Kingunge, Sumaye out of Central Committee

President Adviser Hon. Kingunge Ngombale-Mwiru and former Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye talking after being dropped from the Central Committee in Dodoma

The National Executive Committee of the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi yesterday endorsed Yusuf Makamba as party secretary general for the next five years.

However, it dropped presidential adviser Kingunge Ngombale-Mwiru and former Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye from the central committee.

Makamba was elected to the post last year to replace former party secretary general Philip Mangula.

Newala MP George Mkuchika was chosen as deputy secretary general for mainland, replacing Jaka Mwambi, while Salehe Ramadhan Ferouz retained his post as deputy secretary general for Zanzibar.

NEC also elected four departmental heads with John Chiligati replacing Aggrey Mwanri as publicity secretary. Kidawa Himid Salehe retained her post as NEC secretary for organization.

Bernard Membe becomes NEC secretary for foreign affairs while Amos Makala is the new NEC secretary for finance and economy, replacing Rostam Aziz.

According to the CCM constitution Makamba and his two deputies and the four departmental heads, form the party`s secretariat. They are nominated by the party chairman, who forwards their names to the NEC for endorsement.

NEC also elected 14 members of the central committee, leaving out some familiar faces, including Sumaye, Kingunge, Dar es Salaam City Mayor Adam Kimbisa, Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives Stephen Wassira, Mizengo Pinda, Dodoma regional CCM Chairman William Kusila and Ali Ameir Mohammed.

Those elected as central committee members include Deputy Minister for Infrastructure Development Dr Maua Daftari, former Zanzibar Chief Minister Dr Ghalib Bilal, Minister for Information, Sports and Culture Mohammed Seif Khatib, Deputy Minister for Defence and National Service Omar Yusuf Mzee and Fatuma Said Ali.

Others are Yusuf Hamad Yusuf, Samia Suluhu Hassan, Rostam Aziz, Minister for Infrastructure Development Andrew Chenge, Pindi Chana, Abdallah Kigoda, Abdularahman Kinana, deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Anna Makinda and Minister for Finance Zakia Meghji.

These were elected from among 30 members recommended by the CCM chairman from among NEC members.

Speaking shortly after the names were announced, CCM vice chairman (mainland) Pius Msekwa named those who had been nominated by the chairman to vie for the 14 seats as CCM Dar es Salaam regional Chairman John Guninita, Adam Kimbisa, William Kusila, Kingunge Ngombale Mwiru, Frederick Sumaye, Dr Rehema Nchimbi, Mizengo Pinda and Stephen Wassira.

Others were Mwajuma Majid Abdallah, Ali Mzee Ali, Machana Othman Said, Salim Hemed Salehe, Usi Yahaya Haji, Mansour Yusuf Himidi, Haroun Ali Suleiman and Hamad Mansour Yusuf.

Msekwa said the chairman was empowered to appoint 10 members to the central committee and yesterday, he appointed former Prime ministers Cleopa Msuya and Dr Salim Ahmed Salim.

He said the chairman would appoint the remaining eight members later.

The central committee is composed of 14 elected members and 22 others who become members by virtue of their positions or by being appointed by the chairman.

The previous central committee comprised Chairman Kikwete, former vice chairmen John Malecela and Aman Abeid Karume, vice president Dr Mohamed Shein, deputy secretary general Jaka Mwambi, secretary general Yusuf Makamba, Salehe Ramadhan Feruzi, Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, former President Ali Hassan Mwinyi, former president Benjamin Mkapa, Rashid Kawawa and former Zanzibar president Dr Salmin Amour.

Others were Zanzibar Chief Minister Shamsi Vuai Nahodha, Speaker of the National Assembly Samwel Sitta, party publicity secretary Aggrey Mwanri, Kidawa Hamid Salehe, Rostam Aziz, Speaker of the House of Representatives Pandu Kificho, Dr Gharib Bilal, Abiud Maregesi, Anna Abdallah, Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi and Amina Salum Ali.

The list also included Kingunge Ngombale Mwiru, Zakia Meghji, Ali Ameir Mohammed, Pindi Chana, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, Haji Omar Heri, Anna Makinda, Abdulrahman Kinana, Samia Suluhu Hasan, Abdallah Kigoda, Dr Asha Rose Migiro, Yusuf Mohamed Yusuf, Dr Maua Daftari and Mohammed Seif Khatib.

