Apple Unveils Two New iPhones For World Market

Apple on Tuesday unveiled two new iPhones, fielding a slick new top-end model along with one aimed at budget-conscious smartphone shoppers around the world.
“The business has become so large that this year we are going to replace the iPhone 5 and we are going to replace it with two new designs,” Apple chief Tim Cook announced at the company’s Silicon Valley headquarters. The new iPhone 5C is displayed during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California.
The new iPhone 5C is displayed during an Apple product announcement at the Apple campus on September 10, 2013 in Cupertino, California. AFP Apple will begin taking orders on Friday, and on September 20 the two devices will go on sale in the United States, Australia, Britain, China, France, Germany, Japan and Singapore.
The iPhone 5C is part of Apple’s bid to counter the flood of low-cost smartphones from rivals, most of which use the Google Android operating system. Apple designer Jony Ive said that despite the low cost, the polycarbonate iPhone 5C with a steel frame “is beautiful.”
“We took the same fanatical care with how the iPhone 5C feels in your hand,” Ive said. The iPhone 5C with 16 gigabytes of memory will sell for as low as $99 with a US carrier contract — half the cost of earlier iPhone base models. Analysts were keenly focused on the promise of an iPhone 5C to win over buyers in China and other developing markets.
“The 5C a no-compromise device,” Gartner analyst Van Baker told AFP after trying out Apple’s new phones.
“It is just in a plastic case instead of a metal case, and they basically reduce the price by the cost of materials.” Baker estimated the price cut allowed by lower-cost materials at around $100. He noted that the “open question” was whether iPhone 5C would be priced attractively for emerging markets at what could turn out to be a $550 price tag without subsidies from telecom service providers.
The top-line iPhone 5S, which starts at $199 with a contract for US buyers, “is the most forward thinking phone we have ever created,” said Apple vice president Phil Schiller. “It is the gold standard in smartphones.”
Schiller said the 5S model includes a speedier chip which brings up the computing power from 32 to 64 bits. “It has over a billion transistors in it,” he said, adding that the device will be “about twice as fast in graphics and computing power and about 40 times faster than the original iPhone.”
The 5S will also have improved battery life, with some 10 hours of talk time, or 40 hours of music listening, Schiller added. Apple introduced a fingerprint sensor for the iPhone 5S, as a new security measure in place of passwords.
“You can just press the home button to unlock your phone,” Schiller said. “You can use it to authenticate iTunes purchases.” Schiller added: “We have so much of our personal data on these devices, and they are with us almost everyplace we go, so we have to protect them.”
Reticle Research principle analyst Ross Rubin described Touch ID as a “show stealer” that addresses “a necessary annoyance that many consumers have to deal with many times a day.” Apple also broadened its color palette, announcing the low-cost phone in blue, white, pink, yellow and green, and the top-line model in silver, gold and a new “space gray.”
Apple said its iOS 7 software will debut September 18. It includes a free iTunes Radio Service featuring more than 200 stations “and an incredible catalog of music from the iTunes Store,” Apple announced earlier this year. The two new handsets keep the four-inch screen of current iPhones, despite some speculation Apple would boost the size to compete with larger phones from rivals like Samsung.
The smartphone market is now dominated by Android devices, with roughly three-fourths of all handsets, but a forecast by research firm IDC suggested Apple will increase its share this year to 17.9 percent from 16.9 percent. IDC analyst Ramon Llamas said that by introducing a lower-priced handset, “Apple is staking out its space in the lower-cost smartphone category.”
Llamas said Apple is seeking to fend off challenges from lower-priced devices while “it enjoys bigger profit margins and still maintains the aura of being an aspirational brand.” The event was a disappointment to some who were looking for a fresh device from Apple, such as a smartwatch or TV service.
“I think there was an expectation for that ‘one more thing,’” said Roger Kay at Endpoint Technologies. “People were looking for some pizzazz and they didn’t get it.” Apple announced separately a deal with Japan’s biggest mobile phone carrier NTT DoCoMo to bring the two new iPhones to that country.
“We’ve enjoyed tremendous success with iPhone in Japan, in fact it’s the top selling smartphone in the country, and we look forward to delivering iPhone into even more customers’ hands through NTT DoCoMo,” Cook said.
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BREAKING: Boko Haram Gunmen Kill 40 Yobe Agric College Students In Early Morning Attack

Unknown gunmen have launched a vicious attack on the College of Agriculture in Yobe state, killing 40 students.
Details of the attack are still sketchy but the provost of the college, Mulima Mata, confirmed the incident, which the News Agency of Nigeria said occurred early Sunday morning.
The Yobe state command of the Nigeria police could however not be reached to confirm the incident.
Residents believe the attack has the imprimatur of the extremist Boko Haram sect which has in the past three years slaughtered thousands of innocent Nigerians in attacks on schools, places of worship, media establishments and security installations.
The corpses of the students have been deposited at the General Sanni Abacha Specialist Hospital and more are still been expected at press time.
The Nation learnt that the students were shot in their hostels and classrooms while fleeing from the attackers.
Gujba is about 60 kilometres South East of Damaturi the state capital The State Commissioner of Police Sanusi Rufai confirmed the attack but said the details of the attack are still sketchy.
“Yes, I just got a report of the attack on the school but I cannot give you details at the moment because my men are yet to give me a full brief of the incident,” CP Sanusi informed.
Academic activities only resumed last week in schools across Yobe state following 10 weeks of closure after the brazen attack by members of the violent sect on two secondary schools, which led to the death of 29 students and three teachers.
The state government ordered the closure of all schools in the northeastern state after the attack by members of the sect on Government Secondary School, Mamudo.
But Government Secondary School, Mamudo, remained closed for another two weeks for the conclusion of ongoing reconstruction work in the school, the state Commissioner of Education, Mohammed Lamin said. The Boko Haram sect had on Wednesday and Thursday murdered at least 27 persons in two separate attacks in the border towns of Borno State, government officials and security sources said.
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Murder Suspects Michael Adebolajo, Adebowale Deny Brutal Killing Of British Soldier

Two murder suspects, Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22 have denied killing a British soldier on a London street.

