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Latest News: Training and recruitment is ongoing - Wednesday, 02 March 2011 22:54

week 2

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Explosion, Fire Ravage Rivers High Courts

The political crisis in Rivers State appears to be assuming a new dimension as the Ahoada High Court was hit by an explosion last week. The explosion came just as another high court at Okehi in Etche LGA of the state was razed by suspected arsonists. The Ahoada High Court presided over by Justice Charles Wali was billed to hear a case between the leader of the anti-Governor Chibuike Amaechi lawmakers in the state House of Assembly, Evans Bipi and the leadership of the assembly. One of the objects suspected to be an improvised explosive device (IED) was said to have also exploded at the block housing the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) before the arrival of the police bomb disposal unit at about noon. The police retrieved the remaining object. The Rivers State Police Command confirmed that a device suspected to be an explosive was retrieved from the court premises by the bomb disposal unit of the command. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), on Tuesday, expressed shock at the bombing of the River State High Court in Ahoada and the alleged case of arson at the court room of another high court at Okehi.  And has demanded an immediate probe of the incident and asked that the report be made public within 30 days.

Kidnappers Demand N50m Ransom for Abducted Six-Year-Old

Kidnappers in Bayelsa State are demanding a N50 million in ransom for the release of Okali Powel, a six-year-old boy. Okali, a son of a former Commissioner for Local Government in the state, Godknows Powell, was abducted by gunmen on New Year’s Day in Yenagoa. The boy was in the company of his mother and on their way back from the church when the kidnappers accosted them and whisked him away. The abductors subsequently contacted the family and warned against involving security agents in their negotiations. The victim's father served as commissioner in the administration of Timipre Sylva.  He was also the Chairman of Yenagoa LGA during the tenure of Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as governor.

Women Protest against Shell in Bayelsa

Hundreds of half-nude women in Peremabiri community in Bayelsa State staged a protest against non-implementation of an existing agreement by Shell. The women disrupted movement of workers into the oil platforms and boat houses operated by Shell in the area, alleging non-implementation of the memorandum of understanding Shell entered into with the community. The protesting women tied red cloth to block the entrance to the oil platform located within the community. They further alleged that Shell had failed to redeem the two-year-old promise to replace a faulty community generator, renovate existing community school and provide potable water for its host community. The protesters claimed that the oil firm had adopted delay tactics to avoid providing the amenities which they said were time-bound. The spokesman for Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, Precious Okolobo, urged the aggrieved women to adopt the spelt-out channel of addressing their grievances.

Gunmen Abduct Monarch’s Mother, Niece

Unidentified gunmen have reportedly kidnapped the mother of the paramount ruler of the coastal town of Agrisaba in Nembe LGA of Bayelsa State and her granddaughter. The woman, Ikhiogha Walter, aged 74 and her granddaughter, Miss Yellow Tamuno Joseph were abducted Sunday at about 6.30am. She is mother to the Obanema of Agrisaba, HRH, M.S. Walter Agiri, who was appointed some months back in the wake of the chieftaincy tussle that rocked the community. It was reliably learnt that the kidnappers were masked and stormed the community in two boats.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Suspected Kidnappers Killed in Gun Battle with Police

The Edo State Police Command, last Sunday, burst a notorious ring of kidnappers in Benin City, killing two suspects during an exchange of gunfire between members of the gang and the police. Six of the suspects were arrested, while a cache of arms, including three pumps action guns was recovered from the suspects. The incident occurred around Ugbowo area after a 70-year-old man, who went out for jogging was abducted by the suspects. Confirming the incident, the state Police Commissioner, Foluso Adebanjo, said the incident occurred at about 6a.m. and that his men went to rescue the man, following a tip off to the hideout of the kidnappers.

