Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 40

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Militants Surrender Charms, Riffles in Bayelsa

A militant group, led by Milo Sinte, on Wednesday surrendered a ``juju'' pot containing charms and eight riffles at Isaac Boro Peace Park, Yenagoa. Sinte urged the Federal Government to compel oil companies operating in the area to save Bassambiri waterfront from erosion. He said that the companies also neglected the people of the area, alleging that they were neither employed nor given contracts by the companies. Weapons Sinte surrendered include one machete, one locally made pistol, one GPMG gun, tear gas, a shotgun and 52 ammunitions. Meanwhile, the military officer in charge of amnesty programme in Bayelsa, Major Buba Ahmed, told Sinte that the committee could not register 42 men with just eight guns. Ahmed stressed that his assignment was to register one man, one gun, but Sinte pleaded that some of his arms had been stolen.

Ex-Militant Seeks Commencement of Delayed LNG Projects

A key Nigeria militant, Saturday, called on oil companies to bring their headquarters to the Delta and start delayed liquefied-natural-gas projects as he finalized his disarmament. At a disarmament ceremony, Prince H. Amaibi, formerly known under the pseudonym General Buster Rhymes, appealed for the start of the Brass project in Bayelsa State and of LNG Train 7 in Bonny Island in order to reduce unemployment and create jobs for youths in the region.

Ateke Tom Surrenders

The leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Movement (NDVM), Ateke Tom, who had earlier called for the withdrawal of the Joint Task Force (JTF) from the restive region as a condition for surrendering his weapons, Thursday dropped the term and embraced the amnesty deal. President Yar’Adua received Ateke at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, describing the militant leader’s embrace of the amnesty offer as his 49th independence anniversary gift.

Reformed Militants Protest in Port Harcourt

There was tension and panic in some parts of Port Harcourt on Wednesday, as hundreds of reformed militants trained in different vocational skills by Rivers State Social and Rehabilitation Committee went on rampage. Some of protesters expressed fears that after the graduation, there seemed to be attempt by the government to abandon them to their fate. They said they were asked to vacate the Social Development Institute without proper arrangement to relocate them. Chairman of the Social and Rehabilitation Committee, Chief Albert Horsefall, said the protest was unnecessary and explained that the plan to organize them into cooperative societies, where they would practice their trade was on.

10 Killed in Abia as Security Operatives, Kidnappers Clash

Ten Persons including two policemen, a soldier and a pregnant woman were on Tuesday killed when security agents and kidnappers clashed in different parts of Aba South and Obingwa LGAs of Abia state. The security situation in Aba and its environs is a source of concern to residents, as activities of hoodlums continue unabated despite stringent security measures. Penultimate Sunday, at Nnetu in Aba LGA, the police confronted kidnappers with their victim and in an exchange of gun fire, in which the police overpowered the kidnappers, three of them were killed, while the remaining two were arrested. Unfortunately, the victim of the kidnappers identified as a prominent businessman in Aba, was killed in the exchanged gun fire, while many other residents of the area sustained severe injuries.

Over N500m Goods Razed in Onitsha Market Fire

Some sections of the Ose Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, were on Tuesday gutted by fire with goods worth more than N500 million said to have been destroyed. The fire started when a tanker conveying diesel ran into a ditch and pulled down an electric pole and in the process started off a fire. The fire continued to burn for several hours before fire fighters from Delta State arrived at the scene.

Suspected Assassins Abduct, Release Toddler

A three-man gang of suspected assassins, Wednesday night, in Nnewi, Anambra state, stormed the home of a prominent businessman, Pius Okwuchukwu Ogbuawa, with sporadic gunshots, looking for him, but took his one-year-old son when they could not get him and demanded N150million as ransom to set the toddler free. But less than 24 hours later, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mike Okoli, announced that the baby had been found. The hoodlums, he said, had taken the child to the home of a man in Umunri Neni, Area of the state, telling him that the child was sick and should therefore take care of him, but the man, rather took the child to the police.

Ex-Militant Leader Appeals To Govt On Rehabilitation

The Federal Government has been enjoined to demonstrate sincerity and honour in implementing the amnesty to repentant militants in the Niger Delta. A former leader of the South wing, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Kile Selky Torughedi, called on President Yar'Adua to ensure a full rehabilitation of ex-militants and their followers to avoid further crisis. He said some of the militants had given up their arms because of their genuine interest in the socio-economic development of their areas as well as to correct the impression that they have criminal intentions. He urged the Federal Government to commence the rehabilitation and development programmes without further delay.

