Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 23

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Armed Robbers Raid Banks in Aba

Armed robbers, clad in army uniforms, Wednesday, laid siege on the Alaoji axis of Aba, Abia state, robbing a commercial bank and carting away millions of naira. There were rumours on Tuesday that some die hard criminals had invaded the city and that their target were banks.  According to an eyewitness, the robbers, who forced their way straight into the banking hall, had blocked all roads leading to the bank as they shot sporadically into the air to scare away people. But they were unable to open the vault as the police approached with Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) before they fled, but not without robbing those at the banking hall. Robbers had also on Tuesday forced banks in Aba to close for business as they terrorized and robbed some banks along the Faulks Road of the city.

20 Die in Auto Crash at Checkpoint

No fewer that 20 persons were feared dead on Sunday evening in a road accident involving a trailer and four other vehicles at a police checkpoint at the Obosi end of the Onitsha/Owerri Road. According to the source, the trailer, conveying a 40-feet container was coming down the slope when the driver lost control due to a brake failure and it rammed into vehicles flagged down by the policemen at the police check point. The source further said as soon as the incident occurred; the policemen on duty allegedly abandoned the checkpoint and fled the scene while sympathizers rushed the victims to a nearby hospital. The Onitsha Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Ben Akunne, confirmed the accident but could not confirm any casualty.

15 Injured as Communities Fight over FG Project

Federal Government’s effort to promote tourism has torn some Bayelsa communities apart as the location of a project has triggered a battle that left 15 persons injured and five houses burnt at Egbebiri community in Yenagoa LGA. Trouble began following the decision to locate the Taylor Creek Tourist Project at the community to the chagrin of other communities within the Taylor Creek area who felt such project should not be the exclusive rights of one community. Egbegiri was attacked by neighbouring community, penultimate Saturday. The people have therefore sent a Save-Our-Soul message to Government over an alleged plot by five other rival communities in the area to exterminate them. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Solomon Omoemin, confirmed the incident.

Two Explosions Rock Yenagoa

Two separate explosions, Wednesday night, rocked Yenagoa Bayelsa State causing panic, but no life was lost. One of the explosions was said to have been occurred around the private residence of deputy governor, Peremobowei Ebebi while the second occurred behind a Hotel in the Etegwe suburb owned by one Chief Nathan Ile, alleged to be the father of Tony Ile, the state coordinator of Save Nigeria Group (SNG). The state police public relations officer, Mr. Solomon Omoemin confirmed the incident but did not give details. Security agents were drafted to the places to assess the level of damage. Governor Timipre Sylva and his deputy have been having a running political battle for over two years, and on Tuesday the state House of Assembly issued a notice of impeachment to the deputy governor.

Police Arrest SNG in Bayelsa, Defy CP’s Order to Release Pregnant Woman

A nine-month pregnant woman, Rachael Nyanyano, and the father of the Coordinator of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) Bayelsa State chapter, Pa Ile, are among the arrested protesters, who are still languishing in the police cell, despite an order from the Commissioner of Police that they should be released. Mrs. Nyanyano accused the policemen of beating her with gun butts in spite of her being pregnant. But the Commissioner of Police, Elder Onuoha Uka Udeka, said he had ordered all the suspects to be released on bail, while investigations would go on in the case. Udeka also explained that the Police had to stop the rally on Tuesday in the best interest of the people of the state, to avoid a breakdown of law and order as another group, Concerned Bayelsans, was also planning to stage a rally. 

Abducted Chinese Nationals Regain Freedom in Abia

Three Chinese nationals working at an Aba based steel company, have regained freedom after being in captivity for about a week. The factory manager, Charles Ogbonna, said that they were taken into a forest without food except banana. He noted that they were kept in the forest, without any covering as sun and rain beat them daily for the seven days they were held captive, but expressed happiness that they came out alive as the High commission of their Country had threatened to blacklist the company, the state and Nigeria if any harm came to them.

