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There’s an expanding front on the war against terrorism. The U-S recently launched a 10-million dollar initiative to help combat animal poaching in Africa. Money from the illegal trade in animal products may be supporting various militant groups on the continent. But one expert says the U-S initiative alone won’t be enough to solve the problem. Johan Bergenas said current anti-poaching efforts have not been successful in stopping the slaughter of thousands of animals every year.

Fighting has intensified in recent months in Sudan’s Darfur region, with hundreds of people killed in ongoing battles between rival Arab communities.   Observers say the government is losing control over the very militias they once armed to wage war against rebel groups.  

Syrian opposition activists, including National Coalition members, have drawn up a road map to achieve national reconciliation and justice for “all of Syria’s victims,” a statement said yesterday.

Somali authorities said Thursday they are investigating the alleged rape of Somali woman by soldiers belonging to an African Union peacekeeping force. The woman was allegedly attacked at Maslah Military Camp in the capital, Mogadishu, a week ago, a statement from the prime minister's office said.