Pope gives exorcists his blessing

Vatican City (AFP) - The Vatican has formally recognised the International Association of Exorcists, giving its blessing to a group of 250 priests in 30 countries who claim to save the possessed from Satan.

The association's practice of exorcism is now recognised under canon law, the Vatican's L'Osservatore Romano newspaper reported Thursday.

Pope Francis often insists on the need to fight "Satan" and "demons", and was captured in dramatic images last year placing his hands on the head of a boy in a wheelchair who appeared to slump at his touch -- an act of prayer exorcists claim was intended to free the victim from the devil.

The first association of exorcists was founded by Father Gabriele Amorth, the Holy See's chief exorcist for almost 30 years, who has described intense sessions with possessed people who scream, blaspheme and spit shards of glass.

He set up an Italian exorcists association in 1991, after which he began organising meetings with devil fighters from other countries, leading to the establishment of the international group.

Francesco Bamonte, the head of the association, told L'Osservatore that the recognition was "a cause for joy for the whole Church," saying that "exorcism is a form of charity that benefits those who suffer".

Brazil survives Colombia's surge, wins 2-1

FORTALEZA, Brazil (AP) -- Brazil made its way into the World Cup semifinals for the first time in 12 years by beating Colombia 2-1 Friday, with the goals coming from defenders Thiago Silva and David Luiz.

Brazil, which had been eliminated in the quarterfinals at the last two World Cups, will next play Germany on Tuesday.

Silva gave Brazil the lead in the seventh minute, scoring with his left knee after a corner from Neymar. Luiz added the second from a free kick in the 69th, sending a swerving long-range shot into the top of the net.

Colombia got one back in the 80th when striker James Rodriguez scored his tournament-leading sixth goal from the penalty spot.

David Kimaiyo allows Saba Saba rallies to go on

Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo.Police have given the green light for Saba Saba rallies and assured city residents of security.

However, the Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo said organisers of the rallies should ensure law and order was maintained at the venues.

He also ordered county and divisional police commanders countrywide to enhance security in their areas.

“All parties are free to hold political rallies provided they follow the laid down procedures. We have put in place security measures to ensure that the rallies will be conducted safely,” said Mr Kimaiyo.

Cord leader Raila Odinga called for the rally to push for national dialogue. The President said his government was not opposed to the dialogue provided it was done through institutions established by the Constitution.

Mr Kimaiyo said conveners would be given guidelines on how to conduct the rallies.

“We shall show them how to coordinate their affairs without causing scare, tension and annoyance to other people,” he said.

At the same time, police are investigating reports that certain political leaders were planning to cause violence after the Saba Saba rallies.

“We are counter-checking the information as we cannot ignore anything from the public. If the allegations are true, those leaders behind it will be arrested and prosecuted,” said Mr Kimaiyo.

Germany keeper Manuel Neuer's prowess as a sweeper

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Germany keeper Manuel Neuer's prowess as a sweeper, so amply demonstrated against Algeria, give them an important advantage, coach Joachim Loew said on the eve of Friday's World Cup quarter-final against France.
Loew said Neuer's defensive skills outside the area means Germany's back four can move further up the pitch to support the attack. Neuer had 19 touches outside his box in the 2-1 last-16 win over Algeria and snuffed out dangerous counter attacks.
"If a team tried to cause an upset relatively early, just as we did against the U.S. or Algeria, the defenders head up the pitch," Loew said.
"This naturally means that they go into the opponent's half and it is indispensable that the goalkeeper does not stand on the line or in the five-meter (six-yard) area because exactly then the goalkeeper (is) needed.
"This shows the difference in class of a Manuel Neuer, that he functions like a player behind the defense and he has an incredibly good feeling for long balls.
"This is why he is there, because if you go forward and attack early, then there is of course always a risk if the opponent kicks a ball out some 60 meters from the back, that balls can then possibly go through (the goal)."
Loew said Neuer has great ball skills for a keeper.
"He is a footballer who technically can keep up, he is very good with the ball and of course he has a very good feeling for orientation, regarding distances," Loew said.
"This makes him valuable and that is why he should also take this risk and stand forward a bit when we are also in the opponent’s half.”
ADDED ELEMENT
Midfielder Toni Kroos said Neuer gave the Germans an added element few other teams had.
"There is no-one better in the world. He is very important because we can build from behind," Kroos said.
"He can do with his feet what many can't do, that is why he is the 11th man on the field for us."
Neuer even has a fan in France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who said: “He is certainly the most complete keeper at the World Cup and he can play that role well.”
Germany's goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke said he remained calm on Monday when Neuer came bolting off the line to stop cold a number of Algeria counter-attacks - even once heading a loose ball away - because he knows Neuer won't overdo it.
At Germany's training camp in Santo Andre on the Atlantic coast in northeastern Brazil, Neuer can often be seen running full speed, and with surprising dexterity, after balls in high-speed drills with the other keepers and Koepke.
Neuer says he enjoys playing out of the area and even toys with the idea of becoming an outfield player. But at a news conference on Wednesday Koepke joked that Neuer should forget about a second career as a sweeper.
"Sure, he could be an outfield player - the question is in which local amateur league that would be," Koepke deadpanned. "I'm not sure he'd be good enough for an outfield position in the Bundesliga.
"You can see that he has a lot of fun coming out of the area like that," said Koepke. "I don't get nervous seeing him come out like that and I don't start thinking, 'What on earth is he doing?' He's got good judgment and he doesn't overdo it."