Nnewi Residents Protest against Kidnapping, Crimes

Commercial activities were on Tuesday paralysed in Nnewi, Anambra State as businesses were closed down in protest against incessant kidnapping in the area. Commissioner of Police, Mr. Philemon Leha, who also addressed the protesters, said nobody should be happy with the situation of things in Anambra State in terms of the failure of security. According to him, the IG had on several occasions summoned all the Police Commissioners in the South-East Zone over the matter, while the governors of the zone have also been deliberating on the issue. The State government and stakeholders, Thursday, resolved to adopt more critical measures to fight the spate of criminal activities across the state.

Car Crash Kills Corps Member in Abia

A female Corps Member, Eden Rita Raphael, deployed to Abia State from Akwa Ibom State, died in an auto crash after a night party in Umuahia on Sunday, an official confirmed. An eye-witness said that Rita was one of the female corps members drafted to attend a send-forth party organised by the Protocol Unit of Abia Government House. The witness, who said that she escaped the incident by the whiskers, added that the driver, who was drunk, hit an electric pole on Aba Road. The witness added that two people died in the incident, but a senior NYSC officer said that only one person died.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Navy Offers Free Medicare to Community

The Nigeria Navy at the weekend flagged off activities marking the 2010 Navy Week. According to the Base Information Officer of the NNS Delta, Sub-lieutenant A. G. Segun, activities marking the week would hold simultaneously in all naval units and formations throughout the country. One of the programmes to mark the week in the Niger Delta is the Naval Medical Rhapsody, which is a medical outreach programme designed for communities where there is naval presence. The navy thus urged the people of Ode-Itsekiri and Opuroza and environs to avail themselves of the free medical diagnosis and treatment from the Navy Medical Team that would be visiting them.

UNIBEN Lecturers Stop Work over Kidnap of Colleague

Academic activities at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have been grounded for two days as lecturers protest over the penultimate Saturday abduction of their colleague, Dr. Emmanuel Aigbokhan. He was said to have been picked up by suspected kidnappers at the Botanical Garden of the university. Similarly, students of the Western Boys’ School, Benin City have also protested over the abduction of their teacher, Stella Akhabue, penultimate Sunday. Aigbokhan’s abductors have reportedly demanded for a ransom of N25 million.

FG to Tackle Oil Spill in N’ Delta

Federal government, Tuesday, unveiled the environmental sensitivity index map which would assist oil companies in the Niger Delta to manage and respond effectively to incidences of oil spill. Minister of Environment, Mr. John Odey, while presenting the ESI map produced by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), said the initiative is part of the government’s efforts at remediating all oil impacted sites in the country. He said henceforth government would hold every company responsible for any spill emanating from their operations under the ‘Polluter pays’ principle. The Acting Director-General of NOSDRA, Mrs. U.H. Okwechime, said the map was to serve as a standard instrument for effective management of oil spill and related incidences in the country.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Man Electrocuted Trying to Rescue Dying Man

A young man in Lagos, who embarked on a rescue mission to save a pastor who was at the risk of being electrocuted following the heavy rain on Monday night, has lost his own life. The pastor, Boniface Okafor, 49, was said to have parked his car outside the gate as the rain was falling, and attempted walking in before his electrocution. A shop owner close to the scene, Mrs. Osaji said she observed that someone fell inside the flood but thought that the person was a child and called for help, unknown to her, Pastor Okafor was being electrocuted. One Chinedu Onyeka rushed inside the flood to save “the child” but met his death as well. Residents of the area alleged that it was the electric pole of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) that caused the accident.

Food Poisoning: Another 3 Die in Ekiti

Three persons died on Wednesday in Ekiti after eating a meal of yam and egusi soup in a farm settlement. This came, barely two weeks after six children of the same family died after eating food prepared from cassava. It was learnt that the victims had complained of serious stomach rumbling after having a meal of three-leaf yam popularly known locally as “esuru” and egusi soup.  Reacting to the development, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, said that the leftover of the killer had been recovered from the hut and has since been sent to the laboratory for analysis.

