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Traditional leader appeals to Govt. to release funds for Kasama hospital rehabs.

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A traditional leader in Kasama district has appealed to the government to consider releasing funds  for the rehabilitation of the Kasama general hospital.

Mulenga Hill village head person Regina Kayula said currently the hospital was in a
deplorable state due to lack of maintenance and needed urgent attention.

Ms. Kayula noted that past contractors engaged to carry out repair works at the
hospital have done shoddy works resulting in the falling health standards at the
institution.

She also said  it is disappointing that although government provides grants to the
health institution, certain sections of the hospital were still not operational due
to their poor state.

She has since urged the government to immediately deal firmly with individuals who
are frustrating its efforts of improving health care delivery to the community by
misapplying funds meant for developmental projects.

Ms. Kayula also called on the ministry of health to consider sending more medical
doctors to the Kasama general hospital to beef up the current staff  shortage.

Last year, Kasama general hospital was flooded after heavy rains, a situation which
resulted in damage to infrastructure at the institution.

Meanwhile, Ms. Kayula has urged the Roads Development Agency to urgently repair the
road leading to the hospital, which she said was in a bad state.

She observed that it was unfair to inconvenience residents to ferry their sick
relatives to the health institution by using a road full of potholes.

ZANIS

Esther Phiri receives world recognition for her boxing talents

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World Women International Boxing Federation (WWIBF) flyweight boxing champion Esther Phiri has received international acclaim from different world women boxing organizations.

Phiri has been rated eighth in the world lightweight category.

Her promoter and trainer Anthony Mwamba told ZANIS in an interview that Phiri has
been rated 8th by the World Women Professional Boxing Federation ( WPBF) of the
United States.

However, Mwamba said it is disappointing to note that Kelly Cofer, the U.S boxer
beaten by Phiri is rated third on the latest WPFP rating.

The table is led by U.S boxers Valanna Mcgee and Chevel Hallback as first and second
contenders for the vacant title of the WPBF lightweight category.

Phiri has also been recognised by other major world women boxing organisations such
as the Women Unification Boxing Organisation who have ranked the Zambian female
boxer,  fourth.

Phiri who was found in a relaxed mood at the Mumana Pleasure Resort along Great East
Road is preparing her first title defence against Bulgarian challenger Monika
Valentinova Petinova who recently said Phiri was keeping the WWIBF flyweight belt.

Mwamba however said while her boxer has accepted Petrova’s challenge, he has
prepared his boxer so well that the belt would remain in Zambia and not in any other
country.

” Zambia has to lead while others follow. In fact after this I want Esther to grab
three other women boxing titles in the world, ” he said.

He said his boxer was covering 21 kilometers every morning and later does various
trainings such as shadow boxing and sparring including 16 minutes of skipping before
her title defence.

And  Phiri has urged fellow Zambian women to take up boxing saying they should not
fear punches because its like any other sports.

Phiri has encouraged adolescent Zambians especially young women to engage in various
sports activities not only to guard against unplanned pregnancies and have sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) but become disciplined and focused.

” I would advise my fellow young Zambians to engage in sports as it would take up
most of their time which they would spend drinking and engaging in many anti social
vices.”

She urged government through the Local government and Housing and the ministry of
Education to jointly set up funds to construct new and rehabilitate existing sports
infrastructures and community halls to enable the general public  engage in sports.

Meanwhile,  Mwamba has thanked government for the support rendered to Phiri as she
prepares her title defence.

Mwamba said it was because of this support that the private sector like National
Milling and Holiday Inn that others have also joined to support the local boxer in
preparing for her defense.

ZANIS

FRA told to come up with measures aimed at improving crop marketing ops

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Government has directed the Food Reserve Agency(FRA) to work out stringent measures aimed at revamping crop marketing operations.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Ben Kapita said in Kabwe that government had presented a 13 point letter containing suggestions on how to improve crop marketing to FRA.

Addressing the Kabwe Press Club at the Lions Den on this year’s budgetary allocations to the agricultural sector last night, Mr. Kapita said government wasdetermined to address problems affecting the crop marketing agency.

He said he had instructed FRA through Board Chairman Costain Chilala to seriously consider among other things when the marketing season should start, setting up more mobile and statelite depots and avoiding middlemen so that the agency could deal directly with farmers.

