Radical Islamic sect in Northern Nigeria threatens wives of leaders

The leader of a radical Islamist sect has threatened the wives of Nigerian security agents and government officials in a new Internet video, while denying his group is in any peace talks to end the violence that has killed hundreds in the country's north.

In a video uploaded Sunday to YouTube, Abubakar Shekau also denied claims that the spokesman for the sect known as Boko Haram had been killed by Nigeria's military. He said the group would continue to "follow our religion" and carry out attacks in Nigeria's predominantly Muslim north.

The Associated Press could not immediately authenticate the video Monday, but it appeared to be from the sect and followed the pattern of other videos previously released by the group. In the video, Shekau appears relaxed, wearing a checkered red-and-white Keffiyeh scarf. A Kalashnikov assault rifle leans against the wall behind him.

 Abubakar Shekau

 

                                                                                   

                                                  

Speaking in the Hausa language of Nigeria's north, Shekau said that the nation's military and security agencies have seized 10 women who are wives of Boko Haram members. He claimed the women had been raped by the captors, though he did not elaborate on how he knew that. Those arrested by police in Nigeria often face torture, sexual abuse and the potential of being killed "extrajudicially," human rights groups have repeatedly charged.

At one point in the video, Shekau laughed and said: "You should wait and see what's going to happen to your own wives."

Shekau repeatedly denied that the group is in peace talks with Nigeria's weak central government and promised more attacks. Officials representing Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan have made that claim several times in recent weeks, but the only attempt at talks through intermediaries failed several months ago when details leaked out in local newspaper reports.

                                                      

The sect leader also claimed that the group's spokesman, known as Abul Qaqa, was still alive. Shekau did not give any details on that claim, which comes after soldiers in Nigeria's north said they killed the spokesman and another of the sect's operational leaders outside of the city of Kano.

Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is sacrilege" in Hausa, has been blamed for killing more than 690 people this year alone, according to an AP count. The group wants the federal government to release its imprisoned members and implement strict Shariah law across Nigeria, which is largely divided into a Christian south and a Muslim north.

The timing of the video's release coincides with the celebration Monday of Nigeria's Independence Day. Speaking earlier on state-run broadcasters, President Jonathan told the nation that Nigeria had "refused to be broken by sectarian crises."

"Our security agencies are constantly being strengthened and repositioned for greater efficiency," Jonathan said. However, Nigeria's military and police remain almost daily targets of the sect's guerrilla insurgency.

On Monday in Maiduguri, the spiritual home of Boko Haram, a bomb targeting a military patrol vehicle exploded in the northeastern city. A witness later told the AP he saw one dead soldier and several others injured in the blast. A military spokesman confirmed the attack happened, but declined to immediately provide details about it.

Meanwhile, another bomb exploded at mobile phone tower in Maiduguri. Boko Haram recently claimed responsibility for the destruction of more than 30 of the phone towers across Nigeria's north, which has created communications chaos in a nation that relies on mobile phones.

10 Most Bizarre Sex World Records

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Royal Dutch Shell shuts down Nigeria oil pipeline

LAGOS, Nigeria  — Royal Dutch Shell PLC says it has shut down a pipeline in Nigeria's oil-rich southern delta after a fire and a suspected attempt to steal crude from one of its lines.

In a statement late Sunday, Shell said its Nigerian subsidiary shut down the 28-inch (71-centimeter) Bomu-Bonn trunk line after a fire there Sunday. Shell said the shutdown of the line would cut production by about 150,000 barrels of a oil a day.

Shell PLC

                 

Shell said a helicopter saw a burning ship nearby. It did not discuss how much oil spilled in what it described as an attempted theft.

Shell produced about 800,000 barrels of oil a day in Nigeria last year. Militancy in the region has dropped off after a government-sponsored amnesty program in 2009. However, violence, kidnappings and crude oil thefts still occur.

Blasts at Japan plant may affect world diaper output

Global diaper output is likely to take a hit from an increase in the price of acrylic acid after a chemical tank explosion at Nippon Shokubai Co's <4114.> Himeji plant in Japan, a main production base of the ingredient, Japanese media reported.

Nippon Shokubai is one of the world's biggest makers of acrylic acid, the main ingredient of a resin called SAP, which is used in diapers.

Himeji plant in Japan

                   

The plant produces about 20 percent of the world's SAP and 10 percent of global output of acrylic acid.

Operations at the plant are likely to be halted for a long time and other makers of SAP resins are operating on a full-production footing, leaving little room for back-up production, the Nikkei business daily said on Sunday.

Diaper production may take a nose dive

                

The explosion occurred on Saturday afternoon at an acrylic acid residue tank and the fire spread to another acrylic acid tank and a toluene tank.

Two explosions occurred, killing a 28-year-old fire fighter and injuring 33 people. The fire was put out on Saturday night.

Libyans hand over their weapons in arms collection drive

Hundreds of Libyans handed in weapons left over from last year's war on Saturday, part of a drive by the North African country to rid its streets of arms and crack down on rogue militia groups.