28-year-old Michael Adebolajo and 22-year-old Michael Adebowale made this declaration on court on Friday. They reportedly appeared by videolink from prison to deny murdering Lee Rigby in Woolwich, southeast London, on May 22.
It was also reported that Rigby’s widow broke down in tears and sobbed as the video was broadcast in a packed courtroom at the Old Bailey court in London.
Both men also denied attempting to murder a police officer on May 22, the day of Rigby’s death, and conspiracy to murder a police officer on or before that day.
Adebolajo — who was listed in court documents as Mujaahid Abu Hamza — and Adebowale will go on trial on November 17.
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Babysitter Spared Jail After Having Sex With Two 14-Year-Old Boys In Her Care

A babysitter who was charged with having sex with two underage boys two years ago will be spared jail time.
Loni Bouchard, 22, of Clinton, Connecticut, was sentenced Thursday to three years in prison, but her sentence was suspended and she was instead given two years of probation.
It helped her case that the family of one of her victims, who was 14 at the time of the charges supported the no-jail sentence, Judge David P. Gold said.
Under her probation, she is barred from any contact with boys who are under the age of 16 and also barred from contacting her victims.
'I'm really sorry to the victim and their families,' Bouchard, who was 19 at the time of the relationships, said. 'This will never happen again.'
She had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment.
Loni Bouchard had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old boy who she was hired to look after and had written in her diary about how much she missed him and how unfair it was they couldn't see each other.
She wrote: 'I have finally found the guy who treats me right and makes me so happy and I can't be with him because the law says so? I don't care about the law. I just want to be with him and not have to hide it. How can the law tell us who to fall for, who to like and who to love and especially who to date? I thought America was a free country'.
She was also involved with another underage boy - also 14 - from Southington. His parents did not allow him to speak with police investigators.
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U.S. Plane Embarks on Emergency Landing, as Pilot Suffers Heart Attack

A United Airlines flight made an emergency landing in Boise, Idaho, after its pilot suffered a mid-air heart attack from which he later died.

The Boeing 737 Flight # 1603 was en-route from Houston, Texas to Seattle, Washington when the incident occurred.

The plane landed safely in Boise, where the pilot was immediately taken to hospital, but unfortunately it was impossible to save him.

United Airlines flight was carrying 167 passengers and crew. It departed to its scheduled destination several hours later, after a replacement pilot was found.

Christen David, the representative of United Airlines on September 27, 2013, Friday, mourned on the death of the pilot on Thursday’s night. He also sent his condolences to the family of the passed away pilot.

(NAN) 
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President Jonathan Dozed Off At Convention, His Control Of PDP Significantly Weakened

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday dozed off several times at the mini-convention of the Peoples Democratic Party at Eagles Square in Abuja where several governors elected on the party’s ticket walked out on him to join a political group led by former Vice President Abubakar Atiku.
In all, eight governors, the latest being Governor Usman Sa'idu Nasamu Dakingari of Kebbi, walked out on Mr. Jonathan’s PDP, leaving the visibly bewildered president in the cold. Other PDP governors who decamped to the Atiku-led group included Chibuike Rotimi of Rivers State, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto and Muritala Nyako of Adamawa state.
An aide to one of the governors who left told Reporters that several other PDP governors had made a commitment to join their group soon. “Within the next two to three weeks, the PDP will discover that it is a party of Dr. Bamanga Tukur, President Jonathan and Governor [Godswill] Akpabio,” said the source.
An aide to President Jonathan told Reporters this evening that the president knew there was disaffection within the party, but was not expecting the move made by Mr. Atiku and the group of governors who followed him. The aide said it was as if Governor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom was the sole PDP governor who was solidly behind the president. But the aide promised that both President Jonathan and the PDP were capable of weathering the storm and rallying to win the 2015 elections.
“The truth is that Alhaji Atiku is a certified loser,” said the presidential aide. He added: “So, even though he did what he did today and is enjoying his laughter, we are going to have the last laugh. In fact, you will see that Atiku is going to beg to be accepted back to the PDP as he did before. Anybody who is following him is following political failure.”
Meanwhile, our correspondent at the venue of the convention described Mr. Jonathan as looking stunned by today’s developments. The president sat alone talking to himself and shaking his head several times without anyone coming to his aid. Our correspondent noted that even those who sat close to Mr. Jonathan, like the party’s divisive national chairman, Bamanga Tukur, and Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State did not utter a word of consolation to the forlorn-looking President. Vice President Namadi Sambo simply looked away as the party that brought them to power was being torn to pieces.
For the first time since the formation of the party, most hired delegates left the Eagles Square even before voting started.
Many of the stands were near empty as a significant number of the delegates followed their governors out of the venue of the convention with Mr. Jonathan looking on helplessly.
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UN probes new alleged chemical weapons attacks in Syria

 

 

UN inspectors are investigating seven alleged chemical weapons attacks in Syria - three of which happened after the 21 August Damascus incident that led to threats of US military action.

Little is known about the latest three alleged attacks, which the Syrian government asked the UN to investigate.
The 21 August attack left hundreds dead; the resulting outcry led Syria to offer up its chemical weapons arsenal.
The UN will vote later on a plan of action to eliminate the stockpile.
Its resolution is expected to incorporate the text of an agreement by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which is due to be approved by the OPCW's 41-nation executive council in The Hague in the next few hours.
The OPCW will be responsible for dealing with Syria's chemical weapons, and has said it will send in its own team of inspectors next Tuesday.
US President Barack Obama said agreement on the issue by UN Security Council members was a "potentially huge victory for the international community".

Continue reading the main story

Analysis

Jonathan Marcus BBC diplomatic correspondent

The UN team investigating the seven alleged chemical attacks is entirely separate from the more comprehensive effort to rid Syria of chemical weapons agreed at the UN Security Council in New York.
This is a renewal of work by the team that was already in Syria last month that was diverted for the urgent investigation of the attacks in the Damascus suburbs on 21 August.
It has returned to investigate alleged attacks at seven separate incidents. Strikingly three of them are alleged to have taken place after the 21 August. These incidents, according to the UN "warrant further investigation".
The investigation of these three allegations comes at the request of Syria's ambassador to the UN who claims these were the work of rebel forces.
Russia has frequently charged that elements of the Syrian opposition have used chemical weapons - though so far no evidence has been found.
The UN itself investigated the 21 August attacks and its evidence points strongly to the use of Sarin-filled rockets by the Syrian regime.

