<p>A helicopter carrying several people crashed in New York City&#39;s East River on Sunday (March 11) and police and fire department divers were in the water around the partially submerged aircraft, according to officials and media reports.</p>

<p>The New York Police Department confirmed that all five passengers died in the crash and one survived.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/CNN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cnn</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FoxNews</a> just witnessed a helicopter crash into the East River .. hope everyone&rsquo;s ok. Caught it all on tape! <a href="https://t.co/saHOMTLR69">pic.twitter.com/saHOMTLR69</a></p>
&mdash; JJ Magers (@JJmagers) <a href="https://twitter.com/JJmagers/status/972974463175286784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Eric Phillips, a spokesman for New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, said the mayor had been briefed. &quot;NYPD and FDNY divers already on the scene and in the water,&quot; Phillips tweeted.</p>

<p>The aircraft -- a Eurocopter AS350 -- went down near Roosevelt Island around 7 pm Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement.</p>

<p>The agency has informed that the helicopter is currently upside down in the water and investigations are underway.</p>

<p>The pilot was able to get out and climb aboard a raft &mdash; but five others remained trapped inside the upside-down helicopter, according to reports.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Further, reports say that the helicopter submerges into the water within minutes. The chopper was Eric Phillips, spokesman for New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, said the mayor had been briefed. &quot;NYPD and FDNY divers already on the scene and in the water,&quot; Phillips tweeted.</p>


The aircraft -- a Eurocopter AS350 -- went down near Roosevelt Island around 7 pm Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement

A helicopter carrying several people crashed in New York City's East River on Sunday (March 11) and police and fire department divers were in the water around the partially submerged aircraft, according to officials and media reports. The New York Police Department confirmed that all five passengers died in the crash and one survived. @cnn @FoxNews just witnessed a helicopter crash into the East River .. hope everyone’s ok. Caught it all on tape! pic.twitter.com/saHOMTLR69 — JJ Magers (@JJmagers) March 11, 2018 × Eric Phillips, a spokesman for New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, said the mayor had been briefed. "NYPD and FDNY divers already on the scene and in the water," Phillips tweeted. The aircraft -- a Eurocopter AS350 -- went down near Roosevelt Island around 7 pm Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement. The agency has informed that the helicopter is currently upside down in the water and investigations are underway. The pilot was able to get out and climb aboard a raft — but five others remained trapped inside the upside-down helicopter, according to reports. Further, reports say that the helicopter submerges into the water within minutes. The chopper was Eric Phillips, spokesman for New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, said the mayor had been briefed. "NYPD and FDNY divers already on the scene and in the water," Phillips tweeted.

Video: Helicopter crashes in New York, 5 dead

<p>The United Airlines flight with 266 passengers and 15 crew members onboard diverted its New Delhi bound flight to London&#39;s Heathrow Airport due to some medical emergency.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, a statement from the airlines read, &quot;Our team at London Heathrow Airport is providing assistance to customers of United flight 82 (New York/ Newark to Delhi) which diverted to London Heathrow Airport because of a medical issue on board.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;The flight now has been cancelled due to the crew reaching their maximum duty time,&quot; the statement also read.</p>

<p>&quot;We are providing hotel accommodation for our customers, and making arrangements for them to complete their journeys tomorrow. We have apologised to our customers for the inconvenience caused,&quot; it added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Flight Radar, a verified Twitter account that helps social media users track air traffic, posted an update after the plane started heading to Heathrow, and after it landed confirmed that the aircraft was indeed UA 82.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">United flight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UA82?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UA82</a> from Newark to Delhi is diverting to Heathrow.<a href="https://t.co/cZc1sbMu3H">https://t.co/cZc1sbMu3H</a><br />
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Reason is currently unknown <a href="https://t.co/HvJCrSuIEf">pic.twitter.com/HvJCrSuIEf</a></p>
&mdash; Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) <a href="https://twitter.com/flightradar24/status/970260720033116160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">3 hours after the sharp turn over the North Sea, flight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UA82?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UA82</a> landed safely at Heathrow Airport.<br />
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Reason why Heathrow was selected as diversion airport can be crew or maintenance availability, and better possibilities to handle passengers. <a href="https://t.co/iKxENjbFFp">pic.twitter.com/iKxENjbFFp</a></p>
&mdash; Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) <a href="https://twitter.com/flightradar24/status/970269335553040384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>United Airlines commonly referred to as United is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.&nbsp;</p>


