Iko Nini Bwana Seed?

EXCHANGE RATE AGAINST THE POUND TODAY IS KSHS. 129

Kenyan immigrants have a long history of residence in the UK – well before the more recent periods of migration in the 1980s. Throughout history, different waves of Kenyan people have settled across the UK and especially in London. Many of the Kenyan immigrants came to the UK as part of a general African migration due to a need for better education. However, there has also been an influx of refugees since the 80s due to the political unrest in their home country.  Unfortunately, no data is available regarding the accurate size of the Kenyan community in the UK. Estimating the size of the Kenyan population as well as finding people from this community was difficult due to the absence of reliable official data, as well as the fact that migrant communities are extremely mobile. However, this study has gathered some evidence of where these groups live in London and to an extent throughout the UK.  According to community representatives, there are between 150,000 -300, 00013 Kenyans in the UK, representing a large proportion of the overall minority ethnic population. According to community representatives, around 80% of the Kenyan community live in London, with sizeable pockets in the East and South London. The remaining figure are scattered throughout London.14 Leytonstone was said to have a reasonable concentration of Kenyans in London. IOM mapping exercise also identified few Kenyan businesses in this area. Community representatives also mentioned the following areas outside London where Kenyans could be found. These include Liverpool, Surrey, Milton Keynes, Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Luton, Bradford and Leeds.  - FULL REPORT BELOW.

http://www.iomlondon.org/doc/mapping/Kenya%20Mapping%20Exercise%20Final%20Report.pdf

UK ECONOMY IS ALREADY IN RECESSION

The UK economy is already in recession and will shrink by one percent next year, a respected panel of experts has warned. The Ernst & Young ITEM club, which uses the Treasury's own model for its prediction, says the credit crunch will hit the UK "very hard". House prices will be 14% below their 2007 peak by the end of the year and tumble a further 10% in 2009 before stabilising in 2010, it added. The gloomy forecast comes as official figures, out on Friday, are expected to show the first quarter of economic contraction since 1992 between June and September. The ITEM club says the economy will shrink for three further quarters before hitting rock bottom in the second half of next year. It says there could be a weak recovery in 2010. Its chief economist, Peter Spencer, said: "We now have to face up to the reality of an economy that has been seriously weakened by recent dramatic events. "The effects of the credit crisis are spreading out from the financial and housing sectors and impacting every part of our domestic economy."

Eating a diet based on 20 superfoods could slow down the ageing process and help to beat cancer and heart disease, health experts said last night. The list of wonder foods even includes tea, coffee and chocolate, as they are all rich in polyphenols –  naturally-occurring antioxidants.  Scientists have found that polyphenols guard against disease and boost people’s chances of reaching their full lifespan by protecting cells from the natural damage that takes place over time.  Professor Williamson, head of the Functional Foods department at Leeds University, said: “These foods have been chosen because they are high in polyphenols, which reduce the risk of heart disease and help to slow down the ageing processes.”  The list of “lifespan essentials” is dominated by fruit and vegetables but also includes coffee, tea, dark chocolate and cereal bran. Far from being exotic products found only in health food shops, the items are all popular British favourites easily available on the high street. The British Heart Foundation welcomed the research but urged caution on the benefits of chocolate. BHF cardiac nurse June Davison acknowledged that dark chocolate had some benefits for cardiovascular health but only when eaten in moderation.  She said: “Because of its high sugar and fat content eating too much can actually have a negative impact on your weight and cholesterol.”  Nutritional therapist Kate Arnold said it was a “fantastic list” of foods but she warned against drinking too much coffee and orange juice.  “Coffee is a stimulant and oranges are extremely acidic and can make inflammatory conditions like arthritis worse,” she said.  

The 20 superfoods are: Apples, blackberries, black tea, blueberries, broccoli, cereal bran, cherries, cherry tomatoes, coffee, cranberries, dark chocolate, green tea, oranges, peaches, plumbs, rasberries, red grapes, red onions, spinach, strawberries.

Please help University of Portsmouth by completing this form. Sigma Research (www.sigmaresearch.org.uk) is part of the University of Portsmouth and is the UK's leading social research group specialising in the policy aspects of sexual health and HIV - CLICK HERE

A KENYAN LADY, ANN, KARIUKI, 27 GIVE BIRTH TO 5 BABIES

It was bundles of joy for a first-time mother when she delivered a record five children — eight weeks before the estimated due date. The babies, who are seven-and-a-half-months-old, will have to stay in the incubator at Jamaa Hospital in Uhuru for at least a month. They must gain at least two kilogrammes before they are discharged. Matron-in-Charge Stellamaris Kilonzi said the delivery was through caesarean section. The heaviest baby, a girl, weighs 1.35kg, while the lightest, a boy, was 600g. The rest — two girls and a boy — weigh 1.05kg, 1.25kg and 1.15kg. Ann Kariuki, 27, breathed a sigh of relief after delivering the five tots between 2.34am and 2.42am with a time interval of four to two minutes. She had been admitted at 1am in labour. With tears streaming down her fatigued face, Ms Kariuki could not hide her joy and worries over how she was going to pay the huge medical bill or care for the babies. "It was a real hassle. I could not sleep or walk, but I’m very happy. I appeal to well-wishers to help me," she said. Doctors had feared the pregnancy was ectopic - CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

LEFT: The Daily Express reveals the 20 foods it claims can lead to a longer life CENTRE: The Guardian says business confidence is at an all-time low. It pictures Sen Barack Obama, who now has the endorsement of senior US politician Colin Powell RIGHT: The Metro says up to two million borrowers are heading towards negative equity, plunging Britain into a housing crash more serious than that of the early 1990s.

London, Sunday 19th October, 2008. The UK economy has "deteriorated dramatically" in the last three months, and is already in a recession, top forecasters have suggested. The Ernst & Young Item Club predicts that economic growth will decline by 1% next year before recovering in 2010, when it will see 1% growth. As the economy contracts, investment will fall and unemployment will rise. But one "bright spot" is that inflation is likely to fall, enabling the UK to cut interest rates further, it said. While recent actions taken by the government to shore up the banking system are welcome, the credit crunch will hit the economy "very hard", warned Ernst & Young. Peter Spencer, chief economist for the Ernst & Young Item Club said: "Even if the equity markets stabilise and we begin to see capital flowing around the international financial system again we are still looking at a domestic and global economy that will be recession for the next 12 months." But "with plunging interest rates, falling inflation, a fundamentally strong economy and some sort of stability in the banking system it should be a relatively short and shallow downturn," he added. It is not alone in thinking the UK has entered a recession - which is typically defined as two quarters of negative growth. A recent quarterly survey of 5,000 businesses by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) also said the UK was in a recession.

Companies are likely to see their profitability squeezed further, prompting firms to invest 5% less in 2009, said the Item Club. As a result of the slowdown, widespread cuts in investment and employment are "inevitable". While the largest job cuts so far have been in finance and housing - the sectors most closely linked to the recent turmoil - the effect will spread further. It said it expected unemployment claims to hit 5% by the end of 2009, double what it was at the end of 2007. The report comes after recent data from the Office for National Statistics underlined the weakening labour market. The number of people out of work in the UK rose sharply in the three months to August by 164,000 compared to the previous quarter, marking the biggest rise for 17 years. Until September quickening inflation had been a major concern - latest figures show the Consumer Prices Index reached a 16-year high of 5.2% for the month. But prices have fallen recently notably for energy and analysts expect September's figure to mark a peak. However, real disposable incomes are tipped to remain flat in 2009, before rising in 2010, said the Item Club. As credit continues to be hard to obtain, and unemployment looks set to rise, consumption is seen falling by 1.2% next year. With credit - including for mortgages - hard to obtain, the Item Club sees house prices falling by 14% by the end of this year, before a 10% drop next year. Until the bottom of the market is reached and confidence returns the housing sector will be in "deep freeze", it predicted. "Last year consumers were able to handle the income squeeze by borrowing and dipping into their savings," said the club's chief economist. But this year "it is a very different story with credit harder to access and far more expensive" explained Mr Spencer. Government intervention has pulled us back "from the brink" but the banking system is "in intensive care", said the Item Club. Earlier in October the UK government set out a number of initiatives to rescue the banking system by making £400bn available. But the report said that addressing problems in the UK's finance system could not be dealt with in isolation. "We desperately need a global solution given the heavy dependence of our banks and borrowers on cross-border banking flows". Longer term it said the recent financial crisis had left huge question-marks over bank regulation and governance, as well as fiscal policy.

FROM THE SEEDS ARCHIVES: The late Senior Chief Njiiri wa Karanja inspecting his homestead in 1952. His homestead consisted of five-acre land surrounded by the fence with one gate. There was a hut for the gate-keeper who was on duty 24/7. From the main gate after entering the homestead the homestead was divided into three main sections - the cow shed area, the main homestead with over 40 huts and Chief Njiiri's seven-bedroom mansion where the armed policeman was on guard 24/7. More old photos from the archive to follow soon.

Sources says that there is big tension in the ODM and PNU camps in Kenya as the president insists that the International tribunal court will go ahead to trial of those associated with the election violence

Kenyan MPs have called for an airport in the west of the country to be upgraded for Air Force One in case Barack Obama wins the US elections. Mr Obama's father was born in Nyanza Province and the MPs say the local Kisumu airport should be expanded in case he wants to visit. The Illinois senator is a local hero in his father's homeland, where a local beer has been named after him. Mr Obama has never lived in Kenya and he has visited just three times. The MPs from Nyanza Province said it was clear that Mr Obama was going to clinch the US presidency, the private Nairobi Star newspaper reported. Mr Obama will face Republican John McCain in the 4 November elections. Mr Obama's father was from Alego-Kogello village which is 60km (37 miles) from Kisumu. Kisumu Town MP Aluoch Olago told parliament that the delay in the airport's expansion was a major concern, the Nairobi Star reported. Transport Minister Chirau Mwakwere said the airport's expansion programme was behind schedule, and is expected to be complete by July 2010.

Barack Obama's grandmother lives in the village where his father was born

"Nobody in life will mention your name until you do something for yourself." - Rev. Francisca Duncan Williams from Ghana preaching at Swahili Service

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Coming to the UK to meet Kenyans

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EATING 6.5 KG IN ONE GO

An American chef has chewed his way through a burger weighing 15lbs in a four-and-a-half hour marathon eating session. Brad Sciullo, who works at an Italian restaurant in Pennsylvania, has become the first person to conquer the Beer Barrel Belly Bruiser. The mammoth meal weighs 15lbs (6.8kg) and has 5.2lbs (2.3kg) of toppings. The gastronomic adventurer completed his mission in four hours and 39 minutes. Dennis Leigey, owner of Denny's Beer Barrel Pub, said Mr Sciullo, of Uniontown, was the first person to finish the meal. Asked what possessed him to tackle the burger, Mr Sciullo said simply: "I wanted to see if I could." The Beer Barrel Belly Bruiser includes a bun, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, onions, mild banana peppers and a cup each of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and relish.

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Mr. Nelson Njoroge Medical Fundraising

The Chairman and the Organising committee of Nelson Njoroge’s medical fundraising and Nelson’s  family appeal  to friends and the entire Kenyan Community to attend a funds raising event to enable him  acquire urgent treatment of a Spinal Disc realignment (Surgery) in India. The appeal is of a very urgent nature due to this ailment that requires immediate attention.

Brother Nelson slipped and fell accidentally while working for NHS in 2003 and has been receiving treatment at Newham University  Hospital albeit wrong diagnosis until late this year.

About two months ago, he was admitted in Colchester General Hospital where MRI Scan showed that a disk in the spine had been dislocated and flesh had since overgrown in the position, but the Doctors are reluctant to operate on him.

However, Doctors in India, Jehargir Hospital Pune, are optimistic that they can operate and rectify the situation.

Back here in UK, Doctors have directed adjustments for house to suit his disability. He is currently in immense pain and is on morphine every 12 hours, amidst other drugs, but the most excruciating pain is in the knowledge that the Doctors have condemned him to permanent disability.

We invite you to join other Committee Members who will be meeting on Sunday 19th and 26th October 2008 from 5.00pm at Memorial Baptist Church, Plaistow, 387-395 Barking Road, E13 8AL, London, opposite Plaistow Police Station.

Thereafter a Fund Raising will be held on 8thNovember 2008 at 4.00 pm on the same venue. Your prayers, presence and generous contribution towards this worthy cause will enable him travel and consequently acquire treatment in India. 

Please kindly commit yourself to attend the committee meetings and more importantly the fundraising event.  Contacts: Nelson’s family: 07908230069/07950447790 or Committee Chairman: Joe Mwai 07912224373

You can also send your generous contributions to the following Bank Account:-

Mrs N. Maina

Barclays Bank

Sort Code No. 20-22-67

A/c No. 93357341

Thank you and God bless you abundantly.

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(CNN) -- Former Secretary of State Colin Powell announced Sunday that he will be voting for Sen. Barack Obama, citing the Democrat's "ability to inspire" and the "inclusive nature of his campaign." "I think he is a transformational figure, he is a new generation coming onto the world stage, onto the American stage, and for that reason I'll be voting for Sen. Barack Obama," Powell said on NBC's "Meet the Press." Powell said he was concerned about what he characterized as a recent negative turn of Republican candidate Sen. John McCain's campaign, such as the campaign's attempts to tie Obama to former 1960s radical Bill Ayers. "I think that's inappropriate. I understand what politics is about -- I know how you can go after one another, and that's good. But I think this goes too far, and I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It's not what the American people are looking for," he said.  Powell, a retired U.S. general and a Republican, was once seen as a possible presidential candidate himself. Powell said he has some concerns about the direction of the Republican Party, adding that it has "moved more to the right than I would like to see it." Read a transcript of Powell's remarks In regard to the financial crisis, which Powell called the candidates' "final exam," Powell said McCain appeared unsteady in dealing with it, while Obama had excelled in handling the situation. "He has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president," he said.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell says he is voting for Barack Obama.

During the campaign, Powell has met with both candidates and said he has a lot of respect for McCain. He said Sunday that he thinks both candidates are qualified to be president. "It isn't easy for me to disappoint Sen. McCain in the way that I have this morning, and I regret that," Powell said. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, McCain said he respects and admires Powell, and the announcement "doesn't come as a surprise." "I'm also very pleased to have the endorsement of four former secretaries of state -- Secretaries [Henry] Kissinger, [James] Baker, [Lawrence] Eagleburger, and [Alexander] Haig -- and I'm proud to have the endorsement of well over 200 retired Army generals and admirals," McCain said. Obama called Powell on Sunday and thanked him for his endorsement, communications director Robert Gibbs said. In their 10-minute conversation, Obama said he looked forward to taking advantage of Powell's advice in the next two weeks and hopefully over the next four years, Gibbs said. Powell served as Secretary of State under President Bush from 2001 to 2005. The possibility of a Powell endorsement has been rumored for several months. On August 13, Powell's office denied a report on Fox News by commentator Bill Kristol that Powell had decided to publicly back Obama at the Democratic National Convention. Powell himself brushed off queries on any potential presidential nod but told ABC News in August that he would not be going to Denver, Colorado, for the convention. Back in February, Powell told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that he was weighing an endorsement of a Democratic or independent candidate. Powell has offered praise for Obama, calling him an "exciting person on the political stage." "He has energized a lot of people in America," said Powell. "He has energized a lot of people around the world. And so I think he is worth listening to and seeing what he stands for." The former general, who has largely steered clear of politics since leaving the Bush administration, noted that the next president will need to work to restore America's standing in the world. Powell gave the keynote address at the Republican National Convention in support of George W. Bush in 2000.

It is getting harder and harder to remember the last time anything happened in Campaign 2008 that John McCain's camp would regard as clear, unambiguous good news. Perhaps it was the heady moment just after he made Governor Sarah Palin his running mate and just before her "gosh-darn" stump speech began to grate on the American ear. Since then Mr McCain has struggled to find the right tone and the right message amid a sinking economy, and Mrs Palin has come dangerously close to running aground in a series of excruciating interviews on network television. Opinion polls have also provided depressing evidence that Barack Obama is winning the arguments and - for the moment at least - winning the election. Now Mr McCain is losing the battle for high profile endorsements too.

US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama raised a record monthly total of more than $150m (£86m) in September, his campaign says. The figure brought Mr Obama's total fundraising to $605m, dwarfing the total of his Republican rival. Mr Obama has opted out of the US campaign public financing system. Republican candidate John McCain chose to remain in the system. It limits him to $84m for the September-October period, ahead of November's election. Mr Obama is the first candidate not to take public financing since the system was introduced in the mid-1970s, and as a result he has no spending limit. While Mr McCain's campaign stopped taking new donations - except for legal and administrative matters - before the end of August, Mr Obama continues to attract both new money and new donors. The Obama campaign said it had 632,000 new donors during September, bringing the total number of those who have donated to more than 3.1 million. The average amount of the donations, many of which are sourced through the candidate's website, came in at $86, Mr Obama's campaign manager said. The huge cash reserves at his disposal have allowed Mr Obama to operate well-staffed operations in several key states, opening more offices than his Republican opponent and buying more TV advertising. Mr Obama's campaign has bought 30 minutes of nationwide air time for the candidate to make a "closing argument" to the American people on 29 October, one week before the presidential election. "The overall numbers obviously are impressive," Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said of the latest donation figures. "But it's what's beneath the numbers in terms of average Americans who have had enough, who want a change and who are really fuelling this campaign." Mr McCain has regularly upbraided his rival for choosing not to accept public campaign finance, despite making a pledge to do so. The Democratic candidate changed his mind after setting fund-raising records during his long primary battle against Hillary Clinton. Mr McCain most recently raised the issue during the final presidential debate last week, accusing him of breaking a clearlymade campaign promise. With just 16 days left before the vote, Mr Obama leads Mr McCain in national opinion polls. But Mr McCain has been trying to shore up support in swing states. He is due to take part in rallies in Ohio on Sunday. Mr Obama will be campaigning in North Carolina.

Mr Obama is is proving increasingly popular with campaign donors

"When the body hurts, it seeks for remedy, when the mind hurts, it seeks for serenity, but when the heart is hurting it seeks for love." - Sanity, Grace Njeri, Oxford

SKIP CONVERSION ART

Beat the credit crunch - live in a skip! But where is that telly plugged in? Invite your friends over for a skip pool party. Not too many though.

Fraudsters took money from French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s personal account after managing to get hold of his bank details, a newspaper reported Saturday. Sarkozy complained to police in September after "small amounts" were stolen from his account, the Journal du Dimanche newspaper said, quoting sources close to the investigation. Sarkozy’s office confirmed the details, the paper said. Criminal and financial fraud squads and a prosecutor in the Paris suburb of Nanterre were investigating the case.  Meanwhile, The European Commission has decided to take Portugal and France to court with regard to cases where the cost of medical treatment received in another European Union (EU) member state has not been reimbursed, said the commission on Thursday. The commission, the executive body of the EU and the guardian of its laws, has also decided to send a final written warning to Spain and Luxembourg on the same issue. The commission believes that Portugal’s insistence on a requirement of prior authorisation for the reimbursement of cross- border non-hospital treatment runs contrary to EU treaty. The commission has decided to warn Spain against the same practice. France is being sued for not allowing patients treated in a hospital in another member state to be reimbursed at levels at least equivalent to what they would have received had they received treatment in a French hospital. The commission has decided to warn Luxembourg due to its failure to reimburse the cost of medical tests carried out in another member state.

LEFT: A Police officer inspects the scene where one person was killed when a GK vehicle he was travelling involved in an accident near Njoro town. The government vehilce was ferrying a choir to Afraha Stadium from Kerengedt where President Mwai Kibaki was to address a peace rally and on right the Presidential motorcade makes its way through the newly constructed Nairobi - Nakuru highway after the President officially opened the the Maai Mahiu - Naivasha - Lanet road. Photo/ PPS 

Do you remember being disappointed by the balloon creation that was supposed to be a dog but ended up looking more like a confused rat? Well, if you got Jason Hackenwerth to entertain you for your seventh birthday, you'd certainly be mightily impressed. The American artist has graduated from turning balloons into farmyard animals to making giant works based on insects, sea animals and even parts of the body. Hackenwerth spends £6,000 a year on balloons to create his works, which are displayed throughout the world. His biggest work was 45m (147ft) long and made of 4,000 balloons. While most of his creations are inspired by little crustaceans and insects, sometimes he gets his ideas from things a bit closer to home. His favourite piece is The Oracle, a piece that is worn over the body. 'I love to get inside this one,' said the New Yorker. Hackenwerth spends £6,000 a year on balloons to create his works, which are displayed throughout the world. His biggest work was 45m (147ft) long and made of 4,000 balloons. While most of his creations are inspired by little crustaceans and insects, sometimes he gets his ideas from things a bit closer to home. His favourite piece is The Oracle, a piece that is worn over the body. 'I love to get inside this one,' said the New Yorker. Was his mother, who worked as a clown, who taught him the art of balloon twisting. He began with simple animals and hats to make a crust as a street performer but, by the time he graduated from art college, he had a grander plan. 'I used to travel the New York subway every day and it was so bleak,' said the 38-year-old.  'I wanted to find a way to cheer it up down there, so I started making balloon shapes and sneaking down in the middle of the night to hang them up. When people saw them their faces would light up, so I decided this was the medium I would like to work in.'  Just like all balloons, his sculptures gradually wilt and lose air. 'It's like watching a plump, robust teenager turn into a withered, shrivelled old lady,' he said.

Artist Jason Hackenwerth uses as many as 4,000 balloons for his creations

London, Saturday The number of migrants coming to Britain must be curbed to slow population growth, Immigration Minister Phil Woolas has warned.The MP, who took up the job earlier this month, said that increasingly tough economic conditions made issues around immigration "extremely thorny". And he said that the Government would not allow the population to expand endlessly. Mr Woolas said: "If people are being made unemployed, the question of immigration becomes extremely thorny." He added: "It's been too easy to get into this country in the past and it's going to get harder." Mr Woolas appeared to signal a harder line approach to immigration than the points-based system introduced recently to attract migrants most valuable to the economy. Suggesting the need for a new upper limit on numbers, he added: "This Government isn't going to allow the population to go up to 70 million. "There has to be a balance between the number of people coming in and the number of people leaving." Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the population grew by nearly 2 million people to 60,975,000 between 2001 and 2007.

Your mobile's always going off at the wrong moment. But be thankful it's not happened 130ft above the ground... while riding a bicycle... along a wire. Circus performer Nik Wallenda, the seventh generation of a family famed for its high wire acts, has broken the record for the longest cycle ride on a wire – without a safety net. Watched by hundreds of commuters, the 29-year-old pedalled 72m (236ft) on his tyreless bike along a cable more than 40m (130ft) above the US city of Newark. He even stopped to make a mobile phone call halfway and almost didn't make it when his wheel started slipping on support wires. 'They were like speed bumps,' said the daredevil, whose great-grandfather, Karl, plunged to his death attempting a similar feat. Mr Wallenda planned the stunt to mark the return of the circus to ­Newark after a 52-year absence. He walked along a cable hung between the city's Prudential Center and a crane before cycling back. 'I never expected to see something like this in Newark because just nothing ever came here,' said onlooker Makhan Taylor. Newark mayor Cory Booker said he was grateful for the publicity but added: 'We're doing everything we can to lift the city and it would have been tragic if he had fallen.'

KENYA HOUSING MARKETING STILL GOING UP

House prices in the Kenyan real estate market have been overheating in the last one year, driven by cheap money from banks and inflows from Kenyans abroad. However, as the pricing bubble continues to form over Kenya, housing markets in Nairobi and some sections at the Coast, the new watch words among house owners is return on investment and rental yields. For much of the last five years, investors have been mostly focused on price appreciation. However, as house costs in high income areas have skyrocketed, it is now becoming clear that the annual rental incomes they are attracting hardly match both the buying price  and market values.  In areas where prices fell due to excess supply, the low rental yield has been a biting reality when mortgage repayment on those houses is factored.  In the coming year, the volume of houses and occupancy rates for rental properties that will come into the market will continue to affect pricing. However, a key factor to watch is the level of mortgage rates prevailing in the banking sector since Kenya is a market primarily driven by adjustable rate mortgages.  Interest rates are emerging as a key factor to watch due to the level of budget deficit and the electoral promises that are emerging in the current election campaigns.  Generally, given the extravagance of the pledges, it looks that the fiscal discipline of the next government might be shaky and Kenya might enter an era of big government, big deficits and high interest rates.  This could put the housing market in a bind a factor that could have boosted housing in high inflation resulting from high crude oil prices. It now seems like a strong shilling will blunt the effect of rising prices in the economy. Housing and gold are considered a good hedge against inflation by investors. So, where did investors make money in the housing market and what are the future trends likely to be. Exclusive high-end residential property in Nairobi’s northern drift, middle income housing on Mombasa Road and beachfront houses at the Coast recorded the highest returns on investment in the last one year. On the other hand, investment in ‘ordinary’ multiple dwelling units in middle and upper income areas of Nairobi’s Kileleshwa, Kilimani and parts of Lavington were the least profitable in terms of mark up margin from sale transactions arising from value appreciation and average monthly rental income in comparison to the initial sums spent on the property.

Investors who put up palatial homes with unique designs, extended floor layout plans and high quality finishing in New Runda, Manga Gardens, Kitusuru areas saw property values appreciate at between 15 per cent and 20 per cent — an above average climb for a country whose annual appreciation rate is approximated at 10 per cent. Houses in these areas are selling at a range of Sh25 million to Sh35 million.  Pre-existing landlords and plot owners on Mombasa Road from Mlolongo to Athi River made a killing in the last year as investors rushed in to buy land to construct a mix of residential and commercial property mainly for speculative reasons. The trend saw land values in the area double in less than three years; a fact some say was purely driven by demand and arbitrary pricing and not on valuation fundamentals. High-end Mombasa beach front plots and property witnessed increased interest from foreigners and Kenyans in the diaspora who are looking either for second or third homes and places to settle in once they settle back in the country ever since the media coverage that accompanied the Mombasa Marathon. The other ordinary middle class apartments in Kilimani and Kileleshwa areas of Nairobi continued to bear the brunt of a market correction for the second year running.  Property prices have generally stagnated and sales have been generally low. There are however reports that the market is about to turn the corner. Average house prices for apartments in this area stand at between Sh8.5 million to Sh12 million— still considered too high even after the price correction. Real estate marketers say house prices are bound to continue growing as long as demand keeps rising. This growth in high income areas is being driven by conspicuous consumption — the more pricey an area gets the higher the sales become. “Prices in such areas are driven by exclusivity and obsession of the super rich with goods of ostentation— the higher the price the higher the demand,” said Mr Reginald Okumu of Arc Consultants, a property management firm. Data assembled by Global Property Guide based on the country’s report for the second quarter of 2007, indicate that the appreciation trend — marked by rising house sale prices driven by increased interest by expatriates, Kenyans living in the diaspora and local investors —  has raised interest as international investors seek to identify new investment opportunities and to escape the US house price meltdown. The presence of an expatriate community, businessmen and professionals a result of a number of companies moving in to set their offices in Kenya is also stirring demand in the area sweeping across the arc from South Western to North Eastern end of the capital city.

The areas include Manga Gardens, Kitusuru all the way to Ridgeways and New Runda Houses.  Houses in these areas are currently are valued at between Sh27 million and Sh35 million compared to Sh20 million and Sh25 million two years ago. Luxury units fetch higher prices. Plots are hard to come by as a number of speculative investors have already bought them anticipating future growth in value some as high as Sh10 million. Though rental houses in these areas are very few compared to owner occupied dwellings, they are attracting a monthly lease income of anything above $3,000 (quoted in dollars) and is varied depending on the house design and additional features. Demand is picking up for “several single dwelling units housed in one compound,” as the classified ads indicate, in high income areas as individuals put security concerns first compared to a previous trend of a single mansion in a compound. “More and more people are putting security concerns first after the influx of apartments in the areas they used to live which resulted in petty theft cases and run down of basic amenities such as water and sewerage facilities,” said Mr Maina Mwangi head of property at Knight Frank. Single dwelling units prices appreciated by between eight to 10 per cent in the last year with a three bedroom bungalow on a one-acre in Lavington going for between Sh15 million and Sh20 million depending on location and design. Real estate experts say there was a general appreciation of between eight and nine per cent over the last year. The area includes Karen, Lavington, Loresho, Spring Valley and some parts of Kileleshwa. There is also a development where a number of developers who had previously targeted the area slowly shifting to upper-upper residential property segment or entering the emerging middle and low-middle income house construction craze that has caught up with developers and financiers alike. The apartment market continues to bear the brunt of correction. Analysts say this is a result of a demand-supply mismatch, th absence of value adding features such as gyms, tracks and sauna coupled with overstretched basic amenities such as electricity and sewerage systems. The result has been a drop in prices and a reduction in sale volumes across the board. Though real estate players differ on the extent of the actual drop in prices, the Business Daily learnt that one property firm focusing on the area had registered between 15 and 20 per cent drop in apartment prices in the area.
 

Typical are the changes revealed in the sales transaction inventory for a three-bedroom apartment on a 1.69 acre plot with a garden among 24 units in Lavington—now valued at an average price of Sh5.5 million down from Sh6.8 million a year and a half ago. Analysts say the area, which has been undergoing a market correction for almost a year,  may be approaching equilibrium after construction activities slowed down in line with the development. Mr Mwangi says such trends can be avoided in the future with increased availability of data on the level of demand and supply as determined by the actual property transfer statistics. “Such data, though may be indicative and may serve to give an idea to any developer on when and what to construct,” said Mr Mwangi. Nearly all players see the Mombasa Road stretch between Mlolongo as the hotspot in town. Some experts are already warning of the growth of a clearly marked suburb as soon as 2010 to match the quickly shaping middle class. Fuelling the demand are future prospects of a modern highway, construction of bypasses linking the road to strategic towns like Namanga—a border town— and the area’s location in relation to the airport and the industrial area are some of the reasons real estate players are putting forth as the cause of rise in demand. Mr Mwenda Makathimo, the chairman of the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) and other leading realtors says the Mombasa Road Stretch to Athi River region has the best property prospects to anybody wishing to put up property either for personal occupation or for speculative purposes. “Mombasa Road will continue to register appreciation in the next year before stabilizing at some point in the future. High-end apartment market is slowly approaching equilibrium and may return to normalcy some time next year,” said Mr Makathimo. As a result of the interest, property prices on Mombasa road have gone up by between 20 to 40 per cent—mainly due to increasing land prices skyrocketing.  An acre of undeveloped land is now retailing between Sh8 million to Sh15 million depending on its proximity to Mombasa Road up from an average of Sh6 million to Sh13 million at the beginning of the year. The area however is expected to reach its peak in one or two years before cooling down. Lack of an elaborate network of sewerage, water and electricity supply among other basic amenities is also constraints that are putting the area down.  However, analysts see the proposed Metropolitan Authority of Nairobi, which will do planning for satellite towns such like Athi River, Kikuyu and Ruiru may alleviate the problem.

For property along Thika Road, prospects for value appreciation lies on the planned expansion of the highway lanes and its imminent connection to Uhuru Highway, real estate players say. But it will have to wait until concrete plans are laid down and commencement of construction work. Plots and properties along Nyali Sandy Beach are the most sought after with a one-acre plot attracting prices as high as Sh35 million down from Sh20 million witnessed barely four months, real estate players have said.  Areas like Diani and Galu Kinondo are the most prospective while in those North Coast Vipingo and Kilifi are recording increased interest. Punters are betting on property prices rising further but a number of foreigners are buying plots or completed structures for development and conversion into homes respectively.  According to Mr David Kithikii of Datoo Kithikii property consultants, the rise in property prices in Mombasa beach front is a result of exposure of the area to the international limelight after the world marathon championship earlier in the year. “After the marathon interest on plots and houses just shot up,” said Mr Kithikii. A cross section of real estate players have recently expressed concern that sections of the middle and low-middle income areas in Nairobi could suffer what befell the high-end multiple dwelling units.  They are basing their analysis on the fact that private developers are valuing property at double the prices they were the year before. Doubling of property values should take at least five years or more as a general rule. Singled out is new residential construction in South B, C and some sections of Langata. A 3-bedroom maisonette for example is being offered for sale at Sh7 million, while barely a year ago the maximum pricing was between Sh3.5 million to Sh4 million. Most property developers believe that in the coming years, middle and low cost residential units will drive demand starting next year. As the economy picks up and the emerging middle class move to own homes, affordable housing units of price range between Sh1.5 million and Sh3 million will be an area that most developers will be looking at. Already a number of developers have started putting up property on the outskirts of the city particularly along Mlolongo areas of Mombasa road stretch on land stretches belonging to Saccos and other investment groups. “Many are looking to take advantage of the recent government incentive where anybody who puts up at least 20 units of low cost housing will be exempted from VAT,” said Mr Makathimo.  

 A woman in UK accused of stealing her daughter's identity to attend school and join its cheerleading squad has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Wendy Brown, 33, faces a felony identity theft charge after enrolling in a Wisconsin high school as her 15-year-old daughter. According to a federal complaint, Brown attended one day of classes. She also allegedly practised with the cheerleading squad and went to a party at the coach's house. Brown also faces theft and forgery charges from an unrelated case, where she is accused of collecting money for an apartment she did not have authority to let. She could face up to nearly 13 years in prison if convicted of all charges. Her daughter lives in Nevada with Brown's mother.

Resolution Health East Africa Limited is not much known by Kenyans in the diasporas but those few who knows about it has alot to talk about. It is cheap to pay and it must spell out the end of Medical Bill Fundraisings. There is no way you would compare it with the UK insurances. It is far much cheap and affordable to make. As one of the presenters said - it is a health care which is lifestyle. The medical insurance has introduced smart cards like bank cards with chip which the insurer present to any listed hospitals and the doctor would know what you are entitle to, how many doctors you have visited, what medicine you have been given before and all of your medical history. The first presentation was done at the Kenya High Commission in London on Friday 17th October, 2008 where a large number of Kenyan professionals working in the city of London attended. While presenting one of the presenters Mr. Robert Onyango explained that in Kenya fraud in many circles is high. In the medical field 40 per cent of the bills presented are fraud - a coordination of all involved which is very difficult to detect. To avoid this all the patients will have their fingerprints taken the first time they visit the hospital and any other time to verify the patient. The Medical Insurance has become very popular in Kenya with a membership of about 50,000 of which they are targeting about 500,000 membership by 2010. The insurance was started in 2002 and by 2004 the insurance had a turnover of Kshs. 87 million. In the year 2007 they had a turnover of Kshs. 631 million and they are not clocking a turnover of Kshs. 910 million in 2008. They explained that they are giving a 10 per cent discount for those joining in before 30th October, 2008. The team is visiting several places in the UK this week.  Resolution Health East Africa Ltd (RHEAL) is a medical insurance provider registered in 2002 under the Insurance Act.  Resolution Health utilizes managed care principles to provide access to comprehensive high quality health care. We therefore manage our members’ health care budget by having structures that control delivery costs. By spreading the risk across a wide base, our members get a product with a wide range of benefits at a cost they can afford. In the years that we have been in existence, Resolution Health has come to learn the value of “added value”. With close to 40,000 members in our fold, we have learned to adapt in this constantly changing society, and develop products that are effective and relevant to our members.  Resolution Health has over 180 medical service providers all over the country and has a strong network of hospitals, clinics and doctors. Resolution Health has a wide range of product offerings with plans for in-patient and out-patient. Our products meet your requirements by providing unique cover options such as maternity, optical, dental and HIV/AIDS cover either for you as an individual or for your organization. - CLICK HERE FOR MORE

A section of Kenyans who attended the Resolution Health Insurance presentation at the Kenya High Commissioner on Friday 17th October, 2008 and on right Resolution Health Insurance Team from Kenya posing for a photo in front of their banner. - CLICK HERE FOR MORE

The jobs of at least six ministers, five MPs and two top civil servants may have been put on the line on Friday. Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan received a sealed envelope listing their names as among those who had helped to plan the post-election violence, which left 1,133 people dead and hundreds of thousands homeless. It emerged that as soon as a tribunal is formed to try those accused of aiding the violence, and the magical envelope is opened, the named suspects face immediate arrest. Like murder suspects, they are likely to be thrown into jail and released only if they are cleared. The Nation has been told that those likely to end up in the dock include what is believed to be a Who’s Who of Kenya’s political elite; most of them household names.  The list is also thought to include seven former MPs plus prominent businessmen from Rift Valley and Central provinces.  The list was prepared by the Commission of Inquiry into Post-Election Violence chaired by Mr Justice Philip Waki and given first to President Kibaki on Wednesday.  Mr Annan received the list as questions arose over a State House meeting said by the Waki report to have been held to plan the funding of attacks by Mungiki.  The report suggests some meetings were held in the run up to the General Election and others following raids on Kikuyu households in the Rift Valley. Government spokesman Alfred Mutua maintained that no such meeting took place. Dr Mutua said that at no time did President Kibaki meet Mungiki in State House or anywhere else.  “We are puzzled by these allegations. The Naivasha attacks were, to our understanding, retaliatory attacks. How can meetings purported in the report to have occurred before the General Election have planned for revenge of violence that had not yet occurred?” he asked. The Waki report refers to two separate meetings, one in State House and another in Nairobi Safari Club. The Waki commission ruled that the Naivasha attacks between January 27 and 30 were planned and executed by Mungiki members supported by political and business leaders.  “The Commission has evidence that Government and political leaders in Nairobi, including key office holders at the highest level of government, may have directly participated in the preparation of the attacks,” states the Waki report.  “Central to that planning were two meetings held in State House and Nairobi Safari Club in the run up to the election with the involvement of senior members of the Government and other prominent Kikuyu personalities,” it says. The Waki Commission’s findings confirmed a BBC report earlier this year, which claimed that a meeting held in State House did sanction some of the attacks.

Mr Justice Philip Waki (left) hands over the envelope containing names of top suspects in post poll violence to Mr Kofi Annan on Friday.

LEFT: The Guardian says financial workers on Wall Street will be given $70bn (£40bn) in payouts for their work this year - despite the current global financial meltdown. CENTRE: The Times says strict limits are to be imposed on immigration amid fears that unemployment rises in the current financial climate will fuel racial tension. The lead picture is of Daniel James, a paralysed rugby player who travelled to a clinic in Switzerland to commit suicide. RIGHT: The Queen has lost up to £37m in just a few weeks as a result of the global turmoil in the financial markets, according to the Daily Express.

At least 1-in-20 of all Africans living in England have HIV infection. CLICKING HERE FOR MORE

Following the concluding presidential debate in New York, bookmaker Paddy Power has decided to pay out on Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America.  An initial CNN poll showed 58% thought Mr Obama won the third and final debate of the election, which saw the two candidates sit side-by-side at Hofstra University in Hempstead. Most US political pundits also thought he won the first two.The move from Paddy Power comes almost three weeks ahead of Election Day on November 4 and sees the bookie paying out in excess of £800,000 to Obama backers after he was backed all the way into 1/9. To date Paddy Power has taken over 10,000 bets on the 2008 US Presidential Election, the majority of which were placed in support on the Illinois Senator over the past 12 months. In fact betting support was so strong for Obama that they paid out over £40,000 on his successful nomination as the Democratic Party candidate back in January of this year, seven months before the convention. Paddy Power said: "We declare this race well and truly over and congratulate all those who backed Obama, your winnings await you. "Although the Senator seemed a little out of sorts in last night's final debate we believe he has done more than enough to get him across the line on November 4. The overall betting trend has shown one way traffic for Obama since the start of the summer." Obama started the year 11/2 to make it to the White House and was a massive 50/1 with Paddy Power to be next President back in May of 2005.

It's looking good for Barack Obama.

