Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 11

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

JTF Arrests Two Suspected Militants

Two suspected militants have been arrested by the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Rivers state after it carried out a search operation in Elele Alumini in Emohua LGA of the state. Spokesman of the JTF in the state, Lieutenant Col Sagir Musa, said they also recovered two AK47 rifles from the militants. Other items recovered were one Dane gun, 203 pieces of 7.62 mm special ammunition, one cartridge and eight empty AK 47 empty magazines. Nobody was killed or wounded during the operation. Those arrested and the recovered weapons have reportedly been transferred to the relevant organ of the JTF for prosecution. The JTF also thanked the people of the community for the support they got from them which assisted in the success of the operation.

NSCDC Uncovers Suspected Kidnappers’ Hideout

The Abia State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered a hideout of suspected kidnappers at Mgboko in Obingwa LGA. A statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Soji Alabi, said the hideout was found in a wooden house in a bush. NSCDC officials stormed the place, forcing the kidnappers to escape into a nearby bush.  Alani said the surveillance team was pursuing the fleeing suspects. He listed the items recovered to include eight AK 47 rifle magazines loaded with live ammunition and two locally made pistols.

JTF Declares Kitikata Wanted

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Operation Restore Hope, has intensified efforts towards the arrest of an alleged militant leader, Woki Godswill Ibralayu, popularly known as “Kitikata”. Kitikata is accused of leading an armed attack on a commercial boat along Nembe Waterways in Bayelsa State last Friday. Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC) of the JTF, Col. Rabe Abubakar, said that Kitikata is the alleged mastermind of the murder of the three soldiers along the Nembe Creek in July 2008 and also the brain behind the recent gun attack on an Aero Contractors helicopter near the Tebidaba Flow Station in Bayelsa State. Kitikata is suspected to be a top field commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND).

Shell Laments over Militant Camps in Bayelsa

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) weekend, expressed concern over the existence of militant camps around its Floating Production Storage Off-Loading vessel (FPSO) , otherwise known as the Sea Eagle ( E.A) Oil Field in Bayelsa State as well as threats being sent to its officials via electronic mail and GSM phone by unknown persons. Manager of the E.A Field, Mr. Bolade Bode raised the alarm when the company met with royal fathers, opinion leaders and representative of the 12 E.A communities to update them on the company’s plan to resume oil exploration activities, which was suspended in the area, three years ago.

Filipinos, 1 Ukrainian kidnapped, Released

Gunmen, who over the weekend, kidnapped three Filipinos and a Ukrainian from an oil-services ship in Nigerian waters, have released the MV Seal Tide vessel along with its crew members unhurt, according to reports. It was reported that about 30 gunmen riding in two speedboats attacked the vessel early on Saturday near Nigeria's border with Cameroon and took away the four sailors. No injuries were reported.

Eso Panel Indicts Odili on Rivers Crisis

Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Commission, headed by Justice Kayode Eso, submitted its final report to Governor Rotimi Amaechi on Tuesday after sitting for a year and a half. The commission question former Governor Peter Odili’s claim of ignorance on the activities of cultists and criminals in the state. Amaechi, who received the report in Port Harcourt, vowed to implement every detail of the recommendations. Eso examined the evidence of Odili and berated him for his presentation to the panel in Abuja as Odili could not or he elected to refuse to remember many things, including the destruction of a whole community in the state, Okuru-Ama.

N’Delta Crisis: Shell to Lay off More Workers

Oil major, Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria (SPDC), may have rescinded its decision to put on hold the reorganisation of its Nigerian operations which last year claimed the jobs of over 1,000 workers and resulted in a drastic reduction in its operations in the Niger Delta.  It was gathered at the weekend that the oil major has resumed the restructuring exercise as part of its cost-cutting efforts in response to the collapse of oil prices and the increasing wave of insecurity in the Niger Delta.

SSS, Police Free Six-Year-Old Boy from Kidnappers

Men of the State Security Service (SSS) and the Police last weekend stormed the hide-out of suspected kidnappers at Awada Onitsha, Anambra State and freed a six-year-old boy, Chuwubike Orji from his captors. The security officials were reported to have arrested two persons in connection with the abduction in Asaba, Delta State. The victim was reportedly abducted on February 27 on his way from school in company of an elderly relative.

