will honour summonses to appear at The Hague next month. The International Criminal Court judges on Tuesday summoned deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Civil Service boss Francis Muthaura and former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali to The Hague for their role in the post election violence. Also summoned were suspended Cabinet ministers William Ruto and Henry Kosgey and radio announcer Joshua Sang who are to answer charges of murder and forcible eviction of people The Pre-Trial Chamber judges said in their ruling that there was reasonable grounds to believe that the suspects have a case to answer hence should appear before the Court on Thursday, 7 April 2011. Ali through his lawyer Evans Monari announced that he would fully co-operate with the court. "For now we have made a conscious decision to co-operate with the Pre- trial Chamber and make appropriate arrangements to appear at The Hague on April 7," Mr Monari said in Nairobi. He said they were to communicate with the Court on Wednesday to indicate their willingness to co-operate and appear as directed by Pre-trial chamber judges. Uhuru on his facebook page said: "I will continue to cooperate unwaveringly with the ICC and to uphold the rule of law." Sang through lawyer Kimutai Bosek said his client is ready and willing to be questioned and interrogated All eyes are now on the suspects who are expected to adhere to new conditions set by the International Criminal Court. The suspects have been warned against contacting directly or indirectly any person believed to be a victim or a witness of the crimes against them. They are also expected to refrain from corruptly influencing a witness, obstructing or interfering with the attendance or testimony of a witness or tampering with or interfering with the prosecution's collection of evidence. The six should refrain from committing crime(s) set forth in the statute and to attend all required hearings at the ICC.
Resignations
Meanwhile, the Civil Society is calling on the Ocampo six to honor the summons and cooperate with the court. Speaking in Nairobi the group further called Uhuru, Muthaura and Ali to relinquish their positions until the cases against them are determined. Led by Kituo Cha Sheria executive director Harun Ndubi, and the Kenya National Commission boss Muthoni Wanyeki, the group said that the ICC process should not be politicized and urged Kenyans to have confidence in the court saying that it was the only way to ensure justice for 2007-2008 post election violence victims. The human rights activists also called on the government to cooperate with ICC saying that the process does not in any way threaten the peace and security of the country. Elsewhere, the Catholic Church maintains that the masterminds of the post election violence must be tried at the Hague. Head of the Catholic Church in Kenya John Cardinal Njue says a local mechanism should only be instituted to try the small suspects. Speaking at Kamwenja Training College in Nyeri, Cardinal Njue argued that Kenya committed itself to the ICC process and the law must be upheld to ensure justice for the PEV victims. His remarks comes in the wake of government efforts led by the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka to defer trial of the Ocampo six .
Is this Britain's biggest pothole? 4x4 tumbles into
10ft by 8ft hole created by burst water main
Potholes are an all-too-common hazard for drivers these days. But they don’t usually threaten to swallow your whole car. Chris Nedic unexpectedly reached the end of the road as he was driving home in his Nissan Navara pick-up. He and his brother Carl jumped to safety as the front wheels of their 4x4 sank into the 4ft-deep water-filled hole, which was caused by two burst water pipes. Seconds later the road surface collapsed further. The brothers were told by police that the size of their new £24,000 vehicle had saved them from being completely submerged. Chris, 23, said: ‘I thought I was a goner. We are both lucky to be alive.’ He escaped with minor cuts and bruises while Carl, 25, was treated in hospital for back and leg injuries. They both work for a mobile-home business owned by their 54-year-old father, who is also called Chris. He tried to rescue his sons’ vehicle but was also injured when he fell into the hole, on the A464 near Albrighton, Shropshire. Up to 2,000 homes in the area were left without water and two primary schools closed early after the incident on Monday. Ambulance crews were sent to the scene but retreated after paramedics feared a second hole was opening up in the road. Murray MacGregor, spokesman for the West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: ‘Thankfully, the men in the vehicle were able to get out of it without assistance. ‘Amazingly, the electrics continued to work leaving the headlights on under water, which created an odd glow.’ The incident caused by a water main which burst at 2pm happened just five hours later at 7pm at Patshull Road, Albrighton, Shropshire. The road has since been closed.
Protests as Kalonzo presents deferral case
Kenyans living in the US on March 9, 2011 participate in a peaceful demonstration outside the UN headquarters as Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka argued for deferral of the post-election violence cases.
