Belgium Police Release New Video of Brussels Bombing Suspect PARIS — Belgian police have released new video of a wanted Brussels airport bombing suspect even as the lawyer for a Paris attacks suspect says his extradition may take a few more weeks . Released Thursday in French and Flemish , the police video shows the minutes following the March 22 Zaventem Airport bombings and the apparent getaway of the third surviving suspect -- often identified in the media as " the man with the hat . " Local media previously released security camera video of the man at Zaventem Airport shortly before the bombings , wearing a hat and a light jacket and walking alongside suicide bombers Ibrahim el - Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui . All three men are seen pushing carts with bags on them . With running commentary in French and Flemish , the police footage shows the third man leaving the airport after the bombs went off at 7 : 58 a . m . First he is walking , then he breaks into a jog . His face is not seen clearly in the new images . Watch video released by FedPol Belgium : We are sorry , but this feature is currently not available According to Belgian authorities , the man walked more then 10 kilometers in the ensuring hours , crossing the town of Zaventem with video finally showing him in the Schaerbeek area of Brussels , before disappearing at a crossroads at 09 : 50 local time . Police say he got rid of his jacket along the way , and subsequent footage shows him in shirtsleeves . He is described as wearing a light blue shirt , dark pants and brown shoes with wide white soles . Asking for citizens ' help Belgian police have released local and international phone numbers for people to call if they have any information on the man or a jacket that looks like the one in the video . The Brussels airport attacks , along with a suicide bombing at the Maelbeek metro station in the Belgian capital about an hour later , killed 32 people and wounded more than 340 . This photo provided on Wednesday , March 23 , 2016 by Interpol shows Belgium ' s Khalid Bakraoui . Belgian state broadcaster RTBF has identified two of the attackers who targeted Brussels as brothers Khalid and Brahim Bakraoui . Ibrahim el - Bakraoui ’ s brother , Khalid , was named as the suicide bomber in the metro attack . Both brothers had criminal records . Turkish authorities had earlier caught Ibrahim el - Bakraoui trying to cross into Syria and deported him . Authorities have found a tangle of links between the Brussels attacks suspects and those involved in the November attacks in Paris — including surviving Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam , who is believed to have been in charge of logistics . The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for both attacks . Born in France but brought up in Belgium , Abdeslam was arrested days before the Brussels attacks and is currently in a high - security Belgian prison awaiting extradition to France . That move had been expected to be imminent , but his Belgian lawyer , Sven Mary , told journalists Thursday that Abdeslam ’ s extradition would not happen for several weeks . Lawyer Mary also said Abdeslam was not formally implicated to date in the Brussels attacks . A Belgian police officer secures the area around the European Council headquarters following recent bomb attacks in the Brussels metro and at Belgian international airport of Zaventem , in Brussels , Belgium , March 30 , 2016 . Criticism of intelligence lapses Belgian authorities have been sharply criticized for intelligence lapses leading up to the attacks . The country ’ s justice and interior ministers both tendered their resignations , which Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel refused to accept . Last month , Belgian authorities said they had arrested the suspected " man with the hat , " who the prosecutors ’ office identified as Faycal C . , before releasing him days later , apparently for lack of sufficient evidence . Media identified him early on as Faycal Cheffou , a self - styled freelance journalist . In interviews after his release , Cheffou said the arrest had “ ruined ” his life .

Belgium Police Release New Video of Brussels Bombing SuspectPARIS — Belgian police have released new video of a wanted Brussels airport bombing suspect even as the lawyer for a Paris attacks suspect says his extradition may take a few more weeks.Released Thursday in French and Flemish, the police video shows the minutes following the March 22 Zaventem Airport bombings and the apparent getaway of the third surviving suspect -- often identified in the media as "the man with the hat." Local media previously released security camera video of the man at Zaventem Airport shortly before the bombings, wearing a hat and a light jacket and walking alongside suicide bombers Ibrahim el-Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui. All three men are seen pushing carts with bags on them.With running commentary in French and Flemish, the police footage shows the third man leaving the airport after the bombs went off at 7:58 a.m. First he is walking, then he breaks into a jog. His face is not seen clearly in the new images.Watch video released by FedPol Belgium:We are sorry, but this feature is currently not availableAccording to Belgian authorities, the man walked more then 10 kilometers in the ensuring hours, crossing the town of Zaventem with video finally showing him in the Schaerbeek area of Brussels, before disappearing at a crossroads at 09:50 local time. Police say he got rid of his jacket along the way, and subsequent footage shows him in shirtsleeves. He is described as wearing a light blue shirt, dark pants and brown shoes with wide white soles.Asking for citizens' help Belgian police have released local and international phone numbers for people to call if they have any information on the man or a jacket that looks like the one in the video.The Brussels airport attacks, along with a suicide bombing at the Maelbeek metro station in the Belgian capital about an hour later, killed 32 people and wounded more than 340.This photo provided on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 by Interpol shows Belgium's Khalid Bakraoui. Belgian state broadcaster RTBF has identified two of the attackers who targeted Brussels as brothers Khalid and Brahim Bakraoui.Ibrahim el-Bakraoui’s brother, Khalid, was named as the suicide bomber in the metro attack. Both brothers had criminal records. Turkish authorities had earlier caught Ibrahim el-Bakraoui trying to cross into Syria and deported him.Authorities have found a tangle of links between the Brussels attacks suspects and those involved in the November attacks in Paris — including surviving Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam, who is believed to have been in charge of logistics. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for both attacks.Born in France but brought up in Belgium, Abdeslam was arrested days before the Brussels attacks and is currently in a high-security Belgian prison awaiting extradition to France. That move had been expected to be imminent, but his Belgian lawyer, Sven Mary, told journalists Thursday that Abdeslam’s extradition would not happen for several weeks.Lawyer Mary also said Abdeslam was not formally implicated to date in the Brussels attacks.A Belgian police officer secures the area around the European Council headquarters following recent bomb attacks in the Brussels metro and at Belgian international airport of Zaventem, in Brussels, Belgium, March 30, 2016.Criticism of intelligence lapses Belgian authorities have been sharply criticized for intelligence lapses leading up to the attacks.The country’s justice and interior ministers both tendered their resignations, which Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel refused to accept.Last month, Belgian authorities said they had arrested the suspected "man with the hat," who the prosecutors’ office identified as Faycal C., before releasing him days later, apparently for lack of sufficient evidence.Media identified him early on as Faycal Cheffou, a self-styled freelance journalist. In interviews after his release, Cheffou said the arrest had “ruined” his life.

