Police in France are hunting for any accomplices of the gunmen who killed 17 people in two days of terror attacks.

One key figure is Hayat Boumeddiene, the partner of Amedy Coulibaly. He was killed when police stormed a kosher supermarket in Paris on Friday.

She was said to be with Coulibaly when a policewoman was killed and is described as “armed and dangerous”.

Two gunmen who carried out Wednesday’s deadly attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine were killed by police on Friday.

President Francois Hollande praised the police but also warned of further threats.

He thanked the security services for their “bravery and efficiency”, saying the week’s violence was “a tragedy for the nation”.

Mr Hollande said the danger was not over yet. “We have to be vigilant. I also ask you to be united – it’s our best weapon,” he said in a televised address on Friday night.

Francois Molins, the chief prosecutor in France, said authorities were urgently focusing on Boumeddiene, who is suspected of being with Coulibaly, 32, when the policewoman was killed in Paris on Thursday.

Both vanished after the shooting, but Coulibaly reappeared on Friday when he took several people hostage at the Hypercasher supermarket near Porte de Vincennes in eastern Paris.

French newspaper Le Monde published a series of photographs said to show Coulibaly with Boumeddiene in 2010. In one, the 26-year-old woman is pictured pointing a crossbow at the camera while wearing a full-face veil, which is banned in France.

Mr Molins said the investigation would “focus on determining who their accomplices were, how these criminal actions were financed, and all the instruction and help they may have benefited from whether in France, from overseas”.

He said 16 people had been detained for questioning, including the wife of one of the Kouachi brothers and other members of their family.

French government ministers are meeting on Saturday morning to plan their next steps.

A number of world leaders have called Mr Hollande to express support.

The first siege on Friday – in Dammartin-en-Goele, 35km (22 miles) north of Paris – involved two brothers who had attacked the offices of the Charlie Hebdo magazine on Wednesday.

Cherif and Said Kouachi were shot dead as they came out of a warehouse building firing at police. Two officers were injured.

One hostage had earlier been released and a second employee, who was hiding in the building’s cafeteria, was freed by police after the shooting ended.

Police shortly afterwards launched an assault on the supermarket in Paris, killing Coulibaly and rescuing 15 hostages. They found the bodies of four hostages believed to have been killed before the assault.

Officials have said they were aware of Coulibaly and the two brothers. Said Kouachi was known to have travelled to Yemen in 2011.

Both brothers are understood to have been on UK and US watch-lists.

While holed up in the warehouse north of Paris, Cherif Kouachi phoned a French TV news network and told them he was acting on behalf of the Yemen branch of al-Qaeda (AQAP).

The extremist group released an audio message late on Friday praising the attacks but stopped short of claiming responsibility.

AQAP senior leader Sheikh Harith al-Nadhari said “some in France have misbehaved with the prophets of God,” adding that “God’s faithful soldiers” had taught them “the limits of freedom of speech”.

Islamic State militant group, and that he had “co-ordinated” his attack with the Kouachi brothers.

Earlier on Friday, a man claiming to be Coulibaly told French TV station BFMTV that he was a member of the 

Mr Molins confirmed that Coulibaly knew one of the brothers and their respective partners had spoken on the phone more than 500 times.

During Friday’s siege, Coulibaly had threatened to kill his captives if police attempted to capture the brothers, he added.

‘Mistakes made’

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls admitted there had been a “clear failing” in French intelligence.

“If 17 people die, this means mistakes have been made,” he said, including those killed in attacks on Wednesday and Thursday in the toll.

The violence started on Wednesday when the Kouachi brothers killed 12 people and injured 11 in an attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo.

The unprecedented attack shocked France and there has been an outpouring of sympathy and solidarity worldwide.

The French ministers’ meeting on Saturday will make preparations for a huge unity rally due to take place in the heart of Paris on Sunday.

Among those attending will be UK Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

US President Barack Obama said he had directed his intelligence agencies to help France deal with any further threats.

Meanwhile, the US state department has updated its travel guidance, warning Americans travelling abroad to maintain a high level of vigilance.

How Friday unfolded (all times GMT)

07:00 – The Kouachi brothers hijack a car in Montagny-Sainte-Felicite, north of Paris. They are said to be carrying weapons including a rocket launcher.

08:30 – Pursued along the N2 road towards Paris, they exchange fire with police and take refuge in a printing works in Dammartin-en-Goele. They take the manager hostage.

10:30 – The manager is released, but another employee remains in the building.

12:15 – A man identified as Amedy Coulibaly takes several people hostage at a supermarket near Porte de Vincennes in eastern Paris. Coulibaly is also suspected of having shot dead a policewoman on Thursday.