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Short project description

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London, Friday 17th October, 2008. Major high street stores are feeling the impact of the credit crunch, figures show today. Takings have plummeted by "double digits" over the past fortnight as consumers saw the banking crisis unfold. The rise in the jobless total is likely to deepen problems for retailers as the crucial Christmas period approaches, City analysts warn. John Lewis today revealed a huge drop in revenues at all its London department stores in the week up to 11 October. During that time there were record falls on the stock market, a £500 billion bank-bail out and the collapse of Icelandic-owned savings bank Icesave. Other major high street chains, including Marks & Spencer, are said to have suffered a torrid month, particularly in London and the South-East. There is also growing evidence that the luxury sector which had appeared to be immune from the slowdown is starting to suffer too. According to John Lewis, sales at Peter Jones, the Chelsea department store favoured by City bankers, were down almost 15 per cent on the same week last year. The Bluewater John Lewis took a 12.9 per cent hit, Brent Cross was 13.4 per cent lower and Kingston fell 11 per cent. Even the Oxford Street flagship store, which has been refurbished and performing very strongly this year, was three per cent down on last year. Leading London stores face a new challenge from the end of the month when the capital's biggest shopping centre, Westfield London, opens in Shepherd's Bush. A report today from analysts Experian said shops in Hammersmith, Kensington and the West End would be particularly hard hit by the new competition equivalent to one and a half Brent Cross-sized malls opening on their doorstep. A succession of high street chains have warned in recent weeks that profits will be down, including the owner of DIY chain Wickes, sports retailer JJB Sports and electrical group DSG, owners of Currys and Dixons. Nick Bubb, retail analyst at brokers Pali International, said: "The next week is a key one when the graph really needs to start to climb towards Christmas. If they don't start beating last year's comparable figures we could be looking at Armageddon. People will still buy presents at Christmas but there is a danger they will spend five to 10 per cent less than last year. That is extremely bad news for companies like Debenhams, given all their debt." The John Lewis figures alarmed the City because it is seen as a barometer of the high street as a whole. In a statement it said: "Last week started with great promise ... but as the financial news worsened and the sun started to shine so did our trade start to fall away."

High street: Feeling the crunch

London, Friday 17th October, 2008. The University of Nairobi on Friday awarded honorary doctorate degrees to President Mwai Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former United Nations boss Kofi Annan for their role in restoring peace in the country after the post election violence.  They received the honors during the University's 39th graduation ceremony presided over by the Chancellor, Dr Joe Wanjui.  President  Kibaki paid tribute to Raila Odinga for putting personal interest aside for the sake of the country and the peace accord. He also thanked Annan for his stewardship in the peace process.  The president urged Kenyans to dedicate themselves to national reconciliation. The PM said,  "We stared into an abyss of horror and we did not like what we saw. We as leaders knew we had to make some very difficult decisions. President Kibaki, Dr Annan and I are today being honoured for our roles in accepting those challenges, in making those difficult decisions, and in putting the nation first". Kibaki and Raila agreed on forming a grand coalition government early this year  following the post-election violence after the December 2007 polls which left thousands dead . Former UN boss Koffi Annan brokered the deal. This is the second doctorate award for President Kibaki this year after receiving a Degree of Doctor of Science from Masinde Muliro University in July, "for his sterling academic achievements, distinguished services and resolve to re-engineer Kenya's economy and society." The Head of State had received another honorary Economics degree from University of Nairobi in 2004.

A 24-hour curfew imposed in Mandera as fresh violence leaves two dead. Reports says that inter-clan fight still raging in the town

A Matatu driver and his conductor on the city's Kayole route are recuperating at a local hospital after their commuter bus was attacked by suspected Mungiki adherents. The gang is said to have attacked the two with crude weapons before setting their vehicle a blaze on Friday morning. Eye witnesses say the gang first clobbered the bus operators, dowsed their vehicle with petrol before setting it on fire. The assault comes just a week after traders at Kayole market held demonstrations accusing the police of arrest and subsequent disappearance of their colleagues. The attack is viewed as a notice to other Matatu operators in the area to continue their remittance to the group to avoid similar aggression.

A 24-hour curfew imposed in Mandera as fresh violence leaves two dead. Reports says that inter-clan fight still raging in the town

A man has been arrested in New York after allegedly trying to board a flight carrying a pipe bomb, knife, fireworks and suspicious electronics in his luggage, officials have said. Steven Nobles, 20, told authorities he built the pipe bomb using a metal pipe, fuses and gunpowder from M-80 explosives, smokebombs and other fireworks, it is claimed. According to officials, he wanted the device to "cause a giant smoke cloud, a flash of light and hopefully a loud noise". But Nobles apparently also told investigators he had not intended to use it on the Southwest Airlines flight to Las Vegas, and had inadvertently carried the items to the airport in Long Island. The suspect faces charges including carrying a weapon or explosive on an aircraft and could be jailed for up to 20 years if convicted. He appeared in court wearing a black t-shirt depicting a machine gun and green glow-in-the-dark skulls and was denied bail after his arrest at MacArthur airport in Ronkonkoma. "His actions are bizarre. I don't feel comfortable giving him bail at this time," Judge A Kathleen Tomlinson said. Nobles, from Las Vegas, was stopped during a routine screening inside the terminal, where security officers reportedly noticed a seven-inch folding knife in his carry-on bag, followed by what appeared to be a pipe bomb. An inspection of the man's luggage revealed fireworks, electrical circuit boards, a battery with electrical tape and .22-calibre rounds that are used in a nail gun to drive nails into concrete, officials said. About 500 passengers were evacuated from the terminal for about two hours. "Even though it was a bit chaotic, everyone listened and the police did the right thing," said one woman, who was seeing her family off to Mexico.

Man Arrested Over 'Airport Bomb'

Somali Islamists say they will attack Kenya if it goes ahead with plans to train 10,000 government troops. ‘We will order all our holy warriors to start the jihadi war inside Kenya," said spokesman Sheikh Muktar Robow. Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula has been quoted recently offering the training to beleaguered government forces. The warning comes as insurgents have again battled government troops and peacekeepers in the capital, Mogadishu. A witness told the BBC there were clashes near an African Union peacekeeping base at the strategic K-4 junction and that mortars were used. The Islamists have increasingly targeted the AU peacekeeping force in recent months, as well as the government and their Ethiopian allies. At least five people have been killed, residents and doctors say. The K-4 junction is strategically placed in the south of the city linking the airport and the presidential palace, and some AU peacekeepers are based there. The witness said he could see houses on fire, and heavy gunfire could be heard in the background. The government is recognized by the international community but correspondents say it only controls a few patches of the country. Somalia has been without a functioning government since President Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted in 1991. Ethiopian troops helped the government push Islamist forces from control of central and southern Somalia in late 2006, triggering an insurgency. The US supports Ethiopia's intervention in Somalia and accuses the Islamists of links to al-Qaeda.The US says they are sheltering al-Qaeda operatives who attacked Israeli targets in Kenya in 2002. On Thursday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Ethiopia would review its position in the coming months, but would stay longer if Somali politicians showed "readiness for peace". Even if Ethiopian troops left, he said, they could still return if the powerful Islamist militia al-Shabab threatened to take power. "Any government is preferable to the Shabab. It's in the interest of Ethiopia and the Somali people to prevent them from coming to power." More than three million people - almost half of Somalia's population - need food aid, according to the UN .Aid agencies recently estimated that 1.1 million people had been uprooted from Mogadishu over the last nine months. Last weekend, Burundi deployed more than 800 peacekeepers to Somalia, boosting the strength of the AU force to just over 3,000. But the mission, which is made up of troops from Uganda and Burundi, remains well below the force of 8,000 that the AU originally said it would send. Mr Meles said Ethiopian troops would remain in Somalia "at least until the African peace force is fully deployed."

Yet it is without ambivalence that we endorse

Sen. Barack Obamafor president - Washington Post

Friday, October 17, 2008; Page A24

THE NOMINATING process this year produced two unusually talented and qualified presidential candidates. There are few public figures we have respected more over the years than Sen. John McCain. Yet it is without ambivalence that we endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president. The choice is made easy in part by Mr. McCain's disappointing campaign, above all his irresponsible selection of a running mate who is not ready to be president. It is made easy in larger part, though, because of our admiration for Mr. Obama and the impressive qualities he has shown during this long race. Yes, we have reservations and concerns, almost inevitably, given Mr. Obama's relatively brief experience in national politics. But we also have enormous hopes.

Mr. Obama is a man of supple intelligence, with a nuanced grasp of complex issues and evident skill at conciliation and consensus-building. At home, we believe, he would respond to the economic crisis with a healthy respect for markets tempered by justified dismay over rising inequality and an understanding of the need for focused regulation. Abroad, the best evidence suggests that he would seek to maintain U.S. leadership and engagement, continue the fight against terrorists, and wage vigorous diplomacy on behalf of U.S. values and interests. Mr. Obama has the potential to become a great president. Given the enormous problems he would confront from his first day in office, and the damage wrought over the past eight years, we would settle for very good.

The first question, in fact, might be why either man wants the job. Start with two ongoing wars, both far from being won; an unstable, nuclear-armed Pakistan; a resurgent Russia menacing its neighbors; a terrorist-supporting Iran racing toward nuclear status; a roiling Middle East; a rising China seeking its place in the world. Stir in the threat of nuclear or biological terrorism, the burdens of global poverty and disease, and accelerating climate change. Domestically, wages have stagnated while public education is failing a generation of urban, mostly minority children. Now add the possibility of the deepest economic trough since the Great Depression.

Not even his fiercest critics would blame President Bush for all of these problems, and we are far from being his fiercest critic. But for the past eight years, his administration, while pursuing some worthy policies (accountability in education, homeland security, the promotion of freedom abroad), has also championed some stunningly wrongheaded ones (fiscal recklessness, torture, utter disregard for the planet's ecological health) and has acted too often with incompetence, arrogance or both. A McCain presidency would not equal four more years, but outside of his inner circle, Mr. McCain would draw on many of the same policymakers who have brought us to our current state. We believe they have richly earned, and might even benefit from, some years in the political wilderness.

OF COURSE, Mr. Obama offers a great deal more than being not a Republican. There are two sets of issues that matter most in judging these candidacies. The first has to do with restoring and promoting prosperity and sharing its fruits more evenly in a globalizing era that has suppressed wages and heightened inequality. Here the choice is not a close call. Mr. McCain has little interest in economics and no apparent feel for the topic. His principal proposal, doubling down on the Bush tax cuts, would exacerbate the fiscal wreckage and the inequality simultaneously. Mr. Obama's economic plan contains its share of unaffordable promises, but it pushes more in the direction of fairness and fiscal health. Both men have pledged to tackle climate change.

Mr. Obama also understands that the most important single counter to inequality, and the best way to maintain American competitiveness, is improved education, another subject of only modest interest to Mr. McCain. Mr. Obama would focus attention on early education and on helping families so that another generation of poor children doesn't lose out. His budgets would be less likely to squeeze out important programs such as Head Start and Pell grants. Though he has been less definitive than we would like, he supports accountability measures for public schools and providing parents choices by means of charter schools.

A better health-care system also is crucial to bolstering U.S. competitiveness and relieving worker insecurity. Mr. McCain is right to advocate an end to the tax favoritism showed to employer plans. This system works against lower-income people, and Mr. Obama has disparaged the McCain proposal in deceptive ways. But Mr. McCain's health plan doesn't do enough to protect those who cannot afford health insurance. Mr. Obama hopes to steer the country toward universal coverage by charting a course between government mandates and individual choice, though we question whether his plan is affordable or does enough to contain costs.

The next president is apt to have the chance to nominate one or more Supreme Court justices. Given the court's current precarious balance, we think Obama appointees could have a positive impact on issues from detention policy and executive power to privacy protections and civil rights.

Overshadowing all of these policy choices may be the financial crisis and the recession it is likely to spawn. It is almost impossible to predict what policies will be called for by January, but certainly the country will want in its president a combination of nimbleness and steadfastness -- precisely the qualities Mr. Obama has displayed during the past few weeks. When he might have been scoring political points against the incumbent, he instead responsibly urged fellow Democrats in Congress to back Mr. Bush's financial rescue plan. He has surrounded himself with top-notch, experienced, centrist economic advisers -- perhaps the best warranty that, unlike some past presidents of modest experience, Mr. Obama will not ride into town determined to reinvent every policy wheel. Some have disparaged Mr. Obama as too cool, but his unflappability over the past few weeks -- indeed, over two years of campaigning -- strikes us as exactly what Americans might want in their president at a time of great uncertainty.

ON THE SECOND set of issues, having to do with keeping America safe in a dangerous world, it is a closer call. Mr. McCain has deep knowledge and a longstanding commitment to promoting U.S. leadership and values.

But Mr. Obama, as anyone who reads his books can tell, also has a sophisticated understanding of the world and America's place in it. He, too, is committed to maintaining U.S. leadership and sticking up for democratic values, as his recent defense of tiny Georgia makes clear. We hope he would navigate between the amoral realism of some in his party and the counterproductive cocksureness of the current administration, especially in its first term. On most policies, such as the need to go after al-Qaeda, check Iran's nuclear ambitions and fight HIV/AIDS abroad, he differs little from Mr. Bush or Mr. McCain. But he promises defter diplomacy and greater commitment to allies. His team overstates the likelihood that either of those can produce dramatically better results, but both are certainly worth trying.

Mr. Obama's greatest deviation from current policy is also our biggest worry: his insistence on withdrawing U.S. combat troops from Iraq on a fixed timeline. Thanks to the surge that Mr. Obama opposed, it may be feasible to withdraw many troops during his first two years in office. But if it isn't -- and U.S. generals have warned that the hard-won gains of the past 18 months could be lost by a precipitous withdrawal -- we can only hope and assume that Mr. Obama would recognize the strategic importance of success in Iraq and adjust his plans.

We also can only hope that the alarming anti-trade rhetoric we have heard from Mr. Obama during the campaign would give way to the understanding of the benefits of trade reflected in his writings. A silver lining of the financial crisis may be the flexibility it gives Mr. Obama to override some of the interest groups and members of Congress in his own party who oppose open trade, as well as to pursue the entitlement reform that he surely understands is needed.

IT GIVES US no pleasure to oppose Mr. McCain. Over the years, he has been a force for principle and bipartisanship. He fought to recognize Vietnam, though some of his fellow ex-POWs vilified him for it. He stood up for humane immigration reform, though he knew Republican primary voters would punish him for it. He opposed torture and promoted campaign finance reform, a cause that Mr. Obama injured when he broke his promise to accept public financing in the general election campaign. Mr. McCain staked his career on finding a strategy for success in Iraq when just about everyone else in Washington was ready to give up. We think that he, too, might make a pretty good president.

But the stress of a campaign can reveal some essential truths, and the picture of Mr. McCain that emerged this year is far from reassuring. To pass his party's tax-cut litmus test, he jettisoned his commitment to balanced budgets. He hasn't come up with a coherent agenda, and at times he has seemed rash and impulsive. And we find no way to square his professed passion for America's national security with his choice of a running mate who, no matter what her other strengths, is not prepared to be commander in chief.

ANY PRESIDENTIAL vote is a gamble, and Mr. Obama's résumé is undoubtedly thin. We had hoped, throughout this long campaign, to see more evidence that Mr. Obama might stand up to Democratic orthodoxy and end, as he said in his announcement speech, "our chronic avoidance of tough decisions."

Kenya's Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has welcomed the Waki report, saying that parliament should be ready to adopt it.  Musalia says the report's recommendations should be adopted and documented to provide lessons to avert a repeat of the post election crisis witnessed early this year.  The Deputy Prime Minister was speaking at a media briefing at Nyayo House in Nairobi where he witnessed the release of a Malaria/AIDS research report by research company Vestagaard Crew. The Waki report was presented yesterday to the president and the vice president.  The report recommended among other things the creation of a special tribunal made of international experts to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of the violence.  The commission also came up with a list of politicians and businessmen who funded the militia groups during the fracas. However the names will not be disclosed to anyone till the tribunal is set up. At the same time, Head of Diplomatic missions in Nairobi have called for an early implementation of the the report of the Commission of Enquiry on the Post-Election Violence (CIPEV).    In a press statement they stated, "We are studying closely the Commission's report on the violence which followed the elections of December 2007.  We encourage all those committed to Kenya's stability and development to urgently consider the Commission's findings and recommendations and to take appropriate action". The international community is now calling reforms to be undertaken. "As a critical part of the National Dialogue and Reconciliation process, the recommendations of the CIPEV will need to be taken forward alongside those of the Independent Review Commission, the formation of the forthcoming Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, the carrying out of the Constitutional Review process and other reforms to be undertaken under Agenda Item 4," the statement reads.

LEFT: The Daily Telegraph says interest rates may have to be slashed to the lowest level in more than 300 years. CENTRE: The Times reports that the fall in cost of oil is not being reflected on the petrol forecourt. RIGHT: The Daily Express says gas and electricity bills will be cut. The paper also pictures shoppers in a sales frenzy along with the caption "Credit crunch... what credit crunch?".

A new Kenyan shop has opened in London. Wahu Foods which is located at 78, Katherine Road, Forest Gate, London E6 1EN is well stocked with Kenyan foods. The shop opened its door a week ago and they are selling both retail and wholesale. The good news about the shop is the prices. The owner have dropped the prices to the best prices every sold on Kenyan goods in the UK. Royco is going for £1.99 where it costs £2.80 in other places, 2 kg maize flower Hostess goes for £2.39 and while it goes for £3.99 in other places. They have a special prices for 2 packs of 2 kg hostess going for £3.99 and 2 of 1kg Proctar & Allan Porridge is going for £2.99 and 2 packs for for £4.00. The shop opens from 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. 7 days a week. When asked why he was selling the food so cheaply the shop owner Mr. Richard Muiru explained that he is importing his goods with a container and that makes it cheaper. Among other items at the shop is Njahi (Black eye beam) going for £3.99 per kg against £5.50 sold elsewhere, 2 kg jogoo, 2 kg Pembe, matoke, muthokoi, all sodas from Kenya among them fanta and surprising enough water from Kenya.  Plans are at advanced stage where customers will be ordering food online and delivered the next day by post. For more information please contact Maggie on 07931517157 or Richard on 07903819608.

The shop is well stocked and on right Mama Kiruthi busy shopping in the newly opened shop.  She lives 200 metres from the shop and she had this to say: "Its like Kenya next to my house, I like Kenyan food and I am excited." explained Mama Kiruthi.

A British man and woman have been sentenced to three months in jail in Dubai after being found guilty of having sex on a beach. Michelle Palmer, 36, of Oakham, Rutland, and Vince Acors, 34, of Bromley, south-east London, were arrested on 5 July. They were fined 1,000 dirhams (£160; $350) and will be deported after serving their sentences. Their lawyer says the pair will appeal against the verdict. A spokesman for the judge said Acors and Palmer would be jailed and then deported for the offences of unmarried sex and public indecency. He added that they had been fined for being drunk in a public place. "The sentence of three months is usual in these cases. We get many cases of this kind," he said. Acors and Palmer were not at Dubai's Court of First Instance to hear the ruling but had been ordered not to leave the emirate. Their defence lawyer Hassan Matter said the pair were upset but not surprised by the verdict. "They are not guilty but they were prepared for this," he said. He said he was hopeful the conviction would be overturned. "I think I have a chance in the appeal court. I have 15 days to appeal. I have to find the reason why the judge gave three months." Acors and Palmer will remain on bail until their appeal is heard at the court. Senior prosecutor Faisal Abdelmalek Ahli said he was disappointed at the length of sentence. "I'm not happy," he said, speaking outside court. "It's very light. It's normal for a sentence to be six months to a year for an offence such as this." Mr Ahli said he expected Acors and Palmer to serve their full three-month term in a Dubai prison. "Sometimes people serve half their sentence, but this is so short I expect they will serve it all," he said. The pair were arrested on Jumeirah Beach hours after meeting at a champagne brunch at Dubai's five-star Le Meridien hotel. A police officer told the court he had warned the pair about their inappropriate behaviour, but returned later to find them having sex on a sun lounger. Palmer, who was sacked from her job in Dubai as a publishing executive after her arrest, said in a statement she and Acors had been "just kissing and hugging". Mr Matter said witness statements, including one from the police officer, were "wrong" and medical examinations had proved Palmer had not had sex on the beach. Friends of Palmer say she has been admitted to hospital in recent weeks suffering from anxiety and depression. The case has turned the spotlight on the lifestyle of the 120,000 British residents of the United Arab Emirates. The BBC's Christian Fraser, in Dubai, says there have been concerns lately that tourists are ignoring the emirate's strict Islamic laws and that the outcome of this case will be a warning that such drunken behaviour will not be tolerated in public. Pauline Crowe, chief executive of UK charity Prisoners Abroad, said the case served as a timely reminder to people to be aware of local customs and laws because ignorance would not be accepted as a defence in court. She said: "As this case illustrates, what may seem like an innocent act or misdemeanour in the UK can often land people in serious trouble when abroad."

Vince Acors was in Dubai on holiday when he met Michelle Palmer - CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

Wall Street shares ended higher after sharp falls and gains in a day of tense trading, with the Dow closing up 4.6%. Yahoo shares jumped on talk of deal with Microsoft and pushed the Nasdaq index up 5.4%. Investors were digesting September's industrial production figures - which made their biggest drop since 1974 - while inflation was unchanged. In Europe, London's FTSE 100 closed down 5.7%, France's Cac 40 fell 5.9% and Germany's Dax lost 4.9%. The Dow closed at 8,973, while the technology-based Nasdaq index ended the day at 1,717. On Wednesday, the Dow Jones recorded its biggest one-day percentage fall since October 1987, closing almost 8% down.

FULL REPORT OF WAKI COMMISSION ON POST ELECTION VIOLENCE - http://www.dialoguekenya.org/docs/PEV%20Report.pdf

A judge has thrown out a case against God - as the Almighty doesn't have an official address and legal papers can't be served. Nebraska State Senator Ernie Chambers filed the lawsuit last year seeking a permanent injunction against God who he said made terrorist threats against him and his Omaha constituents. Additionally, he said God inspired fear and caused "widespread death, destruction and terrorisation of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants". The US politician said his case was over the fact that everyone should have access to the courts regardless of whether they have money or not. However, Douglas County District Court Judge Marlon Polk ruled that under state law a plaintiff must have access to the defendant for a lawsuit to move forward - and this would be rather tricky under the circumstances. Judge Polk said: "Given that this court finds that there can never be service effectuated on the named defendant this action will be dismissed with prejudice." But Senator Chambers, a law school graduate, thinks he's found a hole in the judge's ruling. He said: "The court itself acknowledges the existence of God. A consequence of that acknowledgement is a recognition of God's omniscience. "Since God knows everything, God has notice of this lawsuit." Senator Chambers, who has served a record 38 years in the Nebraska Legislature, has 30 days to decide whether to appeal.

Who is popular wedding organiser lady in Kenya? Njambi, well know for organising executive weddings with one stop - a garden venue for Weddings or Corporate events, Floral arrangements and Decorations for all events, Corporate Event Packages, Landscaping and Maintenance, Dome and Marquee Tents, Cakes, Outside Catering, and Event Planning, all under one roof! - name it. She has become a popular lady especially for those doing wedding from abroad. Her contact is 0738437233 or  Email: Julie@houseinbloom.com If you want to some of her work CLICK HERE
 

Kerugma wa Njuguna of Harlow, Essex, UK has lost his mother back in Kenya. You can send your condolences and help to him in Kenya through 0734070458.

The Kenyan community Bedford will be hosting the Resolution Health East Africa Team headed by the CEO Mr Peter Nduati at Clapham Hall situated at 3 Clapham Rd , Bedford MK41 7LG on 25th October 2008 from 6PM-9PM . Those living around Milton Keynes , Luton or Northampton are also welcome to attend. The Kenyan Community in Bedford is progressing well in addressing the needs of its community. On 10th October 2008 the organisation was runners up in the category of Partnership Award at the Equality and Diversity Awards hosted by Business Link and Bedford Race Equality Council. We are recruiting for a Swahili teacher for the Saturday Class. For an application form and to see our activities please visit http://www.kenyancommunitybedford.org.uk  

The moment of truth in last night's debate came when Bob Schieffer asked the candidates if they would be willing to repeat, face to face, some of the personal charges they have made against each other in their ads and on the trail. At first, John McCain flinched. Instead of answering directly, he suggested, remarkably, that it was Barack Obama who was running the more negative campaign. Polls show that this is certainly not the impression of voters. They see McCain as the negative guy. But eventually McCain launched the attack everyone was waiting for, referring to Obama's relationship with Bill Ayers, the '60s radical with whom Obama served on a Chicago education board that also included Republican members. Obama calmly noted that his relationship with Ayers was limited and that Ayers would play no role in an Obama administration. But McCain was wound up, and before he was done, he made the astonishing claim that some fraudulent voter registrations obtained by ACORN -- that's the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now -- constituted "one of the greatest frauds in voter history" and were "maybe destroying the fabric of democracy." Gosh, I didn't know our democratic fabric was so frail. Ayers, ACORN and Joe the Plumber were the stars of McCain's desperate effort in the third and final presidential debate to revive a candidacy that has been on the skids ever since the economic crisis hit. (Joe, whose last name is Wurzelbacher and who runs a plumbing business in Ohio, confronted Obama recently at a campaign stop because he didn't like the idea that Obama would raise his taxes. He's become a hero on some conservative Web sites.)

  Obama Meets 'Joe the Plumber' in Ohio

This trio of attacks almost certainly did McCain good among those whose votes he already has: very conservative Republicans who share Joe's view that Obama is some kind of socialist. But it's unlikely that McCain helped himself much with the moderate and middle-class voters who have drifted away from him. He failed to rattle the ever-calm Obama. And it's hard to see that anything McCain said last night repaired the damage done to his campaign by the economic crisis and his own handling of it. Going into the debate, McCain was in a kind of strategic gridlock. To make the campaign a contest once again, he must arouse new doubts about Obama. But by hammering Obama, McCain seems only to be undercutting his own image. This Catch-22 renders his task Herculean. McCain must get voters to see him as steadier, more positive and more likable -- even as he makes his assaults on Obama stick. This will not be easy in the coming weeks, as last night's performance suggested. A New York Times-CBS News poll released on the eve of the debate found that McCain's favorable ratings had slipped badly since mid-September. Then, McCain was viewed favorably by 44 percent of respondents and unfavorably by 37 percent. Now, the balance is 36 percent positive and 41 percent negative. In the same period, Obama's net positive ratings have only risen.

The poll asked voters if their opinion of McCain had changed for the better or for the worse in "the past couple of weeks." Only 7 percent said their view had changed in a positive direction; 21 percent said it had moved in a negative direction. Nearly a quarter of those who said their view of McCain had worsened cited his attacks on Obama as the reason for their change of heart; a fifth mentioned his selection of Sarah Palin as running mate. What's striking about the past month is that the great American middle has shifted Obama's way. Recent polls by The Post and ABC News, Gallup, and the Pew Research Center suggest that Obama's gains since mid-September have been especially large among whites, particularly white men, and also among independents and moderates. At this crucial juncture, the contours of the 2008 contest are remarkably similar to those of the 2006 midterm elections that ended with a Democratic victory. Strikingly -- and no doubt unintentionally -- McCain echoed the Democrats' 2006 campaign theme when he said that voters want the country to move in "a new direction." That's McCain's problem. McCain tried hard last night to paint Obama as a big-spending liberal who hangs around with radicals. But ideology may matter less to voters this year than temperament, and in this downturn, conservatism may be even more suspect than liberalism. In assailing Obama from the right, McCain may only have deepened the problems he already has.  - WATCH FULL DEBATE

Volunteers Needed!

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 Yarl’s Wood Befrienders is a local group, which organizes volunteer visitors for residents at the Immigration Removal Centre in Clapham, North Bedfordshire.  Most of those we visit are asylum seekers. They may be lonely, vulnerable, isolated and frightened and feel rejected by the country in which they have sought refuge.  Some will not know anyone in this country.  Families are also detained. They need our help and friendship.To find out more…

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The economic crisis in UK has pushed fears of redundancy to the forefront of every employee's mind this week. As the Government announced the jobless total had leapt by at least 164,000 to 1.79 million in the past three months, we spoke to six workers who have recently been made redundant. Some have decided to travel, some to retrain and others have started their own business. But there are those who have had no alternative but to claim benefits. Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, said: "There can be no assumption that the people who are losing their jobs will find it easy to get new ones. They will need all the help they can get." Today, a survey by recruitment company Monster found that hiring has particularly tailed off in the banking, finance and insurance sectors. But it added that everybody is at risk "as the financial and housing industries continue to drag down the UK economy".

London, Thursday 16th October, 2008. UK Prime Minister Brown orders fuel price cut. Petrol companies faced calls today for an immediate and deep cut in pump prices. Gordon Brown threatened garage owners with an inquiry unless they passed on the fall in global oil prices to the consumer. The move came after two supermarkets led the way by cutting the price of a litre to just below one pound. On the international market the price of oil slumped again today with a barrel of Brent crude down $2.37 to $68.43. The last time the oil price was at that level, in June, petrol cost 97p a litre, but today the AA said it was selling for an average of 106.4p. The Prime Minister said: "We have got two supermarkets that have reduced their prices below £1 a litre. We want to see the competition between supermarkets and oil companies reflected in lower prices at the pumps." Mr Brown said while the price of a barrel of oil had come down from a peak of $150 it had not been reflected yet on the garage forecourts. He added that while the average UK price was £1.07 a litre, some areas were seeing "unacceptable" variations of up to £1.20. He said: "Over the next few days we will be monitoring what is happening. But I expect other companies to follow the path that has been taken by the two supermarkets in the past few days. We have had reports done before on what has happened in the marketplace and we will continue to look at these things."

Motoring organisations echoed Mr Brown's demands for immediate cuts. Sheila Rainger, the RAC Foundation's head of campaigns, said: "When oil prices go up, retailers do not hold back from passing the price increase onto the motorist. That ought to be a two-way street. Sadly they are much quicker to put prices up than bring them down again. "The supermarket price war that we have seen this week is helpful but unfortunately only for those motorists near enough to a supermarket to take advantage of it." Although the oil majors have moved to match Asda and Morrison at some nearby garages, the national average price is higher. A Shell spokeswoman said: "We always try to remain competitively priced. At some company-owned sites we are 99.9 pence a litre. On average, Shell offers the cheapest fuel in the UK among the oil majors." A spokesman for BP said: "We aim to pass price decreases on as soon as we can, but there is often a lag. Our prices have dropped significantly since July." David Moore at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, said: "The market is just very worried about a severe international economic downturn. They're thinking that oil consumption will be weaker than expected." Damien Cox, senior analyst at energy adviser John Hall Associates, predicted further falls as the outlook for the worsening economies becomes clearer over the coming months. He said: "With the economic situation looking the way it is, I don't think we have seen the bottom yet. There's still a little bit to come out of this over the next few months." AA president Edmund King said the Asda and Morrisons announcements "represents a full-blooded phase in the petrol price war between supermarkets". He went on: "These savings give driver and family budgets a very welcome boost when other bills are exerting severe pressure. They should also boost the economy by giving millions of motorists more spending power. "However, the Government should not take these price reductions as an excuse to hike up fuel duty."

A special international tribunal will be set up to prosecute people at the heart of the post-election violence that led to the murder of 1,133 people. Among those to face justice will be 10 prominent politicians and businessmen, who helped to fund and organise the killings that threatened to tear the nation apart. Their names will not be made public — for now. Instead the list of shame will be handed this week to former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan in a sealed envelope, which also contains the evidence set to link those listed with the violence. Mr Annan will hold onto the envelope for safe keeping and pass it still sealed to the tribunal when it is set up. It is expected to be established within the next six months and will be headed by someone qualified to be a High Court judge. That is one of the key recommendations of the Waki Commission, which investigated the violence surrounding the 2007 General Election.  Mr Justice Waki released the report as another by retired South African judge Johann Kriegler, whose commission investigated the conduct of the General Election, was tabled in Parliament. Both President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga promised that the Waki report’s recommendations would be fully implemented. The report attributes the chaos that led to the deaths of 1,133 Kenyans to tribalism, a culture of impunity and poor police conduct. According to Mr Waki, the violence following the disputed General Election was the worst ever and called it “unprecedented” and “the most deadly and destructive violence ever experienced in Kenya.” The report is highly critical of state and security agencies, claiming they were unprepared, uncoordinated and, in a number of cases, directly behind the violence. Recommendations in the report, in addition to the international tribunal, are that there should be no general amnesty, as has been sought particularly by members of the Orange Democratic Party headed by the Prime Minister. However, the report suggests that it might be necessary to offer a limited amnesty to some minor offenders in exchange for truthful confessions and help in the arrest and prosecution of the organisers and funders of the violence, and of those who actually carried it out. In another major recommendation, the report calls for the merging of the regular and Administration police forces and wants them headed by a professional policeman or policewoman.  Such a move could render current police chief Maj-Gen Mohamed Ali ineligible for the job because he was seconded to the role from the Army. The report — the contents of which were accurately predicted by the Daily Nation on Wednesday — reveals that 1,133 people were killed in the violence, with the police themselves shooting dead 405 of them. The total could be higher because many deaths might not have been reported, the report states. Mr Justice Waki doubted police figures that only about 600 people were killed.- Daily Nation.

LEFT: There's more good cheer in the Daily Express which heralds the return of the sub-£1 litre of fuel. CENTRE: Spice Girl Mel B is pictured next to news of more economic woe in the Metro. RIGHT: The Guardian says Gordon Brown's banking bail-out risks unravelling.

Dow loses 733 after data feeds recession worry

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wall Street had its worst day since the 1987 stock market crash on Wednesday, as bleak economic data fed worries that all the efforts to unlock credit markets may not stave off a severe recession. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke added to those concerns when he said the economy faced a "significant threat" from paralyzed credit markets. Dismal monthly U.S. retail sales set the tone for the session, dropping the most in more than three years, while a measure of New York state manufacturing hit its lowest level since the index started in 2001. The Nasdaq has now wiped out all of its gains from Monday's 11 percent rally, while the benchmark S&P 500 is up only about 1 percent from Friday's close. Wednesday's data intensified recession fears, as did the Federal Reserve's Beige Book report, which showed economic activity weakened across the United States in September as businesses revised capital investments and consumers curtailed spending. Shares of companies considered economic bellwethers, such as industrial conglomerate Caterpillar Inc, fell sharply. Caterpillar's shares slid over 11 percent. Fears of recession knocked commodities lower, with Exxon Mobil tumbling 14 percent as the price of oil fell. "Retail sales spooked investors this morning and has increased the near-term risk of a broad-based recession," said Tom Sowanick, chief investment officer at Clearbrook Financial LLC in Princeton, New Jersey.

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Justice Phillip Waki’s Commission investigating post-election violence poked holes into President Kibaki’s style of leadership and partly blamed him for the chaos. The commission, in its report released on Wednesday 15th October, 2008, concluded that post-election violence was in part a consequence of the failure of President Kibaki’s and his first Government to exert political control. "The post-election violence, therefore, is, in part, a consequence of the failure of President Kibaki and his first Government to exert political control over the country or to maintain sufficient legitimacy as would have allowed a civilised contest with him at the polls to be possible," says the Commission of Inquiry into the Post-Election Violence (Cipev).

Growing evidence that the worldwide bank rescue plans have come too late to avert a deep global recession drove down stock markets in Europe and the US on Wednesday. The S&P 500 index fell more than 9 per cent, its biggest one-day decline in percentage terms since the stock market crash of 1987. Investor fears came as bad economic data were released across the world, and emerging economies appeared more vulnerable than thought to the world slowdown.

Recession fears knock US shares

US share prices have plummeted more than 7% on renewed global recession worries, despite government action to strengthen the financial system. The Dow fell 7.87% or 733 points, to close down at 8,577 points. Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, warned that the US economy now faced a "significant threat" from the credit crisis. Many investors are now convinced that the US economy, if not already in a recession, is moving towards one. Meanwhile the leaders of the G8 major industrialised nations have agreed to hold a summit with other countries to discuss global financial reform. The move follows a call by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to rebuild the IMF to help regulate the world's financial systems. Mr Brown told the BBC that the meeting would take place in "the next few weeks". In the US, the economic impact of the credit crisis was highlighted in two reports published on Wednesday. September retail sales recorded their biggest monthly decline in more than three years, while a Federal Reserve report showed economic activity had weakened across the country. In a speech in New York, Mr Bernanke said the US had avoided making the mistakes that helped plunge the country into the 1930s Great Depression. He pledged that the Fed would continue to fight the credit crisis. But he warned it would take time for the country's economic health to mend. "The turmoil in financial markets and the funding pressures on financial firms pose a significant threat to economic growth," he said. "The last decade has shown that bursting bubbles can be an extraordinarily dangerous and costly phenomenon for the US economy."  Reaction to Mr Bernanke's speech was mixed. Kim Rupert, of Action Economics in San Francisco, said: "There was only a little bit of mention of the economy but it was all pretty much stuff that we already knew." Cary Leahey, of Decision Economics in New York, said: "He is basically doing a stand-and-be-counted speech to an elite audience in New York. "He is saying 'we will not stand down until the system is repaired' and 'we will use every resource to ease the crisis'," he added. Earlier in Europe, markets were also badly hit by fears of recession - the UK's FTSE 100 fell 7.16%, Germany's Dax shed 6.49% and France's Cac 40 lost 6.82%. "The inevitable reversal for equity markets does seem to be under way," said Matt Buckland, a dealer at CMC Markets. However, there were signs that banks were becoming more willing to lend to each other. The cost of borrowing between banks, as measured by London interbank offered rates (Libor), fell slightly on Wednesday. It was the second consecutive session that Libor rates for euros, dollars and pounds had eased, and the cost of borrowing fell for all loan durations - from overnight to one year.

Broadcasts:

1. 14 Oct 2008 21:00 - BBC Three
2. 15 Oct 2008 00:00 - BBC Three
3. 16 Oct 2008 20:00 - BBC Three
4. 17 Oct 2008 00:55 - BBC Three
5. 19 Oct 2008 19:00 - BBC Three
6. 20 Oct 2008 04:00 - BBC Three
7. 20 Oct 2008 23:30 - BBC Three
8. 21 Oct 2008 03:50 - BBC Three

Last Man Standing: Series 2: Suri Stick-Fighting  HERE CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

Wildlife on Two: A Graze with Danger - CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO

A magistrate has been charged with child neglect by a Kiambu court. Thika Resident Magistrate Peter Kariuki was represented by his lawyer J M Njenga in a case in which he has been sued by his former wife for allegedly neglecting their three children. In an affidavit provided before the court on Wednesday, his former wife Ms Susan Muthoni Njogu claims they became friends in 1998. He later married her through the Kikuyu customary law and they have three children. Kiambu Resident Magistrate Doreen Mulekyo heard the wife now lives with her grandmother in Nyahururu. She is seeking Shs10,000 per month for maintenance.  Hearing of the case continues on October 16. Meanwhile, two men were on Wednesday sentenced to three years in prison each for involvement in unnatural acts. In the first case, Mr Anthony Njoroge Nguru was found guilty of having carnal knowledge of a goat at Kirigiti village in Kiambu. Njoroge is accused of committing the act on a nanny goat belonging to Mr Stephen Gitau Kimunya on July 14. In the second incident 28-year-old Mr John Kabaiya Kiarie was charged that on May 19 , he had carnal knowledge of another goat at Riabai village.  He caused laughter at the court when he claimed the reason for doing that was because the animal had stared at him suggestively. - The Standard.

