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Mop up arms from gangs, Kimaiyo told

Security experts have urged police to recover small arms and other light weapons in the hands of criminals to reduce the escalating crime rate.

In a report released today in Nairobi, researchers say availability of small arms has led to a sharp increase in criminal activities, especially in major urban centres.

They have also called for more stringent rules in the issuance of firearms to private citizens, saying it is difficult to determine whether the guns have also been used in criminal activities.

In the report by Security Research Information Centre that was released at Laico Regency hotel, Nairobi, early today, Nakuru’s Bondeni estate was identified as the most notorious haven for criminals in informal settlements.

P2

V I S I T E A S T A F R I C A’ S L A R G E S T O I L & G A S E X H I B I T I O N

Ministry of Energy & Petroleum KENYA

16-17 OCTOBER 2014 KICC, NAIROBI OPEN 10 : 00-17: 00

R E G I S T E R F O R F R E E AT W W W. E A O G S . C O M / V I S I T O R S

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NEWS

Mop up arms from gangs, Kimaiyo told WEDNESday, OCTOber 15, 2014

From Page 1

with others,” said Johnson Kyalo, who read the findings.

Manyatta in Kisumu has the least cases of criminal activities among the four slums that were investigated in the report.

The report blames possession of small arms and weapons for the crimes.

Up to 23 per cent of those living in slums have experienced mugging which was also noted as the most committed crime in addition to theft.

In Nairobi, at least 37 per cent of residents have been victims of crime.

Most crimes were committed in the

“This is because most people have low levels of education as most residents drop out at primary level. They have formed organised crime groups like Makaveli, which majority of youth strive to be part of,” the report says.

The list also includes Mishomoroni in Mombasa at second position, with Nairobi’s Kibera ranking third among informal settlements with the highest crime rate.

“Kibera was found to be relatively safer because it has a well-established network of vigilante groups compared

month of December.

The report identified unemployment, poverty and drug abuse as among the major drivers of youth to criminal activities.

It recommends that the youth be educated and their talent exploited to reduce unemployment and poverty as a way of dealing with violence.

Inspector General of Police was the chief guest during the event but had not addressed the gathering by the time of going to press.

survivor: Governor Ali Roba

Mandera Governor survives bomb attack Mandera Governor Ali Roba this morning survived an attack by unknown assailants after an Improvised Explosive Device hit his convoy on his way to office.

One of his bodyguards was injured and vehicles damaged in the 8.40 am incident. Police said the device had been planted on the roadside and timed to

hit the convoy at Rhamu bus stop.

It is not clear who was behind the incident. Kenya Red Cross said two people were injured in the incident.

The blast was the latest in a series of attacks in the area.

Security situation in the county has been complicated by the ongoing clashes between Garreh and Degodia clans.

Muturi dares CIC to sue House over CSs grilling

shifting position: Pope Francis attends a morning session of a two-week synod on family issues at the Vatican.

Vatican back-tracts on gay, lesbian relationships stand The Vatican on Tuesday revised its surprisingly positive assessment of gays and same-sex relationships, saying earlier reports were not the final word from Rome.

In a report on Monday, senior clerics taking part in a review of the Catholic teachings called for a more positive approach to homosexuals. The report said gays and lesbians have “gifts to offer” to the Christian community.

The clergy also acknowledged that same-sex couples can give “precious

support” to one other.The statement was part of an interim report from a meeting of Catholic clergy. It was praised by liberals as it was the first time the Vatican had said anything positive about gay relationships.

Liberals hailed it as a “pastoral earthquake.”

But conservatives complained that the statement did not accurately reflect discussions in which nearly 200 Catholic leaders are debating pastoral approaches to modern family life.

Conservatives termed the statement, which also included positive language on unmarried couples who cohabitate, as “irredeemable.”

“The message has gone out that this is what the Synod is saying, this is what the Catholic Church is saying,” said South African Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier. “It’s not what we’re saying at all.”

And in response to the reactions, the Vatican said the report on gays and lesbians was a “working document” and not the final word from Rome.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has dared the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) to challenge an amendment to Parliament’s Standing Orders that requires Cabinet Secretaries to be grilled by MPs. CIC, The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and civil society groups have opposed the law, with the commission threatening to go to court for a judicial review.

But speaking on Citizen TV’s Big Question last night, Muturi defended the MPs’ move and dared CIC chairman Charles Nyachae to take legal action.

“MPs are allowed to form committees where Cabinet Secretaries can respond to questions. This is just one

such committee and the fact that we sit in the chamber does not make it a plenary.

It is only because we do not have a hall big enough to accommodate all members,” Muturi said.

He said the decision to form the General Oversight Committee was arrived at after it became difficult for committees to handle MPs’ queries.

“The committees have a lot of work scrutinising bills and it has proved difficult for them to adequately respond to members’ questions,” he said.

He said the new committee, which he chairs, will make it easier for the Executive to respond to questions by MPs in shorter periods unlike in the past when it took more than six months to do so.

Teen charged with paying hotel bill using filthy cash It is often said money is dirty.

And a US teenager has been charged with settling bills with money laced with faeces.

The unnamed 17-year-old suspect

from Muncie, Indiana, was charged with buttering money with body waste, which she paid to a restaurant waitress.

The Brothers Bar & Grill waitress

said she saw the teen emerge from the bathroom to place the cash into her back folder. He then cracked into a loud laughter.

On checking the folder, the two

cheques worth Sh180 were covered in a brown substance and foul smell.

TheBigLead.com, a news feed, says a closer look revealed that the substance was faeces. The suspect

was accompanied by three others the Ball State Daily newspaper named as Darrius Conaway, Kennan Noel and Nicholas Isaacs, who are members of the Ball State football team.

Publisher: Paul Marshall, Commercial Director: Neema Wamai, Content Editor: Brian Moseti, Finance Director: Fred Bunei, Editorial team: Amos, Beatrice, Betty, Cynthia, Dennis, Elisha, Jeff, Kennedy, Kibor, Laban, Lisa, Patrick, Peter, Queen, Snorine, Stella, Advertising: Nkirote-0720 807 936, Mutunga-0727 306 244, Magira-0722 616 208, www.x-news.co.ke, news@x-news.co.ke, facebook.com/XnewsKenya, twitter.com/XnewsKenya.

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NEWS

wednsday, OCTOBeR 15, 2014

Tension in KU as candidate is blocked from union polls Tension remains high at Kenyatta University main campus after students last evening protested the barring of a candidate from the student union leadership elections.

The move by the management sparked protests last night as the students blocked the Thika Superhighway demanding that Sammy Owino be allowed to run for the union’s presidency.

Police had expressed fear that fresh riots could erupt today as riot police were placed on alert. Last night, police dispersed students who had blocked the highway.

Kenyans see South Africans as imposing and aggressive Kenyans largely consider South Africans to be imposing and aggressive, a new study has revealed.

