Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Tendwa,Mkuchika nao watofautiana vikali

*Ni kuhusu madiwani waliofukuzwa CHADEMA
*Tendwa: Diwani akiishafukuzwa ndio kikomo
*Mwanasheria: Mkuchika sasa amekiuka katiba


Na Gladness Mboma

WATENDAJI wa juu ndani ya serikali ya Rais Jakaya Kikwete wamezidi kutofautiana vikali na
kutoa misimamo inayokinzana, safari hii ikiwa ni zamu ya Msajili wa Vyama vya Siasa, Bw. John Tendwa na Waziri wa Nchi Ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu Tawala za Mikoa na Serikali za Mitaa, (TAMISEMI), Bw. George Mkuchika kuhusu sakata la madiwani wa CHADEMA waliofukuzwa uanachama mkoani Arusha.

Wakati Bw. Mkuchika akiruhusu madiwani watano waliofukuzwa na CHADEMA kuruhusiwa kuendelea kuhudhuria vikao vya baraza na kutakiwa kulipwa stahili zao zote, Bw. Tendwa ameshangazwa na uamuzi huo na kusema kuwa serikali haiwezi kutengua uamuzi wa chama.

Akizungumza na gazeti hili jana, Bw.Tendwa alisema kuwa alishangazwa na uamuzi huo wa Bw. Mkuchika na kusema kuwa Bunge au diwani akiishafukuzwa uanachama ndio kikomo cha uongozi na ili kurudishia uongozi ni lazima hoja itenguliwe na mahakama.

"Serikali haiwezi kutengua uamuzi wa chama, haiwezekani hata kidogo, na kama mtu siyo mwanachama hawezi kuwa na wadhifa wa kubunge au diwani ni nafasi za siasa," alisisitiza.

Bw. Tendwa alitofautiana na Bw. Mkuchika kwa uamuzi wake wa kuandika barua kwa Meya wa Manispaa ya Arusha Bw. Gaudence Lyimo kuhusu hatima ya madiwani ya kutaka waendelee  kuhudhuria vikao vyote vya baraza  na kulipwa stahili zote hadi mahakama itakapotoa uamuzi.

Alisema kuwa yeye mpaka sasa haamini kama kweli Bw. Mkuchika ameamuru madiwani hao waendelee na kuhudhuria vikao vyote vya baraza huku wakiwa wamevuliwa uanachama na kwamba ameingilia uhuru wa mahakama.

"Huwezi kutengua lolote la mahakama, kwa kuwa kufanya hivyo utakuwa umeingilia uhuru wa mahakama," alisema.

Alisema kuwa hata Meya wa Arusha alitakiwa kuangalia sheria zinasemaje badala ya kukubali kupelekwapelekwa, kwa kuwa kesi hiyo iko mahakamani walichotakiwa kusubiri ni uamuzi wa mahakama pekee, ambao ndio yenye mamlaka ya kuwarejeshea uanachama au la.

Hivi karibuni, Bw. Mkuchika alidaiwa kukiuka Katiba ya nchi kutokana na kuandika barua ya kuruhusu madiwani watano waliofukuzwa na CHADEMA kuruhusiwa kuendelea kuhudhuria vikao vya baraza na kutakiwa kulipwa stahili zao zote.

Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari mwishoni mwa wiki baada ya kuahirishwa kwa kesi ya viongozi wa chama hicho katika Mahakama Kuu Mwanasheria, Bw. Method Kimomogolo alitoa kauli hiyo baada ya Katibu Mkuu wa CHADEMA Dkt. Willibrod Slaa kuonyesha nakala ya barua iliyotoka kwa Bw. MKuchika yenye kumb Na. HA 23/235/01/16 ya Agosti 23 mwaka huu iliyotumwa kwa Meya wa Manispaa ya Arusha, Bw. Lyimo kuhusu hatima ya madiwani hao.

Nakala ya barua hiyo ambayo ilibeba kichwa cha habari kisemacho: "Kuvuliwa uanachama hivyo kukosa sifa ya kuwa diwani huku mwisho wa barua hiyo ikisema kuwa 'kutokana na na madiwani hao watano kufungua kesi na kuiomba mahakama kuwarejesha uanachama wataendelea kuhudhuria vikao vyote vya baraza na kulipwa stahili yote hadi mahakama itakapotoa uamuzi'.

Bw. Kimomogolo alisema maamuzi yaliyofikiwa na Bw. MKuchika yalikiuka Katiba ya Muungano kwa vile mtu anayehitaji kugombea uongozi katika nafasi yoyote ni lazima awe na dhamana ya chama.

Alisema kuwa vipengele vingine vinaweka bayana kuwa katika suala la urais, ubunge na udiwani utakoma pindi chama kilichomwekea dhamana kitaondoa dhamana yake na kusema kwa kuwa tayari CHADEMA ilikwishaindoa dhamana kwa madiwani hao sasa hawana sifa.

Bw. Kimomogolo alisema kuwa inashangaza kuona serikali iliyopinga mgombea binafsi mahakamani na kushinda kesi, inakuja kuwatambua madiwani ambao mdhamini wao wamekwishawafukuza ambaye ni CHADEMA.

"Kwenye kesi aliyofungua Mchungaji Christopher Mtikila, ambapo mahakama imeamua hakuna mgombea binafsi, hivyo maamuzi yanayofanywa na madiwani hao kwenye kwenye vikao vya baraza nayo ni batili na posho wanazopokea ni wizi na anayewapa atawajibika kuzilipa,"alisema.

Naye Dkt. Slaa alisema kuwa alishangazwa na maamuzi hayo kwa kuwa madiwani hao walikwishavuliwa uanachama na kupelekea kukimbilia mahakamani ili kurejeshewa uanachama wao hivyo iwapo waziri ataendelea kuwatambua wakati chama hicho kiliondoa dhamana ni kukiuka taratibu za sheria.

Kwa upande wake Kaimu Mkurugenzi wa Manispaa hiyo,Bw. Estomii Chang'a alikiri kuipata barua hiyo na kwamba anachokitekeleza ni maamuzi hayo yaliyotoka ngazi za juu.

Madiwani waliofukuzwa CHADEMA baada ya kukaidi maamuzi ya Kamati Kuu yaliyowataka kujivua nyadhifa walizopata kupitia muafaka walioingia bila baraka za chama hicho na kata zao kwenye mabano ni Naibu Meya Bw. Estomii Mallah (Kimandoli),Bw. Charles Mpanda (Kaloleni),Bw. Ruben Ngowi (Themi) na Bibi. Rehema Mohamed (Viti Maalum).

Ex-lovers can be friends, says Jessica Hsuan

by Jocelyn Lee

















NEWLY-SINGLE Hong Kong actress Jessica Hsuan is the type of woman who believes in remaining friends with her ex-lovers.

Three weeks ago, the 41-year-old split up with Ruan Bester, her South African boyfriend of more than two years.

Hsuan, who was in town to promote her upcoming Channel 8 drama Bountiful Blessings, told The New Paper in a mix of Mandarin and English: "I am still good friends with my ex now and if he needs my help, I will definitely lend a helping hand. There is no problem atall."

