Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 12

• 
• 

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

33 Suspected Kidnappers in Police Net

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Walter Rugbere, on Tuesday, disclosed that 33 suspected kidnappers were arrested in the state between January and February this year. Rugbere has vowed that the Command will arrest all the suspected kidnappers in the state in ensuring zero tolerance on violent crimes in the state. The Police Commissioner who linked the arrests to their determination to make the state safe, appealed to members of the public to volunteer information on the movement of kidnappers in the state as police can not perform wonder in this direction.

Rainstorm Destroys Electric Poles in PH

About 32 electric poles, Friday, collapsed along Oginigba–Azuabie Road, Trans-Amadi, during a rainstorm in Port Harcourt. No casualty was reported. Spokesman of the Power Holding Company (PHCN), John Onyi, said that the poles fell as a result of sand excavation along the route by a company laying underground communication cables, saying that the excavation weakened the bases of some of the poles, such that the poles could not withstand the rainstorm. A similar incident, which occurred in January, claimed 25 lives in the same neighbourhood.

10 Injured In Air Force Plane Mishap

A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) plane, last Weekend, skidded off the runway of the Port Harcourt International Airport and injured over 10 passengers on board. The near tragic incident occurred during an emergency rescue mock exercise conducted by the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in conjunction with the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). The incident, which prompted the closure of the airspace for about two hours, left hundreds of passengers travelling to various destinations stranded for hours. FAAN spokesperson, Mr. Victor Asira confirmed the incident.

10 Houses Burnt in Ogoni

At least 10 houses were torched in a communal clash between Barako and Nwebiara communities in Gokana LGA of Rivers State over where to site a model primary school. The intervention of security personnel brought the situation under control. State Police Public Relations Officer, Rita Abbey, said 14 persons have been arrested and the Commissioner of Police has reinforced the area with Mobile Policemen. But a community source said that the trouble started with a Supreme Court judgment which ceded all of Nwebiara to Barako. The alleged enforcement of the said judgment led to the clashes.

3 Arrested for Robbery, Kidnapping

At least, three persons have been arrested by the police in connection with penultimate Friday’s armed robbery and abduction of the coordinator of Mbaitoli East Development Area of Imo State, Dr. Victor Echeruo. Investigations revealed that the hoodlums stormed Dr. Echeruo’s Mbieri home, robbed the occupants of the house of valuable personal effects, including money and bundled Echeruo into the booth of his car. Dr. Echeruo recalled minutes after taking-off from his home, his abductors stopped at an unknown point and ordered him to run into the forest. Echeruo’s car was reportedly traced to Akwa Ibom State, where it was abandoned.

Wife of Former Breweries Boss Abducted, Regains Freedom

Gunmen numbering over 30, penultimate Sunday, kidnapped wife of former Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Limited (NBL), Eze Festus Odimegwu, Ugoeze Stella (a.k.a. Mama Orsu) at Asa Ubirielem, Orsu LGA of Imo State. Sources say that the woman was over-powered by the heavily armed men as she came out from church and was immediately driven away. The Special Adviser to Governor Ikedi Ohakim on Security, Chief George Egu, confirmed the incident, saying that the government has set in motion all security agencies in the state to search for her whereabouts, while the police admitted being overpowered by superior fire power of the kidnappers. She is said to have regained freedom on Thursday, but details of her release are sketchy.

Abia CP Orders Recall of Illegal Police Aides

All Police personnel of the Abia State Command attached to unaccredited persons have been directed to report back to their former positions immediately or face disciplinary measures. The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Jonathan Johnson, said the development was sequel to the recent directive of the Inspector General of Police. The CP said that any policeman found to be acting as orderly to any unaccredited person or institution would be arrested. He expressed displeasure that even some factories which applied for police security and had some accordingly assigned, converted them into their top management escorts for their factories. He added that any officer carrying gun that is not on uniform would be arrested.

