Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 14

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Yar’Adua Grants Amnesty to Niger Delta Militants

President Yar’Adua, on Thursday, in his resolve to end the Niger Delta  crisis, announced amnesty for all militants in the region, but on the condition that they lay down their arms. Yar’Adua added that the Federal Government would rehabilitate and integrate such militants into the society. The National Security Council is expected to meet next week to work out the modalities for the amnesty.

5 Die in Bayelsa Boat Mishap

Five persons lost their lives while several others were injured when two boats collided and capsized along the Nembe creek in Nembe LGA of Bayelsa state last weekend. One of the boats, according reports had left Port Harcourt for Nembe with 12 passengers, and had a head-on collision with another empty boat.

FG Deploys More Riot Policemen in Rivers

The Federal Government has reportedly deployed three units of riot policemen in Rivers State as part of measures to check insecurity in the state.The officers and men from the three units had already been assigned to strategic locations considered to be security flashpoints within Port Harcourt metropolis.

Police Parade 24 Suspected Hoodlums in Cross River

The Cross River State Police Command weekend paraded about 26 suspected hoodlums including 8 suspected cultists from the University of Calabar for various crimes ranging from pilfering, cultism to robbery. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Ezeozue, at the parade of the suspected hoodlums hailed the police force, saying the Command made three remarkable achievements in the area of crime prevention and detection in the state.

Police Gun Down Three Suspected Kidnappers

Three suspected kidnappers were on Sunday night gunned down by the police in Enugu. The trio, said to have been behind the kidnap of the wife of the Chairman of the Enugu South LGA, Mr. Sam Ngene, attempted to escape after their arrest at different points by the police. They were taking the police to their hide out at Amankwo Ndiagu, Amansea Odo in Ezeagu Local council when some of their members waylaid the police in a bid to rescue them.

Man, 29, Accused of Raping and Infecting 8-Year-Old Girl with HIV

The Abia State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested a 29-year-old man, Domunachi Osu, for allegedly raping and infecting an 8-year-old girl with HIV. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Soji Alabi, said the suspect, said to have been on the run since last year was arrested. Osu was said to have committed the offence when everybody in the compound had gone to the farm and threatened to kill the girl if she told anyone of the heinous act. The suspect admitted that he was guilty of the offence, saying he had been living with HIV for over three years.

Shell Re-Opens Soku Gas Plant

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Wednesday, announced the resumption of activities at the Soku Gas Plant in Rivers State, plant, after five months. The plant was shutdown to carry out the repair of the pipeline, damaged by oil thieves and vandals, a spokesman for Shell said. Shell also disclosed that about 6,000 Nigerians will be employed on the Gbaran-Ubie Gas Project, by the time it comes on stream. Manager, Gbaran-Ubie Integrated Oil and Gas Project, Mr Graham Henley, disclosed this in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

White Paper on Rivers Crisis orders Investigation of Odili, Sekibo

The Rivers State Government on Thursday issued a White Paper on the Justice Kayode Eso’s panel and ordered the investigation of former Governor, Dr. Peter Odili and former Transport Minster, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, over their involvement in the crisis that rocked the state in the past administration. The government adopted the panel’s recommendation for a fresh Judicial Commission of Inquiry to be set up to investigate the killing of Chief Marshal Harry and Chief Gospel Bilogbolo. It also adopted the recommendation to set up of a fresh panel to continue the reconciliation of communities affected during the crisis.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

One Killed in Militant, JTF Gun Duel

One person suspected to be a militant, was on Tuesday killed and quantities of arms and ammunition recovered, following a gun battle between an armed gang and men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in at Ugbokodo, in Warri South LGA of Delta State when some armed men reportedly besieged the place in five speedboats. The Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, said that JTF had no doubt that the men in the speedboats were on an illegal oil bunkering mission.

JTF to Go after Retired Generals Sponsoring Illegal Bunkering

The head of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Major-Gen Sarkin Yaki Bello, has vowed to go after retired generals and military officers involved in illegal bunkering of oil. Bello, who said this in Warri, Delta State, on Monday, said that has the federal mandate to put an end to “illegal bunkering, vandalism and other forms of criminality in the oil-rich region”, and will live up to that. Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has lauded this plan and urged Nigerians to stand solidly behind him.

