Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 42

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Bloody Clash in Rivers State over Demolition of Water Fronts

Three persons were feared dead and several others injured in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday in a gun duel involving some persons suspected to be former militants, soldiers and the police over the planned demolition of Bundu waterfront. The ex-militants, who are said to be loyalists of former Niger Delta Vigilante Movement (NDVM) leader, Ateke Tom, were against the demolition of the waterfront. The state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that there was no going back on the demolition, as “the waterfront is a haven for criminals”. Twenty-one persons were also arrested. Ateke Tom had declared that he would resist the demolition, describing it as ethnic cleansing of his Okrika people.

Rivers Commissioner orders Arrest of Oil Firm Staff for Hoarding Fuel

The Rivers state Commissioner for Energy, Dr. Dawari George, who embarked on unscheduled inspection of filling stations in Port Harcourt, Wednesday, ordered the arrest of four officials of a petroleum marketing company for alleged hoarding of products. This was sequel to scarcity of petroleum products, even when allocations to the State had been loaded at the depots, though Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association (PTDA) have been on strike for three days. The Tanker Drivers following the intervention of the State government have suspended their strike, according to their Chairman, Mr. John Amajoyi.

Amnesty International Calls for Probe on JTF Shootings in Rivers

Amnesty International has urged both federal and Rivers State governments to promptly investigate all deaths and injuries resulting from the use of firearms by the police and the Joint Task Force (JTF) against protesting inhabitants of Bundu waterfront, Port Harcourt. The group advocated that security operatives suspected of excessive use of force should be prosecuted. Government authorities, accompanied by armed security operatives went to Bundu community on Monday to assess the value of structures earmarked for demolition. Protesters confronted the soldiers and police, blocking their entry into the community, but the security operatives began firing into the air, while stray bullets reportedly struck nine persons. About 23 persons were arrested.

A'Ibom CP Vows to Arrest Militants

The Akwa Ibom state Commissioner of Police, Walter Rugbere has warned that any militant arrested will be treated like a common criminal. Rugbere also revealed how his command rescued an abducted pastor from kidnappers. Rugbere said the pastor and school proprietor, Jonah Solomon Akpan, was abducted by a six-man gang on the site of his private school at Itam, but the timely intervention of his men got the pastor rescued. He added that a Hiace bus, one AK47 rifle with 70 rounds of ammunition, four magazines and some cartridges were abandoned by the gang and recovered by the security operatives.

CLO Calls for Investigation into Murder of Two Persons in SARS Cell

The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) has called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate criminal activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Anambra State. In a petition to the IG, the CLO also demanded a full scale enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death, in SARS custody, of two persons in the state. There have been many complaints against members of the SARS, based on unlawful arrests, killings and maiming of persons in custody. CLO alleged that the two persons were unjustly killed by officers of SARS.

Accident Claims 12 Lives in Enugu

A ghastly motor accident along the Enugu-Onitsha road has claimed the lives of 12 secondary school students. The accident occurred when the 18-seater bus conveying the students had a tyre burst and somersaulted several times. The bus, according to eye witness, was travelling at a high speed when it ran into a pothole that caused the tyre burst after which the bus veered far into the bush. Public Relations Officer of the Enugu Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. John Emenaru, confirmed the auto crash.

Ebonyi Passes Death Penalty Law for Kidnappers

It is now a capital offence for anybody to engage in kidnapping or hostage taking in Ebonyi State as Governor Martin Elechi has signed into law a new bill which provides, among other things, death penalty for offenders. Governor Elechi explained that the drastic law became necessary after the combined efforts of his administration and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Ebonyi in providing vehicles for the military, police and security services to assist them in maintaining law and order failed to stem rising crime wave in the state.

