London Latest News November 2008

INTRODUCING EMOTIONS:

Emotions are a vitally important and a God-given part of our human personality. They provide colour, richness and pleasure to us. They can enrich our lives. But things can go wrong. Negative emotions can be alarming and lead to a miserable existence. Emotional pain is real and can be extremely severe.  

People can become dominated by fear, anxiety – unexplained feelings of melancholy, uncontrolled feelings of anger, hurt, resentment or hatred. Sometimes emotions can be turned in against oneself and you can be filled with feelings of dread, self hatred, guilt and condemnation.  

Sometimes negative emotions are associated with mental disorders and can be very serious. But these can be treated as long as we as Christians are willing to admit to our problems.  

GENERAL POINTERS ON EMOTIONS:  

• Despite the fact that we live in a feeling-orientated world many people still find it extremely difficult to identify and express their emotions.

• Often we are not even aware of our feelings or the strength of them and we are still less aware of why we are experiencing these emotions in the first place.

• Our Western education teaches us how to think and to be aware of the intellectual realm of ideas. But there is very little education concerning our emotions. We are trained in the right way to think and we are taught to focus on what others are saying or doing rather than what is going on inside ourselves.

• As Christians, many of us have been wrongly taught that emotions are somehow a negative part of our personality and are therefore to be downplayed or ignored altogether.

• There are also cultural issues to deal with. We can speak of the British ‘stiff upper lip’ but there are other cultures where public displays of emotion are also frowned upon. But imagine an emotion‑free existence such as portrayed by Spock, the half-human, half-Vulcan character from the famous TV and film series Star Trek. What a boring and colourless experience that would be!

• There is often a heavy price to pay for unexpressed feelings. Being unaware of our emotions can mean that we are unaware of how these emotions are affecting us and the people around us.

Obama’s mini-me aged 3

                                                                                                       He's got a point ... Gramos wants power

A THREE-YEAR-OLD mini-Barack Obama has set his sights on becoming Britain’s first black Prime Minister. Gramos Huxha has already adopted the mannerisms of America’s President-Elect and is hooked on his catchphrase “Yes, we can.” The 3ft-tall lad has perfected Obama’s finger-in-the-air pose and only leaves the house in black shoes, a shirt, tie and jacket — just like the world’s most powerful man.

Idol ... Barack Obama

Mum Marie Salim, 34, said: “Everywhere we go people have been saying he looks like a mini-Barack Obama — it’s amazing.” She added that Gramos, who also speaks French and Arabic, is already writing speeches and drawing up his manifesto for Britain, which includes banning junk food. He began imitating Obama after watching him on TV as he battled to become the first black US President. Marie, of Peterborough, Cambs, said her son started introducing himself as Obama in a US accent. Gramos said: “I want to be just like Barack.”

Twelve Tips To Keep You Safe Online!

This month features Get Safe Online Week

This month features Get Safe Online Week, a yearly event aimed at raising awareness of Internet safety and security. I'm very interested in information security in general, as my late grandfather was a wartime code-breaker at Bletchley Park. I even studied cryptography (the disguising of information) at university. When it comes to information security, users are almost always the weakest link. Even the most secure encryption can be compromised by weak passwords and careless data security. Therefore, when you're shopping and banking online, always remember that you are a target for criminals who are keen to fleece you right down to your last penny!Indeed, according to Get Safe Online, a typical working adult on an average salary can be worth nearly £14,500 to an online fraudster. In a short space of time, Internet-based criminals will empty current and savings accounts and spend up to the limit on credit cards, before moving onto their next victim. So, if you don't want to fall foul of Web-based crooks, then follow these...

Twelve tips for safer online banking and shopping

1. Get a decent anti-virus package. Various commercial packages are available, although I use and recommend AVG Free Edition. Without this basic level of security, your PC may become infected within minutes of going online.

2. Update it several times a week. There's no point in installing anti-virus (AV) software and then not keeping it up to date. Hundreds of new viruses are created every day, so try to update your AV definitions daily.

3. Install anti-spyware protection. Spyware lurks inside your PC, collecting information about you and your Internet usage. I use Ad-Aware Free 2008 from Lavasoft, but here's a list of anti-spyware programs.

4. Use a personal firewall. This acts as a barrier between your PC and the Internet to block threats, including some viruses. Here's a list of popular firewalls.

5. Keep your operating system and Internet browser up to date. For most of us, this means using Microsoft Update to ensure that your versions of Windows and Internet Explorer are kept current.

6. Keep your wireless network safe. Without the right level of security, hackers can get access your wireless router to eavesdrop, freeload or commit crime.

7. Beware of 'phishing' attacks. These dodgy emails trick you into handing over personal financial information. Often, they pretend to come from a bank or other reputable organisation. You can protect yourself from phishing by using website-authentication software and by never replying to emails asking for personal details, no matter how authentic they might appear.

8. Use a spam filter. Software such as MailWasher will help cut down on unwanted emails.

9. Watch out for identity theft. By stealing your identity and impersonating you, thieves can rack up thousands of pounds of credit in your name. So, keep your personal information confidential, both online and offline, and never send financial details via unencrypted email or instant messaging.

10. Use passwords wisely. Don't use easy-to-guess passwords, don't use the same password for all of your online accounts, and don't transmit or write down your passwords. Remember, you are the weakest link!

11. Back up your favourite files. In case your hard drive is damaged, or your PC is wiped out by a virus, be sure to keep back-up copies of your music, photos and video files and other valuable data.

12. Use a credit card when buying online. Thanks to Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, credit cards offer extra legal protection if goods fail to arrive, are damaged or faulty. Debit cards aren't covered by this scheme.

Good luck with keeping your online accounts safe and steering clear of financial fraud!

The Swift Centre Football Festival 2008

In freezing temperatures 13 teams from across Newham and a couple of visiting teams including a newly formed Kenyan Team, captained by Duncan G. Ngari of Barking, competed in the first Swift Centre Football Festival 2008 at the astro-turf pitches at Brampton Manor School, East Ham, London, on Saturday, 1st November 2008. The teams had a total of 118 participants in the competition that required teams to be mixed in terms of age and gender, every team had to have a player over 40 or under 14 and a female player. The games were 5-a-side with squads ranging in size from five to nine. The aim of the football festival was to raise funds for the Swift Centre Youth Club expedition to work with local communities in Kenya next year. The first round consisted of three mini-leagues. The top two teams and the two highest runners up progressed to the knockout round. The teams that progressed to the quarter finals were East Ham Elim, Acorn from Manor Park, Fast Birds (The Swift Team), Community Links (Hudson’s Project), Baptistas, Morden Youth, NRG from Manor Park and the ‘Steve York’ Team. East Ham Elim was the overall winner with Acorn runners-up. The numbers participating were good and the involvement of club members in the work was gratifying. The festival managed to raise over £1100. ''We will definitely consider making this an annual event and hope that the news of the success will spread by word of mouth'', the organisers said. The day was made possible by a Go For It grant from Newham Council.                                                             

Kamanu, the Kenyan Team full back, gets in a crucial defence-tackle during one of the football festival mini-leagues

 The Kenyan Team, from left, Team Captain, Duncan G. Githu of Barking, John Muniu, Solomon K. Kamanu Snr, Mark Ngari, Kevin K. Kamanu, Duncan K. Kamanu, Solomon K. Kamanu Jnr, Ven. Kenneth Kahare and John Kioi.

The Kenyan Team was graced by the presence of one of our mothers, Mrs. Miriam W. Kagika, (7th left standing), who is here in UK to visit her family; the Minister-in-charge of Memorial Community Church-(former Memorial Baptist Church), Rev. Mark Janes, 6th left, and Cllr. Clive Furness, (5th right), the Football Festival co-ordinator/organiser. Others in the picture from left, standing, are Mrs Esther N. Kamanu, Mr. Duncan G. Ngari, the captain, Mr. Solomon K. Kamanu Snr, Mr. John Kamau, Manager/Head Coach Greatfield Juniors Football Club, Barking, Ven. Kenneth Kahare, Mr. Duncan K. Kamanu, the co-ordinator, Ms. Monicah W. Kagika, Mr. John Muniu and Mr. John Kioi. Front low from left, Masters Sean Kigathi, Solomon K. Kamanu Jnr, Immanuel Ngari and Mark Ngari.      