NEW YORK - Dozens of Kenyans living in America on Tuesday held a peaceful demonstration outside the UN headquarters as Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka argued for deferral of the post-election violence cases. The demonstration was timed to coincide with Mr Musyoka’s meeting with UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon. Waving pictures of the post-election violence, the protesters asked for the speedy trial of the cases at the International Criminal Court and described the deferral campaign as a waste of energy and taxpayers’ money. As the Vice-President put up his case, the protesters said a prayer and sang the national anthem outside the UN offices before presenting their petition to the Kenyan mission to New York. “The government should stop misusing money in this futile campaign. The money should be used to resettle the violence victims and create jobs for the youth,” said Ms Daphine Ogega, one of the organisers. However, a group opposed to the protest is said to have offered $250 to buy possible demonstrators out of it. “We were joined by citizens of other African countries and as we were chanting, we were overwhelmed to hear that the ICC judges had summoned the suspects,” Ms Ogega told Nation.co.ke from New York. “We must stand strong against efforts to defeat justice for the violence victims,” said Beatrice Ruto, in support of the protest. - Daily Nation.
Kenya to challenge cases at The Hague
The Kenya government will challenge admissibility of Kenya case at the International Criminal Court. A statement by Attorney-General Amos Wako, Internal Security Minister Prof George Saitoti and Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Mutula Kilonzo said "The government will challenge the admissibility of the cases as well as the jurisdiction of the court," The three said the state according to the Rome Statute has a right to challenge the cases as it has jurisdiction over the six suspects. "The Rome statute gives the person for whom the summons have been issued and the State which has jurisdiction over such persons to challenge admissibility of the case or jurisdiction of the court" said the statement. The International Criminal Court (ICC) Tuesday issued summonses for six Kenyans suspected of being behind the violence after the disputed 2007 elections. Those required to appear at The Hague include Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Head of the Civil Service Ambassador Francis Muthaura, Suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto and former Industrialisation Minister Henry Kosgey who stepped aside to face charges of abuse of office. Others are former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali and Radio Presenter Joshua Arap Sang of KASS FM. Some 1,200 people died and more than 500,000 fled homes in the violence.
Kenya to experience depressed rainfall
Kenya Meteorological Department says the country will record poor rainfall between the months of March and May this year. It is bad news to farmers as this season is associated with long rains. However, the Director of Metrological Department Joseph Mukabana says the rainfall performance in April is likely to be average with a tendency of above average in most parts of the country. Mukabana warned Kenyans to brace themselves for longer dry spells during the season saying Arid and Semi -Arid Lands will be the hardest hit. He has advised farmers to grow drought resistant crops that can tolerate the dryness. Mukabana noted that the poor rains throughout the three month period will interfere with agricultural activities in most parts of the country and further called on farmers not to sell the food they have in store. Mukabana said that counties like Garissa, Wajir and Mandera in the Northeastern which have been experiencing drought for quite some time now will be receiving very low rains. Counties in much of the Eastern, northern parts of the coast and some parts of Rift Valley namely Samburu, Isiolo West Pokot, Barigo, Laikipia and Turkana will also receive depressed rainfall while Central and Nairobi counties will record average rainfall. Western parts of the country, Nyanza, Mombasa and Kwale are expected to record enhanced rainfall. Mukabana stated that the onset of the rains is expected from the 2nd to 3rd week of March and will continue into June in some parts of the country. He said this analysis is based on the performance of 2008 rain season that had the same characteristics as the current year 2011 for the same season.
Anger is one letter short of danger
In pictures: Carnival in Brazil
God, if I can’t have what I want, let me want what I have
Hague: Judges say Ocampo Six must face trial
Kenya's political map changed overnight after the International Criminal Court issued summonses against six Kenyans suspected to bear the greatest responsibility for the 2007-2008 post-election violence. ICC confirmed to the world last evening that the judges issued the summonses to appear against the Kenyans, reports that were initially circulated by Reuters quoting the respected Human Rights Watch. The suspects must now appear in person before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber II judges at The Hague, on April 7, failure to which the court would issue international warrants of arrest to secure their co-operation. Ruto, Kosgey, and Sang will appear at 09.30hrs while Uhuru, Muthaura and Ali will make their entrance at 14.30hrs. The summons effectively render futile, and waste of taxpayers’ money, the globe-trotting mission of Vice- President, Kalonzo Musyoka, and his retinue of ministers allied to Kibaki’s Party of National Unity. The world will now wait to see if Kibaki will retain Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Head of the Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura in Government, as they are now international suspects facing serious charges of crimes against humanity.
SITUATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA. IN THE CASE OF THE PROSECUTOR V. FRANCIS KIRIMI MUTHAURA, UHURU MUIGAI KENYATTA AND MOHAMMED HUSSEIN ALI. - CLICK HERE FOR FULL REPORT
SITUATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA IN THE CASE OF THE PROSECUTOR V. WILLIAM SAMOEIRUTO, HENRY KIPRONO KOSGEY AND JOSHUA ARAP SANG. - CLICK HERE FOR FULL REPORT
Geneva Motor Show 2011: new models and concept cars
Cuts 'to claim 28,000 police jobs'
Almost 30,000 jobs will be lost in police forces across England and Wales under the Government's budget cuts, police chiefs have predicted. The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) told ministers that 12,000 police officers and 16,000 civilian staff jobs will be cut over the next four years. Home Secretary Theresa May put herself on a collision course with police last week when she warned that reductions in officers' take-home pay were "unavoidable" amid efforts to minimise frontline job losses. The Acpo estimate of 28,000 job losses, made in a confidential memo for ministers which was published in The Guardian, is less than the 40,000 officers' jobs the Police Federation originally feared would be at risk. But the projection could change after the findings of the most wide-ranging review of police pay and conditions in 30 years is published, quickly followed by the review of public sector pensions on Thursday. Around 244,000 people are currently employed by the 43 forces across England and Wales, including 143,000 officers and 101,000 civilians. The projected cuts represent a fall of about 12% in overall staff numbers over four years, an 8% cut in officer numbers with one in six civilian staff losing their jobs, Acpo said. The estimate is based on the actual cuts decided by the majority of police authorities, along with projections to cover those who have not yet settled on a final figure. Chief Constable Peter Fahy, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We will have fewer staff, the same or more demands, and will need to incentivise staff to produce higher quality." Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "For some officers, this is a massive cut. I know some of the Government have never had to pay a mortgage, so they don't understand what it is to live on a budget, but for many officers it is going to mean them losing their homes or not being able to put the heating on." Policing Minister Nick Herbert said: "We have to deal with the deficit, and police forces can and must make savings, focusing on back and middle office functions like IT and procurement so that frontline services can be protected. But when three-quarters of force budgets goes on pay, reform of pay and conditions is also essential to protect police jobs and keep officers on the streets."
City Hall will approve building plans in one month
It will now take a month for developers to get approvals for building plans submitted to the Nairobi City Council. The Director of Planning, Tom Odongo, said the council is fast tracking plans to ease congestion and enhance service delivery. Odongo said faster approval of the building plans would also enable investors to approach banks using the documents to acquire loans to fund their construction works. He said the shorter time allocated to approval will ensure all plans given the go-ahead meet the minimum requirements to avoid demolition at a later date due to non-compliance. Odongo, who spoke to The Standard at City Hall, said the department was being computerised to enhance issuing approvals. He said the department was now liaising with the private sector to build modern business centres to accommodate the informal sector. "We are talking to investors to help the council build modern kiosks, which will also improve the face of the city," said Odongo. He said many of the modern kiosks would be allocated to the youth who constitute the majority in the informal sector. Odongo said his department was concerned over the mushrooming of outdoor advertising, which will become an eyesore unless regulated. "We are conducting a census on the impact of outdoor advertising and will put in place mechanisms that will ensure they are removed once their advertising date expires," said Odongo. He said his department was also grappling with the problem of illegal structures mushrooming in Eastlands, especially Kasarani and Embakasi. Odongo said unscrupulous land dealers were allocating public land to members of the public at a fee and who were in turn putting up illegal residential and rental structures. He said his department would be holding public forums to educate city residents on the need to uphold the set by-laws while building any structures or subdividing their parcels of land. - The Standard.
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World Donors Organization (WDO) Selects San Francisco for Global Headquarters
World Donors Organization (WDO) committed to bringing general health and wellness to the less fortunate, nears opening its headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area. Samuel Mwangi, CEO of the premier San Francisco Bay Area African travel operator Tour de Jambo Africa, wears many hats as CEO and COO of the World Donors Organization (WDO). WDO was started to allow those less fortunate to receive the aid and the human rights they deserve through monetary aid and programs implemented in the countries of need. WDO and Mwangi are excited to set down roots in San Francisco. "We are so grateful to launch the World Donors Organization headquarters here in the San Francisco Bay Area,” says Mwangi. “This location can be used to our greatest advantage to employ new technology—since we are near Silicon Valley, home to many of the worlds’ largest technology corporations." WDO offers humanitarian programs such as Haiti relief and health programs for Haitians stricken by earthquake and cholera outbreak; relief and rehabilitation programs in the Darfur region of Sudan and Congo-Zaire war; food and water security programs in hunger stricken countries such as Kenya; health care programs in Sub-Sahara Africa where malaria and HIV-AIDS contributes to 3/4 of the deaths; and education programs in developing countries such as Bangladesh, Sudan, Pakistan and other countries. For more information about World Donors Organization, please visit them on the web at http://www.world-donors.com, or call them at 1-888-392-6121.
