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  • FIFA vice-President Says Diving Becoming a ‘Cancer’

    FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce believes diving is becoming a “cancer” and wants culprits to be punished retrospectively in future.

    The issue has become a hot topic after Liverpool’s Luis Suarez was shown to be trying to con the referee in his side’s 0-0 draw with Stoke on Sunday.

    The incident led Potters boss Tony Pulis to call for players adjudged to have been guilty of simulation to be banned retrospectively for three matches.

    The Football Association does not currently allow punishments to be applied to players guilty of diving after matches but Boyce, Great Britain’s FIFA representative, believes this is something that needs to be addressed.

    “I have seen several incidents recently, and I watched the latest Suarez incident two or three times, and to me it is nothing less than a form of cheating,” he said.

    “It is becoming a little bit of a cancer within the game and I believe if it is clear to everyone that it is simulation then that person is trying to cheat and they should be severely punished for that.

    “It can be dealt with retrospectively by disciplinary committees, and it is done so in some associations, and I believe that is the correct thing to do.

    “It can at times be very, very difficult for referees to judge whether something is a foul or a fair tackle and if players are diving then it makes their job even harder.”

    The issue of diving has been discussed by the FA, the Premier League and the Football League before without any change in policy being taken.

    The Premier League has previously suggested a three-man panel to review contentious incidents after every weekend, which could include simulation, and it would be open to renewing discussions on bringing in such a system.

    The FA said the issue was often reviewed, with a spokesman saying: “Simulation is not something that the FA currently take retrospective action over but it is an issue that is often reviewed and discussed by the game’s stakeholders.”

  • Tomatoes May Cut Stroke Risk by 55%

    A diet rich in tomatoes may reduce the risk of having a stroke, according to researchers in Finland.

    They were investigating the impact of lycopene – a bright red chemical found in tomatoes, peppers and water-melons.

    A study of 1,031 men, published in the journal Neurology, showed those with the most lycopene in their bloodstream were the least likely to have a stroke.

    The Stroke Association called for more research into why lycopene seemed to have this effect.

    The levels of lycopene in the blood were assessed at the beginning of the study, which then followed the men for the next 12 years.

    They were split into four groups based on the amount of lycopene in their blood.

    There were 25 strokes in the 258 men in the low lycopene group and 11 strokes out of the 259 men in the high lycopene group.

    The study said the risk of stroke was cut by 55% by having a diet rich in lycopene.

    Dr Clare Walton, from the Stroke Association, said: “This study suggests that an antioxidant which is found in foods such as tomatoes, red peppers and water-melons could help to lower our stroke risk.

    “However, this research should not deter people from eating other types of fruit and vegetables as they all have health benefits and remain an important part of a staple diet.

    BBC

  • Tomatoes May Cut Stroke Risk by 55%

    A diet rich in tomatoes may reduce the risk of having a stroke, according to researchers in Finland.

    They were investigating the impact of lycopene – a bright red chemical found in tomatoes, peppers and water-melons.

    A study of 1,031 men, published in the journal Neurology, showed those with the most lycopene in their bloodstream were the least likely to have a stroke.

    The Stroke Association called for more research into why lycopene seemed to have this effect.

    The levels of lycopene in the blood were assessed at the beginning of the study, which then followed the men for the next 12 years.

    They were split into four groups based on the amount of lycopene in their blood.

    There were 25 strokes in the 258 men in the low lycopene group and 11 strokes out of the 259 men in the high lycopene group.

    The study said the risk of stroke was cut by 55% by having a diet rich in lycopene.

    Dr Clare Walton, from the Stroke Association, said: “This study suggests that an antioxidant which is found in foods such as tomatoes, red peppers and water-melons could help to lower our stroke risk.

    “However, this research should not deter people from eating other types of fruit and vegetables as they all have health benefits and remain an important part of a staple diet.

    BBC

  • 1.7 Million Teachers Needed by 2015 to Beat MDG

    By 2015, some 1.7 million more teachers will be needed to achieve universal primary education, the second of the eight anti-poverty Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

    The heads of various United Nations agencies jointly said in a statement while marking World Teachers’ Day on October 5.

    “On this day, we call for the creation of supportive teaching environments, adequate teacher training and safeguards for the rights of teachers,” the agency chiefs said, calling on governments to provide required training and fair salaries reflecting the importance of the profession while teachers, in turn, must be accountable to their students and communities.

