AUGUST, 2010                                                                      

Home Access is a government drive that helps low-income families who currently lack access to a computer and/or internet to get online at home to support learning. The programme is aimed at those that need it most. If you are a low-income family in receipt of certain benefits you could qualify for a Home Access package with Assistive Technology.
The Home Access has been very successful with less than 5,000 grants left to award. Due to the success of the programme, we are now inviting applications for computers for children with severe disabilities or Special Educational Needs only and applications for the main programme are no longer being sent out. Does your child have difficulty using a computer because of a severe disability or a special educational need? If so, they may be eligible for a tailor-made Home Access package based on a simple evaluation of their needs.

Does your child have severe disabilities or a special educational need and require additional support to access a computer and the internet? To find out if you are eligible for a Home Access package with Assistive Technology and find out how to get an application form, Click here.

Create the perfect sleep environment

Bedrooms should be used only for sleeping an sex – not working, eating, sleeping or watching television. Your brain needs to associate your bedroom with sleep.

If you have a television or computer in the room, then it is time to de-clutter and move them elsewhere. You should aim to make your bedroom a dark, quiet and peaceful environment in which to rest after a hard day’s work. To do this:

• Make sure you have a bed which is comfortable. Mattresses are supposed to be changed every 10 years. If the mattress sags, put a board under it until you can afford to buy a new one. You will also be doing your back a favour!
• Fresh sheets and pillow cases may also help
• If the morning sun is causing you problems, invest in heavier curtains or lining, or wear an eye mask
• If your partner snores, buy some soft ear plugs
• Keep the room at a decent temperature, and well ventilated – not too hot in the summer or too cold in winter.

Kenyan constitution signed into law

African leaders, including indicted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashi, joined tens of thousands of Kenyans on Friday as a new constitution was signed into law that institutes an American-style system of checks and balances on power.

The Kenyan president, Mwai Kibaki, signs the new constitution into law, left, while a young boy watches the signing of the new constitution, at Uhuru Park in Nairobi

Tens of thousands of Kenyans braved the cold and rain to celebrate the signing into law of a new constitution on what the president, Mwai Kibaki, called "the most important day in the history of our nation since independence".

The new set of laws, heralded in the domestic media as the "birth of the second republic", curbs the vast powers of the president and senior politicians that have enabled decades of impunity for the ruling elite and encouraged a ruinous system of ethnic patronage.

The feeling of local and international goodwill towards Kenya has been soured by the presence of Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the international criminal court on charges of genocide and war crimes allegedly committed in Darfur. As a member of the court, Kenya is technically obliged to arrest Bashir, but has instead chosen to treat him as an honoured guest.

The move has been strongly criticised by human rights groups, and raises serious questions over the Kenyan government's commitment to co-operate with the ICC over its own case in the Hague, which relates to the violence that erupted after the election nearly three years ago. The court prosecutor is expected to announce charges of crimes against humanity against several senior Kenyan politicians and security officials in the next few months.

In anticipation of today's ceremony at Uhuru Park, on the edge of the city centre, workers across Nairobi have been frenetically tidying up the capital. The event is being held amid tight security, with a host of African leaders and other foreign dignitaries flying in to attend.

Besides the political reforms, Kenya's new constitution provides for devolved power to often-marginalised regions, requires sweeping judicial and land reforms, and improves civil rights and women's representation. Despite an energetic campaign by the church and some politicians to reject the laws, Kenyans overwhelming approved the constitution in a national referendum this month. The vote was peaceful and well-organised, a marked contrast to the 2007 presidential election which plunged the country into chaos.

Passing a new constitution was a key element of the power-sharing deal to end the post-election chaos, although efforts by local reformers to replace the colonial-era laws go back more than 20 years. Kibaki, who is trying to rescue his legacy after his dubious election win, and the prime minister, Raila Odinga, his 2007 presidential foe and probable successor, both campaigned strongly for the yes vote in the referendum. They, together with all of Kenya's MPs, will be freshly sworn in today.

Full implementation of the constitution is expected to take several years, with parliament required to pass dozens of laws. There are certain to be hiccups along the way, as the political class is notoriously self-serving and those who campaigned against the document continue to demand concessions. The church wants to tighten the provision on abortion, which is outlawed in the new legislation except where the mother's health is in danger.

Land is the other main issue of contention. In Rift Valley province, the only region to vote no in the referendum, senior politicians, including the former president Daniel arap Moi, have whipped up fears that the land reform programme will see poor people lose title deeds. Proponents of land reform say the main people under threat are politicians and their cronies who have been illegally allocated vast tracts of land since independence in 1963.

Kenya prepares for party of the decade

Members of the armed forces gather at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, on Sunday to rehearse for the big party on Friday when the new constitution will be officially unveiled. They are scheduled to put up a show not seen in the country since Kenya gained independence in 1963. Photo/WILLIAM OERI 

General Jeremiah Kianga on Sunday promised that this Friday the armed forces would put up a military show not seen in Kenya since 1964. As part of the ceremony to mark the signing of the new constitution by President Kibaki on that day, the military and other disciplined forces were on Sunday rehearsing for a special parade. The armed forces brought out their soldiers, tanks, planes and even boats in a dress rehearsal for the state function.

Speaking at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, on Sunday during the rehearsals, Gen Kianga, the military boss, said officers and soldiers would mount the kind of parade last seen when Kenya became a republic. “The only generation that mounted a parade like this was on December 12, 1964. Many would have liked to do this, but the opportunity has fallen on you,” he told personnel from the forces during rehearsals.

Unlike other public holidays when only the first part of the national anthem is played, the military chief ordered that the national anthem be played in full. “Wherever you will be, in tanks, on the parade, or elsewhere, sing the three stanzas of the national anthem knowing the words have a meaning within all of us,” he told the soldiers.

Describing the parade as “a special one,” Gen Kianga said it would symbolise the commitment to a better Kenya. Speaking to journalists he said: “We’re ready to show Kenyans that it will be an important day and we shall put our best foot forward. We’re over 40 years now as a country and Kenyans have decided we want a rebirth. There are things in the society they want changed and we want to be part of that change.”

