Author: Théophile Niyitegeka

10 things you should be willing to give up this month to have a successful month

{With every month comes opportunities, as well as challenges; that’s what life is and that’s what it brings to you – and it’s only those who are willing to take those opportunities when it arises and those who can grab the challenges by its horn will go on to be successful.}

These are those things you should be willing to give up if you want your month to be successful:

{{1. Unhealthy habits }}

Choose to cut off every form of unhealthy habit like smoking and taking too much alcohol, use of hard drugs, unhealthy eating habits, poor sleeping pattern and lack of physical activity.

A quote by Jim Rohn: “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live in.”

{{2. Ingratitude }}

Choose to quit every form of ingratitude and complaining this month. Learn to be more grateful and appreciate things. Appreciate life, because there’s always hope when there’s life, appreciate family, appreciate friends and appreciate love.

{{3. Negative thinking }}

Stop every form of negative thinking; it’ll only bring about a negative energy that will kill your desire and momentum to achieve any tangible thing this month.

Shun every form of negative thinking and try to be more positive about life this month.

{{4. Distractions }}

Choose to be focused and cut off any form of distractions. Anything taking you away from your goal should be cut off from your life.

{{5. Laziness }}

Laziness and success don’t mix; gear yourself up to work hard, not sometimes but always. Let laziness be far from you, and you’ll see just how much progress you will make this month.

{{6. Procrastination }}

Learn to do today that which you ought to do today. Make a decision to quit from every form of procrastination. Procrastination is a success killer.

{{7. Giving up }}

Choose not to give up this month, no matter what life throws at you. It’s already over and you have nothing to gain when you give up.

Always make that decision to see failure as a stepping stone to success; failure only means – try again.

{{8. Not giving your best }}

If it’s not your best shot then it’s not good enough. Choose to do your best in everything you find yourself; if it’s not your best, then it’s not good enough.

{{9. Excuses }}

Give up excuses and take the bull by the horn. Stop making excuses for your failures and start taking responsibilities for your actions.

{{10. Stop trying to control that which you cannot }}

According to Epictetus, “Some things are up to us and some things are not up to us.”

Stop trying to control that which you cannot, stop living in worries when you can be happy, stop living in fear when you can be bold.

Put a hold on these ten things this month, and there’ll be no limit to how far you can go.

Source:Elcrema

April 2, 2017
Military Command Post Exercise Utulivu Africa III-2017 closes at RMA Academy, Gako

{On 31 March 2017, about 200 officers from African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC) Volunteering Nations officially concluded a two weeks long military exercise dubbed “UTULIVU AFRICA III-2017″, at Rwanda Military Academy-Gako. }

The Exercise was aimed at testing and maintaining the ACIRC operational readiness, as well as enhancing interoperability and cohesion among the ACIRC Volunteering Nations Defence Forces.

The Rwanda Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Patrick Nyamvumba officiated the closing ceremony of the Command Post Exercise (CPX). In his key note address, the CDS congratulated participants for the skills displayed during the exercise. “The skills and professionalism displayed were of the highest standards” he said, while thanking also planners of the exercise for hard work and commitment.

Gen Nyamvumba emphasized that conflicts and other threats including terrorism, transnational organized crimes, piracy and mercenary activities among others remain a painful reality in some parts of the African Continent. “We have a joint responsibility to address these issues and to continuously identify and implement workable solutions. As such we cannot over-emphasize the need to have a robust peace and security mechanism to prevent and resolve conflicts in Africa”, he observed.

Mr SEVUYILE BAM, the African Union Commission Representative and Head of Peace Support Operations Division expressed gratitude to the Republic of Rwanda for hosting and very well organising the exercise. He reminded how Africa and international community in general failed to stop the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, noting that this was a lesson learnt that such atrocities ought to be prevented to repeat by all means.

He further underlined the willingness and resolve of AU Heads of States and Governments to see Africans determine their own destiny and solve crises on the continent without delay. “The CPX UTULIVU AFRICA III was conducted in that spirit”, Mr Bam said.

In his remarks, the Exercise Director, Maj Gen Martin Nzaramba explained that the CPX UTULIVU AFRICA III-2017 was designed to practice ACIRC Forces’ skills and procedures of fighting in built up areas using air, land and maritime forces. “The main effort was to build operational readiness capability that can be used to intervene on a timely manner, in any crisis on the continent” he pointed out. Gen Nzaramba assured the audience that Exercise met its objectives, noting that this was a great achievement for the ACIRC towards maintaining the readiness of its Forces.

