The judge found there had been widespread irregularities in the May 21 vote.

This is the first election to be legally challenged since Malawi’s independence. A new vote will take place within 151 days.

According to the electoral commission President Mutharika won May’s election with 38 percent of the votes [Eldson Chagara/Reuters]

There have been regular anti-government protests since the election.

President Peter Mutharika was declared the narrow winner of the May election with 38 percent of votes, followed by Lazarus Chakwera with 35 percent and former Vice President Saulos Chilima third with 20 percent.

The challenge was brought by Lazarus Chakwera (left) and Saulos Chilima (centre) against President Peter Mutharika (right)

The four other candidates collectively got nearly six percent.

The five-judge panel heard arguments that the vote was rigged by the president and electoral commission. Both have denied it.

Malawi’s electoral commission acknowledged receiving 147 reports alleging irregularities including the use of correction fluid to alter some results.

The two main opposition candidates alleged that the irregularities affected over 1.4 million of the total 5.1 million votes cast.

Mutharika and the electoral commission acknowledged some irregularities but argued they were insufficient to affect the election’s outcome.

Map showing Malawi

The months-long court case has been accompanied by sometimes violent street protests demanding the resignation of electoral commission chairwoman Jane Ansah.

“Let’s try as much as possible to have elections that are free and fair. Where nobody feels cheated. These people were not just demonstrating for the sake of demonstrating. They strongly felt that they had been cheated. The system had cheated them,” Martha Chikuni, opposition protester, said.

The Malawi Human Rights Commission late last year released a report accusing the police of serious human rights abuses, including rape and assault, in one confrontation.

The judges themselves have come under pressure. In January, Malawi’s anti-corruption bureau arrested businessman Thom Mpinganjira, who was accused of approaching two judges with an offer of $135,000 to sway justice in favour of the president. The chief justice issued an official complaint to the bureau.

Mpinganjira was later released, however, after a magistrate in another court issued an order quashing the arrest warrant. The High Court then overturned that ruling, questioning the lower court’s conduct and ordering Mpinganjira’s arrest.

The international community, including the United Nations and African Union, has issued several statements before the vote urging people across Malawi to uphold the rule of law and remain calm.

A joint statement by diplomats from the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan and others acknowledged the tensions around the ruling.

The vote in May returned the sitting president to power, leading to deadly confrontations and widespread unrest [Amos Gumulira/AFP]

“Malawi can draw on an impressive history of institutions and leaders stepping forward to safeguard your democracy and ensure peaceful resolution for internal tensions,” the statement said, urging all parties to respect the court’s decision – as well as the right to appeal.”For those who choose to exercise their right to demonstrate, we urge you to do so peacefully and legally, and for security personnel to proceed with balance and restraint,” it added.

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In the day’s first quarter-final at Indonesia 2018, Qatar became the first Asian side to book their place at Poland 2019 after a thrilling 7-3 extra-time win over Thailand.

Qatar went into half-time with a two-goal lead after strikes from Hashim Ali and Nasser Al Yazidi. Thailand, however, hit back with three second-half goals, and just as it looked like they were about to secure qualification to their maiden U-20 World Cup, Qatar’s Ahmed Suhail grabbed an equaliser on 87 minutes to send the game to extra time at 3-3.

Japan team celebrate victory after beating Indonesia 2-0 during the AFC U-19 Championship Indonesia quarter final match between Japan and Indonesia (Getty Images)

It was in extra time that Qatar found the net four more times, with Abdulrasheed Umaru bagging a brace, while Khaled Mansour and Youssef Ayman also got on the score sheet. The result ensured Qatar will make their fourth appearance at a U-20 World Cup next year.

Japan followed Qatar’s achievements by securing their tenth appearance at a U-20 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over hosts Indonesia in their quarter-final clash.

Playing in front of a passionate crowd of 60,000 at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, it was the Samurai Blue that claimed the edge five minutes before half-time through a sensational long-range strike from Shunki Higashi. Any hopes that Indonesia had of turning the match around ended on 70 minutes when Taisei Miyashiro doubled Japan’s advantage.

