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Instrumental Intensity

Do men and women experience flu differently?

He will be in bed soon with a damp towel on his brow...

Are men unfairly castigated for having "man flu" and running to their sick beds at the merest sign of a sniffle?

Research suggests that women are at greater risk of getting flu than men because they tend to spend more time around children, who are more likely to have a flu-like illness in the first place.
A nationwide flu survey carried out by London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine during last winter found that women were 16% more likely to say they had flu symptoms.
So is it really women who are making all the fuss about being unwell?
This winter, the online flu survey is up and running again and aiming to find out the answer.

“Start Quote

Men think they are going to die when they are unwell, so they go to bed and expect women to look after them”

Prof John Oxford Virology expert

The survey needs people of all ages around the country to report any flu-like symptoms by filling in an online questionnaire.

This data will be used to map the spread of flu across the country during the winter.
Researchers can then analyse how the virus spreads and who it affects.
How ill? Dr Alma Adler, who runs the project, says they wanted to find out more about gender differences and flu in this year's survey.
"We haven't found any evidence of 'man flu' yet.
"The biggest risk factor is having children under the age of 18 and for this reason women are more at risk of flu.
"This year we have included some new questions, such as 'How bad do you feel?'
"People can answer on a number scale of one to 10."

What is flu?

• Flu is a respiratory illness linked to infection by the influenza virus.
• Symptoms usually include headache, fever, cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints.
• Influenza occurs most often in winter and usually peaks between December and March.
• The virus was first identified in 1933.
• There are two main types that cause infection: influenza A and influenza B
• New strains of the virus are constantly emerging, which is why the flu vaccine should be given each year.

• Health Protection Agency

This is the crucial part, asking people how they feel when they have flu, by delving into the psychology of illness - not just the science.

'More sensitive' And that could help scientists discover if men and women experience flu differently.
John Oxford, professor of virology at Queen Mary, University of London, says there is no scientific evidence for "man flu" but there is a difference in behaviour.
"We know that women react differently to infection. They are more sensitive to their health. Men bluster around a bit.
"So there are differences in how men and women perceive illness and then differences in behaviour.
"Men think they are going to die when they are unwell, so they go to bed and expect women to look after them."
Dr Douglas Fleming, from the Royal College of GPs' flu research unit, says there is no rule when it comes to how flu viruses affect people.
"Every flu virus is different. It depends on the strain. We don't know ahead of time how it will affect people.
"Different viruses affect men, women and children differently."
Weaker sex Previous research from the University of Cambridge came to a different conclusion.
It found evidence that women were better at fighting infections than men.

The over-65s are among those entitled to a free flu jab

Evolutionary factors and hormonal differences were thought to make males more susceptible to infection than females.
In the animal world too, across a range of species, males tend to be the "weaker sex" in terms of immune defences, the Cambridge research team said.
This would back up the argument that "man flu" exists because men would be more susceptible to viruses and therefore more likely to be unwell.
But if children are the main sufferers and harbourers of influenza, spreading it to their parents and grandparents, then won't mothers automatically be in the firing line?
Prof Oxford says men will still be infected just as much.
"If the parents are sleeping together in the same bed, spending at least eight hours in the same room sharing pillows, then the flu virus will soon move on to the husband."
Unpredictable The Health Protection Agency (HPA) started its weekly monitoring of flu activity in the UK population in October.
So far this winter, the number of people with flu symptoms going to see their GP is low (6.9 per 100,000 in England).
This could explain why just 65% of those aged over 65 and 32% of pregnant women have taken up the offer of a flu vaccine.
Dr Richard Pebody, head of seasonal flu surveillance at the HPA, said they are hoping this winter will mirror last winter's trend.
"The 2011/2012 flu season was one of the lowest on record - following two years of high flu activity, including the 2009 flu pandemic. This demonstrates how unpredictable the flu season can be."
Whether you are a man or a woman, there is a chance you could be infected by the flu virus in the coming months.
If you are in any of the "at risk" groups, the key is to be protected in advance by getting the flu jab.
Then keep a box of tissues and a hot water bottle handy.

Smoking 'rots' brain, says King's College study

Does smoking affect the health of the mind as well as the body?

Smoking "rots" the brain by damaging memory, learning and reasoning, according to researchers at King's College London.