JTF Deploys Men to Check Attacks on Oil Facilities

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta has deployed its men at various oil facilities in Warri, Delta State, to avert further attacks on oil facilities. The latest development came against the backdrop of the recent vandalism of some Shell pipelines. Some gunmen destroyed the facilities that convey product from SPDC’s wells 26/28 and 32/38. The Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Col. Rabe Abubakar, disclosed this.

Edo Govt to set up Special Anti-Crime Squad to Tackle Robbery, Kidnapping

Edo State government is to set up a Special Anti-Crime Squad Unit following the increasing spate of armed robbery and kidnap cases. Disclosing this on Wednesday, the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, advised criminals to have a rethink. Oshiomhole also said that government had promised N1 million cash award for anybody who would offer information leading to the arrest of kidnappers.

Kidnapped Mother of Bank Chief Regains Freedom

Kidnappers of the mother of a chief executive of a commercial bank, who was abducted in Delta State, and initially demanded N100m as ransom, have been arrested after a successful rescue operation. The woman was abducted last week from her home in Ibusa, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State. The State Security Service in Delta State has arrested nine persons in connection with the abduction. Police spokesman Charles Muka confirmed this.

House Decries Exodus of Oil Firms from Niger Delta

House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta, Thursday, expressed concern over the security situation in the Niger Delta region and the relocation of several oil firms from the oil rich region. Chairman, House Committee on Niger Delta, Honourable Olaka Nwogu, lamented that what began as community agitations for resource control had since degenerated into a dreaded regime of militancy and criminality, but said that the current trend where oil firms are pulling out of the region in droves was unacceptable. He disclosed that the House Committee on Niger Delta had recently met with security chiefs to address the security situation.

One Killed in Building Collapse

In Asaba, the Delta State capital, one person was feared killed when a school building under construction collapsed at Okwe. Several others were wounded and are battling for their lives in the state-owned General Hospital, Okwe. The two-storey building was said to have collapsed on Thursday, when one of the workers removed the bamboos holding the decking. The pillars suddenly caved in and the decking fell on him, burying him in the pile of rubble.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Houseboy Commits Suicide in Lagos, Maid Slumps, Dies

Homicide detectives in Lagos, are trying to unravel why a young male house help, committed suicide by hanging himself at the Magodo Shangisha area of the state. Similarly on March 22, there was a report that a maid to one Dr. Tosin Amusat at Ago-Okota, suddenly slumped and died on her way to the church. Police spokesman, Frank Mba, who confirmed both mysterious incidences, revealed that investigations had already commenced.

Centenarian in Trouble for Housing Bags of Drugs

Narcotic agents uncovered 254 bags of cannabis in the compound of a 114-year-old man in Ogun State, last weekend. The old man, Pa Sulaiman Adebayo of Oju Sango village claimed that he knew nothing about the content of the bags, saying that the bags were left in his care by some men who claimed to be policemen and said that the bags contained rice. The Chairman, NDLEA Ahmadu Giade, has ordered thorough investigations into the matter. The NDLEA boss had further promised to unmask the suspected trans-border drug cartel behind the seized drugs and also ascertain the degree of involvement of suspected centenarian.

Four Die in Fire Disaster

Four persons lost their lives when a keg of petrol was allegedly spilled at a spot where roadside traders have turned to a night market at Palmgrove. Eyewitnesses said a young boy who was carrying petrol in a plastic keg tried to avoid a motorcycle that nearly ran over him, and fell in the process, spilling the fuel he carried on the lamps, and immediately sparked off the fire. The command‘s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the incident.

Trailer Crushes Two Beggars, Injures Eight Others

Two beggars were crushed to death by a trailer along the Osere Market Road in Oke-Ola area of Ikirun, Osun State, on Thursday. The accident happened when the trailer was meandering its way out of the market shortly after discharging its content in one of the shops. The Unit Commander, FRSC, Ikirun unit, Mr. Ade Suleiman, confirmed the accident and said hawkers, shop owners and beggars had been warned by the FRSC against displaying their wares or begging for alms along the narrow market road. Suleiman put the number of casualties at five.

Kidnapped Lebanese: Police recover N30m ransom

A kidnapped Lebanese, penultimate Saturday, was rescued by the Police after five days at the Lagos creeks. The police team also recovered the N30 million ransom meant for the kidnappers, while the six kidnappers were killed in a shootout with the police. The state commissioner of police, Mr Marvel Akpoyibo, handed over the N30 million to the manager of the company where the kidnapped Lebanese works, Mohammed Sani. Akpoyibo said the police in Lagos State will continue to work with everyone to ensure that people could go about their businesses without fear.

