Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 29

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Panic In Bayelsa Over Attack On Agip Flow Station

Panic and palpable fear of military action, Thursday, gripped the town of Tebidaba in the Southern Ijaw area of Bayelsa State. This followed attack on oil pipeline operated by Italian company, Eni Oil for Agip Flow Station, by armed youths suspected to be indigenes of the community, which later resulted into a heavy explosion.

Security Men Launch Manhunt For Abductors Of Two German Workers

The security agencies at the weekend intensified efforts to track down the kidnappers of two German construction workers. Gunmen kidnapped two Germans working for Julius Berger penultimate Friday in Port Harcourt, blowing their armoured vehicle off the road with dynamite. A soldier was killed in the attack.

Chachangi Overshoots Runway in Port Harcourt

The nation was, last Monday, saved another tragedy at the Port Harcourt International Airport, when a Chachangi plane from Lagos overshot the runway. Though the plane was damaged, no life was lost as only two of the 43 passengers were mildly injured and are being treated at the airport clinic.

Senate Declares Oil Blocks Of Shell, Agip, Oando Illegal

In a startling revelation, the Senate Committee on Petroleum (upstream) probing the operation of Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 125 and 134 said Wednesday that the oil blocks were illegally transferred to Oando by Shell. The ownership of the blocks had been the subject of a dispute among Shell, Agip and Oando. In the cause of its investigation, the committee found that the lease of the oil blocks violated the provisions of the Petroleum Act.

Five Die As Militants Attack Naval Houseboat In Rivers

The Orubiri Naval Houseboat in Rivers State was, Wednesday, attacked by unknown gun men. At the end of a protracted shoot out, one Naval officer, one civilian houseboat official and three suspected militants were confirmed killed. The militants made away with two patrol boats attached to the houseboats. The attacked was targeted at the flow station.

Gunmen Shoot 2 Journalists

Two staffers of Ebonyi Sate Radio, Ebonyi Broadcasting Service (EBBS), Prince Anya Okorie and Emeka Ugbor were shot on Tuesday by suspected assassins in front of the radio complex at Abakaliki.

UK Firm Joins Race For Ogoni Oil Blocks

A United Kingdom (UK) firm, Afren Energy Resources Nigeria Limited, has become the latest entrant in the scramble for oil fields in Ogoni, Rivers State. The Ogoni oil fields have been shutdown since the 1993 protest by indigenes against the degradation of their environment by Shell’s activities in the area. The Federal Government has decided to replace Shell with another operator.

Rumuji Kidnap: Kidnappers Demands N32m Ransom

The kidnappers of two expatriate workers of Julius Berger at Rumuji, Rivers state; have reportedly demanded for N32m ransom before granting freedom to the kidnapped expatriates. The construction giant had closed its yard in Azikoro Road area of Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa state and abandoned the on-going work on the Ahoada-Port Harcourt axis area of the dualisation of East/West road project.

FG Cancels Niger Delta Summit

In a surprise move, the Federal Government on Thursday dumped its plans to convene a summit on the long-drawn Niger Delta crisis. It, however, pledged to hold talks with the various interest groups in the oil-bearing region.

Bakassi Returnees Accuse Govt Of Neglect

The returnees at the Bakassi refugee camp in Cross River State have accused the Federal Government of neglect. The returnees about 3, 353 said since they were sent packing from Bakassi in early June by the Cameroun gendarmes, the Federal Government has not even stepped in to assist them.

Lay Down Your Arms, FG Tells Militants

The Federal Government, on Sunday, urged militants threatening to unleash mayhem in the Niger Delta region to lay down their arms in the interest of peace and tranquility in the region. The Minister of Special Duties, Mr. Godsday Orubebe, who spoke on the threat by militants to attack British interests in the country, appealed to them to give peace a chance.

Three Suspects In Police Net Over Yobo’s Kidnap

The Rivers State Police command has arrested three suspects in connection with the kidnap of Mr. Norum Yobo, the brother of Super Eagles striker, Joseph Yobo. The suspects were undergoing interrogation in Port Harcourt. Norum was abducted at gunpoint on Saturday, July 5, but was released on Wednesday last week.