Meanwhile violence goes on in Syria. Activists said a car bomb killed at least 20 people near a mosque in Rankus, a town north of Damascus, just after Friday prayers.

Militants accused In a statement, the UN said its current inspection team in Syria is investigating seven allegations of chemical weapons use this year.
The team, led by Ake Sellstrom, arrived in Syria for its second visit on 25 September and hopes to finish its work by Monday 30 September, the statement said.
It is working on a "comprehensive report" into the allegations that it hopes to have finished by late October.
The UN listed the alleged attacks, which all took place this year, as Khan al-Assal on 19 March; Sheikh Maqsoud on 13 April; Saraqeb on 29 April; Ghouta on 21 August; Bahhariya on 22 August; Jobar on 24 August and Ashrafieh Sahnaya on 25 August.
Syria has pushed for the investigation of the three post-21 August incidents.
Its envoy to the United Nations, Bashar Jaafari, accused "militants" of using chemical gas against the army in Bahhariya, Jobar and Ashrafieh Sahnaya.
It was the Ghouta incident of 21 August that sparked international outrage and the threat of military action from the US and its allies.
Since then, Russia - an ally of Syria - has secured an agreement from Damascus to give up its chemical weapons.

Earlier this month, the US and Russia asked the world's chemical weapons watchdog, the OPCW, to decide how to ensure the "complete elimination of all chemical weapons material and equipment" in Syria by the first half of 2014.

Continue reading the main story

Syria's chemical weapons

• Syria believed to possess more than 1,000 tonnes of chemical agents and pre-cursor chemicals, including blister agent, sulphur mustard, and sarin nerve agent; also thought to have produced most potent nerve agent, VX
• US believes Syria's arsenal can be "delivered by aircraft, ballistic missile, and artillery rockets"
• Syria acceded to Chemical Weapons Convention on 14 September; it signed Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention in 1972 but never ratified

• Syria's chemical weapons stockpile
• How to destroy Syria's chemical arsenal
• Syria chemical attack: What we know

The OPCW's text calls for inspections to begin by Tuesday. An advance team will probably arrive on Monday.

The OPCW sets out a deadline that will see the destruction of production and mixing/filling equipment by 1 November 2013 and the complete destruction of all chemical weapons material and equipment in the first half of next year.
Syria is instructed to provide "immediate and unfettered" access to the OPCW's inspectors. If it does not, a meeting of the executive council will be called within 24 hours.
The text also authorises the OPCW to inspect "any other site identified by a State Party as having been involved in the Syrian chemical weapons programme, unless deemed unwarranted by the director general".
This is unchartered waters for the OPCW, which is a small organisation that has never undertaken a job of this size or complexity, the BBC's World Affairs correspondent Paul Adams says. It will need a lot of help and is expected to ask for urgent funding and additional personnel, he adds.
If the text is approved by the OPCW's executive council, it will form part of the UN Security Council resolution, which sets out to govern the whole process.
The resolution includes a warning to all the warring parties in Syria that evidence of non-compliance will trigger measures under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, which could, but does not necessarily, include force, our correspondent notes.

More on This Story

Syria conflict

Features and analysis

• Rebel rifts deepen

  Lina Sinjab on widening rifts between rebel groups
  

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• Arms destruction

• UN report analysis

• Profile: Isis

• 'No sectarianism'

• Back from brink

• Surprise success?

• Rebel rifts

• Daunting task

• Russian coup?

• Key questions

• What we know

• Damascus diaries

• Rebels' frustration

• Putin's plea to Americans

• Viewpoints on Russia plan

• What our readers say

Lionel Messi And His Father In Court For Fraud

Barcelona star Lionel Messi and his father are to appear in court today Friday, over allegations of tax fraud.

The four-time World Player of the Year and his father, Jorge Messi, are accused of evading 4.2m euros (£3.4m) in tax on his image rights.

They are suspected of setting up companies in Uruguay and Belize to avoid paying tax in Spain.
Both men deny the allegations, which date back to between 2007 and 2009, saying the deals were done by Messi's former agent without their knowledge.
Messi and his father will be questioned in a closed session in a court in Gava, the Barcelona neighbourhood in which the footballer has a home.
Friday's hearing will determine whether or not the court will pursue them for the alleged evasion.
The pair have already paid back 5m euros (£4.2m) to the Spanish state but with the government cracking down on tax fraud amid a national financial crisis, this has not prevented the prosecution.
Messi and his father had earlier said: "We have always fulfilled our tax obligations following the advice of our tax consultants who will take care of clarifying this situation."
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REVEALED: "Why We Killed Ironsi And Installed Gowon"

Lt. General Jeremiah Useni needs no introduction. The prominent role he played during the reign of late Head of State, Sani Abacha, as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is well known.
However, there are two things about Jeremiah Useni, who was referred to as ‘Jerry Boy’ at the time. He was indeed a Boy, because he joined the Army at the age of 14. Firstly, he was one of the soldiers who fired shots during the coup against General Ironsi in which the General was killed in Ibadan. Mr. Useni was also the closest person to General Abacha up to his last moments.