Police Dislodge Family of Kidnappers, Recover 2 Human Skulls

Abia state Police Command has discovered a family in Urata village, Isiala Ngwa North LGA of the state, where kidnapping is run as a family business involving a 62-year-old mother, Mrs Beta Aturuobi and her three children. The family had abducted an elderly man, who was later rescued by the police. Luck however ran out on the family gang when the police got a tip off from somebody who had noticed an unusual movement in the house where the victim was held. The two sons were said to have escaped but their mother was arrested along with 22-year-old Nancy while two human skulls and various guns were recovered.

Police in Rivers State Shoot Dead Three Kidnappers

The Police in Rivers state, Penultimate Sunday, gunned down three hoodlums who allegedly took two hostages around Ugwunabo village in Abia State. The Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Bala Hassan, said he had to reach an agreement with his Abia State counterpart to deploy some men of its Anti-terrorism squad to the border between the two states. He said some hoodlums in a Mercedes Benz car suddenly opened fire on the police squad, thus causing a gun battle that lasted about forty five minutes at the end of which three of the hoodlums were killed while others fled. He said his men later found a hostage in the boot of the Benz, adding that rifles and live ammunitions were among items recovered from the robbers.

Cross River Militants Accept Amnesty, Surrender Arms

In line with Federal Government’s proclamation of amnesty and disarmament of militant groups in the Niger Delta, militants, known as the Bakassi Freedom Fighters and numbering about 500, have surrendered their arms in Cross River State. The State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, represented by his deputy, Mr. Efiok Cobham, lauded the group for its gallantry in surrendering its arms as a move to restore peace to the zone, adding that the Niger Delta was expected to shine as a beacon of growth in Nigeria and not a theatre of war.

Violence Mar PDP Congress in Anambra

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ward congress which began on Monday in Anambra State was marred by widespread violence, rigging and snatching of ballot boxes and election materials in most of the 21 LGAs of the state where the exercise took place, in preparation for the 2010 gubernatorial election in the state. Sporadic guns shots were heard in some areas during the exercise. A PDP official from Benue State was critically wounded, and several others were injured.

Father Forces Son To Drink Acid over Alleged Wizardry

A 17-year old boy, Nwanakwo Udo Edet, who was forced to drink acid by his father, has died at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, (UUTH) Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Nwanakwo was alleged by a pastor and his father to be a wizard, which prompted his father forcing him to drink the acid. The Chief Medical Director, UUTH, Prof. Emmanuel Ekanem, said that the hospital has contacted the Divisional Police Officer in Ikono area who has assured that his men have been assigned to investigate the matter.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Amnesty Period Ends, Tompolo Others Drop Arms, Accept Amnesty

As the period of amnesty for militants in the Niger Delta on Sunday, the 4th of October, many of the militants rushed out of their camps to surrender arms and ammunition. Amongst them are the dreaded leader of Camp 5 Militant Group, Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a. Tompolo, and Farah Dagogo. But the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) stuck to its guns, declining the amnesty offer. At least 500 militants have embraced the amnesty in Delta State alone. Following Ateke Tom and Dagogo Farah's acceptance of amnesty, about 3,000 of their fighters were expected to report for documentation at the rehabilitation centre in Rivers State. President Yar’Adua assured them that they will not regret the decision to accept the amnesty and promise rapid development in the Niger Delta.

Delta Power Project to Generate 1000MW -Barkindo

About 1000 megawatts of power is to be generated from the Okpai Power Plant in Delta State on completion, raising hopes for exceeding the 6,000 MW target of electricity generation set for December this year. Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Mohammed Barkindo, said on Wednesday during an inspection visit to the power plant located in Ndokwa East Local Council that the project, which is being implemented under the Joint Venture with the Agip Oil Company, is in two phases with the second phase set to begin soon. The two plants, according to him, are to generate about one gigawatt or 1,000 megawatts of power, which is the largest in African.