Mr. Kapita who said government had allocated K205 billion in this year’s budget for the strategic food reserve to facilitate the buying of maize and other crops, bemoaned the existence of unscrupulous middlemen whom he said cheated small scale
farmers in their dealings.

The Minister told the audience which included Central province Permanent Secretary Denny Lumbama, MMD Provincial Vice Chairman Albert Chifita and other provincial and district party officials that this year’s allocation had increased by K65 billion from the K140 billion allocated last year.

Mr. Kapita however pointed out that although government had allocated over K1 trillion to agriculture, the budget would only produce results if properly managed.

He reiterated that he would take stern action on any officer who will be found selling fertilizer meant for the vulnerable but viable small scale farmers.

He said those selling fertilizer meant for the poor were retarding development, adding that they were also defeating the aim of creating household food security.

On irrigation, Mr. Kapita said his ministry had finalized the National Irrigation Plan and strategy to spearhead the development of the irrigation capacity for large, medium and small scale farmers.

He said modalities for implementing the Irrigation Development Fund were also being finalized by the Ministry and other stakeholders.

Serenje youths may fail to access CDF

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MMD youths in Chitambo constituency in Serenje may fail to benefit from the K40 million youth constituency development funds because they can not afford to raise K250,00 registration fees.

Constituency youth secretary, Jameson Kunda, told ZANIS in an interview at Mpelembe yesterday that all the nine youth clubs from Mpelembe were finding it difficult to raise K250,000 for registration.

He said this might result in failure by all the nine clubs to register and therefore not benefit from the fund.

Mr. Kunda said it would be helpful if government considered reducing the required fee to affordable amount like K100,000 so that many youth clubs could manage and benefit to improve their living standards through various developmental activities.

He said it was more difficult to even find means of raising that money especially after the briefing by the provincial party leadership, which also gave a short time to clubs to raise the money and register before the funds were disbursed.

Mr. Kunda said the application forms should be made simple because in their present form, they were complicated.

“The condition is a bit difficult and this may lead many clubs to fail to raise the funds and travel to Lusaka to register within a short period. We feel this money will only benefit those in towns and not rural dwellers like us,” he said.

Mr. Kunda said the youths were determined to utilize the funds properly so that they can all benefit and better thier living standards.

Mwanawasa arrives back home.

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President Levy Mwanawasa arrived back from London this morning where he had made a stop over for a medical review.

Speaking to journalists at the Lusaka International Airport upon his arrival, President Mwanawasa said he was fine and happy to return home after undergoing a medical review.

Before making a stop over in London, President Mwanawasa attended the France- Africa summit in Cannes, France.

Mr Mwanawasa said while at the summit, he emphasized on the need for the European

Union and other countries to set up companies for adding value to exports.

President Mwanawasa who was among the discussants during the summit on addition of value to raw materials said he had put forward the message that EU and other countries should not import materials from Africa in its raw form.

The president was received at the airport by Defence Minister George Mpombo, other senior government officials and Service Chiefs.

Government to get involved in problems affecting farmers.- veep

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Vice president Rupiah Banda has assured farmers  that government will be involved in the marketing of agriculture produce in the next marketing season.

Speaking during the Nc’wala traditional ceremony, Mr Banda said government had put
up measures to ensure that all problems affecting the production and marketing of
agricltural products are addressed.

The vice president maintained that government would remain committed to supporting
farmers towards development.

” Government realizes that agriculture offers increased employment and income
generation in rural and peri urban areas,” he said.

The vice president said the increase of Fertiliser  Support Programme and subsdies
on the farming input from 40 percent to 60 percent was a manifestation of
government’s commitment to improve the welfare of farmers.

Mr Banda also promised the people that government would do everything possible to
rehabilitate infrustracture that had been destroyed by floods and heavy rains.

He added that government had started providing tents, relief food and drugs to flood
victims.

Mr Banda thanked paramount chief Mpezeni for his support during the tripartite
elections last September.

He stated that he was hopeful that the chief will continue to support the
government of President  Levy Mwanawasa.

And Paramount chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people in Chipata has praised government
for its efforts in promoting foreign investment in the country.

Paramount chief Mpezeni said in a speech read for him by Nc’wala ceremony organising
chairperson, Amon Subhuza Jere that government has continued to provide an enabling
environment for investors.