The candid star added: "I have always felt that it's fine to be friends with my ex-boyfriends. A friendship doesn't have to end just because a relationship ended."

The announcement of Hsuan's break-up with her beau on July 30 had shocked both media and fans as the veteran fixture on Hong Kong television had previously hinted that the veterinarian could be her MrRight, and many had speculated that she would marry him this year or next.

The couple were seen attending Cantopop singer Hacken Lee's concert together in mid-July and they were reported by Hong Kong media to be behaving in a lovey-dovey manner.

The pair have even met each other's parents, with Hsuan travelling to South Africa to meet Bester's folks.
While they were dating, Hsuan often picked Bester up after work and the two did not look like a couple on the verge of splitting.

On ending the relationship, Hsuan said matter-of-factly: "We had our differences and we had tried to resolve them, but there were some problems we could not work out. This is reality."




M'sian model shares her plastic surgery journey



By Fiona Ho
She's brash, she's bold and she's probably the only Malaysian celebrity who has gone public with her multiple plastic surgeries.

Leng Yein, a former Miss Malaysia finalist turned model, has had work done on her eyes, nose, cheeks, lips and breasts and she is only 26.

While she has been subject to ruthless criticisms, Leng Yein, whose Facebook page boasts over 98,000 followers, remains an object of stubborn fascination.
"Well, it's my face and I'm the one who has to wake up to it everyday," the rail-thin beauty tells the Daily Chilli in a recent interview.
"People can say whatever they like, but if my husband and family are both okay with it, then I don't see what's wrong with it. I'm not hurting anybody."

The model, who openly calls herself a "plastic beauty", says she first went under the knife for a nose-job in Beijing when she was 21.
"My boyfriend betrayed me with a pretty girl when I was 18," she shares.
"I was really heartbroken and I told myself if I could afford it one day, I would make myself look pretty."

Sleep in this coffin for better luck

Sleeping in coffins no longer brings bad luck as most Chinese are commonly believe.

A coffin at the Looi Im Si temple in Penang supposedly helps to get rid of bad luck to those who believe.
Located in Jelutong, the temple has five coffins but devotees are only allowed to sleep in one of them as the rest are too small.

Devotees of the Taoist temple worship deities that 'oversee' Hades, including Yu Xiao Xian Bo - also known as Bai Wu Chang, one of the two guards who are said to be responsible to bring the dead to the afterworld.
The temple is only open at night - from 8pm until around 2am.

Chu Soon Lock, the secretary of the temple committee, said his grandmother Lim Guat Looi founded the temple after receiving an instruction from 'hell deity' Di Fu Bao Zhang in a dream.

As years went by, the temple worships more and more deities including Ji Gong, Bullhead Horseface (two Hell soldiers), Si Da Jin Gang (Four major bodyguards), Di Zhang Wang Pusa and Mile Buddha.
However, its reasons were unclear, as the history of the century-old temple could not be traced.

Beyonce appears at MTV awards looking pregnant

LOS ANGELES - R&B singer Beyonce let pictures tell the story of a baby on the way for her and rapper husband Jay-Z at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, appearing before photographers and outlining a baby bump under her long gown.

The singer appeared visibly pregnant on the red carpet at the widely-watched show where MTV gives out awards for best videos. Wearing a loose-fitting dress, she showed off her expanded waistline and used her hands to frame a baby bump.

But she did not talk with reporters, leaving only eyewitness accounts and photographs for confirmation.
Beyonce, whose hits include "Beautiful Liar" and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it), is vying for MTV's Best Female Video award with "Run the World (Girls)."

She and rapper Jay-Z began dating in 2002 and were married in April 2008. For years, her many fans and the media have speculated about whether and when they might have a baby.
It appears they won't have to wait much longer.

CCM, Chadema anga kwa anga Igunga

*CC YA  CCM WAMPITISHA  ALIYEKUWA MPINZANI WA ROSTAM, MKAPA KUZINDUA KAMPENI

KAMATI Kuu (CC) ya Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), imemtangaza Dk Dalaly Kafumu kuwa mgombea wake katika uchaguzi mdogo wa Igunga huku pia kikitangaza kutumia helikopta kupiga kampeni za anga kwa anga ikiwa ni sehemu ya kuhakikisha jimbo hilo haliangukii kwenye himaya ya upinzani.

Hatua ya CCM kutangaza kutumia helikopta inakuja wakati tayari Chadema, nacho tayari kikiwa kimetangaza kutumia usafiri huo wa anga kufika maeneo mengi katika uchaguzi huo unaotarajiwa kufanyika Oktoba 2 kuziba nafasi ya Rostam Aziz, aliyejiuzulu wadhifa huo mnamo mwezi Julai.

Wakati vyama vingine vya upinzani vikiwa vimemaliza mchakato wa kupata wagombea wao, jana CC ya CCM ilikutana jijini Dar es Salaam chini ya uenyekiti wa Rais Jakaya Kikwete, ambayo pamoja na mambo mengine ilimtangaza Dk Kafumu ikiwa ni kukamilisha mchakato huo ulioanzia ngazi ya wilaya.

Utaratibu wa CCM, mgombea ubunge huanza kupigiwa kura na wajumbe wa kuanzia wilaya kisha mkoa na  kutoa alama pasipo kukata jina hata moja na mwisho CC chini ya mwenyekiti, hufanya maamuzi ya mwisho.

Hadi sasa tayari CUF wamempitisha Leonard Mahona, ambaye alichuana na Rostam mwaka jana na kupata kura 11,000, Chadema ni Joseph Kashindye, Moses Edward (TLP) na John Maguma wa Sau, huku uchukuaji fomu ukiwa tayari umeanza tangu Agosti 24 na kutarajiwa kukamilika Septemba sita.

Vyama vya upinzani vikikamilisha mchakato na uchukuaji fomu ukiwa umeanza, jana Katibu wa Itikadi na Uenezi Taifa wa CCM, Nape Nnauye, ilitangaza uamuzi huo wa CC wa kumpitiisha Dk Kafumu, ambaye tayari aliwahi kugombea na Rostam mara mbili katika kura za maoni ndani ya chama bila mafanikio. 

Nape alitamba  kwamba CCM inaingia  kwenye uchaguzi huo ikiwa na matumaini makubwa ya kushinda huku  kauli mbiu ikiwa ni, "Tumethubutu, tumeweza na tunasonga mbele.”

Mkapa kuzindua kampe

Alifafanua kwamba mbali ya uamuzi wa kumpitisha Dk Kafumu, kikao hicho cha CC kilimpitisha Rais Mstaafu wa Awamu ya Tatu, Benjamini Mkapa kuzindua kampeni za chama hicho, zitakazoanza mwezi ujao.

“Kampeni hizo zitazinduliwa na Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Benjamini Mkapa wakati muafaka wa kampeni utakapowadia,” alisema Nape na kuongeza tambo akisema CCM itashinda uchaguzi huo kwa kishindo.


Sababu za kushinda wanazo

Alitaja sababu nne ambazo alizielezea ni miongoni mwa nyingi zinazokipa chama hicho tawala jeuri ya  ushindi kwenye uchaguzi huo, ambazo ni pamoja na tathmini waliyoifanya katika siku za karibuni na kubaini wanachama wake katika jimbo hilo wana mshikamano mkubwa na mapenzi kwa chama chao.

