HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS ON TOURISM IN TANZANIA

DAMAS MAKANGALE Daily News; Thursday,January 22, 2009 @20:00

TOURISTS in close proximity with a wild elephant in Mikumi National Park. The booming commodity markets, rising profitability of investments -- the highest among developing regions in 2007 and 2008 and improved policy environments, have attracted more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in developing economies in Africa. A large proportion of the FDI flow into Tanzania has increased from 552 million US Dollars in 2006 to 600 million last year, ranking the country among the top ten recipients in Africa. The Executive Director of Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), Mr Emmanuel ole Naiko, told reporters at a news conference during the launching of the "World Investment Report 2008," that increased exploration and exploitation of natural resources were behind the increase. "Globally, FDI inflows grew at 30 per cent in 2008 from 1,300 billion US Dollars in 2006 to 1800 billion dollars last year, thus surpassing the record set in 2000," Mr Naiko said. He added: "The growth of FDI inflows to Africa by ten per cent makes a stock growth to 393 billion US Dollars". On his part, the Secretary General of UNCTAD, Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi, said that developing countries enjoyed a 21 per cent increase in FDI inflows to 500 US billion dollars, reflecting in many cases booming commodity prices and an improving policy environment. Dr Panitchpakdi said that UNCTAD's annual survey of host country policy trends suggests that governments are continuing to make investment climate more attractive. "As we have said before, the quality of investment can be more important than the quantity. Indeed one of our longstanding recommendations urges governments to pay closer attention to the usefulness of potential investors," he said. He said the report suggests that governments should explore greater use of private sector resources, including international companies to increase investment in infrastructure, to boost social and economic development in the region. The World Investment Report (WIR) 2008, which was launched a couple of months ago, indicates that the FDI inflow in Africa has recorded an impressive performance. It shows that FDI on the continent has hit a record and that Africa has the highest returns on investment. Least Developing Countries (LDCs) in Africa have also registered another year of growth in their FDI inflows. A large proportion of the FDI projects launched in the region last year were linked to the extraction of natural resources. The commodity price boom also helped Africa to maintain a relatively high level of outward FDI, which amounted to six billion US dollars in 2007.Despite higher inflows, Africa's share in global FDI remained at about three per cent. TNCS from the United States and Europe were main investors in the region, followed by African investors, particularly South Africa. The report -- titled "Translational Corporations and the Infrastructure Challenge," shows that Africa logged a remarkable record after receiving 53 billion US dollars in 2007 in FDI. Africa also trumped other developing regions by providing the highest rate of returns on FDI for the past two years. The World Investment Report, which was released by the United Nations (UN) through United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), said that after four consecutive years of growth, global Foreign Direct Investment inflows rose in 2007 by 30 per cent to reach 1,833 billion US dollars. Despite the financial and credit crisis especially the credit crunch in United States, all the three major economic groupings -- developed countries, developing countries and the transition economies of South East Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) -- saw growth in their inflows. The increase of FDI largely reflected relatively high economic growth and strong corporate performance in many parts of the world. Reinvested earnings accounted for about 30 per cent of total FDI inflows as a result of increased profits of foreign affiliates, notably in developing countries. To some extent the record of the FDI levels of dollar terms also reflected the significant depreciation of the dollar against other major currencies. However, even measured in local currencies, the average growth rate of global FDI inflows was still 23 per cent in 2007. FDI inflows into developed countries reached 1,248 billion USD dollars. The United States maintained its position as the largest recipient country, followed by the United Kingdom, France, Canada and the Netherlands. The European Union (EU) was the largest host region, attracting almost two thirds of total FDI inflows into developed countries. In developing countries, FDI inflows reached their highest level ever, 500 billion US dollars -- a 21 per cent increase over 2006. The least developed countries (LDCs) attracted 13 US billion dollars worth of FDI in 2007. In Africa, FDI inflows grew to 53 billion US dollars in 2007, whereby a new record booming commodity markets, rising profitability of investments and improved policy environments fuelled inflows. LDCs in Africa also registered another year of growth in their inflows. A large proportion of the FDI projects launched in the region in 2007 were linked to the extraction of natural resources.The commodity price boom also helped Africa to maintain a relatively high level of outward FDI, which amounted to six billion US dollars in 2007. In spite of higher inflows, Africa's share in global FDI remained at about three per cent Transnational Corporations (TNCs) from the United States and Europe who were the main investors in the region, followed by African investors, particularly from South Africa. Africa's FDI inflows in 2007 continued to be geographically concentrated the top 10 host countries accounted for over 82 per cent of total inflows and nine countries received inflows of one US billion dollars or more. The surge in FDI to the region and its profitability were driven by the boom in global commodity prices and by Africa's changing policy environment. North Africa attracted 42 per cent and sub Saharan Africa 58 per cent to the region. Investment in African Least Developed Countries also grew for the second consecutive year. As a result of the commodity price boom, income on inward FDI grew by 31 per cent in 2007 and the rate of return on investment in Africa was the highest among developing regions in 2006 and 2007