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BRUM ' S IRA BOMBERS . Page / Link : Page URL : Page URL : HTML link : < a href = " https : / / www . thefreelibrary . com / BRUM % 27S + IRA + BOMBERS . - a0125055233 < / a > HTML link : Citations : MLA style : " BRUM ' S IRA BOMBERS . . " The Free Library . 2004 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd 23 Sep . 2020 " BRUM ' S IRA BOMBERS . . " . 2004 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd 23 Sep . 2020 https : / / www . thefreelibrary . com / BRUM % 27S + IRA + BOMBERS . - a0125055233 Chicago style : The Free Library . S . v . BRUM ' S IRA BOMBERS . . " Retrieved Sep 23 2020 from The Free Library . S . v . BRUM ' S IRA BOMBERS . . " Retrieved Sep 23 2020 from https : / / www . thefreelibrary . com / BRUM % 27S + IRA + BOMBERS . - a0125055233 APA style : BRUM ' S IRA BOMBERS . . ( n . d . ) > The Free Library . ( 2014 ) . Retrieved Sep 23 2020 from BRUM ' S IRA BOMBERS . . ( n . d . ) > The Free Library . ( 2014 ) . Retrieved Sep 23 2020 from https : / / www . thefreelibrary . com / BRUM % 27S + IRA + BOMBERS . - a0125055233 Byline : DON MALHIIRA bombers brought terror to the streets of the West Midlands in the 1970s . Last week republican terrorist Mick Murray was named as a ringleader of the gang behind the bombings of two pubs in Birmingham city centre on November 21 , 1974 . The blasts in the Tavern in the Town and the the Mulberry Bush killed 21 innocent people and injured more than 200 . Today , on the 30th anniversary of the pub bombings , we look at the other IRA men whobrought terror to the region during that fateful year . Together they were known as the Birmingham Nine and were convicted of carrying out 20 explosions in the run - up to the pub bombings . The nine men were jailed for a total of 260 years . The Birmingham Six - Hugh Callaghan , Patrick Hill , Gerard Hunter , Richard McIlkenny , William Power and John Walker - were jailed for the pub bombings , but later had their convictions quashed . One theory for the blasts is that they were intended to ' commemorate ' the death of IRA bomber James McDade . The 28 year - old , described by republicans as a ' Lieutenant of the Birmingham Battalion ' , accidentally blew himself up while attempting to destroy a Coventry telephone exchange a week before the pub bombings . On the afternoon of November 21 , with emotions running high , all police leave was cancelled and an extra 1 , 300 officers were drafted in to guard his coffin as it was driven to Coventry airport and flown to Ireland . But hours after the funeral procession , two bombs exploded in two packed Birmingham city centre pubs . It has been claimed that a ' link man ' ordered the revenge attacks in an impulsive grief - stricken reaction to McDade ' s death - without the blessing of IRA chiefs in Belfast . The secret figure , whose identity has never been revealed , is believed to have then left for Ireland to attend the funeral and has remained there ever since . Another theory is that the bombings were revenge attacks for the Loyalist Dublin and Monaghan bombings six months earlier . Thirty four people died in the Ulster Volunteer Force attacks , labelled the worst atrocity of the Northern Ireland Troubles . It has been claimed the British security forces colluded with the loyalist terrorists in the bombings . Mick Murray was one of three men arrested along with the Birmingham Six by West Midlands Police in the immediate aftermath of the pub blasts . It has been claimed that Murray , who died in 1999 , helped choose the Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in the Town as targets . And he was named as being one of the bomb - makers who transported the explosives to the city centre before handing them to the men who planted them . But , it is claimed Murray then botched a telephone warning made to our sister newspaper The Birmingham Post . It was supposed to give half an hour for the pubs to be cleared . But his warning , using the codeword Double X , came just six minutes before the first explosion - and did not name either pub . Murray admitted being a member of the IRA after his arrest . But West Midlands Police never charged him with murder and he served 12 years in jail for conspiracy to cause explosions . In 1990 his name was mentioned in a report handed to the Government by the Who Bombed Birmingham ? Granada TV programme . The show was based on a book by campaigning MP , Chris Mullin , who said he met the real bombers , but could not reveal their identity . In another Parliamentary report , the MP stated the programme - makers had also passed a Special Branch document containing details of interviews with an IRAman to the Home Office . The unnamed terrorist had been arrested in November 1975 - six months after the trial and conviction of the Birmingham Six . Mr Mullin claimed the terrorist gave police accurate information including the names of some of those whom he said were responsible for the bombs . Crucially , the papers contained the remark : ' So - and - so told me he put one of the bombs in the pub . ' AlongwithMurrayand the Birmingham Six two other men - including James Kelly - were arrested in the immediate aftermath of the carnage . Kelly was found guilty of possessing explosives and bizarrely claimed he was a spy who infiltrated the IRA so he could later give help to the police . The Birmingham Six were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1975 for the pub bombings . They were all Belfast born but had lived in Brum since the 1960s . Five of them had left the city on the early evening of November 21 from New Street Station - hours before the explosions - to travel to Belfast to attend McDade ' s funeral . They were seen off by Callaghan . The five were arrested at Heysham that evening and Callaghan was taken into custody the next day . All the men were interrogated by Birmingham CID and claimed at trial they were beaten , threatened and forced to sign statements written by the police over three days of questioning . Their convictions were overturned by the Court of Appeal in March1991and their case is seen as one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British legal history . Terrorist activity was rife in the Midlands during the 1970sand police arrested scores of IRA members in the months following the bombings . But the IRA unit which gained particular notoriety was the Birmingham Nine . They were responsible for 20 of the 31 bomb blasts in Birmingham and parts of the West Midlands between August 1973 and August 1974 . Patrick Guilfoyle , Martin Coughlan , Gerard Young , Joseph Duffy , Michael Murray , Anthony Madigan , Joseph Ashe , Gerald Small and Stephen Blake conducted the biggest wave of bombings in the region since the Second World War . Coughlan and Young were said to be the leading figures in the campaign . Coughlan was born in Dublin and came to Birmingham in 1956 . He rented a house in Chelmsley Wood with his wife and had three children . It is believed he was the brains behind the campaign of terror which began in Birmingham and spread to Manchester . Guilfoyle never quite made the grade of bomber . He caused an explosion that badly injured one of his IRA colleagues because he was smoking a cigarette while making a bomb . Northern Ireland historian David McVea said : ' Many different theories have been put forward as to who actually carried out the bombings , but it is unlikely that the true culprits will ever be identified . ' The IRA was very protective of its members at the time , people moved in and out of the different cells constantly . ' As well as the killing of so many innocent people the real tragedy is the wrongful jailing of the Birmingham Six . ' The IRA was able to use the injustice against these men to their advantage for years . ' CAPTION ( S ) : SLAUGHTERED : victims are taken away from the pub bombings ; DEVASTATED : wreckage outside the Tavern in the Town ; DEAD : James McDade ; TRIBUTE : memorial to the victims