16:00 – The brothers emerge in Dammartin, opening fire on police. Both men are killed. The trapped employee is released and tells police he had been hiding on the second floor, unknown to the gunmen.

16:15 – Security forces move into the supermarket in Paris and kill Coulibaly. It emerges that four hostages at the supermarket have been killed, but 15 others are freed.

18:55 – Addressing the nation, President Hollande calls for France to “remain vigilant” and praises the “courage, bravery and efficiency” of the police forces.

BBC

TETA HITS BACK AT DIAMOND

“We shall not allow visiting musicians to come and belittle what has been done in recent years.

They do not know our history. It is unrealistic when people try to compare Rwanda’s music industry to that in other countries.

The country has just recovered from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and there is a lot of progress going on in all sectors of the country,” Teta who is currently in Sweden said.

The Tanzanian superstar, real name Nasibu Abdul Juma, said that Rwandan artistes don’t know what they are doing and that they are not doing enough to market their music beyond Rwandan borders.

The Ntampata Wapi star made the remarks at a press conference, ahead of his New Year’s performance in Remera, Kigali.

Rwanda has talented and creative musicians and they are appreciated by those who understand it, the Fata Fata singer said.

She explained that music is a language with no boundaries, citing examples like the South African song Khona by Mafikizolo featuring Uhuru, which is a hit in Kigali, the same as Zambian music.

But that does not mean we all understand those languages, she observed.

Teta noted that Kinyarwanda is not a barrier to promote Rwandan music outside the country.

“There are many musicians, for example, Ugandan musicians whose music is in Luganda but it sells across Africa and beyond,” she said.

Teta expressed worry that the music industry is currently experiencing a lot of challenges, such as, lack of modern music studios, recreation centres, standard venues for the shows and enough music schools, to mention a few.

“We don’t have the luxuries musicians in other countries have. The media is also not very supportive, as some DJs play songs for only the musicians who bribe them.”

Teta also said that investment in music cannot be taken for granted. Like the creativity of the artiste; it is something that needs to be supported and protected. The music industry plays a key role in the country’s economic development, so they request the government and corporate companies to support it.

Teta is a young Rwandan musician, who sings both traditional and mainstream music. She boasts of songs, such as Call Me, Kwifata, Ndaje and Fata Fata, among others, and is a member of the Gakondo music group.

Teta was among the few Rwandan musicians who performed at the 6th edition of Rwanda Day in Atlanta, United States of America (USA).

Sylvester Stallone Shares ‘Rambo 5′ Title

 

Sylvester Stallone has unveiled the title for the fifth installment in “Rambo” movie franchise. The upcoming movie, which probably will be the last, is confirmed to be titled “Rambo: Last Blood”. The info is delivered by Stallone via his Twitter account last week as he shared his schedule. “Doing ‘Scarpa’ based on Gangster Greg Scarpa after LAST BLOOD RAMBO…,” he wrote. The first Rambo movie, titled “First Blood”, was released in the 1980s.

After “Rambo: Last Blood”, he will work on “Scarpa”. The movie centers on the life of Greg Scarpa, a former hitman for the Colombo crime family known as the Grim Reaper. It is set for release sometime in 2016.

 In addition of the two tittles, Stallone has another projects under his belt. He is also working in "ROCKY" spin-off tittled "Creed".The action movie star suprises his role as Rocky in the movie while Michael B.Jordan plays Adonis Creed, the grand son of carl weathers' Apollo Creed. it hits U.S Theaters sometime in 2016

Angelina Jolie involved in car crash, but is fine

Ms Jolie, who is one Hollywood's biggest stars, was riding in an SUV when it skidded in the rain, hit a curb and two tires exploded.

She was being driven back to her Los Angeles home after the screening of her new film “Unbroken,” in Beverly Hills.

The accident looked "pretty bad", witnesses said. One person told X17: "It's amazing nothing worse happened to the car. I wouldn't be surprised if she has whiplash."

The actress who was picked up by another driver shortly after, didn’t seek any medical help.

36 netted in police ‘panya road’ network crackdown

Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ms Advera Bulimba

Addressing a news conference in Dar es Salaam, police Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ms Advera Bulimba, said that the suspects were arrested in various areas of the city after police launched a crackdown on the youth.

“After the mayhem caused by the youth, police in Dar es Salaam launched a crackdown to bring to book all those involved in the matter,” she said.

Commenting on the cause of the fracas, she said that the youth planned to stir trouble after one of their friends was lynched by an angry mob on January 1 at Tandale Kwa Mtogole in Kinondoni District.