Obi Sworn-in As Anambra Governor

Mr. Peter Obi was on Wednesday sworn in as the Governor of Anambra State for a second term, by the Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Paul Obidigwe. Obi assured that his administration would do all it takes to tackle the problems of erosion, inadequate housing, urban planning, deplorable standard of education and poor health delivery system, among others.

Abia CP Accused of Intimidation

An Umuahia based human rights group, Global Centre for Peace and Justice (GCPJ) has accused the Abia state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jonathan Johnson, of using his position to intimidate some witnesses in a case against him in court. The group also accused the CP of disobeying a court order, which gave protection to the said witnesses. GCPJ coordinator, Chief Anthony Agbazuere said that the stance of the Johnson to the cause of human rights had become worrisome to the group. But the CP has denied the allegations, saying that he has no reason to intimidate any person and that the allegations were baseless, while Agbazuere alleged that the CP had repeatedly threatened his clients for testifying against him.

Group Alleges Regrouping of Kidnappers, Robbers in Anambra

Anambra Leaders of Thought have raised alarm over alleged regrouping of kidnappers and armed robbers in the state. The group said that their investigations showed that the kidnappers had already mapped out strategies to strike in the major cities of the state. They also condemned the residents and traders in Onitsha, who were accused of failing to pay their security levies. They warned that any person or group of persons who fails to pay the security levies will be regarded as paid agents of kidnappers and hoodlums terrorizing the state.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Bomb Explosions Halt Post-Amnesty Conference

Two bombs exploded at outside the perimeter fence of the Delta State Government House Annex in Warri, aborting a Post-Amnesty Dialogue organised by Vanguard Newspapers. The Movement of the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) claimed responsibility for the attacks, minutes before the explosions, advising the immediate evacuation of the premises “to prevent the loss of innocent lives”. Spokesman of the group, Gbomo Jomo, said the attack was to prove its existence and disprove Governor Uduaghan, who reportedly described MEND as a media creation. MEND said the FG had been organising endless conferences, describing the Vanguard conference as “one of the tools of deception”. It warned of further attacks. Governors, elders, leaders and stakeholders of the Niger-Delta, have criticised MEND for attacks.  The Police Public Relations Officer, Charles Muka, confirmed the death of one person, amidst other injured.

One Killed as Armed Men Raid Police Armoury

Unidentified armed men, Tuesday, invaded the Police armoury in Agenebode, Etsako East LGA of Edo state and killed policewoman on duty before carting away 18 AK-47 rifles and several rounds of ammunitions. It was also gathered that the station had been without a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for some time now. A senior police officer at the state command headquarters said the leadership of the force was investigating the issue.

Bodies of Kidnapped NNPC Staff Found in Bush

The bodies of the two workers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Abubakar Malabu and Bashir Danjuma, were recovered in the bush in Delta State on Saturday. Malabu and Danjuma were kidnapped on March 13, 2010, by an unknown gang on their way to Delta State University, Abraka, for lectures. Malabu’s brother in-law, Alhaji Adamu Modibbo, confirmed the story but did not give further details.

Govt Accuses IG of Shielding Politicians in Edo Violence

Edo State government, Monday, accused the Police of shielding some politicians in the state who were linked to recent violence in the state House of Assembly. It alleged that the Police were reluctant to investigate the cases of bombs discovery in government buildings. One bomb was discovered at the premises of the Assembly, while two others were discovered at the premises of the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS). The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Anselm Ojezua, said both cases were yet to be investigated by the police. The State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the police to conduct a routine check on some strategic public establishments in the state with a view to finding out if explosive devices were planted in them.

Govt Probes Warri Bombings

Security agencies in the country were on Tuesday directed by the Federal Government to begin an immediate investigation into Monday's bomb blasts in Warri, Delta State. Two persons were killed in the explosions outside the Delta State Government House Annex, venue of the post-amnesty dialogue. Acting President Jonathan, also asked the Presidential Coordinating Committee on the Niger Delta to fast-track all issues on the implementation of the post-amnesty programme. Reacting to the bombing, The Action Congress (AC) has appealed to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to give peace a chance, saying reverting to violence will not advance the cause of peace. MEND had claimed responsibility for the incident and threatened further violence.