In July and August of 2014 researchers from Brand South Africa conducted fieldwork in Kenya and Nigeria to assess other African countries’ views of South Africa and its people. They found that while Kenyan’s may feel a bit uneasy while meeting South Africans for the first time, they had a positive reception of South African products and services, mostly in the food sector, as they are “competitively priced and of high quality.” “At the opposite end, the country and its people’s general openness is attributed to an appealing culture and high level accomplishments in several spheres,” said Dr Petrus de Kock, a research manager at Brand South Africa, said.

On the other hand, South African companies’ perceptions of doing business in Kenya are characterised by what the report describeds as “wariness”, as a result of several failed attempts to invest in the nation.

Kenyatta lauds Kenyans’ unity President Uhuru Kenyatta has applauded Kenyans for remaining united and avoiding falling into the whims of terrorists.

Kenyatta was speaking on Tuesday at the 3 Kenya Rifles Lanet Barracks in Nakuru County where he presided over the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Day. “These terrorists still target

unarmed civilians, hoping to create fear in our hearts, and to divide and sow hatred among us. But broadly speaking, we as a nation have, when it matters most, shown a sense of unity and, therefore, avoided falling into the whims of thieves and murderers,” he said.

On the same issue, President Kenyatta said security is a shared responsibility and urged

NTSA to investigate speed governors’ tampering by PSVs The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) will start using a Universal Policing Unit (UPU) to investigate all-digital speed governors and recorders installed in Public Service Vehicles.

The system will be rolled out across the country in two weeks. The move is expected to ensure all PSVs are fitted with the gadgets and whether the touts or operators have tampered with the equipment.

“The Universal Policing Unit is a hand-held kit that will check the speed limit from the recorder and print out a summary to show if the limit has been exceeded,” said NTSA Director of Road Safety Mathew Munyao.

He said road accidents can be reduced by 30 per cent if PSVs comply with the law.

Stringent traffic regulations introduced by the Government have seen a drop in road carnage across the country.

all Kenyans to play their part in ensuring the country is safe by reporting to the authorities any suspicious elements and activities.

Mr Kenyatta also honoured the gallant Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers for devoting their lives to defending the nation through various military operations, including international peacekeeping

missions all over the world.

“We commemorate our fallen heroes in the knowledge that although they are departed, their spirit lives on with us, and in each one of us,” the President said.

He said Kenya’s men and women in uniform have always inspired a sense of dedication to duty, pride and professionalism in their rank and file.

PAYING TRIBUTE: President Uhuru Kenyatta lays a wreath on a commemoration stone erected in honour of Kenya’s fallen solidiers.

World on red alert against Ebola The world is falling behind in the race to contain Ebola, the United Nations has warned.

UN’s Ebola mission chief Anthony Banbury told UN Security Council that the world is likely to face an entirely unprecedented situation with thousands of new cases predicted

by December if efforts to contain the virus are not beefed up.

“It is running faster than us, and it is winning the race,” Banbury warned. The World Health Organization (WHO) says 4,447 people have died from the outbreak, mainly in West Africa.

Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea have been hardest hit by the outbreak, which began in December 2013 but was confirmed in March.

US President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that “the

world as a whole is not doing enough” to contain the Ebola threat. He is scheduled to discuss the Ebola crisis in a video conference today with British, French, German and Italian leaders, according to the White House.

Mr Banbury issued a stern warning on Tuesday where he told the UN Security Council by video-link from West Africa that if Ebola was not stopped now, the

Consumers to verify goods quality using SMS service Consumers can now verify the quality of products they buy through an SMS hotline.

The system has been launched by the Ministry of Industrialisation to curb substandard and counterfeit goods in the Kenyan market.

Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed asked Kenyans to ensure they only buy products bearing the mark of standardisation

to help eradicate fake goods.

“Counterfeit goods are estimated to cost the economy at least Sh70 billion annually. We must join hands in this fight,” he said.

The Government also plans to leverage on technology to lure Kenyans into avoiding substandard and counterfeit goods by releasing instant information on the status of a product.

CAREFULNESS: Medical workers in Ebola-stricken Liberia disinfect their tools. The UN says the world is not fighting the disease as strongly as it should.

world would “face an entirely unprecedented situation for which we do not have a plan”.

“If we do not get ahead of the crisis, if we do not reach our targets and the number of people with Ebola rises dramatically as some have predicted, the plan we have is not scalable to the size of such a new crisis,” he said.

He called for more money to build treatment centres and more medical personnel to staff them. It follows the WHO’s latest projections suggesting the infection rate could reach 5,000 to 10,000 new cases a week within two months if global efforts to combat the spread of infection were not stepped up.

There have been 8,914 cases overall, including the fatal cases, and the WHO says it expects this number to top 9,000 by the end of the week.

The WHO estimates its figures by taking the numbers of confirmed cases and multiplying them - from Guinea by 1.5, from Sierra Leone by 2 and from Liberia by 2.5 - to account for underreporting.

Equity, American Express card deal After 18 months of talks, Equity Bank and American Express have finally launched the American Express Cards in Kenya.

Equity Bank will be the first bank in Africa in 40 years to issue the cards. The facilities come in gold and green categories which give a range of opportunities and benefits for holders based on personal, lifestyle and financial needs.

Equity CEO James Mwangi said the partnership with American Express will ensure clients have a convenient one-stop international payment system that offers freedom of modern banking in a fastpaced world.

He said card holders will enjoy access to over 158 international American Express partners, 4,500 businesses and earn loyalty points with every purchase using the card. The points will not have expiry date.

“For every 100 spent at merchants and 200 on ATMs, customers earn one point. Accumulated points can be redeemed to book flights, hotel stays, and retail

Andrew stewart

vouchers or channelled towards charitable institutions,” he said.

Andrew Stewart, American Express Vice President and General Manager Partner Card Services Turkey, Middle East and Africa, said the partnership marks a vital milestone for American Express. Stewart said the liaison presents a unique opportunity for Kenyan consumers to benefit from outstanding rewards and benefits.

“The Green card is ideal for holders who wish to spend at local merchants in Kenya while the Gold card offers additional tier of travel and

lifestyle benefits suited for more frequent travellers,” said Stewart.

Additional benefits of the cards include travel accident insurance, travel inconvenience insurance

and retail protection insurance. The insurance covers mobile phone theft, access to emergency cash services and 48-hour card replacement services.

Universal Studios to open China theme park

A $3.3billion (Sh294 billion) 300 –acre theme park will be opened in China by Universal Studios in 2019.

The planning of the park has taken 13 years and renowned Hollywood director Steven Spielberg will help in design work for the Beijing Universal Park.

The facility will be one of the largest for Universal Studios. It will include movie-themed attractions featured at other Universal parks in Los Angeles, Orlando, Japan and Singapore.

It will also comprise attractions specifically created for China and a first-ever Universalthemed resort hotel.

China’s fast-growing entertainment industry has become an investment hub for film studios.