CP Orders Detention of Trigger Happy Policeman

A policeman in Lagos allegedly shot dead a commercial bus driver, penultimate Saturday at a checkpoint mounted in front of the police station at Bode Thomas, prompting instant reaction from people, who attempted to set the station ablaze, but for the timely response of policemen, called in for reinforcement. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo has since ordered the detention of the policemen at the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) Panti, Yaba.

SSS Arrests Man for Sewing Fake Police Uniforms

The Ekiti State Command of the State Security Service has arrested a tailor, Segun Adamu, said to be sewing fake police uniforms in large quantities. He was said to have been unable to give satisfactory answers as to who contracted him to sew the uniforms. Also, the men of the Special Anti-robbery Squad of the state police command arrested 18 suspected cultists allegedly being trained in gun handling in, in Ikere-Ekiti.

Security Agents Arrest 40 Suspected Criminals in Lagos

Government security agents, penultimate Sunday, raided Takwa Bay Island in Lagos and arrested about 40 suspected criminals. Some of the suspects are believed to be militants and sea pirates. It was also learnt that following the rising wave of attacks on the island by sea pirates, residents of the area had lived in fear because of the sophisticated weapons they reportedly carried.

Brother kills Sister over food

Obinna Udefi, 23, has reportedly killed his sister, Oluchi, 18, because she did not give him food on time. Their father was said to have died few days after the horrible incident. Now in police custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Obinna Udefi confessing to the murder, said he did not mean to kill her.

NSCDC Discovers Bunkerers Depot in Lagos, Arrests 5 Suspects

An illegal oil bunkerers den has been found in Ijora Olopa area of Lagos State by the officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence. The commandant of NSCDC in Lagos, Nathaniel Ubong, said that his men were able to arrest five suspects who mentioned various activities going on in the area, and were also able to impound one of their vehicles, their canoe and other equipment.  He also declared that they attempted to bribe his men with N1.5 million, but the money was rejected.

Man Arrested For Killing Student, Herbalist Found with 50 Human Skulls

A suspected ritualist was arrested in Ago Iwoye for allegedly killing one Biodun Taiwo, a university student. The head of the vigilante group that secured the arrest, Alhaji Olayemi Kolade, said that Biodun had gone to a place popularly called 'Infinity' to read, when the suspected ritualist attacked, but was apprehended as he tried to evacuate the body. He has since been handed over to the police. In a similar incident, an herbalist, Isiaka Tiamiyu, at Ikorodu Lagos state has been arrested by the police after they discovered 50 human skulls in his house. The Divisional Crime Officer, Mr. Emmanuel, confirmed the arrest.

Ogun Lawmaker Docked for Possession of Arms

The Chairman of Information Committee of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Tokunbo Oshin, alongside one of his aides, was on Monday arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Ikenne for alleged unlawful transfer of firearms. Oshin, was arrested, penultimate weekend, after his aide was nabbed with one pump action rifle with 13 rounds of cartridge and a Wembley revolver with one round of live ammunition. The aides had claimed that the gun belonged to the Lawmaker.

Two Suspected Bike Robbers Killed

Men of the Lagos State Police Command have killed two men suspected to be armed robbers in separate incidents within the metropolis. However, three other suspects escaped during the encounters that took place at Itire and Ipakodo areas of the state. In the Itire incident, which happened on Monday, a team of policemen on patrol at Iyana Itire, allegedly ordered two men on a bike to stop but the rider was said to have ignored the police and sped off, with one of them firing shots at the policemen. A gun duel ensued and this led to the killing of one of the suspects. Police spokesman in the state, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the killing

Police Rescue 2 Spaniards from Kidnappers

Police, Tuesday, arrested four suspects, who allegedly kidnapped two Spanish nationals. They allegedly invited the duo to Nigeria for business, only to kidnap them on their arrival in the country. The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the suspects demanded a ransom of 200,000 Euro from relatives of their captives, but were arrested in the process of collecting the money. The Spaniards were handed over to the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Angel Losada Fernandez.