BARACK OBAMA THE FIRST PRESIDENT IN THE USA TO USE BLACKBERRY FOR EMAILS

01-22-2009 WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is keeping his cherished BlackBerry for personal use, becoming the first sitting president to use e-mail. "The president has a BlackBerry through a compromise that allows him to stay in touch with senior staff and a small group of personal friends," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Thursday. He did not say with whom the compromise was struck. Gibbs said the president will limit its use, and security has been enhanced to ensure that Obama can communicate in a way that's protected. Previous presidents chose not to use e-mail because it can be subpoenaed by Congress and courts and may be subject to public records laws. Gibbs said the presumption from the White House counsel's office is that e-mails will be subject to the Presidential Records Act, the law that requires the National Archives to preserve presidential records. But he also said that some exemptions in the law allow for "strictly personal communications." He did not say how that classification would be determined. Obama's BlackBerry has been a constant companion during the campaign and transition, and he had noted publicly that he was in negotiations to find a way to keep the device despite security concerns and records-keeping issues. Gibbs said the president believes that using a personal hand-held e-mail device is an effective way to keep in touch with people without "getting stuck in a bubble." The BlackBerry is made by Research in Motion Ltd. Source: http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090122/ap_on_hi_te/obama_blackberry

FISTULA AFFECTS WOMEN IN TANZANIA

2009-01-04 11:41:56
By Polycarp Machira

A study conducted in Ruvuma and Shinyanga regions recently shows that fistula complications are rampant in the rural communities as the majority of residents have little or no knowledge about the disease.

Fistula remains one of the problems among pregnant women despite efforts to reduce mortality rate arising from it, according to the Women`s Dignity report in November.

``They (women) have to walk long distances in search of health centres, forcing some of them to deliver on the way. Such mothers are also handled in unhygienic manner or die before reaching hospitals.

``Fistula is a problem that mostly affects women in rural areas where the women have no access to health services while ignorance and tradition prevail over common sense,` says Christine Mulandwa, the director of Women`s Dignity.

Many women are ostracized by their families and communities, and even banned from using public transport because of the smell emanating from an inflicted patient.

But some men still believe having many children is a sign of wealth and know little that many births are a cause of increased fistula complications.

Unaware that their problem can be fixed with surgery, or the fact the symptoms of the disease can be alleviated with something as simple as cotton underwear with plastic and an absorptive sponge sown inside, they have endured months or years hiding in shame.

Government statistics shows that only 94 per cent of pregnant women attend pre-natal clinics. Out of them, only 46 per cent deliver safely and the rest succumb to fistula complications.

Dr Christine Sanga, deputy director, Reproductive and Child Health from the ministry of Health and Social Welfare attributes the increased maternal death rate in the country to fistula.

``Maternal mortality ratio stands at 578 out of 10,000 live births and neo-natal rate is above 32 out of 1000 live births.`` she said.

She said major direct causes of maternal mortality include obstetric haemorrhage, obstructed labour, hypertension, sepsis and abortion complications.

According to the World Health Organization, two million girls and women (2m) around the world live with fistula, almost all of them in developing countries.