Nape aliitaja  sababu nyingine ni kwamba, katika uchaguzi wa kura za maoni walizofanya siku za karibuni jimboni humo zilionekana kuwa na utulivu na hakukuwepo na makundi yenye msuguano kama ilivyokwishawahi kutokea kwenye baadhi ya majimbo ambayo CCM iliyapoteza kwenye Uchaguzi Mkuu wa mwaka jana.

Katika kudhihirisha hilo, Nape alisema hata wagombea walioshindwa kwenye kura za maoni walikuwa jijini Dar es Salaam na waliahidi kuwa watashirikiana na Dk Kafumu katika kufanikisha ushindi wa CCM.

“Katika kufanikisha kampeni za CCM, wanachama waliowania kuteuliwa katika nafasi hiyo wameahidi watashiriki kikamilifu katika kampeni hizo,” akisema hiyo ni ishara ya mshikamano wa wana CCM Igunga.

Wagombea wanaotarajia kumuunga mkono DK Kafumu ambaye aliibuka mshindi wa kura za maoni, 588, ni aliyemfuatia kwa karibu Jafari Omari aliyepata 193 na Shams Brahamu,  aliyepata kura 38 kati ya wagombea jumla 13 walioshiriki uchaguzi huo kuomba ridhaa ya chama hicho tawala na kikongwe barani Afrika. 

Nape akisisitiza sababu za ushindi katika uchauguzi huo, alisema ni pamoja na  CCM kuwa na mizizi imara iliyojikita katika vitongoji vyote vya jimbo hilo, tofauti na vyama vya upinzani.

“CCM ipo Igunga wakati wote (wa uchaguzi na usio wa uchaguzi). Vyama vya upinzani huonekana kule tu wakati wa uchaguzi,” alisema Nape na kuongeza kwamba hiyo ndiyo sababu inayovifanya vyama hivyo vya upinzani kutumia nguvu nyingi wakati wa uchaguzi.

CCM Wilaya, mkoa kuongoza mashambulizi

Alisema tofauti na vyama vya upinzani, katika uchaguzi wa Igunga, CCM Mkoa wa Tabora na Wilaya ya Igunga ndio watakaosimamia kampeni za chama hicho.

Nape alisema hali hiyo ni tofauti na vyama hivyo vya upinzani ambavyo huhamishia viongozi wake wote wa kitaifa kwenye chaguzi ndogo ili kujenga nguvu.

“Vyama vya upinzani wao huhamishia viongozi wake wote wa makao makuu hadi walinzi wa ofisi ili kupiga kampeni,” alidai.

Aliongeza,  “Sisi hatuna haja hiyo. Kama akiwepo kiongozi wa juu, anakuwa anapita tu. Haendi kuweka kambi.”

Alisema kiongozi wa ngazi za juu kabisa anayeweza kuwepo kwenye kampeni za CCM Igunga kwa muda wote ni Katibu wa Uchumi na Fedha, Mwigulu Nchemba ambaye ni mlezi wa chama hicho Wilaya ya Igunga.

Hata hivyo, ingawa Nape ametoa sababu hizo za kuachia uongozi wa wilaya na mkoa, lakini moja ya mambo yaliyojadiliwa kwenye CC iliyoketi mjini Dodoma mwezi uliopita ilimpiga marufuku katibu huyo na baadhi ya makada wake wenye mlengo kama wake kutoshiriki kampeni hizo kutokana na hali halisi ya siasa za makundi ndani ya chama hicho.

Uamuzi huo wa CC ulilenga kuepusha uwezekano wa CCM kulipoteza jimbo hilo endapo baadhi ya watu waliokuwa wakimshambulia Rostam kama wangeshirikishwa kwenye kampeni za uchaguzi huo na kuondoa umoja na mshikamano.   

CCM kutumia helikopta

Kwa mujibu wa Nape,  CCM itaingia katika uchaguzi kwa kutumia helikopta kutokana na  jiographia ya jimbo hilo.

“Tunaenda kuwaeleza historia ya jimbo hilo, tumetoka wapi, tupo wapi na tunaenda wapi,” alisema Nape na kuongeza hilo litandamana na jinsi utekelezaji wa sera za CCM umefanyika kwenye jimbo hilo.

Familia ya Gaddafi yatorokea Algeria

mke wa Kanali Gaddafi wanawe wa kiume na binti yake

Mke na watoto watatu wa kiongozi wa Libya aliye mafichoni Muammar Gaddafi wako nchini Algeria, maafisa wa Algerian wamesema.

Taarifa ya wizara ya mambo ya nje imesema mke wa kanali Gaddafi, Safia, binti yake Ayesha na watoto wa kiume Muhammad na Hannibal waliondoka Libya mapema Jumatatu.

Balozi wa Algeria katika Umoja wa Mataifa amesema walipokelewa kwa misingi ya kibinadamu.
Waasi wa Libya wamesema kuwapa hifadhi familia ya Gaddafi ni kitendo cha uchokozi, na wametaka warejeshwe nchini Libya.

Haijulikani mahali alipo Kanali Gaddafi.

Wakati huo huo waasi wamesema mtoto mwingine wa kiume wa Kanali Gaddafi, Khamis, huenda aliuawa katika mapigano karibu na Bani Walid.

waasi washambulia Sirte

Taarifa hizo zimetolewa wakati waasi wa Libya wakijaribu kumaliza upinzani uliopo katika baadhi ya maeneo ya nchi hiyo yanayomtii Gaddafi, na kujiandaa kuendelea kwenda katika mji aliozaliwa kanali Gaddafi wa Sirte ili kumalizia upinzani unaonekana kuwa ngome yake ya mwisho.

Kuwasili kwa mke wa kanali Gaddafi na watoto watatu nchini Algeria kuliripotiwa Umoja wa Mataifa na kwa viongozi wa waasi wa Libya, wizara ya mambo ya nje ya algeria imesema katika taarifa iliyotangazwa na shirika la habari la Algeria, APS.

Taarifa hiyo imesema familia ya Gaddafi walivuka mpaka kati ya Libya na Algeria Jumatatu, saa Mbili na dakika arobaini na tano za huko.

Algeria ni mahali dhahiri pa kukimbilia familia ya Gaddafi kutokana na nchi mbili hizo kuwa na mpaka mrefu na serikali ya Algeria bado halijalitambua Baraza la Mpito la Taifa la Libya.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Man U unloads on Arsenal 8-2


Manchester outclassed north London in a Premier League goal frenzy Sunday, with United thrashing Arsenal 8-2 and City routing Tottenham 5-1.
Edin Dzeko scored four goals for City at White Hart Lane.

Wayne Rooney had a hat trick at Old Trafford as Arsenal allowed eight goals in the league for the first time in 115 years. United scored eight goals for the first time since 1999. "You feel humiliated when you concede eight goals," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "It was a terrible day for us."
Arsenal has one point after three games.

"The performance today was incredible and we deserved the result," Rooney said.
United tops the standings on goal difference, ahead of City. They are the only teams to have opened the season with three successive wins. Tottenham is stranded at the bottom after being ripped apart by big-spending City.