BRUM'S IRA BOMBERS.Page/Link: Page URL: Page URL: HTML link: <a href="https://www.thefreelibrary.com/BRUM%27S+IRA+BOMBERS.-a0125055233 HTML link: Citations: MLA style: "BRUM'S IRA BOMBERS.." The Free Library . 2004 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd 23 Sep. 2020 "BRUM'S IRA BOMBERS..". 2004 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd 23 Sep. 2020 https://www.thefreelibrary.com/BRUM%27S+IRA+BOMBERS.-a0125055233Chicago style: The Free Library. S.v. BRUM'S IRA BOMBERS.." Retrieved Sep 23 2020 from The Free Library. S.v. BRUM'S IRA BOMBERS.." Retrieved Sep 23 2020 from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/BRUM%27S+IRA+BOMBERS.-a0125055233APA style: BRUM'S IRA BOMBERS.. (n.d.) >The Free Library. (2014). Retrieved Sep 23 2020 from BRUM'S IRA BOMBERS.. (n.d.) >The Free Library. (2014). Retrieved Sep 23 2020 from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/BRUM%27S+IRA+BOMBERS.-a0125055233Byline: DON MALHIIRA bombers brought terror to the streets of the West Midlands in the 1970s.Last week republican terrorist Mick Murray was named as a ringleader of the gang behind the bombings of two pubs in Birmingham city centre on November 21, 1974.The blasts in the Tavern in the Town and the the Mulberry Bush killed 21 innocent people and injured more than 200.Today, on the 30th anniversary of the pub bombings, we look at the other IRA men whobrought terror to the region during that fateful year.Together they were known as the Birmingham Nine and were convicted of carrying out 20 explosions in the run-up to the pub bombings.The nine men were jailed for a total of 260 years.The Birmingham Six - Hugh Callaghan, Patrick Hill, Gerard Hunter, Richard McIlkenny, William Power and John Walker - were jailed for the pub bombings, but later had their convictions quashed.One theory for the blasts is that they were intended to 'commemorate' the death of IRA bomber James McDade.The 28 year-old, described by republicans as a 'Lieutenant of the Birmingham Battalion', accidentally blew himself up while attempting to destroy a Coventry telephone exchange a week before the pub bombings. On the afternoon of November 21, with emotions running high, all police leave was cancelled and an extra 1,300 officers were drafted in to guard his coffin as it was driven to Coventry airport and flown to Ireland.But hours after the funeral procession, two bombs exploded in two packed Birmingham city centre pubs.It has been claimed that a 'link man' ordered the revenge attacks in an impulsive grief-stricken reaction to McDade's death - without the blessing of IRA chiefs in Belfast. The secret figure, whose identity has never been revealed, is believed to have then left for Ireland to attend the funeral and has remained there ever since.Another theory is that the bombings were revenge attacks for the Loyalist Dublin and Monaghan bombings six months earlier.Thirty four people died in the Ulster Volunteer Force attacks, labelled the worst atrocity of the Northern Ireland Troubles. It has been claimed the British security forces colluded with the loyalist terrorists in the bombings.Mick Murray was one of three men arrested along with the Birmingham Six by West Midlands Police in the immediate aftermath of the pub blasts.It has been claimed that Murray, who died in 1999, helped choose the Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in the Town as targets.And he was named as being one of the bomb-makers who transported the explosives to the city centre before handing them to the men who planted them.But, it is claimed Murray then botched a telephone warning made to our sister newspaper The Birmingham Post. It was supposed to give half an hour for the pubs to be cleared. But his warning, using the codeword Double X, came just six minutes before the first explosion - and did not name either pub.Murray admitted being a member of the IRA after his arrest. But West Midlands Police never charged him with murder and he served 12 years in jail for conspiracy to cause explosions.In 1990 his name was mentioned in a report handed to the Government by the Who Bombed Birmingham? Granada TV programme.The show was based on a book by campaigning MP, Chris Mullin, who said he met the real bombers, but could not reveal their identity.In another Parliamentary report, the MP stated the programme-makers had also passed a Special Branch document containing details of interviews with an IRAman to the Home Office. The unnamed terrorist had been arrested in November 1975 - six months after the trial and conviction of the Birmingham Six.Mr Mullin claimed the terrorist gave police accurate information including the names of some of those whom he said were responsible for the bombs.Crucially, the papers contained the remark: 'So-and-so told me he put one of the bombs in the pub.'AlongwithMurrayand the Birmingham Six two other men - including James Kelly - were arrested in the immediate aftermath of the carnage.Kelly was found guilty of possessing explosives and bizarrely claimed he was a spy who infiltrated the IRA so he could later give help to the police.The Birmingham Six were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1975 for the pub bombings. They were all Belfast born but had lived in Brum since the 1960s.Five of them had left the city on the early evening of November 21 from New Street Station - hours before the explosions - to travel to Belfast to attend McDade's funeral. They were seen off by Callaghan.The five were arrested at Heysham that evening and Callaghan was taken into custody the next day.All the men were interrogated by Birmingham CID and claimed at trial they were beaten, threatened and forced to sign statements written by the police over three days of questioning.Their convictions were overturned by the Court of Appeal in March1991and their case is seen as one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British legal history.Terrorist activity was rife in the Midlands during the 1970sand police arrested scores of IRA members in the months following the bombings.But the IRA unit which gained particular notoriety was the Birmingham Nine. They were responsible for 20 of the 31 bomb blasts in Birmingham and parts of the West Midlands between August 1973 and August 1974.Patrick Guilfoyle, Martin Coughlan, Gerard Young, Joseph Duffy, Michael Murray, Anthony Madigan, Joseph Ashe, Gerald Small and Stephen Blake conducted the biggest wave of bombings in the region since the Second World War.Coughlan and Young were said to be the leading figures in the campaign.Coughlan was born in Dublin and came to Birmingham in 1956. He rented a house in Chelmsley Wood with his wife and had three children.It is believed he was the brains behind the campaign of terror which began in Birmingham and spread to Manchester.Guilfoyle never quite made the grade of bomber. He caused an explosion that badly injured one of his IRA colleagues because he was smoking a cigarette while making a bomb.Northern Ireland historian David McVea said: 'Many different theories have been put forward as to who actually carried out the bombings, but it is unlikely that the true culprits will ever be identified.'The IRA was very protective of its members at the time, people moved in and out of the different cells constantly. 'As well as the killing of so many innocent people the real tragedy is the wrongful jailing of the Birmingham Six.'The IRA was able to use the injustice against these men to their advantage for years.'CAPTION(S):SLAUGHTERED: victims are taken away from the pub bombings; DEVASTATED: wreckage outside the Tavern in the Town; DEAD: James McDade; TRIBUTE: memorial to the victims

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Arrests Made in St . Petersburg , City Still Reeling from Recent Attack MOSCOW — Russia ' s state investigative committee says it has arrested six Central Asian men in St . Petersburg on suspicion of aiding terrorist activity , two days after a deadly attack on a crowded subway train in that city . The group is accused of recruiting other men from Central Asian republics to join Islamic State and other extremist groups since 2015 . But the committee issued a statement saying no evidence has been uncovered linking the group to the bombing that killed 14 people and left dozens more injured . Russian investigators have identified 22 - year - old Kyrgyz - born Akbarzhon Dzhalilov as the suicide bomber who carried out the attack . A house in Osh , Kyrgyzstan , belonging to the parents of a man believed to be behind Monday ' s blast on a subway in St . Petersburg , Russia , April 4 , 2017 . World leaders from China to Europe to Brazil expressed their condolences over the tragedy . U . S . President Donald Trump phoned Russian President Vladimir Putin and offered full support in responding to the attack . Politicizing the bombing Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the global outpouring Russia received reflected a common understanding of the need to join efforts to fight terrorism instead of trying , according to him , to “ use extremists to reach narrow geopolitical goals . ” " With regard to the argument made by some media that the attack is revenge against Russia for our policy in Syria . . . [ this is ] cynical , cowardly , " said Lavrov , who went on to point a finger at the previous U . S . administration . " Sadly , this is not just a media fabrication : certain figures , including representatives of Obama administration ’ s Pentagon , have shared similar thoughts with the world community . ” City on edge The attack has left St . Petersburg residents on edge . St . Petersburg emergency services responded Tuesday morning to a bomb threat at a subway station near Monday ’ s deadly blast on a train as it was passing between two stations . After receiving an anonymous call , police went to clear pedestrians from the area . Blast victims lie near a subway train hit by a explosion at the Tekhnologichesky Institut subway station in St . Petersburg , Russia , April 3 , 2017 . Reporters on the scene said fire trucks and ambulances quickly arrived . Authorities briefly closed subway stations . They searched for an unattended item before re - opening the stations . Russian media reports said the law department at St . Petersburg University was also evacuated because of a suspicious package . “ I think the atmosphere in the city is nervous , ” said one resident who only gave her first name — Anastasia . “ People walk and they do not understand what is happening . The public transport is too busy and is not coping . It is scary for us . ” Russia is holding three days of mourning for those killed . President Putin overnight laid flowers near the bombing cite in St . Petersburg in tribute . Putin was in the city when the bombing occurred , the timing of which Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called “ food for thought . ” A man lays flowers in memory of victims killed by a bomb blast in a subway train in St . Petersburg , at the memorial stone with the word Leningrad ( St . Petersburg ) at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier , in front of the Kremlin wall in Moscow , April 4 , 2017 . Ordinary Russians paid respects as well , laying flowers and messages at a makeshift memorial outside the subway stations in St . Petersburg and at the Leningrad Hero City memorial in front of the Kremlin wall in Moscow . Meanwhile , authorities are investigating what may have motivated the bombing , the first ever in Russia ’ s second largest city . The most recent subway attack was in Moscow in 2010 , when female suicide bombers connected to an Islamist insurgency in Chechnya were blamed for killing at least 33 people . Earlier bombings on the Moscow metro in 2004 , also linked to Chechen terrorists , killed nearly 50 people .