Edo to Dedicate Special Courts for Human Trafficking

The Edo State government plans to dedicate two courts to try human trafficking cases in order to accelerate hearing of the matters pending in its judiciary, acting Chief Judge, Justice Idahosa, has disclosed. Idahosa observed that human trafficking has become a national phenomenon that required the attention of all in the country. He disclosed there would also be sensitization programmes for judges in the state for them to appreciate the crisis and challenges of human trafficking.

Protesters Shut Agip Facility at Oleh

Protesters made up of mainly women and youths from Oleh, the administrative headquarters of Isoko South LGA of Delta State, yesterday shut down facilities of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).  The protesters said that they resorted to the action to register their displeasure over Agip’s alleged failure to rename the Oil Well, code-named “IRRI Well 5”, to OLEH Well 1. They claimed that the renaming would then reflect where Agip was currently drilling a new oil well. It took the immediate deployment of security operatives to ward off the protesters.

Workers Protest Warri Explosions

Thousands of local government workers in Delta State, Thursday, staged a peaceful rally in Warri, condemning the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) for Monday’s bomb blast at Government House Annex, Warri, venue of Vanguard Newspaper organized Two-day Post-Amnesty dialogue. The rally, organized by the State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, stated that council workers were in support of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s 3-point agenda of peace, security, human capital and infrastructure development. They added that the aborted summit was one opportunity lost in the search for a lasting solution to the problems of the region.

Thugs Harass UBE Officials

Officials of the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, on inspection from Abuja were on Thursday brutalized by suspected thugs in Delta State. The officials were allegedly harassed and beaten up at Uzere, while inspecting Ogri primary school. State Police spokesman, Charles Muka, confirmed the incident, adding that the gang leader had been arrested, while policemen were on the trail of others.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Killer Cop Arraigned in Court

Corporal Muyiwa Tunde Abolarin, a mobile policeman, who penultimate week allegedly fired a shot that killed a male staff of Akure South LG council, Dayo Adeoye, was on Monday charged before a magistrate court for murder, after he was summarily dismissed by the police authorities. Abolarin, who was handcuffed to the court, was carrying a gunshot wound he allegedly fired himself to deceive that he was shot at before he retaliated. The accused was ordered to be remanded at the Olokuta maximum prison pending the time the case will be given accelerated hearing. Dayo Adeoye of the Works Department, Akure South Local Government was last Thursday killed by a stray bullet fired by the mobile policeman, few metres to the council secretariat.

Police Claim Arrest of Suspected Killer of Bayo Ohu

The Lagos State Police Command has claimed the arrest of the alleged killer of Bayo Ohu, a journalist with the Guardian newspaper that was killed six months ago. The suspect identified as Dada Ganiu Adesanya, 23, was arrested with two other members of the gang. It was, however, gathered that Ganiu denied the allegation. He was said to have admitted being a member of the robbery gang that stormed the late Bayo Ohu’s residence but denied taking part in the operation. The State Commissioner of Police, Marvel Apkoyibo, said that during investigation, 11 persons were arrested in connection with the murder, at the end of which only three persons were directly fingered.

Man, 81, Arrested for Making Guns for Armed Robbers

Men of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ondo State Police Command have arrested an 81-year-old man, Pa Joe Ogundele for allegedly making guns for armed robbers. The octogenarian was arrested following a confession of one of the armed robbery suspects that members of his gang had been buying locally made guns from the old man. The frail-looking Pa Ogundele, who is a blacksmith and head of local hunters, described the allegation as frame up. He denied knowing any of the robbery suspects. Police spokesman, Adeniran Aremu, while confirming the story said Ogundele would be charged to court after investigations.