11 Suspected Militants Arrested

Barely 24 hours after the Navy wing of the military Joint Task Force (JTF) killed three gunmen and one civilian in Bonny, Rivers State, another 11 suspected militants were on Thursday arrested in Ahoada West council area.  The 11 militants were suspected to be engaged in illegal oil bunkering before the JTF arrested them. A locally-made pistol, two military camouflage uniforms and fez caps were recovered, while two boats loaded with stolen petroleum products were destroyed during a shoot out with the suspects.

Violence, Again, In Bakassi - 3 Camerounian Soldiers Wounded

Three Camerounian soldiers were wounded when unidentified gunmen attacked their post near the Nigerian border on Sunday, hospital officials in Yaounde said.
Camerounian authorities have blamed previous violence in the Bakassi Peninsula, whose waters contain oil deposits, on rebels from Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta, where armed militant groups often attack oil installations.

JTF Hunts For Suspects Over Theft Of Crude

Detectives from the Intelligence unit of the Joint Task Force (JTF) are now on the trail of those who collaborated with the arrested 14 Filipinos to steal 150,000 litres of crude oil penultimate Friday. Security sources in Warri on Monday said that the foreigners had given useful information that would help the security agents arrest their Nigerian accomplices.

Civil Defense Corps Recovers N114.4m LPFO From Illegal Bunkers

In a move to stop oil bunkering in the nation's downstream sector, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has recovered N114.4 million worth of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) from illegal oil bunkers around Bonny waters.

Police Intercept Human Traffickers, Rescue 23

Luck ran out on three human traffickers on Tuesday as they were intercepted with their victims by men of Anambra State Police Command on their way to Lagos. 23 teenagers were rescued. The victims, who were deceitfully being conveyed in a lorry and another vehicle were said to be between the ages of eight and 18. Said to be from one of the South-South states, the victims were deceived with a promise of lucrative jobs in Lagos.

Police Bust Notorious Robbery Gang

The Enugu State police command said it has arrested some of the notorious armed robbers that have been involved in killings and snatching of cars and other property in the Coal city. Among the suspects was a 4-man robbery gang which specialized in using a Golf car marked AX 121 UWN to disguise as commercial vehicle operator only to rob hapless passengers mid way into the journey.

Thousands Flee Bonny

Thousands of Nigerians were forced to flee the Niger Delta town of Bonny following threats from a group to behead people who are not originally from the area. The group, whose identity is yet unknown, attacked soldiers in the town two weeks ago, killing nine people, including a woman said to be heavily pregnant. The militant group had warned that return would they on July 16 to deal with non-indigenes of the area.

Niger Delta: PFN, Ijaw Youths Differ On Summit

To ease tension in the Niger Delta region, the Ijaw Youth Council has called on the Federal Government to reconsider its proposed summit and implement the blueprint on previous parleys. The group said another summit was not necessary because the government failed to implement the recommendations of previous commissions it set up. However, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) sought the inclusion of religious leaders and the Niger Delta militants to make the summit successful.

Police Arrest Herbalist, 2 Kidnappers

A militant group which has been terrorising expatriates in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, along with a native doctor, who allegedly facilitated their activities with charms, has been arrested. Some of the suspects, who were later arrested, reportedly accused the native doctor of aiding and abetting their activities.

Pirates Attack Norwegian Ship

Armed pirates attacked a Norwegian freighter ship along the Bonny waters, near Port-Harcourt in Rivers State on Wednesday. The pirates raided the ship and looted valuables and left. There was no report of casualties.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Thugs Invade LG Secretariat In Edo

Pandemonium broke out on Tuesday at the Oredo Local Government Council secretariat of Edo State, after scores of thugs invaded the council, beat up the Leader of the legislative arm, Mr Fuster Iyangbe and vandalised his office. Mr Iyangbe accused the Chairman of the Council, Mr Nosa Ehima of masterminding the attack because the lawmakers ordered him to appear before it and explain the income and expenditure of the council since January this year. But the Council boss denied the allegation.