Libyan envoy kills himself at embassy

Dar es Salaam. Libya’s acting ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Ismail Nwairat, is reported to have committed suicide on Tuesday afternoon inside the embassy offices in Upanga. He had bullet wounds to the chest, according to a statement by the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation.

The body of the diplomat was slumped on his office desk, with blood spreading on the floor. The government statement indicated that he shot himself with a pistol at around 1pm. “The information we have is that Mr Nwairat locked himself in the office and turned the pistol on himself,” said the ministry’s spokesperson Mkumbwa Ally in a statement to the media. “Security personnel broke down the door and found him lifeless.”

Mr Nwairat was declared dead at AMI hospital at Oysterbay. The body is at Muhimbili National Hospital, according to police. According to the ministry, the embassy is making plans to transport the body to Libya for burial. The Tanzanian government said it would offer the necessary support.

Sentries and other staff at the embassy were alerted by a loud noise in the official’s office. Mr Nwairat had held that position in an acting capacity for more than two years following the recall of the former ambassador, Prof Ahmed El Ash’ab, for raising the rebel National Transition Council flag without prior consultation with the Tanzania government.

Employees were unwilling to speak with reporters when The Wadjs visited the embassy yesterday. The offices were quiet and little activity was evident.

“We are aware that an incident happened in the embassy,” said a neighbour who did not want to be named. “But we do not have full details on what transpired and how.” It was not clear whether the diplomat lived on the premises. Security officials would not allow anyone beyond the open compound.

Investigations were reportedly underway and the Dar es Salaam special police zone commander, Mr Suleiman Kova, told The Wadjs they would issue an official statement today.

Makamba announces intention to compete for presidency in 2015

Deputy Minister of Communication, Science and Technology January Makamba has kick-started the race to succeed President Jakaya Kikwete, saying he will offer his candidature for the top seat in the 2015 General Election.

Mr Makamba declared he was 90 per cent certain he would contest the seat come next year, when the current office bearer’s term expires.

Mr Makamba, son of former CCM Secretary General Yusuf Makamba, told BBC’s Dira ya Dunia on Wednesday night that his decision to contest the top seat was driven by pressure from the  people.  He added: “I have made up my mind about 90 per cent...there are minor issues I still need to iron out. I need to talk to the elders, the clergy and retired leaders on how best to approach this thing....”

The Bumbuli MP (CCM) added: “When you are asked to contest such a respected post by diverse groups of people across the country, you need to think properly.” Asked who he considered the right man to succeed President Kikwete, he said: “This post needs a person from CCM...In our party we have procedures on how to find the right candidate...the next 10 years will have specific challenges which need fresh blood.”

The deputy minister, who is in London for a telecommunications forum, stressed that the next president should be someone with new thinking on how to raise the country to the next level.

His announcement comes barely four months since his party reprimanded him alongside five other CCM senior members for campaigning for the top job “prematurely”.

Others who were cautioned then were former Prime Ministers Edward Lowassa and Fredrick Sumaye, Foreign Affairs and International Relations Minister Bernard Membe, the minister for State in the President’s Office (Social Relations and Coordination), Mr Stephen Wassira and former Minister William Ngeleja.

In response to a question on why he made his big announcement while in the UK, the youthful politician said; “I was in an interview and got asked...I decided to make it clear.”  

The deputy minister declared that his record, after only a few years as the MP for Bumbuli, speaks volumes. He claimed to have reduced his voters’ problems by about 90 per cent.

Mr Makamba, who once was President Jakaya Kikwete’s speech writer, said health centres had been built in his constituency but the problem was lack of health personnel. And the construction of the district hospital was in the final stages of completion.  All 89 villages in the constituency have also been surveyed in readiness for electricity connection, he added.  Mr Makamba, who will be 41 next year, told journalists that it was important for politicians to be close to their electorate and come up with solutions to their problems together.

On the presidency, he said; “For instance, you go to Maswa, Liwale, Simanjiro and Wete and the message you get is that you are fit for the job (the presidency)...but also elders, the youth and religious leaders all say you can unite Tanzanians...that is serious and you have to think about it and take action.”

Should he fail to clinch the presidency, he will go back to work with the voters, he added, as President Kikwete did when he lost to Mr Benjamin Mkapa in 1995. Mr Makamba was of the opinion that the constitution review process should be suspended until after the General Election.

Tiqrik province taken back From ISIS

Governor of Salahaddin province in Northern Iraq Ahmad Abdullah al-Cuburi said they are now in control of Tiqrit.
Governor Cuburi said "Iraqi army attacked from 4 directions with aerial backup and regained the city from ISIS led armed groups. Special forces arfe currently positioned in the city center."
Meanwhile, Al-Iraqiyya TV channel reported that 60 armed men were killed in clashes between Iraqi security forces and armed groups. Military forces have regained control of the governorship building in the city.    
Eyewitnesses say clashes between military forces and armed men have intensified in the northern front.

For a while now clashes have engulfed the country where there is a vacuum of authority ISIS and certain tribal forces took control in Mosul, Tiqrit, Baquba and Telafar. ISIS also took control in Al-Kaim, Rave, Aneh, Ratbe and Hadise townships of Anbar city.