Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 40

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Amaechi Insists on Military Action against Militants

Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has reiterated that military option was the only solution towards ending the activities of criminals who masquerade as militants in the state. The governor bemoaned a situation whereby companies doing business in the state have left while others wishing to invest have refused to come due to security concerns. Meanwhile, the Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the state, Brig. Gen. Sarkin-Yaki Bello, has described as untrue reports that the Defence Headquarters has altered the rules of engagement in the operations of the task force.

N359m Recovery: Police Promote 21 in Rivers

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mr. Bala Hassan, on Thursday decorated 21 policemen, who were involved in an operation where N359m was recovered from bullion van robbers. The 21 gallant men were recently promoted on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro. Police in Rivers State also arrested four notorious car snatchers. The gangsters were arrested in Port Harcourt with heavy arm.

Elechi Invites Military to Troubled Ebonyi Communities, Imposes Curfew

Following the festering inter-communal crises between Ezza-ezillo and Ezillo clans in Ishielu council of Ebonyi State, Governor Martin Elechi has asked all police personnel posted on peace-keeping to the violence-torn area to pull out, saying that only the military personnel should remain there. He also declared a 90-day dusk-to-dawn curfew on the entire Ishielu council, except on the Federal Highway from Abakaliki to Enugu. The Government also directed that all weapons procured by both sides in the course of the hostilities should henceforth be surrendered to the nearest military unit.

Civil Service Chairman Wants More Recruitment

The Akwa Ibom State civil service commission has suggested the recruitment of professionals into the state civil service to avoid the problem of training for succession. The chairman of the commission, Obong Edet Akpaninyang noted that between 2007 and 2010, about two thousand two hundred and twenty three officers would be retiring from the service for various reasons, and stressed the need for a corresponding replacement through recruitment of younger persons.

Police Stop One Million-Man March
…Arrest coordinator

The Anambra State Police Command, Wednesday morning, botched the one-million man-march planned by a rights group, Environment Watch, against the state government when it reportedly arrested and detained the coordinator, Comrade Osita Obi. The group planned to protest against the Governor Peter Obi-led state government’s refusal to conduct council polls in the state three years after assumption of office.

Oil Firms Award $830m Contract to Saipem

A consortium of major oil companies, comprising Italy- based oil company, ENI, Addax Petroleum and Burullus Gas Company, has awarded three new offshore drilling contracts worth approximately $830 million to Saipem. The contracts are for the charter of Saipem's Scarabeo 7, Scarabeo 3 and Scarabeo 6 in West Africa and Egypt.

Rivers, Bayelsa Govts Urge Militants to Lay Down Arms

The Rivers and Bayelsa States governments have warned armed groups and individuals to keep the peace. While the Rivers State government advised gunmen and “all those living outside the law to peacefully surrender their arms in their own interest and return to normal life,” Gov. Sylva of Bayelsa state declared that anyone involved in violence in the name of Ijaw struggle was on his own.

EFCC freezes Rivers State’s govt account

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), during the week was reported to have frozen one of the accounts of the Rivers State government in a high profile bank over alleged money laundering. Sources claim that a top official of the state government is also wanted by the EFCC to come and explain how he came about the huge amounts in his accounts. But Rivers State Government has denied that any of its accounts had been frozen by the EFCC. The state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Osinakachukwu Ideozu, said that all government accounts were in operation.

Gunmen Kidnap Students from School in Rivers

Gunmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, stormed a private school and kidnapped three students. The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Rita Abbey, said that the Police were already working to the arrest of the gunmen.  Also, a young man was forcefully conscripted by gunmen at the Nembe Waterside while returning home and taken through the creeks to an unknown destination.

Gunmen kill IMSU student

A 100-level student of Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, simply identified as Peter, was reportedly killed by unidentified gunmen in front of his last Wednesday. Police investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Mitee Tasks FG on N'Delta Ministry

Chairman, Niger Delta Technical committee, Ledum Mitee has called for proper funding of the new ministry of Niger Delta. He said the ministry should be given the proper drive it needs to positively affect the region. He said his committee would begin formal sitting from October 5. But at the moment they had various sub bodies in place working on issues the committee would work with.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

I5 Die in Edo Auto Crashes

In two days, 15 people have died in road accidents in Edo State. The first occurred penultimate Saturday, when five mothers were crushed to death in a market by an articulated (truck), which rammed into them. The second that occurred the following day claimed another 10 lives when a 911 truck ran into a Toyota Hiace bus. Eight people were also injured in the mishap. The Zonal Commanding Officer of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Zakari Ndah, attributed the accident to over-speeding and brake failure on the part of the truck driver.

