Kenya, Senegal Agree To Champion The Integration Of Africa

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January 27, 2023

Kenya and Senegal have agreed to work together in championing for the integration of Africa.

President William Ruto and his Senegalese counterpart, President Macky Sall, said they will strive to take common positions on issues affecting the Continent.

The two leaders spoke on Thursday after holding talks at the Presidential Palace in Dakar.

President Ruto said the move will further Africa’s agenda and consolidate its position at the United Nations.

“We must unite and amplify our voices at the global level,” he said.

On his part, President Sall called on African countries to abolish visa requirements for Africans to ease the movement of people and factors of production.

President Ruto said Kenya and Senegal are exploring the possibility of a visa-free regime for citizens of the two countries.

He explained that his Senegalese counterpart had committed to support the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

South Africa Signs Deal With India To Relocate Dozens Of Cheetahs

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John Mutiso

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January 27, 2023

South Africa has signed an agreement with India to introduce dozens of African cheetahs to the Asian country over the next decade, its environmental department said on Thursday (Jan 26), after the first were transferred last year from neighbouring Namibia.

A big cat species similar to the cheetah disappeared from India some 70 years ago.

In September, eight radio-collared African cheetahs were released at Kuno National Park in central India after a 5,000-mile journey from Namibia, the first time wild cheetahs have been moved across continents to be released.

“An initial batch of 12 cheetah are scheduled to be flown from South Africa to India in February 2023,” South Africa’s environmental department said in a statement.

The big cats will join those introduced from Namibia.

“The plan is to translocate a further 12 annually for the next eight to 10 years,” the department added.

Rebecca Mwangi To Battle Aberesh Kebeda And Iska Chelangat In Algeria

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John Mutiso

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January 27, 2023

Kenya’s Rebecca Mwangi of Kenya seeks a second Victory at Cerdioui Said Cross Country Challenge that will be held on Saturday (28) in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria.

Mwangi will square it out with Aberesh Kebeda from Ethiopia and her compatriot Iska Chelangat. This will be the second time the three will be battle it out.

Rebecca Mwangi who is Japan-based Targets a podium finish once again having won the first league of El mokrani cross-country challenge on 14th January 2023.

Peter Bol’s Legal Team Question ‘Interpretation Of Lab Data’

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John Mutiso

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January 27, 2023

The lawyer for Australian Olympian Peter Bol has challenged the interpretation of lab data that saw the Australian Athletics poster boy test positive to a performance-enhancing drug.

Bol, who finished fourth in the 800 metres at the Tokyo Olympics, returned a positive result for EPO and is now facing now faces a nervous wait for the results of his B sample.

His American lawyer Paul Greene, who has experience representing athletes from around the globe, says it was a margin call for the Aussie to have been given a positive result in the first place.

‘EPO naturally occurs in every one of us so it’s not like synthetic EPO has a different chemical make-up than regular EPO,’ said Greene.

‘It is a density/gel test that seeks to measure the density of one versus another but not everyone’s density EPO is the same so there is not a clear straightforward test in every case.

‘So sometimes you are right on the edge and it would appear from the initial report (with Bol) that they had a single band and that would mean it was a very very close call as to whether they were going to report this.’

Bol’s American lawyer Paul Greene (pictured), who has experience representing athletes from around the globe, says it was a margin call for the Aussie to have been given a positive result in the first place

Greene explained that similar tests results to Bol’s have in the past not been regarded as a clear result.

He also said that he’s seen careers derailed by questionable EPO tests including Norway’s walker Erik Tysse and Irish sprinter Steven Colvert.

Bol has declared his innocence and hopes that his B-sample will come back negative and clear his name.

‘It is critically important to convey with the strongest conviction that I am innocent and have not taken this substabce as I am accused,’ he posted on Twitter.

‘I ask that everyone in Australia believe me and let the process play out.

‘When I found out last week that the A Sample from a urine test take on 11 October had tested positive for synthetic EPO I was in total shock.

‘To be clear, I have NEVER in my life purchased, researched, possessed, administered, or used synthetic EPO or any other Prohibited Substance.’

Bol famously finished just short of becoming Australia’s first ever medalist in the 800m at the Tokyo Olympics, finishing fourth in the final.

The positive result has sent shockwaves through the Australian Athletics community as Bol has been a story of inspiration and rising above adversity since his huge display in Tokyo.

He became a household name when he surged to the front to lead all runners to victory in the semi-final before narrowly missing out on the bronze medal.

Bol has voluntarily handed over his phone and laptop to investigators while his coach Justin Rinaldi and agent James Templeton have also offered to surrender their devices.