Also on Sunday, Leon Best scored twice in the second half in a 2-1 victory for Newcastle over Fulham, which got a goal from American midfielder Clint Dempsey in the 88th minute.

Briefly: Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick to lead Real Madrid to a 6-0 Spanish league season-opening rout at Zaragoza. ... Raul Gonzalez scored for Schalke in a 1-0 win over previously undefeated Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Bundesliga. ... In Rio de Janeiro, Vasco da Gama coach Ricardo Gomes had a stroke during a Brazilian league match and has been hospitalized in serious condition. ... Diego Maradona had a winning start as Al Wasl coach in a 3-1 home win over 10-man Ittihad Kalba in a preseason friendly in Dubai. ... Adrian Cortes scored a second-half goal as Cruz Azul won 2-1 at 10-man Pumas to move into first place in the Mexican first division.

By Songa wa Songa, The Citizen Correspondent

Dar es Salaam. Retail oil prices have fallen slightly in Mainland Tanzania, the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) has announced.
Compared with prices applied in the last two weeks, pump prices with their percentages in brackets have eased by Sh44.55 (2.11) a litre for petrol, Sh31.99 (1.57) for diesel and Sh25.62 (1.28) for kerosene.
The new rates will be applicable in a fortnight, Ewura said in a  public notice yesterday. The reviews are made fortnightly.

Wholesale prices declined by Sh44.55 (2.18) for petrol, by Sh31.99 (1.63) for diesel and Sh25.62 (1.32) for kerosene.

Its director general Haruna Masebu attributed the reduction to a decline in global oil prices.
Had the shilling been strong, local fuel prices would have decreased substantially, he said.
 In the past two weeks, the shilling lost ground against the greenback by 0.57 per cent. Traders use dollars for their imports.

Mr Masebu noted that the petrol retail price eased by 4.04 per cent, diesel by 3.12 per cent and kerosene by 2.69 per cent at the world market.
He said the use of the new formula had made prices lower than they would have been under the old measurement.

Ewura is encouraging competition among oil marketing companies. “They are free to sell the products at prices that give them competitive advantage, provided that such prices do not exceed price caps.”
It has also instructed all filling stations to display prices of petroleum products on clearly visible boards, indicating discounts offered as well as any trade incentives or promotions.
“It is an offence not to have prices displayed on boards located in clearly visible places in front of petrol stations as that will attract punitive measures,” Mr Masebu warned. “That should go hand in hand with the issuance of receipts to all sales made.”

Meanwhile the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) has issued compliance orders to three companies for various offences.

According to a statement by the Ewura Communications and Public Relations Office, the Kobil Kigamboni Depot has been given seven days to defend itself why it should not be punished for offering for sale Offspec Mogas (Petrol Super), which was closed by the regulator on August 26 this year.

Hass of Magu has been handed a compliance order for defying Ewura by cutting seals and proceeding with selling oil. The station was closed on August 26.
Petro Mafinga petrol station has also been served with an Ewura order for obstructing inspectors from taking petroleum samples.

Why we’re saying No to Libyan rebels: Dar


Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has declared it does not recognise the administration of Libya’s rebel-led National Transitional Council (NTC) even as its fighters continue to tighten the noose around Muammar Gaddafi’s forces in his birth town of Sirte.This stand was announced in Dar es Salaam yesterday by the minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Bernard Membe.

But, said Mr Membe, Tanzania would only recognise the group if it takes over the government and establishes the necessary organs that respect the division of power between the executive, legislature and the judiciary.
Apart from that, the minister said, there should be elections through which the people of Libya would choose the leaders they want.

With this stand, Tanzania becomes one of the 41 African Union member states that have declined to recognise the interim Libyan government.

Some 11 African countries have so far recognised the NTC, namely, Botswana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tunisia, Senegal, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Benin, Kenya and Djibouti. 

Over the weekend, the Libyan interim administration released names of members of its governing council for the first time and promised to increase its roster rapidly to provide representation to the newly liberated parts of the country.
But, Mr Membe said, it was not yet clear whether the rebel group has taken over the country.
“The issue of Libya is like a bunch of spiralling worms in a can, whose heads and tails you cannot see and whose number or sizes you can’t determine,” he said.

He said what Tanzania and the African Union (AU) see as an important step now was the restoration of peace in order to safeguard lives of innocent people in the country engulfed in sporadic fighting.
“Our concern is not whether Gaddafi remains in power or not. We’re concerned about the future of the country and prosperity of its people,” he argued.

Reports from Libya yesterday indicated that the rebels closed in on Colonel Gaddafi’s hometown of Sirte from both east and west.

A senior military commander said, as the insurgents also scrambled to get Tripoli back on its feet.
According to AFP, rebel forces moved 30km closer to Sirte from the west and captured the town of Bin Jawad which is 100km  to the east, the rebel commander in Misrata, Mohammed al-Fortiya, told the news agency.

“We took Bin Jawad today (Sunday) on the eastern front, and our fighters from Misrata are 30km from Sirte in the west,” Mr Fortiya said.

Rebels pushing west from the oil hub of Ras Lanuf had been stuck for four days outside Bin Jawad, a key town on the road hugging the shores of the Gulf of Sirte, with Gaddafi’s forces putting up a defiant resistance.

Sirte is the elusive Gaddafi’s last bastion after rebels smashed his forces in Tripoli and seized his Bab al-Aziziya headquarters, and now the insurgents are focusing on capturing the embattled Libyan leader.
Although his whereabouts remain a mystery, there is widespread speculation that he is holed up in Sirte, 360km east of Tripoli, among tribal supporters there.

Mr Fortiya said talks were under way with tribal leaders in Sirte for its surrender, adding that only tribal leaders were involved, and that to his knowledge no direct contact had been made with Col. Gaddafi himself.
“We are negotiating with the tribes for Sirte’s peaceful surrender,” he said.

In the capital, where life is slowly returning to normal after six months of bloody rebellion to end Col. Gaddafi’s 42-year rule, sporadic gunfire was heard overnight.

As rebels endeavoured to get Tripoli on its feet and appealed for funds, the Arab League early yesterday urged the UN Security Council to unlock billions of dollars in Libyan assets and property.
Meanwhile, Mr Membe said Tannzania was ready to sell over 11,000 tonnes of its cereals to the World Food Programme (WFP) which is striving to get food for hunger-stricken Somalia.

 The United Nations, through WFP, has allocated over $2 million to supply food to the Horn of Africa.
Besides that, Tanzania has already finalised plans to ferry within this week, 300 tonnes of maize as help to Somalia, Mr Membe noted.

The food aid was pledged by President Jakaya Kikwete when Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed visited the country recently.

Reports show that in Somalia, about six in every 10,000 die daily from hunger, which has also displaced an estimated 800,000 people, some of whom have moved to neighbouring countries as refugees.
But, Mr Membe clarified, Tanzania was not ready to receive refugees from Somalia, given that currently, the country is accommodating an exceedingly large number of displaced people.

“We will do all that we can to assist the Somalis in their country or in areas where they might be staying as refugees,” he said.

