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Saeed Hussain's Friends
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Climate change...
About this category: Environment
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The effects of climate change on agriculture are expected to vary across the continent, but are likely to be most pronounced in areas where temperature and water availability are already major constraining factors. Africa is highly dependent on rain-fed agricultural production. Many African crops including wheat, maize, and soybean are already grown close to the limits of their temperature or water stress tolerances.
The majority Africa’s subsistence farmers are women; they are the ones that will really feel the brunt of changing rainfall and weather patterns. For many African women and girls, the situation will be exacerbated by poor access to education, health and employment.
The pressures on families to migrate to urban areas is also expected to grow further, making the challenge of tackling poverty and unemployment rates an even greater one.
Taking Action
Although climate change is already being felt across the continent, many countries are still not being spurred into action. We are urging the world’s governments represented at COP17 to listen to the people, and not the vested interests of polluting corporations; to shelve the rhetoric and create a framework for a sustainable future, by:
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Ensuring a peak in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2015
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Ensuring that the Kyoto Protocol continues and providing a mandate for a comprehensive legally binding instrument
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Delivering the necessary finance to tackle climate change
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Setting up a framework for protecting forests in developing countries
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Ensuring global cooperation on technology and energy finance
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Ensuring international transparency in assessing and monitoring country commitments and actions.
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| December 6, 2011 | 10:06 AM |
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How the UNFCCC works
About this category: Environment
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The Convention on Climate Change sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change. It recognises that the climate system is a shared resource that is affected by emissions from greenhouse gases resulting from human activity. Decisions under the UNFCCC are made on the basis of consensus according to current operating practice. This means that, rather than voting, Parties aim to reach agreement through discussion and negotiation. The main negotiating forum is sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP), which typically take place at ministerial level. Parties also negotiate in the two subsidiary bodies of the UNFCCC, the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI). Other matters, such as the development of technical guidelines for implementing COP decisions, are dealt with at UNFCCC workshops. The administration of the UNFCCC is the responsibility of a secretariat based in Bonn, Germany. The UNFCCC secretariat is institutionally linked to the United Nations and is administered under UN Rules and Regulations. It is answerable to the COP and the subsidiary bodies, and has responsibility in three areas: executive direction, technical programs and support services for the intergovernmental process.
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| December 6, 2011 | 8:53 AM |
| December 2, 2011 | 2:04 AM |
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It's time for Africa - COP17/CMP7
Related to country: South Africa
About this category: Environment
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Durban - Some 1000 youth from all over the world have gathered in Durban, South Africa, for the two week long UN climate negotiations, where governments will hopefully decide on the process towards a binding global climate agreement. Young people are present here as part of the official youth constituency YOUNGO.
After three days of training at the Conference of Youth taking place this weekend at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the young delegates are now well equipped to participate in the UN climate tasks and lobby for the binding global agreement we all need so badly.
Would you like to know more about their amazing work? Check the hashtag YOUNGO (#YOUNGO) on Twitter or follow @seanamos
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| December 1, 2011 | 10:51 AM |
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UNFCC COP17/CMP7 in Durban South Africa.
Related to country: South Africa
About this category: Environment
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This is the first time that I have participated in an event of this magnitude and specifically a Climate Change conference. Young people are quite passionate about Climate Change and since this event has come to Africa, it has raised the voice of the developing countries and in essence the African countries.
I have been attending the YOUNGOs meetings since yesterday (today 29th Nov 2011 is day 2) and the young people have raised so many issues and its time for them to be heard. I will take it a few steps back and explain what YOUNGOs is and what role it plays at the COP17/CMP7.
YOUNGO is the officially recognised constituency of the Youth Non-Governmental Organisations by the UNFCCC, of which the World Oganisation of the Scout Movement is a part. The spokes council is the decision making body of YOUNGO, and is formed by representatives of the Youth Non-Governmental Organisations participating in COP17.
YOUNGO makes statements and carries out actions on behalf of YOUNGO but at the same time it is representing all of its members. The spokes council provides for a transparent and formal method of decision-making that includes all of its members in a meaningful and constructive way.
