GIST ALOUD

Picture Credit: The Observer

 President Yoweri Museveni has praised US President Donald Trump for being 'frank' and telling Africa that they are a weak continent.

In reference to recent comments attributed to Trump, when, he allegedly expressed discomfort in allowing in more immigrants from “shithole countries”, Museveni says the US president must thanked for telling Africa the truth.

While meeting US lawmakers recently Trump allegedly referred to Haiti, El Salvador and African nations as “shithole countries”.


While the US Ambassador to Uganda Deborah Malac earlier today said she regretted the “disturbing” and “upsetting” comments attributed to Trump, Museveni later told parliament that Africa must thank Trump for his honesty, and perhaps it will reawaken Africans to reunite and work together to focus on developing the continent.

“I love Trump, because he tells Africans frankly,” said Museveni. “Africans need to solve their problems. In the world, you cannot survive if you are weak.”
Museveni also urged the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) legislators to focus on prosperity as opposed to fighting for speakership for the congress.

Read more at observer.ug

Less than an hour away from Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, there is an unusual lake that will surely catch the unsuspecting visitor’s eye because of its unusual yet vivid pink colour.

Lake Retba (or Lac Rose as it is known by locals) is separated only by some narrow dunes from the Atlantic Ocean and, as expected its salt content is very high. Its salinity content compares to that of the Dead Sea and during the dry season it exceeds it.

Its distinct pink colour is caused by the Dunaliella salina bacteria, which is attracted by the lake’s salt content. The bacteria produces a red pigment in order to absorb the sunlight, thus giving the lake its unique colour. Its colour is especially visible during the dry season (which lasts from November to June) and less during the rainy season (July-October).

He was the third President of Uganda, ruling from 1971 to 1979. Amin held the rank of major general in the post-colonial Ugandan Army and became its commander before seizing power in the military coup of January 1971. He later promoted himself to Field Marshall while he was the head of state.

Amin's rule was characterized by human right abuses, political repression, ethnic persecution, extra judicial killings, nepotism, corruption and gross economic mismanagement. The number of people killed as a result of his regime is estimated by international observers to range from 100,000 to 500,000.

Amin became the chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1975. After Britain broke diplomatic ties with Uganda, Amin declared he had defeated the British and added "CBE" for "Conqueror of the British Empire", to his title. His entire title was then announced by Radio Uganda as "his Excellency President for Life, Field Marshall Alhaji Dr. Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, CBE".




Amin's attempt to annex the Kagera province of Tanzania in 1978, lead to the Uganda-Tanzania war and the demise to his eight-year regime. He fled into exile to Libya and Saudi Arabia where he lived until his death on August 16, 2003. 

Another legend has fallen. Father of South African Jazz, Hugh Masekela was reported dead earlier today, at age 78. He was one of the earliest African musicians to receive a Grammy nomination in 1968. Rest in peace. #aloudafrica

A new study from China has found that eating spicy foods may have health benefits. Eating pepper, ginger, garlic and other hot spices do more than burn your tongue. These foods may help you live longer.

According to researcher from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, data collected from 2004 to 2008 as part of the China Kadoorie Biobank. Using self-reported questionnaires, they revealed that nearly half a million people between the ages of 30 and 70 who consume spicy food had lower risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and respiratory diseases.


The outcome of the research also shows that people who eat spicy foods six or seven times a week had 14% lower risk of premature.





Source: CNN

Renowned Ghanaian diplomat, K. B. Asante, has died at age 93.

Born Kwaku Baprui Asante on March 1, 1924, K.B. Asante was the Secretary to Ghana’s First President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and served under a number of Heads of States in Ghana.
He also served as the Principal Secretary at African Affairs Secretariat from 1960 to 1966.
He became Ghana’s Ambassador to Switzerland and the United Nations Offices in Geneva, and the UN establishment in Vienna, and also the Ambassador to Australia from 1967-72.
He also served as the Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Economic Community from 1976-1978.