Elsewhere, government preparations were in top gear with invitations already sent to several heads of state and government, diplomats and other dignitaries. Government officials were not at this stage giving the full guest list, but East African heads of state have been invited, as have the members of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities who helped broker an agreement between the Party of National Unity and Orange Democratic Movement, ending the political crisis after the disputed 2007 General Election.

They include former UN secretary General Kofi Annan, Mrs Graca Machel, wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela and former presidents Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania and Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique. Dr Aziz Mlima, a personal assistant to Mr Mkapa, confirmed that the former Tanzanian leader will be attending. The others could not be reached to confirm.

A government official conversant with protocol matters who did not want to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the media said also expected are Presidents Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi.

Invited eminent persons

Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Mr Thuita Mwangi, confirmed that they had invited the Panel of Eminent African Personalities and Heads of State and Government from the region and other parts of the world. A team of VIP protection security officers from the General Service Unit have been put on stand-by in readiness for the arrival of dignitaries.

The officers from L and G company will serve as bodyguard and drivers for the VIPs. Leading hotels in Nairobi have been reserved for visitors coming for the big event expected to start arriving in the country on Wednesday. Around these hotels and the city in general, security has been stepped up.

On Sunday, Kenyans had a glimpse of what will happen next Friday from military rehearsals. The military put on display fighter jets, tanks, helicopters, cargo carriers, telecommunication equipment and other weaponry not seen in public for years. Those involved in the march-past parade included soldiers from Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, Kenya Airforce, regular police, Administration Police, Forest Guards and KWS rangers as well as the National Youth Service.

Apart from the march-past parade, there was a air display by jet-fighters, helicopters and cargo planes. Two of the helicopters had banners saying “Kenya Mpya” and “God Bless Kenya.” Then there was a rehearsal for the 21-gun salute expected after President Kibaki signs the new constitution into law.

On Sunday, it was not clear if President Obama will be sending a senior US official to the historic occasion after he paid a tribute to Kenyans for endorsing the new constitution in a letter to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The American President, whose father was a Kenyan, described the successful referendum as “a proud moment in Kenya’s history” and said he hoped it would help strengthen democratic institutions and boost reconciliation efforts.

In June, US Vice-President Joe Biden, was in the country and said a new constitution would lead to a more stable Kenya which would, in turn, make it easier for the country to benefit from significant US grants and investments.

On Friday, two people went to court in a bid to block the proclamation of the new constitution. Ms Mary Ariviza, an agent for ‘No’, and Mr Oketch Mondoh, went to the dispute court to stop the August 27 ceremony. The two want an audit of the electronic tallying system to determine its reliability and a fresh recount of all votes.

As preparations for the proclamation of the new constitution intensified President Kibaki said the passage of the new constitution was Kenyans big reward for the country’s first President Jomo Kenyatta. President Kibaki, who led Kenyans in commemorating the 32nd anniversary since the death of the nation’s founding father, said the former head of state’s dream of a prosperous country would be realised with the enactment of a new constitution.

Artificial corneas restore sight for the first time

Stem cells can be used to develop different kinds of tissue

Artificial corneas grown in the laboratoryhave been transplanted into patient's eyesfor the firsttime in an operation that offers hope to millions of partially sighted people. The new technique involves growing human tissue or collagen in the laboratory and then shaping it using a contact lens mould.

Scientists hope the breakthrough will also slash the cornea transplant waiting list which every year falls short by more than 500 in Britain alone.

Damaged and scarred tissue from the front of the eye is then removed and the "biosynthetic" replacement is stitched in its place. Eventually existing cells and nerves in the eye grow over the artificial cornea incorporating it fully into the eye. The first trials of the operation have shown that it is just as successful as live tissue transplantation and in some cases patients have had their sight fully restored. Dr May Griffiths, of Linköping University, in Sweden, said: "We were very excited by the results. "This study is the first to show an artificially fabricated cornea can integrate with the human eye and stimulate regeneration. "With further research, this approach could help restore sight to millions of people who are waiting for a donated human cornea for transplantation. "There is a shortage of donors and this could solve that problem. It can also be done at a fraction of the cost."

The cornea is a vulnerable shield or lens protecting the eye and plays a key role in creating vision.

It consists of three main layers – the endothelium, stroma and epithelium.

But many are damaged by scarring or disease causing blurring and even complete vision loss very much like a lens of a camera being scratched. A clinical trial of 10 patients with damaged corneas whose damaged tissue was operated on and replaced with the artificial cornea, found vision improved in six of them. After contact lens fitting their sight was comparable to conventional corneal transplantation with human donor tissue, according to the findings published in Science Translational Medicine. Humans are currently the only source of corneas for transplantation, and the supply of donor tissue is limited. In addition, the artificial corneas may actually work better than human versions because they avoid the chance of infection or rejection. Patients did not experience any rejection reaction or require long-term immune suppression, which are serious side effects associated with the use of human donor tissue. The biosynthetic corneas also became sensitive to touch and began producing normal tears to keep the eye oxygenated. Globally, diseases that lead to clouding of the cornea affect more than 10 million people worldwide making them the most common cause of blindness. More than a decade ago, Dr Griffith and her colleagues began developing biosynthetic corneas using collagen produced in the laboratory and moulded into the shape of a cornea.

After extensive laboratory testing Dr Griffith began collaborating with eye surgeon Dr Per Fagerholm, also at Linköping University, to provide the first human experience with biosynthetic cornea implantation. Dr Fagerholm, said: "We are very encouraged by these results and by the great potential of biosynthetic corneas.

"Further biomaterial enhancements and modifications to the surgical technique are ongoing, and new studies are being planned that will extend the use of the biosynthetic cornea to a wider range of sight-threatening conditions requiring transplantation."

