Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 19

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Cleric Kidnapped in Akwa Ibom

The founder of New Apostolic Church in Akwa Ibom State, Apostle Okuyak Uwah, has been reported kidnapped while his son and his security guard are said to be in critical conditions following bullet wounds sustained when unknown gunmen invaded their residence in Uyo.

Abia Police Arrest Female Kidnap Suspects

The Abia State Police Command on Monday paraded two women suspected to be involved in the kidnap of 78- year old Mrs Ezinne Emenike. Mr Edgar Nanakumo, the state Commissioner of Police said that the two ladies were arrested while picking up the ransom of N400, 000 placed on their victim. Also paraded were six other suspected criminals and car snatchers who were arrested at different locations in the state. He said three locally made guns and eight expended cartridges were recovered.

A’Ibom urges Calm over Oil Spill

The Akwa Ibom State Government has called on the people of Eastern Obolo and Mkpat Enin LGAs to remain calm over the recent oil spill in their communities. The oil spill was said to have been caused by a bust pipe. The state Commissioner for Information and Social Re-orientation, Mr. Aniekan Umana, explained that the situation would soon be brought under control, saying measures had already been taken to end the sufferings of the affected communities.

JTF Denies N2.1m Extortion Allegation

The military authorities have described as blackmail the claim by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) that some naval personnel, penultimate Sunday extorted money amounting to N2.1m from fishing trawlers operating off the Atlantic coast of Bayelsa state.  MEND had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the naval personnel to return all they took from the crew or face its wrath. The Spokesman of the JTF, Col. Rabe Abubakar, said the military would not be intimidated by threats, as he dismissed MEND’s claim.

Police Nab Robbery Gang

Suspects in recent armed robbery incidents in Calabar, Cross River State have been nabbed. They were involved at various incidents where a Construction Company, Arab Construction was robbed of N17 Million, a Cool Room robbed of N600, 000, a young girl killed, while a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police was also shot. The items recovered from the robbers include 3 AK47 riffles, 14 AK47 Magazines, Operational pistol, one locally made gun and about 500 rounds of ammunitions, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Ezeozue confirmed.

Shell Vows to Work with New Operator in Ogoniland

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has said that it would be ready to work with any company that the Federal Government will approve to take over its operations in Ogoniland.  The company’s Executive Vice President for Africa, Ann Pickard, said that the company would not go back to the area without the consent of the government and the people.

Amaechi Signs Kidnap Prohibition Law

The Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, has signed the Rivers State Kidnap Prohibition Law.  Under the Rivers State Kidnap Prohibition Law, anybody caught in the act upon conviction shall be sentenced to life imprisonment without any option of fine. Speaking, Governor Amaechi said by signing the law prohibiting kidnapping, the state government would immediately begin the implementation, stressing that henceforth, anybody caught kidnapping will face the consequences of the law.

Abducted Clerics, Driver Regain Freedom

A cleric in Akwa Ibom State, Rev. Akan Weeks, his driver and a South African clergyman regained freedom on Tuesday after their abduction by unknown gunmen, penultimate Sunday, at Ukwa West LGA of Abia State. The gunmen were said to have demanded the sum of N10m as ransom for their hostages, but were released after the sum of N1m was paid.

Imo Lawmakers Approves Death Penalty for Kidnappers

The Imo State House of Assembly on Monday in Owerri passed a bill into law prohibiting hostage-taking and other related offences. The bill proposes that “Any person who abducts another persons or takes another person hostage or keeps another person hostage for demand of ransom will be guilty of an offence and sentenced to death on conviction.‘‘ The members unanimously passed the bill. Amnesty International (AI) has condemned the move saying that extending the scope of the death penalty to include kidnapping is retrogressive and does nothing to protect the victims, and may encourage more violent behavior by kidnappers.

A’Ibom Speaker Wants Police Orderlies Restored over Insecurity

The Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Ignatius Edet, has called on the Presidency and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, to restore police orderlies to lawmakers in the Niger Delta region in view of the security threats in the Niger Delta. The Speaker also disclosed that plans were under way to pass the Anti-Kidnapping Bill into law. He further charged the commissioner of police to ensure that the law was implemented whenever it came into existence.

