Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 47

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Police Raid Kidnappers Hide-out, Kill Two Suspects, Free Hostages

Imo State Police Command has gunned down two suspected kidnappers, captured a third and recovered a berretta rifle that was loaded with 18 rounds of live ammunition. The Police rescued one Chika Osuagwu along with a female hostage. In a similar development, the Command has also smashed another five-man gang of kidnappers, allegedly involved in the kidnapping of an 80-year old man, from Ugiri, Isiala Mbano LGA.

Militants Abduct Shell Staff

Suspected militants, penultimate Sunday, abducted a staff of Shell, Mr. Fidelis Akpoghiran in Port Harcourt. The Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman, Lieutenant Col Sagir Musa confirmed the incident. The kidnappers claimed to be militants looking for money to buy ammunition and instantly demanded for seven million naira ransom.
Security operatives are working to secure the release of the hostage.

2 Gunmen Killed in Gun Duel with Soldiers

Unidentified gunmen, penultimate weekend invaded Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, but met resistance from soldiers stationed at the Government House, who killed two of the militants.  It was gathered that the militants had invaded the city and attacked the soldiers in the area. The motive for the attack was not known. No arrest was made.

Three Policemen Killed in Port Harcourt

Gunmen, penultimate Sunday, killed three policemen in the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Port Harcourt, while the officers were at a checkpoint. One of the gunmen was killed in the shoot-out. It is not clear if the gunmen were militants or armed robbers, but the police have vowed to track them down. Police Public Relations Officer, Rita Abbey, confirmed the killing of the officers.

Capital Oil Signs N100m Partnership Deed with Anambra

Capital Oil and Gas, Monday, entered into a partnership agreement with the Anambra State Government, promising to champion the Gateway Architecture and Street-lightening of the Niger Bridge-head up to Nnamdi Azikwe’s Roundabout in Onitsha. The project will gulp N100 million.

Two Children Die from Collapsed Fence

A building belonging to Rivers State government collapsed on Monday, killing two children in Port Harcourt and injuring five. Governor Rotimi Amaechi said the government would foot the medical bills of the remaining five kids who are currently hospitalised and would also take over the responsibility of the burial of the dead kids. Amaechi, however, renewed his call on contractors to be more safety-conscious while on site to avoid similar occurrence.

Police Arrest 60-yr-old for Minting Fake Currencies

A 60-year-old man, Jonathan Ohanson, has been arrested by the Rivers State Police Command for allegedly minting fake currencies. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Rita Inoma Abbey said the police recovered various machines used for the crime, as well as some fake Naira notes and foreign currencies of various denominations.

Rivers Bans Commercial Motorcycles

The Rivers State Government has ordered a total ban on commercial motorcyclists popularly called Okada, in the state, citing the involvement of riders in series of crimes as well as being responsible for the high percentage of deaths and loss of limbs of the populace. The ban will come into effect on December 31st, 2008

Lawmaker Wants Stiffer Penalty for Drug Offenders

A member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr. Uchenna Orji, has urged relevant authorities to initiate stiffer penalties for hard drugs users in the country, stating that such measures would drastically reduce the rate at which illicit drug is consumed in the country.

Commuters Stranded in Bayelsa as Maritime Workers Strike

Hundreds of river commuters were on Wednesday stranded at jetties across Bayelsa State following an indefinite strike action embarked upon by members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria to protest the brutalisation of their chairman, Comrade Sylvanus Egele who allegedly escaped death in the hands of some soldiers of the JTF, penultimate week.

Irate Women Close NNLG Hqtrs in Port Harcourt

Women in Ogbunabali community of Port Harcourt, Wednesday, besieged the headquarters of the Nigeria National Liquefied Gas (NNLG), disrupting activities over what they described as gross refusal of the gas firm to recognise its host community in the areas of job creation and other incentives.  The women led by Roselyn Wokekoro, also disclosed that despite repeated appeals from the community, NNLG had by its own unacceptable actions, increased the burden of youths in the area, who out of frustration resorted to armed banditry among other vices.