Eyesight Restored - After a Change in Diet

The "Garden of Eden" Diet - Helps the Body Restore Eyesight

The Garden of Eden Diet Instructions
given to Adam and Eve for them, their Children
and Descendants of the Human Race were:
  "...Vegetation...Fruit...to You let it serve as Food...take Eat and LIVE Forever Young."
Genesis 1:29; 3:22
(No Animal Products, Oils or Grain Products)
Jesus Promoted the *Garden* Diet:
   "...Eat always from The Creators Table...
(Vegetation, Fruit) which GIVE YOUTH and
You will LIVE Forever Young...any other Instructions ("Eat Bread", "Eat Meat") are
from Satan and lead by Disease to Death."    - Excerpts from "The Essene Gospel" in the
Catholic.

Brazil fire tornado: Whirling column of flames sweeps through burning fields

Like a special effect from a Harry Potter film, a tornado of fire rises from the ground as if enchanted. This rare phenomenon then swept through burning fields and stopped traffic in Brazil as bush fires spread across the country. The whirlwind of flame, several metres high, was caught on camera in Aracatuba, in southern Sao Paulo state. It was caused by strong, dry winds that fanned wildfires

                                                                           Fire Devil: The whirling column of flames danced across a field

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1306088/Brazil-tornado-Whirling-column-flames-sweeps-burning-fields.html#ixzz0xekGZML4

African bishops say Anglicans in West strayed from God

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams arrives to a past Lambeth Conference in Cantebury. The Anglican church in the West no longer adheres to the word of God, African bishops said on Tuesday 

Entebbe, Tuesday, August 24 2010. The Anglican church in the West no longer adheres to the word of God, African bishops said Tuesday at a continental conference attended by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Rowan Williams, the head of the world-wide Anglican Communion, has been criticised by some African church leaders for his tolerant stance on homosexuality. "Today, the West is lacking obedience to the word of God," Reverend Ian Ernest of Mauritius, the head of the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa, told journalists. "It is for us (Africans) to redress the situation," he said, adding that he has severed all ties to the Episcopalian churches in Canada and the US that have allowed gays to enter the clergy. The conference host, the Archbishop of Uganda Henry Luke Orombi, said African leaders would use the six-day meeting to voice the concerns about the "ailing church" to Williams. "Homosexuality is incompatible with the word of God," Orombi said. "It is good (that) Archbishop Rowan is here. We are going to express to him where we stand. We are going to explain where our pains are." Orombi also said that disputes over homosexuality had already divided the global Anglican community. "There is already a break. It doesn't need to be announced. It is in the way people act," he said. Williams delivered a sermon Tuesday during the opening of the meeting, the first of its kind since 2004. While he did not mention homosexuality, he said it was the duty of all bishops to be open minded on contentious issues. "We must learn to listen to those we lead and serve to find out what their hopes and needs and confusions are. We must love them and attend to their humanity in all its diversity," he said. "We cannot assume we always know better and that we always have the right answer to any specific question."

Meanwhile, a homosexual Church of England priest has announced plans to "marry" his Nigerian male model boyfriend, who is 40 years his junior.

The pair are due to marry on Oct 9 at the register office in Devizes before holding a service at St John the Baptist Church

Mr Coward has also declined to confirm that he will remain celibate following the union, which is a requirement the Church of England asks of its ordained homosexual clergy. Mr Coward, who lives with his boyfriend in Marston, near Devizes, said he hoped his union would set a “visible example” to other homosexuals within the church. He said: “My goal is for everyone within the church to feel comfortable with the situation because at the moment the majorityof gay Christians marry secretly.

“It is a taboo subject but the church is now under huge pressure to change its stance and that pressure will only increase in the future. “Clearly the blessing is going to be quite a sensitive issue. I know that many people will see it and view it with horror. “But we are both deeply committed Christians so it would be unthinkable for me not to do it in church and not to do it with the congregation and with all of our friends. “I hope my wedding will inspire others and set a visible example to the church that we are not afraid.” Mr Coward discovered he was homosexual when a teenager and he was ordained as a priest in 1978 after giving up his job as an architect. He openly declared his homosexuality in 1991 before setting up the international gay and lesbian campaign group Changing Attitudes in 1995. Mr Coward met his boyfriend in 2007 at a Christian conference in Togo, West Africa, and the pair were engaged last year. Mr Egbele, a fashion designer, whose full name is Bobby Ikekhuame Egbele, grew up in Nigeria and runs an online clothing shop Bobafrique, where he models the clothes. The pair are due to have a civil partnership ceremony on Oct 9 at the register office in Devizes before holding a service at St John the Baptist Church. However, the service will be a communion Eucharist rather then a blessing, which is forbidden for homosexual couples. Mr Coward said: ''Churches are not supposed to bless civil partnerships. It can bless almost anything else; animals, bombs, battleships, armies going to war but gay couples? No. “So our church blessing has to be carefully-worded in so far as it does not use the word blessing in the context of the two of us in relationship.'' The Bishop of Ramsbury, Rt Rev Stephen David Conway, could ask Mr Coward to remain celibate, a request he plans to refuse. Under Church of England laws sex is only permitted for married couples and same-sex civil partnerships are not officially regarded as marriage. Mr Coward said: ''I have big doubts whether he will ask me that because it's a very intrusive question. It's a ridiculous situation and a real mess. “What we're allowed to do, as a gay couple, is what this all about and certainly those in ordained ministry are not supposed to be sexually active. “But in practice, some bishops absolutely will give their approval knowing that a couple is in a civil partnership and that they are sharing the same bed, and will encourage them to do that.'' Mr Coward said Mr Egbele was on a two year visitor visa until July next year. The couple have applied to the UK Border Agency for permission to have a civil partnership. That gives Mr Egbele rights of residency. In four years time, Mr Coward said Mr Egbele would be entitled to apply for British Citizenship. A spokesman for the Diocese of Salisbury confirmed it has permitted allowed the service but described it as ''separate'' from the civil ceremony. He said: ''A Eucharistic service celebrating friendship is what has been sanctioned in this case. This is entirely separate from any civil partnership ceremony.”