As the day went on, a trickle of people turned into longer lines in Tripoli and in the eastern city of Benghazi, where tents were set up in squares for military officials to collect arms, explosives and even rocket propelled grenade launchers.
Amid a celebratory atmosphere, women and children looked on as men queued to turn over their weapons as they listened to a military marching band and pop music.
"We want our country to be safe and secure ... We don't want to see weapons anymore," Tripoli resident Mohammed Salama said, as he stood in line to hand over a rifle.
"We want to live our lives. The time of war is over."

Libyan militants handing over their arms

                                       
Libya's new rulers have struggled to impose their authority on a country awash with weapons, and many Libyans are fed up with militias, formed during the war but which still patrol the streets and often take the law into their own hands.
A September 11 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, in which the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans were killed, was followed by anti-militia protests in the city last week, increasing pressure on the authorities to tackle insecurity.
The government has since taken a twin-track approach - vowing to dissolve rogue militias that operated without official government permission, but also offering public backing to many of the most powerful armed groups, which have official licenses to operate, as it seeks to build stronger security forces.
Saad Bakar, head of a small brigade in Benghazi, handed over rifles and ammunition on Saturday, saying he was ready to disband his group.
"We were waiting until today to make sure that the weapons go to the right place," he said. "We want to join the army as individuals."

STEP FORWARD

In Benghazi, an organizer said more than 800 people had been registered as having come to the collection point. In Tripoli, an army official did not give an exact figure but said the number had superseded expectations of around 200 people.
One participant said he had even heard that a tank had been handed over.
Those numbers suggest a fraction of the arms that spilled out of Muammar Gaddafi's arsenals have been handed over but the initiative is seen as a step forward in a country where many still keep their weapons citing a precarious security situation.
"I want to live in a peaceful place where only the police and army have arms," Benghazi businessman Ibrahim Ali said after handing over a machine gun.
But he said he would still keep hold of his rifle for now. "When I can call the police and they are able to arrive quickly, then I can give them that weapon," he said.
The collection drive is a collaboration between the army and a private television station which drummed up support through live broadcasts from Tripoli and Benghazi.

                               
Organizers in both cities, who said the event would be repeated in other cities, planned to raffle off prizes, including cars at the end of the day-long collection.
"Libyan people need stability ... They are handing over weapons to the military so that they are kept in the right place and not on the streets," said Yussef al-Mangoush, the army's chief-of-staff. "This is the beginning, we began this in Tripoli and Benghazi. We will go to other cities."
Mohammed Arusi, a 58 year old engineer who was queuing to hand over a rifle in Tripoli, said he was satisfied the security situation was changing for the better.
"It's not like before, the army is getting stronger," he said. "You cannot buy safety, you have to feel safe. And I feel safe right now." (Additional reporting by Ali Shuaib and Ayman al-Sahli in Tripoli and Omar al-Mosmary in Benghazi; Editing by Andrew Osborn)

TOP 10 CARS OF 2012 SO FAR

WE EXPECT NOTHING BUT PURE INGENUITY AND PURE BEAUTY IN CARS FOR 2012. BELOW IS A LIST OF 10 CAREFULLY SELECTED CARS FOR 2012. AGREE, DISAGREE OR JUST INDIFFERENT... LEMME KNOW WITH YOUR COMMENTS

No.10 Donkervoort GTO 

A new track day superstar? Well… we won’t be able to confirm this until we actually get a spin in Donkervoort’s insane new GTO. But we’re hedging our bets it’ll be epic nonetheless, as it's poised to be one of the best things come from Holland since specialty coffee shops, red lights and, err, clogs -- but only on leggy Dutch blondes of course.

Donkervoort GTO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boasting massive aggressive looks and Koenigsegg-style up-swing doors, the GTO will back it up by housing Audi’s bulletproof 2.5-liter TSFI powerplant, 400 bhp and weigh just 700 kilos. A fine recipe then for top tire-shredding track action.

Donkervoort’s biggest, baddest bruiser yet will hit the asphalt this summer with a sticker price ranging from £85,000 to £125,000.

No.9 Renault Twizy

Renault is making huge changes in 2012. Shedding traditional models left right and center, the French firm is committed to truly going electric. By far the most exciting of their emission-free releases this year will be the oddball Twizy.

                            
The seriously futuristic, all-electric, semi-alfresco two-seater that blurs the lines between cars and scooters leaps from improbable concept to reality in March, costing as little at £6,950.

Unfortunately, you’ll have to hire the battery at £40 a month and half-scissor doors represent a £500 option. But with a range of 60 miles, quick charging and a 50 mph top speed, nipping out for a pint of milk will never be the same again.

No.8 Lotus Evora GTE

Originally a China-only limited edition of just 25 examples, Lotus’ Evora GTE generated a frenzy that has now seen the sportiest of all Evoras get the global release it deserved for 2012.

                        
Lighter, wider and wilder than a regular Evora, the GTE takes inspiration from the Evora GT race car and gains an aggressive body kit with an industrial-strength permanent carbon-fiber wing bolted on the back. More good news is that it’s not all for show, too. The Evora’s 3.5-liter supercharged V6 has also been pimped for perkier performance with a delicious-sounding 438 bhp now on tap.

