By LUVEI TIMES Reporter | Nairobi, Kenya

THE population increase in Kenya poses more challenges for understaffed police officers who lack sufficient equipment to perform duties.

The national census results released on Tuesday in Nairobi indicate police to population ratio is still wide, against a backdrop of a temporary freeze of recruitment of officers. The Kenya Population and Housing Census put the country’s people at 38, 610,097, a figure that is likely to hit the 40 million mark in the two next years, according to projections by demographers.

Population ratio

The security needs of the populace are taken care of by less than 70,000 policemen and women, translating to a police to population ratio of slightly above 1:600, which is below the United Nations 1:450 recommended standard.

A one year moratorium on recruitment slowed efforts to reach the universal standard. Police yesterday expressed worry that their work had been compounded by the increase, which was announced at a time when the new Constitution demands that they adhere to the Bill of Rights.
“Enforcing the Bill of Rights will be a problem, the population is too huge, the police are a drop in the ocean. The predicament means the use of force will not be ruled out,” stated a policeman. Security experts noted the population climb was incommensurate with police recruitment, which was suspended last year to pave way for what the government termed as “urgent reforms”.

Racing against time

Police are at the moment racing against time to be ahead of organized crime revolving around kidnapping and terrorism – crimes that thrive in an environment where security agents are few and lack technological back-up.

Even a planned recruitment of 6,000 officers will not ease the shortage attributed to underfunding by the Treasury. The National Task Force on Police Reforms in a report last year, recommended against recruitment proposing funds meant for the exercise to be channeled to housing and pending allowances.
Based on the UN standard, police are about 20,000 less. And a big number of the police population is not directly involved in crime management and prevention, but VIP protection, Cash-In-Transit (CIT) duties and safeguarding government buildings.

“The number (police) will not have any impact on the population. Already the police are overstretched, fighting crime will be hectic. With the kind of scenario, we shall have quasi militias, and vigilantes will be allover soon,” said George Musamali the operations director of Executive Protection Services.

A former General Service Unit (GSU) officer, Musamali said alternative solutions were available like seeking the service of reservists and outsourcing VIP and CIT to private security firms. “A minister should not be allowed to have five or more police officers,” he added.

However, Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere assured they will cope with the situation as they seek to narrow the police to population gap saying 3000 regular police officers and a similar number will be recruited soon.

“We are managing and we shall reach there (UN standard). But at the moment we shall continue with our mandated duties until when financial and human resources will be available to reach that figure,” he added.

Panasonic World’s First1 3D Consumer Camcorder

Osaka, Japan

Panasonic Corporation, an industry leader in Full HD 3D and HD TV technology, unveiled today the world’s first 3D camcorder for consumers. The HDC-SDT750 camcorder allows anyone to create powerful, true-to-life 3D images by simply attaching a 3D conversion lens that comes with the camcorder. Even without the 3D conversion lens, this innovative camcorder offers many ways to take home video recording to a new level with a wide range of sophisticated features. The camcorder will go on sale in Japan on August 20, to be followed in other countries in autumn of this year.?

At the vanguard of 3D technology, this year Panasonic launched its Full HD 3D VIERA plasma TVs and 3D Blu-ray Disc players for homes as well as the world’s first professional 3D camcorder. The development of a consumer camcorder capable of 3D recording is a natural next step for the company.

Incorporating Panasonic’s broadcast technology, the advanced 3MOS System SDT750 camcorder lets users easily create their own 3D movies, something that previously only professional image producers had been able to do. Combined with a VIERA 3DTV and Blu-ray Disc player/recorder, the SDT750 camcorder makes it possible to save precious memories of friends and family in vivid, lifelike 3D images, thereby further expanding the world of 3D enjoyment at home.

Even without the 3D conversion lens attached, there are many ways to enjoy the SDT750 camcorder. The 3MOS system with improved noise reduction (NR) technologies records dimly lit images in greater beauty than ever before. Other sophisticated functions include 1080/60p for NTSC or 1080/50p for PAL recording (Full-HD 1,920 x 1,080, 60 or 50 progressive recording) for ultra-smooth images, iA (Intelligent Auto) mode5 in the new HYBRID O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization/Optical Image Stabilizer), and a wealth of manual functions controlled by a manual ring6 for easy, creative shooting.