Two Nabbed Over Alleged Assassination Plot

The police in Lagos have arrested two suspects, Omotolani Adedayo and Sunday Albert, in connection with alleged plan to assassinate a community leader and transporter, Chief Bolude Olusope. The arrest was sequel to a petition sent to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police, FCID, by Mr. Dele Babalola, counsel to the petitioner. Babalola stated that the suspects planned to assassinate Olusope with a "hired police gun" to make it appear as if he was killed by the police and throw investigators off track. The petitioner stated that the planned assassination however leaked from a meeting where it was discussed and the suspects were allegedly in possession of the guns to attack the community leader.

NDLEA Arrests Two Suspected Traffickers at Lagos Airport

Two suspected drug traffickers were caught by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Both suspects were arrested during the outward screening of passengers travelling to the US and Spain from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. NDLEA Airport Commander, Hamza Umar, ingested 75 wraps of heroin weighing 1.325kg, and 47 wraps of cocaine weighing 985g, respectively.

GENERAL

Fresh Violence in Jos Claims 14

Fourteen people were murdered in Plateau State on Wednesday in Riyom LGA by suspected Fulani men, two days after a 55-year old woman was shot dead. Witnesses said the attack was launched at about 1am, with the attackers setting fire to the houses. The villagers said they alerted security men but got no help. The Police authorities have deployed an Assistant Inspector General of Police, Donald Onyinye Iroham, to oversee security in the state. Iroham declared that seven of the assailants, who were arrested, have made confessions about their sponsors and that their names had been sent to the appropriate authority for action. The AIG stated that investigation carried out on the 44 people arrested recently, revealed that they were labourers travelling from Port Harcourt to Kano for seasonal farming, adding that the implement found on them were their tools. The police also claimed the arrest of 164 people after the massacre.

NYCN Wants Army, Police Probed on Jos Crisis

The Plateau State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has charged both the police and Army headquarters in Abuja to probe the role of the two security agencies in the recent killings at Dogo Nahawa. The NYCN state chairman, Iliya Lar, said the explanations of both the state commissioner of police and General Officer Commanding (GOC) Third Armoured Division, General Saleh Maina, were vague and lack substance, accusing them of neglect. He added that the way and manner they handled the matter made it possible for the attackers to invade and kill residents of the villages without resistance. Similarly, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, has called on security agencies in the country to ensure that the perpetrators are made to face the Law; otherwise the government would be seen as paying lip service to the issue of security.

NAFDAC Intercepts Forged Documents, Warns of Fake Goods

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised alarm over alleged fresh influx of fake consumer goods and forged clearing documents into the nation's markets, urging the public to be careful. The alarm was sequel to discovery of fake airway bills, clearing documents and interception of suspected fake regulated products at the weekend following a tip-off. NAFDAC Director General, Dr. Paul Orhii, said the agency had made several arrests and carried out many investigations on the discovery. The suspected fake products include, unregistered extra-strength Exadon tablets in Kano State, Tracia lightening shower cream and 304 bottles of Eva grape juice intercepted from Seme border. The products have all been evacuated and investigation is still on-going.

Taxi Driver Set Ablaze In Kano

A taxi driver, Malam Umar, in Kano was on Monday set ablaze by a mob of commercial motorcycle riders and thugs, following allegation that he tried to steal two children from a woman passenger in his car. But two eyewitnesses said that the incident happened, because he damage a bike and was asked to pay for it, but he reportedly told them that he had no money because he had only just started work.  But instead of reconciling with the driver, the bike riders changed the story and alleged that he was trying to steal children. Another witness said Malam Umar, who was well known, was innocent. The state chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Taxi Drivers section, Alhaji Sani Hassan Jinjiri, called on the state government to urgently take a decision against the bike men with a view to restricting them from attacking innocent people in the state.

