More than 600,000 hectares of fertile land suitable for food production in the country have been hived off for the cultivation of bio-fuel crops, an independent study by a land use research organisation has revealed.

The State Minister for Animal Industry, Mr Bright Rwamirama, has blamed the continued spread of the foot and mouth disease in western Uganda on nomadic pastoralists moving from one place to another.

Agriculture and Food Security minister Stephen Wasira has outlined measures intended to make Tanzania gain from rising food prices in the world market. The crucial aspect about the plan is raising production by close to 800,000 tonnes, which, according to ministerial experts, is possible if other envisaged measures are taken.

A report on the siphoning of over Sh5 billion from the External Payment Arrears (EPA) account during the financial year 2006/2007 has been presented to the Government.

Something fishy is going on in the whole issue of biofuel farming in the country.

BOA Bank Tanzania yesterday launched Western Union money transfer services in all its five branches.

Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) yesterday donated Sh1.5 million to the Tanzania Sports Writers Association (Taswa) football team.

The Post Bank has introduced mobile banking services to rural areas.

The minister for Information, Culture and Sports, George Mkuchika, will lead Tanzania's Olympic squad to Beijing, on August 4, the Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) secretary general, Filbert Bayi, confirmed yesterday.

Mainland champions Young Africans and Tusker FC from Kenya have qualified to play in tomorrow's second semi final of Kagame Cup championship after winning their quarter final matches played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

Tanzania tennis players expressed optimism ahead of today's Tanga Cement international championships that gets underway at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club courts.

Rwanda's hopes of having one of her two teams progress to the semi-finals of the on-going Cecafa/Kagame cup ended yesterday with the elimination of Rayon Sport by Kenya's Tusker Fc in a game that ended in a dramatic penalty kick 7-6. The ninety minutes ended 0-0 with Rayon Sport enjoying superior domination.

APR's Dutch coach Rene Feller's troubles seems to be increasing day by day here in Dar es salaam where the army side where ejected from the on going Cecafa/Kagame Cup by Tanzania's Simba Fc 2-0 on Tuesday.

A confrontation broke out yesterday at the State House between the police and retirees of the defunct East Africa Community who wanted to meet President Jakaya Kikwete. The nearly 100 retirees engaged police in a duel-like shout, pull and shove encounter as they attempted to present their terminal benefits grievances to the head of state.

Former prime minister Edward Lowassa yesterday broke his silence over his alleged involvement in the controversial construction of a multiple-storey building at the headquarters of CCM's youth wing, UVCCM.

President Jakaya Kikwete has said that the newly built secondary schools in all wards were a historical move aimed to promote equality among Tanzanians.

More than 400 passengers escaped with no injuries Tuesday night when the train they were travelling on derailed leaving two locomotive heads completely submerged in water.

The Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (Tucta) has denounced members of parliament for "failing to address the pressing needs of Tanzanians" in the National Assembly. Among the needs the congress referred to is the rising cost of living resulting from global increases in fuel prices and food shortages.

Statistics revealed by deputy Home Affairs minister Mr Khamis Kagasheki in Parliament on Monday, help to show the magnitude of HIV/Aids infection in the country's prison system.

Tanzanian journalists under the platform of the Editors' Forum and human rights groups yesterday condemned the recent police raid on the offices of MwanaHalisi weekly newspaper The editors demanded an immediate and unqualified apology from the Government over the raid, vowing to continue publishing classified documents if doing so was in the interest of the public.

United Nations depury secretary-general Asha-Migiro addresses Parliament as Speaker Samuel Sitta looks on in Dodoma yesterday.

Miembeni FC coach Tom Olaba believes they are outright underdogs ahead of today's quarter final against URA in the Cecafa Clubs Championship.

Following the launch of the Secondary Education Development Programme (SEDP), many students have enrolled in ward secondary schools, mostly built in periphery suburbs.

Albinos here are seeking audience with President Jakaya Kikwete to brief him of predicaments as victims of sporadic killings.

Tanzania yesterday outlined at least seven measures that will see the nation benefit from the global food crisis.