A long tailed macaque monkey,left, adopts a kitten in the forests of Bali, Indonesia and right, a close up macro photograph of tiny jumping spider, which has been made to turn into a ferocious monsters, staring menacingly at the camera. This exotic looking creature look like monsters straight out of a horror film. But, despite its appearance, this creature is actually a jumping spider, which measure a tiny six millimetres - and they live in this country

Woman Caught On CCTV Dumping Kitten In Bin

Footage has been unveiled showing a woman dumping a helpless kitten in a wheelie bin for no apparent reason.

The grey-haired lady, left picture, is caught petting the animal on camera before looking around to see if she is being watched, picks the cat up by the scruff of her neck, centre, lifts the lid of the wheelie bin and throws her, unceremoniously, in the bin before walking off, right.

The cruel act was caught on CCTV by the cat's owners, Daryll and Stephanie Mann, at their Coventry home. They discovered the trapped cat when they heard her cries and decided to check the footage from their security camera to see how she ended up in the bin. They believed Lola - who is not yet a year old - must have been dumped by drunken louts. But when they saw the video, they were shocked to discover it was the work of a middle-aged woman. Mr Mann told Sky News correspondent Darren Little: "I was shocked how someone could do something like that to an animal, I know some people don't like cats but you wouldn't expect them to do that to an animal that can't defend itself."

The attack happened at 7.55pm on Saturday and the kitten was trapped for nearly 16 hours before she was dicovered by the Manns who were heading out for Sunday lunch. "I'm surprised at it being a lady I expected it was someone drunk coming back from the pub, but when I saw that, it's mad," said Mr Mann. Coventry Police said they had been alerted to what had happened and had passed the matter to the RSPCA.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: "We are appalled by allegations that a cat was placed inside a wheelie bin in Coventry in what would appear to be a mindless act of animal cruelty.

"Investigations are on-going in liaison with the police. "Anyone who witnessed anything or who recognises the person responsible is urged to call the RSPCA national cruelty and advice line on 0300 1234 999, leaving a message for inspector Nicky Foster."

Mama Ngina breaks silence on Mzee

Mama Ngina lays a wreath at the mausoleum of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta at Parliament Buildings on Sunday to mark the 32nd anniversary of his death. She spoke on Monday for the first time about Mzee’s last moments.

In the early hours of August 22, 1978, a stunned Mama Ngina Kenyatta grabbed the doctor who had been examining her husband and asked him to repeat what he had just said. The man from the Coast General Hospital had just uttered a statement that would be whispered throughout the country hours later, that Kenya’s first president had breathed his last.  “I am sorry, Mrs Kenyatta, the President is no more, he has left us,” was all the good doctor had said. And stunned, she grabbed his shirt and asked, “What have you said?” “Sorry, that’s how it is,” he replied. That, Mama Ngina revealed in an interview with Kameme FM, was what transpired on the night Mzee died.  It is perhaps the first time she has spoken publicly on her last moments with the first president. Mzee, as she still refers to him, had woken up at about 2 am complaining of stomach ache.  “He asked for water and I asked whether he would have some orange juice but he said he wanted water. He then went to the toilet but the pain did not subside,” she said. She called the nurse who said it would be better if Dr Njoroge Mungai and Dr Eric Mwangola attended to him. They were summoned from their hotels and a doctor called from the Coast General Hospital. The latter arrived first. By the time Dr Mungai and Dr Mwangola showed up, Mzee was long dead, said Mrs Kenyatta. They were later joined by Mr Eliud Mahihu, who was the Coast Provincial Commissioner. With her at State House, Mombasa, were her children Uhuru, Muhoho and Nyokabi Kenyatta, the nurse and a bodyguard. She also spoke about how she ran the family after Mzee’s death. “Mzee had no money, but I sold some land to help educate (the children). I realised education was the only thing I could give them because with education and hard work, even without wealth, one can succeed,” she said. The children, now all grown up, studied in Kenya and the United States. It is perhaps improbable that the head of a family that is generally perceived to be well-off can make such a claim. Could she have meant Mzee had more assets than cash?

Man at the centre on night Jomo died

"Since when did inspectors give orders to colonels?” Colonel Gichuru to Inspector Wambugu 

Mahihu did not tell me the President had died,” recalls Mr Wambugu, now 58. “He just asked me to connect him to Hinga.” Mr Bernard Hinga was then the Commissioner of Police. Wambugu connected Eliud Mahihu and Hinga by way of radio telephone. “As soon as they finished talking,” says Wambugu, “Hinga called me and ordered me to make a police plane available for him to travel to Mombasa immediately.” There was no problem with that, the inspector told his Commissioner, except that “Sir, Wilson Airport does not operate at night.” “You do what it takes,” the boss thundered. “I am on my way and I will be at Wilson Airport at exactly 4am.” Even before he could call the duty pilot, Wambugu got another call from Mahihu. This time he wanted to speak to Mr James Kanyotu, the Special Branch chief. He connected them. And as soon as Kanyotu finished speaking to Mahihu, he called Wambugu and ordered him to arrange for him to fly to Mombasa immediately. “In fact, Sir,” he informed Kanyotu, “you’re lucky. I am looking for the duty pilot and the Commissioner of Police is also going to Mombasa. You can fly in the same plane.” Wambugu, not being privy to the telephone conversations he was facilitating, had precisely no clue about the purpose of these urgent pre-dawn travel arrangements to the coastal city. Before Wambugu could raise the duty pilot, State House Mombasa was on the line again. Now they wanted to speak to Mr Geoffrey Kariithi, the Head of the Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet. Wambugu has fond recollections of Kariithi. “We used to talk almost every day because as Head of the Civil Service, there were very many things to do between his office and ours. As soon as Kariithi finished talking to Mahihu, he called me and asked me ‘what is going on in Mombasa?’ “I told him, Sir, I don’t know. But you can fly in the same plane with the Director of Special Branch and the Commissioner of Police because they are also flying to Mombasa. Do you have a car or can I send you one?” Kariithi said he had one. At about this time, Wambugu was able to raise SSP Osiemo, the police duty pilot. He was the senior-most pilot after Mr Mathenge, the Police Flying Wing Commandant. He was also Wambugu’s old schoolmate at Kenya Air Force Flying School. As duty pilot, he was allocated living quarters at Wilson Airport so that he could fly at short notice. Control tower closed

Mahihu was on the line again. He wished to speak to Margaret Kenyatta, eldest daughter of the President and former Mayor of Nairobi. She was not in the security sector and the conversation with Mombasa was via an ordinary telephone, not the radio. Next Mombasa spoke to Udi Gecaga, husband of Jane Kenyatta who would travel with his wife. Wambugu realised his plane was full.