The NGO, The Fistula Foundation, estimates 100,000 new cases appear every year worldwide, but only 6,500 women are treated due to lack of money and doctors.

It is estimated that two million girls and women live with obstetric fistula worldwide, yet fistula remains one of the most neglected issues in women`s health and rights.

It devastates lives, causing women, in most cases, to lose their babies and to live with the humiliation of leaking urine and/or feaces constantly.

Fistula also affects families: The financial burden of paying for treatment and transport to hospitals, together with the loss of one income-earner, places significant strains on the families of girls and women living with fistula.

Families also suffer stress and worry about the impact of fistula on the girl or woman.

Examining fistula from the perspectives of girls and women living with the condition provides vital evidence on how health care and social systems often fail to meet women`s basic needs.

Fistula affects girls and women of all ages, both at first pregnancy and in later pregnancies.

The median age at which women in the study developed a fistula was 23. Fewer than half of the women were 19 or younger when the fistula occurred.

In addition, about half of the women were in their second or higher pregnancy. Ante-natal care services, while widely available and used, were inconsistent and inadequate.

A majority of the women in the study attended ante-natal care services nearly all of them at least twice but the services they received were inconsistent and inadequate and differed greatly from Ministry of Health guidelines.

The lack of birth preparedness, including basic information on childbirth and on taking action around ``the three delays,`` increased the risk of obstetric fistula.

According to the recent study by Women`s Dignity, nearly all of the girls and women in the study who began labour at home made at least one move to get appropriate care, and a majority faced multiple delays in reaching a facility with the needed services.

Lack of access to emergency caesarean section posed a great threat to women`s lives. For girls and women in the study, the most commonly cited barriers to facility-based delivery were lack of money and the long distance to the hospital.

· SOURCE: Sunday Observer

CLOSED STREETS IN WASHINGTON DC ON 20.1.2009

MPD and DDOT report that the bridge closings inbound to D.C. are being implemented (as of 12 midnight). Law Enforcement, National Guard and DDOT personnel will be posted along these perimeters. Major delays should be expected.

Below are details on what should be expected on major bridges and arteries in the District beginning at midnight:

𐂃 14th Street Bridge – Restricted to Buses and Authorized Vehicles Only
𐂃 Roosevelt Bridge – Restricted to Buses and Authorized Vehicles Only
𐂃 Memorial Bridge – Restricted to Pedestrians and Emergency Vehicles Only
𐂃 Key Bridge – Restricted to Mass Transit Only
𐂃 Chain Bridge - Restricted to Authorized Vehicles and Mass Transit Only, no
charter buses.
𐂃 South Capitol Street Bridge – Restricted to Buses and Authorized Vehicles Only
𐂃 Southeast/Southwest Freeway – Restricted to Emergency Vehicles Only
𐂃 Rock Creek Parkway – Open to traffic from Beach Drive to Virginia Avenue NW
(Holiday traffic schedule in effect throughout the park)
𐂃 Clara Barton Parkway operating under Holiday schedule (2 way traffic all day)
𐂃 11th Street Bridges – Restricted to Buses and Authorized Vehicles Only
𐂃 Sousa Bridge – Open to all traffic from east of the river to security checkpoint in Capitol Hill; Barney Circle closed to all vehicles
𐂃 East Capitol Street – Open to all traffic but roadways around RFK will be filled with tour buses
𐂃 Benning Road – Open to all traffic
𐂃 New York Avenue – Open to all traffic
𐂃 3rd Street Tunnel – Closed to all vehicular traffic and restricted to pedestrian

Additionally, the following streets in D.C. will be restricted to authorized vehicles only.

R St. from 23rd St. NW to Florida Ave. NE
Florida Ave. NE from R St. NE to 8th St. NE
8th St. NE from Florida Ave. NE to M St. SE

Sent by DC HSEMA to e-mail, pagers, cell phones
Powered by the Roam Secure Alert Network

CHENEY IN OBAMA'S SWEARING IN CEREMONY

Cheney in wheelchair with pulled back muscle

Mon Jan 19, 8:04 PM EST

Vice President Dick Cheney pulled a muscle in his back while moving boxes and will be in a wheelchair for Tuesday's inauguration ceremony.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said Cheney was helping to move into his new home outside Washington in McLean, Va., when he injured his back.

