Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 15

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

JTF Raises Alarm over Threat to Shell’s Facilities

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta has raised alarm over plot by some ex-militant leaders to attack some Shell facilities in the region. The warning is coming after ex-militant leaders in Bayelsa State showed sign of division over the threat by a group led by Commander Africa Ukparisia, to return to the creeks over the alleged use of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to hound the officials of the state government on the alleged misappropriation of over N150billion fund. The JTF mentioned an unusual movement and meetings of ex-militants in some parts of Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta States.

Gunmen Abduct 4 Expatriates in Rivers

About 10 Armed men, Thursday, kidnapped three Syrians and a Lebanese working at a construction site in Rivers state, killing a policeman, police spokeswoman, Rita Abbey, disclosed. The assailants escaped into nearby Abia State territory, she said. No group or individual has yet claimed responsibility for the kidnap and no ransom has been demanded so far.

Suspected Kidnappers of Politician’s Father in Police Net

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it had arrested members of a kidnapping gang that abducted Obong Gabriel Ekere the father of a former governorship aspirant in the state, Nsima. Though the number of those arrested was not disclosed for security reasons, the police said they were on the trail of other members of the gang. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Walter Rugbere, said that some of the items recovered from the kidnappers include N40m cash, which was to be paid as ransom to Ekere’s captors for him to regain his freedom, three Ak-47 rifles and six loaded magazines. Rugbere explained that the kidnappers were apprehended when a combined team of SARS and the Joint Task Force stormed the village where the ransom was to be paid.

Onitsha Protest Police Shooting 23-Yr-Old

A Police Inspector attached in Onitsha allegedly shot and killed a 23-year-old Nnamdi Igbokwe in the commercial town of Onitsha on Wednesday, an incident that almost led to a mob action in the town. Younger brother of the deceased, Onyema Igbokwe, said the deceased had asked the policeman why he wanted to carry his parked motorcycle, leading to an exchange of words, when the policeman pulled his gun allegedly shot him directly on the head and he died instantly. An eye witness said the Police Inspector allegedly escaped for fear of being mobbed. It was gathered that the Divisional Police Officer of Inland Town, Mr. Sunday Adama later arranged for the removal of the corpse to the Onitsha General Hospital mortuary

Women Protest Priest's Arrest in Enugu

Catholic women in Enugu on Monday staged a protest over the arrest of a Catholic priest in Oruku, Reverend Fr. Chimezie Ani, during a sermon in the church on Easter Sunday. The arrest is in connection with the renewed fighting between the Oruku and Umuode communities in Nkanu East LGA of the state. The fighting has also left about two persons dead with several others sustaining injuries and property worth several millions destroyed. Residents of the two communities had engaged themselves in a protracted land dispute since 1990 when many lives were lost and many houses destroyed on both sides. Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu, Ebere Amaraizu, said only those fingered in the latest attack were being arrested.

A’Ibom Police Parade Fake Informer, Others

The Police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested one Ayanime Ukwa for allegedly faking the abduction of one Ikakke Okon Ibong. Parading the suspect, the state Commissioner of Police, Walter Rugbere, said Ukwa allegedly confessed that he faked the kidnap in order to collect the N1 million, which the government offered for any informant who would give useful information that would lead to the arrest of kidnappers. According to the commissioner, following a tip-off, a police team swooped on the house and met the Ibong tied up with ropes. Ibong said that Ukwa came to lure him out of the house only to be tied and taken away. He denied co-operating with Ukwa. The Command also arrested five suspected armed robbers who allegedly raided a bank in Abak Council of the state on March 18, 2010.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Transformer Explosion Kills Three in Benin

Three persons were on Easter Sunday electrocuted at the Andrew Wilson Housing Estate Benin City, when a PHCN transformer exploded. There was pandemonium at the estate following the explosion of the transformer serving the estate. It was learnt that the circuit breakers, which would have prevented the fire incident, were removed before now for no reasons by PHCN officials. The absence of the circuit breakers led to the re-direction of current to all houses in the estate.

