INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Alicho kiandika Zitto Kabwe baada ya kutangazwa kusimamishwa vikao bungeni
INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
Haya ndiyo aliyoyaandika Zitto KABWE kupitia mtandao wake wa Twitter baada ya sakata la kusimamishwa BUNGENI.
NACTE WAONGEZA MDA WA KUFANYA APPLICATION ZA VYUO KATIKA KOZI ZA AFYA,UALIMU,KILIMO,MIFUGO HADI TAR 3 JUNE 2016
INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
EXTENSION OF APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION THROUGH CENTRAL ADMISSION SYSTEM (CAS)
THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION
(NACTE)
PUBLIC NOTICE
EXTENSION OF APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION THROUGH CENTRAL ADMISSION SYSTEM (CAS)
This notice serves to inform the Public
and applicants for admission that, the National Council for Technical
Education (NACTE) has extended time up to 3rd of June, 2016
for applications of admission into Certificates, Diploma, Higher Diploma
and Bachelor Degree offered by Technical Institutions for Academic year
2016/17.
This extension is made due to various challenges experienced by applicants while applying for admission in the recent days.
The Council is therefore encouraging all
interested applicants to use extended time to apply and those who were
registered to finish their applications to programmes choices.
Note that, there will be no further extension for application after the elapse of this set deadline.
ISSUED BY;
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
30th May, 2016
Kudai Ajira Kwawaponza Wahitimu Wa JKT
INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
WAHITIMU
sita wa mafunzo ya Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa (JKT), wamepandishwa katika
Mahakama ya Hakimu Mkazi Kisutu wakikabiliwa na mashtaka matatu ikiwemo
kufanya mkusanyiko usio halali na kushawishi wenzao kuandamana kwenda
Ikulu kudai ajira, anaandika Faki Sosi.
Washtakiwa
katika kesi hiyo ni George Mgoba, mwenyekiti wao; Parali Kiwango,
makamu mwenyekiti; Linus Steven, katibu wa umoja wa wahitimu hao na
wahitimu wengine, Emmanuel Mwasyembe, Ridhiwani Ngowi na Jacob
Mang’wita.
Akiwasomea
mashtaka yao mbele ya Hakimu Mkazi, Respicius Mwijage, Wakili
Mwandamizi wa Serikali, Benard Kongola amesema, washitakiwa hao
wanadaiwa kwamba 15 Februari 2014 katika eneo la Msimbazi Centre, Ilala
Dar es Salaam walipanga njama za kutenda makosa hayo.
Katika
shitaka lingine watuhumiwa hao wanadaiwa kufanya mkusanyiko usio halali
kwa lengo la kuandamana kwenda kwa Rais kulazimisha kupewa ajira katika
utumishi wa umma, jambo ambalo ni kinyume cha sheria na kwamba, hatua
hiyo ingesababisha uvunjifu wa amani.
Kwa
upande wa mshitakiwa Mgoba, Kiwango na Steven, wanadaiwa siku hiyo
katika eneo hilo, walishawishi wahitimu wenzao wa mafunzo ya JKT,
kufanya maandamano kwenda kwa Rais kulazimisha wapewe ajira katika
utumishi wa umma jambo ambalo ni kinyume cha sheria.
Washtakiwa
hao wamepandishwa kizimbani ikiwa ni siku chache baada ya kesi dhidi
yao kufutwa na kuachiwa Mei 26, mwaka huu kisha kukamatwa tena na leo
kupandishwa mahakamani kwa mashtaka hayohayo.
Katika
kesi ya awali iliyokuwa ikisikilizwa mbele ya Hakimu Mkazi, Emilius
Mchauru, tayari mashahidi saba walikuwa wameshatoa ushahidi mahakamani
hapo huku akiwa amebakia shahidi mmoja tu ili kufunga ushahidi ndipo
kesi hiyo ilipofutwa na watuhumiwa hao kukamatwa tena na kusomewa
mashtaka hayo.
Watuhumiwa hao wamerudishwa rumande hadi kesi hiyo itakapotajwa tena Juni 9 Mwaka huu.
Katibu Mtendaji wa Tume ya Vyuo Vikuu (TCU) Profesa Tunus Mgaya Aliyesimamishwa Kazi na Waziri wa Elimu Afunguka Mambo Mazito
INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
Katika
hatua nyingine, alimtaka Waziri wa Elimu, Sayansi,Teknolojia na Ufundi ,
Profesa Joyce Ndalichako kuendeleza jitihada za kuinua ubora wa elimu
katika ngazi zote ili kuwa na taifa lenye watu walioelimika vizuri na
lenye mchango mkubwa katika kuendeleza taifa
ALIYEKUWA
Katibu Mtendaji wa Tume ya Vyuo Vikuu (TCU), Profesa Tunus Mgaya
amesema amesikitishwa na taarifa zilizoandikwa katika vyombo vya habari
za kukosoa maamuzi ya serikali ya kuwasimamisha kazi kuwa hayakuzingatia
sheria na kanuni zilizowekwa.
Mgaya
ambaye hakuwa tayari kueleza kama taratibu za kusimamishwa kwao
zilifuata utaratibu au la, amewataka waandishi wa habari kuwa na vyanzo
vya uhakika katika habari zao.
“Mimi
nikiwa miongoni mwa watendaji waliopumzishwa kazi, napenda kueleza kuwa
sihusiki na taarifa hizo, suala hili limeshapita na kutolewa uamuzi na
serikali na tuiache Tume iendelee kufanya kazi,” alisema Profesa Mgaya
alipozungumza na waandishi wa habari jana mara baada ya kukabidhi ofisi.
Aidha,
Profesa Mgaya aliweka wazi kuwa, anaunga mkono jitihada za Rais John
Magufuli katika kuhakikisha kuwa watanzania wengi zaidi wanapata elimu
ya msingi bure na kutolewa kwa elimu inayokidhi viwango stahiki kitaifa
na kimataifa na kusema jambo hilo ni jema na linapaswa kuungwa mkono kwa
nguvu zote.
