Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 22

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Catholic Priest Arrested for Alleged Kidnapping

The police in Nsukka have arrested a Catholic priest for allegedly kidnapping a woman and demanding N4m ransom. The husband of the woman, Chief Reminus Okenyi, claimed to have received a telephone call and he was asked if he had any problem with the priest who was his cousin. The priest was arrested at the police station where he came to drop a petition for the Inspector-General of Police. A police source said the suspect had confessed to the crime and also gave useful information that aided the rescue of the kidnapped woman.

Calm Returns to Owerri Prison after Jailbreak

Calm had on Sunday been restored to Owerri Federal Prisons after a combined team of soldiers, policemen, and operatives from the State Security Service and prison officials foiled a jailbreak attempt by some inmates. The prison reportedly erupted in chaos when inmates violently tried to escape from their cells penultimate Friday. Some of the inmates, who had reached the gates in a bid to escape, tried to make u-turn when confronted by the presence of the heavily armed security operatives but were hit by bullets. A source said that over 15 inmates were killed during the outrage.

Akpabio Challenges Agitators to Rise against Crimine in N’Delta

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, on Monday called on agitators in the Niger Delta to carry out internal cleansing by flushing out the criminal elements who had hijacked the genuine struggle for resource control in the region. Akpabio noted that the resort to kidnappings and killings by some militant gangs did not portray the struggle as genuine.

Court Stops RSG from Enforcing Anti-Cult Law

A Port Harcourt High Court, presided by Justice P.N.C. Agimagu, on Monday restrained the Rivers State Government from enforcing the anti-cult law passed by the state House of Assembly in 2004. Known as the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2004 of Rivers State, the law had listed names of groups considered as secret cults and prohibited them from operating in the area. Delivering judgment in a suit flied by the National Association of Seadogs, which challenged its inclusion and prohibition under the law, the court held that the Assembly lacked powers to ban a legally registered body. It also voided the inclusion of the NAS as a secret cult and set aside its prohibition under the anti-cult law.

Shell Faces Trial over Military Execution of Nigerian Activist

Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell went on trial, Thursday, for alleged complicity in the 1995 execution of a Nigerian environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa. The company is accused of asking Nigeria's military dictatorship under late Gen. Sani Abacha to silence Saro-Wiwa who campaigned against environmental damage caused by oil extraction. Saro-Wiwa and eight others were executed on November 10, 1995, after a military tribunal convicted them on what were widely viewed as trumped-up charges of murdering four political rivals. Shell strongly denies the charges brought by relatives of Mr Saro-Wiwa and other victims of Nigeria's military dictatorship. If liable, Shell could face damages amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Gunmen Kill Former Council Chairman in Awka

A former Chairman of Awka South LGA of Anambra State, Mr. Chukwudi Okafor, was on Tuesday night shot dead by unidentified gunmen. The state police commissioner, Mr. Amusa Bello, who confirmed the incident, said that the gunmen could have been kidnappers who attempted to kidnap the deceased but killed him when he resisted them.  He, however, said a manhunt had commenced for the killers.

Three Dead in Rivers Cult Clash

About three persons were killed with two houses torched and several other persons injured when rival cult groups unleashed terror on Obelle Community in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State on Wednesday and lasted until security operatives arrived at the area and chased the hoodlums away. He said the community had been under tension for some days following the simmering hostility between two rival groups trying to dominate the area.

Lawmaker Escapes Kidnap as Gunmen Kill Police Orderly

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe escaped being kidnapped on Sunday night, but his Police orderly was not as lucky, as he was shot dead by the assailants. Abaribe said the suspected kidnappers, ambushed his convoy on his way back from a meeting in Aba. Abaribe said the late police orderly succeeded in killing one of the kidnappers during the cross fire before he was hit by gunshots from the attackers. He later died from gun shot wounds.