Arrests Made in St. Petersburg, City Still Reeling from Recent AttackMOSCOW — Russia's state investigative committee says it has arrested six Central Asian men in St. Petersburg on suspicion of aiding terrorist activity, two days after a deadly attack on a crowded subway train in that city.The group is accused of recruiting other men from Central Asian republics to join Islamic State and other extremist groups since 2015. But the committee issued a statement saying no evidence has been uncovered linking the group to the bombing that killed 14 people and left dozens more injured.Russian investigators have identified 22-year-old Kyrgyz-born Akbarzhon Dzhalilov as the suicide bomber who carried out the attack.A house in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, belonging to the parents of a man believed to be behind Monday's blast on a subway in St. Petersburg, Russia, April 4, 2017.World leaders from China to Europe to Brazil expressed their condolences over the tragedy. U.S. President Donald Trump phoned Russian President Vladimir Putin and offered full support in responding to the attack.Politicizing the bombingRussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the global outpouring Russia received reflected a common understanding of the need to join efforts to fight terrorism instead of trying, according to him, to “use extremists to reach narrow geopolitical goals.”"With regard to the argument made by some media that the attack is revenge against Russia for our policy in Syria... [this is] cynical, cowardly," said Lavrov, who went on to point a finger at the previous U.S. administration. "Sadly, this is not just a media fabrication: certain figures, including representatives of Obama administration’s Pentagon, have shared similar thoughts with the world community.”City on edgeThe attack has left St. Petersburg residents on edge.St. Petersburg emergency services responded Tuesday morning to a bomb threat at a subway station near Monday’s deadly blast on a train as it was passing between two stations. After receiving an anonymous call, police went to clear pedestrians from the area.Blast victims lie near a subway train hit by a explosion at the Tekhnologichesky Institut subway station in St.Petersburg, Russia, April 3, 2017.Reporters on the scene said fire trucks and ambulances quickly arrived. Authorities briefly closed subway stations. They searched for an unattended item before re-opening the stations. Russian media reports said the law department at St. Petersburg University was also evacuated because of a suspicious package.“I think the atmosphere in the city is nervous,” said one resident who only gave her first name — Anastasia. “People walk and they do not understand what is happening. The public transport is too busy and is not coping. It is scary for us.”Russia is holding three days of mourning for those killed. President Putin overnight laid flowers near the bombing cite in St. Petersburg in tribute. Putin was in the city when the bombing occurred, the timing of which Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called “food for thought.”A man lays flowers in memory of victims killed by a bomb blast in a subway train in St. Petersburg, at the memorial stone with the word Leningrad (St. Petersburg) at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier, in front of the Kremlin wall in Moscow, April 4, 2017.Ordinary Russians paid respects as well, laying flowers and messages at a makeshift memorial outside the subway stations in St. Petersburg and at the Leningrad Hero City memorial in front of the Kremlin wall in Moscow.Meanwhile, authorities are investigating what may have motivated the bombing, the first ever in Russia’s second largest city.The most recent subway attack was in Moscow in 2010, when female suicide bombers connected to an Islamist insurgency in Chechnya were blamed for killing at least 33 people. Earlier bombings on the Moscow metro in 2004, also linked to Chechen terrorists, killed nearly 50 people.

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The van , which had been stolen in Madrid on Feb . 28 , was found in Alcalá de Henares , the birthplace of Cervantes , which was the departure point for three of the four trains bombed Thursday morning . ' ' Because of this , I have just given instructions to the security forces not to rule out any line of investigation , ' ' Mr . Acebes said . But he added that ETA remained the ' ' main line of investigation . ' ' He said more than 220 pounds of dynamite packed into backpacks had been used in the attacks . Arnaldo Otegi , leader of Batasuna , ETA ' s political wing , which has been banned in Spain , said ETA probably was not behind the attacks . He said the attack could have been the work of ' ' Arab resistance . ' ' Another senior Spanish official said in an interview that the bombs used titadine , a kind of compressed dynamite found in a van containing 1 , 100 pounds of explosives that was intercepted last month as it headed for Madrid . Two suspected ETA members were arrested at the time . The official added that the government believed that the dynamite was stolen from France three years ago . ' ' This material has a kind of signature on it , ' ' the official said . On Dec . 24 , the police foiled a plot that would have detonated two bombs in a train after it arrived at a Madrid station . They seized a man with a bomb in San Sebastián , a Basque city . He had a ticket for the train , and when the police halted the train and searched it , they found a second bomb . The letter claiming responsibility for the attack on Thursday was delivered to Al Quds Al Arabi , a London - based Arab newspaper . It also said an attack on the United States was on the final stages of preparation .

The van, which had been stolen in Madrid on Feb. 28, was found in Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of Cervantes, which was the departure point for three of the four trains bombed Thursday morning.''Because of this, I have just given instructions to the security forces not to rule out any line of investigation,'' Mr. Acebes said. But he added that ETA remained the ''main line of investigation.''He said more than 220 pounds of dynamite packed into backpacks had been used in the attacks.Arnaldo Otegi, leader of Batasuna, ETA's political wing, which has been banned in Spain, said ETA probably was not behind the attacks. He said the attack could have been the work of ''Arab resistance.''Another senior Spanish official said in an interview that the bombs used titadine, a kind of compressed dynamite found in a van containing 1,100 pounds of explosives that was intercepted last month as it headed for Madrid. Two suspected ETA members were arrested at the time.The official added that the government believed that the dynamite was stolen from France three years ago. ''This material has a kind of signature on it,'' the official said.On Dec. 24, the police foiled a plot that would have detonated two bombs in a train after it arrived at a Madrid station. They seized a man with a bomb in San Sebastián, a Basque city. He had a ticket for the train, and when the police halted the train and searched it, they found a second bomb.The letter claiming responsibility for the attack on Thursday was delivered to Al Quds Al Arabi, a London-based Arab newspaper. It also said an attack on the United States was on the final stages of preparation.

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At least 29 people suffered minor injuries in an explosion in a busy part of New York that the city ’ s mayor said appeared to be intentional , adding there was no evidence of a “ terror connection ” . “ There is no specific and credible threat against New York City at this point in time from any terror organisation , ” Mayor Bill De Blasio told a news conference . De Blasio said that , though injuries were significant , none of those hurt was likely to die . “ It is too early to determine what the incident was caused by . We believe it was intentional . A full investigation is under way , ” De Blasio said . A police official said on Twitter that a second potential device was being investigated . Al Jazeera reports police had “ found some kind of pressure cooker … wrapped in silver duct tape . It has wires protruding from the centre of it , and on the side of it is some kind of device thought to either be a timer or a cellphone . ” A bomb containment team was on the scene early on Sunday morning and alert notifications were sent out to cellphones across Manhattan , cautioning those in the vicinity of Manhattan ’ s 27th Street “ to move away from the windows , ” said Terret . Advertisement “ Presumably they ’ re going to carry out some sort of controlled explosion or somehow remove the device in the coming hours . ” Terret said police had ruled out gas or faulty construction equipment being the cause of the blast . “ They ’ re saying it ’ s not linked to terrorism at the moment but that doesn ’ t mean that it isn ’ t , ” Terret said . “ It means that they have no evidence and that the investigation continues . ” Police spokesman J Peter Donald said on Twitter earlier that the explosion happened at about 8 : 30pm on Saturday on West 23rd Street in the Chelsea section of Manhattan . He said several people were taken to hospitals with injuries . The Chelsea neighbourhood is a residential area popular for its nightlife , and is not near any major tourist sites or government buildings . “ There ’ s a massive emergency response taking place in downtown Manhattan , ” Al Jazeera reports . “ The street is blocked off and people are being stopped . “ Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang . ”

At least 29 people suffered minor injuries in an explosion in a busy part of New York that the city’s mayor said appeared to be intentional, adding there was no evidence of a “terror connection”.“There is no specific and credible threat against New York City at this point in time from any terror organisation,” Mayor Bill De Blasio told a news conference.De Blasio said that, though injuries were significant, none of those hurt was likely to die.“It is too early to determine what the incident was caused by.We believe it was intentional.A full investigation is under way,” De Blasio said.A police official said on Twitter that a second potential device was being investigated.Al Jazeera reports police had “found some kind of pressure cooker… wrapped in silver duct tape.It has wires protruding from the centre of it, and on the side of it is some kind of device thought to either be a timer or a cellphone.”A bomb containment team was on the scene early on Sunday morning and alert notifications were sent out to cellphones across Manhattan, cautioning those in the vicinity of Manhattan’s 27th Street “to move away from the windows,” said Terret.Advertisement“Presumably they’re going to carry out some sort of controlled explosion or somehow remove the device in the coming hours.”Terret said police had ruled out gas or faulty construction equipment being the cause of the blast.“They’re saying it’s not linked to terrorism at the moment but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t,” Terret said.“It means that they have no evidence and that the investigation continues.”Police spokesman J Peter Donald said on Twitter earlier that the explosion happened at about 8:30pm on Saturday on West 23rd Street in the Chelsea section of Manhattan.He said several people were taken to hospitals with injuries.The Chelsea neighbourhood is a residential area popular for its nightlife, and is not near any major tourist sites or government buildings.“There’s a massive emergency response taking place in downtown Manhattan,” Al Jazeera reports.“The street is blocked off and people are being stopped.“Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang.”