This interview, conducted in Hausa by the Hausa language newspaper, Rariya, and translated to English, reveals a lot of things many of us didn’t know, including the conspiracies that denied him the opportunity of succeeding Mr. Abacha after he died.
Excerpts:
You joined the Army as a fourteen year old, and you were posted to England for a Course at sixteen, how did you feel at the time?
Honestly, it was like a dream to me because I broke my left leg during a game of football, just one year after I joined the Army. As a young footballer, I had very strong shooting ability with my left leg. Anyone who was unfortunate to be hit with my shots really suffered no matter their size. I spent about four months at the hospital In Kaduna. Most of the hospital staffs at the time were Europeans, and they were very efficient. They joked a lot with their patients and they related with you as if you had known them for ages. One day, they decided to come and test all of us and see those who had made progress, so that they would be discharged. When they came to me, they asked; ‘can you stand up?’ And I said, ‘yes’. Then I was asked to stand up and walk. The whiteman said, ‘this one is ok now, he can be discharged’.
Later, they said there would be exams to select those who would go to England, and I had spent four years without studies or anything. However, there was a senior officer who was teaching me, and I went to write the exams, and I passed. I was not even sure we were really going to Europe until one day when they came to the dining room and called out our names, five of us; they asked us to go to a particular building, that our attention was needed there. On getting there, we saw that they had prepared omelet and other kinds of delicacies of the Europeans. At the time, we were used to eating Garri only, we either soak or prepare Eba with one green soup like that. We realised that we might really be going to Europe.  That was how I went as a very young boy, and I thank God for that because before we left Nigeria, they were paying us one naira, in fact, we were first paid seventy kobo, until after one year, when they increased it to one naira.
When I went to England, under the Boys Company battalion, they started paying us four pounds after only two months. I wrote to my father to tell him that we were now receiving four pounds as pay, and I asked him to pay any tax he was asked to pay because I was also enjoying. I told him that just to show him how happy I was.
When Ironsi was arrested, T.Y. Danjuma was said to be in Ibadan, and there were reports that you, Duba and Remawa were the ones who arrested him?
It was Garba Dada, the guy from Niger state, the one I was telling you was a Senator recently. He was the Adjutant General at the time, and he was our co-ordinator. We did not stay in one place to meet. We used to drive up to beyond Ijebu-Ode meeting inside the car and then turn back.
Why was Gowon selected after the coup?
He was the most senior officer at the time. But there was another reason too. There were people like T.Y. Danjuma and Murtala. But Murtala was a bit less than Gowon in rank, and was too close to us.
After Ironsi was killed, the country was plunged into a civil war. You were heading the logistics and in charge of most war equipment. What were the challenges you faced during the war?
At times, it is good to be in the forefront in battle, instead of nominating someone. Facing the enemy is a difficult task that requires effective strategy. You need to put in place how to effectively block the supply of enough ammunitions and back up to them. If you do that, it will not be difficult to finish them off. That is the role I played, I ensured that our troops get enough ammunitions and logistic support all the time.
We started with General Danjuma, he was the C.O. and then Mamman Shuwa, who was later transferred to Kaduna as the GOC. So also was Martins Adamu. Adamu was leading Ogoja troop, Danjuma was in Nsukka, and I was in Abakaliki.
What do you think were the reasons Gowon was removed?
People began to feel he was distancing himself from them. He was unreachable.  The top officers of the time felt he was building a wall between them, and so they felt there was need for change. But he was not killed, they waited until he was out of the country to Kampala, Uganda before they toppled him, and asked him not to return. Murtala was then made his successor.
How did you meet Abacha, because you were the closest person to him?
All I can say is that it was God who crossed our path together. Firstly, I am a Tarok man, and he was not. He was a Muslim, and I am not. I was also much closed to Garba Duba. What happened was that even while we were young officers after the civil war, when a small town near Enugu was captured, then a message came that I was needed in Lagos. They told me I would be going to Europe. At the time, there was no daily flight to Lagos. So I took a Land Rover, and by 9am the following day, I was at the office. However, I was told I still had three weeks before I departed. So I went back to Enugu. We were all Lieutenants then and they said we should be changed because people in Kaduna were afraid. They said the 4th battalion should move to Kaduna, while the 3rd Battalion in Kaduna should move to Ibadan.
It so happened Abacha was the officer responsible for the movements of the Battalion from Kaduna to Ibadan, and I was in charge of those moving from Ibadan to Kaduna. They were the first to arrive, so I went to receive them at the train station and show them were to eat and sleep. But Abacha waited at the train station so that any train that brought soldiers from Kaduna, he would make sure soldiers from Ibadan followed the train back to Kaduna. We continued to do that until all the soldiers were successfully ferried. We then joined the remaining vehicles back to Kaduna, and I left him at Ibadan. That was how we became friends. And we then went on to meet at 2nd Division Ibadan.
That was also where we met with Duba. He was at Asaba with his Armoured Division, and I was at the Headquarters at Benin. Abacha was at Tom Ikimi’s town. We went out together anytime we met, and we even used to sleep in the same house.  Our friendship became so strong that every weekend we visited each other’s houses and spend the weekend together. We were going to the Houses on turn-by-turn basis, up until the time Duba left the Army because of an ailment that was disturbing him. He went to a hospital in Saudi Arabia three times before he said he was tired and would simply retire. The three of us were very much close. Nothing came in between us, and people were even calling us ‘triplets’. That is God you know. That is why I always tell people that fighting is not good. If there were tribal clashes, the three of us would not have been friends.
During the time of Abacha was Head of State, people were saying you were in fact the President, because Abacha was not even seen in public much, and he was not close to his deputy. Others were saying the coup allegations against Obasanjo and Yaradu’a was just fabricated to break them down. What is the truth of the matter?
I have been asked this question several times, and my answer always was that the coup attempt was real. Even if I don’t like you, would I just pick you up and lock you up? There was a coup attempt, and I said this even while Obasanjo was president. When General Diya was being tried, you saw how he was kneeling down to beg Major Al-Mustapha who was not in anywhere close to him in rank. Definitely there was a coup attempt, but because Abacha was a good man, he did not kill them. When Obasanjo was a military Head of state, there was a coup attempt, and he enacted a law that killed the perpetrators.
But he was not killed, he was only jailed for life, and they said when another government comes, they can decide to release him.  He was in jail when Abacha died, politics returned and so there was selfishness and all sort of conspiracies. He knows he was the one who signed the law that said even if you did not participate in a coup, and that you only heard of it but decided to keep quiet, you are culpable, and you face the same penalty as those who planned to execute the coup. He made that law.
When Abdulsalam assumed leadership, there was a debate whether he should be released or not, but eventually they decided to release him.
After Abacha’s death, many thought you would be the next Head of State, and there were some arguments. Why did you not succeed him?
There was politics in the whole thing. There were several meetings, but no unified decision was reached despite the fact that I was the most senior officer of the lot. In the end, they said Abdulsalami had been selected, because he was the most senior in terms of office. I left without taking any appointment that is why up till today, no one is accusing me of anything. That was what happened.
How did you feel when that happened? Did you feel cheated or not?
As a Christian, I believe in destiny
In the past, northerners are ahead of the South in terms of governance and administration, but today, the north has been relegated to the background, no one is talking about a unified north anymore, just a community divided along ethnic and religious loyalties. The Southerners also have differences of religion and ethnicity, but it is not a source of conflict there. How did the north get here?
Even you journalists know the kind of cordial relationships that existed in the past. Truth is both sides are at fault. We northerners have our own fault, and those opposing the north also have their own fault. Did the Southerners plunge us into the crises we are witnessing today? Many innocent people have been killed today, to the extent that there was an attempt to kill the emir of Kano, just due to lack of security.  Not to talk of the Plateau. One cannot say these crises are as a result of religious differences because it appears to surpass that.
But I believe we found ourselves in this mess because we have turned our backs on God, and we are mostly selfish in our affairs. We have hardened our hearts and are cheating each other, which will not take us anywhere. Everything now is based on religious on ethnic affiliations. Why won’t we continue to suffer? If we had not united ourselves as northerners in the past when some Southerners killed our leaders we would not have overcome. But today, this one will say I am a Muslim, while the other one will say, I am a Christian. How can we make progress? We cannot make progress by calling each other despicable names. Our leaders in the past did not do that.
How can relationships among northern people be improved?
Honestly, enough is enough. Emirs should be visiting each other. We can solve this problem, if we sit down and talk to each other. Emirs have stopped visiting each other. If you are angry with someone, and then he visits you, I am sure you will forgive him. Our governors too have a problem. We organised a meeting in Kaduna, the governors came and everything was so good, then the following day, only Governor Yakowa turned up, maybe he himself came because he was the host. They don’t co-operate. We have to sit and love one another, cry and laugh together. Otherwise, the upcoming generation will not inherit the right things from us.
From the time he was the head of state up till today, many people have different interpretations of who Abacha was. Some see him as a hero, while others see him as a dictator who trampled on peoples’ right especially those opposed to him. Can you briefly describe him?
Many people misunderstood who Abacha was. He was very honest and well mannered. Whenever we sat together, everyone would give their opinion, but whenever he decided, that was all. He knew how to run the economy of a nation despite the fact that he did not train as an economist. When he was the Head of State, he refused to take any loan from the World Bank, so no one dared undermine his authority. But today, you can say all sorts of things against the president and sleep peacefully in your house. So Abacha was a man who believed in law and order. He was also a man who believed in giving everyone their due. He used to listen to any complaint brought to him that concerned matters of state, and he always made sure he solved the problem. I knew him very well.
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VIDEO: The Flying Car Makes First Public Flight