97 Under-aged Persons in Port Harcourt Prisons

Despite Federal Government’s position on decongestion of prisons across the country, about 97 under-aged persons are said to be under detention at the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Prisons. This revelation was made by the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) in a petition signed by its Rivers State Chairman, Mr. Naabulobari Naazighalue and addressed to the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi. The CDHR said some of the under-aged inmates having spent over three years in remand have the right under Nigeria domestic law and International Human Rights instrument not to be detained among adult prisoners.

Militants Kill 2 Policemen

Two policemen were shot dead by militants, Tuesday, in Port Harcourt. The policemen were killed on the Opobo Nkoro waterways. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Rita Inoma Abbey, who confirmed the incident, said the deceased cops were accompanying members of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) who were on tour of the state government project in Opobo/Nkoro LGA. This development came on the heels of a similar incident where two policemen were reportedly gunned down around Kaduna Street area of the state capital.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Again, JTF Nabs 22 Filipinos for Oil Bunkering

Security operatives at the weekend nabbed 22 Filipinos with 12,000 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude oil aboard a foreign vessel, MT AKUADA at the Escravos area of Warri. Meanwhile the Nigerian navy has secured the vessel pending further directives from the presidency. This comes four months after a set of 14 Filipinos were arrested in Bayelsa State for a similar offence.

IGP Bans Police in Mufti from Carrying Arms, Suspends Edo Police Commissioner

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mike Okiro, has banned Police officers dressed in mufti from carrying arms. This follows outcry from the public that they could no longer tell the difference between police officers in mufti and armed robbers. It is also reported that the IGP suspended the Edo State Police Commissioner, Chris Dega, and the assistant commissioner in charge of operations as they failed to give satisfactory answer to the issue of police in mufti in their domain.

Chevron Declares Force Majeure on Production

Nigeria’s crude oil export has suffered another major setback as United States oil major Chevron on Wednesday declared a force majeure on its Escravos crude oil exports, until the end of the year, due to a recent attack on its pipeline. The pipeline that feeds into the Chevron-operated Escravos export terminal in Delta State was attacked penultimate Friday, but no group has claimed responsibility.

Pensioners Demand Fair Deal from Shell Management

The chairman, Shell Pensioners Association, Warri, Mr. Stephen Okosodo has appealed to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) management to promptly address the deplorable take-home pay for pensioners. They called for harmonization of take-home pension to commensurate with their hierarchy while in Shell and annual inflationary adjustment.

JTF Accuses Militants of Blackmail

The Joint Task Force (JTF) has raised another stunner alleging that some militant groups were blackmailing the task force with the aim of recovering a vessel, "MT Akuada" impounded recently by the task force with products worth about N500 million and to expedite the release of the 22 Filipinos at Escravos waterways in Delta State. The JTF Spokesman, Lt. Col Rabe Abubakar the JTF said their attention was drawn to a misleading report that "Militants parted with millions of naira to some officials of JTF before they were allowed to fill the vessel with stolen crude". Lt. Col Abubakar stressed that the alleged bribe of JTF personnel had no iota of truth.

JTF Shoot Protesters

A woman and a young boy were shot, on Thursday, by men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) at Escravos in Delta State following a peaceful protest by Ugborodo youths against the Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) over job slots and contracts. The two injured were conveyed to an undisclosed hospital in Warri by the CNL for medical attention. However, a community source said seven persons were shot. But Commander of the JTF, Brigadier-General Nanven Rimtip, said that some armed youths invaded the Chevron facility in Escravos and opened fire, forcing his men to shoot to defend themselves and the location.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Lagos at the Mercy of Articulated Vehicle

One of the hazards associated with articulated vehicles was again experienced in Lagos on Monday when a Tanker fell across the Oshodi-Apapa experience way leading to heavy traffic congestion, while armed robbers took advantage of the traffic jam to dispossess passengers and pedestrians of their valuables.

20 Grammes of Cocaine Stocked in Bible

The Nigeria Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ekiti State Command has intercepted a Lagos-Abuja-bound commercial vehicle with 20 grammes of cocaine stocked in a Bible. The driver of the vehicle claimed that the parcel was owned by someone in Lagos who had paid him N800 to deliver it to another person in Abuja. The recipient, whose name and phone number were written on envelope, is now in custody and efforts are being made to apprehend the sender.