“It was a Cessna 210,” he recalls. “With one pilot, it could carry five passengers but with two, it could carry only four.” That means he needed another plane. “I immediately started looking for the standby pilot,” he recalls. This turned out to be Superintendent Orata. He lived at Kariokor flats. As Superintendent, he was Wambugu’s boss but the inspector literally ordered him to rush to Wilson Airport using the shortest route possible. “Sorry Sir, I am unable to answer any question. I am sending a Land Rover to pick you up and you have to go and arrange for another plane to fly to Mombasa.” He did just that and the next he heard was Orata calling him from Wilson Airport telling him that the control tower was not operational. “Sir,” Wambugu told his boss, “you are better placed there at the airport than I am here. But I am sending a controller to come to the airport on duty. However, if you must leave before he arrives, you can line some vehicles to light up the runway.”

As a matter of fact, that is what happened. With Osiemo first and then closely followed by Orata, the pilots used the headlights of the Land Rovers for take off and the tower of Jomo Kenyatta Airport to guide them out of Nairobi. The first take-off was around 4.15am. This was approximately one hour since Mahihu called asking for Hinga. It makes Wambugu guess that the President may have died earlier than the official time eventually given. Read more....

Best and worst paying university degrees

We look at the value of a university education, tell you which degree is the best value and explain the premium you earn for post-graduate training. Do degrees always pay off in the long run, despite the costs associated with them? And what are the best and worst paid subjects to study? All the comparisons we make in this article are between graduates and those who could have gone to university but didn't (i.e. they had two or more A levels or equivalent qualifications). Subject matters

It's no surprise that there are wide variations in average earnings depending on the subject studied. Arts graduates earn just £35,000 extra (compared to non-graduates) whilst medicine graduates earn a massive £340,000 extra, on average, during their lives. Average extra earnings for graduates by subject studied

Data from 2005 and 2007

Earnings growth steady in early years Regardless of which degree you take, earnings grow at a constant rate in the first few years. However, they typically balloon in the mid-years in some subjects, such as chemistry. Averages can be misleading... ...to say the least. There is massive variation within each field, which explains why some people get irate at so-called 'average earnings'. One graduate working in the same field or even the same job as another can easily earn one-third less than some colleagues. Average graduate earnings While graduates often start off earning a similar amount to non-graduates, this changes quickly over the years. For example, in 2008 (the latest statistics we could find), a typical 21-year-old graduate earned just £17,472 a year, while a non-graduate with A levels earned £15,912 a year. However, the typical 33-year-old graduate earned £37,960 a year, while the typical 34-year old non-graduate earned just £27,768 a year.

Source: Prospects.ac.uk

Average extra lifetime earnings

On average, graduates earn an extra £160,000, or 23% throughout their lifetime (which is even greater after tax). That's an extra £3,600 per year, compared to non-graduates. That's despite increasing numbers of young people getting degrees: a third now do, compared with just 15% 20 years ago.

Public sector benefits less visible

Most graduates in the public sector seeing earnings statistics over the years will probably conclude they are unrealistic, but in return for a lower income most get greater job security and pension benefits.

Do degrees always pay off?

No, not always. The evidence is limited, but it seems that men with arts degrees usually earn slightly less than their counterparts who chose not to go to university. A case of those who can, do - perhaps?

It's also true that, without a degree, you can still earn more than the average graduate. Those taking training places from one of the big accountancy or law firms, for example, can circumvent the need and cost of a degree.

Also, degrees are expensive. The average student leaves university with debts totalling £15,700 and the current average graduates starting salary is just £22,300. Even if your salary goes up every year by almost 5%, it will still take you around 12 years to pay off your debt, which will cost you even more than you think.

Finally, it's worth bearing in mind that 20% of students drop out of university and a third of graduates end up with non-graduate jobs. On the plus side, graduates are less likely to be unemployed.

Degrees are more beneficial for women

On average, research shows that women gain greater financial benefits from a university education than men do. Women who don't go to university tend to earn a great deal less than men who don't go to university. However, women's incomes, on average, are boosted more by a degree to make it a more level playing field. To take an example, men's incomes are boosted 43% by an economics degree, but women's are boosted 63%. Similarly, men from poorer backgrounds also benefit more from university than men from affluent ones. Discrimination, it seems, is more difficult for employers when you've got a degree.

There is still discrimination towards graduates

However, there is still a big difference in average earnings between male and female graduates, with men earning at least £14,000 more over their working lives. (We suspect it's quite a bit more on average, but unfortunately there seems to be little research on this topic. If you know a better statistic, please share it on lovemoney.com using our comments section.)

Law comes top

This is the most important section in the article. Whilst medicine earns more, it also costs more. What's more, you lose out on income, because you're studying (and so not working) for more years. When you factor all these things together, law is the better investment with an average rate of return of more than 17% per year:

The annual rate of return on your degree

The average rate of return for all degrees is 12.1% per year. This makes a degree the best possible investment (on average), trouncing the stock market or property over the long term.

Surprisingly, medicine has a lower return than the average at 11.6% (although dentists were excluded from the figures) meaning that perhaps we focus too much on doctors' wages and not enough on support staff.

However, weI suspect that these figures (from 2005) will be out-of-date now. 130,000 doctors earn now, at the very least, £13bn between them, with many earning as much as £380,000 per year.

Also the figures in the above table may come down now that the cost of university is going up (to an average £23,000 for students starting this year, it's estimated). However, some researchers believe the reverse will happen!

