Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 37

• 
• 

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

JTF Destroys Two Illegal Refineries in Bayelsa

Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta says it has destroyed two illegal oil refineries in Bayelsa State. Spokesman for JTF, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said that troops of 5 Battalion of the outfit deployed in Sector 2 area in the Niger Delta impounded two barges laden with illegally sourced crude oil along the Kasabobo creek. Nwachukwu said the feat was achieved after a weeklong intensive anti-oil theft patrol targeted at sanitising the creeks and waterways of Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa. This came even as the Bayelsa State Government said the Governor Seriake Dickson administration would rid the state of kidnapping, pipeline vandalism and other crimes. The JTF spokesman said the Commander, Sector 2, Brig.-Gen. Osasogie Uzamere, ordered the operation following reports that crude oil theft had continued despite continuous clampdown on the activities of criminals.

Shell Adopts Daily Helicopter Overfly to Check Illegal Bunkering

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has resorted to using daily helicopter overfly to check pipeline vandalism and oil theft. According to Shell, the daily overfly of its facilities in its operational areas is meant to furnish the company with cartographic information about the area. The General Manager (Communications) of the SPDC, Philip Mshelbila, said the company decided for the aerial surveillance as an extra measure. Through the new aerial surveillance measure, which involves overflies and taking of pictures that are analysed daily, the company has been able to identify numerous vandalized points and carry out repairs.

Man Feigns Kidnap, Demands Ransom from Siblings

The police in Enugu State have arrested a coffin dealer, Mr. Samuel Ani, for allegedly “kidnapping himself” and demanding ransom from his younger brothers. Ani was arrested last Thursday in a bush where he had hid himself for six days. The police said on Sunday that it was from the bush that the suspect made telephone calls to his two younger brothers that he had been abducted and that N2m was required to get him out of the purported kidnappers den. He was said to have told his brothers that failure to pay the ransom meant that he would be killed. The brothers, however, reported the case to the Enugu State Police Command, which in turn mobilised its anti-kidnap unit. It was learnt that an initial sum of N100, 000 was paid into the account number provided by the supposed kidnappers. However, a girl, Oluchi Ogbu, was arrested when she went to withdraw the money. The suspect said he needed to trick the brothers to get out money from them in order to address his immediate challenges, which he said required huge amount of money.

Police Arrest 36-Year-Old for Raping Teenager to Death

The police in Bayelsa State on Thursday arrested a 36-year-old man for allegedly raping an 18-year-old girl to death. Though the police said they were waiting for an autopsy report on the deceased, the suspect was said to have been arrested while trying to dispose of the girl’s corpse on Thursday. An acquaintance of the suspect claimed the incident happened when the suspect was trying to help the girl before she died in his apartment. An eyewitness, who identified herself simply as Gold, alleged that the suspect was apprehended by an officer of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. But the suspect, who said he was innocent, claimed that he stumbled on the deceased while in pains. Spokesman for the state Police Command, Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the development, saying investigation was still on-going.

7 Killed in Calabar Floods

At least seven people, on Wednesday, lost their lives in a rampaging flood as a result of heavy rainfall in Calabar, Cross River State. The rain, which lasted several hours, caused severe flooding, uprooted trees, submerged buildings and swept away cars in some parts of the city. The flood water uprooted trees, which crashed on a house in in Calabar Municipality, burying six members of a family in the rubble. Amos Akaniyene, owner of the house, who was standing outside, escaped death but lost his pregnant wife, two children, his mother in-law, and two other relatives. Akpan Ubong, a neighbour, whose house is adjacent to that of Amos, said flood water descending the hill at high speed towards the valley, where their houses are located, uprooted trees on its path, sending them crashing down. David Akate, Information Director, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said having warned residents of flood-prone communities of impending flood-related crisis, Cross River Government expected them to vacate such areas. Akate said the government had taken responsibility for the treatment of the survivors.