Shell Onshore Production Drops

Despite the relative peace in the Niger Delta due to Federal Government’s amnesty granted to militants, Royal Dutch Shell, a major operator in Nigeria oil and gas sector, has continued to count loses from its operation owing to the years of unrest in the region. The company’s Chief Executive, Peter Voser, stated on Tuesday that the company’s onshore output currently stood at 120,000 barrels per day (bpd), from the about 300,000 bpd being produced before the militant activities escalated in the region. Voser said Shell's onshore production in Nigeria had been “heavily curtailed by violence” in the region.

Hard Drugs Sold Openly In Umuahia

As the war against crime by the Abia State government rages on, some youths in Umuahia now hawk narcotics and hard drugs in parts of the city. According to investigation, the miscreants sell the hard drugs to their customers mostly youths who consequently perpetrate one crime or another. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state police command Mr. Ali Okechukwu called for information on such activities from the public to enable the police tackle the development, assuring that the Police was willing to tackle any situation threatening the security of the state.

Jailbreak Foiled at Onitsha

Attempt by inmates of the Onitsha Prison to break jail and escape was foiled on Tuesday by a combined team of policemen. The Police Area Commander, Mr. John Nwele, who led the operation and some inmates, sustained minor injury. The incident started as the inmates complained that the deputy state comptroller of prisons refused to allow them use of cell phones. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, confirmed the incident and said there was no casualty.

Policeman Killed in Onitsha N9m Robbery

Violent robberies resurged on Wednesday in Onitsha, when an armed robbery gang killed a mobile policeman on escort duty and carted away about N9 million.
The state Police Command is already interrogating the manager of the bank from which the money was just withdrawn and two others for alleged complicity in the robbery. The Police Area Commander for Onitsha, Mr. John Nwele, confirmed the incident, said the case had been transferred to the state CID.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Youth Leader, Brother Slain In Effurun Factional Feud

The factional head of an Effurun, Delta State youth group, and party to a dispute, Mr Destiny Ogbeni, and his brother, were on Thursday killed at the venue of a meeting convened by the council chairman to reconcile two warring youth factions in the area. The youth leader was stabbed to death by some members of the opposing group who accused him of suffering from sit-tight syndrome. Eye-witness accounts said his brother may have been killed when the situation degenerated and cudgels, knives, missiles and guns were used in the free-for-all that ensued. The state police Commissioner, Mr. Yakubu Alkali, assured that the situation was under control, while his men were on ground to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

11 Suspected Kidnappers to Appear in Court as Company Director is Abducted

The Director of GBC, producers of household products in Anambra State, Mr. Murphy Madubuike, was in the early hours of Thursday, kidnapped in Asaba, Delta State. The police in Asaba were said to have intensified investigations into the matter. In another development, 11 suspects, including five females, had been arrested in connection with the kidnap of one Mrs. Joy Agofure and her driver at Agbarho, near Warri, on October 10th, 2009. The kidnappers, according to police sources, demanded a ransom of N500 million for the release of their victims.

Lack of Funds, Others Stall Training for Ex-Militants

Indications emerged on Wednesday that lack of funds and other logistics might stall the training of repentant Niger Delta militants. The Amnesty Committee had announced that it was sending 600 militants to the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, in Jos, to be trained for one month preparatory to their full rehabilitation, but sources disclosed that the governors from the Niger Delta and the Committee are yet to agree on what each should contribute to their welfare and training. Meanwhile, the Berkeley City Council has passed a resolution urging the United States (U.S.) State Department to support third party peace talks in the Niger Delta, and implored the U.S. Senate to pass a transparency law to force Chevron and other oil companies to report payments to Nigeria and other foreign governments.