NEMA to Plans Disaster Mitigating Measures

The National Emergency Management Agency on Thursday that said it would implement a programme aimed at providing safe havens for communities under constant threat of disasters. The Director-General, NEMA, Air-Vice Marshall Muhammed Audu-Bida (rtd), said that the agency would collaborate with other institutions for the provision of ambulances in disaster, and 400 housing units for disaster victims in Besse LGA of Cross River State.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

EU Assures Insecurity in N’Delta Will Not Stall Projects

The European Commission said on Tuesday that the security situation in the Niger Delta would not truncate the implementation of the N9bn projects in the region. Acting Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Nigeria, Mr. Denis Thieulin, said that although there were challenges, the projects would continue. Thieulin further said that the EU was still committed to the Economic Partnership Agreement with the West African region.

Delta State Arrests 17 for Diverting Petroleum Products

The Delta State Petroleum Monitoring Committee has arrested 17 oil dealers for hoarding and diversion of petroleum products. The suspects were apprehended during unscheduled visits to Asaba, Agbor, Warri and other major towns in the state by the committee. The suspects have been handed over to the Police for interrogation and prosecution.

Shell Extends Force Majeure on Forcados Exports

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) said that it had extended the force majeure it declared on Forcados crude oil exports for March and April to cover May loadings. According to the initial loading schedule, the force majeure declared on March 7, 2009 would end in April while the oil major had planned to load up to eight cargoes of 950,000 barrels each in May. Shell spokesman, Mr. Precious Okolobo, said on Tuesday that the extension of the force majeure followed a security situation in the Niger Delta.

Asaba Bus Drivers Protest Killing of Colleague

Commercial activities in Asaba, Delta State were halted on Tuesday as commercial bus drivers, angered by the killing of their colleague by Oshimili South LGA traffic task force officials, took to the street. Trouble reportedly began when the task force officials demanded from the deceased the sum of N5, 000 which he could not provide and instead offered to them sum of N2, 000, which they refused and allegedly beat the driver to death. The vexed drivers reportedly set ablaze three motorcycles belonging to the officials, who had fled the scene. Police men drafted to the scene shot sporadically into the air to disperse the protesters who had earlier vowed not to release the corpse to the police.

FG Maintains Policy of No-Bribes to Militants, as MEND Threatens Terror

The FG on Thursday said it would not review its policy prohibiting payment of ransom to the Niger Delta militants. The Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godsday Orubebe, had said no fund for budgeted for disbursement to the militants; reacting to the report that N200m made available to his office for onward transmission to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) was diverted, describing the report as blatant falsehood and wilful blackmail. Meanwhile, MEND has threatened to commence what it called an ‘unstoppable attack’ on major economic interests in the western fringe on the Niger Delta. MEND alleged a ‘divide and rule’ system by the government, was its reason.

Chevron to Implement Local Content

Chevron Nigeria Limited has expressed its readiness to implement the local content policy in the oil industry to raise the standard of living of people in the communities in the Niger Delta. The company’s Operations Manager, Mr. Austin Emeleobe, made the company’s stand known during a visit to a peace and tourist centre established by an Itsekiri youth leader and businessman, Mr. Ayiri Emami, in Ugborodo, Warri South West LGA of Delta State. He expressed the support of the company for the tourist centre and urged other youth leaders to emulate Emami by ploughing back part of their wealth into the development of their communities.

IYC Alleges Top Govt Officials, Military behind Kidnapping

The Ijaw Youth  Congress(IYC)  on Wednesday disclosed that Niger Delta is fast losing sympathy from the international community owing to the activities of kidnappers, just as it accused the Military and top government officials of partaking in kidnapping. Dr Felix Tuodolor, leader of the committee, revealed this during a visit to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, of Edo State. Governor Oshiomhole promised to support the IYC in its fight to stop criminality while promising to ensure that the Ijaws have visible representation in the oil producing communities' development body in the state.

Murder of Youth Leader Causes Outrage in Warri

The murder of a youth leader in Okirighwre Community in Sapele, Mr. Akpoaisi Ufuoma by yet to be identified assassins has thrown the community into violence. In a reprisal attack, youths loyal to the deceased took the battle to the enemy camp at Okirighwre area, where over 8 buildings and car were set ablaze, including properties belonging to innocent persons. The intervention by men of JTF however, brought the situation under control.

