Arms for Syria said turned back
LONDON - A Russian-operated ship said to be carrying military helicopters to Syria appears to have turned back after its British insurer removed coverage for the vessel, British officials said Tuesday.
Britain's Foreign Office said the ship, the MV Alaed, changed course off Europe after news reports emerged about its alleged contents. Earlier, the Foreign Office confirmed it was aware that a ship carrying a consignment of refurbished Russian-made attack helicopters was heading to Syria.
The ship has "turned back now apparently toward Russia," Foreign Secretary William Hague told Parliament.
The news came after the British insurer Standard Club said it had removed coverage for the ship owner when it became aware the vessel was carrying munitions. - AP
Nigerian sect kills 25 in attacks
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria - A radical Islamist sect unleashed multiple attacks in northeastern Nigeria, killing at least 25 people, authorities said Tuesday as fears swelled about government inability to curb sectarian violence.
The Boko Haram sect began its attacks Monday evening with blasts targeting police and military targets in the city of Damaturu, authorities said. Gunfire echoed across the city for hours, spilling into Tuesday afternoon.
The attacks killed at least 20 civilians and five security officers and left nine other people hospitalized, said Nigerian Red Cross official Andronicus Adeyemo. - AP
Not-guilty plea in dismembering
MONTREAL - A Canadian porn actor accused of dismembering his Chinese lover and mailing the body parts to political parties and schools pleaded not guilty Tuesday to five charges, including first-degree murder.
Luka Magnotta entered his plea before a judge via videoconference from a Montreal detention center. It was his first hearing since being extradited to Canada from Germany, where he was arrested after a manhunt.
Magnotta, 29, is suspected of killing Jun Lin, a 33-year-old computer-science student at Concordia University, and sending his feet and hands to Canada's top political parties and two schools. The head is still missing, and police said they would ask Magnotta where it is. - AP
