SADC Urged to Push Harare to End Abuses

HARARE – Southern African leaders should pressure Zimbabwe's power-sharing government to end ongoing human rights violations, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a new report released ahead of a key regional summit next week that will discuss the six-month old Harare administration.

Heads of state and government from the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) will hold their annual summit meeting in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on September 7 and 8.



The 20-page HRW report, "False Dawn: The Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Government's Failure to Deliver Human Rights Improvements," highlights the transitional government's lack of progress in rights reforms in the six months since it was created.

President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU PF party has demonstrated a lack of political will to effect change and wields more power than the two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formations headed by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy Arthur Mutambara, the report said.

Police, state prosecutors, and court officials aligned to ZANU PF conduct politically motivated prosecutions of MDC legislators and activists, and fail to ensure justice for victims of abuses or to hold perpetrators of human rights violations to account.

"Southern African leaders should stop looking at Zimbabwe through rose-colored glasses," said Georgette Gagnon, Africa director of HRW. "The region's leaders need to press Zimbabwe openly and publicly for human rights reforms to prevent the country from backsliding into state-sponsored violence and chaos."

At the summit meeting, heads of state are also expected to assess Zimbabwe's compliance with a number of rulings by the SADC Tribunal on illegal land seizures in Zimbabwe.

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, the organisation's current chairman, is also expected to brief leaders on the progress made by Zimbabwe's power-sharing government, which has been in place since February.

* Zimonline

Top-Level Zimbabwe Talks Put Off As President Mugabe Heads to African Summit

A meeting of the senior figures in Zimbabwe's national unity government to seek resolution of divisive outstanding issues, urged by South African President Jacob Zuma during his two-day flying mediation visit last week, failed to take place on Monday because President Robert Mugabe had left the country for an African Union summit in Tripoli, Libya.


Mr. Zuma, set to relinquish his position as chairman of the Southern African Development Community at a SADC summit next week in the Democratic Republic of Congo, told President Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara that they could resolve the issues troubling their government if they put their minds to it.

If they could not resolve those issues on their own, Mr. Zuma said, they would be referred to the regional heads of state. SADC is a guarantor of the power-sharing pact.

Political sources told VOA that the three principals will meet later this week, but voiced doubts whether President Mugabe would finally agree to name a new Reserve Bank governor and attorney general the Movement for Democratic Change has been demanding.

The sources said ZANU-PF was digging in as well on the swearing-in of provincial governors, ambassadors and other officials nominated some time ago by the MDC.

Political analyst John Makumbe, a professor at the University of Zimbabwe, told reporter Ntungamili Nkomo of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that despite the push from Mr. Zuma he does not expect the principals to agree before the Sept. 7-8 SADC summit.

* VoA

Vacancies Accumulate in Zimbabwe Parliament Amid Uncertainty How to Fill Them

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Chairman George Chiweshe said in an interview published on Monday by the state-run Herald newspaper that his panel was not in a position to organize by-elections to fill parliamentary vacancies because it lacks the funds to do so.

But observers noted that it is not clear whether Chiweshe's commission is even authorized to oversee elections, as it is to be superseded by a new electoral body yet to be appointed.


Chiweshe said his commission has been informed of eight vacancies in the House of Assembly and four in the Senate due to deaths or party disciplinary actions.

VOA was unable to reach Chiweshe for further comment. His panel was widely considered to have discredited itself in conducting March 2008 elections, when parliamentary results were slowly eked out and presidential first-round results took more than a month to be announced amid suspicion they had been tampered with to force a June presidential runoff.

President Robert Mugabe claimed re-election in that runoff after then-opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, now prime minister, withdrew to protest post-election violence.

The vacancies raise a number of thorny issues. For one thing, the parties to the September 2008 Global Political Agreement stipulated that they would not contest seats vacated during the first year of the agreement - but non-signing parties are not bound by the clause thus independent candidates could insist on a by-election and challenge the incumbent party.

That clause expires Sept. 15, the one-year anniversary of the GPA's signature, but there is said to be discussion among the governing partners of extending that standstill pact.

With respect to Chiweshe's panel, some express doubt whether his electoral commission has any authority as a reformed commission authorized by Amendment 19 to the constitution of Zimbabwe is overdue to be established through the appointment of its members.

Senate seats to be filled include Gokwe South, vacated when Jaison Machaya was appointed governor and resident minister of Midlands Province. The Chiredzi seat is also vacant due to the appointment of Titus Maluleke as governor of eastern Masvingo Province.

The Bindura North and Mutare North seats in the House were left empty by the deaths of ZANU-PF members Elliot Manyika and Charles Pemhenayi, respectively.

And the Movement for Democratic Change formation led by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara has expelled several of its lawmakers for breaching party discipline.

National Director Rindai Chipfunde-Vava of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that elections must be held soon because the non-representation of constituencies tends to undermine democracy.

* VoA

OMG!!! There's Going To Be A Riot Next Week

This news is from one of Belfast's paper, and its totally terrifying.

‘Psycho fans’ looking to kill Northern Ireland supporters during Poland clash

Polish football hooligans have threatened to attack and even kill Northern Ireland fans during the Poland game next weekend. The notorious hooligan firm, which is one of the most violent in Europe, is based in the town of Chorzow — where Northern Ireland play Poland in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

They want to repeat the violent scenes witnessed in Belfast last March when Polish hooligans attacked Northern Ireland fans. Some locals retaliated by targeting the homes of Eastern Europeans living near Windsor Park. This has made the Polish hooligans’ blood boil and they are determined to get revenge. Before and after the game, which Northern Ireland won 3-2, serious rioting broke out involving dozens of fans. Eleven police officers were injured and nine people, mainly Polish, were arrested. The trouble led to racist attacks across Belfast.