Stock markets have lost ground worldwide, as weak economic figures fuelled fears of a recession. Investors fear that government action to strengthen the financial system will not prevent a protracted downturn. In New York, the Dow Jones fell 1.9%, the UK's FTSE 100 index was down 4.2% and France's Cac 40 was 3.5% lower. Asian countries joined the global rescue effort, agreeing to set up a multi-billion dollar fund to buy banks' bad debt and support banks. The Dow Jones fell 175.5 points to 9,135.5 in early trading in New York after official data showed that retail sales fell 1.2% in September from the month before. The FTSE 100 index of the UK's top shares was down 185.7 points at 4,208.53 in early afternoon trade. France's Cac 40 fell 128 points to 3,500.4, while Germany's Dax index was down 190 points at 5,009.17. "The inevitable reversal for equity markets does seem to be under way," said Matt Buckland, a dealer at CMC Markets "We're seeing some profit taking and a reassessment of positions after the upswing, although there is an element of concern as to the longer term economic outlook creeping in," he added. However, there were signs that banks were becoming more willing to lend to each other. The cost of borrowing between banks, as measured by London interbank offered rates (Libor), fell slightly on Wednesday. It was the second consecutive session that Libor rates for euros, dollars and pounds had eased, and the cost of borrowing fell for all loan durations - from overnight to one year. Meanwhile, Iceland is still reeling from the worst economic crisis in the island's history its central bank slashed its main interest rate to 12% from 15.5% on Wednesday, and the bank said that things could deteriorate further. "The impact of the collapse of the banking system will be extremely burdensome and the accompanying economic contraction very sharp," the board of governors said.

Australia's main share index ended 0.8% lower and India's main index slid 6%, falling below 11,000 points. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index closed down 834.58 points, or 5% at 15,998. However, Japan's Nikkei 225 index ended the day up 1.1% at 9,547.47 points despite falling in earlier trade. On Tuesday, it recorded its biggest gain to date. "The rebound is over and the risk of recession as high as ever," said Patrick Shum, strategist with Karl Thomson Securities in Hong Kong. "Governments across the world are cutting welfare spending and issuing more debt to help the financial system. But these measures will create a bigger problem of an economic slowdown." In New York on Tuesday, Wall Street ended slightly lower at the close of trading as investors took some profits after Monday's big rises in stocks. The move by Asian countries to set up a multi-billion dollar fund to support banks came after Europe and US had announced a series of steps to recapitalise banks and guarantee bank lending to get credit markets moving again. Governments worldwide have pledged around $3 trillion as part of efforts to stem the financial crisis. Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said the World Bank had committed to provide the Asian fund with $10bn She said that the Asian Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund may also contribute to the fund as well as the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, Japan and South Korea.

Madonna and her film director husband Guy Ritchie are to divorce, it has been confirmed. A short statement from Madonna's spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg and co-signed by Ritchie read: "Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after seven-and-a-half years of marriage, their representatives confirmed today. "They have both requested that the media maintain respect for their family at this difficult time." Rumours have been circulating for several months that their relationship has come under increasing strain. During the summer, some reports claimed Madonna had liaised with Fiona Shackleton, a lawyer who acted for former Beatle Paul McCartney in his divorce. Madonna, 50, is currently on her Sticky and Sweet global tour and Ritchie, 40, is filming in France, although he is understood to have flown back to the UK to discuss the situation with his parents. Just weeks ago, the couple made a very public show of affection in what was seen as a move to end speculation surrounding their marriage. Madonna recently walked down the red carpet with Ritchie at the world premiere of his latest film RocknRolla in London's Leicester Square. Wearing a short black Stella McCartney dress with jewels down the front, the singer walked arm-in-arm with Ritchie and posed for photographs. From 1985-1989, Madonna was married to actor Sean Penn. In 1996 she had a daughter, Lourdes, by actor and fitness instructor Carlos Leon. Madonna and Ritchie have a son, Rocco, who was several months old on their wedding day in December 2000. In 2006, she applied to adopt David Banda, a boy from Malawi whose mother died shortly after his birth. The adoption was approved by a court in Malawi in May.

Madonna divorce confirmed

Prepare for a new America: That's the message that the Rev. Jesse Jackson conveyed to participants in the first World Policy Forum, held at this French lakeside resort last week. He promised "fundamental changes" in US foreign policy - saying America must "heal wounds" it has caused to other nations, revive its alliances and apologize for the "arrogance of the Bush administration." The most important change would occur in the Middle East, where "decades of putting Israel's interests first" would end. Jackson believes that, although "Zionists who have controlled American policy for decades" remain strong, they'll lose a great deal of their clout when Barack Obama enters the White House. "Obama is about change," Jackson told me in a wide-ranging conversation. "And the change that Obama promises is not limited to what we do in America itself. It is a change of the way America looks at the world and its place in it." Jackson warns that he isn't an Obama confidant or adviser, "just a supporter." But he adds that Obama has been "a neighbour or, better still, a member of the family." Jackson's son has been a close friend of Obama for years, and Jackson's daughter went to school with Obama's wife Michelle. "We helped him start his career," says Jackson. "And then we were always there to help him move ahead. He is the continuation of our struggle for justice not only for the black people but also for all those who have been wronged." Will Obama's election close the chapter of black grievances linked to memories of slavery? The reverend takes a deep breath and waits a long time before responding. "No, that chapter won't be closed," he says. "However, Obama's victory will be a huge step in the direction we have wanted America to take for decades." Jackson rejects any suggestion that Obama was influenced by Marxist ideas in his youth. "I see no evidence of that," he says. "Obama's thirst for justice and equality is rooted in his black culture." But is Obama - who's not a descendant of slaves - truly a typical American black? Jackson emphatically answers yes: "You don't need to be a descendant of slaves to experience the oppression, the suffocating injustice and the ugly racism that exists in our society," he says. "Obama experienced the same environment as all American blacks did. It was nonsense to suggest that he was somehow not black enough to feel the pain." Is Jackson worried about the "Bradley effect" - that people may be telling pollsters they favour the black candidate, but won't end up voting for him?

Jackson: Expects Obama to stop "putting Israel's interests first" in making Mideast policy.

HEMPSTEAD, New York (Reuters) - Wednesday 15th October, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama has a 4-point national lead over Republican John McCain as the White House rivals head into their final debate, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Wednesday. Obama leads McCain 48 percent to 44 percent among likely U.S. voters in the latest four-day tracking poll, down slightly from Obama's 6-point advantage on Tuesday. The poll has a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points. Obama's lead in the poll has remained stable, drifting between 4 and 6 percentage points for the last week. "It's not over, but it's not moving a lot," pollster John Zogby said. "There does not seem to be a dramatic shift going on." Obama and McCain meet in their third and final debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, on Wednesday night, giving McCain one last chance to reshape a presidential race that appears to be tilting towards Obama with less than three weeks before the November 4 election. Some other national polls in the last few days have shown Obama with a double-digit lead on McCain, fuelled by perceptions Obama would do a better job managing the faltering economy and unhappiness with McCain's attacks on him over the past week. A separate national survey taken for Reuters showed Obama led McCain on the question of managing the economy by 47 percent to 43 percent, a turnaround from September's poll that gave McCain a 2-point edge on the issue. McCain, a former Navy pilot and prisoner of war in Vietnam, led Obama by 52 percent to 42 percent on the question of who would best manage foreign policy. 

A Kenyan lady has passed away in the UK. Mrs. Jane Njeri Mburu, 60, collapsed on Tuesday 14th October, 2008 during a routine medical check up  at a private eye clinic in Manchester, UK. The late Mrs. Mburu was  visiting her family in UK  was rushed to Wythenshawe Hospital in South Manchester where she passed away early Wednesday 15th October, 2008. Her daughter, Mrs Emily Waithera Wa Njenga, wife of London photo-journalist, Mr Gitau wa Njenga had accompanied her to the eye clinic. The deceased was the wife of the late John Francis Mburu Njomo of Jafrada Enterprises, Nairobi. She's survived by six children and eight grand children.  She was the wife of the late John Francis Mburu Njomo of Jafrada Enterprises, Nairobi.  Mother to Emily  Waithera wa Njenga  (Manchester,UK), Susan  Wairimu Waweru, (Mama Eddie of Northhampton, UK), Daniel Kariuki Mburu  (Luton, UK) Margaret Wanjiru Seda (Seattle, USA), Fred Njomo Mburu  and Joe Ndung'u Mburu  (Nairobi). She was mother -in-law to Gitau wa Njenga (Manchester, UK), Tony Waweru (Northampton), Wycliffee Seda (Seattle, USA), Mary Muthoni (Luton), Carole Wanjiru  Mburu,Liz Ndung'u of Nairobi. Family, relatives and friends are meeting daily for funeral  arrangements from 6pm at  65 Ackworth Road, Manchester, M27 9TR. For further details please contact:  Sue Waweru 07939810577, Daniel Mburu 07846571354 and Emily wa Njenga 07960974660 - email gitauwanjenga@googlemail.com. Funeral contributions can be sent to: SUSAN WAWERU, LLODYS BANK TSB, SORT CODE: 77-21-01 ACCOUNT No:5609136.

The late Mrs. Jane Njeri Mburu who passed away in Manchester, UK on Wednesday 15th October, 2008

Waki: No amnesty for poll violence offenders

SUMMARY REPORT OF POST-ELECTION VIOLENCE

• International tribunal to be set-up within six months to try post-poll offenders
• No amnesty for the poll-violence offenders
• Kibaki orders report to be released immediately

Nairobi, Wednesday, 15th October, 2008. The Commission into Post-Election Violence (Cipev) has recommended the setting up of an international tribunal to try post-election violence offenders. In a report handed to President Kibaki on Wednesday at Harambee house by commission chairman Justice Philip Waki, Cipev implicates top politicians and the police in the violence.  President Kibaki has ordered the report to be released immediately. Cipev was mandated to investigate the facts and circumstances related to the post-election violence and the actions or omissions of State security agencies and make recommendations. The commission is said to have received shocking evidence of police brutality and indiscriminate shooting of ordinary Kenyans, sexual attacks and refusal to investigate crimes that were committed during the post-election mayhem. It recommends major reform of the security agencies. The report also recommends there be no amnesty for people accused of serious crimes during the post-election violence. Instead, it proposes that a special international tribunal to prosecute suspects should be formed within six months. However, the report says it may be necessary to consider an offer of amnesty to some minor offenders in exchange for truthful confessions and assistance in the arrest and prosecution of the planners, organisers, funders and, in the case of security agencies, the perpetrators of the violence. The report says immunity from possible prosecution and lack of accountability were responsible for the chaos and hat the language of ‘’forgive and forget’’ will only help to breed more chaos in future. It traces the history of election-linked violence since the advent of pluralism in 1991 and says the criminal gangs and their sponsors commit crimes in the knowledge that nothing will happen to them. It says, for example, that the Kiliku and Akiwumi reports on the violence in the 1990s were trashed by the Moi Government thus emboldening the warriors in and around the Rift Valley and others that had sprung up elsewhere in the country. Consequently, the Waki report says it is imperative to guard against further encouragement of the culture of impunity which would happen if blanket amnesty were granted to all and sundry. - Daily Nation.

President Mwai Kibaki receives the report of the commission of inquiry into post election violence from Justice Philip Waki at the Harambee house.

Nairobi, Wednesday 15th October, 2008. Parliament was on Wednesday told that one of the biggest scandals in Kenya, in which a whooping 2.3 billion shillings was stolen from the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya between 2003- 2008, occurred under the watchful eye of the Ministry of Agriculture. And now the House is seeking an explanation from the Ministry on how five individuals managed to steal huge sums of money from the board without being noticed. It emerged that junior staff were sacked as a result of the scandal but the Board's CEO appointed in 2003 was still in office. The matter arose Wednesday in parliament when Ndaragua MP Jeremiah Kioni sought to know the amount lost by farmers following the problems bedeviling the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya. This prompted a number of MPS to demand that an inquiry report be undertaken by the Departmental Committee of Agriculture on the Pyrethrum Board. Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim ordered Assistant Agriculture Minister Kareke Mbiuki to furnish parliament with explicit information about the disappearance of the funds next week.

Nairobi, Wednesday 15th October, 2008. The Kenya shilling have lost significant ground against the US dollar, before clawing back some gains in late trading. The local unit touched the Sh76/20 mark against the greenback, the lowest in more than three years. The commercial banks quoted the unit at Sh75.80/90, from Monday’s closing level of Sh75.85/95. It touched Sh76.20/30 in morning trade on Tuesday. Dealers in commercial banks attributed the decline to limited dollar supply, as the international financial crisis hit earnings from tourism, tea and remittances from Kenyans in the diaspora. "Basically we hardly see any supply. The traditional supply from Kenyans in the diaspora have gone down," said Andrea Balongo, Senior dealer at the Kenya Commercial Bank. The local currency last stood at Sh76 against the dollar in June 2005, at the peak of uncertainties leading to the constitutional referendum. "The market is re-adjusting really to the reality we should expect," said Kihara Maina, Country Treasurer at Barclays Bank of Kenya Ltd. Maina said a combination of factors, including high commodity prices, increased food imports and a massive exit of foreign investors at the Nairobi Stock Exchange, had impacted negatively on the local currency.  "Generally the trend of the shilling is very weak," he said. Dealers, however, expect the local currency to remain under pressure, as long as the global crisis persists. "I think it will remain under pressure provided the international financial crisis is not over," said Benson Kaburu, dealer at the Standard Chartered Bank. Dollar inflows have also been low in recent weeks, because tourism, a key hard currency earner, is down after post-election violence in the first quarter caused visitors to stay away. Agricultural produce exporters, who earlier this year complained a strong local currency was hurting their earnings, are now hoarding their dollars anticipating higher rates.

Nairobi, Wednesday 15th October, 2008. Three people are feared dead in floods that have displaced over 1800 households in Mandera Town in North Eastern Province.  The floods occurred after a seasonal river, Laga, which crosses through Mandera town burst its banks for the first time since 2000.  Mandera District has received heavy rains in the last one week which caused River Laga and River Dawa to burst their banks. So far, seven wells have been submerged, 350 latrines washed away, three schools closed and an unknown number of goats are missing. The Kenya Red Cross Society is currently assisting the government in providing relief to families displaced by the floods.In a press statement, Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Abbas Gullet said the organization started distributing non-food items to the affected Wednesday morning, but noted that the raging floods had completely isolated some residents of the town. The Kenya Forest Service lost over 15,000 seedlings to the floods. The military is already on the ground to provide clean water to displaced persons and any other assistance while the Kenya Red Cross officials have been involved in rescue response, assessment and mobilization of communities to move out of the flooded houses and areas. Following the floods, the Mandera District Disaster Response Committee held an urgent meeting to assess the situation. Gullet said depending on the report from the District Disaster Committee, a Kenya Red Cross Health team was on standby to leave Nairobi Wednesday afternoon, so as to back-up the Ministry of Health in containing any outbreak of diseases. Reports from Mandera indicated that by Wednesday afternoon, the water levels had subsided as no rains were experienced Tuesday night. Vehicles were expected to start using some roads in the town by midday Wednesday.

London, Tuesday 14th October, 2008. UK inflation hit 5.2% in September, with energy bills behind much of the rise, official figures have shown. The consumer price inflation (CPI) measure was up from 4.7% in August. However, analysts expect this to mark a peak, with inflation tipped to slow as a result of lower oil prices and reduced demand in a slowing economy. September's Retail Prices Index (RPI) figure - used to work out benefits and state pensions for the coming year - rose to 5% from 4.8% a month earlier. Pensions usually increase by 2.5% or headline RPI, whichever is higher - meaning the government faces paying out billions more in benefits and pensions. The recent economic downturn has seen recession replace inflation as the key risk to the UK economy. Last week, the Bank of England cut interest rates to 4.5% from 5% in a co-ordinated worldwide move. The Bank added that the risks of inflation had moved "decisively" to the downside. However the high inflation figure will be a reminder of the inflationary risk, observers say. Increased food and energy prices this year have been blamed for taking inflation beyond the government's 2% target. And the Bank predicts it will remain above that level until well into next year.

But reduced economic activity, rising unemployment and the continued difficulty in getting credit would curb spending and "dilute underlying inflationary pressures", said Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist with Global Insight. Inflation is likely to fall as low as 1% by autumn 2009, and could turn negative if oil prices continued to fall, according to Jonathan Loynes, chief European economist at Capital Economics. "CPI was once again rather worse than expected in September, but this will be the peak in inflation," he said. "The key issue now is just how far and fast it will drop back as the food and energy effects which have pushed it up so sharply over the last year finally fade or go into reverse." The annual rate of inflation for energy and other household bills reached 15% - the highest since 1989 - the Office for National Statistics said. More expensive clothing, footwear, toys and games also added to the cost of living. Food inflation slowed for the first time since March as the price of milk held steady, but the cost of meat continued to climb. The squeeze on consumer spending hit High Street stores last month, according to the latest survey from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), released on Tuesday. Like-for-like sales - which strip out the impact of new stores - were down 1.5% in September compared with a year ago. Sales have now been down in six of the past seven months. The BRC said that food and drink was the only sector to show sales significantly up on a year ago. Clothing and footwear sales in September remained poor, while sales of furniture and homewares were "well down" on a year ago. The BRC's director general, Stephen Robertson, told the BBC that consumers were changing their shopping habits. "They're doing more cooking and less ready-prepared food, they're shopping around more, and indeed for the savvy shopper - and I'm thinking here particularly of non-foods - there are a lot of bargains to be had as price deflation and fierce competition between stores means there's more promotions, more discounts and more deals that I've ever seen before," he said.

OBAMA - HOPE FOR CHANGE AND PEACE

Obama's tide is catching up everyone. The most affected nation is Nigeria where every town and village is talking about Obama - the son of Africa. Celebrations about Obama's coming victory is highly registered in Japan, India, Russia, China and Africa. Many children being born this days are catching up with the name. T-shirts are on sale everyone and more so in the UK. Above is a sample of the Obama's T-shirts being sold in the UK with hundreds of messages of hope. You can order your T-shirts on 07771802818 to get it the following day. -  CLICK HERE FOR MORE

A karate black belt has been won by a 73-year-old grandmother who promised her late husband she would earn the martial art's highest accolade. Barbara Dyson became Britain's oldest woman black belt after training four times a week with people a fraction of her age. The former Leeds district nurse took up karate at 63 with her grandson, who quit when he won his red belt.

Bishop Samuel Muya of Talents Revival Ministry in Elburgon, Kenya is in the USA for a one month visit.  Currently he is in Texas before going to California, Georgia and Boston. His contact in US is 001-254-7807639 email samuelmuya2003@yahoo.com

Those in Northampton, Milton Keynes, Luton, Nottingham and the surrounding areas you can meet the visiting insurance team from Kenya on Saturday 18th October, 2008 at Coventry - CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Three things in life that are most valuable
1. Love
2. Family
3. Kindness

Residents of Kabazi, Nakuru view the bodies retrieved from the wreckage of a Nissan matatu and lorry that were involved in an accident that claimed thirteen lives. Thirteen people were killed instantly on Monday when a matatu travelling to Nakuru Town from Nyahururu collided with a lorry. Twelve of those who died were in the matatu while the other was in the lorry. The accident occurred at about 3pm near Berea Bible College, about 35km from Nakuru Town. - Daily Nation

London, Tuesday 14th October, 2008. London house prices cut by 20 per cent. The chance to snap up a London property bargain has opened up, the Standard reveals today. The "window of opportunity" has been created by prices depressed by the global financial crisis. Purchasers have been told that now is their best time to close a deal before the Government's £37 billion bank rescue restores confidence to the market. The advice comes as figures show the number of homes being sold in London has fallen to its lowest level since records began 30 years ago. Analysis of homes currently on the market shows that 20 per cent reductions from original asking prices are typical, taking them back to levels seen in 2005 and 2006. Actual completion prices are even lower because of an epidemic of gazundering that affects "practically every deal". Among the areas affected as City bonuses and jobs dry up is Notting Hill. A two-bedroom flat in a stucco-fronted house has been slashed by 21 per cent from £635,000 to below the four per cent stamp duty threshold at £499,000. It has been on the market since April. Another two-bedroom flat in Holland Park is down 20 per cent from its original asking price of £875,000 to £699,000. In north London a two-bedroom flat in Belsize Park is down 23 per cent from £865,000 to £665,000. It is the same story at the top end of the market. A six-bedroom house in the Valotton estate area of Kensington has been cut by 26 per cent from £11.5 million to £8.5 million. A five-bedroom house in Linden Lea, Hampstead Garden Suburb, was put on the market in February for £2.25 million. This was dropped to £1.65 million in May and to £1.47 million in August. The total reduction is 34 per cent off the original price. Peter Rollings, managing director of agents Marsh & Parsons, said: "We're 20 per cent down. There are some very, very keen sellers out there. But yesterday was a line in the sand and things should gradually get better." The unprecedented turmoil in the financial markets over the past month combined with a dearth of mortgage finance for first-time buyers brought the market virtually to a halt over the summer and early autumn.

Pick up a bargain: A house in Notting Hill, where prices have plunged

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors says its members in London managed to complete an average of just 8.3 sales in the three months to September - less than one a week and the worst rate of any region in the country. The national average was 11.5 sales, an all-time low for the RICS survey, which has been carried out since 1978. RICS member Nicholas Butterworth, of Jackson Stops & Staff, said that jittery buyers were still not being tempted by the deep price cuts. "Price reductions area resulting in some sales," he said. "But buyers are generally concerned about purchasing in a falling market." Justin Knight of Bective Leslie Marsh, Brook Green, added: "The market is incredibly stop-start, constantly reacting to changes in the financial markets. "We find that after each portion of bad news we have a 10-day to two-week quiet patch and then interest and low offers. "Most buyers have 50 per cent plus deposits and are from established money back grounds or have stable professional jobs like lawyers. Bankers are selling. Many bought within the last two to three years. We haven't had an applicant looking to buy who works in a bank for months." Charles Puxley of Jackson Stops & Staff in Chelsea said buyers were taking advantage of the jittery market to cut prices. "The market in Chelsea remains very difficult, with gazundering happening to practically every deal agreed. "This means that the time taken from sale agreed to exchange is even longer as the buyer is in no real hurry, armed with the correct assumption that the market is falling. "Frequently bad feeling results between parties. I believe that asking prices have some way to fall yet." RICS spokesman Jeremy Leaf said he hoped that this week's announcement of a bail-out of three high street banks would help the housing market. He added: "Yesterday's announcement by the Government that the recapitalisation of banks will be accompanied by increased lending to home owners raises the possibility that the lack of mortgage finance that has so damaged the housing market might be eased. "As it stands, only those with significant finances are in a position to access the market. "The housing market continues to hold its breath and unless mortgage liquidity improves, the market is likely to remain a dormant beast for some time to come."

Lemon also contains some vitamin A. Natural vitamin C is much more effective than the synthetic one. Vitamin C of lemon-juice is very effective because it is combined with bioflavonoids (vitamin P). In addition to vitamin C, lemon also contains niacin and thiamin in small amounts.

A monkey from a zoo in Jiaozuo, in the Chinese province of Henan, has formed an unlikely bond with an unusual role model. Having lost its parents the youngster began to be bullied by the other monkeys, and was nearly killed several times.  In order to help him survive his keepers stepped in and gave him a surrogate father in the form of a dog called Tiger Cup.

Nairobi, Tuesday 14th October, 2008. Somali pirates holding the arms-laden Ukrainian ship, the MV Faina off the coast of Somalia have said they may extend a ransom deadline for blowing up the ship following requests by the vessel's owners. The pirates had threatened to blow up the ship by Monday evening if the Kenya government failed to pay them a ransom of twenty million dollars.The pirates' spokesman Sugule Ali told the AFP news agency that they were reviewing the deadline to see whether to modify it or to carry on with the execution plan. On Monday Kenya's foreign affairs minister Moses Wetangula ruled out negotiating with the pirates. "Kenya has stated and will continue to insist that it will not pay the ransom since doing that will only encourage a continuation of such acts," Wetangula said. The minister expressed confidence that the pirates will not carry the threat to blow up the ship, adding that the economies of countries along the Indian Ocean shoreline have been seriously affected by piracy. He urged the international community to urgently assist in patrolling the unsafe waters near Somalia which has been without a proper government for decades. The ship's operators, the Tomex Corp of Ukraine are yet to comment on the negotiations. Sudan's foreign ministry has already summoned Kenya's and Ethiopia's ambassadors to Sudan over concerns that the two countries have shipped arms to the semi-autonomous south Sudan government. Sources from Sudan's foreign affairs ministry told the AFP that the Kenyan ambassador was questioned over the destination of the arms aboard MV Faina that was seized last month. The Kenyan government has denied that the arms aboard the MV Faina were destined for Southern Sudan, insisting that they were indeed meant for its military.

Kenyan researcher makes world discovery

A Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology- JKUAT staffer now studying for his post doctorate at the London Centre for Nanotechnology at the University College London (UCL) has hit world media  headlines for developing ultra-sensitive probes capable of providing new insight into how antibiotics work, paving the way for the development of more effective drugs. According to this week's Nature Nanotechnology Journal released on Sunday (October 12) it was revealed how scientists from the London Centre and the Kenyan Dr. Joseph Ndieyira Wafula used a novel nanomechanical approach to investigate the workings of vancomycin, one of the few antibiotics that can be used to combat increasingly resistant infections such as MRSA. The researchers were led by Dr. Rachel McKendry and Professor Gabriel Aeppli from the University College London. The Nanotechnology which boosts war on superbugs was highly publicized by the BBC and other UK media, according to Dr. McKendry. During the study, Dr. Wafula and coworkers used cantilever arrays - tiny levers no wider than a human hair to examine the process which ordinarily takes place in the body when vancomycin binds itself to the surface of the bacteria. The researchers coated the cantilever array with mucopeptides from bacterial cell walls and found that as the antibiotic attaches itself, it generates a surface stress on the bacteria which can be detected by a tiny bending of the levers. The team suggests that this stress contributes to the disruption of the cell walls and the breakdown of the bacteria.

The interdisciplinary team further compared how vancomycin interacts with both non-resistant and resistant strains of bacteria. The ‘superbugs' are resistant to antibiotics because of a simple mutation which deletes a single hydrogen bond from the structure of their cell walls.  This small change makes it approximately 1,000 times harder for the antibiotic to attach itself to the bug, leaving it much less able to disrupt the cells' structure, and therefore therapeutically ineffective. "There has been an alarming growth in antibiotic-resistant hospital ‘superbugs' such as MRSA and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE)," said Dr. McKendry.  "This is a major global health problem and is driving the development of new technologies to investigate antibiotics and how they work." According to the UK Health Protection Agency, last year there were around 7000 cases of MRSA and more than a thousand cases of VRE in England alone. Dr. Wafula says, "In recent decades the introduction of new antibiotics has slowed to atrickle but without effective new drugs the number of these fatal infections will increase. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of silicon-based cantilevers and will inject new life into the search for new antibiotics and accelerated drug discovery". The research was funded by the UK EPSRC (Speculative Engineering Programme), the IRC in Nanotechnology (Cambridge, UCL and Bristol), the Royal Society and the BBSRC.

Third stock broker in trouble in Kenya. The Capital Markets Authority on Monday moved to forestall the collapse of yet another stock brokerage firm and replaced its executive director. Discount Securities Limited has been facing financial problems and was placed under the management of auditing firm, KPMG. The brokerage firm’s executive director, Mr David Githaiga, was replaced. It will, however, continue trading at the stock market as restructuring is carried out. The firm is among the largest, with 20 branches in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Thika, Nakuru, Meru, Embu, Mumias, Kakamega, Bungoma, Nyeri, Kisii, Naivasha, Nanyuki, Nyahururu, Kitale, Kericho, Eldoret, Malindi and Voi. This is the third brokerage firm in which the CMA has intervened following cash flow problems. Francis Thuo & Partners went under last year, while Nyaga Stockbrokers collapsed early this year. Its directors are in court over matters related to its collapse.  Speaking at the Capital Markets Authority offices at Re-Insurance Plaza, CMA chairman Chege Waruingi said: “The CMA and Nairobi Stock Exchange shall be intervening with a view to restructuring Discount Securities Limited through strengthening its corporate governance structures to ensure its business continuity in the interest of capital markets and the investing public.”  The statement was also signed by NSE chairman James Wangunyu.

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

Prof Waruingi said after enhancing shareholding structure, a strategic partner to inject capital will be sought. He said should additional funds be needed during the restructuring, they would be made available within “reasonable limits and in form of capital”.  Journalists were not allowed to ask questions at the press conference attended by NSE chief executive officer Chris Mwebesa and his CMA counterpart Stella Kilonzo. The officials were hurriedly ushered out. The firm’s current chairman is Mr William Murungu, while Mr Allan Simu is a director.  In March, CMA placed Discount Securities under surveillance along with three other firms for failure to meet certain minimum benchmarks.  The others were Solid Securities — which was bought by NIC Capital — Reliance and Crossfield. The firms were given conditional licences, meaning they were to operate for three months under surveillance in order to meet the minimum stipulated requirements. There have been concerns that some firms were fiddling with their clients’ accounts, trading without instructions, failing to effect instructions promptly or pay the proceeds within the CMA stipulated five days.  Several were also said to be in arrears in remitting statutory dues to NSE, CMA and Central Depository and Settlement Corporation. Monday’s action is likely to further undermine the confidence in the stock market, now suffering depressed trading with the NSE 20 Share Index last week closing at below 4,000 points, the lowest in years.  But Prof Waruingi allayed fears that the firm had been placed under statutory management. - Daily Nation

Obama turns America’s tribal voting pattern on its head

LEFT: The Daily Express leads on signs of recovery in the financial world as shares rally and fresh hope is offered to the housing market. CENTRE: The Guardian leads on the 'Day the markets breathed again'. RIGHT: The Daily Mail reveals that City bosses took home bonuses of £17 billion last year as £37 billion of taxpayers money is used to nationalise banks.

"A good heart is both important and effective in daily life." - The Little Book of Wisdom

The Government will not pay the Sh1.4 billion ransom demanded by Somali pirates. Instead, Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula on Monday called for international support to rescue the hijacked Mv Faina, saying paying the ransom would encourage crime. The deadline the pirates gave for payment lapsed last night. Somali Ambassador to Kenya Mohamed Ali Nur and the minister ruled out chances of the pirates blowing the ship up. Wetangula, who was addressing heads of foreign missions in Nairobi, called for help from the US, France and UK to rescue the ship. Four more ships "These pirates have hijacked four more ships after the Mv Faina. We have to act fast," said Wetangula. Nur said the Somali Transitional Federal Government had called on the international community to step in, arguing that piracy had pushed food prices up. They were speaking at Spanish ambassador Nicolas Cinto’s residence during commemoration of the Spanish National Day.  The pirates on the Ukrainian Mv Faina, which is carrying 33 tanks and other heavy weapons, continued to demand ransom before releasing the ship and its 20 crew. A spokesman for the pirates, Sugule Ali, last night said on satellite telephone they may extend the deadline following requests from the ship’s owner and other unidentified people. - The Standard.

A pro-Obama campaign march in Nashville, Tennessee last Tuesday.

"We are great if we do and give our best." - Sanity, Grace Njeri, Oxford

London, Monday 13th October, 2008. A wave of relief surged through the City this afternoon after three high street banks were effectively nationalised. The FTSE-100 Index leapt 167.82 points to 4099.88, a four per cent rise that added £40 billion to the value of leading companies. Traders said they hoped the Treasury's decision to pump £37 billion into the Royal Bank of Scotland, HBOS and Lloyds TSB would finally end the panic that has threatened to destroy Britain's financial system. On Wall Street the new mood of optimism sent the Dow Jones Index soaring 352.76 points to 8803.95. Leading City shareholders said bonuses paid to the banks' bosses should be refunded.  One said: “It has to be wrong in principle that they got bonuses for sowing the seeds of their banks' destruction.” In return for bailing them out, the Prime Minister and Chancellor Alistair Darling said cash bonuses would not be paid to directors this year and no dividends would be paid out.  Three government directors will take seats on the board of RBS, while two directors will go on Lloyds TSB's board.  Mr Brown said the bail-out was “unprecedented but essential for all of us”. Mr Darling pledged to defend “taxpayers' interests” ruthlessly as he unveiled the plan to nationalise the three banks. In a statement to the Commons, Mr Darling said that the £37 billion being pumped into the Royal Bank of Scotland, HBOS and LloydsTSB had “strings attached” to help small firms and mortgage holders.

Monday bounce: traders in the City where shares rose in value after the Government’s intervention

“We are making it clear that there will need to be a strong focus, at these re-capitalised banks, on making available lending for small business and homebuyers,” he told MPs. However, shadow chancellor George Osborne attacked Labour for presiding over 10 years of spiralling debt, and Financial Services Authority chief Lord Turner warned that there were “lessons to be learned” from the past decade of “boom”. The Chancellor confirmed that the Government was setting up a Bank Reconstruction Fund to buy shares from the top banks. He announced that the taxpayer would have 63 per cent of the shares in RBS and 44 per cent of a merged HBOS/LloydsTSB superbank. “These are very turbulent times in financial markets. But I believe these measures are an essential to stabilise the financial system and help the UK economy,” he said. “We are committed to do whatever it takes to stabilise the banking system, protect savers and the taxpayers and support the wider economy.”  In a get-tough message to the City, Mr Darling confirmed that no cash bonuses will be paid to any board member of RBS or HBOS and LloydsTSB this year.  Three government directors will take seats on the board of RBS, and two directors will go on Lloyds TSB's. Barclays said it would not need government funds and instead asked private investors to stump up £6.5 billion for new shares. The Prime Minister earlier said the bail-out was “unprecedented but essential for all of us” and made plain he expected a new approach from the City, with “excessive risk” replaced by more long-term strategy.  However, Lord Turner suggested Gordon Brown shared some responsibility for the crisis: “There are many lessons to be learned about what has happened over the last 10 years. At a macro-economic level we allowed the boom to go on for too long,” he told the BBC.  Analysts described today's bail-out as a “humiliation” for the banks. Four of the country's most senior bankers are being ousted, with RBS chief Sir Fred Goodwin forced to forgo a £1.2 million pay-off. Sir Fred and RBS chairman Sir Tom McKillop are to quit. HBOS chief Andy Hornby and chairman Lord Stevenson will also resign once Lloyds TSB completes its takeover. Fresh evidence of the extent of City profligacy emerged when figures showed financial firms awarded staff £16.8 billion in bonuses in 2007/8. Cross-party co-operation over the rescue came under strain as the Conservatives accused Mr Brown of milking it as a personal “triumph”. David Cameron said the plan was necessary but expensive: “In many ways, it's paying the bills for the last 10 years of excessive debt.”

Fourteen people have died in a road accident along the Nyahururu-Nakuru highway. The grisly road accident occurred near Berea Bible College along the highway on Monday. Two among the dead were babies aged between one and three years. The accident involved a Nissan Matatu and an Isuzu truck. The Matatu was coming from Nyahururu to Nakuru when it swerved on the wrong side of the road before colliding head on with the incoming vehicle. The Matatu was badly mangled and local villagers had to use axes for more than 40 minutes to remove the trapped bodies. KNA counted bodies of 11 adults and 2 babies who were still on the scene by the time of going to press. Three people said to be drivers and a conductor of the ill fated matatu and the truck were rushed to the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital in a serious condition. A cyclist who had just been overtaken by the ill fated Matatu said it was over speeding before it started swerving dangerously on the road. Other Matatu drivers who arrived at the scene shortly after the accident said they had tried to dissuade the driver of the wrecked matatu from driving as he was said to be drunk.

"Don't look into the eyes of your lover, or you will see what he has told many women before." - The Wisdom of Africa, Cameroon

London, Monday 13th October, 2008. Relief over unprecedented bank rescue plans across the UK and Europe sparked a near - 4% rally on London's blue chip share index. The FTSE 100 Index gained 3% or 139 points to 4071 in the rebound, settling back from an earlier rise of almost 7% seen as investors cheered the moves. Last week's bloodbath saw the Footsie fall nearly 9% on Friday at the end of the market's worst week since the 1987 crash. Indices across Europe also recovered some lost ground after nations agreed a raft of emergency measures designed to ease the credit crunch. France's CAC 40 rose 4.6%, while the DAX in Germany raced 7% ahead. Countries which use the euro currency agreed to temporarily guarantee bank refinancing and pledged to prevent banks from failing. In London, investors were digesting details of the Government's £37 billion bail-out package for three of the UK's biggest banking groups. There was a mixed reaction for banking stocks, with those seeking State backing - Royal Bank of Scotland, HBOS and its merger partner Lloyds TSB - heavily down as the implications became clearer. There had been speculation that bank shares could be suspended to give the City time to examine the rescue plan. No such move was implemented, despite traders facing a number of announcements from the banks and the Treasury.

KENYA’S WEALTH IN FOREIGN HANDS

If Kenya were a cake to be shared out, Kenyans would only lay claim to 31 per cent of the country’s total wealth. The rest would go to foreigners. Agriculture, tourism and banking, which combined bring in the country’s largest earnings, are in foreign hands. Last year, tea, tourism, flowers and coffee earned the country Sh140 billion, nearly half of the annual national budget. Of this money, only 31 per cent ended up in the country - as tax and real earnings to the nationals. And shareholding in the richest 20 companies that trade at the Nairobi Stock Exchange is foreign. The skewed distribution of wealth between foreigners and Kenyans puts paid to all efforts since independence to hand control of the country to its citizens.

Tea growing, which earned the country Sh43.5 billion last year, is concentrated in the hands of six leading agricultural companies whose shareholding is largely foreign. Up to 78 per cent of earnings from tea went, therefore, to foreigners - leaving the balance for Kenyans. The Big Six in the tea sector are Unilever Tea Kenya, Kakuzi Ltd, Williamson Tea Company, Kapchorua Tea, Limuru Tea Company and Sasini Coffee and Tea. The British-owned Brooke Bond Group holds 43.1 million shares of the total 48.8 million shares issued in Univeler Tea Kenya . The same group owns 54 per cent of the total 3.9 million shares issued in Limuru Tea Company. In Kakuzi Ltd, foreigners have a total shareholding of 68.3 per cent of the total 19.6 million shares issued. They hold the shares through Bordure Ltd and Lintak Investment Ltd, with 35.1 and 33.2 per cent shareholding, respectively.
 

Britain’s Williamson family has a controlling majority shareholding in both Williamson Tea and Kapchorua Tea companies. In Williamson Tea,it holds 67.2 per cent of the total 8.8 million shares issued through their company, Ngong Tea Holding PLC. In Kapchorua tea, they hold 40 per cent of the 3.9 million shares issued. Sasini Tea and Coffee Ltd is 87.3 per cent owned by business magnate Naushad Merali,a Kenyan. Merali’s companies hold his shares in these businesses: Legend Investments Ltd (51.7 per cent), East African Batteries (18.7 per cent), Yana Towers (15.9 per cent) and Swan Estates (1.04 per cent).

The reinvigorated tourism sector, which earned Sh42 billion last year, is also foreign-owned. And just as the Sh43.5 billion earnings from tea sector ended up in foreign pockets, so did the Sh42 billion that came from tourism. Tourism earnings went into three directions: Hotels, airlines, and travel/booking agents, in that order. Of Kenya ’s 290,000-plus tourist hotel bed spaces, foreign hoteliers own 74.3 per cent of it. Tour flights to Kenya are entirely in the hands of foreign airlines. It is all the more foreign-dominated in the traditional tourist peak periods of Easter and Christmas,when there are no scheduled flights to Kenya ’s tourist hub of Mombasa . During the two seasons, tourists arrive in Mombasa in chartered jets arranged by European tour operators.
 

Foreign companies stationed in European and American capitals also entirely control hotel bookings and transfers. Where internal travel is concerned,foreigners too,dominate by owning 7 of the 11 leading local tour travel firms. At the end of the day,tourism in Kenya remains a foreigners’ enclave with indigenous Kenyans left to scratch the surface on petty trades like selling curios and prostitution. After years of lobbying,last year the European Union set aside Sh250 million to economically empower indigenous Kenyans to get a fair share of the lucrative industry. Seven projects were targeted to tilt the balance in a programme called Tourism Diversification and Empowerment Project. But a spokesman at the Nairobi EU office said the money is yet to be released as project proposals submitted are still under evaluation. The only hotel chain listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange is the TPS Serena. The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development holds the company’s majority shareholding through its company,TPS Holdings Limited.
 

