TANZANIA – A 10-year jail term, 30m/- fine or both awaits mobile phone traders who will attempt to change the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers. The warning was issued on Wednesday, a few hours before the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) switched off all fake mobile phones in the country. Addressing reporters in Dar es Salaam of Wednesday, the communications watchdog’s Acting Director General, Mr James Kilaba, cautioned that it was against the law to change the IMEI numbers.

He said that as of Wednesday, 2.9 per cent of people owning fake gadgets and a closely one per cent with duplicate devices were at risk of losing communication. Mr Kilaba said to ensure close monitoring, all mobile phone technicians were supposed to get licences from the authority for maintenance and repair of mobile phones. He said the move, aimed at controlling mobile phone theft, meant that technicians should record the numbers of all customers who send their gadgets to them for repair.(allafrica)…[+]

CANADA –   Rock singer Meat Loaf collapsed on stage during a performance in Edmonton, Alberta, according to CNN partner CBC.

The 68-year old, whose real name is Marvin Lee Aday, had postponed a Calgary show earlier in the week “due to illness” said Meat Loaf’s Facebook page. Several social media videos show the singer falling down during his Grammy Award winning song “I’d Do Anything for Love” at the Northern Jubilee Auditorium Thursday night.  On the videos, Meat Loaf’s microphone thuds on stage, he collapses forward, puts his hands down and then rolls over. Fellow musicians and stage hands rush to his side. The song then abruptly stops. Some fans were confused at first. (CNN.COM)…[+]

GREAT BRITAIN   –  Investigators are searching for answers a day after a man killed British politician Jo Cox, in a brazen attack on the street in the parliament member’s own constituency in northern England.

Cox, a member of parliament, was stabbed and shot in Birstall on Thursday after a meeting with constituents, the Press Association reported, citing witnesses. The 41-year-old mother of two died in hospital hours after the attack, which comes a week before a crucial referendum on whether Britain should stay in or leave the European Union. While it is unclear if it the killing had any connection with the upcoming vote, Cox was openly in favor of remaining part of the bloc, and was an avid campaigner for the rights of refugees. .(CNN.COM)…[+]