16 Suspected Kidnappers Killed in Rivers State

At least 16 suspected kidnappers have been killed and 63 others arrested in Nigeria's River state, police said Thursday. Twenty-nine suspects had been charged to the court, Police Commissioner in-charge of the state Joseph Mbu, said that 16 cases of abduction were reported to the state police command, adding that nine victims out of the 16 cases were rescued, while two were killed by their abductors. The commissioner said the command recovered 38 guns, including 10 AK 47 rifles, two pump action, 25 locally-made guns and 20 snatched vehicles. He added that they also recovered eight magazines and several calibres of live ammunition, machetes, cutters, laptops and mobile phones from the suspects during the period. Mbu said crime was on the decline in the state, and appealed to the public to furnish the police with useful information that could lead to the arrest of criminals.

Police Arrest Vice-Chairman of Council over Rape of Widow and Daughters

The Ebonyi State Police Command, on Monday, arrested the Vice-Chairman of Ikwo LGA of the state, Mr. Sunday Ottah, for an alleged complicity in the rape of a widow councillor-elect and her two daughters. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sylvester Igbo, confirmed the incident, saying the matter would be investigated and could be charged to court if the allegations were found to be true. The rape of the widow, Mrs Margret Elom, who won the councillorship of Ndiagu Achara ward 1 in Ikwo community, was alleged to have been perpetrated by hoodlums hired by the council vice-chairman. The suspects, who came at night when their victims were already asleep, raped them in turns at gun point after stealing the sum of N50, 000 and a motorcycle from them. Igbo explained that one of the suspects said Ottah was behind their act, a development he said Ottah had denied.

Police Declare Amaechi’s ADC Deserter

The Rivers State Police Command has declared the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Governor Chibuike Amaechi, Seimeikumo Debewari (acting ASP), a deserter, following his failure to report to the command or police headquarters since July 10. This came as the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, dissociated himself from his posters being posted in the streets of Bori, headquarters of Khana LGA of the state. The police in a statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Administration), Augustine Sanomi, Monday, said Debewari had also been withdrawn as ADC to Amaechi. “His whereabouts is currently unknown to the Nigeria Police Force. Consequently, he ceases to be the ADC to the Rivers State governor.

Man Docked for Defiling 7-Year-Old Twin Brothers

Police in Rivers State have arraigned a 30-year-old Godface Ibama before a Port-Harcourt Magistrate Court for defiling seven-year-old twin brothers. The suspect alleged to be gay was arrested by the police at a waterfront in Mile 1, Diobu area of Port Harcourt for sexually abusing the victims. Ibama, who is facing a two-count charge of unlawful carnal knowledge of the minors pleaded not guilty to the charge. Mr Elkawah Fubara, the trial magistrate, consequently ordered the suspect to be remanded in police custody and adjourned till September 11, for hearing of the accused bail application.

Court Remands Man in Prison over Alleged Rape of Girl, 12

An Enugu Magistrate Court, on Wednesday, remanded one Monday Okoye, 34, of in prison custody over alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl. The prosecutor, Mr Peter Eze, told the court that the matter was reported to the state Criminal Investigation Department on August 11. Eze said the rape victim was absent in the court because she was hospitalised following the injury she sustained from the rape. The prosecutor called seven witnesses to testify in the matter. The magistrate, Mr Frank Chukwu, said that the case would be transferred to the high court because it bordered on rape, adding that such was outside the jurisdiction of a magistrate court. He, however, added that the prosecuting witnesses would testify in the high court on the matter.

Generator Fumes Kill 3 in Calabar

A newly married couple, who packed to their house soon after wedding have been reportedly killed by generator fumes in Ikot Omin on the outskirts of Calabar, the Cross River State. The couple, Bassey Effiong (27), his wife, Glory (21) and her younger sister, Emem (16), were said to have packed to the house yet to be completed by Bassey. Tragedy struck, last Sunday, when they turned on their generating set and placed it on the corridor close to the room, where they slept but fume from the generating set was said to have subsequently gained entry into the room in large quantity and suffocated the couple along with Emem, the wife’s younger sister. They were discovered dead several hours later by Bassey’s uncle, who said he went there after he called Bassey’s mobile number several times without response.