A study of 8,800 people over 50 showed high blood pressure and being overweight also seemed to affect the brain, but to a lesser extent.
Scientists involved said people needed to be aware that lifestyles could damage the mind as well as the body.
Their study was published in the journal Age and Ageing.
Researchers at King's were investigating links between the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke and the state of the brain.
Data about the health and lifestyle of a group of over-50s was collected and brain tests, such as making participants learn new words or name as many animals as they could in a minute, were also performed.
They were all tested again after four and then eight years.
Decline The results showed that the overall risk of a heart attack or stroke was "significantly associated with cognitive decline" with those at the highest risk showing the greatest decline.
It also said there was a "consistent association" between smoking and lower scores in the tests.

“Start Quote

These results underline the importance of looking after your cardiovascular health from mid-life”

Dr Simon Ridley Alzheimer's Research UK

One of the researchers, Dr Alex Dregan, said: "Cognitive decline becomes more common with ageing and for an increasing number of people interferes with daily functioning and well-being.

"We have identified a number of risk factors which could be associated with accelerated cognitive decline, all of which, could be modifiable."
He added: "We need to make people aware of the need to do some lifestyle changes because of the risk of cognitive decline."
The researchers do not know how such a decline could affect people going about their daily life. They are also unsure whether the early drop in brain function could lead to conditions such as dementia.
Heart and brain Dr Simon Ridley, from Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "Research has repeatedly linked smoking and high blood pressure to a greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia, and this study adds further weight to that evidence.
"Cognitive decline as we age can develop into dementia, and unravelling the factors that are linked to this decline could be crucial for finding ways to prevent the condition.
"These results underline the importance of looking after your cardiovascular health from mid-life."
The Alzheimer's Society said: "We all know smoking, a high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and a high BMI [Body Mass Index] is bad for our heart. This research adds to the huge amount of evidence that also suggests they can be bad for our head too.
"One in three people over 65 will develop dementia but there are things people can do to reduce their risk.
"Eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, getting your blood pressure and cholesterol checked and not smoking can all make a difference."

DR Congo crisis: M23 rebel leader 'flies to Uganda'

DR Congo Seeks Democracy

The military commander of the M23 rebels is reported to have joined negotiations to end the fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sultani Makenga has flown to the Ugandan capital, Kampala, a rebel spokesman said.
The militia is refusing to end its occupation of the eastern city of Goma, hours before the expiry of a deadline for them to leave.
A regional summit at the weekend told the rebels to leave Goma by Monday.
About 500,000 people have been displaced by the rebellion since it began in April, with the formation of M23 after a mutiny in the army.
The presidents of Uganda, DR Congo, Tanzania and Kenya, together with the Rwandan foreign minister, issued a statement calling on M23 to "stop all war activities and withdraw from Goma" and "stop talk of overthrowing an elected government".

Who are the M23 rebels?

• Named after the 23 March 2009 peace accord which they accuse the government of violating
• This deal saw them join the army before they took up arms once more in April 2012
• Also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army
• Mostly from minority Tutsi ethnic group
• Deny being backed by Rwanda and Uganda
• Believed to have 1,200 to 6,000 fighters
• International Criminal Court indicted top commander Bosco "Terminator" Ntaganda in 2006 for allegedly recruiting child soldiers
• The UN and US imposed a travel ban and asset freeze earlier this month on the group's leader, Sultani Makenga

Congolese President Joseph Kabila was also urged to listen to the rebels' grievances.

Rebels have rejected previous calls to leave Goma, the main city in eastern DR Congo.
M23 political leader Jean-Marie Runiga said a withdrawal was possible, but could only result from talks with Mr Kabila.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo told the BBC's Newsday programme Rwanda was ready to "go out of our way to talk to all parties to make sure, first, that fighting stops".
Ugandan officials have not confirmed that Mr Makenga has flown to Kampala - the UN and US recently imposed a travel ban and assets freeze on him.
The UN has accused Rwanda and Uganda of backing the M23, saying the chain of command culminates with Rwandan Defence Minister James Kabarebe.
Both countries have denied the allegations, but Mrs Mushikiwabo said Rwanda did have influence on both parties.
Humanitarian crisis The rebels said they were not given army posts promised in a 2009 deal to end a previous uprising.
Their exact aims are unclear but they have threatened to attack the capital, Kinshasa, if President Kabila did not open negotiations with them.
US congressman Adam Smith told the BBC that the US, the UN and other western countries had to do more to broker peace in a region which has been bedevilled by conflict for much of the past 20 years.
He said the M23 were not the group to improve the situation in eastern DR Congo, while Hollywood actor and director Ben Affleck, who founded the advocacy group, the Eastern Congo Initiative, said: "The first goal is peace, a ceasefire and reconciliation".
"That's where we can step in and use the levers that we have both with the UN and Monusco [UN peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo] and the $400m that the US puts into that group... as well as our relationship with [President] Kabila and with the African Union and regional players."
The UN has warned of a growing humanitarian crisis in Congo.
Aid officials said the fighting has made camps for people displaced by earlier conflicts inaccessible, with food and medicines running short.
Some five million people died during the 1997-2003 DR Congo conflict, which drew in several regional countries.