Ondo Monarch in Street Fight

The Traditional Ruler of Akure, Oba Oluwadare Adesina, last Monday engaged one of his wives, Olori Bolanle in a fight at her family house, and ordered that some hot ashes be poured on her, while his other wife was alleged to have smashed a log of wood on Bolanle. This infuriated Bolanle’s brother, who mobilised some youths against the “injustice” of the Oba. The Ondo State Police Commissioner, Maggaji Nassarawa, also confirmed the incident, and has opened investigations. Civil liberty groups and kingmakers in Akure have condemned the action of Adeshina and have also suspended him. The assaulted Olori, now being treated after she was bathed with acidic substance, has vowed to sue the Oba. Adesina, accusing her of infidelity and being a psychiatric patient, said the event was meant to be a traditional rite to formally remove her as Olori.

Woman Stabs Lover to Death

A 25-year-old woman, Ifunanya Marcus, who allegedly stabbed her lover to death, slumped when she was informed of his demise. The 25-year-old suspect was said to have been living with the 40-year-old businessman, Princewill Chukwugene, since 2003. However, the relationship went sour, following constant fights and Princewill had on several occasions told Ifunayan to pack out of his house, over what was attributed to her inability to get pregnant. During one of the fights, penultimate Tuesday, Ifunanya was said to have stabbed Princewill in his lower abdomen. The suspect, according to the command’s spokesman, Mr Frank Mba, would be charged to court.

GENERAL

300 Killed in in Zamfara Lead Poisoning

The death toll from lead ore poisoning in five communities in Zamfara State in the last three months, have reached 300, according to reports. Leaders of the affected communities in Bukkuyum and Anka LGAs, said that the victims were mostly children and women. One of the village heads, Alhaji Muhammad Bello linked the scourge to illegal mining of gold in the area, which has poisoning. The residents appealed to both the Federal and state governments for assistance in the provision of potable drinking water, food, medicine, clean up of the environment, and health education. An official of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) disclosed that over 160 fresh cases were confirmed between Saturday and Sunday with lead poisoning cases.

FCT Minister Wants Ban on Smoking in Public Places

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Senator Bala Mohammed has disclosed that arrangements have been concluded to ban smoking in Aso Rock Presidential Villa, the National Assembly Complex, the Federal Secretariat Complex, his office and other public places in Abuja. The Minister who noted that no place was above the law, as well as individual persons no matter how highly placed the person might be, warned that he was prepared to bring those who break the law to book. Mohammed appealed to the National Assembly to pass the Anti-Smoking Bill to enable the authorities to enforce the ban to safeguard people’s health.

Nigeria, France Want Africa on UN Security Council

President Goodluck Jonathan and French president, Nicholas Sarkozy, on Monday resolved to support immediate reformation of the United Nations Security Council to include Africa as permanent member. President Jonathan, who addressed a session of 57 leaders at the 25th Africa–France Summit in Nice, on the security situation in Africa, drew global attention to the need for Africa’s permanent representation through Nigeria in the Council. Sarkozy has also pledged increased support to Nigeria from the French Development Agency and the French Export Credit Agency, as well as additional French Direct Investment in the area of power generation.

Borno Governor Grants Pardons to 33 Prisoners

As part of this years’ Democracy Day celebration on May 29, the Borno State Governor, Ali Sheriff, granted pardon to 33 convicts in the state, including five condemned prisoners. Meanwhile, armed robbers, penultimate Friday, attacked a chieftain of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and nine others, killing the driver of the bus conveying them and snatching N15 million cash. The state Police spokesman, Isa Azare, confirmed the incident. While in Kano, the police arrested 35 armed thugs, attempting to disrupt the democracy day celebration. Dangerous weapons like cutlasses, daggers, knives, clubs and charms, as well as Indian hemp, were seized, while two policemen received machete injuries in the process of arresting them, according to the Kano Police Spokesperson, Baba Mohammed.

Five Policemen Killed in Road Accident

Five mobile policemen, last weekend, lost their lives in a road accident in Jos, Plateau State when the driver of their Hilux van attempted to overtake a taxi and other vehicles. In a bid to avoid hitting the car in his front, the van ran into the road median, managed to come back to the road and but then somersaulted and stood on its four tyres. The driver, the co-driver and two others died instantly. Their heads were open and their skulls littered the tarred road. The fifth policeman died later at the hospital. Five of the police officers, who were seriously injured, were admitted in the hospital.

