Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 2

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Oil Vessel Hijacked at Bonny

Unknown gunmen, Monday, hijacked a vessel belonging to a French oil servicing group, Bourbon, off Nigeria’s coasts. The vessel was carrying four expatriates from Cameroon, Ghana and Lebanon, when it was attacked near the Bonny Fairway buoy. The hijackers have demanded N3.4billion ($25 million) to have it released and set a 10-day deadline. It is the second time in just more than two months that a boat owned by Bourbon would be attacked.

Abia Police Arrests 50 Kidnappers in 6 Months

Abia State police command said that it arrested about 50 kidnappers in six months. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tam Nanakumo, said the efforts of his officers led to the arrest of the hoodlums, adding that the successes would not have been possible without the contributions from members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) and other individuals.

Suspected Human Trafficker Arrested in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State government has arrested a human trafficking suspect, Kingsley George Udo at Ikot Ekpene by the Social Welfare Department of the Ministry of Women Affairs. He was caught with five girl-victims. Udo, who claimed to be a commercial motorcyclist, said he was taking the girls to Lagos to be engaged as apprentices in various trades.

8 Die in Rivers Boat Accident

Opobo community in Rivers State was thrown into mourning on Tuesday as a speedboat carrying 12 persons capsized. Eight persons died according to eyewitnesses. It was learnt that when the accident occurred, some local fishermen alerted chiefs of the community, who immediately deployed a rescue team.

Gunmen Raid ExxonMobil Facility in Akwa Ibom

Gunmen in a flat-bottomed vessel attacked an oil platform belonging to ExxonMobil in Nigeria on Wednesday. They also attacked a nearby barge and an oil services vessel. A private security contractor said the gunmen had stolen phones, valuables and money. He said there was no impact on production. It is the second time in just over a month that Exxon's local unit, Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), has been targeted.

Gunmen Abduct Businessman

Unknown gunmen have kidnapped a retired worker of Elf Petroleum, Mr. Thankgod Elenwo Ikwegbu, from his residence at Obio/Akpor LG Council of Rivers State and are demanding N200 million as ransom. Also, an investor in an oil-servicing company with operations in the Niger Delta, Mr. Emmanuel J. Emeka, is feared kidnapped on the high seas with an unquantified ransom demand.

Tragedy as Lorry Crushes 3

Three persons were last weekend, crushed to death along the Afikpo-Okigwe expressway, in Ebonyi State when a car and a lorry ran got involved in a head-on colleague. Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said it happened when the saloon car driver lost control in a bid to negotiate a bend and ran into the oncoming lorry.

Okah Queries Trial in Jos

Leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Henry Okah, on Wednesday urged the Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State to strike out the 62-count charge preferred against him by the Federal Government. Okah is on trial for treasonable felony. His counsel, Mr. Femi Falana, argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the charges as none of them took place within the Jos Division of the Federal High Court.

Gunmen Kidnap Ex-Speaker

Immediate past Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Chief Nelson Effiong, was kidnapped during the week at Uyo. No group immediately claimed responsibility and no ransom had been demanded for his release. The incumbent Speaker, Honourable Ignatius Edet, said that the Assembly is working towards passing anti-kidnapping law to check the spate of kidnapping in the state.

Gunmen Abduct, Free Author, Elechi Amadi

Unknown gunmen on Monday abducted renowned author, Captain Elechi Amadi, from his home in Port Harcourt. He was, however, released after 24 hours.  The spokesperson of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, confirmed the release but said the JTF was not aware if ransom was paid to secure the release of the elder statesman.

Fake EFCC Officer Arrested with Classified Documents

Barely three weeks after a fake operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission attempted to dupe the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Timipre Sylva of N100m, another fake officer, Mr. Egbe Akparakwu, has been arrested by the commission. Akparakwu was paraded on Monday with classified documents from government agencies. However, Akparakwu denied the allegation, saying he was not given the benefit of a fair hearing, saying that he could defend all documents found in his possession.