FG Reads Riot Act to Militants, Urges Militants to Accept Amnesty

The Federal Government on Thursday read the riot act to unrepentant militants. The government said it would deal “ruthlessly” with militants who fail to take advantage of the amnesty offer at the end of the deadline. Government again ruled out the possibility of extending the 60-day amnesty period, which ends on October 4, 2009.  Defence Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Committee, Major-General Godwin Abbey (rtd), dismissed the request for the extension of the amnesty deadline by some militants.

Ex-Edo NBA Boss Kidnapped in Edo State

Unknown gunmen in Benin, Monday, kidnapped the immediate past chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Benin branch, Mr. Solomon Odiase, demanding a N100 million as ransom. Also abducted were the parents of Ovia North-East local council chairman, Mr. Faustine Ovienroba. According to Ovienroba, the aged parents were relaxing at the front of their house when the dare devil kidnappers, numbering five and armed to the teeth came and took them away. He said the abductors were yet to make contact with him regarding their motive and what they actually want.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Three in Police Net Over Alleged Murder Of Hunchback Woman

Men of Osun State Police Command have arrested three persons over the alleged murder of a 22-year-old woman with hunchback, Taibat Oseni, according to the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Clement Akinola. The suspects allegedly committed the offence at Iragbiji in Boripe LGA of Osun State in the early hours of Wednesday. The suspects, who had confessed to the crime, however fingered one Mosudi Abisoye (A.K.A Compol), a member of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in the town as their ring leader. The command had recovered the hunch removed from the woman, but the body of deceased was yet to be exhumed.

Five Bodies Recovered in Lagos Bus Raid

No fewer than five bodies of persons suspected to be victims of armed robbery were found on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos on Wednesday. The bodies were said to have been thrown out of a bus while on high speed after they were stripped of their money and other valuables. One of the victims said that he was lucky because he was also pushed down from the bus around 12.30a.m. According to him, one of the victims who refused to submit to the robbers was shot before he was pushed down. Meanwhile, Lagos residents have urged the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo, to order his men to beef up security across the metropolis as they were not happy with the increase in armed banditry in the state.

Counsel Petitions Amnesty International over Rights Violation of Jailed Soldiers

One of the counsels to the 28 soldiers who were recently dismissed from the Army after a Court Martial found them guilty of mutiny, Mr. Peters Adonu, has taken his battle for amnesty for the dismissed soldiers to the Amnesty International. Adonu spoke with newsmen in Ibadan against the backdrop of the relocation of the soldiers from Agodi Federal Prison, Ibadan to some other federal prisons across the country. He said the Army had continued to deny the soldiers a copy of the record of proceedings of the court martial to allow them file an appeal against the judgment.

PZ Factory Manager Shot Dead in Ogun State

A factory manager with PZ Nigeria, Mr. Lucky Egbah, was last weekend, shot dead by yet to be ascertained gunmen. The deceased was killed along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, while returning to his Ifo, Ogun State home after the close of work on Saturday. Egba was allegedly shot by the assailants both in the chest and in the groin, and was left in a pool of his own blood.

Customs Impounds Truck with Contraband Textiles

The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday announced that a trailer load of textiles has been impounded. Area Comptroller of the Command, Mrs. Evelyn Nwokocha,  who displayed the seized trailer and its contents said  the duty paid value on the goods as well as the trailer is estimated at N35 million. Nwokocha added that the goods were seized because the materials were part of the banned goods in the country with the aim of protecting local textile industries.

Policeman Detained over Death of Rape Suspect in Lagos

A middle-aged man was penultimate Saturday killed by the police in Lagos for alleged rape. A woman reportedly went to the nearby Iju Police Station to incident a case of alleged rape against a man simply identified as Dele. A source said the suspect reportedly mobilised some boys to attack the policemen, who had gone to arrest him. It was in the confusion that ensuing one of the policemen fired a shot that hit Dele. Police spokesman Frank Mba said the woman who reported the case was in protective custody, while the policeman who fired the shot is being detained.

Private Refinery to Begin Operation June 2010

Anthonio Oil Plc’s Refinery, a 27, 000 barrels per day capacity facility to be relocated from Cyprus to Iwopin Village in Ogun Waterside LGA of Ogun State, will begin full operations by June 2010. The refinery will become the first in the South Western part of the country to begin operations. Anthonio Oil Plc acquired a used refinery in Cyprus, instead of embarking on the construction of a new one that takes about eight years to build from the scratch. The company is embarking on the project with the assistance of its technical partner, Lohrmann International GMBH of Germany.