Community Deserted Over Killing Of 52-Year Old Man

Residents and natives of Egbeleku community in Okpe Council area of Delta State have fled their homes following the killing of a 52 year-old man by some youths. The man whose name was given as Nathaniel Usiakpenebro was said to have led policemen into the community to arrest some youths engaged in stealing of granite meant for a road project in the town.

Oil Community In Delta Tackles Yar'adua Over 13% Derivations

Perturbed by the socio-economic hardships of recent times, the people of Burutu LGA of Delta State have called for the upward review of the current 13 per cent derivation formula to 50, in the proposed constitutional review, to assuage the poverty in the Niger Delta region.

Military Presence In N-Delta Illegal —Ex-Provost Marshall

Former Provost Marshal of the Nigeria Army,  Brig.Gen. Idada Ikponmwen, has cautioned the Federal Government against deploying warships and more military personnel to the Niger Delta, saying that it can only worsen the protracted crisis in the oil rich region.  Idada described the military presence in the region as illegal because according to him, the National Assembly had not made any law backing the deployment of troops to the region.

Assassination Allegation: Police Beef Up Clark's Security

Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in-charge of Zone Five Headquarters in Benin, Mr. Udom Ekpoudom has directed the Commissioner of Police in Delta State to beef up security around Chief Edwin Clark following his allegation that a former Governor of the state was planning to kill him.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

NDLEA Arrests Man With N4m Cocaine

Officials of the National Drug L a w Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), have arrested a 41-year-old man, Yufus Hakeem Ajibola, with 19 wraps of cocaine valued at N4 million concealed in his pant. The suspect was apprehended at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on his way to London.

Mob Beats Policeman To Death

A mobile police constable has been beaten to death in Lagos state for driving against traffic. At the time of the attack, he was said to be in the same vehicle with another police constable, Mathias Akpaniwu, who is attached to Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

Fake CID Operatives Nabbed

For attempting to defraud Chevron Nigeria Plc of millions of naira, three men who claimed to be operatives of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have been arrested by police detectives in Lagos. According to a source at the SFU, Kalu Nwoke and four other suspects went about impersonating SFU officials and forging letters which they used to collect millions of naira from unsuspecting Nigerians.

Police Kill Fresh Graduate

About six men dressed in Police Uniform on Sunday afternoon invaded a neighbourhood in Lekki phase one, Lagos state and shot sporadically, killing a young graduate, Ayodele Adedeji, 24. Police authorities on Wednesday said that the killers were unknown officers. Prince Adedeji, father of the deceased said that some policemen from Maroko Police Station had gone back to the scene of the killing to threaten fishermen, who witnessed the murder.

Punish Corrupt Policemen, Fashola Urges Lagos CP

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has asked the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo, to sanction corrupt police officers who were bent on tarnishing the image of the police force, to preserve the integrity of the force, and publish the telephone numbers of all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in the newspapers so that the public could have access to them.

Man Commits Suicide In Lagos

Inhabitants of Shangotedo in Lekki area, off Ajah, Lagos, on Wednesday received the shock of their lives as a resident of the area was found hanging from the roof of an uncompleted building in the area. The deceased was said to have, a few days to his death, been having unresolved misunderstanding with his wife while all efforts to settle the quarrel ended in futility

Court Jails Man For Defrauding Italian

A middle-aged man, Simon Mark, has been sentenced to 54 years' imprisonment by an Ikeja High Court for defrauding an Italian of the sum of 11,554,41 Euros. Mark had obtained 11, 554, 41 euros on different occasions from the Italian on the pretence of paying government tax on contracts.

