Latest News

NOVEMBER 2004 - PART ONE

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Miss Peru wins world beauty title

Maria Julia Mantilla Garcia, an aspiring 20-year-old high school teacher from Peru, is voted Miss World 2004.	She was crowned by 2003 winner Miss Ireland Rosanna Davison, daughter of 'Lady in Red' singer Chris de Burgh.	More than 107 beauties from around the world took part in the contest in the Chinese resort town of Sanya.
Miss Dominican Republic came second, and Miss USA took third place.	This is the second year running that Sanya town, on the southern tip of China's Hainan Island, has hosted Miss World, which is fast becoming the event of the year for residents	US pop singer Lionel Ritchie performed and other celebrities attended what is the 54th year of the pageant.

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World's worst industrial accident

During the early hours of 3 December 1984 the world's worst industrial accident unfolded in the Indian city of Bhopal. Poisonous gas escaped from a chemical plant and killed 3,000 people, according to official estimates. Other estimates put the number at between 8,000 and 10,000. Around 50,000 suffered permanent disabilities, and more died later. Many people lived in shanty towns built alongside the factory and thousands more lived nearby in the old city. There was no contingency plan for evacuation in the event of an emergency. Poor sales had led the company to cut costs, scale back production and lay off around a third of the workforce. Safety systems had also been cut. The main ingredient of the pesticide made at the plant was a chemical called methyl isocyanate or MIC. MIC is one of the most toxic and lethal substances known to humans. Safe storage requires it to be kept cool and isolated from water, which can trigger a violent runaway reaction creating heat and a deadly gas. A worker cleaning out pipes with water sparked the disaster. He did not use a basic but vital piece of equipment to isolate sections of pipe. Water got into the tank where the MIC was stored, raising the temperature to over 200 degrees Celsius (392F), creating the lethal gas. Several safety systems failed or were not working. Bhopal was asleep when the gas struck. Simple advice to move upwind or stay indoors and seal doors and windows with damp cloths could have saved thousands but Union Carbide had not told people what to do if there was a leak. Crowds of terrified people fled. Bhopal's hospital was overwhelmed, lacking information about the gas or antidote. Up to 500,000 survivors still suffer symptoms such as paralysis, partial blindness and impaired immune systems. Union Carbide accepted "moral responsibility" for the disaster. It later blamed sabotage by a disgruntled worker. After a legal agreement the firm provided victims with compensation averaging $500 (£300).

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Have a close look of your inside body

This image of red blood cells is one of a series appearing in the book Inside The Body: Fantastic Images from Beneath the Skin.	Here the blood cells are travelling along a vein within the liver. The images are provided by the Science Photo Library.	This bead-like structure with its projecting legs is a nerve cell. It sends signals and commands to and from the brain.
This dirty-looking surface is actually a healthy tooth. The cells in the green layer produce enamel, which protects the tooth.	A cross section of a piece of carpet? This is actually the small intestine where food is digested.	The surface of the tongue is rough due to these paillae, which contain the taste buds and send tactile information to the brain.
The cells lining the stomach secrete a layer of mucus to protect against the acidic gastric juices.	These crystals may look pretty, but the kidney stones they form can be extremely painful to pass through the urine.	These match-like structures are found in the brain and secrete a substance that cushions the brain and spinal cord against shock.
Rose petals scattered on a scarlet divan? This is actually the lining of the rectum. The book's publisher is Cassell Illustrated.	Once injured, the body immediately sets about healing itself. Its first reaction is a momentary constriction of the blood vessels in the damaged area, followed by a dilation that sends vital blood to the wound. At the same time, the walls of the blood vessels allow protein-rich fluids to exit into the injured tissue. These fluids include cells that fight infection and clean up the cell debris from the wound. The flooding of fluid into the damaged area causes it to swell, triggering pain receptors.	When the senses perceive a possible threat to the body, electrical impulses are sent racing up the spine to convey the threat to the brain. The first stop for all incoming signals to the brain is the thalamus, a neural waystation, which sends them out to the parts of the brain that need to receive them.