Bayelsa Police Boss Escapes Assassination, Kills Militant Leader

The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Onuoha Udeka on Tuesday escaped assassination when a notorious militant leader, Ken Niweigha, opened fire on him at Odi in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA. Ken was the leader of a group who killed 12 policemen in 1999, triggering the invasion of Odi Community by the military. Ken and his gang were however, arrested by security operatives and detained at Port Harcourt Prisons, Rivers State, they broke jail and escaped. The Bayelsa State Police Command yesterday, however, rounded up Ken and three of his gang members at Odi but Ken was been reported killed on Wednesday, with the police alleging another ambush by men who had gone to rescue him

Kidnapped Bank MD's Father, Lecturer Regain Freedom

Chief Kelvin Nwosu, the kidnapped father of Chief Okey Nwosu, the Managing Director of FinBank, and a lecturer at the Imo State University, Dr Edward Agulanna, have regained their freedom. The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Aloysius Okorie, said that both of them were released penultimate Thursday. Nwosu's father was said to have been kidnapped on his way to church at Ihite- Owerri in the Orlu local council area of Imo, while Agulanna was abducted at Obetiti-Nguru in the Aboh- Mbaise council area. One of the kidnappers was arrested.

Eni Lifts Force Majeure on Brass Export

Italian oil giant, Eni, lifted the force majeure it declared on its Brass River export terminal in Brass Island in Bayelsa State. Eni declared the force majeure, which affected the company's equity production by about 52,000 barrels per day, on May 20, 2009.

Four Killed as Barcelona FC Fans Celebrate

A bus driver in Ogbo, Ahoada, Rivers State, said to be a fan of Manchester United Football Club, rammed his bus into a crowd of jubilant Barcelona Football Club fans and killed four persons, after Barcelona beat Manchester United 2-0 in the finals of the European Champions on Wednesday. He also injured 12 persons. Police spokesperson, Mrs. Rita Inoma-Abbey, said the culprit, Daniel Uzor, had been arrested, and has confessed to doing it intentionally. This is the third similar incident in the state in recent times surrounding English club sides.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

JTF Opens Waterways for Relief Materials

The Maritime Component Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Commodore Azubuike Ajuonu, said the military would not shift its position in its search and rescue operation until the missing officers and men of the Nigerian Army abducted by the militants about two weeks ago were located. Twelve soldiers are still said to be missing in the wake of hostilities between the militants and JTF. Meanwhile, JTF has relaxed the closure of some waterways in the state in order to allow unhindered passage of supplies to communities as well as offshore oil and gas workers.

Warri Naval Base Attacked
…as Youths Threaten to Halt River Niger dredging

Unless the war in the Niger Delta region is stopped, youths in the area have threatened to disrupt the proposed dredging of River Niger. The youths are angry with the military Joint Task Force (JTF’s) onslaught on some Ijaw communities in the Niger Delta region, which has claimed many lives and valuables. Meanwhile, fresh hostility between soldiers and militants in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West LGA of Delta State, broke out at the weekend in Warri. The militants attacked the naval platform while the military raided some Ijaw communities in the coastal areas of the Niger Delta. JTF’s spokesman, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, confirmed.

JTF Alleges Militant Attack on Total Oil Facility, MEND Disagrees

The Joint Task Force (JTF) on Tuesday claimed to have repelled an attempt by some gunmen to attack Total's Amenam field oil drilling platform. But the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said there was no attempted attack, accusing the navy and the oil industry of being paranoid. Total's spokesperson, Mr. Fred Ohwahwa, said that some persons in speedboats approached the facility but were repelled by security men.

JTF Destroys Another Militants' Camp In Delta State

The Joint Task Force (JTF) Media Coordinator, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, disclosed on Tuesday that one of the bases the militant leader, Tompolo, used as a second Observation Camp in Warri has been destroyed. He said Camp 2 was discovered with a house boat hidden inside a dredged creek in between Okerenkoko and Jones creek village and must have been used as emergency treatment area for wounded militants.

