Plastic bag ban

Zanzibar's ban on the import and production of plastic bags has come into effect.

Authorities on the semi-autonomous Tanzanian islands say discarded bags damage the marine environment and hurt its crucial tourism industry.

The government, which approved the law in July, has suggested the use of raffia bags as an alternative.

But the BBC's Ally Saleh in Zanzibar says many people are sceptical about whether the ban will be enforced.

Tourism is the backbone of Zanzibar's economy, outstripping the trade in spices, traditionally the island's biggest foreign currency earner.