Monday, July 15, 2013

Katiba Mpya iondoe vikwazo vya rasilimali za nchi – Maalim Seif


Makamu wa Kwanza wa Rais Zanzibar Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad akisalimiana na Naibu Waziri wa Uingereza anayehusika na Mambo ya Nje na Jumuiya ya Madola, Mark Simmonds, alipofika nyumbani kwake Mbweni pamoja na ujumbe wake kwa mazungumzo.
Makamu wa Kwanza wa Rais Zanzibar Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad akisalimiana na Naibu Waziri wa Uingereza anayehusika na Mambo ya Nje na Jumuiya ya Madola, Mark Simmonds, alipofika nyumbani kwake Mbweni pamoja na ujumbe wake kwa mazungumzo.
Makamu wa Kwanza wa Rais wa Zanzibar Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad amesema matarajio ya wananchi kuhusu mchakato wa mabadiliko ya katiba ni kuona unaondoa vikwazo vya utafutaji na matumizi ya rasilimali asili zikiwemo mafuta na gesi.
Maalim Seif ameeleza hayo nyumbani kwake mbweni alipokuwa na mazungumzo na ujumbe wa Uingereza ulioongozwa na Naibu Waziri anayehusika na Mambo ya Nje na Jumuiya ya Madola, Mark Simmonds ambapo pamoja na mambo mengine walizungumzi juu  mchakato wa katiba na maendeleo ya utafutaji na uchimbaji wa mafuta na gesi asilia Zanzibar.
Amesema wakati Zanzibar imeshaamua kuliondoa suala hilo katika orodha ya mambo ya Muungano, bado inasubiri taratibu za kisheria ambazo zinaweza kupatikana baada ya kukamilika kwa mchakato wa katiba.
Amesema mara baada ya kukamilika kwa mchakato huo na suala la mafuta na gesi asilia kuondolewa katika mambo ya Muungano, Zanzibar itatangaza zabuni za uchimbaji wa mafuta na gesi asilia ambapo makampuni mbali mbali yataruhusiwa kuomba zabuni hizo, na hatimaye kuanza rasmi kwa kazi ya uchimbaji.
Amefahamisha kuwa mchakato wa katiba umefikia hatua nzuri baada ya kuanza kwa mabaraza ya katiba tarehe 12/07/2013, ambayo itafuatiwa na bunge la katiba na baadaye wananchi wataamua katiba hiyo kupitia kura ya maoni.
Kuhusu nishati ya umeme ambapo Uingereza ni mshirika wa karibu wa nishati hiyo nchini, Maalim Seif amesema Zanzibar imo katika mchakato wa kutafuta nishati mbadala itokanayo na jua pamoja na upepo, ambapo tayari imeonesha mwelekeo mzuri.
Amesema nishati hiyo itakapopatikana itaondosha usumbufu unaojitokeza mara kwa mara na kupunguza utegemezi wa upatikanaji wa umeme kutoka Tanzania Bara, sambamba na kupunguza uchafuzi wa mazingira.
Aidha Maalim Seif ameelezea mazingira ya uwekezaji Zanzibar, na kuuomba ujumbe huo kuhamasisha wawekezaji kuja kuwekeza hasa katika sekta za utalii na uvuvi wa bahari kuu.
Amesema Zanzibar ambayo kwa sasa imetoa kipaumbelele katika sekta ya utalii, inakaribisha wawekezaji katika ujenzi wa hoteli za nyota tano katika visiwa vya Unguja na Pemba.
Ameongeza kuwa Zanzibar pia ina mpango wa kujenga bandari ya kibiashara katika eneo la mpigaduni, pamoja kuvifanyia matengenezo makubwa viwanja vya ndege, ili kuweka mazingira bora zaidi ya uwekezaji.
Naye Bwana Simmonds amesema Uingereza itaendelea kushirikiana na Tanzania katika sekta mbali mbali ikiwemo nishati.
Ameahidi kuwasiliana na makampuni ya utalii, uvuvi na ujenzi ili kuangalia uwezekeno wa kuja kuwekeza Zanzibar katika maeneo mbali mbali nchini.

