Afghan radio station closes down following Taliban threats

Kabul: The head of a local radio station in eastern Afghanistan says it was shut down after repeated threats from the area’s Taliban commander. Ramez Azimi, director of the Samaa station in the city of Ghazni, the capital of eastern Ghazni province, says he received phone calls as well as written warning notes purportedly from the Taliban commander. Azimi says the Taliban, who control several districts in Ghazni province, threatened them because three of the station’s 16 employees are women. Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, denied the insurgents had threatened Samaa. AP  

London mayor blocks plans for ‘Tulip’ skyscraper

LONDON: London’s mayor has blocked plans to build a glass viewing platform 1,000 feet above Britain’s capital on a slender tower shaped like a tulip, saying it would be of limited public benefit and damage the skyline. The building, designed by British architect Norman Foster’s company, would have been the second tallest in western Europe, beaten only by the nearby “Shard”, but its design was deemed not good enough. “The mayor has studied it in detail and has refused permission for a scheme,” Sadiq Khan’s spokesman said. The Tulip Project Team developer said it was disappointed by Khan’s decision because the building would generate economic benefits. Reuters