Igihe

Author: b_igi_adm1n

  • Congolese Opposition Party Wants US Force Deployed on Rwanda-DRC Border

    The Leader of Congolese opposition party-Alliance for Development and the Republic (ADR), François Muamba Tshishimbi has proposed deployment of Africom, U.S. military force along the Rwanda DRC border to contain M23 rebels, Democratic Forces for Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and other armed groups in the région.

    Muamba made the proposition 16 August during a press conference in Kinshasa he organized to mark the first anniversary of his political party.

    “We also believe that our country should pursue the question of securing its eastern borders to bilateral relations with partners such as the U.S., already have a neutral safety mechanism called Africom “said Muamba.

    He said his party supports the view of deploying an international force between the DRC and Rwanda which should remain neutral.

    The Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), Ntumba Lwaba said the quotas of the international force will be essentially the Great Lakes region and the entire African region.

    The deployment of the international force was approved in mid-July by Joseph Kabila and Paul Kagame during the summit in Addis Ababa.

    Okapi

  • Businessman Takes Rat Poison, Hangs Dead

    Twagiramana Innocent 24, a businessman and resident of Muhanga district was found dead in his shop after committing suicide in the night of August 15.

    This is the second suicidal case in Shyogwe in just two months.

    Reasons for this suicidal action have not yet been established. He was residing at Kabungo in Kinini at Shyogwe Sector.

    Neighbours told IGIHE that on saturday morning they knocked on Twagiramana’s shop door in need of buying machandise but there was no responce apart from the noisy television in the room.

    During the fateful night before Twagiramana took his life, he had threatened his wife Mutoniwase Yvonne saying if she didnt leave the house, there would be two deadbodies.

    Mutoniwase heeded and escaped to neighbours house where she spent the whole night as her husband hanged himself using a rope.

    The wife to the diceased said she didnt expect her husband would take his life.

    However, local residents said Twagiramana was always jealous and never liked seeing his wife in company with other men saying this could have caused him to end his life.

    Another Version allegs that Twagiramana had consumed Marijuana early that day and had been randomly beating people.

    Its also alleged by 9:00PM he closed shop after serving clients and turned on television with high volume. He is alleged to have taken rat poison and later hanged himself using a rope.

    Peeping through under the door, they saw his lifeless body. His body was taken to Kabgayi Hospital for a postmotem. He will be burried at his birth place in Mbuye, Ruhango district.

    Niyonsaba Dancille a local leader at Kinini in charge of development told IGIHE that Twagiramana had previously suffered from mental illness saying he once undressed and walked naked in public until Police dressed himup.

    It had been assumed that he had recovered.

  • Rwanda Enticed to Join Senates Association

    An association of senates ASSECA has enticed Rwanda to join saying it would benefit from sharing best practices with other countries that have bicameral parliaments.

    Gabriel Ndizeye Burundi’s Senate President also the current chair of ASSECA was in the country acompanied by ASSECA Secretary General Ali Abdul Yousuf.

    They met Rwanda’s Senate President Dr. Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo who said his institution will consider the proposal in consultation with the executive since there is a cost implication in form of membership contributions.

    “I do not see the problem with Rwandan Senatebecoming a member of ASSECA,” Dr. Ntawukuriryayo said.

    ASSECA operates in 22 Sub-Sahara African and Arab countries.
    nbv-2.jpg

  • Sudan Currency Loses Value, Black Market Hikes US $ Rates

    Sudan is experiencing financial constraints as the price of the U.S. dollar on black market for hard currency jumped on Thursday to 5.95 as the country’s central bank further devalued the local pound in renewed efforts to plug the gap with the unofficial trade.

    The Central Bank of Sudan CBS announced on Thursday that it was fixing a new exchange rate of 5.65 for commercial banks and Forex bureaus alike in order to narrow the gap with the black market rate.

    CBS said the new rate will be followed by decreasing it to 4.4 following the Eid holiday.

    Commercial banks have already started using the new rate but there is no information on whether Forex offices did too.

    CBS allowed in May government-licensed Forex bureaus to determine their own rates in buying and selling currencies.

    However, the situation changed little as Forex offices kept hiking their rates to match value in the unofficial trade while failing to meet the demand due to the small supply they receive from CBS.