Clark Warns Against Military Option to Tackle N'Delta Crisis

Prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has warned that more deadly militants will emerge from the Niger-Delta if the government continues to use the military to tackle the Niger-Delta crisis, saying the militants believe they are fighting for their survival and future of their people and it’s difficult to kill all of them without committing genocide in the region.

Ex-Delta Speaker Back from Treatment after Failed Assassination Attempt

A former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Daniel Young Igbrude, who was flown abroad for medical treatment following gun shot wounds in a failed assassination attempt in June this year, is back to the country, hale and hearty. Although he escaped with bullet wounds and was admitted in an undisclosed hospital in the state, his brother-in-law who was at the driver’s front seat was unlucky as the suspected assassin bullets killed him.

Uduaghan Tasks NASS, Oil Majors on Niger Delta

The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, on Wednesday asked the National Assembly and oil companies to contribute their quota in resolving the Niger Delta crises. He also called on the legislature to abolish all the obnoxious law especially the Land Use Act and the Petroleum Act. Uduaghan, in his Independence Day address said the creation of Niger Delta Ministry should be followed with the abrogation of all the legislations that negate development of the Niger Delta and integrate its communities into oil exploration and production.

Shell Gets Eviction Notice from Delta Community

Shell Petroleum Development Company has been served an eviction notice by Erhobaro- Orogun community in Delta State. The firm was given the marching order following what the community termed sheer neglect and the alleged attempts by the oil firm to cause inter communal war with their neighbouring village of Kokori in Ethiope - East Area. The community made their stance known in a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday.

Warri Refinery Kicks Against Casualisation

The Executive Director in Charge of Services, at the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), Mr. Ade Agboola, has assured the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) that the company's management would support the fight against casualisation. Mr. Agboola commended the Delta state NLC Chairman for his support towards ensuring that the Warri refinery had enough products to service all parts of the state.

Stop Using Our Youths to Cause Crisis, PDP Boss Warns

Delta State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, has warned the leadership of the party in the state to stop inciting the youths to cause crisis, threatening to hold the leaders responsible for the death of any youth in the state. The party chairman also called on the youths of the state to be wise and resist being used to cause crisis.

Chanomi Creek Pipeline Blown Up Again
…Ondo Youths Condemn Sabotage

The Chanomi Creek pipeline in Delta state was again ruptured in unclear circumstances. Reports suggested militant activity might have been responsible for the rupture, although no group has claimed responsibility. The development heightened fears of imminent shutdown of the plant. But the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that the rupture will not disrupt the operations of the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company as the Pipeline Products Marketing Company (PPMC) was already fixing the pipeline. Meanwhile, Youths from the oil-producing areas of Ondo State have condemned the attack, saying the action would retard development in the Niger Delta.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

9 Injured as Bridge Collapses

Nine people were injured as their vehicles ran into a ditch caused by a collapsed bridge in Asangbomole, Surulere LGA of Oyo State. The bridge collapsed after a midnight downpour, and has cut off about 10 villages and communities on the Oyo/Osun border towns.  Vehicular movements into Oyo and Osun states through the Ogbomoso-Oko-Ejigbo road have been temporarily halted, as vehicles are making detour at Asangbomole, into a bush path to continue their trip.

Police Rescue 9-Year-Old Girl from Kidnappers

The Police in Lagos, Thursday, rescued a nine year-old girl, Halimotu Turaki, from a gang of kidnappers at the Abule Agba area. The girl was returning from school when she was abducted. She was allegedly kept in a dehumanising condition in a room for about six days. Two members of the gang, a mother and her son, have been arrested.

Police Officers Quizzed over Lagos Banker’s Death

Barely two months after the murder in suspicious circumstances of a member of Thisday Newspaper’s Editorial Board, Mr. Abayomi Ogundeji, another killing, that of a banker, Modebayo Awosika, on Tuesday night is already causing ripples in the police force. The Lagos State Police Command is interrogating policemen attached to the state anti-crime outfit on patrol of Lekki area of Lagos on the day Awosika was killed. The deceased was shot dead at Lekki roundabout after his car allegedly ran into the police patrol van. An eyewitness said one of the policemen in the van pulled the trigger on Awosika and they all zoomed off after.