Bei za vyakula afadhali kidogo – Maalim Seif

Makamu wa Kwanza wa Rais wa Zanzibar Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad akihoji bei ya samaki aina ya change katika soko la Darajani, wakati wa ziara yake ya kutembelea soko hilo. Changu mmoja wa kawaida anauzwa kwa bei ya shilingi 8000 hadi 10,000.
Makamu wa Kwanza wa Rais wa Zanzibar Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad akihoji bei ya samaki aina ya change katika soko la Darajani, wakati wa ziara yake ya kutembelea soko hilo. Changu mmoja wa kawaida anauzwa kwa bei ya shilingi 8000 hadi 10,000.
Makamu wa Kwanza wa Rais wa Zanzibar Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad ameelezea kuridhishwa kwake na uwepo wa bidhaa muhimu pamoja na matunda katika masoko mbali mbali ya Zanzibar.
Amesema bei ya bidhaa nyingi inaridhisha tofauti na ilivyokuwa Ramadhani ya mwaka jana, lakini tatizo kubwa ni hali ngumu ya uchumi kwa wananchi.
Maalim Seif ametoa kauli hiyo wakati wa ziara yake ya kutembelea masoko ya bidhaa na matunda katika manispaa ya Zanzibar.
Masoko aliyoyatembelea ni pamoja na soko la Mombasa, Mwanakwerekwe na soko kuu la Darajani.
Katika ziara hiyo ambayo aliambatana na Waziri wa Biashara Nassor Mazrui, Waziri wa Nchi na Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Mapinduzi Mwinyihaji Makame pamoja na viongozi wa Mkoa na Manispaa, Maalim Seif alijionea hali halisi ilivyo katika masoko hayo.
Miongoni mwa bidhaa muhimu alizozihoji ni pamoja muhogo, ndizi mbichi na mbivu, majimbi, maboga, matunda mbali mbali, nyama na samaki.
Amesema kwa ujumla ameridhishwa na uwepo wa bidhaa hizo kwa wingi, licha ya bei ya baadhi ya bidhaa hizo kuwa juu na kupelekea wananchi kutumudu kununua.
Hata hivyo ameelezea kusikitishwa kwake na bei kubwa ya vitoweo, na kuwataka wachuuzi kufikiria namna ya kuwasaidia wananchi wa kawaida.
Ameitaka Wizara ya Nchi, Ofisi ya Rais kusimamia utaratibu ulioweka wa kuweko minada katika soko la Mombasa, ili kuondosha usumbufu na msongomano katika masoko mengine.
Akizungumza na wafanyabiashara wa jua kali, Maalim Seif amesema serikali haipendi kuona wananchi wananyanyasika, na kutaka pawepo utaratibu mzuri wa kuendesha biashara katika kipindi hiki cha mwezi mtukufu wa Ramadhani.
Hata hivyo amewataka wafanyabishara hao kufuata utaratibu watakaowekewa na mamlaka zinazohusika ikiwa ni pamoja na kutoweka biashara njiani zinazopelekea kufunga njia na kuleta usumbufu wa wateja na wananchi kwa jumla.
Amesema baada ya mwezi mtukufu wa Ramadhani kumalizika, wafanyabiashara hao watapangiwa utaratibu wa kurejea katika soko la Saateni ambako kituo kikuu cha magari pia kitahamishiwa eneo hilo.
Mapema wafanyabiashara hao waliomba waruhusiwe kufanya biashara katika mwezi huu wa Ramadhan na kuahidi kuondoka baadha ramadhani kumalizika.
Nao wafanyabiashara wa masoko hayo wameelezea juu ya kadhia wanazokumbana nazo zikiwemo uvamizi unaofanywa na baadhi ya wafanyabiashara wadogo wadogo nje ya masoko, hali inayopelekea ugumu wa biashara katika maeneo ya ndani ambayo wamekuwa wakilipia kodi.
Nae Mkurugenzi wa Baraza la Manispaa Zanzibar Abeid Juma, amesema wamekuwa wakizungumza na wafanyabiashara mara kwa mara juu ya utaratibu wa kuendesha biashara zao, lakini bado wafanyabiashara hawajajipanga vizuri kukubaliana na taratibu hizo.
Waziri wa Nchi, Ofisi ya Rais na Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Mapinduzi Dkt. Mwinyihaji Makame, kwa upande wake ameahidi kukutana na wafanyabiashara wa soko la darajani ili kujadiliana juu ya utaratibu bora wa kuendesha biashara katika soko hilo.
Chanzo: Ofisi ya Makamao wa Kwanza wa Rais wa Zanzibar