The paramount chief also thanked President Mwanawasa for appointing most of the
members of parliament from the  Eastern Province to ministerial positions, the move
he said would enhance development in the province.

” Iam hopeful that these people will not just sit in parliament  but attend to the
needs of the Zambian people,” he said.

He also thanked government for coming up with the house of chiefs which he said was
necessary for the welfare of chiefdoms adding that some issues needed to be
addressed by chiefs.

And French Ambassador to Zambia, Francis  Saudubray has pledged his country’s
continued support to culture and traditional ceremonies in Zambia.

Speaking to ZANIS at the Nc’wala ceremony today, Mr Saudubray said culture was
important because it allowed people to understand their history.

He expressed happiness that the Ngoni people were proud of thier culture.

He added that although Zambia was a single nation,it was rich in culture as it had
diffrent cultures.

Meanwhile paramount chief Mezeni of the Ngoni people has urged fellow chiefs to
embrace all political parties and the government of the day saying they are partners
in development.

Speaking at the 2007 Ncwala cremony, the  paramount chief said traditional
ceremonies  promote culture as they bring together people from different places.

This  was in a speech read on his behalf by the Nc’wala ceremony organising
committee chairperson Amon Jere.

The Chief praised government for the recognition of traditional ceremonies saying it
should continue to encourage culture.

The traditional leader also requested government to leave land disputes to the house
of chiefs to debate and find solutions without interfering.

New Stadium would not be called Dag Hammajoeld – Nalubambe

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Government says the planned construction of an ultra modern stadium by the Chinese constructer in Ndola would not be called Dag Hammajoeld .

Youth , Child and Sports development minister Gabriel Namulambe said  it was
unfortunate that some quarters are suggesting that the ultra modern stadium should
be after the late United Nations Secretary Genera who died after a plane crash in
the outskirts of Ndola in the late sixties.

Mr Namulambe said since Ndola has had no big stadium for International tournaments
for many years since Dag Hammejoeld stadium was demolished , government saw the need
to construct an ultra modern stadium in the commercial capital of the province.

He said government has  identified a different site for the stadium adding that the
name of the stadia would come after the stadium is constructed.

” We should forget about naming the stadium for now until the stadium is
constructed,” he said.

The minister said this last night during the KCM premier awards presentation
ceremony held at Cresta Gold view.

He said government was determined to lift the standards of sports in the country
adding that it also plans to construct two other ultra modern stadiums in
Livingstone and Lusaka.

He said government was still raising funds for the Lusaka and Livingstone stadiums
adding that in this year’s budget money has been allocated funds for the
rehabilitation of the independence stadium.

And FAZ president Teddy Mulonga paid tribute to government for assisting his
organisation to improve soccer in the country.

Mulenga said FAZ had with government’s support scored a number of achievements last
season such as the senior Chipolopolo boys lifting the COSAFA castle and the
confederation of East and Central African Association (CECAFA) cups.

He also said FAZ was the women’s national football team lifted a bronze medal in
last year’s COSAFA women’s tournament and the junior chipopolo’s exemplary
performance at the recent Africa Youth Champions ion Congo Brazzaville where it was
among the four teams to participate at the world youth cup.

ZANIS/MM/ENDS

Kalaba helps Zesco United to win 2007 charity shield

Lusaka, February 24, ZANIS — National team striker Rainford Kalaba led his team ,
Zesco United, to become the 2007 Charity Shield Champions after beating resurgent
Kabwe Warriors 6 – 4 on post match penalties.

Playing before a small crowd at Woodlands stadium made his presence known after
warriors scored in the 24 minute through Emmanuel Mayuke.

Kalaba’s dribbling skills penetrated and weakened Warriors defence but his strikes
at goal was parried away by Warriors’ goal minder Masuzyo Mubanga.

Mubanga saved his team from Zesco’s humiliating defeat by saving Kalaba’s three
indirect kicks in the in the 30th, 65 and 80th minutes of the game.

The former Afrisport who also plied his trade with Nice Football Team of France for
a year, however scored Zesco United equalizer in 34 minute by taking advantage of
Warrior’s defensive error.

Warriors striking prowess was weakened when team captain Clive Sichandwe was ordered
off  after he was given his third yellow card for roughly tackling on Zesco
midfielder Maybin Mwaba.