Ewura gives Tanesco 4-day ultimatum

The Tanzania Electric Supply Company Ltd (Tanesco) has been given four days to explain why it recently announced plans to hike power connection charges countrywide without the consent of the Energy and Water Regulatory Authority (Ewura).

The authority, which oversees the affairs of the country?s energy and water sectors, says it has failed to understand why Tanesco decided to skip it on such a sensitive matter.

The move comes barely two days after the Government told the National Assembly currently in routine session in Dodoma that it was wrong for the power supply firm to revise the power connection service charge without Ewura's consent.

Ewura Director General Haruna Masebu told The Guardian yesterday that Tanesco has no mandate whatsoever to announce new power tariffs without the consent of the authority.

He explained that the power supply firm had sent Ewura an application seeking to have its tariffs reviewed "but the letter did not include the element of power connection costs".

``I wonder why Tanesco is doing this. We are the only ones empowered by law to authorise such a plan and set reasonable cost services,`` noted the Ewura chief.

Headded: "Had they sought our permission so that they revise their power connection services, we would have sat with them to see what to do to make sure that the changes would not needlessly harm wananchi.

However, since they have not sought our permission, we're giving them four days to tell us what made them revise the said costs unilaterally."

Masebu said Tanesco would have to come up with a convincing explanation before any action is taken against them "because they also have the right to defend themselves in connection with what they have done".

"We have received an avalanche of complaints from the people on the higher costs envisaged. We have sent them (Tanesco) a letter seeking their explanation but they haven`t replied to it yet," he explained.

Tanesco`s Public Relations Manager, Daniel Mshana, said when asked to respond to the Ewura ultimatum that he had no comment but promised that they would issue an official statement on the matter later. He would not say when that would be.

The Government on Monday quashed Tanesco`s unilateral decision to hike power service connection charges, saying that was possible only with Ewura`s approval.

Energy and Minerals deputy minister William Ngeleja told Parliament on Monday that Tanesco was incompetent to revise charges for its services without studying the actual amount of money spent on each particular service and without getting permission from Ewura.

The power supply company last hiked service connection fees by more than 100 per cent, leading to a nationwide outcry, and hence the current intervention by Ewura and the Government.

The new connection charges Tanesco had planned to take effect from mid this month range between 563,271/- and 3.78m/- for consumers using pre-paid meters, popularly known as LUKU, and between 497,482/- and 2.4m/- for ordinary meters.

Kusiluka appointed OUT Deputy Vice Chancellor

The Chancellor of the Open University of Tanzania (OUT), Ambassador Dr. John S. Malecela, has appointed Professor Lughano Kusiluka the new Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of the university`s Resource Management.

The appointment, endorsed by the Council in its last sitting, fills the post left vacant following the departure of Prof. Uswege Minga, who assumed a position with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in Nairobi, Kenya.

The appointment, which starts with immediate effect, is part of the ongoing sweeping reforms for the varsity in keeping with both the University Charter of 2007 and the Universities Act of 2005.

Already, the OUT has three Deputy Vice Chancellors - in charge of Academics, Regional Services and of late, Resource Management headed -Professors Dunstan Shemwetta, Elifas Bisanda and Lughano Kusiluka respectively.

Until his appointment, Kusiluka was an Associate Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health at SUA, where he has worked for the past 11 years.

IAEA expert recruiting locals on radiation technology

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sent an expert to Tanzania to recruit local radiologists and radiographers on radiation protection in diagnostic and interventional radiology.

"I hope I will be useful to this national training course on radiation protection in diagnostic and interventional radiology" said, Dr. Virginia Tsapaki during the official opening of the course in Arusha.

"Development of radiation protection infrastructures for occupational radiation protection as well as patients, requires continuing efforts involving qualified personnel, resources, know-how, expertise and, of course government commitment" chipped in Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) acting director general Justine Ngaile.

Education, training and continuous professional development, TAEC chief explained, saying those were the key radiological protection issues within the medical use of radiation.

"Our major objective to organise this course is to impart the medical experts with new skills in order to balance health benefits against radiation risks," Ngaile stressed.

The principal Medical Radiographer in the Diagnostic Services Section within the Department of Curative Services in the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, James Boyi, said the course came at the right time as the country was preparing itself to adopt the recent approved Medical Radiology and Imaging Professionals Act, 2007.

Following the enactment of the law, Boyi said, a council would be set up soon to regulate and control the activities of medical imaging in the country.

"In medicine, we often promise when we take oath, to do no harm to fellow human beings. This is like wise very important in medical imaging as although we are trying to help patients we may actually harm them if we are not careful" he said in a speech read on his behalf by Dr. Ahmed Josaban of KCMC.

