Burkina Faso Hotel Seizure Is Over As 4 Jihadis, 28 Others Dead

                                    AP Photo

The Al-Qaida fighters who stormed a popular hangout in Burkina Faso's capital at dinnertime came with a mission to kill as many people as possible, firing at people as they moved to a nearby hotel and setting the cafe ablaze, survivors and officials said Saturday. according to AP. 

As the gunfire stopped after more than 12-hour siege, at least 28 people had been slain in an unprecedented attack on this West African country. 

The victims had been grabbing a cold drink outside or staying at one of the capital's few upscale hotels. 

In this city with a large aid worker presence, the attackers sought to shoot as many non-Muslims as possible, screaming Allahu akhbar as they entered, said AP.

An audio tape later released by the al-Qaida group claiming responsibility for the carnage was entitled: "A Message Signed with Blood and Body Parts."

Among the victims from 18 different countries were the wife and 5-year-old daughter of the Italian man who owns the Cappuccino Cafe, where at least 10 people died in a hail of gunfire and smoke after the attackers set the building ablaze before moving on to the Splendid Hotel nearby, reported by AP. 

Some survivors cowered for hours on the roof or hid in the restaurant's bathroom to stay alive. Two French and two Swiss citizens were confirmed among the dead late Saturday by the two countries' foreign ministries.

Authorities said the four known attackers - all killed by security forces - had come in a vehicle with plates from neighboring Niger. At least two of them were women and one was of African descent. Witnesses said they wore the turbans often worn in the sand-swept countryside of the Sahel, and some spoke in French with an Arabic accent, suggesting some may have come from further north in Africa, said AP.

"I heard the gunfire and I saw a light by my window and I thought it was fireworks at first," said Rachid Faouzi Ouedraogo, a 22-year-old accounting student who lives near the scene of the carnage. "I raced downstairs and once outside I saw people running through the street and four people firing on the people at Cappuccino."

Burkinabe forces backed by French soldiers based in neighboring Mali managed to help free at least 126 hostages though officials have said the true number of those held hostage may be higher. Dozens were wounded in the overnight siege, including many suffering gunshot wounds.

"We appeal to the people to be vigilant and brave because we must fight on," President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said on national radio Saturday.

"We know that the gunmen won't get out of the hotel alive," said one witness of the overnight siege, who gave only his first name, Gilbert. "Our country is not for jihadists or terrorists. They got it wrong."

With Associated Press

Nuclear War: Pyongyang want to surrender nuclear testing but with conditions

Kim Jong-un 

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has said it will end its nuclear testing, if a peace treaty with Washington can be reached, and the US ends its joint-military exercises with South Korea.

Asked if the United States would consider a halt to joint exercises with South korea, US State Department spokesman John Kirby said it had alliance commitments to South Korea. The State Department had earlier reiterated its position that it remained open to dialogue with the DPRK, on condition that it takes meaningful actions toward denuclearisation and refraining from provocations.

El Chapo had erectile dysfunction while on the run

He's certainly serving hard time now.


Report shown, the captured Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman may have undergone surgery for erectile dysfunction during his six months on the lam, a Mexican newspaper reported.

“I saw the scars on his back, hips and reproductive system,” a source told Reforma.

The cartel boss had the testicular implant surgery last year at an undisclosed Tijuana hospital, the newspaper said. The implant improves blood circulation and helps cure impotence.

Guzman likely had the operation after meeting up with Mexican telenovela star Kate Del Castillo — a rendezvous he set up in steamy text messages with the brunette actress.

"I will have everything ‘super’ so that you won't have to worry about any details, which would be make me feel bad. Have faith that you will be comfortable. I will take care of you more than my own eyes," he wrote to her in September.

“That's so moving that you say you'll take care of me — no one has ever told me they would care for me, thank you! I'm free next weekend!” she replied.

Del Castillo eventually introduced the wanted drug lord to actor Sean Penn, a clandestine meetup chronicled in a Rolling Stone article. The kingpin was allegedly planning a possible biopic about his life, while Penn said he agreed to the meeting — and the subsequent first-person article — to spark a conversation about drug policy reform.

Guzman was captured last week — a day before Penn's article was published and six months after he vanished from a maximum-security prison through a meticulously built tunnel under his cell.

