‘Universities in need of more state support’

President John Magufuli.

THE government is determined to support higher learning institutions to produce more scientists to prop up industries if the country is to attain its national vision 2025, which is geared towards transforming Tanzania from a developing to a middle income country.

Addressing the 50th anniversary celebrations of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) in the city, President John Magufuli, said the government will also provide universities with support to conduct researches.

“The fifth phase government will provide higher learning institutions with support to carry out researches with the goal of addressing the challenges that afflict society,” said the head of state in a speech read on his behalf by the Minister for Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Prof Joyce Ndalichako.

Dr Magufuli pointed out that the higher learning institutions were in a position to play a key role for the country to attain the national vision and that the higher learning institutions should address the challenges in different sectors.

UDSM Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rwekaza Mukandala, said the capacity to produce more scientists and good research outputs is limited by a number of factors. He pointed out that the most prominent factor is inadequacy of the current teaching and research infrastructure at the university and shortage of research funds.

“The university certainly needs to be more innovative and proactive in addressing these constraints, but more cooperation and support from the government and other stakeholders are equally crucial,” said the UDSM Vice-Chancellor.

Prof Mukandala said the scientists at the university are engaged in both science education and creation of new scientific knowledge. He added that the university has played a key role in two areas.

“It would be our duty and pride to contribute to national development as universities in other formerly poor countries have done in recent decades,” he observed.

Prof Mukandala said only South Africa, Uganda and Malawi spend above 1 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on research and experimental development.

He also pointed out that he was optimistic that the government would soon enter this list of few countries in Africa to commit at least 1 per cent of its GDP.

Former Miss Tanzania supports Sinza maternity ward

          Former Miss Tanzania Jokate Mwegelo (L) carries a newly born baby when she visited Palestina Hospital�s maternity ward in Dar es Salaam yesterday. (Photo courtesy of a correspondent)

 The 2006 Miss Tanzania runners-up, film actor, musician and fashion designer Jokate Mwegelo has urged fellow artists and other stakeholders to support government’s efforts to improve health care of parents as well as children.

 

Mwegelo made a call after visiting the maternity ward of the Palestina Hospital at Dar es Salaam’s vibrant suburb of Sinza yesterday. She supported women who gave birth while marking the international day for women.

 

Mwegelo donated several items for the maternity ward that included pairs of sandals, variety of cosmetics and other goodies for expectant mothers and new born babies.

 

She said healthy sector faces various challenges despite efforts made by the government to find solutions. She said due to its importance, stakeholders should support the government by donating to maternity ward and other needy people.

 

“I congratulate the government under President Dr John Magufuli for earmarking and solve T-scan problem faced by Muhimbili National Hospital and other  health-related challenges. Everyone knows what it means to health, no one can do anything in the event of poor health. Getting proper treatment is of paramount importance”, she said.   

 

“The government is doing its best to resolve challenges faced by its citizens  and among all provision of health services. I have decided to support health sector as one way iof supporting the government, ”said Mwegelo.

 

The fiormer pageantry fanatic said she has been impressed by the Palestina Hospital’s maternity ward and plans to do more for the hospital.

 

“As you know, many stakeholders are focusing on major hospitals to give their support while overlooking others that are little known. Many other dispensaries and healthy centers scattered all over the cities and rural areas also require support but are overlooked or ignored for no apparent reason. I urge  artists to give back to the community whatever little they have,” she said.

 

According to Mwegelo who owns a company by the name of Kidoti, said strategies are to support many other hospitals, healthy centers and dispensaries across the country.

 

Mwegelo’s  business partner Shuxia Bi who is official of Chinese firm, Suining Zerong Commercial said it is good to society especially artists to support government efforts in meeting social challenges for the needy communities.   Shuxia said the target is to reached majority among the needy in the regions.

 

The hospital’s chief doctor Kariamel Wandi expressed his sincere appreciation to Mwegelo and her business partners for the kind support of the maternity ward.

