Tanzania to collect over US$26 million from tourist hunting

DAR ES SALAAM, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tanzania is hoping to collect more than 26 million U.S. dollars from tourist hunting in the 2018-2019 financial year, authorities have said. Hamis Kigwangala, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, told the National Assembly in the capital Dodoma that a number of…

Nigeria begins deployment of electoral materials ahead of polls

ABUJA, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria’s election commission confirmed the deployment of both sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials to states, with barely days to the Feb 16 general election in the country.The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said, some important electoral materials, including voting cubicles, ballot boxes, and writing materials…

Somalia: US airstrikes kill 15 suspected Al Shabaab militants

MOGADISHU, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States military says targeted air strikes against suspected terrorists in Somalia have killed 15. A US Africa Command statement says the air strikes occurred in the vicinity of Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle region, on Wednesday and in the vicinity of Bariire in the same…

Chadian army captures 250 rebels from Libya

N’DJAMENA, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Chadian military on Saturday said it had captured more than 250 rebels, including some top leaders, after an operation against a convoy of militants trying to cross into the country from Libya in late January that also involved French airstrikes.In a statement issued by…

Tunisian court jails seven jihadists for life following 2015 terror attacks

TUNIS, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Tunisian court has sentenced seven jihadists to life in prison after attacks at a museum and on a beach in 2015 that killed 60 people, prosecutors have said. Dozens of defendants faced two separate trials over the closely linked shootings, which occurred just months…

Syria War: Daesh resists ‘final push’ by US-backed force in eastern region

DAMASCUS, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US-backed fighters in Syria say they are meeting fierce resistance as they attack the last enclave held by Daesh militants in the country.A spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said “the most experienced” militants are defending their last stronghold.Two years ago Daesh controlled large…

Brexit: British PM May to make plea to MPs for time to change deal

LONDON, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The prime minister is to urge MPs to give her more time to secure changes to her Brexit deal. Theresa May is expected to pledge in the Commons this week that MPs will get another say on Brexit if she cannot recommend a revised plan…

Algeria’s ruling party backs president Bouteflika for fifth term

ALGIERS, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Algeria’s ruling party FLN has picked President Abdelaziz Bouteflika as its candidate for the April 18 presidential election, party leader Moad Bouchareb said.Bouteflika, 81, who has been in office since 1999 but has been seen in public only rarely since suffering a stroke in 2013…

Sahel Islamist groups’ networking skills growing – Security report

MUNICH (Germany), Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A surge in violent attacks linked to Islamist groups in West Africa’s Sahel region reflects their growing capabilities and networking abilities, according to an international security conference report. Three-quarters of battles with state security forces during 2018 were initiated by the groups, it said,…

President Ramaphosa in Ethiopia for AU Summit

ADDIS ABABA,  Feb 10 (NNN-SANEWS) — President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to lead a high-level South African delegation at the 32nd Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of the Heads of State and Government.  The session is scheduled to take place on Feb 10-11 under the…