World's Largest Aircraft, Airbus A380, To Land In Lagos

The world's biggest commercial plane, Airbus A380, will visit Nigeria on a demonstration flight in October when Arik Air takes delivery of its A340-500 aircraft. The British Government has also granted Arik Air direct flight rights to London Heathrow Airport, bringing to three the number of Nigerian carriers flying direct to London. Bellview and Virgin Nigeria are the other two flying to London.

GENERAL

Reps Begin Oil Sector Probe Next Tuesday

There are indications that the House of Representatives’ investigation of under-hand deals in the oil and gas sector will begin next Tuesday in Abuja. The investigative panel will beam its searchlight on activities in the sector from 1999 till date, just as the panel’s membership cuts across all political parties.

House Resumes Hearing on LNG Act

The House of Representatives on Thursday resumed hearing on the Bill for an Act to amend the NLNG following the time frame given to the stakeholders to present documents required by the House Committee on Gas. Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Igho Aguma, said the resumed hearing would enable the committee to satisfactorily complete the programme and make adequate recommendations to the House on the relevant areas to be repealed.

EFCC Seeks Special Court For Financial Crimes

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mrs. Farida Waziri yesterday prescribed two ways to strengthen the anti-graft war. She advocated the establishment of a special court to handle financial crimes and strict compliance with the laws on forfeiture of assets acquired from proceeds of financial crimes.

Nigeria Earns $102b From Oil In 18 Months

Nigeria made more than $102 billion from oil between January 2007 and June 2008, according to figures compiled by the Energy Information Agency (EIA). The energy watchdog said the 13 members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) earned a total $1.316 tr in net oil exports in the same time frame.

New Face Of Fraudsters

Fraudsters have devised means of getting passwords and sending mails to all the contacts of such email addresses and asking for money under various pretences. They even go as far as denying the owner of the email access to his/her mail by changing the password. It is necessary to beware of mails we attend to and forms we fill online to avoid providing fraudsters with our personal information.

Probe Stalls Firms' Take-Over Of Oil Blocks

Plans by the Federal Government to handover oil blocks to companies that were allocated the fields in the 2007 bid rounds are being delayed by the inability of the panel that reviewed the recommendations of the committee that probed the sale of oil wells to submit its report. A total of 47 oil blocks were offered for sale last year but only 20 of them were adjudged to have met industry standards.

DPR, Oil Firms To Meet Over Illegal Sale Of Products

As part of the efforts to curb the influx of adulterated fuel in circulation, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has concluded plans to summon oil-marketing companies operating in the downstream sector to a meeting on how to stop the sale of petroleum products on the highways. This became necessary with the conflicting reports that tanker drivers operating at Ibafo along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Ogun State were engaging in the nefarious act.

Shareholders Fault Management Fees Paid To Chevron's Parent Body

Shareholders of Chevron Oil Nigeria Plc recently faulted the payment of 1.5 per cent of its net turnover plus $1, 000, 000 per annum as fees to its home office in California. The fees are for provision of services in the areas of research and development, operations management, marketing, information technology and personnel training. A capital market analyst, Nornah Awoh on behalf of the minority shareholders, wondered why part of the fees should be denominated in foreign currency, pointing out that it violates the country's laws.

EFCC To Beam Searchlight On Banks

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs Farida Waziri, has said that the banking sector will soon come under the searchlight of the commission in its renewed bid to rid the nation of corruption. This resolve she pointed out was to check unprofessional conducts of some banks in cases of money laundering.

Police Nab Robbers Disguised As Preachers

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command on Tuesday paraded 10 robbery suspects who disguised themselves as preachers. The FCT Acting Police Commissioner, Mike Ehidiamen, said the suspects were being patronized by high ranking government functionaries and rich men for spiritual assistance.

Senate Begins Hearings On Bakassi Treaty

The Senate has faulted the Green Tree Agreement entered into by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Cameroon counterpart President Paul Biya that ceded Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon. Speaking at a two-day public hearing on the Green Tree Agreement, Senate President David Mark said international agreements are supposed to be ratified by the legislature before they are signed. The presidency has appeared to also agree on this, as it described the treaty as illegal.