He added: ?We are all aware of small, but definite risks of the hazards of ionising radiations that are used in medical imaging?so it is our first and foremost task to protect our patients?.

The five-day course organised by Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) has drawn nearly 40 radiologists and radiographers from various hospitals in Tanzania Mainland.

TAEC was established under the Atomic Energy Act No. 7 to provide for its functions in relation to the control of the use of ionising and non ionising radiation sources.

It is also mandated to regulate the safe and peaceful use of atomic energy, promote and expand the contribution of atomic energy and nuclear technology to health and prosperity throughout the United Republic of Tanzania.

BoT`s targeted bank credit to private sector consistent

The Bank of Tanzania (BoT)

The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) implemented its monetary policy in a manner consistent with the targeted increase in banks credit to private sector in order to support the anticipated growth rate (GDP) and the inflation target.

The latest BoT Annual Report shows that during 2005/06, the Bank anticipated that commercial bank`s credit to the private sector would expand at a minimum annual rate of 33 per cent, from 26.2 per cent recorded in the previous year.

?Private sector credit grew at an annual rate of about 36 per cent to 1,656.8bn/-, which is in line with the envisaged momentum of economic activities.

As a proportion of GDP, credit to private sector increased to 10.9 per cent, from 9.2 per cent registered in the preceding year.

The major factors behind the strong growth include strong economic expansion, a noticeable increase in the number of creditworthy clients and improvement in business environment,? it says.

The trade sector has been the latest borrower holding an average of 23.3 per cent of total private sector loans, followed by manufacturing, which held 20.3 per cent and the agricultural sector, 12.0 per cent.

During the period, the Bank continued to implement the Government Policy towards guaranteeing bank credits under the Export Credit Guarantee Scheme (ECGS) and Small-Medium Enterprises Credit Guarantee Scheme (SME-CGS).

The two schemes are aimed at enhancing commercial banks? credit to the private sector for financing export business and empower small enterprises in pursuing various pro-poor economic activities.

With the objective of filling the vacuum of medium and long-term financing to production sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, agriculture and tourism, the Government in collaboration with the Bank, has began the process of transforming the Tanzania Investment Bank into a development bank, to enable it provide long-term financing for investment and production to all sector of the economy.

As a first step, the government has already enhanced TIB?s capital by 17.5bn/-. The development of mortgage finance and lease finance will also be given priority in this financial year, according to the report.

Interest rates of commercial banks continued to be market determined.

The momentum towards narrowing the spread between commercial banks? lending and deposit rates, as well as maintaining positive real interest rates, is however not adequate.

The perceived credit risks associated with lending to the private sector is still very high, mainly due to remaining structural impediments in the economy, which have impact on banking services.

Last year, interest rates in the banking system recorded declines. The weighted average interest rate on time deposits improved significantly from 4.41 per cent to 7.27 per cent.

While lending rates declined marginally from 15.51 per cent in June 2005 to 15.40 per cent in June 2006.

On average, the 12 months time deposit rate improved significantly from 5.69 per cent to 8.27 per cent, whereas the one-year lending rate declined slightly from16.06 per cent to 15.59 per cent.

Although the margin between twelve month-time deposit rate and one-year lending rate shrunk from 10.09 per cent to 7.32 per cent.

The ongoing second generation financial sector reforms are expected to improve financial service delivery in the country, increase competition in the banking industry and establish information sharing framework on credit worthiness of borrowing among the banks, says the report.

Ways are being sought to improve Tazara, Tazama

Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara)

Tanzania and Zambia are looking for ways to improve operations of Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) and the Tanzania-Zambia Oil pipeline (Tazama).

This was been revealed by the Zambian High Commissioner to Tanzania, Prof. Royson Mukwena in Dar es Salaam when speaking recently to mark his country's independence day.

``Just last week, the two countries Council of Ministers on Tazara met in Dar es Salaam and agreed on the ways forward for the corporate entity,`` he said.

He said over the last twelve years, government officials from the two countries have been meeting several times to find ways to strengthen the services of the two joint ventures.

The Zambian High Commissioner said Tanzania has continued to ensure that crude oil, which is critical to the economy of Zambia, is smoothly pumped to the country through the Tazama facility.

Prof. Mukwena, said bilateral relations between Tanzania and Zambia have continued to grow from strength since independence as the countries also keep on enjoying a strong relationship rooted in a common colonial past and rich African heritage.

