Maksim Chmerkovskiy Lifts Jennifer Lopez Above His Head at AMAs, Calls Performance "Stressful"

November 25, 2013 4:40 PM

.

View gallery

Maksim Chmerkovskiy Lifts Jennifer Lopez Above His Head at AMAs, Calls Performance "Stressful"

Don't drop J.Lo! Maksim Chmerkovskiy had the honor -- and huge responsibility -- of lifting Jennifer Lopez up in the air while performing together at the 2013 American Music Awards in L.A. on Sunday, Nov. 24. The 33-year-old former Dancing With the Stars pro joined the 44-year-old singer and her other backup dancers to give an unforgettable tribute to Cuban salsa performer Celia Cruz.

PHOTOS: What all the stars wore to the 2013 AMAs

Chmerkovskiy showed off his bare chest and muscles in an unbuttoned pink dress shirt while dancing alongside Lopez. The sexy songstress also flaunted her body in a cleavage-baring purple fringe bodysuit.

PHOTOS: Jennifer Lopez's hot body evolution

At one moment during the act, Chmerkovskiy lifted Lopez up horizontally above his head. Lopez held his arm and shoulder while the dance pro grabbed her arm and thigh. In a response to Perez Hilton calling the stunt "epic" on Twitter, Chmerkovskiy confessed that it was "the most stressful four seconds of my life!"

Fortunately, Chmerkovskiy pulled it off without any mishaps. He also shared his appreciation for being a part of the performance by posting a photo with the rest of the backup dancers on Instagram. "ABUNDANCE of talent in this picture had nothing to do with the end result!" he captioned the group shot. "The hardest working group of dancers I've worked with!"

PHOTOS: Jennifer Lopez's best hairstyles

Lopez also tweeted the next day, "Thank you everyone! Yesterday was beautiful and incredible on so many levels!!!"

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Maksim Chmerkovskiy Lifts Jennifer Lopez Above His Head at AMAs, Calls Performance "Stressful"

Surprise! Elderly Connecticut twins were secret millionaires

By Jenny Depper November 25, 2013 1:42 PM The Sideshow

 

Kathleen Magowan may have passed away in 2011 at the age of 87, but her surprising charitable donations have given her a very unexpected legacy: she's being called a "secret millionaire."
During her lifetime, the former first grade teacher and her twin brother, Robert, amassed a fortune of nearly $10 million, much to the surprise of residents in their community of Simsbury, Connecticut.

View gallery

.

Kathleen Magowan's estate is valued at $6 million. (Courtesy of Vincent Funeral Home)

Kathleen Magowan's estate alone was estimated at nearly $6 million and after her passing she willed sizable sums of her wealth to places she held dear.She left nearly $480,000 to Simsbury public schools, $500,000 to the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford, more than $400,000 to the McLean nursing home where she died, and nearly $375,000 to her local parish, St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, according to The Hartford Courant.
"Her donation was the biggest in at least 33 years," Katie Wilde, executive assistant to the superintendent of Simsbury Public Schools, told Yahoo News.
Magowan taught for 35 years in the district and loved chatting about books and teaching, according to people who knew her, even in her later years at McLean Continuing Care Community, where she was a resident until her passing.
"She was very much the schoolteacher. She became a part of the community when she joined our pool. She was always recommending books and having discussions in the pool," Deene Morris, Director of Development at McLean tells Yahoo.
"People remember that she faithfully attended all exercise classes and had an attendance record that nearly exceeded all residents. She lived her life fully and completely, until the end of her life," Morris added.
However, none of the residents at McLean were aware of Magowan's affluence.
Neither Magowan nor her brother ever married and their fortunes were never mentioned in their obituaries. Robert Magowan, who worked for Prudential Insurance, died one year prior to his sister.
It reportedly took lawyers two years to discover the entirety of their massive wealth, which was amassed through a series of smart investments, according to The Hartford Courant:

"In one of the most stunning discoveries, a neighbor who was helping the attorneys found a Quaker Oats can in a closet that contained the original war bonds from the 1940s and 1950s, largely in small denominations of $50 and $100. The attorneys had no idea what the bonds might be worth, but some research on the Internet showed that the papers in the Quaker Oats can were worth $183,000."

"They didn't throw anything away," attorney David Bondanza, who did much of the legal work on the estate, told The Courant. "That's the bottom line. There was a lot of history in that house.''

View gallery

.

The house where Kathleen Magowan lived in Simsbury, Connecticut. (Google)

The contents of their home reportedly added $10,000 to their estate after lawyers found $6,000 in jewelry in a safe deposit box. The Magowan twins' list of priceless items go on, with National Geographic magazines dating back to 1929, old newspapers, dozens of file folders filled with magazines, record albums from the 1920s along with a record player that still worked.
However, the most important lesson from their savings seems to be in the power of giving.
"People don't give to be recognized," Morris tells Yahoo. "Miss Magowan has shown great generosity."