  Lewis Hamilton set for £100million a year as he becomes youngest ever F1 champion

Lewis Hamilton will become the world's highest-paid sportsman after becoming the youngest driver to win the Formula One world championship last night. The 23-year-old Briton can expect to earn a minimum £100million a year following one of the most exciting finales to a race the sport has ever witnessed. This far eclipses the £31million that David Beckham earned last year and even surpasses the £72million earned this year by Tiger Woods.

Lewis Hamilton celebrates becoming the youngest ever Formula One world champion  

British viewers held their breath as Hamilton overtook another driver on the last bend of the Brazilian Grand Prix to rescue the world championship with seconds to spare.He had needed to come fifth in the race to finish top of the championship ahead of his nearest rival Felipe Massa, even if Massa won. With three laps left, and Brazilian Massa in the lead, Hamilton was back in sixth after having stopped to change his tyres to suit the wet conditions. Massa's Ferrari team-mates were already celebrating when he roared over the line.

The Swift Centre Football Festival

Saturday November 1st 2008

The Memorial Baptist Church, Plaistow Swift Centre Youth Club is holding a Football Festival which will be held at Brampton Manor School, Roman Road, East Ham, E6 3SQ, on 1st November 2008 and the kick off is at 10.30am. Five-a-side teams should include at least one player who is over 40 yrs, under 14 yrs or a female. It costs £40 to register a team to participate. All teams get free T Shirts. Registration can be done on-line at www.theswift/org.uk/football. The aim of the day is to raise funds for the Swift Centre expedition to Kenya in August 2009. Offers of help staffing stalls or baking cakes for sale are welcome. For further information and details, please contact Clive Furness Tel No. 02074745262 or Mble No. 07769748010.

The PlusCentre

Come & Learn Computer skills FREE

Fridays from 6.30 – 9.00pm –Drop-in all ages

Saturdays from 6.30 – 9.00pm – Adults lessons.

All are welcome to come and find out what we do for the local community.

The Plus Centre is within the Memorial Community Church Buildings, (the former Memorial Baptist Church), 389-395 Barking Road, E13 8AL, opposite Plaistow Police Station, access between the Swift Centre and the Church.

Contact: Deborah 07783026209

You are All Welcome

Half-ton man's big fat Mexican wedding

A delighted Manuel Uribe and his carriage, with new wife Claudia Solis

The world's heaviest man has tied the knot. Manuel Uribe, who hasn't left his bed in six years, married his longtime girlfriend Claudia Solis Sunday in northern Mexico. Wearing a white silk shirt with a sheet wrapped around his legs, Uribe smiled as Solis, 38, walked down a flight of stairs wearing a strapless ivory dress, a tiara and hot-pink lipstick. He later broke into tears as a notary declared the couple husband and wife in a civil ceremony attended by more than 400 guests. For the traditional first dance as newlyweds, Uribe and Solis held hands and swayed to a romantic ballad. A popular local norteno band played accordion-heavy tunes at the reception, which featured a banquet of meat and buttered vegetables. Uribe's mother, Orquedia Garza, said the groom steered clear of the five-tier wedding cake. "He didn't break his diet," she said. "His doctors are here and they are watching him very closely."

Christians and Muslims hold high-level meeting in Berlin

Participants commit themselves to constructive debate

The television cameras were already waiting when the participants to the dialogue emerged from the meeting room after one and a half hours of discussions. The room where the press conference was being held was jam packed, and journalists jostled for space to get the best picture and to be able to ask the first questions. That was four years ago, in January 2005, when the first high-level meeting between the EKD and Muslim associations in Germany took place. At the time, the event caused quite a stir due to the explosive content. Four years later, a certain degree of tranquility has returned; only a small handful of journalists were patiently waiting Monday evening when the doors of the conference room at the offices of the EKD representative in Berlin swung open and EKD Bishop for Foreign Affairs Martin Schindehütte, the chairperson of the Muslim coordination committee Erol Pürlü, Bekir Alboga, the Diyanet Isleri Türk-Islam Birligi (Ditib) envoy to the dialogue, and the chairperson of the Islamic Council of Germany Ali Kizilkaya came out to meet the press. The participants praised the fact that a frank, constructive atmosphere had prevailed while disagreements had not been glossed over. There are at present a large number of Christian-Muslim dialogue projects, the EKD bishop for foreign affairs declared. Not only did the World Council of Churches (WCC) convene an international Christian-Muslim conference in Geneva nearly simultaneously, but in mid-October, the head of the Anglican Communion Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams had also invited high-ranking Christian and Islamic representatives to England to deliberate about the future of interreligious dialogue.  "This clearly demonstrates how much the Christian-Muslim dialogue has grown in breadth and in quality," Schindehütte said. The discussions made poignantly clear that substantive dialogue must address not only common views, but also differences, that can confront each other in a spirit of peaceful dialogue.  "Clarifying differences is the very purpose of dialogue, not the precondition.   The point of departure of any dialogue is disagreement; differing points of view constitute the meat of the dialogue." This is quite evident, for example, in the central theme of the open letter "A Common Word" that 138 Muslim figures addressed a year ago to leading representatives of the Christian faith, namely that the love of God and the love of neighbor are the common ground between faiths. "What do we understand by love of God?" Bishop Schindehütte asked. Close scrutiny will quickly reveal differences in our nderstandings of God also.  "But that is no reason not to speak to each other, quite the contrary." At the Cologne Kirchentag last year, Bekir Alboga sharply disagreed with EKD Council chairperson Bishop Wolfgang Huber over the EKD guideline Clarity and Good Neighborly Relations. One journalist wanted to know whether the climate had suddenly become more blissful.   "No," Alboga replied, but we are pursuing our dialogue, and a culture of debate is one of the hallmarks of dialogue and we are cultivating it." In the discussions, Muslim representatives have again made clear that they continue to see a need for clarification with respect to the guideline. "We want clarity about clarity," was the way Axel Ayyub Köhler, chairperson of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany, put it. Köhler urged including the debate about Clarity and Good Neighborly Relations in a new edition of the publication in the form of an annex or a commentary. The letter "A Common Word" would also be a fertile point of departure for further discussions.   The next dialogue, at which the open letter will be discussed, has already been scheduled for 5-7 December and is being organized jointly by the Evangelical Academy of Berlin and the Muslim Academy in Germany. Plans call for continuing the tradition of these annual high-level meetings between the EKD and Muslim associations.

Father takes son to court for idleness

LAGOS (Reuters) - A father took his 20-year old son to an Islamic court in northern Nigeria for idleness, asking that he be sent to prison for refusing to engage in productive activities, state news agency, NAN, said on Friday. According to Reuters, state news agency NAN reports that Sama'ila Tahir, a market trader in the north eastern town of Bauchi, asked for his son Jamilu Sama'ila to be sent to prison for refusing to engage in productive activities. Reuters reports the elder Sama'ila told the court his son refused to attend school, accused him of being a member of a criminal gang and that he was tired of his offspring’s ‘nefarious deeds’ bringing shame on his family. Tahir had dragged his son before the court as a last resort after family counselling had failed to help him. NAN reports that the court sentenced Tahir’s son who admitted the charges but pleaded for leniency. The court sentenced Jamilu to six months in prison and 30 strokes of the cane – which were immediately administered – for being disobedient to his parents, NAN, said.

REVEALED: KEY TO LONGER LIFE

BOOST: The list of 'Lifespan essentials' is dominated by fruit and vegetables

BRITISH scientists last night revealed a list of 20 superfoods capable of defying the ageing process and warding off killer diseases.The list of “lifespan essentials” includes tea, coffee and chocolate as well as popular fruit and vegetables. Researchers say the wonder foods all contain health-giving chemicals that can help to cut the risk of cancer and heart disease and allow people to reach their full lifespans. And in a massive boost, the foodstuffs are kitchen cupboard staples which are all readily available across the country. The back-to-basics list is also rich in British-grown fruits like apples, blackcurrants and plums. Health experts last night hailed the research as “fantastic” and said that, when combined with regular exercise, its findings could provide the key to a long and healthy life.

Hamilton victory leaves him one step from title

Sunday, October 19, 2008   Lewis Hamilton stands on the brink of becoming the youngest Formula One world champion after a stunning pole-to-flag victory in today's Chinese Grand Prix. Hamilton drove faultlessly at the Shanghai International Circuit to claim his fifth win of the season and ninth of his 34-race career. With Felipe Massa taking second, Hamilton now holds a seven-point cushion over the Ferrari driver ahead of the final race of the year on the Brazilian's home turf of Interlagos in a fortnight's time.