For a long time, Tazara has not been operating well due to various challenges arising from internal and external influences.

``We are greatly indebted to our founding fathers, Dr Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia and the late Julius Nyerere of Tanzania for having laid a firm foundation for close co-operation between the two countries upon which we have continued to grow our relations``, he said.

According to him, regional cooperation and integration is the surest way of promoting economic development and political stability on the African continent.

Zambia which attained her independence in 1964 has a population of more than 20 million and has various untapped resources.

Some of them are in agriculture, tourism, mining and manufacturing sectors.

Speaking at the same occasion, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Prof. Jumanne Maghembe, said Tazara, which was constructed jointly by the two countries with the support from the Peoples Republic of China has been important to both countries as well as other SADC member countries for transportation of people and goods.

He said Tanzania has continued to construct and improve infrastructure, such as roads and ports so as to facilitate trading activities between the two countries.

Ugandan rebel deputy feared dead

Vincent Otti is wanted by The Hague for war crimes

The deputy leader of Uganda's rebel Lord's Resistance Army is missing, feared dead, after reports of a falling out with LRA leader Joseph Kony.
A spokesman for Uganda's Peoples' Defence Forces, Lt Chris Magezi, told Radio Uganda the army has information that Vincent Otti was killed weeks ago.

He is one of four LRA leaders indicted by the International Criminal Court.

The LRA were notorious for mutilating victims and kidnapping children to be fighters, porters and sex slaves.

Sources in southern Sudan usually in close contact with Mr Otti confirm they have not had any recent communication.

Security sources quoted in the state-owned New Vision newspaper say Okot Odhiambo has been appointed as LRA deputy.

Ugandan military sources say they have intercepted satellite telephone calls made by Mr Kony, indicating that his men had killed Mr Otti in a power struggle within the LRA.

But an LRA spokesman visiting Uganda, Martin Ojul, denied rumours of a split in the leadership and said Mr Otti has been suffering from cholera.

Mr Ojul is currently leading an LRA delegation in an unprecedented six-week authorised visit to northern Uganda, including visiting refugee camps, to meet some of the victims of the 20-year insurgency.

The delegation will then return to peace talks mediated by the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM) government in southern Sudan.

SA's president 'failed on Aids'

President Mbeki has long questioned orthodox views on HIV

South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki remains an "Aids dissident" - doubting the link between the HIV virus and Aids, according to his new biographer.
Mark Gevisser told the BBC Mr Mbeki thinks he has "failed on the issue of Aids" and regrets dropping the debate.

He said Mr Mbeki believes anti-Aids drugs, now distributed in South Africa, are toxic and doubts their efficacy.

But the president's spokesman refused to comment on the book's claims, saying the cabinet and Mr Mbeki were united.

"The most important issue is that the government has a comprehensive HIV/Aids programme - described by UNAids as one of the most comprehensive in the world - and it has the support of the entire cabinet and Mr Mbeki," presidential spokesman Mukoni Ratshitanga said.

About 12% of South Africa's population is living with HIV, the virus most scientists believe causes Aids.

Kenyans await fibre-optic future

Preciss International is a company waiting to take off

In a fourth-storey apartment block close to the centre of Kenya's capital, Nairobi, 30 young men and women are crouched in front of computers.

Some are working in what used to be one of the bedrooms, and the others are in the former sitting room.

They are the vanguard of an industry in Kenya that is waiting to take off.

They are employees of Preciss International, an out-sourcing company run by Mugure Mugo.

She set up the company five years ago with one colleague.

"I did the marketing and contract work, my one employee did the data processing," she says.

"I checked it in the evening and we sent it off the following day to the client."

Sierra Leonean family

Abdul Karim Conteh is a footballer with Freetown team FC Kallon.
His family includes, from left, daughter Zeinab, wife Adama, Pipiy aged two, and son, Abdul Raman.

Missing here, is eldest daughter Asanatu, who only gets home from school at 6pm.

The family lives in Brookfields, a prosperous area. Adama works as a nurse in the Kroo Bay slum.

French president welcomed by US

Mr Sarkozy spoke warmly of French-US relations in a toast to Mr Bush

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been warmly welcomed in Washington at the start of his first official visit to the US since he was elected.
At a dinner with US President George W Bush at the White House, he said differences over Iraq should not weaken the alliance between the two countries.

Mr Bush agreed, stressing the many areas in which they work together.

The French leader is due to address a joint session of Congress and hold talks with Mr Bush at Mount Vernon.