Cannavaro: Cristiano Ronaldo is hotter


By Angelina Dass
AsiaOne caught up with Italian football legend Fabio Cannavaro while he was in Singapore this past week.
While regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, Cannavaro's stunning good looks are not to be ignored.

The blue-eyed heart throb had many female fans lining up to snap photos with him at a private party at Raoul's Paragon store on Friday night.

Speaking exclusively to AsiaOne, Cannavaro broke into a wide grin as he was asked who he thought was sexier, Cristiano Ronaldo or himself.



Sharply dressed in a black suit, the Naples native said in Italian, "Oh, Cristiano Ronaldo, now I'm a retired player so..."
This answer was the second example of Cannavaro's modesty when it comes to his sexy physique.
When asked about being voted sexiest player of the 2006 World Cup earlier that day, Cannavaro told AsiaOne that he had always tried hard to be recognised for his skills on the pitch but is also grateful for his good looks.

"My parents gave me the blessing of having good looks and that's just something extra that I am grateful for."
So does the chiselled Italian have a training routine to keep his body in such great shape?
Definitely not right now he says.

Cannavaro, who turns 38 in September said, "I'm on holiday so I just want to enjoy myself. And I just keep myself physically active."

The 2006 winner of the Fifa World Player of the Year also credited his facial care routine to products of a shaving brand he used to publicize for for many years.

Cannavaro broke female hearts everywhere when he married his sweetheart in 1994. He had met Daniela Cannavaro when he was 18.

They now have three children together, two sons aged 12 and seven, and a daughter aged 10.
The happily married man revealed that the secret to a successful marriage in a footballer's lifestyle is not just love but patience too.

"At the base of every good marriage there is love, but it needs a lot of patience and attention to have a good marriage".

Faye shows sensual side in never-seen-before photos

Whether on or off stage, Chinese singer-songwriter Faye Wong is the epitome  of coolness to her ardent following of fans.

But a collection of never-seen-before photographs being circulated on the Internet is portraying her in an entirely new light.

The undated pictures, from showing Wong lying languidly on a coach with her top unbuttoned to on-stage poses revealing her suspender tights, depict the highly private singer in a sensual, teasing mood.

Fans are shocked but remarked that she appeared very sexy in the photographs and complimented the tasteful style it was done in, The Daily Chilli reported.


A collection of never-seen-before photographs of Faye Wong are making their rounds on the Internet, which portray the singer in a sexy, intimate light.

School staff inappropriately dressed for school

Staff member wore a translucent top exposing her bra, prompting visitor to question whether her dressing was appropriate for school.
School staff inappropriately dressed for school
 

Click on thumbnails to view media.


SINGAPORE - A visitor at a local secondary school was appalled to see a female staff member dressed in a translucent blouse, which exposed her black bra top.

Said the vistor, who emailed citizen journalism website STOMP:  "I saw an admin staff member at a secondary school in the north of Singapore dressed in an inappropriate manner.

"I've read stories about students dressing like this, but now school staff are doing it as well.

"They are so modern these days."

Previously, two female students were chastised by netizens for wearing sexy and revealing clothes to school.
They questioned that their attire seemed more appropriate for a night on the town, than for school.

Ndege za Nato zalenga handaki la Gaddafi

Waasi wakijiandaa kuishambulia Sirte

Wizara ya Ulinzi ya Uingereza imesema, ndege za kijeshi za Uingereza zimerusha mabomu kwenye handaki kubwa lililopo Sirte mji alipozaliwa Kanali Muammar Gaddafi. Ndege hizo ziliondoka kutoka kambi ya jeshi iliyopo Nolfolk siku ya Alhamis usiku.

Waasi wa Libya nao wanaimarisha majeshi yao kwenye barabara inayoelekea Sirte, wakipeleka vifaru na makombora.

Viongozi wa waasi wamezitaka serikali za kigeni kuondoa tanji kwenye mali za Libya.
Umoja wa Mataifa tayari umekubali kuachia dola za kimarekani bilioni 1.5 ya mali za Libya- ambazo zilipigwa tanji baada ya kuwekewa vizuizi - kusaidia msaada wa haraka wa kibinadamu.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

In the Netherlands, you are allowed to smoke cannabis but not tobacco (in public places)

In the Netherlands, you are allowed to smoke cannabis but not tobacco (in public places)
The bizarre Dutch policy of allowing smokers to puff away on pure cannabis but not tobacco has perplexed police in the Netherlands, who have fined a man for mixing the two substances. Zero tolerance to tobacco smoking in Dutch cafes and restaurants is being exercised since a ban came into force in 2008. The man was not fined for smoking a cannabis joint but for smoking. You can smoke cannabis but not tobacco in coffee shops. The unnamed 27-year-old man was caught lighting a hand rolled cannabis joint during a routine police check, and fined because officers found tobacco mixed with the soft drug.

In Swaziland, teenage girls were forbidden to have sex for 5 years to prevent AIDS

In Swaziland, teenage girls were forbidden to have sex for 5 years to prevent AIDS
On June 28, 2002, King Mswati III of Swaziland, in an attempt to protect his people from the spread of AIDS and return them to more traditional values, passed a number of edicts. Young women were to put off sex for 5 years and to wear traditional chastity tassels as an outward display of their sexual status. According to Swazi tradition girls under 18 should wear blue and yellow tassels to discourage sexual advances, while older women who are still virgins should wear red and black tassels. Also, women were warned that any woman wearing pants could face the possible punishment of having the pants publicly torn off by soldiers and torn to pieces.

In 2001, the king fined himself a cow for breaking the ban by marrying again (a 17 year-old girl).

It's illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament in England

It's illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament in England

It's illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament in England
The reason people are banned from dying in parliament is that it is a Royal palace. Anyone who dies there is technically entitled to a state funeral. So if they see you looking a bit sick they carry you out quickly.

However, a spokesman for the House of Commons said: "The people who know about these things here say there is no basis for such a law, not to say it does not exist somewhere in writing."

Guests get cozy with football star Cannavaro at Raoul


CELEBRITY guests got up close and personal with Italian football star Fabio Cannavaro on Thursday at Raoul’s Paragon store.

It may have been a private party to showcase the fashion brand’s Fall/Winter 2011 collection, but there was only one suit the guests were after, the sharply-dressed Cannavaro whom they gravitated towards for photo opportunities.

Invited by Dentsu Sports Asia, Cannavaro will be in town from Aug 24 to 28 to promote his involvement with Dubai-based club Al Ahli.

The 2006 World Cup winning captain was all smiles and humbly entertained the attention.
Famous faces who turned up included Malaysian model and TV host Stephanie Chai, Miss Malaysia 2003 Sze Zen, MTV host Utt, Channel News Asia’s morning prime time presenter Suzanne Jung, 98.7FM DJ Rosalyn Lee, and Paul Foster of TV show Polo Boys fame.

Raoul’s creative directors, husband-and-wife team Douglas and Odile Benjamin also graced the event, together with Regional Brand Director, Sam Benjamin.

Raoul's new Fall/Winter collection harks back to the graphic sensibilities of the 60s and 70s, drawing inspiration from the uniforms of airlines during the period.