Monday, 30 May 2016
Former VP advocates tolerance, peace
INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
PEACE in any country under the sun can only thrive if the new generation is bequeathed with the spirit of mutual respect and brotherly love, former Vice President Dr Mohammed Gharib Bilal said at the weekend.
Addressing participants of the 14th International Festival of Language and Cultures (IFLC) in Dar es Salaam, Dr Bilal, who was the chief guest said; “it is unfortunate that many countries are busy promoting the disintegration of culture and traditional customs and condoning negative practices which spread like bushfires using modern communication systems like the television, radio, newspapers, internet, and social media misleading the youth.”
“It is the presence of networks like the International Festival of Culture and Language (IFCL) which aim at bringing the youth together and instilling in them ways of mutual respect and loving one another as members of one family that will make conflict and bad behaviour among the youth disappear, leaving behind an ethical society led by wisdom,” he said.
“I prays to our government to ensure that such efforts are encouraged and enhanced,” he added.
“I have learnt that upbringing that gives room to incitement is the root cause of crimes against humanity and radicalism among the youth. We elders of this country promise our full co-operation in the quest for making the world a peaceful place to live for all,” he told the participants who came from at least different 16 countries.
He said the event and the participants are ambassadors of peace and encouraged more events to held.
He also praised the University of Dar es Salaam, the Alliance of Businessmen and Industries of Tanzania and Turkey (ABITAT), the ambassadors of various countries and local companies for their sponsorships of the event which was organised by Kilimanjaro Dialogue Institute, Feza Schools, and Ishik Medical and Education Foundation.
“This event is clear testimony of the fact that our country is recognized as the land of peace, friendship and hospitality. The participants will make good ambassadors of our country from the good experience they have had here,” added the former VP.
“All over the world, culture is what identifies people of a nation. This is what makes culture and language very important agents for unifying different people,” he went on to say.
He said the fact that the event was televised live and watched by more than forty million people worldwide, it helped to promote the country and its resources as well as attracting tourists and investors.
Dr Bialal said the event served to open the brains of youth to the reality that they don’t live on an island and builds instead, the spirit of self-confidence, co-operation and love for their fellow youth the world over.
“It is my hope that this festival gives another chance to the youth to appreciate the fact that language and culture constitute another opportunity for addressing unemployment,” he said.
“Political clashes are taking place in different countries and these have their root cause in selfishness and divergent opinions from different groups. This bad seed has been planted over a long time and has led to distrust and fear among nations,” Dr Bilal said.
Organised by Kilimanjaro Dialogue Institute, Feza Schools, and Ishik Medical and Education Foundation the IFLC aims at uniting youth as world citizens and targets to reduce, if not end altogether, hatred and disintegration and open a new page for co-operation and renewed strength for joint address to problems.
Language and culture, if properly engaged, build unity and friendship, tribal inter-relationships grow through cross marriages and going to school or working with people who speak a different language;“through speaking different languages we paint our world into many and attractive colors,” he summed up.
Pparticipants were from among other cuntries US, Angola, Albania, South Africa, India, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Peru, France, Kyrgyzstan, Rwanda, Thailand, Ukraine, Mozambique, Senegal and Romania.
PEACE in any country under the sun can only thrive if the new generation is bequeathed with the spirit of mutual respect and brotherly love, former Vice President Dr Mohammed Gharib Bilal said at the weekend.
Addressing participants of the 14th International Festival of Language and Cultures (IFLC) in Dar es Salaam, Dr Bilal, who was the chief guest said; “it is unfortunate that many countries are busy promoting the disintegration of culture and traditional customs and condoning negative practices which spread like bushfires using modern communication systems like the television, radio, newspapers, internet, and social media misleading the youth.”
“It is the presence of networks like the International Festival of Culture and Language (IFCL) which aim at bringing the youth together and instilling in them ways of mutual respect and loving one another as members of one family that will make conflict and bad behaviour among the youth disappear, leaving behind an ethical society led by wisdom,” he said.
“I prays to our government to ensure that such efforts are encouraged and enhanced,” he added.
“I have learnt that upbringing that gives room to incitement is the root cause of crimes against humanity and radicalism among the youth. We elders of this country promise our full co-operation in the quest for making the world a peaceful place to live for all,” he told the participants who came from at least different 16 countries.
He said the event and the participants are ambassadors of peace and encouraged more events to held.
He also praised the University of Dar es Salaam, the Alliance of Businessmen and Industries of Tanzania and Turkey (ABITAT), the ambassadors of various countries and local companies for their sponsorships of the event which was organised by Kilimanjaro Dialogue Institute, Feza Schools, and Ishik Medical and Education Foundation.
“This event is clear testimony of the fact that our country is recognized as the land of peace, friendship and hospitality. The participants will make good ambassadors of our country from the good experience they have had here,” added the former VP.
“All over the world, culture is what identifies people of a nation. This is what makes culture and language very important agents for unifying different people,” he went on to say.
He said the fact that the event was televised live and watched by more than forty million people worldwide, it helped to promote the country and its resources as well as attracting tourists and investors.
Dr Bialal said the event served to open the brains of youth to the reality that they don’t live on an island and builds instead, the spirit of self-confidence, co-operation and love for their fellow youth the world over.
“It is my hope that this festival gives another chance to the youth to appreciate the fact that language and culture constitute another opportunity for addressing unemployment,” he said.
“Political clashes are taking place in different countries and these have their root cause in selfishness and divergent opinions from different groups. This bad seed has been planted over a long time and has led to distrust and fear among nations,” Dr Bilal said.
Organised by Kilimanjaro Dialogue Institute, Feza Schools, and Ishik Medical and Education Foundation the IFLC aims at uniting youth as world citizens and targets to reduce, if not end altogether, hatred and disintegration and open a new page for co-operation and renewed strength for joint address to problems.
Language and culture, if properly engaged, build unity and friendship, tribal inter-relationships grow through cross marriages and going to school or working with people who speak a different language;“through speaking different languages we paint our world into many and attractive colors,” he summed up.
Pparticipants were from among other cuntries US, Angola, Albania, South Africa, India, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Peru, France, Kyrgyzstan, Rwanda, Thailand, Ukraine, Mozambique, Senegal and Romania.
