While the world debates Putin's role in ex-FSB spy's death, here's the lowdown on Alexander Litvinenko

A British judge has published a report on the 2006 death of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko, saying President Vladimir Putin probably approved a plan by the Russian security service to kill him with poison.But who was Litvinenko?
The former Federal Security Service (FSB) official was born on 4 December, 1962 in the Russian city of Voronezh. After completing his schooling in 1980, he opted to attend military college as he was unable to secure a seat at university. It was through his time at the South Ossetia-based military college that Litvinenko made his foray into the world of intelligence: His five-year stint was followed by a job in the interior ministry, that involved intelligence work.

After three years with the ministry, he was recruited in 1988 by the Committee for State Security (better known as the KGB, which was the predecessor to the FSB). After training for three years at a facility in Siberia, he was transferred to the KGB headquarters in Moscow in 1991.

After working with economic security until 1994, Litvinenko was re-assigned. This time, to the anti-terrorism department of the erstwhile Federal Counterintelligence Service (FSK). "If you remember, 1994, it was the year when (the) Chechen war started and (the) involvement of FSB in this war (was) in a different way, it was a very high involvement. (Litvinenko) spent a lot of time in Caucasus , he knew (the) mentality of people, he had a lot of connection(s), and after that, he received a lot of business trip(s), not to (the) place of the war, but areas around, and he did this communication to have information from what happened inside of this war," said his wife Marina Litvinenko.

A painting of Alexander Litvinenko. AFP

It's worth pointing out that Litvinenko had lived in the Caucasus during his formative years, which presumably provided him plenty of insight into the region and its prevalent issues.
But it was during his time investigating economic security that Litvinenko stumbled upon a terrifying secret: The Tambov criminal group was smuggling heroin from Afghanistan to Western Europe, using St Petersburg as a conduit. Worse yet, he was certain of 'widespread collusion' (see report below) between the Tambov group and KGB officials — including Vladimir Putin. He continued with his work, while keeping his eyes open to developments on the drug-smuggling issue.

News Analysis: Chinese president offers development as "new path" to resolve Middle East crises

CAIRO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Experts say that Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the Arab League offered development as "a new path" to resolve Middle East crises and promote regional stability.

"The key to overcoming difficulties is to accelerate development," Xi said in his speech at the Arab League Thursday, stressing that turmoil in the Middle East stems from the lack of development, and the ultimate solution will depend on development.

"There are ongoing attempts of polarization now in the international arena and revival of the cold war atmosphere, but China now provides what we can describe as 'a third path' highlighting development as a vast environment to promote regional stability," Ahmed Eliba, a researcher at the Cairo-based Regional Center for Strategic Studies, told Xinhua.

The expert said that China's vision on the Middle East seeks peace and security through development and balanced political relations that are based on mutual interests.

Eliba stressed the significance of the link between development and dialogue as integral parts of the peacemaking process. "Xi offers an important strategic view, just like thinking outside the box, to get the Arab states out of the dark tunnels of conflicts through development," Eliba said.

Over 20 Killed as Somali Forces End Siege of Restaurant

Somalia's security forces ended a deadly siege of a beachfront restaurant in the capital, with more than 20 people killed in the attack, a police official said Friday.

The security forces took control of the restaurant just before dawn, said Capt. Mohamed Hussein, speaking from the scene of the attack in Mogadishu.

It was not clear whether Hussein's report of more than 20 killed included the assailants. Islamic extremist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, in a broadcast on its online radio late Thursday.

Volunteers carried bodies from the scene of the attack early Friday.

Diezani at London police station

Diezani

Former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs Diezeani Alison-Madueke yesterday showed up at the Charing Cross Police Station in London as part of the investigation into the allegation of money laundering against her.

According to a report on Television Continental (TVC), Mrs Alison-Madueke was granted bail on the same condition given earlier and given a June 21 date to return.

Last October, the former minister was arrested by the UK National Crimes Agency, alongside four others.

She was accused of fraud and money laundering in the United Kingdom using a network of relatives and businessmen.

Diezani at London police station

Diezani

Former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs Diezeani Alison-Madueke yesterday showed up at the Charing Cross Police Station in London as part of the investigation into the allegation of money laundering against her.

According to a report on Television Continental (TVC), Mrs Alison-Madueke was granted bail on the same condition given earlier and given a June 21 date to return.

Last October, the former minister was arrested by the UK National Crimes Agency, alongside four others.

She was accused of fraud and money laundering in the United Kingdom using a network of relatives and businessmen.

Insurgency: Police high command deploys DIG, others to restore civil authority in N-East

Abuja—Following recent successes recorded by the nation’s security forces in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists and the recovery of all territories hitherto taken by the group, the Police High Command has deployed a team of officers, led by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Sotonye Wakama, to evaluate and assess the epicentre of the battle for return of civil authority.

IGP-Solomon-Arase

The police in a statement signed by FPRO, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, said: “The Force Management Team has taken a step towards the restoration of civil authority in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states and some of the liberated areas in the North East as it deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Department of Operations, DIG Sotonye Wakama, to move with a team of intelligence officers to the area for need assessment and other scooping activities.”

Alleged house in Dubai: I’m ready to waive my immunity for probe – Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has declared that he does not have any house in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He challenged anyone with information of any property linked to him in Dubai to publish the details.
The governor, who also said he was ready to waive his immunity to be prosecuted if any house was linked to him in Dubai, added that he was not a kind of person that will deny his assets.

Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said it was painful that the people, who seized power in Nigeria through falsehood and propaganda were still lying eight months after assuming office.