Uduaghan Cautions Aspirants against Violence

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has warned persons planning to use violence or play up ethnic sentiments to get into public office to desist forthwith as it would not yield them the desired result. The governor cautioned aspirants of political offices against resorting to violence or ethnic sentiments to achieve their goals because force and violence do not get anyone into office but only breed chaos and anarchy in the society. As against violence and ethnic politics, he urged the aspirants to endear themselves to the people by their words, deeds and actions, reiterating that whoever will emerge winner in an election must be through the ballot box and not because of the ethnic group they belong.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Woman Excretes Wraps of Narcotics On-Board Aircraft to Nigeria

A 32-year-old woman, Chizoba Vivian Anya, has been arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for allegedly excreting wraps of substance which tested positive for methamphetamine, on-board a Qatar Airline flight from Malaysia. The suspect was said to have aroused suspicion from other passengers on-board the flight following her frequent visits to the toilet. On arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos, three wraps of methamphetamine were found in her possession. NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, said the suspect while under observation excreted two additional wraps of the same substance. Preliminary investigation also revealed that the suspect left from Ghana where she ingested the drugs enroute to Malaysia. In Malaysia, she was denied entry and made to board another flight back to Nigeria. She started excreting the drugs at the airport in Malaysia. The suspect confessed that she was offered half a million naira to smuggle the drugs to Malaysia.

Man’s Stomach Ripped during Fight over Woman

Doctors at the Lagos Island General Hospital are battling to save the life of a 34-year-old man, identified only as Owuye, whose stomach was ripped open on New Year’s Eve during a fight over a woman. According to eyewitnesses, the victim and an elderly man, identified simply as Baba, were involved in a fight over a married woman. An eyewitness, who identified himself as Soji, said Owuye was the first to attack the elderly man. It was learnt that in the ensuing pandemonium, the woman, whom the duo was fighting over, fled the scene. It was learnt that the matter was immediately reported to the police and the elderly man was arrested. Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident adding that investigations were ongoing.

Court Remands Traditional Ruler over Death of Witness

An Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of a former traditional ruler of the Ilaje, Bariga area of Lagos State, Kayode Ayetiwa, in prison over the murder of 36-year-old Segun Ogbere, aka Shaggy. Ogbere was murdered while returning from a court case in which he had gone to testify against Ayetiwa. The deceased was the only volunteer and key witness in the murder of one James Aromire, who was killed in 2012. It was reported on December 12, that Ogbere had been trailed from the court premises by suspected cult members. The deceased had reportedly tried escaping the killers, but was eventually caught and killed. The police said Ogbere was stabbed and cut with machetes while he called out the name of one of his assailants. He was left to die in a pool of blood. The 54-year-old Ayetiwa was subsequently arrested for a second murder. The defendant’s plea was not taken for the offence. The police prosecutor, Corporal Cyricus Osuji, applied that the defendant be remanded in prison.

Three Fake Orphanage Owners Nabbed in Ogun

The Ogun State government said it had uncovered three fake orphanages in different parts of the state and handed their promoters to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution in accordance with the law. The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Elizabeth Sonubi disclosed this in Abeokuta at a get-together organised for children in all the 15 registered children homes and orphanages across the state. According to her, the government has concluded arrangement to review operational policies of the homes and orphanages to reflect current trends, by putting in place   a mechanism to monitor them effectively.

NAFDAC Intercepts Counterfeit Products

As part of efforts to safeguard the health of Nigerians, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced its interception and seizure of various medical products deliberately positioned against the Nigerian market. Briefing journalists in Lagos recently, NAFDAC Director of Narcotics and Controlled Substances Directorate, Hashim Ubale Yusuf, explained that the seizure, which amounted to undisclosed millions of naira, was a result of the surveillance reports of the agency. He listed some of the intercepted products to include Labjoka tablets, relax tablets, omepralab tablets, a truckload of unregistered wine allegedly smuggled through the border by Mrs. Kike Ijibade- a truckload of bon-bon with peanut cream filing wafer allegedly being cleared by Mr. Ododo Moses Idoko and a busload of assorted children confectionaries imported by Mrs. Abeni Olayiwola. NAFDAC Director General, Dr. Paul Orhii, however, called for collaboration from member of the public, even as he stressed the need for Nigerians to report any suspected adulterated product to the agency for immediate action.