This first meeting of YOUNGO saw the constituency having to elect five of its members who would then go on to have access seats inside for the Plenary session for the official opening of the conference.
For regular updates follow https://twitter.com/#!/seanamos
or Go to Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/World-Scout-Team-at-the-Cop17/251266898264797
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| November 29, 2011 | 4:35 AM |
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Thoughts On Leaders...
About this category: Education
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Leaders must have courage to take decisions, and followers must have the courage to do as they are told.
Disagreement is not disloyalty. Disobeying is. A Leader is disloyal to his followers if he does not back them up to his fullest ability. A person that has another view should be allowed to explain it.
...Indeed leaders and followers should listen. Neither should show any bias, even if the explanation is unusual and seems unsound. Attempts should be made to understand the divergent view.
Leaders should be able to manage their own emotions and those of their followers. If a leader is devastated by a failed deadline or target, he is not inspiring enought to energise his followers to better performance the next time around.
A leader should feel for the individuals in his care. By doing so, he ensures loyalty from his followers.
A leader should lead by personal example. Only an energetic leader can enthuse a group of followers to be energetic. An energetic group of followers is a dynamic, productive and result-oriented group of followers.
A successful leader is one that does well when things are going well and does better when things get rough. Persistence in the face of difficulty is essential.
A good follower performs well because he has been well lead. He performs badly because he has been badly lead. Giving all the credit to the follower is as bad as blaming him for the failure to the team. In the final analysis, the leader is responsible for the success or failure of his group.
Above all ...........
A Leader should ... LEAD....
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Kenya: Selling poached ivory would be unethical.
Related to country: Kenya
About this category: Culture
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There has been vigorous debate on President Kibaki’s setting ablaze yesterday of nearly 5,000 kilogrammes of ivory.Many argue that it would have been much better to sell the ivory and use the proceeds to buy food for the starving masses.Such arguments miss the point. President Moi’s 1989 torching of a huge ivory stockpile was a dramatic affirmation of Kenya’s role as leader in the global campaign against trade in tusks, horns, skins and other trophies from endangered wildlife.It would be downright dishonest for Kenya to lead the campaign, and then seek to profit from that same trade.This position is not informed by woolly idealism, but very practical considerations.Kenya has been hard hit by poaching activity, and there is no doubt the heavily-armed gangs present a national security threat.While some countries in the region have provided strong arguments for legal sale of game trophies, it is a fact that legitimate sales provide the cover for trade in poached ivory and other products.Dispensation given some countries by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has been traced directly to a surge in poaching in Kenya and Tanzania and as far as the Congo, Cameroon, and Central Africa Republic.Kenya has became a major transit point for poached animal trophies from all over Africa.It is also apparent that the trade in the trophies has a direct link to the international criminal gangs that control trafficking in narcotics and illegal arms.Kenya, therefore, must continue to lead the war against such organised criminal activity. Beyond gestures such as that witnessed on Wednesday, however, there must also be evidence of tough action against poaching gangs and the leaders of the powerful criminal cartels that drive the trade.
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Africa sends fiery warning to poachers
Related to country: Kenya
About this category: Environment
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Africa sent a strong message to poachers of its elephants by setting ablaze nearly five tonnes of contraband ivory worth millions of shillings on Wednesday.
President Kibaki led representatives of regional governments in lighting the ivory pier at the Kenya Wildlife Service Training School in Manyani in Taita Taveta county.
“Through the burning of this contraband ivory, we are sending a clear message to poachers and illegal traders in wildlife about our collective resolve to fight this crime in our region and beyond,’’ the President said before lighting the fire.
Poachers and illegal traders in ivory, he added, must know that their days were numbered and severe punishment would be meted to those engaging in the decimation of wildlife.
“We cannot afford to sit back and allow criminal networks destroy our common future,” he added.
The large crowd that turned up to witness the rare event cheered as the President lit the ivory shortly after 2pm.
The tusks, which made a seven-foot pier were piled on a fire grid bar built by Dynamic Green Technologies.
It was doused with kerosene, donated by Total Kenya, and pumped from several gallons situated 500 metres away.