    “We must break the vicious cycle of declining professional conditions for teachers in order to improve the quality of learning for all,” they added. “The world expects a lot from teachers – they, in turn, are right to expect as much from us.”

    The statement was issued by UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova; the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director, Anthony Lake; the UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) Administrator, Helen Clark; the UN International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Director-General, Guy Ryder; and Fred van Leeuwen, the General Secretary of Education International, which represents teachers’ organizations across the globe.

    “Attracting committed and diverse teachers requires environments that value professional autonomy and equality,” they said. “Teachers need to be supported in fulfilling their responsibilities to students, and their voices must be listened to by school leaders, education systems and public authorities.”

    According to UNESCO, teacher shortages remain a major obstacle for countries to achieve the goal of universal primary education, with a quality education offering hope and the promise of a better standard of living, while also noting that there can be no quality education without competent and motivated teachers.

    World Teachers’ Day, held annually since 1994, commemorates the anniversary of the signing in 1966 of the UNESCO/ILO Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers, and celebrates the essential role of teachers in providing quality education at all levels.

    The Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers has, essentially, served as a charter of rights for teachers worldwide.

    The slogan for this year’s observance is ‘Take a stand for teachers!’ which, according to UNESCO, relates to the need to provide adequate training, ongoing professional development, and protection for teachers’ rights.

    The 63-year-old UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which assists some five million registered Palestine refugees in the Middle East, marked the Day by launching two programmes focussed on school-based teacher development and quality improvement that underscores the Agency’s broader human development and humanitarian agenda.

    Education is UNRWA’s largest programme, accounting for more than half of the Agency’s regular budget, with one of the largest school systems in the Middle East, providing half a million Palestine refugee children with free-of-charge basic education every day.

    “Across the Arab World, countries are striving to improve the quality of their education system through reform,” UNRWA’s director of education Caroline Pontefract said.

    “Many lessons have been learned about what is important, what to focus on, and the way in which to change and improve on what we have. UNRWA’s education reform reflects these lessons with the focus it places on teachers and school leaders, who are key actors in achieving quality education.”

  • 1.7 Million Teachers Needed by 2015 to Beat MDG

    By 2015, some 1.7 million more teachers will be needed to achieve universal primary education, the second of the eight anti-poverty Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

    The heads of various United Nations agencies jointly said in a statement while marking World Teachers’ Day on October 5.

    “On this day, we call for the creation of supportive teaching environments, adequate teacher training and safeguards for the rights of teachers,” the agency chiefs said, calling on governments to provide required training and fair salaries reflecting the importance of the profession while teachers, in turn, must be accountable to their students and communities.

    “We must break the vicious cycle of declining professional conditions for teachers in order to improve the quality of learning for all,” they added. “The world expects a lot from teachers – they, in turn, are right to expect as much from us.”

    The statement was issued by UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova; the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director, Anthony Lake; the UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) Administrator, Helen Clark; the UN International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Director-General, Guy Ryder; and Fred van Leeuwen, the General Secretary of Education International, which represents teachers’ organizations across the globe.

    “Attracting committed and diverse teachers requires environments that value professional autonomy and equality,” they said. “Teachers need to be supported in fulfilling their responsibilities to students, and their voices must be listened to by school leaders, education systems and public authorities.”

    According to UNESCO, teacher shortages remain a major obstacle for countries to achieve the goal of universal primary education, with a quality education offering hope and the promise of a better standard of living, while also noting that there can be no quality education without competent and motivated teachers.

    World Teachers’ Day, held annually since 1994, commemorates the anniversary of the signing in 1966 of the UNESCO/ILO Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers, and celebrates the essential role of teachers in providing quality education at all levels.

    The Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers has, essentially, served as a charter of rights for teachers worldwide.

    The slogan for this year’s observance is ‘Take a stand for teachers!’ which, according to UNESCO, relates to the need to provide adequate training, ongoing professional development, and protection for teachers’ rights.

    The 63-year-old UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which assists some five million registered Palestine refugees in the Middle East, marked the Day by launching two programmes focussed on school-based teacher development and quality improvement that underscores the Agency’s broader human development and humanitarian agenda.