Police Smash Notorious Gang In Ebonyi

The police in Ebonyi have been celebrating their victory over a suspected notorious criminal, who was terrorising residents of the state. The state police spokesman, Mr. Chris Anyanwu, confirmed that the key player has already confessed to have been involved in a number of armed robbery operations in the state including the attack on NNPC mega station in Abakaliki, last year.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Host Communities Demand N165bn for Gas Flaring

Host Communities of Nigerian Oil and Gas (HOSTCON), have demanded N165 billion from the Federal Government, as compensation for gas flaring. The National Public Relations Officer of HOSTCON, Dr Mike Emuh, made the demand, penultimate Saturday, in Warri, Delta State. Oil companies operating in the country were mandated to pay agreed fees on gas flaring to the Federal Government and were given a December 31, 2008 deadline to stop the flare or face more sanctions.

Fulani Cattle Herdsmen Sack Delta Community

Ewhogbokor community, in Isoko South LGA of Delta state has been allegedly sacked by Fulani cattle herdsmen that allegedly besieged the community with their cattle and started grazing on the people's crops. Efforts to stop the grazing were violently resisted by the Fulanis who started shooting sporadically and ransacked the entire community to loot properties. It was gathered that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area and the officer commanding Navy base, Warri allegedly refused to render their assistance when they were approached by the villagers.

Promoted JTF Officers Decorated in Warri

Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta has formally decorated 11 officers attached to it, who were recently elevated to various ranks, at its Effurun Barracks headquarters in Delta State. The 11 officers promoted include two from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel, including the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Rabe Abubakar, and Senior Operations Officer (SOO) Army, HQ JTF, Folorunso.

MEND to Fight Criminals

The Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) in Ondo State, penultimate weekend, said it has declared war against bad eggs and will cleanse the group of bad elements. The group also condemned the spate of kidnappings in the region and dissociated itself from such person(s) or group with criminal propensity as they are antithetical to the region’s struggle for emancipation.

JTF Grills Suspected Militants

Indications emerged that the Joint Task Force (JTF) may have gotten a cue to apprehend the masterminds of attacks against its troops in Bayelsa State, following the confessions by six suspected members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), who were arrested during the attack on the Tebidaba Flow Station of Agip. A GPMG, two AK 47 rifles, one locally made single-barrelled gun, three AK 47, empty magazines, and four rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered from the suspects during the attack.

200,000 Barrels Affected In Attack on Burutu Pipeline

Another 200,000 barrels of oil were shut-in penultimate Friday, as militants attacked a pipeline at Okuntun village in Delta State. Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC) Co-ordinator, Col. Rabe Abubakar, said that the JTF is keeping surveillance on the facility at Okuntun, pledging that those who carried out the attack will be brought to book. Repair work has begun on the pipeline, which was repaired only last month.

JTF Destroys 3 Illegal Refineries

Joint Task Force on the Niger-Delta (JTF) has destroyed no fewer than three illegal local refineries around Egwa community in Delta State. The Commander of the security outfit, Brigadier General Wuyep Rimtip appeals to well meaning Deltans to give accurate and timely information to the force to enable it operate effectively.

Father Kills One -Year-Old Daughter

A middle-aged man has allegedly killed his one -year-old daughter at Ase village, in Delta State. It was learnt that the mother of the child, Mrs. Mercy Eke, returned to her kitchen to find the girl lying in a pool of her own blood with a deep cut on her and her husband standing over her with a blood stained machete. The Police Public Relations Officer in Delta, Mr. Charles Muka, who confirmed the incident, said that the suspected killer had been arrested.

Oshiomhole Urges PSC to Reconsider Ribadu’s Dismissal

The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has urged the Police Service Commission (PSC) to reconsider the demotion and recent dismissal of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, arguing that if the promotion of Ribadu to the position of an Assistant Inspector-General of Police was truly wrong, the authority behind the act should have been the target of punishment and not Ribadu.