The Gobble: Help Choose the 2013 National Thanksgiving Turkey

Tomorrow, President Obama will honor the 2013 National Thanksgiving Turkey -- and once again the American people will decide which bird takes the title. Though both turkeys will receive a pardon, it's up to you to decide which one claims the title of 2013 National Thanksgiving Turkey. Folks across the country are flocking to cast their vote -- learn more about turkeys Caramel and Popcorn and find out how to cast yours.

Top Stories

No Matter Where You Come From, America Is a Place Where You Can Make It If You Try Yesterday, President Obama said he is committed to fixing our broken immigration system to make sure we continue welcoming striving, hardworking immigrants who see America the same way many of our ancestors did when they came here generations ago -- as a country where no matter who you are or what you look like or where you come from, you can make it if you try. READ MORE You’re Invited: White House Youth Summit Social We are excited to announce our next White House Social event, an in-person meeting for young Americans who engage with us on social media. READ MORE President Obama Delivers Remarks on Iran's Nuclear Program Addressing the nation from the State Dining Room on Saturday evening, President Obama said that the United States -- together with close allies and partners -- has taken an important first step toward a comprehensive solution that addresses concerns with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear program. READ MORE

Today's Schedule

All times are Eastern Time (ET) 12:00 PM: The President attends a DNC event 1:50 PM: The President tours DreamWorks Animation 2:10 PM: The President meets with film industry representatives 3:15 PM: The President delivers remarks WATCH LIVE 4:40 PM: The President departs Los Angeles en route Washington, D.C. 9:05 PM: The President arrives Joint Base Andrews 9:20 PM: The President arrives the White House

