World Cup South Africa 2010 Qualified Teams

Call it football ,call it soccer...the drum beats of Africa are now rolling inviting their neighbors to come witness the peak of African hospitality, the diversity and richness of African culture and the resilience of the African continent in next years football World Cup matches to be held in South Africa in 2010 !

In its eighty years history , this will be the first time Africa is hosting the event  since its inception since 1930 making it of much significance to the content. African bloggers,vloggers ,podcasters... etc will take the opportunity to present a different picture of the continent to the World especially since western media always capitalize on the wars, poverty ,diseases conflicts,negative politics that encumber part of the continent.The perception of Africa will be changed to a great extent by the event that will feature 32 world national soccer teams.This blog takes the lead in this venture.Intense preparations are ongoing in South Africa to handle the volume of fans,security risks,accommodation, logistics etc that accompany hosting the event.

The teams that have qualified for next years football world cup include (Source FIFA website) by region are:

Africa

• Algeria (ALG)
• Cameroon (CMR)
• Côte d'Ivoire (CIV)
• Ghana (GHA)
• Nigeria (NGA)

• South Africa (RSA) HOSTS
  

Asia

• Australia (AUS)
• Japan (JPN)
• Korea DPR (PRK)
• Korea Republic (KOR)

Europe

• Denmark (DEN)
• England (ENG)
• France (FRA)
• Germany (GER)
• Greece (GRE)
• Italy (ITA)
• Netherlands (NED)
• Portugal (POR)
• Serbia (SRB)
• Slovakia (SVK)
• Slovenia (SVN)
• Spain (ESP)
• Switzerland (SUI)

North,Central America and Caribbean

• Honduras (HON)
• Mexico (MEX)
• USA (USA)

Oceania

• New Zealand (NZL)

South America

• Argentina (ARG)
• Brazil (BRA)
• Chile (CHI)
• Paraguay (PAR)
• Uruguay (URU)

 Match tickets for for the 64 matches that will be plaid can be purchased online from the FIFA website.It is important to note that the match tickets for the South Africa football World cup are being sold in phases with he first two phases already finished.The third phase will begin on Saturday December 5 , 2009.The price ranges for the tickets range from US Dollars $ 20(for persons on wheelchair ) to Dollars 2,100 to watch the finals.

All eyes are now turned to the Final draw that will take place on 4th December, 2009 at the Cape Town International Conference Centre(CTICC) 7 P.M South African time which will see the 32 qualifying teams lumped into 8 groups.The event will be beamed live to millions of anticipating viewers worldwide.From then forth fixtures will be known, opponents identified and intense preparations at team levels will begin.


The World Cup trophy which is the ultimate prize for the event  is already within the continent but it's a shame sometimes to see how humans glorify and  idolize the object(i know im hurting many feelings here).Its just a cup although it may elicit intense emotions but it remains just a cup, a lifeless object with no definite power to help those who overly adore or worship it .However without doubt this is one tournament that keeps its exhilarated fans on their feet constantly.The games affect work attendance, families, friendships etc to a near fatal extent sometimes.Notwithstanding the World will be watching South Africa World Cup 2010.The countdown begins.

Website Templates at ContentMixi

Contentmixi website has crafted  'the ultimate online digital market' where users can purchase the following products:

• SEO Optimized Website Templates
• CSS Templates
• Customized full websites
• Joomla Templates
• Wordpress Themes
• Newsletter Templates
• PSD Templates
• Logos
• Digital E- Books
• Animations
  

The site also features free website templates for freebie lovers . The site proprietors were really ingenuous in coming up with the idea o selling diverse digital items online in a one stop shop.I find the idea pretty captivating  and the site is worth a visit.The banners at the site are also intriguing.Samples are as here below:








   



   
 

IZEA Launches InpostlInks Website

The Leading Social Media Marketing Network company  with a global presence and boasting over 250,000 bloggers membership  IZEA inc will launch Inpostlinks website on Friday 20 November, 2009. The move will come with bold new changes in their Payperpost website by merging version 3 of Payperpost and version 4 of the same.

The new Inpostlinks website will not require bloggers to write sponsored reviews or to endorse a product but to simply insert/integrate links on their website or on web post and earn on a Pay Per Click(PPC) basis.The bold new changes in IZEA 's Payperpost and Inpostlinks websites is aimed at optimizing the value and online experiences for both advertisers(Advertise On Blogs ) and bloggers.Inpostlinks will feature link only opportunities.