Soldier Beats Bus Driver to Death in Lagos

A soldier, identified as Ezinne Benjamin, was on Monday accused of beating to death a commercial bus driver, Bashiru Adebayo, following a squabble over payment of bus fare. The suspect who is being detained at the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lagos, was arrested after an angry mob had stormed Dodan Barracks chanting war songs and threatening mayhem. It was learnt that disagreement broke out between the soldier and the deceased driver after Benjamin had refused to pay his transport fares despite entreaties from the bus conductor and passengers. Eyewitnesses said the soldier, who was not wearing uniform, was angered by the insistence of the driver that he had to pay up and in the heat of the ensuing altercation between them; he brought out his gun and hit the driver’s head with its butt, causing the driver to slump and die. The soldier immediately fled the scene. Angry youths in the area pursued the fleeing soldier and caught up with him close to Dodan Barracks.

Oyo Governor Commends Police over Reduction of Crime

The Oyo State Police Command has been commended for the reduction in the rates of criminal activities in the state especially since 2011. The state Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, stated this while receiving the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 11, David Oluwafemi Omojola, during a courtesy visit in his office in Ibadan. Ajimobi said statistics had shown that for the third year running, crimes had greatly reduced in the state during the yuletide periods. The governor attributed the successes recorded by his administration to the cooperation and support of the police force, pledging that his administration would continue to collaborate with the force to further enhance their performance. Ajimobi assured the state police command that his government would provide more equipment for it in order to boost the morale of the officers and men of the force for improved performance.

Gunmen Abduct Pastor, Six Children

A 27-man gang on Friday abducted a pastor, Godson Akubiro, and six of his children from their residence in Igbo Olomu area of Ikorodu, Lagos State. Akubiro is said to be the founder of Mountain of Breakthrough Church in the area. The gunmen, who allegedly wore army camouflage, had at about 1.30am gained entrance into the house with the aid of an iron cutter. The Community Development Association Chairman, Mr. Yinka Obasan, said he was alerted about the development about 2am. The six children, whose ages ranged between 30 and eight years, were beaten up. The three people left behind were allegedly tortured. Akubiro’s wife, Rita, was said to be away on a trip to South Africa at the time. Three person were allegedly left behind – Emeka, Chidera and a baby. Since the incident, no one had been able to establish contact with Akubiro and his children.

Teacher Arraigned for Raping Two Pupils

A 27-year-old man, Mohammed Ibrahim, has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court for allegedly raping two female pupils of a Nursery and Primary School. The incident was said to have happened in the Surulere area of Lagos and on the school’s premises. Ibrahim was said to have raped the six and seven year olds in the toilet during school hours. It was learnt that the defendant had only been appointed to teach primary three pupil Islamic Studies in the Muslim school in August 2013. He had allegedly asked the victims to help him fetch water and take it to the toilet. He was said to have followed them there, undressed them and had carnal knowledge of them. The victims were said to have cried while the act was on, which attracted the attention of other kids. The defendant was subsequently arrested and he allegedly confessed to the crime. The police arraigned him on Monday on two counts of rape. The magistrate, Mrs Demi Ajayi, admitted him to bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties each in like sum. The matter was adjourned till January 29, 2014.

Robbers Attack Trailer Park Tie Up Policemen

No fewer than 20 robbers attacked Ascon Trailer Park at Asese, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, inflicting injuries on employees on duty. It was learnt that the robbers also tied up the policemen attached to the park during an operation that lasted for about three hours penultimate Friday. It was learnt that the policemen were sent from Lagos State. An employee disclosed the robbers attacked the area based on a tip-off. The employee said the robbers attempted to steal some heavy duty equipment, but their attempt was not successful and they became infuriated. Meanwhile, many sustained injuries in Magboro area of the state after hoodlums clashed during an end-of-the-year carnival on Friday. Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the ASCON robbery incident.