UBTH Medical Director Kidnapped

Medical services at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) were on Tuesday disrupted following the Monday morning abduction of the hospitals Chief Medical Director, Prof. Michael Ibadin by unknown gunmen. The in-house union mobilised their members, threatening to down tools if their boss was not released unconditionally. The kidnappers had demanded for N50m as ransom but it was later reduced to N20m. Ibadin regained freedom on Thursday, but it is not clear if any ransom was paid.

Bike Riders, Community Clash Claims 3 in Delta

Three persons have been confirmed killed following a clash between commercial motor cycle riders, popularly called Okada and people of Okpanam Community in Delta State. Trouble started when one of the sons of the royal father of the community allegedly boarded a bike and an argument ensued over the fare on getting to his destination, resulting in a scuffle, in which the bike man hit the prince on the head with a hard object, which led to his death. The Okada rider reportedly took refuge at a police post but was forcefully pulled out by protesting youths who hacked him to death. The youths were also said to have gone to the Okada man's house where his half brother was also killed. Delta Police image maker, ASP Charles Muka, confirmed the story, saying that only one person died.

Man Denied of Sex by Wife Attempts to Bury Baby Alive

A Twenty-five years old man, Macaulay Onitcha, who attempted to bury his four months old baby alive to protest his wife’s refusal to have sex with him, has been arrested by the police in Delta state. The suspect said that his wife, Edna, had denied him sex for a very long time, a development he claimed, made him to hatch the plans of burying their daughter alive to spite her. Edna said that her husband had demanded for the baby and she obliged, but he used cutlass to chase her out of the house. She said she raised alarm when she saw that he wanted to bury the baby. She added that it was a passerby, who confronted him, and tried to save the baby’s life, but my husband inflicted machete cut on the little baby’s neck. The Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. Yakubu Alkali, confirmed the incident.

Tension in Delta Community over Mystery Deaths

Panic has gripped residents of Mosogar in Ethiope West LGA of Delta state, following the mysterious deaths of four persons, including a councilor, Ochuko Ogude, who was kidnapped 21 January. Four corpses were picked up dead Friday, 19 March 2010 at Mosogar. Worried by the security situation, the chief whip of Ethiope West Legislative Council, Oghenedoro Owoso, raised a motion of urgent public importance in the House, urging security operatives in the area to beef-up security in the area.

Delta Police Parade 25 Crime Suspects

The Delta State Police Command has paraded about 25 suspects who allegedly committed different crimes in various parts of the state. They include kidnappers, armed robbers, motorcycle snatchers, those with fake naira notes and rapists among others. The Police commissioner, Alhaji Yakubu Adamu Alkali, said the arrest followed the determination of the command to make the state conducive for people to operate their legitimate businesses. Alkali thanked the government, traditional rulers, clergymen, journalists and others for their immense support which led to the successes recorded.

Edo Student Commits Suicide

A 400 level student of Accountancy in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Benjamin Oghayerio, was on Thursday found dead in his room hanging on a rope. Oghayerio said to be in his 20s was said to have gone to bed hale and hearty but did not wake up as expected. Family members were said to have discovered his lifeless body. Elder sister to the deceased, Mrs. Roseline Ogbemudia, said the lifeless body of Benjamin was discovered when she sent her little daughter to wake him up from sleep when she observed that he was yet to clean the family's car parked within the compound. He allegedly left a suicide note. A senior police officer confirmed the incident and said that it was already being investigated.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Police Dislodge Robbery Gang in Oyo

The Oyo State Police Command, on Tuesday, paraded an armed robbery suspect, Chibuike Wango, who allegedly sells juice in the day but belongs to a six-member gang of armed robbers. The police said the suspect was caught during a gun duel between the gang and policemen at the Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway around 12.30am on Tuesday. Wango and his gang were said to have laid siege to the expressway for several hours before they were smashed. Five of the gang members allegedly escaped with bullet wounds, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer at the command, Mr. Abayomi Adeniji, said. He said two dummy guns, including one AK-47, a pistol and other lethal weapons were recovered from the scene.