Why all the changes? according to the press release:

Thousands of bloggers worldwide have had the opportunity to make money online through IZEA inc's websites by simply writing blog posts from home.It is hoped that the new changes will continue to positively contribute to the development of e-commerce and the realization of a truly global economy online. To sign up:

Transparency International Corruption Perception Index 2009

Amidst a surging global economy, rising environmental challenges,poverty and food crisis ,corruption continues to pervade most human societies.This is revealed in the annual global corruption and country indices report prepared by Transparency international. The 2009 Transparency international Corruption Index released on Tuesday in Berlin,Germany indicates " that no region of the world is immune to the perils of corruption".

As usual this blog has always taken an interest in the corruption index and makes it a point to discuss the report on annual basis. In this years Corruption Index Kenya has improved with a point from 2008 where its corruption perception index was placed at 2.1 to 2.2 in 2009.Indicating that there has been some relative improvement. The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is used in  measuring the perceived level of public-sector corruption in 180 countries and territories around the world. The CPI is a "survey of surveys", based on 13 different expert and business surveys.The survey involved a random sampling of 3500 households between April and May 2009.


It is good to note that among public institutions that have drastically improved include the Kenya Ports Authorities and Private Universities. New entrants include the Ministry of Public Works, the National Hospital Insurance Fund(NHIF),the National Social Security Fund(NSSF) and the Teachers Service Commission. This revelation leaves many Kenyans worried as such institutions directly relate to their preset and future well being.The top 20 most corrupt institutions in East Africa(i.e Kenya Uganda and Tanzania) according to the report by rank were:

• 1.Kenya Police
• 2.Tanzania Police
• 3.Ministry of Defence-Kenya
• 4.Judiciary/Courts-Tanzania
• 5.Uganda Police
• 6.Immigration-Tanzania
• 7.Uganda Revenue Authority
• 8.Judiciary-Kenya
• 9.Uganda Public Service
• 10.Ministry of Defence-Uganda
• 11.Ministry of Public Works-Kenya
• 12.Northern Uganda Social Action Fund-Uganda
• 13.Ministry of Lands-Kenya
• 14.Judiciary-Uganda
• 15.Nairobi City Council-Kenya
• 16.Ministry of Labour-Kenya
• 17.TANAPA-Tanzania Mombasa City Council-Kenya
• 19.Mulago Hospital-Uganda
• 20.Umeme-Uganda

Interestingly 90% of those surveyed in Kenya ranked Kenya as being between corrupt and extremely corrupt indicating why the fight against corruption should receive serious concerns for all of us.Since in essence corruption is carried out by individuals.As a lot Kenyans were seen as pessimistic as to whether corruption would decline in the next coming year.

In Africa  Botswana is placed a the least corrupt Country at 5.6 points followed by South Africa at 4.7 and and Namibia 4.5.    In East Africa Ethiopia is perceived as the Least corrupt in the Transparency internationals report followed by Tanzania. Sudan and Somalia are almost placed in the same margin which is quite an indictment.You can download the East Africa Bribery Index report(PDF)at the following link EABI LINK

Harmonized Draft Constitution(Kenya) 2009 Download

You can now be able to read the Harmonized Draft Constitution 2009 submitted by the Committee of Experts.The draft was released to the public and the media at launch held at the Kenya International Conference Center, plenary hall this morning.Unfortunately the download link for the Kenyan Draft Constitution website at www.coekenya.go.ke  is not functioning at the moment probably due to the massive number of visits from interested persons.Kenyans are invited to read the draft,debate on it and make their submissions to the Committee of Experts.

However an alternate down load site is the CapitalFm News site if you want to download the draft constitution faster.Advertise On Blogs

Mars Group Kenya Website Upgrade

The public and anti corruption  watchdog Mars Group Kenya has relaunched/upgraded its website to an all new template that is pleasant to look at and quite user friendly. The new Mars Group website has an appealing interface that will feature among other things a column dubbed "MarsTv" which will have multi media clips of  news and pertinent information  of concern to the watchdog's objectives.This blog takes the opportunity to unveil the all  new look Mars Group Kenya website screenshot  as shown hereunder and invites you to visit the domain.

The anti corruption watchdog is run by among other people the former Transparency International Executive Director Mwalimu Mati now turned activist. Kudos to the developer and webmaster. The site has featured as a worthy resource in the fight against corruption, accountability and governance and has been previously dubbed by this blog as "Kenya's online ombudsman".