The high-sensitivity 3MOS System provides an effective motion image pixel count of 7,590,000 pixels (2,530,000 pixels x 3). And even with this high pixel count, newly developed technology increases sensitivity, and further-evolved NR technology achieves bright images with minimal noise when shooting under low light conditions. This maximizes the 3MOS features of excellent color reproduction, high resolution and rich gradation, and lets the user capture vividly colored images in both bright and darkly lit places.

Recording in 1,080/60p for NTSC or 1,080/50p for PAL, the SDT750 camcorder produces richly expressive images, with none of the detail loss and flickering of the conventional 1,080i (interlace) recording. In addition, the iA function, which was highly popular on previous models, makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful videos. The SDT750 camcorder also newly incorporates the HYBRID O.I.S. system to bring clear, beautiful HD image quality to telephoto shots as well.

Miracle beetle: neochetina, is the key to biological control of hycinth

Lake Victoria, legendary source of the Nile and cradle of early human evolution was finally losing its capacity to support human life.

In 1998 several multi-million dollar harvesting machines were sent to the lake as a European answer to the crisis. Various chemical companies also set up office in Kampala, Uganda, hoping to secure contracts to attack the weed with herbicides. The World Bank had allocated US$9.3 million to solving the water hyacinth problem, as part of a larger Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP), so there was money to be made by the politically savvy.

But by late 1999 the weed, covering more than 12,000 hectares along the shores of Kenya and Uganda, was suddenly dying.

To the chagrin of chemicals and machinery salesmen, and local officials hoping for commissions, the weed was already beaten … without fuss and for a comparatively small cost.

Salvation for the 30 million people who rely on the lake for their basic sustenance had come instead from an unexpected partnership – Australian expertise in the biological control of aquatic weeds, small teams of researchers in the three lake countries Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and two small South American weevils of the Neochetina family which have insatiable and exclusive appetites for water hyacinth.
The defeat of water hyacinth on Lake Victoria is now emerging as one of the world’s great biological control successes and a rare humanitarian triumph.

To understand how impenetrable and wide-spread the weed had become, rail-ferry links were often broken for weeks at a time because ships couldn’t dock at their wharves, and numerous fishing villages were being abandoned; many people believing their communities had been afflicted by a calamity beyond all help.

Thus the weed’s dramatic disappearance over the past eight months has been a salvation in every sense of the word. It has saved millions of people from social and economic dislocation and possible starvation.
Yet when biological control was mooted by scientists just four years ago, the notion was ridiculed by many officials, even some international scientists.

At that time, however, Australia, through the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s (CSIRO) Division of Entomology, was using the Neochetina weevils to control water hyacinth in lagoons on the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea.

As in bays around Lake Victoria, the PNG lagoons had become so choked that there too, whole villages had been abandoned.
When in 1996 the scientists heard of plans to tackle water hyacinth on Lake Victoria with herbicides and machines, they urged the African governments to consider biological control.

Dr Mic Julien, the CSIRO biologist who was leading the assault on the Sepik River, took before-and-after photographs from PNG to show African authorities what could be achieved. He also argued that bio-control offered the only long-term, sustainable answer.

“But everyone was mesmerised by the notion of a quick fix … chemicals and big shiny harvesters. All we were offering were tiny weevils.”
Fortunately for Dr Julien and his team the scepticism levelled at their proposal was matched by delays and arguments that were also thwarting the proponents of herbicides and harvesters. The main opponents of herbicides were politically-influential Nile Perch exporters, who feared for their profitable export trade to Europe if chemicals started being sprayed over the lake.

The argument opened a window of opportunity for the biologists. Ugandan and Kenyan scientists travelled to Australia for training in biological control techniques while Dr Julien and a colleague, Dr Tony Wright ran a course in Kenya to teach local communities how to raise the Neochetina weevils in drums and tanks.

