Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 48

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Ateke Calls for Urgent Militants’ Rehabilitation

Leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Movement (NDVM), Mr. Ateke Tom, has called on the Federal Government to hasten the resettlement of militants who have laid down arms. Ateke noted that since the repentant militants came out from the creeks, the feeding allowance promised by the government has not been regular while the cost of keeping them is borne by him alone. He denied that boys under his control were among those who rioted at Aluu camp where about 12 girls were allegedly raped serially by rampaging militants. He also requested the creation of another State from Rivers State for Ijaws in the riverine areas arguing that they deserve a state of their own.

One Killed as Violence Mars PDP Primaries in Bayelsa

One person was killed and over 20 others injured in Bayelsa State on Saturday following clashes between rival groups over the control of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Ekeremor LGA of the state during the chairmanship primaries. Factions of the party have started making accusations over the conduct of the primaries as allegations of irregularities continue to make the rounds.

Nigerians Alleged Intensified Harassment by Cameroon Gendarmes

More Nigerians have fled the ceded Bakassi Peninsula following intensified harassment by Cameroonians in the area. About 200 persons who recently escaped death and maiming by the gendarmes told sorry tales of intense torture and of how many Nigerians were tortured to death on board their canoes and boats and jettisoned into the sea. The Secretary General, Union of Nigerians in Cameroon, Prince Aston Arung, confirmed the incident. Meanwhile over 1500 persons including children and women are presently at the Returnee Camp over stretching the facilities originally meant for about 400 persons.

Missing Housewife Allegedly Commits Suicide

The police in Bayelsa have recovered the decomposed body of a middle-aged housewife, who was alleged to have committed suicide by hanging herself in Ogbia LGA on November 16. The state's Police Public Relations Officer, Thaddeus Nkoko, said that the body was badly decomposed, suggesting that it might have been there for days. He added that the body was identified as that Mrs Mercy Joseph, from neighbouring Kolo community, who was said to have disappeared from her family home since November 1 and investigation into the matter had commenced.

Gunmen Kill Two Policemen in Port Harcourt

Two Policemen were killed on Monday in Port Harcourt and two others sustained gun shot wounds during a fierce encounter with gunmen around Woji road. Also two children were kidnapped from their car in on their way to school. Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Rita Inoma Abbey, confirmed both stories. This is coming just two days after a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Charles Nsiegbe, was gunned down at Tombia street extension by suspected assassins. The assassins were engaged in a gun duel by the police but they succeeded in their escape.

Youths Crisis Threatens Rivers Power, Gas Projects

The Obrikom Peace and Reconciliation Committee has warned that on-going work on the Rivers State independent power project and Nigeria Agip Oil Company gas plant risked disruption if the simmering youth crisis in the community is not checked by the government. The Obrikom community has been recently polarised by cult groups blamed for the gruesome murder of some persons, including a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member. Chairman of the peace and reconciliation committee, Clement Nwaogwu, said his panel raised the alarm in order to save Obrikom from further trouble.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Factional MEND Leaders Want FG to Stop Dealing with Okah

Some factional leaders of groups formerly affiliated to the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger-Delta (MEND), have warned the Federal Government against further dealing with Mr. Henry Okah under the post-amnesty arrangement. The former militant leaders alleged that Okah had, alongside the body's spokesman, Gbomo Jomo, betrayed their trust by announcing the constitution of a mediation team, known as the ‘Aaron Team’, towards ongoing talks with the Federal Government. The MEND leaders, after a meeting in Warri, described the ‘Aaron Team’ as unacceptable and, therefore incompetent to negotiate the future of the ex-militants and the entire Niger-Delta development.

Kidnap Attempt on 5-Year-Old Girl Foiled

An attempt to kidnap a five-year-old girl, Elo-Oghene Egukawhore, in Effurun, Delta State, was on Monday, foiled by her parents and the police. Gunmen blocked the vehicle conveying her to school, and took the girl. But her mother quickly called other people and the police, and they mobilised in pursuit of the kidnappers, who were apprehended around the dreaded Otokutu Bridge as they made to put her into a boat. The suspect has confessed and led detectives to their hideouts where three more suspects were arrested.