Ghaddafi Wants Nigeria Divide to Stop Bloodshed
…Nigeria Recalls Ambassador from Libya

Nigeria has recalled its ambassador to Libya, Alhaji M. K. Ibrahim. The recall is in relation to a suggestion by Libya’s leader, Muammar Ghaddafi, that Nigeria is better off “split” into two countries - one Muslim, the other Christian - as a way of solving its sectarian and religious problems. Nigeria’s action comes as the House of Representatives strongly expressed displeasure over Ghaddafi's utterances, urging the Nigerian government to commence the process of severing ties with the country. A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ambassador was recalled for "urgent negotiations" because of the "irresponsible utterances of Ghaddafi.

Senate Considers Legislation on DNA to Combat Crime

Senate is considering a Bill, sponsored by Senator Adego Eferekaya, seeking to give legal backing for the use of Deoxyribonucleic Acid  (DNA) tests to solve paternity cases and other criminal investigations. A Bill for an Act to establish the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Tests 2010 was, Thursday, subjected to a public hearing with the Senate President, David Mark, tasking the Health Committee working on the Bill to do a thorough job.

UN Sends Special Envoy to Nigeria over Killing in Jos

The United Nations has Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has dispatched a special envoy to Nigeria to ascertain the potential causes of genocide and help identify how the international community can prevent such a scourge again. If the envoy determines that there is troubling information on the Jos crisis that may lead to genocide, the UN Security Council will then formally take up the Jos crisis as one of its concerns around the world, with possible international actions, including sanctions or the imposition of a UN force on the area. The Movement for the Survival of Plateau People (MOSOPP) has called for protection against genocide, drawing attention to the recent statement credited to the Secretary, Sultan’s Farmer/Cattle Rearers Conflict Committee, Sale Bayeri, who claimed to have ordered the massacre of Berom women and children in the early hours of March 7.

Police Intercepts Truckload of Ammunition

The police, on Thursday intercepted a truckload of charcoal with ammunition concealed in the bags of charcoal. Some suspects were also paraded in connection with the seizure by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, "D" Department (Investigations), Israel Ajao, at the headquarters of the Federal Anti-robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos. One of the suspects said that the ammunition was purchased in Ghana for N6 million. An English Berretta pistol was also found in the truck.

Police Retrains More Men to Join Mobile Unit

To check the spate of armed banditry and violence across the country, the police have begun converting conventional policemen to the Police Mobile Force (PMF), who are more effective in crisis situations and against armed robbers. Already, many of the conventional policemen have started training across the 36 state commands. It was learnt that the police high command took the decision as a way to provide another training opportunity for policemen in gun handling to reduce cases of accidental discharge. Statistics shows that many cases of accidental discharge and extra-judicial killings were committed by conventional policemen who receive only six months training at the Police College. In Lagos, virtually all Mobile Policemen in the state had been deployed to the state Rapid Respond Squad (RRS). The strategy has reduced robberies, especially bank raids and car snatching in the state.

Man Get 35 Years for Attempted Murder of NJC Boss

A man, Ofem Omini Ekapong, has been sentenced to 35 years imprisonment for attempting to kill the Secretary of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Mallam Danladi Halilu. Justice Hussain Baba Yussuf in a judgment delivered penultimate Friday, held that most of the facts pleaded against the accused person were admitted by him. The convict was charged along with one Lawrence Manya and others said to be at large for shooting at Halilu on February 23, 2006 at Area 11, Garki, Abuja. Meanwhile, the NJC, on Monday, suspended a judge of the Bauchi High Court, Justice Idris Shall, for engaging in a street fight and physically assaulting a petitioner. Halilu said the Council found the conduct of Justice Shall despicable and contrary to the code of conduct for judicial officers.