World Bank warns govt on costly tax breaks
INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
THE World Bank's country director for Tanzania, Burundi, Malawi and Somalia, Bella Bird, has advised President John Magufuli's government to stop being "too generous" with tax exemptions and backed its ongoing tax evasion crackdown measures.
Bella Bird
A dizzying array of exceedingly-generous official tax exemptions have already cost the national economy close to 8 trillion/- over the past five years alone and while some senior government officials say the incentives are necessary to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, various experts warn that such tax breaks can actually be harmful in the long run.
In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Bird said: “What we have seen here is that Tanzania has been too generous in giving out tax exemptions."
"But I think President Magufuli is doing the right thing in pushing for some changes in the area, as it seemed there were unregulated tax exemptions and he saw the need for changes.”
The World Bank country chief said there was a need for reforms to some laws regulating tax exemptions, pointing out that when given out freely such exemptions cut off genuine revenue collection streams for the government itself.
She noted that while it was common practice for some governments to offer tax breaks to attract investment in certain industries, a careful approach was needed in the management of such incentives.
Tax holidays are among the most widely-used incentives to attract foreign investments, especially in developing countries. In Tanzania, past governments have used them extensively to attract investors in key sectors like mining, oil and gas.
The tax holidays have led to widespread complaints from opposition politicians, activists and the public at large that some multinational mining companies operating in Tanzania are not paying their fair share of tax locally.
Fiscal experts have also been highly critical of the tax holidays that are regularly offered to investors, and the Controller and Auditor General, Prof Mussa Assad, also warned in his latest government audit report that the ongoing tax incentives are "over generous."
Other critics say tax holidays benefit primarily short-term investments, typical of so-called “footloose” industries in which companies can move quickly from one jurisdiction to another.
Tax exemptions also tend to typically reward the founding of a company rather than investment in existing companies, and can lead to erosion of the tax base as taxpayers learn how to evade taxation of income from other sources.
Studies have shown that large foreign companies, such as those in the extractive industry, are generally in a better position to negotiate special tax regimes and thus to extract rents from host governments such as Tanzania.
Since tax policy appears to have some effect on the location decisions of multinational firms, especially within regional markets, there is a risk that governments will “race to the bottom” with competitive tax incentives.
Such competition has already started in some regions, including East Africa.
"The concern is that countries may end up in a bidding war, favoring multinational firms at the expense of the state and the welfare of its citizens. This risk has pushed governments to try to harmonize their tax policies under regional or international agreements," said one World Bank study.
The state-run Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) freely advertises the offer of generous tax exemptions to would-be investors, posting on its website a series of relatively easy steps that investor companies can follow to be granted exemptions.
According to new data from the Ministry of Finance and Planning, as seen by The Guardian, the government offered tax exemptions amounting to 1.834 trillion/- in 2013/14 alone, equivalent to 3.3 per cent of the country's total economic output or gross domestic product (GDP).
In fiscal year 2014/15, the government waived taxes amounting to 1.627trn/-, equivalent to 1.93 per cent of the GDP. The stated eventual government target is to offer tax exemptions equivalent to 1 per cent or less of the GDP.
Tanzania in the 1990s was forced to offer overly generous tax exemptions to attract foreign companies to invest in gold mines and fend off competition from South Africa, Ghana, Mali and other countries.
The same “race to the bottom” is repeating itself today as Tanzania competes with Mozambique, Kenya and Uganda to woo foreign investors to develop its nascent hydrocarbon industry.
Beyond the risk of a bidding war, tax incentives are likely to reduce fiscal revenue and create frequent opportunities for illicit behavior by companies and tax administrators, experts warn.
The deputy chairman of the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI), Jayesh Shah, noted that there was a need to evaluate the overall benefits and disadvantages of such incentives before calling for reforms on the issue.
“The best way to know whether an incentive is good or bad is to look at the long term investments and the overall benefit to the country at the end of the day,” Shah said.
Asked on who was benefiting from the incentives, Shah said it was difficult to identify such individuals for now.
THE World Bank's country director for Tanzania, Burundi, Malawi and Somalia, Bella Bird, has advised President John Magufuli's government to stop being "too generous" with tax exemptions and backed its ongoing tax evasion crackdown measures.
Bella Bird
A dizzying array of exceedingly-generous official tax exemptions have already cost the national economy close to 8 trillion/- over the past five years alone and while some senior government officials say the incentives are necessary to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, various experts warn that such tax breaks can actually be harmful in the long run.
In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Bird said: “What we have seen here is that Tanzania has been too generous in giving out tax exemptions."
"But I think President Magufuli is doing the right thing in pushing for some changes in the area, as it seemed there were unregulated tax exemptions and he saw the need for changes.”
The World Bank country chief said there was a need for reforms to some laws regulating tax exemptions, pointing out that when given out freely such exemptions cut off genuine revenue collection streams for the government itself.
She noted that while it was common practice for some governments to offer tax breaks to attract investment in certain industries, a careful approach was needed in the management of such incentives.
Tax holidays are among the most widely-used incentives to attract foreign investments, especially in developing countries. In Tanzania, past governments have used them extensively to attract investors in key sectors like mining, oil and gas.
The tax holidays have led to widespread complaints from opposition politicians, activists and the public at large that some multinational mining companies operating in Tanzania are not paying their fair share of tax locally.
Fiscal experts have also been highly critical of the tax holidays that are regularly offered to investors, and the Controller and Auditor General, Prof Mussa Assad, also warned in his latest government audit report that the ongoing tax incentives are "over generous."
Other critics say tax holidays benefit primarily short-term investments, typical of so-called “footloose” industries in which companies can move quickly from one jurisdiction to another.
Tax exemptions also tend to typically reward the founding of a company rather than investment in existing companies, and can lead to erosion of the tax base as taxpayers learn how to evade taxation of income from other sources.
Studies have shown that large foreign companies, such as those in the extractive industry, are generally in a better position to negotiate special tax regimes and thus to extract rents from host governments such as Tanzania.
Since tax policy appears to have some effect on the location decisions of multinational firms, especially within regional markets, there is a risk that governments will “race to the bottom” with competitive tax incentives.