The Mexican government has begun the lengthy process of extraditing Guzman to the U.S. to face trial. It’s unclear where Guzman would see justice once he arrives in the U.S., but prosecutors in Brooklyn said he could be brought to New York City.

Guzman’s powerful Sinaloa cartel smuggles multi-ton shipments of cocaine and marijuana, in addition to the production and transport of methamphetamines and heroin. The majority of the cartel’s product goes to the U.S. market.

National Assembly Wants Intervene On The ATM Abroad Challenges

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives says the National Assembly will work to help resolve some of the challenges being faced by Nigerians abroad with their bank ATM cards.

Honourable Lasun Yussuf said this when he led a delegation to the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth in Malaysia.

While acting High Commissioner to Malaysia, anet Odeka, highlighted some of the efforts of the embassy, the Deputy Speaker said that he was aware of the challenges facing the staff of the consulate.

He also met with a section of the Malaysian chapter of Nigerians in diaspora where he promised that the legislature would keep an eye on the challenges being faced with bank ATM cards.

Honourable Yussuf appealed to the Nigerians in Malaysia to remain law abiding and forthright.

He also encouraged them to always give Nigeria a positive image, assuring them that all their demands would be considered.

With Channel News

Drama as Chelsea rescue a point against Everton

John Terry scored a controversial 98th minute equaliser to earn Chelsea a point in a thriller against Everton.

The Toffees took the lead when Terry put through his own net, and Ross Barkley hit a post for Everton before Kevin Mirallas put the visitors 2-0 up.

Diego Costa reduced the margin and Cesc Fabregas's deflected shot made it 2-2.

Ramiro Funes Mori restored Everton's lead in the 90th minute only for Terry to back-heel in from close range - although he was a yard offside.

Everton's players were angry Terry's goal was allowed to stand, but in a pulsating game the visitors only had themselves to blame for allowing a 2-0 lead to slip.

They appeared to be coasting to a first win in four league outings when Mirallas doubled the lead with a crisp shot after Leighton Baines' cross.

Baines had also been instrumental in the first goal, Terry getting his feet into an awful tangle while attempting to clear his cross.

Costa comfortably rounded Howard to make it 2-1 after Phil Jagielka failed to deal with a long ball forward by Fabregas, who made it 2-2 with a deflected shot which deceived Howard.

There are signs Costa could be returning to his best form. The Spain international has five goals in his last four league and cup outings, but is he facing a spell on the sidelines?

He was involved in a couple of minor rows with Everton players after Chelsea fell 2-0 behind but he launched his side's fightback after a determined run which ended in him beating Howard and rolling the ball home.

However, the Spaniard missed a great chance at 2-2 from six yards out and then limped off with a shin injury after a foul and went to hospital. Chelsea's interim boss Guus Hiddink will be hoping he will be back on his feet sooner rather than later.

Chelsea started the day six points above the relegation zone and with Hiddink warning that the threat of relegation was hanging over the club.

While Terry's dramatic late goal sparked jubilant scenes at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will be just four points above the relegation places should Swansea win at home to Watford on Monday.

This was their fourth draw in five Premier League games since Hiddink returned to Stamford Bridge last month. The Blues are still without a home league win under the interim manager and have conceded five goals in the last two games.

Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink suggested he may have spoken to the referee, Mike Jones, and told him to play additional stoppage time after Everton went 3-2 up in the 90th minute: "There was seven minutes extra time... I said 'ref, OK they are celebrating at least one minute in the corner'.

"I took some risks [at 2-0 down] and it paid off in a spectacular way. The team is very resilient."

Everton manager Roberto Martinez: "It's a difficult game to analyse. When we were 2-0 up we would have liked to have controlled the game more.

"We deserved the three points."

In others game played this afternoon, Tottenham Hotspur beat Sunderland 4-1 at White Hart Lane, Bournemouth also defeated Norwich city 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium to move further above relegation in the EPL. 

Goals from Fabian Delph, David Silva and a brace from Sergio Aguero ensured that Manchester City thrashed Crystal Palace 4-0 at the Ethihad Stadium.

Elsewhere Steve Mclaren’s Newcastle United defeated West Ham 2-1 at Saint James’ Park while Southampton secured a convincing 3-nil victory over West Bromwich Albion.