    Sudan has been struggling to narrow the gap between the official and black market rates of foreign currency exchange which has been widening since the country lost its main source of hard currency revenues due to the secession of the oil-rich South Sudan last year.

    ST

  • Rwandans Protest Against Congolese-led Attacks

    Rwandans in Belgium (DRB-Rugari asbl) are extremely concerned about the growing violence targeting its members in Belgium perpetrated by small groups of Congolese origin.

    Several cases of beatings resulting in serious injuries and hospitalization have been reported.

    On Saturday, July 28, 2012, one more incident occurred: The young man who we will call J. M. to protect his identity (22) was attacked in the subway station Merode and ended up in hospital with a fractured jaw. For the Rwandan Diaspora this was the last straw.

    Such violence is committed in broad daylight, in public places (in the streets or in subways) by organized gangs of “combatants” who are claiming to seek a solution to the war raging in Eastern Congo.

    DRB-Rugari is appealing to the Belgian authorities and the Belgian public to address the seriousness of these barbaric acts which constitute a flagrant violation of human rights, compounded by racist and xenophobic verbal aggressions.

    These actions are creating a climate of fear and mistrust that undermine the social cohesion that the Belgian government and multiple social welfare associations – including our organization – are working on.

    DRB-Rugari request to the Belgian authorities that they take all measures to ensure the safety of its members, as they do for every Belgian citizen or any other person living in its territory.

    It is for all these reasons that the Rwandan community in Belgium decided to peacefully protest this outrage on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at Place de la Monnaie (1000 BXL) from 2pm to 4 pm.

    DRB-Rugari appeal to the members of the Congolese community involved in the violence and hope they will understand that Rwandans living in Belgium are not protagonists of the conflict in eastern Congo and they are, in no way, related to the stakes of this war. Attacking them will bring no solution.

    Finally, the Rwandan Diaspora in Belgium, invites the Congolese community for a constructive dialogue in order to improve the cohabitation and the relations between the two communities in Belgium.

    We hope it will be possible before one more victim suffers as a result of these tensions.

  • Common Habits to Avoid

    We are constantly being told about bad habits that we need to avoid in our lives like smoking, drinking too much alcohol, eating too much and not getting enough exercise.

    These are all important things that are crucial for good health but there are other little daily habits that seem harmless in the short run, but which can bring problems in the long haul.

    Sleeping Less: Sleep is nature’s way of revitalizing both the body and the mind after continuously working throughout the day, if you do not get enough sleep, you will inevitably become irritable, get mood swings, develop chronic fatigue and have poor performance at work.

    Poor sleep patterns have even been linked to weight gain due to hormonal imbalance. Ideally, most adults are advised to sleep eight hours a day. However, some people are able to function well with about six hours or uninterrupted sleep.

    It is more important to get good quality sleep as opposed to large quantities of it. Every once in a while, we are bound to sacrifice sleep due to other commitments. It should, however, not be a daily occurrence.

    Skipping Breakfast: Missing meals, especially, breakfast, has been found to lead to eventual weight gain. When the body is deprived of nutrients it goes into “starvation mode” so that anything you eat is stored in the body reservoirs as fat for future use.

    People who skip breakfast also have a tendency to eat high calorie snacks (cakes, mandazis, sausages…) there is also a tendency to eat too much lunch. Squeeze breakfast into your morning schedule to ensure a bright day.

    Replacing water with coffee,tea,etc: Due to hectic schedules, most people find themselves fulfilling their daily fluid needs exclusively from coffee, tea and caffeinated soft drinks. A moderate amount of caffeine is not a bad thing (about two-three cups a day) as it stimulates the nervous system, keeps you alert and has been found to improve concentration.

    However, too much caffeine has been found to be associated with irritability, poor sleeping habits, stomach upsets and fast heartbeat. Traditionally, we have been advised to drink eight glasses of water every day.

    Water is considered ideal because it has zero calories however research shows that you do not have to restrict yourself to water alone to get your daily fluid requirement.

    You can get your fluid requirements from fresh juice, milk and thin soups therefore substitute some of your caffeinated drinks with these.

    Nose blowing: Ideally, you should blow your nose when you have a cold or flu. Repeated forceful nose blowing usually leads to damage of the delicate lining of the nose leading to nose bleeds. It has also been found to lead to sinus problems.