Libya Executes Nigerians, Others

Eighteen persons including nationals of Nigeria, Chad and Egypt have been executed in Libya after being convicted of premeditated murder, according to reports. More than 200 people, who are currently on death row in Libya, are often allegedly not provided with interpretation or translation assistance during legal proceedings, which are conducted in Arabic, or given access to their own government’s consular representatives. Chairman House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, accused the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of not doing enough since it was made to be aware of the plight of the Nigerians in Libya last year. Amnesty International alleged that Libya gives the death sentence after proceedings, which fail to satisfy international standards for fair trial.

Catholic Bishops Decry Kidnapping of Students

Catholic bishops in Nigeria, under the aegis of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have condemned the kidnap of three students of the Catholic Veritas University, Abuja from a female hostel in Abia State. The President of CBCN, Archbishop Felix Alaba Job said that four days after the kidnap of the female students on May 28, 2010 their whereabouts remained unknown, adding that the kidnappers were demanding N150 million as ransom.

Jonathan Lauds Military on Democracy

President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the role the armed forces had played in protecting the country’s democratic process. Jonathan gave the commendation at a Dinner and Award Night, organised by the Nigerian Navy to mark its 54th anniversary. According to him, they have made great sacrifices in curtailing internal conflicts while their contributions to regional and global peace and security have been acclaimed by the international community. The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ishaya Ibrahim, said the dinner was meant to provide the Navy with a platform to interact and socialise with strategic partners, friends and well wishers.

Fulani, Berom Leaders Want Peace

Fulani and Berom community leaders in Riyom LGA of Plateau State have resolved to stop hostilities and embrace peace. The leaders, at a peace parley, suggested measures that would help heal wounds and foster peace. Senator representing Plateau North District, Dr. Gyang Dantong stressed the need to get those who fled the area in the wake of the crisis to return and be re-united with other members of the community. Meanwhile, a group, Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS), Thursday, said that 16 decomposed bodies of females were found in Bukuru, Jos South LGA in the month of May, the Military Special Task Force (STF) and the Police have denied such claim, describing it as unsubstantiated.

Polio Outbreak in Borno

Despite the claims by Borno State Ministry of Health of achieving 90 per cent immunisation coverage, an outbreak of wild polio virus has been recorded in Maiduguri. Confirming the outbreak on Tuesday, the Acting Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Modu Fannami Gubio, said that the University of Maiduguri, in conjunction with Maiduguri Metropolitan Disease Surveillance Officer (DSO), also confirmed that the wild polio virus is of type II. On the cause of the outbreak, he said the household, from which the child was raised before he was struck with the virus, missed previous rounds of immunisation carried out.

Man Jailed for Sexual Exploitation

National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related   Matters (NAPTIP) has disclosed that it secured the conviction of a 45-year old man in Niger state, Abdulsalam Pangu, who was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for sexual exploitation. Pangu was jailed for the sexual exploitation of four minors and for keeping a brothel. The accused pleaded guilty to the six-count charge of keeping a brothel, allowing underage to engage in prostitution, procuring underage by threat for purposes of having carnal knowledge with a man and for himself. Executive Secretary of NAPTIP, Simon Chuzi Egede, said the conviction brought the number of convictions secured this year by the agency to eleven.

Poisonous Gas Sends 500 to Hospital
…FG to Set Up Chemical Emergency Centres

Following penultimate Saturday’s emission from a poisonous gas in Kaduna State, which led to the hospitalization of at least 500 residents, the Federal Government has awarded contracts for the establishment of special response centres across the country, according to Environment Minister, John Odey. The State Governor, Patrick Yakowa, said the state government would probe the gas emission and all those found guilty of not following safety rules would be made to face the law. A gas leakage occurred, penultimate Saturday along DIC Road opposite Arewa Textile Limited, Kakuri, when a welder allegedly attempted to cut a big gas cylinder. The content of the gas cylinder had been identified as Chlorine Gas.

