by Ifreke Inyang

A review of the stories that made headlines last week (2nd – 8th May, 2011).

MONDAY

The most prominent face of terror, Al-Qaeda Leader, Osama Bin Laden was killed by US Forces in a raid in the early Morning of May 1st, 2011 in Pakistan. His two wives and six children were arrested.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) affirmed its decision to challenge the result of the April 26 gubernatorial election in Akwa Ibom State, which was won by the incumbent state governor, Godswill Akpabio.

TUESDAY

Syrian security forces surrounded the coastal city of Baniyas, activists said, days after tanks and troops took control of Deraa in the south.

Barcelona qualified for the finals of the Champions League after a 1-1 draw at home to Real Madrid. Pedro put the hosts ahead with a sweet finish before Marcelo equalized in the dying minutes of the game.

The former chief security officer to the late Sani Abacha, a dictator who ruled the country between 1993 and 1998 – Hamza Al-Mustapha – is alive and well, his lawyer said. Olalekan Ojo, Mr Al-Mustapha’s lawyer, said that he spoke with someone ‘who was with him yesterday (Monday) while he was playing tennis at the prison.’

The new African U-20 champions, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria were treated to a heroic welcome on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

WEDNESDAY

Sony blamed the online vigilante group, Anonymous, for indirectly allowing a hacker to gain access to 100m users’ personal details.

Manchester booked a date with Barcelona in the Champions League final. They defeated Schalke 04 by four goals to one to win 6-1 on aggregate.

The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor said he will seek three arrest warrants as he investigates crimes against humanity in Libya.

Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguga launched N500 million fund to assist victims of election violence in the state.

THURSDAY

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini said Carlos Tevez must be fit to face Tottenham next week to have any chance of playing in the FA Cup final.

Voters across the UK went to the polls in a series of national and local elections as well as a referendum to decide the way MPs are elected.

House of Representative members again rallied against Speaker Dimeji Bankole. The previously suspended lawmakers accused the Speaker of withholding their allowances.

FRIDAY

Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled that homosexuals in same-sex unions in Brazil should be given the same legal rights as married heterosexuals.

US President Barack Obama visited Ground Zero, the site of the 9/11 attacks in New York, four days after US forces killed al-Qaeda head Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan. Bin Laden was believed to be the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Mr Obama laid a wreath in memory of the nearly 3,000 victims and spoke to relatives at the site.

Al-Qaeda confirmed the death of its leader, Osama Bin Laden, according to a statement attributed to the group and posted on jihadist internet forums. The statement said his blood would not be “wasted” and al-Qaeda would continue to attack the US and its allies.

Jose Mourinho was given a five-match European ban for his conduct after Real Madrid’s Champions League semi-final first-leg against Barcelona. UEFA said it was “inappropriate” for the Madrid coach to accuse them – and referees – of trying to help Barcelona win, following Real’s 2-0 home defeat.

SATURDAY

Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros died after a protracted battle with cancer.

There were no survivors from the crash of an Indonesian passenger aircraft into the sea with up to 27 people on board, a navy officer says. The plane went into the sea in poor weather just short of the airstrip serving the small port town of Kaimana, in the eastern province of West Papua.

A Canadian tourist missing in a remote wooded area of the US state of Nevada for seven weeks was found alive near her stranded vehicle by hunters. Rita Chretien, 56, told police her van had got stuck in mud in mid-March, and that her husband Albert, 59, had gone to get help on foot.

SUNDAY

Manchester United are within touching distance of their 19th league title. They beat Chelsea in a superb game at Old Trafford with goals from Javier Hernandez and Nemanja Vidic. Frank Lampard scored for the Blues.

Egypt’s justice minister said the government will use “an iron fist” against those who threaten the country’s security following violence between Muslims and Christians in Cairo.

Photo credit: www.theeconomist.tumblr.com