Police Pledge To Probe Ohu's Murder

A Police team from the Homicide Section has promised thorough investigation into the killing of the Guardian Newspaper journalist, Bayo Ohu. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ogbonna Onovo, gave an assurance that investigations into Ohu's killing would be thorough and the Police should be given time. Meanwhile, condolence messages have not ceased to flood The Guardian over Ohu's murder.

2 Suspected Boko Haram Members Arraigned in Court

Two suspected members of Boko Haram sect arrested in Abattoir Agege area of Lagos were charged before the Ikeja Chief Magistrate Court. The other five suspects were only brought to court but not docked. Those arraigned were charged with sedition and being in possession of a seditious publication called “Al Mimba”. They pleaded not guilty. The trial Magistrate, Mrs A.T Omoyele admitted each of them to bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties each in like sum.

GENERAL

Libya Suspends Execution of Nigerians on Death Row, Deports 734

Temporary relief has come the way of Nigerians on death row in Libya as the country has agreed to stop their execution. The suspension was made pending the final determination of a case brought by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in Banjul, The Gambia. The decision by Libya followed a Provisional Measure issued by the African Commission which ordered the country to halt the execution. As Nigerians on death row in Libya continue to mull over their fate, the country has deported yet another batch of 734 people. Some of those returned home were sentenced to life imprisonment but later pardoned by the Government.

NLC, Others Task Govt on Growth, Stability as Nigeria Clocks 49

As Nigeria marks her 49th Independence Anniversary celebration on October 1, the country's litany of missed opportunities and potential for greatness and global acclaim underpinned messages and exhortations from labour, political and religious leaders as well as other interest groups. Various groups tasked the government on economic growth, political stability and other development indices. The NLC declared that it would go back to the trenches on November 1 if government begins the implementation of the oil deregulation policy as promised by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Rilwan Lukman. The Congress said that there was nothing to celebrate about Nigeria at 49.

FG May Sell NNPC Joint Venture Stakes to China

The Federal Government has said it may sell part of its interests in the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and some multinational oil companies to China. It was reported on Tuesday that China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) was bidding for 6 billion barrels of Nigeria’s oil in a deal worth about $30 billion. Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, confirmed this development, but pointed out that China would not be given all the reserves it was seeking. He, however, stated that the NNPC could sell stakes in joint ventures with existing oil partners at the right price. NNPC has 55 - 60 per cent interests in the joint ventures with international oil companies.

FG Launches New Naira Notes

President Yar'Adua, Wednesday, launched the advertised new Naira polymer substrate notes for N5, N10 and N50 denominations with a charge to all to embrace the new currency and support the "Keep the Naira Clean" campaign of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). CBN governor, Malam Lamido Sanusi, stated that the existing denominations of N5, N10 and N50 would remain legal tenders and circulate side by side with the new polymer notes for the next six months, saying the public could still exchange their genuine old currencies in all banks, nationwide.

Fresh Crisis Averted in Jos

Security operatives and elders of the Nassarawa Gwom community in Jos have prevented a fight between thugs known as Yan Sarasuka and the people of Nassarawa Gwom in Jos metropolis in Plateau State. The Acting Coordinator, Bridge for Peace and Human Rights in the state, Comrade Lawan Nabage, said two people were killed and one house was burnt while several others were wounded when the Sara Suka group terrorized the area, but were resisted by the residents who formed a vigilante group and arrested seven of them and handed them over to the police who charged them to court but were released on bail three days to Sallah.

Oriental, Afren Commence Drilling at Ebok Field

Afren Nigeria, and its partner, Oriental Energy Resources, on Monday announced the commencement of drilling at the Ebok-Five well, offshore South -east Nigeria. Afren and its partner, Oriental, had signed a rig contract with Transocean for the Adriatic IX jack-up drilling rig, the first drilling phase has commenced with the spudding of the Ebok-5 appraisal well. The commencement of drilling follows recent announcement of extension of the partnership between Oriental and Afren to include the Okwok field, adjacent to Ebok, significantly increasing the resource potential of the greater Ebok - Okwok complex.

Police: Promotions to be on Merit, Vacancies

Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr Parry Osayande, said on Monday that promotions were not automatic but were based on merit, good job, exceptional performance and availability of vacancies. Osayande said the commission had the right to reject recommendations on promotion when there were no vacancies. According to him, officers seeking for promotion must pass promotion examination and must have done consistently good work.