Benue Publisher Seeks Protection after Attack

Publisher of ‘The Alternative newspaper’, Maurice Tsav, whose Makurdi residence was attacked by armed thugs recently, has appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IG), Ogbonnaya Onovo, to urgently come to his aid over threats to his life. Tsav said his call to the IG became necessary as the threats to his life by some top government officials were yet to subside after the brutal attack in which his driver was injured and his car set ablaze. He said since the gruesome attack on his family, unknown men still parade his locality asking questions about his movement from his neighbours, which has compelled him to stay away from his home. Tsav pleaded that the IG should be involved in the investigation of the assassination attempt on him.

Judge Arrested For Taking Bribe

A successful sting operation reportedly carried out by operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) in Zamfara State which nabbed a High Court Judge while collecting marked money from a litigant. The sting operation followed complaints from officials of the state branch of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) that a had demanded gratification in order to stop unnecessary delay of their suit against a caretaker committee set up to oversee the affairs of the union. According to a source, it was agreed that the NULGE officials would deliver an envelope of marked cash to the judge at his residence. The judge was allegedly nabbed while collecting the money by the SSS operatives who accompanied the NULGE chairman.

Senate Debates Bill on Social Security as Reps Pass Reviewed Constitution

The Senate, on Thursday, reviewed the plight of the unemployed and aged Nigerians as the lawmakers began debate on a bill to provide social security scheme for them. The Upper House through A Bill for an Act to provide social security for unemployed graduates and the aged in Nigeria,” wants N28.3 billion to be set aside by the Federal Government as stipends for unemployed graduates and senior citizens in the country. Meanwhile, The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the Harmonised Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. The Senate had passed the same version two days ago.

Human Trafficking, Fastest Growing Crime

A Nigerian independent United Nations Expert, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, has disclosed that human trafficking is one of the world's fastest growing criminal activities in the world. Ezeilo, who is the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, stated that the key to tackling the problem is enhanced co-ordination among countries of origin, transit and destination, while calling for stepped up support for regional and sub-regional groups seeking to catalyze state action to combat trafficking.

INTERNATIONAL

South Africa Denies Report of High Terror Threat

South African security officials have denied claims that the country faces a high risk of a terrorist attack during the World Cup it is hosting this June. A US NEFA Foundation warned that simultaneous and random attacks were being planned. But Police and intelligence officials dismissed the claims. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), which coordinates all security operations for the World Cup, also disputed the story. Both the government and soccer's governing body FIFA, which is cooperating with foreign security agencies and Interpol, have said no viable threat has been identified. However, analysts and security experts say such actions cannot be ruled out.

Auto Crash in Cameroun Kills 45

About 45 people died, penultimate Saturday, in Cameroun after a bus somersaulted during an overnight journey. District official, Mamadou Balla, said the driver had apparently dozed off while the bus was travelling at top speed. The vehicle, which was carrying about 60 passengers, overturned at a sharp turn in the road. Road accidents are common in Cameroun, where long journeys are typically undertaken at night in vehicles driven by tired drivers on poorly maintained roads.

11 Missing as UN Peacekeepers Assist in Ship Rescue Efforts

United Nations peacekeepers in Liberia are assisting in search and rescue efforts off the coast of the country after a ship sank on Monday night. At least 11 people remain missing after the sinking, while as many as 16 others have been rescued. The ship, identified as Hevea, was travelling from Monrovia to Harper. The UN Mission in Liberia said that it had dispatched two helicopters to help search for survivors and debris from the ship. UNMIL said Hevea had issued a distress signal late Monday night while in south of Harper.

Somali Pirates Kill Captain of Seize Vessel

Somali pirates on Wednesday seized a Panama-flagged cargo ship and in a separate incident the crew of a captured Libyan vessel regained control of it, killing some bandits, the EU’s anti-piracy taskforce said. EU NAVFOR said a US warship had seen at least one person with a rocket-propelled grenade launcher on board the MV QSM Dubai after it was raided in the Gulf of Aden. Soldiers from Somalia's Puntland region have tried to rescue the ship but the pirates killed the captain in the operation. Said Mohamed Raage, Minister of marine transport and ports in the region, said all seven pirates were detained.