But there was strong political opposition. The then Uganda Minister for Agriculture visited the main research station and ridiculed the whole idea.

“It took a lot of courage for the local researchers to continue because there was real pressure coming down on them,” said Dr Julien.
“There were significant gains for people backing the chemicals and machines, but there was no profit in biological control, except for the community at large.”

The first weevils were released onto water hyacinth on Lake Victoria off Uganda and Kenya in 1997 while official attention was still fixed on the continuing debate over herbicides and harvesters.

About the same time as the weevils were released, the first harvesters arrived at Port Bell where some of the worst weed banks had stopped ships from docking. Working flat out the machines cleared about 300 hectares, but had no overall impact because of the weed’s rapid regrowth.

A matter of time

Port bells as it was before the weevil was introduced to the lake

Meanwhile, discussions dragged on about the pros and cons of using herbicides.
“This proved to be the key for us … time for the insects to become established while committees wrangled over their preferred ‘quick-fix’ options,” said Dr Julien.

“The irony was that we knew we had the answer but weren’t prepared to tout it as a ‘quick-fix’ because the weevils needed a few years. But once they were established on the weed we knew the impact would be rapid, visible and importantly, long-lasting.”

The weevils kill the plant by feeding on the leaves. When the population is high this alone can destroy the leaves. But more importantly, larvae tunnel in the petioles (leaf stalks) and into the crown of the plant, destroying the growing points. When severe, the damage allows water to enter the plant and secondary rotting occurs. The combined damage reduces the plant’s ability to flower, set seed, send out off-shoots and replace damaged leaves. Under heavy attack the plants rot and become water logged and eventually sink.

In November 1999 Julien returned to the lake to assess the weevils’ progress and even from a distance as his flight descended into the lakeside town of Kisumu in Kenya, the weed was visibly diminished.
He was euphoric: “It was a wonderful feeling. There were probably only half a dozen people in the world who understood at that moment what it meant.”

Sadly, given the cost and the poverty of surrounding communities, the Kenyan Government had just succumbed to the urge to use machinery and had contracted machines costing $1.5 million from USA. These were delivered but by late 1999 were sitting on the lake with little water hyacinth to work on.

It was the end of a 10-year drama textured by political maneuverings, human courage and fascinating science.
It has given hope that other environmental ills facing the lake and its people may also be cured or controlled.

Lake victoria's port bells dramatically changed once beetles were established

Lake Victoria is said to have experienced the greatest mass extinction of vertebrates in modern times. Thirty years ago the lake boasted about 500 fish species. More than half are now extinct, including the ngege (Oreochromis esculentus) which used to be the main fish caught for food.

Restoring the lake’s health is now an international mission with the World Bank allocating US$77 million to a range of programs aimed at re-establishing a sustainable fishing industry, and solving the nutrient and siltation problems.

© 2000 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Original source: http://abc.net.au/science/slab/hyacinth/default.htm

al shabaab militia on patrols in somalia

KENYA security Forces made a brief incursion into Somalia following the attack on a policeman at Liboi border checkpoint by gunmen suspected to be members of Al Shabaab militia.

The penetration across was aimed at infiltrating the militia group, which has frequently raided Kenya in a bid to impose its ideologies on locals. A joint team of military and police pursued the gunmen into Somalia after they shot injuring a General Service Unit (GSU) officer on Tuesday morning.

Deal gone sour

However, there were contradicting information on circumstances surrounding the attack in Lagdera. The police constable is currently recuperating in hospital nursing gunshot wounds on the leg. His colleague escaped unscathed. Some intelligence reports indicated that the officer was shot after a deal with the attackers went sour.

“ Really is it al Shabaab or other things. We understand the officer has been having some business dealings with the group, though am not an authority to comment on the matter. But that attack revolved around some unclear businesses,” said the highly placed source.

Police spokesman Erick Kiraithe dismissed the claims saying they were not reasonable since the Kenya/Somalia border has always been risky. “I don’t think so, the allegation is untenable and wild,” he added.

This is the second time the police have been attacked at the checkpoint. In April, suspected Somali insurgents raided the area before hurling hand grenades at the GSU camp as they fled back into their country.