DreamWorks has invested in a $3.1billion (Sh276.9billion) entertainment complex which is expected to open in 2016 in Shanghai.

Walt Disney’s has also invested $4.4billion (Sh392040000000) on a theme park, which is expected to open in the same year as Dream Works’.

A PricewaterhouseCoopers global study expects the growth in China’s entertainment and media market to more than double from 2013 to $148 billion (Sh13.2 trillion) by 2015. The growth has been sparked by a rapidly-growing middle class that spends more on entertainment and travel.

SHOWBİZ CENTRE: The Sh294 billion 300–acre theme park includes a replica of movie-themed attractions offered by Universal parks in Los Angeles, Orlando, Japan and Singapore.

BUSiness | 5 WEDNESday, OCTOber 15, 2014

Consumer rights Consumers’ wary over mobile phones privacy, says study Today’s consumer of mobile phone devices is more concerned about privacy than any other issue, a study has revealed.

The MEF’s Fourth Global Consumer Survey has revealed that mobile phone privacy is the biggest concern for consumers. The study examined consumer behaviour from thousands of respondents in 15 countries.

Kenya remains the world leader in mobile banking, with 93 per cent of Kenyans using mobile devices for financial transactions.

Data from the Banking Fraud Investigations Department (BFID) shows financial institutions lost about Sh1.49 billion to fraud between April 2012 and April 2013.

During the year, Kenya Bankers Association IT manager Fidelis Muya said many banks “lost huge sums of cash to mobile banking fraud.” The union, in conjunction with secu-

rity agencies, is working to curb the trend.

The survey comes as Equity Bank plans to unveil an ‘Overlay SIM’ product. The ultra-thin smart SIM enables users to access mobile money services without the use of dual-SIM phones.

The Groupe Spéciale Mobile Association (GSMA) Security Group has since warned of possible risks in the use of the new SIM. GSMA is a global association of mobile operators and related companies devoted to supporting the promotion of the GSM mobile telephone system “The exposure of the channel between the SIM and device to eavesdropping has been in existence for many years but there is no evidence that it has been exploited,” says a recent report by the Security Group.

“However, the Overlay SIM provides a tool that could be used to commit fraud and/or compromise customer privacy.”

jobmarket

KPA to recruit accountants, support officers The Kenya Ports Authority has called for qualified candidates to apply for up to 15 open positions in the parastatal.

The Authority plans to hire a scheme accountant, three senior corporate applications officers, a senior support officer, a principal corporate applications officer, a principal information technology officer and a principal business applications officer.

KPA is also looking for applicants for positions of senior fire officer, senior estate and rating officer, senior quality assurance officer, senior internal auditor for information technology (IT), principal risk management officer and senior risk management officer.

“Interested candidates should have excellent ICT and communication skills with the ability to achieve results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities and deadlines,” a spokesperson for the Authority said. “KPA is an equal opportunity employer and female candidates and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.”

Candidates should address CVs to The Director, Executive Selection Division, Deloitte Consulting Limited, Deloitte Place, Muthangari, P O Box 40092 00100, Nairobi, Kenya.’

They can alternatively send e-mail applications to ‘esd@deloitte.co.ke’ before October 24, 2014.

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BUSiness

creditpointer

WEDNESday, OCTOber 15, 2014

Premier loans: what you need to know

Energy Commission to unveil pricing model for cooking gas The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is set to publish recommended prices of cooking gas in the coming months in a bid to cushion the public from rising prices and money-hungry distributors.

Joe Ng’ang’a, the ERC’s Director General says the commission has noted that there is exorbitant pricing

for cooking gas, commonly referred to as Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), especially in urban centres.

Over the past few weeks, the average price for a 13-kilogram cylinder of cooking gas has reached a high of about Sh3,100, up from Sh2,600 in 2012.

This represents a jump of

almost Sh500 over the past two years.

Ng’ang’a says the commission is currently working on a pricing model with stakeholders, which is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

“We have already worked on the initial draft of the pricing model and shared it with the

Industry,” he explained in an earlier statement.

“Once we finalise with the industry we will share it with the wider stakeholders; thereafter we can publish the prices in a bid to empower consumers,” he said.

The commission is also seeking to regulate cooking gas prices in a proposed energy bill,

which has been finalised and is set to be presented to the Energy Cabinet Secretary, Davis Chirchir who will then present it to Parliament.

This comes as the Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA) raised alarm over the escalating cases of illegal trade in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

hustlersector

smartmove

Street shoe vendors make upto Sh27,000 a month Street shoe vendors have been around for decades. If you’re thinking of becoming a street shoe vendor, there are many regulations you’ll have to follow, but it can be an enjoyable, lucrative business to be in.

An average Nairobi street shoe vendor can take home up to Sh27,000 a month.

In a study titled, ‘Street Vendors in Nairobi, Kenya: A Situational and Policy Analysis’, researcher Philomena Muiruri discovered that street vendors require between Sh2,000 and Sh4,000 as capital to start their business.

This money is what they would use to stock up on supplies which can keep their business running for as long as 5 days. They

buy shoes for roughly between Sh50 and Sh300 a pair and go on to sell them for at least twice as much.

While not all vendors are successful, this study found out that an average of 15 per cent of them make about Sh9,000 a month with 5 per cent making almost twice as much.

“The prices of shoes sold by street vendors are priced lower than in supermarkets and other formal businesses,” explains Jacob Olang’o Onyango from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the Maseno University.

MAN AT WORK: A Shoe vendor displays his wares under a makeshift canopy along a walkpath in Nairobi

Not many banks are willing to give people loans of up to Sh2.5 million, and those that are, may require the borrowers to follow a strict set of rules before they get the money.

Premier Kenya Limited, a microfinance institution with operations in Kenya and Uganda has come up with Premier Personal Loans, a service that caters to those who may not have collateral like land or a business, but have been formally employed.

As an organization that provides financial services to entrepreneurs, low income earners and salaried individuals, Premier’s Personal Loan offers borrowers between Sh2,500 and Sh2,500,000.

The service offers borrowers a loan term of up to 12 months.

A loan term is the period over which a loan agreement is in force.

It is the period before or at the end of which the loan should either be repaid or renegotiated for another duration.It is only available to individuals who are permanently employed.

HIGHY REWARDING: A farmer holds an Aloe Vera leaf. Farmers in Baringo have beaten uncertain weather conditions by focussing on the drought resistant Aloe Vera.

Baringo livestock farmers switch to aloe vera farming chasing profits Uncertain weather conditions are every farmer’s horror.

However some farmers in Baringo County are securing a win with aloe vera despite the county’s harsh climatic conditions.

Aloe vera, a droughtresistant plant, has helped local farmers supplement their incomes, which comes majorly from livestock trade.

They are making an extra Sh20,000 every month selling aloe vera sap According Aloe-Bio-

Enterprise Development Project ‘s leader Joseph Ng’etich, the harvested sap is used to make medicine, soaps, shampoos and body creams.