Four Killed, One Injured In Ebonyi Auto Crash

At least four persons were, on Wednesday, killed, while one person was injured following an accident involving a car and a truck on Amuzo Onueke road in Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State. Confirming the incident, the state commandant, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Jide Fehintola, said the accident occurred as a result of tyre burst, which led to a head-on collision. It was gathered that the car was heading to Onueke with five passengers from Abakaliki when one of its tyres ruptured. While the driver tried to gain control of the vehicle, it collided with an oncoming truck, killing four persons, while one was critically injured. The FRSC commandant said the dead had been deposited in the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, mortuary while the injured was receiving treatment in the same hospital.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

MEND Warns Chevron to Stop Oil Production

Militant group, The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has given Chevron Nigeria Limited till October 1, 2013 to evacuate the Escravos Terminal and Tank Farm or face imminent attack. In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, MEND threatened mortar attack on the multi-billion dollar oil facility. MEND advised workers at the Chevron Tank Farm in Escravos to evacuate the premises as mortar attacks are imminent on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 from 00:01 hour Nigerian time."

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

30 Nabbed over Pipeline Vandalism

Thirty suspected pipeline vandals, among them, two pastors and two teenagers were, last weekend, arrested by officials of the Ogun State command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Isheri Olofin area of the state. The suspects, according to the Commandant, Akinwande Aboluwoye, were arrested after a shoot-out. Recovered from the suspects, according to Aboluwoye, were canoes and 400 50-litre Jerri cans filled with siphoned petroleum product. The commandant explained that the suspects opened fire on sighting the operatives of the NSCDC, leading to a gun battle. But when it became apparent that the heat was too much for them, they abandoned the products and jumped into the river and escaped. However, we were able to arrest their accomplices who reside in the area. Some of the suspects, however denied involvement in the illegal activities, saying they were not pipeline vandals, but new residents of the area.

NDLEA Seizes Liquid Drug

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized the “first illegal shipment” of liquid methamphetamine to South Africa. The methamphetamine, which weighed seven kilogrammes, was disguised as vegetable oil. It was learnt that anti-narcotic officials made the discovery at the cargo section of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos during a routine check. A customs-licensed agent, who brought the consignment for shipment, was also said to have been arrested by the agency.  NDLEA Airport Commander, Hamza Umar, confirmed the arrest and seizure. Liquid methamphetamine is said to be formed when methamphetamine crystals are dissolved in water. The water can be heated, leaving the drug in solid forms. The suspect, Ugochukwu Okoroji, 31, said he owned the seized drug.

Woman Arraigned over Killing of 3-Year-Old for Vomiting

A 21-year-old woman, Rebecca Bassey, has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State, for allegedly killing her husband’s 3-year-old niece, Deborah Bassey. The defendant allegedly beat up the deceased for vomiting and defecating on herself. Police sources had said young Deborah, who lost her mother in 2010, had been sent by her father to stay with his brother. On the said date, Deborah was said to have woken up with a high temperature and started vomiting. This was said to have angered the defendant, who reportedly beat her up instead of administering medical treatment. It was reported that the victim started to bleed from the head before some neighbours rushed her to the hospital, where she died. Rebecca’s plea was not taken. The magistrate, Mr. O.A Komolafe, however, remanded the defendant in prison pending the DPP’s advice.

NAFDAC Alerts on Toxic Substance in Food

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Thursday warned Nigerians about the presence of mycotoxins, a toxic substance in foods and feeds. The Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, gave the warning at a workshop in Ibadan, Oyo State. The substance could cause liver cancer. He added that the need to create awareness was necessary in view of the dangers inherent in the consumption of the substance.

