Rebels say attack on Mexican pipeline is just the beginning

Leftist rebels claim responsibility; plants forced to close

MEXICO CITY – A shadowy leftist rebel group took responsibility Tuesday for a gas pipeline blast that shut down some industry in central Mexico, including two car assembly plants.

The Popular Revolutionary Army, or EPR for its initials in Spanish, said Tuesday's explosion and two similar attacks on Pemex pipelines in Guanajuato state last week marked the beginning of a "national campaign of harassment against the interests of the oligarchy and this illegitimate government."

Nigeria's Moni Pulo Seen Shutting in Output After Attack

Nigerian oil company Moni Pulo is expected to shut-in its production following an attack by militants on an oil production barge in the Calabar River in the Niger Delta, a trader of West African crude said Tuesday.

The Agbani barge, located in Cross River State, was ambushed Sunday by gunmen on speedboats.

Two workers, both oil consultants for Exprotech Nigeria, part of U.K.-based Expro International Group PLC (EXR.LN), were abducted during the attack. The U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed one of the workers taken was British and the other is believed to be Bulgarian.