ACIRC Volunteering Nations include Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Egypt, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South-Africa, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Source:Minadef

April 2, 2017
Police warns against illegal transportation of meat, one arrested

{Police in Nyarugenge District, on April 1, intercepted a special hire vehicle, which was transporting meat contrary to the legally set health standards.}

The taxi registration number RAB 128Z, was intercepted in the down-town Nyabugogo and the driver arrested.

The meat was found concealed in boxes and plastic bags and stashed in the back seat and the boot of the car.

Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, Supt. Emmanuel Hitayezu warned against such unhealthy ways of transporting meat.

“There are set hygienic standards under which meat should be handled, packed and transported by a specific vehicle which also fulfills all the required standards. Contrary to that, you will be arrested,” Supt. Hitayezu warned.

A Ministerial Order on transport and trade of meat of November 2010 specifies that the transport of fresh chilled or frozen meat for food purpose shall be carried in such a manner to not be seen from outside. The meat shall be properly covered and protected against the sun, rain mud, dust and flies.

The motor vehicle transportation of fresh, chilled or frozen, non packed meat shall use closed vans, separate from the driver, internally covered with galvanized brass or any other stainless.

The Ministerial Order also states that the upper part of the van transporting meat should have rails to facilitate the handling of meat. In addition, its interior layout shall allow daily cleaning using water with detergent, and that people employed in the transportation of meat shall be wearing washable overcoats and hats, and properly shod.

He also warned against illegal abattoirs and appealed to the general public to buy meat from recognized and hygienic place and report people that could be involved in such illegal meat business, which could be harmful to the people.

There are only three licensed abattoirs; Nyabugogo, Kicukiro and Kabuga.

Source:Police

April 2, 2017
Cucina Restaurant to open for a preview period

{Kigali Marriott is proud to announce the opening of its brand-new Italian restaurant Cucina. The restaurant is set to open its doors on Friday, 31 March 2017, offering a preview period of its authentic Italian cuisine with an international flair.}

Cucina offers traditional Italian cuisine in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere ideal for private dining or group occasions. From mouthwatering risotto to homemade pasta dishes, guests will experience fresh and flavorsome favorites that will transport them to the heart of Italy.

The restaurant will feature a fresh pasta station, antipasti displays and live cooking, as well as an elegant wine cellar with a varied selection of fine wines.

Diners will be able to experience a sneak peek of the restaurant’s offerings every Wednesday to Sunday from 31 March 2017. Reservations are available at +250 222 111 111.

{{About Kigali Marriott Hotel}}

Conveniently situated along KN3 Avenue in the city center, near the financial district and Kigali City Hall, Kigali Marriott Hotel provides a luxurious home away from home for business and leisure travelers. The hotel offers 254 rooms including 25 suites, an executive lounge, 15 meeting rooms and spaces, and over 30,000 square feet of total event space. The hotel features Soko Restaurant, Cucina Restaurant, and Iriba Bar and Terrace for all guests to enjoy. Other facilities include an outdoor pool, fitness center, Saray Spa, and gift shops. For information, call + 250 222 111 111 or visit www.kigalimarriott.com.

{{About Marriott International}}

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is the world’s largest hotel company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 6,000 properties in 122 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts. The company’s 30 leading brands include: Bulgari®, The Ritz-Carlton® and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve®, St. Regis®, W®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, The Luxury Collection®, Marriott Hotels®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Renaissance® Hotels, Sheraton®, Delta Hotels by MarriottSM, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Tribute Portfolio™, Design Hotels™, Gaylord Hotels®, Courtyard®, Four Points® by Sheraton, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, Residence Inn®, TownePlace Suites®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Aloft®, Element®, Moxy® Hotels, and Protea Hotels by Marriott®. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com and @MarriottIntl.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) for company information.

March 31, 2017
Zigama CSS makes Rwf 6.8 billion profit

{Zigama Credit and Saving Cooperative (Zigama CSS) for members from security organs including the military, police and correction services has announced to have made a profit of Rwf 6,800,000,000 in 2016, a 31% growth from 2015. }

Following a general meeting of Zigama CSS held yesterday, the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Zigama CSS, Dr. James Ndahiro told the media that members are delighted with the progress.

“We earned 6.8billion in profit in 2016 equaling 31% compared to 2015 where the profit was Rwf 5.24 billion,” he said.