Horticulture,which earned Kenya Sh28.2 billion last year,is the country’s third largest foreign exchange earner. It,too,is a foreigners’ affair. Indigenous Kenyans mainly come in as casual labourers on the flower farms. Of the 44 certified companies dealing with horticulture products,26 are foreign-owned. But an even bigger irony is that the leading 10 players in the industry - all foreign-owned - bag 83 per cent of the total income from the sector. Flower farming (floriculture) is the key plank in Kenya ’s agriculture sector. Seventy six per cent of Kenya ’s total flower production is concentrated in foreign-owned flowers farms around the Naivasha area. The big three are Homegrown,Sulmac and Oserian. Late last year, Kenya overtook Israel and Columbia as leading exporters of cut flowers. But you would not know that from the world’s leading flower auctions in Amsterdam and London . Why?

Foreign flower exporters in Kenya have registered their companies abroad - mainly in Amsterdam - and sell flowers they have grown in Kenya under a foreign label. In that case,while flowers from a local company are sold in Amsterdam as flowers from Kenya ,Dutch companies growing their flowers in Naivasha sell theirs as flowers from Holland . The consequence of it is that flowers owned by Dutch companies receive preferential treatment at the auction, including exemption from the strict EU-imposed export rules. Flower auctions in Amsterdam and London account for 65 and 25 per cent of Kenya flower sales respectively. Of the approximate 60,000 tonnes of flowers exported from Kenya last year,37,000 tonnes were sold in Amsterdam and London auctions as flowers from Holland . The statistics can make it look like the entire flower industry in Kenya is one big conspiracy against indigenous people. Foreign air charters,the only ones used in flower transport,charge the highest rates in Nairobi . Freight charges on flowers from Kenya are twice those in the capitals of Kenya ’s nearest competitors Israel , Columbia and Costa Rica . There are also 40 to 45 per cent higher than in Egypt and South Africa , Kenya ’s two biggest competitors on the continent. At $400 a day, inspection and storage charges at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport are the highest in the world. So is the freight charge of $1.85-$2.2 per stem.

Flowers sold in Kenya ’s name are inspected stem by stem at the JKIA at the cost of 12 Euro cents a stem. Those grown in Kenya but marketed by overseas-accredited companies are only inspected in bulk. On average, it costs upwards of $1 million to set up a typical flower farm on a half acre spread, which in turn brings in a $50,000 a year. Kenya’s fourth leading export earner, coffee ,is equally depressing on the ownership scale. The majority of small-scale coffee growers in Kenya sell coffee raw from the farm, earning less than 10 per cent of what the finished end product earns in foreign markets and in a foreign label. Though touted as an agricultural country, the other large-scale agricultural activities in Kenya are also foreign-owned. Rea-Vipingo Plantations, which deals mainly in sisal and dairy farming is 77 per cent owned by the Robinson family of England . They hold the shares through REA Holdings PLC, Unibuckle Holdings Ltd and REA Trading Ltd.
 

Del Monte, world famous for pineapple products, is entirely a French affair and sells its products with the label “Made-in-France”. The question of who owns Kenya ’s wealth sticks out like a sore thumb in the banking sector. The leading two banks with a combined market share of 71.4 per cent are Barclays Bank of Kenya and the Standard Chartered. They are foreign-owned. Barclays Bank plc of London owns 68 per cent stake in Barclays Bank of Kenya . Standard Bank Africa, a London outfit, in turn owns 81 per cent shareholding in Standard Chartered Bank. To avoid domination by foreign banks, Nigeria and South Africa enacted laws on percentages of shareholding a foreign bank could own. Foreign ownership is also the same cord that runs through key blue chip companies listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange. At the East African Breweries, British-owned Guinness plc holds 63.5 per cent of the total equity, leaving Kenyans to scramble for the rest. Guinness shares are held in the names of Diageo Kenya Ltd and Diageo Netherlands B.V.

In the Nation Media Group, the Aga Khan holds 28.2 million shares of the 35.6 million shares issued. The Aga Khan’s shares are held in the names of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Amin Nanji Juma. In Kenya Airways, Dutch company, KLM, holds 40.6 per cent equity. In Total Kenya Ltd, French companies Total Outre-mer and Elf Oil Kenya Ltd,own 77 per cent of the total shareholding, while in BAT Kenya Ltd, Molensteegh Investment BV of London ,holds 68 per cent of the total shareholding. The question of who owns Kenya ’s wealth generated a national debate in 1968 when the National Council of Churches of Kenya published a paper entitled: “Who Owns Kenya ’s Industry?” In the paper, the late Anglican Bishop, the Rev Henry Okullu, regretted that five years into independence, ”the compass needle had not moved in the direction of indigenous ownership of Kenya ’s wealth.” Thirty-seven years later, the Rev Okullu would turn in his grave to note that the needle has drifted even further away. - Source: Smart Kenyans Tips Club.

Small-scale tea farmers earned a total of Sh19.8 billion in the financial year that ended June 30.  This represents a 3.6 per cent increase from the Sh19.1 billion made the previous year. The improved proceeds come amid controversy that has engulfed the country’s tea industry this year with some farmers uprooting the crop due to what they say are poor returns. Farmers have already received an initial payment of Sh8.6 billion at a rate of Sh10.50 paid every month per kilogramme of green leaf and will now receive Sh11.3 billion at a rate of Sh14.10 per kilogramme of green leaf as the second payment; a Sh3.25 increment.

World Financial crisis: World round-up

A look at the regions of the world most affected by the financial crisis, and what governments are doing to try to alleviate the financial turmoil.

The International Monetary Fund said it was ready to lend to countries hit by the credit crunch, using an emergency funding mechanism first used in the 1990s Asian financial crisis.

The US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, and the central banks of Canada, Sweden and Switzerland took the unprecedented step on 8 October of co-ordinating a half-point cut in interest rates in an effort to ease the credit crunch.

On 12 October, the 15 countries in the eurozone agreed a joint plan to guarantee loans between banks, and provide government capital to protect ailing financial institutions.

The Bank of England, European Central Bank and Swiss National Bank said on 13 October that they would offer financial institutions an unlimited amount of short-term dollar loans at fixed rates for periods of up to 84 days to help stem the crisis.

ARGENTINA: The government is considering a host of measures to contain the impact of the global financial crisis, including a pact with businesses and unions to avoid job losses, higher tariffs on imports, trade barriers and a weaker peso, local media have reported.

BRAZIL: Brazil's central bank sold at least $589m of its foreign currency reserves in a bid to stabilise the real. It also announced that it would free up about $10bn in credit by easing limits on bank reserves. The Sao Paulo Stock Exchange suspended dealing three times in a week after declines on the Bovespa index topped 10%.

CANADA: The Bank of Canada cut its key interest rate by half a percentage point to 2.5% on 8 October in a co-ordinated effort with other central banks.

On 10 October, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty attempted to ease the credit crunch in Canada by announcing CAN$25bn ($21bn) of asset-swaps between the country's major banks and the government-owned Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The Bank of Canada said three days later it would provide exceptional liquidity to the financial system "as long as conditions warrant".

MEXICO: President Felipe Calderon has proposed to spend $4.4bn on infrastructure and energy projects to boost the economy. The central bank also sold a combined $8.9bn in foreign currency reserves in a week to prop up the falling peso.

US: Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has warned that some banks will fail despite the $700bn rescue package to shore up the financial system. He said the financial crisis would not end soon and called for the plan's swift implementation. Mr Paulson wants to use the money to buy up many of the dubious mortgage investments on Wall Street.

AUSTRALIA: Australia's central bank cut its key interest rate from 7% to 6% - a much larger-than-expected reduction. The government later announced it would guarantee all bank deposits with financial institutions over the next three years.

CHINA: China has also joined the interest rate offensive, cutting rates by 0.27 percentage points.

HONG KONG, TAIWAN: The central banks of Hong Kong and Taiwan joined the growing number of countries to cut their interest rates.

JAPAN: Prime Minister Taro Aso said he would call an emergency summit of the G8 if finance ministers meeting in Washington did not reach agreement to take action on the credit crisis.

He has said more action would need to be taken to boost the country's flagging economy, even after the lower house approved a 1.8 trillion yen ($18bn) stimulus plan and the Bank of Japan put 4.5 trillion yen ($45.5 billion) into the banking system.

On 13 October, the Bank of Japan said it was considering taking measures similar to those adopted by the ECB and other major central banks to provide sufficient liquidity in short-term funding markets.

NEW ZEALAND: The government is planning to guarantee retail deposits, initially for two years.

SOUTH KOREA: The South Korean central bank cut its benchmark interest rate and repeatedly intervened in the currency markets to support the won. Regulators meanwhile announced measures to reduce market speculation.

AUSTRIA: Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer said on 13 October that his government would provide up to 85bn euros ($114bn) in interbank loan guarantees and up to 15bn euros ($20bn) in equity to support the country's banking sector. The government had already announced a guarantee for all personal bank savings, retroactive 1 October.

BELGIUM: The government agreed to guarantee bank deposits of up to 100,000 euros ($136,000) - an increase of 80,000 euros.

The country's largest banking group, Fortis, needed the intervention of the Belgian and Dutch governments and the sale of some of its assets to French giant BNP Paribas, to stay alive after getting into difficulty over the purchase of Dutch bank ABN Amro.

DENMARK: The Danish parliament approved a government-backed crisis plan which gives an unlimited guarantee to savings deposits.

ESTONIA: The government more than doubled its bank deposit guarantee to 50,000 euros ($68,000), in line with other European Union member states.

FRANCE: President Nicolas Sarkozy announced on 13 October the creation of a fund worth 40bn euros ($55bn) to acquire stakes in French financial institutions and a guarantee of up to 320bn euros ($437bn) on interbank loans that would run until the end of 2009. "Nothing will be spared to prevent the crisis getting any worse," Mr Sarkozy told journalists at the Elysee Palace in Paris. The loan guarantee will be offered to banks at commercial rates, and beneficiaries will have to sign up to certain "ethical" obligations, including on executive pay.

GERMANY: The country's second-biggest commercial property lender, Hypo Real Estate, was threatened with collapse last week after incurring large amounts of bad debt. It survived after a government-sponsored rescue was arranged. In an attempt to prevent a subsequent run on banks, the government announced it would guarantee all personal bank deposits in the country.

On 13 October, the cabinet approved Chancellor Angela Merkel's rescue package for German financial institutions which includes a fund to provide up to 400bn euros ($549bn) in interbank loan guarantees and 80bn euros ($109bn) to acquire stakes in banks in a similar manner to the British government. The finance ministry said banks would be able to draw on the services of a newly-created "financial market stabilisation fund" until the end of 2009. The measures must still be approved by parliament.

GREECE: The Greek government said on 3 October it would fully guarantee all bank deposits of citizens, but an official added that this was a "political commitment" and the banking system was not at risk.

HUNGARY: The Hungarian government proposed raising the guarantee on bank deposits from the current 6m to 13m forints ($67,000) following talks with the president of the Hungarian central bank.

ICELAND: The authorities took over the country's biggest bank, Kaupthing, the third such takeover in two weeks. Iceland's financial regulator said the move was made to protect domestic deposits. Two more of the country's largest banks, Landsbanki and Glitnir, had earlier been nationalised.

Iceland's parliament passed emergency legislation giving the government wide-ranging powers to dictate banks' operations.

The government agreed measures allowing the banks to sell off some foreign assets to help shore up the financial system.

Negotiations are under way with Russia for a big loan to support the country's banking system. Moscow has offered more than $5bn in emergency loans.

Industry Minister Ossur Skarphedinsson also said the government might turn to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for foreign currency to ensure imports flow freely, help banks trade again, and ensure a cut in interest rates.

Trading on the Reykjavik stock exchange was suspended for a third consecutive day on 13 October in response to "unusual market conditions". Later, the British government said the Bank of England would provide a loan of £100m ($174m) to Landsbanki to help maximise payouts to its creditors in the UK.

IRELAND: Ireland was the first government to come to the rescue of its citizens' savings, promising on 30 September to guarantee all deposits, bonds and debts in its six main banks for two years. The move initially prompted consternation among some European partners, but several countries have since followed suit.

ITALY: Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti said on 13 October that the government would spend "as much as necessary" to support his country's financial institutions. The governor of the Bank of Italy, Mario Draghi, meanwhile announced it would temporarily swap up to 40bn euros ($54bn) of bonds for Italian bank debt.

On 8 October, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the government was prepared to buy stakes in failing banks while waiving voting rights in an effort to guarantee stability. It would also step in to back deposits up to the current insured level of 103,000 euros ($141,000) if necessary, he said.

NETHERLANDS: The Dutch government said it would make 20bn euros ($27bn) available to protect the financial sector from "extreme shocks" during the credit crisis. The Netherlands has also trebled the amount of savers' deposits it will protect to 100,000 euros ($136,776).

NORWAY: The central bank, also outside the eurozone, said it would issue up to 350bn kroner ($55bn) in bonds to banks to help improve liquidity in the market.

POLAND: The government has been meeting to assess the eurozone financial rescue agreement, while the central bank has been preparing a package to help build confidence in the Polish banking sector.

PORTUGAL: The government said it would guarantee bank deposits and offer a financing line worth 20bn euros ($27.5bn) to guarantee the liquidity of its banks.

RUSSIA: The upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, passed a law on 13 October giving the state-run Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Activities (Vnesheconombank) 1.3 trillion roubles ($50bn) to pay off or service Russian banks' foreign loans. It came after President Dmitry Medvedev announced 950bn roubles ($36.4bn) of long-term help for banks at an emergency Kremlin meeting on 7 October.

After the Federation Council vote, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said state refinancing aid would soon be available to companies conducting their activities on Russian territory in a "real sector of the economy".

SPAIN: Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced on 13 October that his government would set aside a maximum of 100bn euros ($134bn) to guarantee interbank loans for the remainder of 2008. But Mr Zapatero said the government would not, for now, take steps to recapitalise Spanish banks, because "we do not have solvency problems".

On 10 October, the government announced the creation of a 30bn euro ($40bn) fund to buy assets from Spanish financial institutions to help stabilise them and unfreeze credit. Three days earlier, it had increased bank deposit guarantees to 100,000 euros ($136,000) from the current 20,000 euros.

SWEDEN: Finance Minister Anders Borg said on 13 October that the government would soon introduce "quite extensive measures" to safeguard its financial system, but that it did not believe there was a need to inject capital into banks. He said it was also considering raising guarantees on bank deposits for savers despite them being doubled earlier this month to 500,000 crowns ($70,960). Sweden's central bank said separately that it would boost its support for the banks by offering a further 80 billion crowns ($11.3bn) and $10bn in loans.

SWITZERLAND: Economics Minister Doris Leuthard said the government had contingency plans to prevent the collapse of the country's two biggest banks, UBS and Credit Suisse Group, who have recently incurred multi-billion-dollar losses. The government also said it was considering how much the current bank deposit guarantee of 30,000 Swiss francs ($26,620) should be raised.

UK: The government has announced a £50bn ($88bn) package to prop up eight of the largest banks and building societies. In return, the government would receive shares in those institutions. A further £450bn would be made available to provide liquidity to the money markets and loan guarantees for banks.

The announcement came after banking shares plunged on 7 October and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) warned that Britain was already in a recession which could see unemployment rise by 350,000 by next year.

Following negotiations, the government announced on 13 October that it would inject £37bn ($64bn) of taxpayers' money into three major banks. Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is to receive £20bn ($34bn) - with the government buying £5bn of preference shares and underwriting £15bn of ordinary shares. A further £17bn ($30bn) will be injected into HBOS and Lloyds TSB "upon successful merger", while Barclays said it would seek an alternative source for £6.5bn ($11bn).

ARAB STATES: Share prices have dropped precipitously this year, amid fears of weakness in Dubai's property boom and exposure to global markets. However, economists expect growth to continue at a moderate rate as the region's oil wealth cushions the worst of the financial turmoil.

In an effort to boost confidence in the financial system, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) cut its benchmark interest rate on 12 October for the first time in almost two years. The government of the United Arab Emirates meanwhile promised to protect national banks and guarantee deposits.

INDIA: The central bank has moved to inject 600bn rupees ($12.2bn) into the money markets after sharp falls in Mumbai's stock exchange and the plunge of the rupee to an all-time low. It also cut the cash reserve ration for banks by 150 basis points to 7.5% on 12 October, releasing billions of dollars into the banking system.

Rutting season is getting underway in London's Richmond Park. Autumn signals the beginning of the season, where the large red deer stags can be heard roaring and barking in an attempt to attract females. The larger males are seen clashing antlers with rival males. The park has royal connections and was named during Henry VII's reign. In 1625 Charles I brought his court to Richmond Palace to escape the plague in London and turned it into a park for red and fallow deer. - MORE

Lands Minister James Orengo has kicked of another storm by claiming the Head of Civil Service was creating another centre of power, contrary to the Constitution. Orengo said Head of civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura should not oversee operations of Government, since that job was bestowed upon the Prime Minister according to the National Accord and Reconciliation Act. "I am saying this without fear of contradiction. The PM should be in charge of running affairs of Government. Muthaura’s office is creating another centre of power which is not in the Constitution," said Orengo. The minister, who was one of the eight panelists at the Serena round table talks, where the Accord was drafted, said this issue needed to be addressed to ensure smooth running of Government affairs. According to the National Accord, PM Raila Odinga, is the supervisor and co-ordinator of Government. "I as the Lands Minister report to Raila because he is the supervisor, just like all officials in the Lands ministry report to me. It is very clear that the PM is the supervisor," he added. But Raila avoided the matter and instead dwelt on soaring food prices, saying it is a global matter that the Cabinet would discuss. They spoke in Kibera where the PM raised Sh60,000 for a family that lost kin in post-poll skirmishes. "This is a global problem and it was discussed at the world policy forum in France that I attended. I am very optimistic a solution would be found when we discuss it in the Cabinet." The PM, who returned to the Country on Friday, represented the Government at the forum, which also included trips to Nigeria and Switzerland. He made the remarks as Orengo called for regulation of food prices arguing that the common man was the hardest hit by soaring prices. "As a Government, we must come up with regulation to control food prices," said Orengo. At the same time, the PM who announced his homecoming party would be on November 22, revisited the subject of male circumcision saying it was voluntary and those forcing others to undergo the cut would be arrested. While underscoring the importance of the cut, he said scientists conducted research in South Africa, Uganda and Kenya and concluded circumcision reduces the chances of contracting HIV. Raila said plans were underway to give landowners title deeds to solve the perennial feuds in Kibera, a statement that was backed by Orengo. He also intimated that the Government was keen on the slum-upgrading programme to uplift the living conditions of residents. - The Standard.

HE PAID $35 MILLION TO GO TO SPACE

U.S. space tourist Richard Garriott waves to his girlfriend, Kelly Miller (L), from a bus driving him to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Sunday. Garriott, alongside U.S. astronaut Michael Fincke and Russian cosmonaut Yury Lonchakov, blasted off into space aboard the Russian Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft which lifted off from the cosmodrome on the Kazakh steppes as planned. US business tycoon Richard Garriott blasted off into space aboard a Russian rocket on Sunday watched by his father, a Nasa astronaut who went into space at the height of the Cold War. The Russian Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on the Kazakh steppes as planned just after 100 pm local time (0700 GMT). Mr Garriott, a video game developer from Texas, paid $35 million to fly into space alongside US astronaut Michael Fincke and Russian cosmonaut Yury Lonchakov. After 10 days in space Mr Garriott, whose father Owen Garriott is a retired Nasa astronaut, will return to Earth with the ISS’s old crew aboard a Soyuz re-entry vehicle – a three-man capsule which has malfunctioned on its last two flights.

A 106-year-old American nun living in a convent in Rome could well be the oldest person to vote in the 2008 US Presidential election. Sister Cecilia Gaudette, who last voted for President Eisenhower in 1952, has registered to vote and says she will vote for Democrat Barack Obama. Although hard of hearing, she keeps herself informed by reading newspapers and watching TV at the convent. "I'm encouraged by Senator Obama," she says. "I've never met him, but he seems to be a good man with a good private life. That's the first thing. Then he must be able to govern," she adds. Sitting in her modest office in the convent where she has lived for the past 50 years, the diminutive nun appears uninterested in the row inside the American Catholic church over Senator Obama's support for pro-choice policies on abortion. Asked about her hopes for the US under an Obama presidency, she says: "Peace abroad. I don't worry about the Iraq war because I can't do anything about it. Lord knows how it will end." "It is very complicated," she said. "Those Eastern people are not like we are." But despite taking part in the 4 November election, Sister Cecilia does not intend to return to the US. "I have no plans for the future. I am too old to go back to the US. Life has changed too much." But she still watches "very important events" on TV. The election comes under this category.

Sister Cecilia has lived in the convent in Rome for 50 years

Pirates holding a Ukranian arms ship off the Somalia Coast have rejected a local mediator, delaying efforts to free the freighter laden with battle tanks and other arms. Elders and a pirate say on Saturday they had agreed to free the ship, hijacked on September 25 while headed to the Kenyan port of Mombasa, but later they walked out of the deal insisting that Somali mediators be withdrawn. Elders in the Harardhere where the MV Faina ship with 21 crew members is anchored said the hijackers agreed to receive 10 million US dollars for the release of the ship but halted the talks because of the Somali Brokers. The pirates said the negotiation on the ransom figure will resume in four days with new brokers. US warships and navies from other nations are surrounding the MV Faina to prevent the pirates from offloading the cargo.

"It was scaring everywhere, we went to our bank - HBOS and we were refused to withdraw our £1 billion in our account - what next?" - Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic Boss

How to say I Luv U in Nigeria

Your mobile phone beeps, you have received a text message. It begins: "I swear, I will make sure I give you HIV..." But it's not an abusive threat, it's a "romantic" text message copied from a book on sale all over Nigeria that professes to give young people the words they need to court the woman or man of their dreams. "H is for Happiness and joy forever with an I: Incomparable love that will never V: Vanish until death do us part. I love you," the message concludes. The book, called "Touching the heart through unforgettable text messages (vol.2)" is one of several on sale in markets around the country that give suggestions to tongue-tied young lovers. Nigerians are compulsive text senders. Corny "romantic" messages and jokes are constantly being sent, received and recycled. Many men complain that women send them "hot" text messages, but all they really want is money, while women say they are pestered by men sending "romantic" texts when all their suitors really want is sex. But the book's author, 33-year-old entrepreneur Femi Emmanuel, says he writes text messages for people who are too busy, or illiterate, to properly express what is in their hearts. He is not married but says he sends "special" text messages to his girlfriend - original ones, not out of his books. The sale of all four volumes has been such a success he has bought a car with the proceeds. "People have really embraced the mobile phone here in Nigeria, but they may not be smart enough to know what to say in these kind of situations, or maybe they're too busy, running an office or whatever," he said.

He gets inspiration from Indian "Bollywood" films and Mexican or Nigerian soap operas. "I was watching a Bollywood film and the main actor said to his female lead 'hey baby, I'm a crazy lover'," Mr Emmanuel told the BBC. "I thought 'that's good,' I paused the DVD and copied down the subtitles." The text message threatening HIV was inspired by watching a Nigerian film. "In the film, a man threatened a woman with giving her HIV. I thought how could I turn this acronym into a message?" "You could send the first sentence on its own," he says. "You are putting them in suspense, to create fear, and then you follow up with the interpretation that will give them joy and happiness." The BBC asked people on the streets of the capital Abuja what they thought of the message. Ferdinand Nwonye, 36, a civil servant, said he thought the message was funny. "The person would first be scared, and then as they went through it they would start laughing," he said. He added that the text books are mostly used by teenagers. "I like sending romantic texts to my wife, but I think of my own, I don't need one of these books." But not everyone sees it that way. Businesswoman Janet Babalola, 35, says she gets romantic text messages from her husband. "But if I got something like that I would be shocked," she says. Mr Emmanuel, who paid for his high school education by selling newspapers at the roadside, borrowed 75,000 naira ($637; £363) from his brother to publish the first book. He sold thousands of copies in cities all over the country. What may appear cheesy and ridiculous to western eyes may not be so creepy to Nigerians, says a well-known agony aunt. Nana, who answers readers' questions about relationships in the Weekly Trust newspaper, says Nigerians might see the words differently to native speakers of English. "I think this boy who wrote these texts is a bit of a poet," she says. "A lot of us in this part of the world are translating in our heads constantly from our local languages to English." "A lot of Nigerian languages don't have a difference between 'love' and 'like', so a lot of these messages will come across as a love proposition when what the sender really means is 'I like you'." But the texts can also serve as "adverts" which people can use to attract attention to themselves, with seedy intent, she says. "Many girls and boys too are out on the road looking for customers, and it is only natural that technology has made that a bit easier."

The UK Government has seized more than enough Icelandic assets to pay back British savers caught up in the country's banking collapse, it was revealed. Some £4 billion is understood to have been frozen using anti-terror laws last week, compared to the estimated £3 billion that UK councils, charities and individuals stand to lose.

London, Sunday 12th October, 2008. The world financial system is teetering on the "brink of systemic meltdown", the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned in Washington. Dominique Strauss-Kahn said rich nations had so far failed to restore confidence, but he endorsed a new action plan by the G7 group. He also said the IMF was ready to lend to countries in dire need of capital. Mr Strauss-Kahn spoke after talks with US President George W Bush, G7 finance ministers and the World Bank. On Friday in the US capital, the G7 group of most industralised nations released a five-point plan to free up the flow of credit, back efforts by banks to raise money and revive the mortgage market. Speaking in Washington on Saturday, Mr Strauss-Kahn said: "Intensifying solvency concerns about a number of the largest US-based and European financial institutions have pushed the global financial system to the brink of systemic meltdown." He later told a news conference: "The first co-ordination between advanced countries and the rest of the world is now on track." The IMF chief was joined at the White House earlier by finance ministers from the US, Canada, France, Germany, Britain, Italy and Japan, as well as World Bank President Robert Zoellick. Following talks with the economic leaders, Mr Bush also pledged co-ordinated action, saying it was serious global crisis which demanded a serious global response.

Mr Bush said nations must stand together amid the global financial crisis

The meeting came a day after Asian, European and US markets continued to panic sell despite rate cuts and cash injections by central banks, amid widespread fears of a global recession. Late on Friday, US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said the US planned to invest directly in banks for the first since the 1930s, following a similar UK programme of partial bank nationalisation. The G7 had earlier not ruled out adopting another part of the British plan - to guarantee borrowing between banks - as they issued their plan in Washington. The G7 also left the door open to further reductions in interest rates, which six central banks this week jointly cut by half a percentage point. But BBC economics correspondent Andrew Walker, in Washington, says there is some disappointment that the G7 plan lacks detail. Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there would be no joint financial rescue fund for Europe, like the US bail-out of Wall Street. The two leaders said a common approach to the financial crisis would emerge from a Paris summit on Sunday of 15 eurozone leaders. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown will hold talks with Mr Sarkozy in the French capital before the meeting. Chancellor Merkel said governments must "redirect the markets so they serve the people, and not ruin them." The heads of the EU's four biggest economies - Britain, France, Germany and Italy - held a first crisis summit last week, but were split over the need for a common plan. Analysts say another week of plunging stock markets has focused minds and the real test of this weekend's scramble by world leaders to shore up the international financial system will come once markets reopen again on Monday.

We Do Not Know What the Future Holds, But!, We Know Who Holds the Future

LEFT: Funeral directors reveal "hundreds" of burials are being delayed as hard-up families are made to wait for Government funding, says The Mail On Sunday. CENTRE: The Sunday Telegraph reports that Government ministers are prepared to take full control of Britain's banks. RIGHT: The Sunday Times reports on the bleak warning by the head of the International Monetary Fund that the world is on the brink of a financial meltdown.

About 100 migrants are feared to have drowned after being thrown overboard by smugglers in the Gulf of Aden, the UN refugee agency says. The migrants were attempting to flee to Yemen from war-torn Somalia but were forced off the boat about 5km (3 miles) from the coast, a UN official said. About 47 migrants managed to swim to shore and alert the authorities. The UN says about 32,000 people have made the perilous crossing to Yemen this year, and 365 have gone missing. The boat had left Marera in Somalia, close to the port of Bossasso, on Monday with 150 people on board, according to Ron Redmond, a spokesman for UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). "Survivors said they counted a total of 47 people reaching the beach and later saw Yemeni authorities burying five bodies," Mr Redmond said at a press conference. Hussien Hajji Ahmed, a Somali diplomat in Aden, says that some of the survivors who are in a critical condition have been transferred to the UN refugee medical centre in Ahwar. "The survivors told the rescuers that they were ordered to jump into sea... when they refused, then the smugglers started beating them with clubs, bars and gun butts," he told the BBC Somali Service. "The people had little chance - either they had to die in the hands of the smugglers or the sea." UNHCR estimates that in addition to those missing, at least 230 people have died attempting the crossing this year. This accident comes a few days after another boat carrying Somali migrants capsized off the coast of Yemen killing at least 30 people. "I lost three cousins in the accident - two women in their early twenties and a young man," Abdi Weli Ahmed, who survived that shipwreck, told the BBC. "I recovered the bodies of the two women, but the young man is still missing. I have just buried them. One girl has survived and another family of five." Last month, the UN refugee agency said that despite the burden on the Yemeni authorities, they were still maintaining an open door policy towards refugees. But they said that global action was needed to tackle the problem. Piracy is also rife in the busy shipping lanes of the Somali coast, where dozens of ships have been hijacked this year. The Nato military alliance has said it will send warships to combat the piracy and help escort aid deliveries off Somalia by the end of the year. Somalia has experienced almost constant civil conflict since the collapse of Mohamed Siad Barre's regime in January 1991. Islamist militants are currently fighting government and Ethiopian troops, with frequent bombings and shelling in the capital, Mogadishu

UNHCR says about 32,000 people have made the crossing this year

The running mate of US Republican presidential candidate John McCain has been found guilty of an abuse of power, according to a state legislature probe. Alaska's Governor Sarah Palin was accused of sacking a senior state official over a family feud. But the McCain-Palin campaign team said that the report showed Mrs Palin acted within "proper and lawful authority". The report could have an impact on Republican hopes of winning next month's US presidential election. "I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110 (a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act," investigator Steve Branchflower concluded in the panel's 263-page report. Mrs Palin has always denied any wrongdoing, and her supporters say the charges were motivated by her political opponents. "This was a partisan-led inquiry run by [Democratic candidate Barack] Obama supporters and the Palins were completely justified in their concern," a McCain campaign spokesperson said. Mrs Palin was accused of dismissing Mr Monegan for refusing to sack a state trooper who was in a bitter custody battle with her sister. The report concluded a family grudge was not the sole reason for the dismissal, but was a likely contributing factor. However, the report said that the actual sacking of Mr Monegan was not beyond Mrs Palin's legal powers. Speaking after a bipartisan investigating panel reached its decision on what has become known as Troopergate, Mr Monegan said he felt "vindicated". "It sounds like they've validated my belief and opinions," he said. "And that tells me I'm not totally out in left field." The panel found Mrs Palin in violation of a state ethics law prohibiting public officials from using their office for personal gain. Legislators do not have the power to take formal legal action against the governor; that would be up to Alaska's Personnel Board. If the Board decides Mrs Palin violated state law, the case will be referred to the president of the state Senate.

Mrs Palin's lawyer said that the report had not been conclusive. "In order to violate the ethics law, there has to be some personal gain," said Thomas Van Flein. "Mr Branchflower has failed to identify any financial gain." And Alaskan state Senator Gary Stevens, a Republican, said there were "some problems" with the finding. "I would encourage people to be very cautious, to look at this with a jaundiced eye," said Senator Stevens, after the report's release was announced. Several Republican politicians had earlier attempted to have the investigation stopped on the grounds that it was politically motivated. The investigation into the affair began before Mr McCain selected Mrs Palin as his running mate in August. The US presidential race has now become so polarised both Republicans and Democrats will likely see the report's findings as vindication for their own trenchant views about Mrs Palin, says the BBC's Richard Lister in Washington. Alaska's governor will either be seen as the victim of a Democratic party hatchet job, or a hypocrite. Most voters, for now at least, seem more concerned about who will extract them from the current economic crisis, rather than any questions about political infighting in far-off Alaska, our correspondent adds.  Mrs Palin maintains she fired Mr Monegan in July over a budgetary dispute. But Mr Monegan said he was dismissed for resisting pressure from Mrs Palin and her husband, Todd, to fire State Trooper Mike Wooten, Mrs Palin's former brother-in-law. Mr Monegan said he simply wanted the truth to be made known. "The governor did want me to fire [Mr Wooten], and I chose to not," he told the Associated Press news agency. "He didn't do anything under my watch to result in termination." Todd Palin has admitted he did publicise what he called the "injustice of a violent trooper keeping his badge". But he said his wife, who did not give evidence to the enquiry, then told him to drop the matter.

The giant goonch was hooked by expert angler Jeremy Wade in a special documentary.  Nature Shock: Flesh Eating River Monster - can be seen on Channel Five on October 21 at 8pm. Next time you're thinking of taking a swim in an Indian river... think again. This giant mutant catfish - called a goonch - is spreading terror as it is believed to be behind the unexplained disappearances of bathers in the Great Kali River.

10 things we didn't know last week

Snippets from the week's news, sliced, diced and processed for your convenience.

1. Goats wear condoms.
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2. Big Lebowski fanatics call themselves "achievers".
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3. And the f-word is used 281 times in the film.

4. Sarah Palin is 10th cousin to Princess Diana.
More details (Daily Mail)

5. The word "unbepissed" means "not being urinated on".
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6. Contrary to myth, the suicide rate in New York in the month following the Wall Street Crash in 1929 was lower than normal.
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7. The phrase "dead cat bounce" means a brief rally in the price of falling stock.
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8. Scottish poet Robert Burns was Bob Dylan's muse.
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9. The annual cost of forest loss is more than the amount being lost in the banking crisis.
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10. Two New Testament books were left out of the modern Bible.
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Ugandan soldier cadets perform for the crowds during celebrations in the capital, Kampala, to mark the country's 46th anniversary of independence on Thursday and Ukrainian boxer Vitali Klitschko squares up to Nigerian Samuel Peter on Friday, a day before Saturday's WBC world title bout in Berlin. For more on Africa's week tune into BBC Weekend Network Africa.

HARTFORD, Connecticut (Reuters) - Connecticut's highest court on Friday unexpectedly struck down a ban on gay and lesbian marriage, making the New England state the third in the nation to allow full-fledged marriage for same-sex couples. After four years of legal wrangling in the state court system, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that a ban on gay marriage constituted "cognizable harm" and infringed on a "fundamental right" of same-sex couples. The decision, which overturns a lower court ruling, follows the legalization of gay marriage in California this year and in Massachusetts in 2003. It was hailed by gay rights advocates as a proud day after battles over the culturally divisive issue in several states. Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell, a Republican, disagreed with the ruling but said she will uphold it. "I continue to believe that marriage is the union of a man and a woman," Rell said. "I do not believe their voice reflects the majority of the people of Connecticut."

She said she was convinced that any attempt to reverse the decision, either legislatively or by amending the state Constitution, would fail. The decision came as a surprise after previous courts upheld the ban and lawmakers wrote specific language into a civil union measure defining marriage as between men and women.

Connecticut was one of four U.S. states that permits same-sex civil unions that grant rights such as insurance coverage, tax benefits and hospital visitations. But these lack the full, federal legal protections of marriage. 

Sharon Papo (R) and her partner Amber Weiss display their wedding rings after exchanging wedding vows at City Hall on the first full day of legal same-sex marriages in San Francisco, California June 17, 2008.

Retired President Moi has asked the Luo and Kalenjin to shun violence and advocate peaceful co-existence. In an apparent reference to the torching of houses during post-election violence, Moi said that was an abomination. "The cultures of the two communities do not allow torching houses. What has been witnessed is an abomination," said Moi.  The former Head of State blamed the conflicts ravaging the country on people disregarding their tradition. He said these in a speech read for him by Mr Philip Rotich during the burial of former Winam (now Kisumu Town East) MP Walter Osellu Nyalik at Buoye Kolwa village, Kisumu, yesterday. Moi paid tribute to Nyalik whom he termed as a wise political counsellor among the Luo. He said the former MP played a major role in uplifting living standards of his constituents. He added that his unwavering support for Kanu earned him respect as a politician. MPs Olago Aluoch (Kisumu Town West), Fred Outa (Nyando), Ayiecho Olweny (Muhoroni) and Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu Town East) attended the funeral.  Former Nominated MP Ezekiel Barngetuny and Kisumu mayor Sam Okello were also present.

US Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) makes a surprise visit to an election campaign volunteer training session in Columbus, Ohio, October 10, 2008.

London, Saturday 11th October, 2008. Stock markets worldwide were gripped by fear as London's FTSE 100 Index endured its worst week since the Black Monday crash of 1987. Recession panic and concerns over fragile banks sent investors stampeding for the exits as the Footsie tumbled 8.9% - surpassing even Monday's record sell-off. The Footsie has plummeted 21% over the week - wiping more than £250 billion off the value of top-flight stocks in the process. The index eventually finished below the 4,000 mark at 3932.1 - its lowest close for more than five years. The 21% fall comes close to the 22% slide seen by London's leading shares in the aftermath of Black Monday. Following heavy overnight declines in Asia, screens turned red in the City as the London market approached falls of 10% at one stage. A dire start to US trading offered no respite. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which fell more than 7% on Thursday, ended the day 128 points lower, or 1.49%, at 8,451.49. At its low point on Friday, the Dow was down 696 at 7,882.51, just 60 points above its low in Wall Street's last bear market, 7,286.27, reached on October 9, 2002. City watchers were confounded by the falls ahead of crisis talks among the G7 finance ministers this weekend. David Jones, chief market strategist at IG Index, called it "another ugly day". "There is a real sense of despair... it is difficult to see what can be done to effect a handbrake turn in sentiment in the short term," he said.

LEFT: The newspaper front pages are dominated by the global financial crisis. The Daily Mail reports that £250billion was wiped off the stock market in the worst week ever for the FTSE 100. CENTRE: The Financial Times also reports on the plunge of the FTSE. RIGHT: The Independent's front page is taken over by the global meltdown with the paper asking "What next?".

Three-part documentary series telling the stories of early European explorers who reached the wildernesses of Canada, the Congo and Australia. Two hundred years ago, the Arctic was largely a great blank on the map for would-be explorers. It captured their imagination as a place of sublime beauty and yet also as a desolate frozen landscape, home to the deadly polar bear. It was a place where heroes attempted to find the North-West passage and where whole expeditions disappeared without trace. In the last century, the polar sea has become a region of vital strategic significance where the great powers built secret bases, transforming the lifestyle of the Inuit. Now, as the Arctic ice melts, the polar bear has become an emblem for the fragility of our planet. -  CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO

Arctic was largely a great blank on the map for would-be explorers

Any challenge plus God equals to Change

Family Rebuild would like to cordially invite you to a fundraising in aid of the Family Rebuild TV program that is hosted by Pastor Peter Wangaruro on Thursday at 7.30 p.m on SKY Channel 593- Faith Channel. We are persuaded that families need such help, support and reinforcement as has been given through this program.  We plan to raise over £12,000 for the sake of continuity of this program for another year.

The fundraising will be held on Saturday, 8th November 2008 at Memorial Baptist Church, 395 Barking Road, Plaistow , opposite Plaistow Police Station from 6.00pm.

Your presence and generosity are highly appreciated.