NAMA Begins Calibration Of Navigational Equipment

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), last week embarked on a massive calibration of navigational equipment at airports across the nation to further enhance industry safety in line with global standards.

Oil Majors Want JTF Resolute On Crude Theft, Target Barons

Oil industry executives have applauded the Joint Military Task Force (JTF’s) renewed offensive against illegal oil bunkering, demanding that the JTF should be resolute in dealing with perpetrators of oil theft.  The commendation came in the wake of the recent arrest of 15 Filipinos and a Greek in a vessel laden with 150,000 metric tonnes of crude oil on suspicion of stealing the oil. They were arrested on waters in brass LGA of Bayelsa State by men of the JTF.

Kaduna Refinery To Be Shut In October For Repairs

The nation’s 110,000 barrels per day Kaduna oil refinery will be shut in October for planned Turn Around Maintenance (TAM), an official of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said on Tuesday. The routine maintenance will be carried out by an eastern European energy firm in collaboration with a Nigerian company at the cost of $60 million, the official said.

MEND Offers To Help Scottish Rebels Fight Britain

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) claims that it has been approached by a rebellious group in Scotland for logistic support to wage guerrilla warfare in Scotland against British interests. The un-named Scottish group believes that Scotland should be independent and have full control over its North Sea Oil resources. Jomo Gbomo, spokesman for MEND said that group contacted MEND after the furor over the offer of military support to Nigeria made by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Bush Sacks Aide Over Racist Remarks Against Nigerians

A top aide of the United States President George W. Bush has been sacked for making derogatory and racist remarks about Nigerians. Roger Adams, a US government Attorney, was sacked for describing Nigerians as "not very honest." The development has caused ripples in the Nigerian community in the US.

Nigerian Peace Keeper Dies In Darfur

United Nations (UN) officials said on Wednesday that a Nigerian peace-keeper to the troubled Darfur region has been killed. The victim, with the United Nations-African Union (UN-AU) Force was said to be a Nigerian company commander. He was allegedly killed while on patrol near a peacekeeping camp, according to officials.

Amnesty Intl Asks Yar’adua To Suspend Execution Of Condemned Criminals

The Amnesty International on Thursday asked President Yar’Adua to suspend execution of hundreds of convicts presently on death row pending the abrogation of death penalty from the nation’s statute book. According to Amnesty International’s research, the Nigeria Police continues to torture and extra-judicially execute detainees, suspected criminals and armed robbers.

Nigeria, Britain Plan Joint Military Force Against Militants

Britain and Nigeria said on Wednesday they would set up a security training force to help the country tackle lawlessness in its southern oil producing Niger Delta region. The two countries also agreed to try and identify people behind the trade in stolen "blood oil" which is used to buy weapons and use international law to bring them to book.

FERMA Allays Fears Over Falling Bridges

Fears about the likely collapse of the Niger Bridge and others across the country have been allayed by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).  FERMA’s Chief Maintenance Engineer, Mr. A.O. Kuti, on Thursday said that despite the defects on the bridges, they are still structurally strong.

14-Yr-Old Nigerian Drowns In US

A 14-year-old Nigerian, Ifechukwu Odenigbo, has drowned while swimming in a lake in Danbury, Connecticut, United States of America. The police said Odenigbo was pulled from the waters of Lake Waubeeka on Wednesday afternoon, adding that the boy was found after a 45-minute search. He was rushed to Danbury Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police IG Urges Banks, Financial Institutions To Decentralize Security

In a bid to control cases of robberies on banks and other financial institutions in Nigeria, Inspector-General of police, Mr. Mike Okiro has called on the institutions to decentralize their security operations. He said that instead of allowing Managing Directors of banks to determine the security demands and peculiarity of a state, the responsibility should be vested on branch managers and Commissioners of police in states.

Senate C’ttee Probes Expenditure of $78m BASA Fund

Senate Committee on Aviation is working to get to the roots of the expenditure of about $78 million realized from the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) Account under the administration of former President Obasanjo. About $110m was said to have accrued into the account from 1999 to date by virtue of charges paid as per the terms of the BASA between Nigeria and foreign airlines operators.

