KANO: Nigeria’s security services yesterday said they had discovered a home in the northern city of Kano where Lebanese nationals had stored weapons intended to attack Israeli and Western targets in Nigeria. The Kano state intelligence chief, Bassey Etang, and a separate military statement described the compound as hosting a “terrorist cell” tied to Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah. Three Lebanese arrested between May 16 and May 28 had admitted to being members of Hezbollah.
Noisy airlines to be shamed
LONDON: Airlines found guilty of breaking noise limits at Heathrow airport will face bigger fines and will be named and shamed by the London hub as it seeks to win more public support for a controversial expansion. The airport plans to increase the fines it imposes on airlines that break its day and night noise limits. Fines for carriers that break maximum noise levels, which differ according to the time of day, range from £500 to £1,000 per case.
Man jailed for girl’s murder
LONDON: A former slaughterhouse worker was jailed for life yesterday for abducting and killing April Jones, 5, whose disappearance in Wales last year sparked the biggest search in British history. Mark Bridger, 47, had claimed he accidentally ran over April, who had cerebral palsy, last October and could not remember what he did with the body. But a jury at a court in Wales unanimously convicted him of abducting and murdering April and of unlawfully disposing of and concealing her body, which has never been found.
Newsweek up for sale, again
WASHINGTON: IAC chairman Barry Diller said on Wednesday that longtime news magazine Newsweek, which ended its print publication last year in favour of digital, was back on the auction block. “I want to get back to focusing on The Daily Beast, because I think The Daily Beast has an unlimited future and it is how we started,” he continued. “I got seduced into Newsweek.” Newsweek merged with the online news site in 2010, though each continues to have its own brand.
Uganda lifts ban on newspaper
KAMPALA: Uganda’s government lifted a ban on a newspaper and two radio stations yesterdday that it shut down for reports regarding ageing President Yoweri Museveni’s succession, and said they had agreed to a range of restrictions. Police shut two newspapers and two radio stations on May 20 after they reported on a alleged plot to assassinate those opposed to Museveni’s purported plan to hand power to his son.
Poll campaign starts in Guinea
CONAKRY: The four-week campaign for Guinea’s June 30 parliamentary elections began yesterday despite deadly protests by opposition activists who say the government intends to rig the vote. The opposition has threatened to prevent the vote taking place unless it is delayed and has demanded that the South African company managing the electoral roll is replaced amid suspicions that it is colluding with the government to fix the result.
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