Saturday, June 02, 2012

Joyce Banda Discards Presidential Jet, Luxury Car Fleet


Malawi’s new president has made numerous breaks from her autocratic predecessor but few will be this popular: she has dumped his presidential jet and fleet of luxury cars.

Joyce Banda, who came to power in April after the death of Bingu wa Mutharika, has barely paused in her drive to overturn his controversial policies and lifestyle.
Her decision to sell or lease the impoverished country’s £8.4m presidential jet and fleet of 60 Mercedes government cars seems likely to cement domestic goodwill – and confirm her as a darling of the west.

Britain, Malawi’s biggest aid donor, announced on Friday that Andrew Mitchell, the international development secretary, had raised the issue of the Dassault Falcon 900EX jet with Banda at a private meeting with the new government.

Mitchell said: “At a time of austerity in both Britain and Malawi, president Banda’s decision to sell or lease the presidential jet and expensive fleet of cars sends an enormously encouraging signal to British taxpayers and the international community about the seriousness president Banda is applying to overturn bad decisions taken under the previous government.

“The proceeds can be used to provide basic services to Malawi’s poorest people who urgently need help following the vital devaluation of the currency.”

Last month Banda was quoted in local media saying the cabinet would discuss the future of the jet, explaining that she had no problems “offloading it as I can well use private airliners; I am already used to hitchhiking”.

Mutharika bought the presidential jet in 2009, claiming it was less expensive than leasing a plane every time he travelled. But it came to be seen as a symbol of African kleptocracy and some observers compared him with Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe.

Mutharika was also condemned for purchasing a 58-room mansion in his home district and granting a salary to his wife. His regime lashed out at allegations of corruption and cronyism at a time when Malawi was suffering severe shortages of foreign currency and fuel.

The president’s sudden death from a heart attack changed the course of history. Having thwarted an attempt by his allies to block her, Banda assumed control and has since appointed a new cabinet, sacked his police chief, announced the lifting of a ban on homosexuality and restored the country’s independence era flag.

The turnaround has been welcomed by western countries such as Britain, whose high commissioner was expelled by Mutharika for branding him “autocratic and intolerant of criticism”.

During a four-day visit, Mitchell confirmed that the Bank of England will work directly with the Reserve Bank of Malawi to help it cope with the impact of slashing the value of the local currency, the kwacha, by one third earlier this month on the advice of the IMF.

The minister said: “I am also delighted to be in Malawi to relaunch Britain’s development partnership with the new president. Britain is leading the international community by providing urgent balance of payments support and technical assistance to Malawi through the Bank of England.”

Earlier this month Britain pledged £20m to help stabilise the Malawian economy and £10m for the country’s health system.


Clinton hails US-Norwegian ties


US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton didn’t spare her praise for Norway or downplay the close relations between the US and Norway during her remarks at a government luncheon held in her honor in Oslo on Friday. Her thank-you speech to her Norwegian hosts could only be described as positively glowing.....


Wednesday, May 30, 2012




RAIA mmoja wa Bulgaria, Petez Ninkov, 32, (pichani) amenusurika kuuawa baada ya kudaiwa kuiba fedha katika mashine ya kuchukulia fedha (ATM) jijini Dar es Salaam.

Tukio hilo lilitokea hivi karibuni katika Benki ya Standard Chartered, Tawi la Ilala ambapo mzungu huyo aliponea chupuchupu kupigwa baada ya kuokolewa na polisi ambao walikuwa doria na haraka wakamkimbiza polisi.

Habari ambazo tumezipata zinaeleza kuwa, tayari amepandishwa kizimbani katika Mahakama ya Wilaya ya Ilala kujibu mashitaka ya kuiibia benki hiyo fedha taslimu shilingi milioni 35.

Ninkov amefikishwa katika mahakama hiyo kujibu shitaka hilo la wizi katika benki hiyo tawi la Ilala jijini Dar es Salaam.

Mwendesha mashitaka wa serikali, Aidah Kisumo alidai mahakamani hapo kuwa mshitakiwa alitenda kosa hilo kati ya Februari 6 na Aprili 4 mwaka huu.