Tanker Drivers Suspend Strike, Begin Product Lifting

Lifting of petroleum products from the depots suspended in the wake of an industrial action embarked upon by Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), began on Monday as the drivers have agreed to return to duty. The group had issued an ultimatum to the FG to address the issue of soaring diesel price and deplorable condition of the nation’s highways which has caused most of the road accidents.

Global Biofuels Invests N87.5bn in Ethanol Project

Global Biofuels Limited has committed the sum of N87.5billion to ethanol project in the country. To foster rapid production, the company has also brought in two varieties of sweet sorghum to be produced for feedstock from PRAJ in India while more varieties of feedstock had been developed by the company.

Why Africa, U.S, Others Are Holding Joint Military Exercise, by Azazi

Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Owoye Andrew Azazi has explained that the essence of the Multinational Military Communications Exercise is to enhance communications and information exchange within the militaries of African countries to enable them successfully conduct future regional and trans-national peacekeeping.  It involves 225 military communicators from 22 participating African, American and European nations.

Govt Commits N4b To Fight Polio, Others

To ensure effective immunisation of Nigerian children, the Federal Government says it has committed about N4 billion to taming childhood diseases in the country this year.

Kano Official Seeks Death Penalty For Graft

An official of the Kano State government, Dr. Bala Mohammed, has advocated death penalty for any public official found to have stolen at least N100, 000. Mohammed, who is the director-general of Adaidaita Sahu, the Kano State reorientation agency, blamed corruption on the part of public officials for the country's under-development.

Customs Partners Firms In Cargo Clearance

The Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) has taken another step in its drive to meet its 48-hour target on the clearance of goods at the nation's ports by commissioning two Direct Traders' Input (DTI) cafes, which are electronically-controlled.  NCS Comptroller-General, Hamman Bello Ahmed, said they would be operated by two firms - Bra Solutions and Spectrum Alliance to process DTI declarations by importers.

PENGASSAN Joins AP in Chevron Takeover bid

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria announced on Sunday that it had teamed up with African Petroleum Plc to present a joint bid for the 60 per cent equity in Chevron Oil Nigeria Plc, being divested by Chevron Corporation. AP, Oando and an unknown foreign company are some of the front line firms seeking to buy the downstream arm of Chevron operations in Nigeria.

13 Die In NIS Recruitment

No fewer than 13 persons were feared dead and several others across the country penultimate Saturday during the recruitment exercise into the Nigerian Immigration Service. A medical doctor has blamed the Immigration for the deaths as proper medical tests were allegedly not conducted before the exercise.

Niger Delta Armoured Cars Cost N10m, N23.4m

The series of armoured vehicles, specifically built for the Niger Delta region will be offered for between N10 million and N23.4 million, it was learnt last week. The vehicles are being offered by a United States firm, Texas Armouring Corporation, ahead of the proposed Niger Delta summit, which has been cancelled.

INTERNATIONAL

OPEC to Supply 7.6m Barrels Of Refining Capacity

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, (OPEC) said over the weekend that it was concerned that future supply of middle distillates could lag demand because of insufficient hydro cracking and desulphurisation capacity. OPEC said in its World Oil Outlook that around 7.6 million barrel per day (b/d) of new crude distillation capacity was expected to be added to the global refining system between now and 2015.

We’re Ashamed Of Attack On Foreigners –– South Africa

Chairperson for Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Africa Region, Minimwa Mahlagu, on Thursday said that South Africa was ashamed of the recent attacks on African immigrants. Mahlagu, who is also the Chairperson of National Council of Provinces in South Africa, said that South Africa regrets the event and offered an unconditional apology.

US Troops Abandon Afghan Outpost Following Attack

US troops have pulled out of a remote outpost in north-eastern Afghanistan, three days after Taliban militants tried to overrun the base and killed nine US soldiers.