Abbott Medical Optics"You Gotta See This Video Contest"

Abbott Medical Optics Inc (AMO) a leading provider of the widest range of proven refractive optical technologies is inviting you to relate how better vision could improve or has improved peoples lives in a video contest dubbed" You Gotta See this" .The contest that is aimed to attract thousands of video submissions and in the process educate persons on the need to consult qualified and experienced professionals when opting for Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) refractive surgery treatment.So far the contest is receiving favorable response from the public.


The winners in the iLASIK Video Contest may win:

• A Grand Prize of  US $ 5,000
• First prize in each Video Category  a HDTV package worth $2,500
• Second prize in each Video Category a Flip UltraHD™ camcorder worth $199.99

Users can submit their videos in the following three categories:

1. My contacts are getting in the way of my good time
2.  My favorite sport or activity would be so much cooler with better vision
3. You should see life after the iLASIK® Procedure
   

Once participants have submitted their videos ,they can then request friends,colleagues and family to vote for their videos as votes are important in arriving at the winners in this AMO contest.Thousands of videos are being submitted each day perhaps its time you submitted yours for a chance at winning the prize!

I have just found out how little i know about the optical solutions and technologies available for persons with vision impairment. Abbott medicals campaigns such as the one in the "You Gotta See This Video Contest" are helping millions worldwide get useful information on eye care treatment.For more details please visit the "You Gotta See This Website"

Football Update Kenya vs Nigeria

Kenya is leading 1-0 against Nigeria in a match poised to qualify Nigeria's football team for the 2010 world cup in South Africa. Dennis Oliech scored the goal.keep it locked 4 more updates.The match ended at 3-2 score in a lacklustre perfomance by Nigeria which as the superior team strugled hard from keeping the Kenyans from scoring.Kenya's second goal was scored by David Wanga!if there's one thing the match proved is that coach Antoinne Hey was a waste of time and money!Kudos Twahir Murheedin and the boyz.

Lou Dobbs Resignation From CNN !

 Long time TV Anchor Lou Dobbs abrupt departure and resignation from CNN  last week left many in shock but on a satirical note CAP News Blog propounds a new career for the man: A reality tv show dubbed" Lou Dobbs Brown Alert" which wold feature mexican immigrants trying to make a run for the border.Succesful immigrants wold be awarded with a green card.

Lou Dobbs according to wikipedia is famously known for his opposition of free trade and support for immigration enforcement.This topics have prominently featured in his shows thereby prompting the publishers of CapNews to engineer the idea of hosting such a show.Without doubt i love the pun intended in the article.On the other hand his extreme views has landed him the title of "white supremacist" in a Huffington post opinion article written by Gary Shapiro President and CEO of the American Consumer Electronics Association who believes that Lou did not merit the weekly one hour  Lou Dobbs Tonight show on CNN due to his exaggerating facts and airing non factual populist opinions.

Baby Websites

Having a new born baby in the house creates tremendous joy to the parent(s). The trend when i was growing up was for parents to take the baby to the Studio or call in an experienced photographer to come in and take photos of the baby. But much has changed nowadays with the advent of the video and digital cameras we are now all experts in photography and take many photos with pride and admiration at our new borns.

However technology is making things go up a notch higher. A new parent cannot afford to miss on setting up a baby website for the newborn and share the link with friends.To do with much ease without necessarily having to be an I.T expert i recommend the site:Baby Home Pages.Net .Thesite gives you the most safe, private, and easy way to create a customized website of your favorite child (or children) AND AT NO COST ,ABSOLUTELY FREE to you.What i perhaps love about it is the privacy issue since the internet has funny characters whom you would not want to mess arround with your family.

Baby Homes.Net website makes it very easy for its users to create personalized websites for their new born.The pictures serve as an online secure and timeless archive that can be referred to by specific users. Well, most modern day Parents never had  a website but that does not mean that your kids have to miss out on that. You can still use Picasa or Flickr but a personalized baby site just adds the extra touch.Click on the banner or the link provided herein to visit the site.

Google Adsense Now Paying in Kenyan Shillings

Kenyan bloggers and website owners are now pleased to note that they can receive their Google Adsense earnings in Kenyan Shillings. This was not the case previously and many website owners had dificulty banking the foreign currency(Dollar or Euros) cheques with their local banks, Further ,payment would be delayed for upto 21 working days from the date of receipt with Banks charging commisions on the cheques.

So are you a web publisher, sign up to Google Adsense and customize your earnings to Kenyan Shillings or any other local currency that would be most appropriate to your situation.Yes it is very much possible to earn money online if you have good content and commitment(the two C's) .