Lewis Hamilton victory leaves him one step from title

By a remarkable coincidence, Hamilton led by seven points to Kimi Raikkonen last year when the Briton suffered heartbreak as he lost out to the Finn by a point. After all the drama of last Sunday's race in Japan, and all the criticism that had been directed Hamilton's way, he was wheel perfect on this occasion. Hamilton produced a dream start as the threat from behind, with Raikkonen second on the grid, Massa third and bitter rival Fernando Alonso fourth, never materialised. The McLaren pit crew did their job, matching Ferrari at the first stop as Raikkonen filed in behind Hamilton, and then beating them at the second by 1.6 seconds. It was all as formulaic as Formula One gets, with only Jarno Trulli in his Toyota and Hamilton's team-mate Heikki Kovalainen enduring any trouble. Come the conclusion, Hamilton finished an easy 14.9secs clear of Massa who passed Raikkonen all too comfortably on lap 50 shortly after trailing by a second, although that was to be expected. Behind the leading trio, Alonso, who had won the last two races, was fourth, with Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica fifth and sixth, the latter now out of the running as far as the title is concerned.

Dead woman's relatives barbecue her body

The family of a dead woman cremated her remains on a makeshift barbecue and continued collecting her retirement cheques amounting to more than $25,000, according to authorities in Northern California.

Kathleen Allmond and Tony Ray: accused of granny barbecuing

Ramona Allmond's daughter and grandson were arrested Sunday on suspicion of embezzlement, elder abuse and disposing of a body without a permit. Allmond, 84, likely died of natural causes, though investigators were still trying to determine the exact cause of death, said Tehama County sheriff's Capt. Paul Hosler. Allmond's daughter, Kathleen Allmond, 50, and Allmond's grandson, Tony Ray, 30, told investigators their relative died in December. They left her body on her bedroom floor for a week before cremating the remains in their backyard.

Passport needed to buy mobile

Big Brother society: Mobile phone users may be forced to register on a national government database

People wanting to buy a mobile phone could be forced to show a passport and have their details added to a new security database, it's been revealed. Everyone intending to buy a pay-as-you-go or contract phone would have to prove their identity. The scheme is part of new communications Bill designed to tackle terrorism and crime, a Sunday newspaper reported. It comes just days after home secretary Jacqui Smith unveiled plans to build a central database holding the date and time of every telephone call, e-mail and internet made in Britain, but not the content. Public consultation would begin in the new year but news of the scheme has raised concern. 'Collecting phone and internet records would be a step too far for the British way of life,' said Richard Thomas, a spokesman for the office of the Information Commissioner. And Shami Chakrabarti, the director of Liberty, added: 'The bigger the database, the greater the risk of accident, error and abuse.'

Co-habiting couples don't have same rights as married couples

More than half of adults mistakenly believe that co-habiting couples have the same legal rights as married couples. An Expedia survey, commissioned by the Ministry of Justice, also found that most people think they acquire legal rights if they have children together.That's because many of us were brought up to believe that living together creates a "common law" marriage.In fact unless you are married or in a civil partnership you have no marital rights.So if your partner dies you'd inherit nothing belonging to them, including your home and its contents.If you have children they would inherit everything. If not, their next of kin gets the lot.One way to protect yourselves is to put your home and any monies in joint names.But that wouldn't deal with other possessions, including home contents. The best answer is to make a will setting out who gets what.It may not be very romantic but it's something you should think about before you move in together.To find out more and get practical advice on how to safeguard yourself and your children, visitwww.advicenow.org.uk/living-together and www.oneplusone.org.uk/ marriedornot

Thieving donkey is jailed

A donkey

An Egyptian donkey has been jailed for stealing corn on the cob from a field belonging to an agricultural research institute in the Nile Delta. The ass and its owner were held at a police checkpoint that had been set up after the institute's director complained that someone was stealing his crops. The donkey was found in possession of the institute's corn and a local judge sentenced him to 24 hours in prison. His owner got off with a fine of 50 Egyptian pounds (£5).

Two-thirds of patients fail to get GP's appointment within 48 hours

Thursday, October 16, 2008.Two-thirds of NHS patients cannot get an appointment with their GP within 48 hours, a wide-ranging report by the healthcare watchdog has found.

Last year, 80 per cent of patients could see their GPs within 48 hours Photo: Getty Images

The most comprehensive study of its kind has shown that millions of people are being failed by their local surgeries. Under key NHS targets, patients should be able to see their family doctor within two working days. However, the report said that just one third of people were able to see their GP within this time. The findings come at a time when the relationship between patients and their doctors is already under strain. There has been widespread anger over the large pay rises enjoyed by GPs under the new contract. And ministers and GPs have been locked in bitter negotiations about forcing surgeries to open for extended hours, offering appointments into the evening, early in the morning and on Saturdays. Gary Needle, at the Healthcare Commission, said: "Patients are not getting sufficient access to their GPs is the message from this measure." Andrew Lansley, Shadow Health Secretary said: "Despite all their talk, Labour are still failing patients when it comes to choice and access to a GP. "It's appalling that in seven out of ten areas, people aren't able to see their doctor within 48 hours when they wish. "It shows the utter failure of Labour's top-down targets to bring about the best results for patients." Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "For years people have known that ministers' complacent assurances about how easy it was to see a GP were wrong. "At last a proper assessment has taken place so we can see the reality of the situation. This scandalous finding must force the Government to act now." Last year the report found that 80 per cent of patients were able to see their GPs within 48 hours. However, the data was gathered by using 'mystery patients' to carry out spot checks to see if they could get an appointment rather than asking patients. This year, for the first time, the commission included information from a patient survey. The report has sparked a row with doctors who have said the figures are misleading. Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the British Medical Association said: "The report's conclusion that there has been a dramatic decline in primary care trusts meeting the GP 48-hour access target is misleading.

"There has been such significant change in the way the research has been compiled compared to last year that it is impossible to compare the data for the two years in question. The access figures are even more confusing when you consider that a recent survey showed almost 9 out of 10 patients were satisfied that they were able to get an appointment within 48 hours. "GPs are working hard to offer as much flexibility as they can to patients, as well as providing speedy access, and delivering an expanding range of services to patients." The latest figures show the average annual earnings of GPs, who are paid to hit the targets on appointments, are £103,530 - a drop of 2.6 per cent on last year after years of rising pay. They also showed 258 doctors earned more than £250,000 before tax last year. The commission's healthcheck is an in-depth investigation into the NHS with each hospital trust, primary care trust, mental health trust and ambulance trust measured on waiting times, hygiene, confidentiality, management of records, reducing deaths from cancer and heart disease, cutting superbug rates and treating patients with dignity and respect. While the report found there had been improvements in many areas, it found that infection control was a serious problem with 'lapses at almost every trust visited' and six out of ten trusts failing on at least one measure. The Commission warned that other infections such as norovirus - the winter vomiting bug that reached record levels last winter - should be included in the measures in the future alongside Clostridium difficile and MRSA. Of the 114 trusts that failed on at least one infection control measure, 11 said they were compliant only for this to be overturned by inspectors. There is concern about infection control in community hospitals, district nursing, ambulances and midwifery and these areas will have extra focus in the next inspections. Six trusts scored double weak marks including one Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Healthcare Trust which has scored double weak for the second year running. The north of England performed best, the southwest showed most improvement and London was the only area to where quality of services declined. Improvements in waiting times for cancer had been 'absolutely spectacular' and there was good progress on waiting time targets, the report found. It also said out of a total of 391 trusts in England 42 trusts scored excellent on both use of resources and quality of services, up from 19 last year. The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust was the only trust to score double excellent for three years running. These trusts and those that have shown significant improvement have received a joint letter from the chairman of the Healthcare Commission Sir Ian Kennedy and Health Secretary Alan Johnson congratulating them on their performance. Sir Ian said: "Patients and the public should celebrate these results as they show a real shift in performance. "Performance is not universally good, however. Some trusts are still not doing enough all that's necessary to sustain the drop in rates of infection." A Department of Health spokesman said: "We know from independently administered GP patient surveys involving 5 million patients that 86 per cent of people say they can book appointments within 48 hours, compared with 85 per cent in 2007. The Healthcare Commission's assessment of Primary Care Trusts is based on this same data. We know that access is improving, but can still improve further - we want every patient to be able to see their GP within 48 hours and be able to book an appointment ahead."