Apapa Ordnance Depot: Navy Assures Residents on Safety

The naval authorities have assured Nigerians that there would not be a re-occurrence of the January 27 2002 bomb blast at Ikeja Military cantonment following fears that the arms and ammunition at its ordnance depot in Apapa have expired and might detonate anytime.

Gunmen Kill AC Chief, Wound Another

One of the alleged financiers of the Action Congress (AC), Mr. Femi Falegan, was on Wednesday murdered in Ibadan when unknown assassins attacked him and the Senatorial candidate of the party in the last election, Chief Festus Olabode Ola.While Falegan was shot dead, Senator Ola, who represented Ekiti Central Senatorial District between 2003 and 2007, sustained gunshot wounds in the right leg.  He is recuperating at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

One Killed, 6 Injured in Oyo, Osun

One person was killed and 14 others injured between Wednesday and Thursday in two separate incidents in Oyo and Osun states. The deceased was said to have been shot in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday night by gunmen suspected to be assassins. The other incident was a free-for-all at a meeting of the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party in Iragbiji, Boripe LGA of Osun State. Six people were wounded in the fracas.

Police Arrest 18 Robbery Suspects in Ondo

Police in Ondo State have within one month arrested 18 armed robbery suspects. The police image-maker in the state, Mr. Adeniran Aremu, in a statement, said six of the suspects came from Agbarho in Delta State to operate in the of the state.

Family Protests Inaction over Suspected Police Killing of Banker

The family of a late banker, Modebayo Awosika, has written a petition to protest apparent police foot-dragging and possible attempt at a cover-up of the killing of their son. Almost seven weeks after he was allegedly shot dead by policemen in Lagos state, a pall of inaction seems to be setting over the matter.  Despite the obvious variance between the police account and that of an eyewitness as well as the autopsy report, the police authorities seem to treat the murder as one of the many that have gone un-investigated, and the killers unpunished.

GENERAL

US to Assist Nigeria on Aviation Safety Target

The United States (US) has restated its resolve to assist Nigeria to achieve the required standards in aviation safety and infrastructure. US Envoy to Nigeria, Robin Sanders, said several US agencies have been deployed to help Nigeria in her quest to meet the Certification one standard as stipulated in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

AC Calls for Probe on Brutality by Security Agencies

The Action Congress (AC) National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that he hopes that the investigation into the case of assault by naval ratings against a woman, Uzoma Okere, in Lagos, would not be swept under the carpet. He also lamented reckless driving by bullion van drivers across the country, with no plate-numbers for identification. Human rights activist, Prof Pat Utomi, has decried the assault and called on Rear Admiral Arogundade to resign his appointment.

Arms Sale: 6 Soldiers Bag Life Sentences, 2 Demoted

Six soldiers, among them a Major, were on Tuesday sentenced to life imprisonment by a General Court Martial (GCM) for illegally dealing in arms. Two others, both Corporals, were demoted to the rank of private. The six were convicted for selling military weapons stolen between January 2000 and December 2006, from Nigerian Army depots, Kaduna, to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND); a charge which MEND denies. MEND said it had observed the double standard by the government over the charges, which led to the conviction of the "six innocent soldiers by a court martial." The group said that if the men supplied weapons to militants and MEND as claimed, the charge ought to have read treason and terrorism as the charge for Henry Okah.

Nuclear Security: Nigeria Joins League of 23

Nigeria has joined the league of 23 countries benefiting from the Global Threat Reduction Search Project developed by the United States to train nuclear regulatory agencies in the world. United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders, said that the project, which has benefited 23 nations, has been introduced to Nigeria as part of her country’s partnership with the Federal Government.

DPR Reads Riot Act to Illegal Oil Service Contractors

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has stressed that henceforth all oil service contractors must be registered and issued permits before any work is carried out in the nation's petroleum industry. The Acting Director, DPR, Alhaji Aliyu Sabonbirni, said this measure is in line with the ongoing transformation and mandate of improved regulation of the nation's oil and gas sector.

89 Illegal Aliens with Nigerian Passports Arrested

Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officials at to the Maiduguri International Airport, penultimate Sunday, arrested 89 illegal aliens in possession of Nigerian passports while boarding aircraft for this year's pilgrimage. The arrests were made during the screening of pilgrims from Borno and Yobe states. The arrested aliens were from Niger and Chad, who had crossed the borders into Borno State.