Touts Arrested at Onitsha over Policeman’s Death

Commercial activities at Upper Iweka, Onitsha were paralysed for several hours on Monday, following the arrests of touts at the Aba Motor Park by policemen. The touts were arrested as a fall-out of the killing of a policeman at the park. The victim was allegedly lynched when he went to arrest some touts smoking Indian hemp at the park. Business activities came to a halt as people ran into hiding following sporadic shooting by the police.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Oil Spillage: Women give Chevron 21-day Ultimatum

Women from oil impacted Aja-Omaetan community in Warri North Council Area of Delta State on Thursday gave Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) a 21-day ultimatum within which to send relief materials to the community following an oil spill from CNL Dibi 18 Bulk Line or they would disrupt the operations of the company. The spillage occurred penultimate, causing severe damage to aquatic and vegetative life in the community's waters and creeks. Though the exact cause of the spill has not been determined, the quantity of spill is still a source of disagreement between the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), while Chevron maintained that only 6.58 barrel of crude was spilled, the community disagrees with Chevron’s claim.

Defence Chief Reorganizes JTF, Collapses JTF into One Central Command

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike has reorganized the Joint Task Force (JTF) operating in the Niger Delta, and appointed a new Commander as he collapsed the JTF into one central Command. Major- General S.Y Bello was named as the new Commander. The CDS also explained that the new JTF would have its Headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, explaining that the merger became imperative "for better command and control, logistics support and to maximize the synergy of efforts from the three services".  It was also explained that the new JTF would be given a new mandate that would be unfolded later.

Edo LG Chairman’s Son Abducted, as Police Arrest 14 Suspected Kidnappers

Four gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Thursday abducted seven year-old Etiosa Aghobahi, son of the chairman of Ovia South West LGA of Edo State, Mr. Monday Aghobahi, in Benin City, the state capital. This comes as the Edo State police command said it had arrested 14 suspected kidnappers, among them three police constables and a student of the University of Benin, and about 135 cult members reported to be among those terrorising the state in the last three months. Master Aghobahi was abducted when he was being dropped off at school amid sporadic shooting to scare away bystanders.

N’Delta: FG Reopens Dialogue with Warlords

The Federal Government has re-opened dialogue with some warlords in the Niger Delta to restore peace and economic development to the region.  It was learnt that President Yar’Adua raised a team to dialogue with the warlords following unending criminal activities and disruption of economic activities. Meanwhile, the warlords have given fresh conditions to the Federal Government to guarantee a lasting peace in the region. They have asked for concrete development actions in demonstration of its commitment in restoring the region on the path of economic growth and development.

Daughter of High Court Judge Kidnapped in Delta

A seven-year-old daughter of a High Court judge in Delta State, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu, was, penultimate Sunday, abducted from her parent's residence. As at the time of this report, the kidnappers had not made any contact with the family. But spokesman of the Delta State Police Command, Charles Muka, confirmed the incident, adding that the police was trying to find clues to the incident.

Security Tightened Around Oil Facilities

Security has been tightened around oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta, particularly at Escravos in Delta State following reports that certain militant groups were planning to attack the facilities. Security around Chevron’s and facilities belonging to other oil multi-nationals operating in the area had to be stepped up.  Spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Col Rabe Abubakar, said the immediate deployment of more men and material to the Escravos waters followed strong intelligence report of an impending attack on Chevron facility in Abiteye.

Total Begins Oil Production at Akpo Field
• Shell declares force majeure on Forcados

French oil major, Total, on Monday stated that its subsidiary, Total Upstream Nigeria Limited, has started production from Akpo deep water development. Total stated that with proved and probable reserves estimated at 620 million barrels of condensate and large volume of gas, Akpo is one of the largest deep offshore projects ever undertaken and will be the largest brought on stream in 2009. According to Total, the ramp up of production to 175,000 barrels per day of condensate and 320 million standard cubic feet per day gas plateau is expected to be reached during summer 2009. This is coming as Shell same day said that it had declared force majeure on its Forcados oil shipments due to the recent explosion at the terminal.

Police to Arraign 33 for Cultism

The men of the Edo State Police Command have concluded plans to prosecute 33 young men arrested for cult-related activities in the state. The spokesman of the command, Mr. Peter Ogboi, said seven of the suspects were caught with firearms, while 26 of them confessed to being members of some cult groups in the society. Their arrest followed various cult clashes in parts of Benin which led to the killing of no fewer than 25 people in the past one month.