UGAIDI KENYA : NGOMA NZITO -JESHI LASISITIZA HAKUNA KURUDI NYUMA HADI MWISHO

MAGAIDI SITA WAUAWA,10 WAKAMATWA AIRPORT NAIROBI, Kenya   Hali si shwari, unaweza kusema hivyo kutokana na mapambano yanayoendelea ndani ya Jengo la Westgate, nchini Kenya, kati ya majeshi ya Serikali nchini humo na magaidi wenye silaha tangu Septemba 21 mwaka huu .  Jengo hilo lilivamiwa na wapiganaji wa Al Shabaab ambao wanadaiwa kufikia 10 hadi 15, kusababisha mauaji ya watu 62, wengine 175 kujeruhiwa na kuwateka baadhi ya watu ambao hadi sasa wanawashikilia ndani ya jengo hilo.  Jeshi la Polisi nchini, limesema watu 10 wanashikiliwa na walikamatwa wakati wakipanda ndege katika Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Jomo Kenyatta (JKIA).Pia jeshi hilo limewaonya Wakenya dhidi ya utapeli unaofanywa na baadhi ya watu wanaochangisha fedha ili kusaidia waathirika ambapo utoaji damu bado unaendelea Uhuru Park, jijini Nairobi. Taarifa iliyotolewa na Kituo cha Televisheni cha Citizen nchini humo, kilisema magaidi sita wameuawa katika mapambano hayo na wengine waliobaki ndani ya jengo hilo, wanaweza kujisalimisha baada ya kuwazidi nguvu.Kituo hicho kimeongeza kuwa, wanajeshi watatu wa Kenya kati ya 11 waliojeruhiwa katika mashambulizi yanayoendelea ndani ya jengo hilo, wamefariki dunia na kubaki wanane.Mkuu wa Majeshi nchini humo, Jenerali Julius Karangi, alisema katika mapambano hayo hakuna kurudi nyuma hadi magaidi hao wajisalimishe wenyewe. Raia wa nchi nyingine wahusishwa Waziri wa Mambo ya Nchi za Nje nchini Kenya, Bi. Amina Mohamed, amesema mwanamke mmoja raia wa Uingereza anadhaniwa kuhusika na tulio hilo.Bi. Mohamed alisema, mbali ya mwanamke huyo pia kuna raia wawili au watatu Wamarekani ambao inasemekana ni miongoni mwa magaidi hao wa mtandao wa Al Shabaab.  Kwa mujibu wa Shirika la Utangazaji la Uingereza (BBC), lilisema raia sita wa Uingereza wamethibitishwa kufa katika shambulio hilo.Ofisi inayohusika na Mambo ya Nje nchini Uingereza, ilisema ndugu wa karibu wa raia hao ambao wamepoteza maisha katika shambulio hilo, tayari wamepewa taarifa.   Pia ofisi hiyo ilifafanua kuwa, haina taarifa zozote juu ya raia wao kuhusika na shambulio hilo, lakini bado wanaendelea kushirikiana na mamlaka za Kenya ili kuwasaidia katika uchunguzi kutokana na shambulio hilo la kinyama.  Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari nchini Pakistan, Waziri wa Mambo ya Ndani wa Uingereza, Theresa May, alisema "Nimepata taarifa kuwa mwanamke raia wa Uingereza amehusishwa na tukio hili."Tutathibitisha taarifa hizi kama uchunguzi utakamilika, si rahisi kukubali au kukanusha kwa sasa," alisema May. Jeshi la Kenya    Hadi jana mchana, Jeshi la Kenya lilikuwa katika hatua za mwisho kukamilisha msako wa kulikomboa jengo hilo mikononi mwa magaidi.Shirika la Habari nchini Ufaransa (AFP), lilisema majeshi ya Kenya yalikuwa yakikabiliana na upinzani mkali kutoka kwa magaidi wawili walioosalia ndani ya jengo hilo kila mmoja akiwa amejificha eneo lake.   Milio ya risasi na milipuko ilisikika jana asubuhi katika jengo hilo, lakini Serikali ya Kenya, haijatoa idadi kamili ya mateka waliookolewa katika shambulio hilo.Kwa mujibu wa Kituo cha Televisheni cha K24 nchini Kenya, jana kilitangaza majina sita ambayo ni miongoni mwa magaidi wanaodaiwa kuhusika na shambulizi hilo.    Washukiwa hao ni Sayd Nuh (25), anayetoka Kismayu, Isamil Galed (23), Finland, Mustafa Noordiin (24) na Abdifatah Osman (24) wote raia wa Marekani, Kassim Musa (22), Garissa na Mohammed Badr (24), ambaye ni raia wa Syria. Al Shabaab ni nani?    Jina Al-Shabab linamaanisha kijana kwa lugha ya Kiarabu. Kundi hilo liliibuka kama tawi la vijana la muungano wa mahakama za Kiislamu ambao baadaye ulivunjika mwaka 2006 baada ya kupigana na wanajeshi wa Ethiopia waliokuwa wameingia nchini Somalia kuyaunga mkono majeshi ya Serikali.    Kundi hilo limeweka sheria kali za Kiislamu katika maeneo wanayoyadhibiti ikiwemo ya kupigwa mawe hadi kufa wanawake wanaodaiwa kufanya uasherati na kuwakata wezi mikono.Ingawa kundi hilo limepoteza udhibiti katika baadhi ya miji mikubwa nchini Somalia, liliondoka Mji Mkuu Mogadishu Agosti 2011 na Mji wa Kismayo Septemba mwaka 2012.     Kismayo ulikuwa mji muhimu wa kundi hilo na uliwawezesha kufikiwa na bidhaa pamoja na kuwatoza watu ushuru kwa shughuli zao.Kundi hilo lilianza kufanya mashambulizi ya kuvizia baada ya kushindwa na Majeshi ya Muungano wa Afrika wanaotumia nguvu dhidi yao ambapo Kenya ilianza harakati za kulimaliza kundi hilo mwaaka 2011 Kenyailiwatuhumu wapiganaji wa Al Shabaab kwa kuwateka nyara wanajeshi wake pamoja na watalii. Nani kiongozi wa Al-Shabaab?    Ahmed Abdi Godane ndiye kiongozi wa kundi hilo ambaye anajulikana kama Mukhtar Abu Zubair, akitokea katika Jimbo la Somaliland. Kumekuwa na taarifa za mgawanyiko katika kundi hilo, ambazo hata hivyo, zinapingwa vikali na kundi lenyewe.   Kiongozi wa kundi hilo Godane huwa haonekani hadharani, ambapo mtangulizi wake, Moalim Aden Hashi Ayro, aliuawa katika shambulizi lililofanywa na Marekani mwaka 2008.Al Shabaab walijiunga na al Qaeda, Februari mwaka 2012, ambapo kiongozi wa Al Shabaab (Godane), aliahidi kumuunga mkono kingozi wa al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri. Makundi hayo mawili yamekuwa yakifanya kazi kwa pamoja na baadhi ya raia wa kigeni wamekuwa wakiweaunga mkono na kuwasaidia katika harakati zao za mapigano

RUFIKI FARMERS GET FROM tractors investor.

Project coordinator of the sugarcane cultivation Plantation Foresty Agro Company Ltd, Mr. Mondo Mahanyu, he handed over the keys to the tractor to the Acting Chairman of the Village of swan B, Rufiji District, Mr. Abdulrahiman Ngongwe, to help village farmers at an affordable cost. Right is agricultural officer, Ms. Mbezi and Mrs. Rose. Mwanaidi Singano

Project coordinator of the sugarcane cultivation Plantation Foresty Agro Company Ltd, Mr. Mondo Mahanyu, he handed over the keys to the tractor to the Acting Chairman of the Village of swan B, Rufiji District, Mr.Abdulrahiman Ngongwe, to help village farmers at an affordable cost. Right is agricultural officer, Ms. Mbezi and Mrs. Rose. Mwanaidi Singano

Some Tractors that these farmers will benefit from them

 Chairmen of rural county of swan Rufiji District Coast have asked investor who has acquired land for their Reza invest quickly in the sugar cane fields to the country to begin to enjoy the fruits of investment.

Fruits are expected to benefit also includes jobs for their youth as the cultivated sugarcane investor will fugua large factory of sugar and be the savior greatest jobs in the ward especially for young people who finished seventh grade and Landa street without the activity of making.

Wakiongea yesterday before the coordinator of the project is esimamia activities of Agro PLANTATION District Rufiji Coast, Mondo Mahanyu, they say you hundred to start a project troubled residents of the area due to their decision to give land to later come and enjoy the fruits.