And holy shit, KFC (the place where I'm currently working) is located near to the football station and bloody hell who knows what's gonna happen on Saturday. I mean, yeah, the shop is gonna be busy, but its the safetiness of Belfast that I am worried about. And Windsor Park is near my house. Oh my, after reading this, I am so worried. Maybe I should bring an umbrella everywhere I go?? But what effect does it has in warding off thugs with knife/gun???

T____T

Parting Of A Friend

May you be lucky and successful in Malaysia/Taiwan/Singapore/future UK. Gonna miss you remember you. Its been a pleasure getting to know you for 2 years.

These Videos Makes Me Wanna Have A Funky Wedding

Wedding Thriller




Brian & Katie's Evolution of Wedding Dance




JK Wedding Entrance Dance



Its a pity that I'm not Christian and my Chinese Wedding Ceremony doesn't include any Walking Down The Aisle and 1st Husband And Wife Dance. Well, I guess a quiet one will do too...

Zuma Holds Talks With Zimbabwe Leaders

HARARE -- South African President Jacob Zuma arrived in Harare on Thursday on a mission to break a deadlock threatening Zimbabwe’s six-month old power-sharing government.

Zuma arrived at the Harare International airport at 6.30 pm and was met by both President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Some of Zimbabwe’s military commanders and several government ministers were also at the airport.

Upon arrival, Zuma was immediately whisked away to Mugabe’s State House presidential palace for a state dinner with the Zimbabwean leader and Tsvangirai.

Zuma, who chairs the Southern African Development Community (SADC) that is a guarantor of Zimbabwe’s power-sharing agreement, was scheduled to meet one-on-one with Tsvangirai after the dinner.

“The arrangement is that he will attend a dinner at the State House and then meet the Prime Minister after that,“ Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, James Maridadi, told Zimonline. He declined to discuss the agenda of the meeting.

Mugabe and Tsvangirai are deadlocked over a myriad of outstanding issues, among them Mugabe’s arbitrary appointment of two top allies to head the central bank and attorney general’s department in violation of the power-sharing agreement that says such appointments should be by consensus.

Other issues include delays in swearing in of provincial governors and Roy Bennett – Tsvangirai’s appointee as deputy minister of agriculture – as well as a police crackdown on legislators from Tsvangirai’s MDC party.

Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, who heads a breakaway faction of the MDC that is the third partner in the coalition government, wrote to Zuma over problems in the implementation of the power-sharing pact.

But Mugabe’s ZANU (PF) party about two weeks ago accused its former opposition foes of reneging on a commitment to urge Western countries to lift sanctions on the party’s senior leaders.

* Zimonline

Outfit Of The Day

I really should try putting on makeup while showing you my outfit, I look awfully tired and naked. But I just hate cleansing my face after makeup as I'm quite impatient and would tend to tug and pull my skin while removing my mascara and eyeliner.

Blouse: Zara, Black dress: Zara, Necklace: Topshop, Boots: Priceless, Hairband: Ness Scotland

A Special Winning Experience

Muahahaha, my boyfriend is so clever he won me a £7 mascara from Rimmel London. Umm, I had tried it out, honestly speaking, I don't get the "wow, what a wonderful mascara" feeling. All I got is "I think Loreal does a better job". Really, so far after using 3 mascaras, Loreal Telescopic mascara, Benefit Bad Gal mascara and Rimmel Sexy Curve mascara, I would rate A for Loreal as it did the best job every single time without clumping my lashes and it easily coats my lashes too.

********************************************************************************

Ooohhh, by the way, there's another mascara, Lancome Hynose mascara which I haven't test it out yet. Hhhmmmmm, maybe I should do a review on all of them 4 mascaras and compare them, I bet it would be fun. And yes, I am vain like that to have 4 mascaras (which I only trully bought 1 and pay for 1 while the other 3 are free gifts).

********************************************************************************

Zimbabwe's President Mugabe Treated in Dubai Hospital

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has received treatment in a Dubai hospital after falling unwell, a South African newspaper reported on Wednesday.

But there was no official comment and The Times newspaper quoted Zimbabwean sources as saying Mugabe was still expected to return to Harare before a visit by South African President Jacob Zuma scheduled for Thursday.

"It emerged yesterday that Mugabe, who is 85, was not well and was undergoing specialist treatment in the UAE (United Arab Emirates)," the newspaper said, citing unnamed sources.

Speculation regularly surfaces over the health of Mugabe. He has been in power since independence in 1980 and in February formed a unity government with old rival Morgan Tsvangirai to try to end political crisis and economic decline.

The Times said it was believed Mugabe was being treated by a Malaysian urologist.

SADC Chairperson Zuma Expected in Zimbabwe on Thursday

HARARE – South African President Jacob Zuma will tomorrow hold talks with leaders of neighbouring Zimbabwe’s power-sharing government to try to break a deadlock threatening the coalition government, his office said Tuesday.

Zuma is chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) that alongside the Africa Union is a guarantor of a power-sharing agreement signed by President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara last September.

The South African leader’s office said in a statement: "In his capacity as chairperson of SADC, President Zuma will be holding meetings with the leaders of ZANU-PF and the two MDC formations to be briefed on the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (power-sharing agreement).”