Delta Plans to Site Developmental Projects Only in Peaceful Communities

Special Adviser to the Delta Governor on Oil and Gas, Mr David Ekereokosu, has said that the state would site developmental projects only in peaceful communities. Ekereokosu said that the policy was one way of promoting peace and compensating communities that supported the peace building process of the state government.  He said that the state was depending on the oil producing communities to guarantee peace in their respective areas.

Cultism: JTF Deploys Troops in DELSU

The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta has deployed troops in Delta State University, Abraka following violent cult clashes. Rival cult groups had been engaging in violent activities in the university in the past few weeks. The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, JTF, Col. Rabe Abubakar, confirmed the report, and said that the intervention of the troops averted loss of lives in the fracas.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Police Arrest Notorious Robbery Suspect in Lagos

A notorious armed robber said to be on the wanted list of the police in Lagos have been arrested. The armed robbery suspect, who identified himself as Otis Ameze, had reportedly been terrorizing Festac and environs for a long time.  He was arrested while attacking residents opposite the military base. The military officers and the police team gave the bandits a hot chase forcing them to abandon their get away vehicle and jumped into the swamp.  Luck however ran out on the kingpin who thought that the crime busters had left as he was rounded up while trying to sneak out of the bush.

Assault: Uzoma Okere Wins Round One

Justice Opeyemi Oke of a Lagos High Court, on Wednesday, dismissed the preliminary objection of Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade and the Nigerian Navy, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear a suit by Miss Uzoma Okere. The lady was assaulted by six naval ratings attached to the convoy of Arogundade on November 3, 2008 on Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, and has demanded N100m damages. Justice Oke held that a prima facie case had been established against Arogundade, NN and Unknown Naval Ratings.

22 Arrested as Osun AC, PDP Supporters Clash in Court

About 22 suspected political thugs were on Wednesday arrested outside the premises of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, Oyo State during a clash between suspected supporters of the Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate in Osun State in the April 2007 polls, Rauf Aregbesola and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Policemen moved in and rounded up the suspects while others who had laid ambush for their targets around the neighbourhood were also arrested by the law enforcement agents.

Robbers on the Rampage in Lagos
•Five killed in Idimu

Three men, including a policeman, were felled by bullets on Wednesday, as a gang of robbers tried to escape through the Idimu area of Lagos after robbing a bank customer. It was gathered that the robbers, had trailed the victim who was just leaving a bank, snatched his bag of money and were attempting an escape when saw policemen controlling traffic and opened fire on them. Two policemen were shot. One died instantly, while the second, who was shot on the buttock, was rushed to a nearby hospital. Two civilians were also killed in the sporadic shooting.

Five Killed as Robbers, Policemen Enguage In Gun Duel

Robbers in Ibadan, last weekend, killed two policemen, while the police also succeeded in killing three of the hoodlums. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olabisi Okuwobi, said two members of the gangs were arrested while others escaped with bullet wounds. She said that the first operation was on Saturday evening at Alalubosa area of Ibadan where a police officer was shot in the head by men of the underworld.  The Police in another incident arrested a juvenile robbery suspect at Ibadan. The suspect, who dropped out school in primary five, was alleged to have robbed some houses. The boy said a man called Biodun taught him how to shoot a gun, adding that his gang usually operates in the night.

Man Killed, 4 Injured in Ekiti PDP, AC Clash

One person was killed, while four members of the Action Congress (AC) in Ekiti State sustained injuries on Monday in an attack on them by some suspected thugs loyal to a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in the state. The AC members were said to be coming from Ido-Osi where the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, launched free health care services for the community. But the PDP chieftain however, said it was the AC that actually attacked his men, and wounded them with dangerous weapons.  It was learnt that while the AC programme was in progress, thugs who came to the hall to disrupt it, were repelled by the participants at the event, but they went and laid ambush for the AC supporters.

11 Die in Shagamu-Abeokuta Road Crash

Tragedy occurred on Monday along Shagamu-Abeokuta Expressway when a commercial bus collided with an articulated vehicle, killing eleven persons. Four passengers also sustained various degrees of injury in the crash. According to eyewitnesses, the trailer lost control and an on-coming commuter vehicle rammed into it. Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Accident Trace Corps and police personnel were on hand to rescue those trapped in the commuter vehicle.