Abducted Child Rescued after 7 Months

A 4-year-old School pupil, who was kidnapped on his way to school in Lagos on May 28 2008, has been found in Benin city, Edo State, seven months after. About five persons were arrested by the police in connection with the incident.

Community Policing to Be re-Introduced— Osayande

In its bid to reposition the Nigerian Police Force so as to make it people friendly, people oriented and service effective, the Police Service Commission is to re-introduce community policing in the country. Community policing was first introduced by a former Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Adebayo Balogun.

Man, Wife, 2 Kids Killed in Mysterious Circumstance

The death of “Odionwere” (head), of a community in Edo State, Pa Michael Aiweriokhoe (70), his wife (50) and two of his children under mysterious circumstances has been reported. Residents of the community are of the opinion that their death was as a result of fume from a small generator used by the deceased the previous night and placed at an enclosed place in the house, but the Edo state Police Command is suspecting foul play, and investigating the incident.

Ghanaian Suspects Claim to be Victims of Hijack

The six Ghanaians and a Nigerian, arrested, 29 December, 2008, by the Joint Task Force (JTF) on the Niger-Delta for crude oil robbery claimed that they were hijacked by oil thieves, who used their ship, to illegally lift 4,000 metric tonnes of crude oil at gunpoint at the Chanomi Creek in Delta State.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

20 Injured as Buses Ram into School

No fewer than 20 persons sustained various degrees of injury, penultimate Sunday, when two commercial buses rammed into a school compound on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. The Injured passengers of the two buses were rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, for treatment.

NDLEA Arrests Five Drug Suspects in Lagos

Five suspected drug traffickers have been arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). They were arrested during the outward clearance of flights to Spain, Germany and China when the drugs were discovered on them. Chairman, NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, said the agency would frustrate all moves by drug barons to launder the gains of their illicit proceeds.

Youths on Rampage over Fasubaa’s Death

Youths in Ado-Ekiti went on rampage following the gruesome murder of Mr Kehinde Fasubaa, an indigene of the town and top official of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), by yet to be identified assailants, penultimate Saturday. Sources said he was on his way back home in from a meeting, when the incident occurred. The state police command said it was on top of the investigation into the murder.

Council Accounts Chief Assassinated

The treasurer of Ijebu East LGA in Ogun state, Mr. Tunde Fajengbesi, has been assassinated by unidentified gunmen. Sources revealed that when the gunmen discovered that he had driven to Shagamu, where the presidential election of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ogun state chapter, was to take place, they trailed him to the hotel where he was staying. Fajengbesi was the arrowhead of the delegation that supports one of the candidates.

Policeman Killed in Gun Duel with Robbers

Tragedy struck penultimate weekend in Ilorin, Kwara State capital when armed robbers numbering 20  and mobile policemen engaged in a shoot-out, leaving one mobile policeman dead while several others sustained serious injuries. The robbers were said to have escaped with a riffle belonging to the dead mobile policeman. The state Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Tunde Mohammed, confirmed the incident.

Robbers Abandon Two Guns, Flee

A gang of suspected armed robbers believed to be tormenting Apapa and its environs in Lagos State, had a gun battle with the police on Tuesday. A team of anti-robbery policemen attached to the Apapa Police Station was said to be on a routine patrol around Tin-Can Island when it sighted the suspects. It was learnt that the suspects immediately opened fire on the policemen as they approached their vehicle. The policemen responded and there was a brief gun battle before the suspects sped off and escaped. Two locally-made guns and four live cartridges were also recovered from the scene of the shoot-out.

Celebrated Cop Charged for Gun Running
...As Police Uncover Secret Amoury.

A police inspector, Emmanuel Ojo, celebrated twice for gallantry in fighting armed robbers, by the police authorities in Lagos is now being portrayed as a villain based on suspicion that he might have been giving arms to robbers. But Ojo insists that he was framed up. Ojo landed in trouble after a search of his officers’ quarters where detectives found a mini-armoury in his home. Items reportedly recovered from his apartment include one Ak47 rifle, one Beretta pistol, three extra magazines of AK47 rifles, 69 rounds of ammunition, two police walkie-talkies and two police bulletproof jackets among others.

