Newspaper review: UK Nairobi attack ties mulled

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24409377

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Last month's deadly attack on a Kenyan shopping centre is revisited by two of Saturday's papers as the Mail and Times explore alleged UK connections to the siege.

The Times leads on suspicions that a 24-year-old from north London developed chemical weapons for the militants behind the attack.

It says Madhi Hashi is a leading figure in al-Shabaab and was captured preparing to fly to Yemen to discuss the group's campaign.

The Mail reports on what it claims is the "secret diary" of Brit Samantha Lewthwaite - labelled by the press as the "white widow".

It says the hand-written document was found in a Kenyan safe house and repeats the allegation that she is linked to the Westgate siege.

Meanwhile the Daily Mirror continues what it says is its "world exclusive" interview with a Taliban warlord.

The commander tells the newspaper his fighters tried to kill or capture Prince Harry when he was serving in Afghanistan.

'Soaring bills'

After a quiet few days for UKIP, the party is back in the headlines.

Controversial MEP Godfrey Bloom has given his first interview since being suspended for joking a group of female activists were untidy "sluts".

He tells the Times UKIP will abandon supporters like him at their peril.

And while he accuses leader Nigel Farage of being out of touch with voters, he reveals he expects to be "having a pint of bitter" with his Brussels flatmate when the saga has died down.

According to the FT Mr Farage - seeking to become the party's first MP - is eyeing up a Kent seat at the general election.

Meanwhile, two of the government's consumer-friendly policies could be in trouble.

According to the Times, banks are refusing to cut mortgage rates significantly under the coalition's Help To Buy scheme - despite a government pledge to protect lenders against potential losses.

And the Daily Express reports problems on energy pricing.

Utility companies are planning "a bonfire" of cheap tariffs, the paper says, as experts warn the plan to cut the number of confusing deals available could have unintended consequences.

According to its report, critics say the move could actually leave "struggling families facing soaring bills this winter".

Memory loss

The Telegraph carries better news, for fish lovers at least.

It says those who enjoy mackerel can now do so guilt-free after scientists announced that the fish are flourishing.

But it could be the end of the road for analogue radio, the Independent says, predicting a switch to digital by early 2018.

On the back of the prime minister's recent revelation that he bakes his own bread, rather than buying a value loaf, the Guardian reports he's not alone.

Britons are buying fewer sliced supermarket loaves than ever - and making their own instead, the paper says.

The Mail has bad news for anyone enjoying a weekend lay-in, citing a study's findings that staying in bed too often could speed up memory loss - and possibly increase the risk of dementia.

Finally, the Sun is one of many papers to report on the ill-health of Sir Bruce Forsyth.

It says fans of Strictly Come Dancing fear for his future on the series after he pulled out of Saturday's show with a bout of flu.