About World Donors Organization (WDO)
(WDO) is an International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) operating in Africa, Asia, America, Australia, and Europe. It was established with a mandate of implementing the Eight Millenniums Development Goals (MDGS) set by The United Nations and agreed by all countries of the world by various leaders of the member states. It also has mandates of giving adequate response on global concerns, meeting the needs of the world's poorest and needy people, and enhancing the contribution of human security and local sustainable development programs in developing countries. Tour De Jambo Africa Ltd is a San Francisco-based tour company that specializes in tours of Africa and African Safaris. They welcome visitors to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zanzibar, Zambia, South Africa, and many other tour destinations in Africa. - Samuel Mwangi - Tour De Jambo Africa - 866-329-7923.
Women across the world celebrate
Nairobi, Tuesday 8th March, 2011. It is yet another significant day in the life of women across the world in the struggle for gender equality and equity. Women are yet again marking another International Women Day that focuses on the economical, political and social achievements of women in the society.It has been 100 years since the first International Women Day (IWD) was marked thus beginning a long drawn struggle for women towards empowerment. Various non-governmental organizations, civil societies, human rights organizations and women rights organizations will hold ceremonies, walks, seminars and workshops to mark the day. In Kenya, gender Minister Dr. Naomi Shaban is leading the celebrations at the Kenyatta International Centre in Nairobi. The celebration is also aimed at empowering women and changing individual's attitude towards women's economic rights in the society. The first International Women's Day events were run in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland in 1911 and attended by over one million people. The women's day has become a global mainstream phenomena celebrated across many countries and is an official holiday in approximately 25 countries, including Uganda, Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam and Zambia.
Constitution
This is the first time Kenya is marking the day under a new constitution which is gender-sensitive as it calls for gender representation in all spheres. The new constitution promulgated in August last year opens avenues for politically engendered processes and also offers an avenue for promoting the respect of women's human rights through different provisions in the constitution. Cultural barriers and practices have been used to overpower women and deny them their rights and lack of legal provisions to protect women rights has made the situation complicated. However, under the new constitution, the Bill of Rights chapter now provides that all marriages shall be registered under an Act of Parliament. This means that even customary law marriages will be certified, protecting women's interests in disputes between a widow and her in-laws over property. Women discriminated against on any grounds can now challenge it in court or complain to the National Human Rights and Equality Commission. Such cases will not be subject to court fees, making access to justice much easier for all, especially women.
“It’s true we don’t know what we’ve got until its gone, but we don’t know what we’ve been missing until it arrives.”
The British 2011 best dresses
Beauty is like riches, keep it to yourself and you’ll be miserable, share it with another and both you and the person will be happy.
Oil prices rise as Libyan unrest continues
US crude oil prices have hit a new two-and-a-half year high amid fears Libya could be facing a full-blown civil war. US light crude rose by $1.95 to $106.75 a barrel, the highest since September 2008, before falling back sharply. Brent crude gained $2.43 to $118.4, close to recent highs, before it also slipped back. The latest price spike follows reported air strikes near the oil terminal at Ras Lanuf, which finds itself on the front line of military conflict. The opposition ruling council in Libya warned on Monday that they feared Muammar Gaddafi would soon bomb oil facilities in his attempt to retake control of the east of the country.
Edgy stock markets
Meanwhile, European stock markets in London, France and Germany closed very slightly down, although Wall Street opened higher. However, Asian stock markets saw selling earlier in the day on fears rising energy prices could derail the global recovery, with the Nikkei ending the day 1.8% lower, and Sydney and Bombay down 1.3% each. An exception was the Shanghai Composite index, which ended the day 1.8% higher, largely due to a surge in the value of energy companies, including a 10% jump in China Shenhua Energy Company. Middle Eastern markets remained stable, with the Saudi stock market rallying 3.1% in late trading on Monday. The Tadawul All Share Index had been down 21% since the beginning of troubles in Libya last Wednesday, but it has since recovered and is now only 10% down. There have been calls online for a "day of rage" in the critical oil producer this Friday. Meanwhile, shares in Oman - which has also witnessed violent clashes with protesters in recent days - ended the day 1.8% lower.
Fear factor
The US has indicated that it is considering tapping its oil reserves as one way to help ease soaring prices. But even that news failed to calm the markets as investors remained jittery about the unrest spreading to other oil-producing nations. "The concern is that with what we are seeing in Libya, it's purely fear driving the market," said Jonathan Barratt of Commodity Broking Services. "Each time the price moves up a little, people are forced into the market. Once it's feeding itself, it will continue to rise," he added. Mr Barratt said US crude prices could peak at $120 a barrel, even if further supply disruptions do not take place.