Just don’t expect change from £100,000 when it makes the showrooms later this year.

No.7 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

2012 sees Ford grab Chevrolet by the stones and squeeze -- hard.Rising to the challenge of Chevy’s crazy Camaro ZL1, Ford unleashed its most unruly beast yet. The GT500 is the most powerful ‘Stang ever. Looking more unholy than any of Hollywood’s interpretations of high-security prison inmates, Mustang muscle has simply never been this shredded -- or this desirable.

                                         
The hooves don’t lie either -- a staggering 650 bhp versus the Camaro ZL1’s 580 bhp. And that’s despite the Ford V8’s slightly smaller, 5.8-liter powerplant.

But the best news is it’s yours for just £38K -- shocking in just about every way.

No.6 Jaguar C-X16

Since dangling this particularly attractive carrot before us back in 2011, Jaguar has always referred to the C-X16 as a "concept," but the reality is that in late 2012, when the £50K "production" C-X16 lands, it will be just as sexy and just as fast as the concept promised.

                                        
Essentially, we’re looking at a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 unit -- with an F1-derived KERS booster button mounted on the steering wheel, no less -- that’ll propel this damnably desirable two-seater from 0-62 mph in 4.4 seconds and on to glorious 186 mph top end.
Jag’s stylish new compact superstar threatens to make Porsche’s 911 Carrera (also due in 2012) look like an also-ran.

No.5 Pagani Huayra

Hasn’t this already been released? You may well think so. And if it was German, it would have been. But it’s Italian, and it hasn’t been. Persistent tweakery at Pagani -- doubtless in the pursuit of applaudable perfection -- has delayed the Zonda’s replacement a lengthy and frustrating two years.
                                         
But 2012 is where the fettling and fellating stop. The Huayra, the “God Of Wind” (to give it it’s translation), will finally be released. The dream will become a reality for some very few, very loaded extroverts with a taste for the truly exotic.

As an aide memoire, here are the God’s stats: 0-62 mph in sub-3 seconds, 730 bhp, around 230 mph, a bi-turbo V12, and only 1, 350 kg. So, if the über-Versace nightmare/wet dream of an interior doesn’t make you pass out, the sheer pace of the thing will.

No.4 Bugatti Galibier

Again, like the Pagani Huayra, you’d be forgiven in thinking the four-door Veyron, dubbed the Galibier, had broken free of it’s conceptual shackles ages ago. But, again, you’d be wrong.

                                                       
2012 is the year the 16-cylindered, 1,000+ bhp, fastest four-door work of automotive art will finally find permanent homes in millionaires' sterile garages/galleries.
Proof the world’s economy isn’t quite as decimated as we’re led to believe? Who knows -- but its arrival is no doubt proof that there are still plenty of deep pockets out there.

No.3 Aston Martin's V12 Zagato

Arguably more beautiful than the £1.3 million One-77, Aston Martin’s £330K "bargain" will certainly make the summer of 2012 one to remember.

                               
The glorious result of Aston Martin’s latest collaboration with Italian design collective Zagato is based on the Aston’s iconic V12 Vantage, packing the same British-built, 6.0-liter, 12-cylindered unit under the much vented hood and hence proven to be capable of a stirring 510 bhp, 570 Nm and trouser-tightening pleasure.

No.2 Alfa Romeo 4C

By late 2012 Alfa Romeo will be rolling out its most tangibly tantalizing two-seater ever to rapturous and widespread demand. The stunning Alfa Romeo 4C promises to reignite the passion behind the sexy Italian brand and bring back a genuine sports-car feel at a price that’s surprisingly well within reach.

                 
Expected to start from just £35K, this rear-wheel-driven, lightweight coupe will take the Giulietta Cloverleaf’s 230 bhp turbocharged heart, twin-clutch semi-auto box and carbon tub adapted from the mental KTM X-Bow and promise a 0-62 mph sprint in no more than five seconds, while romping on to a useful top end of 155 mph.

We suggest getting your order in early -- a sell-out is guaranteed

No.1 McLaren "F1 Heir Apparent"

Just before end-of-play in 2012, we’ll get our first glimpse of McLaren’s natural successor to the legendary F1 hypercar. And yet it’s just this merest of promises that makes this our No. 1 the most anticipated car of the year without doubt.

The Formula 1 team’s road car division, McLaren Automotive, got deadly serious in 2011 with its Ferrari 458 rival, the incredible MP4-12C. But next up for the obsessively driven English firm is something much bigger, badder and faster -- and, as yet, still nameless, although we fully expect it to eventually get its own Star Wars droid-inspired nomenclature as the last Macca did.
                            
Tipped to potentially rival the likes of the Bugatti Veyron, this McLaren's estimated price points have ranged from £400K to £1 million -- but it’s looking increasingly likely to be the latter.

We expect 800+ bhp, 0-62 mp in the low 2s, a new era in weight-saving genius, and unbridled perfectionism throughout -- the kind that only McLaren can deliver.

......... coined from askmen.com