Suspected Political Thugs Attack PDP Chiefs in Osun

Four prominent members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ilesa, Osun State, Thursday, escaped death in separate attacks allegedly sponsored by political opponents. About 20-armed persons reportedly stormed their residences, leaving several persons injured in attacks in which dangerous weapons like guns, cutlasses, machetes and axes were freely used. No other arrest had been made by the police in connection with the matter as at the time of filing this report.

GENERAL

PENGASSAN, NUPENG Oppose Privatisation of NGC, PPMC

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), have expressed opposition to the alleged plan by the Federal Government to privatise the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) and the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC). PENGASSAN described the move as a premature and defective step in the wrong direction, saying that it would only succeed in causing more problems.

Senate Panel Uncovers N78b Fraud in Banks
To probe delay in paying depositors' N22b

The Senate Committee on Banking claims to have uncovered a N78b fraud in some banks. The money, (depositors' money) kept in trust in banks before and after consolidation was converted to personal use by some of their officials. The Committee also disclosed that it would soon begin investigation into the delay in addressing the plight of persons whose funds were trapped in the banks that failed to meet the N25 billion capitalisation requirements in 2005.

Nigeria at 48: Govs Call for Deep Reflections

The 48th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria on October 1 was rounded off governors calling for deep reflections and urging Nigerians to continue to have faith in the country and to eschew social and anti-development vices, while pursuing their political ambition with caution in order to avoid hurting others and the society.

FERMA, FRSC to Establish Toll Gates at Border Posts

Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) have commenced action on the establishment of toll gates at all border posts in the country, to effect collection of international vehicle Transit charge. The decision to erect the toll-gates is seen as a prelude to the planned return of toll gates, as a means of revenue generation for road maintenance.

Nigerian Firm to Inject $200m into US Economy

As the United States grapples with the devastating economic crisis, a Nigerian firm, Reagan Renaissance Limited, Wednesday, said it would assist in ameliorating the effect of the crisis by injecting $200million into the US economy. In a statement issued yesterday and signed by the President of the organisation, Chief Reagan Ufomba, the firm in expressing solidarity with the American People said it would assist in dousing the trend. Regan Renaissance said it was repositioning its import strategy in favour of the US economy by way of direct imports, recapitalisation and expansion.

AFRICOM:US Renews Pressure on Nigeria to Host Military Base

The United States of America has intensified its efforts to convince Nigeria to host the controversial African Military Command known as AFRICOM. It also plans to meet with key government official and law makers to make its case. As a first step, head of the command has restated the administrations pledge that the US government has no hidden agenda in setting up the unit. President Yar’Adua signalled his support for the measure, but pressure from the military and Nigerians forced him to distance himself from the deal.

US Warns Nigeria over Nuclear Weapons

The United States of America has warned Nigeria not to rely on what it described as rogue nations in its quest to acquire nuclear technology. The US was reacting to a statement by the Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs. Grace Ekpiwhre, that the government will continue efforts to build nuclear power plants as answer to the country's electricity needs. Foreign Affairs Minister, Ojo Maduekwe, has denied the country wants nuclear weapons from Iran after Washington protested to Aso Rock on the deal.

Committee Member Kicks against Removal of Immunity

As members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution get set for the constitutional amendment, a member, Hon. Paul Adah, has said the committee will oppose the removal of immunity clause from the constitution. Adah said the committee would put other measures in place to control the excesses of the executive arm of government.

Local Debts: Senate Committee Probes N25bn Disbursement

The Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts is probing the disbursement of N25 billion appropriated in the 2006 budget for the payment of local contractors’ debts.  The probe is coming amid reports that the businesses of many of the affected local contractors have been liquidated due to non-payment of the debts owed them by the Federal Government.

Okiro: Why High Profile Murder Cases Are Unresolved

Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro, has attributed police inability to resolve some of the high-profile murder cases to the absence of finger-prints data bank and surveillance camera. Okiro also said investigation was still on in the case of the slain member of THISDAY Editorial Board, Mr Abayomi Ogundeji, adding that the outcome would be made known.