The flight had 266 passengers and 15 crew members

The United Airlines flight with 266 passengers and 15 crew members onboard diverted its New Delhi bound flight to London's Heathrow Airport due to some medical emergency. Meanwhile, a statement from the airlines read, "Our team at London Heathrow Airport is providing assistance to customers of United flight 82 (New York/ Newark to Delhi) which diverted to London Heathrow Airport because of a medical issue on board." "The flight now has been cancelled due to the crew reaching their maximum duty time," the statement also read. "We are providing hotel accommodation for our customers, and making arrangements for them to complete their journeys tomorrow. We have apologised to our customers for the inconvenience caused," it added. Flight Radar, a verified Twitter account that helps social media users track air traffic, posted an update after the plane started heading to Heathrow, and after it landed confirmed that the aircraft was indeed UA 82. United flight #UA82 from Newark to Delhi is diverting to Heathrow.https://t.co/cZc1sbMu3H Reason is currently unknown pic.twitter.com/HvJCrSuIEf — Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 4, 2018 × 3 hours after the sharp turn over the North Sea, flight #UA82 landed safely at Heathrow Airport. Reason why Heathrow was selected as diversion airport can be crew or maintenance availability, and better possibilities to handle passengers. pic.twitter.com/iKxENjbFFp — Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 4, 2018 × United Airlines commonly referred to as United is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

New Delhi bound United Airlines flight diverted to London

<p>The Statue of Liberty, temporarily closed by a US government budget shutdown, will reopen on Monday to once again beckon other countries` &quot;huddled masses&quot; -- as well as not-so-poor tourists with dollars to spend.</p>

<p>&quot;We will not stand by as this symbol of freedom and opportunity goes dark,&quot; New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a tweet Sunday, announcing that the state had found funds to keep the iconic landmark open.</p>

<p>Shutting the surrounding park &quot;jeopardizes an economic driver for the state of New York,&quot; said Cuomo, a Democrat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;This park is a symbol of New York and our values. And her message has never been as important as it is today,&quot; he said, alluding to the budget battle in Washington, where Democrats were seeking protection for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants before agreeing to Republican proposals to extend funding for the government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As a result of the budget impasse, many government services including the Statue of Liberty have been closed since Saturday.</p>

<p>Speaking to reporters from the southern tip of Manhattan Island with the Statue of Liberty in the background, Cuomo explained that the state will provide the $65,000 it takes each day to pay the federal workers who keep the park open.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The statue on Liberty Island, as well as the related museum on nearby Ellis Island, where arriving immigrants were once processed, annually welcome about 4.5 million visitors. Most come by boat from Manhattan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Saturday hundreds of tourists were caught unaware, even if tour companies quickly offered boat tours, or reimbursement, as a salve.</p>

<p>The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States in 1886 to honour the centenary of US independence 10 years earlier.</p>

<p>It is among the hundreds of parks, battlefields, recreation areas and monuments managed by the National Park Service.</p>

<p>After Democrats and the majority, Republicans in Congress missed a Friday deadline to pass a new federal budget, most &quot;non-essential&quot; government services and programs were ordered to close.</p>

<p>Some of the best-known parks have been kept open, including the Grand Canyon in Arizona and Yellowstone National Park. But most are operating with skeleton staff, meaning many stores, restaurants and even restrooms are closed.</p>