“Our members deliver aloe sap to various collection centres, mainly in Loruk and Kolowa,” explains Mr Ng’etich, adding that aloe sap is also boiled, cooled and left to harden before being packed in 50-kilogram sacks ready for the market.

Aloe vera seeds are also

harvested and sold at about Sh1,000 a kilogramme.

The plant does not require weeding and can survive without the use of expensive pesticides and fertilisers.

Once planted, it can be harvested every five months for more than 20 years.

Despite low production costs, inferior market prices have discouraged many farmers from allocating a lot of their farming space to aloe vera.

Wednesday OCTOBER 15, 2014

ACCESS

Exercise moderately to beat exhaustion

Pg 9

Quicke

The Rabbit invasion When he is not spewing lyrics Kaka Sungura as he loves to be called is proving to be a man of many ideas. Hot on the heels of his highly acclaimed Kiswahili Shakespeare hit song, the Rabbit now has other ideas and they have to do with colour. Dubbed the six colour project; it is a mentorship programme that works to bring a cool approach to sensitive issues. It was created to span across six months with each month taking on a colour that represents an activity or theme. “The aim of the project is to inform and inspire the youth on issues that are sensitive,” said Rabbit. The project started in July with colour Orange representing teen pregnancy, sex education, use of contraceptives and safe sex.

August was the Blue month which represented young people and self- employment and begged to answer the nagging question as to why youth prefer self-employment. “In August we basically were asking the youth on why they would rather earn 15-20 k in self-employment than more in gainful employment,” said Rabbit.

In September, the theme was Green where the youth were engaged on discussions around peace and tribalism. This month the colour theme is Pink for breast cancer. The pink month is to make young people more aware of breast cancer and cancer in general. November and December will have the yellow and red color theme respectively. The yellow will represent domestic violence towards both men and women, violence against children and being your brother’s keeper. Red will represent HIV/ AIDS. Rabbit stresses that as a musician, and a rapper more precisely, he had to devise a cooler way of communicating with his fans

and stirring discussion on sensitive matters.

He has collaborated with other celebrities on this project like Khaligraph Jones, Nonini, Nameless, and Liz Njuguna of Ghetto radio, Nessa, Dela, and many more. “The celebs act as ambassadors and they talk to the youth whenever there is that opportunity or platform,” said Rabbit. How does he engage the youth? Rabbit confesses that social media has given him mileage although he has now incorporated the discussions on his many performances. He is currently on tour until December and the youth engagement platforms is what is keeping him on the road. “Before my concerts I engage with the youth and find out what they are thinking or how they feel about a certain topic,” he says.

The rabbit invasion does not stop at colours and tours. Next year Kaka will launch live sold out concerts to further push his music and engage more intimately with his target audience. He says the big reveal will be in December alongside the launch of his album featuring Wyclef Jean.

Factfile: Real Name: Kennedy Ombima Age: 27 Hit Songs: Ligi Soo Swahili Shakespeare Dodoma Marital status: Single

Big Brother

Kenya fights Nigeria for alpha male slot

Alusa

Tayo

It is official. Daggers are drawn. Gloves are off. Kenya’s Alusa officially challenged the self-proclaimed alphamale lead contender Tayo from Nigeria in what is seen as the real action in the current Big Brother House. A brawl between JJ and Tayo erupted yesterday night as housemates were just chilling. Alusa was forced to interrupt, choosing to side with JJ, angeringthe

already agitated Tayo.

The Nigerian contestant then turned his blow torch to Alusa engaging him in a heated verbal fight. Fellow housemates intervened and broke of the fight.

Lilian led her countryman out of the sleeping quarters in order for him to cool off.

Since last week, there has been friction between JJ and Tayo but it seems Kenya’s Alusa weighed in and stole the show.

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HOME & LIVING

wednesday, october 15, 2014

homeimprovement

Choosing the couch Furniture play a very important role in the decor of a home. They should not only be aesthetic, but also comfortable to use. There is no point in having furniture that looks lovely and beautiful but is not comfortable to use. That is why the house center piece namely the couch requires special attention.

Whether it is your bachelor pad or family home, the couch must be well thought out and carefully chosen if buying or custom making. Remember it is the one piece of furniture you and your guests will spend the most time sitting on.

“Sometimes all you need is a beautiful and comfortable couch and all falls into place,” says Simon Ndungu, Interior Designer at Karen Interiors D&D. So what are some of the tips that can help you find that perfect couch?

First is the frame construction, a good couch needs to be strong and well built. Secondly you should look for a couch that has good cushions and is well padded.

Thirdly you should look at its aesthetic aspect; whether or not it is appealing to your eyes and if it will coordinate with your home décor. Last but not least, you should consider comfort and fit.

Sounds too much? You will thank me later if you followed these simple tips to get your perfect couch.

DIY A smooth smart furniture paintjob is not only admirable, but also a compliment to home décor for that much sought after faultless look.

Non-experts trying to reinstate dilapidated or changing the previous colour may plunge their work into flaws of molehills ropes and teary paint, denying you that flat uniform finish on your chairs, doors cabinets

Inthekichen

Maximize space usage with

kitchen islands Many visitors means more dining space.

An kitchen island lets you place a few chairs for dining for the extra visitors

There can never be too much space in a kitchen!

Adding a kitchen island increases the space for more working and storage areas.

Michael Kagia says kitchen islands can double your storage space and half your working time in the kitchen, how about that?

The S&S Interior Designs Director says islands in the kitchen lets you increase cabinetry. “Drawers and shelves can double your space. Instead of those high cabinets on the wall you fill up with frequently used items or food, you place them on the Island for convenience,” he says. The director says this in turn increases efficiency at the same time reducing chances of having to stretch over hot appliances and foods to reach for items stored in the cabinets above.

It also allows you to place snacks and other small foods for children to enjoy nearby, instead of having them climbing up and down opening every appliance.

Handling many types of food in the

kitchen when having visitors especially at a party can be tricky. But a kitchen island will let you ‘devolve’ other cooking appliances like grills to others who can help fasten food preparation.

Similarly, traffic to one cooking point is reduced, minimizing chances of accidents too. Many visitors means more dining space. An island kitchen lets you place a few chairs for dining for the extra visitors.

Kagia says a small family can also eat from the island instead of at the dining area.

It can be customized to increase its functionality, for instance plumbing, wiring and owel racks can make them diverse in purpose.

It is also an easier way of defining open homes. Placing it at the kitchen will define the place as the kitchen, while at the same time giving it a focal point in the open space.

Besides adding more space to your squeezed kitchen, it helps ‘eat up’ the free space of those elaborate kitchens. It makes the room look tidier.

ADDING COLOUR TO YOUR FURNITURE

or dining tables. Dennis Omwansa says dust particle must be wiped away to give the surface a smooth look even before the paint. Particles make the surface rough and less appealing. The paint expert says brushes with long bristle do a better job than short ones.

