Hunt for sunken ferry captain starts

POLICE are tracking down the captain of MV Spice Islander which capsized in Nungwi, Nothern Unguja on September 10, killing more than 203 people.

A statement issued by Zanzibar Police Commissioner Mussa Ali Mussa, named the Captain as Said Abdalla Kinyanyite, a resident of Nzasa, Mbagala Charambe, Temeke District in Dar es Salaam.

Commissioner Mussa revealed that the captain vanished after the tragedy and that he hailed from Mbwemkuru village, Pande Division, Kilwa District in Lindi Region.

He appealed to the public, through Community Policing, to volunteer any information related to the captain to the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, the Second Vice- President, Ambassador Seif Ali Iddi, said the sunken MV Spice Islander should be considered as the grave for the bodies still trapped in the ill-fated ferry.

"The information I have is that a team of divers from South Africa, in collaboration with our local divers have not managed to reach the boat lying between 200 and 400 metres.

"Their equipment cannot reach such a depth", the second vice-president informed reporters.

The divers are therefore waiting for a Submarine from South Africa to do the job.

Ambassador Iddi said the government sent a team to Mombasa, Kenya to keep-a-close eye to any bodies linked to the capsized boat. The Second Vice-President said that his office was unable to use DNA machine in identifying the decaying bodies in Mombasa.

"We will just make sure they are buried with respect," he stressed.

Source Daily News 

Three killed as Ahu Sunna, Al shabaab fight in central Somalia

DHUSAMERB – Somalia’s moderate Islamist Sufi group of Ahlu Sunna Waljama and Al shabaab fighters on Tuesday combated in central Somaliaregion of Galgudud, officials said.

The fighting which was very fierce took place the village of Beerta Hoteye about 20 kilometers east of Dhusamareb, the provincial capital of Galgudud.

The fighting stated after Ahlu Sunna forces attacked fighters of Al shabaab who stationed just outside of Dhusamerb town as heavy firefight rocked the village.

At least three people mainly the combatants have been cofirmed dead and nearly seven others injured in the battle.

Abdweli Hajji Diriye, one of Ahlu Sunna officials told Shabelle that that they launched the attack on Al shabaab fighters just outside of Dhusamareb, noting that they inflicted irretrievable losses on the group.

Al shabaab has not released any comments about the fighting and Ahlu Sunna claims so far.

Somali govt accused of stealing more money

MOGADISHU – A Somali parliamentarian on Wednesday accused the transitional federal government of stealing a lot of money during Somalia’s consultative meeting which was recently concluded in Mogadishu.

Mohamed Hussein Said, a lawmaker and former tourism minister of Somalia, said in an exclusive interview with Shabelle Media Network the money was part of world’s financial support to war-decimated Somalia.

Said stated that the United Nations paid a lot of money in preparing and holding that meeting instead of helping those famine affected people and described that move as unfortunate.

On the other corner, the former minister of tourism noted that the government illegally arrested aid workers including Somalis and Turkish who delivered aid to IDPs in Al shabaab controlled region of Lower Shabelle though they were later released.

He urged the government to open the doors for everyone wants to help the drought affected Somalis.

UN: Children in Conflict Victims, Not Perpetrators

Millions of children around the world are disproportionately affected by ongoing wars, and are being forcefully recruited, killed, maimed and abused in those armed conflicts.

According to an annual report by the United Nations special representative for children and armed conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, children have become 'primary targets' of armed groups and are increasingly used for intelligence-gathering and as human shields.

In the report, Children and Justice During and in the Aftermath of Armed Conflict, Coomaraswamy says children are unfairly arrested and detained for taking part in hostile activities into which they are forced.

She said children in these cases should be treated as victims, not as perpetrators.

Although 10,000 children have been released thanks to efforts on the ground, thousands more are still being abused, exploited and beaten into submission by armed groups, she said.

Coomaraswamy has called on governments to strengthen measures against the use of children in conflict and work to rehabilitate and reintegrate former child soldiers.