MEND Dares JTF as Ceasefire Expires

Anxiety grew in the Niger-Delta over whether the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta (MEND), will make good its threat to resume hostilities after the expiration of its ceasefire  last Thursday, just as the group dismissed the warning by the Joint Task Force (JTF), that militants who dared to raze oil installations would be consumed. It was learnt that JTF beefed up security at some oil installations. However, prominent South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, Henry Okah, and other eminent Nigerians have appealed to the militant group to give room for more dialogue. But MEND spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said nothing was certain until the leadership of group decides on the next line of action

Police Parade Suspected Kidnappers, Armed Robbers in Edo

Police in Edo State, Monday, paraded two kidnapping and two armed robbery suspects alleged to have murdered a commercial motorcyclist in June. The Commissioner of Police, Danlami Yar'Adua said the suspected kidnappers were nabbed while perfecting plans to abduct a popular medical doctor in the state last week. He said that they also rescued a middle-aged business woman who had been in their custody for five days. Two guns, a live cartridge, charms and amulets, sim cards, used airtime cards and over 10 mobile phone handsets were recovered from the suspected kidnappers.

Commercial Bike Riders in Violent Protest in Warri

Pandemonium broke out in parts of Warri Delta State on Monday when commercial motorcycle operators staged a violent protest against alleged indiscriminate levies by Local Government revenue officers. The marauding Okada riders, who vented their anger on everyone in sight, forced people to run helter-skelter for the safety of their lives. It took the combined efforts of the joint patrol teams of mobile policemen and soldiers to save the situation. It was gathered that Warri South, Warri South West, Udu and Uvwie LG councils had reintroduced the sales of tickets to the bike riders. Press Secretary to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Mr. Linus Chima, said the state government would intervene in the matter.

Gbaramatu Communities Canvass Out-of-Court Settlement for N100bn Suit

The 52 Gbaramatu communities of Delta State that sued the Federal Government for N100bn over the May 13 invasion of their towns by the Joint Task Force (JTF) say they will welcome an out-of-court settlement, if the FG’s amnesty programme covers those whose property were destroyed, who are not militants, according to their counsel, Chief Fedude Zimughan.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Osun Police Seize Fake Dollar Notes

Osun State Police Command has intercepted the sum of $3.5 million fake currency notes while three suspects were arrested. The police said that the fake US dollar notes were intercepted on Monday along the Ibadan/Akure road. The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. John Moronike said that the suspects were on their way to Abuja from where they planned to take off to Niger Republic.

NDLEA Nabs Woman, Others over Cocaine Trafficking

A 56-year-old grandmother has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Lagos airport for trafficking in cocaine. The suspect, Abiola Khadijat, on October 7, concealed a total of 85 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine weighing 999 grammes, in her body. She was apprehended during screening on an outbound flight to Atlanta, United States.  Another suspect, Godday Ugweogbu, 31, was also arrested with 93 wraps of cocaine in his stomach on his way from Brazil. Meanwhile, NDLEA has vowed to dislodge drug cartels in the country, and has proposed longer jail sentences for convicts.

Lagos Police Need 100 Gun Boats to Fight Crime

The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Marvel Akpoyibo, has disclosed that his command needs 100 Gun Boats and 3,000 Close Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras to battle and win the war against armed robbery in the state. According to him, with the help of the state government, crime had drastically reduced in Lagos State, but they still need to do more to win. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (STF) has spent N4.6 billion to procure equipment to fight robbers in the state in the last two years, according to its Chairman, Fola Arthur-Worrey.

Man Remanded In Prison for Alleged Abduction of Teenage Girlfriend

A 22-year old man, Deji Olusanjo, has been remanded at the Kirikiri Prisons in Lagos for allegedly abducting his 14-year old girl friend, Anuoluwapo Olaniyi. The accused was arrested by the police following a complaint lodged by the girl’s parents that she was abducted. The offence, according to the police prosecutor, was contrary to and punishable under Section 362 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 17. vol. 2 laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

GENERAL

FG Orders Hospitals to Treat Victims of Gunshot

The Federal Government has ordered all hospitals in the country to treat gunshot victims or face criminal charges and a jail term or a fine, according to the Minister of Health, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin. The order from the government follows the rising death toll of gunshot and accident victims denied treatment due to lack of police report and other unlawful requirements. The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Osita Chidoka, said delay in treatment might result in the loss of lives thereby destroying evidence which would have been cardinal to the case.