<p>In an unusual move, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, whose department oversees the parks service, said on Twitter that he had personally helped welcome visitors to the World War II memorial on the National Mall in Washington.</p>

<p>During the last government shutdown, a 16-day standoff in 2013, the memorial was closed. That prompted a group of military veterans, some of them in wheelchairs or hobbling on canes, to force their way in.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was an embarrassment the White House of President Donald Trump has vowed to avoid.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States in 1886 to honour the centenary of US independence 10 years earlier

The Statue of Liberty, temporarily closed by a US government budget shutdown, will reopen on Monday to once again beckon other countries` "huddled masses" -- as well as not-so-poor tourists with dollars to spend. "We will not stand by as this symbol of freedom and opportunity goes dark," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a tweet Sunday, announcing that the state had found funds to keep the iconic landmark open. Shutting the surrounding park "jeopardizes an economic driver for the state of New York," said Cuomo, a Democrat. "This park is a symbol of New York and our values. And her message has never been as important as it is today," he said, alluding to the budget battle in Washington, where Democrats were seeking protection for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants before agreeing to Republican proposals to extend funding for the government. As a result of the budget impasse, many government services including the Statue of Liberty have been closed since Saturday. Speaking to reporters from the southern tip of Manhattan Island with the Statue of Liberty in the background, Cuomo explained that the state will provide the $65,000 it takes each day to pay the federal workers who keep the park open. The statue on Liberty Island, as well as the related museum on nearby Ellis Island, where arriving immigrants were once processed, annually welcome about 4.5 million visitors. Most come by boat from Manhattan. On Saturday hundreds of tourists were caught unaware, even if tour companies quickly offered boat tours, or reimbursement, as a salve. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States in 1886 to honour the centenary of US independence 10 years earlier. It is among the hundreds of parks, battlefields, recreation areas and monuments managed by the National Park Service. After Democrats and the majority, Republicans in Congress missed a Friday deadline to pass a new federal budget, most "non-essential" government services and programs were ordered to close. Some of the best-known parks have been kept open, including the Grand Canyon in Arizona and Yellowstone National Park. But most are operating with skeleton staff, meaning many stores, restaurants and even restrooms are closed. In an unusual move, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, whose department oversees the parks service, said on Twitter that he had personally helped welcome visitors to the World War II memorial on the National Mall in Washington. During the last government shutdown, a 16-day standoff in 2013, the memorial was closed. That prompted a group of military veterans, some of them in wheelchairs or hobbling on canes, to force their way in. It was an embarrassment the White House of President Donald Trump has vowed to avoid.

New York vows to reopen Statue of Liberty, at its own cost

<p>An Indian-American doctor here has been arrested for allegedly trying to strangle a nurse with an elastic cord as he was upset with her for administering an injection into his patient at a &quot;wrong time&quot;, police said.</p>

<p>Venkatesh Sasthakonar, 44, through his attorney, has denied the allegation and said that the January 22 incident has been blown out of proportion.</p>

<p>Sasthakonar, a weight loss surgeon at Nassau University Medical Center in New York, has been arrested and charged with felony strangulation and assault.</p>

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<h5>Sasthakonar came up behind the nurse, took out an elastic cord from his sweatshirt and wrapped it around her neck, the criminal complaint alleged</h5>
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<p>The police alleged that he threatened the life of his 51- year-old nurse.</p>

<p>According to the complaint, the surgeon &quot;was upset that his nurse had administered injection to his patient at a wrong time&quot;.</p>

<p>Sasthakonar then came up behind the nurse, took out an elastic cord from his sweatshirt and wrapped it around her neck, the criminal complaint alleged.</p>

<p>This caused the nurse to gasp for air and caused substantial pain.</p>

<p>&quot;I could kill you for this,&quot; the surgeon threatened the nurse, the complaint alleges.</p>

<p>Following the incident, he was suspended by the Nassau University Medical Center.</p>