PRAWA Calls for Independence of Human Rights Institution

A non-governmental organisation, Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), has called for the independence of the national human rights institution, as a way of institutionalizing human rights promotion and protection in Africa. The also noted that there are cases of detention of mentally ill persons in prisons in many countries in Africa, including Nigeria.

Gas Shortage: Power Generation Drops by 800mw

Few weeks after the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) announced improved power generation, electricity consumers across the country are faced with another bout of epileptic power supply, occasioned by a drop in power generation by 800 megawatts. The management of PHCN said that this was due to the disruption of gas supply to Egbin and Sapele power stations.

Police Arrest Leadership Publisher, Editors

Police, penultimate Sunday, arrested the Publisher of Leadership Newspaper and some of his editors, hours after they were released by the State Security Service (SSS) having being detained over the weekend. An editor with the media house also reported that the men of the SSS also carted away their computers. Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and the Nigerian Guild of editors have condemned the harassment of media workers by the security operatives, pointing out that the trend could undermine the growth of democracy.

Yar’Adua Assures Multinational Oil Companies on Reform
• FG urges oil firms to focus on 6 other basins

President Yar’Adua, Monday assured multinational oil companies operating in Nigeria that their interests will be protected in the ongoing reform in the oil sector. The president's assurance came just as the FG challenged the companies to step up activities in six other Nigerian basins, apart from the Niger Delta, so as to meet the government's reserves target of 40 billion barrels by 2010.

FG to Sanitise Crude Oil Shipment

The Federal Government has appointed a foreign firm, Messrs Cobalt International Services Limited, to carry out pre-shipment inspection of crude oil at all the nation's oil export terminals in order to ensure accountability. A senior officer in NNPC alleged the decision amounted to an imposition as the corporation was never consulted before the appointment.  It has been reported that sharp practices characterised crude oil shipment at the export terminals, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars.

Female Prisoners’ Pregnancy: Okiro Orders Full-Scale Investigation

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mike Okiro, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the allegations that policemen impregnated some female prisoners while in detention. Okiro warned that any policeman found wanting at the end of the investigation would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Okiro Asks Police to Reduce Crime at Xmas, Sallah

Ahead of the Christmas and Sallah celebrations, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mike Okiro, has directed all zonal and police commands to ensure that the crime is reduced to the lowest possible level during the festivities. He also admonished them to sensitise the citizenry, corporate organisations and local councils with a view to enlisting their cooperation and support for crime prevention and control.

Robbers Invade Benue Community, Raid Bank

Armed robbers numbering about 20, Wednesday took over Ugbokolo Town in Okpokwu Local Council of Benue State, unleashing terror on residents of the town and carting away millions of naira from the only commercial bank in the town. One person was killed in the process. During the incident, the police in the area were said to have hidden themselves when they heard the gunshots, leaving the people at the mercy of the hoodlums.

Nigeria Police Least Paid, Says Commission's Chief

The Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr. Parry Osayande, has declared that Nigerian policemen are the least paid officers in the West Africa sub-region. But he assured that government was taking positive steps to urgently reform the police. Osayande said the situation was unacceptable and the commission would take actions to improve the condition of the policemen.

Police Recall 10,000 Men Sacked Under OBJ

The Police Service Commission (PSC), Wednesday, approved the recall of 10,000 policemen said to have been wrongfully dismissed by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The Policemen’s dismissal was described as illegal and in total negation of the principles of rule of law and due process, by the Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Parry Osayande (DIG) (rtd).

NNPC to Become Limited Liability Company

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is soon to become a limited liability company going by the plans of the National Oil and Gas Sector Reform Implementation Committee (OGIC) which has recommended it to government as part of effort to add value to the oil and gas sector.

UK Tasks FG on Drug Trafficking, Corruption

The United Kingdom has called on the Federal Government to address major factors responsible for drug trafficking and corruption in Nigeria. British High Commissioner, Sir Bob Dewar, stated that the Federal Government should take the issue of drug trafficking more seriously and effectively. He also tasked the civil society groups and non governmental organisations to support the government in the anti-drugs trafficking battle.

Northern Speakers Seek Mambila Hydro-Power Completion

Northern Speakers Forum on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to expeditiously execute the Mambila Hydro Electric Power Project in Taraba State. The House of Assembly Speakers from 19 Northern states stressed the need for government to embark on implementation of the project, to ameliorate the nation’s power problem.