Caught on video: M'sian cop lets S'porean driver off after bribe



A Singaporean driver who posted on the Internet a video of his bribe exchange with a Malaysian traffic policeman is facing a backlash from irate netizens.

Forum members on citizen journalism website Stomp are slamming him for the unwarranted "publicity" which they say will result either in a crackdown on the 'kopi money' practice, or the perpetuation of cops asking for bribes from motorists.
The footage, uploaded on Stomp and YouTube, is dated on the morning of July 8 and shows the driver being pulled over by Malaysian police in a highway road block.

The policeman claimed that he had exceeded the legal speed limit of 110kmh by going at 125kmh. The driver hands over his identity card (IC), but the policeman demands to see a driving licence, which the driver said he left in Singapore.

"Can help or not?" the driver appears to say, to which the policeman replied, "I help you. 100 ringgit can? Can or cannot?"

The driver said no. "Ok boss, 50 ringgit. 50 ringgit I help you," the policeman offered next. The driver then paid up the amount and drove off.

Netizens on Stomp, the website which featured the video last week, are polarised in their opinions about the incident. They have posted a total of 228 comments to date in reply to the story.
While some said they have faced similar incidents and rebuked the corrupt practice, others are chiding the Singaporean for going along with it.

About 16,000 vehicles from Singapore, excluding motorcycles, enter Malaysia on a daily basis, according to a Straits Times report in June last year.

It is not uncommon for highway traffic offences - like breaking the speed limit - to be settled via a 'kopi money' amount of RM50 (S$20.30).

But Malaysian authorities are taking a serious approach to the corrupt practice. Over the Vesak Day weekend in 2010, eight Singaporean drivers were detained for trying to offer bribes between RM20 and RM110. They were later released on bail.

A director of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission told The Star newspaper that if convicted, the offenders face up to 20 years in jail and a fine not more than five times the bribe amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

In September last year, a Singaporean bus driver was jailed for a day and fined RM10,000 for trying to bribe a Malaysian policeman after he was caught speeding.

In Aug 2010, a Singaporean businessman was slapped with a RM15,000 fine and jailed for a day as well for a similar offence. Both were caught in May that year.

Despite the convictions, the 'kopi money' practice appears to still be carrying on, whether perpetuated by Singaporean drivers or Malaysian policemen.

"It has been going on for decades," a netizen called finallyhere said on the Stomp forum.
"RM50 is the correct amount. Don't spoil the market by giving more. This amount has been the standard for all these years. Remember," said yakdtai555.

Serikali yatambua madiwani Chadema

WAZIRI wa Nchi, Ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu, Tawala za Mikoa na Serikali za Mitaa (TAMISEMI), George Mkuchika, ameamuru madiwani waliofukuzwa wa Chadema, kuendelea na vikao na kulipwa posho zao hadi Mahakama itakapotoa uamuzi juu ya kufukuzwa kwao.

Aidha barua ya Mkuchika yenye Kumbukumbu namba HA.23/235/01/06 iliyotolewa Agosti 23, na kumfikia Mkurugenzi wa Jiji la Arusha, Estomih Chang'ah, ilieleza kuwa Tamisemi bado inawatambua madiwani hao na wataendelea kulipwa posho zao hadi Mahakama itakapotoa uamuzi kama madiwani hao watano ni wanachama halali wa Chadema au la.

Barua hiyo pia ilieleza kuwa Mahakama ndiye mwamuzi wa mwisho, hivyo ni vyema suala hilo likasubiriwa kutolewa uamuzi, lakini madiwani hao ambao ni Estomii Mallah (Kimandolu), Ruben Ngowi (Themi), John Bayo (Elerai), Charles Mpanda (Kaloleni) na Diwani wa Viti Maalumu, Rehema Mohamed, kisheria wataendelea kuhudhuria vikao na kulipwa posho.

Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari ofisini kwake, Mkurugenzi Chang'a alisema amepokea barua hiyo kutoka kwa Waziri Mkuchika yenye maelezo hayo kutokana na barua ya awali aliyoiandika MD/ US/101/ 1/107 Agosti 12.

Alisema suala la madiwani hao kuendelea na wadhifa, ni uamuzi utakaotolewa na Mahakama, kwani walishafungua kesi ya madai, hivyo Mahakama ndiyo itatoa uamuzi kisheria na nakala za barua hiyo wamepewa Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Arusha, Isdore Shirima, Katibu Mkuu wa Chadema, Willibrod Slaa na Waziri Mkuu Mizengo Pinda.

Alisema Sheria ya Serikali za Mitaa namba 8 ya mwaka 1982, kifungu cha 26 (1) (e), inafafanua kuwa Waziri mwenye dhamana na serikali za mitaa, atatamka kuwa nafasi ya Diwani iko wazi, baada ya kupokea taarifa rasmi ya maandishi kutoka kwa Mwenyekiti au
Meya wa Jiji la Arusha.

Alisema suala la kuambiwa kuwa anakumbatia madiwani hao kama Mkurugenzi linamwumiza kichwa na anapokea tuhuma nyingi juu ya madiwani hao pia maendeleo ya Jiji la Arusha hafanyiki, kutokana na mgogoro huo, na Waziri ameshatoa ufafanuzi, hivyo
kutokana na uamuzi wa Waziri busara zinahitajika zaidi.

"Wengi wanadhani nawabeba madiwani hao waliovuliwa uanachama, lakini ukweli siwakumbatii, napokea malalamiko mengi lakini namwachia Mungu, ila naomba busara zaidi itumike kwa suala hili, hususan kwa viongozi wa siasa, maana Waziri ametoa majibu kwenye barua, lakini sijui itakuwaje.

“Nawaomba viongozi wa siasa kutumia busara zaidi, kwani maendeleo ya Arusha yanalala … inaumiza unapotuhumiwa kwa kitu ambacho hujakifanya, inaumiza kichwa changu sana."

Dk Slaa alisema aliwasilisha barua ya kuwavua uanachama madiwani hao kwa Mkurugenzi Agosti 8 lakini anashangaa kuwa barua ya Waziri ilimfikia Agosti 12, na si Agosti 10 kama nukushi inavyoeleza.

“Suala la Arusha inabidi liangaliwe kwa kina, kwani inavyoonekana wanapoteza muda wa maendeleo kwa vitu vya kipuuzi, wasipoangalia kuhusu uamuzi sahihi wa mgogoro wa Arusha, kitakachotokea ni kama suala la Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara ya Nishati na Madini, David Jairo.

Maiti zagundulika hospitalini Libya

Hospiatli ya Abu Salim mjini Tripoli
Miili iliyotelekezwa katika hospitali ya Abu Salim kufuatia mapigano

Zaidi ya miili ya watu 200 imepatikana katika hospitali iliyotelekezwa katika mji mkuu wa Libya Tripoli .
Mwandishi wa BBC ambaye alikwennda katika hospitali ya Abu Salim aliikuta miili ya wanaume ,wanawake na watoto kwenye vitanda na veranda na pia damu nyingi iliyotapakaa kwenye sakafu .
Madaktari na wauguzi walikuwa wameitoroka hospitali hiyo kufuatia mapigano.
Walionusurika wanasema wengi waliokuwa na majeraha waliachwa bila matibabu hadi kufa , huku wengine ikioza kando yao.