Police in Delta Parade 18 Crime Suspects

Eighteen suspects have been paraded by the Delta State Police Command for various crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery and car snatching. Among those paraded were five Fulani herdsmen, who robbed commuters plying the Umute-Urhonigbe-Abavo-Agbor road. Commissioner of Police, Mr. Yakubu Alkali said the officers acting on a tip-off stormed the robbers’ hideout, and four suspects were arrested. The gang, according to Alkali, has confessed their involvement in various robberies. The confessions led to the arrest of gang leader. Items recovered from the suspects include eight locally made single barrel guns, nine rounds of live cartridges and 16 assorted handsets.

University Dropout Arrested over $96,000 Fraud

A University drop out, Okoro Victor, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly defrauding foreigners to the tune of $96,607 through the internet. The 23-year-old was arrested in Benin, Edo State, following a petition by a regional officer with Money gram, who suspected that a number of foreign ladies, who had been wiring money to the fraudster were victims of fraud. Subsequent investigations revealed that Victor was a serial marriage scammer, who had been fleecing his victims posing as Jerry Finger, a white British-American expatriate working in Nigeria.

Uduaghan Tasks Oil Companies on Development

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has charged oil multinationals operating in the Niger Delta work for accelerated development of oil bearing communities. The governor, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Oil and Gas, Mr. David Ekereokosu, made the call at Oporoza, during the commissioning of projects worth over N700 million executed by Chevron’s Egbema/Gbaramatu Central Development Council (EGCDC), weekend. Chairman of the EGCDC, Mr. Edmund Doyah-Tiemoh revealed that Chevron had contributed over N1 billion to the coffers of the council since inception and charged the people to ensure that peace prevailed at all times to encourage the company do more for them.

Illegal Arms Market in Delta

An illegal arms market now booms in Mechanic Village, close to the military barracks in Effurun, Delta State. Suspects in the business are alleged to be men who are no longer in the service and others from the Police and the Navy. Investigation revealed the Police do not venture into the village until they have secured the nod of the military. The Mechanic Village is a part of the expanse of land which houses the military and an extension of the Mammy Market of formations which are the Joint Task Force (JTF) Battalions in Effurun. Chairman of Uvwie LGA, Hon. Peter Abugewa has called for a raid on the black spot to flush out the criminal elements.

Man Found Dead in Hotel Room

A middle aged man in Amukpe community in Sapele LGA of Delta State died in a hotel room after allegedly committing adultery with his neighbour’s wife, a mother of five children. According source, the woman raised an alarm seeing that the man was dead some hours after they had had sex. The hoteliers and sympathisers, who were attracted, made frantic effort to resuscitate the man and rush him to the hospital where he was confirmed dead by doctors. Further reports are not available.

Ughelli Youths Dare Juju Priest, Raze Shrine

Property worth millions of Naira belonging to a Juju chief priest popularly called Prophet Osete-Ame was burnt down by irate youths of Ewu Community in Ughelli Delta State over the alleged disappearance of the genitals of one Anthony Ilaya, caused by Osete-Ame. But Osete-Ame debunked the allegation, saying that the said Anthony actually came to his house to lodge a complaint that one of his Osete-Ame’s follower, who was indebted to him to the tune of fifty thousand (N50, 000) could not pay back. The priest emphasized that Mr. Ilaya's claim to have lost his organ as a desperate attempt to get his money back, adding that all necessary steps were immediately taken to test Ilaya and the result clearly showed that nothing was wrong with him.