Police Foil Robbery Attack on ATM

The police in Ogun on Saturday foiled a robbery attack on an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Abeokuta. A 20-year-old welder, Abdullahi Tunde, was arrested and the police recovered two gas cylinders, two sledge hammers, two giant chisels, fire-lighters, screw drivers, a torch light and a pack of bottle water. It was gathered that a gang of five armed robbers had at about 1:30am on Saturday stormed the private university where they tied up the five security guards on duty. The suspected robbers were said to have vandalised the ATM loaded with large sums of money on Friday. They were, however, said to have been forced to flee by policemen who arrived the scene of the crime following a tip-off. Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said that the robbers could not cart away the money from the machine, stating that the suspected robbers fled the scene after a police Armoured Personnel Carrier arrived at the scene. The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, had already ordered investigation into the incident.

Fresh Violence Erupts in Osun Communities

Fresh violence broke out among the people of Oba- Ile and Oba-Oke in Olorunda LGA of Osun State on Friday. A source disclosed that that some youths in Oba-Ile invaded Oba-Oke and beat up some people. This was said to have angered the people of Oba-Oke who mobilised and stormed Oba-Ile for revenge. But Oba-Ile residents claimed that the people of Oba-Oke started the trouble. The disagreement, it was learnt led to a fierce fight where dangerous weapons were freely used by both sides. Scores of residents from both sides were said to have been injured in the ensuing melee. Policemen were promptly deployed to the two communities to bring the situation under control. The Police Public Relations Officer, Osun Command, Folasade Odoro, confirmed the fresh clash, adding that the situation had been brought under control.

GENERAL

Soldiers Kill 63 Terror Suspects in Borno

Men of the Nigerian Army have killed 63 insurgents in two different encounters with suspected terrorists in Borno State. The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, said that the insurgents were killed at Alafa Forests, 21 kilometers from Bama, the scene of the gruesome attack by the Boko Haram two weeks ago, and Lake Chad Islands. Olukolade said while 56 insurgents were killed at Alafa, seven lost their lives to another military offensive at the Lake Chad Islands. Olukolade added that two soldiers sustained injuries in the two attacks put in place to track fleeing insurgents in the area. He explained that the military authorities had carried out ground and aerial assaults on the insurgents following intelligence report that they were making efforts to establish new camps in the forest. According to him, the operation which resulted in heavy casualty and material loss on the side of the insurgents was still ongoing.

IGP Donates to Plateau Police Widows

The Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, on Monday donated foodstuffs to widows of policemen killed while on duty in the Plateau State command. The Plateau State Commissioner of Police (CP), Chris Olakpe, who represented the IGP, said the items was to enable them celebrate the New Year. Abubakar said that the items were for 30 widows that lost their bread winners in the line of duty within the past 12 months. Responding on behalf of the widows, Mrs Nandi Edache commended the IGP for the gesture. Edache called on the IGP to accelerate the payment of their husbands’ benefits to enable them settle their children’s school fees. She said that life had not been easy for them after the demise of their husbands.

Dozen Killed in Weekend Attacks on Borno Villages

Weekend attacks by suspected members of Boko Haram killed at least 12 people in Borno state, officials said. At least eight people were killed during a party in Tashan Alede on Saturday and four died in an attack in Kwajjafa Sunday, the Nigerian Tribune reported. On Friday, about 100 gunmen attacked a remote village in Zamfara state, wounding about 50 villagers and stealing more than 300 animals, the Tribune said. Boko Haram, an Islamic militant group, has been fighting to impose Sharia law in Nigeria, which has large Muslim and Christian populations.

Gunmen Attack Worshippers during New Year Service, Kill 3

Two persons were Tuesday night killed, while 16 others were severely injured when gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, attacked a church at Maikatako village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State. One other person was also killed in Manguna area of the LGA. It was gathered that during the crossover night service at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Maiakworigold, some gunmen stormed the church and started shooting sporadically, killing two people on the spot and injuring 16 others. The Speaker of the state House of Assembly and member representing Bokkos constituency,   Hon. Titus Alams,   confirmed that two people were killed and 16 others injured in the church attack. Alams commended security operatives for their prompt response, urging them to do everything possible to fish out the perpetrators. The speaker also appealed to the youths in the area to remain calm and report any suspicious movement to law enforcement agents.