But even as the world witnessed yet another burning of the tusks captured from poachers and dealers across the globe, wildlife conservationists demanded tougher laws to stamp out the illicit trade.
They cited light sentences handed to poachers and dealers in game trophy as the main reason the illicit trade continued to thrive.
This is the third time an ivory stockpile is being destroyed in Africa. Retired president Daniel arap Moi first lit fire to an ivory stockpile in 1989 at the Nairobi National Park. The Zambian government burned another pile in 1992.
The event was the highlight of the first ever African Elephant Law Enforcement Day celebrations observed by Kenya and seven African states that have come together under the Lusaka Agreement on Cooperation Enforcement Operation Directed at Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora.
The consignment comprised 335 solid elephant tusks and 41,553 ivory hankos or processed ivory.
They were seized by the Singapore customs authorities in June 2002 and subsequently brought to Kenya by the Lusaka Agreement Task Force in March 2004 for investigations.
The investigations determined its probable origins as Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia.
Experts who spoke to the Nation said a kilogramme of elephant tusks fetches between Sh13,000 and Sh16,000 on the black market.
This places the value of the 4.9 tonnes at between Sh63 million and Sh78 million.
Kenya Wildlife Service director Julius Kipng’etich spoke of massive devastation that poaching had handed elephant populations in a number of African countries.
Nigeria and Liberia, he said, had virtually lost all their elephants while Senegal remained with only eight.
The 1989 burning of ivory by Mr Moi helped Kenyan check the slaughter of its elephants.
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Youth, goals and change
About this category: Education
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I believe in the people especially the youth. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts.The youths in the Nyandarua County need the facts and not false promise...s and if their needs can be identified and strategically planned then I have no doubt whatsoever they can be met. Facts do actually draw people to reality and when you let the youths believe in themselves then they will understand what the right thing is and thereby improving their morals, having dreams and aspirations and more so living right.
It's true circumstances dictate the goals that we should make but they should be in line with the relevant needs. You can't make short term goals that will not help you achieve the ultimate goal. Planners usually define short-term goals in relation to a long-term goal or goals. A short term goal should be related to an achievable long term goal, both must be in line.
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Health Warning: Can a Cell Phone Carried Regularly in Your Pocket Damage Your Crotch?
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First of all, to both guys and gals... read this article carefully, as it contains some potentially scary health issues related to cell phone use. And although the examples are geared towards men's issues, I wouldn't trust that it's only men that can experience health issues from heavy cell phone use.You're also going to want to pass this page on to your friends and family to help them
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| December 16, 2010 | 8:12 AM |
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Staff Notice
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Dear STAFF ,Please be advised that these are NEW rules and regulations implementedtoraise the efficiency of our firm.____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __________________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ___1) TRANSPORTATION:It is advised that you come to work driving a car according to yoursalary.a) If we see you driving a Honda, we assume you are doing
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From http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/news/brown%E2%80%99s-testimony-unfolding-britain%E2%80%99s-future-role-iraq
Related to country: Iraq
About this category: Peace & Conflict
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Sat, 20/03/2010 - 21:30
Brown’s Testimony: Unfolding Britain’s future role in Iraq?
Ethar Chalaby
London--When British Prime Minister Gordon Brown appeared before the Iraq Inquiry committee this month, he did more than defend the decision to go to war in 2003 and admit the inadequacy of post-invasion planning. Brown's testimony helped to define what his country's role will be in Iraq for years to come.
Grilled for some four hours by Sir John Chilcott’s inquiry in London’s Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, the former Chancellor said, “I think [the Iraqi war] was the right decision and made for the right reasons.”
However, he expressed his regret for the deteriorating situation the country has plunged into after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein from power in 2003. The British Premier also underlined that there are “important lessons” to be drawn from the way insecurity has erupted and escalated following the Operation Iraqi Freedom.
If Brown’s statements can be seen as a road map to the future of UK involvement in Iraq, then that country can expect both military and civilian British support in its reconstruction.
In April 2009, Britain marked the official end of its military mission in Iraq, which included 46,000 soldiers since 2003, of whom 8500 were deployed in southern Iraq. But a restricted number of military experts are still based at some Iraqi road junctions, as per agreements between Britain and Iraq.