Groups Call for Probe into Ajegunle Killings

The Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO) on Monday called for an independent probe panel to investigate the alleged extra-judicial killings in Ajegunle, Lagos state. The Lagos State Secretary of LASCO, Mr. Dagga Tolar, stressed the need for an immediate public inquiry into the circumstances that led to the alleged killings. Tolar also called for a coroner’s inquest into the alleged police killings as well as the unconditional release of all residents arrested in the aftermath of the protest. A protest by residents of Ajegunle on April 2, at the Ajeromi Police Station following the alleged killing, resulted in four more deaths, including one Tunde Olute, allegedly shot by the police. Police spokesman, Frank Mba, had said that the Police could not be held responsible for the deaths.

Firm Shut over Repackaging of Expired Milk

Following reports that a packaging company, Rofico Limited, in Lagos was repackaging expired milk for circulation, the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has closed down the company and opened investigation into the matter. A local newspaper, The Tribune, had recently reported the activity of the company. The Director-General of NAFDAC said the agency was aware that some of the products at the company’s warehouse were scheduled for destruction, but the agency’s officers were able to discover more expired milk products, when it visited the place after the report.

Residents Lament Indiscriminate Arrest by Ketu Policemen

Residents of Ketu in Lagos state are crying out over indiscriminate arrest by policemen in the area. Residents, especially around Demurin Street lamented that officials of the station usually accuse and arrest them of wandering between the hours of 8.00pm to about 12 midnight. They said that after the arrest and officials would demand for ransom of N2, 000 upward without which those arrested are clamped and chained together till the following day.

Dismissed Officer Arraigned for Impersonation

The Nigeria Police on Tuesday arraigned a dismissed police constable, Charles Ehigbor, in court for impersonating as a Deputy Superintendent of Police. Ehigbor, 42, was alleged to have on March 16, 2010 at Divisional Police Headquarters, Bariga, Lagos, falsely presented himself as the new DSP posted to the division. The accused was reportedly dismissed from the Police Force in 1985 but had been parading himself as DSP. The accused pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the allegations. The court granted him bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties. In another incident, a 34-year-old man, Olusoji Enahoro, was arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding of one Kayode Onatunde of N383, 000. The Court admitted the suspect to bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety.

Police Arrest Officers, Activists over Ajegunle Killing

Lagos State Police Command, on Wednesday arrested the Secretary of the state chapter of Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO), Comrade Dagga Tolar and two members of Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM). The DSM in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Segun Sango condemned their arrest in connection with the April 3 protest over the killing of Mr. Charles Okorafor and one Tunde Olotu. The police also arrested two of its personnel for their role in the death of two persons in the area. Police Spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba, said the policemen were alleged to have been responsible for the remote cause of the death of the victims during one of their routine raids in the area. Mba pleaded with the family of one of the victims, Charles Okafor, and said the police would unearth those behind the deaths.

Police Nab Fake Assassin

Policemen in Lagos have arrested a 20-year old man, Promise Bassey, for attempted kidnap, threat to life and blackmail. The suspect allegedly conspired with his friend, to extort money from a resident of FESTAC town. The suspects reportedly wrote a letter to a house-owner, describing themselves as hired assassins and that they were paid N3.5 million to kill the owner of a house, but promised to abandon the job if given N2 million and left a phone number belonging to Promise. The victim reported the threat to the police and was asked to play along with them. The victim negotiated the amount from N2m to N200, 000 with the suspects and on the agreed day, one of the suspects, Promise, went to pick the money and was arrested by the police. His accomplice ran away.