Pakistan 'toxic syrup' kills 16 in Lahore

An inquiry has been launched into the deaths

At least 16 people have died in the Pakistani city of Lahore after drinking what police say was toxic cough syrup.

The factory producing the medicine has been sealed, and three people have been arrested, including a distributor of the medicine.
The deaths occurred between Friday and Sunday. Police say they were mostly drug addicts in Shahdra town area.
Cough syrup, which is sold as an over-the-counter medicine, is sometimes used by addicts to get high, police say.
"Some of the victims were found dead in a graveyard where addicts used to take different kind of drugs," local police chief Atif Zulfiqar told AFP news agency.
The chief minister of Punjab province has ordered an inquiry to submit a report to him within 72 hours.
The provincial health authority raided several pharmacies and seized stocks of the syrup - media reports say the medicine was not past its expiry date.
Samples of the medicine have been sent for testing. Doctors told the BBC those who died may have added something to the syrup, to increase their high.
In January more than 100 people died after taking contaminated heart medicine in Lahore.
The deaths were directly linked to a batch of faulty drugs given to cardiac patients at a government-run hospital.
The BBC's Orla Guerin in Islamabad says the sale of sub-standard and expired medicine is a common problem in Pakistan.

North Mara na hatima za familia zilizoumizwa kwa risasi

Mkazi wa Kijiji cha Matongo, wilayani Tarime, Mwikwabe Mwita ni mmoja wa watu walioathirika baada ya kutumia maji yanayodaiwa kuwa na sumu kutoka Mto Mara.

Kwa ufupi

“Nakufa hivi hivi, najiona, nateswa na serikali yangu mimi kama kweli Mungu yupo basi damu yetu itatoa majibu, serikali tuliyoichagua ndiyo inatufanyia hivi, nimesema mengi naomba leo niishie hapo,” anasema kisha anakaa kimya.

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iUkipita karibu na mgodi wa North Mara, utaona nyumba nyingi zimejengwa kwa nyasi au miti na kuezekwa kwa nyasi na nyingine kwa bati. Lakini siyo nyumba zote zimejengwa kwa miti na nyasi, chache zimejengwa kwa matofali na kuezekwa kwa bati.

Mgodi wa North Mara upo katika Kata ya Kemambo na Matongo, Wilaya ya Tarime, mkoani Mara ambako tumekuwa tukisikia kutokea kwa visa vingi vya kuuawawa kwa watu mbalimbali wanaoishi kuzunguka mgodi huo.

Watu hao hasa vijana wamekuwa wakiuawa na polisi wanapoingia kwenye mgodi huo kuchukua mchanga ambao wanauchekecha na kupata dhahabu.

Taarifa zinabainisha kwamba tangu mwaka 2009 mpaka sasa watu 35  wamepoteza maisha kwenye mgodi huo  na wengine kujeruhiwa baada ya kupigwa risasi na askari polisi kwa kushirikiana na walinzi wa kampuni ya African Barrick Gold North Mara.

Mwekezaji North Mara aondolewe
Kamanda wa Mkoa wa Kipolisi Tarime na Rorya, Justus Kamugisha anasema njia ya kuzuia wananchi wasipoteze maisha ni kuwahamisha wananchi wanaoishi kuzunguka mgodi huo au wamiliki wa mgodi huo ambao wamekuwa chanzo cha kuuawawa kwa raia.

“Maamuzi magumu yanatakiwa kuchukuliwa, kwanza kuhamisha wananchi ama mwekezaji ahamishwe ili  wananchi wachimbe dhahabu wenyewe kama zamani,” anabainisha Kamanda Kamugisha.