Cholera Outbreak in Oyo Kills Eight

Cholera outbreak in Egbeda area of Oyo State has killed eight people, while 10 other persons have been hospitalised at the council’s Health Care Centre. The state Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, and his counterpart from the Ministry of the Environment and Habitat, Lowo Obisesan, said distribution of drugs had already started to fight the scourge in the community. A statement by the Press Officer, Ministry of Health, Cosmas Oni, stated that the state government on Wednesday reacted quickly by sending health officers to the area to curb the spread of the disease. The community has a population of about 282,000 people, with only one primary health centre. The community had been certified clean and free of communicable diseases, until the current outbreak of cholera. Gbadegesin said the state had also embarked on some efforts by distributing drugs to the people and sterilising their water. Commenting on the source of the disease, the commissioner blamed the community for improper use of the environment.

2 Arrested for Defiling 5-Year-Old Girls

The Police have nabbed a 26-year-old man in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State for allegedly having canal knowledge of a five-year-old daughter of his father’s tenant. Police Public Relations Officer, Victor Babayemi, said the accused was arrested on August 28, 2013, after an attempt to lure the girl with a loaf of bread. According to Babayemi, the accused in his confessional statement said he had been using bread to entice the girl and her sisters since he works in a bakery. The suspect was said to have brought a loaf of bread and invited the girl to his room where he allegedly abused her sexually. In a related development, a 57-year-old man, one David, who allegedly defiled his five-year-old step-daughter in Igede-Ekiti, has been paraded by the police in Igede-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA of the state.

Suspected Cultists Kill 23-Year-Old in Lagos

A 23-year-old man, identified as Tunde Lawal, was on Wednesday, night killed in Somolu area of Lagos State, by suspected cult members. The deceased, popularly known as Ogbon, was alleged to be a member of a rival cult group. A gang of heavily armed men suspected to be cultists from Bariga area, invaded Somolu in search of their rivals and in the process killed Lawal. It was gathered that the gang, whose members killed Tunde also terrorized residents of Sodimu, Ajose, Anifowose and Fadipe Streets where they shot sporadically and robbed residents. A resident of Somolu, stated that the killers of Tunde “actually had their targets” but took advantage of the situation to rob innocent residents. Police from Alade police station arrived at the scene, after the hoodlums had escaped and removed the deceased boy’s body.

GENERAL

24 Youths Killed, in Boko Haram Ambush
…Army Probes Major Over Borno Vigilance Members’ Killing

About 24 youth vigilante group members, popularly called Civilian JTF, have been killed and 36 other still missing in another attack by members of the Boko Haram sect in Borno state. The sect members were said to have laid ambush on Friday on Monguno killing 24 vigilante youths with 36 others still missing. The youths’ vigilante group numbering about 100 persons were said to have gone to Monguno, hunting for the members of the sect before most of them were hunted down, but were ambushed by the terrorists. A Major in the Nigerian Army is said to be under investigation over the circumstances leading to the killing. Investigations revealed that the Major, who was in command of the unit entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the youth volunteers on the day of the massacre, withdrew the soldiers thereby making it possible for the insurgents to carry out the devastating attack on them.

Gunmen Kill Medical Director, District Head in Bauchi

Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Azare, Bauchi state, Dr Musa Mohammed, was on Sunday abducted and killed by unidentified gunmen. Some gunmen also killed the District head of Yamai, in Dambam LGA of the state, Alhaji Manu Yamai. The gunmen were said to have escaped after the dastardly acts. It was not clear whether the two incidents were carried out by the same group. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Hassan Auyo, confirmed the killings. He said the police had commenced investigation into the incident and assured that   the culprits would be apprehended very soon to face the law. The police spokesman enjoined the public to give information to the police that could lead to the arrest of perpetrators.

Gunmen Kill 10 in Kaduna

About 10 people were killed by gunmen in an attack on Addu village in Kaura LGA of Kaduna State. It was gathered that the gunmen, who attacked Addu village were said to be about 20, when they raided the village in the early hours of Monday, shooting sporadically. Two members of a family were said to be among the 10 people killed, during the attack, and which was the third of its kind on the Attakar chiefdom, since the beginning of the year. The bandits were also reported to have destroyed farmlands and properties worth several millions of naira belonging to the villagers. The spokesman of the state police command, Aminu Lawan, confirmed the incident, saying that some suspects had been arrested.