Zuma, who arrives in Harare Thursday, will also open Zimbabwe’s annual agricultural show on Friday before flying back to South Africa later the same day.

Mugabe’s office had last week claimed that the South African leader would limit his visit to the agricultural show and not tackle problems related to the power-sharing agreement.

While some political analysts have said that even if Zuma were to discuss the power-sharing pact with Zimbabwe’s political leaders there was little he could achieve in one day and suggested that the South African President would probably use the trip to see for himself the various problems gripping the fragile Harare coalition.

Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara are deadlocked over a myriad of outstanding issues, among them Mugabe’s arbitrary appointment of two top allies to head the central bank and attorney general’s department in violation of the power-sharing agreement that says such appointments should be by consensus.

Other issues include delays in swearing in of provincial governors and Roy Bennett – Tsvangirai’s appointee as deputy minister of agriculture – as well as the continued arrest, conviction and sentencing of legislators from the Premier’s MDC party.

While Tsvangirai and Mutambara have written to SADC over problems in the implementation of the GPA, Mugabe’s ZANU PF party about two weeks ago accused its former opposition foes of reneging on a commitment to urge Western countries to lift sanctions on the party’s senior leaders.

Zuma is considered more sympathetic to Tsvangirai but he will next month step down as SADC chairman with Mugabe ally and Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila assuming the rotating regional chair.

* Zimonline

Blogging Is Dangerous

The virtual world isn't dangerous, its the user/writer that makes it a lethal weapon.

As secrets are no more secrets, the user had chosen to reveal every single private thing, hurting those loved ones, that's when the 2D world had become a fatal ax, causing destress among the user and the people around.

Next time, I'll choose my word wisely and think carefully before starting a topic.

Words can kill. And this is no longer my blog. Its the whole world's blog.

Herbal Chicken

I think I'm lazy when it comes to cooking. I'll use pre-made sauces or ready ingredients to make my dishes taste nice... Is it a crime???

Anyway, here's the recipe..

Ingredients:
Whole chicken
Packet herbs for chicken soup

Method:
Dunk everything in a bowl lined with aluminium foil. Make sure that the inner part of the chicken is filled with the herb too.

Steam the chicken for about 30 minutes using medium fire. Serve warm.

This dish took me 4 days to finish. Its so worth it and it only cost £4 and its absolutely yummy. The sauce is so sweet with the chicken essence and not to mention that its kinda healthy. I absolutely love it. Succulent meat with slurpy chicken stock, one word, HEAVEN.

Nah, another picture. Serve best with some soy sauce.

*******************************************************************************

I really wanna apologize to my parents and my sister for not keeping them well informed about my daily activities and the problems that I had faced alone here in UK. I'm so sorry for being selfish and keeping all the grueling sorrows to myself and to my blog/Facebook, and didn't really give a 2nd thought about sharing them with you. And I'm sorry that you have to receive news from relatives about my well-being and not from me. I have to train myself though, to express myself verbally through the phone, and I need a lot of time to practice that as I'm not good with talking about my problems to you. My blog/Facebook is the only outlet that I could write freely without having the feeling of being judged and our relatives does read my blog and news of Cin Khor are transmitted through that mean.

********************************************************************************

I really don't know how to share my problems/sadness with you, pa, ma, I just need to get accustomed to letting it all out on the phone, do I??? I promise I'll call tomorrow, but I do think its gonna be a bit stressful, trying to find words and put through my mouth and voicing my unfortunate events. But what I do know is that I'm really lucky to have you, pa, ma, ling, and pek yee as my closest kin who really care about me and hope that I could live a better life here.

*********************************************************************************

I love you, pa, ma, ling, pek yee as well as thanks to all my relatives and friends who read this blog and follow my updated statues in Facebook.

********************************************************************************

Oh Shit!! I Forgot To Wash My Laundry

And I'm gonna wear my un-washed uniform to work tomorrow, **sigh**, gotta spray on more Lacoste perfume to cover any unpleasant smell.

And I'm blaming the long lunchie and chit chatting with my friends this afternoon.

Don't even get me started on my un-vacuum room and un-trim nails as well as un-scrub face.

And I know, my blog is getting boring every minute... Losing readers here...

Need To Get A Life

I literally cried during my working hours, in front of my colleagues, everyone asking me "Are you alright??". I didn't answer, it was too painful to breathe a word, I remain silent, the Cin Khor signature smile vanish from my face, nobody dare to talk to me throughout work time.

I have to admit, I'm too clingy and depend too much Yoong for comfort and love and my life. I need him in every aspects, leaning on my for support and advice, hoping that he could provide me with solutions to my daily routine. This, is starting to kill me.

I became obsessive with controlling Yoong. I want him to be 100% loyal to me unlike he did few years back. I want him to report everything single thing he did to me. I want him to banish his lying and being infidel. I am scared, I have to admit. Waves of frustrations and the annoying nagging of him leaving me ring inside my head. Every single fucking minute, I can't stop thinking of how should I keep him by my side.

I am in the wrong, I know. Love without trust, ain't love anymore. I just try to let him go, let him be his own master, let him do whatever he like, let him be with any gals he wanna hang out with especially his ex. But I fucking can't.... I hate myself for being so childish, enrage with jealousy everytime he tried to contact his ex, but I just can't help it. I really hate him being in touch with his ex. To me, you don't be friends with your ex, they are ex, ex = the past, what does the past got to do with the future??