Attallah Said, chairman of the Arab Labour Group, a part of the ruling Labour Party, says those military experts will train Iraqi police and armed forces, crucial steps in providing security and stabilizing the country in the near future.
“I see that the British military role in Iraq that started in 2003 will evolve into a contribution towards the logistic backup of the Iraqi army and the Iraqi security forces, added to the active participation towards the reconstruction of Iraq,” Said says.
Said stresses that the Arab Group opposed the 2003 invasion and is officially requesting that the Labour party form a solid plan to aid in the reconstruction of Iraq. A number of government officials, including former Foreign Minister Robin Cook and another 120 Labour MPs have requested the same.
Coalition forces are scheduled to completely withdraw from Iraq by 31 December, 2011, but Said remains skeptical. In light of the constant bombings and widespread violence, Said says that a complete pull-out is unlikely.
"They will only withdraw when the Iraqi army and police are trained enough to be able to effectively put an end to the current violence outbreak,” he says.
Abdul-Moneim al-A’tham, a London-based Iraqi political analyst, disagrees. Al-A'tham believes that the 2011 withdrawal deadline is final and realistic. Moreover, he says, US President Barack Obama pledged during his 2008 campaign to get American troops out of Iraq, a promise he has repeated since taking office.
Al-A’tham suggests that by 2011, the US will have secured its interests in Iraq by virtue of agreements, projects, and connections. He also says that the Iraqi people are waiting for the day when the American forces leave to reestablish their own sovereignty.
He also touched upon the concrete signs of transformation within the Iraqi public opinion, emerging from the recent Iraqi elections, suggesting a nascent emphasis on Iraqi nationalism, as opposed to peripheral loyalties that prevailed over the past seven years.
Apart from military aspects of British involvement in Iraq, al-A’tham anticipates that the future of UK-Iraqi civilian relations will benefit from the positive impressions left behind the “relatively reputable” British presence in the Basra region.
He says that on the eve of its military withdrawal from Iraq, the British government assured that the intention would be to advance relations between the countries, transcending the preoccupation with security concerns, and emphasizing the economic, technological, and educational domains, while offering the Iraqis all assistance in founding a state of institutions, law, and order.
In his last visit to London, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced that his government had reached an agreement with the British Council. The council will contribute to the development of the Iraqi educational system, with £3 million to be allocated by the British government.
John Akker, Secretary of London’s Council for Assisting of Refugee Academics (CARA), which runs a special program for Iraqi refugees in the UK, predicts that the expected British engagement in Iraq will lead to the support and re-establishment of higher education in the country.
“We hope that Britain will do everything it can to help those many Iraqi universities that were destroyed after the invasion. We also hope that everything will be done to ensure Iraqi families that got disrupted because of the war get all contribution and assistance they need,” Akker says.
Still, a variety of challenges face British-Iraqi ties. These issues will play out in southern Iraq, Britain's area of dominance in the country and an important region to Iran, which resents the British presence in Basra, where the Iranians are influential among the local Shia population.
It is likely that British projects in the area will face impediments from local government officials who are close to the Islamic Republic.
Samir al-Razi, an Iraqi expatriate who fled to London after the Iraqi war, sees that the future British involvement in his country will focus on a gradual military pull-out aimed at avoiding more British casualties. Al-Razi, who is one of 450,000 Iraqi emigrants in Britain, explained how the British will work on change their scope of involvement towards the political arena; “they will try to leave Iraq with the legacy of freeing the country,” he said.
He added that Iran poses a lurking threat to the future of Iraq. “The fear now is not only from the future British involvement but rather from the Iranian one. Iran is exerting control over the country from behind the borders,” he said.
Anglo-Iranian tensions have escalated recently over controversial issues which include Tehran’s alleged plan to develop a military nuclear program. The Iranian government also accuses British authorities of providing support for domestic reformist groups who staged sit-ins and demonstration to protest the outcomes of the June 2009 Iranian presidential elections.
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Diary of a newly married village girl.
About this category: Culture
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Monday:
Now home from honeymoon and settled in our new home. It's fun to cook for Tim. Today I made an angel food cake and the recipe said, "beat 12 eggs separately."