Policemen Replaced at Edo Govt House

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday, had all the policemen on security duty at the Edo State Government House replaced for reasons which the government security agencies have not disclosed. The spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, Mr. Peter Ogboi, confirmed this and said that the exercise was a routine that had nothing to do with official issues.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Business Woman Shot Dead in Church

A middle-aged woman and mother of four, Patricia Habeed, was penultimate Sunday shot dead inside the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Apapa Lagos. Patricia was standing beside a priest when two gunmen arrived on a motorcycle and shot her twice at a close range and quickly zoomed off. Eyewitnesses said that the gunmen demanded Patricia‘s handbag, a request she quickly obliged before she was shot. The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the incident and said three persons have been arrested, while investigations have begun.

Police Apprehend 2 Suspected Car Snatchers

Two suspected car snatchers have been arrested by police in Lagos. The suspects were nabbed by police detectives attached to the Apapa Division. While Okunmu has owned up to the crime, Nyika has denied ever involving in car snatching.

Police Arrest Counterfeit Currency Printer

A man in Lagos, Aniedu Udo, described as a specialist in printing and circulating fake currencies has been arrested. Three million, fifty thousand naira fake currencies were recovered from him. Udo confessed to making the fake naira notes. The suspect said he sold N100, 000 counterfeit currencies at the rate of N3, 000, (original money).

PDP Wins Ekiti in Guber Re-run

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the governorship rerun in Ekiti State, Mr. Segun Oni, was on Tuesday declared winner of the rerun in 63 wards across 10 LGAs of the state. But AC has rejected the declaration of Oni as the winner of the poll, saying it would challenge the results at the election tribunal.

Petrol Fires Razes Houses

Three children escaped from an inferno that razed two houses in Egbe, Lagos. The fire, which began at their residence started when one of the children attempted to light fire to cook, not knowing that their mother had kept fuel close by. The children were rescued by a neighbour. Though no life was lost, properties of tenants were completely destroyed.

Ex-Soldiers, Others Arrested for Robbery

Fiver persons including three ex-soldiers are currently in the custody of the Lagos State Police Command for their alleged involvement in armed robbery. The suspects were said to have been robbing Lagosians at gunpoint in military camouflage, while a sixth person was arrested at Ojo Military Barracks while attempting to buy a pistol from a soldier. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, said that the feat was achieved because of the cooperation of the police and sister security agencies in the state.

NDLEA Destroys Hemp Plantation in Osun

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Thursday, destroyed a 30-acre Indian hemp farm worth N40m in Osun State. The agency’s Chairman, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, and the state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Olusola Obada, witnessed the destruction of the Indian hemp in Osogbo. Giade decried drug abuse as he gave the estimated number of cannabis abusers in Africa at 42 million, disclosing that the continent accounts for 26 percent of global cannabis production.

Oyo Police to Adopt Home-made Bulletproof Vests

In its determination to stem the rising rate of crime wave in the state, the Oyo state Police Command has indicated plans to go into local production of bullet-proof vests to supplement imported ones which are costly and ill affordable. Head of the Command, Baba Adisa Bolanta, said local production of bullet proof vests would assist the men and officers of the command to attack frontally the menace of armed bandits in the state. He, however, disclosed that the local bullet-proof jackets were yet to be approved by the Inspector General of Police (IG).

Tanker Drivers Protest In Ilorin

Petroleum tanker drivers, Thursday, besieged the premises of the High Court Ilorin, Kwara State to protest alleged release on bail of eight pipeline vandals arrested by the joint patrol team of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The leader of the drivers, Malam AbdulGaniyu Abdullahi, lamented their release, saying that it has become a matter of urgency for the state government to arrest shortage of fuel supply despite the fact that the state has fuel depot, and to show that both IPMAN and NARTO are not vandals as being alleged by some groups.

GENERAL

FG Considers 2011 as New Flare-out Deadline

The Federal Government is considering December 31, 2011 as the new deadline for flaring gas associated with oil exploration in the country. Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Gas, Hon. Igo Aguma, who confirmed, said the new date was fixed at the instance of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Multinational oil companies could not meet the target of achieving zero flare out by the end of last year, notwithstanding the threat by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to sanction defaulters.