Ilidaiwa mahakamani hapo kuwa, kati ya siku hizo mtuhumiwa aliiba Dola za Kimarekani 23,000 kutoka katika mashine ya kuchukulia fedha (ATM), mali ya Benki ya Standard Chatered huku akijua kuwa ni kosa.

Katika shitaka la pili Mwendesha mashitaka alidai kuwa, mtuhumiwa aliiba tena Mei 17, mwaka huu katika benki hiyo baada ya kupanga njama ya kutenda kosa hilo.

Hakimu anayesikiliza kesi hiyo, Tarsila Kisoka aliiahirisha kesi hiyo hadi Juni 6, mwaka huu na mshitakiwa ametupwa rumande baada ya kushindwa masharti ya dhamana ambayo ni kuwa na wadhamini wawili wanaotambuliwa na serikali ambao watasaini nusu ya mali iliyoibiwa.

Akizungumzia tukio hilo jana kwa njia ya simu, Kamanda wa Polisi wa Kanda Maalum Dar es Salaam, Suleiman Kova alisema ni lazima benki kuwa waangalifu kwa kuwa mbinu zinazotumika kwa wizi huo ni za kisasa. Ametoa wito kwa wananchi kutoa taarifa polisi wakimtilia shaka mtu yeyote aliye katika mashine za ATM.

Habari kwa hisani ya Global Publishers



3000 kvinner anklaget for hekseri og lynsjet i Tanzania


Fordi de hadde røde øyne

Om lag 3000 personer, flesteparten av dem eldre kvinner, er blitt anklaget for hekseri og lynsjet i Tanzania fra 2005 til 2011, ifølge en lokal menneskerettsgruppe.

Ifølge en rapport fra organisasjonen Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) ble ofrene lynsjet av redde naboer som trodde de var hekser, skriver nyhetsbyrået AFP.

- Hvert Ã¥r blir i gjennomsnitt 500 personer, spesielt eldre kvinner med røde øyne, drept i Tanzania fordi de mistenkes for Ã¥ være hekser, heter det i rapporten. 

Menneskerettsgruppen forklarer at røde øyne blir sett pÃ¥ som et tegn pÃ¥ hekseri, mens det faktisk ofte er et resultat av at kumøkk blir brukt som brennsel i omrÃ¥der med knappe ressurser. Mange i lokalbefolkningen er av den oppfatning at hekseri er Ã¥rsaken til alt fra sterilitet, fattigdom, mislykkede forretninger, sult og jordskjelv. 

De hardest rammede provinsene er Mwanza og Shinyanga nord i landet. Eksempelvis ble 242 personer drept i tidsrommet mellom januar 2010 og januar i fjor bare i Shinyanga-provinsen, skriver LHRC i sin rapport. 

(NTB)

Sunday, May 27, 2012




Diaspora Network har gleden av å invitere deg til et spennende fagseminar.


Diasporaens bidrag til effektiv utvikling: hvordan styrke samarbeidet mellom diasporaorganisasjoner, den private sektoren og sivilsamfunnet?


Tirsdag 29. mai kl. 1700-1900, Litteraturhuset, Nedjma salen.

Diaspora Network vil sette fokus på diasporaens rolle som næringslivsentreprenører og utviklingsagenter. Diasporaen bidrar ikke bare
til næringsutvikling i sine opprinnelsesland ved pengeoverføringer (remittances), men ogsÃ¥ gjennom direkte investeringer, utviklingsarbeid og kunnskapsoverføring. Diasporaen bidrar sÃ¥ledes til en sterk og voksende privat sektor som skaper nye arbeidsplasser, genererer inntekter, og dermed bidrar til fattigdomsbekjempelse. Diasporaens interkulturelle kompetanse, spesifikke kunnskap, markeds-og produktkompetanse og forutsetninger for næringsvirksomhet i hjemlandet samt i mottakerlandet gjør dem til verdifulle ressurspersoner for bÃ¥de bistandsorganisasjoner og næringslivet.