Kamanda huyo anafafanua kwamba  jambo moja kati ya hayo mawili yanapaswa yafanyiwe kazi kwa lengo la  kuzuia matukio ya mauaji na watu kujeruiwa kwa risasi.

Kamanda huyo anasema mgodi kuwapo kwenye makazi ya watu ni hatari kubwa kwa kuwa wakati wanapowathibiti wahalifu wamekuwa wakikimbilia kwenye makazi ya watu.

Anasema hakuna suluhisho zaidi ya hilo kwa kuwa watu wanaoishi karibu na mgodi huo wanaamini kwamba ni mali yao.

Kamanda huyo anasema kutokana na imani hiyo wananchi wamekuwa wakivamia mgodi kwa lengo la kuchukua mchanga na kukutana na mtutu wa bunduki, na kupoteza maisha.
Waziri anasemaje

Waziri wa zamani wa Mambo ya Ndani ambaye ni Waziri wa Ulinzi, Vuai Nahodha anasema kampuni hiyo inapaswa kuajiri askari wa kutosha ili polisi wasiingie kwenye kashfa za kuwaua raia.
“Tumetoa miezi mitatu kwa kampuni kuajiri walinzi wake, polisi watabaki na jukumu la ulinzi wa kawaida, nadhani kwa kufanya hivyo kashfa za polisi kuua ama kujeruhi raia zitapungua kabisa,”anasema Nahodha.

Pia Nahodha amewashauri viongozi wa mgodi huo kuwaletea wananchi maendeleo na kutoa ajira za kutosha kwa wakazi wa maeneo hayo.

Polisi wamekuwa wakipelekwa kwa wingi kulinda mgodi huo huku baadhi ya wakidokeza posho kubwa wanazolipwa na maofisa wa mgodi huo ni kichocheo kikubwa cha kukimbilia kulinda mgodi huo.

Wachimbaji wadogo wadai serikali haina mpango wa kumaliza mauaji dhidi ya raia kwa kuwa ingetaka kufanya hivyo ingewaita na kujadiliana jinsi ya kutatua tatizo hilo.

Dhahabu na mauaji ya kikatili
Mwenyekiti wa ushirika wa wachimbaji wadogo wadogo wilayani Tarime, Daud Makona anasema mauaji ya kikatili yanayoendelea katika mgodi huo ni mpango wa serikali baada ya kushindwa kuendeleza eneo la wachimbaji wadogo la Msege na kusajili ushirika huo tangu mwaka 2010.

“Serikali haiwezi kukwepa mauaji yanayoendelea mgodini kwa sababu kama maeneo ya  wachimbaji wadogo wadogo yangeendelezwa, mgodi huo usingevamiwa,”anasema Makona.

Mwenyekiti huyo alishangazwa na kauli ya Waziri Mkuu, Mizengo Pinda ambaye aliwashauri wachimbaji wadogo wa Mgusu, mkoani Geita waunde ushirika ili  wasaidiwe wakati wao wameunda, lakini mpaka sasa ushirika huo haujasajiliwa.

“Hakuna waziri ama kiongozi aliyekuja na kukutana na wachimbaji wadogo, wote wanaishia mgodini, hakuna dhamira ya kweli ya kukomesha mauaji,”anasema.

Makona anasema Waziri wa zamani wa Nishati na Madini, William Ngeleja alitoa ahadi nyingi za kuwasaidia wachimbaji wadogo, lakini hazijatekelezwa wakati Naibu Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Stephen Massele amefika Nyamongo mara mbili ndani ya miezi mitatu, na Waziri wa wizara hiyo Profesa Sospeter Muhongo aliishia Tarime, wote hawakukutana na wachimbaji wadogo.

Serikali yetu ni sikivu?

Mkazi wa Kitongoji cha Kwinyunyi, Kijiji cha Matongo, Esther Mugusuhi (63) ambaye ni miongoni mwa waathirika aliyetumia maji yenye sumu katika Mto Mara, anasema anasema serikali inapaswa kutoa taarifa ni kwa kiwango gani maji hayo yamewaathiri wananchi na jinsi ya kubaini maji yenye sumu hiyo.

“Vyanzo vya maji vimeharibiwa watu wanakufa, lakini mpaka sasa hatujaelezwa ni kwa kiwango gani tumeathirika,  wanatuambia serikali sikivu, huku ikiwa kimya,  haisikii na wala
haisemi lolote,”anasema.

