endless

cycle of violence.

Tomi Oladipo reporting from Lagos

World News from the BBC

The United Nations has warned of a possible resurgence of a deadly bird flu virus, H5N1, and the spread in Asia of a new mutant strain. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation said migrating birds have brought the virus to previously unaffected countries and to regions of the world that had been virus-free for years.

Parts of the northeastern coast of the United States are facing severe flooding after being hit by tropical storm Irene. More than seven million homes and businesses have been left without electricity. The authorities say it could be a week before power is restored. At least 25 people were killed during the storm. From New York, here's Steve Kingstone.

The authorities here had prepared for coastal areas to

bear the brunt

of the storm, but overnight, torrential rain over inland communities emerged as the biggest threat. In Vermont and upstate New York, floodwaters cascaded through towns, bordering rivers and creeks. Images from Prattsville in New York showed lifeboats rescuing residents from homes completely

swamp

ed with water.

Five suspected members of the Zetas drug cartel in Mexico have been arrested in connection with an arson attack on a casino last week which killed 52 people. A senior official said the police were investigating whether the attack in the city of Monterrey was linked to an