Source: VOA &AP

Famine affected Somalis protest over corruption of food aid in Mogadis

MOGADISHU (Sh. M. Network) – Some of famine hit people in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Wednesday staged a huge protest in the Somali capital, complaining about lack food aid and charged there is widespread corruption in aid food.

Many people could be seen walking and chanting slogans at Mogadishu’s Maka Al Mukarrama, expressing their need of humanitarian aid without graft.

Women, children and old people were among the most of demonstrators and started match at Sayidka Junction and the around there.

Some of those protestors told Shabelle Media Network that they are very sorry for the aid intended to famine stricken people to be corrupted.

They said that they suffering from lack of food, water and health care. However, the complaints of famine hit people in Mogadishucamps come as aid flooding into Somalia.

The highest peak and most famous mountain in Africa (Mount Kilimanjro)

The highest peak and most famous mountain in Africa, scaling the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro is a heavy challenge, more from the rigours of altitude than the actual difficulty of the hike itself. The climb, which takes on average five days ( you're more likely to reach the top if you pace yourself), takes hikers through thick forests and alpine grasslands, desolate rockface and brilliant white glaciers.

Views of Kenya and the Masaai Steppe, the Crater Highlands, and the Eastern Arc Mountain Range expand from the summit, and unlike other comparable peaks, you don't need ropes or climbing equipment to make it to the top. As long as you pace yourself and take it easy at high altitudes, you have every reason to think you can. Visit http://www.tanzaniatouristboard.com/

Bolt wins 100m in humid Zagreb

Reuters

Jamaican Usain Bolt is congratulated by fans after winnig the men's 100m event at the IAAF grand prix international athletic meet in Zagreb.

Zagreb - World record holder Usain Bolt won the 100m dash at an IAAF World Challenge event on Tuesday in a personal season's best time of 9.85 seconds on a hot and humid evening in Croatia's capital.

Having been disqualified following a false start at the world championships in Daegu, South Korea, last month, Bolt was eager to redeem himself for missing out on the opportunity to retain the title he won at the 2009 event in Berlin.

But Bolt had to work hard to finish ahead of 2011 world bronze medalist Kim Collins, who kept up with the towering Jamaican until the final 10m and pushed him all the way to the finish line.

Bolt was immediately swarmed by fans looking for autographs and was escorted across the terraces by security officials as he received a standing ovation from 12 000 fans in the Mladost track and field sports complex located on the banks of Sava river.

“Personally, I felt I could have done a little bit better because it was a really poor start and I kind of lost concentration after the start,” Bolt told a news conference.

“I was expecting a better start and I think I could have done better, especially with the weather like this because the conditions were good.”

Bolt was slow out of the blocks and the grimace on his face when he crossed the finish line left no doubt he had to dig deep to finish ahead of Collins, who finished in 10.01 seconds, while Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago came third in 10.03.

World champion Carmelita Jeter of the United States won the women's 100m sprint in 11.00 seconds, ahead of Schillonie Calvert of Jamaica (11.13) and Bulgarian Ivet Lalova (11.33).

Calvert then sprung the surprise of the evening when she set a personal best of 22.55 seconds to win the women's 200m ahead of compatriot Sherone Simpson, who clocked in at 22.95.

Home favourite Blanka Vlasic had to settle for a runners-up finish in the women's high jump behind world champion Anna Chicherova of Russia, with both clearing the bar at 2m but the latter needing fewer attempts.

“Under the circumstances I am pleased with the result and it was important for me to clear two metres today, I think it will be difficult for me to improve on that this season,” Vlasic said.

“I am delighted the fans were treated to a spectacular meet here because I practically grew up in this stadium.” - Reuters

Winnie Mandela admitted to Joburg hospital

ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was admitted to the Life Brenthurst Clinic in the south of Johannesburg, today.

“She has been admitted to our facility and she is doing fine. No further comments,” hospital spokeswoman Veronica Holliday said.

She would not say when Madikizela-Mandela was admitted.

African National Congress spokesmen Jackson Mthembu and Keith Khoza were both unaware of Madikizela-Mandela's admission to hospital. - sapa