Effurun Auto Crash Kills 6

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State on Thursday commiserated with families of six traders who lost their lives in a ghastly motor accident at Effurun when a tanker ran into their 18-seater bus. Uduaghan also frowned at the razing of a police station near the scene of the incident, vowing that those responsible for the accident and the razing of the Ebrumede Police Post would be fished out and brought to book. The governor revealed that the police have arrested some persons in connection with the incident.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Policeman Dismissed over Death of Two Children

A mobile policeman, Raymond Egbongbonwuyi, who went berserk and killed two children at the Oyo state-owned Oni Memorial Children's Hospital in Ibadan, has been dismissed from service, according to the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Baba Adisa Bolanta. Bolanta dismissed claims that the embattled policeman may be suffering from mental disorder, saying investigations so far carried out did not indicate anything of such. He, however, denied claims that two children were killed in the process. Egbongbonwuyi stormed the hospital and pulled drips off five children being treated for respiratory diseases, leaving two of them dead and three doctors dead

Police Chief Warns Motorist of New Robbery Strategy

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Marvel Akpoyibo, said on Monday that armed robbers have devised a new way of robbing drivers on the highway at night. According to him, they would throw eggs at moving vehicles’ windscreens, forcing the motorists to stop and clean the windscreen. Then the armed robbers would swoop on them and rob them of valuables. He advised drivers not to stop their vehicle until they get to a safe place.

Ondo Cabinet in Chaos as Commissioners Die, Quit

Death and resignation of members hit the cabinet of Governor Segun Mimiko of Ondo State on Wednesday. While Finance Commissioner, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, resigned his appointment over the outbreak of violence in his constituency, his counterpart in the Ministry of LG and Chieftaincy Affairs, Oye Alademehin, died from an ailment believed to be leukemia. The state government accepted Akinterinwa's resignation.

Emir of Ilorin Wants Capital Punishment for Armed Robbery

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, has canvassed a return to public execution of convicted armed robbers in Nigeria to serve as deterrent to others. But Gambari said the nation's judiciary system should be strengthened to ensure that innocent people are not punished in the process. The monarch argued that the menace of robbery in the country demanded a decisive solution, which government should promptly address.

NDLEA Nabs 64-Year-Old, Others over Drug Trafficking
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a 64-year-old mother of seven at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos for ingesting 80 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine. Six other suspects that ingested illicit drugs including a 55-year-old woman were arrested. Two of the suspects were arrested on their way from Brazil while five were intercepted during the outward screening of passengers. The NDLEA Assistant Commander, Operations and Intelligence at the airport, Adeofe Adeyemi, said that the United States donated screening machine at the airport has simplified drug control efforts as it is now very easy to detect the drug suspects notwithstanding how they have concealed illicit drugs.

Court Orders Naval Chief to File Defence in Assault Suit

A Lagos High Court on Monday ordered a Naval Chief, Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade to respond to a claim of assault allegedly inflicted on one Miss Uzoma Okere by ratings attached to him. This order is coming despite an appeal on a preliminary objection the naval chief has filed in the Court of Appeal. The trial judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke ordered Arogundade to serve the claimants and the Court a counter-affidavit to the allegations after striking out the preliminary objections raised by Arogundade in which he argued that there were inherent contradictions and conflict in Okere's application.

NDLEA Apprehends Tanker with Cannabis in Ogun
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has identified the Ogun State axis as the major route through which illicit drugs are smuggled into Lagos and other surrounding states. This followed the interception of a tanker of palm oil containing 240 bags of newly-harvested weeds suspected to be cannabis weighing 2,280 kilogrammes, according to the State Commander of the agency, Mrs. Chinyere Obijuru. Obijuru said the seizure was made following intelligence report on the illegal activities of drug trafficking cartels that smuggle cannabis on the Benin-Lagos route. She promised to intensify supply control efforts and assured that investigation continues in the case, with one suspect in custody.

Court Jails Ex-Oyo Director 10 Years for Fraud

An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday sentenced former Oyo State Director of Micro-Economic Planning, Mrs. Helen Banke Laoye, to 10 years imprisonment for advance fee fraud. Justice Morenike Obadina found her guilty of committing the offence along with one Dr. Olaoluwa Balogun, who is at large. Her sentence will begin to run from the date she was arrested in 2005, and she will make a restitution of N4 million upon her release. Justice Obadina held that Laoye did not follow due process in the award of the contract that landed her in prison.