The deceased who has been identified as Mohammed Ayub was killed on suspicion of robbing some people in the area the previous day.

On Friday morning, the youth attended the funeral and burial of their friend where they had also planned to start trouble after the events of the day, as a revenge for the killing of their friend.

“After the burial word started spreading around that the youth planned to cause havoc and we got wind of it and prepared to take action,” she said.

She, however, said that after the police intervened to stop the youths, some of them started running away causing fear among the public in the process. This led to the closure of some businesses, including bars and other gathering places.

She said that until some of the suspects were still at large and that they have launched a manhunt to ensure that all those involved are arrested.

The spokesperson called on the public to resume their normal activities as the police have taken control of the situation in the city.

She also cautioned all those who are still at large not to dare to stir trouble. Speaking to the ‘Sunday News’ yesterday, various people blamed the police for ignoring some of the information that had earlier been provided by the public.

One resident of Mwenge in Kinondoni who preferred anonymity said that the police have been too lax to work on the information provided by law abiding citizens about the activities of the youths.

He said he once lived in Manzese and that they are aware that the youths are being financed by some people to do criminal activities at functions held in the city.

Diamond jets in for New Year’s concerts

Diamond arrives at Kigali International airport with Ugandan socialite Zari Hassan who wasn’t recognized by local media. (Faustin Niyigena)

he performed at the Vibe Party at the Expo Grounds in Gikondo, and on New Year he was at the East African Party Concert at Stade Amahoro Parking. Diamond was invited by East Africa Promotions Limited.
Diamond was accompanied by his lover, Kampala socialite Zari Hassan who was largely unnoticed by local press and fans.

Diamond arrives at Kigali International airport with Ugandan socialite Zari Hassan who wasn’t recognized by local media. (Faustin Niyigena)

The mother of four is a “part time” musician with businesses in South Africa. She has attracted media attention courtesy of her on and off relationship with ex-lover and father of her children, Ivan Semwanga, the crazy parties she throws for friends in Kampala’s night spots and the drama surrounding her relationship with Diamond. Diamond is said to have abandoned his girlfriend Wema Sepetu for Zari. The pair attended Channel O Awards in Johannesburg together early this month.
By Stephen Kalimba, The New Times

Diamond, Idris take Tanzania in cloud nine

Evergreen Bongfleva music artist Naseeb Abdul, popularly known by his stage name ‘Diamond Platnumz’ surely had the best year in his career. His star sparkled to the maximum as his name and music hit the airwaves in local and international music arena this year in positive way than in negative.

Diamond is flying high with his various hit numbers such ‘Number One’, ‘Mbagala’, ‘Binadamu’, ‘Ukimuona’, ‘Nenda kamwambie’, ‘Nitarejea’, ‘Lala salama’, ‘Nitampata wapi’ and ‘Number one Remix’ featuring Nigerian music Star Davido to mention a few.

In April this year, he managed to bag a total of seven awards with a win in all the categories he was nominated in the Kilimanjaro Music Awards to set a new record for the awards since it was established 14 years ago.

The Bongo Fleva heartthrob ‘Number One’ hit song singer won the Best Male Writer, Best Male Artist, Best Song Writer, Song of the Year award, Best Afro Pop Song, Video of the Year and Best Male Entertainer of the Year.

Diamond, who possesses a number of nicknames such as ‘Dangote’ and ‘Rais wa Wasafi’ was also nominated for various continental honours such as the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAS) and the Kora awards and the recent 2014 Channel O African Music Awards in South Africa.

The lad from Kigoma set another record of the year in the Channel O African Music Awards after bagging three awards in the event, winning the categories of the Most Gifted Newcomer, Most Gifted Afro Pop and Most Gifted East, which he was nominated to compete with other stars artists from the continent.

And in the category of the most gifted Afro Pop, Diamond, again with his hit song ‘Number One’ outshined Africa music stars such as Nigerian music star Davido with his song Aye, South African famous group Mafikizolo featuring May D with their hit ‘Happiness’, Flavour –Ada Ada and Iyanya –Jombolo, to win the category.

Diamond is said to be one of the most famous and successful as well as the most paid artist in the country according to reports. Apart from staging many shows compared to other local artists, he also owns various valuable assets including expensive fleet of cars and posh houses.

The Bongofleva artist performed in various countries worldwide including Germany, United States of America, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Comoro, U.A.E and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). To signify that he is really making the country proud, Diamond was on Tuesday invited by President Jakaya Kikwete at the State House.

Diamond took the opportunity of being invited to the State House to show the President, five different awards he won this year’s in various international events which he competed with other African music stars and excelled. President Kikwete commended the effort done by Diamond in promoting the country abroad through his artistic work.