Matokeo ya madhara wanayopata yamekuwa yakiamsha hasira kwa vijana ambao wamekuwa wakipambana askari wanaolinda mgodi huo.

Mkazi wa Kitongoji cha Lamboni katika Kijiji cha Kewanja, Mwikwabe Mwita (69) anasema anasubiri kufa, lakini hajui hatima ya familia yake.

“Nakufa hivi hivi, najiona, nateswa na serikali yangu mimi kama kweli Mungu yupo basi damu yetu itatoa majibu, serikali tuliyoichagua ndiyo inatufanyia hivi, nimesema mengi naomba leo niishie hapo,” anasema kisha anakaa kimya.

Mtafiti kutoka Kituo cha Sheria na Haki za Binadamu (LHRC), Onesmo Ole Ngurumwa anasema zaidi ya watu 35 wameuawa na jeshi la polisi katika mgodi wa African Barrick North Mara tangu mwaka 2009.

Anasema matatizo yanayowakumba wakazi hao ni mengi yakiwamo ya kutumia maji yenye sumu kutoka katika mgodi huo, kuuawa, kubakwa, kujeruhiwa, na kuongezeka kwa yatima.

Hivi karibuni Naibu Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Maselle aliwathibitishia wafanyakazi wa mgodi huo kwamba utauzwa kwa kampuni ya Kichina na kuahidi watasimamia utekelezaji wa ahadi zake na kuweka mazingira mazuri kwa jamii ili kuepuka matukio kama hayo.

Mwaka 2009 kamati tatu za bunge ya afya, mazingira na madini chini ya
mbunge Job Ndugai zilifanya ziara mgodini hapo na kuunda tusk force kushughulikia madhara yaliowapata wakazi wa eneo baada ya kutumia maji yenye sumu, lakini mpaka sasa kamati hizo hazijatoa taarifa za  wazi kwa wananchi.

Licha ya wakazi wa Kata ya Kibasuka kujitokeza mbele ya kamati tatu za
wabunge wakiwa wameathirika na kukabidhi majina ya watu waliofariki dunia na mifugo, serikali haijawahi kutoa taarifa ya uchunguzi uliofanywa madhara yaliowapata watu na mifugo.

Deaths After Fire At Workshop For Handicapped

The fire happened at a workshop in south west Germany

Fourteen people are reported to have died after a fire broke out at a workshop for people with disabilities in Germany.

Seven people were also injured in the blaze, which occurred in the small town of Titisee-Neustadt in southwestern Germany, according to the local news agency DPA.
The fire broke out around 2pm local time (1pm GMT), according to media reports and had still not been extinguished nearly two hours later.
Police were unable to determine the cause of the blaze at the workshop housing 120 people with disabilities.
DPA quoted a source as saying there had been an explosion in a storage room.
It was still unclear whether chemicals were stored in the room, but the workshop activities include the treatment of wood.
Several people were removed from the building by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, according to Focus magazine.

Kelly: Obama Silent on Gun Violence

New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly took a swipe at President Obama for keeping silent on gun violence despite the increasing violence in Obama’s hometown of Chicago. Kelly said, “Maybe the city most affected (by guns) is Chicago. The president’s hometown, but barely a peep out of him.” Both Obama and Mitt Romney were criticized for their relative silence about gun violence on the campaign trail. During one debate, Obama said, “What I’m trying to do is to get a broader conversation about how do we reduce the violence generally ... Because, frankly, in my hometown of Chicago, there’s an awful lot of violence, and they’re not using AK-47s. They’re using cheap handguns.”

Ridhiwan, Lowassa waelezea utajiri wao

Ridhiwan Kikwete. 

WAZIRI Mkuu wa zamani, Edward Lowassa na mtoto wa Rais Jakaya Kikwete, Ridhiwan wamezungumzia tuhuma ambazo zimekuwa zikielekezwa kwao kwamba wanamiliki rasilimali zenye thamani ya mabilioni ya shilingi.

Lowassa kwa upande wake amekuwa akidaiwa kuwa tajiri anayemiliki kampuni kubwa za kibiashara na kumekuwa na taarifa kwamba ana ukwasi ambao vyanzo vyake vinatia shaka na siyo rahisi kuvitolea maelezo.