    Education is UNRWA’s largest programme, accounting for more than half of the Agency’s regular budget, with one of the largest school systems in the Middle East, providing half a million Palestine refugee children with free-of-charge basic education every day.

    “Across the Arab World, countries are striving to improve the quality of their education system through reform,” UNRWA’s director of education Caroline Pontefract said.

    “Many lessons have been learned about what is important, what to focus on, and the way in which to change and improve on what we have. UNRWA’s education reform reflects these lessons with the focus it places on teachers and school leaders, who are key actors in achieving quality education.”

  • Tuesday Trade Volumes Drop

    As at October 9, the Rwanda Stock Exchange Market went down in traded volumes and turnover compared to Monday’s trading session.

    The total turnover for the day was Frw 8,909,400 from 56,100 BK shares and 3,800 Bralirwa shares traded in 9 deals compared to Monday’s trading session which recorded a turnover of Frw 36,111,000 from 84,900 Bralirwa shares traded in four deals.

    BK bank shares traded and closed at Frw130, unchanged from Monday’s closing price while BRALIRWA shares traded between Frw 425 and Frw426 and closed at Frw 425; unchanged from Monday’s closing price.

    KCB bank and NMG shares prices last transacted at Frw 154 and Frw 1,200 respectively.

    At the end of formal trading hours, there were outstanding bids of 643,900 BK shares at Frw130 and outstanding offers of 485,400 shares at Frw131 and Frw 134.

    At the Bralirwa counter, there were outstanding bids of 20,000 shares at Frw425 and outstanding offers of 133,000 shares between Frw426 and Frw430.

  • Tuesday Trade Volumes Drop

    As at October 9, the Rwanda Stock Exchange Market went down in traded volumes and turnover compared to Monday’s trading session.

    The total turnover for the day was Frw 8,909,400 from 56,100 BK shares and 3,800 Bralirwa shares traded in 9 deals compared to Monday’s trading session which recorded a turnover of Frw 36,111,000 from 84,900 Bralirwa shares traded in four deals.

    BK bank shares traded and closed at Frw130, unchanged from Monday’s closing price while BRALIRWA shares traded between Frw 425 and Frw426 and closed at Frw 425; unchanged from Monday’s closing price.

    KCB bank and NMG shares prices last transacted at Frw 154 and Frw 1,200 respectively.

    At the end of formal trading hours, there were outstanding bids of 643,900 BK shares at Frw130 and outstanding offers of 485,400 shares at Frw131 and Frw 134.

    At the Bralirwa counter, there were outstanding bids of 20,000 shares at Frw425 and outstanding offers of 133,000 shares between Frw426 and Frw430.

  • Russia Fronts Sudan Compensation at UN Security Council

    President Omer Al-Bashir praised a Russian initiative to bring, before the Security Council, Sudan’s compensation for the damage caused to oil facilities in Heglig during the 10-day occupation by the South Sudanese army last April.

    Sudan and South Sudan accused each other of the damage to the pipeline and central processing facility in Heglig following the seizure of the oil producing area by the South Sudanese army on 10 April 2012.

    The African Union and United Nations called to investigate the claims.

    Speaking before the National Assembly on Monday where he urged to endorse the agreements recently signed with South Sudan, Bashir welcomed a Russian proposal lodged before the U.N. Security Council urging to adopt a resolution supporting Sudan’s demand for compensations.

    “We applaud the role of the Russian Federation, and the proposal of its representative to U.N. Security Council on the need to compensate the government of Sudan and its partners from all countries as a result of the losses they suffered during the attack on the Heglig area,” Bashir said.

    Russian has tabled a proposal before the U.N. Security Council urging to adopt a resolution supporting Sudan’s demand for compensations after South Sudan seceded.

    President Omer Al-Bashir praised a Russian initiative to bring, before the Security Council, Sudan’s compensation for the damage caused to oil facilities in Heglig during the 10-day occupation by the South Sudanese army last April.

    Sudan and South Sudan accused each other of the damage to the pipeline and central processing facility in Heglig following the seizure of the oil producing area by the South Sudanese army on 10 April 2012.

    U.N. Security Council resolution 2046, calls for “an impartial fact-finding effort to assess the losses and economic and humanitarian damage, including to oil facilities and other key infrastructure, in and around Heglig.”