Seven Die in Kano Cholera Outbreak

Seven persons were believed to have died following fresh cholera outbreak at Badawa-Galadima ward in Nasarawa LGA of Kano State. Confirming the death, the Head of Health Department of the LGA, Alhaji Muazu Doka, said that a total of 68 infected persons were currently receiving treatment. Muazu pointed out that 29 were at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) while the remaining 39 were at their respective houses. Doka said the local government council had purchased and distributed drugs worth N650,000 for the treatment of the patients. He said health personnel from the local government had gone round the houses of the affected persons with a view to giving them the necessary attention and treatment. According to him, the local government health department had cleared all the drainages in the affected area.

Canada Designates Boko Haram Terrorist Organisation

Canada has joined the United States in designating Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation under its Criminal Code. According to a report yesterday by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Canadian Government also listed the Caucasus Emirate blamed for recent bombings in Russia as a terrorist organisation. By virtue of the listing, the assets of the groups and anyone associated with them in Canada will be “seized and forfeited.” Rights groups have blamed Boko Haram for the death of more than 4,000 people mostly in the northern part of Nigeria.

Woman Arrested for Dumping Baby

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa, on Wednesday, said it has in its custody, a 23-year-old woman who allegedly dumped her newborn baby in Dutse LGA. The NSCDC Commandant, Muhammad Gidado, said that the woman was arrested on Tuesday in Mubi town in Adamawa. Gidado said the arrest was made after the corps received report on the woman’s whereabouts in Adamawa. He added that the woman allegedly dumped the baby on December 24 in Takur Quarters in Dutse LGA and ran away to Mubi town in Adamawa. The commandant said the suspect claimed she was impregnated and abandoned by one Abdulrazak Murtala, who lives in Takur Quarters in Dutse. He noted that the suspect was currently receiving medical attention at the command’s medical unit. He said the baby boy was in good condition and had been handed over to the Dutse District Head, pending the completion of investigation into the matter. He added that the corps had launched a manhunt to arrest the suspected father of the baby.

INTERNATIONAL

Cops Kill Eight Attackers in Attack on Police Station

Police in China, on Monday, shot and killed eight people who attacked a police station in Xinjiang, a restive region in northwestern China, authorities said. Nine people armed with knives threw explosives at the building and set police cars on fire, the Xinjiang government said on its official news website. One of the people was taken into custody. The violence took place around 6:30am in Yarkant County in western Xinjiang and is under investigation, authorities said. It’s the latest outbreak of deadly unrest in Xinjiang, a large, resource-rich region that is home to the Uyghurs, a Turkic-speaking, predominantly Muslim ethnic group. A clash in the region left 14 Uyghurs and two police officers dead earlier in the month.

Deadly Explosion Hits Russia

At least 15 people were killed and 23 others hurt in a suspected terrorist attack on a trolleybus in the city of Volgograd in Russia. The blast comes a day after 17 people died in a suicide bombing at the central station in the city. Security has been tightened at railway stations and airports across Russia. Russia is concerned that militant groups could be ramping up violence in the run-up to the 2014 winter Olympic Games in the city of Sochi. The Olympic venue is close to Russia’s volatile north Caucasus region. Volgograd lies about 900km (560 miles) south of Moscow, 650km north of the North Caucasus and 700km north-east of Sochi. A spokesman for Russia’s Investigative Committee said both explosions were now being treated as acts of terrorism.

Journalists Arrested in Cairo over Meeting with Muslim Brotherhood

Egyptian police have arrested three journalists working for the Al-Jazeera broadcaster in the capital Cairo. They include the TV network’s Cairo bureau chief Mohamed Fadel Fahmy and former BBC correspondent Peter Greste. The Interior Ministry said the journalists had held illegal meetings with the banned Muslim Brotherhood. The movement was declared a terrorist organization recently. Brotherhood-backed President Mohammed Morsi was ousted by the army in July. The military-backed interim government launched a crackdown on the movement following Morsi’s removal from power. Thousands of Brotherhood members, including its leadership, have been arrested and many put on trial.