Use of spy agency reports could have averted chaos

Members of the public demonstrate in Mombasa town during the post-election violence in January. Photo/FILE 

The deadliest of the election-related violence could have been avoided had the Government made use of its own intelligence reports, the Waki commissioners say. Intelligence agents knew and warned of imminent violence regardless of who won the December 27 poll. The military was well-prepared to handle any violence, but the police were not, said the commission’s report. According to the report, “the police approach to its task before, during and after the elections reflected a misplaced arrogance that they would always be able to control what came up.” Intelligence reports warned as early as September last year of violence in specified areas. And Kenya’s spy agency, the National Security Intelligence Service (NSIS), even named individuals behind hate campaigns and regions that were affected. Preventive action So glaring was evidence of possible violence that the Waki report notes: “Given the extensiveness of the intelligence developed and distributed by the service, it was disturbing to note that in the end there was an almost fatalistic realisation that no sufficient preventive action would be taken to ameliorate the mayhem.” It continues: “Whilst it is clear that the Commissioner of Police (Hussein Ali) was privy to this information, it is less clear how full and detailed intelligence reports were or should have been provided to the provincial and district committees.” The commission established that faxes were sent from Mr Ali’s office to provincial police officers from time to time in the run-up to and after the General Election. Many Provincial Administration and regular police officers, however, had not received special guidelines and directions on the post-election scenarios drawn up by the NSIS in spite of the information being available. A review of available data showed that security officials had knowledge and understanding of the security situation that was developing in their areas of responsibility, the report said.

In Trans Nzoia East and West, one of the security committee meetings noted a worrying security situation in the two districts where Kikuyus were being targeted. It observed: “Whichever way the results go, Kalenjins are planning to attack Kikuyus and invade their farms.” Support patrols In Molo, the local security intelligence team determined in its meeting of November 22, 2007, that due to irregularities in the party nomination process and “blatant rigging” the political atmosphere became charged, leading to defections and acrimony. It advised that there was a strong need to strengthen security operations preceding the elections. It recommended that five police posts be established and additional funding be allocated to support patrols and rapid deployment operations. There is no record of these initiatives having been followed through.

While there is evidence of good information gathering, intelligence preparation and understanding of security issues, there is a weakness in translating this into clear, demonstrable and useful operational interventions.

Drunk pony takes a 3am pool dip

Fat Boy makes a splash

Wednesday, October 15, 2008. A greedy pony who got drunk after gorging on apples had to be rescued by fire crews after falling into a swimming pool. The brown Moorland Pony, appropriately named Fat Boy, made a splash after breaking into a garden for a late night snack. Fat Boy, and another equine partner in crime, wandered off from their stables, lured by the property's apple tree - but had one too many. Because the fruit had already started to rot and ferment, the horses soon began to show the effects. Punch drunk Fat Boy then stumbled into the pool, which was covered by a tarpaulin sheet, at the bungalow in Newquay, Cornwall. Homeowner, Sarah Penhaligon, 28, could not believe her eyes when she awoke at 3.00am on Tuesday morning to find Fat Boy stuck in the shallow pool. The 28 year-old was asleep in her bungalow when she heard strange noises. "When I looked outside I saw this massive animal in the dark and I thought the Beast of Bodmin was in the pool," she said. "I was terrified, but when I took a closer look I realised it was a horse." Police and fire crews were tasked to the scene while Fat Boy tried to climb out of the water. Unaware the animal was drunk, Ms Penhaligon then fed it more apples to keep it calm. Ms Penhaligon said: "He looked a bit panicked - he was trying to get out of the pool but couldn't manage it and was getting very tired. "I decided to sit down next to him and calm him down, so I fed him some apples to keep him occupied. "The other horse just kept munching away from the tree and didn't seem to care about what was going on at all." Police and fire crews arrived but were unable to help Fat Boy - who acquired his name due to a love of food and his big belly. A specialist crew from Bodmin fire station were called in to deal with the incident, putting hay bales in the pool to make a step for the pony to climb out. They finally got Fat Boy out of his watery misery at about 5am after giving him a helping hand out with harnesses.  

Jobless crisis is worst in 17 years

Wednesday, October 15, 2008. Unemployment has risen at its fastest rate in 17 years, figures revealed. The number of people out of work climbed by 164,000 – an increase of more than ten per cent – in the quarter to August. It was the biggest rise in joblessness since 1991. There are now 1.79million unemployed with some experts warning the figure could soar above 3million by next year once the full effects of any economic downturn filter through. Gordon Brown vowed to tackle the problem, saying: 'We will do everything we can to help create jobs and help people maintain jobs.' The figures – the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance also went up for the eighth month in a row – came as Mr Brown was being hailed a hero in Europe for his efforts to res­olve the crisis in the financial world. The 5.7 per cent unemployment rate was the highest since the three months to March 2000. The government announced it was spending an extra £100million to retrain the jobless. Among the ideas highlighted by Mr Brown was training people as loft insulators to help reduce energy bills and tackle climate change. His comment brought ridicule from the Conservatives who said 'it doesn't say much for the challenges we face as a nation'. Economist Vicky Wood added: 'Worse is to come. By the end of 2010 we expect unemployment to hit 3million. By then the economy should be beginning to pick up.'

    WAYNE ROONEY reckons England can win every game on the way to the World Cup.

Rooney celebrates after sloting in hisopener last night

Roo was a two-goal marvel in Belarus last night as Fabio Capello’s side made it an awesome foursome of qualifying wins in Group Six. It took Roo’s tally to five in three matches for the Three Lions and the striker believes it can only get better. He said: “I don’t see any reason why we can’t win all the qualifiers now. “It would be nice. We have got the two most difficult games, in Belarus and Croatia, out of the way and come out with maximum points.” The 3-1 triumph means Capello became the first England boss to win the opening four games of a World Cup campaign. And Roo hailed the performance of the team as well as Steven Gerrard, who opened the scoring for the Three Lions in the Dinamo Stadium. Manchester United strike star Rooney said: “It was a difficult game and they played really well in the first half. “We had to work hard — and we did that. “Steven’s goal was a great finish from 30 yards. Emile Heskey did brilliantly for my first and it was a good ball from Stevie for the second. “We’re pleased with the goals but the three points were more important.” He added: “We have got that belief to win now. They had a lot of bodies in midfield and it was difficult to get round them, so the manager told us to keep possession — and that helped us. “But we are going into games believing we can win them, with a lot of confidence. “Goals are going in for me at the moment, which is good. I work on my finishing every day. I always have done. Things are going great for me on the pitch. “But I can always improve, there are weaknesses there. “I’ve worked with the boss since he took charge on finishing a lot of the time and it’s starting to pay off. I’m always going to believe I am going to score when I go out there, I’m a confident person. “We have worked really hard to be in the position we are in and now we’ve got to keep working hard. We are in a comfortable position now and we need to get as many points as possible over the remaining games.”

Phones log plan 'is awful Big Brother nightmare'

New measures: Jacqui Smith was setting out her plans today

MINISTERS were warned by their own anti-terrorism watchdog that plans to log every phone call, email and internet visit in the UK could turn into an "awful" Big Brother nightmare. Lord Carlile of Berriew, the independent reviewer of anti-terrorist laws, said he was concerned by suggestions that such a large volume of private information could be stored on one vast new database. He said there would be the risk of the data being used for unjustified "fishing expeditions" into the private lives of targeted individuals. He also expressed concern over Whitehall's recent "unhappy record" of losing supposedly secure data. Lord Carlile's warning was issued ahead of a speech today by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith setting out her latest plans for combating the terrorist threat. Ms Smith was preparing to set out further details of the plan to log details of all phone, email and internet use in the UK. Proposals on this are due to be contained in a Data Communications Bill, to be introduced in the Queen's Speech in December. Lord Carlile warned storing the information on one huge database would be a mistake unless strict controls were adopted. "As a raw idea, it is awful," he said. "However it is a question of how it is developed. Searches should be made on a case-by-case basis with reviewing measures so that they can't be done willy-nilly." Under the proposed legislation, internet service providers and telephone companies would hand over millions of phone and internet records to the Home Office which would store them for at least 12 months. Richard Thomas, the information commissioner, has described the plans as "a step too far for the British way of life". Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said: "The Government must justify the case for any such massive increase in state cquisition of data, spell out the safeguards to prevent abuse and, given its appalling record, explain how it will protect the integrity of any database." 