Save for a few scoring opportunities which were missed by Warriors strikers, Zesco
took charge of the game which went into extra time after the two teams tied one all
at fulltime.

The same result after extra time made the match go to spot kicks in which Zesco
keeper Jacob Banda saved to spot kicks to make his team become the charity shield
champions.

And speaking in post match interviews, Zesco coach Masauso Mwale said he was happy
with the results.

Mwale said although he was not happy with the manner his team played, he was all the
same happy with the results.

He said Zesco would this year display classic football in the 2007  FAZ/KCM Premier
league.

However, his counterpart Chabi Chabala blamed the bad referring  and the sending off
team captain Sichandwe for the loss.

Chabala lamented that bad referring was even behind his team captain being given
three yellow cards adding that the referee been fair, Kalaba would also have been
given three yellow cards.

Zambian Football Weekend Wrap Up

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Zesco United this afternoon collected the 2007 league seasons first cup honor with a 5-3 post-match penalty win over Kabwe Warriors in the final of this year’s Charity Shield played Woodland stadium in Lusaka.

The Ndola side came from behind to equalize through Rainford Kalaba in the 33rd minute.

This is after Emmanuel Matuka had given Warriors the lead just five minutes earlier before the match was settled via penalties at the end of the 90 minutes.

In the semifinals on the two side’s road to Saturday’s final, Zesco beat Green Buffaloes 2-1 in Kitwe on February 17 while Warriors were 1-0 winners over the 2006 Charity Shield champions Zanaco at Woodlands on the same date.

BUFFALOES HEAD FOR SUNNY REUNION.

Green Buffaloes on Sunday leave the country ahead of their opening match in the Caf Confederations Cup against St Pauloise FC of The Reunion Island in a 1st round, 1st leg tie.

Buffaloes were on bye from the preliminary round while St Pauloise reached the 1st round on away goals rule after a 2-2 aggregate score line against neighbors St Michel of The Seychelles.

Meanwhile, Zambia’s Caf Africa Champions League representative Zanaco depart for Tunisia on Monday ahead of their weekend 1st round, 1st leg match away to Esperance.

POWER LOSES TO CHAMBISHI.

Power Dynamos this afternoon lost 2-0 at home to relegate Chambishi FC in a pre-season friendly as the two teams put final touches before the season kicks off next weekend March 3.

Two first half goals from Thomas Kapelembe and Avenacious Mapanda sealed the win for Aggrey Chiyengi’s SIDE before withering a late Power comeback in the final 10 minutes of the warm-up match played at Arthur Davies stadium in Kitwe.

courtesy of Kalumiana Kalumiana

First Quantum Minerals to construct 32km road amounting to US$ 4M

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First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has proposed to construct a 32- kilometre road to connect Solwezi to Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo at a cost of US$4 million.

Briefing stakeholders at a meeting held at Floriana Lodge yesterday, FQM Survey v Consultant Ian Robinson said that the road is aimed at developing the FQM’s Kingamyambo Musonoi tailings Copper and Cobalt project at Kolwezi in the DRC.

Mr. Robinson explained that FQM proposed to upgrade an existing non-gazetted 32-KMmroad from Mwinilunga – Solwezi highway to the Zambia – DRC border which will connect with the road to Kolwezi on the DRC side of the border.

He said the road will be a single carriageway and would be built by FQMOL to SADC road construction standard.

The FQM representative said it is anticipated that 1 500 trucks per year will use the road during the mine construction phase and over 2 000 trucks per year during the mine operations.

He said road usage is likely to increase with the development of other mining projects in the DRC.

On the environment, Mr. Robinson said an Environment Impact Study will address potential environmental and social impacts and appropriate mitigation measures will be developed and implemented.

He said the road will pass through some village and fields and compensation will be
made to the affected before the project starts after an assessment is made on the
values of the loss caused by road construction

Mr. Robinson further disclosed that a weigh bridge will be built for trucks and
money taxed will be for maintenance of the road.

K30bn set aside for Independence Stadium upgrading-Govt

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The Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development told Parliament today that Government has set aside a sum of K30billion for the upgrading of the Independence stadium.

Minister Gabriel Namulambe said the move is aimed at improving the stadium from its current status to internationally accepted standards.