GENERAL

FG Plans to Overhaul Security at Borders

The Federal Government is planning an overhaul of the security arrangement in the country's border routes to check the smuggling of contraband goods, arms and ammunition. The smugglers reportedly take over the routes between 2a.m. and 4a.m. in connivance with middle and junior rank security agents, who used the absence of their superiors at such periods to make quick money. Under the proposed arrangement, a senior officer, who would be held responsible for lapses at his post, would be on duty. Such officers must file daily report to his superior and such report would be used as evidence against the officers when the contrary occurs.

Ghana Security Intercepts Nigerian Ship

A Nigerian Oil Vessel, christened "African Prince," carrying 5,200 metric tonnes of fuel has been intercepted by a joint security surveillance of the Ghana Air Force and the Navy in Tema. A military source said the Vessel, which operates from Lagos to the Niger Delta, carried on board a 28-member and the body of a 39-year old Nigerian Chief Cook. The corpse had been deposited at the Police Hospital mortuary for autopsy. The source indicated that the military had a tip-off of an alleged hijacking of the vessel, and upon its interception, it was detected that the consignment of fuel found on it was alleged to have been stolen from the Niger Delta in Nigeria, and was to be off-loaded in the sub-region. The crew claimed that the vessel was hijacked by 11 armed men off the coast of Nigeria.

ECOWAS Director Decries Arms Proliferation

Director of Peace Keeping and Regional Security of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Major General Charles Okae (rtd), has expressed concern over the proliferation of small and light arms in the sub-region as well as the lack of training for personnel in charge of arms and ammunitions. He said that a lot of small and light arms find their way into wrong hands, thereby fuelling criminality and other illicit activities. Gen. Okae noted that the ECOWAS policy on small and light weapons is aimed at controlling states legally owned arms and ammunition in order to avoid diversion, adding that one of the operational actions likely to help achieve this objective is the proper and effective management and security of arms and ammunition stockpiled in member states.

President Orders Police Protection for Corps Members

President Yar’Adua has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ogbonna Onovo, to provide a 24-hour police protection for corps members nationwide owing to the recent spate of attacks on corps members, especially in the northern part of the country. In line with that, the IGP has issued signals to the commissioners of police to beef up and tighten security around corps members serving in their respective states. Minister of Youth Development, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi announced this. The minister noted that the implementation of the directive will be more effective if all states provide corps members with accommodation as a practical way of aiding security agencies in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Zamfara Police Parade 23 Suspected Thugs

The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested 23 persons suspected to have been terrorising residents of Gusau metropolis. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Lawal Abdullahi, said that as a result of the reports reaching the command, the police had to conduct a search in order to identify the black spots. According to him, the search led to the arrest of 23 thugs. He added that items recovered from them, included sharp knives, cutlasses and heavy sticks.

NDLEA Probes Foreign Airlines over Violation of Regulations on Passengers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has beamed its searchlight on international airlines. It was learnt that the NDLEA is currently probing some workers of 16 foreign airlines operating in the country for alleged non adherence to the aviation rules on security as regards passengers boarding their airplanes. Meanwhile, Dr. Harold Demuren the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said airlines should keep watchful eyes on their passengers to ward off drug traffickers. He warned that the Agency will not hesitate to take stern measures against any airline associated with flying drug traffickers.

FG Debunks Rumours on Yar'Adua's Health

Amid anxiety over President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's health last week, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa, has affirmed that the president who is in Saudi Arabia for medical check-up was hale and hearty. Aondoakaa said that he was in constant touch with Mr. President in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, calling on Nigerians to be focused and wish the President well.