Everytime I'm so torn between believing Yoong or not. I just somehow can't bring myself to trust him. I love him. A lot. Very much. I should ignore my sense of insecurity and trust Yoong, but there's so much going on in my mind... I wish I could get a sense of truthness from Yoong, I wish Yoong could be more open to me. But the constant guessing game and interrogating procedure is driving me insane. Everytime I have to question deeply then only I got the answer that Yoong is still contacting his ex.

I know, some of you may ask, what's wrong in being friends with the ex. But I still got the feeling that this ex is not giving up on Yoong. I still have the feeling that Yoong is still relying on her to finish some work. I'm jealous. I'm Yoong's girlfriend, I should be the one that he turn to help to. I should be the 1st person that Yoong should think of when he has a problem. But I don't get that often. And I don't like that at all.

I cried today. The 1st time. At work. Wearing the uniform, I did not present my usual "Best Employee of The Year" self. I was like a zombie today. Hoping that time pass by and trying to cover my watery and red eye with my cap. Fail indeed. Customers looking at me like I'm a monster.

I want to get away from this insanity of love. I'd become an alien to myself, turning into this green monster, making Yoong and myself unhappy for all reasons, but the 2 of us really don't know how to communicate with each other, how to tolerate the flaws in each of us.

Maybe the 2 of us really don't have that "magnetic power" to click together. I hate you for making me so fragile. And I hate myself for making you into a weirdo that shunt out your ex and your friends. I hating the current relationship that we are having now.

I'm swaying, in a isolated island, waiting to be rescued, at the mean time, finding ways to get a new life by incorporating some basic survival skills and learning how to sew back my broken heart.

And now, the big question, are you willing to still marry me next year after I force you to swear that you wouldn't contact your ex for 1 year?? Will you still willing to propose to me next year like we had planned??

Zimbabwe Cabinet Ministers Gather to Assess 100-Day Plan Results

Cabinet ministers in Zimbabwe's unity government were to gather Saturday in the eastern town of Nyanga for a two-day retreat to review their progress - or lack of it - towards the fulfillment of the 100-day plan they drafted in an April retreat in Victoria Falls.

The ministers will also consider a report from the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee on the strengths and weaknesses of the unity government formed in February, taking into account so-called outstanding issues troubling the power-sharing scheme.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti and Economic Planning Minister Elton Mangoma were scheduled to brief ministers on economic stabilization measures, and look ahead to the 2010 budget.

A panel on healing and reconciliation was to present a report on moves to heal the wounds inflicted on Zimbabwean society by political violence after the 2008 elections.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Acting President Joyce Mujuru were to attend.

Minister of State Gorden Moyo, attached to the prime minister’s office, told reporter Ntungamili Nkomo of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the ministers in retreat will evaluate whether government policies have been effective or not.

Formed in February by President Robert Mugabe's long-ruling ZANU-PF and both formations of the former opposition Movement for Democratic Change, the government launched a Short-Term Emergency Recovery Program in March to stabilize the economy.

Political analyst and former Harare East member of parliament Margaret Dongo told VOA reporter Blessing Zulu that she considered the retreat a waste of time and resources.

* VoA

Tsvangirai: Zimbabwe's Health Care System Still in ICU

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said Friday the country's public health system was far from recovering after last year's collapse, although there were signs of improvement.

Tsvangirai and arch-rival President Robert Mugabe formed a unity government in February in a bid to end a political and economic crisis that had paralysed most public services, including the health sector.

A cholera outbreak killed almost 4,300 people out of some 98,000 cases between August 2008 and July this year, highlighting the collapse of a health system once regarded as one of the best on the African continent.


"Sadly it is a far cry from the shining example that it was a few years back. One might say it is itself in intensive care," Tsvangirai said in an address at a medical conference in Harare.
"I am glad that the situation has since improved but there is still a lot of work to be done. This is one of my top priorities as prime minister."

Zimbabwe's hospitals have suffered under hyperinflation, which officially reached 231 million percent last year although analysts said it was much higher, and lack drugs and equipment.

The country has also lost key skills as doctors and nurses leave for better pay in Britain and neighbouring countries.

State doctors, who earn a basic wage of $170 (102 pounds), started a job boycott last week demanding $1,000 per month, paralysing operations at the country's four major hospitals in Harare and Bulawayo.

Tsvangirai said the doctors' strike was regrettable and vowed to improve their working conditions.
"It's almost a recurrence that every year we have a doctors' strike. That must be arrested," Tsvangirai said.

"I also urge those health professionals who have embarked on industrial action to recognise the efforts that the Ministry of Health has made, even prior to the industrial action."

The new unity government, which says it needs at least $8.3 billion to fix the economy, has so far failed to attract significant aid, especially from Western donors who have demanded broader political and economic reforms.

Miso Chicken

Lazy person cooking but still taste excellent (well, not exactly, but still worth the time spent). No cooking skills required, just slap on some paste and you are ready to go..

Ingredients:
Chicken fillet, cut into strips
Garlic, chop till fine

Sauce:
Miso paste
Soy sauce
Sugar
Pepper

Method:
Use the sauce to marinate the chicken for about 1 hour.

Pre-heat the oven at 180 degrees

Place the marinate chicken onto a tray lined with aluminium foil.

Bake or grill till the chickent is cooked.

Serve warm with rice.
********************************************************************************
This recipe is a version of mine therefore the chicken is a bit dry. You could dry other versions of Miso chicken with more sauce added by google searching them. I'm sure they'll turn out much tastier than mine.