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Hip-hip for Juliet Kamendi

"The success of a person is not determined by how much wealth they have but by the impact they have implanted to change someone life." This message was echoed by Dr. Wanjiru Kamenwa, a consultant paediatrician gastro-entorologist,  in London on Friday 26th November, 2004. She was speaking at a graduation evening party of Miss Juliet Kamendi where family and friends converged together to celebrate the success Juliet who recently graduated with a Masters Degree at London School of pharmacy. Dr. Kamenwa, a lecturer at Nairobi University and a doctor at Kenyatta National Hospital flew to London for the occasion with his family last week. Dr. Kamenwa reminded Kenyans in the UK to take heed and educate their children by taking the opportunity given to them. She continued to explain that opportunity lost is hardly recovered. "You are not in the UK just to look for money, you should also look for education", Dr. Kamenwa concluded. The occasion was well attended by dear ones as each one of them passed on their congratulations. Miss Kamendi, who is the first Kenyan of the young generation in UK to be admitted at Cambridge University at under graduate level. She is very popular with Kenyans families in the UK as she has been tutoring young children in schools in her spare time. She has previously tutored Daughter Seed currently at Portsmouth University, and now she is helping Baby Seed on his final year in secondary and also other family's children. -  MORE PHOTOS

An overview photo of the reception	Dr. Kamenwa (seated) posing with the Juliet Kamendi (left) and her family
Mrs. Kamendi mother of Juliet thanking the guests for their support	A group photo after the celebrations

MORE PHOTOS

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Baby Seed for a maasai moran

As the Maasai men who have been in the UK prepare to leave for Kenya on Saturday 27th November, 2004 they paid a courtesy call to Mr. Seed in London. After treating them in an Italian restaurant they visited Mr. Seed in his house where they presented Baby Seed with a Maasai attire and they dressed him as a maasai moran. He was given a sword, a club (fimbo ya nyayo), an original spear, a whisk and some beads. They dressed him to match their taste. In the house they had a large discussions with Baby Seed who speaks Kiswahili and Kikuyu fluently. During their discussion Baby Seed asked Mr. Peter Saitaga one of the maasai men: "Wewe iko na mbuzi ngapi huko nyumbani?" Mr. Saitaga replied: "Siku hizi sio mingi - niko na mbuzi kama mia nne." "Na ng'ombe ngapi", Baby Seed continued to ask: "Ng'ombe ni zaidi ya mia mbili" Saitaga replied. "Kama nakuja nyumbani, mimi napatia wewe mbuzi moja, ile siwezi kukupatia ni msichana wa kimaasai, baba yako iko na mali - atatolea mimi mali" Mr. Saitaga continued to explain to him. Baby Seed was excited with the maasai as he has never seen them before. The maasai men will be leaving for Kenya with British Airways on Saturday ,morning.

Baby Seed with the maasai men Peter Saitaga right and Simon left

A  young maasai moran

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Tanzania counts cost of 'white skin'

As Tanzania bans some skin-lightening creams, the BBC News website looks at the health damage wrought by such cosmetics in a country where black is often seen as "not beautiful enough".  Latifa Myinyikwale's face, back and legs are pitted with tiny scars, her skin is blotchy and uneven, the result of using skin-whitening creams over a two-year period. Latifa is a hairdresser and all around the hair salon where she works are images of young black African women with light, almost white, skin. These are the images of beauty that are influencing young women not just in Tanzania but across Africa, images which equate beauty with having a whiter complexion. Latifa bought into that image. "You hear that if you want to look beautiful, then you have to look like a white person and to look like a white person you have to use these creams. Of course it is natural that women want to be beautiful," she says. But using the creams can have devastating health consequences and now the authorities in Tanzania have started a process of removing 83 banned creams from shops across the country.

Peeling skin

The range of lotions available is huge. They have colourful names which associate royalty, romance and even religion with a white or pale skin, but many contain harmful chemicals like mercury and hydroquinone. Some are heavily laced with steroids and cortisone. Latifa Myinyikwale has discovered that beauty comes at a cost. "In the beginning, I did not notice the bad effects of the chemicals," she says. "But after using them for two years, I started developing severe rashes all over my body. "My skin was rough like a snake's and then it started peeling off. It was very painful, so I had to go to the hospital." Latifa is one of the lucky ones. The damage was only skin deep. Many women are left with more serious and potentially fatal complaints like skin and liver cancer. Some find it difficult to conceive. "The bad affects of using the creams are not immediately obvious," says Dr Yassim Mgonda, a dermatologist at Dar es Salaam's Muhimbili Hospital.