FG Will not Reduce Fuel Prices

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the end of its meeting on Wednesday foreclosed any fuel pump price reduction. Minister of State for Energy (Petroleum), Mr Odein Ajumogobia, said the inability of the government to opt for a reduction in the domestic prices of petroleum products is because the sector is not deregulated.

Dirty Deals: DPR to Sanction Tanker Drivers, Marketers

The acting Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources, (DPR), Inuwa Sabonbirni, on Wednesday reiterated that the agency would clamp down on errant tanker drivers and petroleum product marketers in the country. Already, he said the agency has initiated moves to place security seals on tankers after products are loaded on them while also assigning security staff to tankers leaving the loading bay. These measures, Sabonbirni said would stop those involved in petroleum distribution business from tampering with the products while on transit.

ExxonMobil Estimates Nigeria’s Gas Demand Growth at 25 Per Cent

The Lead Country Manager/Managing Director, ExxonMobil Corporation Affiliates in Nigeria; Mr. John Chaplin, has projected that Local gas demand has been estimated to grow at 25 per cent annually for the next five years, even as Africa’s growth is projected at 3.5 per cent per year. Technology has been identified as a key enabler for this growth, as successful development depends on innovation and applying advanced technology.

Group Calls for Passage of Bill on Gas Flaring

Thirteen different bodies operating under the auspices of Social Action on Wednesday called on the members of the National Assembly to enact a legislation that will compel all oil producing companies to end gas flaring in 2008. The Gas Flaring (Prohibition and Punishment) Bill 2008 is presently before the House of Representatives and the Senate. The bodies want the National Assembly to enact legislation that will compel government and oil companies to harness associated gas for power generation.

NDLEA Arrests Two Pilgrims over Drugs

Efforts to check drug trafficking at the nation's airports, yesterday yielded fruits as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested two Lagos State pilgrims for ingesting 209 wraps of substance suspected to be cocaine. The suspects, who were going on Hajj to Saudi Arabia, were apprehended at the Hajj camp during screening of pilgrims on Med-View Airline.

Mark Lauds N178b Electricity Subsidy

Senate President, David Mark, has commended the Federal Government for instituting a N178 billion subsidy for consumers of electric power in the country over the next three years to reduce the impact of high tariffs. The Senate President assured Nigerians that the steps taken by the President Yar'Adua administration to address the inadequacies and challenges of the power sector would yield positive results in the nearest future and help build the economy.

CBN Withdraws N15 Billion from Circulation

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Wednesday said it has withdrawn N15 billion from circulation through the sale of treasury bills. According to the CBN, the transactions were conducted at the primary market (Primary Market Auction) and secondary market (Open Market Operation) segments of the government securities market.

Budget 2009 at Risk as Crude Prices Drop Below $50

Prices of crude oil, Nigeria’s major revenue earner, last week dropped below earlier predictions as the prices of Brent and light crude went for $49.25 and $50.33 per barrel respectively at the futures market. This puts at risk Nigeria's 2009 budget proposal which is predicated on $45 per barrel. The slide in oil prices is coming on the heels of the Federal Government’s plan to spend 91 per cent of 2009 budget’s capital votes on infrastructure.

NITEL Probes SAT-3 Failure, Restores Service

The Nigerian Telecommunications Limited has begun investigations into the circumstances that led to the damage of its end-of-the- continent submarine telecommunications cable, popularly known as SAT-3.  The Managing Director, NITEL, Mr. Kevin Caruso, disclosed that the company had been able to fix the damage suffered by the cable.

Nigeria’s Economy under Threat as Oil Falls Below $50 a Barrel

Oil prices, on Thursday, fell below the $50 per barrel mark for the first time in three and a half years, as fears of a global recession and weakening demand triggered huge sell offs in New York and London. United States light sweet crude for December deliveries fell to $49.75 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while the Brent crude fell to $48.90 a barrel.

INTERNATIONAL

Auto Crash Kills 60 in Burkina Faso

More than 60 people were confirmed dead penultimate weekend in a collision between a passenger bus and a truck in Burkina Faso.  The bus immediately went up in flames. There was no immediate word on the cause of the crash. Those injured are receiving treatment at the hospital.