Robbers in Police Uniform Battle Policemen in Lagos

About eight robbery suspects dressed in police uniform, on Sunday had a bloody encounter with some policemen attached to the Lagos State Police Command.  One of the suspects lost his life while other members of the gang escaped through a canal. The police were said to be on their way to respond to a distress call when they encountered the criminals. In the process, one of them was killed while others escaped. Three dummy guns were recovered from them. Police spokesman in the state, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the incident.

Police Kill 3 Robbery Suspects

Three suspected armed robbers, last weekend, were killed in Lagos after a gun duel with men of the anti-robbery squad. The robbers, numbering about seven, were said to have lodged at a guest house opened fire on the police as soon as the police arrived. In an ensuing cross-fire, three of them were gunned down, while the others escaped with bullet wounds. When their rooms were searched, the police recovered two single and one double barrel short guns, one locally made revolver pistol and, 12 live cartridges.

Gunmen Attack Ship, Kill Captain

Suspected pirates, recently, attacked a fishing trawler, FT Star 1, belonging to Tarabaroz Limited, killing the Captain, Pius Italume, and injuring some other crew members. The vessel was attacked along the Benin River in Ondo State. Confirming the development, the Deputy President of Nigerian Fishing Trawler Owners Association (NIFTOA), Mrs. Margret Orakwusi, said that the attack was the climax of a renewed onslaught on fishing trawlers in the last three weeks. She called for the creation of a coast guard to be fashioned after what obtains in the United States.

GENERAL

Court Halts Revocation of Oil Blocks

A Federal High Court in Abuja, Thursday, granted an order, restraining the Federal Government from interfering with operations of two oil blocks, allegedly offered   Korean National Oil Corporation (KNOC).  Justice Mustapha Abdullahi gave the order, following an ex-parte motion filed before the court by KNOC. The blocks, which were offered to the company in July 2005, were revoked by the Federal Government on January 8, 2009. KNOC had filed the suit, challenging the revocation of its oil blocks.

Crude Oil Exploitation: Reps Summon NNPC, LCCI, Others

Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Alhaji Mohammed Barkindo, is to appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Customs soon to explain the alleged breach of crude oil export guidelines and non-participation of the Nigerian Customs Service in crude oil exportation. The committee also directed the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the Oil Producers Trade Group, including all the multinational oil companies operating in the country, to appear before it.

Yar'Adua, Finnish President Meet on Security, Trade, Others

Nigeria and Finland are to enter into partnership towards tackling environmental, security and trade issues. Hints about this were, Monday, given when President Yar'Adua received President of Finland, Mrs. Tarja Halonen, at Abuja. Halonen advocated strong collaboration between Africa and Europe, instead of the prevailing ties between individual countries of the two blocs.  Senate President David Mark, also present, sought increased international co-operation to combat trans-national crimes, which he noted, were posing a threat to the global economy.

Two Fake SSS Officers Arrested in Nasarawa

The Directorate of State Security Service (SSS) in Lafia, Nasarawa State has paraded two men, John Umar and Musa Abdulahi, impersonating as security operatives and extorting money from Nigerians desperate to join the service in Akwanga town. Parading the suspects before reporters, the State Director of SSS, Grace Kentebe, said it was unfortunate that Nigerians have to reduce themselves to swindle people of their hard-earned funds.

Group Petitions IGP over Plight of Police Detainees

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, has been petitioned over alleged maltreatment of detainees by policemen. A non-governmental organisation, Access to Justice, the group drew the IG‘s attention to longstanding abuses of human rights and other malpractices by the police. The petitioner complained about the deprivation of suspects’ human dignity by requiring them to remove most of their clothing during detention. It urged the IG to look into the issues and reverse the trend

FG Earmarks $60bn for Oil, Gas Projects

The Federal government of Nigeria has earmarked about $60 billion to develop various oil and Gas projects across the country to foster the realization of Nigeria contents, domestic Gas utilization and participation. Chairman of the House of Representatives committee on Gas resources, Igo Aguma disclosed this on Wednesday. The investment according to him was to develop Nigeria content and participation by indigenous oil companies denied full exploration over time, and to further enhance production in the face of dwindling capacity to increase daily production.