Such competition has already started in some regions, including East Africa.
"The concern is that countries may end up in a bidding war, favoring multinational firms at the expense of the state and the welfare of its citizens. This risk has pushed governments to try to harmonize their tax policies under regional or international agreements," said one World Bank study.
The state-run Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) freely advertises the offer of generous tax exemptions to would-be investors, posting on its website a series of relatively easy steps that investor companies can follow to be granted exemptions.
According to new data from the Ministry of Finance and Planning, as seen by The Guardian, the government offered tax exemptions amounting to 1.834 trillion/- in 2013/14 alone, equivalent to 3.3 per cent of the country's total economic output or gross domestic product (GDP).
In fiscal year 2014/15, the government waived taxes amounting to 1.627trn/-, equivalent to 1.93 per cent of the GDP. The stated eventual government target is to offer tax exemptions equivalent to 1 per cent or less of the GDP.
Tanzania in the 1990s was forced to offer overly generous tax exemptions to attract foreign companies to invest in gold mines and fend off competition from South Africa, Ghana, Mali and other countries.
The same “race to the bottom” is repeating itself today as Tanzania competes with Mozambique, Kenya and Uganda to woo foreign investors to develop its nascent hydrocarbon industry.
Beyond the risk of a bidding war, tax incentives are likely to reduce fiscal revenue and create frequent opportunities for illicit behavior by companies and tax administrators, experts warn.
The deputy chairman of the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI), Jayesh Shah, noted that there was a need to evaluate the overall benefits and disadvantages of such incentives before calling for reforms on the issue.
“The best way to know whether an incentive is good or bad is to look at the long term investments and the overall benefit to the country at the end of the day,” Shah said.
Asked on who was benefiting from the incentives, Shah said it was difficult to identify such individuals for now.
PCCB arrests ranger for soliciting 4.7m/- bribe
INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
A game ranger in Bukombe District, Geita Region, has been arrested in
connection with soliciting and receiving a bribe worth 4,714,000/-
through his mobile phone from a livestock keeper to allow the latter to
graze his livestock in Kigosi Game Reserve.
The game reserve is located in northwestern Tanzania, which is rich in wildlife diversity, birds and insects, including bees.
The ranger, identified as Yakobo Benjamin, was arrested by officers from the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in Geita Region after they set a trap in collaboration with the help of a livestock keeper, identified as Mashaka Musita, of Lunzewe Village in the district.
PCCB regional commander Thobias Ndalo said the ranger is alleged to have committed crimes on different dates since 2014 and during ‘Operation Tokomeza’ and in the fresh incident, Benjamin was arrested on May 23, this year.
Ndalo said the suspect would be taken to court anytime this week, because the investigation was already completed.The official warned public servants to desist from engaging in corrupt practices, following a public outcry against them.
Kigosi Reserve is a protected area managed mainly for conservation through management intervention. The sanctuary was established in 1983 and covers an area of 8265 km².
The game reserve is located in northwestern Tanzania, which is rich in wildlife diversity, birds and insects, including bees.
The ranger, identified as Yakobo Benjamin, was arrested by officers from the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in Geita Region after they set a trap in collaboration with the help of a livestock keeper, identified as Mashaka Musita, of Lunzewe Village in the district.
PCCB regional commander Thobias Ndalo said the ranger is alleged to have committed crimes on different dates since 2014 and during ‘Operation Tokomeza’ and in the fresh incident, Benjamin was arrested on May 23, this year.
Ndalo said the suspect would be taken to court anytime this week, because the investigation was already completed.The official warned public servants to desist from engaging in corrupt practices, following a public outcry against them.
Kigosi Reserve is a protected area managed mainly for conservation through management intervention. The sanctuary was established in 1983 and covers an area of 8265 km².
Why The 'iPhone Killer' Tag Needs To Die
INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
Go to Urbandictionary.com and type "iPhone Killer". This is the definition you will get:
"Little is known of the iPhone Killer. Having never been seen in person, it is impossible to describe its appearance, nor has it even been proven to truly exist. There are many versions of the Legend of the iPhone Killer, each of which is wildly varied from the last. However, each and every version agrees that it is coming in a few months."
As it turns out, this is largely correct. The fabled iPhone killer is not unlike a mythical creature -- fascinating to think and talk about, but with no real proof of its existence.
If, over the years you have acquired a couple or more non-Apple
smartphones, there is a good chance that at least one of them was
labelled 'the iPhone killer' at some point. It is a marketing tagline,
used by several device manufacturers over the years. The first iteration
of the iPhone was launched 9 years ago, but no other smartphone since
has been able to 'kill' it.
Apple unveiled the first generation iPhone in January 2007. Back then, normally there would be a gap of 2 to 3 months after a phone's launch before a rival would would announce plans to launch a competing product. During that period, users and reviewers would have had the time to use and give their verdict on a phone. But such was the hype around Apple's iPhone that within a mere two weeks of its launch, rivals Samsung and LG were announcing plans to make their "killer" versions of the phone.
The iPhone has always been owner's pride and neighbour's envy. Sure, iPhone has hardly ever been the phone with the best specification, but Apple's value as a brand which delivers premium product and experience has never been doubted. The criticism aimed at the iPhone has always been about specific modules such as lack of Bluetooth, the number of apps, RAM size, and megapixels in the camera.
The
early iterations of the iPhone ran on OS X. Other manufacturers were
also going through a lot of changes and the 'iPhone killers' of that era
kept switching to different operating systems. There was Nokia
launching 5800 and E71
on Symbian. Samsung was launching Omnia phones on Windows phone mobile
and Instinct one. Even Blackberry was in the race for becoming the Apple
assassin with its Blackberry Storm. Google, in the meantime, released their first Android phone, G1.
Sure, it is fair to compare your product to one of the best smartphones of the generation. Your phone might have some superior features compared to the iPhone and that's a great thing. But that doesn't really add up to making the whole package (your smartphone) as good or better than the iPhone.