Somalis rescue hijacked ship

Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir (C),left, and the crew of the Ukrainian MV Faina standing on the deck, right..

Somali security forces have freed a Panamanian ship from pirates two days after they killed one of the hijackers in a gun battle. The new development came as Sudan summoned Kenyan and Ethiopian ambassadors in Khartoum to protest what the government perceived as an arms build-up by South Sudan through the two neighbours. Reports said the Wail was seized by heavily armed Somali gunmen on Thursday as it ferried cement from Oman to Bosasso. There are thought to be nine Syrian and two Somali crew on board. Were arrested “We have succeeded in saving the Panama-flagged ship and its crew,” Mr Ali Abdi Aware, state minister for the semi-autonomous northern Puntland region, told Reuters.“The pirates have surrendered.” Puntland’s fisheries minister, Ahmed Said Ow Nur, said 10 hijackers were arrested and two soldiers wounded in the raid. “The ship is now sailing towards Bosasso,” he told Reuters. In the meantime, a diplomatic row between Kenya and its biggest northern neighbour was brewing on Tuesday after Sudan summoned Kenya’s envoy to protest against what it said were illegal shipments of arms to its semi-autonomous South. Also summoned was Ethiopia’s ambassador to Sudan. Khartoum protested over “violations” linked to an arms shipment seized by pirates off Somalia’s coast that Western diplomats said was bound for South Sudan, and a plane-load of weapons from Addis Ababa, state news agency Suna reported. Suna stopped short of accusing Ethiopia and Kenya of directly supplying arms to South Sudan, which got its own government and right to its own army in a 2005 peace deal with Khartoum that ended a two-decade civil war. But “against the backdrop” of the two shipments, the foreign ministry asked both envoys to “inform their governments of its protest at these violations”. A senior official of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), speaking on condition of anonymity, denied that the south was buying new equipment from Ethiopia, Kenya or any other country. “We don’t have the resources,” he told Reuters. Khartoum’s move raised temperatures in a row over the shipment of 33 T-72 tanks and other weapons seized by pirates on the mv Faina last month off Somalia that western diplomats said were secretly heading for South Sudan in possible breach of the peace agreement. South Sudan has denied ordering the tanks and Kenya has insisted the tanks were meant for its own army. Sudan’s foreign ministry also protested about unspecified weapons that it said had arrived in South Sudan’s capital Juba on Friday on an Ethiopian military plane. Southern officials and army officers on Monday denied the weapons were part of an arms delivery and told Reuters they had been brought in as exhibits in a trade fair. Sudan’s foreign ministry said it was surprised at the shipments as both Kenya and Ethiopia had backed the 2005 peace deal that ended the civil war between the north and south.

13 die as matatu and lorry collide

Residents of Kabazi view the bodies retrieved from the wreckage of a Nissan matatu and lorry that were involved in an accident that claimed thirteen lives. The matatu was travelling to Nakuru Town from Nyahururu while the lorry was headed in the opposite direction.  

Thirteen people were killed instantly on Monday when a matatu travelling to Nakuru Town from Nyahururu collided with a lorry. Twelve of those who died were in the matatu while the other was in the lorry. The accident occurred at about 3pm near Berea Bible College, about 35km from Nakuru Town. Strewn all over Bodies of the passengers and their belongings were strewn all over the road when the Nation team arrived at the scene shortly after 5pm. The accident came hot on the heels of another one on Sunday in which eight people died when two public service vehicles collided at Wote in Makueni District. In Monday’s accident, the matatu driver and conductor survived but were reportedly in serious condition in hospital. The lorry driver and loader also survived but were not at the scene when the Nation arrived. Residents told the Nation that it had earlier rained but the road was not very slippery at the time of the accident. A resident said that four of the dead were teachers travelling to Nakuru from Nyahururu. Another man said the matatu was new and had been on the road for two weeks. A matatu driver who called the Nation from the scene said tearfully: “It is terrible! I know some of these people.” Dead on arrival Elsewhere, a woman died instantly while her two sisters were seriously injured when they were hit by a matatu on the Karatina-Sagana highway on Sunday evening. Ms Gladys Gathigia died on the way to Karatina District Hospital, where her sisters, Ms Mary Wanjiku and Ms Lucy Wanjiru, were still in hospital on Monday. A passenger said the speeding matatu was overtaking a truck when the accident occurred. He said it hit a saloon car before knocking down the three women. A Catholic priest in the car escaped with minor injuries and was treated and discharged at Consolata Mission Hospital, Mathari, near Nyeri Town.

Third stock broker in trouble

Third stock broker in troublCapital Markets Authority chairman Chege Waruingi (second right) addresses the media accompanied by CMA CEO Stella Kilonzo (right) Nairobi Stock Exchange Chairman James Wagunyu and NSE chief executive Chris Mwebesa.

The Capital Markets Authority on Monday moved to forestall the collapse of yet another stock brokerage firm and replaced its executive director. Discount Securities Limited has been facing financial problems and was placed under the management of auditing firm, KPMG. The brokerage firm’s executive director, Mr David Githaiga, was replaced. It will, however, continue trading at the stock market as restructuring is carried out. Among largest The firm is among the largest, with 20 branches in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Thika, Nakuru, Meru, Embu, Mumias, Kakamega, Bungoma, Nyeri, Kisii, Naivasha, Nanyuki, Nyahururu, Kitale, Kericho, Eldoret, Malindi and Voi. This is the third brokerage firm in which the CMA has intervened following cash flow problems. Francis Thuo & Partners went under last year, while Nyaga Stockbrokers collapsed early this year. Its directors are in court over matters related to its collapse. Speaking at the Capital Markets Authority offices at Re-Insurance Plaza, CMA chairman Chege Waruingi said: “The CMA and Nairobi Stock Exchange shall be intervening with a view to restructuring Discount Securities Limited through strengthening its corporate governance structures to ensure its business continuity in the interest of capital markets and the investing public.” The statement was also signed by NSE chairman James Wangunyu.Prof Waruingi said after enhancing shareholding structure, a strategic partner to inject capital will be sought. He said should additional funds be needed during the restructuring, they would be made available within “reasonable limits and in form of capital”. Journalists were not allowed to ask questions at the press conference attended by NSE chief executive officer Chris Mwebesa and his CMA counterpart Stella Kilonzo. The officials were hurriedly ushered out. The firm’s current chairman is Mr William Murungu, while Mr Allan Simu is a director. In March, CMA placed Discount Securities under surveillance along with three other firms for failure to meet certain minimum benchmarks. The others were Solid Securities — which was bought by NIC Capital — Reliance and Crossfield. The firms were given conditional licences, meaning they were to operate for three months under surveillance in order to meet the minimum stipulated requirements. There have been concerns that some firms were fiddling with their clients’ accounts, trading without instructions, failing to effect instructions promptly or pay the proceeds within the CMA stipulated five days. Several were also said to be in arrears in remitting statutory dues to NSE, CMA and Central Depository and Settlement Corporation.Monday’s action is likely to further undermine the confidence in the stock market, now suffering depressed trading with the NSE 20 Share Index last week closing at below 4,000 points, the lowest in years. But Prof Waruingi allayed fears that the firm had been placed under statutory management.

Metro is the first paper in space!

OTHER papers may claim to be 'soar-away' or 'out of this world'. They may even name themselves after celestial bodies. But Metro has beaten them all to the heavens – by becoming the first newspaper in space. At 8.01am yesterday, a Soyuz spacecraft blasted off from Kazakhstan heading for the International Space Station – with a special edition of Metro on board.