Police Smash Motorcycle Robbery Gang

The police at Aswani divisional headquarters have smashed a gang of suspected commercial motorcycle (okada) robbers terrorising residents of Isolo, Lagos. The men were arrested at Isolo, after robbing passersby of their belongings, by policemen who had laid an ambush for them.

Oyo Police Kill Highway Robber, Arrest 2 OPC Members

The Oyo State Police Command, on Tuesday said it dislodged a highway robbery gang, killing one of the suspects. This came just as the police paraded two members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), who were reportedly employed as night guards by some residents of Bodija, for alleged wrongful possession of firearms. While the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, paraded five suspected bunkerers who were caught with one 18-seater bus and 170 kegs of petroleum products.

Extra-Judicial Killings: 15 Osun Human Rights Groups Petition Okiro

Fifteen human rights groups from Osun State have submitted petitions to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, alleging extra-judicial killings within the state. The groups submitted documentary, video and pictorial evidence at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, on Thursday and alleged that the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, Mr. John Omoronike, had compromised his position by allowing himself and the command to be used by the state government to oppress the opposition.

GENERAL

Arms Build-up Worries FG

The authorities have all been put on red alert on the inflow of sophisticated arms and ammunitions into the country. This is heightened by revelations from the Inter-Agency Maritime Security Task Force (IAMSTF) set up to check illegalities in Nigerian waters. The Task Force has ordered the immediate closure of Waziri Jetty in Lagos for absolute lack of security, safety and weak operational structure.

Military Reform: Korea Promises Stronger Ties with Nigeria

The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea on Tuesday promised a stronger tie with Nigeria toward the reformation and modernisation of the Nigerian armed forces. The country's ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ri Chan Ho, said that his delegation visited the Minister of Defence, Dr. Shetimmah Mustapha, to explore possible areas of further cooperation between the two countries.

NUPENG, PENGASSAN Issue 21-day Ultimatum

National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Union (NUPENG), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) branch, have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to rescind its decision to appoint a pre-shipment inspector or risk industrial action. Both unions said the move amounts to selling Nigeria’s interest to a foreign firm.

FG Considers Fuel Tax

Hopes that the pump prices of petroleum products may soon be reviewed downward in the face of lower crude oil prices may not materialize as the Federal Government is considering reintroducing the fuel tax, in order to address issues surrounding the uncertainly in the international crude oil market. The plan is intended to help the government recover its cost when the crude oil prices are falling. Also, the government can pass the benefits of a rise in crude prices by cutting the fuel tax, thereby maintaining some stability in the pricing.

FG Releases N139bn Fuel Subsidy

Federal Ministry of Finance said last weekend, that it had authorised the release of N138.64 billion to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), being outstanding subsidy for petroleum products from the months of June to October 2008.

Nigeria’s Oil Reserve to Last 46 Years

Nigeria’s current oil reserve life index has been put at about 45.75 years, while current oil reserves depletion rate is also placed at 2.23 per cent based on an estimated annual production rate of 730.90 million barrels. This was disclosed by the Acting Director for the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Alhaji Aliyu Sabonbir.

Nigeria Oil Exports in February Drop

Nigeria is expected to export 1.66 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil in February, steady from January and down 12 per cent from December, following OPEC production cut. February exports are mostly unchanged from the anticipated 1.65 million bpd in January and down from 1.88 million bpd in December due to a combination of shipment delays, cancellations and OPEC supply curbs.

Air Force Chief Raises Alarm over N30bn Contract

More than three years after a N30 billion contract was awarded to a Chinese company for the supply of one N17, 12 F7 and five other Chinese aircraft for military operations by the Nigerian Airforce, delivery of the aircraft is yet to be effected even after over 85 percent payment obligations had been made by the Nigerian government. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Oluseyi Petinri, said that government urgently needed the aircraft to facilitate its military operations within and out side the country.