Lawyers Boycott Court over Removal of Judges’ Orderlies

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged all chapters of the Association in states where orderlies attached to judges were withdrawn, to withdraw their services from the courts until the orderlies are restored. The NBA President, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, NBA called for restoration of the orderlies, in view of critical role of the justice delivery sector, while questioning the intelligence, which informed  inclusion of justices in the list of persons to be denied police orderlies.

NAFDAC Impounds N315m Worth of Fake Products

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control says it has seized fake drugs and food products worth N315m. The Director-General of the agency, Dr. Paul Orhii, Wednesday, said that the products were impounded between May 1 and May 4, 2009 while their importers were trying to bring them into the country through land borders. According to him, the importers evaded mandatory checks by NAFDAC. The products included medicines, food and cosmetic products.

EFCC Arrests Senator, Trails Three Reps over N5bn Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday arrested the Senate Committee Chairman on Power, Mr. Nikolas Ugbane, over an alleged N5.2bn contract scam.The contract involved Rural Electrification Agency for which the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr. Aliyu Abdulahi, and the agency‘s Managing Director, Mr. Sam Gapke, were arrested on Tuesday. It was also disclosed that three members of the House of Representatives were also being trailed for the same scandal.

Youths Disrupt Operations at Shiroro Dam

Over 200 youths, Wednesday, converged at the gates leading to the Shiroro power generating plant, in Niger State to protest alleged insensitivity of the PHCN to the plight of their people. According to the spokesman of the protesters, Mallam Abubakar Erena, the communities that sacrificed their farmland and family homestead for the construction of the dam in 1982 have nothing to show for it, as they lack basic social amenities in the area, including electricity. The state Police command spokesperson, Mr. Richard Oguche, confirmed the incident.

Police to Establish Special Anti-Kidnap Squads

The police are to establish special squads in cities with very high cases of kidnapping, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, said on Wednesday. Okiro said though the crime had become a national issue, some cities were more vulnerable. He said that he had forwarded a bill to the National Assembly that would strengthen existing laws on kidnapping. Okiro said he had also forwarded a bill on the registration of mobile phone sim cards to the National Assembly for necessary action.

Spanish Government Deports 24 Nigerians

A total of 24 Nigerians deported from Spain arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Wednesday. The deportees included seven females and 17 males. Five of the deportees had committed criminal offences while 19 were deported due to various immigration offences committed by them.

Nigeria Has Capacity to Diagnose Swine Flu

The World Health Organisation has listed Nigeria as one of the countries with capacity to diagnose the ‘Influenza A’ infections in humans, although Nigeria does not have enough National Influenza Centres. WHO had changed the name of the new influenza virus hitherto called Swine Flu to Influenza 'A' last Thursday to avoid any misunderstanding of the nature of the influenza as it relates to pigs. There has been no reported case of the infection in Nigeria.

Sokoto Police Boss Raises Alarm over Assault on Girls

Outgoing Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Mamman Ibrahim Chafe, has deplored the growing rate of sexual assault on female children in the state, especially by nationals of Niger Republic, and called on parents and guardians to keep a close watch on their children and wards. The police boss also paraded a 24-year-old Niger national arrested for defiling a six-year-old. Chafe said the state police command had also recovered 283 arms for AK-47 rifles from a man and that investigation was going on to unravel the source and possible users of the arms.

NEMA Warns on Flood Disaster

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned the Federal Government of a possible flood disaster in some parts of Nigeria due to heavy rainfall, strong winds and increased blockage of water channels. The Director General of NEMA, Mohammed Audu-Bida said that the disasters which have started to occur in some communities may even become worse with the increase in the rain. He advised the people to prepare against the disasters by adopting preventive measures.

Reps Give Minister, Others 7-Day Ultimatum on Fuel Scarcity

The House of Representatives, Tuesday, gave the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Odein Ajumogobia, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo and the Managing Director of the PPMC, Reginald Stanley, a one-week ultimatum to resolve the lingering fuel scarcity in the country or resign their appointments. This is just as it has mandated all its sub-committees on petroleum matters to investigate the activities of major petroleum marketers and other stakeholders with a view to determine their role in the persistent scarcity of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) in the country.

Two Killed As Villagers, Cattle Rearers Clash

Two persons were reported killed and property worth thousands of naira destroyed in a renewed ethnic crisis between indigenes of Gwer West in Benue state and Fulani cattle settlers in the area. The owners of the farms had appealed to the Fulanis to stop grazing their cattle on their farms, but the herdsmen disregarded the plea and a fierce scuffle ensued. At a meeting convened by the head of the state Police Command, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, the warring parties agreed to sheathe their swords.