A source said no arrests were made during the incursion about four kilometres into Somalia. “That is normal, we have to show them our power, but the objective is to disorient them and if possible gather some intelligence,” added the source.

Kenya border is safe

Military spokesman Bogita Ongeri reiterated the border was safe. Joint teams of military, regular and administration police have been stationed strategically along the porous border, he added. Despite the heavy presence of security personnel over the last two weeks following the Kampala bombings which left 74 people dead, insurgents still find their way into Kenya.

Senior Government officials were now grappling with the illegal entry problem believed to be encouraged by some bureaucrats after the weekend arrest of a senior police officer linked to a human trafficking syndicate operating between Mogadishu and Nairobi.

The seizure of the officer as he ferried Somalis into the country, came days after the head of Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) Nicholas Kamwende asked Kenyans to be on the look out for suspicious foreigners in public places. Al Shabaab has frequently threatened to attack Kenya accusing her of supporting the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.

Kenya police : SOme junior officer are grambling over recent 28% pay rise

By Luvei Times Reporter

POLICE operations in Nairobi were yesterday paralyzed after some disgruntled officers protesting against a meager salary increase, tampered with the communication system.

Senior officers were unable to issue instructions via pocket radios since some junior officers were responding through the same media by throwing tantrums back. The officers told their seniors that they would not take instructions unless the salary issue was properly addressed by the Government.

Some senior officers were consequently forced to switch off their radios preferring to use mobile phones instead. Efforts to reach relevant officers for comments were futile, some did not pick up their mobile phones while others said they were held up in meetings.

Radio comminication blocked

However, concerned junior officers confirmed that communication had been destabilized since Wednesday when Internal Security minister George Saitoti awarded them an increment of 28 percent.

“Radio communication has been blocked. Officers are issuing insults to superiors complaining that they will not work because the Government had taken them for a ride by awarding them too little,” an officer told LTM

Immediately after the announcement by Saitoti, a majority of police and prison officers cried foul saying the increase was below exception. Constables earning Shs 11,010 will now receive an additional of Shs 3,000 plus their normal allowance of Shs 7,145. They complained the amount would be reduced after being subjected to taxation.

“We are not happy, what the minister did not tell you (media) is that the purported increase will be taxed, so there is nothing significant to be happy about,” protested a Corporal. The police are demanding a 50 percent increment, which they believe will be reasonable but not enough given the risky nature of their work.

Staggered over a period

The eagerly awaited salary rise since 2007, is expected to cost the Exchequer Shs 21 billion and will be staggered over a period of three years. The first phase, which is effective this month, will consume Shs 5.1 billion. Nothing was mentioned about allowances – an omission that angered the officers across the country.

The Government has been under pressure for better pay from teachers, civil servants and Members of Parliament. Public Service minister Dalmas Otieno said while the Government would like to double salaries for the police, it was not possible because of different mechanisms used in various departments.

He however, disclosed a standard procedure that will lead to harmonized salaries will soon be rolled out. Saitoti pledged that the second and third phases will enhance basic salaries as well as addressing allowances.

The increase was aimed at taming growing despondency within police and prison services. But officers seemed not to have been appeased, protesting as soon as the Government made the offer. Deputy Commissioners/Commandants and above receive an increase of 25 percent.

political opponents supporters clash in the Nairobi streets, kenya

By Luchiri Edmond | Western Kenya

Early in the year, there were chilling reports attributed to rights groups based in the north-rift region about communities arming in anticipation for conflict against enemies either real or perceived. A casual spot check in several parts of the country further reveals a prevailing worrying state of affairs in as far as our cultural dynamism and backgrounds relates to our peaceful coexistence.

Evidently, Kenyan cultural communities which have in the past coexisted harmoniously sharing assets, means, possessions, wealth and reserves in their midst without harboring negative intuitions will today go to any length wiping out their age long abettors without a second thought!