    The best thing to do is to only use a handkerchief to wipe the excess mucus away. If you really must blow your nose, do it one nostril at a time.

    Licking your lips: Have you noticed that when you lick dry lips, they become dry again after a few minutes and even look worse than before? This is because saliva has enzymes which normally break down the thin protective barrier of the lips. When your lips are dry, resist the natural urge to lick them. Reach for some petroleum jelly or lip balm instead.

    Toothpicks: Food gets stuck in between your teeth if you have small spaces between them. Dentists have found that when you repeatedly use toothpicks to get into the spaces between your teeth, you actually damage the gum and enamel of the tooth. Dental floss is a better option.

    Cleaning ears with cotton buds: Most ENT doctors (Ears, Nose and Throat specialists will advise you not to insert cotton buds into your ear to clean it. The truth is, the ear is a self cleaning organ. Ear wax is not dirt. It is the ear’s way of protecting the delicate eardrum and other internal parts of the ear from dirt and other harmful objects.

    Use of cotton buds is associated with damage to the eardrum, wax impaction and even hearing loss. What you can do is clean the outside of the ear with a soft cloth daily. Even if you feel you must use cotton buds, use them only on the outside of the ear. Let your body take care of the inside.

  • Treat Back Pain Naturally

    Back pain is an increasing concern as we spend the majority of our day in a seated position.

    From eight to 10 hours of work to long commutes to finishing the day off with hours of television, poor posture places significant strain on bones, joints, soft tissues and muscles.

    Many people do not practise proper posture and ergonomics in the office or at home, which can lead to back pain and repetitive stress injuries.

    If you suffer from back pain, there are several things you can do to make yourself comfortable while preventing and treating common causes of back pain.

    Back Pain at Work?

    Poor posture is one of the most common causes of back pain. Repetitive tasks and movements such as typing, filing and holding the phone with your shoulder can place your body in awkward positions that can contribute to muscle strain and pain.

    Mental stresses such as an overwhelming workload, unhappy customers and an over-controlling boss can lead to tight muscles and physical pain as well.

    Forward head position

    Forward head position is when you roll your head and shoulders forward. This is a very common problem when you do a lot of typing, paperwork and reading which requires your head to be in a flexed position looking down.

    This is one of the most serious posture problems as it blocks a lot of the blood flow to your head and is very bad for the joints, nerves, discs and muscles.

    Action: Place your keyboard and mouse within easy reach so that you do not have to hunch forward to work on the computer. Make sure your wrists have proper support so that they rest in a neutral position when typing or using the mouse.

    Crossed legged positions

    One of the most common postural problems is not keeping both feet flat on the floor. Often workers cross their legs over or tuck one leg under while they are sitting.

    This position places significant strain on the hips and lower back joints and muscles. Your lower back is the foundation of the rest of your spine. If your low back is out of its normal position, it is likely that other areas are also strained, which tends to worsen back pain.

    Action: It is extremely important to use a comfortable, ergonomic chair when sitting at a desk for long periods of time. Make sure your chair has proper lower back, or lumbar support. If not, you can place a small pillow between your lower back and the chair.

    Adjust the height of your chair so that your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are in line with your hips. If you sit on a high chair where your feet cannot touch the ground it is likely that you will hunch your back in order to stay balanced.

    Equipment in line

    The workplace’s furniture and equipment are common causes of injuries and pain. Try keeping the mouse, keyboard and monitor all in line.

    Abnormal position, tension and pain will result from constantly looking off to one side if your equipment is not in alignment.

    Action: If you are looking down at your monitor you can place a small box or even books under your computer monitor. This will raise the monitor and reduce the muscular strain in your neck and shoulders. The monitor should be level with your eyes.

    Eliminating pain at work

    Several recommendations have already been made but you can take additional steps to reduce the common causes of pain. The following stretches and exercises are recommended to do at work and at home to help reduce your risk.

    Get up and move

    It is recommended to take frequent breaks when you must sit at a desk for extended periods of time. Maintaining the same position for more than an hour or two at a time strains your back muscles and spine.