Drive to educate

"The harmful chemicals build up in the body over time and sometimes when patients come for treatment it is too late to help them." Selling whitening creams is a lucrative business in Tanzania worth millions of US dollars a year. Shelves in pharmacies are stacked high with lotions, creams and soaps all promising to make women whiter and supposedly more beautiful. They cost anything from $4 to $10 each, a huge amount of money in a country where the average wage is less than a dollar a day. Many products on the banned list are imported from cosmetic companies in France, Ireland and the United Kingdom which are household names. Worse still, some genuine imported brands not containing harmful chemicals, and which are not subject to the ban, are being manufactured illegally in Tanzania containing the banned substances. The job of clearing up this hitherto unregulated industry has been given to the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) which last year successfully pushed for legislation to prosecute businesses which sell the banned creams. "It's a daunting task," says Margaret Demondo, the director general of the TFDA, "but now we have the legal backing to go out and stop rogue traders selling these creams." This is just the first step of the TFDA's campaign. Ultimately it hopes to re-educate women that black, whatever its shade, is beautiful. "Whether an African lady wants her face to look lighter is to do with the beliefs of the people. "And that's why we want to focus more on educating people and get to a point where people can appreciate what beauty is, that being dark is a good thing," Ms Demondo adds.

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A pose with Miss Kenya UK

It was the best and most colourful event ever staged in the UK by Kenyans. Miss Kenya 2004 Miss Kenya 2004 which was staged in London on Saturday 20th November, 2004. Graced by the presence of Maasai men from Kenya as the winner Tabby was crowned by the wife of Kenya's High Commissioner in the UK Mrs. Cecilia Muchemi. The winner, Tabby Miss Nakuru. Age: 21 She is a first year student in Btec National Diploma in Business. Her ambition is to become involved in the fashion world and open up her own business in Kenya. She enjoys basketball, cycling, cooking and most importantly dancing and shopping. Her motto is - 'Dont judge a book by its cover' This Beauty Pageant is an artistic celebration of beauty, which seeks to promote and  intertwine physical and inner beauty with cultural pride. Miss Kenya UK aims at creating  role models in championing beauty, purity and culture worldwide. Being the first of its kind, Miss Kenya UK Beauty Pageant is established to give  eligible Kenyan ladies, working, studying or living in the UK, an opportunity to  contest and enable the winner to participate in fundraising events in aid of centers  for children with special needs in Kenya.

Through the power of the new technology the full story and all the photos taken at the Miss Kenya UK 2004 will be published in this column by tomorrow.

photos by Timothy Kinyanjui - Swindon

Posing with Miss Kenya UK 2004 are the Maasai men in London Mr. Simon Parsitou and Peter Saitaga

The Maasais posing  with Miss Kenya UK 2004 are from right Peter Saitaga, Mariam Wangui and Simon Parsitou

The ladies posing before the show

The winner Tabby who was Miss Nakuru

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Kenya Cricket captain weds in London

Kenya Cricket captain Hitesh Modi had a colourful wedding on Friday 19th November, 2004 at the Kadwa Patidar Hall in Harrow, London. Thousands of guests, friend and relatives witnessed the occasion in which the recently appointed Kenya captain and son of Kenya's leading cricket umpire Subhash Modi tied the knots of life. During the Hindu traditional wedding, Hitesh wed Sharmilee, daughter of Smt. Ranjanben & Shri Chandubhai Saujani of London Hitesh, was away from the Kenya team duty in the United Arab Emirates though he was with the team that lost to Scotland in spirit as he said after the wedding. "I am with the team in spirit and proud of the performance put, considering that this is the first time most of the players are facing such kind of opposition at the international level. "I am sure that things will get right soon" said Hitesh. Most of his international colleagues and captain of the world's leading countries sent him messages of good luck during his marriage. Hitesh and Sharmilee leave for Mauritiius on Monday for their honeymoon. Hitesh's mum Aruna said after the wedding "I am happy for Hitesh. He has come a long way in life and now I think he has found a partner to be with for the rest of his life. "I wish them a happy life and all the blessings. I wish them a prosperous life and blessing in every way they take after today. Aruna and husband Modi, who has officiated in the ICC World Cup, left for their homeland in India for another traditional ceremony to bless their son's wedding. A reception for the friends in Kenya will be held later. Tens of people travelled from Kenya for the religious occasion, in respect of Subhash, who has given a lot to the Lohana Community in Kenya, as a show of respect. CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS

Photos by Mukesh Tanna
 

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Maasai elders for church service in Swindon

As the Maasai elders from Kenya continue to adopt live in Swindon, UK, it was a joy for many Kenyans and Britons to see them around the town. On Sunday 14th November, 2004 they attended a church service which they joined the worshippers in praising God and they gave a number in Maasai language to the amazement of the worshippers. They praised the Lord with the song " MAAPIDO KISAYUNI" (TUIMBE KISAYUNI).  Worshippers were quite excited to see the Maasai jumping from one corner to the other praising. They are really at home here in Swindon apart it is very cold for them. They were getting emotional in the time of praise and worship they were shedding  tears of joy. On Saturday as they were going round the town a Jamaican shopkeeper was so touched to see the real Maasai around his shop. He came out and said: "This is the real thing, real home," and he shed tears with a touch as if they are from his roots. It was quite interesting on Sunday morning when Mr. Seed phoned them to see how they were catching up. One of them Peter Saitaga was quick to say: "Ng'ombe tu, eee, ng'ombe tu ndiye nataka kusikia sauti yake, leo nimeongea nyumbani na nikasema kwa simu, leta ng'ombe karibu nisikie sauti yake" he concluded. The group leaves for Kenya on Saturday 20th November, 2004. (See below for more). Their contact Timothy, Kenya shop in Swindon, Tel: 07780651181. He stocks all Kenyan goods including kiondos, carvings, boutique etc.

Louis Pasteur was born on December 27, 1822 in Dole, in the region of Jura, France. His discovery that most infectious diseases are caused by germs, known as the "germ theory of disease", is one of the most important in medical history. His work became the foundation for the science of microbiology, and a cornerstone of modern medicine. MORE

The maasais posing outside Timothy's Kenyan shop in Swindon - from left is Peter Saitaga, Mariam Wangui and Simon Parsitou	A pose with the shop attendant
The host Timothy (second right) posing with his visitors at his shop	Early in the morning they joined worshipers in the church
Time to give a number	Some prayers in between
" MAAPIDO KISAYUNI" (TUIMBE KISAYUNI)	Worshipers tried to follow

Climax of the song as Peter Saitaga could not hold any more

A section of the congregation in the church

Summing it up with prayers

It was was a big excitement on Friday 12th November, 2004 for residents of Swindon a small town in UK when they woke up to see Maasai Morans walking about in their town dressed in full Maasai attire. The two Maasai men Nkoitoi and Lesianto who had come for World Travel Market in London headed for Swindon after getting stranded in London when they realised at the last minute that they cannot leave for home until 20th November, 2004 unless they paid extra 75 pound each for their tickets. They were introduced by Mr. Seed to a Mr. Timothy a Kenyan with a shop in Swindon who also bought the goods that remained after the exhibition. The Maasai were quite excited and they is what they told Mr. Seed "Wewe mtu mzuri, kama ni nyumbani, mbuzi ingekufa leo".  To show their appreciation they gave Mr. Seed a Maasai sword, a whisk and a crab - "fimbo ya nyayo". It was quite exciting for Baby Seed to see a Maasai sword of which he has never seen before. The team arrived on Monday 8th November, 2004. They had carried a lot of Maasai goods to sell at the exhibition. After arrival they were informed that they are not support to sell anything at the stand according to the rules of the World Travel Market. No exchange of money at the stand. The Maasais were quite disappointed and they wanted to go back home the same day. Then somone at the stand told them: "Why should you go home while you have a six month visa." One of the Maasai replied: "Tunaweza rudishie yeye (British Embassy) karatasi yao halafu turudi nyumbani.". They have been booked in a hotel in Shepherds Bush, West London. They had to travel with underground train to the exhibition every morning. Many people were quite excited to see Maasais in underground trains. Asked by Mr. Seed how they manage to come to the exhibition from Shepherds Bush, they replied "Si Mama Ciru anajua njia" referring to a lady nearby".