Police Sergeant, Three Others Arrested for Unlawful Possession of Arms

A team of policemen from 16 Mobile Force Personnel, Abeokuta, Ogun state, led by Sergeant Lasisi Lamidi and three others, have been arrested for unlawful possession of locally made pistol and charms while on a stop-and-search duty. Items recovered from them include, one locally made pistol, some pellets, gun powder, about N47, 000, 2 handsets, and a Mitsubishi car. The suspects are being held at the Eleweran Police Command for further investigations.

Police Arraign Magistrate, Lawyer, Others for Osun Bomb Blast

A magistrate, a lawyer, and five members of the Action Congress in Osun State were on Wednesday arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for alleged involvement in a bomb blast that rocked the state Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, on June 14, 2007. The police had brought the seven suspects to court on a two-count charge of unlawful possession of explosives and bombing the secretariat. The magistrate granted the accused bail in the sum of N2m and two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case till April 28.

Police, Robbers in Shootout, One Killed

Police detectives attached to Apapa Police Station, Lagos, on Wednesday engaged a four-man armed robbery gang who had attempted to rob a bank, in a shootout, killing one of the suspects, while others fled with bullet wounds. Two motorcycles, two locally made pistols and some rounds of ammunition were recovered from the fleeing gunmen. Police has begun a man-hunt of fleeing members of the gang and advised members of the public, particularly medical practitioners and local healers, to report any victim of bullet wounds who may come to the place to seek attention.

Police Nab Fake Currency Specialist

A man, Kunle Amuda, who prints fake currencies, has been arrested by men of the police force in Lagos State when they raided his home. The police recovered from him fake currencies to the tune of $25, 000, 000 (Twenty-five Million Dollars) and L985, 000 (Nine hundred and eighty-five thousand pounds sterling). The currencies according to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar, the currencies were of little difference to the real ones.

GENERAL

FG Commutes 45 Death Sentences, Pardons 240

The Minister of Interior, Maj.-Gen. Godwin Abbe (rtd), on Tuesday, disclosed that 45 convicts on death row had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment, while 240 inmates serving various jail terms were granted amnesty by the Federal Government in 2008. The minister also said that prisoners on their discharge from custody, had been provided After Care Centers with the mandate “of equipping and supervising” them to be economically productive and independent when they return to freedom.

Soldier Kills 2 in Kaduna

A trigger happy soldier at the First Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, shot and killed his fellow soldier and a civilian in the barracks. No further details are available. Assistant Public Relations Officer in charge of the division, Colonel Mohammed Yerima, confirmed the killing, and promised investigations into the incident.

Kidnappers Get N15bn in Two Year

Hostage takers pocketed ransoms of over N15 billion between 2006 and 2008, the Inspector General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro, said has disclosed. Okiro said a new bill that would recommend life sentences for culprits would be sent to the National Assembly. He explained that it is only when there is death in the hands of the kidnappers that there would be death sentence. He further gave a statistics of those kidnapped in the country as 128 persons with one 126 released and one dead and another with four fingers chopped off. He accused the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) as the mastermind behind all kidnappings in the Nigeria.

Robbers Reign in Nigeria Link Road to Cameroon

Traders plying the international route linking Nigeria with the Republic of Cameroon through Bisaula have raised alarm over the incessant robbery attacks along the route. The bandits operate at any time of the day without interruption in the border communities of at Taraba state. A villager alleged that the police patrol team assigned on the road would rather harass and extort money from commercial motorcycle operators and vehicles, instead of checking the menace of the robbers.

Seven Die In Kano Road Accident

Seven passengers lost their lives, while 13 others sustained injuries in a road accident, penultimate Friday. The Head of Operations of the Kano Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Olusegun Martins, said that dangerous overtaking was the possible cause of the accident. An eyewitness account was that a car was dangerously overtaken by a bus and in the process collided with an oncoming bus.

Police Reverse Decision over Withdrawal of Orderlies

Nigeria Police Force has reversed its decision to withdraw police orderlies of political office holders, following a Federal Executive Council decision. The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Lame, said that the political office holders are not included in the decision. Lame said that government only frowns seriously at indiscriminate and unauthorized use of Police men attached to private individuals in the society, saying that only those approved by the Inspector-General of Police should be given Police escorts or orderlies.

Police Relate Upsurge in Robbery to Makurdi Jail-Break

Rising cases of armed robbery and car snatching in Benue State have been attributed by the police to the recent jail-break at the Makurdi Medium Security Prison, where 16 armed robbery suspects on awaiting trial escaped. Robbery incidents have been rampant in Makurdi and other major towns in the past three weeks, such that a minimum of two vehicles are snatched daily by hoodlums. The Police Commissioner, Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed, said that most of the escapees were still in the state capital harassing innocent residents with their actions, adding that the police have mapped out plans to ensure that the bandits were re-apprehended.