The post-grad premium

Some - but far from all - employers offer a premium for those who go beyond a Bachelor's degree. If you're lucky enough to get work for an employer that pays such a premium, those with doctorates could earn an extra £6,000 from the start. Those with master's degrees could earn an extra £4,000 and those with an MBA an extra £12,000 (although very few employers offer a premium for MBAs).

That's a lot of statistics. You may need a degree just to take them all in!

Coalition's first 100 days: Cameron's Big Society

Prime Minister Cameron

In the fifth of politics.co.uk's week-long series of features on the coalition government, we examine growing doubts about the viability of David Cameron's Big Society.

If the prime minister has his way the Britain which emerges at the end of his government will be very different from the one we're living in now. His big idea is the Big Society. No-one understood it before the general election and Tory campaigners reported little interest from voters on the doorstep. These early setbacks haven't deterred the prime minister, forcing us all to try and work out what he actually meant.

Cameron moved quickly to explain his plans after entering Downing Street. He's fed up with the "monolithic and clumsy" Labour state. Instead the idea is to strip powers from Whitehall and shift them closer to those who are actually doing the legwork on the ground.

This agenda slots easily into the coalition's priorities. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has talked of the need for "radical change that puts power back in the hands of the people". The Lib Dems will help the Tories implement Cameron's Big Society desire to hand power back to "people and communities". That means you.

The PM hasn't been holding back. "It's about liberation - the biggest, most dramatic redistribution of power from elites in Whitehall to the man and woman on the street," he told a Liverpool audience in July. Instead of turning to the state to solve problems, individuals, businesses and community organisations are encouraged to get on with it themselves. "It's about people setting up great new schools," Cameron continued. "Businesses helping people getting trained for work. Charities working to rehabilitate offenders."

This is his "passion" and the initiatives it has spawned are visible across government: from the new academy schools run by teachers rather than local authorities, via the health service mutuals planned in the NHS white paper, to the renewed emphasis on charities and volunteer groups.

But turning these grand designs into reality is another matter altogether. Cameron faces a huge battle on his hands to win over the country to this new culture shift. Even the obvious supporters of the Big Society are looking distinctly uncomfortable.

Local authorities left out

You might think local authorities would be screaming with delight at the prospect of all this devolved power. In fact they are much more reserved. Yes, councils are to be handed a 'general power of competence'. They are being given much greater housing and planning powers. Public health responsibilities are returning to local government. And the oppressive and heavy-handed inspections culture is to be lightened. But there is a flip-side to the coalition's agenda, too.

"The sentiment of the Big Society is to be encouraged and, certainly, the government have put decentralisation at the heart of domestic policy agenda. But I think it needs to work out exactly where local government is placed within that and give councillors a very clear role in terms of delivering the Big Society," says James Hulme, communications director of the New Local Government Network thinktank.

Early steps from the coalition are undermining any efforts to win councillors' trust. The problem is summed up by communities and local government secretary Eric Pickles' decision to intervene over two-week bin deliveries - which are now banned outright.

"You can't talk about localism, and then interfere, interfere, interfere," complains Richard Kemp, the leader of the Liberal Democrats' group within the Local Government Association. He gives the coalition eight out of ten on their approach to local government and happily lists the return of powers expected in the decentralisation and localism bill.
"And then he insists we publish every invoice worth more than £500 and we can't use lobbyists," he grumbles. "You can't believe in localism and at the same time micromanage [council] activity."

Local authorities are likely to be both beneficiaries and victims of the Big Society. Powers are being transferred from London to town halls where possible - but they're also being shifted from councils to the people as part of a great move downwards. It's about local community groups, charities and professional groups, as much as it is about helping councillors. Nathan Yeowell, head of office for the LGA's Labour group, warns that the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

"The question is the extent to which councils will have the capacity going forward to provide the services their citizens need - and the extent to which the government will leapfrog councils and devolve power to people in communities," he says.

Councils are already facing a long list of lost influence. Local people are going to be given the chance to veto council tax rises and block housing developments they oppose through small-scale referenda. In practice the introduction of these moves will make it much harder for rogue left-wing councils to get their way, reinforcing the mould rather than diversity among local authorities.

There are also doubts about their legitimacy. Will they really help fulfil the coalition's pledge to increase public engagement in politics? Ruth Fox of the Hansard Society isn't sure. "Referenda would be most effective in the context of boosting public engagement if it's accompanied by good high quality public education campaigns that address the issues in a way that engages the public interest and sufficiently explains the pros and cons of the issue before them that they're being asked to vote upon," she says. Would a council tax referendum really tick all these boxes? Will they be a realistic consultation exercise - or a sham?

Perhaps it's no surprise, then, that local authorities are not greeting the Big Society with enormous enthusiasm. "To an extent it's a double-edged sword," Hulme adds. "On one hand the government is giving councils greater freedoms... but on the other there's still a lot of micromanagement from Whitehall. They sit together rather uneasily."

Accountability issues

Let's assume that the Big Society does get off the ground. That it is everything Cameron wants it to be, with our schools, hospitals and other local services taken over by the well-meaning and enthusiastic. Are the coalition government's problems over? No. Far from it.

Many are extremely concerned the do-it-yourself government will have a negative impact on the overall quality of public services. Under Labour the targets-driven system created a short-termist culture where public sector workers look to clear the next hurdle, abandoning that all-important long-term perspective. Under the coalition comes the return of a spectre Labour worked so hard to avoid: the postcode lottery.

"In affluent areas, or those where there are self-interested groups that want to take over, a voluntarist approach to providing services for one's fellow citizens might have more traction," Yeowell adds.

"But in other areas where there's high level of poverty... we can't just keep our fingers crossed there will be people there. Councils don't have the capacity or the wherewithal to actually provide for people in those situations - so we could end up in a pretty sticky situation."

Natalie Evans of Policy Exchange, the centre-right thinktank which has generated much of the thinking behind the Big Society, insists postcode lotteries are part of the plan. She acknowledges that differences will develop, as the Big Society leads to improved performances in one area. "Where something works really well, that will mean people next door think 'why aren't we getting that?'" They will then begin to put pressure on to get what their neighbours have. "Rather than the lowest common denominator," Evans explains, "it might help to encourage improvements and better delivery of services."