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WASHINGTON – Two drones packed with explosives reportedly flew toward Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday night in what the government has described as a failed assassination attempt . Here ' s a look at the details : What happened ? Assailants launched two drones filled with a total of more than 4 pounds of plastic explosives toward Maduro , his wife and other top Venezuelan leaders , according to the Associated Press . The attack occurred while Maduro was making a speech at a huge outdoor event in Caracas to celebrate the 81st anniversary of the country ' s national guard . One of the drones was set to explode above the president while the second was set to detonate in front of him , according to Interior Minister Nestor Reverol . The Venezuelan military knocked one of the drones off - course electronically . The second drone crashed into an apartment building about two blocks from where Maduro was speaking to hundreds of troops , Reverol said . Photos taken at the event showed security officers surrounding Maduro with some sort of large black shields as they escorted him away . " That drone came after me , " Maduro said . " But there was a shield of love that always protects us . I ’ m sure I ’ ll live for many more years . " Who launched the drone attack ? The Venezuelan government alleges that Maduro ' s political opponents conspired with individuals in Miami and Bogota , Colombia , to try to kill Maduro . They have so far offered no real proof to support this claim , and opposition leaders charge that Maduro is using the attack as an excuse to crack down on his critics . Government authorities said Sunday that they have detained six people – whom they described as " terrorists and assassins " – in connection with the attack . Among those detained : a man who took part in 2014 protests against the government and a man who had a warrant out for his arrest for attacking a military barracks . Maduro accused the “ far right , ” working with conspirators in Miami and Bogota – including Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos – of launching the attack . Colombia ’ s government has denied any role in the violence . Maduro , who accuses the U . S . of supporting his opponents , called on President Donald Trump to hold the " terrorist group " accountable . John Bolton , Trump ' s national security adviser , said Sunday he would like to see solid evidence to support Maduro ' s claims . " If the government of Venezuela has hard information that they want to present to us that would show a potential violation of U . S . criminal law , we ’ ll take a serious look at it , " Bolton said on " Fox News Sunday . " What is the political and economic situation in Venezuela ? Venezuela is in the midst of an economic crisis that has been described as worse than the Great Depression that devastated the United States and much of the rest of the world in the 1930s . The inflation rate is set to hit a stunning 13 , 000 percent this year . There are shortages of food and medicine and a soaring crime rate , spurring refugees to flee into neighboring countries . More than 600 , 000 Venezuelans have crossed into Colombia , and Brazil has declared a state of emergency because of all the Venezuelans sweeping into that nation . Maduro is viewed by the United States and other democratic countries as a corrupt , left - wing dictator who imposes strict controls on his people and on the press . He won re - election to a six - year term in May , but the process was widely viewed as a rigged farce . The Trump administration imposed new economic sanctions on Venezuela immediately after the election in an effort to stop Maduro from selling off government debt to enrich himself . What could happen next ? Reverol said there could be more arrests . Critics fear an even greater government crackdown on Maduro ' s political opponents . " The investigation will get to the bottom of this , " Maduro said . " No matter who falls . " More : Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says drone attack was ' attempt to kill me ' More : Venezuelan opposition leaders taken from their homes by state security agents

WASHINGTON – Two drones packed with explosives reportedly flew toward Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday night in what the government has described as a failed assassination attempt.Here's a look at the details:What happened?Assailants launched two drones filled with a total of more than 4 pounds of plastic explosives toward Maduro, his wife and other top Venezuelan leaders, according to the Associated Press.The attack occurred while Maduro was making a speech at a huge outdoor event in Caracas to celebrate the 81st anniversary of the country's national guard. One of the drones was set to explode above the president while the second was set to detonate in front of him, according to Interior Minister Nestor Reverol.The Venezuelan military knocked one of the drones off-course electronically. The second drone crashed into an apartment building about two blocks from where Maduro was speaking to hundreds of troops, Reverol said.Photos taken at the event showed security officers surrounding Maduro with some sort of large black shields as they escorted him away."That drone came after me," Maduro said. "But there was a shield of love that always protects us. I’m sure I’ll live for many more years."Who launched the drone attack?The Venezuelan government alleges that Maduro's political opponents conspired with individuals in Miami and Bogota, Colombia, to try to kill Maduro. They have so far offered no real proof to support this claim, and opposition leaders charge that Maduro is using the attack as an excuse to crack down on his critics.Government authorities said Sunday that they have detained six people – whom they described as "terrorists and assassins" – in connection with the attack. Among those detained: a man who took part in 2014 protests against the government and a man who had a warrant out for his arrest for attacking a military barracks.Maduro accused the “far right,” working with conspirators in Miami and Bogota –including Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos – of launching the attack. Colombia’s government has denied any role in the violence.Maduro, who accuses the U.S. of supporting his opponents, called on President Donald Trump to hold the "terrorist group" accountable.John Bolton, Trump's national security adviser, said Sunday he would like to see solid evidence to support Maduro's claims."If the government of Venezuela has hard information that they want to present to us that would show a potential violation of U.S. criminal law, we’ll take a serious look at it," Bolton said on "Fox News Sunday."What is the political and economic situation in Venezuela?Venezuela is in the midst of an economic crisis that has been described as worse than the Great Depression that devastated the United States and much of the rest of the world in the 1930s.The inflation rate is set to hit a stunning 13,000 percent this year. There are shortages of food and medicine and a soaring crime rate, spurring refugees to flee into neighboring countries. More than 600,000 Venezuelans have crossed into Colombia, and Brazil has declared a state of emergency because of all the Venezuelans sweeping into that nation.Maduro is viewed by the United States and other democratic countries as a corrupt, left-wing dictator who imposes strict controls on his people and on the press. He won re-election to a six-year term in May, but the process was widely viewed as a rigged farce.The Trump administration imposed new economic sanctions on Venezuela immediately after the election in an effort to stop Maduro from selling off government debt to enrich himself.What could happen next?Reverol said there could be more arrests. Critics fear an even greater government crackdown on Maduro's political opponents."The investigation will get to the bottom of this," Maduro said. "No matter who falls."More:Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says drone attack was 'attempt to kill me'More:Venezuelan opposition leaders taken from their homes by state security agents

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Blast also injured more than 50 people , but authorities have yet to suggest who was behind the attack This article is more than 1 year old This article is more than 1 year old Twenty - one people have been killed and dozens more injured in a car bombing at a Colombian police academy in Bogotá , recalling the high - profile attacks associated with the bloodiest chapters of the country ’ s guerrilla and drug conflicts . The scene outside the General Santander police academy was chaotic after the mid - morning explosion on Thursday , with ambulances and helicopters rushing to the normally tightly controlled facility . Witnesses said they heard a loud explosion that destroyed windows in adjacent buildings . Pictures on social media showed a charred vehicle surrounded by debris on the academy ’ s campus . Among the dead were a Panamanian and an Ecuadorian national . Alcaldía de Bogotá ( @ Bogota ) # Atención El alcalde @ EnriquePenalosa se encuentra en la Escuela General Santander acompañando a la @ PoliciaColombia . En breve entregaremos más información . # BogotáCondenaElTerrorismo pic . twitter . com / HBekT48yYi Rafael Trujillo said he was delivering a care package to his son Gerson , who entered the school two days ago , when he was stopped in his tracks by the blast a block away from the school ’ s heavily fortified entrance . “ I ’ m sad and very worried because I don ’ t have any information about my son , ” said Trujillo , standing outside the facility , where police officers had set up a taped perimeter . “ This reminds me of some very sad days in the past . ” President Iván Duque , who was visiting a western state , was rushing back to the capital to oversee the police investigation into what he called a “ miserable ” attack . “ All of us Colombians reject terrorism and are united in confronting it , ” Duque said in a tweet . “ We won ’ t bend in the face of violence . ” Investigators had identified the car ’ s driver as José Aldemar Rojas Rodríguez , who was among the dead , said the Colombian attorney general , Néstor Humberto Martínez . He said the vehicle , a gray Nissan Patrol SUV , was carrying 80kg ( 176lb ) of the high explosive pentolite , which has been used in the past by Colombian guerrillas . There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack and Martínez said investigators were searching for its “ intellectual authors ” . For decades , residents of Bogotá lived in fear of being caught in a bombing by leftist rebels or Pablo Escobar ’ s Medellín drug cartel . But as Colombia ’ s conflict has wound down , and the nation ’ s largest rebel group disarmed under a 2016 peace deal , security has improved and attacks have become less frequent . Facebook Twitter Pinterest Smouldering remains of car bomb are seen in this screengrab outside Bogotá police academy . Authorities have yet to suggest who was behind the attack , but attention has focused on leftist rebels from the National Liberation Army , ELN , which has been stepping up attacks on police targets in Colombia amid a standoff with the conservative Duque over how to restart stalled peace talks . Colombian rebels blamed for killing spree 400 miles inside Venezuela Read more The group known was long considered a lesser military threat than the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia ( Farc ) , whose 7 , 000 guerrilla fighters disarmed as part of a 2016 peace accord . But in the wake of the peace deal , the Cuban - inspired insurgency has been gaining strength , especially along the eastern border with Venezuela , where it has carried out a number of kidnappings and bombings of oil pipelines . That has hardened Duque ’ s resolve in refusing to resume peace talks that have been stalled since he took office last August . Thursday ’ s bombing was the deadliest in the capital since an explosion at the upmarket Andino shopping mall in June 2017 killed three people , including a French woman , and injured another 11 . Police later arrested several suspected members of a far - left urban guerrilla group called the People Revolutionary ’ s Movement for the bombing . But it has been more than a decade since a police or military installation in the capital has suffered a major bombing . A blast at a military university in 2006 left almost two dozen people injured . Ariel Ávila , an analyst who tracks violence , said that in the last four years , there have been 28 attacks in the capital with explosives . While the majority has been carried out with low - grade homemade materials and grenades that have damaged property but left no casualties , he said police intelligence and checkpoints surrounding the city need to be reinforced to prevent more attacks .