Kidnappers Release Businessman

The police in Zaria, Kaduna state, have confirmed that the kidnappers of a Zaria-based businessman, Alhaji Bala Maikusa, have released him. Maikusa was kidnapped, Thursday night, September 24, by unidentified persons at his residence in Zaria. The kidnapped Kaduna state SSG, Mr. Waje Yayok, was also released on Wednesday, but his official driver also became a victim to the kidnappers. The abductors were said to have initially demanded for N100 million on Sunday evening but later reduced the ransom price to N40 million. The State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the incessant kidnapping of people in the country, lamenting that kidnapping which was a South-South phenomenon had now enveloped the whole country.

Nurse Found Dead In Her Home

A nurse with Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, Miss Mercy Ajagbonna, was found dead by the Police at her residence. Neighbours of the victim reported to the police that an offensive odour was coming from the deceased apartment. Following the report, police detectives went to the girl’s house and forced open the door which was locked from outside and discovered that she had been strangled to death. They told the police that a fiancé of the victim, an Army personnel, one Moses Olorunfemi from Lagos frequently visits her and that two days before she was murdered, he came again on a visit and was heard complaining that the girl refused to give him the keys to her bedroom. When contacted, the Police Public Relation Officer, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, said the police commenced full investigation.

16 Illegal Fuel Stations Shut in Benue

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Makurdi has shut down 16 illegal filling stations in parts of Benue State just as a Makurdi court has summarily convicted three persons caught operating illegal filling stations. The Operations Controller of the DPR in Makurdi, Mr. Azebeokhai Anthony disclosed that the department, working in collaboration with the Police, has commenced a special operation to crack down on illegal petrol stations in Benue State.

No Boko Haram in Kano –Police

The police authority in Kano has debunked media reports of regroupings of outlawed Boko Haram religious sect in Kano, saying they have been sent away from the state. The Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Mamman Chafe, that the command had, in the wake of the last crisis in July, widen its security surveillance that made it difficult for any of the fleeing members to return to the commercial city. Chafe, who spoke through the Police Public Relation Officer of the Command, Baba Muhammad, revealed that patriotic citizens had reported cases of returning members to the police for action.

INTERNATIONAL

777 Dead in Indonesia Earthquake

Rescue workers used excavators on Thursday to pull out victims from the heavy rubble of buildings felled by a powerful earthquake in Indonesia and furious tsunami in Samoas that killed at least 777 people.  The death toll was expected to rise. The brunt of Wednesday’s 7.6-magnitude earthquake, which originated in the sea off Sumatra Island, appeared to have been borne by Padang town where 376 people were killed. Four other districts accounted for the remaining deaths. The region was jolted by another powerful earthquake on Thursday morning. More than 500 buildings were destroyed in Padang. Thousands of people were believed to be trapped in the rubble.

Vietnam Appeals for Relief, Rescue after Typhoon

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung urged authorities Wednesday to "urgently implement" relief efforts after Typhoon Ketsana slammed into the country hours earlier. The government did not say how many people had been killed or were reported missing. Media reported the deaths of more than a dozen people. The prime minister said resources in several provinces would be focused on searching for missing people; treating the wounded; moving those in flooded areas; and providing people with food and water.

Ban, Iraqi Leader Agree On Deadly Terror Attacks

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has discussed Iraq's request for the United Nations to set up an independent commission to probe deadly bombings and attacks that have struck the country since 2008 with President Jalal Talabani. The Iraqi leader issued the call during his address l to the annual high-level debate of the General Assembly and said the scope and nature of the attacks including the explosions last month that killed around 100 people in the capital, Baghdad meant they could only have been carried out with external help and warranted an outside investigation. Mr. Talabani had also stated in his address that once the commission had carried out its work, a special international court should then be set up to try those accused of committing the crimes.

Philippines Seeks Typhoon Aid as Death Toll Rises

The government in Philippines has appealed for international aid to help tens of thousands marooned by flashfloods, and apologized for the delays in rescue efforts to avoid potential political fallout from the crisis. Defense Secretary, Gilbert Teodoro, on Monday said that help from foreign governments would ensure that the Philippine government could continue relief work following massive flooding set off by Tropical Storm Ketsana which had killed about 140.