U.S Lauds Nigeria over Niger Delta Amnesty Deal

The United States (U.S.) has commended the Federal Government over its efforts to resolve the Niger Delta crisis and welcomed the amnesty offer to the militants, while commending the militants for embracing the peace overture by laying down their arms, saying this would stimulate development in the region. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has charged the Federal Government and governors of the Niger Delta states to mop up remaining arms in the area ahead of the 2011 elections. The NBA asked the governors to provide employment for the repentant militants so that they do not turn to crime.

FG Denies November 1 as Take-Off Date for Deregulation

The Federal Government has denied that its policy on the deregulation of the down stream sector of the petroleum industry will commence on November 1. The Minister of Labour, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode said no body was appointed by the FG to make such an announcement. There were reports that November 1, had been fixed as the take-off date for the policy. Meanwhile, the Senate has endorsed the planned deregulation, saying that subsidy on fuel was not backed by law. In another development, the FG withheld approval for fuel importation in the last quarter of the year on the ground that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) can meet demand. Group Executive Director of Commercials of NNPC, Mr. Aminu Babakusa, who confirmed this, said measures are in place to ensure adequate supply of products.

NNPC Checks Fuel Hoarding

A major drive to curb fuel hoarding and attendant scarcity nationwide was undertaken at the weekend by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporate (NNPC) in Kano, when sudden scarcity of fuel was witnessed in the city. The scarcity for inexplicable reasons was likely caused by hoarding of product, by dealers, ahead of the take-off of the deregulation of the petroleum industry policy on November 1. Levi Ajuonuma, Group General Manager, Public Relations of NNPC, read the riot act to dealers who failed to utilise all nozzle points in their filing stations, saying that the NNPC would ensure that consumers were not subjected to any hardship.

UN Team Inspects Nigerian Army's Training Facilities

A three-member military team from the Integrated Training Service (ITS) of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operation (UNDPKO) arrived in Nigeria for an assessment of the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre (NAPKC) in Kaduna. The team, led by Chief of the ITS, Col. Farooque Choudhury, witnessed the graduation ceremony of 73 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, which would be deployed on the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) soon. Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen A. A. Atofarati, enjoined the troops to be professional in their conduct.

FG Projects Decline in Economic Growth in 2010

The Federal Government, in its Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (Revised), has indicated that although, the rate of economic growth in Nigeria is projected to decline next year,  the economy will not enter recession due to government’s fiscal and monetary policies. The rate of economic growth in Nigeria is projected to decline in 2010, due to a fall in aggregate demand caused by the global recession.

Climate Change: World Bank, AFDB Vote $200m for Nigeria, South Africa

The World Bank and the Africa Development Bank have agreed to support efforts at climate change adaptation by Nigeria and South Africa with the sum of $200m.
World Bank's Programme Coordinator on Environment for African Region, Mr. Herbert Acquay, said the two institutions plan to use the fund as basis to push forward development initiatives in order to promote a low carbon economy in the countries. He further said the fund will constitute 20% - 30% of investment requirement to help the countries in the drive for the promotion of Clean Development projects.

11 Northern States Face Threat of Drought -NEMA

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has placed eleven states in the northern part of the country under red alert following reports of possible adverse weather conditions in the areas. Director-General of the agency, AVM Mohammed Audu-Bida (rtd) made this disclosure. The warning came just as the cessation of rainfall is being witnessed in some parts of the country. But in a contrary incident, some the listed states experienced heavy downpour on Tuesday.

2 Persons Arrested For Impersonation, Blackmail

The police in the Federal Capital Territory have arrested two men for blackmailing the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Inde Dikko, to pay a sum of N7 million to stop the planned demonstration against his appointment. Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Jimoh Moshood, said the duo had impersonated officials of the National Youth Forum. The Police PRO explained that the principal suspect, Ayesa, on interrogation confessed to the crime and fingered a renowned lawyer based in Lagos State as being behind the planned protest to sway public sentiment in his favour in the ongoing court case involving the complainant.