*********************************************************************************

Wish me luck for the interview tomorrow. Although I'm not really sure what are they going to do with me for 2 whole freaking hours. And God bless my body and leg as I'm going to work 11 hours tomorrow. I sure I won't break down as I'm only 24 years old. Still young. Not even a quarter century -__-
*********************************************************************************

Today's weather's really weird. Sunshine, rain, and now thunderstorm. It has been going on alternating between them for the whole afternoon and I was so sick of the sudden change of weather and having to keep and open and keep and open my umbrella for 3 times. Belfast's weather really could make people go crazy...

*********************************************************************************

SA President Zuma Expected in Zimbabwe Soon

HARARE – South African President Jacob Zuma is expected in neighbouring Zimbabwe next Thursday to meet the three leaders of Harare’s power-sharing government to try to resolve several outstanding issues threatening to torpedo the six-month-old administration.

Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s office confirmed the planned visit by Zuma who is chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) that alongside the Africa Union is a guarantor of a power-sharing agreement signed by Tsvangirai, President Robert Mugabe and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara last September.

The South African leader is also expected to officially open Zimbabwe’s annual agriculture show on Friday, a day after meeting Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara to discuss the nagging issues arising from last year’s Global Political Agreement (GPA) that gave birth to the unity government.

“I can confirm that we have been notified that President Zuma will be meeting the Principals on Thursday 27 August, 2009,” said Gorden Moyo, minister of state in Tsvangirai’s office. “We are aware that he will be in Harare next week,” Moyo said.

Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara are deadlocked over a myriad of outstanding issues, among them Mugabe’s arbitrary appointment of two top allies to head the central bank and attorney general’s department in violation of the power-sharing agreement that says such appointments should be by consensus.

Other issues include delays in swearing in of provincial governors and Roy Bennett – Tsvangirai’s appointee as deputy minister of agriculture – as well as the continued arrest, conviction and sentencing of legislators from the Premier’s MDC party.

While Tsvangirai and Mutambara have written to SADC over problems in the implementation of the GPA, Mugabe’s ZANU PF party this week accused its former opposition foes of reneging on a commitment to urge Western countries to lift sanctions on the party’s senior leaders.

Zuma is considered more sympathetic to Tsvangirai but he will next month step down as the SADC chairman with Mugabe ally and Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila assuming the rotating regional chair.

Mugabe and Tsvangirai met on Monday this week in desperate attempts to sort out their differences before Zuma’s visit.

Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara formed an inclusive government last February to try to end Zimbabwe’s multifaceted crisis.

* Zimonline

Outfit Of The Day

Tube: Jane Norman, Dress: Jane Norman, Necklace: Primark and Topshop.
*******************************************************************************
Finally, the 1st interview is over.. A very complicated job indeed and it seems like a big company though, saw 4 person went in to interview the same day with me and they were suppose to pick the top 10%, or so it seems. I do hope that I did well enough to impress the lady... But still, unsure whether I'm suited for the sales and marketing field. Fingers crossed.

********************************************************************************

Zimbabwe Set to Review Citizenship Laws

HARARE – Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s office has said Zimbabwe’s unity government will review a controversial law used to strip hundreds of people of their citizenship and right to vote because they were once citizens of other countries or because their parents were once foreigners.

A top Tsvangirai aide, Gorden Moyo, said the Premier’s office was working on a policy document on the citizenship law that will be submitted to Cabinet. He said changes to the law were necessary to enable thousands of Zimbabweans who lost their citizenship or who have acquired citizenship of other countries to participate in national affairs.

“All we are saying is that let’s discuss about these issues,” said Moyo, a minister of state in Tsvangirai’s office. “There are a lot of children who were born out of the country and acquired citizenship of their resident countries but they are also Zimbabweans who have lost their citizenship because of the dual citizenship law.”

Zimbabwe bars dual citizenship, while a 2003 amendment to the Citizenship Act tightened the law by requiring Zimbabweans who were once citizens of other countries or whose parents were once foreigners to formally renounce that “foreign citizenship” in order to qualify for Zimbabwean citizenship.

The law saw hundreds of Zimbabweans removed from the citizenship roll, in what Tsvangirai’s MDC party said was a ploy by President Robert Mugabe and his ZANU PF party to whittle down its support.

Most of those affected by the law were white Zimbabweans of European origin or black workers on white-owned farms whose parents migrated from neighbouring countries and who largely supported the MDC.

Moyo said the proposed changes to the citizenship law were part of wider efforts to restore the rights of an estimated three million Zimbabweans or a quarter of the country’s 12 million people living in exile and to encourage them to participate in the recovery of the country.

“We are working on a policy document that is going to increase the participation of Zimbabweans in the diaspora in the economy and other spheres,” he said. “We are still on the discussion stage but the policy is going to deal with issues such as the remittances of investments, repatriation of skills, refugees, restoration of voting rights and the citizenship question.”

Tsvangirai, whose MDC party formed a power-sharing government with President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU PF party in February, has called on exiled Zimbabweans to return home to help rebuild the country. – ZimOnline

Aaarrrggghhhh, I'm so confused with...

the company that I'm going to see tomorrow...

I mean, what the heck is the company's business.... I can't find it in the internet summore and haven't got a clue what does it do except that they wanted people in sales position...

And this is the 1st time I'm going for a sales position interview and haven't really got a clue how it would be like...