Blast also injured more than 50 people, but authorities have yet to suggest who was behind the attackThis article is more than 1 year oldThis article is more than 1 year oldTwenty-one people have been killed and dozens more injured in a car bombing at a Colombian police academy in Bogotá, recalling the high-profile attacks associated with the bloodiest chapters of the country’s guerrilla and drug conflicts.The scene outside the General Santander police academy was chaotic after the mid-morning explosion on Thursday, with ambulances and helicopters rushing to the normally tightly controlled facility.Witnesses said they heard a loud explosion that destroyed windows in adjacent buildings. Pictures on social media showed a charred vehicle surrounded by debris on the academy’s campus.Among the dead were a Panamanian and an Ecuadorian national.Alcaldía de Bogotá (@Bogota) #Atención El alcalde @EnriquePenalosa se encuentra en la Escuela General Santander acompañando a la @PoliciaColombia.En breve entregaremos más información.#BogotáCondenaElTerrorismo pic.twitter.com/HBekT48yYiRafael Trujillo said he was delivering a care package to his son Gerson, who entered the school two days ago, when he was stopped in his tracks by the blast a block away from the school’s heavily fortified entrance.“I’m sad and very worried because I don’t have any information about my son,” said Trujillo, standing outside the facility, where police officers had set up a taped perimeter. “This reminds me of some very sad days in the past.”President Iván Duque, who was visiting a western state, was rushing back to the capital to oversee the police investigation into what he called a “miserable” attack.“All of us Colombians reject terrorism and are united in confronting it,” Duque said in a tweet. “We won’t bend in the face of violence.”Investigators had identified the car’s driver as José Aldemar Rojas Rodríguez, who was among the dead, said the Colombian attorney general, Néstor Humberto Martínez.He said the vehicle, a gray Nissan Patrol SUV, was carrying 80kg (176lb) of the high explosive pentolite, which has been used in the past by Colombian guerrillas.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack and Martínez said investigators were searching for its “intellectual authors”.For decades, residents of Bogotá lived in fear of being caught in a bombing by leftist rebels or Pablo Escobar’s Medellín drug cartel. But as Colombia’s conflict has wound down, and the nation’s largest rebel group disarmed under a 2016 peace deal, security has improved and attacks have become less frequent.Facebook Twitter Pinterest Smouldering remains of car bomb are seen in this screengrab outside Bogotá police academy.Authorities have yet to suggest who was behind the attack, but attention has focused on leftist rebels from the National Liberation Army, ELN, which has been stepping up attacks on police targets in Colombia amid a standoff with the conservative Duque over how to restart stalled peace talks.Colombian rebels blamed for killing spree 400 miles inside Venezuela Read moreThe group known was long considered a lesser military threat than the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), whose 7,000 guerrilla fighters disarmed as part of a 2016 peace accord. But in the wake of the peace deal, the Cuban-inspired insurgency has been gaining strength, especially along the eastern border with Venezuela, where it has carried out a number of kidnappings and bombings of oil pipelines. That has hardened Duque’s resolve in refusing to resume peace talks that have been stalled since he took office last August.Thursday’s bombing was the deadliest in the capital since an explosion at the upmarket Andino shopping mall in June 2017 killed three people, including a French woman, and injured another 11. Police later arrested several suspected members of a far-left urban guerrilla group called the People Revolutionary’s Movement for the bombing.But it has been more than a decade since a police or military installation in the capital has suffered a major bombing. A blast at a military university in 2006 left almost two dozen people injured.Ariel Ávila, an analyst who tracks violence, said that in the last four years, there have been 28 attacks in the capital with explosives. While the majority has been carried out with low-grade homemade materials and grenades that have damaged property but left no casualties, he said police intelligence and checkpoints surrounding the city need to be reinforced to prevent more attacks.

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Scotland Yard are searching for a group of about five people , including a " baby faced " teenage youth , in the wake of two bomb explosions at King ' s Cross and Euston stations in London yesterday . Thirteen people were injured , three seriously , in the lunchtime explosions . The attacks are the latest in the Provisional IRA ' s three week old bombing campaign in England carried out by small active service units . At King ' s Cross a 15 to 17 - year - old youth ran on to Platform 8 and threw a brown paper parcel into the entrance of the old booking hall at 12 . 24 p . m . The youth described by one of the five injured in the blast as baby faced and " too young to shave " sprinted out of the station seconds before the 3lb . bomb exploded . A coded call gave police a three - minute warning of a second bomb at Euston which exploded at 1 . 16 p . m . in the Railbar injuring eight people . Scotland Yard said that the call , telephoned to the Press Association news agency was in the name of the same group which has given warnings about previous bombs in London . The caller , a man with an Irish accent , is believed to be responsible for all the warnings . Commander Robert Huntley , who is heading the investigation said the name of the group used in the calls enabled Scotland Yard to distinguish the real warnings from the hundreds of hoax calls . He would not disclose the code name but denied that the code name " Persuaders " - given to Birmingham police before the blast on Sunday night - had been used in London . The Commander attacked the hoax callers who were responsible yesterday for the closure of most main line stations in London while bomb searches were made . Charing Cross Station was evacuated after an anonymous bomb warning to the Sloane telephone exchange at 4 . 55p . m . After a search , passengers were allowed back at 5 . 30 . Euston was also cleared after receiving a rush - hour threat . Other searches were made after calls to Paddington , Waterloo and London Bridge . Mr Huntley said yesterday ' s explosions , which followed the weekend attack on Victoria Station , appeared to be similar to the previous bombings and that the devices were " typical of IRA manufacture . " A piece of battery and part of a clock spring were found amid the debris at Euston , suggesting the charge had been timed and primed in exactly the same manner as other bombs . The police believe that the IRA are using at least two small squads of bombers operating in London and the Midlands who are almost constantly on the move living in cheap hotels and boarding houses . Asked about previous claims from Commander Ernest Bond that the bombers were close to arrest , Mr Huntley said he did not think the statement had been over - optimistic . Certain evidence had been compiled on those thought to be responsible . He indicated that the gang members were interchangeable and might not even live in this country . Commander Huntley said the bombers ' tactics were now clear . The three - minute warning at Euston indicated that the aim of the bomb was " to cause injury and destruction " in a crowded station . He appealed for the public not to leave parcels , luggage , and containers unattended in public places but to keep property with them at all times . All those seriously injured yesterday were at Kings Cross - a Chinese couple from Hull and a London man . Mr Anthony Barber , the Chancellor , was sitting in a train which had just arrived when the bomb exploded . He joined the crowd helping the injured and asked if there was anything he could do . Although Scotland Yard are privately convinced that the recent wave of bombings has been the work of the Provisional IRA , police have failed to discover signs of a widespread IRA organisation in England . It seems likely that the bombing teams are either recruited in England , from outside the ranks of republican organisations and sympathisers , or are briefed and armed in Ireland and sent over individually . A small and changing group of four to six people operating alone in the London area without recourse to or contact with known republicans living here has largely neutralised the intelligence gathered by the Special Branch on Irish militants . The fact that the Provisionals ' leadership has not yet claimed responsibility from Dublin has little bearing on its involvement . The salient point is that the Provos have always been quick to disclaim responsibility for incidents in which they are not involved and no such disclaimer has been issued . While it might well be true that extremists in England have taken advantage of the confusion created by the bombings to plant their own explosive devices , informed sources in Dublin consider it certain that the present campaign was both planned and approved by the IRA Army Council in Dublin . The explosions have almost certainly gone beyond what the Provisionals had originally intended but they see no reason to help Scotland Yard by claiming or disclaiming responsibility .