A flying car developed by Massachusetts-based aerospace manufacturer Chas G. Allen has made its first public flight, dazzling a Wisconsin crowd by soaring through the air for roughly 20 minutes.
[Scroll down for video]
The vehicle, dubbed the Terrafugia Transition, is part sedan, part private jet and will go on sale as soon as 2015.
The driver/pilot, Phil Meteer, drove the car around the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh air show in July before spreading its wings and taking off for two 20-minute demonstrations.
The Terrafugia has two seats, four wheels and wings that fold upwards for driving mode.
It can carry two people, including the driver/pilot and runs on unleaded petrol. The vehicle’s top speeds are 70 mph on the road and 115 mph in the air.
Owners will have to have a pilot’s license, pass an additional test and complete 20 hours of flying time to be able to purchase the vehicle.
Since many have criticized the style of the creation for not looking like what we’ve seen in sci-fi movies, Terrafugia released design plans for a much more convenient, TF-X model.
Unlike the Transfusion, this model will be small enough to fit in a garage and won’t require a runway to take off due to motorized rotors in its wings.
Owners would be able to lift off straight from their driveways or when stuck in traffic, depending on how much space in diameter is available.
It will also be capable of seating four people. The TF-X is expected to be able to fly non-stop for 500 miles.
Terrafugia hopes to have the model for sale within eight to twelve years.
The Transfusion will most likely be the first flying car in history to be released to the public as the recent test flights have influenced the U.S. government to exempt the vehicle from certain regulations and restrictions that have previously prevented efficient flying cars from being made, such as the inclusion of electronic stability control and the manufacturing with only tires and glass that regular cars use.
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Satellite Technology Fetches Nigeria N116bn

Director-General of National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA, Prof. Seidu Onailo Mohammed says Communication Satellite is making a huge remittance to the economy by raking in about $90 billion in 2011 alone, comprising Satellite Television, Satellite radio and broadband.

In addition, he said that about $16 billion revenue also accrued to the industry in the same year.

Prof. Mohammed disclosed this at the weekend, during a lecture on Communication Satellite in Commemoration of the Launch of the first Communication Satellite in Nigeria organized by NASRDA in Abuja.

Prof. Mohammed said that Communication Satellite is a multi-billion dollars industry that gives high returns on investments, which must be tapped by both government and private sector to drive enhance their operations.

He said that the launch of Syncom” in July 26, 1963, symbolized the beginning of technological revolutions across the globe through the application of Space Science Technology.

‘‘As scientists, research organizations and Nigerians, this historic occasion is unique to us in several ways, following various landmark experiments carried out after its successful launch.

‘‘Ladies and gentlemen, it will interest you that it is exactly fifty years today, when the historic telephone conversation between the then American president John Kennedy and Nigerian Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was recorded through Syncom2 Satellite,’’ he said.

For him, the conversation between the two leaders was more than a phone call, noting that it was the first two way call across the Atlantic between Heads of State via satellite in global history.

It was reported that the two leaders in their conversations, exchanged pleasantries, briefly mentioned the nuclear weapon’s test ban treaty which was signed that year and spoke on a boxing match in which Nigerian middle weight boxer, late Dick Tiger had retained his title against an American.

Apart from the successful experiment, the DG also noted that NASA further used the seventy eight pound Syncom2 Satellite launched on Delta rocket B booster from Cape Canaveral in the United States, to conduct a number of engineering tests to proof and practically demonstrate the numerous benefits of Communication Satellite to mankind.

According to him, there are approximately 1,107 Satellite providing civilians communication and another 792 supporting military communications, some seven hundred of them are in geosynchronous orbit.

He called on the private sector show commitment in using Communication Satellite, since the international telecommunications are increasingly competitive in the global markets with rapid changes to technological capacities.

‘‘it is note worthy that the Economic Intelligence Unit in the United States published that in 2012 alone, Nigeria lost in call drops that could have been avoided and remedied by modern communication Satellites.

‘‘Nigeria’s involvement in this experimental exercise was not a mere con-incidence or share luck in recognition of our unique and strategic positions as a people.