And in response to a question from Mapatizya United Party for National Development
(UPND) Member of Parliament (MP) Ackson Sejani who wanted to know when construction
of the three promised ultra modern stadia would commence, Mr. Namulambe said
Government is still looking for funds to commence the construction as soon as
possible.

Mr. Namulambe however, said the Chinese government has offered to construct one stadium in Ndola.

He said construction of the other two in Lusaka and Livingstone would commence soon after Government has sourced the funds.

And Kanchibiya Patriotic Front MP Kanyanyamina Albert in his contribution to the debate on the 2007 national budget said, there is need for MPs to put the interest of the electorate and that of the nation first.

Mr. Kanyanyamina said the Constituency Development Fund and Constituency Youth Development Fund (CYDF) is too meagre to ignite significant development in various constituencies.

He said more money should be allocated to priority sectors for meaningful development to be attained.

H e added that the Budget should provide relief to workers saying the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) threshold should be elevated further to exempt people who earn below K1, 000, 000.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa has advised the Executive to thoroughly prepare their debates.

Guiding the House after Mbabala UPND MP Hachipuka Emmanuel raised a point of order on Tourism Deputy Minister Michael Kaiungu for failing to debate clearly, Mr.Mwanamwamba said Ministers and their Deputies should have properly written downdebates.

Mr. Mwanamwambwa said anything said what the executive says in the house is taken as the official government position on a particular issue needing follow up and implementation.

He said members of the executive are allowed to have written debates and should therefore endeavour to prepare debates before hand.

Dry spell wilts maize, cotton fields in Sinazongwe

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A long dry spell has wilted maize and cotton fields in Sinazongwe raising concern among the District Management Committee (DMC).

The District Management Committee is worried that the current weather pattern would result into crop failure.

Sinazongwe District Commissioner Laiven Apuleni said at the DMC meeting that the
district has not witnessed any serious rain for the past four weeks.

“There is going to be crop failure. The crops are basically drying up and the
district should not fold its arms because this is a serious problem and we are not
going to have it easy,” Mr Apuleni said.

A check by ZANIS at the maize fields revealed that most of crop had wilted while
maize that had reached tussling stage had withered.

The DC has since appealed to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the donors to
assist in the provision of relief food since Government has a difficult task of
assisting other districts which had floods.

Mr. Apuleni said Sinazongwe may not receive the attention it has been receiving
because Government is also constrained with resources to feed other districts.

Acting Senior Agriculture Officer Tundu Kaonga told the meeting that Sinazongwe
district would not expect any better yields this year because most of the crops has
wilted.

“We have very peculiar weather pattern here its unpredictable, there have been no
rains in February, and even when it rains next week it will not change anything
because the crops have already wilted,” Mr Kaonga said.

The Acting Senior officer disclosed that heavy rain that the district experienced in
January destroyed 160 hectors of maize fields and affected 123 households in Malima
and part of Nangoma area in Chief Sinazongwe area.

The district report on vulnerability of Sinazongwe population to food insecurity for
2006 and 2007 indicates that between January last year and March 2007, 2,184
hectares of fields were destroyed and three dams damaged.

Food relief requirement for the population at risk of food insecurity in the report
was estimated at 377.35 metric tonnes per month until this year’s harvest season.

Maamba Ward Councillor Peter Siavulwe called for declaration of Sinazongwe as
hunger- stricken area because people would have no food as a result of drought and
heavy rain that destroyed their crops.

An Ingenious Product

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Baking soda is one of the most versatile items we can stock in our pantry.Most of us use baking soda for baking or for a delicious okra meal. However there are so many other uses for baking soda that will make you jump out your seat and dash to the nearest store to buy some! No matter what brand of baking soda you are interested in using you will know how to use baking soda in every room of your home.

Baking soda for baby!

You better believe it! (Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a normal constituent of body fluids. It aids in maintaining the normal ph of the blood.So its absolutely safe if correct quantities are used). Baking soda can be used to make a nasal spray to help unblock the babys nose when he has snuffles.Here is the formula:

1/4 Cup Water
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Baking soda.

Put a 2 to 3 drops in each nostril. Whats good for baby is good for mum too.Go on and try it for yourself!

Mouth cleaning

Clean up your mouth! For a smile that’s cleaner, whiter and fresher try baking soda. It is a gentle non-fluoride dentifrice that helps keep teeth clean and white. Dip a damp toothbrush in some baking soda sprinkled into your palm. Brush as usual and rinse. Baking soda does not contain the anti-cavity ingredient fluoride. Use it where water is fluorinated or when a non-fluoride toothpaste is desired for adult use or as directed by your dentist or physician.