And what's more, the company actually doesn't give out basic salary but just commission based.. I mean, WTF!!! Its like working for direct selling... But if its direct selling, why do they need to browse through CVs to find the suitable candidate... But it stated in its advertisement that they need anyone with/without experience as long as their age is over 16 WTF!!! -__-

Sigh, but yet they make the job sounds glamour by saying that they help their clients to market their products, but it would be a face-to-face, business-to-business basis....

OK, I'm getting really unlucky here... Why the hell did I apply to this company to begin with?? And Why the hell am I going for their interview tomorrow?? Beats me...**shrug**

Obssessed With....

Yup, and I had spent £50 on them Harry Potter series and having a postman deliver a big box to my doorsteps. Really, I love shopping for books in Amazon, they are cheap, and the delivery is free. Kudos to the site.

My intention of buying the whole set is because I thought that I should pick up hobby while Yoong's away (wanted to buy a 2nd hand piano but its too freaking expensive), (wanted to learn baking, but the baking utensils cost a bombs, not to mention the ingredients), (wanted to learn sewing, but what should I sew??), (wanted to do some gardening, but seriously, there ain't no garden at my house).

Sadly till now, I had just finished the 1st book of page... hhmmm...let me see.... page 14 **shame on me** Anyway, just remind me to take my eyes off those hongkong dramas, I really need some time to do my stuff.

*****************************************************************************

Today's a nice warm sunny day. Have a huge urge to go out. But once I'm out, I'll spent at least £50 on transportation and shopping. I really have to save up to buy my Nikon Coolpix P90 (yup, I changed my goal from Olympus SP 590UZ cuz the camera used AA batteries and I'm not fond of them) and my Chanel tote which is going to cost me a total damage of £1000++

*****************************************************************************
After reading Su Yin's blog, I have to really thank her for enlightening me. As I had been in depress mode for the pass few days, her post make me think about how lucky I am to be who I am now. I mean, really, her words make me start thinking about how selfish and how self-absorb I am in my own world. I shouldn't feel that way. "Try to appreciate the little good things in life." That would be my motto for now.

Magazinenify Myself

Oooohooo, I'm the most stylish one.. And no, I haven't got 10 outfits, but I sure do have the hot looks -__-

Best graduate ever, and its not even in our University of Belfast.

Anyway, this is how the rich people in America live their life. Don't say I never teach you guys how to be rich, this is a family secret, ssshhhh.....

Last Of July, Stir Fry Ginger Chicken With Wine

Let's get straight to the point, shall we??

Ingredients:
Chicken fillets, cut into strips
Carrots, cut into slices
Ginger, cut into strips
Garlic, chopped
Egg, pan-fry before hand

Sauces (according to your liking):
Wine
Soy sauce
Sugar
Pepper
Corn flour

1. Marinate the chicken with the sauces mentioned above. Leave for 1 hour.

2. Heat pot and cooking oil. Add in ginger and garlic, fry till fragrant.

3. Add in chicken, stir fry till whitish in colour.

4. Add in carrots.

5. Let it cook for 15-20 minutes with lids on, medium fire.

6. Add in cooked eggs.

7. Stir for a while till egg thoroughly drenched in gravy. Add in some wine.

8. Serve warm with rice.

********************************************************************************
I'm learning to be independant, have to die trying, I can't keep on the way I'm now. And I didn't know that it would be this tough. Learning how to cope with everything alone really could be frustrating, but I have no choice, I don't want to be a burden to anyone.
********************************************************************************

Chasing Around

This is what I'm currently feeling right now.

How I wish I could stop this insanity of chasing you, wanting to get closer to you, be with as you as much as possible, I just want to get rid of this f**king feeling. I know, I'm no match to what other gals have (looks, body, brain, emotions), therefore, the constant negligence from you. I wanted more, but I just didn't get any. I'm really tired of tagging your tail, clinging onto you while you never once look back and waited for me. If only there's just one time, when you treat me as a princess, your princess, I would certainly be by your side till death do us apart.

Being the cat, just like Tom, the eternity and forever chasing Jerry, is no fun at all, and most of all, it aint' funny but filled with sadness and anxiety.

I want to be "The One" for you, I want to be the one needed, I don't want to be just a guest in your heart as you had become the master of mine..

ZANU-PF Divided Over Vice President Msika's Successor

Serious divisions have emerged in the long-ruling ZANU-PF party of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe over the succession to the late Vice President Joseph Msika, setting the stage for potentially bruising battles at the party's December congress.

ZANU-PF sources say two rival factions - one led by Retired Army General Solomon Mujuru and the other by Defense Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, a close Mugabe associate – have stepped up a long-running struggle to control the party in an uncertain future.

The Mujuru faction is said to back ZANU-PF Chairman John Nkomo to fill the vice presidential slot. But this would leave the chairmanship vacant, setting up another succession fight.

Mnangagwa lost the chairmanship to Nkomo in 1999 and is said to be interested in it now.

Political sources say the Mujuru faction's strategy here is to block Mnangagwa by arguing that Msika's position, which Mr. Mugabe controls, must filled by a former member of the PF-ZAPU party of liberation leader Joshua Nkomo, who preceded Msika in the vice presidency.

Some argue this is necessary if ZANU-PF is to stanch defections by historical members of PF-ZAPU to a revived ZAPU led by former Home Affairs Minister Dumiso Dabengwa.

Following bloodshed in the mid-1980s between ZANU and PF-ZAPU - with most of the blood shed by PF-ZAPU members at the hands of the North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade - the two liberation formations merged with the 1987 Unity Accord to form ZANU-PF.