NLC Vows to Resist Deregulation

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday, strongly kicked against the planned deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry, calling on workers and other Nigerians to be prepared for a fierce battle from November 1, when the Federal Government said the policy would take off. The congress also called on its affiliates and the masses to remain resolute in their opposition to deregulation or any policy they considered anti masses, and prepare for the battle ahead.

Nigeria Generates $900m from Non Oil Export in 9 months

The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. David  Adulugba, on Monday said Nigeria realized  a total sum of $900 million  from its non oil export sectors in the first nine months of this year. Adulugba said the Council had concluded arrangements for a sensitization workshop to focus on the modern tool of trade development, promotion and facilitation among member countries, through the provision of useful information about companies and products. He added that the workshop will make it easier to identify business opportunities and contacts for businessmen.

Yar’Adua, Others Sign Pact on Fake Drugs

Nigeria, Togo, Benin Republic, and four other African countries on Wednesday in Benin Republic, signed a declaration against fake drugs in Africa, to mark the beginning of an international campaign against fake drugs. President Yar’Adua said Nigeria’s war against fake drugs had entered a new phase with its strategic plans to attack the menace at different levels, to include prevention   of its supplies, entrenchment and strengthening of a rigorous regulation of the drug system and establishment of a distribution system with unquestionable integrity. Yar’Adua stated that Nigeria would require a lot of regional support to fight the scourge.

Yar’Adua Commends OPEC on Stability of Oil Price

President Yar’Adua has commended Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for stabilising the oil market for the benefit of both oil producers and consumers and making crude oil a more environmentally friendly energy source. The OPEC Secretary General, Mr. Abdulla El-Badri, on a visit to Nigeria, said the organisation was looking forward to a growth of seven per cent next year, admitting that there were still some challenges, but expressed confidence about the future of the world economy and the oil market.

Senate Summons NYSC Boss over Slain Female Corps Member

The Senate has directed the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Maharazu Tsiga,    to appear before it to explain the circumstances surrounding the death of a Youth Corps member, Miss Grace Adie, at her place of primary assignment in Borno state. This came as a group; Cross River state Forum, on Wednesday condemned the killing, describing it as barbaric, hideous, reprehensible and primitive, saying "it has cast a serious dent on the Youth Service Scheme.” The group called on the Borno state government to provide comprehensive compensation for the family of the deceased.

Lawyer Drags FG to Court over Deregulation

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Bamidele Autru, has dragged the Minister of Petroleum, Dr. Rilwanu Lukman and two other ministers before a Federal High Court in Abuja, asking the court to declare that the policy decision to deregulate the downstream sector of the petroleum industry by not fixing the prices at which petroleum products may be sold in Nigeria was unlawful, illegal, null, void and a violation of the mandatory provision of section 6 of the Petroleum Act. He is seeking the court’s order to restrain them and their agents from deregulating or failing to fix the prices of petroleum products as required by the Petroleum Act and the Price Control Act.

Oil Surges above $75 a Barrel as Global Economy Rebounds

Oil, Wednesday, surged above $75 a barrel, the highest this year, boosted by a weak dollar and optimism that a global economic rebound would lead to higher energy demand. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has expressed concern over the rapid price rally, in its monthly report said it had increased its global oil demand growth estimate for 2010 to 1.42 million barrels per day (bpd), up 150,000 bpd from its previous projection. Also the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), raised its forecasts for world demand, saying it expected an average of 28.39 million bpd next year, up 300,000 bpd from its previous forecast.