He will also present the Legion of Honour, France's highest award, to several US citizens.

During the visit, the two presidents are expected to cover topics such as Iraq, Iran's nuclear ambitions, and global warming.

Mr Sarkozy, who was elected in May and spent the afternoon with Mr Bush while on holiday in New England in August, is seen as more pro-American than his predecessor, Jacques Chirac.

Bodies found in flood-hit Mexico

The village of San Juan Grijalva was devastated by the landslide

Rescue workers in southern Mexico have found two bodies while searching for at least 16 people reported missing after a landslide buried their village.
The mudslides in Chiapas state were caused by heavy rains, which have also flooded 80% of neighbouring Tabasco state, leaving 500,000 people homeless.

At least 10,000 people are still cut off by floodwaters and many people are still waiting for aid supplies.

The floods that hit last week are some of the worst in Mexico's history.

During a visit to the area, President Felipe Calderon pledged nearly $660m towards relief and reconstruction work.

"I know it is not enough, but it is a start," he said.

Mixed results in US state polls

Mr Barbour (L) based his campaign on rebuilding after Katrina

The governor of the US state of Mississippi has been reelected, apparently as a result of his handling of the Hurricane Katrina crisis.
Haley Barbour, a Republican, beat Democrat John Eaves in a campaign which stressed job growth and rebuilding.

Meanwhile Kentucky's scandal-hit governor Ernie Fletcher lost badly to Democratic rival Steve Beshear.

Five major cities are also voting for mayors, ahead of the country's 2008 presidential elections.

The cities of Baltimore, Houston, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are choosing mayors. Some states are also voting on ballot initiatives.

One of those is a referendum in New Jersey on whether the state should borrow $450m over 10 years to pay for stem cell research.

Another, in Utah, asks voters whether the state should provide assistance - in the form of school vouchers - to students going to private schools.

Burma rejects UN mediation offer

Mr Gambari has not yet met Than Shwe during this visit

Burma's ruling generals have rejected a UN plan for three-way talks involving detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to state media.
Minister Kyaw Hsan told UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari that Burma would not accept interference in its sovereignty.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has expressed concerned at the lack of progress being made with the generals.

Mr Gambari arrived in Burma on Saturday for his second visit since protests in September were brutally suppressed.

Mr Ban said Mr Gambari expected to meet Ms Suu Kyi on Wednesday, but he had not yet been able to meet junta leader General Than Shwe.

Tear gas used on Georgia protest

Protesters want Mr Saakashvili to hold early elections

Georgian police have used tear gas and water cannon to dispel opposition demonstrators staging a sixth day of protests in the capital, Tbilisi.
Several people were injured during the clash on the city's main street in front of parliament.

The protesters had been regrouping after an earlier police action forced them off the street.

President Mikhail Saakashvili has rejected the protesters' accusations of corruption and says he will not quit.

Police used tear gas and water cannon after thousands of protesters tried to reclaim Rustaveli Avenue - Tbilisi's main thoroughfare

Serbia war crimes tribunal opens

Mr Seselj surrendered to the court in February 2003

The trial of Serbian ultra-nationalist leader Vojislav Seselj has opened at the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague.
Mr Seselj denies the charges of murder, torture and the persecution of Croats, Muslims and other non-Serbs during wars in Bosnia and Croatia in the 1990s.

He has said he will rely on a political defence and use the tribunal to show there is a conspiracy against Serbia.

His Serbian Radical Party (SRS) is the biggest party in Serbia's parliament.

Dressed in a dark suit and flanked by two guards, Mr Seselj showed no emotion at the start of his trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

Russia suspends arms treaty

Russia says that the CFE treaty has become meaningless

Russia's parliament has voted to suspend Moscow's support for a key treaty limiting the deployment of armed forces along its border with Europe.
Parliament's lower house, the Duma, unanimously agreed to temporarily abandon the 1990 Conventional Forces in Europe treaty (CFE).

The bill still faces approval in the upper house in December before President Vladimir Putin can sign it.

The CFE is one of many issues recently putting Moscow at odds with the West.

The Duma approved the bill in the 418-0 vote.

Historic Saudi visit to Vatican

King Abdullah is on the third leg of a European tour

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has met Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican - the first audience by the head of the Roman Catholic Church with a Saudi monarch.
The Vatican described the private meeting as "warm" and said the two men discussed the presence and hard work of Christians in Saudi Arabia.

An estimated 1.5m Christians live in Saudi Arabia but are not allowed to worship publicly.