Sources say Mr. Dabengwa was approached recently about the vice presidency, but rebuffed ZANU-PF over what he termed the intransigency of President Mugabe.

Others seeking the post include Bulawayo Governor Cain Mathema, Ambassador to South Africa Simon Khaya Moyo and Mines Minister Obert Mpofu, though considered long shots.

Harare-based political analyst Charles Mangongera told reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that if ZANU-PF does not handle the Msika succession properly, the fallout could damage the party severely and even spell its demise.

Elsewhere in the former ruling party, lobbying is under way to ensure that Mr. Mugabe is re-elected party president at the upcoming December congress.There is little doubt Mr. Mugabe will be re-elected. But the ZANU-PF provinces of Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Masvingo, Midlands and Manicaland are taking no chances and have already endorsed President Mugabe's reaffirmation in the post.

Insiders say some ZANU-PF officials are less than eager to re-elect Mr. Mugabe because of his advanced age but are afraid to openly challenge him. Mr. Mugabe turned 85 in February. He has ruled as prime minister or president since independence from Britain in 1980.

London-based political analyst Brilliant Mhlanga told reporter Ntungamili Nkomo that it is inconceivable for any ZANU-PF official to stand against Mugabe to head the party.

* VoA

MDC-M Mulls Charges Against Speaker of Parliament

HARARE – Zimbabwean Deputy Premier Arthur Mutambara’s MDC formation said on Thursday it intends to lay corruption charges against Speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo if he does not formalise the suspension from Parliament of expelled members of the party by next Tuesday.

“The national council has endorsed the letter written by the standing committee to the Speaker advising him of the provisions of Section 4 of the Anti Corruption Act which criminalises any act by a public officer which shows favour to a particular person on the basis of that public officer’s interests," MDC-M secretary general Welshaman Ncube told journalists after the party’s national council meeting in Harare.

“We have drawn the Speaker’s attention to this section of our law and given him until Tuesday next week to rectify the situation. If he does not do so we will lay a formal complaint to the police that he is acting corruptly in violation of Section 4 of the prevention of corruption Act."

Ncube accused the Speaker of acting in bad faith by protecting and perpetuating the tenure of the MDC-M‘s expelled members in Parliament.

He said the main faction of the MDC that is led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is persuading expelled MDC-M members to join it and leave Mutambara’s party.

“He has an interest. They are the ones recruiting our Members of Parliament (MPs). We noted that the failure by the Speaker to implement their expulsion is in fact because he is an interested party," said Ncube.

The MDC-M last month expelled Nkayi South MP, Abednico Bhebhe, Lupane East MP Njabuliso Mguni and Bulilima East’s Norman Mpofu over charges of indiscipline and disrespecting the party leadership.

After their dismissal, Ncube advised the Speaker of Parliament of the vacant seats to pave way for by-elections.

According to the country’s Electoral Act, a presidential proclamation should be gazetted within 14 days after Parliament has notified the President of a vacant seat to pave way for the by-elections.

The three lawmakers have petitioned the High Court to set aside the decision of the disciplinary committee, arguing that it was improperly constituted and that the hearing was flawed.

All three legislators have continued to attend Parliament sessions, including chairing portfolio committees and acquired vehicles under the parliamentary car scheme.

MDC-M leader Mutambara said the MPs are now no longer members of his party.
“Those members are no longer members of our party and the party is busy preparing for by-elections," said Mutambara.

But Bhebhe dismissed the announcement made by the party leadership, accusing them of being ZANU PF conduits.

“I don’t attend ZANU PF meetings because Mutambara and Ncube are ZANU PF employees who should go out of the party. We are going back to the structures of the party who now have to decide on the way forward at a special congress where they will come face to face with the people," said Bhebhe. – ZimOnline

Zimbabwe's Mutambara MDC Formation in Disarray Following Expulsions

Disarray within the formation of Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change led by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara increased on Thursday as the party’s leadership issued an ultimatum to the House speaker to oust three lawmakers the grouping has expelled.

Mutambara MDC Secretary General, Welshman Ncube told a news conference in Harare which was attended by the deputy prime minister that if Speaker Lovemore Moyo fails to declare the House seats vacant the party will refer the matter to judicial authorities.

But expelled Mutambara MDC dissident Abednico Bhebhe fired back, dismissing the National Council meeting as a kangaroo court and vowing to convene a special congress to rally members to his side, correspondent Thomas Chiripasi reported from Harare.

The MDC formation led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, meanwhile, said its national executive council will meet Friday to discuss problems in the national unity government ahead of a visit later this month by South African President Jacob Zuma – who is also chairman of the Southern African Development Community until SADC’s September summit.

Mr. Zuma has been asked by the Tsvangirai MDC to mediate seemingly intractable issues that continue to trouble the government including in particular the leadership of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the Office of the Attorney General.

The party is also disturbed by the rising number of MDC lawmakers who have been prosecuted and in some cases convicted of serious offenses, putting their seats and the MDC House majority at risk.

Tsvangirai MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the meeting will also examine the general health of the party.

* VoA

Khaya Moyo Tipped For Top Zanu-PF Post

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s ambassador to South Africa Simon Khaya Moyo is tipped to become ZANU PF national chairman when the incumbent John Nkomo replaces the late vice president Joseph Msika at the party’s congress in December.

ZANU PF insiders yesterday said it was faiti accompli that Nkomo would become the vice president ahead of Mines Minister Obert Mpofu and Bulawayo governor Cain Mathema, while Moyo would takeover the chairmanship.