One reason the iPhone is so popular is that it has been in a tightly bound system, with the operating system on the phone. Most of the features work seamlessly. Across generations and newer iterations, some things have stayed constant. And the major changes have been done over the iterations so that users never feel at sea. There has always been the assurance of picking up an iPhone and figuring things out in minutes. (Advanced options and settings can always be learnt over time.)
Early
in 2010, Google launched the first Nexus. Initially, it too was dubbed
the 'iPhone killer' but with time the Nexus line gained its own
reputation. Google worked with many manufacturers on the Nexus series
and still they managed to create an impression of a series with stock
software and fast updates. Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 were huge hits for the
company even with their few flaws. Just as iPhone is identified with
Apple, Nexus began to get associated with Google. At some level,
Samsung's Galaxy S series has also acquired that reputation but they
still have a long way to go.
A lot of companies such as OnePlus with OnePlus One and 2, Xiaomi with Mi-series have claimed the iPhone Killer crown in recent times. Other companies such as Asus and Huawei have tried too. But if at all there have been real iPhone killers lurking around all these years, they have failed to 'assassinate' it. Apple is running stronger than ever.
Source: huffingtonpost.in
"Little is known of the iPhone Killer. Having never been seen in person, it is impossible to describe its appearance, nor has it even been proven to truly exist. There are many versions of the Legend of the iPhone Killer, each of which is wildly varied from the last. However, each and every version agrees that it is coming in a few months."
As it turns out, this is largely correct. The fabled iPhone killer is not unlike a mythical creature -- fascinating to think and talk about, but with no real proof of its existence.
Apple unveiled the first generation iPhone in January 2007. Back then, normally there would be a gap of 2 to 3 months after a phone's launch before a rival would would announce plans to launch a competing product. During that period, users and reviewers would have had the time to use and give their verdict on a phone. But such was the hype around Apple's iPhone that within a mere two weeks of its launch, rivals Samsung and LG were announcing plans to make their "killer" versions of the phone.
The iPhone has always been owner's pride and neighbour's envy. Sure, iPhone has hardly ever been the phone with the best specification, but Apple's value as a brand which delivers premium product and experience has never been doubted. The criticism aimed at the iPhone has always been about specific modules such as lack of Bluetooth, the number of apps, RAM size, and megapixels in the camera.
Sure, it is fair to compare your product to one of the best smartphones of the generation. Your phone might have some superior features compared to the iPhone and that's a great thing. But that doesn't really add up to making the whole package (your smartphone) as good or better than the iPhone.
One reason the iPhone is so popular is that it has been in a tightly bound system, with the operating system on the phone. Most of the features work seamlessly. Across generations and newer iterations, some things have stayed constant. And the major changes have been done over the iterations so that users never feel at sea. There has always been the assurance of picking up an iPhone and figuring things out in minutes. (Advanced options and settings can always be learnt over time.)
A lot of companies such as OnePlus with OnePlus One and 2, Xiaomi with Mi-series have claimed the iPhone Killer crown in recent times. Other companies such as Asus and Huawei have tried too. But if at all there have been real iPhone killers lurking around all these years, they have failed to 'assassinate' it. Apple is running stronger than ever.
Source: huffingtonpost.in
An earthlike home far, far away?
INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
A planet 1,200 light-years away in the direction of the constellation Lyra is a good prospect for a habitable world, according to a team of astronomers.
Discovered by the American space agency Nasa's Kepler space telescope in 2013, the planet, Kepler-62f, is approximately 40 percent larger than Earth.
At that size, the planet is within the range of planets that are likely to be rocky and possibly could have oceans, said lead author Aomawa Shields from the University of California at Los Angeles.
New computer simulations of possible kinds of atmosphere that might be found on Kepler 62f suggest it could sustain life.
Shields noted, "We found there are multiple atmospheric compositions that allow it to be warm enough to have surface liquid water. This makes it a strong candidate for a habitable planet."
Because of Kepler 62f's distance from its host star, it would need the greenhouse effect of a thick carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere to keep its water from freezing, the research showed.
However certain types of orbit could allow the planet's surface temperature to rise above freezing at certain times of the year - even with much lower levels of carbon dioxide, closer to those found on Earth.
"This might help melt ice sheets formed at other times in the planet's orbit," said Shields.
More than 2,300 exoplanets outside the solar system have been identified, and a few thousand others are as-yet unconfirmed planetary candidates.
Only a couple of dozen are known to orbit the "habitable zones" of their stars, the narrow region just the right distance away to allow the existence of liquid surface water.
The study appears in Astrobiology.
A planet 1,200 light-years away in the direction of the constellation Lyra is a good prospect for a habitable world, according to a team of astronomers.
Discovered by the American space agency Nasa's Kepler space telescope in 2013, the planet, Kepler-62f, is approximately 40 percent larger than Earth.
At that size, the planet is within the range of planets that are likely to be rocky and possibly could have oceans, said lead author Aomawa Shields from the University of California at Los Angeles.
New computer simulations of possible kinds of atmosphere that might be found on Kepler 62f suggest it could sustain life.
Shields noted, "We found there are multiple atmospheric compositions that allow it to be warm enough to have surface liquid water. This makes it a strong candidate for a habitable planet."
Because of Kepler 62f's distance from its host star, it would need the greenhouse effect of a thick carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere to keep its water from freezing, the research showed.
However certain types of orbit could allow the planet's surface temperature to rise above freezing at certain times of the year - even with much lower levels of carbon dioxide, closer to those found on Earth.
"This might help melt ice sheets formed at other times in the planet's orbit," said Shields.
More than 2,300 exoplanets outside the solar system have been identified, and a few thousand others are as-yet unconfirmed planetary candidates.
Only a couple of dozen are known to orbit the "habitable zones" of their stars, the narrow region just the right distance away to allow the existence of liquid surface water.
The study appears in Astrobiology.
Bunge adjourned after Members protest over Udom saga
INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
Deputy Speaker Dr Tulia Ackson.
Dodoma. The Deputy Speaker Dr Tulia Akckson has adjourned Parliament prematurely after Members demanded that the business at hand be differed to another time.
MPs from both camps wanted Parliament to shelve debate on the water ministry in order to discuss the government's discharge of more than 7,000 students pursuing a special teaching diploma courses at Dodoma University.