Two Brothers Drown in Kogi

The bodies of two brothers, Wisdom Mathew, 16, and Praise Mathew, 10, who drowned in the River Niger, penultimate Saturday, were recovered the following day by a team of marine policemen in Kogi State. Residents said Praise had gone to the river to clean up after a football match but he drowned, and Wisdom, in a bid to rescue his younger brother was swept away by strong waves.

Robbers Raid Jigawa Village, Kill One

A gang of 15 armed robbers stormed Balangu town in Kafin-Hausa LGA of Jigawa State at the weekend, killing one Alhaji Musa Dindi and injuring many others. The robbers launched house-to-house operation in the middle of the night, taking away undisclosed amounts of money. Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer, Abdul Jinjiri, said the police had not made any arrest yet.

Fake SSS Director Arrested in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Command of the State Security Service (SSS) has arrested a 49-year old man, Ahmed Usman Yarima, for impersonating the State Director of the State Security Services and extorting money worth millions of naira from top government officials in the state and other members of the public. The state Director of the SSS, Mr Bawali M. Iliyasu, said Yarima was arrested after he had succeeded in duping some top government officials in the state of various sums of money.

Thugs Set House Ablaze In Gombe

Unidentified persons over the weekend set a house ablaze at Tudunwada quarters of Gombe metropolis in justification of the protection of their faceless master. Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Kamba, confirmed the incident but said they were still investigating and that they would officially comment today

Nigerian Executed in China

The Federal Government at the weekend warned again of the dangerous consequences of trafficking in drugs, following the execution of a Nigerian, Mr. Chibuzor Vitus Ezekwem, in China for his alleged involvement in the illicit trade. Ezekwem was executed after a Chinese court found him guilty of trafficking in the banned substances. Hundreds of Nigerians are currently in Chinese jails for sundry offences. In China and most Asian countries drug trafficking carries the death sentence penalty.

Nigerian Earnings Lift Schlumberger’s Income

Nigerian operations raise the profit of oil service giant, Schlumberger, in the first three months of the year, wiping significant losses suffered by the company in other regions. In a first quarter declaration, the company stated that decreases in income it suffered in Europe were partially offset by improved activity in the Nigeria & Gulf of Guinea. It stated that revenue of $1.80 billion decreased 12 percent sequentially and 5 percent year-on-year. Pre-tax operating income of $467 million decreased 12 percent sequentially and 6 percent year-on-year.

Oil Rises Above $US53 a Barrel

Oil rose to a six-week high above $US53 a barrel amid a fresh influx of investment funds and hopes for a strong petrol demand. In a third day of gains, light, sweet crude for June delivery settled up $US2.08, or 4 per cent, at $US53.20, the highest price since March 26. Traders said the swing into May brought fresh funds into the market, especially in gasoline futures, ahead of the peak driving season. Petrol demand so far this year is virtually unchanged from a year earlier, while total US oil demand was down 6.8 per cent in the four weeks ended April 27, compared with last year.

Arms, Ammunition Missing At Customs – AG

The House of Representatives committee investigating activities of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday discovered that 55 AK-47 riffles valued at N11. 852 million and other arms and ammunition could not be accounted for in 2005 by the NCS. This is just as it has been revealed that the federal government of Nigeria lost over N15.7 billion of revenue from temporary importations at the Lagos Ports in 2007. These revelations were contained in the report of the auditor general of the federation on the Nigeria Customs Service for the period from January 2000 to December 2008.

Labour Mobilises for Nationwide Protest

Members of organised labour unions have begun mobilising workers towards the May 13 protest to mount pressure on government for a new minimum wage, full implementation of recommendations of the electoral reforms, resist the policy of deregulation and privatisation of the oil industry among others. But the Federal Government quickly yielded to them by raising the minimum wage to N52, 000. Minister of Labour and Productivity, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, said government had approved the setting up of a committee to consider the issue.

INTERNATIONAL

14 Somali Pirates Captured

Fourteen suspected Somali pirates were, penultimate Sunday, have been captured in separate operations by a French frigate and the Seychelles coast guard. French commandos on the frigate Nivose caught 11 suspects some 900 kms off the Somali coast, and alerted the Seychelles authorities to help them capture the other three.  Somali pirates are currently holding nearly 20 ships for ransom.