With all four AFC U-19 Championship semi-finalists qualifying for Poland 2019, two more nations from the AFC will book their passage to next year’s global finals. On Monday, Korea Republic take on Tajikistan in their quarter-final match-up, while Saudi Arabia meet Australia in the day’s other last-eight contest.

The 2019 U-20 World Cup will take place from 23 May to 15 June. Along with hosts Poland, Italy, Portugal, Ukraine, France and Norway will be the European representatives at the tournament, while OFC nations New Zealand and Tahiti previously booked their berths at next year’s competition.

READ ALSO:

Six United players to miss Juventus game due to injuries

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At the beginning of this year’s Formula One campaign, the German looked set to use his superior red car to scratch back ground against Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.

Sebastian Vettel’s season struggles continued in Suzuka as an error-strewn performance saw him finish well adrift

But in Monza (Italy), Singapore, Russia and now Japan, not only did Ferrari’s mistakes reign, but the Maranello team’s formerly superior 2018 car dropped steadily behind.

“I will not leave Ferrari.” Vettel said after the race before leaving Suzuka. “I’m part of the team and I want that to be the case and nothing else,” he said

“I think we have a lot of potential. Of course, the last races did not go well for us and we made it too easy for Mercedes. But even so the spirit within the team is good.”

However, Vettel recognizes that the championship is now looking mathematically impossible as Hamilton is likely to grab the title in the United States Grand Prix.

“Of course we know that it is difficult now. But what else do we have to lose? 

“We will give everything and there are still important things we can learn and understand about the car,” he said.

READ ALSO:

Lewis Hamilton wins Japanese Grand Prix, takes step closer on fifth F1 title

Ronaldo-less Madrid blunt

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People carrying umbrellas and handkerchiefs to protect themselves from the scotching sun: INTERNET PHOTO

Among those killed was a six-year-old school boy who became unconsciousness on his way back from a field trip.

By Monday, Kumagaya city in Saitama outside Tokyo experienced severe temperatures hitting 41.1 degree Celsius.

“As a record heatwave continues to blanket the country, urgent measures are required to protect the lives of schoolchildren,” top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters on Tuesday.

A chart showing the Japan temperatures: COURTESY PHOTO

The Japan government is willing supply funds to provide air conditioners in schools by next summer since less than half of Japan’s public schools have air conditioning.

Suga said the government would also consider extending this year’s summer school holidays as the heatwave drags on.

The heat waves marks the most deadly in Tokyo’s metro area and a tradition known as Uchimizu, where water is sprinkled onto the ground, is being promoted as a mechanism of a summer heat awareness campaign.

This comes at the moment when the country is still nursing wounds of floods that shattered parts of western and central Japan and left over 220 people dead.

According to the Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, the heat will not affect the oncoming 2020 Olympics as it will be treated as terrorism.

“It’s just as important because the purpose is also to protect people’s lives,” she told reporters, comparing Japan’s summer to “living in a sauna”.(JapanTimes, July 24,2018)

READ ALSO: 

Hajati Madina still alive, but in critical condition

As it happened in Mati

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From the Peak District to Essex via North Wales, they are images bathed in quality. They show delicately frosted vegetation, autumnal canals, cascading rivers and twisted old trees 

The Japanese practice of ‘forest bathing’ – which involves walking through a forest at a gentle pace for two hours or more – is said to relieve anxiety.

If that’s the case, then starring at these amazing pictures of woodland scenes in England and Wales might get you half way there.

They are all category winners and shortlisted pictures from past Landscape Photographer of the Year competitions.

This year’s contest is now accepting entries, until July 7. And so conversely, for would-be entrants, looking at these pictures might actually raise stress levels, because they show how tough the competition is likely to be.

Either way, they’re captivating.

From the Peak District to Essex via North Wales, they are images bathed in quality. 