Mexico Captures Submarine Loaded With Drugs

Mexican troops have seized a small submarine smuggling drugs in the Pacific Ocean, the military has said. A navy plane spotted the craft about 225km south of the tourist resort of Huatulco.

Lebanon Conflict Puts Army Unity To The Test

Armed conflict in Lebanon between Shi'ites and rival Sunnis and Druze has put the army's unity to the test, threatening to split an institution seen as a bulwark against a new civil war. The fighting has placed great strain on an army whose ranks reflect the country's sectarian mosaic.

North Korea Rejects Fresh Talks With South Korea

Authorities in North Korea have rejected a proposal to resume stalled reconciliation talks with South Korea, while Seoul denounced the communist regime for the death of a tourist that heightened tension between the divided nations.

Britain Plans Shock Tactics Against Knife Crime

The British government has announced new shock tactics to tackle growing concern about knife crime, including forcing young people caught with weapons to confront stabbing victims. The plans would also involve offenders being taken to hospital emergency rooms to see people being treated for knife wounds, meeting the families of stab victims and prisoners locked up for knife offences. Some 20 teenagers have been killed already this year by knives.

Nine US Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan – Official

A Western official has said that nine United States soldiers have been killed in a multi-pronged insurgent attack on a remote American base in eastern Afghanistan. The attack appears to be the deadliest against US forces in Afghanistan, in years.

Zimbabwe Rejoices Over UN Sanctions Veto

Zimbabwe’s government has applauded the failure of a UN attempt to impose fresh sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and his close officials. China and Russia vetoed the US draft resolution that would have imposed an arms embargo on Zimbabwe, as well as an assets freeze and travel ban on Mugabe and 13 of his closest officials.

Israel's PM Agrees To Free More Palestinians

In a bid to fast track the peace process in the Middle East region, Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has agreed to release an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners. The move came as the Jewish state also planned prisoner swap with Hezbollah.

Prosecutor Seeks Arrest of Sudanese President

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, is seeking the arrest of Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir over alleged genocide and crimes against humanity in Sudan's Darfur region. Following this call, the United Nations (UN), Wednesday commenced the withdrawal of some of its staff from Sudan. Al-Bashir's indictment would be the ICC's first involving a sitting head of state.

Oil Price: Bush Moves to Lift Ban on Offshore Drilling

President George W. Bush on Monday declared that he would no longer wait for congress before lifting a ban on oil drilling off the United States coast.  Bush had last month called on the American Congress to end a 27-year ban on drilling for oil in coastal waters in view of the rising prices of crude oil.

Mediterranean Union Pledges To Rid Middle East of WMDs

Forty-Three nations, including Israel and Arab states, have pledged to work for a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction at the close of a summit to launch an unprecedented Union for the Mediterranean aimed at securing peace across the restive region.

Britain Tracks Assets Of Mugabe's Close Aides For Sanctions

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has asked the Treasury to hunt down the assets of those close to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and pledged to ramp up European Union sanctions against Harare after a bid to pass fresh United Nations sanctions against Zimbabwe's leadership was vetoed by Russia and China.

Suicide Bombers Hit Iraq's Army Recruits, Several Dead

Dozens of people were killed and several others wounded on Tuesday after two suicide bombers blew themselves up in a crowd of army recruits in an Iraqi province. The bombings came ahead of what Iraqi military officials have described as an imminent offensive in troubled Diyala province.

Japanese Military Defuses World War II Bomb

About 5,400 residents were evacuated in Osaka in Western Japan and highways were closed as army experts disposed of a large unexploded bomb believed to have been dropped by the US military during World War II, authorities said. Another one was unearthed in Osaka, three years ago

Europe, Mediterranean Nations Plan New Forum To Boost Ties

Hopes of improved peace between Europe and its Mediterranean neighbours rose on Sunday as French President Nicolas Sarkozy and 42 leaders launched a union to boost ties in the Middle East. Heads of state and governments from the 27 EU nations and countries from North Africa will inaugurate the new forum.