Katika mji mkuu wa Tripoli kuna taarifa kuhusu kupatikana kwa mamia ya miili ya watu waliouawa baadhi yao wakiwa wamekatwa mikono.

Pande mbili zinazohusika na mzozo nchini Libya zimekuwa zikilaumiwa kwa mauji hayo.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Deci officials set free, rearrested


The Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court has set free four directors of the banned pyramid scheme known as Development and Entrepreneurship for Community Initiative (Deci) who were charged with conspiracy and stealing over 118.4m/-.

The after accused, who are pastors of different churches in the city, are Jackson Mtares, Dominic Kigendi, Samuel Mtares and Timotheo ole Loiting’ye.

The decision was made by resident magistrate Rita Tarimo after the prosecution side led by state attorney Leonard Mchalo requested the court to dismiss the case under section 91 of the Criminal Procedure Act, arguing that investigation into the case had discrepancies.

He said that the Section permitted the state attorney overseeing the case to withdraw it, but that does not restrict the accused from being arrested if police had found valid evidence to charge them afresh in the same court.
Magistrate Tarimo granted the request and set the accused free.

However, they were arrested shortly and taken to remand custody.
According to the charge sheet, the officials between December 1 and 8, 2009 at unknown places in the city conspired to steal 118,440,000/-.

It was further alleged that on December 8, 2009 at Standard Chartered Bank Kariakoo branch in the Ilala Municipal, the accused stole 118,440,000/- from Deci.

They were charged for the first time on December 15, 2009 before resident magistrate Aloyce Katamana. The case was adjourned to December 21, this year, for ruling whether the accused should be granted bail.

JK suspends Jairo



President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
By Lucas Liganga, The Citizen Chief Reporter
Dodoma. President Jakaya Kikwete has suspended Energy and Minerals Permanent Secretary David Jairo to pave the way for investigations into allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds.The move came barely a day after a committee appointed by Chief Secretary Philemon Luhanjo cleared Mr Jairo of wrongdoing in asking departments and agencies in the ministry for Sh50 million donation each to “facilitate” the approval of their 2011/12 budget.
Mr Jairo’s conduct will be reviewed by a select committee to be appointed by the Speaker of the National Assembly today. Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda pledged that the government would work closely with the parliamentary select committee.

The new development came in sharp contrast to the mood of the ministry on Wednesday, when the chief secretary received a hero’s welcome from staff on his return to office. Hugs and cheers were the order of the day as staff ceremoniously pushed his car into the ministry compound.

Mr Jairo himself was magnanimous in his short-lived reprieve. He declared that he had forgiven those who “accused and condemned” him and asked Parliament to discuss development matters rather than personalities.

Yesterday, Mr Pinda announced the suspension of Mr Jairo during the Prime Minister’s half-hour question-and-answer session. He was responding to the leader of the opposition camp in Parliament, Mr Freeman Mbowe (Hai-Chadema), who wanted to know whether the government was ready to suspend Mr Jairo pending the select committee investigations announced on Wednesday by Deputy Speaker Job Ndugai.

The parliamentary committee was announced barely 24 hours after Mr Luhanjo said at a State House press conference that the committee he appointed had concluded that Mr Jairo acted within his authority when he directed departments and agencies under the ministry to contribute Sh50 million each towards facilitating Parliament’s approval of the ministry’s 2011/12 budget.

The committee was formed after Mr Christopher ole Sendeka (Simanjiro-CCM), said the chief secretary’s reasons for clearing Mr Jairo were not convincing and amounted to disrespect for Parliament and the Prime Minister. He made the proposal when discussing a private motion moved by Mr Zitto Kabwe (Kigoma North - Chadema), who wanted the clearing of Mr Jairo debated in the House. Mr Kabwe said the decision had belittled the august House.

Since the accusations against Mr Jairo were made in Parliament, he said, the findings of the Controller and Auditor-General were also supposed to have been tabled in the House. Mr Ndugai assigned Mr George Simbachawene (Kibakwe - CCM) to chair the morning session to allow him to convene an impromptu meeting of Parliament’s Steering Committee to decide whether Mr Kabwe’s motion deserved urgent consideration.

It took the committee just 20 minutes to decide that the question-and-answer session be put on hold to allow debate on Mr Kabwe’s motion, which had the backing of Ms Zainab Vullu (Special Seats - CCM) and Mr Sendeka.

Mr Jairo was suspended after Mrs Beatrice Shellukindo (Kilindi-CCM) said in Parliament on July 20 that he had solicited Sh50 million from each of at least 20 departments and agencies under the ministry. This, Parliament heard, was standard practice. The money that had been raised was to be deposited in a Geological Survey of Tanzania account in Dodoma.

Mr Luhanjo convened a news conference in Dodoma the next day and announced that Mr Jairo had been sent on compulsory leave pending an investigation. He gave the committee, led by the CAG, Mr Ludovick Utouh, 10 days to complete the probe.

On Tuesday, Mr Luhanjo said Mr Jairo had been reinstated after investigations established that he was clean. It was normal for ministries to request funds from institutions under their authority, he added.

The preliminary investigation was conducted according to the principles of good governance of 2003, which require a public servant to be investigated when accused of going against the principles of good governance and the laws of the land.

Mr Luhanjo said the probe committee’s report, which was presented to him on August 9, 2011, had established that Mr Jairo did not commit any disciplinary offence. Had the preliminary investigation found Mr Jairo wanting, the ministry would have released an accusation notice and charge sheet to allow further legal action. But there was still room for further investigation, Mr Luhanjo said, if there were any related accusations based on corruption or other offences.

Reacting to Mr Jairo’s reinstatement, Agenda 2000 Executive Director Moses Kulaba, Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) acting Executive Director Imelda Urio and Dar es Salaam resident Godlisten Lema said they were “shocked and disappointed”.

Mr Kulaba said the decision showed that the government was not working as a team and that the decision was a disgrace to the country after Prime Minister Pinda told Parliament that he would have immediately sacked Mr Jairo were he the appointing authority.

“If Jairo is innocent, why then did Pinda say he would have fired him straight away if he had the power to do so?” queried Mr Kulaba.  “According to my understanding, ministries and their departments have their budgets.  How come Mr Jairo requested money for allowances from departments under his ministry?”

Ms Urio commended Parliament for forming the probe committee, saying the LHRC was disappointed to learn that taxpayers’ money had been misused.

Addressing reporters after he was welcomed back by the minister for Energy and Minerals, Mr William Ngeleja, Mr Jairo said as a Christian, he would not retaliate against people who had wrongly accused him. “I have forgiven her (Mrs Shellukindo) with all my heart. I return in peace…everybody here should work hard,” he said.

Tutor guilty of sexually abusing 7 students

The tutor confessed his crimes to the police, and told them that he had taken photos and videos of the boys with his mobile phone.
Tutor guilty of sexually abusing 7 students
IN 2007, the 11-year-old boy's life changed.

His tutor, who had taught him since he was six, began hugging and kissing him on his mouth, face, body and even feet.