Magufuli's government hit by more foreign aid cuts

                                                       President John Magufuli

 President John Magufuli's still-nascent government has been hit with substantial external aid cuts just months before it unveils its maiden budget for fiscal year 2016/17.

 

It was confirmed yesterday that 10 out of a group of 14 western donor entities have announced their withdrawal of general budget support to Tanzania, hence potentially losing the country hundreds of millions of US dollars in foreign aid.

Mulongo serves 3-week notice to illegal gun owners to surrender arms

                                     Mara Regional Commissioner Magesa Mulongo

 Authorities in Mara Region have issued a three- week ultimatum to people who own firearms illegally in the area to surrender them to the police or government before a special crackdown is conducted to arrest those who will have defied the order.

Civil service audit reveals 2,500 'ghost' workers

Minister of State in the President's Office (Local Governments and Regional Administration), George Simbachawene

 Mwanza, Arusha and Singida are the regions with the highest number of government ‘ghost’ workers, according to reports submitted to the central government as part of a national civil service audit aimed at pruning the state payroll.

bbc news

click

Fidel Castro writes caustic note to Obama after Cuba visit

http://www.dw.com/en/fidel-castro-writes-caustic-note-to-obama-after-cuba-visit/a-19146619

Putin turns his attention to Tajikistan and Trump

http://www.dw.com/en/putin-turns-his-attention-to-tajikistan-and-trump/a-19137678

Hijacked EgyptAir passenger airplane lands in Cyprus

http://www.dw.com/en/hijacked-egyptair-passenger-airplane-lands-in-cyprus/a-19147300

Belgium releases only suspect charged in connection with Brussels attacks

 Belgian authorities have released a man they had charged with terrorism offenses in connection with last Tuesday's deadly attacks in Brussels. Media had speculated that the man could be a missing third attacker.
Belgian prosecutors said on Monday that the man, identified as Faycal C., had been released after no evidence was found to back up the allegations against him.
"The clues that had led to the arrest of the person named Faycal C. were not backed up by the progression of the ongoing investigation," the federal prosecution said in a statement.
Belgian media had speculated that Faycal C. could be a third man captured on video footage pushing a luggage trolley alongside the two suspected attackers, who are thought to have blown themselves up, killing at least 11 people and injuring scores of others.
The third suspect is believed to have fled after his bomb failed to go off.
 
       More suspects held
Belgian authorities said on Monday that the number of victims from Tuesday's attacks at the Brussels airport and a subway station had risen to 35, and that three more people were being held on charges of involvement in terrorist activities.
Details were not released of the alleged terrorists' actions, and it was not said whether they were linked to the Brussels attacks.

A fourth suspect was set free without charge after questioning.
Investigators have also released a 32-second video of the third suspected attacker, seen wearing a dark hat and white jacket. They have asked for the public's help in establishing the man's identity.
Responsibility for the attacks has been claimed by the "Islamic State" extremist group

Construction of African postal union HQ to start soon

           The deputy minister for Works, Transport and Communications Eng. Edwin Ngonyani

 CONSTRUCTION of the long-awaited headquarters for Pan African Postal Union (Papu) is set to kick-off before the end of this year, a senior official of the Africa’s body for postal services has said.

 

PAPU Senior official said recently in Arusha that the multi-million dollar project has been delayed because a foreign consultant hired for the job was later disqualified and that another one had to be appointed outside the country.

Lowassa pleads with the public to maintain peace

 

                      Former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa

 Former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa (pictured) yesterday called on the public remain calm through the difficult political times the country is going through following the farcical election re-run in Zanzibar and urged them to maintain peace and tranquility in the country.

 

He made the call at the Azania Front Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dar es Salaam where he attended Easter Monday mass and used the occasion for thanksgiving prayers.

 

Magufuli:'...Unwilling to work, shall not eat'

GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE: Bishop Dr Alex Malasusa of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania confers blessings on President John Magufuli and First Lady Janeth Magufuli

 President John Magufuli yesterday urged Tanzanians of all faiths, races and ethnicities to uphold brotherly and sisterly co-existence in order to maintain peace and tranquility in the country.