Iran Test-Fires Long-Range Missile

Iran on Monday test-fired its long-range Shahab-3 missile which it said could hit targets in arch-foe Israel, as the Revolutionary Guards staged missile war games for the second straight day. The exercise comes at a time of heightened tension with the West after the United Nations (UN) revealed last Friday that the Islamic republic was building a second uranium enrichment plant. Iran said the weapon has a range of 1,300-2,000 kilometres (800-1,240 miles), which would put Israel, most Arab states and parts of Europe including much of Turkey within its range.

Poland Passes Law on Forcible Castration for Paedophiles

In a bid to stop child abuse, Poland has approved a law making chemical castration mandatory for Paedophiles. This has sparked criticism from human rights groups. Under the law, paedophiles convicted of raping children under the age of 15 years, would have to undergo chemical therapy on their release from prison. "The purpose of this action is to improve the mental health of the convict, to lower his libido and thereby to reduce the risk of another crime being committed by the same person," the government said in a statement. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said late last year that he wanted obligatory castration for paedophiles.

Genocide Suspect Claims Innocence on Church Deaths

One of the most wanted suspects in Rwanda's 1994 genocide has pleaded not guilty to crimes against humanity at a United Nations (UN) tribunal trying the alleged masterminds of the slaughter. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda has charged Gregoire Ndahimana with being responsible for the deaths of about 2,000 Tutsis that died when bulldozers knocked down the church where they had sought refuge in the western Rwandan town of Kibuye. Ndahimana, a former mayor, had been on the run for 15 years before he was captured in August in Congo. More than half a million members of the Tutsi ethnic minority and moderates from the Hutu majority were slaughtered during the 100-day genocide. Many former Hutu militia leaders fled to Congo after Tutsi rebels fought their way to power.

13 Die as Fight Rages in Somali Capital

Mortars and missiles on Monday pounded parts of the Somali capital, killing about 13 civilians in two separate battles between Islamic militiamen and the African Union (AU) peacekeeping force. In the first battle, heavily armed Islamist insurgents attacked a Burundian contingent of the AU force based at a former military academy in southwestern Mogadishu. Witnesses said eight civilians were killed. Somali government spokesman, Shiek Abdirisaq Qeylow, and AU peacekeeping force spokesman, Barigye Bahoku, confirmed the battle took place but did not give any other details.

Leaders Lament Deadlock on New Climate Deal

Climate talks by the United Nations have begun in Bangkok with leaders calling for a break in the deadlock over a global warming deal. They also warned that failure to act would leave future generations fighting for survival. Negotiations on a new UN climate pact have been bogged down by a broad unwillingness to commit to firm emissions targets, and a refusal by developing countries to sign a deal until the West guarantees billions of dollars in financial assistance - something rich countries have so far refused to do.

UN Countries Alerted Against Coups D'état

Governments that come to power through coups d'état should be banned from participating in all United Nations institutions, Namibia's Foreign Minister told the General Assembly today, urging Member States to take a tougher line against undemocratic transfers of power. Marco Hausiku said the 192-member General Assembly should "urgently pass a resolution" that prohibits unelected regimes from participating in UN activities. On Friday the Assembly voted to deny a delegation from Madagascar, where the president was ousted earlier this year following violent political unrest, permission to address the high-level segment.

Guinean Military Bans Mass Rallies after Troops Kill 157

The military authorities in Guinea have banned "subversive" gatherings and announced two days of national mourning after troops killed at least 157 people in a brutal crackdown on an opposition rally. Guinea's military ruler, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, said he was sorry for the violence, but a human rights group alleged junta soldiers killed three more people outside the capital, Conakry, on Tuesday, a day after the crackdown and kidnapped victims of the crackdown from hospitals. Camara on Tuesday made his first appearance in public since the crackdown, visiting two hospitals in Conakry to meet with the wounded.

East Africa Drought Threatens Millions

Drought for a fifth year running is driving more than 23 million east Africans in seven countries towards severe hunger and destitution, international aid agency, Oxfam, has said. Launching a $9.5 million appeal, it said the situation was being worsened by high food prices and conflict. The most badly hit nations are Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Uganda. Malnutrition is now above emergency levels in some areas and hundreds of thousands of valuable cattle are dying. Paul Smith Lomas, Oxfam's East Africa Director, said failed and unpredictable rains were ever more common in the region and that broader climate change meant wet seasons were becoming shorter. Droughts have increased from once a decade to every two or three years.