Black Box From Yeti Airlines Plane That Crashed In Nepal To Be Sent To Singapore

By

John Mutiso

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January 27, 2023

The black box recovered from the January 15 plane crash in Nepal is being sent to Singapore for analysis to identify the cause of the crash that killed all 72 people on board.

Both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder will be examined by experts at Singapore’s Transportation Safety Investigation Bureau.

“The Nepal investigating team is leaving on Friday with the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder [for Singapore] where the data will be downloaded and analysed,” Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson Rajendra Kumar KC said.

A committee formed by the government is still looking into the cause of the Yeti Airlines flight crash.

It was initially suggested the black box be taken to France where the aircraft was manufactured, but Nepalese authorities decided to send it to Singapore.

Rescuers are combing the hillside for the remains of two people still missing since the crash at the resort town of Pokhara, 200 kilometres west of the capital, Kathmandu.

The twin-engine ATR 72-500 aircraft was approaching Pokhara International Airport in the Himalayan foothills when it plummeted into a gorge about 1.6 kilometres from the runway at an elevation of about 820 metres.

Rescuers scour the crash site of a Yeti Airlines passenger plane in Pokhara, Nepal, on Monday, January 16, 2023. — The plane was carrying 68 passengers when it crashed.(AP Photo: Yunish Gurung)

While it is still not clear what caused the crash, some aviation experts say video taken from the ground of the plane’s last moments indicated it went into a stall, although it is unclear why.

The plane was carrying 68 passengers, including 15 foreign nationals, as well as four crew members.

The foreigners included five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans, and one each from Ireland, Australia, Argentina and France.

Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority has also said the airport’s instrument landing system will not be working until February 26 — eight weeks after the airport began operations on January 1.

Aviation safety experts have said the absence reflects the poor air-safety record in Nepal, where mountainous terrain and the resulting variable weather conditions make flying difficult.

Australia Raises Alarm Over Missing Radioactive Capsule

By

John Mutiso

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January 27, 2023

A missing radioactive capsule lost somewhere between Perth and a Pilbara mine site over an area of 1,400 kilometres has sparked an urgent health warning.

In an emergency press conference on Friday afternoon, WA’s chief health officer urged people to stay away from the capsule if they see it because of its radioactive properties.

The capsule is tiny – 6mm diameter by 8mm high.

The radioactive gauges are commonly used in mining. It went missing from a truck sometime after January 10.

Any motorists who have travelled along the Great Northern Highway between Newman and Perth since January 10 should check their tyres, in case the capsule has become lodged in them.

Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson said the capsule was lost while it was being transported, somewhere between a mine site north of Newman and Malaga, north east of Perth.

It is believed the capsule fell through the gap left by a bolt hole, after the bolt was dislodged when a container collapsed as a result of vibrations during the trip.

Authorities are searching Great Northern Highway in a desperate effort to find the capsule, which is the size of a 10-cent piece.

DFES said the capsule “cannot be weaponised” but are still urging caution due to potentially serious health consequences.

Radiation equivalent to 10 X-rays an hour

Mr Robertson said it does emit a “reasonable” amount of radiation.

He says the radiation emitted is equivalent to receiving 10 X-rays in one hour or the amount of natural radiation a body is exposed to over a year.

“It emits both beta rays and gamma rays so if you have it close to you, you could either end up with skin damage including skin burns,” he said.

“And if you have it long enough near you, it could cause acute radiation sickness.

“Now that will take a period of time but obviously we are recommending people not be close to it or hang on to it.”

Mr Robertson advised anyone who finds the capsule not to go near it, and to rather call DFES on 133 337.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services is leading search efforts, coordinating a team involving the Department of Health, WA Police, and other subject matter experts.

DFES Country North chief superintendent David Gill said there would be “challenges” in locating such a small object.

“The start and finish of the transportation from the mine site north of Newman, and the transport depot in Perth, are among some of the locations that are searched, and being searched yesterday, but the capsule remains unfound,” he said.

“There are challenges here. It is 1,400 kilometres between the mine site … to the north of Newman, and Perth.”

DFES have issued a warning for people to stay at least five metres away from it if they see something that resembles the capsule.

People are urged to avoid coming into contact with it, and immediately contact DFES.

MCK To Recall Accreditation Cards To Contain Fraudulent Journalists

By

John Mutiso

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January 27, 2023

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has said that it will recall all press cards issued recently in a bid to tame rising cases of fraudsters posing as journalists.

In a statement released on Friday, MCK said the new Press cards will have additional unique features that will be used for identifications.

“Media Council of Kenya to recall all accreditation cards in a bid to contain fraudsters posing as journalists.

“New Press Cards to have additional features including a barcode and QR code that can be scanned using any smartphone,” the council said.

MCK Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Omwoyo confirmed that the current press cards will cease to be functional to pave way for new cards.