Jos Crisis: Plateau gives Reps Panel Quit Notice

The Plateau state government has called on the National Assembly to stop their ongoing investigations into the November 2008 Jos north crisis. The state government sent a formal letter to the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee currently sitting in Jos asking it to discontinue its sitting, saying that their investigations amounted to usurpation of the powers of the state government, but the lawmakers said it had the constitutional powers to probe the crisis.

Shell Lifts Force Majeure on Oil Shipments

Shell has lifted force majeures on its oil shipments from Nigeria declared last year due to attacks on its facilities and OPEC quota cuts.

Marketers Move to Cut Aviation Fuel Price

Domestic airline operators may soon heave a sigh of relief as major oil marketers have promised to reduce the price of aviation fuel (JET A1) by the end of January. The House of Representatives' Committee on Aviation hinted of its resolve to meet the local airlines and fuel marketers on how to reduce air fares since the price of crude oil had dropped at the international market.

FG to Build New Power Station

As part of efforts to reduce over-dependence on gas for power generation in the country, the Federal Government will soon commence work on a 600 megawatts capacity Hydro Electric Power Project in Niger State. The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has also embarked on massive rehabilitation of the country’s existing hydro power stations, in addition to the World Bank- assisted rehabilitation work going on at the power station.

Oando Acquires 30% Stake in Akepo Field

Oando Exploration and Production Limited (OEPL), the upstream arm of Oando PLC, has announced the acquisition of 75% interest in Exiles Resources’ 40% working interest in the Akepo Field through the signing of a Financial and Technical Services Agreement on 23 October, 2008. This will see Oando owning 30% Equity stake in the entire project, subject to the approval of the relevant Authorities, and Sogenal Limited, the Operator.

Prison Official Sues NDLEA for Unlawful Detention

An official of the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS), Richard McCarthy, has sued the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, at a Federal High Court in Lagos, over alleged unlawful detention since February 19, 2008.  McCarthy maintained that he was abducted, arrested and detained since last year by the NDLEA without court order or any criminal charge against him.

Jalingo Prison Inmates Seek Amnesty, Speedy Trial

Inmates in Jalingo Prison, penultimate weekend, asked the Federal Government to grant them amnesty or ensure their speedy trial. The inmates lamented their woes, saying that some of them were not even allowed to contact their families to let them know their whereabouts. They urge the Government to urgently take steps to address their plights.

Jos Crisis: Fed Govt Insists on Abisoye Panel of Investigation

The Federal Government has reacted to Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang’s pending application before the Supreme Court over a panel it raised to investigate the Jos crisis. The government urged the governor to embrace dialogue on the issue, saying it was necessary for the Federal Government to investigate the crisis because of the security breach.

Nigerian Troops Suffer Fresh Attack in Darfur

News filtered in on Monday that a UN vehicle carrying Nigerian troops in Darfur was on Saturday attacked and the vehicle hijacked along with the rifles and ammunitions. According to a statement from the United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, a UNAMID vehicle carrying six members of the Nigerian Battalion was carjacked by about 10 unknown armed men.

Nigerian Air Force In Bad Shape - Air force chief

Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, has disclosed that the Nigerian Air Force is in a precarious state. He lamented that the Force could not boast of many fit aircrafts. He, however, insisted that much could be achieved if things were properly done and if the cost of maintenance was brought down.

We Need N2.78tr in 2009 – Okiro

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, on Thursday said he would need about N2.78tr to turn around the Nigeria Police Force for efficient crime-fighting operations. The sum is the nation’s total budgetary proposal for 2009, before it was jacked up to N3.05tr. Okiro was responding to enquiries by the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs when he appeared before it in Abuja to defend the organisations’ N202bn budgetary estimates for the year.

DPR generates N800bn in 2008

In compliance with the directive of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua that ministries, departments and agencies return all monies not utilised before December 31, the ministry of petroleum resources has remitted the unspent sum of N6 billion budgeted for the execution of Escravos-Lagos pipeline project in the 2008 budget to federal government. This is just as it has been disclosed that the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) realised an estimated N800 billion in 2008, according to the acting director, Mr. Bili Agha.