Farmers, Police Clash over Slaughtering of Pigs in Egypt

Egyptian pig farmers, penultimate Sunday, clashed with the police in Cairo, as they tried to stop their animals being slaughtered. Hundreds of people at the Manshiyat Nasr slum threw stones and bottles at police who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. The government wants to cull all the nation‘s pigs, a move UN experts say is not necessary to prevent swine flu. Egypt‘s pigs mostly belong to the Coptic Christian minority who said the cull had reignited religious tensions.

Human Rights Group Protest Iran Execution

Human rights groups have protested against the execution on Friday of a young Iranian woman for a murder committed when she was 17 years old. Amnesty International said it was outraged by Delara Darabi‘s hanging and that she did not get a fair trial. The head of Iran‘s judiciary had recently granted a two-month stay of execution but her lawyer said this was disregarded by the prison authorities. Ever since her confession, Darabi, an artist, had said she was innocent. She said she had taken the blame to save her boyfriend. Amnesty‘s deputy chief for the Middle East and North Africa, said that the execution was a cynical move to avoid international protests

US Soldiers Killed in Iraq

A man wearing an Iraqi army uniform has shot dead two US soldiers and injured three others in a military base south of Mosul. The US army said the man was also killed in the incident. But Iraqi military reports said he was a soldier also working as an Imam at a mosque on the base. No motive was given for the attack but Mosul is seen as the last remaining urban stronghold of al-Qaeda in Iraq.

US Urges Calm in Yemeni Clashes

Three people were killed on Sunday in clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters in southern Yemen, where separatist sentiment is strong, officials and witnesses said. The clashes, which have persisted for several days, prompted a rare call by the United States for an end to the violence. Neighbouring Saudi Arabia fears instability in Yemen could allow it to become a launchpad for a revival of a 2003-2006 campaign by al Qaeda militants to topple the US-allied ruling Al Saud family. Officials said opposition groups killed two civilians and wounded 20 in protests. A member of the opposition party said locals were defending themselves from government shelling of villages and farmland.

16 Killed in Afghanistan

A bomb exploded outside an Afghan police headquarters on Sunday, killing four civilians including two children, officials said. The officials also reported that a dozen militants were killed in a joint US-Afghan operation. Afghan defence ministry confirmed that 19 militants killed on Friday and Saturday were linked to an attack on an outpost in remote north eastern Kunar province that left 10 dead, including US and Latvian troops. The Taliban, who were in government between 1996 and 2001, warned last week they would step up ambushes, suicide attacks and bombings in a new operation.

Somali Pirates Seize German Ship, Dutch Ship and Chase US Ship

Somali pirates, Tuesday, hijacked a German cargo ship carrying 10 crew members in the Gulf of Aden, officials said on Wednesday. A spokesman for the Bahrain-based US 5th Fleet, Lt. Nate Christensen, said they had no information on the condition of the 10 Romanian crew members. At least 19 ships are now being held by Somali pirates and about 250 sailors from countries around the world being held hostage by Somali pirates. The pirates struck again on Thursday, seizing a small Dutch vessel. The crew between 8 and 18 members are reported to be safe, according to Andrew Mwangura, of the East African Seafarers Assistance Programme. In a separate incident the US Navy reported that the pirates had fired at one of its supply ships, but the vessel outran the two pirate skiffs.

Parts of California, Arizona Burn with Wildfires

A wildfire stoked by heavy winds, high temperatures and low humidity burned high-end homes Wednesday in the foothills of Santa Barbara County, California. The fire, which started Tuesday, had engulfed about 200 acres by Wednesday evening. Fire officials on Wednesday would not confirm any structural damage.

Taliban Hold Civilians in Pakistani War Zone

Civilians have been prevented from fleeing a Pakistani valley by Taliban militants who blocked roads with rocks and trees, as the army stepped up a ground and air assault on the guerrillas. Destabilising violence is flaring in Pakistan just as its embattled president is appealing in Washington for more help to reverse the extension of Taliban-held territory to within 60 miles (100 kilometres) of the capital. The U.S. is particularly concerned by the unrest because its troops are fighting an increasingly virulent insurgency in Afghanistan fed from militant havens in Pakistan's lawless border area.