EFCC Arraigns Three over Forgery of Senate President's Cheque

Three men were on Wednesday arraigned before a Federal High Court, Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged theft and forgery of the Senate President David Mark's cheque. The accused were said to have, on October 5, 2009, conspired to steal and forge a FinBank cheque belonging to Mark which was drawn in favour of Aeromagnetic Fishers Ltd to the tune of N45 million, but luck ran out on the trio who were rounded up by EFCC operatives when the stolen cheque was presented for payment and the Senate president was promptly called to confirm the said cheque. The trio pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Benue Lawmakers Debate Anti-Kidnapping Bill

The Benue State House of Assembly on Wednesday started deliberation on a bill seeking to criminalise kidnapping in the state. Majority Leader, David Mwar, said the law became necessary to provide the police with the legal framework to prosecute suspected kidnappers. The majority leader stated that if not checked, the spate of kidnapping in the state might drive away investors, which would then render useless the state government's investments in infrastructure. Mwar called for accelerated passage of the anti-kidnapping bill.

Rights Body Laments Extra-Judicial Killings in Nigeria

A United States based group, Human Rights Watch (HRW), has again brought Nigeria's poor rights record to international limelight. It said the Federal Government had not made progress in investigation of rights abuses in the country. The group cited an incident last year following a disputed election in Jos, Plateau State, where it allegedly documented 133 cases of unlawful killings by members of the security forces who were deployed to quell the subsequent sectarian violence. The group, therefore, asked the government to "investigate and prosecute members of the security forces implicated in the abuses.

Moslems Tasked on Good Conduct, Religious Tolerance

As Moslems around the world celebrate the Eid-el Kabir festival on Friday, the Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) has urged them to be of good conduct and obey the will of Allah. The National Coordinator of the organisation, Mallam Abdullahi Shuaib, said all Moslems and non-Moslems in the country should thank Allah for His favours and see the celebration as a time for reflection on the genesis of the festival. Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, on his part, has asked Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice as a way of putting the nation on the path of progress.

Police Debunk Rape Report on Slain Corps Member
Investigations into the gruesome murder of the late corps member, Miss Grace Ushang, has taken a new dimension with the recent medical reports carried out by the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) which indicates that the late corps member was not raped. The Borno State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abdu Ibrahim, said that the medical test was carried out by consultant doctors from the UMTH and NYSC doctors in the presence of the representative of the deceased family, but the result of the medical test did not indicate any sign of rape. The police boss also denied reports that the deceased was raped and killed when she went out in the evening wearing her NYSC uniform, saying that her corpse was found with just a short and an ordinary vest.

FG Urges Banks against Using Girls as Prostitutes
The Federal Government has asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to quickly put a stop to the use of girls as prostitutes by new generation banks in the name of target setting. It also warned that it would not tolerate mass lay-off of workers by the management of banks and other financial institutions over what it described as unrealistic target setting by the banks. Minister of Labour and Productivity, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, said there was need for a meeting on the matter.

WHO, Nigeria, 19 Others Seek Vaccine Plan for Swine Flu

The World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria and 19 other English-speaking African countries on Monday began a five-day inter-country workshop on the best approach to deploy the new H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine and other ancillary supplies. Speaking in Abuja, Country Representative of WHO in Nigeria, Peter Eriki, said the disease had become a matter of global concern that required international partnerships and cohesion to overcome. He said the disease had spread to 206 countries and territories with the possibility of spreading to other yet to be affected parts of the globe. The latest laboratory-confirmed cases are in Somalia, Nigeria and Burundi.

FG, EU Sign N148bn Development Pact

The European Union (EU) has signed an agreement to help Nigeria tackle development challenges in the areas of governance, trade and peace. The agreement, worth €677 million, was signed by the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Karel De Gucht and the Executive Secretary, National Planning Commission (NPC), Professor Sylvester Monye. A statement by the EU said the pact “is an ambitious step forward in cooperation and is a direct result of the Nigeria-EU political dialogue.