All-CCM House of Reps set to convene

Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC), while CCM's presidential candidate Dr Ali Mohamed Shein (pictured)

 For the first time since the reintroduction of the multiparty system, a House of Representatives comprising only Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) members will convene here on Wednesday after the ruling party won all the House seats in a rerun election boycotted by the main opposition Civic United Front (CUF) party.

Mining company Samarco to pay Brazil dam disaster damages

The owners of an iron ore mine in Brazil have settled with the government for a deadly dam spill. The toxic flood was the country's worst environmental disaster, polluted waterways and left 17 people dead. 

An estimated $6.2 billion (5.7 billion euros) is to to be paid by mining company Samarco and its owners over a period of fifteen years as part of an agreement for damages caused by last November's deadly dam spill. The funds will go toward remedying social and environmental damage.

East African Community admits South Sudan, snubs Burundi

South Sudan is the newest addition to the East African Community (EAC). In the meantime the bloc has rejected Burundi’s bid for the EAC chairmanship for 2016.

As leaders of the EAC met in Arusha in northern Tanzania, one man was conspicuously missing. Burundi's president, Pierre Nkurunziza, did not attend even though his country was bidding for the chairmanship of the bloc. The last time Nkurunziza attended an EAC summit, rebels staged a failed coup in his absence.

Super Tuesday could weed out also-ran candidates

US Election

To stop frontrunners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton from effectively sealing the nomination, their competitors must rack up some victories on Super Tuesday. Michael Knigge examines what's at stake.

If the early US presidential primaries were an appetizer, then Super Tuesday is the main course. With 12 US states and one territory (American Samoa) participating, Super Tuesday is the single biggest voting day in the primary race.

Hillary Clinton looks to wrap up nomination on Super Tuesday

US Elections

Clinton and Trump, frontrunners in the US presidential nomination, are seeking to finish off their challengers on Super Tuesday. Support from black voters is a key factor in Clinton's run. 

Registered Democrat and Republican party members began voting in primary elections on Tuesday in what is the pivotal day for determining candidates for the November 8 presidential election.

Dar RC stresses clean city surroundings

Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Meck Sadick

The issue of clean city surroundings has remained a challenge in the city of Dar es Salaam and its environs due to lack of working tools and facilities.

The challenge has affected Dar es Salaam’s suburbs  like Mbagala and Buguruni, a situation that puts city dwellers at risk of water-borne diseases such as cholera, which claimed more than 100 lives in the city since last August.

Dar es Salaam’s Regional Commissioner Meck Sadick  said: “Clean environment is an important issue that needs to be taken seriously by city dwellers, because it’s not a one-man show. It’s the responsibility of all the people irrespective their socio-economic status.”

RC Sadick, who yesterday took part in end-oo-month cleaning exercise in Kariakoo, said: “Let the people change their mindsets and embrace cleaning their surroundings as their routine task. The issue of lack of working tools shouldn’t be an excuse for people to dodge fulfilling their responsibility.”

Last year, President John Magufuli cancelled Uhuru Day celebrations and instead ordered people across the country to spend the day on environmental cleanliness. The event has since been held at the end of each month.

Obama: Changing Guantanamo's zip code

Eight years after vowing to close Guantanamo, US President Barack Obama has launched a final push to shut the facility. But critics say the plan would transfer indefinite detention to US soil. Spencer Kimball reports.

With less than a year left in his final term, US President Barack Obama has presented a last-ditch plan to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, a move staunchly opposed by the Republican-controlled Congress and the three leading Republican presidential candidates.
There are currently 91 detainees left in Guantanamo, 35 of whom have already been cleared for release. During the height of detentions under the Bush administration, 800 people were held at the facility.
Under the president's plan, review boards would determine which detainees among the remaining 56 are eligible for release to other countries. Those who aren't cleared would be held at a facility in the continental United States.