<p>On Tuesday he was released on bail on USD 3,500 cash.</p>

<p>The nurse, whose name has not been released by the police, was treated for substantial pain to her neck.</p>

<p>The doctor&#39;s attorney Melvyn Roth claimed that there was no intent to harm the nurse.</p>

<p>The two have been friends for 10 years and the cord did not even touch her skin.</p>

<p>&quot;It didn&#39;t even touch the skin. That&#39;s our version of events. He, in no way, meant to harm her. She was not hurt at all,&quot; Roth told the local News 12 in Long Island New York, adding that the surgeon was half-upset and half joking.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The surgeon has denied the allegation and said the January 22 incident has been blown out of proportion

An Indian-American doctor here has been arrested for allegedly trying to strangle a nurse with an elastic cord as he was upset with her for administering an injection into his patient at a "wrong time", police said. Venkatesh Sasthakonar, 44, through his attorney, has denied the allegation and said that the January 22 incident has been blown out of proportion. Sasthakonar, a weight loss surgeon at Nassau University Medical Center in New York, has been arrested and charged with felony strangulation and assault. Sasthakonar came up behind the nurse, took out an elastic cord from his sweatshirt and wrapped it around her neck, the criminal complaint alleged × The police alleged that he threatened the life of his 51- year-old nurse. According to the complaint, the surgeon "was upset that his nurse had administered injection to his patient at a wrong time". Sasthakonar then came up behind the nurse, took out an elastic cord from his sweatshirt and wrapped it around her neck, the criminal complaint alleged. This caused the nurse to gasp for air and caused substantial pain. "I could kill you for this," the surgeon threatened the nurse, the complaint alleges. Following the incident, he was suspended by the Nassau University Medical Center. On Tuesday he was released on bail on USD 3,500 cash. The nurse, whose name has not been released by the police, was treated for substantial pain to her neck. The doctor's attorney Melvyn Roth claimed that there was no intent to harm the nurse. The two have been friends for 10 years and the cord did not even touch her skin. "It didn't even touch the skin. That's our version of events. He, in no way, meant to harm her. She was not hurt at all," Roth told the local News 12 in Long Island New York, adding that the surgeon was half-upset and half joking.

Indian-American doctor tries to strangle nurse, arrested: Police

<p>In a world marred by stress and cut-throat competition, New Yorkers seem to have found a novel way to unwind and destress. The &#39;Big Apple&#39; has around three cafes selling a concoction that is being touted as the &#39;new-age alcohol&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Undeniably, the past decade has seen a departure from the mainstream, while exotic ingredients like quinoa invade our plates replacing staples like the classic white rice, another one to join the league is kava -- giving tough competition to alcohol.</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfDA92LjxgH/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Melita Martorana (@theitalianinnz)</a> on <time datetime="2018-02-11T06:55:38+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Feb 10, 2018 at 10:55pm PST</time></p>
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<p>Kava is the new kid on the block; the semi-narcotic drink is believed to have an intoxicating effect and may also help alleviate stress and anxiety.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kava is a crop typical to Western Pacific regions. Its roots are ground into powder and used to produce the concoction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The drink is known to have mildly &#39;sedative, anaesthetic, euphoriant, and entheogenic&#39; properties, one of the reasons why more and more people in the West are now turning to the drink as a healthier alternative to alcohol -- after all, who doesn&#39;t want to live the &quot;high&quot; without having to battle the horrible hangovers?&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfCsRHZHkER/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Samuel (@__pandamonium_)</a> on <time datetime="2018-02-11T03:54:46+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Feb 10, 2018 at 7:54pm PST</time></p>
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<p>Experts believe kava to have been shrouded in veils of obscurity owing to which the plant and its produce was never really studied to the fullest. Some of the first trials and tests linked excess kava consumption to severe health repercussions including liver-damage.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Unlike in the 1990s, the scholarly understanding of the plant is much better. It has been widely studied and it&#39;s generally perceived as safe and beneficial,&quot; researchers at the University of Auckland, New Zealand note.</p>