The Vatican said Abdullah requested the audience as part of a European tour.

The two sides have no diplomatic ties, although when Abdullah was crown prince he met the late Pope John Paul II.

Correspondents say the visit comes as relations between the Vatican and the Muslim world are improving, more than a year after the crisis caused by a papal speech appearing to associate Islam with violence.

The 84-year-old Saudi monarch is on the third leg of his European tour after visiting the UK and Switzerland. He will travel next to Germany and Turkey.

Bhutto talks on Pakistan strategy

Benazir Bhutto wants elections to be held on schedule

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has begun talks with other opposition leaders to plan how to overturn the country's emergency rule.
However, some important parties are not in attendance. Ms Bhutto's party has refrained from street protests, but is planning a rally for Friday.

A top official from President Pervez Musharraf's party said emergency rule might only last two or three weeks.

But a BBC correspondent says the party has been giving conflicting signals.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, told the Dawn newspaper: "I'm sure it will end in two to three weeks as President Pervez Musharraf is aware of the consequences of long emergency rule."

But there appears to be a split between those members of the party advocating that parliamentary elections should be held on schedule - by mid-January - and those who want them postponed, says the BBC's Barbara Plett in the capital, Islamabad.

Meanwhile some 2,000 lawyers and students have begun a protest in Islamabad.

Afghanistan mourns bomb victims

Funerals have been held in Baghlan

Afghanistan has begun three days of mourning, a day after dozens of people were killed in what is being called the country's worst suicide bombing.
Politicians, children and teachers were among those killed in the devastating attack in northern Baghlan province.

The bodies of six MPs have been flown back to Kabul for a funeral ceremony.

President Karzai said the attack showed the need to fight extremism. It is not clear who carried out the bombing - the Taleban have denied responsibility.

Police may get post-charge powers

The government has pledged to extend anti-terrorism laws

Police could be given the power to question suspects after they have been charged, the home secretary has said.
MPs are preparing to debate plans to allow police to continue to question terror suspects after charge.

But Jacqui Smith told the BBC the government was also looking at whether to bring in such a change "more widely" to deal with non-terror crimes.

MPs will also debate whether to extend the current 28 day limit on detention of terror suspects without charge.

There have been widespread reports ministers want to double that limit but Ms Smith said the government had "not decided" whether to double the time suspects can be held without charge.

Oil passes $98 on weaker dollar

Analysts expect oil to break $100 a barrel

The ever-weakening dollar and fresh worries about winter fuel supplies have sent US oil prices pass $98 a barrel.
With global crude prices further lifted by bad weather hitting North Sea oil rigs, US light crude touched as high as $98.62 in early Wednesday trading.

London Brent crude also increased, hitting a all-time peak of $95.19.

The weaker dollar has been driving up oil prices because some investors have been using the commodity as an alternative to holding dollars.

On the other hand, it makes oil relatively cheaper for anybody outside the US.

Obesity 'fuels cancer in women'

Being overweight is a risk factor for cancer

About 6,000 middle-aged or older women in the UK develop cancer each year because they are obese or overweight, a Cancer Research UK-funded study says.
The study, which looked at 45,000 cases of cancer in 1m women over seven years, says this is about 5% of such cases.

It is published online by the British Medical Association and blames excess fat for 50% of cases of womb cancer and a type of oesophageal cancer.

Last week an international study warned of the link between cancer and weight.

Dinosaurs breathed like penguins

Velociraptor: More like a penguin than we thought

Dinosaurs like Velociraptors owe their fearsome reputation to the way they breathed, according to a UK study.

They had one of the most efficient respiratory systems of all animals, similar to that of modern diving birds like penguins, fossil evidence shows.

It fuelled their bodies with oxygen for the task of sprinting after prey, say researchers at Manchester University.

The bipedal meat-eaters, the therapods, had air sacs ventilated by tiny bones that moved the ribcage up and down.

"Finding these structures in modern birds and their extinct dinosaur ancestors suggests that these running dinosaurs had an efficient respiratory system and supports the theory that they were highly active animals that could run relatively quickly when pursuing their prey," said Dr Jonathan Codd, who led the research.

"It provides a mechanism for facilitating avian-like breathing in non-avian dinosaurs and it was there long before the evolution of flight occurred," he told BBC News.

Kili Stars to start camp minus pros

The Mainland soccer team, Kilimanjaro Stars

The Mainland soccer team, Kilimanjaro Stars, are expected to assemble in Dar es Salaam today to start preparations for the East and Central Africa Senior Challenge Cup.