“A longer brush will let you stroke with freedom, letting the paint flow

in uniform. Short brushes have handles almost to the bristles. While stroking, you are likely to exert more pressure on the wet coating, causing contours,” he says. Partitioning the paintjob gives uniform and consistent thickness of paint on individual pieces.

Painting in large scale reduces your concentration to the thick or thin

layering, as you rush to cover more, making more mistakes. You may only be consistent at the beginning.

Doing the work in bits ensures perfection before moving on to the next.

Quick succession strokes can help catch on those run-away paints that will create ropes on the finished job. Overloaded brushes result in

uneven distribution of paint and non-uniform layers. Avoid dipping the bristles more than halfway into the paint.

In case your brush is overloaded knock it gently on the sides of the can to remove the excess.

He says filling cracks, holes, bends and disintegrating joints will result in perfect work.

Workout

HEALTH & FITNESS | 9 wednesday, october 15, 2014

Healthtips Fatigue, along with mood and depression, were proven to ease after a single 30-minute moderate intensity exercise session

Exercise to beat exhaustion

Have you been feeling tired all the time lately? Do you have mood swings and can’t understand why?

Your natural instinct will definitely tell you to grab that comfort food you have stashed at the back of your cupboard, sit back and relax.

Anything or anyone trying to distract you from your zone will receive a good share of your foul mood.

The last thing you would want to do when you are feeling like this is exercise. The sheer thought of you getting all sweaty, lifting weights or even taking those long walks gives you a migraine. But did you know that exercising will actually boost your energy levels?

According to a study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise reveals that fatigue along with mood and depression improved after a single 30-minute moderate intensity exercise session.

The key to getting that burst of energy after a workout is

exercising moderately and regularly.

Less is more meaning you would rather opt for 20 – 30 minute light workout sessions than 1 hour strenuous sessions. Samantha Heller, a nutritionist, gives some tips to get those energy levels on high.

Indulge your taste buds in some fruit before the work out session which will provide more energy to be broken down in preparation of the exercise.

“This allows food, which is a form of energy, to be broken down and the nutrients enter the bloodstream, while preparing the body for work resulting to more energy during and after the workout,” she says.

Water is life.

Ensure you are well hydrated before, during and after your workout to help minimize workout related fatigue. “Dehydration is an important cause of fatigue, so to get the most energy out of every workout, be sure to stay hydrated,” she says.

However, be sure not to overwork yourself which will have counterproductive effects on your energy levels and health in general.

Next time you are feeling all lackluster and sluggish, with the comfortable couch seductively calling you by your three names, ignore those feelings and reach for your gym bag. You will not only elevate your mood but also ensure you have that clean bill of health.

HEALTHY FOODS FOR A FAB BODY so you are thinking of looking fabulous before the holiday season? Eat these foods and watch how fast the fat melts and you fit into your BLD! Spinach Spinach was made popular by Popeye who when he would feel drained, would open up a can of spinach eat it, and would be fired up in seconds. Spinach is rich in iron, therefore it restores energy, increases vitality and improves the quality of blood. Spinach is also an excellent source of vitamin A, K and C. One can substitute spinach with Sukuma wiki or cabbage.

Yogurt There are different varieties of yoghurt options in the supermarket these days. Yoghurt contains calcium and Vitamin D. Calcium has beneficial qualities to the bone by restoring brittle bones and making them stronger. Yoghurt also contains a huge amount of beneficial bacteria that helps boost one’s immune system. Not forgetting yoghurt helps cure yeast infections. A scoop a day keeps the yeast away.

Tomatoes Tomatoes have an antioxidant called lycopene.

Studies have shown that a diet rich in tomatoes reduces one’s risk of bladder, lung, prostate, and stomach cancer. A study by Dr. Edward Giovannucci of the Harvard University School of Public Health, said that eating tomato based diet will reduce the risk of getting prostate cancer by 21 to 43 percent.

Carrots Carrots are a great source of Vitamin A, C, Calcium and iron. Antioxidants in carrots help reduce the risk of a range of cancers. The Vitamin A properties are also considered to be great for correcting vision.

Grab a carrot and munch on it is that easy.

10 |

FASHION

wednesday, OCTOBeR 15, 2014

Fashionscoop Extremetrend

CRAZY ACHILLES PIERCINGS

OF KENYAN INSPIRED FASHION DESIGNERS

The current fascination with piercings, goes to show that people can pierce any part of their body including their Achilles.

The Achilles piercing is done between the Achilles tendon and the leg bones.

One needs to have a threshold of pain in order to get it done and be prepared for a lot more than the initial pain of the piercing and discomfort during the early stages of the healing process.

A large sharp hollow needle is used to make the needed holes and since it is not a standard surgery procedure, it is not performed by a qualified surgeon so no anaesthetic is administered If done incorrectly, the piercings can limit movement or even worse cripple someone. If done successfully, a religious aftercare regime should be followed for over a year or more to ease the pain of the piercings.

Bar studs are then inserted on the holes made. The piercings are deep thus will take a really long time to and will often swell and irritate. The studs, are never to be removed unless one wants to close up the holes. When removed, the exterior hole closes up within minutes and the interior one closes fully within 20 minutes.

Moocow is one of the most established fashion houses in the country today.

Founded in 2002 by Wambui Njogu and Carol Wahome, who are the also the head designers, they have gained a reputation for designing unique contemporary African fashion that draws its inspiration from the different Kenyan cultures.

Their clothes usually feature suede beaded decorations and as far as fabrics go, they have a liking for Khanga, leather and Kitenge.

Women’s clothes are their specialty but they occasionally feature a men’s line in their collections.

They are not just a clothes only fashion house, they also design shoes, handbags and jewellery, all made from African materials.

They have showcased on international and local runways such as; Botswana Fashion week, Cape Town fashion week South Africa, Copenhagen fashion week Denmark and Swahili Fashion week.

Hotgossip Chris Brown says Ebola is a form of population control No he did not! Yes he did, R&B singer Chris Brown had an outburst on twitter on which he claimed that Ebola is a form of population control. Brown posted, ‘I don’t know ... But I think this Ebola epidemic is a form of population control.

S*** is getting crazy bruh.’ The post has received over 29 000 retweets so far.

Dozens of people have ridiculed and criticized the artist for his comments. A few minutes after sending the tweet, he sent out another one; ‘Let me shut my black a** up!’ Clearly the man still needs help a nut may be loose in his head.

Vera Sidika is back from Dubai Vera Sidika has had enough of gallivanting in Dubai and is back. All the yacht parties, shopping and staying in luxurious hotels sadly came to an end as the bootylicious socialite jetted back into the country in style. Vera flew business class on Emirates airlines to Nairobi and was constantly keeping her more than 64,000 followers on Instagram updated by posting pictures of her trip back. Sources say Vera had secretly jetted out to sort the hot mess that had become her bleached, no, enhanced skin!