Nigeria Re-Equips Troops in Darfur

To re-equip its troops involved in international Peace Support Operations, Nigeria has deployed an ultra-modern Level Two medical field hospital at the United Nations African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Super Camp, located in the desert off El-Geneina, West Darfur, Sudan. The Super Camp is expected to provide medical cover for the approximate 5,000 personnel from 10 countries in the operations. Also, the Contingent Equipment (COE) procured last year by Defence Headquarters for the Nigerian troops has arrived in the war-torn country. The COE equipment include about 60 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), vehicles, 41 land cruisers converted to military patterns, 30 fuel tankers, 10 mobile workshops, 14 water tankers and fire fighting equipment to improve its peacekeeping operations.

Kidnappers Get N10bn as Ransom in 1 Year

It has been revealed that over N10 billion has been as ransom to kidnappers in the last one year. Also, about 400 suspected kidnappers are currently being held in various police cells nationwide. Kidnapping, which started in the Niger Delta area by militants as part of their agitations, has spread all over the country because of the monetary gains derived from it. The battle to stop kidnapping, which has now become a commercial venture, is a great challenge to state security agencies.

FBI Declares Nigerian Wanted for Fraud

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI has added a Nigerian, Mr. Tobechukwu Enyinna Onwuhara, 30, to its list of ‘Most Wanted Fugitives.’ According to a report, the Bureau said ‘Tobechi Onwuhara is a criminal mastermind’ who in less than three years stole $44 million dollars from banks in the United States using sophisticated methods. FBI agents say Onwuhara was born in Houston and lived with his father, Prince Doris Onwuhara, who is said to be a ‘well-known con man’.

NAFDAC Launches Technology to Counter Fake Drugs

An additional strategy in the fight against drug counterfeiting known as regulated products verification programme was on Monday launched by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The Director- General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii, explained that the technology would be used to secure documents, for inventory control tracking, tracing of products and verification of shipments receipts. He said that the programme, which is in collaboration with Verification Technology Limited, uses the Integrated Mobile Product Verification System which involves a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) solution technology. Orhii said that the technology would also involve the use of text, browser and call where consumers can authenticate products at the point of purchase.

Couple in Arrested for Selling Indian-Hemp

Bauchi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), penultimate weekend, arrested a couple, Garba Yaro and his wife, Asabe, for being in possession of 600 grams of a substance believed to be Indian hemp. The state commander of NDLEA, Sule Momodu, said they were arrested at their residence while negotiating the sale of the substance with some of their regular buyers.

NBA Hails Jonathan’s Dissolution of Cabinet

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has commended Acting President Goodluck Jonathan for dissolving the Executive Council of the Federation, saying that it is a welcome development. President of NBA, Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) said it was clear that the members of the council had shown that their allegiance to the country was secondary to other considerations and had clearly exhibited lack of respect for the person and the office of the Acting President.

INTERNATIONAL

India Foils Terrorist Strike in Mumbai

Police in Indian have prevented a major terrorist strike in Mumbai by arresting two men who were preparing to attack targets in the city. Chief of Mumbai's anti-terrorism squad, K.P. Raghuvanshi, said that the two Indian men were arrested late Saturday in Mumbai's Matunga suburb. Police said the men had links with terror groups in Pakistan and were acting on directions from handlers there. India has blamed Pakistan-linked Islamist militant groups for a deadly November 2008 terror attack on Mumbai in which 166 people were killed. Last month, 16 people were killed in a bombing in a popular bakery in the nearby city of Pune.

Pakistan Forces Battle Talibans

Pakistan government fighter jets, penultimate Sunday, pounded a series of Taliban hide-outs near the Afghan border, killing some insurgents. One of the bombed houses in the Taliban stronghold of the Lower Orakzai tribal region belonged to a local Taliban commander, Aslam Farooqi, but it was not clear if he was among those killed, according to said Rasheed Khan, an Orakzai official. Violence has surged in Pakistan in recent days as militants launched a wave of suicide bombings. The attacks have killed 88 people in a little over a week. The governor of Kandahar province has demanded for more security.