Party Supporters Clash in Ondo

Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party and the ruling Labour Party in Ondo state sustained injuries during a clash in Irele LGA, penultimate Sunday. The Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Mr. Aremu Adeniran, said nobody was injured in the encounter. Adeniran said that the clash was “a minor disagreement” and that the command was able to control it. Sources at Irele said the clash started when some members of LP were on their way for a political meeting, when they met the PDP group. While the PDP claimed that some LP members confronted them and ordered them to make a detour, but they refused; the LP said the PDP members disrupted their meeting in Irele.

Two Remanded in Custody for Murder

Two murder suspects, Kazeem Oladele, 30, and Kehinde Alabi, 27, have been remanded in prison custody by an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court. The two suspects were said to have killed one Dauda Odejayi, on March 5, 2010. The police had arraigned the accused persons on a three-count charge of murder, conspiracy and assault. The accused pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges. The magistrate refused them bail and adjourned the case till May 3, 2010.

Pregnant Woman Nabbed for Ingesting 350g Cocaine

A pregnant woman, Osatohanwen Esohe, 29, was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for allegedly ingesting 350g of a substance that tested positive to cocaine. The agency’s spokesman, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the suspect was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos with the aid of a scanning machine during the screening of passengers on an Alitalia flight to Rome. She reportedly confessed that she went into the illicit trade because the man that impregnated her rejected her and she needed to fend for herself.

GENERAL

Gunmen Attack another EFCC Official

Another operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was penultimate Sunday night attacked at his residence by unidentified gunmen in Nasarawa state. A statement by EFCC's Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, disclosed that the official, Solomon Yorr, was shot severally on the chest. The EFCC had two weeks ago raised alarm over the plot by some persons who are either being investigated or prosecuted in court to mobilise all forms of attacks against the commission and its officials, after five of its operatives were ambushed on their way back from a Federal High Court in Owerri.

Jonathan Swears-in Ministers, Takes Charge of Power Ministry

No substantive minister of power would be named for the time being following the decision of the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to take charge of that sector. This comes as the Acting President swore-in ministers on Tuesday. The Acting President also removed Dr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo as the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and replaced him with Alhaji Shehu Ladan. No reason was given for the decision.

Nigeria Begins Gas Supply to Ghana

The West Africa Gas Pipeline (WAGP), initiated by the Federal Government with governments of Benin, Ghana, and Togo has restarted supply of 30 million standard cubic feet per day (mscf/d) of natural gas to Ghana after a one-year outage caused by pipeline vandalism and fuel quality problems. The project was signed to make natural gas supplies available to the affected countries to feed their gas-fired generating plants. Managing Director of the WAGPco, Jack Derickson confirmed the development.

Labour Urges Overhaul of Security System

The leadership of both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) has called on the FG to take immediate steps to embark on a holistic reform of the internal security operations to serve the interest of all citizens, given the numerous robbery cases in the country. The unions which expressed sadness over the sudden death of Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, former governor of Kano State said the death has again shown the level of helplessness the nation’s security system currently operates on and why the entire system seriously requires complete overhauling. Inspector-General of Police Ogbonna Onovo said the police have arrested 15 suspects through the efforts of vigilante and community leaders in the state. They are being interrogated.

Ex-Minister, Balaraba, In Fatal Auto Crash

Former Minister of State for Energy (Power) in the erstwhile cabinet of President Yar'Adua, Hajiya Fatima Balaraba Ibrahim, died on Tuesday at the age of 63 following a grisly motor accident. It was gathered that she was on her way to Kaduna from Kano when her car somersaulted along Markishi. Her driver and two women in the vehicle sustained serious injuries. The former minister has since been buried in Kaduna. The late Balaraba is survived by her husband, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim, a former Director-General of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA); her elder brother, Col. Dangiwa Umar (rtd), and a host of other family members.