Delta State Tops Illegal Oil Bunkering – JTF Commander

The Commander, Joint Military Task Force (JTF) Major General Sarki Yarki Bello says that Delta State has the highest incident of illegal Oil bunkering in Nigeria saying that Bunkering in the Warri axis was unique in terms of other Niger Delta region. General Bello said that illegal bunkering strives in Delta State due to the collaboration of foreigners and that from the debriefing of kidnap expatriates, the JTF have enough evidence and document on this.

N‘Delta: JTF Raises Alarm over Fresh Arms Acquisition

The Joint Task Force (JTF) on Wednesday raised the alarm that the militants were re-grouping and stockpiling arms in furtherance of their criminal activities in the region. The JTF said that all the militant camps in the state would have been uncovered and effectively taken over by the JTF by Wednesday evening.

Arewa Supports Military Operations in N’Delta

The Arewa Consultative Forum has thrown its weight behind the ongoing military operations against militants in the Niger Delta. Rising from a meeting of its National Working Committee in Kaduna on Wednesday, the ACF said the operations were the appropriate response any responsible government would take to restore law and order in the area. It, therefore, appealed for the understanding of all Nigerians to the “collateral damage” arising from the onslaught by the Joint Task Force, otherwise known as Operation Restore Hope.

JTF Didn’t Raze Ijaw Communities -NEMA, Red Cross

Officials of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society have said they did not find evidence of communities that were totally razed by Joint Military Task Force (JTF), in the Niger-Delta. Although they agreed that a number of houses had been torched in the communities visited, they claimed that there was no evidence of large-scale destruction of residential buildings as reported in some newspapers, they said.

Kidnapped Delta Lawmaker Regains Freedom

The alleged kidnappers of Chief Monday Ovbigho Igbuya, member Delta State House of Assembly, who had demanded for N100 million as ransom for his release, have set him free, after an alleged payment of N15m. Police authorities denied knowledge of the ransom payment. The lawmaker was said to have gone to out in the company of his security aides to inspect his on going private project when the kidnappers struck.

18 Soldiers Feared Dead, Eight others Injured in Military Onslaught

The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, on Monday, said that 18 of its men have been missing since its onslaught against militants in the Niger Delta began on May 13, 2009. The Commander of the task force, Maj.-Gen. Sarkin-Yarki Bello, explained that a Lieutenant and 10 soldiers went missing on May 13, while the whereabouts of another Lieutenant and five others had remained unknown since May 15. He vowed that the operation would continue until all the militant camps in Delta State were destroyed and the missing soldiers found alive or dead.

Militants Blow up Chevron Pipeline

As the onslaught by the Joint Task Force (JTF) against militants in the Niger Delta continued, the militants have blown up an oil facility belonging to Chevron. The JTF, Monday, confirmed the attack on Chevron pipeline in Abiteye in Warri South-west LGA of Delta State. Claiming responsibility for the attack, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), said that it had sabotaged pipelines to flow stations at Alero Creek, Otunana, Abiteye, Makaraba and Dibi feeding a Chevron facility. The group warned that its target is to ensure that Nigeria’s oil export ceases completely.

NNPC Denies MEND’s Attack

It was also some cherry news from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as it denied claims by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) that its attack on the Chanomi Creek pipeline had disrupted the operation of the 125,000 barrels per day Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC).

NGO Drags FG to UN over Military Action in Delta

A human rights non-governmental organization, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has petitioned the United Nations (UN) over the festering crisis in the Niger Delta and the military action taken against the militants by the Federal Government. The group said the serious human rights violations may amount to crimes against humanity as articulated in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, to which Nigeria is party. Counsel to Serap, Mr. Femi Falana, urged the UN to "urgently facilitate a special session of the Human Rights Council to address the human rights situation in Niger Delta in the context of the on-going conflict. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Dimeji Bankole and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, endorsed the ongoing military campaign to rid the Niger Delta of criminal elements operating in the region.