24 Killed as Fighting Rages in Central Somalia

Fighting in two central Somali towns left at least 24 people dead and 50 wounded as rebels clashed with a pro-government militia, a rights group said on Wednesday. The moderate Ahlu Sunna Waljamaca group aligned with President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed’s UN-backed administration fought with al Shabaab insurgents in Marergur and Gadon towns in the Galgadud region on Tuesday, said Ali Yasin Gedi, vice chairman of the Mogadishu-based Elman rights group. The rebels want to extend their area of control from the south towards the pro-government north eastern region of Puntland.

Woman Stabs Nine on Passenger Train

Nine people asleep on a train in China were stabbed on Thursday morning by a woman armed with a 15-cm-long knife. Several passengers gathered and rushed the woman, knocking the knife out of her hand. The woman, who was described as being in her 40s but was otherwise not identified, was handcuffed by train security guards. The wounded passengers were transferred to hospital for treatment, while the Police took away the attacker. China has been rocked by a series of brutal attacks on young school children since March this year. The attacks have triggered intense debate about the motives of the assailants. The Government recently announced it would set up state-run mental hospitals in all of its 31 provinces to meet the needs of those with psychological problems

Three Killed Trying to Defuse World War II Bomb

Three people have been killed and six injured trying to defuse a World War II bomb in central Germany. Workers building a sports stadium had earlier unearthed the bomb in the town of Goettingen. It was not immediately clear why the bomb, reportedly weighing 500kg (1,100lb), had detonated. Unexploded WWII bombs dropped by Allied planes are frequently found in Germany, though it is unusual for them to explode unexpectedly. Officials said the three men who died were experienced sappers, or combat engineers, who over 20 years had defused up to 700 bombs. More than 7,000 people were immediately evacuated when the 500kg bomb was found.

Man Sets Woman Ablaze in Australia

A woman died from horrific burns after a man set her alight at an Australian petrol station on Tuesday. The 42-year-old woman was stabbed before she and her car were engulfed in flames, with witnesses reporting that her alleged attacker told them to "let her burn" when they tried to intervene. A 41-year-old man, believed to be the woman's partner, was arrested at anearby church after a two-hour stand-off with heavily armed police, according to reports. A truck driver said he stopped and raced over to help the burningwoman, but was driven back by a man with a knife. Another man then drove his vehicle at the knifeman so people could help the woman.

Hatoyama Quits as Japanese PM

Japanese Prime Minister, Yukio Hatoyama, and his deputy bowed to pressure and quit on Wednesday. Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) made history with a landslide election win last year, promising to change how Japan is governed after more than 50 years of cosy ties among bureaucrats, companies and lawmakers under the Liberal Democrats. But after eight months of indecision and broken promises, the 63-year-old Hatoyama bowed to pressure from his party to quit ahead of an election for the upper house of parliament expected in July. The parliament, Friday, installed former finance minister, Naoto Kan, 63, as the new prime minister.

Militants Attack Afghan Peace Conference

Two militants were killed and one captured as Security forces battled insurgents including at least one suicide bomber outside a national peace conference just as President Hamid Karzai opened the three-day meeting Wednesday in the Afghan capital. A NATO spokesman said several insurgents were shot near the venue, and Afghan police said a suicide bomber detonated explosives, killing himself. The Taliban, which had earlier threatened to kill anyone who took part claimed responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, Troops have captured a Taliban shadow governor not long after killing his predecessor, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said Wednesday. The Taliban shadow government functions under the name of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

3 Killed in Israeli Airstrike Tied to Pro-Hamas Group

An Israeli airstrike in the Gaza town of Beit Lahiya killed three Hamas supporters on Tuesday, Palestinian sources said. The people killed were militants from the Salah ad Din brigades who were suspected of trying to shoot Qassam rockets into Israel. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed it launched an airstrike that generated secondary explosions, suggesting that ammunition or explosives were in that area. The strike comes after two Qassam rockets launched from Gaza reached the Ashkelon area Tuesday. No one was hurt, the IDF said.