Paneldeltakere:
  • Vigdis Halvorsen, Underdirektør i Norad, Avd. for sivilt samfunn(seksjon for utviklingsinitiativ)
  • Ola Nafstad,  Avdelingsdirektør i Norfund, avd. for strategi og analyse
  • Cindy Horst, Seniorforsker, PRIO
  • Alice M. Ennals, Prosjektkoordinator for migrasjon og utvikling i Utviklingsfondet
  • Felix Osok, Leder av Diaspora Network

Ordstyrer: Haakon Flemmen,  Journalist i Klassekampen


Diaspora Network vil avholde sitt årsmøtet fra kl. 1600 til 1700 på samme
sted. Du er velkommen til å delta på årsmøtet vårt.

Vel møtt!

Vennlig hilsen,

Henok Kassahun
Styreleder i Diaspora Network



 “Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak???!!!”



From: Mrs.Suzanne Mubarak sussymub111@yahoo.com.ph
Sent: 25.05.2012 15:22
Subject: Hello Dear Friend


Hello Dear Friend,


I know that you will be suprise reading from me since we have not met before but situation around me warrant that I contact a total stranger (you) for a business transaction of mutual benefits.

My name is Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak wife of deposed president of Egypt. I have the mandate of my husband to communicate you for a possible funds transfer.

Following the 18 days civil unrest that forced my husband President Hosni Mubarak out of power I wish to use this medium to seek your assistance to move /secure part of our family treasure of a total sum of 150million in united state dollars which we managed to moved out of Egypt to abroad in the verge of the Unrest.

Should you be able to take this advantage to assist us to claim these funds , you shall be rewarded handsomely.

Indicate your willingness to this offer by communicating me via this email enclosing your full information name, age , occupation, address telephone numbers as all our telephone lines are monitored which email communication will be the best for now.

Thanks for your anticipated response to this offer.

Mrs.Suzanne Mubarak.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Dar es Salaam


The obsession with junk food, alcohol and lack of physical exercise is slowly driving Tanzanians to the grave


Medical doctors are now appealing to the general public to shun junk food and undertake physical exercises. They are also requesting the government to step up efforts in fighting and controlling the little-known but deadly non-communicable diseases. The doctors note that the government has directed full emphasis on communicable diseases at the expense of the lifestyle diseases.....




NIDA yafichua mbinu za matapeli


MKURUGENZI Mkuu wa Mamlaka ya Vitambulisho vya Taifa (NIDA), Dickson Maimu, amesisitiza kuwa fomu kwa ajili ya kupatiwa vitambulishio vya taifa haziuzwi na wanaofanya hivyo waripotiwe ili hatua za kisheria dhidi yao zichukuliwe.
Kwa mujibu wa Maimu,  vitendo hivyo vinalenga kuwahadaa wananchi. Amewataka wananchi kuwa waangalifu na kuwafichua wanaojihusisha na uuzaji huo wa fomu hizo, ambao ni kinyume cha taratibu, kanuni na sheria ya usajili.
“Mamlaka ya Vitambulisho vya Taifa (NIDA), haijaanza kutoa fomu zozote za usajili kwa wananchi wa mikoani, zaidi ya mazoezi ya usajili kwa watumishi wa umma kwa Dar es Salaam na Zanzibar na zoezi la majaribio Wilaya ya Kilombero, Morogoro lililofanyika  Machi, mwaka huu. Usajili rasmi wa wananchi kwa jumla unakusudiwa kuanza mapema Juni mwaka huu, kwa kuanzia na Mkoa wa Dar es Salaam.”
Kutoka Tanzania Daima

Friday, May 25, 2012




Here’s who’s striking around Norway


Garbage was already starting to pile up in Trondheim, parents had to take their children with them to work in many Norwegian cities and even weather forecasts were lacking information from many areas around the country after just one day of a major strike by state and municipal workers.....

  

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Norway

Nation-wide strike in the public sector



Around 25,000 employees in the public sector in Norway walked out on strike Thursday morning, after arbitration on overtime failed in the early hours of the morning.
On strike are teachers, nursing home staff and police officers in 14 municipalities around the country.
Arbitration was still ongoing Thursday morning for the municipality of Oslo, involving 2500 city employees, among them teachers.
Source: NRK & Norway Post

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Gaitana - Be My Guest (Ukraine) 2012 Eurovision Song Contest Official Preview Video

Ubaguzi wa rangi katika sanaa Ulaya


Kwa shindano linalolenga kusherehekea usanii wa kitsch (barani Uropa), shindano la muimbaji bora la Eurovision kila linapofanyika huzua hisia za kichochezi ambazo sio kawaida kutokea kwingineko.