Intermittent turmoil

Being a rich multi cultural society with over 40 tribes, our country’s pendulum is menacingly oscillating between choking calmness and intermittent turmoil as illuminated in the period immediately after the botched up 2007 general elections. The bloody affair was responsible for over a thousand deaths of innocent lives whose hopes of changing Kenya for the better were nipped in the bud. The grisly attacks by Kenyans on fellow country men left scores of others, in their tens of thousands, displaced from their homes some of whom to date continue to be holed up in makeshift camps that dot the republic living under squalid conditions.

Yet our motherland has for long been referred to as one of Africa’s quintessential democracy. We have basked in the glory of a peaceful island that stands out in a troubled surrounding that includes the horn of Africa and the great lakes region. A peaceful transition in the year 2002 in a bloodless democratic dispensation was in itself a rare affair that contradicted the norm in a continent where despots only relinquish power either through elimination by the cruel hand of death or via infamous coups.

But where does our bedevilment stem from? Why have we continued to allow these divisive politics to be entrenched in our system? Can we trust ourselves for the emancipation from the self-imposed crown of thorns? Most assuredly, provided we have the willingness.

Politically instigated

A close scrutiny of the spate of tribal clashes that were synonymous with every electioneering period during the last decade of the twentieth century strips bare the fact that they were politically instigated! The volatile Rift-Valley hot spots of Trans-Nzoia, Molo, Laikipia and Nakuru would bubble over and explode to anarchy as members of particular communities deemed sympathetic to the then opposition would be served with leave notices demanding them to return to their ‘home’. The area political leaders would then clap all the way to parliament after elections as the violence died out while the authorities would appear as though all was well.

This time round, as the referendum mood grips the entire nation, we ought to benchmark ourselves whether we have had any lessons from 2007. With the clock ticking, we are compelled to occasional physiological and economic discussion of our affliction engendered by our political infamy. But we shrink from recognizing the full extent to which it bases the whole social fabric carefully concealing its insurrections, and ignoring or misreading their lessons.

Paying lip service to careless utterances

And as though the 2007 spectacle was a mere triviality not to be taken seriously, we continue to pay lip service to careless utterances by political, religious and civil group’s leaders which bear the potentials of plunging this country deep into the abyss of lawlessness and disorder. We behave as though Somali is our greatest role model!

The barbaric incident visited on anti draft law crusaders and their supporters at Uhuru Park where grenades were used should further draw the veil on our prettily seated and already smoking time bomb awaiting 2012. We are fast developing a culture where violence expresses our desires more than reasoning and sobriety.

The endless delegations to Rwanda by our parliamentarians ostensibly to study the causes of the 1994 genocide and how to avert a similar situation from arising in Kenya appear to be efforts in futility! Their numerous reports and recommendations hardly see the light of the day while the same politicians are at the fore front flouting with abandoned impunity the very tenets of national tranquility much to the chagrin of the common mwananchi.

The various inferences that the government has so far been able to draw, including recommendations by such commissions as the Akiwumi Commission into Ethnic violence in Kenya should form the bedrock of our structures and mechanisms of social order and cooperation instead of lying idle in an office. The proposed reforms contained in the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation Agenda item 4, signed in March 2008 should also be encompassed to further seal any remaining loopholes.

Kenya security looking for clues at the site of sunday's bomb attack. (photo/reuters)

By LUVEI TIMES REPORTER

A SPECIAL team has been formed to track down architects of the Uhuru park blasts that left six people dead and more 100 others hospitalized as the Government asked anyone with crucial information to pass it to security agencies.

Bomb and forensic experts have been ordered to complete investigations within the shortest time possible. The directive followed a flurry of high-level meetings at State House, Treasury Building, Harambee House and Vigilance House, which resolved to set up an elaborate investigative machinery to unravel the incident.

Covert officers had also been dispatched on the ground to gather information about the multiple blasts, which occurred 15 minutes apart as thousands of Christians opposed to the draft constitution prayed at the park.

Government delegation

Senior Government officials visited the scenes littered with blood stains, torn attires and abandoned shoes, among other destroyed valuables. Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Cabinet ministers George Saitoti (Internal Security), Uhuru Kenya (Finance) and Musalia Mudavadi led the Government delegation to the park where officers were combing for clues.

Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere took the officials around the park, showing them the scenes where the explosions occured. Accompanying them was head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura, National Security Intelligence Service (NSIS) director Major-General Michael Gichangi and Government spokesman Alfred Mutua.

Two exploded bombs were recovered in the morning. Police were trying to establish where the explosives were planted prior to the highly successive Sunday meeting attended by among others Higher Education minister William Ruto, assistant Housing minister Margret Wanjiru and a host of clergy leaders drumming up support for rejection of the draft.

By last evening nobody had been arrested, but there were unconfirmed reports that six people had been interrogated. Police were also planning to summon the convenors of the the NO campaign camp to shed more light on the blasts after it emerged that the gathering stayed past the stipulated time.

Meeting went beyond licensed hours

The meeting was licensed to end at 6 PM. The first blast occurred at around 6.30 PM before the subsequent one 15 minutes later. “We could not have dispersed the faithfuls for overstating because that could have been cast in bad light against us,” said an officer who did not wish to be named.

A national security committee chaired by President Mwai Kibaki at State House resolved to have speedy investigations. Apart form security chiefs, Raila and Kalonzo were in attendance before heading to Uhuru park.

“The President condemned those behind the crime against innocent Kenyans,” said a statement from the Presidential Press Service. The Head of State appealed for calm as the Government sought to get to get to the bottom of the heinous act.

At Treasury Buildings Raila directed the police to undertake quick, comprehensive and thorough investigations in to the Sunday’s triple blasts at a crusade meeting which claimed six lives and left scores injured.

“We are engaging the best investigation brains in this country to look into the matter and bring to book those behind the criminal act , it has been to be as quick as possible,” the premier said.

“We are demanding for quick investigations and those behind the heinous act brought to book. This was a terrorist act which should not be allowed to occur in future,” Raila continued.

Caution against speculations

The Government cautioned against speculation. The PM told the press that a meeting between him Kibaki, Kalonzo, Saitoti, Uhuru and Mudavadi, reviewed the facts already established by the police on the explosions.

He disclosed that police had established important leads but were not ready to share them with the public but promised that the security forces will release details concerning the incident soon. Raila defended police against failure accusations and slipshod investigations assuring the incident will dealt with conclusively.

Many treated for injuries

“As a result of the two explosions and stampede, five people died while undergoing treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital and one at the scene of the incident. One hundred and nine people were treated for injuries, 104 at KNH and 5 in Nairobi hospital,” Raila explained.

Other victims were treated and discharged after sustaining slight injuries. The president he said expressed grave concern at the senseless violence meted against innocent Kenyans. He said the President retaliated the need for all Kenyans to embrace tolerance and accommodation, regardless of their divergent views.

The PM said an appropriate investigative machinery had been put in place to pursue the culprits. “We are also concerned that the meeting went beyond 6pm to 6.45pm against the conditions of the permit. The attackers could have taken the advantage of the timing to unleash their weapons,” he added.

Seized cocaine in plastic bags. Picture courtesy/the east african

A UGANDAN woman has been arrested in Nairobi in connection with Cocaine valued at Shs 85.6 million, the largets bust in the recent years.

Ann Birugi Bisaso was posing both as a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representative and official of the Uganda foreign ministry when she was seized at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Saturday night.

She begun her journey in Peru to Brazil via South Africa before landing in Kenya where hawk-eyed anti-narcotic officers unmasked her trafficking in the 21.4 kilogramme pure Cocaine packed in two black boxes embalmed with UNDP logos to deter detection.

Nairobi police tipped

Bisaso, 40 had arrived from South Africa aboard South African Airways when detectives at the airport stopped her. A source said a rival drug cartel tipped police in Nairobi. The woman was to travel by road to Uganda, however, she will be taken to court instead.

Upon interrogation Bisaso failed to authenticate whether she was either a UNDP and ministry official. Officers broke the boxes when the suspect claimed she had no keys. Her passport showed she has been a regular traveler to South American where tracking in drugs especially Cocaine, is rampant.