The regional tourney will be held from December 8-22 in Dar es Salaam.

Fredrick Mwakalebela, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Secretary-General, said yesterday that 25 players would report at the TFF hostels before leaving for Shinyanga on Saturday for further preparations under coach Marcio Maximo.

The Brazilian will be assisted by Marcos Tinoco and Itamar Amorim. Leopold Mukebezi is the team`s manager.

Mwakalebela said professional players would report in the camp next week. They are Danny Mrwanda and Nizar Khalfan who play in Kuwait, Isaack Michael Chuma (Denmark) and Erasto Nyoni (Burundi).

The players who are expected to report today are Ally Mustapha, Himir Tale, Saidi Mtupa, Shabani Dihule, Frank Mutego, Salum Sued and Bakari Nzige.

Others are Aloyce Adam, Meshack Abel, Saidi Sued, Amir Maftah, Stephano Mwasika, Juma Jabu, Henry Joseph and Shabani Nditi.

Casthori Mumbala, Dennis Mukebezi, John Kanakamfumu, Samuel Ngassa, Misango Magae, Mokili Lamboss, Vicent Barnabas, Uhuru Selemani, Kigi Makasi and Suleiman Misenghi.

The tournament organized by the Confederation of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) will also attract Zanzibar, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Burundi, Sudan and Djibouti.

In another development, Cecafa Secretariat is expected to meet in Dar es Salaam today to draw fixtures for the championships.
The meeting will also select referees and commissioners who will officiate the tourney.

Cecafa reveals Challenge Cup sponsor

Cecafa Secretary-General Nicholas Musonye.

The Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup yesterday received a major boost when GTV announced a US$6m sponsorship deal covering four years.

The deal was signed in Nairobi by GTV`s Director of Business Development Ronnie Andrews and Cecafa Secretary-General Nicholas Musonye.

The deal will see the television station acquire exclusive media and commercial rights and broadcast the tournament live across Africa with the key objective of expanding the tournament and increasing its international popularity.

The deal came just under a month before the tournament to be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from December 8-22.

The Dar es Salaam tournament will get US$500,000 which will go towards air lifting teams and officials, accommodation and general organization.

The money will also cover prize money with the winner getting US$30,000, the second winners taking home US$20,000 and third- placed team getting US$10,000.

Musonye said there will also be goodies for other top performers in the tournament.

While congratulating GTV on the partnership, Musonye said it will go a long way in the development of football in the region.

``For many years, Cecafa has remained the most active football zone in Africa despite lack of corporate sponsorship.

In the past seven years, we have had highly competitive competitions at club, youth and national levels.

``However, the arrival of GTV should drastically change the face of football in our zone and spur fierce competition and exposure,`` Musonye said.

Musonye said the GTV money will be utilised transparently so that this revolutionary new TV station is encouraged not only to reconsider the deal after four years but to also think of supporting other Cecafa activities.

Musonye said the sponsorship blended well with Cecafa`s Vision 2010 which entails pushing at least two teams in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Angola and one in the World Cup finals in South Africa, the same year.

GTV, who recently signed a similar deal with Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) for their Premier League, intends to spread their wings across the continent.

``We are extremely proud to be the sponsor and broadcaster of the most established football tournament in Africa,`` said GTV founder and managing director Julian McIntyre.

``Some of the most exciting football is now being played in East and Central Africa and we hope that GTV can bring the action to the homes of the fans and provide a platform to promote and showcase this talent across the continent,`` he added through a message from London.

Andrews said he had known Musonye for many years and he was confident he was dealing with a serious partner.

GTV`s commercial director Rhys Torrington, who attended the function, said the partnership has massive potential; the potential to strengthen the most established and oldest football tournament in Africa, to build national pride through sports, to promote health and development, and to increase employment.

``This partnership has everything: action, passion, glamour, development, business` as you can tell, at GTV we just absolutely love football and believe in the power that it has to not just entertain, but to drive development, too.``

Taifa Cup postponed

TFF Secretary-General Frederick Mwakalebela

The Taifa Cup soccer tournament has been postponed indefinitely, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) said yesterday.

TFF Secretary-General Frederick Mwakalebela said the championship which was set to kick off this week would delay because of financial constraints.

``We have postponed it because we are yet to finish with a sponsor who has promised to give prizes to winners and pay referee allowances,`` he said.

He said last year`s event was not successful because there was no sponsor.