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Glee star Cory Monteith dies in Canada hotel

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Monteith had played front man and heartthrob Finn Hudson since the hit musical comedy's start in 2009
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Glee star Cory Monteith has been found dead in a Vancouver hotel.
The 31-year-old, who played Finn Hudson in the Fox TV hit, was found dead at the Pacific Rim Hotel in the city centre on Saturday, said police.
The cause of death was not immediately apparent, but police have ruled out foul play.
Monteith, who had been in the musical comedy since its 2009 start, was treated for drug addiction in April, and had a history of substance-abuse.
His body was found by Pacific Rim staff after he missed his check-out time at midday on Saturday, said Vancouver's Deputy Police Chief Doug Lepard. Monteith had been dead for several hours, he added.
The actor had returned to his room at the Pacific Rim alone early on Saturday morning having been out with friends earlier in the evening, said Mr Lepard.
Calgary-born Monteith had checked into the hotel on 6 July.
In response to a question about whether the actor died of a drug overdose, Mr LePard said he would "not discuss anything that we might have found in the room at this time".
Coroner Lisa Lapointe said: "We do not have a great deal of information as to cause of death."
An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.
Cory Monteith, file pic from May 2012
Monteith described himself on Twitter as "tall, awkward, canadian, actor, drummer, person".
He was treated for drug abuse aged 19 and had been open about his battle against addiction, telling one interviewer he took "anything and everything".
When he entered rehab in April this year, girlfriend Lea Michele issued a statement saying she loved and supported Cory. "I am grateful and proud he made this decision," she added.
Michele played Monteith's opposite number Rachel Berry in Glee, which follows a group of American secondary school misfits in their quest for singing contest glory.
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Doug LePard, Deputy Police Chief: "Monteith returned to his room by himself in the early hours"
Known for its melodic covers and celebrity cameo appearances, Glee's four series had made global celebrities of its cast. The show featured guest spots by Britney Spears, Gwyneth Paltrow and Neil Patrick Harris.
Cory Monteith had not featured in the final episodes of the fourth series earlier this year and was understood to be seeking treatment for his addiction issues.
He had been expected to take part in the filming of the fifth series, due to air in the US in September.
TV network Fox offered its thoughts and prayers to Monteith's family.
"Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person," said a statement by Fox. "He was a true joy to work with and we will all miss him tremendously."
Glee co-stars expressed their shock at his death and offered condolences to his loved ones.
Dot-Marie Jones, who plays the butch-but-sensitive American football coach at Glee's William McKinley High, tweeted: "I have no words! My heart is broken. Cory was not only a hell of a friend, he was one amazing man that I will hold close to my heart forever."
Iqbal Theba, who plays the school's Principal Figgins, tweeted simply: "OMG!! My Cory..."
What are your memories of Cory Monteith? Did you ever meet him? Please send us your comments and experiences.