Na hivyo ndivyo ilivyo mwaka huu wakati shindano hilo likielekea kileleni. Hisia za ubaguzi wa rangi tayari zimeanza kuzungumziwa kabla ya shindano hilo kufika fainali.

Chama chenye msimamo mkali cha Freedom Party, nchini Ukrain, kilimshambulia kwa maneno msanii Gaitana - ambaye ni mzaliwa wa Congo na ambaye anawakilisha Ukraia kwenye shindano hilo.

"Mamilioni ya watu watakaokuwa wanatizama fainali ya shindano hilo, watajionea Ukraian ikiwakilishwa na mtu ambaye sio wa rangi yetu" ndivyo alivyosema Yuri Syrotyuk, ambaye chama chake kianajiandaa kwa uchaguzi wa wabunge baadaye mwaka huu.

"Ukrain itaonekana kama nchi iliyo katika eneo la vijijini huko barani Afrika" aliongeza kusema Yuri Syrotyuk,

Shutuma
Hata hivyo baadaye alikana madai ya ubaguzi wa rangi, akisema kuwa alikuwa anakosoa tu kutokuwepo uwazi katika namna mwakilishi kutoka nchini humo alivyochaguliwa.

Lakini matamshi yake yalikemewa sana nchini Ukraine na vyama vyote rasmi vya kisiasa na wasanii wengine mfano Vitaly, Volodymyr Klitschko na mshindi wa shindano hilo mwaka 2004, Ruslana.

Gaitana, atamenyana na wenzake katika awamu ya nusu fainali Alhamisi usiku, na amesema kuwa matamashi hayo ya ubaguzi wa rangi yameonyesha tatizo hilo lilivyokithiri nchini Ukraine.

"Nimekerwa sana na matamshi hayo, kwa sababu Ukrain ni nchi yenye demokrasia ambako watu wenye unyenykevu na utu wanaishi" alisema Gaitana.
Tamaduni mbili

Babake Gaitana ambaye ni raia wa Jamuhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Congo, alisomea katika mji mkuu wa Ukrain, Kiev, ambako alikutana na mamake Gaitana na kumuoa.

Muda mfupi baada ya kuzaliwa kwa Gaitana, mwaka 1979, familia yake ilihamia Congo-Brazzaville ambako waliishi kwa miaka mitano. Hata hivyo wazazi wake walitalakiana lakini mamake Gaitana alirejea naye nchini Ukrain.

Gaitana huandika nyimbo zake mwenyewe na anajioana kama mchanganyiko wa tamamduni mbili kwa sababu marafiki zake nchini Congo wansema mziki wake una mizizi ya Kiafrika.

Fainali ya shindano hilo itafanyika nchini Azerbaijan na kutazamwa na watu milioni 125 kote barani Uropa. Wengi wanaona kama Gaitana ana nafasi nzuri ya kushinda shindano hilo.

Atamenyana na washindani kutoka nchini Sweden, Uturuki, Romania, Italia na Ugiriki.

BBC Kiswahili www.bbcswahili.com





Stockholm, Sweden



Tuesday, May 22, 2012



Nurture Kiswahili´s export potential


Kiswahili is an important export commodity which if properly promoted could bring in billions of shillings in revenue through foreigners coming into the country to learn how to speak and write it.

According to Principal of the MS-Training Centre for Development Cooperation, Dr Suma Kaare an average of 1,700 foreigners are taught Kiswahili at her centre every year, attracting over $500,000 (nearly 800m/-) in fees.

For the last 30 years, MS-TCDC, which is located in Usa River area, has developed extensive expertise in enabling expatriates to improve their language skills. “As a result, our training has gained a very strong reputation.”

She said the language is spoken by six countries in Africa, and in recent years, it has grown in popularity in countries as far as the US, China and other developed countries.

“In a year, we’ve been receiving more than 1,700 students from Africa and the rest of the world. Most of them come for short and long-term courses,” she said, adding that some of the students come from Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana and others from the rest of the world.