It is inevitable, though, that at least some of the various mutuals, cooperatives and other groups will prove less successful than that "lowest common denominator" - that they will, in short, make things better than worse. Hulme believes this is when the accountability deficit at the heart of the Big Society will become a huge problem. "At what point does the public say these people are not elected, not accountable, so why should they have the power?" he asks.

"It's one area where they shouldn't underestimate the importance of having that mandate and accountability in terms of providing services and spending people's money."

Evans agrees that national and local governments face a big challenge in the coming months - avoiding rushing into implementing changes which haven't been properly thought through. "It's going to take quite a lot of will from the coalition and from local authorities to stand up when things go wrong," she says. It's all part of the test to come.

What if no-one turns up?

One problem which could emerge is that, despite the 'invitation to join the government of Britain' emblazoned on the front cover of the Conservative party's election manifesto, many people won't bother turning up at all. In the best of all possible worlds, localists argue getting 0.5% of citizens to be actively involved, and five per cent involved on a more informal level, represents pretty good turnout. You only need to look at school governing bodies to prove the point. Being on these involves having an influence on a genuinely significant body which controls a multimillion pound budget. Yet they do not always hold competitive elections. If it's hard enough persuading parents to get involved when they have such an obvious interest, should we really be confident that the well-meaning British are earnestly looking forward to getting involved?

You might think the leader of the LGA's Liberal Democrats group might have bought into the idea. But he remains gravely concerned by its proposals.

"I think the problem with the Big Society is it's quite utopian," Kemp says. "It's largely been thought up by people who've never had to deliver it... I just don't think it's realistic."

Perhaps in an exciting boom-time environment, where large amounts of money are ready to be invested, it would be easy to find enthused people to join in. The current climate couldn't be less cheerful. "Money will be needed to set up these bodies and provide the services anyway," Yeowell adds. "If funding is being removed left right and centre, where are these people going to be found?"

Evans points out that much of the Big Society's emphasis isn't really on the "man on the street" at all. Its focus is on philanthropists, charities, civil servants and businesses who are prepared to come together.

"For good local authorities who know their area and are in tune with their citizens, it offers a lot of opportunity to really develop local services that target the needs of their communities," Evans says.

"Hopefully it will engender better joined-up thinking. One would hope they know their communities well, they know how to help the vulnerable families, and if they embrace it and grasp it and work locally, they could make a really big difference."

This is the prize which Cameron is after; a focus on improving the overall standard by encouraging postcode lotteries rather than frowning at them. Now we've worked out what it means the Big Society is emerging as a major potential rule-changer in the relationship between the state and ordinary people. It's likely to outrage as many people as it will excite - the true meaning of a radical policy agenda.

Tooth-whitening online sales banned

Leading internet sites have withdrawn potentially dangerous, illegal tooth-whitening products from sale following an investigation.

                                                  Tooth-whitening online sales banned. Amazon, eBay and Google agreed

to stop the goods being advertised on their pages after being alerted by consumer watchdog Which?

A European Union regulation adopted last year bans the sale of tooth-whitening products containing more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide or chemicals which release hydrogen peroxide. The limit was introduced in response to concerns that the chemical could damage teeth, lips or gums. Stuart Johnston, from the British Dental Association, told Which?: "High doses of hydrogen peroxide can burn the lining of the mouth if it's not protected." Peter Vicary-Smith, chief executive of Which?, said: "These products are illegal, but ineffective policing means they are still widely available. We have shared our findings with Trading Standards and will continue to urge online retailers to boycott such harmful products being sold in their marketplaces." An eBay spokeswoman said: "We took action immediately and have built filters and appropriate structures into our system to address this issue. We do not allow unlawful products to be listed on our sites. If anything is brought to our attention, we will investigate it and bring appropriate action." A spokesman for Amazon said: "These items were offered by third-party sellers on our Amazon.co.uk Marketplace platform and have now been removed from sale. Please note that sellers on Amazon are prohibited from listing, on our Marketplace platform, products that do not comply with applicable laws."

A Google spokesman added: "We have a set of policies which govern what ads we do and do not allow... If we discover such ads we will take appropriate action."

Raging bull jumps into stands at bullring in Spain

Spectators ran for their lives after a bull jumped into the stands at a bullring in northern Spain injuring at least 30 people.

Bull jumps into stands at bullring in Spain

The terrifying incident happened in Tafalla, in the northern region of Navarra on Wednesday. The animal leapt over the fence and climbed up the stairs of the stands knocking over people, including young children.

A 10-year-old boy was in a serious condition with stomach wounds while another spectator was gored in the back, according to reports.

The incident occurred during a contest of "recortadores" when brave participants attempt to dodge the bull as it runs frantically around the arena. Spectators and officials later tied a rope around the bull to get it under control. The animal was removed from the arena by a crane and later killed.

It is extremely rare for a bull to jump over a security barrier and into the crowd.

The incident comes at a time when the country is split over whether bullfighting should be completely outlawed. Last month Catalonia became the first major Spanish region to ban the deadly sport after heated debate that pitted animal rights against a pillar of traditional culture.

The ban will take effect from 2012 in the northeastern coastal region whose capital is Barcelona.

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Pupils given condoms in goodie bags

Pupils collecting their A-level results have been given goodie bags containing condoms and chlamydia tests at schools. Skip related content

A-Levels pupils given condoms in goodie bags as they collect their results

The "summer savvy" bag put together by NHS Northamptonshire was aimed at reducing the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and helping young people avoid ending up in casualty after binge-drinking sessions. Students from Wollaston School in Wellingborough and Guilsborough School and Moulton School in Northampton were given the bags, which included an alcohol survival guide warning of the dangers of binge drinking; wallets containing a condom and information about STI screening and contraception; as well as an on-the-spot chlamydia test and a pair of "I've been tested" pants. Johanna Brake, a parent governor at Moulton School, told the Northampton Chronicle & Echo: "I think the timing could have been better and I would have preferred for them to have been handed out during the school term. "I don't have a problem with it but I think some parents might be quite taken aback and offended by it." Heidi King, head of social marketing for NHS Northamptonshire, said: "We want young people to be prepared for the adult world socially as well as educationally this week. "Our summer savvy bags are our way of equipping the A-level students for life beyond exams and school. Our advice is enjoy yourself, but know the risks and make positive choices."