Jang Urges Northern Summit on Security

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State has called on northern state governors and President Yar'Adua to address issues of insecurity within the region to forestall future breakdown of law and order. Meanwhile, the Plateau Indigenous Development Associations Network (PIDAN) has urged the Hausas not to use their bigger ethnic nationality to oppress the lesser nationalities in the country.

N140bn Debt: Oil Marketers Express Concern

Executive Secretary of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr Obafemi Olawore, has said that the delay in the payment of N140 billion debt owed his members by the Federal Government may put them out of business. Olawore said that the non-payment of the debt had been stifling the business of the marketers and said that delay in the payment of the outstanding debt had resulted in mounting bank charges.

NEMA Cautions Children, Farmers on Bush Burning

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called on parents and school authorities to caution students against bush burning and advised farmers to control the use of fire in preparing farmlands for the planting season. North East Coordinator of the Agency, Hajiyah Fatimah Usman, said that every citizen must be adequately enlightened on their responsibilities in disaster prevention and management.

Port Congestion: FG to Seize Undeclared Goods

The Federal Government will henceforth seize all goods imported into the country that were under declared by the importers to in order to decongest the ports. To this effect, government had given a two-week grace to all importers engaged in the under-declaration of imported goods to rectify the problem or forfeit the goods to government.

INTERNATIONAL

Israeli Ground Forces Storm Gaza

Military offensives in Gaza continued during the week as Israeli ground forces moved into Gaza, with over 500 Palestinians reportedly killed and about 2,400 injured. Iran and Syria support Hamas' demand that the blockade of Gaza should be lifted and border crossing points into Egypt be permanently opened, but Egypt and Jordan condemned the Gaza incursion. Meanwhile, as France begins efforts to broker a ceasefire, there are signs that the conflict in Gaza is triggering violence in Europe, with assaults against Jews in France, Sweden and Britain. President Nicolas Sarkozy warned that France would not tolerate violence linked to the Gaza crisis.

British Reporter, Spanish Photographer Freed in Somalia

Somali kidnappers have released a British journalist and Spanish photographer, Colin Freeman, 39, and Jose Cendon, 34, abducted in November last year. Both were investigating piracy in the Gulf of Aden before their capture by gunmen. The UK Foreign Office and Spanish government confirmed their release.

India Hands over Mumbai Attack Evidence to Pakistan

India, Monday, said it had handed over evidence that linked Pakistani militants to the Mumbai attacks, demanding a prompt investigation by Islamabad and piling diplomatic pressure on Pakistan. India has blamed Pakistani militants for the November attacks in Mumbai by 10 gunmen that killed 179 people. The evidence included a confession from the one surviving gunman, details of communications links with "elements in Pakistan," and data retrieved from GPS and satellite phones.

U.S. Opens New Iraq Embassy in Symbolic Move

The United States, Monday, opened its new embassy building in Baghdad, a step meant to symbolise its transition from occupying power to an ally of a sovereign Iraqi government. The opening of the new embassy is in line with a change of power as U.S. forces in Iraq officially come under an Iraqi mandate.

Landslide Kills 22 in Guatemala

About 22 people were killed when a part of a mountain collapsed in northern Guatemala, penultimate Sunday. The landslide was triggered by a geological fault, Hugo Arvizu, spokesman for disaster relief commission (CONRED) said. Landslides are common in Guatemala, but usually occur during the rainy season between June and November.

Oil Rises Above $47pb

Crude oil prices have risen above $47 per barrel owing to the unrest in the Niger Delta and the Israeli ground offensive in the Gaza strip as well as the current dispute between Russia and Ukraine over gas imports. Light, sweet crude for February delivery rose 92 cents to $47.26 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, after jumping $1.74 on Friday to settle at $46.34.

Angola Assumes OPEC Presidency amid Record Output Cut

Angola, the newest member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) ascended the Presidency, as the 12- member body commences a nine percent cut in its total oil production effective January 1, 2009 as agreed last December after oil prices crashed to less than $40 per barrel from its peak level of $147 last July.