Education minister, Prof Joyce Ndalichako told Parliament earlier that the students were sent packing following a month long strike by their tutors.
But MPs argued that it was unfair for the government to punish the students for a mistake which was not theirs.
Mr Juma Nkamia (Chemba – CCM) and Joshua Nassari (Arumeru East – Chadema) raised points of order seeking the Speakers guidance. They asked the chair to shelve the arranged debate to give MPs opportunity to debate the students expulsion.
But Deputy Speaker refused to grant their motion, forcing Parliamentarians, in protest, to stage a stand in.
It was then that Dr Tulia ordered a Sergeant at Arms to forcefully remove all protesting MPs, immediately, soldiers carried away Mr Nassari before Dr Tulia adjourned the session to 4pm.
Deputy Speaker Dr Tulia Ackson.
Dodoma. The Deputy Speaker Dr Tulia Akckson has adjourned Parliament prematurely after Members demanded that the business at hand be differed to another time.
MPs from both camps wanted Parliament to shelve debate on the water ministry in order to discuss the government's discharge of more than 7,000 students pursuing a special teaching diploma courses at Dodoma University.
Education minister, Prof Joyce Ndalichako told Parliament earlier that the students were sent packing following a month long strike by their tutors.
But MPs argued that it was unfair for the government to punish the students for a mistake which was not theirs.
Mr Juma Nkamia (Chemba – CCM) and Joshua Nassari (Arumeru East – Chadema) raised points of order seeking the Speakers guidance. They asked the chair to shelve the arranged debate to give MPs opportunity to debate the students expulsion.
But Deputy Speaker refused to grant their motion, forcing Parliamentarians, in protest, to stage a stand in.
It was then that Dr Tulia ordered a Sergeant at Arms to forcefully remove all protesting MPs, immediately, soldiers carried away Mr Nassari before Dr Tulia adjourned the session to 4pm.
Dar-based trader eyes presidency in Somalia poll
INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
A Dar es Salaam-based businessman says he will vie for presidency in Somalia in September this year.
Mr Mohamed A. Nur, who is the CEO of City Garden Group of Companies, told The Citizen yesterday that he would present his name to the country’s parliament, which would elect the head of state.
“In Somalia there is no functioning political party system. The names of independent presidential candidates are presented to the lower and upper parliaments which elects the president,” he said.
The 45-year-old Nur came with his family to Tanzania in the mid-1980s, shortly before the Horn of Africa country plunged into lawlessness followed by two decades of civil war and without any effective administration until 2012 when a formal central government was established.
He said it was not strange for him to vie for presidency in his home country, saying a significant number of the current leaders were in diaspora before they took up political posts back home.
Mr Nur added lately he had been to Mogadishu several times to lay ground for his campaign for the highest office in his troubled country. He was born there in 1971.
He remarked that although Somalia has been saddled with what he described as “terrible” leadership and terrorism, he was optimistic about his country’s future. For many years, Somalia topped the list of failed states in the world due to instability and violence.
“Due to multiple crises, Somalis had to ensured decades of wasted years of poor leadership. To make it worse, nearly 60 per cent of Somalis will not live to see their 40th birthday due to poverty,” said Mr Nur, who is currently the chairperson of the 25,000- member Somali community in Tanzania.
He stated that his campaign tag will be to bring back to sanity to the country which has also been rocked by high level corruption besides lawlessness due to terrorist attacks blamed on Al Shabaab militants.
Other priority areas will be to bring security and democracy and rebuild the nation from many years of chaos.
In economy, the focus will be on tapping the existing potentials which include support from the countrymen and women in diaspora, livestock and fisheries in a country which has the longest coastline than any other in Africa. The country also has huge offshore oil and gas reserves.
Somalia is one of the few countries in the world with its large number of citizens in diaspora, mainly within eastern Africa; Ethiopia,Kenya, Djibouti, Tanzania and lately Uganda.
But the majority are to be found in the Middle East from North Africa to the Gulf states while hundreds of thousands others have migrated to Europe, North America, Australia, South Africa and elsewhere.
A Dar es Salaam-based businessman says he will vie for presidency in Somalia in September this year.
Mr Mohamed A. Nur, who is the CEO of City Garden Group of Companies, told The Citizen yesterday that he would present his name to the country’s parliament, which would elect the head of state.
“In Somalia there is no functioning political party system. The names of independent presidential candidates are presented to the lower and upper parliaments which elects the president,” he said.
The 45-year-old Nur came with his family to Tanzania in the mid-1980s, shortly before the Horn of Africa country plunged into lawlessness followed by two decades of civil war and without any effective administration until 2012 when a formal central government was established.
He said it was not strange for him to vie for presidency in his home country, saying a significant number of the current leaders were in diaspora before they took up political posts back home.
Mr Nur added lately he had been to Mogadishu several times to lay ground for his campaign for the highest office in his troubled country. He was born there in 1971.
He remarked that although Somalia has been saddled with what he described as “terrible” leadership and terrorism, he was optimistic about his country’s future. For many years, Somalia topped the list of failed states in the world due to instability and violence.
“Due to multiple crises, Somalis had to ensured decades of wasted years of poor leadership. To make it worse, nearly 60 per cent of Somalis will not live to see their 40th birthday due to poverty,” said Mr Nur, who is currently the chairperson of the 25,000- member Somali community in Tanzania.
He stated that his campaign tag will be to bring back to sanity to the country which has also been rocked by high level corruption besides lawlessness due to terrorist attacks blamed on Al Shabaab militants.
Other priority areas will be to bring security and democracy and rebuild the nation from many years of chaos.
In economy, the focus will be on tapping the existing potentials which include support from the countrymen and women in diaspora, livestock and fisheries in a country which has the longest coastline than any other in Africa. The country also has huge offshore oil and gas reserves.
Somalia is one of the few countries in the world with its large number of citizens in diaspora, mainly within eastern Africa; Ethiopia,Kenya, Djibouti, Tanzania and lately Uganda.
But the majority are to be found in the Middle East from North Africa to the Gulf states while hundreds of thousands others have migrated to Europe, North America, Australia, South Africa and elsewhere.