Nigerian Navy Gets Two New WarShips, Two Helicopters

The Nigerian Navy, last weekend, acquired two brand new warships, the Manta 38-metre Offshore Patrol Craft (OPC), and two new Augusta helicopters. Director of Naval Information, Commodore David Nabaida confirmed the delivery and they would help tighten the Navy’s capacity to protect offshore facilities including the Escravos, the Agbani, and the Bonga. The two vessels will have the capacity to patrol and intercept any threat and to deal with the threat," Nabaida was quoted to have said.

Woman Slaughters Own Seven-Month-Old Baby

A 32-year-old mother, Amarachi Ajagba, has reportedly killed her seven-month-old son and dumped the corpse in his father’s house, claiming that she did so to protest abandonment by the man, one Mr Ibeabuchi Ememandu, a commercial motorcyclist. Meanwhile, the NSCDC has transferred the matter on the Abia State Police Command Umuahia for further investigation, even as the Commandant of the Corps, Dauda D. Mungadi frowned at the growing lack of respect for human life in the state.

NNPC, Partners To Build 4 Greenfield Refineries

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and some local and foreign investors are partnering in the promotion of the development and construction of three Greenfield refineries in various locations in the southern part of the country. Greenfield refineries are brand new refineries built from the scratch in a new location. This revelation is coming just as the Group Managing Director of the corporation, Mohammed Barkindo, pledged his commitment to ensure that all existing operational facilities in the downstream sector of the nation's petroleum industry are rehabilitated and made functional to facilitate the emergence of an environment that would promote effective deregulation of the industry.

Indian Oil Firm Default Payment On Oil Blocs

Oil and Natural Gas Corp Videsh Limited, India (ONGCVL) has failed to meet the March 6, 2009 deadline to pay the signature bonus on the two deep water blocs that were recovered from the Korean National Oil Company (KNOC) and handed over to the Indian company.  In effect, it risks losing the two highly prospective deep water oil blocs for its failure to pay $485 million to the Federal Government after the expiration of the 60 days deadline with their restoration to KNOC now on the cards. Sources at the petroleum ministry said weekend ONGCVL is yet to make any payment as at Friday, March 6, the deadline given it by the Nigerian government.

 

60 Nigerians Deported from US

For committing offences ranging from stealing to credit card and immigration fraud, over 60 Nigerians were on Wednesday deported from the United States (U.S.).  According to Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), 14 of the deportees were repatriated based on drug-related offences while others committed immigration offences ranging from illegal permits to fake visas. The return of deportees has been a daily occurrence in recent times.

Govt Kills Hope for Pay Rise for Workers

Hopes of a pay rise for workers dimmed on Wednesday as the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria said that an increment in workers' minimum wage was not feasible at this time, as it would take a huge toll on the country's economy. The Central Bank's Director of Human Resources, Osaretin Demuren, justified the demand for increase in salaries by workers, but advised that in view of the economic downturn, workers should just concern themselves with capacity building and other non-monetary incentives to cushion the effect of the economic crunch.

NCAA Warns Aviation Operators on Weather, Flight Conditions

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Wednesday issued a weather-related warning to pilots and airline operators in the country as poor weather kept passengers stranded at airports. The NCAA said that since the rainy season was usually accompanied by severe thunderstorms, it was necessary to place pilots and airline operators on alert on the dangers associated with it. This warning came on the heels of bad weather experienced at some airports on Wednesday, which made visibility very poor and made it difficult for aircraft to land, and forced some to return to base.

Firm Petitions Yar’Adua over Oil Blocks

South Korean National Oil Company (KNOC) has petitioned President Yar’Adua over the revocation of its oil blocks.  Due to the revocation, the firm’s $98million ongoing contracts may be at risk, sources said. Oil Prospecting Licenses (OPLs) 321and 323 were awarded to KNOC during the 2005 bid rounds based on the bilateral agreement between both countries.  But the Federal Government revoked the blocks because due process was not followed.  The government, it was learnt then invited an Indian firm to pay the $485million signature bonus and take over the blocks.  The firm is asking the President to intervene in the matter.