RSVP

Pastor Boniface G.M ( I.W.R.M) -  07951465356

Pastor Mike Wanyoike (I.W.R.M) -  07960690684

Pastor Peter Wangaruro( Jubilee F.M)- 07940105578

Pastor Njuguna (Life Chapel Ministries)- 07764849656

Pastor Kibathi (PCEA London Church) - 07946700301

Bro. D. Kamanu (Memorial Baptist)-  07949459376

Bro. Amos Kamau (Coordinator Family Initiative Trust)- 07939624765

Pastor Antony K (Likewise Christian Ministries)-07886207627

NAIROBI, Kenya - The pirates who hijacked an arms-laden Ukrainian tanker off the coast of Somalia threatened Friday to blow up the ship if no ransom is paid. The MV Faina is surrounded by U.S. warships, and a Russian frigate is heading toward the scene, raising the stakes for a possible commando-style raid on the ship. "We held a consultative meeting for more than three hours today and decided to blow up the ship and its cargo — us included — if the ship owners did not meet our ransom demand," Sugule Ali, a spokesman for the bandits, told The Associated Press when a reporter called the ship via satellite telephone. "After three days, starting from tomorrow, the news of the ship will be closed. We know what to do next," he said. The pirates had said Thursday they were willing to negotiate their ransom demand of $20 million, after nearly two weeks of insisting they would never lower the price. Pirates have seized more than two dozen ships this year off the Horn of Africa, but the hijacking of the Faina has drawn the most international concern because of its dangerous cargo — 33 tanks and other heavy weapons. NATO ministers agreed Thursday that they would have seven ships in the area within two weeks. Six U.S. warships already surround the Faina off the central coast of Somalia, and helicopters buzz overhead daily. Russia announced it would cooperate with the West in the fight, and several European countries have said they would launch an anti-piracy patrol. Ukrainian Defense Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov has said that Ukraine does not want foreign countries to use power to take the ship. Most of the 20 remaining crew member aboard the Faina are Ukrainian. "We are against a forceful scenario, we believe there need to be negotiations," he said. "What is most important is people."

This photo provided by the Navy shows some of the Somali pirates who hijacked the Ukrainian tanker MV Faina.

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Tel: 07931344909  email:shop4mama@shop4mama-kenya.co.uk

You Shop, we deliver to your Mama/Family Nyumbani.

ITS NEW, ITS AMAZING AND ITS COMING YOUR WAY.

Welcome to the new Kenya shopping concept at WWW.SHOP4MAMA-KENYA.COM or WWW.SHOP4MAMA-KENYA.CO.UK with offices in Kenya and the UK.   Cash payments are accepted or Credit/debit cards

Shop4mama-Kenya is for anyone living abroad who wishes to shop or treat their loved ones back in Kenya.  It is an online shop (supermarket) with all the necessities that friends and families in Kenya need.  The shop has  items for everyday necessities  like Airtime, to home basics like sugar, salt, Unga ya ugali, unga ya chapati, cooking oils, royco and other spices, blue band to furniture, beds, fridges, microwaves, Tvs, etc.  We also have Nakumatt gift vouchers.

We deliver to Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, Eldoret, Naivasha, Meru, Nyeri, Muranga and many other towns will be found on the website.  If your area is not shown call above number for special arrangements.

This idea was born when a group of friends met and discussed the problems they face when they want to send money to Kenya or want to buy particular things for people back home.  When the money or vouchers are sent, they either never arrive or the resources are diverted to other uses you did not intend.  This lenders the efforts useless and out of no choice one is forced to send yet more money. Hence, shop4mama was born.  This means that there is no more worrying as you can buy and send exactly what you wish for your mum, sister, grandma or friends.

Most people buy vouchers for their families who live in urban areas catered for by a supermarket.  Shop4mama is bridging the gap for those families living in rural areas, who even with a voucher would have nowhere to shop.  There is always shortage of commodities in most towns so even with money your family will not get all the basic commodities.  Hence Shop4mama comes handy as the shopping will be carried out from Nairobi and therefore all the items will be available.  Even for those in urban areas Vouchers could sometimes not serve the purpose as resources are sometimes diverted to other uses . We have all been through this and now is the time to avoid the headache. Use our service for a hassle free shopping where all your loved ones need is to collect their shopping without the hassle of spending hours in the Supermarket trying to spend the amount on the vouchers. Time is precious for everyone and that is why we are offering this unique service of catering for everyone’s needs.

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NEW YORK (Reuters) -U.S. stocks extended losses in afternoon trading on Friday, after a G-7 official said the Group of Seven major nations is unlikely to adopt Britain's proposal to guarantee lending between banks when it meets on Friday. Wall Street had already been trading sharply lower, as panicked investors unwound risky bets in a global sell-off on fears that tighter credit would spawn a world recession. The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was down 545.19 points, or 6.35 percent, at 8,034.00. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX was down 63.66 points, or 7.00 percent, at 846.26. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC was down 97.61 points, or 5.93 percent, at 1,547.51.

Panic on Black Friday in London when the FTSE 100 was losing £250 million a minute

Starting a church is the latest way to make easy money, according to worried Kenya government officials. Ruthless church leaders tell vulnerable worshippers to give them lots of money for God’s work for them to be rewarded with riches, an expert explained. He said religion had become more a lucrative business enterprise than a calling.  Self-styled pastors and bishops were lining their own pockets by fleecing their flocks, another expert said.  So successful is the ploy that the Government is receiving more than 60 new applications a month from people wanting to start new churches. And with two new requests coming in every day to join the 7,000 pending applications, officials are urgently seeking ways to block what they see as just schemes to make money. They are asking mainstream religious leaders to help them curb the proliferation of splinter groups. More than 10,000 denominations have already been registered, and they have built more than 50,000 churches in towns and in the countryside. - Daily Nation.

FTSE loses fifth of its value in a week. London equities tumbled on Friday extending the FTSE 100’s decline to five-consecutive days during which the senior index lost a fifth of its value. Banking stocks once more faced heavy selling as confidence in the international financial system continued to drain away, taking the market to fresh five-year lows.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wall Street titans buckled under the weight of a global stock market panic on Friday as the finance chiefs of the world's major economies gathered in Washington to confront the inescapable financial crisis. Shares of Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs tumbled after credit ratings service Moody's said it might cut their ratings, reviving concerns about the viability of their banking models. Chaos awaited finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of Seven as they gathered to Washington to contemplate a next step after joint interest-rate cuts, individual liquidity injections, a $700 billion U.S. bailout and government plans to take equity stakes in banks failed to restore investor confidence. After Wall Street opened with an 8 percent nose-dive, President George W. Bush warned how "anxiety can feed anxiety" and implored Americans to remain confident, promising the United States would restore stability as people watched huge chunks of their retirements savings vanish in the sell-off. "We know what the problems are. We have the tools to fix them. And we're working swiftly to do so," Bush said. Bush was playing host to world policy-makers who would consider considering their remaining options to confront the frozen credit markets and recessionary signals underlying the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Much of the debate surrounded injecting capital into banks to keep them from failing. The U.S. Treasury, the Federal Reserve and the White House were in consultations on how to do it, CNBC reported, citing senior government officials.

Barclays plans to cut about 3,000 jobs as it brings Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc's North American operations that it bought into its fold, a source close to the British bank said on Friday

Officials have given the go-ahead for a new £150 million “town” to be built next to Canary Wharf. The ambitious project will include skyscrapers for hundreds of businesses, a new park, high street, a specially built canal and homes for 4,000 people. Tower Hamlets council agreed planning permission for the seven-million sq ft development known as Wood Wharf, although there are fears the project could be held back because of the current financial turmoil. The joint venture between Canary Wharf Group, British Waterways, and Ballymore Properties, is one of Britain's largest planning applications, and the consortium has pledged to contribute £153 million in planning gain money — the payment which developers promise in the hope of helping to regenerate the area. The money will go towards a local Crossrail station (£100 million), improving neighbouring DLR routes (£9 million) and upgrading the buses (£5 million). General local amenities will have £24 million spent on them and education, health and community facilities will be recipients of the remaining £15 million. The development, described yesterday by Tower Hamlets council planners as a “new town”, will take 10 years to build, and will have new bars, shops, cafés and restaurants. The 20-acre development to the east of Canary Wharf will involve the demolition of an industrial area known as Lovegrove Walk and part of the wall on the Grade  I-listed South Dock. In its place there will be six tower blocks which will include a new hotel, office space and more than 1,600 homes, of which 315 have been earmarked for affordable housing — something which the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment warned could create a “ghetto” if not designed well. The tallest of the skyscrapers will be 203 metres high, only 40 metres shorter than Canary Wharf Tower. Council planning chief Mike Kiely said: “This will be like a new town. This will have a very different feel from the Canary Wharf because Canary Wharf is somewhat divorced from the water. “This is very much a modern development that will create an extensive business and residential district.” Canary Wharf Group is also pushing forward with major expansion plans in the financial district, with JP Morgan in negotiations to take three new offices on the Thames riverside at Canary Wharf, having shunned a development in the City of London. The group's chief executive George Iacobescu said: “We are talking to [JP Morgan] all the time and I believe they will sign by the end of the year.”

New Town: An artist's impression of Wood Wharf

The Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Foreign Relations has launched investigations into the real owners of the military cargo aboard the MV Faina that was hijacked by Somali pirates off the Somali coast last month. The committee which is in Mombasa quizzed all stakeholders involved in handling the cargo at the port including the Maritime Safety Authority and Port Police boss Nelson Njiri. According to the committee chairman Adan Keynan the committee cannot divulge its findings yet due to the sensitive nature of the matter. The fate of the crew and cargo aboard the Ukrainian ship remained in doubt as international media indicated negotiations with the pirates to release the ship were on going.  The Nato military alliance says it will send warships to help combat piracy off the coast of Somalia.  Nato defence ministers meeting in Hungary agreed to dispatch a joint task force by the end of the year.  The pirates are demanding a $22m (£11m) ransom for the release of vessel.  The vessel, which was carrying T-72 tanks, rifles and heavy weapons when it was seized two weeks ago, is being held off the coast, near the town of Hobyo.  The ownership of the weapons have been at the center of a major controversy with the Kenyan government insisting it was destined for its army while foreign media claims they were en route to Southern Sudan. The BBC claims the initials GOSS on the cargo manifesto stand for the Government of Southern Sudan. However Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetangula has said the initials are a code for the department of defense which stands for General Ordinance Supplies and Security. On Thursday government spokesman Dr Alfred Mutua said the government does not have to justify that the military consignment in the hijacked Ukrainian ship was destined for Kenya. Speaking during the media weekly briefing Dr. Mutua said that Kenya is a sovereign country and has its own defense strategies.

London, Friday 10th October, 2008. Black Friday shares crash. The London City was gripped by panic today as the Stock Market collapsed in minutes. In the first seven minutes of trading the FTSE-100 plummeted almost 10 per cent, losing 439.81 points to stand at 3873.99, its lowest level for five and a half years.  It wiped £80 billion off the value of shares at a rate of £200 million a second. In a morning of extraordinary volatility the index recovered slightly to stand at eight per cent down. It follows a night of massive sell-offs in New York and Tokyo with blind fear sweeping through the world's financial markets.  Tom Hougaard of brokers City Index said: “You know what's driving the market now? Just fear.  “This is the panic phase. People who have to get out of positions are just scrambling for any kind of bid. But no one is buying.” The latest meltdown came as Alistair Darling was due to hold a crisis meeting with the financial ministers of the G7 nations in Washington to agree to united front.  Gordon Brown said that a “global problem requires a global solution.” President Bush was this afternoon due to make a special address to the American people.  However, the markets were fast losing faith in the Government's ability to control the rapidly deteriorating situation. Interbank lending rates were stuck at stubbornly high levels despite the £900 billion pledged by the US and British authorities to support the banking system.  Today's fall means that the FTSE-100 has lost almost a fifth of its value in a week, wiping £200 billion from the value of the Stock Market. It started the week just below the 5000 mark and a year ago stood at 6644.

Nerves: a broker on the ICAP dealing floor

The banks led the falls but all shares were caught up in the maelstrom. HBOS, which has recovered strongly since the Government's rescue package on Wednesday, dropped almost 22 per cent, its merger partner Lloyds-TSB was down 13 per cent and Barclays was 14 per cent lower.  But fears of the general economy going into a deep recession drove travel group Thomas Cook down 15 per cent, and BT 12 per cent lower. The new bout of turmoil, which followed a quieter day yesterday, raised the prospect of another deep cut in interests soon.  Some City economists said the Bank of England's base rate could fall as low as 2.5 per cent next year as the authorities desperately try to stimulate the economy.  Stock markets in Paris and Frankfurt also fell heavily. The latest heavy falls in London followed a huge sell-off on Wall Street. The Dow dropped below the 9,000 level for the first time in five years and has now plummeted more than 20 per cent in a week, making its crash comparable with the 1987 meltdown.  By the end of trading, the Dow stood at 8579.19, down 678.91 points, or 7.3 per cent lower.  Traders said the fall was exacerbated by the listing of a ban on short selling of banks, fears about a $200 billion payout of insurance policies called credit default swaps, and growing concern about the car making giant General Motors.  Matt Buckland, a trader at CMC Markets, said: “Yesterday's expiry of the short selling ban in the US certainly saw the financial stocks take a pummelling, but overall it's the fact that despite the huge fire-fighting efforts of central banks worldwide we still haven't seen any thawing of interbank lending that is going to be causing the most concern now. US and European taxpayers have collectively tried to dig the financial sector out of one almighty hole but the response certainly hasn't been as planned.” The collapse in the Dow triggered another night of carnage in the Far East markets. The main Japanese index, the Nikkei 225, was down 11 per cent at one stage before a rally towards the end of the trading session.  By the close it was down 881.06 points, or 9.6 per cent to 8276.43, its biggest one day fall since the 1987 crash. It has fallen 24 per cent in a month.  Last night's sell-off on Wall Street took place exactly one year to the day after the Dow closed at its record high of 14,164. Shares in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore were also hit. Traders said the markets were panicked by the failure of Yamato Life Insurance, the first major Japanese financial company to collapse since the start of the credit crisis. With the value of gold continuing to rise as investors seek security, oil fell below $83 a barrel to a 12-month low.

LEFT: The Guardian describes how the Prime Minister has branded Iceland's failure to guarantee British savings as "totally unacceptable and illegal." CENTRE: The Daily Express claims hard-pressed families can expect some welcome relief from the credit crunch in the shape of cheaper food and petrol. RIGHT: The Daily Telegraph focuses on Gordon Brown's demand for the return of up to £20bn of British savers, companies and local councils' cash from Icelandic banks.

Nairobi, Friday 10th October, 2008. Members of the public have been asked to stop speculations about the possible causes of James Kamangu Ndimu's death and wait for postmortem results. Kiambu District Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Patrick Amoth said it was suspected that Kamangu might have succumbed to liver failure. Dr Amoth said Kamangu also complained of acute chest pains when he sought medical attention at the district hospital before being referred to Kenyatta National Hospital on Tuesday. Immediately after his death, Kamangu's family and admirers at his Gachie rural home raised suspicions that he could have been poisoned and called on the government to institute a probe on his death. Kamangu's younger brother David Gachie and sister Jane Nyanjega claimed that he had no history of ill health emphasizing that prior to his death, he was in good health ane was seen working on his farm. However his wife Beatrice Nduta confirmed that Kamangu was a heavy drinker supporting the medics' initial opinion that he could have been killed by alcohol related complications. Nduta said that on Tuesday night her husband returned home drunk and declined to eat as he used to do whenever drunk. Dr. Amoth confirmed that Kamangu had first visited Kihara health centre and was referred to Kiambu district hospital as he was vomiting blood and four hours later he was referred to Kenyatta hospital when his condition worsened. On Thursday angry Kiambu residents attributed  Kamang'us death to lack of facilities in the hospital and laxity by senior medical personnel. "What is the need of having a district hospital which cannot rescue a dying man", questioned Jane Nyambura. Kamangu came to the limelight when he successfully blocked the marriage between flamboyant televangelist Margaret Wanjiru and her South African fiancé Rev. Samuel Matjeke two years ago maintaining that Wanjiru was his wife.   Kamangu gained instant stardom after he claimed to have married the now MP for Starehe Constituency in Nairobi and Housing Assistant Minister through a customary marriage in 1978 and that he was the father of her two sons. However Wanjiru and her sons publicly denied Kamangu during a service at her Jesus is Alive Ministry Church.

London, Friday 10th October, 2008. Another red Friday as Stock markets across Europe have fallen steeply after dramatic share price falls in Asia. The FTSE 100 share index was down 5.4% at 4,077 points. It opened 9.8% lower at 3887 points, below the 4,000-point level for the first time in five years. There were similar falls across Europe - Paris was down 6.2% while Germany was down 8.2%. The market mayhem has not eased despite interest rate cuts and huge cash injections by central banks this week. In Russia, regulators suspended stock market trading indefinitely, citing excessive volatility. The market had been shut temporarily on Wednesday.

Scores are missing after a boat laden with some 50 economic migrants capsized in rough seas off the coast of Morocco. The boat was reportedly attempting a dangerous open-sea journey from Morocco to Spain, often used by illegal migrants trying to reach Europe. The body of one man has been found on a beach near the northern city of Kenitra and at least one male survivor has been rescued. Both were Moroccan. The fate and nationalities of the other passengers remains unknown. Helicopters were being used to scour the ocean for survivors, Morocco's MAP state news agency reported. Thousands of migrants attempt the difficult sea crossing every year but many do not make it, says the BBC's James Copnall in Rabat.

It is the ultimate guide to the world. But, at a weighty 30kg (65lb), this book of maps will need its own suitcase – and send most travellers looking for the excess baggage counter. Earth – officially the world's biggest atlas – takes up a third of a square metre when closed, and features 154 maps and 800 images, over 576 pages. It also has descriptions of every country's geography, history and culture. The gigantic tome took more than 20 years to compile and is described by its creator, Gordon Cheers, as 'a time capsule of where we are in the world today'. With internet and digital mapping, it is being touted as the last of the great atlases to be produced. Only 3,000 copies of the leather-bound work have been printed and each will cost £2,000 to buy. Alan Smith, of publisher Global Mapping, said: 'The physical size of the atlas is amazing. The content, including the maps, text and images, is more detailed than any other atlas ever produced.'

As global markets fall sharply, the BBC News website looks at the regions of the world most affected to see what governments are doing to alleviate the financial turmoil.

The US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, and the central banks of Canada, Sweden and Switzerland took the unprecedented step on 8 October of co-ordinating a half-point percent cut in interest rates in an effort to ease the credit crunch.

AMERICAS

MEXICO: President Felipe Calderon has proposed to spend $4.4bn on infrastructure and energy projects to boost the economy. The central bank has also begun to auction off $2.5bn in reserves to prop up the falling peso.

US: Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has warned that some banks will fail despite the $700bn rescue package to shore up the financial system.

He said the financial crisis would not end soon and called for the plan's swift implementation.

The bail-out plan was voted through on 3 October by the US House of Representatives, days after it had rejected an earlier version. The Senate had approved the measure earlier and President George W Bush wasted no time signing it into law shortly afterwards.

Mr Paulson wants to use the money to buy up many of the dubious mortgage investments on Wall Street.

The hope is that eventually the Treasury can sell the distressed assets back into financial markets once the housing market has stabilised and make a profit.

The amended Congressional bill raised the government's guarantee on savings from $100,000 to $250,000 and included tax breaks.

AUSTRALIA: Australia's central bank has cut its key interest rate from 7% to 6% - a much bigger-than-expected reduction.

The Reserve Bank of Australia said that the sharp cut was justified given the prospects for growth, even though inflation is currently above target.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the move would maintain financial stability and help Australia in "tough times ahead".

The cut, the bank's largest since May 1992, was well received by investors and the stock market rallied.

Observers had only expected the rate to be cut to 6.5%.

CHINA: China has also joined the interest rate offensive, cutting rates by 0.27 percentage points.

JAPAN: Prime Minister Taro Aso has said more action will need to be taken to boost the country's flagging economy, even after the lower house approved a $18bn stimulus plan.

In a sign that economic growth has nearly ground to a halt, figures for machinery orders - a key measure of capital spending - showed they slumped 14% in August.

SOUTH KOREA, HONG KONG, TAIWAN: The central banks of South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan joined the growing number of countries to cut their interest rates.

AUSTRIA: Austria officially announced a guarantee for all personal bank savings, retroactive to 1 October.

"Deposits in Austrian banks are safe and the state is vouching for them," said Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer.

BELGIUM: The Belgian government has agreed to guarantee bank deposits of up to 100,000 euros ($136,000) - an increase of 80,000 euros.

The country's largest banking group, Fortis, has been in difficulty since it joined two other banks to purchase the Dutch bank ABN Amro, just before the global financial crisis began.

After several failed bail-out attempts, French giant BNP Paribas agreed to buy 75% of Fortis's operations in Belgium and Luxembourg. The two governments will take a minority share of the company, while its Netherlands operation has been nationalised.

DENMARK: The Danish government and banks agreed on 5 October a crisis plan which removes the ceiling on savings deposit guarantees, to be funded partly by banks and partly by the taxpayer.

GERMANY: State-owned savings banks in Germany reported a flood of new deposits as people look for safer accounts which are insured for 100% of their value.

The country's second-biggest commercial property lender, Hypo Real Estate, was threatened with collapse last week after incurring large amounts of bad debt.

The government attempted a bail-out, only for it to collapse on 5 October after a banking consortium withdrew support for the deal. A new bail-out was arranged with guarantees of 50bn euros ($68bn; £38.7bn), 15bn euros more than the first rescue attempt.

The German government also announced what appeared to be unlimited guarantees for private savings. However, it said there would be no legislation to give extra protection to savers.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said those financiers who did "irresponsible business" would be made accountable.

GREECE: The Greek government said on 3 October it would fully guarantee all bank deposits of citizens, but an official added that this was a "political commitment" and the banking system was not at risk.

HUNGARY: The Hungarian government has proposed raising the guarantee on bank deposits from the current 6m to 13m forints (£40,000; 51,000 euro) following talks with the president of the Hungarian central bank.

ICELAND: The authorities have taken over the country's biggest bank, Kaupthing, the third such takeover in recent days. Iceland's financial regulator said the move was made to protect domestic deposits.

Two other largest banks, Landsbanki and Glitni, had earlier been nationalised.

Iceland's financial regulator said that Kaupthing's domestic deposits were fully guaranteed and that the bank was open for business as usual.

Iceland's parliament has passed emergency legislation giving the government wide-ranging powers to dictate banks' operations.

Prime Minister Geir Haarde said the legislation would help the island avoid national bankruptcy.

Iceland will also offer an unlimited guarantee for all savings accounts.

The Icelandic krona plummeted against the dollar after the government nationalised the country's third-largest bank, Glitnir, last week. By 3 October it had lost one-fifth of its value.

The government has agreed measures allowing the banks to sell off some foreign assets to help shore up the financial system.

Negotiations are underway with Russia for a big loan to support the country's banking system.

Moscow has offered more than $5bn in emergency loans.

IRELAND: Ireland was the first government to come to the rescue of its citizens' savings, promising on 30 September to guarantee all deposits, bonds and debts in its six main banks for two years.

The move initially prompted consternation among some European partners, but several countries have since followed suit.

ITALY: The Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, said the government was prepared to buy stakes in failing banks while waiving voting rights in an effort to guarantee stability.

"Eventual intervention will be carried out by the treasury," said Mr Berlusconi after a cabinet meeting to address the impact on Italy of the global credit crisis.

NETHERLANDS: The Dutch government has said it will make 20bn euros (£16bn; $27bn) available to protect the financial sector from "extreme shocks" during the credit crisis.

Finance Minister Wouter Bos said any "essentially healthy" bank or insurer would have access to the funds.

The Netherlands has also trebled the amount of savers' deposits it will protect to 100,000 euros (£77,700; $136,776).

RUSSIA: President Dmitry Medvedev announced 950 billion roubles ($36.4bn) of long term help for banks at an emergency Kremlin meeting on 7 October.

Russia's two leading stock exchanges were forced to close after suffering massive falls in value.

Mr Medvedev called for urgent international measures to combat the global financial crisis in a statement.

"The crisis of the international financial system demands urgent joint action. It's absolutely obvious the time has come for new decisions," he said.

SPAIN: Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on 7 October increased bank deposit guarantees to 100,000 euros ($136,000) from the current 20,000 euros.

Mr Zapatero told leading banks that the government would take immediate steps to increase deposit guarantees to boost confidence in the financial system.

Spain has been calling for a joint European initiative to tackle the world financial crisis.

UK: The government has announced a £50bn ($88bn) package to prop up eight of the largest banks and building societies. In return, the government would receive shares in those institutions.

A further £200bn would be made available by the Bank of England to provide the banking system with much-needed liquidity.

A special company will also be set up to provide up to £250bn in loan guarantees to banks and building societies.

The announcement came after UK banking shares plunged on 7 October and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) warned that Britain was already in a recession which could see unemployment rise by 350,000 by next year.

The UK government increased its guarantee to savers from £35,000 ($62,000) to £50,000 from 7 October.

The Northern Rock bank and the mortgage lender Bradford & Bingley were nationalised earlier, and two other large groups, HBOS and Lloyds TSB, are to merge.

ARAB STATES:Share prices have dropped precipitously this year, amid fears of weakness in Dubai's property boom and exposure to global markets. However, economists expect growth to continue at a moderate rate as the region's oil wealth cushions the worst of the financial turmoil.

It sounds like a fisherman's tale but an angler has landed one of Europe's biggest catfish. Alan Melhuish spent half an hour reeling in the 102kg (16st) giant on the River Ebro near Barcelona. The 61-year-old was nearing the end of a week-long fishing trip when the 2.4m (8ft) long fish took his line 'and raced 40m up river'. Mr Melhuish, from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, said: 'It fought like a bull. I had to use all my strength to stop myself from being pulled into the river.' The biggest freshwater fish ever caught in Europe was a catfish in Italy that weighed 110kg (17st).

Finally the Kenya  government has adopted closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to tackle the rising cases of insecurity in the streets of Nairobi and Mombasa, said Bitange Ndemo, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication.  Kenya Data Networks has set up cameras in locations covered by the company's terrestrial fiber-optic network. The images are relayed back to KDN controllers at the offices on the Mombasa road, then to the police headquarters. A revolution in Kenyas crime bursting history. There are 12 cameras in Nairobi and two in Mombasa, and additional cameras will soon be deployed. The cameras are mainly for traffic monitoring and security but can also be deployed in homes for monitoring. Though the cost and maintanance of the Cameras is high,they are badly needed in areas where crimes have been the order of the day. The footage supplied to the police can even tell what model of watch one is wearing, but the other [footage is] not very clear; you cannot identify a person or a vehicle registration. Privacy issues do not arise at this stage, as general security must take precedence, said Ndemo, adding that privacy is only guaranteed in people's homes.  Privacy is a concern of large and complex societies. At the moment in Kenya, we need safety, as long as the information remains protected by the police the way a doctor protects patient information," said Athar Ahmad Bhatti, CEO of Probiz Solutions. Ndemo argues that the government wants to emulate the U.K., which has 10,524 CCTV cameras in London used to detect and fight crime.  "In Western societies, they tap phones, place bugs in houses under the guise of national security," Bhatti said. "For them, privacy is perceived, not real."  James Maina, a taxi driver along Moi Avenue, where some of the cameras are, agreed that Kenyans should not be worried about privacy issues and further noted that the police need education on how to use the technology.

Equities plunged on Friday after a dramatic late sell-off in New York extended the sustained losing streak on world stock markets. London’s FTSE 100 opened 429 points or 10 per cent lower before recovering somewhat to stand 4.8 per cent weaker at 4,095.0, a loss of 217 points. The benchmark index gave up 53 points over the previous session in an afternoon surrender which wiped out an attempt at a recovery.

Bishop Samuel Muya of Talents Revival Ministry in Elburgon, Kenya is in the USA for a one month visit.  Currently he is in Texas before going to California, Georgia and Boston. His contact in US is 001-254-7807639 email samuelmuya2003@yahoo.com

TOUGH NEW LAWS TO TACKLE VISA ABUSE (14/05/2008)

The British Government is committed to a firm but fair migration system. It openly encourages and welcomes newcomers, travellers and visitors who want to work hard, play by the rules and who enrich the UK culturally and economically.   There is a small minority of people to try to abuse the UK’s immigration system, and we have introduced tough new measures to target them.

From 1 April, anyone who has previously broken UK immigration laws, (e.g. worked illegally, overstayed for more than 28 days, come here illegally or used deception in a visa or other application), will be banned from coming to the UK for a fixed period. 

How long will the ban last?

Applicants who have used deception (for example used a false document, lied, withheld information) in a previous application will be banned from the UK for ten years.

Applicants who have breached immigration laws in the UK will be banned from coming back to the UK for a lengthy period.  The length of time will depend on how the individual left the UK after his or her breach of the law- i.e.:

- 1 year if he or she left voluntarily at his or her own expense;
- 5 years if he or she left voluntarily at public expense; and
- 10 years if he or she was removed or deported.

Why are we making these changes?

 So those who break UK immigration laws face a clear sanction; and
 To give those who are currently in the UK illegally an incentive to leave of their own accord- because those who do will be kept out for a much shorter period than those whom we have to remove.

These developments are good news for the majority of travellers. By quickly identifying who the high-risk applicants are, UKvisas is also able to quickly identify and welcome legitimate travellers.

As celebrity weddings go, it's one of the wackiest (and, er, sweetest) you're ever likely to see. German pop star Ramma Damma, aka Ulli Hopper, decided to get married – to a pineapple. Picking up his bride for about £8 – he wanted one who wasn't cheap – he drove her across the Scottish border to Gretna Green in a Jaguar covered in green AstroTurf. There he and the pineapple – which he affectionately named Tippi – were wed before returning to his home in Munich. 'We drove through the night – it was a fun away wedding, not a runaway wedding,' he said. 'I loved her. I wanted to marry her. We stayed in Gretna Green Hall Hotel and we were married by a craftsman wearing a kilt. 'We enjoyed meals out. We would go to restaurants and she would enjoy a glass of water over dinner. 'Tippi loved to go to the movies – especially ones about earthquakes – and she would sit on my lap when she got scared.' Now in case you were wondering why you've never heard of Hopper, this all happened 38 years ago. But although Tippi has long since departed, the union has borne fruit. Today, Hopper is known as the Green Rebel in Munich, where he runs the only 'plant sanctuary' in Germany, accommodating 300 indoor plants. The 65-year-old is almost completely self-sufficient, even making his own stinging nettle spaghetti or brewing plum cider in a 230-litre bin. 'I will defend every plant,' he said. 'They are the wonders of our world – we just to need to listen to them.'

London, Thursday 9th October, 2008. UK house prices registered a 1.3% fall in September, according to the Halifax. The lender said the drop meant the annual fall now stood at 12.4%, with the cost of the average home in the UK now at £172,108. It joined the Nationwide in claiming that the rate of decline was starting to stabilise when looking at three-month comparison figures. But it said the state of the market would remain "challenging" as mortgage availability was still tight. The annual rate is calculated using a comparison of the past three months compared with the same three months a year ago, aiming to cut out any short-term volatility. When comparing prices in just September with the same month the previous year, the drop in prices reaches 13.3%, the biggest recorded by the Halifax. September was the eighth consecutive month that prices fell compared with the previous month. The average price of a UK home is close to that seen in January 2006. "The ongoing pressures on householders' income, combined with the reduction in the availability of mortgage finance mean that market conditions will remain challenging," said Martin Ellis, chief economist at the Halifax. But he welcomed the move by the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee to cut interest rates by half a percentage point to 4.5% on Wednesday. "Lower interest rates will help mortgage borrowers faced with increasing pressures on their finances and provide a valuable support to the housing market," Mr Ellis said. Prices declined by 5.2% in the third quarter of the year, close to the 5.1% fall of the previous three months. This was evidence that the pace of decline was stabilising, Mr Ellis said. But with food and fuel prices having risen over the last year, and wages failing to keep up with the increase, households had less discretionary income. "The resulting pinch on incomes, combined with the high level of average house prices in relation to earnings, has made it difficult for potential house purchasers to enter the market," he said.

Others agreed that the pace of decline could stabilise soon. The year-on-year falls in house prices should hit a maximum of 15% next month and fall no further, according to Ray Boulger, of mortgage brokers John Charcol. Prices were still rising up to October last year, before the effect of the credit crunch hit. As a result the year-on-year comparisons have been striking in recent months, he said. He said the Halifax figures were "not surprising". But Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at Global Insight, said he expected house price falls to continue. "Faster rising unemployment, heightened concerns over the economic outlook and widespread expectations that house prices will continue to fall markedly seem set to depress housing market activity and prices for some considerable time to come," he said. Despite hopes that Wednesday's rate cut will spur lending and boost the housing market, banks have been slow to pass on previous rate cuts to new and existing borrowers, as they continue to scale back lending. The latest Bank of England figures show the average mortgage rate paid by new borrowers rose from 5.88% in August 2007 to 6.1% in August 2008 despite a three-quarters of a percentage drop in the Bank rate over the same period. The average mortgage rate for those with existing mortgages has dropped from 5.91% in August 2007 to 5.83% to August 2008, although it has fluctuated during the year. These cuts made by the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee have benefited existing borrowers, mainly those on tracker rates. Earlier this month, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors reported that completed property sales in August were 47% lower than in the same month a year ago.

A couple who separated after 40 years of marriage split their house in two -- literally. A Cambodian couple who separated after 40 years of marriage may have taken things too literally when it came to splitting their assets: The husband cut the house in two. "It is the strangest thing I've ever seen," said May Titthara, who wrote about the case for The Phnom Penh Post, an English-language newspaper in the Cambodian capital. "People there never saw this happen in a divorce. It is very interesting for them." The husband and wife had been living together in the house in a village in the Prey Veng province of southern Cambodia, roughly 50 miles (80 km) from the capital. The couple would not talk to the newspaper, but the village chief told May Titthara that the husband was angry because his wife wouldn't tend to him when he was ill. Last week, the husband and his friends moved his belongings to one side of the house -- and sawed and chiseled it off, said the reporter, who interviewed the village chief and neighbors. The couple also divided their property into four sections: for themselves and their two children.

Doctors, secondary school teachers and social workers from outside Europe will no longer be recruited to work in Britain under the points-based immigration system which is to come into force in November. The three are the largest occupations represented among 300,000 skilled jobs currently open to non-European Union migrants which will be excluded under the new system. The provisional list of shortage occupations published yesterday by the Home Office's migration advisory committee reduces the number of skilled jobs in Britain open to non-EU migrants from 1 million to 700,000. It is thought the changes will cut the level of skilled migration to Britain from outside Europe by between 30,000 and 70,000 people a year. The main list of shortage areas identified by the group of labour market economists is headed by construction managers involved in multimillion-pound projects, civil and chemical engineers, medical consultants, maths and science teachers, and ships officers to staff a newly growing merchant navy. It also includes unexpected occupations such as skilled ballet dancers and sheep shearers. The experts heard evidence from the Royal Ballet that very few British applicants had the required level of artistic excellence or aesthestics. The other exception will enable a group of 500 Australian and New Zealand shearers who travel the world working on up to 400 sheep a day to continue to operate in Britain, where they shear 20% of the UK flock. Manual frozen fish filleters are listed as a skilled shortage occupation in a list for Scotland. The decision is justified by the fact they have to work at minus 20C. The advisory committee, chaired by Professor David Metcalf, faced vigorous campaigns from the catering industry, especially Bangladeshi and Chinese restaurants, and care homes to be allowed to continue to employ non-EU migrants. In both cases importing unskilled labour is banned and both hoped that the skilled route would be opened up to their staff.

Sheep shearer is one of the occupations that a panel of economists has decided is short of British applicants and therefore open to migrants from outside the EU. Photograph: David Grey/Reuters

The decision of the MAC to nominate a category of skilled chefs and cooks - defined as earning at least £8.10 an hour - was welcomed by the Bangladesh Caterers Association, which said its members had 30,000 vacancies in Britain. But the inclusion of a pay benchmark for skilled care assistants brought warnings yesterday that some homes will have to close. The emphasis on engineering reflects major investment in electricity transmission projects and the Olympics. Metcalf said for about 10 occupations, such as midwives and welders, a claimed national shortage was not supported by much evidence. The MAC intends to look again at whether they should be added to the shortage list. The decision to exclude doctors and most nurses brings to an end more than 50 years in which the NHS has relied on the recruitment of overseas staff to keep hospitals and surgeries going. The MAC said this reflected the sharp increase in training programmes for nurses and doctors in Britain. It said there was no general shortage of nurses in Britain, although there remains a demand for specialists such as operating theatre nurses. Two occupations - textile trades and qualified veterinary nurses - were excluded from the shortage list because opening them up to overseas migrants would undermine attempts to train sufficient British staff. Also excluded are IT staff, architects and most skilled construction trades. Metcalf said the committee's approach was to assess whether it was sensible to fill shortages of skilled labour with immigration. The MAC report says that while increasing wages is one alternative to immigration, there are areas such as the social care sector, teaching and health where that is not a realistic short-term prospect. However, it adds that in "the long run even in the public sector we would expect the relative wage in shortage occupations to rise. This implies that the cost of supplying these services will increase. "Although we recognise that many public budgets may be fixed in the short term, in the longer run it would not be sensible to supply these important services on the basis of low-paid immigrant labour." The Home Office is to publish the final shortage occupation list next month but it is not expected to be much different before coming into effect in November. The immigration minister, Liam Byrne, said: "This strict list means 30% fewer jobs are available to migrants via the shortage occupation route. Those that do come will need to work hard, play by the rules and speak English."

LONDON (Reuters) - Europe joined Asia's panic selling of stocks on Friday, knocking the benchmark world equity index to a 5-year trough, while the low-yielding yen jumped as fears grew that policymakers' efforts to contain the global financial crisis won't be enough. Equity trading in Russia, Iceland, Austria, Romania, Ukraine and Indonesia has been halted while nearly half of Milan stocks are suspended for excessive losses, just hours before finance chiefs from Group of Seven rich nations meet in Washington. So far, measures from the United States, Britain and other countries to fight the worst financial crisis in 80 years -- even this week's coordinated interest rate cuts -- have failed to calm credit and money markets and quell investor fears. "The stark reality is that markets have judged the coordinated interest rates cut not to have been enough, and we are now left wondering how best to get ourselves out of this downward spiral," said Chris Hossain, senior sales manager at ODL Securities. "One gets the feeling that this market is now strictly confined to the brave." MSCI world equity index fell more than 4 percent at one point to a five-year low, losing a fifth of its value this month alone. The index has lost 43 percent since January, on track for its worst yearly performance in 20 years.

UK and Kenya lawyers team up for legal project. Lawyers from the United Kingdom have launched a partnership programme with their Kenyan counterparts to support legal programmes in both countries. The president of Liverpool Law Society, Ms Anne Heseltine, said lawyers in Liverpool had embarked on a collaboration programme with their learned friends in Mombasa. The immediate former president of the Law Society of England, Mr Andrew Holroyd, said they were in Kenya on a fact-finding mission. He was speaking when the Liverpool delegation paid a courtesy call on Mombasa Resident Judge Joseph Sergon. Holroyd said the initiative was to meet Kenyan lawyers and establish critical areas for collaboration. Justice Sergon suggested human trafficking, juvenile justice and the state of refugees as issues the team should consider. The judge said laws encompassing refugees had been passed and judicial officers trained on how to deal with such matters when forwarded to court. The officials, however, regretted there were no clear mechanisms to vet those who genuinely seek refugee status, apart from interrogation and filing of forms. "Occasions have occurred when it becomes tricky for authorities to determine whether one is Kenyan or Somali," said Sergon. "It is unfortunate that some Kenyans with very good education backgrounds come abroad to look for jobs, which they could as well do in this country," he said. Law Society of Kenya Mombasa branch Chairman Wilson Okong’o welcomed the initiative and said there were many legal issues that needed attention. Mr Okong’o, who was accompanied by LSK Coast representative Joseph Munyithya, said the team would visit more judicial institutions to familiarise themselves with their operations. The visitors conclude their mission this week. - The Standard.

The United Nations has authorised force to free the hijacked Ukrainian ship. The UN Security Council resolved that states with warships and planes in the area should attack the ship “on the high seas and airspace off the coast of Somalia”. Military experts believed the most likely option was a commando style raid to overpower the pirates on board, rather than a direct attack on the ship. Shelling the vessel could cause a catastrophic explosion and kill the hostages as well as losing the entire cargo, they said. The Security Council resolution was described by the UN as necessary to repress piracy, consistent with the 1982 UN Convention on the law of the Sea.