Scotland Yard are searching for a group of about five people, including a "baby faced" teenage youth, in the wake of two bomb explosions at King's Cross and Euston stations in London yesterday.Thirteen people were injured, three seriously, in the lunchtime explosions. The attacks are the latest in the Provisional IRA's three week old bombing campaign in England carried out by small active service units. At King's Cross a 15 to 17-year-old youth ran on to Platform 8 and threw a brown paper parcel into the entrance of the old booking hall at 12.24 p.m.The youth described by one of the five injured in the blast as baby faced and "too young to shave" sprinted out of the station seconds before the 3lb. bomb exploded. A coded call gave police a three-minute warning of a second bomb at Euston which exploded at 1.16 p.m. in the Railbar injuring eight people.Scotland Yard said that the call, telephoned to the Press Association news agency was in the name of the same group which has given warnings about previous bombs in London. The caller, a man with an Irish accent, is believed to be responsible for all the warnings.Commander Robert Huntley, who is heading the investigation said the name of the group used in the calls enabled Scotland Yard to distinguish the real warnings from the hundreds of hoax calls. He would not disclose the code name but denied that the code name "Persuaders" - given to Birmingham police before the blast on Sunday night - had been used in London.The Commander attacked the hoax callers who were responsible yesterday for the closure of most main line stations in London while bomb searches were made.Charing Cross Station was evacuated after an anonymous bomb warning to the Sloane telephone exchange at 4.55p.m. After a search, passengers were allowed back at 5.30.Euston was also cleared after receiving a rush-hour threat. Other searches were made after calls to Paddington, Waterloo and London Bridge.Mr Huntley said yesterday's explosions, which followed the weekend attack on Victoria Station, appeared to be similar to the previous bombings and that the devices were "typical of IRA manufacture." A piece of battery and part of a clock spring were found amid the debris at Euston, suggesting the charge had been timed and primed in exactly the same manner as other bombs.The police believe that the IRA are using at least two small squads of bombers operating in London and the Midlands who are almost constantly on the move living in cheap hotels and boarding houses.Asked about previous claims from Commander Ernest Bond that the bombers were close to arrest, Mr Huntley said he did not think the statement had been over-optimistic. Certain evidence had been compiled on those thought to be responsible. He indicated that the gang members were interchangeable and might not even live in this country.Commander Huntley said the bombers' tactics were now clear. The three-minute warning at Euston indicated that the aim of the bomb was "to cause injury and destruction" in a crowded station. He appealed for the public not to leave parcels, luggage, and containers unattended in public places but to keep property with them at all times.All those seriously injured yesterday were at Kings Cross - a Chinese couple from Hull and a London man. Mr Anthony Barber, the Chancellor, was sitting in a train which had just arrived when the bomb exploded. He joined the crowd helping the injured and asked if there was anything he could do.Although Scotland Yard are privately convinced that the recent wave of bombings has been the work of the Provisional IRA, police have failed to discover signs of a widespread IRA organisation in England.It seems likely that the bombing teams are either recruited in England, from outside the ranks of republican organisations and sympathisers, or are briefed and armed in Ireland and sent over individually.A small and changing group of four to six people operating alone in the London area without recourse to or contact with known republicans living here has largely neutralised the intelligence gathered by the Special Branch on Irish militants.The fact that the Provisionals' leadership has not yet claimed responsibility from Dublin has little bearing on its involvement. The salient point is that the Provos have always been quick to disclaim responsibility for incidents in which they are not involved and no such disclaimer has been issued.While it might well be true that extremists in England have taken advantage of the confusion created by the bombings to plant their own explosive devices, informed sources in Dublin consider it certain that the present campaign was both planned and approved by the IRA Army Council in Dublin.The explosions have almost certainly gone beyond what the Provisionals had originally intended but they see no reason to help Scotland Yard by claiming or disclaiming responsibility.

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CHELSEA , Manhattan — Terrifying surveillance videos released by a Chelsea fitness center show the moment a bomb detonated on a busy street Saturday night injuring 29 people . Orangetheory , located at 124 W . 23rd St . , released three videos , one from inside and two from outside , showing the moments surrounding the explosion . The company released a statement Sunday afternoon on their Facebook page . " Due to the explosion , Orangetheory Fitness Chelsea is closed and will re - open as soon as possible . Fortunately there were no injuries to our members , coaches or staff , and our thoughts and prayers are with those who were affected . We are working with local authorities to help as much as possible to determine what happened , " the statement read . The explosion shook the bustling neighborhood Saturday night in what police are calling " an act of terrorism . " It was one of four eerily similar incidents to hit the tri - state area on Saturday including a pipe - bomb explosion in Seaside Park , N . J . The NYPD recovered two suspicious devices after the Chelsea explosion . Police do not have a suspect at this time .

CHELSEA, Manhattan — Terrifying surveillance videos released by a Chelsea fitness center show the moment a bomb detonated on a busy street Saturday night injuring 29 people.Orangetheory, located at 124 W. 23rd St., released three videos, one from inside and two from outside, showing the moments surrounding the explosion.The company released a statement Sunday afternoon on their Facebook page."Due to the explosion, Orangetheory Fitness Chelsea is closed and will re-open as soon as possible.Fortunately there were no injuries to our members, coaches or staff, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who were affected.We are working with local authorities to help as much as possible to determine what happened," the statement read.The explosion shook the bustling neighborhood Saturday night in what police are calling "an act of terrorism."It was one of four eerily similar incidents to hit the tri-state area on Saturday including a pipe-bomb explosion in Seaside Park, N.J.The NYPD recovered two suspicious devices after the Chelsea explosion.Police do not have a suspect at this time.

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To live in Ciudad Guayana is to know state - owned enterprise workers — lots of them . With all the nationalized “ basic industries ” around here , they ’ re a normal part of daily life . So I called around some of the ones I know to ask about today ’ s vote . The stories I heard were … remarkably similar . José at Ferrominera At Ferrominera , the big mining company in Guayana , workers are being forced to vote for the Constituent Assembly . The deal is simple : vote or you ’ re fired . At each department , the manager is responsible for making sure his people vote . “ I don ’ t know what I ’ ll do if I get fired , ” he says . “ My daughter is in the hospital . ” There ’ s nothing subtle about it . The order comes face - to - face , in notices and even via text message . Employees must go to meetings where the order is to vote . Nobody cares who they vote for — this is a single party election , man . Managers are required to make lists with the ID numbers of the employees voting , and send them to human resources by Monday . José — not his real name — has worked at Ferrominera for 15 years . “ They make everyone vote , especially those in higher positions . ” José isn ’ t voting , though . He ’ s not wealthy and he doesn ’ t have a plan B if they fire him , but he ’ s taking the chance . “ I don ’ t know what I ’ ll do if I get fired , ” he says . “ My daughter is in the hospital , I guess my wife and I will go with her . I don ’ t know . ” In his office , where barely ten people work , everyone has agreed to boycott the election . But , he adds , many others are compelled out of fear . Maria ’ s mom at PDVSA Martha — like all names , changed for this story — wouldn ’ t talk to me . I had to approach her daughter María instead . She talked to me in secret , without telling her mom . “ I know her , there ’ s no way she ’ ll agree to an interview . She ’ s too scared ” . She must report to her boss the exact voting center she went to , and the time she went at . Martha didn ’ t go to the vote drill . Her boss harassed her and the other employees with constant texts , but there was only one voting center in Ciudad Guayana , and it was too far to consider it . For the real thing , the pressure is absurd . She must report to her boss the exact voting center she went to , and the time she went at . Martha will try a null vote . She ’ s been in PDVSA for more than 20 years . Betania ’ s dad at Venalum Betania ’ s dad wouldn ’ t talk to me ( see a pattern ? ) , but his daughter , an old friend , told me what he told the family . Her dad has been working for the big aluminum - maker way before chavismo was a thing : 25 years total . I just wish they burn all of the voting machines , so no one can vote . I hate this fucking government with all my soul . On Sunday , workers are being told to go to the plant first thing . They ’ ll be put on buses to the voting centers . Managers are responsible for making sure the workers participate , and have lists saying where each worker votes . They must show up in the company ’ s uniform too — for the picture . Betania ’ s dad is determined to vote . He has to protect his job ; he ’ s about to retire , he won ’ t risk it . His family thinks he should stay home today . “ Here , they ’ ll block the road at 5 am ” Betania tells me , “ so he might not be able to leave . We want him to stay , something might happen on the way there . ” She catches her thoughts . “ I just wish they burn all of the voting machines , so no one can vote . I hate this fucking government with all my soul . ” Jorge in the Army Military officers are forced to vote , just like any other state worker . As soldiers , they have to follow orders , or face trial by insubordination . I wish I could reveal more about my guy , but he wouldn ’ t let me . He ’ s a military officer and it ’ s from el interior . He doesn ’ t want to vote , and his plan is to show up , say hi and walk out . By showing himself , he thinks , he ’ ll be off the hook . I reached out to people at two other state companies , but they refused to talk , even after I offered to change their names . The fear of dismissal makes getting the stories extremely hard , and look at the pattern I discovered : threats are explicit , demands are crystal clear and the workers ? Extremely resentful of the position they ’ ve been put in .