Mariah Carey wardrobe malfunction

Same script, different cast. During a performance in Chengdu, China Mariah Carey flashed her fans.

Mariah’s gold ensemble comprised of a plunging corset and a teeny tiny skirt. All her assets, were out for people to see. Luckily Mariah had covered up everything with undies. But still, flashing undies?.

Imagine the trauma if she did not have undies on?

Former Mr Kenya hates on other pageants

We remember Odada Okello for a mong other things being the longest serving Mr Kenya.

Yesterday Odada took to Facebook to vent about other fake beauty pageants ‘I am sick and tired of this confusion,

what do you tell fellow models when you are to Philippines on an obscure earth event and your true colleagues are off to London for the real crown?

‘He seethed in part. Turns out there are too many pageants purporting to be Miss Kenya and Odada is not pleased.

PLAY | 11

forecast capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19

HOROSCOPES

Expect many advantageous changes to take place in your community, Capricorn. New businesses could open their doors, interesting neighbors could move in, or some necessary repairs could finally get done. You might spend a lot of time in the car or on the phone and spreading the news.

aquarius Jan 20 - Feb

Now this trend seems to be coming to a head. Today you might start or close some type of agreement that will make a big difference to your finances. Your money situation should not only improve but also stabilize at a level higher than it’s ever been.

pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20

You tend to be practical and businesslike by nature, Pisces, but the tremendous growth you’ve experienced may increase your desire to be as sensible and efficient as possible in order to continue this trend. You’re feeling upbeat and positive. You’re likely to continue to feel this way.

Aries Mar 21 - Apr 19

You probably think of yourself as a curious intellectual, Aries, but a recent expansion in career and finance has brought out talents for business and money that you didn’t know you had.

This has been a time not only of success and good fortune but also of learning more about yourself.

taurus Apr 20 - May 20

Group activities and social events might bring you into touch with people who prove to be valuable business contacts. Whatever goals you’ve attempted to reach may finally show signs of materializing, possibly through the efforts of others who believe in you.

gemini May 21 - Jun 21

WEDNESday, OCTOber 15, 2014

Success and good fortune are coming thick and fast, with only minor setbacks and irritations to complicate matters. Business, money, and career success are likely to be at an all-time high, although you might find yourself feeling a little fearful of what comes next. Don’t worry about that. Go with the flow.

cancer Jun 22 - Jul 22

Career and financial success might have paved the way for you to fulfill some of your fondest dreams, Cancer.

Perhaps you’ve wanted to return to college and get an advanced degree, take a trip around the world, or try writing and publishing.

leo Jul 23 - Aug 22

Now that you feel more secure regarding your business and financial situations, Leo, you might be looking for ways to feed your spiritual and metaphysical interests. Your intuitive and psychic abilities should be operating at a very high level, causing you to experience some vivid dreams and visions and receive the insights that come from them.

Vote for your winning pick of today’s top three instamoments (below) by sending an email with the picture number to news@x-news.co.ke 1

2

virgo Aug 23 -Sep 22

Just about every department of life should be going very well for you now, Virgo. Business, finances, and partnerships are likely on their way to success, while personal relationships of all kinds, particularly romantic ones, should also be more rewarding.

libra Sep 23 - Oct 22

Whatever you’re working on at the moment, Libra, whether business related, personal projects, or volunteer work, it’s likely to bring you increased satisfaction on many levels. You’re enjoying what you do, making a difference, and meeting new friends. Your health continues to glow.

scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21

’s o ayhot d er p st ing e Y nn i w

ng s i n n in tio W p ca

It’s likely that your personal and creative horizons are expanding, Scorpio.

Your or another’s artistic enterprises might pay off big today. You could be introduced to people who prove to be valuable contacts as well as new friends.

sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21

A huge get-together of some kind could take place today either at your home or the home of someone close to you, Sagittarius. It’s possible this may turn into more than just a fun party. You might become involved in conversations with people who become valuable business or social contacts.

sudoku

1. Send a caption for the photo above to news@x-news. co.ke. The winning caption gets published on this page.

1. Captain flathead, to the rescue- Benjamin Kamaru, Eastleigh.

2. Finishing school, Africa branch- Jane Kosgey, Karen.

3. I got gas on my head - Justin Tunduri, Nairobi.

The Paper Cowboy — by Kristin Levine

Yesterday’s solution Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeated.

yoursay

3

mustread

Tommy is a bully.

He thinks he’s a cowboy and is constantly playing cruel jokes on his classmates or stealing from the store.

There is a reason why he is acting out like this; life at home is hard. His abusive mother’s mental condition is deteriorating, the sister, Mary Lou, is in hospital after suffering burns from a chore that was Tommy’s turn to perform. To make up, Tommy takes over Lou’s newspaper distributing route. The route opens a way for Tommy to spy on neighbours. What he uncovers threatens to tear the fabric that holds the community together.

Use other ways to hold CSs to account Bringing Cabinet Secretaries to Parliament is not the only way of making them accountable (Ngulu ignores Uhuru on MPs, other CSs vanish October 14, 2014).

CSs are employees of Kenyans and must account to them. But forcing them into Parliament is

retrogressive.

The Constitution demands that they be out of the House and politics. Forcing them to appear in the National Assembly is political interference. They should not be hauled into the House to answer questions in

the name of accountability.

Can’t we hold them accountable in another ways instead of sucking them into this comical arena?

The Constitutional Implementation Commission (CIC) has already said the move

is unlawful.

I’m sure CIC cannot be wrong.

And the supreme law has not failed to identify better ways of ensuring checks and balances of the Executive. Unless of course if MPs want to show us they are working by merely parading the

CSs. Parliamentarians at times claim courts do not respect them. Did they respect the CIC case in court challenging their decision?

Let CSs concentrate on their work and impose checks and balances in other ways.

WEDNESday, OCTOber 15, 2014

WEDNesday, OCTOBER 15, 2014

Sport

Giroud may return ahead of schedule

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that striker Olivier Giroud could return to action ahead of schedule after a successful operation.

Giroud broke his tibia in the come-from-behind 2-2 draw with Everton in August. He was expected to be side-lined for around four months following the Gunners medical staff ’s initial diagnosis.

But following surgery on

the injury earlier this week, Wenger has revealed the France international is now hoping to return before the end of the year.

“Olivier Giroud is recovering very well,” Wenger said.

“I believe he is ahead of schedule in terms of rehabilitation. The operation went perfectly.”

The Gunners boss also hinted he could change his formation when Giroud returns in order

to accommodate both the Frenchman and new striker Danny Welbeck, who has made a solid start to his career at the Emirates.

“Welbeck and him can play together in the centre or separately,” Wenger said.

“Welbeck also played on one side to Manchester United.

Welbeck played in the same team with Rooney and van Persie. He can play down the sides.”

upbeat: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says France international Olivier Giroud is hoping to return to action before the end of the year.