UN: Maduekwe Calls for Instrument to Combat Arms Proliferation

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, has called for an international instrument to combat arms proliferation. Presenting President Umaru Yar'Adua’s address at the annual high level debate at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, Maduekwe observed that small and light weapons had fuelled conflicts in the continent and called for a global pact to stop the scourge. The minister reiterated the call on the international community to treat “stolen oil” the same way “blood diamond” was criminalised.

Lam, Akintola Rate Country Low on Development

Former Oyo State Governor, Alhaji Lamidi Adesina, and an Ibadan-based legal icon, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), took a retrospective look at Nigeria since independence and said that it was nothing to write home about. While Adesina hoped that something good can only be written about Nigeria provided President Yar’Adua was ready to right many of the wrongs done by the past governments, Akintola was emphatic that Nigeria was a failed nation, but agreed that Nigeria has progressed a little in the area of cohesiveness, unified judiciary and the police.

FG to Formulate Policy on Pollution

The Federal Government is planning to come up with a national policy to secure the environment against air pollution, according to Dr. Ogundayo Dada, Director, Pollution Control, Ministry of Environment, Housing and Urban Development. Dada said that the policy would evolve a strategy on the monitoring of air quality in the country and said that his department would collaborate with a US-based firm for the procurement of equipment to monitor the level of air pollution in the country.

Benue Lawmaker’s Son Kidnapped

The first son of a former lawmaker in Benue State Assembly, Clement Nanevwua Uhondo, was recently kidnapped close to his residence. Confirming the story, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Sam Jinado, said the boy had been recovered while investigation into the matter is still on.

CNPP Calls for Yar'Adua's Resignation

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) during the week called for President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s resignation. The CNPP, an umbrella body of opposition parties in the country, stated that 16 months was long enough for an effective leader to galvanise the abundant human and material resources of the country for the benefit of all.

N5.8 Million Scholarships for Children of Dead Cop

For the family of the late police officer, Aliyu Doma, who died in service, a N5.8million life line has been announced for his three kids. Doma died while serving as the Chief Superintendent of Police (CPS) in charge of Life Camp Divisional Headquarters, Abuja. Doma, who sustained injuries while chasing armed robbers last year, died four months ago. The chairman of Pacesetter schools, Mr. Kenneth said the gesture was in appreciation of the services of the late Life Camp DPO who died while trying to save a life.

Senators Move to Force Down Kerosene, Petrol Prices

A group of ten Senators have introduced a bill seeking to force down prices of petroleum products in the country by compelling all holders of exploration licenses to refine at least half of their crude in the country. The legislative proposal which aims to amend the Petroleum Act of 1969 prescribes a $5 per barrel fine for violations of the act which is expected to take effect from 2011.

Cocaine Tragedy: Nigerian Dies in Senegal-Spain Flight

A Nigerian man suffered a heart attack after cocaine capsules burst in his stomach, forcing a plane flying from Senegal to Spain to make an emergency landing in Morocco, airport officials reported. An X-ray revealed 62 cocaine capsules inside his stomach — two of which were found to be empty. Also on Tuesday, a Dutchman died in the French port of Calais when a two-kilo bag of cocaine exploded in his stomach as he attempted to smuggle it into Britain, police said.

Media, Security Agents Are Partners in Devt – Okiro

The Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, has identified the mass media, police and other security agencies as catalysts to the realization of President Yar’Adua’s economic vision. Okiro also charged the media and security agencies to always display true patriotism to Nigeria, noting that the police have a great role to play in providing effective security which is crucial to the survival of democracy and the state of the economy.

High Oil Prices Affecting Nigeria’s Development – US

High oil prices in the international market is turning the focus of politics to the control of the oil wealth while also affecting the development of other industries in Nigeria, the United States government has said, The United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Mr. Todd Moss, made this submission last week before the US House of Representatives. He said that total US aid to Africa reached an all time high of $5.7bn in 2007 – $4.5bn in bilateral assistance and $1.2bn in multilaterals.

Shell Spends $3bn to Reduce Flaring, Needs More o Complete Process

The Shell Companies in Nigeria said it had spent about $3bn to reduce gas flaring in its operations in the country and needed as much to complete the process. Gas flaring has remained a controversial issue in Nigeria, as targets set to end routine flaring and its attendant environmental hazards have failed. The reasons for the failures have been linked with security issues, lack of funding for gas gathering and the dearth of infrastructure for storage and piping. While, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) alleges that some personalities with political powers were behind the multinationals' resistance to end gas flaring.