His doctor recommended that he needed a wheelchair for the next couple of days.

Perino said that Cheney is OK otherwise.

"The vice president is looking forward to being there for tomorrow's historic inaugural activities," Perino said.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

--

MAADHIMISHO YA KUAPISHWA RAIS BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA, RAIS WA 44 WA MAREKANI (USA) NA RAIS WA KWANZA MWEUSI NCHINI HAPA

Wandugu,

Hapa nawasimulia kama nilivyoyashuhudia maadhimisho haya ya kuapishwa Rais wa 44 wa Taifa la Wamarekani (USA) na Rais wa Kwanza Mweusi wa Taifa hili katika televisheni Bwana Barack Hussein Obama leo hii Januari 20, 2009 kuanzia mwendo wa saa tano na nusu hadi saa saba na nusu mchana.

1. Kilichonishangaza kuliko vyote ni kutokuona hata kwa mbali, kinyanya (bibi mzaa baba wa Barack Obama) kilichotoka kijijini Kogelo, Kisumu, Kenya katika Maadhimisho haya. Najiuliza picha nilizoziona zikimuonyesha anakwenda Nairobi kupanda ndege ili awasili USA Januari 17, 2009 kwa ajili ya maadhimisho haya labda hazikusema kweli. Huenda hakuhudhuria maadhimisho haya? Jibu hadi hapo kwa sasa sina. Nikifahamu ukweli wa jambo hili nitawaarifu.

2. Wimbo wa Taifa la Marekani umeimbwa mwishoni tu mwa maadhimisho sio mwanzoni (na mwishoni), kama vile tulivyozoea nchi za Afrika zinavyofanya.

3. Rais George W. Bush, alimkaribisha Rais Mteule Obama na mkewe White House kabla ya Maadhimisho. Ratiba yenyewe ya kina Obama ilikuwa hivi: Walianzia kwenda Kanisani na kutoka hapo Kanisani wakapelekwa Ikulu kupata kifungua kinywa na familia ya Bush. Kutoka Ikulu wote wakaelekea Bungeni (Capitol Hill) kulikondaliwa maadhimisho. Wamarekani wanasema sio kawaida ya Rais Mteule kualikwa na aliyekuwapo White House kabla ya kuapishwa. Kwa hiyo kwa hili, Bw. Bush kama vile ametaka kuonyesha dunia kuwa hana kinyongo na kiongozi ajaye.

4. Kwa kawaida ya utamaduni wao Marekani, Mara baada ya Watu wote waliopo White House kuelekea Jengo la Bunge, huku nyuma yanakuja malori kupakia mizigo ya rais aliyeachia madaraka kupakia kila kilicho chake na kukipeleka kwao; na wakati huo huo, kuingiza Ikulu kila kitu cha kiongozi aapishwaye atakayeingia Ikulu kunanzia baada ya kuapishwa.

5. Hivyo Bwana Bush na mkewe baada ya kuapishwa Rais Obama walipelekwa Uwanja wa Ndege kurejea kwao jimboni Texas na Bwana Obama walitangaza kuwa mara tu baada ya kuapishwa anaelekea kwenye ofisi yake Ikulu kuendelea na kazi kama kawaida. Kwake yeye ni vita mbele. Kazi yake ya Urais, hakuichelewesha hata dakika moja!

6. Umati mkubwa sana ulijaa katika viwanja vinavyosambaa umbali wa maili tatu kuanzia kwenye Lincoln Memorial hadi Capitol Hill; huku maarufu kwa jina na The Mall. Umati uliokadiriwa na waandishi wa Habari dakika za majeruhi kuwa ni watu waliokadiriwa kuwa laki tano.