‘‘The Nigerian Space programme is not only in tandem with the dream and inspiration of our forefathers but it is also in fulfilment of the role expected of us as a nation as a key player in global affairs.

‘‘It is in recognition of this fact that, the National Space Research and Development Agency has continued to keep faith with destiny and recall with nostalgia the 1063 event and sees the unique experience as a challenge to transforming the Nigerian Space agenda into realities,’’ he stated.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/45291.html

Michael Jackson Was Fully Responsible For His Death- Lawyer

AEG Live lawyer Maryin Putnam remarked in a closing arguments of the wrongful death lawsuit brought by relatives of the late King of Pop.
Jackson’s family blame the concert promoter for his June 2009 death on the eve of his sold-out comeback tour, claiming the company hired Jackson’s doctor and pressured him to bend medical rules in order to ensure the tour would go ahead.
But in his closing arguments, Putnam denied that the company had hired Dr Conrad Murray, pointing out that he had been treating Jackson and his family for years before the tour.
Murray was found guilty of providing the insomniac Jackson with the surgical anesthetic Propofil as a sleeping aid, which a coroner found had caused Jackson’s death.
The evidence is very clear that Michael Jackson was the one who hired Dr Murray.
”Jackson was responsible for his own health, certainly his own healthcare, and he’s responsible for his own choices, no matter how bad those choices turn out to be.
“The truth here is a tragedy … It’s a tragedy for this family, a tragedy for his mother, a tragedy for his kids. It’s horrible and it’s incredibly sad. But it’s not a tragedy of AEG Live’s making,” Putnam said.
The lawyer insisted that Jackson never told AEG Live about his reliance on the dangerous medication.
“AEG would have never agreed to finance this tour if they knew Mr Jackson was playing Russian roulette in his bedroom every night,” Putnam told jurors.
During the five-month trial, AEG Live argued that it was Jackson who hired Murray.
Murray is due to be released next month after serving two years in prison following his conviction for the involuntary manslaughter of the late pop star.
Jackson’s family lawyer, Brian Panish, claimed in his closing arguments, that AEG had known about Jackson’s past health problems and was negligent in not checking the background of Murray, who was deeply in debt at the time and needed the tour to go ahead to save him from financial ruin.
The damages Jackson’s family is seeking from AEG has not been specified, but if AEG is found liable, the company could be facing a payment of more than one billion dollars in Jackson’s lost earnings.
Unlike criminal trials where a unanimous verdict is needed, only nine of the 12 jurors are required to reach a verdict.

ROBBERS ARRESTED IN ABUJA

174 Robbers Arrested In Abuja

The FCT security agencies arrested 174 armed robbers in the territory between April and September 2013.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Muhammad Sule, Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, on Tuesday in Abuja.
It said the FCT Commissionerof Police, Mr Femi Ogunbayode, disclosed during a high-point discussion at the FCT Security Committee meeting chaired by FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed.
It said that 604 rounds of live ammunition were recovered during the period.
“The number of arms recovered include 27 locally-made pistols, three AK-47 riffles, one Lar-Riffle, 11 Wooden/Toy Guns and one JoeJeff Pump Action Gun,” it said.
It said that Ogunbayode also disclosed that a total of 61 stolen vehicles were recovered in the FCT during the period under review.
The statement also said that 32 armed robbery cases had been charged to court, adding that only one case of abduction was reported during the period.
It added that through intelligence, about 10 criminal hideouts had been identified, while 940 suspects were arrested during a regular raid and 283 prosecuted.
However, it warned that owners of all uncompleted buildings in the territory would be held responsible if miscreants were traced to the locations.
“Members of the public are enjoined to be vigilant at all times particularly as we enter the ember months and report suspicious activities to the law enforcement agents,” it added.

A TENANT KILLS HIS LANDLORD

Tenant Kills Landlord, Wife, Set House On Fire Over Quit Notice

A tenant of a house on Asuquo Eyo Street, Ifa Ikot Okpon, Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, identified simply as Ime, aka Shawa, has been accused of killing his landlord and the wife and also setting the house ablaze.
It was said that Ime, 40, had attacked his landlord, Mr. Edem Akpan and his wife, Affiong, with matchete before setting the house on fire.
One of the daughters to the late couple, Ms. Emem Akpan, told our correspondent that trouble started when her father gave Ime a quit notice.
She said Ime had threatened that if her father insisted on sending him (Ime) out, he would kill  him and burn down the house.
She said, “Two days ago, we saw him bringing worn out tyres into the compound. We didn’t know he had a plan. Yesterday (Sunday), before we left for church in the evening, he brought 20 litres of fuel, more than what his generator could contain.
“A neighbour asked him what he wanted to do with such quantity of fuel, but he told him that he was going to run the generator overnight. This is what we saw this morning as we returned from church – the fuel and worn out tyres were weapons used by the assailant to kill my parents.”
Another daughter and ex-girlfriend of Ime, Ms. Ruth Jeremiah, said she parted ways with Ime a year and three months ago.
She said it was because Ime did not let her know his parents and his surname that made her to terminate the relationship. She said that for the three years she dated Ime, she did not know anything about him except his alias – Shawa.
“I decided to end the relationship with Ime because he was not straight forward. He wanted to marry me, but whenever I asked him to take me to his people, he would refuse,” she said.
She stated that Ime had removed his property in the house before killing her parents and setting the house ablaze.
Asked if there was tenancy agreement which could lead to the arrest of the assailant, Jeremiah stated that there was nothing like that as the father offered Ime his house based on a gentleman’s agreement.
Efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Mr. Etim Dickson, to speak on the matter, proved abortive as calls and texts to his telephone were not replied.