Life Jail for Kidnappers in Kaduna

The Kaduna State government has signed into law a bill prohibiting kidnapping and other acts of abduction in the state. Consequently, any individual convicted on kidnapping charges in the state will have a life jail sentence with hard labour. The Governor, Namadi Sambo, said the law would free the state from the grips of kidnappers.

Nigeria Gets UN Security Council Seat

Nigeria was, Thursday, elected for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations (UN) Security Council alongside Gabon, Brazil, Bosnia and Lebanon. The seats were not contested this year, as there was not much opposition. Ten of the council's 15 seats are filled by regional groups for two-years and five non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly every year. The five other Security Council seats are occupied by its veto-wielding permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France.

Diarrhoea Kills 440,000 Nigerian Children Yearly –UN Bodies

As the World celebrated the Global Hand Washing Day on Thursday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), said diarrhoea kills 200,000 Nigerian children yearly, while respiratory infections kill another 240,000 children every year. It said the trend was the result of the unhygienic lifestyle of major communities in the country, which relegated the all important task of keeping the hands clean by washing them after certain activities.

COAS Assures on Army’s Obedience to Court Verdicts

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau, has assured that the Army will henceforth accept the verdicts of an appellate court. Dambazau gave the assurance at the Nigerian Army Law Seminar 2009, organised in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI). The seminar was aimed at providing a forum for interaction between the Nigerian Army and civilian stakeholders in justice dispensation and operational actions taken by the military. The Army chief assured that problems on how the military handle its cases are now in the past as offenders will henceforth be given fair hearing.

Police Witness Accuses DCP of Pulling the Trigger on Apo Six

A prosecution witness in the trial of six policemen allegedly involved in the 2005 murder of six youths in Abuja, Police Constable Haruna Mahmud, has the Court that it was Deputy Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Danjuma, who shot the victims. Haruna said when the leader of his patrol team, Inspector Suleiman Audu refused DCP Danjuma’s order to shoot at the Peugeot 406 salon car that the deceased persons drove in; Danjuma alighted from his car, collected the gun from the Inspector and shot at the victim’s car killing four out of the six occupants of the car instantly. Haruna also debunked the first statement he made that guns were found in the victim’s car as lies, made under duress from the police hierarchy.

52 Killed in Borno Cholera Outbreak

At least 52 persons have died as a result of a cholera epidemic that broke out in Biu LGA of Borno state. Dr Abubakar Sadiq, the Medical Director in charge of the treatment camp set up by the state Government disclosed that the medical team had treated 1,355 people who were victims of the killer disease and an average of 100 patients were brought in from villages on a daily basis at the peak of the epidemic. He further express joy that the situation seemed under control.

INTERNATIONAL

Suicide Blast Kills 41, As Taliban Own Siege on Pakistan Army

A suicide car bombing on Monday killed 41 people in Pakistan. It was the fourth militant attack in just over a week, as the Taliban vowed to mobilise fighters for more strikes. The Taliban also claimed responsibility for the 22-hour siege last weekend on the nation's army headquarters, in which 19 persons were killed. The announcement came as the army prepared for what is likely to be a long and bloody offensive against the major base of the Taliban in the border region of South Waziristan. The Police had issued warning in July, that militants from western border areas were joining those in the central Punjab province in plans for a bold attack on army headquarters.

Iran Dismisses Warning on Nuclear Programme

Iran has dismissed United State's warning over its nuclear programme, saying such "threats" have no impact on the Islamic republic. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, Hassan Ghashghavi, said his country was committed to following international laws when it comes to its nuclear programme. US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, had, penultimate Sunday, warned Iran that world powers were running out of patience. Global powers were outraged after Iran revealed that it was building a second uranium enrichment plant near the holy city of Qom.

12 Sentenced to Death over China's Riots

A court in China's far western Xinjiang region has sentenced 12 men to death over riots between Moslem Uighurs and members of the Han Chinese majority that killed nearly 200 people in July. The sentences appeared aimed at placating Han Chinese who had rallied in the regional capital of Urumqi calling for swift justice. An Uighur activist, however, said they were only likely to exacerbate the ethnic tensions that bubbled over in July into China's worst communal violence in decades.