    Meanwhile, Al-Bashir announced earlier the opening of the border as well as the border land and river passages with South Sudan, directing for implementation of the co-operation agreement between the two countries, official Sudan Radio reported.

    Al-Bashir made the announcement at a meeting with Sudan’s Ambassador to South Sudan Mutrif Siddiq, who is to head to Juba to assume his tasks

    Sudan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Al-Obeid Ahmed Marawah, on Monday indicated Sudan’s preference for a political agreement over the disputed Abyei’s area, stressing that a referendum might bring war between the two sides.

    He added that Juba supported the organisation of a referendum while Khartoum called for a political solution over the disputed region.

    “The referendum would end by attributing Abyei to one of the two countries. And this will not satisfy the other party,” he said.

  • Russia Fronts Sudan Compensation at UN Security Council

    President Omer Al-Bashir praised a Russian initiative to bring, before the Security Council, Sudan’s compensation for the damage caused to oil facilities in Heglig during the 10-day occupation by the South Sudanese army last April.

    Sudan and South Sudan accused each other of the damage to the pipeline and central processing facility in Heglig following the seizure of the oil producing area by the South Sudanese army on 10 April 2012.

    The African Union and United Nations called to investigate the claims.

    Speaking before the National Assembly on Monday where he urged to endorse the agreements recently signed with South Sudan, Bashir welcomed a Russian proposal lodged before the U.N. Security Council urging to adopt a resolution supporting Sudan’s demand for compensations.

    “We applaud the role of the Russian Federation, and the proposal of its representative to U.N. Security Council on the need to compensate the government of Sudan and its partners from all countries as a result of the losses they suffered during the attack on the Heglig area,” Bashir said.

    Russian has tabled a proposal before the U.N. Security Council urging to adopt a resolution supporting Sudan’s demand for compensations after South Sudan seceded.

    President Omer Al-Bashir praised a Russian initiative to bring, before the Security Council, Sudan’s compensation for the damage caused to oil facilities in Heglig during the 10-day occupation by the South Sudanese army last April.

    Sudan and South Sudan accused each other of the damage to the pipeline and central processing facility in Heglig following the seizure of the oil producing area by the South Sudanese army on 10 April 2012.

    U.N. Security Council resolution 2046, calls for “an impartial fact-finding effort to assess the losses and economic and humanitarian damage, including to oil facilities and other key infrastructure, in and around Heglig.”

    Meanwhile, Al-Bashir announced earlier the opening of the border as well as the border land and river passages with South Sudan, directing for implementation of the co-operation agreement between the two countries, official Sudan Radio reported.

    Al-Bashir made the announcement at a meeting with Sudan’s Ambassador to South Sudan Mutrif Siddiq, who is to head to Juba to assume his tasks

    Sudan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Al-Obeid Ahmed Marawah, on Monday indicated Sudan’s preference for a political agreement over the disputed Abyei’s area, stressing that a referendum might bring war between the two sides.

    He added that Juba supported the organisation of a referendum while Khartoum called for a political solution over the disputed region.

    “The referendum would end by attributing Abyei to one of the two countries. And this will not satisfy the other party,” he said.

  • German Law Makers Briefed on EAC Affairs

    A seven-man delegation from the German Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs visited the EAC Headquarters and were received by the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Dr. Julius Tangus Rotich.

    Accompanying the German Parliamentarians was H.E. Klaus-Peter Brandes, the German Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania.

    Leading the delegation was Hon. Siegfried Kauder, MP, and Chairperson of the Committee on Legal Affairs of the German Federal Parliament.

    The MPs October 9, toured the new EAC Headquarters which was funded by the German government and is due for occupation by the EAC Organs on 15 October 2012.

    They were later briefed on the developments in the regional integration process by the Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Rotich.

    The Deputy Secretary General noted, “As you are aware, the German Government has crowned this relationship with the support in the construction of the new EAC Headquarters, due for official launch in November 2012.”

    Dr. Rotich added that “this high level visit, to us goes beyond a symbolic significance and reaffirms the strong ties of friendship and cooperation between the EAC region and the Federal Republic of Germany and I welcome the Hon. Members to engage in discourse with the EAC freely”.

    Dr. Rotich briefed the delegation on the latest developments taking place in all the four pillars of regional integration from the Customs Union, Common Market, Monetary Union, to the Political Federation.