Al-Qaida Official Killed with Family

Al-Qaida announced Monday that its No. 3 official, Mustafa al-Yazid, had been killed along with his wife, three daughters, a grandchild and other men, women and children. The statement did not give an exact date for al-Yazid's death, but it was dated by the Islamic calendar month of "Jemadi al-Akhar," which falls in May. A U.S. official said al-Yazid was believed to have died in a U.S. missile strike. The Egyptian-born al-Yazid, also known as Sheik Saeed al-Masri, was a founding member of al-Qaida and was key to day-to-day control, with a hand in everything from finances to operational planning. Al-Yazid has been reported killed before, in 2008, but this is the first time his death has been acknowledged by the militant group.

Storm Kills Over 175 in Central America

The death toll from Tropical Storm Agatha continued to grow Tuesday, with 152 reported killed in Guatemala, 16 in Honduras and nine in El Salvador. One-hundred people are missing in Guatemala and another 87 are injured, the nation's emergency agency reported Tuesday. In addition, nearly 125,000 people have been evacuated and 74,000 are living in shelters, said emergency official David de Leon. Guatemala also is feeling the effect of the Pacaya volcano, which erupted penultimate Thursday and has continued to spew ash. Three people were killed when they were crushed by rocks strewn by the volcano. Pacaya is located about 18 miles (30 kilometers) south of Guatemala City. Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom declared a 15-day state of calamity after the volcano eruption.

Man Kills 3 Judges, Self in China Court, another Kills Two in Belgium

A 46-year-old head of security at the Lingling district post office burst into a court office in central China on Tuesday and shot dead three judges, wounded three other people before killing himself, an official said. The man was believed to be avenging a ruling, he saw as unfair, that the court had made in a property division dispute three years ago between him and his wife, who were going through a divorce. Similarly, in Belgium, the police have arrested a suspect after a man pulled a gun during a Brussels court hearing and shot dead a woman judge and court clerk before fleeing, the public prosecutor's office said Friday. Ajudicial source said that the suspect was a 47-year-old Iranian man who had been identified by witnesses of the incident. He reportedly said he had been motivated by revenge.

Israel Raid Gaza-Bound Turkish Vessel

Israel sent commandos onto a Gaza-bound Turkish aid vessel, carrying nearly 700 activists, and killed nine people, after mission organizers ignored the government's weeks-long call to bring the cargo to an Israeli port for inspection. Israeli authorities said the forces were attacked with knives, clubs and live fire from two pistols wrested from soldiers, prompting the soldiers to open fire. Meanwhile, Pro-Palestinian activists said on Tuesday they had sent another boat to challenge the Gaza blockade and Israeli navy said it was ready to intercept any vessel sent. The UN has called for investigations into the killings, which has provoked international condemnation, but Israel is resisting any inquiry into the raid. Turkey's Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, warned against testing Turkey's patience.

ICC, Belgium, others Sign on Judgements

In a bid to boost its activities the International Criminals Court (ICC), Belgium, Denmark and the Republic of Finland have signed agreements to enforce the judges’ final sentences of imprisonment. ICC President, Judge Sang-Hyun Song, at the ongoing Review Conference of the Rome Statute in Kampala lauded the pact. The Review Conference has registered 86 States Parties. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had urged nations to sign up to the ICC and rejected criticism the body was a court only for African crimes. Also, he warned that those who commit the worst of human crimes in the new age of accountability would be held responsible. Ban called on the international community "to strengthen collective determination that crimes against humanity cannot go unpunished.

Zimbabwe’s Road Mishap Claims 16

Zimbabwe police, Thursday, confirmed that 16 people died and three were wounded after a taxi van crashed into a military bus on Tuesday. They added that 14 soldiers on the bus were slightly hurt. Police investigators blamed the crash on an error by the taxi van driver. He died in the collision and had evidently tried to pass two slow-moving vehicles. Bus crashes are common in Zimbabwe and are mainly attributed to speeding on potholed highways, poor vehicle maintenance, and shortages of spare parts and tires in the ailing economy. About 200 people have died in bus crashes this year.