The centre has been receiving university students from the US and European countries, who attend Kiswahili classes at the centre.

“It is high time Tanzanians felt proud of their language, which is spoken by one billion people in Africa,” said the boss of the training centre, adding: “Kiswahili is an important business opportunity that needs to be explored.”

A new lab for Kiswahili is in the pipeline as the centre prepares itself to start offering a diploma course in Kiswahili.

Dr Suma decried of increase of visa fees for foreigners who are coming into the country, saying: “$500 is a lot of money, which discourages some of the foreigners wishing to visit the country.

I appeal to the government to reduce the amount, so that we encourage more people to come to Tanzania,” she said.

One of Germany’s PhD students at Kiel university Ulrike Doerr said: “I am lucky to be here learning Kiswahili, one of the widely spoken African languages.”

“I have been hearing about the language for years, but now I’m in class learning it,” she beamed.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN


Third of malaria drugs “are fake”


A third of malaria drugs used around the world to stem the spread of the disease are counterfeit, data suggests....


Monday, May 21, 2012


Vigogo uhamiaji wauza vibali, pasipoti; wamekuwa matajiri wa kutisha


KASHFA nyingine imeibuliwa katika Idara ya Uhamiaji.Taarifa mpya yenye kurasa tano, imewataja vigogo hao saba wakidaiwa kuwa na utajiri wa kutisha. Taarifa hiyo ambayo tunayo nakala yake, imedai kuwa vigogo hao wanamiliki mali na mamilioni ya shilingi katika akaunti zao binafsi.


Maofisa saba wametajwa kwa majina na vituo vyao vya kazi ambavyo ni Lindi, Dar es Salaam, Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Kilimanjaro (Kia) na Moshi.

Tuhuma hizo zimekuja wakati Tume Maalumu iliyoundwa kuchunguza tuhuma za ufisadi na utoaji wa vibali bandia kwa wageni, ikitajwa kuanza kazi juzi. Hata hivyo, habari kutoka wizarani zinaeleza kuwa timu hiyo itaanza rasmi kazi zake leo.

Habari za uhakika kutoka ndani ya Uhamiaji, zimedai kuwa baadhi ya wajumbe wa tume hiyo wamemhoji meneja wa benki moja kubwa ya Moshi ili kupata ukweli wa madai kuwa kigogo mmoja wa Uhamiaji mwenye cheo cha Naibu Kamishna (DCI), anamiliki akaunti ya fedha za kigeni.

Kigogo huyo anahusishwa pia na mtandao wa utoaji vibali bandia kwa raia wa kigeni wanaofanya kazi mkoani Kilimanjaro au kufanya kazi za kujitolea.

Ripoti hiyo imetaja taasisi 13, zikiwamo zisizo za kiserikali (NGO), hospitali na hoteli za kitalii zinazodaiwa wageni wake walipewa vibali bandia.

Mbali na kumhoji meneja huyo, inadaiwa pia walifanya mahojiano na uongozi wa kiwanda kimoja kinachodaiwa kukutwa na vibali bandia vya wageni 84.

Taarifa hizo zilidai kuwa maofisa wengine waandamizi wa Uhamiaji kutoka Makao Makuu, Dar es Salaam walitarajiwa kuwasili Moshi juzi kuungana na wenzao.

Baadhi ya maofisa waliotajwa katika ripoti hiyo kwamba wana utajiri ni wale waliokumbwa na uhamisho katika idara hiyo, Kia miezi mitatu iliyopita.

Katika ripoti hiyo, kigogo mmoja mwenye cheo cha DCI anadaiwa kukutwa na Sh700 milioni katika akaunti yake, achilia mbali kumiliki mali za mamilioni.

Mbali na maofisa hao kumiliki mamilioni ya fedha taslimu, pia wanadaiwa ‘kufanya kufuru’ ya kununua magari ya kifahari, nyumba na viwanja.

Ripoti hiyo inayodaiwa kuandikwa na Maofisa Uhamiaji wazalendo, imepinga hatua ya kuhamishwa kutoka kituo kimoja kwenda kingine, maofisa wanaotuhumiwa kukutwa na utajiri ambao haulingani na vipato vyao.