    Stand up and walk around for a few minutes every hour, if possible.
    Stretch it out

    Stretching is an excellent way to keep your spine flexible and relieve back pain. The following are a few examples of stretches that will reduce your risk. Each position should be held for a minimum of 10-15 seconds and repeated as needed.

    l Stand up straight and place your hands on your hips while gently leaning back and side-to-side so that you get movement in your lower back.

    l Stretch your upper chest and shoulders by extending your arms behind your back and grasping both hands together. Keep your elbows straight and raise arms.

    This will help stretch out the muscles that get tight from forward head position.

    Tilt your head side to side, rotate left and right and bringing your ear towards your shoulder can help stretch the muscles in your neck.
    Better-posture exercises

    Single Leg Extension. This exercise trains your core muscles to work together to stabilize your pelvis and lower back.

    How to: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Slowly pull one knee toward your chest while keeping your low back flat on the floor and extend your other leg straight at about a 45-degree angle. Start with 5-10 extensions on each side.

    The New Crunch

    Traditional crunches have been found to place significant stress on your lower back. The new crunch reduces this stress and strengthens the core muscles most commonly associated with poor posture.

    How to: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Keep your lower back flat on the floor. Place your hands behind your head but do not pull on your neck. Curl your shoulders up off the floor and hold, slowly lower back down. Repeat until you’re fatigued.

    Back Extension

    It is common for people to try to strengthen their abdominal muscles while forgetting about their back muscles.

    How to: Lie on your stomach with palms flat on the floor with your elbows bent. Have your legs straight behind you in a straight line.

    Slowly raise your head and chest off the floor by only using your back muscles. Do not push down into your arms to press up. Keep your hip bones flat on the floor. Repeat until fatigued.
    Plank Pose

    This exercise is one of the most important stabilising exercises. It works your entire spine and incorporates the musculature for good posture.
    How to: Start on your hands and knees with your palms directly under your shoulders. Extend both legs straight and go up onto your toes.

    The position is similar to the top of a push-up. Tighten your abdominal muscles, keep your back straight and gaze down at the floor. Hold the plank until you’re fatigued.

    By applying these stretches and exercises one can improve their posture and reduce the damaging effects of workplace positions. Take a proactive approach to workplace safety to prevent conditions that so many people suffer from.

    This column is directed by your questions, comments and inquiries. The health advice provided is in collaboration with the World Health Organisation’s and the International Diabetes Federation’s goals of prevention, maintenance and natural treatment of disease.

    The advice is for educational purposes and does not necessarily reflect endorsement.

    Source. www.who.int

  • WikiLeaks Founder Granted Assylum in Equador

    Ecuador has defied Britain and has given Wikileaks founder Julian Assange asylum, British Sky News has reported citing sources.

    On Wednesday Ecuador accused Britain of threatening to storm its London embassy to arrest Assange after the UK issued a stern warning to the South American nation ahead of its decision on the his asylum bid.

    Assange, whose 2010 publishing online of thousands of secret US diplomatic cables and military dispatches has angered US officials, says the charges against him are trumped up.

    He stands accused of sexual assault by two of his former supporters in Sweden.

    His supporters say they believe the US has secretly indicted him and would extradite him from Sweden.

    Source–News24

  • President Kagame Participates in Census Exercise

    In the ongoing Population census that started today August 16, President Paul Kagame has also participated in the national exercise.

    At about noon,Yusuf Murangwa Director General National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda(NISR) arrived at Mr Kagame’s home at Kiyovu, Nyarugenge district to conduct the exercise.

    Murangwa told reporters that the president was asked the same questions like any other citizen, ” He (president) provided the required information and granted us enough time”.

  • 2 Severely Injured in Two Accidents

    Two people have been rushed to Gisenyi Hospital after sustaining severe injuries in two accidents that occured in just a span of one hour at Mahoko trading center , Kanama in Rubavu District.

    The accidents happened today morning.

    The first accident occured when a man in his 20s was knocked down while trying to cross the road. He was knocked down by a speeding Daihatsu truck.

    In the second accident a minibus Reg: RAA 518Z crashed into a motorcycle.

    The minibus driver was a mechanic identified as Ntawukiramwabo Irahari and the motocycle rider Rudakonja Ribakare Esron 47, resident of Rubavu in Gisenyi sector.

    Rudakonja was severly injured but was saved by the helmet.