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Two-headed tortoise

The tortoise's heads work independently of each other

A two-headed tortoise has come out of its shell in Dorset, UK to find itself in the media spotlight. The unusual case of a Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise, born two months ago in an incubator, made the headlines in various papers on Friday 12th November, 2004.  Owner John Jones, from Dorchester, who has 37 tortoises and has kept them for 55 years, said: "I was really surprised - I had never seen anything like it. "It is perfectly healthy and is running around with all the other tortoises. "I think each head has its own little brain because they do try to move in different directions." Although it is an unusual case, it is not unique. In 2003 another two-headed tortoise was found in South Africa. And Jill Martin, of the Tortoise Trust, also hatched one in south Wales in 2001. She said: "They are very rare but not unknown. It is believed to be a congenital, rather than incubation, problem that causes it." "These tortoises can't be imported any more like they used to be, but there are breeders in this country. "They will charge about £100 for a tortoise, but it is impossible to say what a conjoined tortoise would be worth." Mr Jones, 66, from Dorchester, said he had named the tortoise Solomon and Sheba as he was not sure what sex it was. "It likes lettuce, tomato, cucumber, cress and runner beans - but its favourite food is thistle milk," he said. "Both heads eat and sometimes they start on the same piece of food and meet in the middle."

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Miss Ghana 2004 at the Kenya stand

As the World Travel Market comes to close in London on Thursday 11th November, 2004 a number of visitors visited the Kenyan stand to come into a close contact with the Maasai men who had been at the stand from day one. Among the visitors at the stand was Miss Ghana 2004 who insisted to have a photo with the Maasai Warriors. She had to go round looking for her friends to come to a snap. Nkoitoi and Lesianto from Maasai Mara were not in a hurry as took their time to pose with West African beauty queen.

Nkoitoi and Lesianto posing with Miss Ghana 2004	Posing with the Gambia man at the Kenya stand is from right Mrs Popsy Getonga (wife of  Personal Assistant to President Kibaki), Miss Joyce Kanja, African Travel Centre and far right is Ms Cordellia Carol  from ATC.
Mr. Gitau wa Njenga of Standard newspaper correspondent in UK posing with a Maasai spear as Mr. Lesianto shows him how to go about	From right is Mr. David Musyoka of Kenya High Commission, a Sierra Leone lady Ms Cordellia Carol,  Lesianto, Joyce and Simon

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Top Kenya Gospel DJs to perform in London

Popular Kenyan Gospel DJs are coming to London to perform at Evangelist Theresa Wairimu Gospel meeting on Saturday 27th November, 2004. The crusade which will be running as from 25th to 28th November, 2004 at Emmanuel Centre, in Central London. Ken and Rufftone the two top gospel musicians in Kenya will be performing for the Youth Concert on Saturday night starting at 7.00 p.m. The evangelist is targeting the youth this time all round.

DJ Kev (left) and Rufftone (right)

The following are highlights about Rufftone (Roughtone)

• Nominations and awards
  • Kenya:
    • Kisima Awards (2003)
      • Best videos
      • Best album of the year
      • Male artist of the year
    • Groove Awards (2004)
      • Winner
        • Overall Artist of the year 2004
        • Male artist of the year 2004
    • South Africa
      • Kora Awards
        • Nominated best African male artist of the year
        • Nominated gospel artist of the year
    • America
      • Nominated International Artist of the Year 2004-11-04

Rufftone,

1. Has just launched a clothing line “Ruffwear International”
2. Has just began a studio called Bull Swinger Entertainment

International performances:

• Orlando, Florida
• Atlanta, Georgia

Collaborations:

Kora Awarding winner Henri Mutuku

Many local artists

Music genera:

·        Regga

·        Afro- Kapuka

Professionally:

• Graphic Designer
• 3D animation and model maker

About DJ Kev

Kevin has been a Gospel DJ for the last four years. He started with the usual struggles that any minister of the gospel faces but with time he has been able to grow and become one of the big names in the Christian circles in Kenya. DJ Kev as he is well known among the youth has worked with the Homeboyz entertainment as a head lecturer. Homeboyz is a big name in Kenya when it comes to entertainment. While at the Homeboyz DJ Kev put together the Sprite Homeboyz Academy curriculum for both foundation and advanced class and being the first Chief lectures in the school for 18 months

DJ Kev also manages the Mo Sound entertainment, which is the umbrella through which he organizes his events. With a main objective of enhancing the development of the Gospel and Contemporary music, to discover and utilize talents in the industry, enhance in the abstinence campaign in the fight against HIV Aids Awareness and entertain using gospel music. He has some major events that are associated with him. One of the greatest brainchild of DJ kev is the JC’s Groove. These are monthly events that bring the youth together to a time of wholesome gospel, music, dance and ministry through the word from various youth pastors. JC’s groove has been in existence for almost the same time as DJ Kev has been in the Djying ministry. In there time JC’s groove have been able to restore the youth into the right direction and has been able to give them an alternative from other harmful activities like smoking, drinking and abusing alcoholic substances that are very prevalent among a large cross section of the youth in Kenya today.

