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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Dozens of students killed in attack, fire set by Islamist militants

From Wire Reports

DAMATURU, Nigeria – Islamic militants set fire to a locked dormitory at a school in northern Nigeria, then shot and slit the throats of students who tried to escape through windows during a pre-dawn attack Tuesday. At least 58 students were killed, including many who were burned alive.

Soldiers guarding a checkpoint near the coed government school were mysteriously withdrawn hours before it was targeted by the militants, said a spokesman for the governor of northeastern Yobe state.

Female students were spared in the attack, said the spokesman, Abdullahi Bego.

Paper lists gays after anti-gay law signed

Kampala, Uganda – A Ugandan newspaper published a list Tuesday of what it called the country’s “200 top” gays, outing some Ugandans and raising fears of violence against those named just a day after the president enacted a severe anti-gay law.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday’s signing of the bill by President Yoweri Museveni marked “a tragic day for Uganda and for all who care about the cause of human rights.”

He warned that Washington could cut aid to the East African nation over the new law, which punishes gay sex with up to life in prison.

Uganda’s new anti-gay law also creates the offenses of “conspiracy to commit homosexuality” and “aiding and abetting homosexuality,” both of which are punishable by seven years behind bars.