Mississippi Teacher gets Life Sentence for Murder of Pregnant Woman

A Mississippi schoolteacher, Carla Hughes, was on Wednesday, sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for killing one Avis Banks, her lover's pregnant fiancée in 2006. Banks, 27, who was five months pregnant, was found dead in a pool of blood on November 29, 2006, in the garage of the home she shared with Keyon Pittman, the father of her unborn child. Prosecutors alleged that Hughes killed Banks so she could have Pittman, a colleague at Chastain Middle School in Jackson, to herself.

17 Dead as Militants Attack Pakistani Security

Taliban militants launched a string of attacks against Pakistani law enforcement on Thursday, killing at least 17 people, according to Khusro Pervez, Lahore's police commissioner. Seven people died in a firefight outside the Federal Investigation Agency, One militant was in custody. Militants also hit the Manawan and Bedian police training centers. Two police cadets died when a pair of suicide bombers blew themselves up at Manawan. About 10 militants stormed the Bedian elite police training center. Further details were not immediately available.

5 Arrested as Pirates Attack French Ship

Five people were detained off Somalia's coast, Wednesday, after pirates mistook a French ship involved in an anti-piracy operation for a commercial vessel, the French Defense Ministry said.  There were no injuries recorded. An hour after the attack, the French command and supply ship chased down one of the pirates' skiffs, and detained five suspected pirates, it said. A second skiff involved in the attack got away. Europe and other Western powers have stepped up their maritime patrols off Somalia's coast following a spate of pirate attacks over the past year.

Pakistani Jets Attack Militant Hideouts

Pakistani jet fighters and attack helicopters fired on militant hideouts in South Waziristan, killing more than 20 militants, a military official disclosed on Friday. The official called the strikes, which have been launched daily since Tuesday, part of a strategy to "soften up targets" in South Waziristan before an upcoming ground offensive. A date for the offensive has not been made public. The strike came on the same day militants launched a string of strikes that killed at least 30 Pakistani police officers and civilians. At least 10 militants were killed in the attacks. Also on Friday, a bomb detonated in the border city of Peshawar, killing at least six people in a busy neighborhood near a mosque and police station, officials said.

Five Found Guilty of Terror Plots in Australia

Five men were convicted on Friday in Australia, of attempts to commit terrorist attacks, court officials said. The verdicts came after a jury deliberated for 23 days. The men will be sentenced on December 14. About 300 witnesses testified in the 10-month trial, in which prosecutors used about 18 hours of recorded telephone conversations to prove that the men were planning a terror attack in Ausralia. The suspects were connected to four other suspects who had earlier pleaded guilty to charges that included acquiring weapons, hydrochloric acid and bombs for an attack.

Somali Insurgents Threaten to Attack Kenya

Islamist rebels in Somalia have accused Kenya of recruiting ethnic Somalis who live in Kenya to fight against them and warned that their organisation would do all it could to stop Kenya. The mayor of the Kenyan town of Garissa said 200 young men had been taken from their homes. Kenya supports Somalia's weak UN-backed government, which is battling al-Shabab and other Islamist groups. But Kenya's defence ministry and police have denied the reports, adding that no official complaint had been lodged over the reports.

Israel, Palestine Differ on Deadly Clash in Jerusalem

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has accused Moslem extremists of being behind recent violence in Jerusalem and said they spread baseless lies to "undermine the peaceful life" in the city. This came after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas accused Israel of "Judaizing" Jerusalem and undermining Palestinian claims to the city. Israel put their police on high alert after several days of scuffles between police and Palestinians around the disputed hilltop compound known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Moslems as the Noble Sanctuary. This is seen as the most intractable issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel Bombards Gaza Tunnels

A Palestinian youth has been killed and four others wounded in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza's feeding tunnels on the border with Egypt on Wednesday. The army claimed the attack came in response to a rocket that was fired into Israel late on Tuesday and landed without causing casualties or damage. Penultimate Friday, Israel shut down all crossings into the Gaza Strip without prior notice as its F-16 aircraft pounded the tunnels in the south of the Palestinian coastal enclave.