Haul belongs to Nigerian man

It later emerged that the haul, belonged to a Nigerian man believed to be married to a Kenyan. Two weeks ago, police at JKIA seized 50 kilogrammes of Hashish and bhang disguised as cargo.

The 5 kilogrammes of Hashish and 45 kilogrammes of bhang (cannabis sativa) were labeled as maize seeds. Two men were later arrested. There is tight surveillance at JKIA where traffickers are frequently seized despite employing all tricks in the illegal trade.

Confident Nigerias' obafemi Martins

Lionel Messi believes anything can happen at the finals of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. World Player of the Year Messi says Greece won Euro2004, so why can’t it happen at the World Cup? Speaking ahead of Argentina’s opening Group B match against Nigeria at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, the Barcelona star went on to point out that the favourite teams to win big tournaments are always the same but there are always surprises.

Messi says it is not impossible for South Korea to beat Argentina and you never know what will happen with matches against Nigeria, the African’s are “very strong physically.” According to Messi, his coach the legendary Diego Maradona has given him the freedom of the pitch to play where he wants and to touch the ball as often as possible in South Africa.

The young Argentine playmaker dominated the later stages of this years UEFA Champions League tournament and was compared once again to his international manager Diego. Messi also said you need a little bit of luck to win a World Cup. Argentina he remembers narrowly lost a penalty shoot-out with host nation Germany at the 2006 FIFA event.

Twenty-five year old Obafemi Martins, who will line up against Messi for Nigeria agrees that it will be difficult for Argentina in that first match because his team is particularly fast upfront. Martins, who now plays his domestic football for Wolfburg in the German Bundesliga admits Nigeria are “planning” for a place in the Semis or Quarter Finals, if not better.

iconic range rover is now 40 years old

The Range Rover celebrates its 40th birthday on 17 June, 2010. One of the most significant vehicles in the history of motoring, the Range Rover was the world’s first vehicle as good on-road as off-road. It was the first fully capable luxury 4×4 and was a milestone in the development of the SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle).

There have been three generations of Range Rover. The original, now known as the Classic, went on sale in 1970 and continued in production, with numerous upgrades and a multiplicity of variants, for just over 25 years.

The second-generation vehicle, known as the P38a, went on sale in 1994 and was replaced in 2001 by the current model. The continuing success of the Range Rover ensured that other premium makers jumped into the booming luxury SUV market. The latest version has enjoyed higher annual sales than any previous models and continues to be popular around the world. Sold around the world, from London to Los Angeles, Sydney to Shanghai, Turin to Tokyo, the Range Rover remains the ultimate choice for the luxury SUV customer.

“The Range Rover is really four vehicles in one,” says managing director Phil Popham. “It’s a seven-days-a-week luxury motor car; a leisure vehicle that will range far and wide on the highways and noways of the world; a high performance car for long distance travel; and a working cross-country vehicle.”

From princes to politicians, from rock gods to rock climbers, from footballers to farmers, the Range Rover has always appealed to a diverse group of customers.

A second model line, the Range Rover Sport, was launched in 2005, aimed at more sports-oriented driver-focused customers. It has been a great success, and in 2007 was Land Rover’s biggest selling vehicle worldwide.

Later this year, a further member of the Range Rover family will be added, taking the portfolio to three model lines. The new vehicle will be smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient, tying in perfectly with the Range Rover brand’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Yet it will be no less premium, no less luxurious, and no less special than the other Range Rover models.

As the Range Rover celebrates its 40th birthday on 17 June 2010. Here is some highlights on changes the car has gone through:

- The Range Rover was the world’s first fully capable luxury 4×4.

- There have been three generations of Range Rover: the original (Classic) in 1970, second-generation (P38a) in 1994 and third-generation (L322) in 2001.

- Second model line – Range Rover Sport – launched in 2005 became Land Rover’s biggest selling vehicle worldwide in 2007.

- Third model line to be revealed at Paris Motor Show 2010.
“Land Rover has a unique history of product innovation. But the Range Rover probably remains the most historically significant vehicle we have ever launched. It is one of the most important vehicles in the history of motoring.” Phil Popham, Land Rover Managing Director