The insiders said Nkomo and Moyo belong to a faction in ZANU PF led by Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and were guaranteed to be elected at the congress.

The Mnangagwa camp is fighting to succeed President Robert Mugabe and take charge of ZANU PF with another faction headed by retired army commander Solomon Mujuru.

Mnangagwa wants to be president, while Mujuru is pushing for his wife Joice – already a Vice President of ZANU PF and Zimbabwe – to takeover from the 85-year-old Mugabe when and if the veteran leader leaves office.

“The Mnangagwa faction has the support of seven provinces, which are more than enough to decide the party’s presidium,” a senior politburo member said. “It is on this strength that Nkomo and Moyo will be elected vice president and chairperson respectively.”

Nkomo was previously associated with the Mujuru camp but appears to have switched sides in the ever-changing ZANU PF succession battle.

In terms of the party constitution, provinces nominate the president, the two vice presidents and national chairman. Candidates with the support of more than six provinces are automatically elected into the presidium.

Mnangagwa does not have the support of the three Mashonaland provinces, a crippling disadvantage given the provinces are the last bastions of ZANU PF support.

The politburo sources said contrary to reports that Mnangagwa was also eyeing the chairmanship, the defence minister was fully backing Moyo and had put an elaborate plan in place to secure his and Nkomo’s resounding victory.

The sources said the Mujuru faction which is backing Mpofu to replace Msika would put up a fight, even though their chances are next to zero.

Msika died last Wednesday after a long illness and was buried at the National Heroes Acre on Monday.

ZANU PF deputy spokesperson Ephraim Masawi yesterday said it was too early to speak on the would-be people to succeed Msika.

“We are still mourning our vice president to start discussing his would be successor,” Masawi said. “We will deal with the matter at the appropriate time.”

Moyo at the weekend wrote a newspaper article self-praising himself and chronicling his role in the liberation struggle of the country, while Nkomo had countless interviews narrating his closeness to the late Msika. – ZimOnline

Verdict Mixed on Zimbabwe Unity Government Six Months On, Observers Say

The six-month anniversary of the formation of Zimbabwe's national unity government arrived this week without much fanfare, upstaged by the burial of Vice President Joseph Msika.

Among those taking note of the six-month milestone was the Civil Society Monitoring Mechanism, or CISOMM for short, which issued a report saying that most of the expectations of ordinary Zimbabweans have not been met by the so-called inclusive government formed by President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

The civic group is tracking the government’s performance on the economy, constitutional reform, freedom of expression, human rights and in other key areas.

It said progress has been too slow on the reform front, that distrust among political players has not been dispelled, little action has been taken to address and heal last year’s political violence and too little has been done to revive the agricultural sector.

For perspective on the unity government's accomplishments and failures, reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe turned to CISOMM Coordinator Dzimbabwe Chimbga of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, and economic transition expert Richard Richard Kamidza of the University of Kwazulu Natal in South Africa.

Despite the government’s shortcomings, Chimbga noted there has been a marked improvement in the country's socio-economic environment.

* VoA

Its 20000

Ooooohoooooo!!!!

Finally, over 20k hits, have been waiting for this day a long long time...

My stats crawls like a turtle and I am trying to find ways to make it rocket.

And I'll have to celebrate it with 6 days work next week T__T.

Anyway, here's something to share...

This is from a site call Anagram where they will change the positions of letters in your name and form them into something else (you know, like in the movie Harry Potter where The villian change his name from TOM MARVALO RIDDLE to I AM LORD VOLDERMORT).

And as I type my name CINDY KHOR, this is what I get...

So my name really sucks, I don't have a D**K to start with... But yeah, I do admit, I'm a bit horny -__- (just kidding)

So I decided to give my name a little twist and type in CIN KHOR, and this is what I get...

OK, from now on, call me CIN...

Day 14 - Living without you

Rice Balls With Tuna and Sweetcorns

This recipe, is fairly easy to make, what you need is just skills, well, not really those super master chef skill, just knowing how to roll the rice/or compress the rice into a ball shape.

Cheap ingredients, easy to make, its worth the process.

Ingredients:
Half a can of tuna (buy the cheapest one, it doesn't taste any different from those higher price sisters)
Half a tin Sweetcorn (again, buy the cheapest one)
A dallop of Mayonaise
Cool rice (you don't wanna burn your hands while holding it)
Melted butter
Japanese soy sauce
Seaweed strips

Method:

1. Mix tuna, sweetcorn and mayo together in a bowl.

2. Take a handful of rice, press it flat.

3. Scoop half a spoonful of the mixed ingredients.

4. Place another handful of rice on top of the ingredients.

5. Using your hands, squish and press the rice into a ball shape. This is where your creative technique will come into good use.

6. Slather the rice ball with the melted butter and soy sauce with a brush (I'd purposely bought this brush just for making the balls and it costed me £2)
7. Place strips of seaweed on top of the balls (for decoration purposes).

8. Oh yeah, before that, you have to preheat your oven at 180 degrees. Then pop in your rice balls until the outer layer turns a bit brown and hard.

9. Serve while its hot.

This is a very filling dish, after having 3 balls, I was so full. But I think that the dish is not salty enough, yeah, I know, stupid right?? For not seasoning the rice and the mixture with salt (I thought that the soy sauce would be salty enough to make the ball tasty).

*****************************************************************************

Side note, remember to add salt into the rice balls and mixture ^__^

*****************************************************************************

Day 13 - Living without you.