<p>According to an AFP report, in 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration warned against the &quot;rare&quot; but potential risk of severe liver injury associated with kava-containing products.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfB0BCujsQA/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Relaxing at @grassrootskava with a Fortune Berry Kava #kava #relaxationtime #stpete #florida #natural #kavabar</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amy081980/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Amy Shilvock</a> (@amy081980) on <time datetime="2018-02-10T19:43:14+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Feb 10, 2018 at 11:43am PST</time></p>
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<p>According to reports, kava exports from Fiji witnessed a boom, almost doubled from 2012-16. Kava may have slowly begun to make its mark but food experts see its ambitious flight a rather less emphatic one. In a megacity like New York, that has thousands of bars and cafe sprawled all across, just three outlets offering kava is simply not enough to leave a mark for this &#39;new-age&#39; drink.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, those who deal in kava products, especially the ones owning kava cafes in the bustling city, have faith in the concoction&#39;s humble start.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Brooklyn&#39;s first kava bar, House of Kava, describes the drink as &quot;traditionally brewed and served by the South Pacific natives, used as a social ceremonial gathering to bring the community together to relax, unwind and let go of the stresses of our everyday life&quot;.</p>

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<p>This year may witness kava&#39;s potential in the culinary space bloom to the fullest. (Others)</p>
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<p>The cafe has an exhaustive, extensive menu dedicated to specially kava crafted cocktails and meticulously brewed kava drinks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>So, does it all come to marketing in the end? Only time will tell! Just how our very own <em>haldi</em><em>-</em><em>doodh</em> was marketed as an exotic beverage and sold as the &#39;golden drink&#39; in the West, kava&#39;s popularity will also catch up soon among the millennials.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Japanse matcha was also met with some initial reservations and reluctance, until recently when the magical, health-promoting powder invaded almost all aspects of gastronomy starting from desserts, beverages to ice creams, shakes, chocolates, among others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If the recently released Whole Foods&#39;&nbsp;list of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/good-bye-2017-make-way-for-the-hottest-food-trends-of-2018-26310">&#39;hottest food trends 2018</a>&#39; is to be taken into account, edible powders like turmeric, matcha, maca will go big this year in the food space. Taking a cue from the same, the year may witness kava&#39;s potential in the culinary space bloom to the fullest.&nbsp;</p>