FG Declares NSCDC Sole Protector of Critical Infrastructures

The Federal Government has moved put to rest the rivalry between the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police over control of the nation's critical infrastructures by declaring that the role is constitutionally designated to the Corps. President Goodluck Jonathan, worried by the spate of vandalism of all the critical infrastructure and national assets in the country, has therefore called on the warring security agencies to bury their differences so as to put an end to what he described a ‘threat’ to the nation development.

US Declares 14 Northern States Unsafe for Americans

The United States has declared 14 states unsafe for its citizen in Nigeria. Its embassy in Nigeria advised its citizens to avoid the states ahead of the 12th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the twin towers and the World Trade Centre. "Because of safety and security concerns, the US mission in Nigeria is enforcing a restricted travel policy for US Embassy personnel to the states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara," the US Embassy in Nigeria posted on its website. It instructed US citizens to also remain vigilant around churches, mosques, other places of worship, and locations where large crowds may gather, such as hotels, markets, malls, and other areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers, particularly as the anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaches.

Court Orders EFCC to Seize Assets of Pension Scam Suspects

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Tuesday said it had secured an interim order from Justice Sunday E. Aladetoyinbo of an Abuja High Court, to take possession of the assets and properties of Atiku Abubakar Kigo and Mrs. Uzoma Cyril Attang, the 2nd and 6th accused persons respectively, in the N32.8 billion police pension scam. A statement issued by the commission's acting Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the order was given on July 30. According to him, the order also covers the freezing of the accounts of the suspects pending the hearing and final determination of the case filed against them. Forty-six of the attached properties situated mostly in Lagos and Abuja belong to Attang, while Kigo, whose properties had earlier been attached, had another of his plot of land at Gudu district attached.

Nigerian Army Retires 10 Generals

The authorities of the Nigerian Army have retired some top generals of the Army. It was gathered that those retired were ten in number. Among those affected were the former Director of Training and Operations, Defence Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Lawrence Ngugbane, the former Commander of Training, Doctrine and Command, Maj.-Gen. Babagana  Mungonu, and the former Chief of Research and Development, Maj.-Gen. Obinali Ariahu. A top military source said on Wednesday that the generals were retired because they had put in the maximum years in service. The source said that the retirement exercise was routine and not punitive. The source added that the retirement exercise was expected to take place every quarter of the year.

21 Commercial Sex Workers Arrested in Jigawa

Jigawa State Hisbah Command has arrested 21 commercial sex workers, as part of efforts to stop them from operating in the state. The commandant of Hisbah in the state, Alhaji Aliyu Galamawa, said the arrest followed a security report that they had invaded different parts of the state after they were dislodged from neighbouring Bauchi, Kano and Lagos states. Galamawa explained that men of the command arrested 21 of them in Ringim and Dutse with their traditional musicians, while some were arrested in Chaichai town with the owner of the house who gave them rent. According to him, they were handed over to the state police command, which charged them before a Sharia Court sitting in Dutse under Magistrate Aliyu Hadejia. The Hisbah commandant explained that they would support government commitment to rid the state of criminals.

Woman Dumps New-born Baby in Toilet

Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a 23-year-old woman, Hadiza Shehu, while dropping her new born baby boy in a pit toilet after giving birth to him in the night. State Commander of NSCDC, Dr. Muhammad Gidado, said in the course of investigation, she admitted the crime. She said one Muhammad Akarami, 42, who is alleged to be a fake Mallam, was responsible for her pregnancy and had instructed her to dump the baby in a toilet whenever she gave birth, else she would either die or go mad. The commander added that the lady claimed she went to the Mallam to seek for prayers for protection against her boyfriend, but ended up becoming the Mallam bed mate. The Commandant said the Mallam had been arrested and detained for further questioning, adding that after investigation, the two suspects would be charged to court.