Senate, CDS, Service Chiefs Meet over Military Operation

The Senate Committee on Defence and Army on Monday met with the military high command over the ongoing operation against militants in the Niger Delta. The military team was led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike. The CDS and the service chiefs also gave the committee details of security and operational reports, challenges and suggestions on the way forward.

UK Urges Citizens to Quit Niger Delta

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the United Kingdom Government has said the Niger Delta is still a hot bed of armed attacks, which its nationals should not visit. In an on-line statement yesterday, the British government claimed that there is a high risk of kidnappings and other armed attacks in the Niger Delta to ships and oil rigs at sea off the coast of Delta State, where soldiers and militants are locked in battle.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Lagos Warns over Imminent Flooding

The Lagos State government on Monday raised alarm of imminent flooding along the Ogun-Osun River Basin following emergency release of water from the Oyan Dam. The state has asked residents and owners of property along the banks and flood plains of the Ogun River and all its tributaries within its basin in Lagos State to take more precautionary measures in all their activities because of the expected rise in water level around the areas. Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, who spoke in his office said the release of water from the dam became imperative due increase in the water level of Oyan Dam following the heavy downpour in the last few weeks.

27 Convicted Soldiers Denied Food, Legal Access -Counsel

A member of the legal team for the 27 soldiers who were convicted by a Special Court Martial in Akure, Ondo State last month, Mr. Adonu Peters, has alleged that the convicts were not being fed by the army authorities. The court martial had found the soldiers guilty of mutiny for participating in a peaceful protest while demanding payment of their allowances during the peace-keeping mission in Liberia. Peters described the action “as a subtle plan to frustrate the convicted soldiers from appealing the judgment handed to them by the court-martial”. However, an Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, at 2 Division, Lt. Col. Andrew Idachaba, said none of the convicted soldiers’ lawyers or family members had applied to the army seeking permission to see the convicts.

Father Detained for Tying -up 12-year-old

A man, Kehinde Adebusoye, has been detained by the police for tying up the man’s 12-year-old son, Israel Adebusoye for 48 hours. Both legs and hands of Israel were swollen with the strong ropes used in tying him, leaving blood-stained deep cuts. Kehinde confessed that he tied the boy‘s hands and legs before he was rescued by policemen attached to Igando Division. The victim’s stepmother was also arrested.

3 Die as Police, Robbers Clash in Lagos

A policeman and two suspected robbers were on Monday killed in Lagos State in a gun battle between policemen and robbers. A gang of 12 armed men had invaded Tohan Fishery in Amuwo Odofin LGA of the state, where they were alleged to have made away with about N900, 000 before they were confronted by policemen. An AK-49 riffle and 12 AK-49 magazines were recovered from the robber while others escaped.

Awosika: Sanction Lagos CP, Court Tells NBA

The coroner court sitting at Tapa magistrate’s court, Lagos has urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to sanction the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, Mr Marvel Akpoyibo for flouting court orders. The coroner, Chief Magistrate Philips Ojo, made the request at the weekend when he resumed hearing of an inquest into the circumstances that led to the death of Modebayo Awosika, a manager with First Bank of Nigeria Plc who was murdered at the Lekki area of the city on September 30, 2008. Ojo had on two occasions ordered the Lagos CP to produce the policeman who was alleged to have shot the late Awosika or in the alternative furnish the court with necessary documents of the suspect but the orders were ignored.

14-Year-Old Student Kills Colleague

A 14-year-old secondary school student, penultimate Friday killed his colleague during a fight at Olodi-Apapa in Lagos. Sympathisers at the scene were said to have rushed the boy to Ajeromi General Hospital for medical attention, but the doctors confirmed him dead. Spokesman for the police in Lagos, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the incident and said the police had arrested the culprit and he was still being kept in police custody until the outcome of an investigation into the case.

