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

Before You Send Your Daughter To A University In Ghana, Please Read This.

I got this mail from one of my DN readers this morning and i decided to share
  I was having my lunch in a restaurant in Accra this afternoon, when A friend started a discussion of what some of our female Nigerian students in Ghana have turned themselves into. I could not agree more. While the parents spend lots of money to ensure their daughters are comfortable and graduate with flying colors,their children have a different agenda.

There was this particular case of a young girl whose mother rented a 2-bedroom flat for her in Accra. My friend,said news just got to him this week, that this student slept with 5(five) guys at the same time and was still begging for more. She is always high on hard drugs. And,the mother,back in Nigeria will be boasting of her daughter,who is studying in Ghana. Oh, so pathetic.

Sadly to say, many of these young girls have become international prostitutes and seriously hooked on drugs. I mean what I am saying. And many people in Accra can bear me witness. Some of the mushroom universities attended by the students lack hostel facilities and the students are forced to rent accommodation thereby according them too much privacy which they are not matured enough to handle.

This issues also involves our boys. Some have become drug addicts, school dropouts and they still collect school fees from their parents.

Parents need to pay regular unexpected visit to their children and monitor them via phone calls at odd hours to find out where they are and what they are up to. If you a parent, you must never cease to pray for your children. And, if you are not sure of child,s behaviour,keep him or her close to you

Former Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva Withdraws Petition Against Ben Murray Bruce’s Senatorial Election

According to SaharaReporters, Former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, has withdrawn a petition he filed against Senator Ben Bruce at an Election Tribunal in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.

Sylva, who was the candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Bayelsa East Senatorial Seat, approached the State Election Tribunal to declare that the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Bruce was not qualified to contest the seat because he holds dual citizenship.

Sydney Ibanichuka, the counsel to former Governor Sylva, said the reason for Sylva’s withdrawal of the petitions was in the interest of peace saying he “has agreed to withdraw for the interest of peace in Bayelsa and Nigeria at large."

"I want to see the withdrawal as a personal sacrifice from their hearts. The petitioner secured the Tribunal's order to inspect the election materials. He also secured an order for forensic experts to examine the materials. They had a good case that bothers on irregularities in the election. The decision is a sacrifice."

At the hearing yesterday in Yenagoa, the presiding Chairperson of the State Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Ononeze Madu, said the Tribunal was committed to ensuring justice for the betterment of the citizenry and has accepted the decision of the petitioners.