Gunmen Kill Father, 2 Sons in Jos

As Plateau State Government intensifies efforts towards lasting peace in the state, some notorious gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday stormed a village in Jos South LGA of the state and killed a man and his two his children, while the wife was wounded. In the past one week rampaging gunmen in the Northern part of Plateau State had so far attacked five villages and snuffed lives out of innocent people, including children. It was learnt that the gunmen armed with sophisticated weapons invaded Geyel village in the early hours of Wednesday and in their usual mode of operation released several gun shots into the air to scare the people from coming out of their abodes. A source close said that the gunmen without wasting time forced themselves into the deceased’s family house and descended on them. They succeeded in killing the husband, two children and injured the wife who escaped by the whiskers. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Felicia Anslem, said the police have commenced full investigation into the attack and enjoined the people to report any suspicious moves to the police.

20 Killed in Boko Haram Attacks on Borno Villages

About 20 persons were reportedly killed in two separate attacks by the Boko Haram sect between Wednesday and Thursday in Borno State. It was gathered that the insurgents on Wednesday morning attacked a police station and the council secretariat at Gajiram in Nganzi LGA of the state. About 24 hours later, the sect also attacked another Borno village of Bulabilin Ngaura in Konduga LGA. In the attack on Gajiram, it was gathered that the sect members allegedly stormed the town at about 10am, attacking the police station and the council secretariat. They also killed 15 persons at the local market and inflicted injuries on several others. Residents disclosed that the hoodlums beat up many residents of the town and killed those that they felt did not deserve their mercy.

91 Families of Slain Officers Receive N35.7 million

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of Zone one, David Omojola has presented the sum of N35.7 million to the 91 families of police officers who lost their lives during the Boko Haram bloody attack in Kano. Omojola said that the victims who were presented with their cheque were the third batch of victims’ families being assisted by the command, adding that the money which is an insurance coverage for the officers and men was meant to alleviate the sufferings of the deceased families and those who sustained injuries at various times in the course of their duties. According to him, the money should not be seen as compensation to the families of the deceased because no amount of money can bring back those who lost their lives or sustained injury in the course of service.

Police, Traffic Officers Clash in Gombe

At least 19 officials of the Gombe State Agency for Social Services and other Related Matters were injured during a clash between them and policemen in Gombe, the state capital. Property belonging to the agency were also vandalised in the brawl. The agency’s General Manager, Babaji Dunama, said the attack came after the police had beaten up the agency’s marshals at the Gombe Central Roundabout, preventing them from executing their tasks, an act that he said caused pandemonium and disrupted traffic for over two hours. The general manager said when he tried to ask the policemen to stop harassing the marshals, they threatened him. He added that shortly after he left the place, the problem degenerated with the policemen beating the marshals on duty. However, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Atajiri Fwaje, described the incident as a misunderstanding between the marshals and the police, explaining that the fracas followed an attempt by the civil marshals to foil the arrest of a suspect by the police.

INTERNATIONAL

Outrage in India over Delhi Gang-Rape Sentence

India's opposition said Sunday it would seek tougher punishments for juveniles after the first verdict in the New Delhi gang-rape case saw a teenager sentenced to three years' detention, sparking widespread anger. The rape and murder of a 23-year-old student by six attackers on a moving bus in December 2012 sparked nationwide protests and led to reforms that mandated longer sentences for adult sex offenders. Sushma Swaraj, opposition leader in the lower house of parliament, said she would introduce a bill to amend the law for juveniles. A juvenile court in New Delhi sentenced the only under-age suspect in the gang, who was 17 at the time of the crime, to three years in a correctional facility. This was the maximum sentence under Indian law, which treats all under-18s as children and seeks to reform rather than punish them.

Iran Ex-president Says Syria Govt Launched Gas Attacks

Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said the Syrian government, a strong ally of Tehran, had carried out chemical weapons attacks against its own people, the semi-official Iranian Labour News Agency reported on Sunday. "The people have been the target of chemical attacks by their own government and now they must also wait for an attack by foreigners," Rafsanjani said, according to ILNA. "The people of Syria have seen much damage in these two years."