Kwa upande wake Ridhiwan naye amekuwa akidaiwa kuwa na utajiri mkubwa na amekuwa akihusishwa na biashara za kampuni za kusafirisha mafuta ambayo hupelekwa kwenye migodi, umiliki wa hoteli na majengo kadhaa ya kifahari.
Wote wawili wamekuwa wakidaiwa kwamba baadhi ya mali zao wamekuwa wakiziendesha chini ya kivuli cha wafanyabiashara wengine wakubwa nchini ili kukwepa kuhojiwa walikotoa utajiri huo, taarifa ambazo hata hivyo imekuwa vigumu kuzithibitisha.

Hata hivyo jana kwa nyakati na mazingira tofauti, Lowassa na Ridhiwan walijitokeza hadharani na kukanusha madai kwamba wao ni matajiri wa kupindukia.

Lowassa kwa upande wake akiwa mjini Mbeya alisema yeye siyo tajiri kama ambavyo imekuwa ikidaiwa lakini wakati huohuo akasema “sijafilisika”.

“Wengi wanasema kuwa mimi ni tajiri siyo kweli, lakini sijafilisika kutokana na kuchangia makanisa kwani nina marafiki wengi ambao wananisaidia katika kuchangia makanisa nao pia hawajafilisika,”alisema Lowassa.

Lowasa alitoa kauli hiyo alipokuwa akiendesha harambee ya kuchangia ujenzi wa hosteli ya wanachuo wanawake ambao ni wanafunzi wa Chuo Kikuu cha Theofilo Kisanji cha mkoani Mbeya, kinachomilikiwa na Kanisa la Moraviani Tanzania, Jimbo la Kusini Magharibi.

Kiongozi huyo ambaye alichangia kaisi cha Sh25 milioni, alisema kila mtu ana wajibu wa kuchangia elimu na kwamba mwanamke anapaswa kutazamwa kwa karibu zaidi kwani ndiye anayebeba jukumu kubwa la kutunza familia.

Kwa upande wake Ridhiwan alisema: “Ikiwa mimi ni tajiri wa kiasi kinachosemwa, basi mimi ninamzidi Bakhressa (Said Salim, mfanyabiashara maarufu Afrika Mashariki), maana nimepewa kila hoteli hapa mjini, kampuni za mafuta na kila biashara kubwa inayoanzishwa hapa mjini ni ya Ridhiwan”.

Said Salim Bakhressa ni mfanyabiashara ambaye anatajwa kuwa tajiri kuliko wote nchini na anashika nafasi ya pili katika nchi za Afrika Mashariki na Kati, huku akiwa miongoni mwa wafanyabiashara 10 wanaonyemelea kuingia katika nafasi za juu za utajiri Afrika.

Hata hivyo Ridhiwan ambaye hivi karibuni alichaguliwa kuwa Mjumbe wa Halmashauri Kuu ya Taifa ya CCM (NEC), aliongeza: “Ninaweza kuwa nafanya biashara moja au mbili, lakini siwezi kuwa mmiliki kiasi chote hicho cha mali.

Mtoto huyo wa Rais Kikwete alikuwa akijibu tuhuma kwamba magari yake kumi ya kusafirisha mafuta yamekamatwa na kuzuiwa katika mpaka wa Kenya na Tanzania, Namanga mkoani Arusha kutokana na kukwepa kodi, taarifa ambayo aliikanusha.

Maelezo ya Ridhiwan
Maelezo ya Ridhiwan yamekua wakati kukiwa na taarifa kwamba Mamlaka ya Mapato Tanzania (TRA), inayashikilia malori mapya 10 ya kubebea mafuta yanayodaiwa kuwa ni yake, yanayodaiwa kuingizwa nchini.

Hata hivyo Ridhiwan alikanusha kuhusika na biashara ya mafuta akisema: “Ili kuwa na utajiri unaotajwa kwangu lazima niwe nimekopa benki au nimeiba, sasa wale wanaonituhumu wasema nimekopa benki gani na kama nimeiba basi wajitokeze watu kulalamika kuhusu wizi nilioufanya”.

Mtoto huyo wa Rais Kikwete, alisema kumekuwa na kile alichokiita uzushi wa ajabu na kwamba hajui wanaozusha mambo hayo wana malengo gani. “Wameanza kusema kwamba nauza dawa za kulevya jambo ambalo siyo kweli, mie sifanyi biashara za aina hiyo, kama kuna jambo jingine tuunguze lakini hilo ni uzushi tu,”alisisitiza.