INTERNATIONAL

Ex-Guantanamo Detainees Acquitted by Algerian Court

A court in Algeria has acquitted two men who had been held for seven years in the United States (U.S.) military prison in Guantanamo Bay on suspicion of belonging to an extremist group. The men were arrested in Pakistan after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States and transferred to Guantanamo Bay where they were held without trial before being sent home to Algeria last year. The court in Algiers rejected prosecution arguments that the two men, named as Faghoul Abdelli and Mohamed Terari, were members of a terrorist group and acquitted them. Twelve Algerian citizens remain in the prison, according to the Centre for Constitutional Rights, a U.S. non-governmental group that has represented many of the detainees seeking release.

Pirates Kill Sailor During Raid

Pirates attacked an oil tanker off the coast of Benin Republic, killing a Ukrainian officer before escaping with the contents of the ship's safe, Benin's navy commander, Maxime Ahoyo, disclosed on Tuesday. Ahoyo said the officer was shot dead when he confronted the pirates after they boarded the vessel in darkness. The ship was carrying 89 000 cubic metres of crude from Nigeria, the Ship’s captain said. Four other crew members were wounded in the attack. But the crew managed to overpower a pirate, who claimed to be Nigerian and hand him over to police.

UN Wants Protection for Darfur Children

A United Nations (UN) official has urged parties in the western Sudanese region of Darfur to ensure better protection for children. Radhika Coomarswamy, special representative of the UN Secretary General for children and armed conflict, said the United Nations would work to end recruitment of children by Darfur armed movements and other parties, and ensure that all parties provide better protection for the children. The UN official said they had agreed with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) to demobilise children within its forces.

Egypt Seizes Explosives near Gaza

A truck loaded with a ton of explosives has been seized by Egyptian security officials near the country's border with the Gaza Strip. Reports said the smugglers abandoned the truck when police in the border town of Rafah chased them. Several automatic weapons and munitions were found in the truck. The tunnels are used to smuggle weapons, fuel, cigarettes and foodstuff to the Palestinians in Gaza. In a separate operation, police found and destroyed four tunnels in Rafah.

26 Killed as Indonesian Ferry Sinks

At least 26 people died last weekend when a ferry sank off the Indonesian island of Sumatra, while an unspecified number of persons were missing. There were 250 survivors, according to the ministry of transportation. Strong winds and waves hampered rescue efforts after the ferry sank off Riau province. Bambang Ervan, spokesman for the ministry of transportation, said authorities were investigating because the number of passengers did not match those on the ferry’s manifest.

20 Militants Dead as Taliban, Army Clash in Pakistan

The Pakistani military killed 20 militants during military operations in northwest Pakistan late Sunday night and into Monday morning, a senior military official disclosed. The official said troops used tanks and artillery to target Taliban hideouts in the village of Shahukhel in Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province. Troops are facing heavy resistance from the militants, who are using rockets and grenades to fight back near Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, the official said.

Plane Crashes in Italy Claims 5

Five people were killed Monday in a military plane crash in northern Italy, the Italian Air Force said.  The C-130 J military plane exploded on crashing, said Mauro Gabetta, a spokeswoman for the Italian Air Force.  The plane crashed about 2:10 p.m. local time during a training flight near Pisa, according to a report on the ANSA news agency.

Belgian pleads Guilty to Charges on Iran Arms Sales

An alleged Belgian arms dealer has pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally export jet engines and parts from the US to Iran, officials say. The suspect, Jacques Monsieur, now faces a maximum prison sentence of six years and a $250,000 (£150,000) fine. Mr Monsieur was arrested in August in New York. Officials alleged the defendant had wired $110,000 (£68,000) to a bank account in Alabama in July as payment for jet parts and had promised another $300,000 as down payment for two engines. The parts could have been used as replacements in the aging military jets sold to Iran by the US before the 1979 Iranian revolution.