Mouth freshening

Bad breath keeping you tight-lipped? Put one teaspoon of baking soda in half a glass of water, swish, spit and rinse. Odors are neutralized – not just covered up!

Baking soda as a deodorant

For a quick pit stop dust some baking soda under arms as needed to feel fresh all day. The magic of baking soda is it actually absorbs odors instead of just covering them up.

Baking soda as a soothing foot soak

A great way to start your home pedicure! Dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a basin of warm water and soak feet. Gently scrub with a paste of baking soda. The hardest part is deciding which color nail polish you’ll use this week!

Baking soda for hair care

Sprinkle a small amount baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly.Baking soda helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind so your hair is cleaner and more manageable.

Household cleaning product
Have you ever noticed that baking soda is an ingredient in many household-cleaning supplies that you already use? Baking is a powerful cleaning agent so get rid of those hazardous chemicals we use to clean our homes and try it instead to clean:

floors – mix 1/2 cup of baking soda in a bucket of warm water, mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor.

shower curtains – clean and deodorize your vinyl shower curtain by sprinkling baking soda directly on a clean damp sponge or brush. Scrub the shower curtain and rinse clean.

sinks – you can keep your sinks smelling fresh by putting a few tablespoons of baking soda down them and then running the hot water. Baking soda can even unclog a slow running sink, especially when you add a little vinegar and plenty of hot water. It’s good preventative maintenance to do this with regularity.

bathtub – glub in the tub? For safe, effective cleaning of the bathroom tubs, tile and sinks even shiny fiberglass and glossy tiles sprinkle baking soda lightly on a clean damp sponge and scrub as usual. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. Afterwards, take a nice relaxing bath without the worry of harsh chemicals.

Odors-baking soda absorbs odors. Sometimes cupboards under the sink have that damp smell thats so hard to get rid of. Just leave some baking soda in the cupboard and it will absorb the smell. Baking sodas freshening capabilities can be applied to anything from removing chemical smells from clothes to removing dog odors!

Refreshing bath soak

No cell phones allowed! Wash away more than just tension. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath to neutralizes acids on the skin and help wash away oil and perspiration. Your skin will feel silky smooth!

Skin Care
Face it! Using baking soda as an invigorating, yet gentle, facial scrub will leave your skin silky smooth. Sprinkle a little baking soda into your palm and mix into a paste (3 parts baking soda to 1 part water). Apply in a gentle circular motion then rinse clean.

Cleaning Brushes and Combs
For lustrous hair with shine, keep brushes and combs clean. Remove natural oil build-up and hair product residue by soaking combs and brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small basin of warm water. Rinse and allow to dry.

Laundry
Doing laundry can be a pleasure when your clothes come out the way you want them to – clean, sweet smelling and fresh. Baking soda does the trick. Put about a quarter cup in the laundry. It helps soften and boosts cleaning power.

Silver polish

Make a paste of baking soda and water, scoop some onto a clean, soft rag, and polish the silver. Rinse and polish dry.
The list is endless! Try saving some money by using some of this ingenious product!

Bulaya Forfeits property worth over K3bn to State

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news_bulaya234.gifA Lusaka Magistrate Court has ordered that some property belonging to jailed former Health Permanent Secretary, Dr. Kashiwa Bulaya be given to the state.

The property worth over three billion Kwacha, includes houses, a farmhouse, a warehouse and vehicles.

Kitwe based Principal Resident Magistrate, Edward Musona, in his ruling delivered in court, Friday said the property should revert to the state.

Mr. Musona’s ruling followed an application by state prosecutor, Mutembo Nchito who said the property had been acquired using public funds.

Mr. Nchito said in view of Dr. Bulaya’s conviction on abuse of authority and corruption charges it was necessary to request for a forfeiture of the property in line with section 41C of the Anti Corruption Commission act of 1996.

Earlier, Dr. Bulaya asked the court to adjourn the hearing of the case saying he has re-engaged his former lawyers, Nicholas Chanda and Mumba Kapumpa.

But Mr. Nchito objected to the request on grounds that judgement in the matter has already been passed.