WORD OF APPRECIATION
Rev. Elijah Kimani and his wife Rev. Agnes Kimani of Coventry, UK and Organising Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank Bishop, Pastors, Friends and family who facilitated the successful fundraising on Saturday 5th March, 2011 in Coventry. We would like to thank everyone who either participated in prayers or financially and may the Almighty God bless you all.
In pictures: Carnival in Brazil
It is carnival time in Brazil again, when parades are held around the country. Here a comedian performs during the parade of the Gavioes da Fiel samba school in Sao Paulo
Three million Kenyans in the Diaspora to vote through the Internet
Proposed Bill to draw in Diaspora's 3m voters
The Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) is preparing a Bill that would allow the more than three million Kenyans in the Diaspora to vote through the Internet. IIEC chairman Isaack Hassan said Parliament needed to amend the elections law to allow for the new polling system, which might be handy considering the amount of data the commission would be processing in 2012. Currently, the National Assembly and Presidential Elections Act only provides for a manual voting system. “We are looking at election laws with the aim of incorporating best practices in our voting system. E-voting may assist us process electoral data faster and in an efficient way,” said Hassan. Mr Hassan said they would include E-voting in the Bill to be in tandem with the new Constitution. He was speaking during an E-voting system demonstration by the Estonian envoy to Kenya , Kadri Human Ayal. The Estonian Republic is currently undertaking elections where its nine million eligible voters are voting through the Internet. Narc-Kenya Chairperson Martha Karua, who attended the function, said Kenya had no choice but to embrace E-voting. “In 2012, Kenyans will be voting for a whopping nine positions, which will attract many candidates. Counting and tallying of votes will be a nightmare for IIEC considering that everything has to be done on the same day,” said Karua. The MP for Gichugu said Kenya could borrow part of the Estonian system, but which would require amending existing laws. “We can adopt E-voting with some modification so that we seal all the loopholes brought by technology,” said the Narc-Kenya leader. IIEC says about Sh10 billion would be required to conduct electronic voting. - The Standard.
Kenyans ready for a woman president
The latest opinion poll indicates that 60 % of Kenyans would elect a female President if elections were held today. Those interviewed by Infotrak say a female president may address issues affecting Kenyans with seriousness. The poll indicates that majority of Kenyans believe that women have been discriminated against in public appointments. 75% of the respondents say more needs to be done to achieve gender equity in employment, education and training. Speaking in Nairobi Monday when she released the poll results ahead of the international women's day to be marked on Tuesday, Infotrak Managing Director Angela Ambitho said their research revealed that violence against women had increased by 3% the same period last year. The United Nations says women across the world continue to earn less than men for the same work, have unequal access to land and inheritance rights yet just 28 women are heads of state or government in the world today. The theme of this year's world women's day is education, science and technology. Meanwhile, the first Executive Director of UN Women Michelle Bachelet says there has been remarkable progress in expansion of women's legal rights and entitlements. The head of the UN Women, a newly formed UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women says 100 years ago, only two countries allowed women to vote but today, "that right is virtually universal and women have now been elected to lead Governments in every continent," she says in a statement setting the stage for the commemoration of the UN Women's day on Tuesday. She says women now hold leading positions in professions from which they were once banned. "Today two-thirds of countries have specific laws that penalize domestic violence and the United Nations Security Council now recognizes sexual violence as a deliberate tactic of war," said Bachelet. She however notes that despite the progress over the last century, the hopes of equality expressed on that first International Women's Day are a long way from being realized," she says and adds that almost two out of three illiterate adults are women. "Girls are still less likely to be in school than boys and in every 90 seconds of every day, a woman dies in pregnancy or due to childbirth-related complications despite us having the knowledge and resources to make birth safe," she notes. The UN says women across the world continue to earn less than men for the same work, have unequal access to land and inheritance rights yet just 28 women are heads of state or government in the world today.
Father of 84 kids
A 60-year-old man has fathered more than 80 kids. Daad Mohammed from United Arab Emirates has had 84 children with 17 different wives. He claims to have sex twice in the morning and seven times in the evening. He even says he divorces his wives when they are no longer fertile. “I like having babies, so I’m getting married as the Prophet Mohammed says,” says Daad. “I don’t remember all the names of the kids actually, but whenever I see the kid, I do my best to remember the name, he adds. Although Daad is allowed four wives at one time under the UAE’s polygamy rules, he says that is not enough. “If there is a way to have more than four, then I’ll go for it,” he says.