Richard and Metro ready for launch

It was taken by Richard Garriott, the first British-born space tourist, who will be carrying out a series of experiments thought up by British schoolchildren as part of a Metro competition. I'm now feeling my British heritage a lot more than I used to, feeling proud of it. I hope British people will be proud of me too. For the next ten days, the 47-year-old will join an 18-strong crew that includes a Nasa astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut. The Metro edition shows Mr Garriott on the front page in his space suit, and contains details of the winning entries in the children's experiments competition. Mr Garriott is travelling courtesy of Space Adventures, the only company that sends tourists into the great beyond. 'It's great to sport the British flag in space,' he said before lift-off. Although born in Cambridge, the latest space tourist is a US citizen who was raised in Texas, and is the son of astronaut Owen Garriott. 'I'm now feeling my British heritage a lot more than I used to, feeling proud of it. I hope British people will be proud of me too,' Richard said. 'I'm elated, elated,' said Owen Garriott, shortly after launch. Richard's mother, Eve, and his girlfriend, Kelly Miller, shed tears of joy and relief at the successful launch. 'This is cool, this is cool,' Ms Miller said. A key figure in the video game industry, Mr Garriott established his own games publisher, Origin Systems, which he later sold to Electronic Arts. Mr Garriott's poor eyesight meant he could not become a Nasa astronaut. He paid a reported £20million for his voyage. 'I'm really happy for him. It's one of the things he's wanted to do most in his life. He's like a kid in a candy shop,' said Ms Miller. Soyuz is due to dock tomorrow with the ISS. Mr Garriott is to return to Earth on October 24 in a Soyuz capsule with cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Sergei Volkov, whose father, Alexander, also travelled to space – making him the first professional second-generation space traveller.

'I'm now feeling my British heritage a lot more than I used to, feeling proud of it. I hope British people will be proud of me too', Richard said.

Monkey goes to the dogs

A monkey from a zoo in Jiaozuo, in the Chinese province of Henan, has formed an unlikely bond with an unusual role model.

A dog and a monkey

Having lost its parents the youngster began to be bullied by the other monkeys, and was nearly killed several times. In order to help him survive his keepers stepped in and gave him a surrogate father in the form of a dog called Tiger Cup. The hope is now that Tiger Cup will take on responsibility for the youngster and protect him from the unwanted attentions of the other primates

Schools, Housing and Crime Rates hit by European Immigrants, Minister told

                                                                                    Some European immigrants waiting for visas at a British Embassy

CENTRAL London councils need extra funding to cope with pressure on schools and housing, and organised crime, caused by eastern European immigrants, an MP has claimed. Mark Field (Con, Cities of London & Westminster) warned that high numbers of immigrants had come into London who were not included in official statistics. As a result, Westminster council was missing out on funding - which is based partly on population figures - while trying to deal with a range of social problems. He said: "Strong evidence suggests that pockets of petty theft in the west end and persistent organised begging operations are being initiated by Romanian migrants. "In fact, after several constituents complained to me specifically about aggressive begging in shopping districts, I had to raise the issue independently with City of Westminster police." The MP added: "Unfortunately, begging seems to be just one arm of organised crime that originates from eastern Europe. "Automated teller machine fraud is another example of such crime, which, anecdotally, the local police have told me is conducted almost exclusively by Romanian gangs." Mr Field raised his concerns as he led a debate in the House of Commons about council funding. He said that research had shown Westminster has more than 13,000 illegal migrants within its boundaries at any one time, as well as 11,000 short-term migrants who are not registered in official statistics.. He called on the Treasury to provide extra funding for authorities coping with large numbers of migrants, and to develop new and better ways of counting the populations in each area. Many short-term migrants came from the "accession eight" of "A8" countries, which joined the European Union in 2004, said Mr Field. These include the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Others came from Bulgaria and Romania, which joined the EU in 2007. He said: "Many A8 migrants choose to live in private sector housing, and that has increased rents, applying further pressure to an already oversubscribed social housing market." He added: "The two most common issues in my constituency postbag are immigration and housing, and I reckon that I receive between 10 and 20 letters a week from families either struggling to obtain council or housing association property or hoping desperately for a transfer to a larger home." And migration was putting pressure on schools, he claimed."On education provision, short-term migration and the large number of migrants who move around the country seeking work cause significant problems in relation to the churn in schools. "Such churn can leave teachers coping with a diverse class that has vastly different abilities in numeracy and literacy, and diverse cultural and language needs." Failure to help councils cope with these problems could lead to racism and tensions between ethnic groups, he said. "I accept that migration will always be a contentious issue, despite the clear economic benefits of hard-working migrants coming to our country."Perceived threats to an existing settled community from new arrivals will serve only to increase those tensions. "Unfortunately, unless the Government properly fund local authorities, such threats may come to fruition." Local Government Minister Iain Wright told him: "We recognise that some local authorities are experiencing more challenges than others in dealing with recent levels of international migration. "My Department is working with local authorities to manage the transitional impacts of migration on local areas and communities.

Obese and Overweight Patients cost the NHS £2 Billion

                                                                                                                         Sixty per cent of men and 50 per cent women are predicted to be obese by 2050

THE NHS spends more than £2 billion every year treating London patients for the effects of being obese or overweight. A report published by the NHS itself, as part of a campaign to encourage people to eat properly and take more exercise, has revealed the staggering cost of obesity to the health service. Health trusts and local councils have been urged to encourage parents to take better care of their children's health, to cut the number of people treated for heart disease or cancer caused by being overweight. But the same study also revealed shocking levels of ignorance about the importance of good diet and healthy lifestyles, with six out of ten parents apparently unaware that being overweight can lead to heart problems. The NHS report, called Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives, reveals the estimated annual costs to the NHS of diseases related to being overweight and obesity is £4.2 billion across the country. It includes a breakdown of the price paid by each Primary are Trust - which comes to £2.2 billion in London. And this figure is predicted to rise to £2.4 billion in 2015, based on current trends. But the study also reports that London is leading the way in improving the health of residents. It says: "Patients who lead inactive lifestyles and are at risk of cardiovascular disease can receive advice and support on physical activity during visits to their local GP, as part of a new approach that is being piloted in London surgeries."

The study's findings include:

• Parents don't recognise that their children are overweight - just 11.5 per cent of parents with overweight or obese children recognise it
• Parents underestimate how much unhealthy food and convenience food they buy as well as overestimating the amount of activity their children do Only 38 per cent of adults know that obesity can lead to heart disease and only 6 per cent know about the link of being overweight to cancer
• Many families use snacks as rewards, as fillers during times of boredom and to appease conflict
• Parents of older children are more worried about not feeding them enough and the risk of eating disorders such as anorexia
• Lack of knowledge, confidence and skills is the main barrier which stops parents cooking from scratch

The Government is to launch a nationwide campaign called Change4Life to encourage people to live healthier, more active lives, and the NHS report is designed to give health trusts and councils the information they need to play a full part. Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said: "Obesity is the biggest health challenge we face - every year 9,000 people die rematurely. And many people simply just don't know that being overweight can lead to major health problems including heart disease and cancer." Sir Liam Donaldson, the The Chief Medical Officer, said: "The link between obesity and preventable illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer is undeniable."In England almost two-thirds of adults and a third of children are either overweight or obese; without effective action this could rise to nine in ten adults and two-thirds of children by 2050."

Tesco cuts petrol by 3p as PM says prices must fall

Tesco is lowering prices across its 430 UK forecourts

Tesco slashed the price of petrol by 3p at all 430 of its forecourts this morning. The rare piece of good news for consumers comes after weeks of falling world oil prices. It will save around £1.50 for a driver filling up a typical family car.The supermarket giant said all grades of fuel, including diesel, would get the 3p cut, which is likely to be copied by rivals Asda and Morrison. The Prime Minister warned energy giants today that they must cut fuel prices and gas and electricity bills.Tesco commercial director Richard Brasher said: “We know customers are feeling the pinch, but we are working harder than ever to cut the cost of living.” Oil prices fell again to their lowest level for a year. A barrel of crude was today trading at $82, more than 40 per cent lower than the $147 high in July. Oil prices have been falling on fears that global recession will mean lower demand. The average price of unleaded petrol prices across Britain yesterday was 109.2p a litre, with diesel costing 120.6p, according to the AA. Petrol now costs nine per cent less than the high of 119.9p on 17 July, with diesel prices nearly ten per cent cheaper. The Petrol Retailers Association said oil price changes typically take between six and eight weeks to filter down to forecourts. AA spokesman Luke Bosdet said: “It's good to see that somebody other than Morrisons and Asda is taking the lead in dropping prices.” Gordon Brown today warned energy companies they must not drag their feet in lowering prices as the cost of oil falls. He also told leading oil-producing nations not to cut production. At an energy meeting in Swindon, Mr Brown stressed that the price of oil had halved since the summer. “We are determined that when that happens that fall is also passed on to the petrol pump and passed on to people who have got gas and electricity bills,” he said. “We are determined that just as people act quickly to pass on the rise when the oil price rises, they pass on the fall when the oil price falls.” He also emphasised the need to restore stability in the oil market. “I'm talking to the leaders of OPEC, who really are responsible for setting the oil price, to tell them that they must not, as some of them are planning to do, cut oil production now so that the price would go up again.” Mr Brown also sought to claim some credit for the lower oil prices. “Because of some of the things that we have done, it's now down,” he said.