Also the President praised the winner of this year’s Big Brother Africa’ (BBA) Hotshots, Idris Sultan, saying the two young men have promoted the country well. He urged them to utilise properly and wisely their status of being stars within the society and focus on development of their welfare, families and their colleagues in the music and entertainment industry.

Diamond acknowledged the President’s support to all artists in the country, saying the support has led to his success both locally and internationally and promised to work hard in his effort to continue with his work of promoting the country internationally.

Diamond’s success was not the only in this year for Tanzania. The nation was in cloud nine after it’s representative in the continent’s biggest reality show ‘Big Brother Africa’ (BBA), Idris Sultan emerged the winner of the BBA ninth season dubbed as BBA 2014 Hotshots.

The amazing win for the Arusha lad (Chalii ya Atown), Idris automatically puts him into the list of new young millionaires in the country after winning USD $300,000, which is approximately 517m/-.

Idris, who was nicknamed ‘Mr Lover Man’ by his fans due to his behaviour in the house managed to outshine other 25 housemates from thirteen countries especially his close competitors of the award– Nigerian model Akintayo John Faniran popularly known as Tayo and Zambian Mulaza Kaira alias Macky 2 to win the awesome prize.

Idris becomes the second Tanzanian to win the Big Brother Africa top prize after Richard Bezuidenhout, who won in Big Brother Africa Season 2 in 2011 and bagged $100,000 from the reality show produced by Endemol for M-Net. Initially, this year’s Big Brother Africa shows had to be put on hold as the Big Brother original house at Sasani Studio in Highlands North, Johannesburg got burnt down.

The series was delayed but luckily the producers found and refurbished a house for the season nearby and launched a shorter season of only 63 days on October 5, 2014. However, it was not all smooth sailing for the country in the entertainment industry as shocking scandals hit the 2014 Miss Tanzania beauty pageant.

It will take ages for Tanzanians to forget the age cheating saga, which resulted into the stripping off of the crowned beauty queen Sitti Abbas Mtemvu. Mtemvu announced to step down voluntarily hardly a month after winning the crown, following age cheating allegations and following the decision, the crown was awarded to first runner-up, Lilian Kamazima (18). Sitti becomes the first winner to surrender the crown in the history of the Miss Tanzania beauty pageant, which was re-introduced in 1994.

The beauty pageant was established in 1960s and later in 1968; the government banned the event citing indecency and was not conforming to the country’s culture.

However, organizers of the event Lino International Agency Limited Director Hashim Lundenga, dispelled claims that Sitti had tampered with her age and that she was illegally awarded the crown. He said that the event’s judging procedure happens without prejudice.

Sitti’s birth certificate which was issued in September this year in Temeke shows that she was born on May 31, 1991, which means she is 23 years old which is different from what has been reported by various media outlets and social media which claimed she is 25 years of age.

Initially, it was claimed that Sitti is aged 18 years and has a Masters degree but the event organizers vehemently dispute such reports as unfounded and are spread by people who want to tarnish the image of Miss Tanzania beauty pageant

According to Miss World regulations, which are sent to all organisers of the beauty pageant in their respective countries, all contestant are strictly required to be within the age limit of not less than 17 years of age nor more than 24 on December 31 in the relevant year.

And, breaching of that part will lead to the termination of license of the country organiser. In 1957, Miss USA, Leona Gage was disqualified and was stripped of her crown when her mother-in-law revealed to the public that she was in her second marriage, and that she had two children and that she was only 18 and not 21 as what was noted in her application.

Miss Gage later explained that she needed the prize money to support her family. Another example was when Marjorie Wallace the very first Miss United States to win the Miss World title but was stripped off her title just 104 days after being crowned Miss World 1973 by the Miss World Organization, who claimed that she wasn’t upholding the Miss World’s reputation when they found out that she was dating several big name celebrities like George Best and Tom Jones during her reign.

This scandal to some extent tarnished the image of Miss Tanzania beauty pageant, which is among the most popular annual event in the country.

Apart from that scandal the entertainment arena also got another blows following the death of legend musician Muhidin Maalim Gurumo, comedian Said Ngamba alias ‘ Mzee Small’ , drummer Masoud Mohamed alias ‘ MCD’ and vocalist Hamis Kayumbu alias “Amigolas” and the recent death of famous dancer Mwanaisha Mbegu alias ‘Aisha Madinda’.

As we usher in a New Year—Year 2015, Tanzanians expect further improvement in the entertainment industry but this calls for commitment and efforts to deliver.

By BETRAM LENGAMA, Tanzania Daily News