Nigeria’s Exports to Exceed OPEC Target in May

Nigeria’s crude oil exports were expected to average 1.88 million barrels per day (bpd) in May, steady with April levels and well above the country’s implied OPEC production target. The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has set Nigeria an implied production target of 1.67 million bpd with January 1, but.

 

Power Supply goes Down as PHCN Shuts Three Plants

The Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Thursday, announced that electricity generation had dropped by 700 mega watts, as it received a notice from the Nigerian Gas Company on Wednesday informing it of the shut down of Utorogu gas station due to vandalism. The management of the PHCN said this would further reduce its power generation capacity, which depended mainly on gas fired thermal plants. However, President Yar’Adua maintained that everything to ensure that the nation generates 6,000 megawatts by the end of 2009 had been put in place.

US to Train Nigerian Navy

Nigeria is stepping up efforts to tackle illegal oil bunkering and sea piracy in the Niger Delta. Several training exercises between the United States Navy and the Nigerian Navy are scheduled for this year in order to improve the capability of Nigeria to manage its maritime environment and fight oil bunkering. The USS Swift, a high-speed vessel, will be in the Gulf of Guinea this summer followed by the US Coast Guard Cutter Legare. Director for Policy, Resources and Strategy of US Naval Forces Europe and Africa, Rear Admiral William Loeffler, disclosed that the collaboration would improve security in the entire Gulf of Guinea.

Reps Approve Unbundling of NNPC

The House of Representatives on Tuesday gave a nod to the move by the Federal Government to unbundle the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as one of the steps being taken to open up the oil sector and ensure transparency. Also, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts has decried the failure of Oando Oil Company, to pay an accumulated tax debt of N812 million. The oil company was also said to have defaulted in the payment of its contribution to the Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF) to the tune of N3.804 billion.

Accident Claims Six Lives on Lokoja-Okene Road

Six people were killed and ten others sustained serious injuries when a luxury bus collided with a pick-up van on Lokoja-Okene road on Thursday. The conductor of the luxury bus, Mr. Uzoma Winwe, said that the pick-up van was travelling in the night without functional headlights. The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, Kogi State, Mr. Yomi Asaniyan, confirmed Winwe’s statement, saying that the pick-up van caused the accident as it was using the lights of other vehicles to travel on that night.

700 Nigerian Soldiers for Liberia

No fewer than 700 Nigerian soldiers have been deployed to the United Nations for peace keeping assignment, the Commanding Officer, Peace Keeping Centre, Brig-Gen, Emeka Onwuamaegbu, disclosed. He warned the affected solders not to derail from the peacekeeping exercise in Liberia. Onwuamaegbu reiterated that they must make sure they do not disgrace the Nigerian nation while in Liberia urging that they must do all within their means to uphold the integrity of the country among the comity of nations and show the high level of training they have received.

Okiro Alerts over Fresh Religious Crisis

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, has raised the alarm over a plot by foreigners to come into the country with the intent of causing religious unrest. Okiro disclosed that Niger State is one of the targeted states according to an intelligence report. The Niger state Commissioner for Justice, Alhaji Adamu Usman, said the state government had already stepped-up actions by monitoring closely the activities of religious bodies, especially preachers who preach in mosques. The IG, according to Usman, blamed a Muslim sect, simply identified as, ‘Kalakuta’ and other extremists for trying to cause religious chaos in the state.

EFCC to Probe Halliburton Bribery Scandal

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday said that it is set to launch investigations into the alleged involvement of some Nigerian officials over the Halliburton bribe scandal. EFCC chairman, Mrs Farida Waziri, said the Commission has requested the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to furnish it with details of Nigerian officials indicted in the Halliburton bribe scam as well as the actual judgment against them.

Fire Ravages Borno Villages

Two villages in Borno State have been gutted by fire, which destroyed 88 houses and property worth N50 million. No death was recorded but Goni Abbari and Panguru villages were reduced to ashes. A victim of the inferno disclosed that the incident emanated from a cooking point in one of the houses when a strong wind spread the fire to other houses in the village. He said that when the fire could not be brought under control, the villagers abandoned their houses and fled for safety. Chairmen of the councils where the affected villages are located visited the two villages and pledged to assist them with relief materials.