Other events that can be credited to DJ Kev and Mo Sound entertainment are Speed Party, which is an end year party that is targeted to the youth. Last year this event attracted slightly over 3,000 youth. The other event is the 1:10 fingers which is targeted to young Christian Dj’s this gives them forum to exercise their growing talent among competition. The winner in this competition gets a scholarship to the DJ Academy to further their Djying career. Mo Sound under DJ Kev, has also been involved in the abstinence campaign in the fight against HIV/Aids.

Personality 

Dj Kev has a passion of reaching to the young people in this country with the word of God to the fullest through gospel   music. His love for God and testimony of where God has brought him from and where is taking him lives no doubt he will see many turn there backs towards the deceiver and run the race with with their eyes fixed on the crown already won for them by Christ.

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Professor Anyang' Nyong'o assures investors

Kenya's minister for Planning and National Development Professor Anyang' Nyong'o assured UK investors that Kenya is safe to invest and that the government has now set in motion a conducive investment climate. Addressing the investors on Wednesday 10th November, 2004 at the Kenya High Commissioner offices in London the minister explained that Kenya is one of the four African nations driving forward the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) by submitting itself for scrutiny under the African Peer Review Mechanism - the good governance and development initiative first agreed by the OAU in 2001.

Mr. Patrick Orr (left) the organiser of the meeting who is the PR of the Kenya government in the UK, Mr. Gicheha and Dr. Manu	From left is PS office of the President Mr. John Githongo,  Professor Anyang' Nyong'o and the Kenya High Commissioner in the UK Mr. Joe Muchemi
Alex Mureithi (right) the chairman of Tana and Athi River Development Authority (Tarda) at the meeting	Dr. Manu Chandaria (left) is among the Kenyan delegation

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Kenya minister technical appearance at the WTM

Kenya stand at the famous World Travel Market poorly attended by visitors this year as there was no much attraction this time. The exhibition started on Monday 8th November, 2004 and ending up on Thursday 11th August, 2004. The acting minister for tourism Hon. Tuju made a technical appearance at the stand for about half an hour on Wednesday dressed like a Maasai Warrior and then left immediately. The chairman Mr. Matiba whom was there at the opening had to leave for Nairobi for an urgent matter leaving the stand without senior officials as the permanent secretary in the ministry never turned up. Compared with other years you could tell that there was something wrong as the stand was deserted by visitors as there was no much activities going on at the stand except for the hotel and travel agents group who kept the stand alive. The Kenyan bar which usually attracts a huge visitors was nowhere this time.

From far it was easy to identify Kenya stand	A dancer from Gambia was of a big attraction to the visitors
From left is Sofia Naikenu, Mariam Wangui and Simon Nkoitoi	Mr. Raymond Matiba the chairman of Kenya Tourist Board
"We are from Maasai Mara - Nkoitoi and Lesianto"	The Rwanda stand was another centre of attraction
The Zimbabwe stand had a beat which attracted a huge crowd	Top of the range at the exhibition was Gambia stand which attracted a huge crowd right from day one - the cheapest tourist destination in Africa

Empty Kenya Stand - no much attraction	From left is Sam Ochieng of Sacoma, David of Kenya Airways and Dominic Ayinemi of OBE Television
A well co-coordinated South African Stand	Mr. Octopus was well patrolling the streets

Some Kenyans living in the UK posing with Simon from Ngong at the exhibition

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Under water restaurant in Israel

6 METRES BELOW THE SEA LEVEL

The new restaurant designed by Ayala Serfaty in Eilat, on the Riviera of the Red Sea, you can sip champagne and dine at the bottom of the exotic bay. The Red Sea Star, Ayala Serfaty's newly designed restaurant feels like an aquatic set for Alice in Wonderland. Have a seaweed salad on a coral table, sit on an anemone bar-stools and stare at the starfish lamps through your martini glass. Submerged 20 feet below sea level and 300 feet offshore at the bottom of Eilat bay, the restaurant is the new "must visit" place in this hip resort town at the southernmost tip of Israel. Imagine a dreamy cave where you can experience the odd sensation of staring into the eyes of a flute fish while sipping a cocktail, or enjoying a gourmet meal. Would you dare to order the seafood special?