GENERAL

Meltdown may Worsen Violence Against Children — UNICEF

The United Nations International Children‘s Fund has said that the current economic meltdown may worsen violence and sexual exploitation of children. The global body which stated this on Tuesday in a statement to mark the 2009 Children‘s Day, called for vigilance to stem child abuse and protect children‘s rights. UNICEF said this as the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Salamatu Suleiman, called for stiffer penalties for those found guilty of defiling children.

Four Dead In Zaria Riot

Four persons were feared killed yesterday in Zaria, Kaduna State, following a demonstration staged by some youths of Muchiya and Chikaji areas of the city over the epileptic power supply in the areas by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria. Twenty people were said to have sustained injuries and minor gunshots in the fracas, while about 66 persons were arrested. The Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Tambari Yabo Muhammad, who had confirmed the occurrence of the clash, reportedly denied any report of death as a result of the demonstration.

Nigeria's Foreign Reserves Drop -CBN

Nigeria’s country's foreign reserves dropped from $48 billion in April to $45 billion last weekend, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo. Soludo also explained that the country's current foreign exchange regime has remained stable, with a bright outlook. Soludo said the fluctuation in the international price of crude oil and the country's inability to meet the quota of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) due to the unrest in the Niger Delta, have also affected the foreign reserve.

Judge Remands Transcorp Directors in Prison over N15bn Scam

An Abuja High Court on Wednesday remanded the Group Managing Director of the Transnational Corporation (TRANSCORP) of Nigeria Plc, Tom Iseghohi, the Deputy General Manager, Mike Okoli and the Company’s Secretary and Legal Adviser, Mohammed Buba in Kuje Prison. Justice Anwuli Chikere had remanded the accused, following their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a 32-count charge of alleged N15bn contract scam. The accused pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charges were read to them.

2 killed in Airforce Plane Crash

A two-passenger aircraft belonging to Nigeria Air Force (NAF) crashed on Thursday in Kaduna, killing a Group Captain and a Flying Officer. The aircraft which is known as Air Beetle is a training airplane which is regularly used by the NAF and it crashed during training in a place located between Jaji and Kachia.

Yar’Adua Stresses Relevance of Armed Forces

President Yar’Adua has commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their role in sustaining the nation's democracy, describing them as critical partners in the nation’s quest for the entrenchment and strengthening of democratic ideals, institutions and structures. Yar’Adua said the ongoing transformation and re-professionalisation of the Armed Forces is aimed at having a military committed to their constitutional duties of defending and protecting the sovereignty of Nigeria and stated that it was gratifying to note that the nation’s Armed Services have been critical partners over the last 10 years in the quest for the entrenchment and strengthening of democratic ideals.

Yar’Adua Offers Amnesty to Militants, as Nigeria Marks 10 years of Democracy

President Yar’Adua has urged militants in the Niger Delta to embrace his amnesty offer and join hands with the government to develop the region for the benefit of its people. Yar’Adua, in his speech to commemorate a decade of democracy in Nigeria, said his government had continued to work for peace and security in the Niger Delta.

Police Kill Suspected Robbers, Arrest Arms Dealers in Taraba

Three suspected armed robbers were ion Tuesday killed during a gun battle with the police in Yola, Adamawa state. According to the state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Aliyu Musa, the dead were members of a five-man armed robbery gang, who met their waterloo while trying to escape with the money and a Honda Civic car, which they robbed. The police also arrested a notorious arms dealer in the state, known as Mohammed Abubakar. Weapons recovered from him are one machine gun with 55 rounds of ammunition, one general purpose machine gun, one rocket propeller machine gun, one machine gun, and two rocket launchers.

Gombe Files N591 billion Suit against Tobacco Companies

The Gombe State government has dragged five tobacco companies before the Gombe State High Court on charges that they have been targeting minors with their products in the state in the last 20 years with a view to making them addicts. The state government is demanding N591 billion from British American Tobacco (Nigeria) Ltd, International Tobacco Limited, British America Tobacco Plc, British America Tobacco (Investment) Ltd, and Philip Morris International. The case has been adjourned to July 2, 2009 to allow the plaintiff serve all the parties in the suit.