A TENANT KILLS HER LANDLORD

Tenant Kills Landlord, Wife, Set House On Fire Over Quit Notice

A tenant of a house on Asuquo Eyo Street, Ifa Ikot Okpon, Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, identified simply as Ime, aka Shawa, has been accused of killing his landlord and the wife and also setting the house ablaze.
It was said that Ime, 40, had attacked his landlord, Mr. Edem Akpan and his wife, Affiong, with matchete before setting the house on fire.
One of the daughters to the late couple, Ms. Emem Akpan, told our correspondent that trouble started when her father gave Ime a quit notice.
She said Ime had threatened that if her father insisted on sending him (Ime) out, he would kill  him and burn down the house.
She said, “Two days ago, we saw him bringing worn out tyres into the compound. We didn’t know he had a plan. Yesterday (Sunday), before we left for church in the evening, he brought 20 litres of fuel, more than what his generator could contain.
“A neighbour asked him what he wanted to do with such quantity of fuel, but he told him that he was going to run the generator overnight. This is what we saw this morning as we returned from church – the fuel and worn out tyres were weapons used by the assailant to kill my parents.”
Another daughter and ex-girlfriend of Ime, Ms. Ruth Jeremiah, said she parted ways with Ime a year and three months ago.
She said it was because Ime did not let her know his parents and his surname that made her to terminate the relationship. She said that for the three years she dated Ime, she did not know anything about him except his alias – Shawa.
“I decided to end the relationship with Ime because he was not straight forward. He wanted to marry me, but whenever I asked him to take me to his people, he would refuse,” she said.
She stated that Ime had removed his property in the house before killing her parents and setting the house ablaze.
Asked if there was tenancy agreement which could lead to the arrest of the assailant, Jeremiah stated that there was nothing like that as the father offered Ime his house based on a gentleman’s agreement.
Efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Mr. Etim Dickson, to speak on the matter, proved abortive as calls and texts to his telephone were not replied.

A TENANT KILLS HER LANDLORD

Tenant Kills Landlord, Wife, Set House On Fire Over Quit Notice

A tenant of a house on Asuquo Eyo Street, Ifa Ikot Okpon, Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, identified simply as Ime, aka Shawa, has been accused of killing his landlord and the wife and also setting the house ablaze.
It was said that Ime, 40, had attacked his landlord, Mr. Edem Akpan and his wife, Affiong, with matchete before setting the house on fire.
One of the daughters to the late couple, Ms. Emem Akpan, told our correspondent that trouble started when her father gave Ime a quit notice.
She said Ime had threatened that if her father insisted on sending him (Ime) out, he would kill  him and burn down the house.
She said, “Two days ago, we saw him bringing worn out tyres into the compound. We didn’t know he had a plan. Yesterday (Sunday), before we left for church in the evening, he brought 20 litres of fuel, more than what his generator could contain.
“A neighbour asked him what he wanted to do with such quantity of fuel, but he told him that he was going to run the generator overnight. This is what we saw this morning as we returned from church – the fuel and worn out tyres were weapons used by the assailant to kill my parents.”
Another daughter and ex-girlfriend of Ime, Ms. Ruth Jeremiah, said she parted ways with Ime a year and three months ago.
She said it was because Ime did not let her know his parents and his surname that made her to terminate the relationship. She said that for the three years she dated Ime, she did not know anything about him except his alias – Shawa.
“I decided to end the relationship with Ime because he was not straight forward. He wanted to marry me, but whenever I asked him to take me to his people, he would refuse,” she said.
She stated that Ime had removed his property in the house before killing her parents and setting the house ablaze.
Asked if there was tenancy agreement which could lead to the arrest of the assailant, Jeremiah stated that there was nothing like that as the father offered Ime his house based on a gentleman’s agreement.
Efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Mr. Etim Dickson, to speak on the matter, proved abortive as calls and texts to his telephone were not replied.

A TENANT KILLS HER LANDLORD

Tenant Kills Landlord, Wife, Set House On Fire Over Quit Notice

A tenant of a house on Asuquo Eyo Street, Ifa Ikot Okpon, Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, identified simply as Ime, aka Shawa, has been accused of killing his landlord and the wife and also setting the house ablaze.
It was said that Ime, 40, had attacked his landlord, Mr. Edem Akpan and his wife, Affiong, with matchete before setting the house on fire.
One of the daughters to the late couple, Ms. Emem Akpan, told our correspondent that trouble started when her father gave Ime a quit notice.
She said Ime had threatened that if her father insisted on sending him (Ime) out, he would kill  him and burn down the house.
She said, “Two days ago, we saw him bringing worn out tyres into the compound. We didn’t know he had a plan. Yesterday (Sunday), before we left for church in the evening, he brought 20 litres of fuel, more than what his generator could contain.
“A neighbour asked him what he wanted to do with such quantity of fuel, but he told him that he was going to run the generator overnight. This is what we saw this morning as we returned from church – the fuel and worn out tyres were weapons used by the assailant to kill my parents.”
Another daughter and ex-girlfriend of Ime, Ms. Ruth Jeremiah, said she parted ways with Ime a year and three months ago.
She said it was because Ime did not let her know his parents and his surname that made her to terminate the relationship. She said that for the three years she dated Ime, she did not know anything about him except his alias – Shawa.
“I decided to end the relationship with Ime because he was not straight forward. He wanted to marry me, but whenever I asked him to take me to his people, he would refuse,” she said.
She stated that Ime had removed his property in the house before killing her parents and setting the house ablaze.
Asked if there was tenancy agreement which could lead to the arrest of the assailant, Jeremiah stated that there was nothing like that as the father offered Ime his house based on a gentleman’s agreement.
Efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Mr. Etim Dickson, to speak on the matter, proved abortive as calls and texts to his telephone were not replied.

A TENANT KILLS HER LANDLORD

Tenant Kills Landlord, Wife, Set House On Fire Over Quit Notice

A tenant of a house on Asuquo Eyo Street, Ifa Ikot Okpon, Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, identified simply as Ime, aka Shawa, has been accused of killing his landlord and the wife and also setting the house ablaze.
It was said that Ime, 40, had attacked his landlord, Mr. Edem Akpan and his wife, Affiong, with matchete before setting the house on fire.
One of the daughters to the late couple, Ms. Emem Akpan, told our correspondent that trouble started when her father gave Ime a quit notice.
She said Ime had threatened that if her father insisted on sending him (Ime) out, he would kill  him and burn down the house.
She said, “Two days ago, we saw him bringing worn out tyres into the compound. We didn’t know he had a plan. Yesterday (Sunday), before we left for church in the evening, he brought 20 litres of fuel, more than what his generator could contain.
“A neighbour asked him what he wanted to do with such quantity of fuel, but he told him that he was going to run the generator overnight. This is what we saw this morning as we returned from church – the fuel and worn out tyres were weapons used by the assailant to kill my parents.”
Another daughter and ex-girlfriend of Ime, Ms. Ruth Jeremiah, said she parted ways with Ime a year and three months ago.
She said it was because Ime did not let her know his parents and his surname that made her to terminate the relationship. She said that for the three years she dated Ime, she did not know anything about him except his alias – Shawa.
“I decided to end the relationship with Ime because he was not straight forward. He wanted to marry me, but whenever I asked him to take me to his people, he would refuse,” she said.
She stated that Ime had removed his property in the house before killing her parents and setting the house ablaze.
Asked if there was tenancy agreement which could lead to the arrest of the assailant, Jeremiah stated that there was nothing like that as the father offered Ime his house based on a gentleman’s agreement.
Efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Mr. Etim Dickson, to speak on the matter, proved abortive as calls and texts to his telephone were not replied.