George Zimmerman not guilty of Trayvon Martin murder


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George Zimmerman, the Florida neighbourhood watchman who shot dead an unarmed black 17-year-old male last year, has been found not guilty.
Lawyers for Mr Zimmerman, 29, argued he acted in self-defence and with justifiable use of deadly force in the death of Trayvon Martin.
The jury retired on Friday to consider its verdict on charges of either second-degree murder or manslaughter.
The case sparked a fierce debate about racial profiling in the US.
Spontaneous protest marches were staged overnight in US cities including San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington and Atlanta, US media reported.
Police and community leaders appealed for calm in Sanford, the Florida town where the shooting took place.
'No further business'
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Defence attorney Don West: "The prosecution of George Zimmerman was disgraceful"
After the verdict, Judge Deborah Nelson told Mr Zimmerman he was free to go.
"Your bond will be released. Your GPS monitor will be cut off when you exit the courtroom over here. And you have no further business with the court," Judge Nelson said.
Mr Zimmerman showed little reaction as the verdict was read out.
"Hopefully everyone will respect the jury's verdict," his lawyer Mark O'Mara told reporters after the case.
He said Mr Zimmerman would now have to be "very cautious and protective of his safety because there is still a fringe element who have said that they would revenge - that they would not listen to - a verdict of not guilty.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Russian Chelyabinsk meteorite pieces go under microscope


SEM of Chelyabinsk meteor fragment  
Often referred to as the Chebarkul meteorite after the lake where many pieces were found, the space rock appears to be a standard "chondrite"
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Scientists have released microscopic images of fragments of the meteorite that hit central Russia in February.
A team from the Ural Federal University was able to analyse some of the dozens of samples as soon as they were found.
But the technique they used allowed them to assess the rock's chemical make-up at the microscopic level even as they snapped pictures of the fragments.
This will provide extra information on the space rock's formation and journey.
The fragments represent just a small portion of the remains of the 17m-diameter body that struck the Earth's atmosphere in a spectacular trail of light over the city of Chelyabinsk.
The team, led by Urals Federal University's Viktor Grokhovsky, determined right away that the overall chemistry of the meteorite was a familiar "chondrite".
"The fragments contain a standard number of minerals, including olivine, pyroxene, troilite and kamacite. These minerals that can be discovered only in outer space confirm the fragments' extraterrestrial nature," he told the Voice of Russia at the time.
But far more information was in the offing.
SEM of Chelyabinsk meteor fragment  
The way differing minerals are laid out gives clues as to their origin and their journey
The team was using a scanning electron microscope, which fires a beam of electrons focused onto a tiny part of a sample, scanning around to see how the electrons are deflected and thereby building up a detailed picture of the sample's nanometre-scale bumps and valleys.
But that process causes the emission of a small amount of X-ray radiation - with the exact energy of the X-rays corresponding to the chemical element present in the focus of the electron beam.
This is where a silicon drift detector comes in - harvesting these X-rays and determining their energy. The result is a series of what are called X-ray maps - pictures of the same sample showing the presence and quantity of different elements.
It is this understanding of the minerals at a microscopic level that goes far beyond simply telling us what the meteorite is made of, said Simon Burgess of Oxford Instruments, which made the X-max silicon drift detector used by the team.
"For the researchers who are looking at this meteorite, it's going to be telling them information about which (mineral) phase is associated with which," he told BBC News.
"When they get into more detail beyond what the main chemistry of the meteorite is, they may be looking at processes in terms of how it formed, the temperature it formed at, what its history has been since its formation, possibly things about what happened to it during its impact with the Earth.
"A lot of that you cannot tell just by crushing it up and getting a 'bulk analysis'; you have to look at the chemistry of the individual parts and associations between the different minerals in the meteorite."
The X-max technology is in the running for the Royal Academy of Engineering's MacRobert Award, to be announced on Friday 19 July.
Composite image of X-max images 
 The X-ray maps show the precise distribution of individual chemical elements