Nigerian Minister Tasks ECOWAS on Human Trafficking

Nigeria has charged Member-States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to rev up action in the region's war against human trafficking. Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ojo Maduekwe, gave the charge on Tuesday as he argued that that it is only when the efforts of all countries that constitute sources of origin and destination operate at the same low tolerance level that the fight would have any meaningful impact on the socio-economic wellbeing of the sub-region.

Oil Price Hits $63

Crude oil prices hit a six-month high above $63 a barrel last week. This is coming as top producer Saudi Arabia said the global economy had strengthened enough to cope with oil at $75 to $80 a barrel.

INTERNATIONAL

South Korea Mourns ex-president

Tens of thousands of South Koreans, penultimate Sunday streamed to a rural village to pay their last respects to former President Roh Moo-hyun a day after he allegedly killed himself by jumping off a rocky cliff. Roh, who relied on luck and hard work to rise from his impoverished youth in rural Gimhae to become leader of the nation, left behind a note describing his suffering over corruption allegations, just 15 months after he left office. World leaders offered condolences to Roh's family.

Pakistani Troops Reclaims More Areas from Taliban

Amid intense fighting with the Taliban, Pakistani troops have captured several points in the Swat Valley's main town, including a spot nicknamed "bloody intersection" where militants dumped the mutilated bodies of their victims. Elsewhere in the northwest, helicopter gunships pounded alleged militant hide-outs in a tribal region, killing at least 18 people, while police said they had captured an important militant commander and six other Taliban fighters. The operation in Swat has strong support from the United States.

Sri Lanka Rejects Full Access to Tamil Refugee Camps

President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka has rejected a call by the United Nations (UN) secretary-general to lift restrictions on aid delivery to overcrowded displacement camps, saying the army must first finish screening the hundreds of thousands of Tamil refugees. The president reiterated his plan to resurrect a long-dormant 13th constitutional amendment, which would strengthen provincial administrations and allow a greater degree of autonomy to ethnic Tamil majority regions. The amendment was part of an Indian-brokered peace deal in 1987, but the rebels rejected the offer saying the powers it gave were inadequate.

UN Condemns North Korea Nulear Test

The U.N. Security Council has condemned North Korea's nuclear test on Monday as "a clear violation" of a 2006 resolution and said it will start work immediately on another one that could result in new sanctions against the reclusive nation. North Korea’s closest allies, China and Russia, joined Western powers and representatives from the rest of the world to voice strong opposition to the underground explosion. The council, after an emergency meeting, demanded that North Korea abide by two previous resolutions, which among other things called for it to abandon all nuclear weapons and return to six-party talks aimed at eliminating its nuclear program.

Iran Sends Warships to Gulf of Aden

Iran has sent six warships to international waters, including the Gulf of Aden, to show its ability to confront any foreign threats, its naval commander said on Monday. Admiral Habibollah Sayyari made the announcement five days after Iran said it test-fired a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 2,000 km, putting Israel and US bases in the area within reach. Iran has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 40 per cent of the world’s traded oil is shipped, if it were attacked over its nuclear programme.

North Korea: No Longer Bound By 1953 Truce

North Korea threatened military action Wednesday after South Korea joined a U.S-led effort to limit the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction. South Korea said Monday that it was joining the 6-year-old Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) because of "the grave threat WMD and missile proliferation is posing to global peace," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young. North Korea also announced it was no longer bound by the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War. In addition to its nuclear test, North Korea has fired five short-range missiles.

White Tiger Kills Zoo Keeper

A white tiger mauled a zookeeper to death at a New Zealand wildlife park, Wednesday, police say. Two zookeepers had gone in to clean an enclosure at the park, when one of two white tigers inside lunged at a keeper, said Sarah Kennett of Northland Police. The second keeper and other zoo staff tried to pull the tiger off the man but failed. He died shortly after, Kennett said. The tiger was put down, the park said. The Zion Wildlife Gardens is home to several endangered tigers and lions.