Chinese Warships Start Anti-Piracy Mission In Somalia

A Chinese naval mission to tackle rampant piracy in the seas off Somalia has begun with a destroyer escorting four vessels. The three Chinese ships and one from Hong Kong were being led by the destroyer Wuhan, one of the Chinese navy's most sophisticated warships. The ships have about 800 crew members, including 70 special operations troops, aboard.

Ghana's New Leader Takes Office

John Atta Mills has been sworn in as Ghana's new president. Atta Mills, 64, took his oath of allegiance in front of thousands of people in Independence Square for the inauguration in the capital, Accra on Wednesday.

AU Wants UN Force in Somalia

Following the deterioration of the situation in Somalia, the African Union has called for immediate establishment of an international stabilisation force as a way out of the conflict rocking the East African country. Chairperson of the AU commission, Mr. Jean Ping, maintained that apart from authorising the force, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) should establish a peacekeeping operation that would take over from the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

U.S.-Led Coalition Kills 32 Insurgents in East Afghanistan

Forces from the U.S.-led coalition killed 32 armed insurgents during a clash in eastern Afghanistan, the military said on Wednesday. The fire fight broke out Tuesday during a strike on a Taliban bomb-making cell. About 75 armed militants allegedly converged on the troops, shooting at them from rooftops and alleyways The 32 insurgents were killed when coalition troops returned fire.  The troops also destroyed two caches of weapons and roadside bomb-making materials that were too unstable to move to another location.

Peacekeeper Killed in Mogadishu

An African Union peacekeeper has been killed and another one injured by a roadside bomb in the Somali capital. It comes days after the AU warned it may have no option but to leave Somalia unless its force was bolstered. In a separate attack, a man working for the UN was, Wednesday, killed by three masked gunmen in south-west Gedo region, while Islamist and nationalist insurgents have vowed to overthrow what remains of the government, whose president resigned last month.

Lebanese Militants Fire on Israel

At least, three rockets were fired into Israel on Thursday, by Lebanese militants. Two persons were lightly injured, and the rockets that exploded in Israel's north raised the spectre of renewed hostilities with Hezbollah, about 30 months after Israel battled the guerrilla group to a stalemate. Hezbollah started the 2006 war as Israel was battling Palestinian militants in Gaza. No group claimed responsibility and Lebanon's government, wary of conflict, quickly condemned the rocket fire. But Israel fired mortar shells into southern Lebanon in response.

Darfur Rebels Accuse Sudan of Fresh Bombings

Darfur rebels accused Sudan's army of bombing their positions on Thursday, breaking a period of relative calm in the country's violent west. The insurgent Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) said that government helicopters and Antonov planes attacked their fighters across a wide area of north Darfur from around midday on Wednesday until yesterday afternoon.

US to Lead New Anti-Pirate Force

A new international force to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia has been formed and will be headed by an American admiral, the U.S. navy says. More than 20 nations are expected to contribute to the force. US Navy Rear Admiral Terence McKnight has been named the commander of the new force, called Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151). A spokeswoman for the force, Commander Jane Campbell, said that about 60 warships would be required to effectively patrol this sea lane.

Afghans say U.S.-led raid kills 17 civilians

Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned a U.S.-led coalition military operation that reportedly killed 17 civilians including women and children, but the U.S. military said only militants were killed in the incident. Civilian deaths caused by foreign troop operations when hunting militants have undermined support for foreign forces and are a sore point between the Afghan government and its allies.

Bombs Kill Five Iraqi Soldiers

Two roadside bombs exploding in quick succession killed five Iraqi soldiers overnight and wounded eight more while they were on patrol in a village in Iraq's volatile Diyala province. The attack occurred in a village near Jalawla, 115 km (70 miles) north of Baghdad. One of the dead was an officer. Al Qaeda and other militants regrouped in Diyala, now one of Iraq's most violent provinces, after being routed from other parts of the country.