Well, I didn't have enough bowls to do that, so I had to borrow enough bowls
to beat the eggs in. The cake turned out Fine though.
Tuesday:
We wanted a fruit salad for supper. The recipe said, "serve without dressing." So I didn't dress. But Tim happened to bring a friend home for supper that night. They both looked so startled when I served them, I think it was the salad.
Wednesday:
I decided to serve rice and found a recipe which said, "wash thoroughly before steaming the rice." So I heated some water and took a bath before steaming the rice. Sounded kinda silly in the middle of the week. I can't say it improved the rice anyhow.
Thursday:
Today Tim asked for salad again. I tried a new recipe. It said, prepare ingredients, then toss on a bed of lettuce one hour before serving." I hunted all over the place for a garden and when I got one I tossed my salad into the bed of lettuce and stood over there for over one
hour so the dog would not take it. Tim came over and asked if I felt all right. I wonder
why? He must be stressed at work, I'll try and be supportive.
Friday:
Today I found an easy recipe for cookies. It said, "put all ingredients in a bowl and beat it." beat it I did, to my mum's place. There must have been something wrong with the recipe,because when I came back home again, it looked the same as when I left it.
Saturday:
Tim went shopping today and brought home a chicken. He asked me to dress it for Sunday. I'm sure I don't know how hens dress for Sunday. I never noticed back on the farm, but I found an old doll dress and it's little cute shoes. I thought the hen looked really cute. When Tim saw it, he started counting to ten. Either he was really stressed because of his work, or he wanted the chicken to dance. When I asked him what was wrong he started crying and shouting out "why me? why me?". It has to be his job.
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| December 22, 2009 | 8:12 AM |
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Funny FIFA 2010 World Cup questions
About this category: Culture
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These questions about South Africa were posted on a South African Tourism Website by foreigners around the world and were answered by the website owner (great sense of humor!).
Q: Does it ever get windy in South Africa ? I have never seen it rain on TV, so how do the plants grow? ( UK )
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.
Q: Will I be able to see elephants in the street? ( USA )
A: Depends how much you've been drinking.
Q: I want to walk from Durban to Cape Town - can I follow the railroad tracks? ( Sweden )
A: Sure, its only two thousand kilometers take lots of water...
Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in South Africa ? ( Sweden )
A: So its true what they say about Swedes...
Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in South Africa ? Can you send me a list of them in JHB, Cape Town , Knysna and Jeffreys Bay ? ( UK )
A: What did your last slave die of?
Q: Can you give me some information about Koala Bear racing in South Africa ? ( USA )
A: Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the pacific. A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe which does not...oh forget it. Sure, the Koala Bear racing is every Tuesday night in Hillbrow. Come naked.
Q: Which direction is north in South Africa ? ( USA )
A: Face south and then turn 90 degrees. Contact us when you get here and well send the rest of the directions.
Q: Can I bring cutlery into South Africa ? ( UK )
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.
Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys Choir schedule? ( USA )
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is....oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Hillbrow, come naked.
Q: Do you have perfume in South Africa ? ( France )
A: No, WE don t stink.
Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in South Africa ? ( USA )
A: Anywhere where a significant number of Americans gather.
Q: Can you tell me the regions in South Africa where the female population is smaller than the male population? ( Italy )
A: Yes, gay nightclubs.
Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in South Africa ? ( France )
A: Only at Christmas.
Q: Are there killer bees in South Africa ? ( Germany )
A: Not yet, but for you, well import them.
Q: Are there supermarkets in Cape Town and is milk available all year round?
A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter-gatherers. Milk is illegal.
Q: Please send a list of all doctors in South Africa who can di spense rattlesnake serum.( USA )
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca, which is where YOU come from. All South African snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.
Q: I was in South Africa in 1969, and I want to contact the girl I dated while I was staying in Hillbrow. Can you help? ( USA )
A: Yes, but you will probably still have to pay her by the hour.
Q: Will I be able to speek English most places I go? ( USA )
A: Yes, but youll have to learn it first.
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| December 17, 2009 | 12:12 PM |
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