Wakiongea together in maongenzi rehabilitation done in government offices swan yesterday where all the chairmen of eight villages in the county that were assembled for the purpose of taking trailers from the investor as part of kulimiwa assisted through the fields of rural households.

Last year investor gave tractors in every village and do some household kuogeza double grain despite rain zisozoridhisha. In addition to providing investor tractors also gives social support in the villages are something that has made villagers more responding to the investor.

Chairmen were present at the handover of tractors recently included the village of Nyamwage, Ibrahimi Mboweto, Said Makangu chairman of the village of West Muhoro, literacy Rashid, chairman of the East Muhoro, Ali knuckles chairman of the swan A.

Others include Abdalahamani Ngongwe acting chairman of the village of swan B and chairman of the village of swan C. Salum Mtimbuko, wwenyeviti Roma villages, branch, Roma and Muyuyu could not arrive due to an excuse, but their tractor there for the taking and hiring people in the villages.

Speaking at the handover tractors on behalf of the investor, Coordinator Mahanyu company, said much of the investment in the County is to ensure that citizens benefit from the project, including youth employment and education in various disciplines.

He said the delay was due to start a project and get the measure process of land as established by the Government and not the Investor, has said it will step iliofikiwa satisfactory and any eagle villagers tagaziwa obtained official documents of legal ownership of these fields.

"I want villagers to rest and reflect issues before due process towards the end of the succeeding to get the documents to transactions ziianze official", said Mahanyu adding that other benefits will experience the villagers include kushilikishwa in the cultivation of sugar cane where every villager will cultivate sugarcane and selling factory .

Other benefits include the given advice from mabwanashamba will provide education on the sugar plantations and other grains in the county hiyo.Tayari zitakazolimwa

Speaking on behalf of the chairmen colleague eight villages in the ward who is also the chairman of the village of swan A, Ali knuckles, said the sluggish for the project kumewatia worried villagers of these areas where they represent the matter to the directors of the District, who was also contacted by a representative of and together they wekena similar for continuing with the project.

However chairmen and men reduce investor wanted to use tractors to cultivate it where they want one kulimiwa downs for 35,000 shillings instead of 45,000 / = as it was last year where due to the request of the representative of the company Agro Forest PLANTATION agreed to the request.

Chief of Coast Mahiza Mwantumu mother was mpogeza investor and enable him to devote County farmers in the fields kulimiwa to remove hunger situation in the ward kutakokoenda compatible with modern agricultural practices.

Speaking by phone, Mahiza said the investor is expected to bring major changes in agriculture and overall economic activity when he kapoaanza plowing his cane and finally kufugua sugar factory in the district.

Mwishoooo

Briefing on the Westgate Mall Terror Attack

I call on Kenyans to stand courageous and united. Let us not sacrifice our values and dignity to appease cowards. Our victory must be conclusive. Let us defeat them with our unity. By responding quickly and generously to distress calls, we have triumphed. By standing in long lines all over the city to give blood, donating money through our mobile devices, buying and distributing food, blankets and beverages to the affected, we have ashamed and defeated our attackers. Let us continue to wage a relentless moral war as our forces conduct the physical battle. We shall triumph. As I asked you yesterday, please continue helping, and continue praying.

VYAMA VYA UPINZANI WAMVAA IGP

Mkuu wa Jeshi la Polisi, Inspekta Jenerali Said Mwema (kulia) akiagana na Wenyeviti wa Vyama vya Siasa, Profesa Ibrahim Lipumba wa CUF (kushoto)Freeman Mbowe wa Chadema (wapili kulia) na James Mbatia wa NCCR-Mageuzi, jijini Dar es Salaam jana. Picha Fidelis Felix 
================================================

Dar es Salaam. Vyama vya siasa vya upinzani vya Chadema, CUF na NCCR-Mageuzi, leo vitafanya mkutano wa hadhara katika Viwanja vya Jangwani kuhamasisha wananchi wapinge kile wanachodai ni hujuma dhidi ya Mchakato wa Katiba Mpya.

Hatua ya kufanya mkutano huo, ilifikiwa jana baada ya wenyeviti wa vyama hivyo kumvamia Mkuu wa Jeshi la Polisi nchini (IGP), Said Mwema ofisini kwake wakipinga kitendo cha Kamanda wa Polisi Mkoa wa Dar es Salaam kupiga marufuku maandamano waliyokuwa wayafanye leo jijini humo. Katika mkutano wao na IGP Mwema, viongozi hao walikubaliana maandamano hayo yasitishwe kwa sababu za kiusalama, lakini wafanye mkutano huo wa hadhara. Wenyeviti hao wa vyama vya Upinzani, James Mbatia wa NCCR-Mageuzi, Freeman Mbowe (Chadema) na Profesa Ibrahim Lipumba (CUF), ambao walikutana na Mwema jana mchana.