GOOD UK UNIVERSITY GUIDE 2008 - CLICK HERE

Police have raided a private hospital in Nigeria where they suspect new-born babies were being sold to traffickers. Police found the hospital in the south-eastern town of Enugu, when a 17-year-old girl escaped. Four people - two nurses and the hospital's owners - have been arrested in connection with the "baby farm", police said. Seven pregnant young women discovered in the hospital during the raid are now in the care of the state government.

More financial institutions will collapse as the global financial turmoil deepens, the US treasury secretary warned on Wednesday night. Markets the world over 'continue to be severely strained', Henry Paulson said. The crisis would not end quickly and 'significant challenges remained ahead', he predicted. 'Getting it right is as important as getting it done quickly,' added Mr Paulson.

A Kenyan lady has passed away in the USA. See below:

The first real casualty of the credit crunch is Iceland. Its failure was caused by two distinct factors, the first entirely predictable, and the second less so. The predictable element in Iceland's failure is linked to the actions of its central bank. Over the past years, Iceland has pursued a policy of inflation targeting, similar to the UK. This means the central bank targets inflation, raises interest rates if inflation is above the target, and lowers them if inflation is below target. Such a policy has a sound foundation in economic theory and is often appropriate for large countries. In the case of Iceland it was disastrous. Throughout the period of inflation targeting, inflation was above its target rate, resulting in interest rates exceeding at times 15%. In a small economy such as Iceland, high interest rates both encourage domestic firms and households to borrow in foreign currency, and also attract currency speculators. This lead to large inflows of foreign currency, leading to sharp exchange rate increases, giving the Icelanders an illusion of wealth. The speculators and borrowers profited from the interest rate difference between Iceland and abroad as well as the exchange rate appreciation. These effects encouraged economic growth and inflation, further leading the central bank to raise interest rates. The end result is a bubble caused by the interaction between domestic interest rates and inflows of foreign currency. The exchange rate was increasingly out of touch with economic fundamentals, with a rapid depreciation of the currency inevitable. This should have been clear to the central bank, which wasted several good opportunities to prevent exchange rate appreciations and build up reserves.

LEFT: The Times reports that sales of household safes are up by 25% and asks whether this is the safest place to put your money. CENTRE: The Daily Telegraph says the unprecedented bank bailout appears to have prevented a full-scale financial meltdown. RIGHT: Frantic traders are pictured on the front of The Independent above the headline "The Global Gamble".

After a short-lived boost to shares following the surprise interest rate cut, the FTSE 100 Index closed down 238.5 points or 5.18% at 4366.7 after another day of market turmoil. London's blue-chip share index rose after the Bank of England announced was slashing interest rates by 0.5% to 4.5%. The shock move, made in conjunction with other central banks, came hours after the Government announced a £50bn bank rescue package. But the Footsie slumped back into the red soon afterwards as pressure was piled back on a range of stocks, including banks, miners and retailers. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has followed last night's 5% fall with a 2% decline. The Footsie was lifted briefly 17 points to 4622.2 by lunchtime. The FTSE 100 had performed poorly through mid-morning, opening after Tokyo suffered its worst crash in more than two decades as panic-selling erupted over the deepening financial crisis. Japanese share prices plunged by almost 10% - one of the biggest losses ever. The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index dived 952.58 points, or 9.38%, to close at 9,203.32. It was the index's lowest level since June 2003. It was also Japan's worst financial day on the markets since a 14.9% plunge on October 20, 1987 in the wake of the "Black Monday" crash in the United States. The latest massive sell-off followed a plunge on Wall Street. The Dow Jones industrial average lost more than 5% on Tuesday despite steps by the Federal Reserve to boost credit markets. Elsewhere in Asia, Singapore stocks fell as much as 7%, there was a 10% drop in Indonesia, Thai stocks fell 6%, while the Philippine index <.PSI> was 4.8% lower. Meanwhile, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index in China lost 65.61 points, or 3%, to close at 2,090.37. Asian banks have largely escaped the debt turmoil caused by the US subprime mortgage meltdown. But investors are still shunning the region's financial sector, fearing the contagion and a possible recession in the West will not spare Asia. "We've been recommending selling financials for a very long time," said Daniel Tabbush, Asia bank analyst at CLSA in Bangkok. "If you don't have to be in financials, don't be in them because you have a worsening growth outlook."

Heal your skin at Lake Bogoria in Kenya. It is not in doubt that humanity is conscious of its well being. Personal health concerns have topped the issues list knowing at people’s mind; for ability to enjoy life to the fullest is anchored here.  It is fundamentally and statistically proved that folks spend a sizeable chunk of their income on health and more so personal grooming. Your skin takes a lion’s share of this. Lake Bogoria National Reserve sitting on the floor of the Rift valley and 266Km from Nairobi is one place in Kenya that you can take care of your skin if not for free at a very minimal cost (and this park entry fee). Aptly named the healing place, the hot geysers spewing from the bowels of mother earth in this park are reputed to be rich in minerals and detoxifiers. A local resort_ the lake Bogoria pa resort has harnessed the power of this phenomenon to offer Kenya, its only naturally heated spa pool. Now its rooms are ever full because both local and international tourists are trooping to this wonderland to experience the healing qualities of these saunas.

London, Thursday 9th October, 2008. Six central banks, including the Bank of England, have cut interest rates by half a percentage point in an effort to steady the faltering global economy. No decision on UK rates had been expected until Thursday - and the move puts the interest rate at 4.5% from 5%. The US Federal Reserve has cut rates from 2% to 1.5% and the European Central Bank (ECB) trimmed its rate from 4.25% to 3.75%. The unprecedented step failed to cheer world stock markets. The central banks of Canada and Sweden and Switzerland all took similar action in the co-ordinated move. China also cut its rate, but by 0.27 percentage points. European and US initially reacted well to the news but later turned lower as investors were unconvinced that the rate cuts would really solve the financial crisis. In New York, the main Dow Jones stock index ended down 189 points or 2% at 9,258.1 after weaving in and out of positive territory. The last time the Bank of England cut rates in a special meeting was on 18 September 2001 - when rates came down from 5% to 4.75%. In the UK, some mortgage lenders also immediately passed on the rate cut to borrowers - trimming their variable rates. In other major developments:

• The UK government unveiled a package of measures aimed at rescuing the banking system which could add up to £400bn ($692bn).

• US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said that more financial firms were expected to fail in the US despite a $700bn government bail-out programme.
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• The Federal Reserve has agreed to provide insurer American International Group with a $37.8bn loan on top of the $85bn loan given to the troubled firm last month.

• Italy also unveiled details of a banking rescue plan that could involve the government taking stakes in failing banks.

• All UK savers with accounts in the closed Icelandic internet bank Icesave were told they would get all their money back.
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• The Treasury arranged for more than £3bn of UK savers' money held with Icelandic banks Kaupthing Edge and Heritable Bank to be transferred to ING Direct UK.
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• Iceland's prime minister said he hoped to find a "mutually satisfactory solution" to the loss of UK Icesave deposits after Prime Minister Gordon Brown threatened to sue Iceland to recover the money.

Responding to the interest rate cut, UK manufacturers' group the EEF welcomed the "bold and decisive move" it hoped would "arrest the current crisis and collapse in confidence". "Coupled with the plan to shore up the financial system today's co-ordinated moves should help arrest the potential slide into depression," said the EEF's chief economist Steve Radley. Chief international economist at Capital Economics, Julian Jessop, said that the rate cut would "provide at least a temporary boost to confidence". But he added: "We fear that there is still a lot more work to do. "The fact that the central banks have had to take such extreme measures underlines how bad market conditions have become." He also warned that rate cuts were not a complete solution, pointing out the Fed had already cut rates from 5.25% in September last year to 2% before the latest move - action which happened "without rescuing either the financial system or the real economy." The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee said that getting inflation down to the government's 2% target remained its goal. The latest data puts inflation at 4.7%, and it is likely to rise above 5% in coming months before falling, the MPC said. But analyst Peter Warburton of Economic Perspectives said the rate cut and government intervention should have come earlier. "It has taken far too long for the government and the Bank of England to recognise the scale of threat posed by the seizing up of the credit system," he said. The Federal Reserve said that it had acted "in light of evidence pointing to a weakening of economic activity and a reduction in inflationary pressures". And the ECB said it had felt able to act because "inflationary pressures have started to moderate in a number of countries, partly reflecting a marked decline in energy and other commodity prices". Although it did not cut its own rate - which is just 0.5% - the Bank of Japan expressed its "strong support" of the policy.

A busy family often has breakfast and dinner on the hoof – but in the Ferrier household it takes on a whole new meaning. Holly the donkey and her colt, Charlie, are regulars around the dining table in a household where animals are always welcome. 'Donkeys are very companionable and just love being with people,' said Jackie Ferrier, 42, who lives with husband Tim, 49, and children James, 12, and Lucy, nine, in Bude, Cornwall.

ICELAND PROFILE

Area: 103,000 sq km (40,000 sq mi)
Population: 309,000 (Apr 2007)
Capital City: Reykjavik (Population 116,466)
People: Icelanders
Languages: Icelandic
Religion(s): Evangelical Lutheran (93%), Protestant, Roman Catholic
Currency: Icelandic Krona (exchange rate £1 = ISK 122 ISK June 2007)
Major political parties: Independence Party (Geir Haarde), Social Democratic Alliance (Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir), Progressive Party (Gudni Agustsson), Left-Greens Movement (Steingrimur Sigfusson), Liberals (Gudjon Kristjansson)
Political System: Constitutional Republic
Government: Centre-Right/Left majority coalition of the Independence Party and Social Democratioc Alliance – since May 2007 (last election May 2007)
National Day: 17 June (Inauguration of the Republic of Iceland 1944 – union with Denmark terminated 16 June 1944)
National Anthem: Ó, Guð vors lands ('O, God of Our Land')
Head of State: President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson (1996, 2000, 2004)
Prime Minister: Geir H Haarde
Foreign Minister: Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir

Membership of international groupings/ organisations: Arctic Council (Chair 2002-2004), Barents Euro-Arctic Council, Council for Baltic Sea States (Chair 2005-06), Council of Europe, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Economic Area, European Free Trade Area, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Civil Aviation Authority, International Criminal Court, International Monetary Fund, International Maritime Organisation, Interpol, Intelsat, International Whaling Commission, NATO, OSCE, OSPAR, Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic, Nordic Council of Ministers (Chair 2004), Schengen, UN, Western European Union (associate), World Trade Organisation.

DID YOU KNOW

• The Althingi, the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, was established in the year 930 AD.
• Icelandic retail group Baugur, food company Bakkavor and Landsbanki, KB and Glitnir Banks, as well as a number of other Icelandic companies, now own or control businesses that provide some 120, 000 jobs in the UK. The most recent high profile acquistions have been West Ham United FC and House of Fraser.
• The world's first public commercial filling station for hydrogen-powered vehicles opened in Reykjavik in 2003.
• 90 per cent of the population have their heating and power supplied from hydro-electric and geothermal sources.
• 79 per cent of Iceland's land area consists of glaciers, lakes and lava fields It is one of the world's most volcanically active regions with more than 200 volcanoes. Over the past 500 years Iceland has thrown up a third of the earth's total lava flow.
• Volcanic eruptions in Iceland probably caused an unusual rise in deaths in England during the summer of 1783 - a cloud of volcanic gases and particles sweeping south from the Laki Craters event of that year may have killed more than 10,000 people. In Iceland some 9,000 people - about a quarter of the population - were killed due mainly to a famine that took hold after most of the island's sheep were killed by eating grass contaminated with fluorine from the eruptions.
• Per capita, publication of books and magazines is the highest in the world.
• Famous Icelanders: Leif Eriksson, Vigdis Finnbogadottir (world's first elected female president in 1980), Nobel Literature Prize winner Halldor Laxness (The Atom Station, Iceland's Bell, Independent People, The Fish can Sing) Bjork, rock group Sigur Ros, opera singer Kristjan Johannsson, Magnus and Sally Magnusson, Crime writer Arnaldur Indridason (Jar City), footballer Eidur Gudjohnsen (Barcelona, formerly Chelsea).
• Iceland's first and only quadruplets, the four Gudjonsdottir girls, were conceived in Bourn Hall clinic Cambridgeshire in 1991.
• Icelandic food specialities: Cured skate (pungently laden with ammonia), Dried fish (usually eaten with butter), Rams' testicles (pickled in whey), Svid (charred sheep's head), Shark (putrefied), Slátur (haggis-like concoctions made from sheep's blood and intestines).

Thousands of jobs of workers in UK on Government computer contracts are to be axed over the next two years, union officials have been told. The news - following last month's takeover of EDS by Hewlett Packard, the world's largest personal computer maker - was described as a "huge blow" to workers. The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said 3,378 posts would be cut, warning it was bound to affect public services.

Nairobi, Wednesday 8th October, 2008. The Government has firmly refuted claims that the military consignment under in the hijacked Ukrainian ship was destined for Sudan.  Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetangula termed the claims by British Broadcasting Corporation as speculative. Wetangula said the initials 'GOSS' are not an acronym for the Government of South Sudan as claimed by BBC. But Wetangula said it meant General Ordinance Supplies and Security and that this was a code for the department of defence. The Foreign Affairs Minister was speaking in his office when he received his Somali counterpart to discuss issues regarding lasting peace in Somalia as well as problems and threats of piracy along the East African coastline. A BBC report citing the initials GOSS on the cargo manifest they claimed to have got hold of, said that the weapons on the pirated ship belongs to the Government of southern Sudan.  Somali's foreign minister, Ali Jama said that the piracy situation was being looked into by the UN Security Council. Wetangula further said that measures were in place to make piracy in the East African coastline a thing of the past.

LEFT: Details of the Chancellor's financial rescue plan have been revealed in The Daily Telegraph - with taxpayers footing the bill. CENTRE: The Independent questions whether the £50bn bail-out plan to save Britain's banks is good enough. RIGHT: The Daily Mail says the biggest nationalisation of modern times is about to take place.

Another Kenyans man from Northampton has been arrested in Gabon, West Africa. The man (name withheld) was arrest several days ago but the family and friends received the report on Friday 3rd October, 2008 because of  communication problems. He has been accused of drug trafficking.

Construction work on the Olympic village remains on track despite difficulties funding the £1 billion project, Games chiefs said today. The Olympic Delivery Authority released new images of the village in legacy mode as it prepares to ask the Government for a £250 million bail-out to cope with a shortfall caused by the turmoil in financial markets. Developer Lend Lease has struggled to raise its share of the cost because of the credit crunch but organisers stress that this has not derailed the village, which will accommodate 16,000 athletes and officials, and which must be completed by the end of 2011. There are 300 workers on site and foundation work began in the summer with thousands of concrete pillars being driven into the ground where the first blocks of the Olympic village will be situated in the east of the park. Latest designs show the residential schemes with courtyards and pedestrian walkways.

The UK Chancellor today (08/10/10) gambled £500 billion of taxpayers' money to beat the credit crunch — and admitted it might not be enough

Voters have questioned the US presidential hopefuls in a town hall-style debate dominated by the financial crisis and foreign policy. Two polls taken right after the debate - by CBS News and CNN - judged Barack Obama the winner over John McCain. Senator Obama said more must be done to help the middle classes and that his rival's tax cuts would aid the rich. Mr McCain presented a plan for the US Treasury to help mortgage-holders and said Mr Obama wanted to raise taxes. CNN's poll of debate-watchers found 54% said Mr Obama had done the best job, compared with 30% for Mr McCain. CBS's poll of undecided voters suggested 39% thought Mr Obama the winner, with 27% for Mr McCain and 35% calling it a draw. The debate took place as Mr Obama appeared to be developing a substantial lead in the opinion polls with just one month to go before the election takes place. The latest Gallup daily tracking poll puts Mr Obama at 50% and Mr McCain at 42%, while a new CNN poll put Mr Obama ahead by 53% to 45%. And polls in the key swing states such as Ohio, Florida and Colorado which are needed to win the election have also swung against Mr McCain.

Voters had a chance to ask questions directly - The idea of the town hall meeting reaches far back into the American folk memory - to a time when a community solved its problems by gathering all its people together for an open debate - VIDEO

Deepening fears that the credit crisis will take more victims and drag the global economy into recession sends equities plunging around the world.

Nairobi, Wednesday 8th October, 2008. The 2nd Session of the 10 parliament kicked off Tuesday afternoon being the 1st time it has convened as a full house with all 222 members.  Three new members of parliament were sworn in a move that increased the number of women MPs rising to an all time high of 20 members including nominated women MPS. The 2nd session of the 10th parliament was set rolling this afternoon with the swearing in of three new members of parliament Simion Mbugua of Kamukunji was handed victory by the court while Beatrice Kones and Dr. Joyce Laboso won last month's by elections in Bomet and Sotik respectively.  The house has been in a two month recess and it will have two months before taking a Christmas break. Members were enthusiastic maybe since the august house kicked off the session as a full house for the 1st time since it was convened. The 2nd session has a task to discuss the two crucial bills on the constitution having matured in July. This means that if in the event the two months lapses before the bill are disposed off by the House they would be time bared.The house also started the scrutiny of the ministry of education budget. KBC Channel one and KBC Idhaa ya Taifa beamed the proceeding live and will be bringing this in the life of the current parliament just as we did in the 1st session.

James Kamangu is dead. The alleged husband of Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru passed away at Kenyatta National Hospital after sudden illness, his family says

London's FTSE 100 Index is enduring a rotten day's trading, falling by 2.6% as the market reacts to the Government's bank bail-out announcement.

From the begging bowl to the bread basket: in just two years, Malawi has gone from famine to food surplus - a minor agricultural miracle. By applying a mixture of crop breeding, soil management, irrigation and diversification, agro-science experts are helping subsistence farmers to cope with climate change and buck the trend in neighbouring African countries. BBC science and environment reporter James Morgan has gone into the field to meet the families who are sowing the seeds of a uniquely African green revolution - one which is as kind to the environment as it is to the economy.

The UK government has announced details of a rescue package for the banking system worth up to £50bn ($88bn). It will initially make the extra capital available to eight of the UK's largest banks and building societies in return for preference shares in them. It is "designed to put the British banking system on a sounder footing", said Prime Minister Gordon Brown. But the FTSE 100 in London fell 4%. HBOS shares rose 52% but Barclays fell 8% and Standard Chartered dropped 13%. The key points of the plan are:

• Banks will have to increase their capital by at least £25bn and can borrow from the government to do so.
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• An additional £25bn in extra capital will be available in exchange for preference shares.
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• £200bn will be available in short-term loans from the Bank of England, up from £100bn.
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• Up to £250bn in loan guarantees will be available at commercial rates to encourage banks to lend to each other.
•  
• To participate in the scheme banks will have to sign up to an FSA agreement on executive pay and dividends.

Much of the current crisis has been caused by the banks' unwillingness to lend to each other, so the government hopes that if those loans can be guaranteed then lending will resume. "This is beginning a process of un-bunging a big problem where banks won't lend to each other for long periods," Mr Darling said. The lenders that have confirmed they will take part in aspects of the scheme are Abbey, Barclays, HBOS, HSBC, Lloyds TSB, Nationwide Building Society, Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Chartered. The Treasury said that other banks and building societies would be able to apply for inclusion in the plan. Preference shares pay a fixed rate of interest instead of a dividend, which has to be paid before other shareholders receive anything, but they do not carry voting rights. Taxpayers may even end up making a profit from the shares, but that is by no means guaranteed. BBC business editor Robert Peston said there would be strings attached for banks that take the government money. "Taking taxpayers' money will not be a licence to trade as normal," he said. Negotiations will take place with each participating institution that will require them to extend normal credit lines to homeowners and small businesses, in addition to rules on executive pay and dividends to other shareholders. It is hoped that the deal will get the money markets going again and assure the future of the banking system. "They've got additional capital now if they want it, they've got an unlimited source of liquidity," said Terry Smith, chief executive of the money brokers, Tullett Prebon. "That certainly should stop the panic in terms of people wondering whether or not the banks are safe." The deal has also been welcomed by the banks. "The government's announcement represents a very real and serious intention on the part of the authorities, following consultation with the banking industry, to bring stability and certainty to the UK banking system," HBOS said in a statement. Barclays, Lloyds TSB and RBS also issued statement welcoming it. HSBC also welcomed the plan but said it did not intend to use the recapitalisation scheme.

The American author of a controversial book against a  Barack Obama  rule was kicked out of Kenya on Tuesday night

PARIS (Reuters) - Stock index futures were sharply down on Wednesday as deepening fears that the credit crisis would make more victims and drag the global economy into recession sent equities plunging around the world. By 5:51 a.m. EDT, S&P 500 futures were down 2.7 percent, Dow Jones futures down 3.2 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 3.1 percent. European shares were taking a beating, with UK's FTSE 100 index .FTSE losing 4.4 percent, Germany's DAX index .GDAXI dropping 6 percent, and France's CAC 40 .FCHI falling 5.2 percent. Europe's banking sector was down 5.6 percent. The Nikkei average .N225 plummeted 9.4 percent on Wednesday, its biggest one-day drop since the 1987 stock market crash. In further signs the crisis was escalating, Britain unveiled plans to inject up to 50 billion pounds ($87.2 billion) into its biggest retail banks on Wednesday and Hong Kong slashed interest rates. Britain's finance minister, Alistair Darling, said he wanted to reduce the "fear factor" in the banking system. In an effort to kickstart stalled money markets, the Bank of England will offer at least 200 billion pounds in short-term lending. "Governments have been taking steps to restore confidence and it should help ease the crisis, but it might take a while as confidence is something that vanishes very quickly but takes a long time to restore," said Marie-Pierre Peillon, head of equity and credit research at Groupama Asset Management, in Paris.

A man walks past a video display showing financial information in Tokyo, October 8, 2008.

USA State Department Web site for the 2010 Diversity Visa Program (DV-2010) is now open. The entry submission period for DV-2010 is from 12:00PM EDT (GMT -4) on October 2, 2008 to 12:00PM EST (GMT -5) on December 1, 2008. The entry form will only be available for submission during this period and this period only. Entries will not be accepted through the U.S. Postal Service. The Congressionally mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program makes available 50,000 permanent resident visas annually, drawn from random selection among all entries to persons who meet strict eligibility requirements from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. 4,307 Kenyans qualified for the programme. DV-2009 lottery winners were notified by mail between May and July 2008 and will be provided further instructions, including information on fees connected with immigration to the U.S. Those selected in the random drawing are NOT notified by email. Those individuals NOT selected will NOT receive any notification. Review the Diversity Visa Lottery Instructions "Selection of Applicants" section for more information about the DV timeframe and process. As you apply to come to the U.S., please take a moment to visit our Rewards For Justice program website to see how you can help in the continuing efforts for "secure borders" and "open doors."

DV 2008 Results

DV 2009 Results

List of Occupations

KCC Information

On 26 September 2008, H.E. President Mwai Kibaki made a two-day stop-over in London on his way back to Kenya from the 63rd UN General Assembly in New York. The attached pictures (courtesy of the Presidential Press Service) show H.E. The President with First Lady Lucy Kibaki being received at the Hilton Hotel Park Lane by members of staff of the Kenya High Commission, London. TOP LEFT: HE President Kibaki being welcomed by High Commissioner HE Joseph Muchemi. TOP RIGHT: HE President Kibaki being welcomed by the wife High Commissioner Mrs. Cecilia Muchemi. BELOW LEFT: HE President Kibaki being welcomed by the head of Immigration Department at the Kenya Embassy Mr. Abraham Mwaura as Mr. Bett and Mr. Boiyo waits for their turn. BELOW RIGHT: HE President Kibaki being given some flowers by young Kenyan girl Sandra Boiyo.

The latest Gallup daily tracking poll puts Senator Obama at 50% and Senator McCain at 42%, while a new CNN poll put Mr Obama ahead by 53% to 45%.

Immigration authorities in Kenya say they will deport the American author of a highly critical book about US presidential candidate Barack Obama. The author, Jerome Corsi, was in Kenya to launch his book which accuses Mr Obama of supporting an alleged plot to turn Kenya into an Islamic state. Officials said that Mr Corsi did not have the right visa. Mr Obama's father was from Kenya, where the US Democratic contender is a highly popular figure. Mr Corsi - author of The Obama Nation: Leftist Politics and the Cult of Personality - has been accused of a smear campaign against Mr Obama. In a recent press release, Mr Corsi said he would "expose deep secret ties between US Democratic presidential candidate Sen Barack Obama and a section of the Kenyan government leaders". Carlos Maluta, a senior Kenyan immigration official, told the AP news agency that authorities had picked Mr Corsi up from his hotel on Tuesday because he did not have the necessary work permit. Joseph Mumira, head of criminal investigations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, said that Mr Corsi was briefly detained at immigration headquarters before being brought to the airport for deportation. The Obama campaign says on the "Fight the Smears" web site that Mr Corsi listed a number of false claims in relation to Kenya in his book - including that Mr Obama contributed $1m (£570,000) to Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga during Mr Odinga's presidential campaign. Mr Odinga is from the same Luo community as Mr Obama's father. The book also repeats false rumours, including that Mr Obama, a Christian, was raised as a Muslim. Mr Corsi co-authored "Unfit for Command", a book that maligned the Democratic Party's 2004 candidate John Kerry, and is believed to have contributed to his defeat by President George W Bush.
 

Jerome Corsi, centre, was taken to Nairobi's immigration department

Troops are on the streets of Bangkok after the Thai capital's worst anti-government protests for 16 years left at least two dead and hundreds injured. One person was killed when a suspected car bomb exploded near parliament, where protesters had set up a blockade to try and stop lawmakers from leaving. Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat escaped by climbing over a fence before being evacuated by helicopter. As troops moved in, protesters pulled back to the prime minister's compound. The appearance of troops outside parliament was a clear sign that the government is struggling to maintain its authority, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.  - VIDEO

Financial crisis at-a-glance: 7 Oct

All times in BST, chart in GMT.

2100: The Dow Jones industrial average loses 508.39 points, or 5.11%, to end at 9,447.11.

1930: Chancellor Alistair Darling says he will make a statement before the markets open on Wednesday on government plans to "put banks on a longer-term sound footing".

1826: US President George W Bush calls for co-ordinated action by leading industrialised countries to tackle the crisis.

1815: US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke says prospect for economic growth has worsened, and hints at a possible interest rate cut.

1754: Belgium raises minimum guarantee on bank deposits to 100,000 euros - an increase of 20,000 euros.

1644: Spain increases guarantee for customers' bank savings accounts from 20,000 euros to 100,000 euros.

1528: Netherlands trebles the amount of savers' deposits it will protect to 100,000 euros

1513: Russia's RTS stock market closes down 0.95%, the day after it recorded a 19% fall.

1459: French President Nicolas Sarkozy tells cabinet the state is ready to acquire stakes in the capital of troubled banks, if necessary.

1457: The British Chamber of Commerce warns that Britain's economy will shrink in the third quarter for the first time in 15 years.

1443: The Dow Jones is up 145 points in early morning trading.

1401: The US Federal Reserve announces plans to buy massive amounts of short-term debt from companies in an effort to unfreeze the money markets.

This is an important move because, as BBC business editor Robert Peston said in his blog : "The really urgent issue is the breakdown of wholesale markets and the increasing difficulty that almost all banks are having in funding themselves on a day-to-day basis."

1400: IMF warns that financial crisis likely to be associated with "severe and protracted economic downturns".

1336: European Union finance ministers agree to increase the guarantee for customers' bank savings accounts to at least 50,000 euros.

1331: Beleaguered German bank Hypo Real Estate says its chief executive, George Funke, is resigning, one day after the finance ministry has agreed a 50bn euro ($68bn; £38.7bn) plan to save it.

1247: Iceland's biggest bank, Kaupthing, gets a loan of $680m from the country's central bank.

1213: Taiwan's Premier outlines government plans to fully protect depositors' savings.

1132: US light crude oil rallies to just above $90 a barrel.

1118: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev pledges credit of up to $36bn (£21bn) to the country's banks.

1107: Royal Bank of Scotland shares recover slightly - now trading at 110.6 pence, down 25%.

1055: The Central Bank of Iceland fixes the exchange rate of the country's currency, the krona, to try to stabilise the domestic economy.

1025: Iceland's central bank says in a statement that Russia has agreed to loan it 4bn euros (£3.1bn). However, a spokesman for Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he cannot confirm the statement.

0936: Russian regulator delays start of trading on Moscow exchanges until 1300 local time (1000 BST), two-and-a-half hours after normal opening.

0935: The Icelandic government takes control of Landsbanki, the country's second largest bank, which owns Icesave in the UK.

0922: Royal Bank of Scotland shares are down 39%.

0921: The pound hits a two-and-a-half year low against the US dollar.

0900: The FTSE retreats, leaving the index just 20.1 points higher at 4609.3 after an hour of trading.

0857: Royal Bank of Scotland shares slump 30% on reports that it is in talks to secure government funding. Other top banking shares drop between 14% and 24%.

0843: Frankfurt's DAX 30 is up 1.47% and the Paris Cac 40 climbs 3.08%.

0810: London's FTSE 100 rises 1.5%, recovering some of the losses from Monday when it fell by 7.86%.

0720: Moscow's two stock exchanges say they will stay closed for the morning.

0700: Japan's Nikkei 225 share index finishes above 10,000, but is still down 3% on the day at 10,155.9.

0500: Japan's central bank says it is keeping its key interest rate unchanged at 0.5%.

0500: Australia's central bank cuts its key interest rate to 6% from 7% - a much greater cut than had been expected.

0120: Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 share index falls below 10,000 for the first time since December 2003.

A car thief who had his name and date of birth tattooed on his neck was caught after CCTV images of him were used to track him down. Aarron Evans, 21, pleaded guilty at Bristol Magistrates' Court to breaking into a covert capture car in the city. The car had been left by Avon and Somerset Police officers with a covert camera concealed inside, which took pictures of Evans. Evans, an illiterate man of no fixed address, was sentenced to seven months. Supt Ian Wylie said: "Criminals won't be tolerated in Bristol and we will keep catching them and bringing them before the courts. "We get such excellent images from these cameras that there is often, and never more so than in this case, no doubt who the criminal is."  - VIDEO

London, Tuesday 7th October, 2008. Britain is already in a recession, which is worsening and could see unemployment rise by 350,000 by next year, a business group has warned. A quarterly survey of 5,000 businesses by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) says confidence has collapsed in both manufacturing and service sectors. The firms call for urgent action from the government and the Bank of England. The survey came as figures showed UK manufacturing output in August had fallen for a sixth consecutive month. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that manufacturing output had shrunk by 0.4% in August, and had dropped 1.9% from the same point last year. The manufacturing sector has not declined for six months in a row since late 1980. The wider measure of industrial production had fallen by 0.6% in August, the ONS said, taking the annual rate of decline to 2.3%. Technically the UK is not yet in recession - defined as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth. But the BCC described its survey results as "exceptionally bad" and said the economy was under "immense pressure" for the second quarter in a row. It also said the jobless total was expected to increase within two years. BCC Director-General David Frost: 'Strong action has to be taken now'. The BCC believes the number of people out of work will rise by between 300,000 and 350,000 over the next year or two, which would take the unemployment total to more than two million. Confidence had collapsed in both the manufacturing and service industries, according to the survey. The BCC represents small and medium sized companies, and argues that a recession has already begun. It wants the Bank of England to do what it can to stimulate the economy, by cutting interest rates on Thursday. BCC Director-General David Frost said: "We are clearly in a very difficult economic period but it is important that we retain a sense of proportion. "Many parts of the business community continue to perform well. The government needs to say that business taxes will be cut. "The Bank of England needs to cut interest rates immediately and politicians need to get behind our businesses in these challenging times." Analysts said that the worse-than-expected industrial and manufacturing production figures had added to expectations that the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) would cut interest rates on Thursday. "[The figures are] a lot worse than the markets were expecting. The slowdown shows that the UK economy is suffering on all fronts," said David Page of Investec. "We think this continues to argue for support for the UK economy which we expect to find coming from the MPC on Thursday."

The British Chambers of Commerce believes a recession has already begun

Iceland's government has taken control of the country's second largest bank, Landsbanki. The bank, which trades in the UK as the internet bank Icesave, is being taken over by the Icelandic Financial Supervisory Authority (IFSA). Icesave says that it is not currently allowing customers to take money out of their accounts or to put in deposits. Landsbanki is the second Icelandic bank to be taken over to prevent a collapse of the country's banking system. In an announcement on state radio, the commerce and banking minister Bjorgvin Sigurdsson said the board of directors of Landsbanki had been dismissed and the bank put into receivership. He said the state takeover was made "in co-operation" with Landsbanki and the bank would stay open and operate as normal. Glitnir, the country's third-largest bank, was nationalised last week to stop it being driven into bankruptcy by the international financial crisis.

The kidney transplant operation for Mrs. Naomi Michuku was a success. The operation took place on Tuesday 30th September, 2008 at Whitechapel Royal Hospital, in London. The donor came from Kenya and both the donor and receiver are doing well. The donor is out of hospital but the receiver still in the hospital waiting for the final touches. She is no longer undertaking the dialysis treatment. More information later.

London, Tuesday 7th October, 2008. All eyes are on the stock market after the FTSE 100 Index suffered its biggest points drop in a single day. Up to £40 billion is being pumped into the UK money markets amid growing concern that the crisis is spiralling out of control. Markets across Europe also took big hits and EU finance ministers including Chancellor Alistair Darling are meeting to discuss a response to the situation. Although no major announcements are expected, Mr Darling is likely to urge ministers not to risk worsening the crisis by taking unilateral action to protect their own banks which could have damaging repercussions for other member states. He has made clear his irritation at the way countries such as Germany and Ireland promised to guarantee all savings deposited in their banks in an attempt to avert more damaging collapses. Although Mr Darling said the German statement was "political declaration" of intent and was not legally binding, it nevertheless intensified the pressure on the UK authorities to offer a blanket guarantee for savers. Meanwhile, the Government is publishing its Banking Bill, giving the authorities new powers to intervene in failing institutions, with the promise of cross-party support from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Mr Darling reacted cautiously to calls by the opposition for the Government to take shares in the banks - effectively part-nationalising them - in order to provide them with new capital He said that the Government would act "quickly and and decisively" when it had proposals to bring forward, warning that speculation could cause further instability. However in a speech in London, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that markets need "morals" and made clear that the Government was prepared to act to prevent "irresponsible risk taking" by banks and other institutions. "Wealth creation is not just a privilege but a responsibility. And that is why we back the work ethic; we support effort and enterprise and responsible risk taking. These are the morals markets need," he said. "Where there has been irresponsibility we must now have instead transparency, integrity, responsibility, good housekeeping and international co-operation as the vital foundation stones of our financial system and the international financial system."

The world, this morning is reeling from loss of billions worth of share values. Mighty US cries over $1.7 Trillion and UK wails £93 billion lost. Across Europe and Eurasia, similar losses are being moaned.

=================

 NCADC Briefing - Your documents

=================
 

You are entitled to the originals or copies of every document the Home Office, your solicitor/caseworker issue that concerns your case; it is your right in law.

The Home Office have copies of all documents concerning your case, some of these documents you may have never seen. You are entitled in law to see *documents that the Home Office has on your case and you can obtain these documents under the Freedom of Information Act from the 'Subject Access Bureau' (SAB).

  NCADC would 'Signpost' all, who are in the immigration system, especially campaigns, write to SAB the cost is £10's. There might be information held by the Home Office not revealed to you or your solicitor/caseworker, which may be of benefit to your case.  

  Are you in detention?
  What are the Home Office playing at? - Now's your chance to find out
  Don't understand why you have been kept in detention for months/years on end?
  Seems like the Home Office does not give you detailed reasons for continuing to detain you?  Or they give lots of detailed reasons but many of them are incorrect?
  It might be possible that there is a barrier to your removal that the Home Office have not and would not readily divulge. Bail hearing after bail hearing the Home Office representatives often paint a misleading picture and often do not update their continuing objections to bail, always relying on the original material presented to the court.
  You are entitled to see the file the Home Office keeps on you - there may be information in the file as to why the Home Office cannot remove you immediately or in the foreseeable future, and having that information may assist you to make bail.

  Your Rights

From 1 January 2005, the Freedom of Information Act set up a legal right of access to information held by public authorities such as the UKBA, which is part of the Home Office.

What does it mean for you?

It means that if you are subject to 'Immigration Controls' you can write to UKBA and ask for copies of all recorded information. Your request would be handled under the subject access provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA). There is a charge of £10 for obtaining the data.
  If you require copies of information held on you by UKBA please write to:

  UK Border Agency (UKBA)

Subject Access Bureau (SAB)

10th Floor Sunley House
Bedford Park
Croydon CR0 2AP
  Include your full name as on your UKBA documents

Port Reference and/or Home Office Reference numbers and address where you are living or detained.
  Entitle the letter "Data Protection Act 1998 - Subject Access Request"

Then write

"I would be grateful if you could disclose the entire contents of my file.  I enclose a cheque for £10".

Sign the letter and send the original but keep a copy, and send by recorded post.
  Enclose a cheque for £10 made payable to 'Home Office Accounting Officer'.

  How long will it take to get a reply?
You should receive a response to your enquiry within 20 working days. If it is to take longer than that the authority holding the information will write to you and tell you why.

  *Will UKBA always tell you everything you ask?

No. While the Act is designed to enable individuals to access a wide range of information, it also has a number of provisions that permit public authorities to limit the disclosure of information. These are referred to as "exemptions" and there are 23 exemptions from the rights of access under the Act. Examples of when information may not be disclosed by UKBA in direct response to a request would include information already publicly available via another source, personal information relating to a third party not the requester and information that may prejudice the operation of immigration controls. If information is being withheld you will normally be told the reasons why.

  The Freedom of Information Act 2000 came into force in January 2005 and gives any person legal rights of access to information which is held by a public authority. We are responsible for freedom of information policy in the UK. We develop the framework for the Act to be enacted properly by public authorities, providing them with guidance and best practice. http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/guidancefoi.htm

  End of Bulletin:
  Source for this Message: Subject Access Bureau NCADC

May I also add that you have the right to ask the Home Office to destroy your fingerprints under the following circumstances:

1) If you have become a British citizen

2) If you have been given Indefinite Leave to Remain and have had it for at least 10 years.

If you are in the above categories, you can ask the Home Office to destroy your fingerprints.

But you have to make the request.

London, Tuesday 7th October, 2008. Banking shares have fallen in London amid news that the bosses of big banks had met Chancellor Alistair Darling to discuss fundraising.  Royal Bank of Scotland fell 17%, HBOS dropped 14%, Lloyds TSB was down 11% and Barclays fell 5%. The banks called on Mr Darling to come up with rescue plan proposals, BBC business editor Robert Peston said. Barclays has categorically denied that it has requested any capital from the UK government. RBS and Lloyds TSB have both declined to comment, but banking sources have said there will be another meeting later on Tuesday. The Treasury said it did not comment on whether or not meetings were taking place. Monday's meeting was attended by Mr Darling together with Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England, and Adair Turner, chairman of the Financial Services Authority. Representing banks were the chief executives of RBS, Barclays and Lloyds TSB. The Treasury is understood to have been formulating a plan that would allow the government to provide extra funding to the banks in exchange for stakes in them. The government said it would not speculate about what policy options are being considered, but repeated Mr Darling's assurances from Monday. "As the chancellor said yesterday, we will do whatever it takes to maintain stability and support a well-functioning banking system," a Treasury spokesman said. Also depressing shares in RBS, which owns NatWest bank, has been the news from Monday that the ratings agency S&P has downgraded it, which means that the raters think it is a less safe institution to lend money to. That is a particular problem, because it is the difficulty banks are having in borrowing money from each other that is at the root of the credit crunch. As they have been unable to borrow from each other, the banks have been forced to borrow from the government instead, to the tune of £200bn over the past year, Robert Peston said. It has been another tough day for banks elsewhere in Europe, with the government of Iceland taking control of the country's second biggest bank Landsbanki. Landsbanki owns the internet bank Icesave, which has stopped allowing customers to withdraw money. If Landsbanki were to fail, savers would be entitled to their first £16,000 from Icelandic authorities and then up to another £34,000 from the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme. But claims from the UK would all be handled by the UK authorities. European Union finance ministers are meeting in Luxembourg to discuss whether they should standardise the value of deposits that they are prepared to guarantee in bank accounts. Ireland currently has a 100% guarantee, but the EU minimum is only 20,000 euros ($27,000; £16,000). It has been suggested that all countries could guarantee up to 100,000 euros to stop people moving their money to banks in other countries. The best outcome from the Luxembourg meeting would be for all governments to promise to fill whatever funding gaps emerge at their banks, according to Robert Peston. All this comes the day before the Bank of England begins its latest two-day monthly meeting, at which it is widely expected to cut interest from the current 5%.