He argued that it was too late for the court to entertain the application as Dr. Bulaya is already serving his five year jail term.

Dr. Bulaya’s lawyer, Nicholas Chanda however later told ZNBC news that he would appeal against the ruling.

Mr. Chanda said the order to forfeit the property has an error in the precedence of law.

Dr. Bulaya was on Wednesday convicted of three counts of abuse of authority and corruption charges and sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour.

State act to address street kids issue

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The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development today told Parliament that Government is still committed to addressing the growing problem of street kids.

Responding to a question from Mapatizya United Party for National Development (UPND)
MP Ackson Sejani who wanted to know the measures Government is taking to address the problem of street kids, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development
Mulasikwanda Patricia said her ministry had embarked on a skills training programme
for street children.

Ms. Mulasikwanda said three Zambia National Service (ZNS) camps namely; Kitwe,
Chiwoko and Chishimba were identified to serve as skills training centers for the
children.

She said 204 youths graduated from Chiwoko and Kitwe camps in August and September
2006 with skills in Capentry and joinery, bricklaying and plastering, poultry,
general agriculture, shoe making and automechanics.

She said after graduation the former street kids were sent to the 16 youth centers
run by the ministry across the country.

Ms. Mulasikwanda said the ministry is working with the Office of the Vice President
in looking at ways of allocating land to graduates in agriculture.

She added that the ministry gives grants to institutions and organisations that
address the welfare of street kids for capacity building.

Bush Could Back Zambia in Battle Against Vulture Fund

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george-bush-1.jpgPresident Bush could come to the aid of Zambia against a so-called “vulture” fund demanding millions of dollars in debt payments. He is reported to be concerned that investors from the Washington DC area won a court case in Britain last week which enabling them to claim $20m to $40m (£20m), including interest and costs, from the poor African nation – as much as it has received in debt relief from rich countries in recent years.

The fund is Donegal International, owned by US resident Michael Sheehan. In 1999 Donegal bought up some Zambian sovereign debt at a fraction of its original value and has pursued the country through the courts to enforce full repayment.

The high court in London last week said Donegal’s actions were legal but the judge, Justice Andrew Smith, made clear his distaste for what it was doing. He ordered Zambian assets in Britain frozen until a fresh hearing next month.

Donegal is likely to pursue Zambian assets in the US. However, Washington’s powerful congressional judiciary committee has seen a BBC Newsnight report on the case and is expected to investigate Donegal. The committee’s chairman, Congressman John Conyers, said he had drawn the tape, by reporter Greg Palast, to the attention of the president. Mr Conyers told US television that Mr Bush had said he knew nothing of the case but had asked his staff to look into it. “It’s our position that the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the comity doctrine brought from our constitution allows the president to require the courts defer in individual suits against foreign nations. And so, we’re conducting a couple of things,” Mr Conyers said.

“First of all, we want to know where these practices are going on at the present time, and, two, how we can get this information to President Bush so that he can, as he indicated to us, stop it immediately.”

Mr Bush has the power to block collection of debts by vulture funds, either individual ones or all of them, if he considers it to be at odds with US foreign policy, in this case debt relief for poor countries.

Donegal bought the debt, with a face value of $30m, from Romania in 1999 for less than $4m. Zambia agreed to pay Donegal $15m in return for a payment to the then president’s favourite charity. This payment, exposed by Mr Palast but which Mr Sheehan denies was a bribe, could mean Donegal falls foul of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Adrian Lovett at Oxfam welcomed Mr Bush’s possible intervention. He said 5,000 campaigners had emailed Donegal urging it not to take money from Zambia.

And in another development, the Debt Advisory International (DAI) in Washington DC has launched a petition asking for people to call during the week of February 19-23, on 202-463-2188 and tell Michael Sheehan, the owner of DAI and Donegal International, not to take up to $20 million from Zambia!
When people call, they should say:

“My name is X and I am calling from City, State, Country.

I am calling to urge Michael Sheehan to do the right thing: don’t take money from Zambia.

I am alarmed that Donegal International is making money from one of the poorest countries in the world. I urge you not to take this money from Zambia. Donegal bought this debt cheaply when Zambia was already eligible for debt relief. It is now seeking to extract money from a country that has recently received life-saving debt cancellation.

I urge you not to demand this money. Zambia cannot afford to be paying out millions of dollars.”

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