Yemen PM Survives Assassination Attempt

Yemeni Prime Minister Mohammed Salem Basindwa has survived an assassination attempt unharmed, officials in the capital Sanaa say.  Gunmen in a vehicle opened fire on the PM's motorcade as he returned home from his office, one of his advisers said.  It is the first time Basindwa has come under attack. The government is battling militants of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.  A senior intelligence officer was killed by suspected militants in southern Labous province penultimate Friday. Basindwa was a senior opposition figure before being appointed in November 2011 to head the government set up after veteran leader President Ali Abdullah Saleh left power. Security forces were trying to track down the vehicle used in the attack.

Taliban Bomb US Base in Eastern Afghanistan

The Taliban have attacked a US base in eastern Afghanistan, with reports of a series of explosions. The US-led NATO mission said no foreign nationals were killed in the morning raid on the Torkham base in Nangahar province, near the Pakistan border. The attack reportedly triggered a gun battle. A Taliban spokesman said that the group was behind the attack. Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, spokesman for the Nangahar governor, said the Jalalbad-Torkham road - a key route for NATO supply vehicles - was closed after the attack. There has recently been a spate of attacks across the country, claiming dozens of lives - most of them civilians.

Bodies of Abducted Soldiers Found in Afghanistan

The badly beaten, bullet-riddled bodies of seven Afghan soldiers were found dumped in an eastern province penultimate Sunday, apparent victims of insurgents, authorities said. The discovery comes as the Taliban have stepped up their attacks in Afghanistan and U.S.-led foreign forces are reducing their presence in the country. Local residents found the corpses next to each other in Andar district of Ghazni province, their hands chained behind their backs. The dead soldiers had been kidnapped at different times, with some abducted while they were on leave visiting relatives, said Mohammad Ali Ahmadi, deputy Ghazni governor. The victims hailed from Northern provinces and were found with identification documents. The Taliban did not issue a claim of responsibility for the killings, but Ahmadi said the insurgents are known to occasionally stop vehicles in search of people to "prosecute" for working for the U.S.-supported Afghan government or security forces.

Brazil, Mexico Probe Claims of NSA Spying

Brazil and Mexico have both demanded an explanation from the US over claims that the National Security Agency (NSA) spied on their presidents. Internet data from Brazilian President, Dilma Rousseff, and Mexico's Enrique Pena Nieto was intercepted, according to reports. Journalist Glenn Greenwald obtained secret files from US whistle-blower Edward Snowden. Brazil said data interception would represent an unacceptable violation of sovereignty. Mexico called for a probe. Both the Brazilian and Mexican governments summoned their respective US ambassadors. Mexico requested an "an exhaustive investigation" to determine who may be responsible for the alleged spying on Mr Pena Nieto's emails before his election last year.

UN: Over Two Million People Have Fled Syria

More than two million Syrians are now registered as refugees, after the total went up by a million in the last six months, the UN's refugee agency says. More Syrians are now displaced than any other nationality, according to the UNHCR. France and the US are continuing to push for military action over alleged chemical weapons use by Syrian forces. Lebanon has received the highest number of refugees, at 700,000, even though it is the smallest of Syria's neighbours and one of the least able to cope. There is now thought to be one Syrian refugee in Lebanon to roughly every six Lebanese. Jordan and Turkey have taken in the second and third highest numbers respectively. As well as those who have left the country, a further 4.25 million have been displaced within Syria, the UNHCR says, meaning that more people from Syria are now forcibly displaced than from other country. It appealed again for "massive international support" with the crisis.