Nairobi, Tuesday 7th October, 2008. The American author of a best-selling book attacking Barack Obama is being detained in Kenya because he does not have a work permit, a senior immigration official said Tuesday.  Jerome Corsi, who wrote "The Obama Nation: Leftist Politics and the Cult of Personality," was being held at immigration headquarters in Nairobi after police picked him up from his hotel Tuesday, said Carlos Maluta, a senior immigration official in charge of investigations. "We still haven't decided what to do with him," Maluta told The Associated Press. A call to a Corsi aide in the U.S. rang unanswered Tuesday. Maluta said Corsi did not have a temporary work permit needed to conduct business in Kenya. Earlier , A section of Kenyans Tuesday  morning took to the streets demonstrating against the  planned launch of the book.  Corsi had been scheduled to launch his book Tuesday in Kenya, where the Democratic U.S. presidential candidate is wildly popular. Obama's late father, whom he barely knew, was a Kenyan economist and the candidate is considered by many Kenyans as a native son. Obama was born in Hawaii, where he spent most of his childhood raised by his mother, a white American from Kansas. An article in Kenya's oldest newspaper, The Standard, described Corsi's book as "a smear crusade."Corsi's book claims the Illinois senator is a dangerous, radical candidate for president and includes innuendoes and false rumors - that he was raised a Muslim, attended a radical, black church and is secretly seething with "black rage. "Obama is a Christian who attended Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, and his campaign picks apart the book's claims on the Obama campaign's rumor-fighting Web site, FightTheSmears.com. According to a statement announcing Corsi's visit, he arrived last week at the invitation of Christian missionaries concerned about the rise of Islam. Corsi was planning to file daily dispatches all week, the statement said.

===============================================

MOFFAT MAINGI KAGO,

P.O BOX 17337- 00100, NAIROBI KENYA.

30TH SEPT 2008.  

Dear Sir/Madam,  

RE: EDUCATION SPONSORSHIP.

 

I am a young born again christian man residing in Nairobi. I found your contacts on the website and i just thought to ask for assistance for the above mentioned refference.   I am a 1st year student at Pan Africa christian University pursuing a degree in counselling and i am experiencing financial challenges hence interfering with my smooth learning at the university.   I am a day scholar because i can not manage to stay in the University and this has increased my problems because sometimes i lack busfare to get to school. I have payed apart of this semester's fees amounting to Usd 625, but i am struggling to clear the balace of about Usd 119. I desire to be staying at the campus so as to concentrate on my studies without much strain.   I am however required to pay Usd 1,598 per semester so as to be accommodated as a boarder.   In view of this, i am concerned about the subsequent semesters since i dont have reliable financial sources that can guarantee the payment of my school fees.   It is for this reason that i humbly request for your assistance to help me achieve my dream in my career. I kindly request you to be my sponsor or you put this information in your website so that any wellwisher can assist me in paying for my schoolfees.   The University is willing to draft for me a letter which i can send you as an evidence that i am indeed a student at the University. Should God touch you and give you the will to sponsor me, i would be very greatful and i can send you this letter from the University as a surpporting evidence, plus any other information you would want to know from me.   Should you be interested in knowing anything about this University, kindly log in to www.pacuniversity.com  

Thank you very much and I look forward to hear from you soon.  

Moffat M. Kago - moffka003@yahoo.com

===============================================

Somali's Minister for foreign affairs Ali Ahmed Jama is asking the International community to forcefully rescue the hijacked Ukrainian Ship loaded with military tanks and other armaments off the coast of Somalia. Ali said the Somali government fears the arms could further destabilize the horn of Africa nation if they fall into the wrong hands. Addressing the press in Nairobi on Tuesday, Somali's Minister for foreign affairs Ali Ahmed Jama said piracy on Somali's waters had become an international crisis, urging the United States and other countries monitoring the MV faina that was hijacked over two weeks ago to take definite measures to recover the ship's crew and cargo. Somalia's authorities have been unable to confront the pirates who regularly hold ships for ransom. Meanwhile, East Africa Seafarers association head Andrew Mwangura has been released on a cash bond of 200.000 shillings by a Mombasa court. Mwangura was arrested last week for releasing alarming reports to the media concerning the hijacked ship MV Faina.  The Pirates are still demanding a 20 million dollar ransom despite being surrounded by three foreign warships, including United State's USS HOWARD, and a Russian battleship.  South Korea also says it is deliberating on sending navy ships to the coast of Somalia.

LONDON (Reuters) - Monday 6th October, 2008. The leading share index recorded its biggest ever one-day points fall on Monday with banking and commodity stocks taking a battering as the fallout from financial crisis once again overwhelmed global markets. The FTSE 100 ended 391.1 points lower at 4,589.2, down 7.8 percent, the third biggest percentage decline, taking the index back to levels not seen for over four years. No blue chip stock ended in positive territory. "Another Monday, another banking crisis. Just when the market thinks it has found a base level, there's another jolt to the system." said Manoj Ladwa, senior trader at ETX Capital. " Black Mondays used to be a once-a-decade event, now they're coming along more regularly than a London bus," Ladwa added. Banks were among the biggest blue chip fallers with Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and HBOS down between 14.7 and 20.5 percent. Chancellor Alastair Darling told parliament in the afternoon that a Banking Bill will be introduced Tuesday to build on special powers the UK government took in February. The bill will also give the Bank of England a statutory role to maintain financial stability, the UK finance minister added. The European Union pledged to protect people's savings and maintain financial stability as more governments followed Germany's lead in offering blanket deposit guarantees to savers as German authorities clinched a deal to rescue lender Hypo Real Estate at the second time of asking.

Investors were also concerned whether a $700 billion bailout package agreed last week from the United States would be big enough to prevent a global recession. U.S.stocks dropped back heavily, with the Dow losing almost 5 percent, falling below the 10,000 level for the first time since Oct 2004. Other financial stocks were also hit by the equity markets plunge, with interdealer broker ICAP down 5.2 percent, hedge fund Man Group shedding 18.1 percent and insurers Old Mutual and Prudential falling 4.4 and 13.8 percent respectively. Heavyweight mining stocks suffered as metals prices fell on fears that the financial crisis would lead to a wider economic slowdown and shrink demand. Gold was an exception, however, up nearly 5 percent on a flight to safety as stock markets tumbled. Kazakhmys and Eurasian Natural Resources were the blue chip index's biggest fallers, down 26.5 and 23.4 percent respectively, while Xstrata, Antofagasta, Rio Tinto and Anglo American lost between 15 and 19.2 percent. Oil majors were hit by falls of more than $3 in crude prices to below $91 a barrel, with BG Group off 10.9 percent, BP down 8.1 percent, Royal Dutch Shell losing 7.7 percent, and explorer Cairn Energy falling 17 percent. British Airways, which often benefits from lower fuel prices, fell 12.3 percent as the market continues to be pessimistic on the outlook for airlines following the flag carrier's report of a 9 percent fall in September premium traffic as the global financial crisis deepens. "It could be argued that even with the wild gyrations of the past few months, many still have been in denial about the state of the financial markets," said David Evans, market analyst at BetOnMarkets.com. "Today, fear is rife as traders, investors and the man on the street are in denial no longer, this period could go down as the great financial crisis of 2008," added Evans.

LEFT: The Daily Telegraph leads on the economic crisis in London as the stock market falls. CENTRE: The global turmoil in the markets and funding shortages in banks is the lead in the Financial Times. RIGHT: The Independent focuses on the biggest one-day fall in the FTSE 100 in 20 years.

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Monday 6th October, 2008. Governments around the world grasped at new measures to contain the fast-spreading credit crisis, but stock, bond and commodity markets saw investors bet on deepening uncertainty and a sharp downturn. The S&P 500 closed down almost 4 percent after touching a five-year low in the first Wall Street session since the U.S. Congress approved a $700 billion (401.5 billion pound) bailout intended to reassure markets that help was on the way. Instead, a crisis that began with the overheated U.S. property market and the $11 trillion (6.3 trillion pound) U.S. mortgage market was still rocking confidence worldwide. "The ground underneath our feet is moving like an earthquake," said acting U.S. Treasury Undersecretary for domestic finance Anthony Ryan. Expectations have built for a rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve, possibly as part of coordinated action with the European Central Bank. European financial policymakers have been criticized for a fragmented response to the crisis. Fed fund futures have priced in a probability of a 75-basis-point cut by the U.S. central bank this month. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Richard Fisher -- considered an inflation hawk at the Fed -- said capital markets were in "semi-panic" mode and said he was more worried about markets breaking down than upward pressure on prices. "What I'm more worried about is how dysfunctional the system has become and what we, as the lender of last resort, need to do to encourage the liquidity to flow," he said. The U.S. Treasury, charged with putting the $700 billion fund to work to buy up bad debt, named Neel Kashkari, a veteran banker from Goldman Sachs, to head the landmark program. Meanwhile, the New York Federal Reserve moved towards establishing a central clearing mechanism for credit default swaps -- a form of over-the-counter insurance against bankruptcy blamed by critics for destabilizing the entire financial system. Emerging markets, which had gained most from the surging global expansion in the last three years, were sucked into the vortex. Trading was halted in markets as far afield as Brazil and Russia when stocks plunged. Mexico's peso sank to its weakest level since the currency was allowed to float in the mid-1990s, and stocks plunged. "We are in a state of panic. Markets are out of control," said Bertrand Delgado, an economist at IDEAglobal who covers Latin America. The banking upheaval that began on Wall Street has effectively shut down interbank and other loan markets, pushing industrialized countries closer to recession. Conditions remained poor for interbank lending. Even as Sweden, Austria and Denmark followed Germany's lead by offering blanket deposit guarantees to savers, investors from Tokyo to London continued to slash risk and positioned themselves for a further tightening of credit. Oil prices fell below $90 a barrel and have dropped nearly 40 percent from their peak, pushed lower with other commodity prices by worries about a looming recession. With the U.S. presidential election less than a month away, the campaign remained overshadowed by the debate about how to confront the worst banking crisis since the Great Depression.

"WE DON'T WANT TO RUSH"

In Texas, U.S. President George W. Bush said it would take time to restore confidence in the financial system and free up credit, telling reporters it was important that the rescue program not waste taxpayer money. "We don't want to rush into this situation and not have the program be effective," Bush said. Campaigning in North Carolina, Democrat Barack Obama urged the Bush administration to act quickly. "We've seen that contagion is spreading to all parts of the globe," he told reporters. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers pressed for an accounting of who was responsible for the financial train wreck. The disgraced head of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc told Congress that banking regulators knew exactly how the failed bank was pricing its distressed assets and about its liquidity in the months before its collapse. Lehman CEO Richard Fuld, grilled about the failure of his bank and his own pay, said he did not know why the U.S. government chose to help other financial companies but not Lehman, as it hurtled towards bankruptcy. "Until the day they put me in the ground, I will wonder," he said. In Chicago, former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission chief Richard Breeden called the crisis "a 900-foot tsunami" and chided Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson for wanting, as recently as a year ago, to reduce regulation Deals to shore up the capital and liquidity of European banks seen at risk dominated a weekend of frenzied deal-making and emergency intervention by government officials. Iceland gave regulators sweeping powers to oversee a faltering banking system as its currency fell 30 percent. France's BNP Paribas agreed to scoop up assets in Belgium and Luxembourg of banking and insurance group Fortis for 14.5 billion euros ($20.1 billion) to become the euro zone's biggest deposit bank. German officials brokered a revised rescue deal for lender Hypo Real Estate that will provide extra billions of euros of liquidity. In the United States, banking regulators were working to conclude a compromise deal as soon as Monday that would resolve the rival bids from Citigroup Inc and Wells Fargo & Co for hobbled U.S. bank Wachovia Corp.

Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up.

Financial crisis at-a-glance: 6 Oct

2100: The Dow Jones Industrial Average recovered some of its earlier losses, but still closed down with a loss of 369.88 points, to end at 9,955.5.

1816: Iceland's prime minister says the government has agreed legislation to enable it to have wide-ranging control over banks, including the option to merge them or force them to declare bankruptcy.

1649: The FTSE 100 Index of leading shares closed down 7.85% at 4589 points, a drop of 391 points.

1638: The Cac 40 in Paris closes down 9%, the worst fall in percentage terms since its creation in 1988.

1545: Iceland's government will offer an unlimited guarantee for all deposits in domestic commercial and savings banks and their branches.

1534: Russia's dollar-denominated RTS stock market closes down 19%, its worst one-day fall on record. The index closes at 866.39 points, down 65% from the all-time high reached in May this year.

1530: Chancellor Alistair Darling says the government will do whatever necessary to ensure the stability of the financial system, but stops short of guaranteeing all UK bank savings.

1506: The Federal Reserve acts to boost liquidity in money markets - by making $150bn available for auction on 24-day and 85-day loans.

1435: Trading on Brazil's stock market is suspended half an hour after opening following a 10% fall on the main index.

1430: On Wall Street the Dow Jones opens down 208 points, or 2%, at 10,117.

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DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE: 6th October 2008

1350: In the US, the President's Working Group on Financial Markets says it is moving quickly to exercise the new powers it has been given as part of the Wall Street rescue package, saying it will move "with substantial force on a number of fronts".

1315: The Federal Reserve says it will start paying interest on the reserves that banks are forced to deposit with it.

1218: Iceland's stock exchange says it has suspended trading in all financial shares including the major banks Kaupthing, Landsbanki and Glitnir.

1205: Russia's benchmark RTS stock exchange reopens after a one-hour suspension triggered by a 14% share fall. The country's other exchange, the Micex, underwent a similar shutdown earlier in the day after shares slumped 15%.

1145: The FTSE 100 in London is down 5.4%, the Cac 40 in Paris is down 5.9% and the Dax in Frankfurt has dropped 5.4%.

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FTSE 100 INDEX: 6th October 2008

1140: New car registrations fall for the fifth consecutive month, down 21.2% in September, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says. Its chief executive says the car industry is facing the most difficult economic conditions for 17 years.

1134: International Monetary Fund managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn says Europe needs a collective response to the financial crisis and warns countries not to act alone.

1129: Bank of America says it is ready to spend up to $8.4bn to restructure the troubled mortgage loan portfolio of the mortgage lender Countrywide, which it acquired in July.

1115: Key European markets all sharply lower in morning trading. London's FTSE 100 index and France and Germany's main stock markets have all lost about 6%.

1027: BBC business editor Robert Peston says the German government is not legislating to provide extra protection for savers, despite Chancellor Angela Merkel's commitment at the weekend that no German savers would lose a penny.

0956: Iceland announces part of a plan to hammer out a financial package to shore up its troubled banking sector.

Iceland's government has drafted emergency legislation to try and salvage the country's banking system. In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Geir Haarde said the legislation would help the island avoid national bankruptcy. Iceland will also offer an unlimited guarantee for all bank customers' savings accounts. The moves come after trading in six of Iceland's biggest banks and financial firms was temporarily halted. Banks dominate Iceland's economy, leaving the island of just 300,000 people heavily exposed to the global credit squeeze. Under the legislation, Iceland's financial regulator will have wide-ranging powers to dictate a bank's operations and could even force it to merge with another company or declare bankruptcy. The bill will also allow the government to take over housing loans held by the banks and put in a government fund. "We were faced with the real possibility that the national economy would be sucked into the global banking swell and end in national bankruptcy," Mr Haarde said. "The legislation is necessary to avoid that fate." Before the legislation was announced, Iceland's financial supervisory authority said it had decided to temporarily suspend trading in the three biggest three banks - Kaupthing, Landsbanki and Glitnir - and three other financial groups, Straumur-Burdaras, Exista and Spron. The regulator said it had suspended trading to protect investors' interests while waiting for a government announcement on its rescue plans. Icelandic banks and companies have provided financial backing for a number of UK businesses and, as such, problems in the Icelandic banking system could have a knock-on effect in the UK. Kaupthing has invested in pubs group Mitchells & Butlers and department store Debenhams. And Icelandic retail group Baugur owns UK stores such as Iceland, Hamleys, Oasis and House of Fraser, although Baugur has said that it is unaffected by the current situation in Iceland. Under the legislation, the country's largest banks have agreed to sell off some of their foreign assets and bring them home. This money will be brought back into Iceland, in an effort to shore up the economy and prevent the currency, the krona, from sliding any further. Last week, it lost a fifth of its value against the dollar and on Monday it plunged 30% against the euro. The legislation came after frantic weekend talks with political, financial and trades union leaders. The government also wants the trade unions to return a sizeable portion of their foreign-invested pension funds to Iceland. To help stabilise Iceland's troubled economy, the unions are also being urged to agree to wage restraint, despite the country's inflation rate of 14%. But in return, the unions want Iceland to apply for EU membership - a move it has resisted for decades. Iceland's economy was traditionally based on fishing, but in the 1990s the banks boomed, expanding abroad and growing to several times the size of the national GDP. The government stepped in to nationalise Iceland's third largest bank, Glitnir, last week. The nationalisation led ratings agencies to downgrade Iceland's credit rating. Analysts have warned the troubled banking sector may be too big for Iceland to be able to save.

'Credit Crunch' chocolates. Cash-strapped chocoholics can indulge in a new luxury treat - the "Credit Crunch". The range of chocolates, priced at £3.99 for a 150g bag, has hit the shelves at Selfridges department stores.  It has been launched to tempt shoppers looking for comfort food amid a diet of news dominated by economic woe. The combination of Valrhona chocolate and honeycomb pieces has been created for Selfridges by The Chocolate Society and food writer Laura Santini.

A France-based website blew the whistle on South Sudan’s importation of weapons through Kenya in contravention of a UN embargo in February. Information posted on Sudan Tribune’s website in February showed that 50 tanks had arrived at the port of Mombasa and more cargo, including rocket launchers, artillery and an aircraft, would be delivered in the following months. It is believed that the Ukrainian ship hijacked by pirates off the Somali coast 11 days ago was ferrying part of the weapons. The Sudan Tribune also said the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) was stocking its military stores in violation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in January 2005. The ship’s owners have since revealed that the mv Faina, which was hijacked in the Indian Ocean, was carrying 33 Russian-made T-72 tanks and other heavy artillery, including rocket-propelled grenades and launchers, 23 anti-aircraft guns and ammunition.  But Kenyan officials maintain the cargo was for the Kenya Army. The sender of the cargo, Ukrainian state-run arms trader Ukrspetseksport, has said the weapons were bought by Kenya’s Ministry of State for Defence. In the current standoff, the Nation has learnt, the Government has dispatched 49 navy soldiers to join Russian and US naval ships that have surrounded the vessel under siege. The Kenyan troops moved in using three small boats and a bigger one, which military experts describe as a “fighting machine”. The Nation has established that the seizure had put the Treasury on the spot. Information on the Ministry of State for Defence’s official website says submission for “procurement of major defence equipment” should be made to the “Treasury as usual to authorise restricted tendering”. “The customer for the military hardware is the Defence ministry of Kenya. The supplies were carried out in line with the valid international norms of trading arms and military hardware,” according to the Ukrainian Observer, quoting an official of Ukrspetseksport company. The seized military hardware has placed Kenya in an awkward position. The Government is perceived as helping arm Southern Sudan contrary to the spirit of CPA.  Kenya is a key sponsor of Sudan’s peace agreement and a member of CPA’s Assessment and Evaluation Commission. The agreement between Sudan’s North and South ended the longest civil war on the continent and stipulates that both parties should not buy arms. - Daily Nation

London, Monday 6th October, 2008. UK shares have fallen sharply, with the FTSE 100 index down by more than 5%, after another weekend of extraordinary events in the banking sector. On Sunday, the Germany announced what appeared to be a 100% guarantee for all private bank deposits. However, it has emerged that Germany will not pass new legislation to provide extra protection for savers. The UK Treasury is understood to be considering buying large stakes in Britain's banks. BBC business editor Robert Peston said it would be a way of injecting extra money into the banking system to get them lending to each other again, while at the same time meaning taxpayers could make a profit from the shares if the banks recovered. Treasury Secretary Yvette Cooper, speaking ahead of the first meeting of the new National Economic Council, would not confirm the details of the contingency plan. "What we've shown is that we're prepared to take radical action where it is needed," she told BBC News, while refusing to speculate on what measure might be taken. In morning trade, the FTSE 100 index was down 5.0%, or 248.9 points, at 4,731.4. The banks led the fallers, with HBOS down 14.6%, Royal Bank of Scotland falling 14.1% and Lloyds TSB down 6.8%. The pound fell against the dollar, hit a five-year low against the yen and a seven-month low against the euro. The falls follow a series of events over the weekend:

• The German government was forced to salvage a 50bn euro ($69bn; £39bn) rescue package for Hypo Real Estate
• Denmark and Sweden both increased the amount of protection depositors in their banks receive
• Iceland said its banks had agreed to sell some of their overseas assets and was trying to persuade the trade union pension funds to repatriate some of their funds too
• The individual actions came after EU leaders decided at a summit on Saturday not to attempt a pan-European solution
• France's BNP Paribas said it would take a 75% stake in Fortis.

The FTSE 100 fell sharply on Monday morning

Maasai herdsmen in Kenya have turned to an age-old contraceptive device, the "olor", to protect their precious goat herds from an ongoing drought. The olor is made from cowhide or a square piece of plastic, and is tied around the belly of the male goat. It prevents the bucks from mating with the female goats. The herdsmen are using the device to limit the goat population and ensure there are not too many animals grazing on sparse vegetation. "We don't want them to breed in this drought," says Mr Ole Ngoshoi Kipameto, a goat owner in Kajiado district. The area, which is 80km (50 miles) from the capital, Nairobi, has received insufficient rainfall, making the landscape barren and forcing residents to move from place to place in search of pasture and water. In the Maasai community, livestock are often people's only assets and sole means of survival. "We tie this hide under the belly of the buck for three months. After that we remove it and then they can breed by November when the short rains come," Mr Kipameto says. The rectangular piece of cowhide is passed over the buck's head and front legs and secured under the belly in front of the hind legs with a rope or elastic strap. "It looks like an apron," Mr Kipameto says. Peter Ndirangu, the area livestock officer, says the olor is very effective. "In the modern method, we advocate keeping the bucks separate from the breeding goats. But that is an added cost as you require two herdsmen - one for the bucks and one for the goats," he says. "This [device] will play the part of a herdsman." He says the device is very useful in keeping the herd numbers down and controlling when the goats give birth. "If they give birth during harsh conditions like now, the mothers - the does - are going to be very weak, they're not going to feed their young ones properly," he says. The device helps the herdsmen to restrict kidding to the period during and after the rains. If the rains fall in October and November, the dry landscape will turn green again and the herdsmen will be able to settle with their livestock. Until then, the herdsmen will have to employ the olor to protect their livestock and livelihood safe. Those who do not use it could face a hefty fine if their bucks are found guilty of impregnating another herder's doe.

The olor is held in place by a rope or an elastic strap and on right the olor saves employing separate herdsmen for male and female goats

Spanish coastguards have rescued 230 Africans - in what is thought to be the largest single boatload of illegal immigrants to reach Spain. Coastguards brought the migrants ashore after the open-top fishing vessel was spotted by a rescue plane 80km (50 miles) off the Canary Islands. Spanish officials believe the migrants spent four days at sea, after setting out from Mauritania in West Africa. Thousands of Africans try the perilous sea crossing to the Canaries each year. The BBC's Steve Kingstone says it is a common trafficking route, in which desperate people pay large sums of money to be crammed into very basic fishing boats. It is impossible to know how many die during the sea crossing, he says. He adds that images of exhausted, bedraggled migrants reaching land in the Canary Islands are a familiar sight here but never quite on this scale. The group, which included around 25 children, were all male and a small number were being treated for dehydration and hypothermia. The migrants were taken to the port of Los Cristianos in Tenerife. Spanish authorities have up to 40 days to establish their nationalities. Those identified will be repatriated, while others will be released on to the streets, but with no official status in Spain. So far this year, almost 7,000 illegal immigrants have arrived by boat in the Canary Islands, a slight fall on the same period last year. To deter potential migrants, the government has invested in the economies of several West African nations; and produced short films warning of the dangers of taking to the sea. - CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

The world should be shocked at the systematic destruction of Somalia's capital Mogadishu and its residents, says lobby group Human Rights Watch. The organisation told the BBC the city had become a zone of free-fire between government and insurgent forces. It said if such a situation was happening anywhere else in the world, like Georgia or Lebanon for example, it would be considered a travesty. Instead Somalia was the most ignored tragedy in the world today, HRW said. Mogadishu is dying; it is a city on the Indian Ocean coast that used to be one of Africa's trading hubs with the Middle East. Now whole swathes of it are rubble or skeletons of buildings without doors or windows or roofs. The most shocking, eerie aspect of it is that in many parts of the capital all the people have fled.

Rev. Wangaruro and the Family Initiatives will be holding a clinic for young couples (1-5) years in marriage this Saturday 11th October 2008 at Memorial Baptist church, barking road. The Clinic time is strictly 2.00pm - 5.00pm. Please if you are in this category come and if you know somebody within this category encourage them to attend.

Senegalese fishing boats - or cayucos as they are called in Spain - have become the preferred method of transport for illegal immigrants trying to reach the Canary Islands and it's too early to say whether the daily arrival of the migrant boats will damage the islands' tourist industry.

The European Union is to open its first immigration centre outside Europe, in Mali's capital, Bamako. Thousands of young West Africans try to make it into Europe illegally each year and many die on the way. The EU hopes the new centre will help people find legal work in Europe and cut down on illegal migration. The new centre will offer guidance on legal migration and help with job training and the search for work abroad, the European Commission says. It will also raise awareness about the dangers of illegal migration. The BBC's West Africa correspondent Will Ross says it is not clear how many jobs will be advertised, but it will just be a drop in the ocean compared to the number of Africans desperate to work in Europe. Patrick Taran, a migration expert at the International Labour Organization, said Europe - with its ageing workforce - is increasingly realising it needs workers of different skill levels. "It makes a lot more sense for people to come through legal channels so that their rights are protected and they can demand and receive fair pay for their work," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme. Our correspondent says Mali is at the centre of well-established migration routes. Thousands of young West Africans set off from the north of Mali each year across the Sahara Desert towards Europe. They are often ill-prepared for the journeys and many die on the way. Travelling by sea from the West African coast to the Canary Islands is also a popular and risky route. Young men from countries like Ghana and Nigeria often pass through Mali on their way to the coast of Senegal or Mauritania, where they are crammed into rickety fishing boats. Last week, the Spanish coastguards rescued a group of 230 young Africans - the largest single boatload of illegal immigrants to reach Spain. A sharp increase in the cost of food and fuel has recently made life even harder for people in this region, our correspondent says. In many West African countries, even university graduates struggle to find employment and a menial job in Europe is therefore a surer way of supporting a family. Many observers say that making world trade fairer is the best way to tackle illegal migration as it would help reduce the main cause - poverty. Mali is one of the world's poorest countries and growing cotton is a popular livelihood. But subsidies paid to US cotton farmers make it almost impossible for Malians to compete. Sandro De Luca of the Rome-based International Committee for the Development of Peoples (CISP) said it was too early to judge the project, but the initiative would not solve the problem of illegal migration alone. "People will continue to look for ways of migrating without taking into consideration the regulated channel of doing this," he told the BBC.

Many young Africans risk death to reach Europe

Years of conflict in Somalia have left large parts of the country in the hands of warlords while its capital, Mogadishu, is contested by Ethiopian-backed government forces and armed insurgents. The city has been abandoned by at least half of its residents. The BBC's World Affairs Correspondent, Mark Doyle, sent this report from a war zone few Western journalists dare to visit. The bombed-out buildings are shocking enough. There are street after ruined street of them in the centre of Mogadishu. Some have been reduced by shellfire to rubble. Others retain a building-like shape - the rough skeletons of once-ornate Italian colonial apartment blocks or shopping arcades. But the really eerie side to many parts of Mogadishu is the lack of people. The last 18 months of fighting have seen the population plummet in a way that even the infamous Black Hawk Down year - 1993 - did not achieve. According to the United Nations, at least half of Mogadishu's population - perhaps 500,000 people - have fled. In 1993 a joint United States/United Nations aid effort descended into war. Somali warlords resisted the international force partly because it reduced their racketeering of food aid. The Americans then fell into the trap of thinking the flip flop-wearing "Skinnies", as the Marines disparagingly called Somalis, would be a pushover. However, the "Skinnies" could fight, and fight well. The US and the UN withdrew in disarray. But even back then - when tracer fire lit up the sky every night - the streets were still full of people. Not any more. Parts of Mogadishu are now a ghost city. The new situation has an intensity of street shelling and military atrocities that even this veteran war city has never seen before. The latest conflict is between a weak, though internationally-recognised Somali government, backed by troops from neighbouring Ethiopia - and armed insurgents who are a mixture of Islamists and nationalists. The United States is still a key player, backing the Ethiopians. It accuses the Islamists of having links to al-Qaeda. "Its getting worse and worse," said Sophia Hussein, a housewife turned refugee. "Now foreign governments are involved" - a reference to the Ethiopian presence. Mrs Hussein was speaking in a Kenyan refugee camp, surrounded by nine children she had rescued from Mogadishu.

Somalian 'ghost city' wracked by war  and the face of war - this woman cannot afford the treatment for her daughter - CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

Grafted onto the traditional clan wars in Somalia are new disputes that pit Islamists and nationalists against the Ethiopians and their US allies. These new wars may explain why Mogadishu has been emptied of people like never before. The political landscape began changing in 2005 when armed Islamists joined forces with businessmen to oust a chaotic collection of warlords from Mogadishu. By 2006 the Islamists/businessmen had won and a group known as the Union of Islamic Courts ran the capital. "They were efficient; they ran the city quite well," said a senior Somali official with an international aid agency who requested anonymity. In late 2006, the army of neighbouring Ethiopia intervened to oust the Courts and install the internationally-recognised government in Mogadishu. It is widely believed that the US encouraged or participated in this move because of fears that the Courts had links to al-Qaeda. Certainly, there was a long-range US missile attack at the time on fleeing Courts officials. The US later mounted other attacks on what it said were al-Qaeda operatives, and American drones still regularly buzz the skies of Somalia. The Ethiopian army easily routed the Courts regime. But, in an echo of the early US military success in Baghdad, the Ethiopians then appeared unsure what to do next. Gradually, the Islamists and nationalists regrouped. There was a traditional clan aspect to the new war. But what might be called the "Islamist/nationalist clan" to some extent transcended this in the face of what many Somalis saw as "Ethiopian occupation". Today the remnants of the Courts administration, backed by Islamist fighters known as al-Shabaab (Somali for "The Lads"), have made much of south and central Somalia a no-go area for the government and the Ethiopians. Al-Shabaab and related fighters mount hit-and-run attacks aimed at government forces but which often also kill civilians. However, a more common complaint among ordinary Somalis I spoke to is that the Ethiopians are "indiscriminate" in their reprisals - and that this is why Mogadishu has been emptied of people. Stuck in the middle, and trying to inject some sanity into the situation, is the small and beleaguered 2,700-strong African Union peacekeeping Mission in Somalia, Amisom. Its commander is Ugandan Major General, Francis Okello. "I need more troops, I need more equipment," he said, repeating the common refrain of peacekeeping commanders. But the diplomat-general was wise enough to add: "I also need more political support, I need more diplomatic support. You cannot impose a solution on Somalis, you can only encourage peace". Tentative peace talks are taking place under a UN initiative but - as so often with peace processes - the talks are dominated by the moderates, not the radicals on all sides who are fighting on the ground.

Rev. Ezibon Ngaruiya preaching at the ACK Kiswahili Sunday Service at St. Mathews Church  Stratford in East London, left, and the Archdeacon Kenneth Kahare explaining a point while welcoming the two Ministers, Rev. John Ndungu, sitted right and Rev. Ezibon Ngaruiya during the service.

The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Men's Association Co-ordinator, Rev. Ezibon Ngaruiya, appealed to Kenyan Christians living abroad to continue being committed to serving God and the Church faithfully as they used to be before they came to overseas. Rev. Ngaruiya, who is in UK with two other ACK Ministers, was the guest preacher at the ACK Kiswahili Sunday service at St. Mathews Church, Stratford, East London. He reminded the congregation that there is always a blessing from God when Christians continue being faithful Servants of the Lord. The service was also attended by the ACK Diocese of Mt. Kenya South Co-ordinator for Mission and Evangelism Rev. John Ndungu who is also a popular Gospel singer in Kenya. The two ACK Ministers promised to engage  themselves in more Anglican Missions abroad in future. The service was conducted by the Co-ordinator of Kenyan Anglican Missions in UK Archdeacon Kenneth Kahare.

It will be more than 1km high, have 150 lifts and will take over 10 years to construct, say the developers of what could become the world's tallest building. The Islamic design-inspired Nakheel Tower will be the centre piece of a multi-billion pound inner-city harbour development in Dubai. Its makers claim it will be so tall that the tower will experience five different microclimatic conditions above its height. And high speed shuttle lifts will mean people will be able to see the sunset twice - from the bottom and again from the top of the building. Nakheel - the company that created man-made islands in the shapes of a palm tree and the world - is behind the build. Its chief executive officer, Christopher O'Donnell, cautiously told a news conference: "From our perspective, we are building a tower that's going to be over 1km in height. "This is a complete iconic development. It may be the tallest. Someone may build something taller." But "tallest building" claims are notoriously difficult to make. Debates about what counts as a candidate include whether buildings under construction should be considered and whether roof-top antennas count. What is certain is that the tower will climb above the current holder of the "world's tallest building" position - the Emirate's own Burj Dubai. Asked if the firm was worried about embarking on such a development during a global financial crisis, Mr O'Donnell said: "It was always going to be a project that would take 10 years-plus. "When you go about trying to fund a project like this, you have to take account of the economic cycles." The company would not comment on how much the tower will cost to build.

Designs for the ambitious Nakheel Tower

The axe is set to fall on some Cabinet Ministers while some MPs are eyed for appointment into Government in President Kibaki’s first shuffle of the Grand Coalition Government. Sources in Government and in both PNU and ODM say the looming shuffle could come as early as by the end of the week, with hurdles that were holding the President’s hand now out of the way.

LEFT: Radical plans for the Treasury to take shareholdings in the biggest high street banks are being drawn up by the Government, the Daily Telegraph says. CENTRE: The Independent says Gordon Brown is under intense pressure to guarantee all savings held in British bank accounts, after Germany became the third European country to make the drastic move. RIGHT: All telephone calls, emails and text messages in Britain will be monitored under new Government snooping plans, claims the Express.

Thousands of Kenyans are being driven into modern slavery abroad in their desperate attempts to escape from worsening economic conditions at home. Nation investigations show that nearly 20,000 Kenyans fall prey to human trafficking cartels yearly and are living in appalling conditions in North America, Europe and the Middle East. The case of a 14-year-old girl rescued in the United Kingdom is a stark reminder of the growing trade in humans. She had been moved to Liverpool by a man who locked her in a house and forced her to have sex with numerous people. Luckily she escaped and she is now under the care of a charity in the UK. Her plight came to light on July 8, when UK Conservative Party MP Peter Bone of Wellingborough told Westminster Hall.  “(She) was a black girl from Kenya. She came in on a passport that did not have her name or photograph on it, but was allowed into the country.” Apart from the revelation by Mr Bone, little information is available about the girl. The Kenyan High Commission was not forthcoming when this writer used a London contact to seek more information about the girl.  Yet what emerges from this case is that Kenya has become a key operation base for cartels that are turning 17,500 Kenyans (according to estimates by Randy Fleitman, until recently the US Labour Attache, in Nairobi) into bondage abroad — about one in 40 people trafficked worldwide.  The cartels have also been bringing into Kenya Ugandans, Tanzanians, Indians, Chinese, Pakistani, Bangladeshis and Congolese, who are forced to work in construction industry and the EPZ factories, and as prostitutes in brothels in Nairobi.  After rescuing two Kenyan children in Tanzania last year, police believe another 40 minors and six adults are living there as slaves. Police sources say investigations have also moved to The Netherlands and Ireland where five children are believed to be living in similar circumstances. And the African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse (Anppcan), Kenya Chapter, is pursuing investigations on reports that children bought or stolen in Kenya are held in Busia Town homes veiled as schools before they are ferried to Burundi, southern Africa and Europe.  It has emerged also that some of these children are being trafficked “for purposes such as removal of organs, religious rituals or witchcraft’’, according to Child Rights Advisory Documentation and Legal Centre (Cradle — The Children’s Foundation) in its 90-page report, “Grand Illusions, Shattered Dreams” published three months ago. “Kenya is a source, transit and destination for trafficked children,” says Mr Ahmed Hussein, director of children’s services, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development.  In a report “Human Trafficking in East Africa: Research Assessment and Baseline Information in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Burundi”, published three months ago, the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) says Kenya and Tanzania are transit routes for Ethiopian women being trafficked to Europe and the Middle East and Somalis trafficked to South Africa.  Chinese women have been trafficked for sexual exploitation and Bangladeshis for forced labour through Kenya.  “In all of the countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi) the majority of trafficked respondents indicated that traffickers used either promises of jobs and/or promises of jobs with a good salary to persuade them.”  - Daily Nation.

"The day you stop appointing blame for your predicament in life, you'll begin to discover a new horizon of opportunities available to you." - Rev. Kakra Baiden

Dulwich newly-wed arrested while still in her wedding dress after immigration officials discovered marriage was sham

Tea farmers in the larger Nyeri and Murang’a North districts will be paid a total of Sh1.8 billion as second payment for the crop delivered in the last financial year. According to KTDA’s regional manager, Mr Alfred Njagi, the total payment to the farmers during the period will amount to Sh3.1 billion.  Gathuthi factory in Nyeri will pay at a rate of Sh18 per kilogramme which is the highest amount to be paid by factories in the two districts while Kiru in Murang’a will pay the lowest at a rate of Sh13 a kilogramme.  Meanwhile, a Kenya Tea Development Agency director on Sunday termed a move by some farmers to uproot their tea bushes as politically stage-managed.  Mr Peter Kanyago claimed that some farmers in Nyeri District were uprooting their crops after being instigated by some politicians. According to statistics provided by the director, farmers affiliated to Gathuthi factory catchment area uprooted a total of 1,200 tea bushes over the past year for various including construction of homes.  This was against 280,000 tea bushes planted within the same period. He said this year’s tea bonus was comparatively better across the board compared to last year’s which showed that the future for the sub-sector was bright. Mr Kanyago said the high cost of labour, energy and electricity were the major challenges facing the industry.

Tea picking in progress. KTDA will pay out second payment to tea farmers in the larger Nyeri and Murang'a North districts.

A group of skydivers has completed the first parachute jump over the world's highest peak, Mount Everest. The three adventurers, from the UK, New Zealand and Canada, enjoyed a minute-long freefall after jumping from about 9,000m (29,500ft). The trip took 15 years to plan and cost each jumper about $24,000 (£13,500). After doing the jump, Briton Holly Budge said it was worth the money. There are now 29 other members of the group waiting to do the leap. "It was amazing, just spectacular," Ms Budge told the AFP news agency by telephone after making a safe landing. "We had one minute of freefall and while we were above the clouds you could see Everest and the other high mountains popping out of the top." The skydives were originally scheduled to be carried out on Friday but were delayed by thick cloud. The jumpers had to use breathing equipment, extra-thick parachutes and special suits to deal with the thin air and sub-zero temperatures. They also trekked in the region before the jump to get used to high altitudes. Expedition leader Nigel Gifford says the people of the Everest region have got used to the idea, and that they are relating it to a Buddhist holy man said to have jumped over the Himalayas. "It came about because I have been a Himalayan mountaineer and took up skydiving. I love doing both and I thought it would be good to marry the two," he said.