Those who deal in kava products have faith in the concoction's humble start

In a world marred by stress and cut-throat competition, New Yorkers seem to have found a novel way to unwind and destress. The 'Big Apple' has around three cafes selling a concoction that is being touted as the 'new-age alcohol'. Undeniably, the past decade has seen a departure from the mainstream, while exotic ingredients like quinoa invade our plates replacing staples like the classic white rice, another one to join the league is kava -- giving tough competition to alcohol. A post shared by Melita Martorana (@theitalianinnz) on Feb 10, 2018 at 10:55pm PST × Kava is the new kid on the block; the semi-narcotic drink is believed to have an intoxicating effect and may also help alleviate stress and anxiety. Kava is a crop typical to Western Pacific regions. Its roots are ground into powder and used to produce the concoction. The drink is known to have mildly 'sedative, anaesthetic, euphoriant, and entheogenic' properties, one of the reasons why more and more people in the West are now turning to the drink as a healthier alternative to alcohol -- after all, who doesn't want to live the "high" without having to battle the horrible hangovers? A post shared by Samuel (@__pandamonium_) on Feb 10, 2018 at 7:54pm PST × Experts believe kava to have been shrouded in veils of obscurity owing to which the plant and its produce was never really studied to the fullest. Some of the first trials and tests linked excess kava consumption to severe health repercussions including liver-damage. "Unlike in the 1990s, the scholarly understanding of the plant is much better. It has been widely studied and it's generally perceived as safe and beneficial," researchers at the University of Auckland, New Zealand note. According to an AFP report, in 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration warned against the "rare" but potential risk of severe liver injury associated with kava-containing products. Relaxing at @grassrootskava with a Fortune Berry Kava #kava #relaxationtime #stpete #florida #natural #kavabar A post shared by Amy Shilvock (@amy081980) on Feb 10, 2018 at 11:43am PST × According to reports, kava exports from Fiji witnessed a boom, almost doubled from 2012-16. Kava may have slowly begun to make its mark but food experts see its ambitious flight a rather less emphatic one. In a megacity like New York, that has thousands of bars and cafe sprawled all across, just three outlets offering kava is simply not enough to leave a mark for this 'new-age' drink. However, those who deal in kava products, especially the ones owning kava cafes in the bustling city, have faith in the concoction's humble start. Brooklyn's first kava bar, House of Kava, describes the drink as "traditionally brewed and served by the South Pacific natives, used as a social ceremonial gathering to bring the community together to relax, unwind and let go of the stresses of our everyday life". This year may witness kava's potential in the culinary space bloom to the fullest. (Others) × The cafe has an exhaustive, extensive menu dedicated to specially kava crafted cocktails and meticulously brewed kava drinks. So, does it all come to marketing in the end? Only time will tell! Just how our very own haldi-doodh was marketed as an exotic beverage and sold as the 'golden drink' in the West, kava's popularity will also catch up soon among the millennials. Japanse matcha was also met with some initial reservations and reluctance, until recently when the magical, health-promoting powder invaded almost all aspects of gastronomy starting from desserts, beverages to ice creams, shakes, chocolates, among others. If the recently released Whole Foods' list of 'hottest food trends 2018' is to be taken into account, edible powders like turmeric, matcha, maca will go big this year in the food space. Taking a cue from the same, the year may witness kava's potential in the culinary space bloom to the fullest.

Kava: New York millennials swear by this semi-narcotic concoction

<p>An Amtrak train traveling in&nbsp;South&nbsp;Carolina&nbsp;collided with a CSX freight train on Sunday, killing two people and injuring at least 50, CNN and other media reported.</p>

<p>The train with 139 passengers and eight crew members was traveling between New York and Miami when it hit the other train and derailed near Columbia,&nbsp;South&nbsp;Carolina, Amtrak officials told local media.</p>

<p>The collision happened about 2.30 A.M. (0730 GMT), according to local media.</p>


An Amtrak train traveling in South Carolina collided with a CSX freight train on Sunday, killing two people and injuring at least 50, CNN and other media reported

An Amtrak train traveling in South Carolina collided with a CSX freight train on Sunday, killing two people and injuring at least 50, CNN and other media reported. The train with 139 passengers and eight crew members was traveling between New York and Miami when it hit the other train and derailed near Columbia, South Carolina, Amtrak officials told local media. The collision happened about 2.30 A.M. (0730 GMT), according to local media.

At least 2 dead, 50 injured in South Carolina train wreck

<p>A New York-based photographer has accused Hollywood actor Aziz Ansari of sexual misconduct after they went on a date last year, reports said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 23-year-old women claimed that it was a &quot;violating night and a painful one&quot; after the <em>Master of None </em>actor continuously pressured her into having sex.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She further stated that the actor ignored her verbal and non-verbal hints and was in hurry all through dinner to get her someplace else.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a long post on the website Babe, the photographer recounts the disastrous date she went on with the comedian. Titled &#39;I went on a date with Aziz Ansari. It turned into the worst night of my life&#39;&nbsp;the post states that how Ansari took the woman out in New York earlier this year and then he rushed her out of the restaurant after they had finished their meal and took her back to his New York apartment.</p>