DR Congo: Military Repels Attack on TV Station

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s army has repelled an attack by a group on the state TV headquarters, the government says. There were two other incidents – at the international airport and at a military base in the capital, Kinshasa. Information Minister, Lambert Mende, said the situation was now under control. About 40 of those who had taken part in the three attacks had been killed, others had been arrested, he said. About 70 people in total had taken part in the attacks, the minister told Reuters news agency. Mende said the government had not yet established the reason for the attack.

Eight Killed in Attack on South Yemen Army Base

At least five soldiers and three gunmen have been killed in an attack on an army position in southern Yemen, military officials say. Four soldiers are also missing after the raid on the barracks in Lahj province by assailants armed with automatic rifles and anti-tank weapons. The officials blamed separatist Hiraak al-Janoubi (Southern Movement), but its leaders denied any involvement. Tensions between southerners and the authorities have recently increased. There have been spates of attacks in recent weeks as separatists attempted to storm the office of the governor of Daleh province, which is adjacent to Lahj, to raise the flag of the former South Yemen, which united with the North in 1990. An artillery shell also landed near a funeral tent set up by Hiraak for mourners to pay their respects to the civilian who died. Activists and medical sources said the shelling left at least 19 people dead, including six children. Witnesses said the shell was fired by a tank and blamed the army. President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi has ordered an investigation.

Helicopter Rescue for Ship Stuck in Ice

Passengers and some crew on a ship stuck in thick ice in Antarctica are to be taken off by helicopter once the weather permits, Russian officials say. News of the decision came after an Australian icebreaker making a fresh rescue attempt had to turn back. The Russian-flagged research vessel Akademik Shokalskiy has been stuck in ice for nearly a week. It is carrying 74 scientists, tourists and crew. The ship is stocked with food and is in no danger, the team on board says. The third attempt to rescue the vessel – by Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis – failed early on Monday because of fierce winds and poor visibility. Earlier attempts by Chinese and French icebreakers to reach the ship were also foiled by the thick ice. The Shokalskiy was trapped on Christmas Eve by thick sheets of ice, driven by strong winds, about 1,500 nautical miles south of Hobart – the capital of the Australian state of Tasmania. Also, the remaining crew members will stay on board until another, more powerful US icebreaker arrived.

US Mother Accused of Killing Child, Poisoning Others

A 13-year-old girl is dead and her mother is behind bars, accused of stabbing her ex-husband and trying to kill her children by poisoning them. Officers in Casa Grande, Arizona responded to a 911 call on Christmas Day. A man said that his ex-wife, 35-year-old Connie Villa, had stabbed him but that he had managed to escape and was driving himself to a hospital, police disclosed. When officers arrived at the home, they found Villa with stab wounds, holding a knife to her chest. They managed to subdue her. Police also found the body of Aniarael Macias, Villa’s daughter, in the bathroom.

Israel Releases 26 Palestinian Prisoners

Israel released 26 Palestinian prisoners on Monday in a gesture of goodwill between the two sides. The release was a step aimed at “resuming the diplomatic process,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said. Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, greeted 18 of the freed prisoners in Ramallah, West Bank. The prisoners “perpetrated offenses prior to the Oslo accords and have served sentences of 19-28 years,” Netanyahu’s office statement said. US Secretary of State, John Kerry, travelled to Jerusalem and Ramallah in his ongoing attempt to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Monday’s release was part of a pledge made by Israel at the start of the talks last summer. The two sides are four months into a nine-month deadline set by Kerry to reach a peace deal, with little visible progress. Kerry will meet with both Abbas and Netanyahu during his trip.