Education
K.B. Asante attended Achimota School where he later taught mathematics from 1945 to 1948, before proceeding to Durham University in Britain, where he obtained a BSc Mathematics in 1952.
He also became a member of the Institute of Statisticians in 1953, before again returning to Achimota College, where he continued teaching mathematics from 1953 to 1955.

Life in politics
K.B. Asante retired from the Civil Service in 1978, to form the Social Democratic Front to contest the 1979 election where his party won three parliamentary seats in that election.
He was the Secretary for Trade and Tourism in the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) administration in 1982, and later Secretary for Education and Culture from 1986 to 1990.

Source: Citifmonline.com

From the confines of a bed, a desk or anyplace where negativity finds its way, consider these six breathing techniques to help keep calm and carry on.

1. Sama Vritti or “Equal Breathing”
How it’s done: Balance can do a body good, beginning with the breath. To start, inhale for a count of four, then exhale for a count of four — all through the nose, which adds a natural resistance to the breath. Got the basic pranayama down? More advanced yogis can aim for six to eight counts per breath with the same goal in mind: calm the nervous system, increase focus and reduce stress.

When it works best: Anytime, anyplace — but this is one technique that’s especially effective before bed. 

2. Abdominal Breathing Technique
How it’s done: With one hand on the chest and the other on the belly, take a deep breath in through the nose, ensuring the diaphragm (not the chest) inflates with enough air to create a stretch in the lungs. The goal: Six to 10 deep, slow breaths per minute for 10 minutes each day to experience immediate reductions to heart rate and blood pressure. Keep at it for six to eight weeks, and those benefits might stick around even longer.

When it works best: Before an exam, or any stressful event. But keep in mind, those who operate in a stressed state all the time might be a little shocked how hard it is to control the breath.

3. Nadi Shodhana or “Alternate Nostril Breathing”
How it’s done: A yogi’s best friend, this breath is said to bring calm and balance, and unite the right and left sides of the brain. Starting in a comfortable meditative pose, hold the right thumb over the right nostril and inhale deeply through the left nostril. At the peak of inhalation, close off the left nostril with the ring finger, then exhale through the right nostril. Continue the pattern, inhaling through the right nostril, closing it off with the right thumb and exhaling through the left nostril.

When it works best: Crunch time, or whenever it’s time to focus or energize. Just don’t try this one before bed: Nadi shodhana is said to “clear the channels” and make people feel more awake. It’s almost like a cup of coffee.

4. Kapalabhati or “Skull Shining Breath”
How it’s done: Ready to brighten up your day from the inside out? This one begins with a long, slow inhale, followed by a quick, powerful exhale generated from the lower belly. Once comfortable with the contraction, up the pace to one inhale-exhale (all through the nose) every one to two seconds, for a total of 10 breaths.

When it works best: When it’s time to wake up, warm up or start looking on the brighter side of things.

5. Progressive Relaxation
How it’s done: To nix tension from head to toe, close the eyes and focus on tensing and relaxing each muscle group for two to three seconds each. Start with the feet and toes, then move up to the knees, thighs, rear, chest, arms, hands, neck, jaw and eyes — all while maintaining deep, slow breaths. Having trouble staying on track? Anxiety and panic specialist Dr. Patricia Farrell suggests we breathe in through the nose, hold for a count of five while the muscles tense, then breathe out through the mouth on release.

When it works best: At home, at a desk or even on the road. One word of caution: Dizziness is never the goal. If holding the breath ever feels uncomfortable, tone it down to just a few seconds at most.

6. Guided Visualization
How it’s done: Head straight for that “happy place,” no questions asked. With a coach, therapist or helpful recording as your guide, breathe deeply while focusing on pleasant, positive images to replace any negative thoughts. Psychologists explain that while it’s just one means of achieving mindfulness, guided visualization helps puts you in the place you want to be, rather than letting your mind go to the internal dialogue that is stressful.

When it works best: Pretty much anyplace you can safely close your eyes and let go (e.g. not at the wheel of a car).

 By Jordan Shakeshaft(Greatist.com)