Death Toll in India Heat Wave Rise to 22

The death-toll from sunstroke has risen to at least 22 in eastern India although the grueling heat wave sweeping across many parts of the country is abating, authorities said. Snehlata Bhuyan, deputy secretary with Orissa state's disaster management department, said the authorities have investigated 92 deaths suspected to have occurred from sunstroke since the middle of March.

29 Killed in Kashmir Bus Crash

A passenger bus tumbled into the Chenab River in Indian-administered Kashmir's hilly Kishtwar district Monday morning, killing at least 29 people and injuring nine others, authorities said. One person was unaccounted for, according to Haseeb Mughal, area superintendent of police. The bus was on its way from Kishtwar to the nearby village of Palmar when the driver lost control.

Israel Faults Report on Gaza Assault

Authorities in Israel on Tuesday blasted a United Nations (UN) report on the country's three-week war on Gaza that was submitted to the Security Council, calling it patently biased and misleading. The report said the Israeli military intentionally fired at UN facilities and civilians during the massive offensive in December-January against Hamas. The foreign ministry said that despite Israel cooperating fully with the committee and presenting it with various intelligence materials, "none of this information is reflected in the report."

Eight Detained over Turkey Wedding Killing

Turkish security forces have detained eight gunmen suspected of fatally shooting 44 people, including the couple at an engagement ceremony in a Bilge village, south-east of the country. Interior Minister Besir Atalay said masked assailants with automatic weapons attacked the celebration Monday night in what appeared to be the result of a family feud. Two girls survived after the bodies of slain friends fell on top of them. Turkey has struggled over how to trim the 70,000-strong village guard force without releasing masses of trained fighters onto the streets.

NATO, Afghan Forces Battle Insurgents after Executions

Government forces backed by Western warplanes on Tuesday battled insurgents in western Afghanistan after Taliban fighters publicly executed three former government employees. Fighting in Farah province, a vast desert area near Iran began on Monday after the Taliban publicly executed the three ex-government employees to punish them for cooperating with the state, provincial governor Rohul Amin said. The head of public health and hospitals in Farah province, Abdul Jabar Shayeq, said 11 civilians and three policemen had been admitted to hospital with wounds from the fighting.

Algeria, Mali Mobilise Against Al-Qaeda

Algeria has begun sending military equipment to Mali in preparation for a joint operation against Islamic militants linked to al-Qaeda. According to reports, the aid includes fuel, weapons and sleeping bags. Malian President, Amadou Toumani Toure, has called for regional co-operation to deal with al-Qaeda linked groups. A group called al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has threatened to kill a British hostage, believed to be held somewhere in the Sahara region, on May 15 unless the UK frees a detained Jordanian Islamist, and has been waging a campaign of bombings and shootings along Algeria‘s Mediterranean coast.

Zimbabwean Rights Activist, 14 Others Regain Freedom

A top rights activist and 14 others were ordered freed on bail on Wednesday after Zimbabwe‘s president and prime minister forced a judge to reverse her decision to send them back to the prison. Harare Magistrate, Catherine Chimanda, ignited international outrage on Tuesday by revoking bail for human rights advocate, Jestina Mukoko and 17 others. The terror charges have been widely denounced as baseless. She refused, however, to free three others she had ordered returned to prison saying their case was more serious because they had allegedly been found with explosives.

US Strikes Kill Civilians in Afghanistan

United States air strikes in Afghanistan on Tuesday killed dozens of civilians including women and children, officials from the Red Cross have said. Afghan officials in Farah province, in the west of Afghanistan, said on Wednesday that as many as 100 civilians were said to have been hit while sheltering from fighting. Afghan, President Hamid Karzai, has ordered an investigation.

18 Killed in Brazil Flooding

At least 18 people have died in heavy flooding across 11 states in northern and north eastern Brazil. In Maranhao, 22,000 people have been left homeless and 25,000 had to flee their homes, authorities said. Forty-two municipalities in the state have declared a state of emergency.

10 Die in Iraqi Explosions

An explosion at a vegetable market in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Wednesday killed at least 10 people, officials said. More then 30 others were wounded in the attack. A series of deadly bomb attacks has struck Baghdad in recent weeks, killing 355 Iraqis in April and making it the bloodiest month so far this year.