In 1997, two Tel Aviv-based entrepreneurs commissioned Serfaty to design the interior of this 100-Seat gourmet restaurant, right at the busiest district of Eilat.
The site, just north of the famous underwater observatory and next to the newly opened Le Meridien Hotel and the trendy club hotel , is well-placed to attract a devoted clientele. First the owners installed three large sunken steel tanks built and welded together by an oil-container company. Then Serfaty was called in to configure and design the interior. "it was a square and painted technical blue; it was as claustrophobic as a submarine. I set off to make everything round, warm, soft and open."

Serfaty softened the tank's closed-in feeling by sculpting the walls around four-inch-thick acrylic glass windows with plaster. "The relationship between exterior and interior was very important," says Serfaty. "I balanced the blue tones of the water with a warm color palette and made the horizontal surfaces reflective so that the ceiling would float into the floor." Nearby schools of fish cast their shadows onto the floor of sand set in glossy resin and swim through the laser cut iron railings shaped like abstract sea anemones.

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British boy feels the heat during training in Kenya

Chris Casey in action in Kenya

A Northolt soldier is getting a taste for action deep in the African bush. Chris Casey, 24, a lance corporal in the Irish Guards, is spending almost two months on exercise in Kenya as part of Exercise Grand Prix in temperatures reaching 50c. It is not the first time the soldier has worked in the searing heat. During the war in Iraq Lance Corporal Casey and his colleagues fought their way into the southern Iraqi city of Basra. He was with the first assault platoon when they had to fight their way through narrow streets and take control of enemy held buildings. In the fighting two fellow guardsman lost their lives. But in the African bush the soldiers have been coming up against their own surprises. The former Gunnersbury School, Ealing, pupil said: "You are crawling through the bushes when all of a sudden you come across a set of lion prints and you think this really is the real thing. The training is tough but in the evening when you are sitting by a camp fire listening to the animals out there in the bush it is just awesome. There is just so much out here." The soldiers have built a maternity ward for villagers.

Safari so good

A Borehamwood soldier is being pushed to the limit on an Exercise Grand Prix in Kenya. Guardsman Steven Cullen, 19, is an infantry soldier with the 1st Battalion The Irish Guards, and is currently taking part in live firing training in Kenya, where the temperature is a scorching 50celsius. The battalion, affectionately known as The Micks, is practicing the basics of being a foot soldier including co-ordinating attacks on enemy bunkers. Each of the 550 Guardsmen carry 50lb packs, fire live rounds and dodge real mortar rounds. The training programme is one of the hardest in the world, but needs to be, as the guardsmen could one day be called upon to do the job for real. Four hundred of the soldiers taking part in the exercise were recently engaged in taking the city of Basra, Iraq, in which two guardsmen, Lance Corporal Ian Malone and Piper Christopher Muzuru, lost their lives. For Steven, the exercise has been like a long trip to the zoo: "Africa is an experience I won't forget. We had finished training and were relaxing in our camp when we decided to go down to a nearby river. "It was dusk and we were just relaxing when a family of elephants came right down to the other bank for an evening drink. I couldn't believe it. "At night you can hear the hyenas and I've come across recent lion tracks, but thankfully no lion." Besides practicing military manoeuvres, The Micks have been involved in community projects, and built a maternity ward at Onjuliu village. Steven said: "There was a church nearby that took ten years to build, and the locals couldn't believe that the Army would have completed it in three months. "This has made the trip so worthwhile. Local labourers have helped us, and on Sunday the children came and sang. The people were so unbelievably grateful. It puts everything in perspective. "The training has been extremely tough, but it has definitely been a worthwhile experience. As they say in Kenya, hakuna matata' no worries." The Irish Guards were due to return to London this month, and Guardsman Cullen is due to parade at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Day. Source: Borehamwood Times - www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk

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