Handsome prizes on offer for Machakos bicycle race Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua says he is focused on improving sports ahead of this weekend’s inaugural and unique Tour de Machakos bicycle race.

The two-day event set for Saturday and Sunday has eight categories. These include Elite, Junior (under 19 years), and Family Fun, Veterans (over 40 years), Corporate, Media, Ladies and Black Mamba.

“We launched the event to support all sporting activities in the county. It will be the

first in the region and maybe in Kenya. After this, we want to move to bigger events,” said Mutua.

The first day’s race will start at Machakos People’s Park to Kathiani and back, while the second starts at Masii to Kithimani through Makutano ma Mwala–Kithimani Road and back.

The overall winner will take home Sh250,000, an iPad, Safaricom airtime worth Sh1,000 and a Tour de Machakos t-shirt First runners-up will pocket

Sh100,000, Safaricom airtime worth Sh500 and a Tour de Machakos t-shirt.

Third runners-up will win Sh50,000, Safaricom airtime worth Sh250 and a Tour de Machakos t-shirt.

In the Black Mamba category, winners will take home Sh100,000, a new black mamba bicycle, Safaricom airtime worth Sh1,000 and Tour de Machakos t-shirt, Sh70,000, Sh50,000, Sh30,000 and Sh20,000 will be for second third fourth and fifth respectively.

14 |

SPORT

WEDNESday, OCTOber 15, 2014

Fergie backs Man U spending extravaganza Alex Ferguson has backed Louis van Gaal’s decision to overhaul Manchester United’s struggling squad with a major spending spree.

Van Gaal was hired to clean up the mess left by David Moyes, whose brief reign as Ferguson’s successor at Old Trafford ended with the club at their lowest ebb for two decades.

United responded by hiring van Gaal and handing the Dutch coach significant funds to breathe new life into the team.

Van Gaal splashed out over Sh21.19billion on Angel di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Ander Herrera, Marcus Rojo and Luke Shaw.

The new signings have helped United into the Premier League’s top four already despite some indifferent performances and Ferguson, who retired after winning the title in 2013, is in no doubt that fresh faces were needed.

Referring to the capture of Di Maria from Real Madrid, he said. “When you can identify ability like that for Manchester United, they have the resources to do that – fees I never quite equalled but they

star power: Radamel Falcao was part of van Gaal Sh21.19billion summer acquisition.

Police eye play-off slot National Men’s Hockey Premier League champions Kenya Police are confident they will advance to the playoff spot at the end of the season.

With three matches remaining, Police lie third in the seven-team pool A with six points, two behind Green Sharks and one less of USIU. Team Manager Tom Odeng has no doubt the law enforcers are in for the challenge with their sights set

on defending the title.

Police, who lost to table toppers Sharks in their first match, have won two matches in a row. They have only three more matches to the play offs.

“We were slow on the blocks but we’ve worked had and our eyes are set on the remaining three matches. We simply need two wins and we are in,” he said.

Green Sharks’ final pool matches will be against league debutants Nakuru Sikh away in Nakuru and against Kisumu Simba who are yet to play a match this season. The lake side can still make it to the semi-finals if they win all their six matches.

Nakuru Sikh are yet to win a match this season and are bottom of Pool A with no point. Fifth-placed Park Road too are out of the running for a play-off berth.

needed a big injection this year,” he said.

On the other signings he added: “Herrera played against us three years ago for Bilbao, he’s a talented young player and we scouted him quite a lot. He’s quite aggressive for a lad who doesn’t have a great frame,” “I watched Rojo at the World Cup and thought he did well. He’s capable of playing left side or centre back,” “We tried to get Luke Shaw when he was 16. They (Southampton) wouldn’t sell him but they always said we’d be the first to know if they decided to sell.

He’s a talented boy, good footballer and likes to get forward,” “Daley Blind is a common-sense footballer, a version of Darren Fletcher a few years ago. Falcao is the one we’re all waiting to see, he’s got fantastic goal-scoring ability.”

Despite the big-money arrivals, Ferguson is pleased that van Gaal has decided to use the club’s academy as well, with youngsters Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett both featuring in defence this season.

Jules Bianchi won’t give up, vows father

Marussia’s Jules Bianchi “will not give up” despite remaining in a critical condition after crashing at the Japanese Grand Prix, his father, Philippe Bianchi, has said.

The Frenchman, 25, suffered severe head injuries when he collided with a recovery vehicle at Suzuka.

“The situation is desperate. Every

time the telephone goes, we know it could be the hospital to tell us that Jules is dead,” Philipe said, “He will not give up, I’m sure of that. I can see it. I believe it. I speak to him. I know he can hear me,” “His doctors have told us that this is already a miracle, no one has ever survived such a serious accident.

no surrender: Jules Bianchi remains in critical condition after crashing at the Japanese Grand Prix.

But Jules won’t give-up,” he added.

His trainer Andrea says that if there is one person who can make it happen with his will, it’s Jules.”

Philippe said the family have been touched by the show of support from other Formula 1 drivers, who gathered at the front of the grid ahead of the Russian Grand Prix, arms around each other’s shoulders, forming a ‘circle of solidarity’ for Jules.

“I’ve never seen anything like that, it touched us very deeply. We thank every one of them. So many of them have been in touch, Fernando Alonso, Jean-Eric Vergne, Felipe Massa have all written to me with very strong messages,” he said, “Hamilton wrote me a beautiful email in which he says that if there is anything he can do, he’s there.

SPORT | 15

Cricket Australia new options WEDNESday, OCTOber 15, 2014

change looms: Australian cricket players during a recent league clash. Authorities in Australia are considering the introduction of a draft in what could mark revolutionary changes to how the game is played and managed.

Cricket authorities are considering the introduction of a draft in what could be a revolutionary change to the game in Australia.

Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Team Performance Pat Howard will meet representatives from states, Australian Cricketers’ Association and CA board members in Sydney on Thursday.

The meeting will discuss plans to compete with other codes for young talent and more evenly distribute emerging players across the country.

A possible draft, where Australia’s top teenage prospects could be spread around the states will be a key talking point.

This would be a landmark change to the game which is based on state loyalty since first-class cricket was first played in Australia more than 150 years ago.

Howard, the former Wallaby now overseeing Australia’s national teams, has for months been working on ideas to shake-up the pathway system for months. He believes the sport must act to combat the threat of AFL and other sports and create a more level playing field between states.

“We’re not after all athletes but we want to make sure we keep the cricketers. I’m open to things like drafts,” Howard said. “We’re going to throw a whole heap of things on the table.”

A rookie draft would likely be met by strong opposition from big states like NSW, who would bristle at the idea of losing players produced inside their borders.

Cricket’s minimum rookie contracts are worth a maximum of Sh3,92 million, short of the Sh5.24million base payment for AFL rookies.