Palestinians, Police Clash in East Jerusalem

Palestinians have clashed with Israeli police in East Jerusalem amid increased tension over settlement building and the rededication of a synagogue. The rioting follows Israel's plan to build 1,600 new East Jerusalem homes. But amid deepening crisis with the United States (U.S), Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has urged calm after another rebuke from the US over the plan. Netanyahu has been trying to dispel the impression that relations with the U.S. have degenerated into a crisis, but gave no indication that he would cancel the plan, despite warnings from the US that it could undermine negotiations as indirect peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians are set to begin under U.S. mediation.

Pakistan Charges 5 Americans with Terrorism

A Pakistani court has charged five young Americans with planning terrorist attacks and conspiring to wage war against nations allied with Pakistan. The men, all Muslims, have reportedly pleaded not guilty to all five charges. The men were charged by an anti-terrorism court inside a prison in Sargodha, the city where they were arrested last December. They were reported missing by their families in November after one left behind a farewell video showing scenes of war and casualties and saying Muslims must be defended.

35 Killed in Afghan Road Accident

About 35 people died on Wednesday, following a collision between a bus and a truck on a treacherous pass in northern Afghanistan. The bus was travelling north from Kabul along the narrow Salang pass when the accident occurred. The Salang pass connecting northern and southern Afghanistan is a notoriously dangerous stretch of road and the scene of avalanches in February that killed 170 people. The interior ministry said the accident appeared to have been caused by the narrow width of the road and the carelessness of the driver.

Switzerland Investigates Death of Nigerian

Switzerland has halted flights to deport asylum seekers after a Nigerian man on hunger strike died on the tarmac at Zurich airport, and launched an investigation into the incident. Swiss police say they had shackled the 29-year-old man, who was being forcibly deported along with 15 other Nigerians whose asylum bids had been rejected, but removed his shackles when he fell ill on Wednesday. According to them, a doctor tried in vain to revive him. Police said they had shackled the man because he had resisted deportation. Two witnesses accused the police of inhumane treatment.

AU Sanctions Rajoelina, 109 others

A year after Andry Rajoelina seized power in Madagascar; the African Union (AU) has imposed sanctions on him and 109 others, who helped him. The AU's action followed Rajoelina’s failure to implement a power-sharing deal prompted by last year's coup. The sanctions imposed include visa restrictions, freezing of bank accounts and diplomatic isolation. Rajoelina, who took power last March with the military's support, failed to meet a Tuesday deadline for submitting to agreements sponsored by international mediators to create a transitional coalition. The AU already had condemned Rajoelina and suspended Madagascar until it has a government elected through fair and transparent elections, according to Ramtane Lamamra, AU's Commissioner for Peace and Security.

Hamas Commander Arrested by Israel

A top Hamas commander in the West Bank has been arrested by Israeli security services after more than a decade on the run. Maher Uda, 47, a senior commander in Hamas's armed wing, was captured penultimate Sunday, an Israeli spokesman said. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum said the arrest was "the fruit of dangerous security coordination between the Palestinian Authority and the (Israeli) occupation, because he was wanted and hunted by both parties. Long-running tensions between Hamas and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party boiled over when the Islamist movement drove his forces from Gaza in June 2007, seizing power in the impoverished coastal enclave.

CAR Claims Foiling Alleged Coup Plot

The government in Central African Republic (CAR) has said it had foiled a plan to launch a coup d'etat last week, implicating former president Ange Felix Patasse who strongly denied any involvement. National Security Minister, Jules Bernard Ouande, said that the government obtained detailed information penultimate Friday about a plan by unnamed soldiers and politicians to overthrow President Francois Bozize. Patasse said he suspected the authorities were trying to eliminate him as a threat in presidential elections due in April. Meanwhile, the African Union (AU) has asked for the release of former Niger's President Mamadou Tandja from further detention for humanitarian and genuine reconciliation in the country. The 71 year-old Tandja, overthrown in a February 18 coup d'etat, is being held in a presidential building in Niamey.