7. Vazi alilovaa Bibi Michele Obama la rangi ya Dhahabu na vito vyake vyote; waandishi wa habari wamesema; aliyefanya kazi ya kuchora vazi hilo na kulitengeneza ni mzalendo wa hapa hapa USA.

8. Katika maadhimisho haya kulikuwa na Marais waliopita wote wanne walio hai kuanzia kwa Jimmy Carter na mkewe, George Bush baba mtu na mkewe, Bill Clinton na mkewe (ambaye ameteuliwa na Obama kuwa Waziri wa mambo ya Nchi za Nje; anachukua nafasi hiyo kutoka kwa Condoleeza Rice); George Walker Bush na mkewe. Baada ya kuapishwa, ukimjumlisha na Obama na Mkewe, kulikuwa na pea tano za Marais wa Marekani.

9. Mabinti wa Rais wa Marekani Sasha na Malia Obama waliingia sehemu ya Maadhimisho wakifuatana na bibi yao mzaa mama ambaye waandishi wa habari wameendelea pia kuelezea kuwa ataishi Ikulu na familia ya mwanawe Michele Obama. Katika maadhimisho hayo pia alionyeshwa kaka yake Michele Obama aliyekaa jirani na dada yake wakati wa kuapishwa.

10. Wenzetu huku, jambo la Kuapishwa linatekelezwa kama vile jambo la jukwaani na kweli lilifanyikia Jukwaani. Kwamba Mgeni mheshimiwa kabisa anakuwa wa mwisho kutoka. Hivyo "Mwali" Obama alikuwa akisubiriwa kwa hamu sana kuonekana na umati uliokusanyika kumshangilia. Na alipoonekana anatoka to mlangoni kuelekea Jukwaani alipopangiwa kuketi, vilisikika vishindo vya kelele za shangilizi ambazo waandishi wa habari hapa Marekani wamekiri kuwa hawajawahi kuvisikia. Hii ni kutokana na tekinolojia ya kileo. Katika huo uwanjwa walikojaa kadamnasi ya watu waliokuja kushuhudia tukio hili kuliwekwa televisheni kubwa uwanja mzima (The Mall) ili watu waone kinachoendelea japokuwa walikuwa mbali na Viwanja vyenyewe vya Bunge. Hivyo nao waliona mambo yakiendelea kama vile walikuwapo pale panapo maadhimisho. Ili mradi hata waliokwenda japo hawakushuhudia kwa macho yao, televisheni zilikuwapo kuwashuhudishaa tukio lile. Kama ambavyo wengi wetu tulioepuka adha ya makundi makubwa ya watu tulivyoamua kubaki nyumbani na kushuhudia tukio hili la kihistoria katika televisheni.

11. Kulikuwa na kwata ya Askari ambayo mimi kwa kweli sikuishuhudia, ambayo ilifanyika baada ya kuapishwa kwa Rais lakini nimeikosa sana kwa sababu napenda sana kuangalia jinsi askari wanavyotembea kwa mpangilio maalum. Kwa hiyo huku hakuna utaratibu wa Vikosi mbalimbali vya Majeshi ya Ulinzi na Usalama kutoa heshima au kitu kama hicho kabla ya maadhimisho. Hayo yanakuja baadaye kama sehemu ya kustarehesha wananchi.

THE WORLD'S EDITORIALS ON END OF BUSH REIGN IN THE USA

By Erik Kirschbaum, Reuters
Monday, January 19, 2009. 11:59 AM EST

Editorial writers around the world have been taking their final printed whacks at George W. Bush, accusing the president of tarnishing America's standing with what many saw as arrogant and incompetent leadership.

Some newspaper editorials, for all their criticism, suggested historians might just be kinder later on than those now writing first drafts of history. A success often cited by those seeking a silver lining was the United States' freedom from further homeland attacks following September 11.

Bush's successor, Barack Obama, will be sworn in as the 44th U.S. president on Tuesday.

"A weak leader, Bush was just overwhelmed in the job," said Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung under a headline: "The Failure." "He confused stubbornness with principles. America has become intolerant and it will take a long time to repair that damage."