South Sudan: President Rules Out Power Sharing with Rebel Leader

South Sudan President, Salva Kiir, has ruled out any power sharing with rebel leader, Riek Machar, to halt violence that has killed at least 1,000 people. Mr Kiir said that Machar – his deputy until sacked in July – should not be rewarded with power for rebelling. Fighting broke out more than two weeks ago in Juba and has spread to many parts of the country. What began as a power struggle between the two men has taken on overtones of an ethnic conflict. The Dinka, to which Kiir belongs, are pitted against the Nuer, from which Machar hails. Fighting has reportedly continued ahead of Tuesday’s deadline set by regional leaders for peace talks to begin. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is in South Sudan to try to help start negotiations. He has threatened military action against Riek Machar if he refuses to co-operate.

Ten Killed as Iraq Security Forces Dismantle Sunni Camp

At least 10 people have been killed in violence as Iraqi security forces dismantled an anti-government protest camp in the western city of Ramadi.  A defense ministry spokesman said local Sunni leaders and clerics had agreed to end the 12-month sit-in peacefully. But there were exchanges of gunfire after police moved against the Sunni camp in western Anbar province.  Hours later, some 40 members of the Iraqi parliament offered their resignations over the operation. The MPs, from a Sunni political alliance, demanded the withdrawal of the army and the release of a Sunni politician, Ahmed al-Alwani, arrested on Saturday.  Sunni Arabs have been calling for the resignation of Shia Prime Minister Nouri Maliki for more than a year.  They accuse his government of discriminating against their minority community and unfairly targeting it with tough anti-terrorism measures which officials say have been implemented to stem the surge in sectarian violence.

US, Libyan Forces Arrest Tunisian Militant Leader

U.S. and Libyan forces have captured Saifallah Benahssine, the leader of Tunisia’s Islamist militant group Ansar al-Shariain the Libyan city of Misrata on Monday. The U.S. embassy in Libya and Libyan government officials did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation of the arrest of Benahssine, also known as Abu Iyadh. But the capture of such as high-ranking Tunisian Islamist militant in Libya would indicate close ties among Islamist groups across North Africa. In October, U.S. forces captured a top al Qaeda suspect in a raid in Tripoli. A former fighter in Afghanistan, Benahssine had declared loyalty to al Qaeda and was accused of inciting an attack on the U.S. embassy in Tunisia in September 2012. Ansar al-Shariain was one of the hardliner groups to emerge after Tunisia’s revolt against its autocratic leader three years ago.

Eight Killed in Attack on South Yemen Army Base

At least five soldiers and three gunmen have been killed in an attack on an army position in southern Yemen, military officials say. Four soldiers are also missing after the raid on the barracks in Lahj province by assailants armed with automatic rifles and anti-tank weapons. The officials blamed separatist Hiraak al-Janoubi (Southern Movement), but its leaders denied any involvement. Tensions between southerners and the authorities have recently increased. A week ago, two policemen and a civilian were killed as separatists attempted to storm the office of the governor of Daleh province, which is adjacent to Lahj, to raise the flag of the former South Yemen, which united with the North in 1990. Then on Friday, an artillery shell landed near a funeral tent set up by Hiraak for mourners to pay their respects to the civilian who died. Activists and medical sources said the shelling left at least 19 people dead, including six children. Witnesses said the shell was fired by a tank and blamed the army.

Indian Diplomat to Face Prosecution in US for Visa Fraud

The US is proceeding with the prosecution of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade.
Ms Khobragade’s detention on charges of visa fraud and underpaying her housekeeper led to outrage in India, where she is seen as being victimised. She has denied all the charges and has been released on bail. India has demanded an apology from the US over her alleged “humiliation”. The sources said there was no question of dropping the charges against Ms Khobragade or apologising for the arrest. Ms Khobragade, India’s deputy consul general in New York, was arrested in the city on 12 December on suspicion of visa fraud and making false statements, after being accused of paying her Indian maid below the US minimum wage. She was handcuffed and strip-searched after a complaint from the maid, Sangeeta Richard. The diplomat denies all the charges and has in turn accused Ms Richard of theft and attempted blackmail. Delhi had already ordered a series of reprisals against the US.