Buba is Gbong Gwom Jos

Former Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Jacob Gyang Buba, has been named the new Gbong Gwom Jos, the paramount ruler of the Berom kingdom in Plateau State. Buba emerged as the new Gbong Gwom Jos on Wednesday having secured eight of the 11 votes of the kingmakers. He succeeds the late Da Victor Dung Pam who died on March 7, 2009.

INTERNATIONAL

G-20 Moves against Global Meltdown, amid Protests in London

Leaders of the world's largest economies, Thursday, unveiled bail-out plans against the current financial crunch. The leaders at their summit in London agreed to fight the crisis with measures worth $1 trillion, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will get extra resources of $750 billion to assist nations with troubled economies. To ensure adherence to the measures, sanctions against secretive tax havens and tougher global financial regulations are to be enforced against violators. As g-20 met, more than 4000 protesters posed serious challenge to the police. They stormed downtown London, descended on the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) building, smashing its windows. Riot policemen arrested 24 of the rioters.

Thai, Cambodian Soldiers in Gun Battle at Border

Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged fire early Friday near a disputed border temple that was the site of clashes last year, a Thai official said. Both countries differ on whether some territory around the temple forms part of Thailand or Cambodia. The International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962. Thailand claims, however, that the 4.6 sq. km area around it was never fully demarcated. Both countries posted troops in the area after the United Nations in July approved Cambodia's application to have the temple listed as a World Heritage Site. The temple sits atop a cliff on Cambodian soil but has its most accessible entrance on the Thai side.

$50 a Barrel Acceptable to OPEC

Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Thursday stated that the current prices of crude oil, which is around $50 a barrel, is acceptable given the current economic environment. Expectations were rife that the group may further reduce output following the declining crude oil prices. To help revive prices, the OPEC, which pumps a third of the world's oil to had reduced output by 4.2 million barrels per day (bpd) since September last year.

20 Militants Killed in Southern Afghanistan

Afghan soldiers killed 20 armed militants in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said Thursday. The fighting took place in Kajaki District of Helmand province on Wednesday. Afghan National Army troops backed by coalition forces had been conducting combat reconnaissance when dozens of armed militants wielding small arms and grenades attacked a foot patrol. Troops returned fire and called in air support. There were no other casualties reported.

Suspected U.S. Missile Kills 12 Militants in Pakistan

A suspected United States (U.S.) drone, Wednesday fired two missiles at an alleged hideout connected to a Taliban leader, Baitullah Mehsud, who on Tuesday threatened to attack Washington, killing 12 people and wounding several others, officials report. Up to 30 suspected militants were in the compound when it was hit and the Taliban have moved the dead and injured to an undisclosed location, he said.

Argentine Ex-President, Alfonsin, Dies

Raul Alfonsin, the Argentine president who guided his country's return to democracy following a military dictatorship that left thousands missing, has died of Lung cancer. He was aged 82. The government declared three days of mourning. Alfonsin in 1983 ended more than seven years of a repressive military regime that left at least 13,000 disappeared. He survived three military uprisings between 1987 and 1988. He won an open election that the military was forced to call, in disgrace, after the nation's defeat in the 1982 war with Britain over the Falklands Islands.

Lucky Dube's Killers Found Guilty

The three men accused of killing South African reggae star, Lucky Dube, two years ago have been found guilty. Lucky Dube, 43, was killed in an apparent botched carjacking in October 2007. The court has heard the three men did not know the identity of their alleged victim until they read about it in the newspapers the following day.

Malaysian PM Resigns

Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has resigned after six years in office, clearing the way for a smooth transfer of power to his deputy Najib Razak. Najib was last Thursday officially declared president of the United Malays National Organisation party. He said he would reveal details of the direction he wanted to take Malaysia amid economic crisis and political uncertainty.

Chopper Crash in Scotland Claims 16 Lives

Police in Scotland, Thursday, said that 16 people were killed when a helicopter went down off the country's northeast coast. Officials said the aircraft suffered a "catastrophic impact" with the water and sank quickly. Grampian Police Assistant Chief Constable Colin Menzies said: "The grim reality is the crew has been lost." The aircraft, was reportedly returning from oil firm BP's Miller oilfield, 168 miles north east of Aberdeen, when it crashed at about 1400 BST on Wednesday.

