Death toll in Kabul hotel attack rises to 14

The death toll from an attack on a hotel in Kabul where guests were trapped amid gunfire has risen to 14, a senior Afghan police official said Thursday.

Foreigners are among the casualties from the deadly assault Wednesday night on the Park Palace Guest House, for which the Taliban have claimed responsibility.

An American citizen was killed, U.S. authorities have said. Four of the victims were Indian citizens, CNN affiliate IBN reported, citing Indian Foreign Ministry officials.

Luciano Pezzotti, Italy's ambassador to Afghanistan, said on Italian TV that one of his countrymen was also among those killed.

Australia: Depp's dogs need to 'bugger off'

Australian officials have told actor Johnny Depp that he has until Saturday to get his pet dogs out of Australia -- and if they haven't "buggered off" by then they will be put down. Depp's two dogs are on a deportation countdown after the actor violated Australia's famously strict biosecurity laws by bringing them in on a private flight and without the proper documentation.

Jonathan an exemplary leader, says Benin Republic President

The President of Benin Republic, Boni Yayi, on Thursday paid glowing tributes to President Goodluck Jonathan for setting an exemplary leadership style in the African continent.

He gave the commendations after a closed-door meeting with President Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.‎ Noting that Jonathan played a leadership role in Africa, he recalled that the Nigerian leader had mediated in conflicts in many countries including Mali and Guinea Bissau.

Chinese police rescue baby buried alive

Police rescued a baby boy buried alive in a shallow, unmarked grave on a hillside in southern China's Guangxi province, according to the country's state media.

Chinese news reports say the baby was believed to have been left alone in the wilderness for as long as 10 days, but the details remain unclear.

Neymar deal: Barca to stand trial

Neymar

Barcelona have been ordered to stand trial over alleged tax fraud linked to the signing of Brazilian striker Neymar.

The National Court in Madrid has ordered the trial of Barca’s president Josep Maria Bartomeu, his predecessor Sandro Rosell and the club as a defendant in its own right.

They have always said they paid €57m to sign Neymar from his home club Santos in 2013. The court suspects the actual price was €83m and that Rosell and Bartomeu hid the real cost from the taxman.



Judge Jose de la Mata said in a written ruling there was evidence that they “knew the real cost of the signing of Neymar would be greater” than what they recorded in the club’s 2013 accounts. The defendants have 10 days to make court filings in their defence, the court said. It did not set a trial date for the time being.

The ruling comes as Barcelona aim for a possible treble in the Spanish league, Spanish cup and Champions League. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of two years and three months for Bartomeu and seven years for Rosell, as well as a €22.2m fine for the club.

The cost of the transfer rose steeply when Barca decided to bring forward an initial agreement signed in 2011 for the player to move in 2014 by a year as other clubs, including rivals Real Madrid, attempted to hijack the deal.

Rosell resigned over the scandal in January 2014 after a club member lodged a complaint for misappropriation of funds, with his then vice-president Bartomeu taking charge.

Shortly afterwards the club confirmed a number of extra agreements including a €10m signing bonus for the player and scouting and collaborative agreements totalling €86.2m, but insisted the transfer fee remained €57m.

In February of last year, Barcelona announced that they had made a voluntary payment of €13.5m to the Spanish tax authorities regarding the transfer.

Heavy fighting erupts between rival Burundi troops – witnesses

Witnesses said rival factions of the armed forces, divided between supporters of the coup attempt and the president’s loyalists, were exchanging heavy machine gun and rocket fire around the state television and radio complex, which is held by the president’s supporters.

People burn mattresses looted from the local police post on 13 May, 2015 in Musaga neighborhood in Bujumbura, during a protest against incumbent president Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a 3rd term. Protestors looted the local police post in Musaga, burning furniture, mattresses and clothing in a barricade fire, an AFP photographer said.

Four Edo govt officials arrested over cult activities

Confirming the arrests, Force Public Relations Officer, Ag Commissioner of Police, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, toldVanguardon phone: “Yes, a good number of arrests has been made, irrespective of their status. The figures are still coming in. The thrust of the IG is yielding positive results.”

Sources said the suspects include Engr. David Olukoga, 46, who is the Chairman, Edo State Committee on War Against Indiscipline and Senior Special Assistant on Youth Enhancement to the Governor of the State, Osunde Aigbedo, 48; Executive Director, Special Duties, Government House, Edo State, Dr. Salako Adebowale, 43, of UBTH, Benin-City; Ernest Amadasun, 49, the Managing Director, Pohien Investments and National Coordinator, Human Assistant Initiative and Adebo Ejuaoje, 46, of the Ministry of Education, Science and Tech Vocational, Iyaro, Benin City.

Other arrested suspects, according to police sources, include Isabor Larry, 34, staff of Edo State House of Assembly; Totti Omonuwa, 42, of No. 97, Igun Street, Benin-City, Ahunwan-ID Orlando, 39, of No. 2, Ighodalo Street, Benin-City; Josuah Ehiabhi, 36, of No. 11, Upper Mission Road, off Ewa Raod, Benin-City; Felix Evbodi, 46, of No. 12, Aibelegbe Street, Benin-City and Uche Chukwuka, 36, the Private Secretary to the Chairman, Committee on Environment, Ministry of Environment, Edo State.

They were alleged to belong to Eiye, Black Axe, Buccaneers, Aiye and Jurist confraternities.

The suspects,Vanguardgathered, denied complicity in the murder charge but made very useful statements to the police. It was learned from sources that the suspects, with others at large, have been fingered as brains behind the sustained and vicious inter and intra-cult war that engulfed Edo State in recent times leading to avoidable loss of lives.

It was gathered that following the development, the Inspector-General of Police ordered that robust and coordinated anti-robbery patrols of identified black spots along Isua – Ibillo Road, Ibillo –Lakpese – Okene roads while all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers in the area are to partake in the special operation.
Barely24 hours after the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, dispatched a special squad to Edo State to tackle the spate of cultism, kidnapping, robbery and other related crimes, the team has arrested 11 suspected leaders of cult groups in the state, among them, four state government functionaries.