A TENANT KILLS HER LANDLORD

Tenant Kills Landlord, Wife, Set House On Fire Over Quit Notice

A tenant of a house on Asuquo Eyo Street, Ifa Ikot Okpon, Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, identified simply as Ime, aka Shawa, has been accused of killing his landlord and the wife and also setting the house ablaze.
It was said that Ime, 40, had attacked his landlord, Mr. Edem Akpan and his wife, Affiong, with matchete before setting the house on fire.
One of the daughters to the late couple, Ms. Emem Akpan, told our correspondent that trouble started when her father gave Ime a quit notice.
She said Ime had threatened that if her father insisted on sending him (Ime) out, he would kill  him and burn down the house.
She said, “Two days ago, we saw him bringing worn out tyres into the compound. We didn’t know he had a plan. Yesterday (Sunday), before we left for church in the evening, he brought 20 litres of fuel, more than what his generator could contain.
“A neighbour asked him what he wanted to do with such quantity of fuel, but he told him that he was going to run the generator overnight. This is what we saw this morning as we returned from church – the fuel and worn out tyres were weapons used by the assailant to kill my parents.”
Another daughter and ex-girlfriend of Ime, Ms. Ruth Jeremiah, said she parted ways with Ime a year and three months ago.
She said it was because Ime did not let her know his parents and his surname that made her to terminate the relationship. She said that for the three years she dated Ime, she did not know anything about him except his alias – Shawa.
“I decided to end the relationship with Ime because he was not straight forward. He wanted to marry me, but whenever I asked him to take me to his people, he would refuse,” she said.
She stated that Ime had removed his property in the house before killing her parents and setting the house ablaze.
Asked if there was tenancy agreement which could lead to the arrest of the assailant, Jeremiah stated that there was nothing like that as the father offered Ime his house based on a gentleman’s agreement.
Efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Mr. Etim Dickson, to speak on the matter, proved abortive as calls and texts to his telephone were not replied.

A DEAD BODY WITHOUT TONGUE AND EYES

67-Year-Old Security Guard Found Dead Under A Bridge Without Eyes And Tongue

The body of a missing security guard has been reportedly found under a bridge, with eyes and tongue removed.
He was discovered under a bridge close to the British America junction in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State.
67-year-old Audu Nemu went missing about a week ago and his corpse was found on Monday. He reportedly left his home at Tudun Wada to go to work but he never returned.
He was discovered  with his tongue and two eyes missing. His family was said to have been contacted for identification.
The deceased’s brother, Mr. Augustine Rivi, said the family was alerted about the body by those who knew that his brother was missing and when he went there he discovered that it was that of his brother.
He said, “We heard that a corpse was discovered this morning so we came to check because we had earlier filed a missing person report. We identified him by the clothes he was wearing but we also noticed that his tongue and eyes have been removed.”
Plateau State Police Public Relations Office, DSP Felicia Anslem, who confirmed the incident said the police had launched an investigation into the incident.
“We have commenced investigation to ascertain whether it was a case of ritual murder or sudden and natural death,” she said.

KENYA SHOPPING MALL ATTACKED

KENYA MALL ATTACK: Security Forces Comb Westgate Site, as Crisis Entered Its Forth Day (PHOTO, VIDEO)

24 September, 2013
Foreign

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Kenyan security forces are combing the Nairobi shopping centre attacked by suspected al-Shabab militants, as they seek to secure the site.

An explosion and bursts of gunfire were heard coming from the Westgate complex on the morning of September 24, 2013, Tuesday, as speculation grew that the operation was nearing its end.

JUST IN:

- Three Kenyan soldiers died of wounds received in siege of Westgate shopping centre in Nairobi,  interior ministry confirms.

- Part of Westgate centre's rooftop car park has collapsed in a siege. Fireman - AFP (via Twitter).

- Al-Shabab claimed the picture below shows their fighters in the shopping centre.

No fewer than 62 people have been killed since the beginning of the attack on September 21, Saturday, and over 170 injured. From 51 to 62 people remain unaccounted for.

Meanwhile, Kenya's foreign minister said “two or three” Americans and a British woman were among the attackers.

In an interview with the US TV programme PBS Newshour, Amina Mohamed said the Americans were 18 or 19 years old, of Somali or Arab origin, and lived “in Minnesota and one other place”.

She said the Briton was a woman who had “done this many times before”.

Ms. Mohamed appeared to contradict earlier comments from Kenya's interior minister, who suggested that all the attackers were men – though some may have been dressed as women.

The Somali Islamist al-Shabab movement said it carried out the attack in retaliation for Kenyan military operations in Somalia.

British officials said they would not be drawn on the identity of the attackers while investigations continue.

Early on Tuesday a Kenyan officer at the scene said he believed there could be two or three attackers left inside the building. You may check the structure of the shopping mall below:

The interior ministry said it believed all hostages had been released - though messages on a Twitter feed purporting to speak for al-Shabab said hostages were still being held and militants were “holding their ground”.

Official sources that six of the attackers have been killed: three on Monday and three since midnight.

Officials said earlier that 10 people had been arrested in connection with the attack.

Kenyan Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku told the BBC late on Monday that the operation was in its final stages.

“The terrorists could be running and hiding in some stores, but all floors now are under our control. There is no room for escape,” the Minister added.

Kenyan media has presented another raw footage of the battles between security forces and members of Al-Shabaab. The video below shows how fire rages inside the Westgate Mall…

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