Young offenders 'locked up 200 miles from home'

Children and young people are being locked up in secure accommodation more than 200 miles away from their families, a report has found. Skip related content

Young offenders are locked up 200 miles away from their homes

Ofsted inspectors said there was limited availability of appropriate placements, leading to young people being deprived of support and missing out on key services in areas such as drugs and alcohol misuse, education, training and housing.

Young people and their families also described not knowing where they were being taken once they left court and not finding out until they had arrived, causing "considerable distress".

Unless these problems were tackled systematically, the rates of reoffending and re-referral among young people are unlikely to fall, the report found.

John Goldup, Ofsted's director of social care, said: "Young people moving through the secure estate need support which is well co-ordinated, continuous and as close to home as possible if they are to successfully reintegrate into the community.

"While a wide range of factors may lead to offending behaviour, it is clear that young people's chances of avoiding re-offending are damaged if they lose contact with their families, with professionals who are trying to work with them, and with the education and training opportunities they will need on discharge."

Kids Aged 5 Reporting Parents Over Booze

Monday, August 16, 2010. Children as young as five are contacting a charity helpline to talk about their parents drinking or using drugs.

Kids call charity over their parents' drinking

ChildLine - which is run by the NSPCC - took almost 2,300 calls last year from youngsters who said their parents were drug addicts.And the charity says it also fielded more than 4,000 calls from children worried about their parents' drinking. Those children were three times more likely to report physical abuse (35%) than other children who called, and 20% mentioned issues with family conflicts, while 10% spoke of sexual abuse. One 13-year-old boy told the charity: "My mum is an alcoholic. I need to stop mum and dad arguing and fighting. This is always happening.

"I feel upset at the way my dad treats her. I feel sad because she goes off for days and drinks. I have not told anyone about what is happening. I like to keep it a secret."

And a 10-year-old told: "My mum drinks all the time.

"She leaves me alone lots of the time. I feel scared and lonely. I look after mum when she drinks and put her to bed. She shouts and hits me. I don't want to feel pain. I want to die."

The NSPCC said some children are desperately trying to cope with the traumatic role reversal of attempting to look after their parents, brothers and sisters.

Head of ChildLine Sue Minto said: "The fallout from parental drug and alcohol abuse is a ticking timebomb in many children's lives. It's vital these children are helped before lasting damage occurs.

"Children living with parental alcohol and drug problems are at more risk of harm and we need to find ways of helping them sooner."

She added: "But we must also remember they can be fiercely protective of their parents."

Parental drug misuse was reported as a problem in the lives of 2,284 children given counselling by ChildLine. These youngsters were almost six times more likely to call about their own drug misuse than others who called the service. A quarter reported physical abuse as a main problem, 19% spoke about family relationship problems and 8% mentioned sexual abuse.

US salmonella scare is one of biggest egg recalls

Washington, Friday, August 20, 2010. A top US egg producer Thursday expanded its recall to include 380 million chicken eggs that could be contaminated with salmonella bacteria, in one of the largest such recalls in recent history. Skip related content

The eggs were produced by Wright County Egg in Galt, Iowa, and sold around the country under 143 different brands, and are packed in boxes of six, 12 and 18 eggs.

The eggs were produced by Wright County Egg in Galt, Iowa, and sold around the country under 13 different brands, packed in boxes of six, 12 and 18 eggs.

The company on August 13 voluntarily recalled 220 million eggs from the market after hundreds of reported salmonella cases. The FDA reported that first recall on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the company expanded its recall to 380 million eggs, saying the number represented one percent of total US egg production.

It's "one of the largest eggs recall in recent history," said Food and Drug Administration Division (FDA) of Public Health and Biostatistics director Sherri McGarry.

FDA experts said in Thursday in a telephone press conference they were investigating the origins of a salmonella outbreak that has spiked to 1,953 cases between May and July of this year.

Without linking it directly to Wright County Egg, the administration said the outbreak was more than twice the normal number of salmonella cases for the period.

The FDA said, however, that infected rodents many have spread salmonella in Wright chicken farms.

The company said it has decided to pasteurize all its fresh stocks of eggs to kill off any salmonella bacteria.

Salmonella is spread most often by the consumption of food contaminated by animal fecal matter, according to health experts.

The microbe usually flourishes within the intestinal tracts of fowl and mammals.

An estimated 400,000 people are infected with food-borne salmonella each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease control and Prevention.

The Egg Safety Center has estimated the risk of salmonella infected eggs at one in 20,000, meaning the US consumer can be eating eggs for 84 years before finding a tainted one.

Credit card ‘trafficker’ held in sting

A fugitive suspected of being one of the world’s biggest cyber criminals has been arrested at an airport.

                                                                            Vladislav Horohorin is suspected of being one of the world's biggest credit-card fraudsters

Vladislav Horohorin was picked up in France and is awaiting extradition to the US. He is wanted there for allegedly selling credit card details of hundreds of thousands of people.

The 27-year-old, whose online name is BadB, could face 12 years in prison and a £400,000 fine if convicted.

The US secret service swooped while Horohorin was preparing to get on a flight to Russia at Nice airport.

‘His network remains one of the most sophisticated organisations of online financial fraud in the world,’ said Michael Merritt, of the Secret Service.

‘It is repeatedly linked to nearly every major intrusion of financial information reported to the international law enforcement community.’

Ukranian-born Horohorin is thought to have sold his credit card information on online criminal forums.

One of the websites, badb.biz, claims to have details of stolen cards from a million Americans.

It also asks for recruits to join, saying: ‘We [are] awaiting you to fight the imperialism of the USA. That way we invest US funds in [the] Russian economy and make it grow bigger.’

Horohorin was arrested after Secret Service agents posed as buyers in their sting operation.