World's youngest grandmother is just 23-years-old
A Romanian woman is the youngest grandmother in the world, according to new reports.…
A 23-year-old Romanian woman is claiming that she is the world’s youngest grandmother. Rifca Stanescu gave birth when she was just 12-years-old and two years ago her daughter Maria had a baby at the age of 11. Despite urging her daughter not to follow in her footsteps and stay in school, Stanescu told The Sun that Maria left to get married when she was just 10 and gave birth to her first child the following year. "I am happy to be a grandmother but wished more for Maria," Stanescu told the paper. Stanescu also revealed that she eloped with jewellery salesman Ionel Stanescu when she was 11 and he was 13. She fled with her boyfriend because she was worried her father would force her to marry someone else in the village of Investi in Romania. Her mother, also named Maria, became a great grandmother at just 40-years-old. Last month, the woman who is set to become Britain’s youngest grandmother at age 29, said that her daughter becoming a teen mum was ‘her worst nightmare’. Kelly John gave birth to her daughter, Tia, at age 14. Tia is now expecting her own child at the same age. 'My worst nightmare has always been that Tia would repeat my mistake and get pregnant young. [When I found out] I felt the colour drain from my face and all I could do was cry.' John told the News of the World.
Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
Barclays' Bob Diamond To Receive £6.5m Bonus
Chief executive of Barclays, Bob Diamond, is to receive a bonus of £6.5m in shares in a partially-deferred payment. Sky News City Editor, Mark Kleinman, has exclusively revealed the amount that Mr Diamond is set to receive - which is due to be announced later this afternoon. The figure of £6.5m is lower than what had been originally reported - most reports quoted a higher figure of £9m in recent weeks. It is believed the bank's board agreed on the lower figure after Mr Diamond urged them to take the current attitude towards banks and the bonuses they award. This bonus makes Bob Diamond the best paid boss of the four high street banks. He is followed by Stuart Gulliver of HSBC, Stephen Hester of RBS and outgoing Lloyds boss Eric Daniels received the lowest bonus of £1.4m. Mr Diamond receives this bonus as a reward for the success of Barclays Capital - the bank's investment banking arm - which he ran prior to taking up the role of chief executive on January 1st. Mr Diamond made headlines in January when he appeared in front of the Treasury Select Committee and said: "There was a period of remorse and apology for banks, that period needs to be over."
The British 2011 best dresses
UK 'second most popular country'
Positive views of the United Kingdom have risen, making it the second most popular country in the world. The BBC World Service Country Rating Poll asked nearly 29,000 people to rate the global influence of 16 major nations and the European Union. The UK's positive rating rose from 53% in 2010 to 58% this year. It is the first time it has been the runner-up in the annual poll. Negative views of the UK decreased by 2%, now standing at 17%. Of the 27 countries polled, 24 lean positive towards the UK while two, Pakistan and Mexico, have overall negative views of the UK. One country, Turkey, remains divided. Those with the most positive views of the UK were the US, at 80%, followed by Australia at 79% and Canada at 69%. Germany was the most positively viewed nation overall, with 63% of those surveyed rating its influence as positive.
LUCY WA NGUNJIRI OF KAMEME FM
This is evangelist Lucy Wa Ngunjiri, founder of Prayers Beyond Boundaries Ministries (PBBM) that was founded in August 2007 to offer prayers and hope to Kenyans. We organize prayer crusades twice every month in different parts of Kenya and thousands have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and savior in these meetings. Our vision is *“Transformed Nations by the Power of Prayers”.*
The Ministry has since started several charitable works that includes bicycle donations to preachers in the villages, campaigns against drugs and illicit brews, a Home Care Center at Maai Mahiu, Naivasha, Kenya where it cares for 67 children orphaned during the post-election violence. The Home Care Center aims at providing a genuine home and a family life to the children, and addresses the family, psychological, educational and developmental constraints faced by these children. Her email is
info@pbbministries.com
PBB Ministries has organized a Power of Prayer Conference in April/ May 2011. This is the only one of its kind to be organized by PBB Ministries in USA and it is in line with our vision…transforming nations’. Our Host will be Pastor Njoroge of Living Hope International Christian Church, San Rafael City CA, Zip code 94904.
It is my pleasure, therefore, to cordially invite you to this conference to be held from 29th April to 1st May 2011.
U.S.A Conference
Fervent Prayers for PBB Ministries
April 29th, 30th and 1st May 2011.
Host : Pastor Njoroge
Venue : Living Hope International Christian Church, San Rafael City, CA.
If you love somebody, set them free. If they return, they were always yours. If they don’t, they never were.