Two Brothers Stabbed Over English Premiership Match

A minor disagreement between two football fans at a viewing centre in Nyanya-Gwandara, a suburb of the FCT, resulted in the stabbing of two brothers by some boys from the Egbiraland in Kogi State. Trouble broke out during the English Premiership match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United FC, penultimate Saturday, when one Tunji Bako, had an exchange of words with another called Mohammed. But unknown to Tunji, Mohammed went home and returned with his gang to attack him with sharp objects. The victim was rushed to the hospital for treatment, and when his brother, Afis, was going to the hospital to see him, Mohammed and his gang also blocked his vehicle and stabbed him severally. He was also rushed to the same hospital. Mohammed and his gang are currently being detained at Masaka police station, while investigation continues.

Jos: Four Dead in Easter Crisis
… Suspected Fulani Herdsmen Attack More Homes in Jos

Four people were killed and many others injured when some hoodlums attacked Christians, who had attended an interdenominational service, penultimate Monday to mark Easter. The Commander of the Security Task Force, Brigadier-General Donald Oji, said the task force approved the prayer, but the hoodlums seized the opportunity to make trouble. Meanwhile, another massacre was avoided in Kuru Jenta village, on Sunday, when suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked homes belonging to three top government officials at about 1am in a manner similar to the March massacre. But this time, the people refused to come out. Police Public Relations Officer of the Plateau State Police Command, Mohammed Larama, confirmed the incident, saying that there was no casualty, and no arrest has been made.

NEMA Records 100 CSM Deaths in North-East

Over 100 people have died this year as a result of the outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in the North-Eastern zone of the country. The confirmation was on Monday, by the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Audu Bida (rtd). The NEMA DG also said that the deaths were from the over 450 cases recorded from the seven states that make up the zone. Bida also disclosed that the number of cases and casualties this year were far less when compared to that of last year which had over 500 deaths out of the over 900 cases.

US, Nigeria Sign Bi-National Commission Deal

United States Secretary of State, Mrs. Hilary Clinton, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, have lauded Tuesday’s signing of an agreement to deepen bilateral relations between both countries. Speaking at the launch in Washington, Clinton, who signed on behalf of the US government, said the commission would support the aspirations of the Nigerian people for a peaceful and stable democratic future. She said the agreement which was signed at a very challenging moment in Nigeria political history “reflects the commitment of the US to this absolutely critical bilateral relationship”.

Plateau Bans Commercial Bikes, Tricycles

Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, on Thursday, signed into law, the bill prohibiting the operation of commercial motorcycles within Jos-Bukuru metropolis. The law, which also regulates the operation of commercial tricycles and private motor cycles in Jos and Bukuru, takes effect immediately.

Nigerians Jailed for Attack on E’Guinea

Seven Nigerians arrested after a seaborne attack on Guinea's presidential palace in February 2009 have been sentenced to 12 years in prison for terrorism. But their suspected collaborators from within the country were allowed to go home free. They were also fined 149 million CFA francs, an Equatorial Guinea Court President, Antonio Pascal Ojo Ebobo, said while reading the sentence. Defence lawyers had urged that all the defendants be released for lack of proof. The accused Nigerians denied terrorism, saying that they were on their way by sea to Cameroon when they were driven off course by a storm and stopped by the Equatorial Guinea navy.

Undergraduate Attempt to Dupe Mum

An undergraduate student of the University of Jos has been arrested over his attempt to dupe his mother by claiming that he was kidnapped. According to the Police spokesman, Mohammed Lerama, the suspect had phoned his mother to inform her that he had been kidnapped by some people who are demanding a ransom of N80, 000. The suspect confessed that he cooked up the story to get money to meet some personal needs. Also paraded was a middle aged man who allegedly attempted to stab a 12-year-old girl, after he forced her into his room, but she raised an alarm which attracted neighbours, forcing him to flee. He was subsequently arrested by some soldiers and handed over to the police.