Hatua ya viongozi hao ilitokana na tamko lililotolewa juzi na Kamanda wa Polisi wa Kanda Maalumu Dar es Salaam, Suleiman Kova kusitisha maandamano ya vyama hivyo yasifanyike. Kova alitaja sababu za uamuzi huo kuwa ni kuhofia yatasababisha kusitishwa kwa shughuli za kiuchumi pamoja na kuwepo taarifa za kiintelijensia kwamba yatakuwa na vurugu. Tamko hilo liliwakera viongozi wa vyama hivyo vitatu vilivyotangaza kushirikiana katika kupinga kile wanachodai ni uporaji wa haki ya wananchi kutunga Katiba yao. Mazungumzo wenyeviti hao na IGP yalianza saa 6 mchana na kumalizika saa 11 jioni, ambapo walitoa taarifa ya pamoja kuhusu waliyokubaliana.

Akitangulia kutoa taarifa hiyo, kwa niaba ya wenzake, Mwenyekiti wa CUF, Profesa Lipumba alisema: “Tumekubaliana kesho tutafanya mkutano Viwanja vya Jangwani. Tumekubaliana kusitisha maandamano hadi Oktoba 5, (mwaka huu).” Aliongeza kuwa wamekubaliana pia kwamba watafanya mkutano mwingine wa hadhara Visiwani Zanzibar, Jumatano ijayo. Hata hivyo, katika taarifa ya pamoja, ulitokea kuhitilafiana kwa kauli, pale IGP Mwema alipokuwa akitoa ya upande wake. Hali hiyo ilitokana na kauli ya Profesa Lipumba kusisitiza kuwa mikutano na maandamano ni haki ya msingi kwa vyama vya siasa na kwamba wanachopaswa ni kutoa taarifa kwa polisi na wala siyo kuomba kibali.

Awali, wakati Mwema akihitimisha taarifa hiyo ya pamoja alisema kuwa wanasiasa hao wanapaswa kuomba kibali cha maandamano hayo ya Oktoba 5. Alisisitiza kuwa kazi ya polisi ni kuhakikisha usalama wa raia na mali zao, hivyo wanasiasa hao wanapaswa kuomba kibali na baada ya polisi kuchunguza watakuwa na mamlaka ya kuridhia au kukataa ombi lao. Mwema alisema haoni haja ya kuwepo malumbano na wanasiasa hao katika suala hilo kwa sababu lengo lao ni moja nalo ni kudumisha ustawi wa jamii.“Wote tunajenga nyumba moja, sioni sababu ya kugombania fito,” lisema Mwema. Mzozo wa Katiba

Mzozo wa vyama vya siasa vya upinzani ulianzia kwenye Mkutano wa 12 wa Bunge uliomalizika hivi karibuni mjini Dodoma, lakini sasa umehamia nje ya Bunge na vyama hivyo vimetangaza azma ya kuanza kampeni ya kuuhamasisha umma kudai maridhiano kabla ya kuendelea na mchakato wa Katiba Mpya. Viongozi hao wa upinzani wanadai kwamba wabunge wa CCM waliongeza baadhi ya mambo kupitia majedwali ya marekebisho.

Wanadai kuwa hali hiyo inatoa mwanya kwa Serikali inayoongozwa na CCM kupitia kwa rais kuwa na mamlaka zaidi ya uteuzi wa wajumbe husika. Vyama hivyo viliazimia kuanza rasmi leo harakati za kuhamasisha umma kupitia maandamano na mikutano ya hadhara. Ndoa hiyo ya wapinzani waliifunga, Septemba 15, kwa kuandika historia nyingine mpya kwenye tasnia ya siasa za Tanzania wakipinga Muswada wa Marekebisho ya Sheria ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba wa mwaka 2013. Wanadai mapendekezo mengi yaliyomo katika Rasimu ya Katiba iliyotolewa na Tume ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba, yalipendekezwa na vyama hivyo, hivyo havitakuwa tayari kuona maoni hayo pamoja na ya Watanzania wengi yakichakachuliwa. Wanasema muungano wao ni mwanzo wa kuunganisha umma wa Watanzania kufanya uamuzi wa kunusuru utekaji madaraka na mamlaka ya nchi kutoka kwa wananchi. 

Vyama hivyo vinadai kuwa vinaungwa mkono na makundi mbalimbali yakiwamo asasi za kiraia, taasisi za dini, vyama vingine vya siasa, wasomi na taasisi za elimu. Makundi mengine ni pamoja na vyama vya wafanyakazi, jumuiya za wakulima, wafugaji, wavuvi, sekta binafsi, watu wenye ulemavu, jumuiya za wanawake, vijana na wastaafu.