SAP West Africa Woos Service Providers in Oil, Gas Sector

To eradicate the bottlenecks associated with doing business, SAP penultimate weekend held a parley with executives in the downstream segment of the nation's oil and gas industry. The Customer Solutions and Operation Director, SAP West Africa, Yemi Keri said tapping into SAP would enable downstream and service companies in the sector go about their businesses without much ado. Specifically, Keri said SAP's world-class solutions would help operators in the sector create a platform for continued collaboration and knowledge sharing as regards their business environment.

Global Biofuels to Launch Nigeria into Carbon Credit Market

Global Biofuels Limited (GBFL) is expected to launch Nigeria into the group of countries that benefit from the carbon credit market with its on going ethanol projects in the country. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which is also known as Carbon Credit, is a scheme put in place by the United Nations to make developing countries that are producing environmentally friendly fuel to benefit from the money that developed economies pay for polluting the environment. The firm has begun construction of ethanol refineries in Ondo and Ekiti States out of the six states expected to harbour such project. The first ethanol product in the country would to be rolled out from the Ondo State refinery by December 2009.

Govt Loses N40 Million to Demurrage on Fuel Importation

Due to delay associated with lapse of time for berthing of vessels laden with imported petroleum products, the Federal Government is said to have incurred demurrage to the tune of N40 million. The Manager, Supply and Distribution department of the Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC), Alhaji Ali Mohammed said the cost being incurred on demurrage yearly was becoming unbearable and posing more threats on its marketing responsibilities. He appealed to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to ensure that every problem causing delay of berthing should be urgently addressed.

Yar'Adua's Administration is on Course – Navy

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ishaya Ibrahim, has said that the administration of President Umaru Yar'Adua was on course and the Navy would do everything possible to support it. Ibrahim commended the anti-corruption policies of the government which he said was responsible for the improvement recorded by the country on the global corruption perception index rating, while noting that corruption had been the bane of the country's development.

Energy Confab Holds In Abuja

A three-day conference designed to address challenges in Nigeria's power sector will begin in Abuja on October 8, 2008. The event is organised by a British firm, FSG Communications, in partnership with its local subsidiary, FSG Communications Nigeria Limited. According to FSG Managing Director, Bryan Pearson, they are seeking to bring the best of local and international expertise to contribute to Nigeria's effort to overcome bottlenecks and other problems in providing stable electricity across the nation.

FOI Bill Delay Contradicts Democracy — CD

The Campaign for Democracy has said that it is a contradiction in democracy to spend several years to push the Freedom of Information bill through the National Assembly without much success.

Aggrieved Prisons Staff Threaten Protest

Some aggrieved Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) workers have threatened to open the gates of maximum prisons in the country in November unless their demands are met. The workers are unhappy, over the demotion of some of their colleagues who did not possess degrees in spite of their experience and trainings on the job. It was alleged that more than 12,000 officers who were retired compulsorily from the service and another 6,000 were demoted to inspectorate ranks. They also demand the immediate sack of the Comptroller-General, NPS, Olusola Ogundipe and other top officials of the service.

FG Gives Nod to Police Deployment in Kano

The Federal Government has approved the deployment of more anti-riot policemen to Kano State. Governor Ibrahim Shekarau said the gesture would help in maintaining security of lives and property in the state. Shekarau said the approval followed calls made to the FG over the incessant cases of robberies and other criminal activities in the state. He urged the people to co-operate with government and security agencies in combating crime in the state.

70% Prison Inmates Have no Prospects of Trial — LACoN

The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACoN) says more than 70 per cent of awaiting trial inmates in Nigeria‘s prisons have no prospects of trial or being released. This was announced by the Director General of the Council, Mrs Nwaka Akinlami. She explained that many of the inmates were women and children. Akinlami said the purpose of LACoN was to provide free Legal services to indigent Nigerians, albeit in limited criminal and civil cases.

Nigeria, US Foster Cooperation in Energy Sector

The Federal Government and the United States of America have agreed to cooperate in the energy sector, especially in natural gas production. The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Renee Sanders and the Minister of State for Gas, Chief Emmanuel Odusina entered the agreement on behalf of their governments recently in Abuja. Under the agreement, the US government will provide technical assistance in energy outlined in the government’s master plan.