Yar'Adua's Convoy Attacked In Jos

A mob attacked President Umaru Yar'Adua's convoy on Monday as it drove through Jos on a condolence visit to the palace of the Gbong-Gwom Jos, Victor Pam, who died last weekend. The attack by suspected Islamic fundamentalists took place around the Jos central mosque, close to where Yar'Adua's campaign train was hit in 2007. An eyewitness said immediately the convoy was sighted, youths believed to be from the Hausa community trooped out in their hundreds to haul stones, broken bottles, sticks, and other dangerous weapons at it. Some security officials on the ground received head injuries.

FG, States, Councils Share $1.5bn Excess Crude Savings

The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved that N225 billion ($1.5 billion) be shared among the three tiers of government from the excess crude account. This amount is part of the $15 billion accruable to the government from the excess crude money. The money is a “stimulus” to cushion the effects of the slide recorded in the federal allocations in January and February. Minister of Finance, Mansur Muhtar, said the $1.5 billion would be disbursed in naira.

INTERNATIONAL

Aid Workers Kidnapped in Darfur

Humanitarian operations were, Thursday complicated in Sudan's west, as three international aid workers from ‘Medecins Sans Frontieres’  have been kidnapped in Darfur, officials said. The three medical workers were seized alongside two Sudanese as tension escalated in Sudan following the International Criminal Court's decision this month to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir over accusations of war crimes in Darfur. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Belgium said the two Sudanese were quickly released but the three foreigners were still held.

16 Missing after Chopper Ditches in Atlantic

Sixteen persons were yet to be accounted for by noon on Friday, after a chopper ditched into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday morning. The helicopter was said to be carrying them to an offshore oil platform off Newfoundland. A survivor, Robert Decker, was found and taken to a hospital, according to the Rescue Coordination Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Those aboard should have been wearing survival suits that would have kept them dry and were equipped with lights and personal locator beacons, but the suits have not helped searchers, according to Officials. The pilot had reported some technical malfunctions and radioed that he was turning the chopper around, sources disclosed.

North Korea Gives Notice of Launch Rocket

North Korea has given notice of its plans to launch a satellite from April 4 to 8. North Korea said that it expects the first stage of the rocket to splash down in the East Sea, better known as the Sea of Japan, and the second stage to splash down in the Pacific Ocean. The United States, which describes this action as “provocative” and sees it as a disguised long-range missile test, has said it could pursue a range of options against North Korea if it launches the missile, including squeezing it harder with United Nations (UN) sanctions imposed after separate missile and nuclear tests in 2006.

16 Killed as Teenager goes on Rampage at German School

Sixteen people died, Wednesday, in the shooting by a teenager at School in the German town of Winnenden, police spokeswoman Renate Roesch disclosed. The gunman is dead, she said. Police said the gunman was a 17-year-old former student dressed in military gear. Authorities had sealed the town off and launched an intense manhunt for the boy. Security at German schools has been an issue in the past with similar incidents recorded in recent past years.

5 Human Heads Discovered in Central Mexico

Five human heads were found in ice chests on Tuesday under a tree in the central Mexican state of Jalisco, police said. This, according to the police appeared to be the latest indication of drug cartels fighting for supremacy in battles that have left thousands dead. Each head was found in a separate ice chest beside a road leading to the city of Guadalajara, police said. The tops of the ice chests were inscribed with messages, among them, one that threatened further violence.

Al-Bashir Threatens To Expel More Aid Group From Darfur

Sudanese President, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, has threatened to expel diplomats and more aid groups from the country after a The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for him for war crimes. Sudan has already closed 13 foreign and three local aid groups, saying that they helped the ICC, which last week issued the arrest warrant for Bashir over charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur.

12,000 US Troops Leave Iraq by September

The United States military has announced that 12,000 American and 4,000 British troops will leave Iraq by September. This came hours after a suicide bomber struck police and recruits lined up at the entrance of Baghdad’s main police academy, killing 32 people. The blast was the second major attack to hit Iraqis in three days and the deadliest to strike Baghdad in nearly a month. Maj. Gen. David Perkins said the troop withdrawals will reduce US combat power from 14 brigades to 12 along with some supporting units. The US also plans to turn over 74 facilities and areas under its control to the Iraqis by the end of March as part of the draw down.

Journalist Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Throwing Shoe

Muntadher al-Zaidi, the journalist, who threw his shoes at then-U.S. President George W. Bush, was, Wednesday, sentenced to three years in prison by an Iraqi court.  Al-Zaidi threw his shoes at Bush during a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in December 2008 at Baghdad.