Misimamo ya wenyeviti Profesa Lipumba anasema wanachopigania ni kuurejesha mchakato wa Katiba Mpya mikononi mwa umma, anaongeza kuwa suala hilo kwa sasa limehodhiwa na CCM. “Tunamshauri Rais Kikwete asisaini muswada huu, aurejeshe bungeni ufanyiwe marekebisho yenye kujenga kuaminiana na mwafaka wa kitaifa kwenye mchakato wa mabadiliko ya Katiba. Hatutakwenda kumwona, ila aurejeshe bungeni,” anasema Lipumba na kuongeza: “Mchakato huu unahitaji uvumilivu, staha na hekima na usitawaliwe na nia mbaya, ubabe, mabavu, kejeli na dharau hasa kutoka kwa watawala. Misingi hii ikipuuzwa mchakato mzima unaweza kutumbukiza taifa letu katika mpasuko, migogoro na hata machafuko.” Mbatia anasema historia ya nchi inaonyesha kuwa waasisi wa kutaka sauti, kauli na mawazo ya umma isikike katika kudai Katiba Mpya ni vyama vya upinzani.

“CCM ndio nini… Wanatakiwa kujua kuwa Tanzania kwanza vyama baadaye, vyama vya siasa vilivyokuwa vikitawala nchini Kenya, Zambia vimekufa, lakini nchi hizo bado zipo. CCM inaweza kufa, lakini Tanzania itaendelea kubakia” anasema na kuongeza; “CCM wakisema wapinzani tunafanya vurugu wanakosea, hatuwezi kuangamiza wazo letu la kutaka Katiba Mpya, katika taifa hili Watanzania hawajawahi kuandika Katiba iliyotokana na mawazo yao.” Mbowe anasema wameamua kuweka pembeni tofauti zao kwa ajili ya kudai Katiba Mpya ya Watanzania wote, kwamba hata wanahabari wanatakiwa kuweka pembeni itikadi za vyombo vyao vya habari vinavyomilikiwa na vyama vya siasa, kuwa wakweli katika kudai Katiba Mpya. “Waandishi wa habari msiwe vipaza sauti vya watawala bila kutafakari kwa kina Tanzania ya miaka 100 ijayo itakuwaje, wanahabari mnaweza kutunyima Katiba Mpya au mkatunyima kama ikitumika vibaya,” anasema.

Anaongeza kuwa amani ya nchi inaweza kuvurugwa kama mchakato wa katiba utahodhiwa na chama kimoja cha siasa (CCM), “Ikiwa hivyo, sisi hatutakubali kuwa kondoo. Wanaohubiri amani watambue kuwa kuna misingi ya kuipata amani hiyo, amani inapatikana kunapokuwepo na haki.” Huku akinukuu kitabu cha Mwalimu Julius Nyerere cha ‘Freedom and Unity’, anasema, “Ni rahisi mno kuliwasha taifa la watu ambao wamekwazika, taifa hili watu wamekwazika sana. Mchakato wa katiba unaweza kutibu majeraha makubwa ambayo yanalikabili taifa.” Anasema fursa adimu ya kupata Katiba Mpya inapotezwa na bunge na CCM na anasisitiza kwamba wapinzani watatumia kila aina ya mbinu kuwaelewesha Watanzania kinachoendelea ili washiriki katika kuidai katiba iliyotokana na mawazo yao.

“Wapinzani hatutarudi nyuma na hatutakubali nchi kurejeshwa chini ya uongozi wa katiba ya sasa. Hilo wenzangu (wenyeviti wenzangu) naomba mnielewe, Chadema hatukubali na naomba na nyinyi msikubali, maana ndani ya CCM kuna kundi linataka kurudi katika katiba hii tunayoilalamikia,” alisema. Anasema katika kitabu hicho, Mwalimu Nyerere alisema, ‘Kuna siku wananchi watachagua kifo kama viongozi hawatakuwa makini’, kwamba hoja ya kutaka Amani itaharibiwa na wale wenye dola, siyo vyama vya upinzani.

SERIKALI KUONGEZA MASHAHIDI KESI YA MAMA LEILA, MAHAKAMA YARIDHIA

Dar es Salaam. Mahakama Kuu Kanda ya Dar es Salaam, imeridhia kuongeza mashahidi wawili muhimu wa upande wa mashtaka katika kesi ya kihistoria ya dawa za kulevya zenye thamani ya Sh225 milioni.

Akitoa uamuzi wake jana kuhusu ombi la upande wa mashtaka, Jaji Grace Mwakipesile alisema anashindwa kuelewa kwa nini upande wa mashtaka ulishindwa kuwasilisha ombi hilo la msingi la kisheria, wakati kesi hiyo ikihamishiwa Mahakama Kuu. “Kinachonishangaza ni upande wa mashtaka kwa makusudi na uzembe walishindwa kuwasilisha maombi hayo ya kuongeza mashahidi wawili, wakati kesi ilipokuwa ikihamishwa,” alisema kwa mshangao Jaji Mwakipesile.

Jaji Mwakipesile aliongeza kuwa: “Kutokana na ukweli kwamba vidhibiti viliorodheshwa na mashahidi wawili walitajwa wakati wa kusikiliza kesi, mahakama hii inachukuliwa ushahidi huo siyo wa kutisha. Na kwa kuwa ushahidi huo ni muhimu katika kesi hii, nakubali ombi la kuwaongeza mashahidi hao kutoa ushahidi,” alisema Jaji Mwakipesile wakati akitoa uamuzi wake. Kesi hiyo inawakabili watuhumiwa tisa akiwamo raia wa Kenya, Mwanaidi Ramadhani Mfundo, maarufu kwa jina la Mama Leila au Naima Mohammed Nyakiniwa.