Practice runs were held earlier in the week

Rev. James Kirika and his wife (Mama na Baba Joy) of Discipleship Christian Centre in West London have lost their mother back in Kenya on Sunday 5th October, 2008. You can pass your condolences through 07796258381.

More than half of Britain's nuclear power stations have been shut down, or are running at reduced power, for safety reasons - threatening the country with power shortages in just a few weeks' time, claims the Independent on Sunday and on right Peter Mandelson has warned European nations not to try to "get out of jail free" by unilaterally guaranteeing all deposits in their banks, says The Sunday Telegraph.

HOME OFFICE NEW

• 01 October 2008  Points-based system - apply for your sponsor licence as soon as possible

• 25 September 2008  First ID card unveiled by Home Secretary as scheme builds momentum

  The first UK Identity Card was unveiled today by the Home Secretary.

• 17 September 2008  Changes to sponsor guidance for Tiers 2, 4 and 5

  Changes to sponsor guidance for Tiers 2, 4 and 5

• 17 September 2008  Codes of practice for the sponsored skilled workers tier

  The codes of practice for Tier 2 (sponsored skilled workers) have been published.

• 11 September 2008  Changes to Tier 1 guidance notes

  New versions of Tier 1 guidance notes were released on 11 September 2008.

• 10 September 2008  Change to the list of English language test providers for tier 1 of the points-based system

  The following organisations and tests have been withdrawn from the list of approved English language test providers for tier 1 of the points-based system.

• 08 September 2008  Strict new jobs list for migrant workers

  A strict new list of shortage jobs which targets migration better at the needs of British businesses, while reinforcing the selective approach of the new Australian-style points based system, was presented to the Home Office today by independent advisors.

• 29 August 2008  Identity cards for foreign nationals

  From 25 November 2008 we will begin to issue identity cards to foreign nationals applying for further leave to remain in the United Kingdom under certain categories.

• 27 August 2008  European fund for the integration of third country nationals (EIF) 2007

  The European fund for the integration of third country nationals (EIF) is a new European Commission fund that started in 2007 and will run to 2013.

• 26 August 2008  Transforming our systems for producing certificates of entitlement to the right of abode issued within the United Kingdom

The German government has called an emergency meeting with the central bank and financial regulator to try to save troubled German bank Hypo Real Estate. The bank, Germany's second biggest commercial property lender, is fighting for its survival after a 35bn euro ($48bn; £27.2bn) rescue plan collapsed. Hypo said it would look at alternative measures to fund its business. The news came after European leaders at a Paris summit stopped short of offering a US-style bank bail-out plan. The collapse of Hypo Real Estate will put further strain on other financial institutions in other countries, struggling against a crisis of confidence in the global financial system. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to make a statement about the bank later. Hypo Real Estate relies heavily on borrowing from other banks to fund its business and has suffered badly as banks have become increasingly cautious about lending to each other. Just last week, the firm announced that it had succeeded in securing a credit facility worth 35bn euros stitched together by the government. Under the deal, the government was going to provide the lion's share of the loan, with a consortium of banks providing 8.5bn euros. It was designed to make sure that Hypo Real Estate had sufficient short and medium-term funding to make sure it could function while the international money markets remained in a deep freeze. But Hypo Real Estate said the banks had withdrawn support for the loan, putting the whole rescue package at risk. Germany's finance ministry said the banks had not informed the government of their plans to ditch their support. A spokesman called on all parties to prevent the bank from failing. "Now is the time for everyone to show responsibility," he said. Some analysts are saying the bank will not last more than a few days without a rescue package, so action must be taken before the markets open on Monday.

The US Congress on Friday passed the Bush administration’s $700bn financial rescue package after a tense week on Capitol Hill, but stocks fell sharply afterwards amid continuing turmoil in the credit markets. The 263-171 vote in the House of Representatives, which rejected an earlier proposal only four days before, came after $149bn in tax breaks was added to the bill to help sway reluctant legislators to back the plan. President George W. Bush immediately signed the legislation, which he has lobbied for vigorously in recent days.  But in comments after the vote, the president sounded a sombre note about the crisis, which has coincided with a rise in opinion polls for Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee.  He told Americans they should expect the legislation to take some time to make its full impact on the economy. “Exercising the authorities in this bill in a responsible way will require careful analysis and deliberation. This will be done as expeditiously as possible, but it cannot be accomplished overnight.”  The US House overwhelmingly passed the $700bn bank rescue plan, after rejecting an earlier version. Will the bail-out help resolve the financial crisis?

Reaction on Wall Street turned increasingly negative after the vote. The S&P 500 – which rose as much as 3.6 per cent ahead of the decision – fell 1.4 per cent, closing below its level on Monday after the House voted against the bill. It was the worst week for US stocks since markets re-opened after the September 11 2001 terrorists attacks. The market moves came as data showed a big fall in US jobs in September. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said non-farm payrolls fell 159,000 last month, the biggest monthly fall since March 2003. The US Treasury also confirmed that California had asked it for emergency funding in the event that credit markets failed to return to normal. Barney Frank, chairman of the House financial services committee, vowed that Congress would next embark on a regulatory revamp of Wall Street and the US banking industry. “We will be back next year to do some serious surgery to the financial structure,” he said. The decision in Washington came as Europe’s central banks took unprecedented emergency measures. Mervyn King, Bank of England governor, blamed “extraordinary conditions” for a second £40bn injection of three-month money into British banks on Monday. The European Central Bank said it would widen its quick tenders of cash from the normal 130 banks to all of the 1,700 banks it deals with.

A zoo in the Philippines has held a ceremony that celebrates a Christian holy day by blessing a variety of animals. Parish priest Efren Ojeda performed the ceremony, which commemorated St Francis of Assisi, the 13th century friar who became the patron saint of animals  - VIDEO

EU LEADERS MEET TO DISCUSS FINANCIAL CRISIS

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he wants Europe to provide funding to help smaller business cope with the financial crisis. Brown (right) met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy (left) and other EU leaders to discuss the credit crunch

World economic crisis: France moves into recession

London, Saturday 4th October, 2008. The French premier, Francois Fillon, today warned that the world was "on the edge of the abyss" as his country moved into an official recession. Fillon's comments, blaming an "irresponsible" financial system, came as the Dutch government seized control of bancassurer Fortis's Netherlands operations in a €16.8bn (£13.06bn) deal greed with the Belgian and Luxembourg authorities. The effective nationalisation, forced upon the governments by the scale of the financial meltdown, includes Fortis's interests in Dutch bank ABN Amro. The shock decision came just days after the three governments injected €11.2bn into Fortis, Belgium's biggest bank, to keep it afloat. Fillon was speaking on the eve of today's emergency summit of EU leaders in Paris to try to find collective ways of restoring confidence. He said that the president, Nicolas Sarkozy, who called the talks, would propose that Europe "make its banking systems secure, unfreeze credit and co-ordinate its economic and monetary strategy".

"We do not rule out any option to guarantee that no banking institution will be forced into bankruptcy. The state will intervene each time it's necessary to secure our banking system," he said. However, opposition from other governments has ruled out a US-style bail-out plan. European governments have this week mounted rescue operations for several banks. But Gordon Brown, Germany's Angela Merkel, Italy's Silvio Berlusconi and Sarkozy are expected, at most, to agree to set aside national reserves to help ailing banks. The four leaders are to discuss the option of a harmonised approach to raising guarantees for bank deposits after Ireland's controversial go-it-alone decision to offer a limitless guarantee for individual savings and business deposits at six main banks. European commission officials indicated that the Irish government, which failed to consult it and has not yet formally notified its scheme, could be forced to rescind it under EU competition rules. Experts warned that the Irish decision could trigger a fragmentation of Europe's cross-border banks. The Greek government, under pressure from Brussels rowed back from its decision to mimic the Irish. Current EU laws set the minimum deposit guarantee at €20,000, but pressure is on to increase this to prevent a run on banks. Today's meeting is also due to discuss changes to accounting standards to avoid under-valuing banks' risky assets and curbs on executive pay in the financial sector. Official data said the French economy will probably contract by 0.1% in both the third and fourth quarters of 2008, following a 0.3% contraction between April and June. But the government said the economy would still register 0.9% growth for the year.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-il is reported to have made his first public appearance since rumours surfaced that he had suffered a stroke. Mr Kim attended a student football match in Pyongyang, state media said. The 66-year-old leader had not been seen since mid-August. US and South Korean officials said he had suffered a stroke and underwent brain surgery. Mr Kim did not appear at a 9 September anniversary parade, but North Korean officials denied he was ill. North Korea's state news agency, KCNA, reported that Mr Kim watched a football game to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of Kim Il-Sung University, named for his father, the founder of North Korea. Kim Il-Sung University was reported to have beaten Pyongyang University of Railways 4-1.

On Tuesday, a US officer off the coast of Somalia monitors the Faina, a cargo ship seized by pirates with about 30 T-72 tanks and other weapons on board and on right on the same day in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, people queue to withdraw money from the bank as inflation and cash shortages continue to cripple the economy.

Russia's foreign minister has called for joint international action to halt pirate attacks off the Horn of Africa. "Russia aims to stop the outrageous actions of Somali pirates," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. A Russian warship has already been despatched to Somali waters following last week's seizure of a Ukrainian ship laden with 33 Russian-made tanks. The pirates are demanding a $20m (£11m) ransom for the vessel which is surrounded by US navy warships. On Thursday, the European Union agreed to establish an anti-piracy security operation off the coast of Somalia to become operational in November. Mr Lavrov said the Russians would participate in international efforts to halt the piracy and called for a UN resolution to tackle the problem. He said Malaysia was also sending frigates to join the US warships surrounding the pirates. According to Russia's Itar-Tass news agency, the Russian warship Neutrashimy is to commence patrols in the Gulf of Aden on 6 November. The warship is reported to be carrying marines and commandoes on board. The Ukrainian vessel - the Faina - was carrying T-72 tanks, rifles and heavy weapons when it was seized last week and is being held off the coast, near the town of Hobyo. Most of the 20 crew are Ukrainian or Latvian; one Russian has reportedly died of illness. The ship is surrounded by US warships, which is not allowing the heavy weapons to be taken off the ship. Piracy off the coast of Somalia has cost up to $30m (£17m) in ransoms so far this year, a report has said.

"Achievers know that the other side of the coin labelled "failure" is success" - Dr. Abraham Chigbundu, Nigeria

London, Saturday 4th October, 2008. Refugee children as young as three years old are being found abandoned at UK ports and airports in increasing numbers, it emerged on Friday 3rd October, 2008. Some 3,525 children – packed off here because the UK will take them in – applied for asylum last year. The figure is a two per cent rise on the previous 12 months. Most  were between 16 and 17 years old, 24 per cent were aged 14 to 15 and 11 per cent were under 14.  Nearly a third came from Afghanistan, followed by Iran and China. The children are placed in foster care or, if they are old enough, get supported lodgings and help to overcome cultural and language barriers. This involves the authorities working with schools and giving bi-lingual help as well as liaising with health services. In Hampshire, 68 youngsters under 18 were found abandoned at Southampton docks and airport and even service stations in the last year. Hampshire County Council revealed they have taken in 43 of the children. Southampton City Council placed a further 19 of them and Portsmouth City Council took in six. The youngest was three years old. A county council spokesman said: “Our fostering service has carers who are skilled in providing the extra support needed by children requiring emergency placements. “We do whatever we can to facilitate contact with their families.” Christine Knight, from the Southampton and Winchester Visitors’ Group, an organisation which works alongside asylum seekers, said: “We do see people who came to this country as unaccompanied asylum seeker children." “Usually their parents have been killed and distant relatives or friends put them on a plane here because it is better than staying in Iraq, for example. “It usually means they have been orphaned, there is no one to look after them and it is very unsafe in their home country.” Under UK law, an unaccompanied child asylum seeker is entitled to be looked after by the local authority as a child, rather than dispersed around the country with adult asylum seekers. Until recently the Home Office would have allowed the majority to remain in the country until they were 18 before being deported back to their native country. However, in February this year the Home Office announced plans to send some children home. But a Border Agency spokesperson insisted they wouldn’t deport a child unless they had contacted their family or arranged care. He said: “The subject of unaccompanied asylum seeking children is a very complex and emotive issue, and the welfare of children and young people is of paramount importance. “Even where an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child has been found not to need international protection, we do not return children and young people to countries unless the family has been traced or an acceptable level of reception and care arrangements have been established.”

This holidaymaker is happily enjoying a day’s surfing, unaware he is sharing his wave with a great white shark. Fergal Smith, 21, was two miles off the coast of Perth in Western Australia when he caught a monster wave but failed to spot the real sea monster lurking inside it. Fergal, of County Mayo, Ireland, only realised he was inches from the shark when photographer Phil Gallagher showed him the photo. Shark experts have examined the amazing picture and say the beast has the distinctive eyes and white belly of a great white. Phil, 29, of Perth, said: “It was a very scary situation. I saw something in the water which disappeared under the curl of the massive wave. “I thought it was a dolphin until I looked at my camera. It was a great white. I couldn’t believe it.

Hundreds of penguins have been returned to their native territory in the south Atlantic ocean by an air force plane after being found along Brazil's coast. Every year penguins make their way north from the colder waters near to Patagonia in search of food. But the numbers and distances the penguins have travelled this year have amazed the authorities. At least 1,000 birds are now said to have washed up on the coast of Brazil, some of which have died along the way. Some are thought to have made a journey of more than 3,000km (1,860 miles) from the cold waters of Patagonia on the southern tip of South America. Earlier this year the first reports of large numbers of penguins being found came in from southern Brazilian states such as Rio de Janeiro. Now they are even being discovered in the far north of the country. Some experts have said that penguin migration is closely linked to their need for food, and that the unusual journey the penguins are making suggests something has gone wrong with their normal fish supply. Experts say it is not clear whether this is due to changes in water temperatures and ocean currents or man-made pollution.

Mr Mandelson is referred to by the nickname conferred upon him during the time he spent in the Cabinet under Tony Blair on the front page of The Independent and the $700bn bail-out of ailing sectors of the US economy by the country's government has averted economic catastrophe, if The Daily Express is to be believed.

A number of European leaders are due to discuss the global economic crisis at an emergency summit in Paris later. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the leaders of France, Germany and Italy are all due to attend. They are expected to meet the president of the European Commission and European Central Bank chief. The meeting was set up to try to forge a common approach but there have already been considerable disagreements about any sort of EU bail-out package. French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said he hopes the discussions will lead to a world summit later this year.

Kenya Airways may abandon some of its routes due to high fuel prices and reduced air traffic. Managing director Titus Naikuni said Thursday that although crude oil prices have come down on the international market, selling prices have not done so. The number of passengers is also currently low, he added.  “We have reached a point where we might cancel some routes,” Mr Naikuni told reporters in his Nairobi office.  “We have not made that decision yet but we are monitoring the situation.” Likely routes to be affected are the Far East, Middle East and those to some European capitals. Early last month, the Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that airlines faced losses close to $12 billion this year.  “The situation remains bleak,” said IATA director general Giovanni Bisignani.  “The toxic combination of high oil prices and falling demand continues to poison the industry’s profitability.” Global year-on-year passenger demand growth in July - seen as the best month of the year - fell to 1.9 per cent. This was its lowest in five years. Mr Naikuni, however, said he was confident of future growth. - Daily Nation.

Libyan owners of the Grand Regency Hotel have changed its name even as the Cockar Commission investigating the sale is yet to complete its work. It will now be known as Laico Regency Hotel to join the Libyan hotel chain with a similar brand name, according to the general manager Solomon Adede. Even though the Cockar Commission is yet to establish whether or not the sale of Nairobi’s Grand Regency hotel was legal, it is business as usual for the owners, who yesterday unveiled the hotel’s new name. Mr Adede said despite the hotel being the subject of a national inquiry, business plans would move ahead.  “It’s true that the commission has a job to do but we, as management, still have a business to run and we have to position ourselves for 2009,” he said.

The body of the late Lucy Rita Wambui Munyiri left UK for Kenya on Friday 3rd October, 2008 in a Virgin Atlantic airline. The Kenya High Commission in London has facilitated the body's transport back to Kenya. The late Munyiri died in Birmingham in May this year and her body has been held by coroners because of funds. Birmingham council was in the last stages of burying the body when the Kenya High Commissioner in the UK intervened. The only daughter of the deceased Christine will receive the body in Kenya.

A view of the MV Faina, a Belize-flagged cargo ship owned and operated by Kaalybe Shipping Ukraine, as observed by the crew of USS Howard. Somali pirates demanded a $35 million ransom on Saturday for the Ukrainian ship they seized, which was carrying 33 tanks and other military supplies to Kenya, a maritime official said. On right Somali pirates in small boats hijack the MV Faina, a Belize-flagged cargo ship owned and operated by Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine, on September 25, 2008. Somali pirates demanded a $35 million ransom on Saturday for the Ukrainian ship they seized, which was carrying 33 tanks and other military supplies to Kenya, a maritime official said.

The US House of Representatives has voted in favour of a $700bn (£394bn) bail-out plan aimed at rescuing the US financial system. The House vote was the second in a week, following its shock rejection of an earlier version on Monday. Senate had approved the measure earlier and President George W Bush wasted no time signing it into law shortly afterwards. The package is aimed at buying up the bad debts of failing institutions on Wall Street.

Why do banks need a bail-out?

The world's financial markets are in deep trouble, after many banks invested heavily in the US mortgage market. Since the housing bubble burst, banks do not know how many of these loans will be paid back. What was initially seen as a local difficulty has now engulfed banks around the world. Banks no longer know what their investments are worth, making them difficult to sell. Banks are reluctant to lend to each other as they worry their rivals might get into trouble. Already the credit crisis has resulted in the collapse of several large financial institutions - both in the US and in Europe. The bill is aimed at taking the bad debts off the books of the banks, thus freeing up credit markets.

How will the bail-out work?

US Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson wants to use the money to buy up many of the dubious mortgage investments. In return, US taxpayers will gain a non-voting stake in the banks they rescue. So if the banks recover, taxpayers may make a profit. However, if taxpayers make a loss, then the rest of the financial services industry will be forced to carry some of the costs. Bank bosses will also see limits placed on their pay. So-called golden parachutes - huge payments to bankers leaving a bank - have been ruled out. But it is not clear how much the US government will pay for the bad debts, and so how much help will be provided to the banks.

Will homeowners benefit?

The Congress has said that it wants to make sure that when the US buys up these mortgage securities, it also protects those people who are facing foreclosure. The US government could stop repossessions on some of the mortgages it owns, or change the repayments to make it easier to pay. But this could prove a complicated and long-drawn out process, with 4 million homeowners facing repossession this year. And it could still take long negotiations with the private sector mortgage holders, who have not been too keen to go down this route.

How is the US government planning to finance the purchase?

The US government plans to borrow the money from world financial markets. The legislation gives the Treasury the authority to issue an additional $700bn worth of Treasury securities. The hope is that eventually the Treasury can sell the distressed assets back into financial markets once the housing market has stabilised, hopefully making a profit. Some are concerned that issuing more government debt, and virtually doubling the size of the budget deficit, is a risky strategy. It could make the US more dependent on foreign banks, which are among the biggest purchasers of Treasury securities.

How will the bail-out affect me?

If you live in the US, another $2,300 will be added to your share of the national debt - though not your taxes. The financial sector bail-outs in the US this year are expected to total up to $1.8 trillion. That's $15,000 per US household. However, the bill has provided with additional protection for savers, with the amount insured by the US government in bank accounts increasing from $100,000 to $250,000. In a broader sense, the hope is that the bill will help stabilise the meltdown in financial markets that was threatening to dry up credit around the world.

The US House of Representatives has passed a $700bn (£394bn) government plan to rescue the US financial sector. The 263-171 vote was the second in a week, following its shock rejection of an earlier version on Monday. The package is aimed at buying up the bad debts of failing financial institutions on Wall Street. US President George W Bush praised lawmakers for their "spirit of co-operation" before signing the bill into law later on Friday. The House adopted the new version after the Senate added about $100bn in new tax breaks to win Republican votes. The Dow Jones Industrial Average had been buoyant ahead of the vote, surging up 250 points, but those gains were pared back amid profit taking and continued uncertainty, and it closed down 1.5%.

Half-acre plot for sale in Ngong. The plot is located 600 metres from Juanco on left. Going for Kshs. 3 million. For more information contact 07951220695 or misterseed@yahoo.co.uk

Ouch! This suspected thief was impaled on fence spike for TWO hours after losing his footing while trying to clamber into a museum in South Africa. The 32-year-old was eventually hoisted off and, despite how painful the picture above looks, told police he hadn't been in any pain - because he'd been drunk.

Children of British mothers - proposed changes

A person who has a British mother currently has a right to register as a British citizen if:

• he or she was born between 7 February 1961 and 1 January 1983; and

• he or she would have become a British citizen if women had been able to pass on citizenship in the same way as men at that time.

The government plans to introduce an amendment to allow people born before the 1961 date to register under this section. The proposals will be introduced in the Citizenship, Immigration and Borders Bill in December 2008. The Bill will be debated in Parliament from December and so, if this proposal becomes law, it is unlikely to come into effect until late 2009.

TALLEST TOWER IN THE WORLD

The Burj Dubai tower is still under construction in the Gulf emirate of Dubai and is now 555 meters (1,831.5 feet) tall. It has finally surpassed the 553-metre- (1,824.9-feet) CN Tower in Toronto, Canada, which held the record for the world’s tallest free-standing structure since 1976. The state-owned development company Emaar Properties did not reveal the tower’s final projected height or its final number of storeys, which they had kept secret since they launched the project in January 2004. The Burj Dubai is expected to be finished by the end of 2008. Burj Dubai  "Dubai Tower") is a skyscraper under construction in the Business Bay district of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is the tallest man-made structure ever built, despite being incomplete. Construction began on September 21, 2004 and is expected to be completed and ready for occupation in September 2009.[1] The building is part of the 2 km2 (0.8 sq mi) development called "Downtown Dubai", at the "First Interchange" (aka "Defence Roundabout") along Sheikh Zayed Road at Doha Street. The tower's architect is Adrian Smith[4] who worked with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) until 2006.[5] The architecture and engineering firm SOM is in charge of the project.[4] The primary builders are Samsung Engineering & Construction and Besix along with Arabtec.[6] Turner Construction Company was chosen as the construction manager.[7] The total budget for the Burj Dubai project is about US$4.1 billion[8] and for the entire new 'Downtown Dubai', US$20 billion. Mohamed Ali Alabbar, the CEO of Emaar Properties, speaking at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat 8th World Congress, said that the price of office space at Burj Dubai had reached $4,000 per sq ft (over $43,000 per sq m) and that the Armani Residences, also in Burj Dubai, were selling for $3,500 per sq ft (over $37,500 per sq

Celebrations to mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan turned tragic in Tanzania after 19 children were killed in a disco stampede. Sixteen others, who were injured, were taken to hospital after the incident at Tabora, a town north west of Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial capital. President Jakaya Kikwete expressed shock at the incident and ordered “immediate and thorough” investigations as he dispatched Labour and Employment minister Juma Kapuya to coordinate the burials on behalf of the Government., In his message of condolence to the victims’ families through Tabora regional commissioner Abeid Mwinyimusa, President Kikwete said disciplinary action would be taken against those responsible for the tragedy. - Daily Nation

This list of the tallest buildings and structures in London ranks skyscrapers and towers in the city of London, United Kingdom by height. The tallest structure in London is the 50-storey One Canada Square, which rises 235 metres (771 ft) in Canary Wharf and was completed in 1991.[1] It also stands as the tallest building in the United Kingdom and the 11th-tallest building in Europe. The second-tallest structure in London is the 219-metre (720 ft) Crystal Palace transmitting station, which was completed in 1950.[2] The history of structures in London began with the completion of the 27-metre (90 ft) White Tower, a part of the Tower of London, in 1098.[3][4] The first structure to surpass a height of 100 metres (328 ft) was Old St Paul's Cathedral. Completed in 1310, the cathedral stood at a height of 150 metres (493 ft).[5] It was the world's tallest structure until 1311, when its height was surpassed by Lincoln Cathedral in Lincoln, England.[5] It regained the title when the spire of the Lincoln Cathedral fell in 1549.[6] Although the spire of the Old St Paul's Cathedral was destroyed by lightning on 4 June 1561, it still stood as the tallest structure in London,[6] while the world's tallest structure became the Strasbourg Cathedral in Strasbourg, France.[6] The Old St Paul's Cathedral was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in September 1666.[5] The title of tallest structure in London passed to the Southwark Cathedral, which stands at a height of 50 metres (163 ft).[7] No structure in London rose above 100 metres (328 ft) until 1710 when the current St Paul's Cathedral was completed. Rising 111 metres (365 ft), the cathedral is the tallest place of worship in London and the largest Protestant cathedral in the world.[8] It remained as the tallest structure in London for 229 years until the construction of the Battersea Power Station in 1939.[9] Despite its long history, London has not been the location of many skyscrapers. This is due to strict regulations on building heights to preserve its protected views, especially those of St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and Westminster Palace.  - MORE

Do you know that PriceWaterhouseCoopers is  the worlds largest accountancy firm

Nairobi, Friday 3rd October, 2008. Prime Minister Raila Odinga is now raising the red flag on renewed tribalism which he says poses a threat to unity currently enjoyed.  He has described it unfortunate actions by certain leaders to propagate the vice that he says was a major contributor to post election violence witnessed early this year. In his harshest criticism of politicians in the country Prime Minister Odinga expressed regret that the tragedies of the post election period due to negative ethnicity has failed to serve as lessons to tribal chauvinist leaders.  "Our biggest failure s an independent nation has been the failure of leadership. Our Politics have largely been chauvinistic and parochial, selfish and short sighted" he said. Raila said a section of leaders are committed to dividing the country as they propagate politics of tribalism and hatred. The Prime Minister said shocking is the poisoning of young minds against other tribes, perplexed that those championing the disintegration of the fabric of this country are leaders who have gone through institutions of higher learning. Speaking at the 23rd graduation ceremony of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Raila urged the graduands to be ambassadors of change and rid the country of corruption and negative ethnicity. The chancellor of the university the Most Reverend Tarciso Ziyeye urged the government to make Higher learning affordable and accessible to benefit the needy in the society.

"What we call 'progress' is the exchange of one nuisance for another nuisance." - Oxford quotations, 31st July, 1912

Nairobi, Friday 3rd October, 2008. The US embassy on Friday maintained that the Electoral Commission of Kenya commissioners should step down as recommeded by the Kriegler report. They are now  calling on the Kenyan grand coalition government to expedite the complete implementation of recommendations of the Kriegler report, with particular regards to reforms in the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK).  The Embassy however did not confirm whether they had barred the commissioners from visiting their countries only saying that their policy does not allow them to discuss visa applications.In a terse statement, the US Embassy stated that the commission had lost the credibility in the eyes of the Kenyan public and should be dissolved as recommended by the Kriegler report. The statement further adds that lack of transparency and accountability in the Election vote tallying process seriuosly compromised the credibility of the results.  The embassy said the kreigler report speaks for itself and makes clear that fundamental changes, in every respect are necessary. The US embassy statement comes hot on the heels of Thursday's criticism by foreign affairs minister Moses Wetangula who termed the envoys demand that ECK commissioners step down or be denied visas as blackmail. Wetangula expressed outrage at calls for the resignation of ECK Chairman Samuel Kivuitu by some Ambassadors. Wetangula said their remarks amount to a blatant breach of protocol and political interference.

"Achievers see God perfect in every situation. They know that their tomorrow is better than their yesterday." Dr. Abraham Chigbundu, Nigeria

Officials in New Jersey are trying to work out why large chunks of mystery meat have been washing ashore in the American state. Bob Schoelkopf of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center noted: 'The largest piece that we found intact was 5 feet... Almost as if someone had blown up an animal and it floated to shore.'  Experts from the center, who were called in to investigate the meat, say that it was actually internal organs from a large marine animal – possibly a whale or a shark. However, they're unable to pin down exactly what species might have been – or exactly how it got broken up into meat lumps. To add to the mystery, it's not just New Jersey that's being inundated with innards. When the center officials contacted the National Marine Fisheries Service to let them know about the meat, they discovered that the beaches of neighbouring Delaware had also been hit by a meat influx. The meat is now undergoing DNA tests to discover what animal it used to belong to – bit it could be months before the results are back. By which time, residents must hope, their beaches will no longer be covered in meat.

The largest piece that we found intact was 5 feet... Almost as if someone had blown up

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TO ALL KENYANS AND FRIENDS OF JANE COSTELLO (Jane wa Nguo).

Rose Njeri wa Kamande (left) with her daughter Jane on right

The organising committee, guest of honour, family and friends of Jane wa Nguo of Dartford cordially invite you to a fund raising event for Kidney Transplant of Rose Njeri wa Kamande (Jane's mum), who came to this country to visit the family and was diagnosed with kidneys failure. She is undergoing kidney dialysis  3 days a week and because of her status in this country, she is now required to pay for her treatment privately.

Venue: Memorial Baptist Church, 395 Barking Road, Plaistow E13 8AL.

Date........4th October, 2008.

Time........6pm to 11pm.

Those wishing to help can deposit their money at Barclays Bank, Account name: Jane Costello, Account no. 70793663, Sort Code 206790.

For further details, information and account details please contact the following people

Jane........07958686611

Faith........07956293763

Conso.......07985664759

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A new US embassy is to be built in London, ambassador Robert Tuttle announced on Thursday 2nd October, 2008. The new embassy will be in Wandsworth, south London, and the existing building in London's Grosvenor Square will be offered for sale almost immediately. The deal is conditional on the approval of US Congress and planning authorities in Britain. Mr Tuttle told reporters at the Embassy: "I have signed on behalf of the US Government a conditional agreement with the real estate developer Ballymore to acquire a site in the Nine Elms Opportunity Area in Wandsworth for the construction of a new embassy. "This has been a long and careful process. We looked at all our options, including renovation of our current building on Grosvenor Square. "In the end, we realised that the goal of a modern, secure and environmentally sustainable embassy could best be met by constructing a new facility. "I'm excited about America playing a role in the regeneration of the South Bank of London."  He said the existing embassy building would be offered for sale almost immediately. "I do want to stress that this is the beginning of a lengthy and multi-step process, and it requires Congressional approval and that of the local planning authorities, and we will remain here until the process is completed and we are ready to move. "If we are not able to move forward, we will probably renovate this building." He said the global real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield is advising the Overseas Buildings Operations Bureau, which directs the State Department's worldwide facilities programme, on the project. Mr Tuttle, who led the search for a new site, added: "We wanted the site to be as close to Parliament and Government buildings as the current site, and we have achieved that." He declined to discuss the cost of the deal, saying it is confidential. Sean Mulryan, chairman of the Ballymore Group, said: "We are delighted the United States Embassy has chosen to invest in our Nine Elms project. "The new embassy will serve as a catalyst for the regeneration of the area." The embassy is the United States' largest in Western Europe and one of London's most recognisable buildings.

The World's heaviest man is planning to walk down the aisle with his girlfriend, despite being unable to get out of bed. Manuel Uribe, 43, the world record holder at 87st 12lbs, has announced plans to marry hairdresser Claudia Solis on October 26. Mr Uribe has undertaken a heroic effort to shed weight in past months, shedding 52st. He still can't get out of bed and leaving the house means he has to travel by forklift. But his goal is to walk down the aisle Ms Solis and take her to be his wedded wife. "It will be a hefty wedding, on a large scale, but with a low-calorie banquet", he said. A band called "Pesado," or "Heavy," will play at the wedding. - VIDEO

Albinos in Burundi have been taking refuge after three of them were killed by gangs apparently seeking to sell body parts in neighbouring Tanzania. Four albinos were moved to a provincial centre on Thursday in Ruyigi, Burundi, where police were protecting them, the BBC's Prime Ndikumagenge reports. Authorities have arrested six people in connection with the murder of an albino teenage girl in August. The attacks follow the killing of 26 Tanzanian albinos in less than a year. A BBC correspondent's investigation there revealed that witchdoctors were behind the killings. They sought albino body parts for potions that they claimed could make people rich. Two of the albinos killed in Burundi - a man and a teenage girl - were reportedly found dead with their legs and arms missing. Police said the tip of the girl's tongue was also removed. Neighbours of another teenage albino girl killed in Ruyigi in August chased away her attackers, six of whom were later apprehended as they came to retrieve her body parts. They are said to have told police that they were planning to sell the body parts in Tanzania. Our correspondent says that albinos in Burundi - estimated to number around 200 - are now living in fear for their lives.

Albinos in neighbouring Tanzania have also been targeted

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Thursday 2nd October, 2008. Stocks extended losses on Thursday as tight credit markets and a spate of bleak economic data left investors even more anxious about the economy's health a day before release of the crucial payrolls report. The Nasdaq shed 4 percent as investors also fretted about the fate of a $700 billion financial rescue package that was passed by the Senate on Wednesday, but still must win approval from the House. The House voted down an earlier version of the bill on Monday, leading to the worst stock sell-off since just after the 1987 market crash. Earlier, data showing a rise in the number of Americans filing claims for first-time jobless benefits and a sharp drop in factory orders added to the negative tone. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 328.15 points, or 3.03 percent, at 10,502.92. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 42.92 points, or 3.70 percent, at 1,118.14. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 84.73 points, or 4.09 percent, at 1,984.67.

City workers make phone calls outside the London Stock Exchange in Paternoster Square in the City of London at lunchtime October 1, 2008.  

(Reuters) - Shockwaves from the global credit crisis spread on Thursday, threatening industry and jobs worldwide and putting pressure on Congress to pass a $700 billion bailout of the U.S. financial sector. But how much is $700 billion -- what can it buy? Compared to the debt of the United States, which the U.S. Treasury has asked to increase to $11.315 trillion to fund the plan, it doesn't seem much. Here are a few of the things that can be done with $700 billion:

-- The United States has spent more than $800 billion on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001.

-- Just 12 Bill Gateses could foot the bail-out bill. The Microsoft founder tops Forbes' U.S. rich list with a personal fortune estimated at $57 billion.

-- Collectively, the 400 richest Americans have a net worth of $1.57 trillion, or roughly twice the value of the bail-out.

-- $700 billion is roughly equal to the GDP of Netherlands, or five times that of Pakistan.

-- It is only $100 billion short of the combined GDP of all of Africa.

-- It is only $78 billion more than the 2007 U.S. defense budget. 

-- It would buy around 130 of the latest, biggest aircraft carriers, which cost about $5.3 billion each.

-- The plan could be funded with the market capitalizations of the world's two largest oil companies, Exxon Mobil Corp and PetroChina, which stood at $403 billion and $325 billion respectively at Thursday's close of trading. There would even be $28 billion in change.

The Independent says a political crisis has erupted after Britain's most senior policeman Sir Ian Blair was forced out of office by the Conservative mayor of London and Mugshots of Sir Ian Blair grace the front page of the Times which reports the commissioner was forced to resign in a swift political coup.

Nairobi, Friday 3rd October, 2008. Kenya’s 55 judges are up in arms against a decision by the Government to implement a proposal to tax their salaries and allowances before Parliament passes the law. The High Court and Appelate judges are accusing the Government of ambushing them with the deductions, which were effected in their September pay. A crisis meeting to discuss the issue is expected on Friday after their attempts to meet Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura on Tuesday failed. The move is part of tax proposals made by former Finance minister Amos Kimunya in his Budget Speech in June.  Mr Kimunya had proposed that MPs and holders of constitutional offices, whose allowances are not subject to taxation, pay tax like all Kenyans. However, MPs who are still enjoying tax-free allowance are yet to feel the pinch as a decision on how much will be deducted is yet to be made.  Others who got a rude shock on receiving their September salaries include commissioners of the Electoral Commission and those of the Public Service Commission.  They surrendered huge sums of money to the tax man — approximately a third of their pay. A judge who spoke to the Nation on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said the decision is unfair and it had “disorganised” them. “They didn’t even give us notice and we have bills to take pay; almost every judge has a mortgage to pay; now that means we have to start organising ourselves again from scratch,” the judge said. Even if the law had been amended, the judge said, it could not be applied retroactively as they have been asked to pay tax from July. What has been deducted so far is the September tax and they are expected to pay for July and August later. He said the move amounted to interference of the Judiciary’s independence. On Thursday, MPs argued that Mr Kimunya’s proposal cannot be implemented until Parliament enacts the Finance Bill which contains amendments to change the law which frees their perks from taxation. A member of the House Committee on Finance, Trade and Industry Mr Jakoyo Midiwo, said deductions cannot be effected until sanctioned by MPs themselves in Parliament. “We are going to scrutinise the contents of the Finance Bill in relation to the tax shortly before it goes to the House,” he said. The Bill is expected to go to the House any time after MPs resume sittings on Tuesday from a recess. - Daily Nation.

The celebrated German poet Friedrich Schiller, dead for more than 200 years, has been sent reminders that he should pay his TV and radio licence fee. The German fee collection agency, GEZ, mistakenly sent letters to "Mr Friedrich Schiller" - which arrived at a primary school bearing his name. The author of Ode to Joy had been registered with GEZ as a householder. With the annual fee of about 200 euros (£157) unpaid since 1805 Schiller would owe more than 40,000 euros.

Kenya has accused Western envoys of an “audacious and blatant breach of protocol” over their threat to ban ECK chief Samuel Kivuitu and his team from their countries unless they all resign. The diplomats’ stand was “reminiscent of colonial mindset,” said Foreign minister Moses Wetang’ula. He sent a formal protest note to the US and European Union representatives, following their demand that the electoral commissioners should step down, in line with the recommendation of the Kriegler report on the last General Election. After sending the note, Mr Wetang’ula explained: “I am not defending Kivuitu and his team, I am simply protecting our sovereignty.” He said: “I am outraged, as most Kenyans are, by the audacious and blatant breach of protocol by some ambassadors, who reportedly visited the chairman of ECK and demanded his immediate resignation, short of which he would face travel ban to their respective countries.”  And he went on: “As the minister in charge of foreign relations, I wish to state categorically that the Government will not tolerate what seems to be a pattern of activism being practised in Nairobi by a few ambassadors under the guise of conducting their normal official diplomatic engagements.” Mr Wetang’ula urged the diplomats, whom he accused of “grossly condescending behaviour” to respect the country. The minister spoke to the Nation from Accra, Ghana, where he is attending a meeting of African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. An official at the US embassy said they had not received the protest note, and would therefore not wish to comment prematurely.  A source at the US embassy declined to confirm or deny reports that Mr Kivuitu and his team of 21 commissioners had been banned. But the official added: “All I can say is the US has made it very clear that it would like to see a transparent and accountable electoral system in place.” Some observers saw the row as an official defence of the ECK, which would raise doubts as to whether the Government will be keen to see it disbanded, and the view of one side of the coalition government of President Kibaki’s Party of National Unity and Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement. Already Mr Odinga has stated that the commissioners must be sent home while Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has cautiously maintained that they should stay. Mr Wetang’ula’s protest notes to the EU’s representative, Ms Elisabeth Barbier, and the US Ambassador, Mr Michael Ranneberger were sent as another meeting with Mr Kivuitu with the EU was put off. Ms Barbier, who is also the French ambassador, and her US counterpart, have said in public that they supported the view of the Independent Review Commission headed by retired judge Johann Kriegler that the ECK should be overhauled. The EU representative was expected to hold a meeting with Mr Kivuitu yesterday, but it failed to take off because Mr Kivuitu sent word that he was unwell. - Daily Nation.