ALSO READ: World’s Best Airlines for 2018

Lizzie Shepherd’s skills are in no doubt. This is her superb shot of Guisecliff, Nidderdale, in North Yorkshire

The Grand Union Canal in Solihull, West Midlands – a belt-and-braces name, but here looking other-worldly

Woodland at Aymestrey, North Herefordshire, takes on an ethereal glow in this image by Rob Scamp

The River Conwy flowing through Fairy Glen, near Betws-y-Coed, North Wales – captured by Paul Bullen

A wonderful pathway in Ashridge, Hertfordshire, called Lady’s Walk, captured by Damian Ward

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Tokyo

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Trade Minister Maj. General Kahinda Otafiire fears that some Ugandans may be experiencing the effects of radioactive cars imported from Japan.

He says that this is as a result of the earthquakes, tsunami and a nuclear disaster that hit Japan and spilled radio-active materials,

He says that after the tragedies that hit Japan, Uganda government did not cancer running contracts between Uganda and Japan or test vehicles destined to Uganda from Japan for radioactive materials.

Information reaching us indicates that Uganda government is already sitting on a report that some of the cars made with radioactive materials are in Uganda.

It is feared that the tsunami and major earthquakes damaged the vehicle parts in Japan mixing them with nuclear disaster materials.

Radioactive materials are said to have long term effects on life including causing cancer and alter the genetic makeup of people through cell mutation.

Ends

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The president of the rotary international, Sakuji Tanaka, arrived in Uganda on August 1, 2012 for a visit that will end on 3^rd August. As head of one of the world’s largest humanitarian service organisations, he is in the country to recognise the work of rotary clubs in Uganda by visiting various projects that have been carried out by clubs in Uganda.

He kicked off the visit by meeting with the new generation of rotary family in Uganda (members of interact and rotaract clubs). He also met senior Rotarians in government and the corporate world and was briefed on the plans and projects of Rotarians.

On Thursday August 2^nd, he was along with the minister of health, Christine Androa, participated in a free medical outreach at home clinic, Lukuli in Makindye division. Later on in the day, he officiated at the hand over of the 1^st phase of the rotary cancer ward being built at St. Raphael of St. Francis Hospital Nsambya. The Vice President of Uganda, Edward Sekandi Kiwanuka attended the function. Sakuji, a retired businessman from Yoshio, Japan has been a member of rotary since 1975. The international organisation’s third president from Japan, he said he would like to see rotary continue its vital work as the force to improve communities’ around the world.

Ends

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Graduate Scholarship for Non-Japanese Women to Study in Japan: The Program supports graduate study in Japan for non-Japanese women who are enrolled in graduate degree programs at Japanese universities.

Scholarship Application Eligibility/Requirements:

1. Applicants must be non-Japanese, non-permanent resident women who will be enrolled in a degree program with a graduate school of a Japanese university. 2. Applicants must be residing in Japan at the time of application for study purposes. All scholarship applicants are required to be living in Japan at the time of their application. They regret, therefore, that they are unable to accept any inquiries from outside Japan.

3. Applicants must have adequate ability in Japanese, as well as English. 4. Holders of scholarships greater than ¥1.0 million from any other scholarship foundation or from company scholarship programs (kigyo ryugaku) are ineligible. Financial aid and awards from the university where the applicant will study are excepted from this limitation. 5. Former recipients of the awards and members of CWAJ are ineligible.

Application:

Application submission by e-mail is NOT available.

Deadline: End of October.

Completed applications must be mailed to: CWAJ Scholarships Committee NJG Program, CWAJ Center, 2-24-13-1202 Kami-Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0021, Japan.

For more information about the scholarship program, please send your inquiry in English or Japanese only to scholarship [at] cwaj.org

For further details, and application materials, contact: Graduate Scholarship for Non-Japanese Women to Study in Japan Website

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She says that the money would be used to establish boreholes, build 121 classrooms in 37 schools, 65 teachers houses, 24 boreholes, 73km of road surfacing, 29 culverts, four hospital wards and 97 toilets and support women activities among others.

We have also learnt that the money is to be used in five districts of Acholi sub region namely Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Lamwo and Agago. Ms Kiwanuka signed on behalf of Uganda while Kazuo Minagawa, ambassador of Japan to Uganda signed on behalf of the Japanese government.

The signing was attended by Hoshi Hirogumi, the special representative Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and journalists.

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