Rais Magufuli amteua Mama Makinda kuwa Mwenyekiti Bodi ya NHIF, Jaji Lila kuwa jaji Mahakama ya Rufani
INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
Rais
wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Dkt. John Pombe Magufuli amemteua
Mhe. Jaji Shabani Ally Lila kuwa Jaji wa Mahakama ya Rufani.
Kabla ya uteuzi huo Mhe. Jaji Shabani Lila alikuwa Jaji Kiongozi. Uteuzi huu umeanza leo tarehe 30 Mei, 2016.
Wakati huo huo, Rais Dkt. Magufuli amemteua Mhe. Anne Semamba Makinda kuwa Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Mfuko wa Taifa wa Bima ya Afya (NHIF). Uteuzi wa Mhe. Anne Semamba Makinda ambaye ni Spika Mstaafu wa Bunge Ia Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania umeanza tarehe 25 Mei, 2016.
Mhe. Anne Semamba Makinda anachukua nafasi iliyoachwa wazi na Balozi Ali Mchumo. Katika hatua nyingine, Rais Magufuli amemteua Prof. Apollinaria Elikana Pereka kuwa Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Taasisi ya Teknolojia Dar es salaam (Dar es salaam Institute of Technology -DIT).
Prof. Apollinaria Elikana Pereka ni Mhadhiri wa Chuo Kikuu cha Kilimo cha Sokoine (SUA) Morogoro. Prof. Pereka anachukua nafasi iliyoachwa wazi na Prof. Fredrick Mwanuzi ambaye amemaliza muda wake. Uteuzi huu umeanza leo tarehe 30 Mei, 2016.
Kabla ya uteuzi huo Mhe. Jaji Shabani Lila alikuwa Jaji Kiongozi. Uteuzi huu umeanza leo tarehe 30 Mei, 2016.
Wakati huo huo, Rais Dkt. Magufuli amemteua Mhe. Anne Semamba Makinda kuwa Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Mfuko wa Taifa wa Bima ya Afya (NHIF). Uteuzi wa Mhe. Anne Semamba Makinda ambaye ni Spika Mstaafu wa Bunge Ia Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania umeanza tarehe 25 Mei, 2016.
Mhe. Anne Semamba Makinda anachukua nafasi iliyoachwa wazi na Balozi Ali Mchumo. Katika hatua nyingine, Rais Magufuli amemteua Prof. Apollinaria Elikana Pereka kuwa Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Taasisi ya Teknolojia Dar es salaam (Dar es salaam Institute of Technology -DIT).
Prof. Apollinaria Elikana Pereka ni Mhadhiri wa Chuo Kikuu cha Kilimo cha Sokoine (SUA) Morogoro. Prof. Pereka anachukua nafasi iliyoachwa wazi na Prof. Fredrick Mwanuzi ambaye amemaliza muda wake. Uteuzi huu umeanza leo tarehe 30 Mei, 2016.
Uongozi wa UDSM waanza kuweka Taa Mabibo Hostel.
INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
Hostel hizo za kisasa
zilizojengwa miaka michache iliyopita na Shirika la Hifadhi za Jamii(NSSF)
zimesaidia kupunguza tatizo la makazi lililopo kampasi kuu ya Chuo
kikuu(mlimani) lakini kasoro hizi za
kukosa umeme zinahatarisha eneo hilo kugeuka kuwa la ubakaji na hata ukabaji
kwa wanafunzi na wageni.
Na Daudi
Manongi
Uongozi Chuo Kikuu
cha Dar es salam unatarajia kununua taa za dharura 12 kwa ajili ya kukabiliana
na tatizo la giza katika Hosteli ya Mabibo.
Kauli hiyo imetolewa
leo Jijini Dar es salaam na Naibu Makamu Mkuu wa Chuo kikuu cha Dar es Salaam (UDSM)
anaeshughulikia masuala ya Utawala Prof.David Alfred Mfinanga wakati wa
mahojiano na Idara ya Habari.
Alisema kuwa tatizo
la giza nene katika eneo hilo la lango kuu la kuingia Hostel za mabibo mpaka
eneo lile la maegesho ya magari lipo mbioni kupatiwa ufumbuzi baada ya taratibu
za ununuzi kukamilika.
Alisema kuwa
kukamilika kwa uwekaji wa taa hizo za dharura zitapunguza kabisa tatizo hilo.
Aidha, Prof.David
Alfred Mfinanga alisema kuwa katika
mpango wa muda mrefu wa kutatua tatizo hizo uongozi wa UDSM unatarajia kuweka
umeme wa jua ambao utapunguza gharama za kulipia umeme na hivyo kuwa na umeme
wa uhakika.
BREAKING NEWS:Hoja ya dharura wanachuo 7000 UDOM: N/Spika aahirisha Bunge baada ya wabunge kwa pamoja kutoka nje
INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
Bunge limechafuka muda huu baada ya Mbunge wa Arumeru Mashariki, Joshua Nasari kuomba mwongozo wa kujadili hoja ya wanafunzi zaidi ya 700 waliofukuzwa chuoni ijadiliwe kama hoja ya dharura.
Naibu spika akaendeleza ubabe hivyo wabunge wa vyama vyote walisimama na kutoka nje.
Chanzo: Radio One
Bunge limechafuka muda huu baada ya Mbunge wa Arumeru Mashariki, Joshua Nasari kuomba mwongozo wa kujadili hoja ya wanafunzi zaidi ya 700 waliofukuzwa chuoni ijadiliwe kama hoja ya dharura.
Naibu spika akaendeleza ubabe hivyo wabunge wa vyama vyote walisimama na kutoka nje.
Chanzo: Radio One
Serikali Yapiga Marufuku Pombe Ya Viroba ya Kwenye Mifuko Ya Plastiki
INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
Mifuko ya plastiki inayofungasha pombe maarufu kama ‘viroba’ imepigwa marufuku na Serikali kuanzia mwakani.
Sambamba na hilo Serikali pia, imepiga marufuku moja kwa moja utengenezaji, usambazaji, uingizaji nchini wa mifuko ya plastiki kuanzia mwaka huo.