One day, he was asked to remain behind after the tuition class. After the other students left, the tutor locked the door and told him to remove his clothes and lie on the floor. The tutor removed his own clothes and kissed him all over. The kissing developed into touching, and the teacher eventually performed oral sex on him.

Even after the boy completed his primary education and stopped attending the tuition classes, the abuse continued at the tutor's request.

The tutor, 50, who is single, pleaded guilty to five charges of sexual penetration of a minor on Monday.
Another 29 similar charges, including that of committing indecent acts with children and using criminal force, as well as one charge of possession of obscene video files, will be taken into consideration during sentencing.
The tutor told a psychiatrist that a ghost had instructed him to commit the offences.

The man, who has been a tutor for more than 20 years, cannot be named to protect his victims' identities. He had run a tuition centre, operated by a Residents' Committee, in the north since 1990.

Preyed on boys
He preyed on seven boys, aged between eight and 15, all of them his students.
The incidents, which included kissing them, touching them and touching himself in front of them, took place between May 2007 and November 2009.

20 most powerful women of 2011


Forbes magazine has drawn up a list of the world’s 100 most powerful women, spanning political leaders, businesswomen, celebrities, and entertainers.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel topped the ranking, followed by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and in third place, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

Eight heads of state and 29 CEOs made Forbes' roster of the 100 most powerful women released on Wednesday. They have an average age of 54 and collectively control US$30 trillion. Twenty two are single.
Rounding out the top five were the CEO of PepsiCo US Indra Nooyi, who oversees the US$60 billion food and beverage empire, and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg.

Forbes said women on the list achieved power not only through money and might, but, thanks to social media, through reach and influence.

Lady Gaga and The New York Times' recently appointed executive editor, Jill Abramson, came in at No. 11 and 12. Gaga was also the youngest member of the list at age 25.

Chinese pilot 'refused' to let jet low on fuel land first

The jet later was able to land safely, but netizens scolded the pilot's selfishness in not assisting a plane calling 'Mayday'.
Chinese pilot 'refused' to let jet low on fuel land first

SHANGHAI - The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has launched a probe into a Chinese pilot's alleged refusal to let a Qatar Airway's jet that was running short of fuel land first.

In a statement published on its official website on Wednesday, CAAC East China Regional Administration said the incident is being investigated.

On Aug 13, Qatar Airway's flight QR888 from Doha to Shanghai Pudong International Airport requested permission to land at the city's Hongqiao International Airport due to adverse weather conditions.
When it approached Hongqiao airport, the pilot reported it was low on fuel and requested a priority landing before other flights that were in a holding pattern.

Air traffic controllers at Hongqiao airport informed other flights to give way to the Qatar Airways flight, but a pilot of Juneyao Airlines' flight HO1112 refused to carry out the order and insisted on landing first, said the statement.

Fortunately, the Qatar Airways plane later was able to land safely.

Reports of the incident provoked an immediate response from netizens. The overwhelming majority scolded the pilot's selfishness in not assisting a plane calling "Mayday".
Mayday is an emergency signal used in radio communications, which derives from the French phrase "venez m'aider", meaning "come help me".
"If a Juneyao flight one day flies in low on fuel and calls Mayday, what can it expect from other pilots?" asked a micro-blogger named Lijinjun.

Privately-owned Juneyao Airlines refused to comment on the event, but posted a statement on Wednesday evening, saying the company is actively cooperating with the CAAC probe, and has suspended the pilot and crew pending the findings.

Juneyao also claimed that the online description of the incident was far different from the truth, but the carrier said it will not release details about the incident to the public during the probe, which is in line with CAAC regulations.

"If the incident proves true, this would be a severe violation of aviation regulations and deserves a punishment," said Li Lei, an airline industry analyst with CITIC China Securities Co Ltd.
The incident has also cast a shadow on China's plan to open part of its low-altitude airspace over the next five to ten years for commercial aviation.

"The threshold to enter low altitude airspace will be lifted even higher to secure aviation safety," said Li.
In late 2010, a circular jointly issued by the State Council and the Central Military Commission of China said the country's low-altitude airspace will be partly opened.

As Asia's largest aviation market and the world's second largest, China's civil aviation market is expected to witness annual growth of 13 per cent between 2011 and 2015, according to a China Securities Journal report.

Maid cooked soup with soiled sanitary pad


By Karen W Lim
A horrible experience with her sister's maid led to the creation of a Facebook group called "Dangerous Maids", which hopes to warn the public that maids are not always the victims and that employers get abused as well.

The creator, Ms Hylda Low, started the group on Tuesday.
"I want to warn the public that this maid is very dangerous. We cannot let this evil person do this type of black magic to anyone anymore," wrote Ms Low.
The 20-year-old student claimed that the maid, who is from West Java, had cooked soup for her family with her menstrual blood which she collected on a cotton pad and secretly put it into a disposable tea bag.
The family found out about the maid's dirty deed early August and to their horror, was told that it was the third time she tainted their food with her discharge.
Ms Low's sister, who declined to be named, said that the family employed the maid to look after her grandmother.

The maid was transferred over from her sister-in-law's employment and worked for the Low family for five months before she was exposed during a Sunday family gathering.

An uncle discovered a piece of soaked cotton wool cut out from a sanitary pad hidden in the kitchen while he went to get a mop to clean the floor.

Sick dad can't support son, wants to give him up

A man who claims to be incapable of bringing up his son wants to send him away to a foster family.
41-year-old Zhang Xin De told Lianhe Wanbao that he and his intellectually-disabled wife were unable to take care of their son and wanted to look for a good foster home for him.

Citing medical problems such as a spine injury, diabetes and headaches, Mr Zhang told the Chinese daily that he did not expect to live past 45 years old. He claims to be taking eight kinds of medicine to control his medical situation.
Financial woes have also plagued him, since he has not had a job since May. He also owes money to a bank.
His spine injury prevents him from standing straight for more than 15 minutes.

Afraid of losing control
Mr Teo also told Lianhe Wanbao that his mood was increasingly unstable as he was facing a lot of pressures in his daily life.
He said he was afraid of hurting his son if he lost control of his temper.
He told Lianhe Wanbao that he grew up in a violent family environment, where he would be beaten by his father for no reason.
When contacted, Mr Teo's wife told Lianhe Wanbao that their son was distraught upon hearing that his father wanted to send him away.
Mr Teo's wife said she became intellectually-disabled after she hurt her head in a scuffle. This is her second marriage.

Gaddafi's secret security: Mighty female 'Amazonian Guards'

By Kang Yoon-seung
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi reportedly had a special taste for body guards by preferring only virgin females, the U.S. based online news Mediaite reported.

Gaddafi, now effectively ousted, had a selected elite force in charge of his security. Those adequate to take the responsibility must be “virgins hand-picked by Gaddafi,” according to the news.

The candidates had to make oath that they would sacrifice themselves for Gaddafi and were required to remain virgins throughout their duty.
Despite strict doctrines, the job was popular among Libyan women, Blitz reported.
They also had to go through marital arts and firearms training before actually being dispatched.

Amid speculation that the force’s duties included “sexual favors,” Gaddafi claimed that the system “empowers” women, making them strong enough to protect themselves from enemies, Mediaite added.