Tourists Die in Hot-Air Balloon Explosion

Four Dutch tourists were killed near the scenic southern Chinese town of Yangshuo when a hot-air balloon exploded and crashed, Chinese state television reports. Seven people were on board the balloon, which went out of control and exploded soon after taking off today in Yangshuo, a popular tourist spot in the Guangxi region famed for its scenic karst hills.

North Korea Test Fires Five Missiles

North Korea has test-fired five short-range missiles off its east coast and banned ships from the area from October 10-20, a South Korean official said. The official confirmed reports of the launches from south of Musudanri on the northeast coast. The Joint Chiefs of Staff refused to comment. But military experts suspect that the launches are part of regular military exercises, but have not ruled out the possibility that the country is demonstrating its firepower for political purposes. The launches were the first reported since early July, and come amid international efforts to bring the North back to six-nation nuclear disarmament talks.

Hundreds of Chinese Children Poisoned with Lead

Nearly 1000 children in central China have tested positive to lead poisoning in the latest environmental scandal to erupt in the nation's smelting industry, according to reports. The news comes amongst a spate of lead poisoning incidents in China, after residents in Jiyuan city protested over pollution from local smelters last month. Following tests on more than 2700 children under the age of 14, health authorities found that 968 children had excessive levels of lead in their blood. Excessive levels of lead are hazardous as it can result in stunted growth and mental retardation.

Guineans Protest against Junta Leader, Camara, In Lagos

Guineans resident in Nigeria on Wednesday protested in Lagos against the continued stay in power of the military leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, urging President Yar'Adua and the international community to intervene urgently and return the country to democratic rule. The protesters, numbering over 300 stormed the Lagos office of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at Onikan with placards and mock coffin of the Guinean military ruler, alleging that Camara and his troops have killed over 500 Guineans and raped many women. In response, the ECOWAS leadership schedule an extraordinary summit for Saturday in Abuja to discuss the political and security situations in Guinea and Niger. The ECOWAS Commission chief, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, warned that Guinea was in danger of slipping into a new dictatorship.

Russia Warns against Fresh Sanctions on Iran

Russia has warned against fresh sanctions on Iran, resisting the United State's efforts to win agreement for measures should Iran fail to prove its nuclear programme is peaceful. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Tuesday, said that the threat of sanctions against Iran would be counter-productive, after talks with United States (U.S.) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Lavrov said Russia's position is that under current conditions, even the threat of sanctions against Iran would be counter-productive. Clinton said the U.S. agreed it was important to pursue diplomacy with Iran.

Rajoelina Names New PM

Madagascar's President, Andry Rajoelina, has sacked former prime minister after his refusal to quit and named another under the terms of a power-sharing deal aimed at ending nine months of political turmoil. Rajoelina, who seized power in a March coup, endorsed last Tuesday's internationally-brokered agreement, which called for Monja Roindefo to be replaced as prime minister by a relatively unknown anthropology professor, Eugene Mangalaza. Ousted former president, Marc Ravalomanana, has refused to accept the power-sharing agreement, which sees his rival retain the presidency of the world's fourth largest island.

Ousted Guinean PM Arrive Nigeria with Injuries

Ousted Guinean Prime Minister, Ahmed Tidiane Souare, last weekend led some of the country's political leaders and civil society members to Nigeria with a view to finding solution to the civil unrest in the country. Souare, with bandage on his head, said that he was wounded by the military who he said have killed over 200 politicians in the country, after several attempts at making the military relinquish power to a democratically elected government failed, adding that the killing is escalating by the day.