Mama Leila kabla ya kukamatwa Juni 2011 eneo la Mbezi, Dar es Salaam, pia alikuwa akitafutwa na Serikali ya Marekani kwa makosa kama hayo. Watuhumiwa wengine katika kesi hiyo ni Ben Ngare na Anthony Karanja ambao ni raia wa Kenya na Watanzania watano Sara Munuo, Alma Said, Yahya Ibrahim, Aisha Kungwi na Rajabu Juma. Mashahidi walioongezwa ni Bertha Mamuya kutoka Ofisi ya Mkemia Mkuu wa Serikali, ambaye ndiye aliyezifanyia uchunguzi dawa hizo na kisha kuzifunga, pamoja na Mrakibu Msaidizi wa Polisi (ASP) Neema kutoka Kikosi cha Kuzuia Dawa za Kulevya ambaye pia ndiye mtunza vielelezo hivyo. Awali wakili wa utetezi, Evod Mmanda alitumia Kifungu cha 289 (3) cha Sheria ya Mwenendo wa Makosa ya Jinai (CPA), kupinga hoja ya upande wa mashtaka ya kutaka kuongeza mashahidi wawili.

“Mheshimiwa Jaji, Prosecution (upande wa mashtaka) waliomba jana ahirisho ili waweze ku- file (kuwasilisha) hicho walichokiomba (taarifa ya kumwongeza shahidi), ruhusa umeitoa leo kwenye uamuzi wako, hivyo walitakiwa wa-file notice yao hiyo baada ya uamuzi wako (wa leo),” alisema na kuongeza: “Hivyo hakuna notisi halali hapa mahakamani. Notisi halali ni ile watakayoiwasilisha baada ya uamuzi wako. Kwa hiyo sisi tunasema kuwa hadi sasa hakuna notisi halali ya kuita mashahidi wa ziada. “Kama Mahakama yako itaikubali hii wanayoita notisi, ingawa sisi tunasema siyo notisi halali, basi tunaomba Mahakama yako ione kuwa haikutolewa ‘in a reasonable time’ (wakati mwafaka).”

“Hawa wanatajwa kuwepo katika mchakato tangu mwanzo. Mamuya anakiri kupokea kifurushi (bahasha yenye vielelezo) Juni 16, 2011, hadi leo ni miaka miwili na miezi mitatu imepita. Hivyo walijua uwepo wa Mamuya mapema.  Huu si wakati mwafaka,’’ alisema Wakili Mmanda. Hata hivyo, alisema hawana maelezo ya maandishi ya Mamuya wala ya ASP Neema huku akidai kuwa maelezo ya ASP Neema yanaonyesha kuwa yameandikwa Juni 11, mwaka huu wakati hatua ya maelezo ya kesi ilishakamilika. Akijibu hoja hizo, Wakili wa Serikali, Prosper Mwangamila alidai kuwa katika kesi zote za jinai si jukumu la upande wa mashtaka kuwapatia upande wa utetezi nyaraka mbalimbali wanazokusudia kuzitumia katika kesi, bali Mahakama. “Notisi wanayoitaja iko mahakamani tangu jana, hivyo utaratibu uliotumika wao kupata nyaraka nyingine ndio unaotumika kuwapatia notisi hii. Hivyo hoja ya upande wa mashtaka kuchelewa kuwa ‘serve’ (kuwapatia) haina msingi,” alisema Wakili Mwangamila.

Alisema taarifa hiyo iko mahakamani kisheria kwa mujibu wa Kifungu cha 289 (1) na (2) cha CPA na kuiomba mahakama ione kuwa imewasilishwa katika muda mwafaka.

MRAMBA NA SHAHIDI WAKE WALETA MTAFARUKU KISHERIA

Dar es Salaam. Shahidi wa Waziri wa Fedha wa zamani, Basil Mramba, Kamishna wa zamani wa Mamlaka ya Mapato Tanzania (TRA), Felician Busigara, jana alizua mvutano mkali kati ya mawakili wa mashtaka na wale wa utetezi.  Busigara ambaye ni shahidi wa pili wa Mramba, alipanda kizimbani katika Mahakama ya Hakimu Mkazi Kisutu, ili kumtetea Mramba katika kesi ya matumizi mabaya ya madaraka katika ofisi za umma na kuisababishia Serikali hasara.

Washtakiwa wengine katika kesi hiyo ni, Waziri wa zamani wa Nishati na Madini, Daniel Yona na Katibu Mkuu wa zamani wa Wizara ya Fedha, Gray Mgonja. Wanakabiliwa na mashtaka ya kuisamehe kodi isivyo halali, Kampuni ya Ukaguzi wa Madini ya Alex Stewart (Assayers) ya Uingereza na kuisababishia Serikali hasara ya Sh11.7 bilioni.