Wife links Kamangu’s death to alcohol

The late James Kamangu Ndimu. Photo/FILE 

Cobbler James Kamangu Ndimu may have died of complications caused by excessive consumption of alcohol, experts and his wife said on Thursday. Mr Kamangu had reportedly returned home at about 8pm on Wednesday and went straight to bed saying he could not eat because he was drunk. Liver disease “He usually did not eat, supper whenever he came home drunk. He would eat the following morning. So I did not find it unusual after he said he would not eat,” his wife Beatrice Mbaire said. She said X-rays taken on Mr Kamangu at the KNH reportedly indicated he had stomach ulcers. “Doctors asked him if he was drinker. He confirmed, and told them he even used to drink ‘heavy stuff’. He promised to stop drinking once he got well,” Mrs Kamangu said. She said her husband told her on Tuesday that he would stop drinking. Dr Patrick Amoth, the medical head of Kiambu District Hospital, where Mr Kamangu was treated on Tuesday, said the shoe-mender suffered a liver problem. “Mr Kamangu had visited Kihara sub-hospital after vomiting blood for 24 hours and even after a blood transfusion, he continued with the vomiting,” he said. “We advised him to go to Kenyatta National Hospital where he was to be admitted.” But he said a postmortem was necessary to determine the exact cause of Mr Kamangu’s death. Excessive drinking of alcohol is a major cause of liver disease. Family members of the man from Gachie, who  made headlines when he claimed to have been the husband of leading televangelist and assistant minister Margaret Wanjiru, said a postmortem test would be carried out before burial arrangements are made. Another medical expert said Mr Kamangu may have been a victim of a condition called “oesophageal varices.”  The doctor, who did not want to his name published, said victims of oesophageal varices bleed excessively, leading to “sudden death.”  Basing his argument on Thursday’s media reports attributed to Mr Kamangu’s wife Beatrice, the expert who works with the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse Authority (Nacada), said that oesophageal varices was mainly caused by long periods of “excessive drinking.” 

Blood veins

He said the condition causes blood veins along the oesophagus to get tender and inflated. “Such inflated blood veins are similar to those that may develop on the legs. Those along the oesophagus are very delicate, and when they burst, they cause uncontrollable bleeding,” the expert said. On Wednesday, Ms Mbaire said her husband had blamed alcohol for his health problems.

Man sentenced to stupidity

A Wisconsin man has avoided jail after a judge ordered him to instead stand outside a waste water treatment plant holding a sign saying 'I was stupid'. Shane McQuillan of Eau Claire County was found guilty of criminal damage after he drunkenly rammed his car into a closed gate at the plant. At the time of the incident last March, he told a police officer that he was 'just being stupid.' Sentencing him on Wednesday, Judge Paul Lenz took him at his word, and gave him two options – jail time, or the humiliation of standing outside the plant holding the 'I was stupid' sign. McQuillan chose the 'stupid' option.

Commuters have to queue as 5,000 busmen walk out

Flashpoint: frustrated commuters confront a TfL official at Victoria today

London, Friday, October 10th, 2008. Thousands of commuters faced chaos today as up to 5,000 bus drivers and supervisors went on strike over pay. Transport chiefs warned the 24-hour walkout could affect 162 bus routes a quarter of the capital's bus network. There were long queues at many stops and any available buses were so crowded that many passengers found they could not get on. ransport for London warned all travellers to check before they set out and advised them to be prepared to use alternative methods of travel. Unite, the UK's largest union, is preparing for an even larger strike on 22 October when thousands more workers are expected to join in. Among commuters struggling to get to work was Josephine Rivera, a 64-year-old teacher from Stockwell. She said: "I had no idea the bus drivers were on strike today. It is going to take me about an hour longer to get to work and I will probably be late for lessons. I am quite angry about it," Julie Karlos, a 25-year-old administration assistant from Victoria, said: "I had no idea about the problems I was going to face today. I will have to take the Tube, which costs more and I will probably have to stand all the way." Lisa McBurney, a 30-year-old doctor from Kensington, said: "I tried to take the 52 bus from Kensington to Victoria but after 20 minutes standing at the bus stop I saw the small sign saying it wouldn't be running. I then had to wait for a Tube to Victoria and pick up another bus to take me to work in Denmark Hill. I'm very annoyed because I left the house early today because I wanted to do some extra work now I'm going to end up late." Unite is demanding a single pay rate of £30,000 basic for a 38-hour week across all the 18 bus companies in London. At the moment each negotiates its own pay rates. Peter Kavanagh, Unite senior regional organiser, said pay rates varied by up to £7,000 and that many drivers were forced to work 60 hours a week to make up their pay. He blamed both the bus companies and Mayor Boris Johnson for their "failure to listen". He said: "Unite will continue to ballot further bus companies until serious discussion has taken place." Today's strike involves two of London's largest bus companies, First and Metroline. Metrobus last night won a legal challenge to stop the strike. Adrian Jones, managing director of First bus company London and Berkshire, said: "The union is intent on dragging further bus companies into a strike in pursuit of its fruitless bid to standardise conditions of working and pay. First's bus drivers are already among the best paid bus workers in London."

Kamangu dies in hospital

The Late Mr Kamangu

Nairobi, Wednesday, October 8 2008. James Kamangu, the alleged former husband of assistant minister Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, has died Mr Kamangu died last night at Kenyatta hospital, his wife said. Sources at the hospital told the Nation that Mr Kamangu was admitted there at 4.25 p.m. on referral from Kiambu District Hospital. They could not be named because no family member had been to the hospital to confirm his death. He was taken to the hospital by his wife, Beatrice Mbaire, and was said to have been suffering from stomach pains at the time of his admission at Ward 8C where he died about nine hours later at 1.15 a.m.Mr Kamangu rose to the limelight last year when he sought in court to prevent Bishop Margaret Wanjiru from wedding a South African cleric, Samuel Matjeke. Kamangu had claimed to have married Ms Wanjiru in 1978 under the Kikuyu customary law. He said he had lived with Bishop Wanjiru in Gachie until 1989. Bishop Wanjiru is now the MP for Starehe and assistant minister for housing.

School chef 'found dead in freezer'

Police are investigating after a cook was found dead in a freezer at the primary school where she worked, sources said today. Officers said the body of Linda Gent, 53, was discovered at South Benfleet Primary School in Benfleet, Essex, late on a Saturday. She had been reported missing 15 hours earlier. Sources said detectives were not treating the incident as murder, but a report was being prepared for a coroner. Police said a post-mortem examination had failed to reveal a cause of death and further tests were being carried out. "(We) were contacted at 2.30am on Saturday September 27 by a member of the public who was concerned for the welfare of Linda Gent," said a spokesman. "A search of the school was carried out and shortly after 6pm a woman's body was found on the premises." A source close to the inquiry added: "Her body was found in a freezer at the school." Sources said one possibility being considered was that Mrs Gent, who lived in Benfleet, had killed herself.

Pope: Crunch proves money is futile

The global banking crisis proves the love of money is futile, the Pope said yesterday.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008 With the collapse of big banks, we see that money disappears, is nothing and all these things that appear real are in fact of secondary importance,' said Benedict XVI. The 'only solid reality' was the word of God, he added.