INTERNATIONAL

Polish President, Others Killed in Plane Crash

Polish President, Lech Kaczynski, and a high-level delegation were killed when a plane carrying 97 people crashed in thick fog in Russian on Saturday morning. There are no survivors. Russian investigators suspect pilot error as the cause of the crash. Flight controllers alerted the pilot about heavy fog at Smolensk and advised it to divert to Minsk or Moscow, but the pilot refused, Russian authorities said. Kaczynski, 60, was on his way to a joint memorial service at Katyn, where Polish army officers were executed by Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin, 70 years ago. Kaczynski’s body, Sunday, returned to Poland for burial. The leaders of Russia and Poland, had on Wednesday, paid tribute to Russian and Polish victims of the execution, and vowed to overcome painful historic memories that still hamper their bilateral relations.

32 Killed in Iraq Suicide Attacks
…as Blasts Derail Russian Train

At least 32 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in suicide bombers' attacks near German, Egyptian and Iranian embassies in Baghdad on Monday. It was not immediately known if anyone from the embassies was among the dead or wounded. Al-Qaida's umbrella group in Iraq has claimed responsibility Friday for a triple suicide bombing outside foreign embassies in Baghdad, which killed more than 40 people. The bombings are part of a wave of violence around the capital that has killed some 120 people in a week. While in Russia, a cargo train was derailed by two explosions in the Province of Dagestan. Another, less powerful blast aimed at killing rescuers detonated shortly after the first explosion, transport police spokesman Akhmed Magomayev said. Recent attacks in Russia have killed about 55 people.

US, Russia to Sign Arms Treaty

United States President, Barack Obama on Thursday met with Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, to sign a major nuclear arms control agreement that reduces the nuclear stockpiles of both nations. The new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) builds on a previous agreement that expired in December. Obama has called the treaty the "the most comprehensive arms control agreement in nearly two decades" and said it would cut the nuclear weapons of the United States and Russia by about a third. According to information released by the White House, the new treaty limits both nations to "significantly fewer strategic arms within seven years" of its signing. The treaty also lays out a "verification regime" that includes on-site inspections, data exchanges and notifications.

Somali Militants Raid UN Base

A hard line Islamist militant group has taken over a United Nations compound in the south of Somalia. The fighters from the al-Shabab group, disarmed guards at the base in Wajid. However, the World Food Programme insists that the base was empty and the move would not affect its operations. In February al-Shabab ordered the WFP to leave the country, saying Somalis should buy food from local farmers. Aid agencies say that up to half the population needs food aid.

4 Killed as U.S. Aircraft Crashes in Afghanistan

A U.S. aircraft crashed in southern Afghanistan, killing three U.S. service members and one civilian employee, NATO-led forces said on Friday. The cause of the crash of the Air Force CV-22 Osprey was not known, according to the International Security Assistance Force. Several other service members were injured in the crash on Thursday night. The CV-22 went down seven miles west of the city of Qalat. Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban in the region, said Taliban fighters shot down the aircraft, while another spokesman, Qari Yoseph, claiming responsibility, said that 30 Americans had been killed.

N/Korea Accuses South Border Attack

North Korea, Monday accused South Korea's military of opening fire towards its side of the tense land border. It said the South's military fired 90 mm recoilless guns towards a civil police post in the North on the eastern sector of the border. South Korea's military denied the claim, but has heightened alert since the mysterious sinking of one of it warship near the disputed sea border on March 26. South Korea has not so far accused the North of involvement in the sinking, while the North has remained silent about the incident which left 46 sailors missing.

Trapped Miners Rescued

Over 114 miners trapped for one week were pulled out alive from the collapsed Chinese mine on Monday. About 153 miners were trapped in a flooded coal mine. The search for the remaining 39 continues. The sudden surge in rescues was a rare piece of good news for China's mining industry, the deadliest in the world. Rescuers expressed confidence they could be saved but did not say whether there had been any contact with them. The miners had spent eight days underground, without food or drinking water and some were soaked through.