Israeli Youth Killed in Ax Attack

A Palestinian militant went on rampage at a Jewish settlement in the West Bank on Thursday, killing an Israeli teenager and wounding another before fleeing. Authorities said a manhunt was under way for the assailant, who was believed to have been wounded by security guards. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the militant used the ax and a knife in the attack. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The attack is likely to heighten tensions between the Palestinians and Israel's new hard-line government.

US Congress Revisits Anti-OPEC Bill

The United States Congress has resurrected the No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels (NOPEC) Bill which died in parliament last year. The NOPEC bill, designed to enable the US Justice Department to bring actions against the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was introduced in 2007. It was later included in the Democratic Leadership Energy Bill which failed to scale through last year. But Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, Senator Herb Kohl, has re-introduced the bill.

Taliban Militants Abduct 11 Pakistani Policemen

Taliban militants kidnapped 11 Pakistani policemen last Sunday in an attack on a security post in the Khyber region on the Afghan border. Rahat Gul, a spokesman for the Khyber administration said that the militants had not issued any demands, but a search for them is in progress.

Eight killed in Nursing Home as Man Goes on Rampage

An armed man shot and killed seven patients and a nurse at a North Carolina, nursing home, penultimate Sunday, before being wounded during a shootout with a police officer. var CNN_ArticleChanger = new CNN_imageChanger('cnnImgChngr','/2009/CRIME/03/29/nursing.home.shooting/imgChng/p1-0.init.exclude.html',1,1); //CNN.imageChanger.load('cnnImgChngr','imgChng/p1-0.exclude.html'); Three other people, including the police officer were wounded in the attack, Carthage Police Chief Chris McKenzie said. The man accused of carrying out the attack, 45-year-old Robert Stewart is in custody. Stewart faces eight counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony assault on a police officer. Further investigations revealed that his estranged wife works at the nursing home, even though the motive for his attack is yet to be ascertained.

Gunmen Attack Pakistani Police Academy

Pakistani authorities were locked in battle with armed attackers who threw grenades inside a police training center, Monday, and firing at officers. The attack in the city of Lahore left at least 19 people dead and several wounded, police source disclosed. About 15 persons, some in police uniforms, were involved in the attack. Pakistani Taliban leader, Baitullah Mehsud, claimed responsibility for the attack, adding that it was retaliation for U.S. missile strikes on militant bases on the Afghan border. He further vowed to launch an attack on Washington or even the White House.

Hundreds Feared Dead Libya Sea Mishap

Hundreds of people were feared dead on Tuesday after high winds and heavy seas capsized boats carrying African migrants heading for Europe off the coast of Libya. Reports of the incident varied widely: while Egyptian state television said that two fishing vessels carrying over 600 people sank, the Egyptian foreign ministry said one fishing boat went down with 257 people on board. Up to three boats sank.

Netanyahu is Israel's New Premier

Israel on Tuesday swore in Benjamin Netanyahu as its new premier. The 59-year-old politician returned to power 10 years after his first stint as prime minister. With Netanyahu, who opposes the creation of a Palestinian state at the helm and Lieberman as Israel's top diplomat, the international community has expressed alarm over the future of the already uncertain peace process re-launched in November 2007 but making little progress since. The European Union has warned of "consequences" if the new government did not commit itself to the principle of the two-state solution.

North Korea Threatens to Shoot US Spy Planes

North Korea, Wednesday, threatened to shoot down any US spy planes violating its airspace to monitor an imminent rocket launch, as a think-tank cautioned that any international over-reaction to the event could spark a war. The warning followed accusations on Tuesday that US planes had stepped up flights over the northeast where the Musudan-ri missile site is located. The North has announced it will launch a communications satellite in April. The United States, South Korea and Japan call this a pretext for a ”provocative” test of a long-range ballistic missile in violation of UN resolutions. They say they will report the launch to the Security Council.

Newspaper Worker Dies after Attack in Russia

A newspaper employee, Sergei Protazanov in a Moscow suburb has died after being beaten near his home in the latest of a string of attacks on journalists in Russia on Wednesday, his editor said. But police say he died from accidental poisoning. Six journalists had been severely beaten in Khimki in the past two years, reports indicate. Protazanov’s editor said the deceased had been compiling an issue that included reports on alleged falsifications in local mayoral elections and he linked the attack to Protazanov‘s work.