Habari zilizopatikana jana, zilidai malori hayo mapya yanashikiliwa na TRA kituo cha mpakani cha Namanga kwa madai ya kuwapo “utata” wa malipo ya ushuru wa forodha.

Taarifa za kuzuiwa kwa malori hayo zilianza kuzagaa nchini wiki mbili zilizopita kupitia mitandao ya kijamii ukiwamo mtandao maarufu wa Jamii Forums (JF).

Kulingana na taarifa hizo, watu walioshuhudia magari hayo walidai yalikuwa zaidi ya 70 yakitokea Kenya kutengenezwa bodi huku wengine wakidai yalikuwa ni mapya.

Baadaye taarifa hiyo ilibadilika na kusema kwamba magari hayo yalikuwa 20 na kwamba ni malori 10 tu ndiyo yaliyolipiwa ushuru na kuingia nchini, lakini malori mengine 10 yalikuwa yakiendelea kushikiliwa kutokana na ukwepaji wa kodi.

“Ni kweli hayo magari ni ya huyo bwana mkubwa na yalikuwa 20, lakini 10 yalilipwa ushuru halali”alidai ofisa mmoja wa TRA kituo cha Namanga.

Ridhiwan alisema kuthibitisha kwamba tuhuma hizo ni za uwongo haiwezekani mtu anayetajwa kuwa tajiri kama yeye ashindwe kulipia ushuru wa malori kumi. “Uwongo mwingine huo, kama kweli ningekuwa nina utajiri wote huo, nishindwe kulipia ushuru wa malori kumi tu! Ndo maana nasema ni uwongo tena wa kutunga,”alisema.

Kaimu Meneja wa TRA Arusha, Theresia Mponeja alipulizwa na gazeti hili wiki iliyopita alikanusha kuzuiwa kwa malori hayo na kwamba hakuna taarifa hizo.

Lowassa na elimu

Katika hafla ya jana mjini Mbeya, Lowassa aliendelea kuipigia chapuo elimu akisema: “Ni vizuri vijana wetu wakazingatia elimu kwani bila elimu watashindwa kuhimili ushindani wa ajira katika Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki.”

“Msipozingatia elimu mtabakia kuwa wachota maji na wakata kuni daima. Ni vizuri vijana wetu mkafahamu kwamba bila ya elimu hamtaweza kufika kokote,”alisema kiongozi huyo.

Aliwaasa wanafunzi wa kike kusoma kwa bidii ili kuweza kuboresha maisha yao na kuisaidia jamii, huku akitaka wajiepushe vishawishi ambavyo vimekuwa kikwazo katika masomo yao. “Hata vitabu vitakatifu vya Mungu elimu imepewa umuhimu mkubwa, Biblia inasema mshike sana elimu na usimwache aende zake kwani huko ndiko uliko uzima wenu, kwa wenzetu Waislamu Quran inasema itafuteni elimu kwa bidii hata Uchina, maana ni kwamba itafute elimu hiyo hata kama utaipata mbali kiasi gani,’’ alisisitiza Lowassa.

Akitoa taarifa ya chuo hicho, Kiongozi wa Kanisa la Moravian Tanzania, Askofu Alinikisa Cheyo alisema ujenzi wa hosteli hiyo ulianza 2011 na unatarajiwa kuwa na vyumba 87 vitakavyotoa fursa kwa wanachuo 348.

Alisema katika awamu ya kwanza ya ujenzi huo, kanisa liliomba mkopo kutoka mamlaka ya elimu Tanzania na kukubali kupewa Sh500 milioni na kwamba awamu hiyo iliyoanza Julai 2011, iligharimu Sh580 milioni.

Kwa upande wake Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Rungwe, Crispin Meela aliyemwakilisha mkuu wa Mkoa wa Mbeya, Abbas Kandoro, alisema Serikali inaunga mkono juhudi za sekta binafsi hususan madhehebu ya kidini katika kuchangia elimu.

Alisema kuwa kwa mujibu wa takwimu, madhehu ya dini yanaongoza kwa kuwa vyuo vikuu vingi. Chuo kikuu hicho cha Theofilo Kisanji kilianzishwa 2004, ingawaje kulikuwa na chuo cha Theolojia tangu miaka ya 1960.