In 2015, Zigama CSS reduced interest rate from 15% to 13% which Dr. Ndahiro explained helped military, police and other small members to access loans bringing benefits for their families and neighborhoods.

Reducing interest rate led to the increase of the loan book to 28% in Zigama CSS in 2016 compared to 2015.

Dr Ndahiro attributed increased profit to commitment and discipline of members whose performance ensures there are no nonperforming loans.

“It has been realized that only one member failed to pay within 18 years.This demonstrates commitment and discipline of our members,” he said.

March 31, 2017
REB announces new English teaching program

{Rwanda Education Board (REB) has announced a revised program of training teachers to teach in English following the expiry of contracts of mentors, explaining that duties formerly exercised by mentors will now be responsibility of focal English teachers available at every school.}

REB has been training teachers in English language since 2009 when it adopted the policy of using English as a medium of instruction in schools.

NZITABAKUZE Claudien, the Head of Teacher Development and Management (TDM) at REB has told IGIHE that hiring the services of mentors from outside bore fruits which is reflected in improved English usage in schools.

He however pointed out failure to expand mentorship program to all schools over shortage of manpower and irregularity of their services at schools where they were assigned.

He said that some mentors from Uganda and Kenya were hit hard by life in rural areas forcing them to return home earlier before ending their contracts. He explained that each of the more than 2600 schools in the country have a teacher who will help colleagues and will be supported with pedagogical materials including laptops.

REB had hired 1000 teachers countrywide to polish English skills of teachers a majority of who came from Uganda and Kenya where one teacher was assigned to train teachers from two public schools.

The annual budget for paying mentors was about Rwf 4 billion until their suspension in August 2015.

March 31, 2017
Michael Flynn offers to testify in Trump-Russia probe

{Michael Flynn, who resigned over contacts with Russian officials, wants protection against ‘unfair prosecution’.}

Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, has offered to testify before congressional committees probing potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia but wants protection against “unfair prosecution,” his lawyer has said.

Flynn was forced to resign as Trump’s national security adviser in February over contacts with Russian officials.

“General Flynn certainly has a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should the circumstances permit,” said a statement on Thursday from Flynn’s lawyer, Robert Kelner.

Testimony from Flynn could help shed light on the conversations he had with Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kisylak last year when he was the national security adviser for Trump’s presidential campaign.

Kelner said discussions had taken place about Flynn’s availability to testify with officials of the intelligence committees of both the US Senate and the House of Representatives.

Both committees are investigating allegations of Russian meddling in the US election campaign last year as well as possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russians.

Trump’s Russia mess: Five things to know

Flynn stepped down after revelations that he had failed to disclose talks with the Russian ambassador before Trump took office about US sanctions on Moscow and mislead Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations.

Questions remain about the scope of the discussions and what other contacts took place between other Trump advisers with the Russians.

Russian hacking

Earlier this week, the White House disclosed that Trump’s son-in-law and White House senior adviser, Jared Kushner, met executives of Russian state development bank Vnesheconombank, or VEB, in December.

During a US Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Thursday, Democratic Senator Mark Warner alleged that Russia attempted to undermine the 2016 US presidential election with a propaganda campaign “on steroids”, using trolls and networks of hacked or infected devices to flood social media with disinformation.

US intelligence agencies have said Russia hacked emails of senior Democrats and orchestrated the release of embarrassing information in a bid to tip the presidential election in favour of Trump, whose views were seen as more in line with the Moscow’s.

Russian President Vladimir Putin denied the accusations on Thursday calling them “lies”. When asked if Russia interfered in the US vote Putin said, “Read my lips: No.”

White House spokesman Sean Spicer earlier this week downplayed questions about Russia ties .

“If the president puts Russian salad dressing on his salad tonight, somehow that’s a Russia connection,” he said in an exchange with reporters.

The Wall Street Journal, citing officials with knowledge of the matter, reported that Flynn had sought immunity from the FBI and the House and Senate intelligence panels in exchange for his testimony. The newspaper said he had so far found no takers.

The House denied the Journal report. “Michael Flynn has not offered to testify to HPSCI in exchange for immunity,” committee spokesman Jack Langer said in a statement.

The FBI declined to comment. The Senate committee did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment.

Kelner’s statement did not mention the FBI.

He said Flynn “is now the target of unsubstantiated public demands by Members of Congress and other political critics that he be criminally investigated”.