4,000 U.S. Troops to Vacate Iraq in October

The United States will withdraw another 4,000 troops in Iraq by the end of October, the U.S. military commander in Iraq said. President Obama has said the U.S. combat mission in Iraq will end by August 31, 2010. Obama also said he plans to keep a range of 35,000 to 50,000 support troops on the ground in Iraq after combat troops are out.

23 Killed in Nepal Church Collapse

At least 23 people died when part of a church collapsed in eastern Nepal, police said Wednesday. The church in the town of Dharan, about 150 miles (240 km) east of Kathmandu, was hosting a conference with up to 700 participants when a makeshift bamboo dormitory housing them caved in. Among the dead were 18 women and two children. Another 63 people were injured and are being treated in the local hospital. Christians are a minority in Nepal, which is a predominantly Hindu country.

Missing Fighter Jet Found after 5 Decades

Searchers in California say they have found and identified the wreck of a fighter jet that disappeared into the Pacific Ocean near Los Angeles International Airport nearly 54 years ago. The searchers were looking for another missing plane when they came upon the wreckage of a Lockheed T-33A jet trainer, said Pat Macha, an aircraft archeologist who has identified about 3,700 crash sites and visited more than 800. The T-33 disappeared shortly after taking off on an early-morning training navigation flight October 15, 1955, an Air Force Aircraft Accident Report says. Two crewmen were aboard. The plane had been presumed lost at sea all these years.

Dozens Killed as Tsunami Slams into Samoan Islands

A huge emergency effort is under way in the Samoan Islands after towering tsunami waves triggered by an 8.0 earthquake left dozens dead and entire villages flattened or submerged on Tuesday. At least 84 people are so far confirmed dead in American Samoa and neighboring Samoa but officials fear the toll will rise. Seven people were also confirmed killed in Tonga. In American Samoa, 22 people were confirmed dead by late Tuesday. But Salamo Laumoli, director of health services at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center in the capital, Pago Pago, said he feared more fatalities would turn up as rescue workers were still trying to access parts of the island severed by damaged infrastructure.

EU Panel Indicts Georgia, Russia in War Probe

An investigating panel inaugurated by the European Union (EU) has blamed Georgia for starting the war last year with Russia but accused Moscow of escalating tensions ahead of the conflict. The commission, in a report ordered by the European Union in December, concluded that Georgia had sparked the war in August 2008 with an attack on its breakaway region of South Ossetia. Russia was blamed for provocation that ratcheted up tensions in the weeks before the night of August 7, when the five-day war in the former Soviet state broke out.

422 Killed in U.S, Congo, Cambodia, Others

Tragedy struck in several places across the globe on Wednesday leaving about 422 people dead in the United States (U.S.), Congo, Cambodia and Indonesia. A series of tsunami smashed into the Pacific island nations of American and Western Samoa, killing possibly more than 100 people, destroying villages and injuring hundreds, officials said. President Barack Obama declared a major disaster in American Samoa, a U.S. territory, and ordered federal aid to help recovery efforts. In Congo, no fewer than nine people died and many more were killed after an overloaded boat capsized on a remote stretch of river in Congo, a local official said on Tuesday. Also, one of the most destructive storms in years extended its deadly path across Southeast Asia, blowing down wooden villages in Cambodia and crushing Vietnamese houses under mudslides after submerging much of the Philippine capital.

Israel Urges Sanctions over Iran’s Secret Nuclear Facility

Israel has said it would not rule out a military strike on Tehran after the discovery of a secret Iranian nuclear facility. Israel insists Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons. Iran denies the allegations. Officials of six world powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States – on Wednesday met Iranian chief negotiator Saeed Jalili to discuss Tehran's controversial nuclear programme. Western powers suspect the programme is aimed at making atomic weapons, something Iran denies.

IMF Warns of Fresh 'Recession'

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday warned that there was still a significant risk of another downward lurch in the global recession. The IMF described credit risks as remaining "elevated," even though financial conditions have improved significantly since spring. It said these risks, alongside weakened banks, were likely to depress the availability of new credit and damp the global economic recovery unless significant additional capital was raised to improve the health and lending capability of banking systems.