More than 12 million households paying too much for their fuel, says regulator

National Grid says energy crisis fears are unfounded

More than 12 million households are being "short-changed" by their electricity and gas companies, according to the industry regulator. Those customers that pay their bills by cheque or cash are paying £80 more than if they paid by direct debit, a penalty that sometimes rises to £271 a year with some companies.Ofgem said that it cost companies no more than £10 a year to process customers' cheques. From now on, it will insist that any extra charges reflect the extra cost involved – and are not used to generate surplus profits.Alistair Buchanan, the chief executive of the regulator, said: "I hope that consumers will realise their folly and sort out their cost structure. They have to take this seriously." The ruling comes after an eight month probe into the energy market. It has been welcomed as a victory by many campaigners that argued gas and electricity companies – by charging more to their cheque and cash customers – were penalising many elderly people who resented paying by direct debit. More than 8 million households pay their bills by cash or cheque. Ofgem has also highlighted how some electricity companies are taking advantage of their poorer customers, especially those that live in the countryside. There are also 4.3 million households that are not connected to the central gas network and heat their homes either through central heating oil, propane gas, electric radiators or wood fires. These people are over-charged for their electricity because they do not enjoy a "dual-fuel" discount that energy companies offer to customers that take both electricity and gas. Ofgem calculates the overcharging equates to £55 a year. "This is disturbing information," said Mr Buchanan. Some of the worst hit are those that pay for their gas and electricity through a prepayment meter – which customers pay for by going to a corner shop to top up a key or a card with cash. They pay £118 more a year for their energy than customers that pay by direct debit. Ofgem said that these customers do cost £85 a year, on average, for companies to manage, but it said firms must not charge any more penalty than this £85.  In total, there are more than 12 million households that do not pay the cheapest tariffs in one way or another. Garry Felgate, chief executive of the Energy Retail Association, which represents the fuel companies, said that the market was competitive – as proved by the millions of people switching from one supplier to another. He added: "Ofgem has identified some areas where it believes the market could still be improved. We await the conclusion of this consultation and any recommendations arising from it. Our priority over the next two months is to work with Ofgem to ensure that the market continues to work in the best interests of all consumers."

'Bride' arrested on wedding day

The bride was arrested moments after the ceremony

She had something old, something new, something borrowed... and a man in blue. This is the moment that a newlywed bride was arrested, still wearing her wedding dress and minutes after exchanging vows with her new husband, as part of a crackdown on suspected illegal immigrants. Police stopped the car as the 21-year-old Portuguese woman was being driven away from a church service in Dulwich, South London, and arrested her on suspicion of helping an illegal immigrant to enter Britain. Her smartly dressed new husband, a 37-year-old Nigerian, who arrived at the scene soon afterwards in a separate car, was also arrested. He was in custody last night and faces deportation. A police source said: “We couldn’t work it out when we found them. Why she wasn’t with her husband? “She was wearing the dress but he wasn’t the groom, and it turned out they didn’t even leave the church together.” The arrests, which took place on September 17, followed a joint operation between the Metropolitan Police and UK Border Agency investigators. A Ford Mondeo was stopped near Crystal Palace Park after being flagged up on the police’s automatic numberplate recognition system, and the tearful bride was ordered out of the vehicle. She and her groom, who had been living at different addresses in Southwark, South London, were driven to Bromley police station in separate marked police cars. The unnamed bride was bailed later until November 6 on suspicion of facilitating the entry of an illegal immigrant into Britain, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said. “The 37-year-old Nigerian groom was handed over to officers from the UK Border Agency and remains in custody while officers work to remove him from the UK,” he added. Police said the arrests led officers to search an address in Sydenham, South London, where numerous passports were found with the same photograph but bearing different names. Two other men, Kazeem Fasanya and Adey Senaike, were arrested subsequently. Last week Fasayana was jailed for 14 months by Croydon Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to possessing a false passport. Senaike was sentenced to six months for possessing a passport containing false Home Office stamps. Suspected sham marriages have fallen dramatically after a crackdown instigated by David Blunkett, then the Home Secretary, in 2004. New legislation requires people not settled legally in Britain to seek written permission in the form of a “certificate of approval” if they wish to marry. There were only 400 suspected cases last year, down from 3,500 in 2004, according to Home Office figures.

Report reveals arms imports

A Soviet tank on display. A report says Kenya has been importing tanks, submachine guns and automatic rifles without reporting to the UN, in defiance of international agreements. Photo/FILE 

Nairobi, Saturday October 4, 2008. A total of 77 tanks and 15 jet fighters were secretly imported by Kenya last year alone, according to official documents. Two rocket launchers and more than 40,000 automatic rifles and machine guns were also brought in, the United Nations says. Yet the government has not reported its arms purchases to the United Nations, as required by international agreements, the Sunday Nation can reveal. Instead, Kenya told the UN it had not imported any arms at all. The purchases are detailed in a report by Ukraine to the United Nations in which it said it had exported the tanks and guns, among other weapons. The jet fighter imports from Jordan are shown in a report published on the internet this week by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute which tracks the international movement of arms. Ukraine’s reports of exports to Kenya were filed by the source country to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, UNROCA. Since 1993 when the register was first compiled, Kenya has been reporting that it made no imports and no exports of arms. The purchases represent a significant rearming of Kenya’s military. As a sovereign nation, Kenya has a right to buy and sell arms. Kenya treats virtually all information about its military as classified, though a lot of information about its strength and armaments can be gleaned from official and academic sources. The report by the Stockholm Institute shows that Ukraine inherited millions of small arms and light weapons after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, ending up with over seven million small arms and light weapons which it has over the years exported to different countries.

Top five importers

The top five importers were the United States, the UK, Libya, Azerbaijan and Georgia, itself previously part of the Soviet Union. “Ukraine has made significant progress in improving transparency and controlling exports in recent years,” wrote Paul Holtom of the institute. According to the latest report released by the Ukrainian government, Kenya imported 40,000 utomatic rifles and submachine guns and 405 grenade launchers last year. “Although Kenyan officials made it clear that the 33 T-72 tanks, grenade launchers and ammunition aboard the hijacked Ukrainian ship MV Faina were part of a larger deal under which tanks, artillery and small arms and light weapons were delivered by Ukraine in 2007, these weapons did not appear in Kenya’s recent submission to UNROCA for 2007,” Mr Holtom wrote. Significantly, he pointed out, the report to UNROCA of no imports or exports was made on September 26 this year, the same day that MV Faina was hijacked off the coast of Somalia and just hours before it was expected to dock at the port of Mombasa. The international mechanism for reporting imports and exports of arms and light weapons was established in 1992, the Sunday Nation established, but Kenya has always reported to the UN that it neither imported nor exported small arms and light weapons.

Tundo fastest man in Olepolos

Kirit Rajput, co-driven by Ravi Shoni, power their Subaru Impreza at Oletepesi as a Maasai moran cheers them during the S&L Rally, on Sunday. They finished 11th.

Tundo beat 39 drivers on Sunday to win the KCB S&L Rally, the sixth of the eight rounds Kenya National Rally Championship in Olepolos and Corner Baridi. Tundo was handed the good news on entering the service park at Olepolos after Lee Rose had suffered a tyre puncture in the final leg. Tundo, who was navigated by Tim Jessop in a Subaru Impreza N10, has now opened the championship battle, cutting leader Baldev Chager’s lead to 75 points. Tundo has now amassed 335 points with Chager, who struggled to finish fourth, is on 410 points. Charles Hinga and Michel Puchercos rolled, Susheel Shah’s Subaru Impreza encountered suspension problems, while Anwar Pandya’s car suffered a fuel pump problem. Hinga (95 points) has lost ground at the top of the two-wheel drive to Leonardo Varese (102 points) who won in this category on Sunday.Tundo, who is sponsored by Dalbit Petroleum, was timed at 1:46.07 to clinch the title while OiLibya’s Azar Anwar held on tightly to take the second slot in 1:47.28. Anwar, navigated by Julius Ngigi, started on pole and had the risk of clearing the way for his rivals albeit racing cautiously.Was forced to stopHis second slot finish, his best this season, also see’s him jump to 282 points to retain his fourth slot. The Triton Petroleum crew of Lee Rose and Piers Daykin saw the title slip through their fingers within distance to the finish line.The duo, known for their fast speed, proved the organisers right as they led their Mitsubishi Evo9 car through most of the stages and looked destined for the champagne celebration only to have a puncture. He tried to push on driving another 1km, but was forced to stop and fix it if he was to avoid another early retirement, having faced a similar nightmare in Mogotio and Nanyuki.Rose was timed at 1:47.44, which was 16 seconds slower than Anwar. He, however, retains his third slot with 300 points. Chager was fourth, having survived a scary first stage puncture which left him in 10th as he started the second stage at Kipeto to Corner Baridi.