Philippines President Declares Emergency after Brutal Slayings

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of Philippines has placed two southern provinces under emergency rule as security forces unearthed more bodies, pushing the death toll to 46 in some of the deadliest election violence in the nation's history. Noynoy Espina, vice chairman of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, said in all, no fewer than 20 journalists were among those killed. More than 100 journalists, many wearing black shirts and black arm bands with the words, "Stop Killing Journalists," staged a protest against the killings in Manila. Chief Superintendent Josefino Cataluna said police and soldiers found 22 bodies in a hillside mass grave on Tuesday, adding to the 24 bullet-riddled bodies recovered near the scene of Monday's massacre in Maguindanao province.

UN Begins Probe of Guinea Massacre

A United Nations (UN) Commission of Inquiry is beginning an investigation into the mass killings in Guinea. The three-person commission will look into the violent suppression of a pro-democracy demonstration on September 28. The three are backed by a small secretariat of human rights investigators working under the umbrella of the UN High Commission for Human Rights. The Geneva-based Human Rights Commissioner, Navi Pillay, has said that "bloodbath must not become part of the fabric of impunity that has enveloped Guinea for decades". United Nations (UN) experts have learnt that Guinean soldiers raped at least 100 women during a crackdown on protesters in September.

Report Alleges U.S, Europe Aid to Rwandan Rebels

A New United Nations report has confirmed that Rwanda’s brutal rebel movements relies on a vast, international network of supporters in at least 25 countries including in the United States and Europe, who facilitate arms trafficking, funding and operational support. The UN Security Council met to discuss the report on Wednesday. A top prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) said witnesses testifying against two Congolese warlords have been threatened.

Israel Readies New Arms to Face Iran

Israel is preparing a new generation of armaments designed to defend itself against Iran and its proxy armies on its borders. Israel is turning to an increasingly sophisticated mix of defensive technology. The missile projects have their critics in Israel, who question their effectiveness and say they are too costly. This comes after former U.S President, Bill Clinton, warned that Israel can achieve true security only by making peace with its enemies. The report came as six world powers on Wednesday prepared a resolution critical of Iran's nuclear programme, but Iran suggested it was still ready to discuss a United Nations (UN)-backed plan meant to delay the Islamic Republic's ability to make a nuclear weapon.

Pakistan Charges Seven in Mumbai Attacks

Prosecutors in Pakistan have charged seven men with planning and helping execute last year's Mumbai terror attacks that killed 166 people. All seven suspects in the case pleaded not guilty, defence lawyer, Hammad Amin Siddiqui, said. The men, allegedly belonging to the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group, could face the death penalty if convicted. Meanwhile, Pakistani security agencies have detained a former army officer for possible links with two men arrested in Chicago on terrorism charges.

UN, Workers Unite to Fight Violence against Women

Global leaders, workers and civil groups have joined forces against the violence against women in all spheres of life. At separate events to mark this year's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, national leaders and institutions were charged to make life bearable for women by implementing laws that would protect their rights. Also, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Eme Ufot Ekaette and the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Salamatu Suleiman, have identified violence against women as the major obstacle to the socio-economic and political advancement of women in Nigeria and a threat to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Kidnapped Journalists Regain Freedom in Somalia

Two journalists were released Wednesday after more than a year in captivity in Somalia. Amanda Lindhout, a Canadian and Nigel Brenan, an Australian, were abducted in Mogadishu by militia men in August 2008. The two had been in the country just three days when militia men snatched them outside Mogadishu as they were returning to the city after having visited a refugee camp.

Helicopter Missing in Afghanistan

A search was under way Thursday for a helicopter belonging to a military contractor, NATO officials said. The helicopter for Supreme Global Service Solutions went missing on Tuesday, but it was not disclosed how many people were aboard. However, the governor of Logar province in eastern Afghanistan said the search's focus has been the Khar Pech district.

German Army Chief Resigns over Airstrike Allegations

The head of the German army has resigned after a news report that he knew civilians could be killed in a September airstrike in Afghanistan, Germany's defense minister said on Thursday. Gen. Wolfgang Schneiderhan, the army's chief of staff, asked to be relieved of his duties following the report. The Sept. 4 NATO airstrike in the northern province of Kunduz killed at least 90 people. The German commander in the area called in the strike after Afghans tried to siphon fuel from two tankers hijacked by the Taliban a day earlier.