Editorials hit out at Bush for two unfinished wars, for plunging the economy into recession, turning a budget surplus into a pile of debt, for his environment policies and tarnishing America's reputation with the Guantanamo Bay detention center.

Bush was given credit in some editorials for defending the United States against terror attacks after September 11, 2001.

Israel was most complimentary, of his intentions if not necessarily of his achievements.

"Of all the U.S. presidents over the past 60 years, it is hard to think of a better friend to Israel than George W. Bush," the Jerusalem Post daily wrote during Bush's final visit.

Last week columnist Caroline Glick wrote Bush "recognizes Israel and the U.S. share the same enemies and they seek to destroy us because we represent the same thing: freedom. But Bush never learned how to translate personal views into policy."

Canada's Toronto Star was categorical in its condemnation.

"Goodbye to the worst president ever," it declared. "Bush was an unmitigated disaster, failing on the big issues from the invasion of Iraq to global warming, Hurricane Katrina and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression."

"Bush leaves a country and an economy in tatters," wrote the Sunday Times in London. It said America's national debt and unemployment nearly doubled on his watch.

Britain's Daily Mail said he entered office with a budget surplus of $128 billion but exits with a $482 billion deficit.

"He leaves the world facing its biggest crisis since the Depression, the Middle East in flames and U.S. standing at an all-time low.

"How will history judge George W.? Have we, perhaps, to quote his own mangled malapropisms, 'misunderestimated' him? On the plus side, after 9/11 he achieved what became his number one priority: to prevent his country suffering further attack on its own soil. Al Qaeda has been hugely weakened."

LEGACY OF WARS

The Scottish Daily Record observed: "America is now hated in many parts of the world. Bush leaves a legacy of wars and the world economy in meltdown. He has been dismissed as a buffoon and a war-monger, a man who made the world a more dangerous place while sending it to the brink of economic collapse."

The Economist found room to praise Bush on free trade, immigration reform and China. But its overall view was negative:

"He leaves as one of the least popular and most divisive presidents in American history. Bush has presided over the most catastrophic collapse in America's reputation since World War Two."

The Sydney Morning Herald complained about Bush's "singular lack of curiosity in international matters" in an editorial titled "Farewell to a flawed and unpopular commander-in-chief."

But it also praised Bush for improving U.S. relations with China and India, his efforts to fight AIDS in Africa. It predicted historians might one day rank Bush in the mid range.

Le Monde disagreed.

"It's hard to find a historian who won't say that Bush was the most catastrophic leader the U.S. has ever known," the French daily wrote. "One success: since September 11, 2001, there was no attack on U.S. soil. But this sits alongside an interminable list of failures, starting with the war in Iraq."

Germany, ridiculed as "old Europe" by Bush's former defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld for opposing the Iraq invasion, took aim at Bush.

"Bush brought great misery to the world with his 'friend-or-foe' mentality," wrote Die Zeit.

Stern magazine said: "Bush led the world's most powerful nation to ruin. He lied to the world, tortured in the name of freedom and caused lasting damage to America's standing."

The Pan-Arab al-Hayat newspaper resorted to bitter black humor under the headline: "We cried a lot and the joke was on us." It recalled his controversial election win in Florida and how he once nearly choked on a pretzel, watching television.

"Perhaps we could say that fate, which let the American people down first in Florida and then with the issue of the pretzel in the president's throat, ultimately helped them by making sure the president would spend half his time on vacation.

"Indeed, he would have caused twice the damage if he had been more active and focused."

Austria's Wiener Zeitung wrote Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad even ranked higher in one international opinion poll than Bush:

"The United States was once the symbol of justice in the world but that has been damaged by Bush. A web of manipulation has cost America $900 billion and the lives of 4,000 soldiers -- along with at least 500,000 Iraqis."

In Poland, the Warsaw daily Dziennik lamented the worst part about Bush's presidency: "It was empty rhetoric."

(Additional reporting by Jakub Jaworoski in Warsaw, Peter Griffiths in London, Alastair Macdonald in Jerusalem, and Francois Murphy in Paris; editing by Ralph Boulton).

© 2009 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.