UK heavyweight boxer Suarez is fit for Clasico, says Barca star Iniesta focuses on world title Heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua says he will not be carried away even as pundits tip him as the next the next Lennox Lewis or the new Muhammad Ali. While the extravagant comparisons are being tossed in his direction, Joshua is keeping his progress from Olympic gold medallist to prospective world heavyweight champion in rational perspective.

“The potential is there,” he says, “but it will take a lot more graft and grind to make the dream a reality.”

As he turns 25 this week, Joshua knows the journey takes a darn sight longer than the nine fights totalling 25 ring minutes which constitute the first year of his professional career.

He is also aware he will encounter along that road bigger, fitter, tougher and considerably more talented opponents than the portly old Kazakh he used as a punch bag at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night.

“Not everyone will fold like that under pressure,” he says of Denis Bakhtov, whom he reduced to a bloody, albeit still standing, pulp inside two rounds.

Whether the 39-year-old Michael Sprott will muster sterner defiance is debatable.

But in the context of Joshua’s learning curve, the fight should provide more useful experience.

A truer litmus test could come from the fights which promoter Eddie Hearn is

Andres Iniesta has said he believes Luis Suarez is fit and ready to make his Barcelona debut in the Clasico at Real Madrid on October 25.

Uruguay international Suarez, who arrived at the Camp Nou from Liverpool in the summer, was banned from football for four months after biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup. He has since been allowed to train with teammates and play international friendlies after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The Uruguayan media said Suarez was “far from his best” as he made his first international appearance since being banned for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup. He played 69 minutes of the friendly against Saudi Arabia, setting up the opening goal in a 1-1 draw when his volley came back off the post and went in off a defender for an own goal, and scored twice in the 3-0 friendly win in Oman on Monday.

“He has trained well, he feels

very good, and I believe he is ready and fit to play. Then it is up to the coach to decide who plays.”

The Spain midfielder was speaking after winning the 2014 Golden Foot award, given to footballers aged 28 or over, and voted for by fans online.

“I am grateful to the people who have voted for me,” he said.

Others nominated for the award included Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Manuel Neuer, Andrea Pirlo, Thiago Silva and Franck Ribery.

Rumour mills claim soccer star Eto’o, Amber dating It’s just been a couple of weeks since news of Amber Rose and Wiz Khalifa’s divorce came out, but it hasn’t taken long for the rumour mill to get to work.

Amber was spotted hanging out in a club with footballer Samuel Eto’o, with sources saying the two are dating.

Eto’o’s car was spotted outside her hotel in the early morning before her arrival. Samuel, happily married to childhood sweetheart Georgette, at-

tempted to go incognito.

He wore a black leather cap pulled down over his eyes as he stepped out in a brown coat over a black top, teamed with jeans and black trainers.

And the ex-girlfriend of Kanye West certainly looked alluring for her night out, adorning her curves in a form-fitting long black backless dress with a Bardot neckline.

The eye-catching number featured a long split, which travelled all the way around her torso,

and was held together with a set of pins, giving way at her thighs to show off her shapely legs.

She teamed the dress with a pointy pair of lattice-style booties, accessorising with a simple pair of diamond studs.

The mother-of-one looked resplendent in a burgundy dress with a plunging neckline, brought in at the waist with a jewelled black belt.

i’m hiding: Amber Rose (right) was spotted hanging out in a club with Cameroon soccer star Samuel Eto’o who wore a black leather cap pulled down over his eyes.

16 |

SPORT

wednsday, october 15, 2014

Neymar humiliates Japan Serbia, Albania match disrupted by political drone

Serbia’s match with Albania was abandoned after a drone carrying a political message sparked clashes involving players and fans on the Partizan Stadium pitch English referee Martin Atkinson interrupted the match in the 41st minute, when Serbia defender Stefan Mitrovic managed to grab the banner and Albania players tried to protect it. Several Serbian fans invaded the pitch and clashed with Albania players.

Elsewhere, John O’Shea scored in his 100th international for Ireland in the fourth minute of stoppage time to give his side a dramatic 1-1 draw with World Cup titleholder Germany, which suffered another setback in Group D after losing 2-0 in Poland. O’Shea cancelled out a goal from Toni Kroos in the 71st as Ireland joined Poland on top of Group D with seven points from three matches.

Cristiano Ronaldo also scored in the fourth minute of injury time to give Portugal a 1-0 win over Denmark and put his team’s campaign back on track after a stunning 1-0 loss at home to Albania in Group I. In Warsaw, Poland drew 2-2 with Scotland to remain top of Group D on goal difference over Ireland, while Georgia won 3-0 at Gibraltar. Northern Ireland continued to stun opponents in Group F, winning 2-0 in Greece.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Neymar, who scored all the goals in their 4-0 demolishing of Japan, celebrating. The forward is now among the top five scorers in Brazil’s international history, having passed Bebeto’s tally of 39.

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Neymar once again stole the show by scoring four goals - including a perfect hat-trick- as Brazil continued their strong start under new manager Dunga by sweeping aside Japan in Singapore. Just three days after Brazil saw off Argentina in the Superclasico de las Americas, Neymar, the country’s 22-year-old captain and talisman, was unstoppable after opening the scoring in the first half.

The striker put in a superb display and his quartet of goals included one with his left foot, one with his right foot and one with his head. And it was from one such moment of combination that Brazil went ahead after 18 minutes, the Barcelona forward striking the angle of post and bar with a beautiful

free kick. Japan continued to make their opponents work, Kobayashi proving a handful up front and Tanaka providing energy from midfield, but they rarely forced Jefferson in the Brazil goal to make a save as Dunga’s side began to take control.

And in the second half it was the Neymar show, the 22-year-old sliding home from a brilliant Coutinho pass, tucking home a rebound after the Liverpool midfielder had seen a shot saved, and then rising highest at the back post to score a fourth.

The Barcelona needed no second invitation.

With the likes of Oscar, Willian and Coutinho, and later Kaka and Robinho, feeding his runs, Neymar could even have had more.

Government steps in to support IAAF bid The Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture yesterday agreed to offer the required Government financial guarantees for the country’s 2017 IAAF World Youth Championships bid.

This comes a week after Athletics Kenya AK expressed concern that Kenya risked losing the hosting rights of the biannual showpiece that features athletes aged 17 and below, after they failed to meet the deadline submission of the Event Organization Agreement

as well as the monetary guarantees from the State, forcing the deadline to be extended to October 31.

“I am glad to announce the minister is going to sign the document. The Ministry has given us the go ahead to bid for the event,” he said. “Once the bid is gone through there will be 20 delegates that will go to Monaco to defend the bid, adding two youth athletes who will go there as ambassadors and once we get everything then we can start hitting the road since

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we have done the technical part of it which is already in Monaco,” Kiplagat explained.

Kenya was able to meet the submission deadline of September 25 which marked the second stage of the bidding process for the global event and should they submit the grants, then they will be invited to make the final presentation and defence of the bid which will take place in November 18 at the IAAF headquarters in Monaco in the prelude to the World Gala.