Typhoon Soulik makes landfall in Taiwan


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Cindy Sui in Taipei says officials are still assessing the extent of the damage
Typhoon Soulik has made landfall in Taiwan, bringing strong winds and torrential rain to the island.
So far one person is reported to have died while 21 have been injured in the extreme weather.
More than 8,500 people have been evacuated from mountainous and other dangerous areas and thousands of soldiers have been deployed.
Soulik is set to arrive in mainland China's eastern provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang later on Saturday.
Local authorities there have been asked to implement emergency response plans, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported, after recent torrential rain across large parts of the country reportedly left 200 people dead or missing.
Uprooted trees Typhoon Soulik, a medium-force typhoon, had wind speeds of around 173 km/h (100 mph) on Saturday morning.
It made landfall at around 03:00 on Saturday (19:00 GMT on Friday), Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau reported.
A police officer was killed by falling bricks but other people suffered mostly light injuries, including from fallen trees or being blown off their scooters.
The strong winds and heavy rain have caused electricity disruptions, a run on food and essential supplies in supermarkets, and uprooted trees and signs in some areas.
This typhoon is the first to hit Taiwan this year and there had been fears of major damage because the island was the first place it made landfall, reports the BBC's Cindy Sui in the capital Taipei.
Nearly 50,000 soldiers have been put on standby, she says.
Schools and offices in Taipei and several other cities had closed on Friday afternoon as the tropical storm neared.
Map showing Taiwan and the Chinese provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang
Some flights to Taiwan have been disrupted, with both Cathay Pacific and China Airlines announcing cancellations.
Precautionary measures have been taken to close the roads and bridges along areas most susceptible to disaster, officials said.
Fishing boats had been returned to the shore before the typhoon hit, and members of the public were urged to avoid mountain and coastal areas.
Evacuated residents - including 3,000 from Kaohsiung city and 2,000 from Pingtung county in the south of Taiwan - have been taken to local government buildings that have been turned into shelters, Agence France Presse reported.
More than 2,000 tourists had earlier been evacuated from Taiwan's Green Island, near the city of Taitung, as a precaution.
Typhoons are common during the summer in parts of East Asia, where the warm moist air and low pressure conditions enable tropical cyclones to form.
In 2009, Taiwan was hit by Typhoon Morakot, which left hundreds dead in floods and mudslides.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Maelfu wa raia Congo watorokea Uganda


Ramani ya Jamuhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Congo
Maelfu ya watu wamekimbia makaazi yao nchini Jamuhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Congo, baada ya waasi kutoka Uganda kushambulia mji mmoja wa Mpakani.
Kwa mujibu wa mashirika ya kutoa misaada wapiganaji wa Allied Democratic Forces ADF, walivamia mji wa Kamango siku ya Alhamisi na kuanza kupora mali.
Msemaji wa jeshi la Uganda, Luteni Kanali Paddy Ankunda amethibitisha tukio hilo.
Shirika la Msalaba Mwekundu limesema kuwa takriban watu elfu kumi na nane wamevuka mpaka na kuingia nchini Uganda.
Kundi hilo la waasi wa ADF, lina makao yake katika eneo lenye utajiri mkubwa wa madini Mashariki wa Congo, eneo ambalo makundi mengine ya waasi yamesababisha maafa makubwa katika kipindi cha miongo miwili iliyopita.
Msemaji huyo wa Jeshi Uganda Luteni Kanali Paddy Ankunda, ameliambia shirika la habari la AFP kuwa watu kadhaa waliuawa kwenye shambulio hilo.
Ripoti zinasema waasi hao waliwateka nyara watu kadhaa akiwemo chifu mmoja wakati walipokuwa wakaitoroka kutoka mji huo
Kundi la ADF liliundwa miaka ya tisini, katika eneo la Magharibi mwa Uganda, lililazimika kuvuka mpaka na kuingia nchi jirani baada ya kushambuliwa na jeshi la Serikali ya Uganda.