“Tunataka ufanyike ukaguzi wa kina wa vibali vyote vilivyotolewa kati ya 2009/2010, 2010/2011 hadi 2012 na taasisi zote zionyeshe nakala za vibali,” imedai.

Pia taarifa hiyo imependekeza wenzao wote wanaotuhumiwa kuwa na utajiri wa kutisha wachunguzwe na Taasisi ya Kuzuia na Kupambana na Rushwa (Takukuru).

“Haikuwa sahihi kuwahamisha na kuishia hapo, walipaswa wapelekwe Takukuru wachunguzwe chanzo cha utajiri wao.”

Pia wametaka kigogo anayemiliki akaunti ya Dola, achunguzwe ili kujua alikuwa akifanya biashara gani nje ya utumishi wa umma na kama alilipa kodi kiasi gani.

Baadhi ya maofisa Uhamiaji wamependekeza kusimamishwa kazi kwa kigogo huyo katika kipindi hiki kwa hofu ya kuingilia na kuvuruga uchunguzi.

Wiki iliyopita, Kamishna Mkuu wa Uhamiaji, Magnus Ulungi aliwaambia waandishi wa habari kuwa imeundwa kwa tume ya kumchunguza kigogo huyo.

Hata hivyo, taarifa zilizopatikana jana zilisema tume hiyo imepanua wigo wa uchunguzi juu ya kuwapo kwa vibali bandia katika taasisi mbalimbali.

Kabla ya kuhamishiwa Wizara ya Ulinzi na Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa, aliyekuwa Waziri wa Mambo ya Ndani, Shamsi Vuai Naodha alikaririwa akisema Kilimanjaro ni moja kati ya mikoa minane inayomtia kichefuchefu nchini.

Waziri huyo alisema baadhi ya watumishi wamekuwa wakijihusisha na mtandao wa uingiaji wahamiaji haramu nchini pia kutoa vibali bandia kwa wageni.

Waziri wa Mambo ya Ndani ya Nchi, Dk Emmanuel Nchimbi alipoulizwa juzi kuhusu sakata hilo alisema ni vyema Uhamiaji ikapewa nafasi ya kuchunguza suala hilo kwa kuwa tayari imeshateua tume ya uchunguzi.

“Kamishna Mkuu wa Uhamiaji tayari amelifanyia kazi jambo hilo kwa uzito unaostahili. Tuwape nafasi walichunguze si vyema kuanza kuingilia katika hatua hii ya mwanzo,” alisema.

Wahamiaji haramu
Serikali, bila mafanikio, imekuwa ikichukua hatua mbalimbali kukomesha tatizo la wahamiaji haramu linalotajwa kuwa chanzo cha utajiri wa baadhi ya vigogo wa Idara ya Uhamiaji.

Miongoni mwa mikakati iliyowahi kutangazwa na Wizara ya Mambo ya Ndani ni pamoja na idara hiyo kufanya utafiti kwa kushirikiana na Chuo Kikuu cha Mzumbe kubaini chanzo cha ongezeko la wahamiaji haramu nchini.

Akiwasilisha Bajeti ya Wizara yake bungeni mwaka 2007/2008 , aliyekuwa Waziri wa Mambo ya Ndani ya Nchi wakati huo, Joseph Mungai alisema matokeo ya utafiti huo ni kuisaidia Serikali kujua chanzo cha tatizo hilo na jinsi ya kupambana nalo kwa ufanisi zaidi.

Hatua nyingine zinazochukuliwa ni pamoja na maofisa Uhamiaji kushiriki katika vikao mbalimbali kuanzia ngazi ya vijiji, ili kuwapa wananchi elimu juu ya masuala yanayohusu uraia na jinsi ya kukabiliana na wahamiaji haramu; Kutoa elimu kwa umma kupitia vyombo vya habari; Kuweka mtandao wa kompyuta katika vituo vyote vya Uhamiaji ili kuviunganisha na makao makuu.

Pamoja na Serikali kutangaza mkakati huo miaka mitano iliyopita, wahamiaji haramu limeendelea kuwa tatizo sugu linalotia doa utendaji wa idara hiyo.

Kutoka Mwananchi