U.S. Race Crimes Rise after Obama's Victory

Following the euphoria of racial harmony that launched Barack Obama into the United States (U.S.) presidency, a pall of racism is fast descending on the country. Instances abound: Cross burnings, School children chanting "Assassinate Obama", racial epithets scrawled on homes and cars etc. Police have documented a range of alleged crimes, from vandalism and vague threats to at least one physical attack.

Somali Pirates Hijack More Vessels, Indian Navy Sinks 'Mother Ship'

An Indian warship, Wednesday, destroyed a pirate ship in the Gulf of Aden and gunmen from Somalia seized two more vessels despite a large international naval presence off their lawless country. This is coming on the heels of the hijack of a Saudi super tanker carrying $100 million of oil, the biggest ship hijacked in history.
The explosion of piracy off Somalia this year has driven up insurance costs and made some shipping companies divert around South Africa.

Earth Quake Kills Four, Topples Several Homes in Indonesia

About four people died after a powerful earthquake struck off the Indonesian Island of Sulawesi on Monday toppling homes and triggering tsunami warnings that sparked widespread panic. Thousands of people fled to higher ground in the middle of the night after US and Indonesian agencies warned of a possible tsunami.

Fighting Rages in Congo

The United Nations (UN) has reported renewed fighting between the Congolese army and the rebels, despite the rebel leader's promise to support a cease-fire. Rebel leader, Laurent Nkunda, had agreed to respect a ceasefire and support the UN peace initiative and also requested the Congolese government to also respect a suspension of military hostilities. As the fighting raged, thousand of Congolese crossed the border into Uganda, for safety.

Poland Honours Dozens for Saving Jews during World War II

Dozens of Poles have been awarded medals for risking their lives during World War II to save Jews from the Holocaust. President Lech Kaczynski awarded state medals, to around 70 people from across Poland. First Lady Maria Kaczynska presented them to the people or their relatives in a gala ceremony. Poland was the only country under Nazi occupation where helping Jews was punished with summary execution of the entire family.

Ethiopian Floods Kill Three, Sack 50,000

Floods in Ethiopia have killed at least three people and displaced more than 50,000 since the start of the month.  "At least 52,000 people have abandoned their homes in Ethiopia's Somali region after the Wade Shabelle and Genale rivers burst their banks following heavy rains," the United Nation humanitarian news agency IRIN reported.

OPEC Loses $700bn to Global Recession, Falling Oil Prices

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said it is worried by the worsening world economy and the falling crude oil price, which had wiped approximately $700 billion from its members. OPEC President, Chakib Khelil, was quoted as saying that OPEC was being hit by the economic recession, which was fast spreading outside the United States and Europe. Khelil, as well as OPEC members have said OPEC could cut supply further in coming weeks.

Iran Test-Fires New Missile

Iran said it test-fired a new generation of surface-to-surface missile on Wednesday and that it was ready to defend itself against any attack. Iran’s latest missile test followed persistent speculation in recent months of possible US or Israeli strikes against its nuclear facilities, which the West suspects form part of a covert weapons programme, a charge Tehran denies. Iranian Defence Minister, Mostafa Mohammad Najjar, said the Iranian-made surface-to-surface missile had “extremely high capabilities” and was only intended for defensive purposes.

Bomb Explosion Kills 6, Injure 40 in Afghanistan

At least six people have been killed and 40 wounded in a bomb blast in the Afghan city of Kandahar, officials have said. A brother of President Hamid Karzai was in one of the government buildings targeted but was not injured. He and other officials blamed Taleban militants for the bombing. No group has claimed the attack and there has been no word from the Taleban.

US VP Charged With Jail Abuses

A Texas grand jury on Wednesday, charged the United States Vice-President, Dick Cheney with organised criminal activity related to alleged abuse of private prison inmates. According to the indictment, Mr. Cheney who has invested $85m (£56m) in a company that holds shares in for-profit prisons conspired to block an investigation. But the indictment has not been seen by a judge, who could dismiss it.

UN Secretary-General Admits Job Crisis

The United Nations Secretary- General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon has admitted that there is a job crisis worldwide and suggested that world leaders should focus on labour intensive project to create job opportunities.