20 killed’ as al- Qaeda lays siege on Burkina hotel

About 20 people were killed at Splendid Hotel, a luxury facility in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso capital, during an attack staged by suspected militants of the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The attackers reportedly stormed the hotel, which is popular with Westerners and French soldiers based in the country, and a nearby café on Friday, after setting off bombs. Security forces stormed the place and engaged them in a gun battle, resulting to the liberation of about 120 hostages. According to the BBC, exchanges of fire are continuing at the hotel as special forces seek to break the deadly siege. Remi Dandjinou, the Burkinabe communications minister, told the BBC there were between six and seven gunmen and they had been staying at the hotel. He also said Clement Sawadogo, the country’s minister of public works, was among those freed at the hotel, adding that 33 people were in hospital receiving treatment. Simon Compaore, interior minister, said 10 bodies had been found on the terrace of the nearby Cappuccino cafe. The SITE monitoring group, which analyses jihadist networks, says AQIM has claimed responsibility for the attack. In November, AQIM launched an attack on a hotel in Bamako, capital of Mali, leaving 19 people dead. Similar attacks have taken place in Egypt, Tunisia and different parts of Africa. Burkina Faso had recently held its first presidential election since a coup earlier last year. That coup toppled long-time leader Blaise Compaore, who had governed for 27 years. The new government, which was appointed on Wednesday following the election of President Roch Marc Kabore in November, was due to hold an emergency cabinet meeting, according to Reuters

2 days after husband’s death… Celine Dion loses brother to cancer

A few days ago, popular singer Celine Dion lost her former manager and husband René Angelil to cancer.

The Canadian singer is however, now mourning the loss of her brother Daniel Dion, who just passed away after suffering from the same kind of cancer.

Daniel, who had previously been diagnosed of cancer of the throat, tongue and brain, couldn’t take the pain anymore.

A day after Angelil’s death, Celine’s sister,Claudette, revealed to the Montreal Journal that Daniel was also dying.

“It’s very painful. It’s a matter of days or hours. It looks a lot like René, he had cancer of the throat, tongue and brain.”

Daniel was the 8th of 14 siblings. He spent his final hours in hospice care with his 88-year-old mother, Theresa Dion by his side.

Policemen on domestic errands or escorting unauthorised persons will be arrested- Mike Okiro

Former Inspector General of Police, and current Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Mike Okiro, yesterday said that policemen found on domestic errand or escorting unauthorised persons will be arrested.

Okiro stated this in Abuja yesterday, January 13, while addressing some critical issues concerning the Nigeria Police Force. He said the the Police Service Commission has worked out a blueprint spelling out the duties of police officers attached to Very Important Personalities (VIPs) and that officers doing domestic job would not be tolerated anymore.

“The issue of policemen performing domestic duties, as you can all agree with me, has generated much uproar and even condemnation as it is capable of eroding the public esteem of members of the NPF. To stem the tide, we have worked out a blueprint of the class of VIPs that should enjoy the privilege of attaching police officers to provide VIP protection with their specific duties clearly spelt out. The matter is awaiting the consent of the relevant authorities, before we can start its implementation. This policy is very critical and is aimed at shoving up, the professionalism of the Police Force and rekindles the high respect the police deserve in the public eye cum image.”he said

Linda ikeji

10-Year-Old Fatally Shot In Hunting Accident

A 10-year-old boy in Northern Utah was killed while warming himself on a four-wheeler when a hunting companion’s rifle accidentally discharged, reports the Associated Press.

FOX 13 Salt Lake City reports that the boy was sitting on the sideboard of the four-wheeler to stay out of the wind when an adult member of the hunting party pulled alongside. While the hunting companion was removing his rifle from his own four-wheeler, the gun discharged and the victim was struck.

Life Flight, an air medical transport service, arrived and pronounced the boy dead at the scene. Cache County Chief Deputy Matt Bilodeau described the shooting as “unimaginable.”

Gawker