Mvutano huo ulizuka baada ya upande wa mashtaka, kumpinga shahidi huyo, kutoa ushahidi wake kama mtaalamu wa masuala ya kodi, ukidai kuwa upande wa utetezi haukufuata taratibu za utoaji wa maoni kama mtaalamu. Wakati akitoa ushahidi wake huku akiongozwa na Wakili Herbert Nyange, anayemtetea Mramba, Wakili wa Serikali Mkuu, Oswald Tibabyekomya, alikuwa akinyanyuka mara kwa mara na kuweka pingamizi shahidi huyo kutoa ushahidi kama mtaalamu.Mbali na Wakili Tibabyekomya kupinga, mahakama pia ilikuwa ikihoji sababu za shahidi huyo kutoa ushahidi kama mtaalamu.

Akiongozwa na Wakili Nyange, Busigara alidai kuwa sheria ya kodi ya mapato inamtaja mwenye mamlaka ya kusamehe kodi kuwa ni Waziri wa Fedha. “Nyange kuna haja gani ya kumleta shahidi anayezungumzia sheria, sheria zipo katika vitabu, hata wakili unaweza kuzungumzia hizo sheria katika majumuisho yako, mashahidi wako wasituambie kuhusu sheria,” alihoji Jaji Rumanyika. Shahidi aliendelea kutoa ushahidi kwa kusoma kipengele kimoja cha mkataba kati ya Alex Stewart na BoT, akidai kuwa mkataba huo ulionyesha kwamba atakayelipa kodi ni benki na kampuni itapata fedha yake baada ya kodi.  Jambo lililosababisha Jaji Rumanyika kuingilia tena kati.

MBUNGE SAME KUNG'OLEWA NA CHADEMA

Same. Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), kimetangaza operesheni maalumu ya kumng’oa ubunge, Mbunge wa Jimbo la Same Magharibi, Dk David Mathayo David katika Uchanguzi Mkuu wa 2015.

Operesheni hiyo iliyopewa jina la “Operesheni Mathayo Out” kwa kifupi OMO ilianza wiki iliyopita kwa kufanya mikutano ya hadhara jimboni humo na itaendelea tena wiki ijayo.

Mmoja wa makamanda wa operesheni hiyo, Gervas Mgonja alisema jimbo hilo limekuwa chini ya himaya ya CCM tangu Uhuru lakini wananchi wake wapo kama wamefunga ndoa na tatizo la maji. Dk Mathayo ambaye pia ni Waziri wa Maendeleo ya Mifugo na Uvuvi alipoulizwa kuhusu operesheni hiyo ya kumng’oa alisema, Chadema ni chama kidogo na hakimnyi usingizi kwa madai uwezo wa kampeni unaishia Himo.

KAYA 10 NGORONGORO KUPATA OFA YA WAZIRI MKUU KATIKA CHAKULA

Ngorongoro. Waziri Mkuu, Mizengo Pinda ametangaza neema kwa wakazi wa Tarafa ya Ngorongoro ya kutoa maguni kumi kwa kila kaya kwa mwaka ili kusaidia wakazi wa eneo hilo kukabiliana na njaa.

Akizungumza katika mkutano wa hadhara katika Kata ya Enduleni jana, Waziri Mkuu huyo alisema Serikali imefikia uamuzi huo wa maombi ya wananchi wa tarafa hiyo ya kuomba kuruhusiwa kulima kama njia ya kujikimu kimaisha yakifanyiwa kazi.

Waziri Mkuu alisema Serikali,itakuwa ikitoa gunia tano kwa kila kaya kila baada ya miezi sita na hivyo kaya 20,000 za tarafa hiyo zenye watu 87,000 zitakuwa zikipatiwa magunia 200,000. Eneo hili mnaloishi ni la kipekee dunia kwani limetangazwa ni urithi wa dunia na moja ya maajabu saba ya asili ya Afrika hivyo tunapaswa kulilinda na tukiruhusu kilimo bila kuwa na utaratibu tutaliharibu,”alisema Pinda.

Hata hivyo wakizungumza baada ya ahadi hiyo ya chakula cha bure, wananchi wa tarafa hiyo,walionyesha wasiwasi wao kama ahadi hiyo itatekelezwa kwa kuwa tayari Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii, Balozi Hamisi Kagasheki aliagiza wapewe chakula bure wakati wa njaa lakini baadaye walitakiwa kununua.

Eliamani Laltaika, William ole Sekei na Nasyera Nangai walisema hawana tatizo na ahadi ya chakula cha bure, lakini uzoefu unaonyesha ni vigumu kutekelezwa kwa kuwa haitawezekana kulishwa kwa maisha yao yote. Ole Sekei alisema kilimo kiliporuhusiwa mwaka 1992 ilitokana na hali ya njaa kama ilivyo sasa na Serikali ilitoa ahadi nyingi lakini hazikutekelezwa . Waziri mkuu,Naibu Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii, Lazaro Nyalandu alisema ahadi hiyo itatekelezwa mara moja sambamba na kuliongezea fedha Baraza la Wafugaji pia kuongezwa fedha za miradi ya maendeleo kutoka Sh5 bilioni hadi kufikia Sh8 bilioni kwa mwaka.