UNESCO Calls for Investigation into Killing of Journalists in Egypt

The UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova has condemned Egyptian authorities for the death of three Egyptian journalists during the country’s uprising calling for a thorough investigation of how they died. Bokova, who has the Secretary General mandate to defend press freedom deplored the deaths of Ahmed Abdel Gawad, Mosab Al-Shami and Tamer Abdel Raouf, and called on the Egyptian authorities “to do everything possible to ensure the security of media workers.” They died of gunshot injuries. Raouf who was  regional director of Al-Ahram newspaper was shot killed at a checkpoint in Damanhur in the Beheira Governorate in northern Egypt, on 19 August while Hamed Al-Barbari who was in the car with him, was injured. Bokova also condemned the murder of two journalists Pakistani Haji Abdul Razzak of Pakistan and Carlos Alberto Orellana Chávez of Guatemala.

Obama Wins Key Backing on Syria Plan

US President, Barack Obama, has won backing from key US political figures on his plans for a military strike on Syria. Obama said a "limited" strike was needed to degrade President Bashar al-Assad's capabilities, in response to a deadly chemical weapons attack. Key Republican leaders, John Boehner and Eric Cantor, both signalled their support for military action. More than 100,000 people are thought to have died since the uprising against President Assad began in March 2011. President Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden met House Speaker John Boehner, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and the chairmen and ranking members from the national security committees in Washington on Tuesday. Boehner signalled his support for Obama's call for action, saying that only the US had the capacity to stop President Assad. Boehner urged his colleagues in Congress to follow suit. France has also strongly backed the US plan for military action. UK Prime Minister David Cameron had also backed Obama, but Parliament rejected a resolution on military action.

US Senate Panel Backs Military Force in Syria

A Senate panel has approved the use of military force in Syria, in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack. The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations moved the measure to a full Senate vote, expected next week. The vote comes as President Barack Obama tries to build support in the US for punitive military action against the Syrian government. The much-debated measure allows the use of limited military force in Syria for 90 days. It also prevents the use of US troops on the ground. Despite Wednesday's vote, the bill's fate in the wider Senate is still unclear. So far, only 21 senators have said they support or are likely to support the resolution. Meanwhile, a Hezbollah official has said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ordered a poison gas attack last month and that it considered the move a mistake which showed he was losing his grip, according to German intelligence.

Cleveland Kidnapper, Ariel Castro, Dies

Ariel Castro, who kept women captive at his home in Cleveland, Ohio, has died after being found hanging in his cell. Prison officials said he died in hospital late on Tuesday, after prison medical staff failed to revive him. Castro, 53, held three women against their will for about a decade until May this year. He kept his victims chained up and raped them. He was sentenced on 1 August to life imprisonment without parole plus 1,000 years. The house was demolished. The former school bus driver abducted the women from the Cleveland streets between 2002 and 2004. A spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Joellen Smith, said that he was housed in protective custody and rounds are required every 30 minutes at staggered intervals. A thorough review of this incident is under way, she added.

Rebels, Syrian Army Fight in Christian Village

Government troops battled al-Qaida-linked rebels for a Christian village in western Syria for a second day on Thursday. Residents of Maaloula said the militants entered their ancient village on Wednesday night. Rami Abdul-Rahman, the director of the Britain-based Observatory for Human Rights, said the fighters included members of the of the al-Qaida-affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra group. Despite a heavy army presence in the village, Abdul-Rahman said the rebels staged hit-and-run attacks there, at one point patrolling its streets on foot and in vehicles, and briefly surrounding a church and a mosque before leaving early Thursday. The rebels launched the assault on Maaloula — which is on a UNESCO list of tentative world heritage sites — on Wednesday after an al-Nusra fighter blew himself up at a regime checkpoint at the entrance to the mountain village.

Ban Condemns Killing of 47 Iranian Refugees

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has condemned an attack on Iran’s Camp Ashraf that claimed 47 lives, urging the government to do everything within its powers to get the perpetrators to book. He expressed his sorrow and extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims. The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has initiated the process of delivering medical support to the victims of the camp made up of Iranian exiles. The UN Relief and Works Agency on Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has received confirmation on the death of a staff member killed by Israeli forces, while asking for restraint by all parties concerned. A statement issued by UNRWA confirmed that its staff member was killed when Israeli forces conducted an operation in the Kalandia Refugee Camp in the Occupied West Bank.