Nigerian Banks not Affected by Financial Crisis —CIBN

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has said that while the ongoing global financial crisis is a wake-up call for Nigerian banks, none of the 24 local banks is affected by the crisis.  President of the Institute, Dr. Erastus Akingbola, said that it is natural for financial services consumers and the general public in other parts of the world to be concerned about a possible spill-over effect of the global crisis or impact on the local market.

INTERNATIONAL

Dozens of Somalis Die in Boat Mishap

The United Nations (UN) refugee agency has confirmed that about 52 Somalis died after being adrift for 18 days in a broken smuggler boat. The UN agency said Yemeni coast guards rescued 71 survivors on the boat. The boat reportedly left Somalia with 124 passengers on September 3, but broke down a few hours later. The crew abandoned the boat but two passengers managed to swim ashore to alert rescuers.

Somali Pirates Demand $20m Dollar Ransom

Somali pirates who hijacked a Ukrainian freighter carrying military weapons have demanded 20 million dollars in ransom despite being surrounded by three foreign warships. The spokesman for the pirates said the ship's crew was "safe and not harmed, and they are awaiting eagerly the $20m.

49 Die in Tanzania Stampede, Algeria Flood

About 49 people have died in two separate tragic incidents in Algeria and Tanzania. Torrential rains in the Algerian Sahara created floods that killed 29 people and injured dozens. Security services and the military were helping in the rescue operations. In central Tanzania, a stampede at an overcrowded dance hall killed 20 children and left 50 others injured as they celebrated an important Moslem festival.

Russia Seeks Revival of Global Anti-Terrorism Coalition

Russia, penultimate weekend, pushed for the revival of the global anti-terrorism coalition that formed after September 11, 2001. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the recent crisis over Georgia's breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia proved again that "it is impossible or even disastrous to try to resolve the existing problems in the blindfolds of the unipolar world."

Mauritanian Military Dares AU over Sacked President

The African Union’s (AU) move to restore constitutional government in Mauritania has been opposed by the coup leader, who has declared his readiness to remain in office after October 6. Gen. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who overthrew President Sidi Ould Sheikh Abdallahi, last month, said that the AU's directive to reinstate the Abdallahi was not in the country's interests.

Wall Street Crisis: $1tr Lost to Failed Bailout Plan

As Wall Street reacts to the United States of America Lower House rejection of the controversial $700 billion financial bailout plans by voting against the passage of the Emergency Economic Stabilisation Bill, President George Bush revealed on Tuesday that the maximum $700 billion in the proposed bailout was huge, but was dwarfed by the $1 trillion in lost wealth that resulted from Monday's stock-market plunge. The House on Monday balked at approving the Bush administration's $700 billion proposal.

Irish Govt Guarantees All Deposits with €400bn

The Irish government took the most dramatic step on Wednesday, promising to safeguard all deposits, bonds and debts in the republic’s six biggest banks and building societies for two years with 400 billion Euros (£318 billion).  The scheme also covers any of the institutions' branches in the UK - be they in Northern Ireland or mainland Britain. This is in addition to the guarantee for deposits of up to 100,000 Euros announced by the Dublin government recently. The step was being taken to remove any uncertainty surrounding banks.

Groups Slam Tobacco Industry over Subversion of Health Policies

Civil society groups across the globe have admonished the tobacco industry over its activities, lack of transparency and track-record in compromising public policies and disqualified it from participating in the development of public health policy. This position was contained in the 2008 Global Tobacco Treaty Action Guide christened, “Protecting Against Tobacco Industry Interference,” The Action Guide was intended to keep governments alert and make them anticipate and thwart attempts by the vested commercial interests of the tobacco industry to undermine the implementation of tobacco control policies.

16m People Abuse Drugs Globally, Says Study

A study by a United Nations (UN) affiliated body, the Reference Group, has found out that there are about 16 million users of narcotic drugs worldwide. Almost 40 per cent of the drug users live in China, the United States (U.S.) and Russia. In some low and middle-income countries, more than 40 per cent of all drug users are HIV positive, the study also revealed. Reference Group based its study on 11,000 documents distilled from published, government and non-government reports, as well as consultations with world experts in the field.

US Military Command for Africa Takes Off

The United States Military Command (African) went into operation on Wednesday with its Commander-General William Ward saying it was to prevent conflicts and bolster security. There is widespread suspicion on the continent about the purpose of the command and many hold suspicion that it may be based in the Gulf of Guinea.