"NEMC tayari tulishaanza mazungumzo na wazalishaji kuhusu mifuko ya plastiki,” alisema.
Mifuko ya plastiki inayofungasha pombe maarufu kama ‘viroba’ imepigwa marufuku na Serikali kuanzia mwakani.
Sambamba na hilo Serikali pia, imepiga marufuku moja kwa moja utengenezaji, usambazaji, uingizaji nchini wa mifuko ya plastiki kuanzia mwaka huo.
Waziri
wa Nchi , Ofisi ya Makamu wa Rais (Muungano na Mazingira), January
Makamba aliwaambia wanahabari jana sehemu kubwa ya mifuko hiyo
inayotolewa bure imekuwa ikichangia uchafuzi wa mazingira kwa kiasi
kikubwa.
Wakati
Makamba akiyasema hayo, Februari mwaka huu Naibu Waziri Ofisi ya Makamu
wa Rais (Muungano na Mazingira), Luhaga Mpina aliondoa zuio la matumizi
ya mifuko ya plastiki akisema kuwa itaziweka rehani ajira za Watanzania
wanaofanya kazi kwenye viwanda vinavyotengeneza mifuko hiyo.
Pia, Mpina alisema itapunguza kasi ya uwekezaji wa viwanda vilivyowekeza katika bidhaa hiyo.
Akizungumza
katika siku ya Mazingira Afrika, Mkurugenzi wa Mazingira, Dk Julius
Ningu alisema maamuzi hayo yamelenga kulinda viwanda vilivyoajiri mamia
ya Watanzania, tofauti na nchi nyingine zinazotegemea wazalishaji wa nje
ya nchi.
Makamba
akizungumzia uamuzi mpya wa kuzuia mifuko ya plastiki, alisema matumizi
ya mifuko inayofungashia vileo na inayotumika katika matumizi mengine
husambaa na kuchafua mazingira. Alisema mifuko ya plastiki inatajwa
kuziba mifereji na kusababisha mafuriko na athari nyingine za mazingira.
“Leo
(Jana), tumeamua kutangaza ili kuwaanda wahusika wasiendelee kuwekeza
katika mifuko hii badala yake wasubiri utaratibu mwingine utakaowekwa na
Serikali,” alisema Makamba na kuongeza kuwa:
“Asilimia kubwa ya uchafu kwenye nyanzo vya maji, mito, maziwa na fukwe za bahari ni mifuko ya plastiki.”
Makamba ambaye pia ni Mbunge wa Bumbuli, alisema Serikali inakamilisha majadiliano ya ndani na baadaye itawahusisha wadau kuhusu dhamira ya kupiga marufuku ya moja kwa moja mifuko hiyo.
Makamba ambaye pia ni Mbunge wa Bumbuli, alisema Serikali inakamilisha majadiliano ya ndani na baadaye itawahusisha wadau kuhusu dhamira ya kupiga marufuku ya moja kwa moja mifuko hiyo.
Alifafanua
kwamba Serikali itatoa muda kwa walioajiriwa, kujiajiri na kuwekeza
kwenye biashara ya mifuko hiyo ili kujiandaa kuacha shughuli hizo na
badala yake itawezesha mazingira ya utengenezaji na upatikanaji wa
vifungashio mbadala.
“Kwa
wanaotengeza mifuko hii na kuiuza katika soko la nje hatuna tatizo nao
waendelee. Ila kwa soko la ndani hawataruhusiwa kufanya hivyo.Zuio hili
litakuwa la kisheria siyo kwa maneno,” alisisitiza Makamba.
Aliongeza kuwa katika kuonyesha Serikali imedhamiria kupambana na hali hiyo wizara yake imeamua kutuma timu ya watu watano kwenda Rwanda kujifunza namna bora ya kudhibiti matumizi na kuzuia mifuko hiyo tangu mwaka 2008.
Aliongeza kuwa katika kuonyesha Serikali imedhamiria kupambana na hali hiyo wizara yake imeamua kutuma timu ya watu watano kwenda Rwanda kujifunza namna bora ya kudhibiti matumizi na kuzuia mifuko hiyo tangu mwaka 2008.
Waziri
huyo alitoa wito kwa watengenezaji, wasambazaji na waagizaji wa mifuko
hiyo kujiandaa na zuio hilo na katika siku zijazo Serikali itatoa
utaratibu na maelekezo ya tarehe ya kuanza zuio huku taratibu nyingine
za kina zikifuata ili kuondoa mkanganyiko.
Katika
hatua nyingine, Makamba alisema maadhimisho ya kitaifa ya Siku ya
Mazingira Duniani ambayo hufanyika Juni 5 kila mwaka hayatafanyika
kitaifa badala yake wizara imewaelekeza wakuu wa mikoa kufanya
maadhimisho katika maeneo yao.
“Tumewapa
miongozo kuhusu utekezezaji wa shughuli hizo za maadhimisho zinazolenga
kutoa hamasa ya hifadhi ya mazingira hususan nyanzo ya maji amabayo ni
muhimu kwa viumbe hai,” alisema Makamba.
Kwa
mujibu wa Makamba, kauli mbiu ya mwaka huu kitaifa juu ya maadhimisho
hayo ni ‘ tuhifadhi vyanzo vya maji kwa uhai wa taifa letu’aliwashauri
na kuwataka Watanzania kutumia siku hiyo kupanda miti, kudhibiti
uchomaji wa misitu
Ofisa Mwandamizi Mazingira wa Nemc, Arnold Kisagala alisema nusu ya mifuko ya plastiki nchini inazalishwa na kuingizwa kutoka nchi jirani ya Kenya.
Ofisa Mwandamizi Mazingira wa Nemc, Arnold Kisagala alisema nusu ya mifuko ya plastiki nchini inazalishwa na kuingizwa kutoka nchi jirani ya Kenya.
Alisema
agizo la Waziri Makamba litawezekana, lakini linahitaji ushirikiano
kutoka kwenye sekta zingine kwa kuwa viwanda vingi vya mifuko ya
plastiki vipo Kenya.