Eritrea Warns Against Sanctions over Somalia

President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea has warned the international community that it would regret moves to impose sanctions on the country. The UN Security Council is reviewing draft plans for punitive measures against the Red Sea state. The Asmara authorities are accused of backing an insurgency in Somalia by funneling funds and weapons to rebels battling that country's UN-backed transitional government. Some analysts fear sanctions would punish a population already hit by drought and the global economic crisis, and that it may prove a rallying cry for the government.

US and Afghan Soldiers Killed in Battle, Bombings

Four US soldiers were killed in Afghanistan last weekend, according to the US military in battle with insurgents and a bomb attack. Three Afghan soldiers were also killed in another bomb incident in Helmand province. Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior said two other Afghan National Army soldiers had been wounded in the Musa Qala district by the same roadside bomb that had killed their three colleagues on Sunday. It also said six soldiers in Kunar province and one in Kandahar had been injured in incidents in the past 24 hours. The ministry did not give any details of how the soldiers had been hurt.

Taliban Leader Flees Pakistan, Threatens Attacks

One of the most wanted Taliban leaders in Pakistan, Maulana Fazlullah, has escaped to Afghanistan and is planning new attacks on Pakistani forces, he has disclosed. Fazlullah founded the Swat Taliban to enforce a hard-line version of Islamic law. The government at first accepted his demands, but later accused the militants of reneging on a peace deal and sent troops into the valley. Maulana Fazlullah was said by officials to have been wounded or killed in July but he said that those claiming success for the Swat operation should try to prevent drone attacks and the US security firm Black water from operating in Pakistan. His return is likely to be a morale booster for the increasingly beleaguered Taliban in Pakistan.

China Mine Blast Kills 104

Chinese officials have blamed poor management and inadequate precautions for an explosion at a mine that killed 104 people last weekend at the Xinxing coal mine in northeastern Heilongjiang province. At least 60 are hospitalised for injuries and burns. The accident started with a gas leak in one of the shafts, officials said. But because of poor ventilation, gas poured into the main tunnel and triggered an explosion that shook 28 of the 30 mining platforms in operation. Head of the State Administration of Work Safety, said that the mine's management was to blame for not evacuating workers when they detected a high gas density in the pit, going against state regulations that stipulate that miners have to evacuate if gas density exceeds 2 percent. Grieving family members on Monday protested and demanded answers from mining officials about the explosion, while rescue efforts continued. China has the deadliest mining industry in the world.

Israel Fires at Gaza Weapons Facilities

Israeli fighter jets, penultimate Sunday, attacked alleged "terrorist sites" in Gaza in retaliation for an earlier attack. The Israel Air Force hit two weapons-manufacturing facilities in northern and central Gaza and a smuggling tunnel in the Rafah border area, Israel Defense Forces said. Three people were injured, the sources said. Israel added that it targeted the sites in response to the firing of a Qassam rocket at the southern Israeli town of Sderot on Saturday morning. About 15 rockets and mortar shells from Gaza were fired at Israel last month, the military said.

Inferno Sacks 310 in London

A fierce fire cut through apartment blocks and a construction site in southeast London on Thursday, spreading across a road and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people. More than 125 firefighters spent hours battling the blaze. Police said that four people were taken to the hospital but that no one suffered any serious injuries.

77 Killed in Saudi Arabia Flooding

Seventy-Seven persons have been confirmed dead by the Saudi authorities due to flood on Wednesday. Flooding from the unusually heavy downpours hit hardest in the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah, about 60 kilometres away from the holy city of Mecca and its surrounding sacred sites where the three million Moslems from around the world were performing the rites of the pilgrimage. Most of the deaths occurred in the shantytowns around Jeddah and along the main highway to Mecca.