Kelner said Flynn would not “submit to questioning in such a highly politicised, witch hunt environment without assurances against unfair prosecution”.

Source:Al Jazeera

March 31, 2017
‘118 foreign detainees die’ in Malaysia in two years

{Report says more than half of the 118 dead are from Myanmar, the source for thousands of refugees coming to Malaysia.}

More than 100 foreigners have died from various diseases and unknown causes in the past two years in Malaysia’s immigration detention centres, according to documents reviewed by the Reuters news agency.

The reported toll, which has not been previously disclosed, is based on Malaysian immigration department data provided to the National Human Rights Commission, which is known by its Malay acronym Suhakam.

Reuters reported on Thursday that documents from the government-funded commission detailed 83 deaths in 2015 and at least 35 in 2016 up to December 20.

More than half of the 118 dead were reportedly from Myanmar, the source for tens of thousands of refugees coming to Malaysia, including Rohingya Muslims escaping persecution by Myanmar’s authorities and its majority Buddhist population.

It is unclear whether the death rate is higher than in neighbouring countries. Government officials in Indonesia and Thailand told Reuters they do not disclose such numbers.

The rate is higher than in countries such as the United States, which in the last financial year recorded 10 deaths in its much larger immigration detention system.

{{‘Appalling’}}

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been a harsh critic of the Myanmar government and its de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi after a crackdown in October by Myanmar’s security forces led many Rohingya to flee across its borders amid multiple allegations of mass killings and gang rapes by troops.

He has called for foreign intervention to stop the “genocide” in Myanmar.

Najib’s office did not return calls seeking comment.

“The numbers are too many and are shocking and it calls for the overhaul of the system,” said Jerald Joseph, one of eight commissioners at Suhakam, which is due to publicly announce the numbers next week in its annual report on human rights issues in Malaysia.

Joseph described conditions at the centres, some of which he had visited, as “appalling” and said the deaths should be investigated as a criminal matter.

The illnesses that led to some of the deaths may have been caused or exacerbated by poor sanitation and food, physical abuse and a lack of medical attention, said Joseph, who was speaking on behalf of the commission.

Malaysia’s home ministry, which oversees the immigration department, said it was trying to improve the conditions in the centres but that its budget was constrained.

“I agree there is some overcrowding and the conditions are not ideal. We are always trying to improve the procedures, health conditions and management of these sites. The problem is we hit a budget brick wall,” deputy home minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed told Reuters.

Source:Al Jazeera

March 31, 2017
Syria: Kurdish YPG fighters dominate Turkey-US talks

{‘A number of options’ for Raqqa military operation in Syria, but no agreement reached between Turks and Americans.}

The United States and Turkey struggled on Thursday to resolve a deep dispute over the Kurdish role in the fight against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), as US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson wrapped up his first trip to Turkey.

As the US prepares an operation to retake the de facto ISIL capital of Raqqa in Syria, the Turks and Americans are deadlocked over who should do the fighting.

Turkey wants the US to partner with its military and Turkish-backed forces in Syria. But Washington has been backing Syrian Kurdish fighters who have proven the most effective ground force against ISIL.

“Let me be very frank: These are not easy decisions,” Tillerson said in Ankara. “They are difficult decisions that have to be made.”

Turkey considers the Kurdish force, known as the YPG, to be a “terrorist group” that threatens Turkey’s security.

The US hasn’t formally announced a decision on who will be part of the Raqqa operation. But all signs point to Washington continuing to bet on the Kurds. In recent days, the US military airlifted hundreds of Syrian Kurdish forces along with US military advisers and artillery behind enemy lines in preparation for the Raqqa offensive.

Tillerson said he and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had explored “a number of options and alternatives” for the operation, but signaled they’d reached no agreement.

Cavusoglu, standing alongside Tillerson, warned past US support for Syrian Kurdish forces had already damaged America’s relations with Turkey. He accused the US of using one “terrorist organisation” to fight another.

“It has negatively affected the Turkish people’s sentiments toward the United States,” Cavusoglu said in Turkish.

John McCain warns of ‘tough decisions’ on Syrian Kurds

Cavusoglu claimed the Trump administration and the US military have accepted that the YPG – the dominant force in the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces – is intrinsically linked to the PKK, or Kurdistan Workers’ Party.