However, the timelines for effecting the changes were not revealed by the media regulator but Omwoyo confirmed that the council will issue a comprehensive statement regarding the process and essence of issuing the new cards.

He noted that the number of impostors had ballooned to the hundreds and comprised of former journalists who still pose as reporters of various media stations.

He also noted that there were cases of random impostors who have no qualifications but pose as journalists with forged press cards.

“It has come to our attention that there is an escalation of fraudsters masquerading as journalists and media practitioners who get access to events to extort and harass people,” Omwoyo said.

“The council is committed to fostering a conducive working environment for journalists and media practitioners through improved standards and constantly engaging relevant stakeholders to address pertinent issues.”

DP Gachagua Pushes One-Pub-Per-Town Order To Fight Alcoholism

By

John Mutiso

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January 27, 2023

Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has ordered government administrators in the central region to enforce a one-pub-per-town directive that was issued last week.

Speaking during the commissioning of an affordable housing project in Ruiru, Kiambu County, yesterday, Gachagua called on the county bosses to review the licensing of bars and restaurants.

According to Gachagua, every major town across the country should only have one bar.

“We want to appeal to our governors to sit down and agree that they cannot license every bar and restaurant to sell for 24 hours. It is wrong,” Gachagua stated.

Gachagua said while the move to license bars and restaurants to operate 24 hours generates revenue, the move was destroying entire generations, especially the youths who have access to liquor every day.

“You license all bars to be bars and restaurants to increase revenue and in the process, we lose an entire generation. Even if you collect that revenue to build roads and the youths die, who will use them.”

“Even if you are looking for revenue, you cannot do it at the expense of our children. Let us just have one restaurant in a big town that sell for 24 hours,” Gachagua posed.

Gachagua got the backing of President William Ruto, who said the country must ruthlessly tackle alcoholism.

Ruto said that many lives were being lost and destroyed as a result of alcohol abuse.

“National and County Governments must work together to confront this problem,” Ruto said, adding that it is now time alcohol is sold to designated areas only.

Body Of Tanzanian Killed In Ukraine Returns Home

By

John Mutiso

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January 27, 2023

The body of a Tanzanian national who was killed in Ukraine fighting with Russian forces returned to his home country on Friday.

Nemes Tarimo, 37, died three months ago after agreeing to sign up with the Russian mercenary group Wagner.

His body was received by his family at the main airport in Dar es Salaam with burial scheduled for Saturday in his home village in the southern highlands of country.

Mr Tarimo had been in Moscow as a business informatics master’s student at the Russian Technological University. But he was then imprisoned some time after January 2021 for what were described as drugs-related offences.

Last year, he was enticed with a deal: sign up with the Russian mercenary group Wagner and be pardoned or stay in prison.

West Ham Forward Antonio Says He Could Leave In January

By

John Mutiso

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January 27, 2023

Michail Antonio says there is a possibility he could leave West Ham in the January transfer window.

Antonio, 32, who joined the Hammers from Nottingham Forest for £7m in 2015, confirmed he had been in contact with other clubs.

Speaking on The Footballer’s Football Podcast, the forward said: “Honestly, I’ve not ruled anything out. That’s all I can say.

“Nothing has been ruled out. There are talks, so whatever happens, happens.”

Antonio became West Ham’s top scorer in the Premier League in August 2021 with his 48th top-flight goal breaking Paolo di Canio’s club record.

He has been linked with Julen Lopetegui’s Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as a loan move to Chelsea.

Reports suggest West Ham are open to selling the Jamaica international, but do not want to loan him out.

David Moyes’ side have found themselves in a relegation fight this season but lifted themselves out of the bottom three last weekend with a win over fellow strugglers Everton.

Antonio has scored four goals and provided three assists in all competitions so far and last week said the Hammers’ transition into a team that could compete for a Champions League place was not working.

‘I’ll definitely be upset if I leave’

The forward said it had been a “very difficult” campaign for him personally but could not say which teams he has spoken to – and leaving West Ham would be tough.

“I’ve been here for eight-and-a-half years now, become top goalscorer for the club and I’ve loved every moment of it,” said Antonio.

“Every single moment is somewhere close to my heart and I’ll always be looking out for it. I love the fans, I’ve loved my time at West Ham.

“It’s just one of those things. I’m not saying goodbye, I’m saying basically, if it happens, it happens and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

“I won’t be upset about staying and I’ll definitely be upset if I leave because obviously I’ve enjoyed my time here, but football is football.

“Players move, players stay and eight-and-a-half years at one club, I would never have thought of it because before I came to West Ham the most I stayed at a club was two years.

“I’ve still got a year and a half here. I can’t say I’m going because I’ve still got a year and a half left at the club.”

West Ham face Derby County in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Monday at 19:45 GMT.