Families Remember Air France Crash Victims

Families mourned in a ceremony honouring the 228 people killed when a Rio de Janeiro-Paris Air France flight crashed into the Atlantic Ocean a year ago. Transport Minister, Dominique Bussereau, promised that the investigation into why the plane crashed would continue. The ceremony was translated into 15 languages. In the afternoon, flowers were laid at a monument inscribed with 228 birds, representing the victims. A similar memorial was inaugurated last year in Rio de Janeiro. The flight crashed on June 1, 2009, after running into a strong thunderstorm.

Taxi Driver on Killing Spree Kills 12

A taxi driver drove his vehicle on a shooting spree across a tranquil stretch of northwest England on Wednesday, killing 12 people and wounding 25 others before turning the gun on himself, Police Deputy Chief Constable, Stuart Hyde, said. The body of the suspected gunman, 52-year-old Derrick Bird, was found in woods. Police said two weapons were recovered from the scene. Eight of the wounded were in the hospital, with three of them in critical condition. Police said it was too early to say what the killer's motive was, or whether the shootings had been random.

Bangladesh Transformer Explosion Kills 116

The death toll from the Bangladeshi capital's worst fire in recent times rose to 116, with over 100 others injured or burned. The blaze started Thursday night when an electrical transformer exploded soon after a rainstorm swept the city, police officer Abul Kalam said. The transformer explosion also plunged the area into darkness, making escape more difficult. Fire official Abdus Salam said fire fighters were delayed because their vehicles couldn't fit through the narrow streets and there was no nearby source of water. Government administrator, Mohibul Haque, confirmed dead, and the death toll could increase as some people were still trapped.

Chilean Police Arrest Suspect in Death of Peru Woman

Joran van der Sloot, 23, the suspect in a young woman's slaying last week in Peru and previously considered a suspect in the 2005 disappearance of a teenager, Natalee Holloway, in Aruba, was captured on Thursday in Chile. Sloot is the main suspect in the slaying of Stephany Flores Ramirez, 21, in a hotel room registered to Sloot. He also faces an arrest warrant on charges of extortion and wire fraud in Alabama, a US Attorney said. A hotel guest and an employee witnessed the Sloot and Flores entering the hotel room together, and the Police have video of them together the previous night at a Casino.

Pakistan Evacuates Residents as Cyclone Approaches

Pakistani authorities dispatched Navy helicopters Thursday to alert fishermen near Karachi and parts of Balochistan to the expected arrival of Cyclone Phet and to urge them to return to shore. Fourteen families marooned Thursday by high tides were evacuated by helicopter to higher ground, said Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nauman Bashir. More than 60,000 people were being evacuated from villages along the coast on Thursday as the country prepared for a strike from Cyclone Phet. Officials said another 500,000 people could be affected by heavy rains and strong winds associated with the storm. Tropical Cyclone Phet was bearing down on the coast of Oman on Thursday, threatening to bring torrential rain and hurricane.

Landslides in China Kills 38

The death toll as a result of rain-triggered landslides in southern China has risen to 38 on Thursday. Heavy rain saturated parts of China's Guangxi Zhuang Region this week, causing landslides. More than 80,000 people were evacuated by Wednesday. Floods across China have left 125 people dead and another 34 missing this year, according to the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

UN Deplores Slaying of Rights Activist in Congolese

A noted human rights activist in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Floribert Chebeya Bahizire, has been killed. His body was found on Wednesday, a day after human rights organizations in Kinshasa reported that he had disappeared after being summoned to police headquarters, the United Nations said. His driver was also found dead. U.N. Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, noting a Congolese government probe of the deaths, said the investigation should be "thorough, transparent and independent, with full respect for due process and rule of law." U.N. officials in Congo have all issued statements of condemnation, describing it as a "growing trend of intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders, journalists, political opponents, victims and witnesses."