ICC Prosecutor Louis Moreno Ocampo's Visit to Kenya

The International Criminal Courts Chief Prosecutor Louis Moreno Ocampo has arrived n Kenya apparently to address the prosecution of the perpetrators of Kenya's 2007/2008 post election violence that left more than a thousand Kenyans dead.

(Photo Courtesy of AP)
Mr. Moreno Ocampo arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International airport at 7:30 A.M and thereafter proceeded for a meeting with the two principals of the coalition Government His Excellency the President Hon.Mwai Kibaki and the Right Honorable Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Mr Louis Moreno Ocampo will be in the Country on a 3 day visit.His visit and agenda thereto may put to rest various rumours as to what Ocampo may or will do in the course of his tour.


This blog will keep you updated......

Friends With Benefits/Hooking Up Defined

If you are a parent leaving in this day and age with teenagers in the house or pre- teens, there are certain terms that you cannot avoid knowing the definitions, lest you are viewed redundant and your child ends up in a mess and yu are left wondering where were you?
Must know words for present day parents include:

Friends With Benefit(FWB):

1.The site Urban Dictionary has a variety of definitions as to the present use of the term friends with benefit, among them include:

1. A relationship where a man and a woman enjoy having sex with one another, but do not see each other as potential relationship material. Friends with benefits usually never works successfully with ex-boyfriends/girlfriends or anyone else you might have feelings for. The benefits are not exclusive, buyer beware!(most voted upon use)
2.  Friends with benefits can do things couples can do except without being labeled as a BOYFRIEND and a GIRLFRIEND, when you ask if they want to be friends with benefits with you, you both have to agree on what those BENEFITS are, and it doesn't have to contain sex. If you both agree on sex, then it's also considered as friends with benefits. 

Example:Guy: Want to be friends with benefits?Girl: Sure, but what are the benefits?Guy: Hugging, kissing, holding hands.Girl: No sex?Guy: NopeGirl: Okay sure then.

2. ABOUT.COM defines it this way:

An agreement between two people who are both friends and physically attracted to one another to have a sexual relationship. Neither party is considered committed to the other, and both can start dating someone else at any time with prior warning. A friends with benefits arrangement is not considered dating, a relationship or even casual dating by most people who use the term. 

How popular is this new phenomena: Psychology Today Blog discusses  a survey done by researchers at Wayne State University in Detroit and Michigan State in East Lansing.The report which involved interviewing 125 undergraduates (65 women, 60 men) found out that Sixty percent  of those interviewed i.e.40 men &35 women said they'd been involved in an FWB relationship, and about one-third were in one when surveyed.

Suffice to say with the digital divide having been narrowed by the internet and local Tv and Radio stations featuring talk on Friends With Benefits , i wouldn't be surprised if teenagers and young adults in local schools ,colleges and universities in Kenya engaging in the vice; In fact the trend has been described as "a cultural signature of today's college and post college experience"

However certain Dangers accompany the trend ,including:

1. Inherent danger of Sexually Transmitted Disesaes(STD)associated with casual sex ,Unwanted Pregnancies, Abortion...etc.
2.Fatal Attractions /Murder etc
3.Emotional Instability, Guilty Consciences
4.The Vice encourages ,dishonesty,selfishness and me first attitudes.

Without doubt the above list is not exhaustive the Physical, Psychological ,Spiritual and moral dangers associated with this practice far outweigh any temporary pleasures that such un inhibited sexual relationship may bring.It is therefore important that parents take the lead in safeguarding their youths from engaging in practices that will hinder the development of the youth into successful and respectable members of society.

(For more information see this NewYork Times Article:Friends With Benefits ,and Stress Too )

American Meb Keflezighi Defeats Kenyans in the New York Marathon 2009

American Athlete Meb Keflezighi yesterday stunned the world by winning the 2009 New York Marathon at a time of  2 hours  9 minutes and15 seconds.Meb Keflezighi beat seasoned Kenyan marathoner Robert Cheruiyot by 41 seconds.Interestingly this is a first American win of the Marathon since 1982 and just indicates why this is great news for the American continent. The Eritrean born Meb Keflezighi was last year number two in the NY marathon and it seems he has definately upped his game.

On the other hand Kenyans back home are little pleased as this is their niche of play and the lack of a win was somehow disappointing. The women race however went to competitive African athlete Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia .

It seems Kenyan athletes will now have to brace themselves for stiff competition from Americans and not just Ethiopians and Eritreans since a number of the Americans finished in the top 10 bracket.But Kudos to Robert Cheruiyot there's always a next time as illustrated in Meb's story