Congo Wants Full Withdrawal of UN Troops in 2011

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has called for all United Nations (UN) troops to pull out in 2011. Nearly 22,000 UN peacekeepers are deployed throughout the country, maintaining a UN presence launched in 1999 when a six-year claimed an estimated five million lives. Conflict still rages in the east of the country, where UN troops are backing government operations to oust Rwandan Hutu rebels, the FDLR. Human rights groups say the withdrawal of the troops would spell disaster for civilians caught up in conflict.

Abducted 5-Year-Old Found Safe in Pakistan

A five-year-old British boy, who was kidnapped in Pakistan, early March, has been found safe, the British High Commission said on Tuesday, while thanking the Pakistani police. Police arrested some of the kidnappers, said Rana Sanaullah, the provincial law minister. The boy, Sahil Saeed a British citizen of Pakistani descent, was on the last day of a two-week vacation in Pakistan, when gunmen barged into his grandmother's home in Jhelum and took him on March 3. They reportedly demanded a ransom of 10 million rupees ($118,000). Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the captors included someone close to the family.

Suicide Bomber Trips, Kills 5

Five civilians were killed and 13 injured when a suicide bomber tripped Thursday as he tried to attack a military convoy in northwestern Pakistan, police said. The suicide bomber was running toward the passing convoy when he tripped over a bench and detonated before reaching his target, said Asif Khan, a Peshawar police official. The attack occurred in Baraqadeem, the capital of the North-West Frontier Province.

Sudan, Darfur Rebels Sign Deal on Cease-Fire

Ahead of April’s crucial election, Sudan has signed a ceasefire deal with a second Darfur rebel group to resolve the conflict in country's violent west. Government officials signed the deal with the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), an umbrella group of small factions, in Qatar, weeks after it signed an accord with insurgent Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). Rebels groups, including JEM, have dismissed the LJM as insignificant and are still refusing to deal with Khartoum seven years after the start of the conflict. Sudan's Vice President, Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, said that the deal was an important step.

26 Killed as Bus Plunges off Bridge in India, kills 26

A bus plummeted 70 feet into a dry riverbed in northwestern India on Monday, killing at least 26 passengers and injuring 34 others, police said. The wreck occurred before dawn in the Swai Madhopur district of Rajasthan state when the bus hit a vehicle parked on a bridge and smashed through the span's railing. Most of the passengers were students. The injured have been hospitalized, Kumar said

Fighting in Mogadishu Claims 75

At least 75 people have been killed in clashes in the Somali capital of Mogadishu since fighting broke out earlier penultimate week between government forces and Al-Shabaab rebels, sources disclosed. According to Duniyo Ali Mohamed, medical director of Mogadishu's Medina Hospital at least 170 people, including 21 children, were admitted to the hospital with injuries from the fighting between government forces and the rebels. Ninety-six remain hospitalized.

Fiji Declares State of Emergency after Cyclone

Authorities in Fiji have declared a state of emergency and ordered troops to launch relief operations in the northern region battered by a powerful cyclone that forced thousands of people to flee into shelters. The scope of destruction was not clear because communications were cut to the outer islands and to northern areas of Vanua Levu, officials said. One death was reported as Fiji's National Disaster Council declared a 30-day state of emergency. Matt Boterhoven, Fiji's Tropical Cyclone Centre's senior forecaster, said “Cyclone Tomas” was still a Category 4 storm, but weakened to Category 3 while moving into the open sea south of the island.

Thai Protesters Spill Blood on Govt Building

Thousands of Thai protesters volunteered and poured several jugs of their blood at the front gate of Government House. "The blood of the common people is mixing together to fight for democracy and the Prime Minister will be reminded that he is sitting on people’s blood," Nattawut Saikua, one of the protest leaders, said. The blood smearing is the latest move by the anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) to force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and call new elections. But Abhisit has repeatedly said he will listen to the protesters but will not accede to their demands. The protesters are supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006. Thaksin fled the country in 2008 while facing trial on corruption charges that he says were politically motivated.