Taifa Cup attracts regional teams from Tanzania Mainland.
Mapinduzi of Mbeya won last year`s title.

In another development, only five out of 14 teams competing in the Vodacom Premier League have already submitted their youth teams` registration to TFF.

They are Mtibwa Sugar, Coastal Union, Prisons, Ashanti United and Police Morogoro.

He said the remaining teams would not be allowed to compete in the second round of the league if they will not submit their registration by then.


Bus passengers in Burkina Faso watch cyclists during the last stage of the 10-day Tour du Faso race on Sunday which Moroccan Adil Jelloul went on to win.

Olympiacos 0-0 Real Madrid

Nikopolidis frustrates Madrid

Porto 2-1 Marseille

Lopez leads Porto to Group A summit

Valencia 0-2 Rosenborg

Rosenborg repeat Valencia feat

Shakhtar 0-3 Milan

Inzhagi's magic sees off Shakhtar

Liverpool 8-0 Besiktas

Crouch (back) was the catalyst for Liverpool's win

Yossi Benayoun grabbed a hat-trick as a rampant Liverpool beat Besiktas to keep their Champions League campaign alive.

Peter Crouch slotted in after his first shot was saved to open the scoring.

Benayoun took down a cross and lashed home before twice side-footing in after John Arne Riise and Steven Gerrard had strikes parried into his path.

Gerrard powered in a shot, Ryan Babel backheeled in a deft goal and then deflected in a Besiktas clearance before Crouch nodded in for an eighth.

Celtic 1-0 Benfica

Aiden McGeady gave Celtic the lead on the stroke of half-time

A solitary strike from Aiden McGeady sunk Benfica to keep alive Celtic's aspirations of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League.

Oscar Cardozo was a constant threat for the visitors in an open first half, bringing out the best in Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

Scott McDonald went closest for Celtic before McGeady's deflected shot on the stroke of half-time flew past Quim.

The Scottish Champions assumed control after the break as Benfica faded.

Schalke 04 0-0 Chelsea

Chelsea captain Frank Lampard shows his frustration

Chelsea edged closer to the knockout stages of the Uefa Champions League, but were given a real scare by Schalke.

With Rosenborg beating Valencia, victory in Gelsenkirchen would have been enough to seal Chelsea's passage.

But a strangely ragged Chelsea defence saw Heiko Westermann go close on three occasions before Petr Cech limped off with a calf strain at half-time.

Sub keeper Carlo Cudicini was twice rescued by his woodwork as Rafinha and Peter Lovenkrands went close late on.

Football results

Tuesday, 06 November 2007

UEFA Champions League
Celtic 1-0 Benfica
FC Porto 2-1 Marseille
Lazio 2-1 Werder Bremen
Liverpool 8-0 Besiktas
Olympiakos 0-0 Real Madrid
Schalke 04 0-0 Chelsea
Shakhtar Donetsk 0-3 AC Milan
Valencia 0-2 Rosenborg

The Coca-Cola Football League Championship
Bristol City 0-1 Charlton
Burnley 0-1 Hull
Cardiff 1-1 Crystal Palace
Colchester 1-1 Plymouth
Norwich 1-3 Watford
Preston 1-1 Leicester
QPR 1-2 Coventry
Scunthorpe 2-3 Stoke
Sheff Utd 3-1 Ipswich
Southampton 0-0 Wolverhampton
West Brom 1-1 Sheff Wed

Coca-Cola Football League One
Bournemouth 1-3 Leeds
Brighton 1-1 Walsall
Cheltenham 1-1 Yeovil
Gillingham 1-1 Doncaster
Huddersfield 2-0 Hartlepool
Luton 0-0 Carlisle
Millwall 2-2 Swansea
Northampton 0-1 Bristol Rovers
Nottm Forest 4-1 Southend
Port Vale 0-1 Crewe
Swindon 1-1 Leyton Orient
Tranmere 0-1 Oldham

Coca-Cola Football League Two
Barnet 1-1 Notts County
Bradford 2-1 Chester
Darlington 2-0 Shrewsbury
Hereford 2-1 Mansfield
Lincoln City 2-4 Chesterfield
Macclesfield 1-0 Brentford
Milton Keynes Dons 2-0 Grimsby
Morecambe 0-1 Accrington Stanley
Peterborough 3-1 Dag & Red
Rochdale 1-2 Stockport
Rotherham 2-1 Bury

Scottish Cup
Dumbarton 3-0 Forfar

The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Championship Third Division
Montrose 2-4 Stranraer