Brazilian Tribe Returns after Christmas Day Riots

Some 150 indigenous people in Brazil’s Amazon region have returned to their reserve, several days after seeking refuge in a nearby military base. Members of the Tenharim tribe fled their lands on Christmas Day, after riots in the nearby town of Humaita. Local groups accused the tribe of abducting three government workers two weeks ago. The three men were last seen near the indigenous lands, in Amazonas state, but the tribe denies any involvement. Local groups say the contractors were abducted and taken to the reserve in retaliation for the death of an indigenous leader. The police say the man, Ivan Tenharim, was run over by a vehicle on a road that crosses the reserve, but tribe members believe he was murdered. On Saturday, more than 200 policemen were deployed in the reserve – some 600km (370 miles) south-west of the state capital, Manaus – to begin a search for the missing men. The police presence may have reassured the indigenous people that it was safe to return.

Suspected Rapist Stoned to Death in South Africa

A man who allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl at knifepoint was stoned to death in the Crossroads informal settlement in Cape Town. The 32-year-old was dragged from a shebeen, near the victim's house, beaten with sjamboks, and stoned to death around 11:00 on Sunday. Two men with knives apparently confronted the girl and her friend while they were on their way to visit another friend on Saturday afternoon, the victim's aunt disclosed. They were forced into a shack and raped. A local resident told the newspaper people were fed up with the man, who had a history of robbery at knifepoint. The raped teenager was taken away from the area after her family apparently received death threats from the dead man's friends. Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Andre Traut said no arrests had yet been made for the murder.

Palestinian Envoy Killed by Explosion at Home

The Palestinian ambassador to Prague was killed on Wednesday in an explosion that was triggered when he opened the door to a safe, Czech police said. Jamal al-Jamal, 56, died in hospital after the incident at his home on New Year's Day. Police spokeswoman, Andrea Zoulova, said an explosive - which may have been part of a security mechanism - went off after the safe was opened. The Palestinian foreign ministry said the blast happened minutes after Jamal opened a safe that had come from the embassy's old offices. The mission is in the course of moving into new premises next to the residence in a suburb of the capital. Some safes can be fitted with small charges to destroy secret documents in the event of the lock being tampered with. A spokesman for the embassy, Nabil el-Fahel, said he had no details on what it was that blew up.

11 Killed as Bomb Blasts Hit Mogadishu Hotel

Three bombs exploded within an hour outside a hotel frequented by government officials in a heavily fortified district of the Somali capital on Wednesday, killing at least 11 people. The attacks on the Jazira hotel, one of the securest places in Mogadishu, underscore the security challenges facing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose election by lawmakers last year was hailed by many as a way to end two decades of conflict. The first two bombs came in quick succession and were followed by heavy bursts of gunfire by Somali security forces. The third blast took place about an hour later when a bomb went off inside a car that was being searched by the military. At least one of the first two bombs appeared to be a suicide bomber, police said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the Islamist rebel group al Shabaab has carried out a campaign of attacks over the past two and a half years in Mogadishu. The African forces helped drive al Shabaab out of the capital in August 2011, as well as other major urban centres, but the militants still hold sway over swathes of rural areas.

Chinese Doctor on Trial for Stealing, Selling Babies

A Chinese obstetrician is on trial for stealing newborn babies and selling them to child traffickers, according to reports. Zhang Shuxia was accused of selling seven babies. She told the parents their infants were sick, and convinced them to give them up, reports said. Ms Zhang admitted the charges in a court in Fuping, Shaanxi province. The case emerged after two parents went to the police, suspecting their child had been abducted. Ms Zhang sold seven babies to child traffickers between November 2011 and July 2013, including a pair of twins, an indictment posted on Weinan Intermediate People’s Court’s verified microblog said. Six of the babies were rescued, but one baby girl died. In the most recent case, a baby born on 16 July was trafficked after Ms Zhang told his parents the boy had a serious congenital disease, and convinced them to give up the child. Ms Zhang sold the baby to two other suspects, who sold the boy to a buyer in Henan province. The parents reported the case to police on 20 July after they suspected that their baby had been trafficked. The baby was found and returned to his parents in early August. Ms Zhang and several other suspects were arrested.