The PKK has led a three-decade long insurgency in southeast Turkey and is considered a “terrorist group” by the US. But the US has not extended that designation to the Kurds in Syria, and American military officials have said there’s no evidence the YPG has posed a threat to Turkey in recent years.

“The US military accepts that there is no distinction between the PKK, which is a terrorist organisation, and the YPG. However, the previous administration failed to acknowledge that,” said Cavusoglu, referring to Barack Obama’s government.

“We have repeatedly expressed that it is a mistake to consider cooperation with a terrorist organisation in the guise of the YPG, and in the long term that would be a mistake in Syria.”

Though the US and Turkey share a goal of defeating ISIL in Iraq and Syria, the US has been concerned that Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield is more focused on preventing Syrian Kurds from forming an autonomous region in northern Syria, along Turkey’s border, that could embolden Turkey’s own Kurdish minority.

On Wednesday, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced the operation had ended after its troops and allied rebels secured territory along the border between Turkey and Syria.

“Life is back to normal. Everything is under control,” Yildirim said on Turkey’s NTV news channel.

“Euphrates Shield has ended. If there is a need, a new operation will have a new name.”

Source:Al Jazeera

March 31, 2017
Court approves warrant for ex-leader Park’s arrest

{Ousted president can be held in a cell for up to 20 days while she is probed on multiple charges, including bribery.}

A South Korean court has approved a warrant for ousted President Park Geun-hye, who was removed from office earlier this month over corruption allegations – the first democratically elected leader ever arrested in the country.

Live TV footage showed a black sedan carrying Park entering the detention centre near the capital Seoul early on Friday.

The ruling by the Seoul Central District Court came after Park, 65, faced nearly nine hours of questioning over a number of charges, including bribery and abuse of presidential power.

The court’s decision marks yet another humiliating fall for Park – South Korea’s first female president who was elected in 2012 amid a wave of conservative nostalgia for her late dictator father whose 18-year rule is marked by both rapid economic rise and enormous human rights abuses.

In the coming weeks, prosecutors are expected to formally charge her with extortion, bribery, and abuse of power. A bribery conviction alone is punishable by up to life in prison in South Korea.

Park was held at a prosecutors’ office next door while a judge at the court studied the evidence and arguments to decide on whether to issue the arrest warrant.

“The cause and the need for the warrant are recognised as the main charges against her have been verified and as evidence could be destroyed,” the judge said later in a statement.

South Korea is to hold an election in May to choose Park’s successor.

The former president can now be held in a jail cell for up to 20 days while she being investigated.

Park is expected to be transferred to a south Seoul detention facility for high-profile suspects. There, she may be given a bigger cell than other inmates, but she would be subject to the same rules on everything from meals to room inspections, according to former prosecution and correctional officials.

Park had her removal from office confirmed by the country’s top court on March 10, ending her executive immunity, and her prosecution has been a key demand of millions of people who took to the streets to protest against her.

She has been accused of colluding with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, and a former presidential aide, both of whom have been on trial, to pressure big businesses to donate to two foundations set up to back her policy initiatives.

Park is also accused of soliciting bribes from the head of the Samsung Group for government favours, including the backing of a merger of two Samsung affiliates in 2015 that was seen to support the succession of control over the country’s largest “chaebol” conglomerate.

The former president has denied any legal wrongdoing. She apologised for putting trust in Choi, but said she only let her edit some of her presidential speeches and provide the president with some “public relations” help.

Al Jazeera’s Yaara Bou Melhem, reporting from Seoul, called the court’s ruling “historic”.

“Park is the first democratically elected leader to be detained after being impeached and forced out of office. The court didn’t take their decision lightly. It’s 3:30am now (18:30GMT), and the court hearing ended yesterday evening after a marathon eight hours and 40 minutes hours of arguments about whether this arrest warrant request should be upheld.

“It was the longest hearing ever held for an arrest warrant, and the court eventually ruled in favour of the prosecution, saying the key allegations have been explained and it’s issuing the arrest warrant because there was the potential she could destroy evidence,” Melhem said.

Park, daughter of dictator Park Chung-hee, is also said to have ordered aides to leak secret state files to Choi, and to have cracked down on thousands of artists who had voiced criticism of her or her father’s rule from 1961 to 1979.

Park’s father was gunned down by his own intelligence chief in 1979, five years after his wife was killed in an assassination attempt that targeted him. Park Geun-hye served as first lady after her mother’s death.

Source:Al Jazeera

March 31, 2017