Pakistani Militants Attack US Consulate, Kill 45

Islamist militants in Pakistan attacked a United States (U.S.) consulate with car bombs and grenades, killing three people on Monday. This occurred some hours after 41 people died in a suicide attack on a political rally in the north-west region of the country. After the car bombs exploded at a checkpoint outside the consulate in Peshawar, militants dressed in security uniforms fired mortars or rocket-propelled grenades at the heavily fortified compound in an attempt to make their way inside, according to a Pakistani intelligence official. The U.S. Embassy said no Americans were killed in the assault. Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants have long vowed to attack the U.S, which has fired scores of missiles at them in their northwestern strongholds over the last one and half years.

Turkey Criticizes Israel over Gaza War

Turkey's Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has stepped up criticism of Israel over its policies since its attack on the Gaza Strip last year. Erdogan said that he perceived Israel as the principal threat to Middle East peace since the Gaza offensive. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, retorted saying that such criticism doesn't serve the interests of stability and advancing relations in the region. Erdogan also warned against more international sanctions or the use of force with Iran, over its nuclear enrichment programme.

Sudan Votes

Voters in Sudan flocked to polling stations, Sunday, in the first multiparty elections in 24 years amid allegations of fraud and calls for a vote boycott. There was confusion at some polling centers in southern Sudan as voters arrived to find their names were not on the list. Others complained about the complicated 12 levels of voting in the forms and lack of presidential pictures on lists in widely illiterate communities. Up to 750 international and 18,000 domestic observers are assessing the election, including former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter. Voters were generally calm.

India Vows Response after Rebels Kill Police

Indian authorities vowed Wednesday to hit back at Maoist rebels who killed 76 police in an attack at in the central state of Chhattisgarh. The massacre was the biggest single blow that the Maoists have landed in their decades-long struggle against India's government. Home Minister P. Chidambaram, said the Maoists had executed a complex, multi-stage ambush in which a patrol was attacked and two sets of reinforcements had then come under heavy fire. Chidambaram stated that the army would not be sent in to fight the rebels but he declined to rule out using the air force. The Chhattisgarh state police spokesman said Wednesday the death toll had risen to 76. Some Indian newspapers voicing shock over the massacre, urged the government to deploy the military.

Boy, 15, Sprays Teacher with Gas over Al Qaeda

A 15-year-old French schoolboy sprayed a teacher with teargas after she described al-Qaeda as a "terrorist group". Al-Qaeda, a global organisation under the leadership of Osama bin Laden, boasted of carrying out the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, which killed just under 3 000 people. Meanwhile, Canada and the United States have joined Egypt and several Islamic countries in mourning the passing of Imam Mohamed Sayyid Tantawi. The late Imam, one of the most influential clerics in the Islamic world, described the 9/11 attackers as cowards. Tantawi died of a heart attack in Saudi Arabia at the age of 81.

West Virginia Mine Collapse Claims 25

Rescuers said they are yet to get response from possible survivors to sound signals sent deep into a West Virginia coal mine where a blast killed 25 people and left four missing. Gov. Joe Manchin on Wednesday said that rescue workers are trying to make a section of the mine safe enough for rescuers to search for the miners as hope for their survival grew dim. Two days after the blast, the buildup of methane gas and carbon monoxide was too dangerous for anyone to enter and look for the last of the missing or to recover the bodies of 18 known dead. Seven bodies were brought out after Monday afternoon's blast rocked the mine.

Police Kill 17 Anti-Govt Protesters in Kyrgyzstan

About 17 people were killed after police opened fire on anti-government protesters in Kyrgyzstan. The government said at least 17 people were killed and least 180 wounded. Kyrgyzstan Health Ministry spokeswoman, Elena Bayalinova, gave the figure without specifying whether it included both police and civilians. Protests are spiraling in Kyrgyzstan, where anti-government demonstrators stormed the main government building and the state television station in the capital of Bishkek. Fleeing leader has remained adamant and vowed to remain in power.