Kamukunji voters go to the polls on May 23
Nairobi, Kenya - Voters in Nairobi's Kamukunji Constituency will go to the polls on May 23 to elect a new MP following the nullification of Simon Mbugua's election by the High Court. The chairman of the Interim Independent Electoral Commission Issack Hassan on Friday presented writs to the Returning Officer for Kamukunji Constituency Leboo Masindet. Mr Mbugua's election was successfully challenged by Orange Democratic Movement's Ibrahim Ahmed alias Johnnie. Mr Mbugua contested the seat on a PNU ticket and is already mobilising supporters in anticipation for the by-election. PNU has already stated that it will negotiate fielding a candidate for the Kamukunji by-election with ODM-K. The two parties can only come to a compromise after a joint party nomination to avoid any row between them.
Hawaii Volcano Spews Lava Plumes 65ft High
One of the world's most active volcanoes is being monitored by scientists after a crater floor collapsed, spewing lava 65ft into the air. The Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii's Big Island has been in constant eruption for 28 years and is a popular attraction for holidaymakers. On Saturday, one of the crater floors, called Pu'u 'O'o, collapsed and dropped 370ft. Separately, a fissure opened on the eastern side of the volcano measuring more than 1,500ft and spewing lava into the air. The latest activity was accompanied by 150 small earthquakes around the volcanic area. Janet Babb, a geologist with the US Geological Survey, said the developments indicated "new episodes in eruptions and further unknowns". A trail near the east rift zone has been closed to visitors along with a campsite at the Napau Crater, according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory park ranger Mardie Lane. The eruptions can be seen from about 1.5 miles away and remain safe, she said. - VIDEO
Six secrets wealthy people know
If you want to become seriously rich, then learn these six lessons for life. After turning 18, I set myself some goals to achieve before I reached 40. These included learning to drive, writing a book, and being worth £1 million. Although I met most of my life goals, some happened in a roundabout way. For example, I passed my driving test first time in 1996, but stopped driving in 1999. Likewise, I had always intended to write a work of fiction, but my Financial Times book was published nine months after I turned 40. As for becoming a millionaire, my household wealth first reached £1 million on the day of my 40th birthday, just over two years ago. Given that I was heavily in debt at 30, this was a remarkable turnaround.
Six lessons for life
Somewhat peculiarly, I've discovered that I'm much better at making money in 'bad' times than 'good'. For example, the vast majority of my wealth was made in the stock-market crashes of 2000/03 and 2007/09. This may be because, as a 'contrarian' investor, I prefer to go against the herd. Anyway, here are six 'life secrets' that I've collected along the way. Some come from my own experiences, others from far wiser — and richer — individuals:
1. Be your own boss
Although I've spent 23 years investing in the shares of other companies, I sincerely believe that the best business to own is your own. Sure, the red tape, paperwork and general bureaucracy can be stifling, but the benefits more than outweigh the burdens. Having run my own one-man company since late 2005, I know that when I work twice as hard, I can earn twice as much. Likewise, working at home gives me a level of personal freedom and flexibility that I never had as an employee. In addition, after the taxman's had his cut, all of the fruits of my labour go to me. When all's said and done, you can't beat being your own boss.
2. Debt can be good or bad
One crucial lesson that rich people learn is that there is 'good' debt and 'bad' debt. Debt run up from shopping sprees, foreign holidays, flashy cars and high living is bad debt, because it drains your wealth. On the other hand, debt used to further your education, build a business or buy a home is good debt, because it usually builds long-term wealth. Likewise, interest-free debt — such as a 0% credit card — is infinitely preferable to, say, a store card charging 30% APR. At this sky-high rate of interest, your debt will more than double every three years, thanks to interest alone. So, treat debt wisely: use it to buy assets which go up in value over time and don't spend money you don't have on depreciating assets, consumer disposables and needless luxuries.
3. Property is often a good buy
One oft-quoted rule of thumb is that 'property prices double every seven years'. While this may be the case during house-price booms, it's simply not true over the long-term. That said, house prices rarely go down over the course of a decade — the last time this happened was between 1989 and 1999. So, buying your own home with a best buy mortgage usually makes good sense — unless you overstretch your finances or buy at the top of a bubble, of course. Similarly, buying premises for a business adds up (although commercial property prices plunged 45% from their peak before starting to bounce back in 2009).
4. Pensions still make sense
On 6 April 2006, known as 'Pensions A-Day', the government scrapped a heap of existing pension legislation, replacing it with a simpler, more-attractive and more flexible regime. This led to a boom in contributions to personal, stakeholder and self-invested personal pensions. Alas, they couldn't resist meddling with this simplified regime. First, it introduced a new 50% tax band which applied to those earning over £150,000 a year. And from this April, Labour would have introduced tapered tax relief, restricting the amount of tax relief that higher earners could claim, aimed at anyone earning £130,000 or more a year. However, the coalition government has simplified matters and instead of reducing rates of tax relief for higher earners, the overall contribution limit will be dramatically reduced from £255,000 a year to just £50,000 from 6 April 2011. The £50,000 allowance is the limit you can pay annually into your pension and still qualify for tax relief. Although this sounds like a huge reduction, the number of savers likely to put away more £50,000 a year into their pension is relatively small. So for many workers, pensions still make a lot of sense, as they will still enjoy tax relief on their pension contributions in the same way they do now. All savers still get tax relief at their highest rate of tax, so those who are paying the 50% additional tax rate will still qualify for a 50% tax break on their pension payments.