Cyclone Kills 168 in Bangladesh, India

Over 168 people have been killed by a cyclone that ripped through Bangladesh and eastern India, officials and local media said on Tuesday, while millions remained marooned by floodwaters or living in shelters. Cyclone Aila slammed into parts of coastal Bangladesh and eastern India on Monday, triggering tidal surges and flooding that forced half a million people from their homes. Officials in Bangladesh moved about 500,000 people to temporary shelters after they left their homes to escape huge tidal waves churned by winds up to 100 kph. The toll was expected to rise in both countries as rescue workers reached cut-off areas.

Rioting in Punjab

Riots broke out across the Indian state of Punjab after a Sikh guru was killed by a rival group in Austria on Monday in Vienna. Thousands of Sikhs took to the streets, clashing with police and setting fire to buildings, vehicles and a train. At least one man was killed, police said. A curfew is in force there and other parts of Punjab. However thousands of protesters carrying swords, steel rods and sticks defied the curfew on Monday. Police said they had fired at rioting mobs in Jalandhar, after coming under attack.

Somali Pirates Renounce Piracy

About 200 Somali pirates are reported to have reportedly renounced piracy at a meeting in northern Somalia. Members of the group met local leaders and Somali expatriates, and promised to halt their activities. Pirate representative, Abshir Abdullah, has urged other groups to free ships in return for amnesty. Pirates have been coming under pressure from local leaders, who have accused them of corrupting their communities.

WHO Confirms 12,515 Flu Cases, 91 Deaths

Latest update on the Influenza A H1N1 released on Monday by the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicated that as of May 25, 2009, 46 countries have officially reported 12,515 cases of Influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 91 deaths. The update also showed that the H1N1 flu strain has spread to Taiwan, Kuwait, Iceland, Switzerland and Honduras, but with still few deaths outside of Mexico.

Car Bombing Kills about 30 in Pakistan

Gunmen, Wednesday, detonated a car bomb near police and intelligence agency offices in eastern Pakistan, killing about 30 people and wounding at least 250. Attackers with rifles opened fire on the intelligence agency building in the city of Lahore, then set off a massive blast when security guards returned fire, officials said. Interior Minister Rehman Malik suggested the attack could be retaliation for the military offensive to rout the Taliban militants. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing. Police said two suspects were detained.

Sudan Claims 119 Suspects Killed in Israeli Arms Raids

Sudan's defence minister has said air raids earlier this year, which the government suspects Israel conducted, killed 119 people involved in a smuggling ring. Sudanese Defence Minister, Gen. Abdul-Rahim Hussein, said that the air strikes in January and February killed 56 smugglers and 63 people they were trying to transport across the border to Egypt, including Somali and Ethiopian migrants. Media reports have said the attacks targeted convoys smuggling weapons from Sudan to Egypt en route to Hamas-ruled Gaza. Sudanese officials have previously confirmed the strikes took place and said they suspected Israel was behind them. But they have denied there were weapons in the convoys.

Four Die as Quake Rocks Honduras, Belize

A strong earthquake on Thursday killed four people as it collapsed homes in Honduras and Belize. The reported magnitude-7.1 quake struck the relatively shallow depth of six miles (10 kilometres), according to the U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colorado. The epicentre was 80 miles (130 kilometres) northeast of La Ceiba, Honduras. Four people died after a house collapsed in Pineda de la Lima, 120 miles (200 kilometres) north of the capital, Tegucigalpa.

Israel Rebuffs U.S. Call for Complete Settlement Freeze

In defiance to United States (U.S.) call for total freeze, Israel has promised to press ahead with housing construction in West Bank settlements. United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said on Wednesday that the US wants a halt to all settlement construction - including natural growth. The new conflict with Washington comes on the day President Barack Obama is meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House. Abbas has said the Palestinian demand for freezing settlements will be at the top of his agenda in the talks.