To live in Ciudad Guayana is to know state-owned enterprise workers —lots of them. With all the nationalized “basic industries” around here, they’re a normal part of daily life. So I called around some of the ones I know to ask about today’s vote. The stories I heard were… remarkably similar.José at FerromineraAt Ferrominera, the big mining company in Guayana, workers are being forced to vote for the Constituent Assembly. The deal is simple: vote or you’re fired. At each department, the manager is responsible for making sure his people vote.“I don’t know what I’ll do if I get fired,” he says. “My daughter is in the hospital.”There’s nothing subtle about it. The order comes face-to-face, in notices and even via text message. Employees must go to meetings where the order is to vote. Nobody cares who they vote for —this is a single party election, man. Managers are required to make lists with the ID numbers of the employees voting, and send them to human resources by Monday.José —not his real name— has worked at Ferrominera for 15 years. “They make everyone vote, especially those in higher positions.”José isn’t voting, though. He’s not wealthy and he doesn’t have a plan B if they fire him, but he’s taking the chance.“I don’t know what I’ll do if I get fired,” he says. “My daughter is in the hospital, I guess my wife and I will go with her. I don’t know.”In his office, where barely ten people work, everyone has agreed to boycott the election. But, he adds, many others are compelled out of fear.Maria’s mom at PDVSAMartha —like all names, changed for this story— wouldn’t talk to me. I had to approach her daughter María instead. She talked to me in secret, without telling her mom. “I know her, there’s no way she’ll agree to an interview. She’s too scared”.She must report to her boss the exact voting center she went to, and the time she went at.Martha didn’t go to the vote drill. Her boss harassed her and the other employees with constant texts, but there was only one voting center in Ciudad Guayana, and it was too far to consider it.For the real thing, the pressure is absurd. She must report to her boss the exact voting center she went to, and the time she went at. Martha will try a null vote. She’s been in PDVSA for more than 20 years.Betania’s dad at VenalumBetania’s dad wouldn’t talk to me (see a pattern?), but his daughter, an old friend, told me what he told the family. Her dad has been working for the big aluminum-maker way before chavismo was a thing: 25 years total.I just wish they burn all of the voting machines, so no one can vote. I hate this fucking government with all my soul.On Sunday, workers are being told to go to the plant first thing. They’ll be put on buses to the voting centers. Managers are responsible for making sure the workers participate, and have lists saying where each worker votes. They must show up in the company’s uniform too —for the picture.Betania’s dad is determined to vote. He has to protect his job; he’s about to retire, he won’t risk it. His family thinks he should stay home today. “Here, they’ll block the road at 5 am” Betania tells me, “so he might not be able to leave. We want him to stay, something might happen on the way there.”She catches her thoughts.“I just wish they burn all of the voting machines, so no one can vote. I hate this fucking government with all my soul.”Jorge in the ArmyMilitary officers are forced to vote, just like any other state worker. As soldiers, they have to follow orders, or face trial by insubordination.I wish I could reveal more about my guy, but he wouldn’t let me. He’s a military officer and it’s from el interior. He doesn’t want to vote, and his plan is to show up, say hi and walk out. By showing himself, he thinks, he’ll be off the hook.I reached out to people at two other state companies, but they refused to talk, even after I offered to change their names. The fear of dismissal makes getting the stories extremely hard, and look at the pattern I discovered: threats are explicit, demands are crystal clear and the workers? Extremely resentful of the position they’ve been put in.

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You are free : to share – to copy , distribute and transmit the work – to copy , distribute and transmit the work to remix – to adapt the work Under the following conditions : attribution – You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license , and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner , but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use . – You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license , and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner , but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use . share alike – If you remix , transform , or build upon the material , you must distribute your contributions under the same or compatible license as the original . https : / / creativecommons . org / licenses / by - sa / 4 . 0 CC BY - SA 4 . 0 Creative Commons Attribution - Share Alike 4 . 0 truetrue

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What does the statement say ? It apologises to the non - combatants , as it puts it . Using quite militaristic terms it refers to combatants , in other words members of the security forces , and non - combatants , in other words civilians . It says that on Bloody Friday , July 21 1972 , and on other occasions the IRA ' s actions resulted in the deaths of non - combatants and the IRA offers its sincere apologies and condolences to their families . How significant is the statement ? It is the first time the IRA has apologised in such strong terms . On previous occasions the IRA has said it regrets deaths but never before has it said " sincere apologies and condolences " . What happened on Bloody Friday ? This Sunday will be the 30th anniversary of Bloody Friday - when the IRA planted more than 20 bombs around Belfast . Twenty of them exploded , killing nine people and injuring more than 100 others . The people who died were both Catholics and Protestants - four bus drivers and two soldiers at a bus depot , two women and a 14 - year - old boy at a row of shops . The victims came from all sections of the community . Why have the IRA released the statement now ? The anniversary is one reason but the IRA is also trying to create a climate in which progress can be made . The statement also says the IRA remains totally committed to the peace process . We can also look back to 4 July when Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern met the pro - Good Friday Agreement parties at Hillsborough Castle . We heard a lot of talk that if paramilitaries on both sides did not show more commitment to the peace process the devolved government at Stormont could run into trouble . Finally , earlier this year , Republicans at an event in Dublin commemorated their dead and that was criticised in many quarters as glorifying what the IRA had done . I think all these reasons create the context in which the statement has been issued .

What does the statement say?It apologises to the non-combatants, as it puts it. Using quite militaristic terms it refers to combatants, in other words members of the security forces, and non-combatants, in other words civilians.It says that on Bloody Friday, July 21 1972, and on other occasions the IRA's actions resulted in the deaths of non-combatants and the IRA offers its sincere apologies and condolences to their families.How significant is the statement?It is the first time the IRA has apologised in such strong terms.On previous occasions the IRA has said it regrets deaths but never before has it said "sincere apologies and condolences".What happened on Bloody Friday? This Sunday will be the 30th anniversary of Bloody Friday - when the IRA planted more than 20 bombs around Belfast.Twenty of them exploded, killing nine people and injuring more than 100 others.The people who died were both Catholics and Protestants - four bus drivers and two soldiers at a bus depot, two women and a 14-year-old boy at a row of shops.The victims came from all sections of the community.Why have the IRA released the statement now?The anniversary is one reason but the IRA is also trying to create a climate in which progress can be made.The statement also says the IRA remains totally committed to the peace process.We can also look back to 4 July when Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern met the pro-Good Friday Agreement parties at Hillsborough Castle.We heard a lot of talk that if paramilitaries on both sides did not show more commitment to the peace process the devolved government at Stormont could run into trouble.Finally, earlier this year, Republicans at an event in Dublin commemorated their dead and that was criticised in many quarters as glorifying what the IRA had done.I think all these reasons create the context in which the statement has been issued.

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