5. Diversification sometimes fails
Diversification is a simple concept: in order to avoid losing your shirt when one asset takes a tumble, you spread your money around between different asset classes. For example, using 'asset allocation', you choose a mixture of shares, bonds, property, commodities and so on. Alas, when asset classes become highly correlated (follow similar patterns), diversification can become 'diworseification'. Notably, this happened during the credit crunch and economic downturn of 2007/09, when the prices of property, stocks and shares, commodities and credit all plunged steeply, more or less as one. So, don't assume that spreading your money around automatically makes it safer. When asset prices become strongly correlated — for example, during global bubbles — then diversification can fail. Indeed, the only guaranteed way to diversify is to hold good old-fashioned cash. Only during times of trouble do some investors learn that 'cash is king'.
6. Inherited wealth can be a problem
You may have got rich slowly or quickly. You may have found building wealth to be easy or hard. Regardless of how you made it, you're going to have to part with it someday. One way to wave goodbye to your wealth is to go SKIing: Spending the Kids' Inheritance. After all, if you die leaving nothing of value behind, then you don't have to worry about inheritance tax (which can gobble up 40% of your wealth above £325,000 on death). Alternatively, if you want to pass on a sizeable sum after you pass on, then you'll need to do some inheritance-tax planning. Then again, leaving a fortune to your children or other relatives could cause more harm than good. This is particularly the case when dynastic wealth is at stake. It's worth noting that Warren Buffett —the world's greatest investor and the third-richest person on Earth — will leave almost none of his $47 billion fortune to his offspring. Instead, Buffett's great fortune will go to charity. A wise move from a super-smart man!
Visa Restrictions 'May Close' some UK University Courses
Leading university vice chancellors have warned they may be forced to close some courses unless the Government drops plans to limit UK visas for foreign students. An alliance of vice chancellors from 16 universities is urging Home Secretary Theresa May to abandon proposals to reduce immigration by restricting visas issued to foreign students and raising language requirements. In a letter to The Observer, the vice-chancellors express their "profound concern" at the proposals. They argue the plans would have a devastating effect on universities' incomes and ability to run the best courses for British, as well as overseas students. The vice-chancellors said: "International students coming to universities contribute over £5bn each year to the UK economy through tuition fees and off-campus expenditure. "Reductions in student numbers will lead to reductions in income and jobs. "Without international students, many university courses, particularly science and engineering courses, may no longer be viable. This will in turn reduce the courses available to UK students. "International students bring extensive cultural and political benefits to the UK. When they return to their countries at the end of their studies, they become cultural and economic ambassadors for the UK. "At a time of financial austerity, this issue is of immeasurable importance to the UK." The proposals would affect students from outside the EU applying for visas under what is known as tier four of the points-based system. These accounted for two-thirds of the 273,000 visas issued to students in 2009. A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Any criticism can only be based on speculation as no decisions have yet been made on the changes to the student visa route. "However, universities that are confident in the product they have to offer genuine students should have nothing to fear from policies that root out abuses in the student visa system."
Geneva Motor Show 2011: new models and concept cars
KIKUYU AGE GROUP
1907 - Rika rîa Kang'ei (women with children and the children has not married)
Liverpool 3 - 1 Man Utd
London, Sunday 6th March, 2011 - Dirk Kuyt's hat-trick ensured the Premier League title race remains wide open as Liverpool swept Manchester United aside at Anfield. Sir Alex Ferguson may have been encouraged by Arsenal's failure to beat Sunderland on Saturday and the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table - but this ended as a day of abject misery for United as they slumped to their second successive defeat. United's twin setbacks, with this loss following hard on the heels of defeat at Chelsea, mean they remain only three points ahead of Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger's side having played a game less. Kuyt was the hero as he struck the first treble by a Liverpool player against United since Peter Beardsley in 1990 and he found a willing and outstanding accomplice in £23m Uruguayan Luis Suarez. Suarez's stunning sleight of foot took out three United defenders and set up a simple opener for Kuyt after 34 minutes and it was also Suarez's cross that Nani inexplicably headed into the Dutch striker's path for the second goal just before the interval.
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