PM Declares State of Emergency in Bangkok

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, on Wednesday, declared a state of emergency in Bangkok after anti-government protesters broke into Parliament forcing lawmakers to flee in the most chaotic protest in several weeks of demonstrations by a group demanding Abhisit dissolve the government and call elections within 15 days. He has offered to do so by the end of the year. The government already had placed Bangkok under the strict Internal Security Act. The state of emergency gives the military authority to restore order and allows authorities to suspend certain civil liberties and ban all public gatherings of more than five people. The Red Shirt protesters have been camped in Bangkok since March 12 and have ignored all other decrees for them to stop their demonstrations.

Floods, Mudslides Kill 200 in Brazil

About 200 persons were killed on Wednesday as flood and mudslides hit southeastern Brazil. Rescue officials said most of the deaths occurred in hillside slums where heavy rains, which began on Monday, triggered devastating mudslides. Flooding was so intense that authorities urged Rio residents to remain indoors and not venture downtown, where streets were impassable. Civil defence officials said most of the casualties were trapped in landslides in the hillside slums. Flooding also wreaked havoc with air traffic, causing serious airport delays. Residents were advised to stay in doors for their safety.

White Supremacists Mourn Slain South African Leader

Supporters of murdered South African white supremacist, Eugene Terre’ blanche on Tuesday streamed to his farm to mourn his death in a killing that had raised fears of racial violence. Terre'blanche was hacked to death, penultimate Saturday. But the party of the murdered South African white supremacist ruled out any violent retaliation for his death. The mother of a 15-year-old murder suspect said that her son struck the notorious white supremacist leader with an iron rod after the farmer refused to pay him, but his Lawyer maintains that his client has not made any confessions. The teenager reportedly turned himself in to the police along with his alleged accomplice, a 28-year-old farm worker. Terre’ blanche, 69, was the founder and leader of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging movement.

Quake Jolts Mexico, US

Two persons were confirmed dead and scores wounded after a powerful earthquake on Tuesday swayed buildings from Los Angeles to Tijuana, blacking out cities. The 7.2-magnitude quake at the south of the U.S. border near Mexicali hit hardest in Mexicali. The initial quake had a shallow depth of six miles (10 kilometres). At least 140 people were injured in the city, most of them struck by falling objects. Power was out in virtually the entire city and the blackout was expected to last well into Monday.

Court Orders Release of Detained Brotherhood Leaders

An Egyptian court has ordered the release of 16 senior members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood who are accused of forming terrorist cells. Police had arrested Brotherhood deputy chief, Mahmud Ezzat, and 15 senior members in February on charges of forming "secret terrorist groups" and plotting to overthrow the government.

Congolese Military Regain Control of Airport from Rebels

A day after two United Nations (UN) personnel died in clashes in Congo, the government army, Tuesday, regained control of the airport in Mbandaka, a northwest city, where fighting took place penultimate Sunday, according to an advisor to the provincial governor, Guy Inenge. Government forces had exchanged gunfire with Enyele tribal insurgents in Mbandaka. The gun battle erupted after security personnel found the rebels in a boat from Kinshasa, and insurgents attacked the airport. Tens of thousands of people left Equateur province after tribal fighting broke out in October between the Enyele and the Munzaya people, over fishing rights in ponds at a village called Dondo. The UN and Congolese army sent reinforcements to the densely forested area to restore normalcy.

N/Korea Sentences American to 8 Years of Hard Labour

North Korea has sentenced an American teacher to eight years of hard labor and ordered him to pay a $700,000 fine after he crossed illegally into the country. Aijalon Mahli Gomes, of Boston, acknowledged his wrongdoing during a trial at the Central Court on Tuesday, the North Korean News Agency said. The North said last month that it arrested Gomes, 30, on January 25 for trespassing after he crossed into the country from China. Gomes, a graduate of Bowdoin College in Maine, had been teaching English in South Korea and no details have emerged about why he went to the North. Three other Americans have crossed into the North since March 2009 but all were freed after diplomatic negotiations.