<p>The woman then recalls that the comedian coerced her into sexual acts which she was not comfortable with. &quot;I said something like, &lsquo;Whoa, let&rsquo;s relax for a sec, let&rsquo;s chill,&rsquo;&rdquo; she says in the article.<br />
<br />
The woman stated that how she repeatedly tried to move away from Ansari. &quot;Most of my discomfort was expressed in me pulling away and mumbling. I know that my hand stopped moving at some points,&quot; she said. &quot;I stopped moving my lips and turned cold.&rdquo;</p>

<p>After excusing herself to go to the bathroom, she returned and told him that she &ldquo;didn&rsquo;t want to feel forced&rdquo;. However, he resumed his persistence after they began to watch TV.<br />
<br />
The woman eventually left his apartment and cried on her way back home and told her friends over the phone how Ansari had behaved.</p>

<p>The photographer released a text conversation between the two&nbsp;after their date.&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd6J53Vntmd/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">23-year-old Grace* went on a date with Aziz Ansari in September. It turned out to be the worst night of her life. She told babe Ansari pulled her hand towards his penis multiple times and &ldquo;kept doing it after I moved it away.&rdquo; She said she remembers him asking again and again, &ldquo;Where do you want me to fuck you?&rdquo; Throughout the course of the night, she says she used verbal and non-verbal cues to indicate how unhappy she was. This is a conversation between them the following day where Grace tells Ansari how uncomfortable he made her feel, saying &ldquo;you ignored clear non-verbal cues&rdquo; and &ldquo;kept going with advances.&rdquo; Read the full story on babe.net.</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/babedotnet/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Babe</a> (@babedotnet) on <time datetime="2018-01-13T23:49:40+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 13, 2018 at 3:49pm PST</time></p>
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<p>Ansari had allegedly sent her a text about their date from the night before which read &quot;Hey it was fun meeting you last night. I just dropped my roll of film today. Fingers crossed for some solid shots!&quot;</p>

<p>The woman responded: &#39;Last night might&#39;ve been fun for you, but it wasn&#39;t for me. You ignored clear non-verbal clues; you kept going with advances.</p>

<p>&#39;I want to make sure you&#39;re aware so maybe the next girl doesn&#39;t have to cry on the ride home.&#39;</p>

<p>Ansari allegedly replied: &#39;I&#39;m so sad to hear this. Clearly, I misread things in the moment and I&#39;m truly sorry.&#39;</p>

<p>Aziz has since denied the allegations saying that the encounter was completely consensual &#39;by all indications&#39; he had at the time and that he &quot;took her words to hear.&quot;</p>

<p>He recently won a Golden Globe for his performance in <em>Master of None</em> making him the first Asian male to ever win a Golden Globe in Comedy.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ansari was one of many male celebrities who joined in the TIme&#39;s Up movement which seeks to provide legal support for women who have suffered sexual abuse or harassment and even wore their pin at the Golden Globes last week.&nbsp;</p>


Aziz has since denied the allegations saying that the encounter was completely consensual 'by all indications' he had at the time and that he "took her words to hear"

A New York-based photographer has accused Hollywood actor Aziz Ansari of sexual misconduct after they went on a date last year, reports said. The 23-year-old women claimed that it was a "violating night and a painful one" after the Master of None actor continuously pressured her into having sex. She further stated that the actor ignored her verbal and non-verbal hints and was in hurry all through dinner to get her someplace else. In a long post on the website Babe, the photographer recounts the disastrous date she went on with the comedian. Titled 'I went on a date with Aziz Ansari. It turned into the worst night of my life' the post states that how Ansari took the woman out in New York earlier this year and then he rushed her out of the restaurant after they had finished their meal and took her back to his New York apartment. The woman then recalls that the comedian coerced her into sexual acts which she was not comfortable with. "I said something like, ‘Whoa, let’s relax for a sec, let’s chill,’” she says in the article. The woman stated that how she repeatedly tried to move away from Ansari. "Most of my discomfort was expressed in me pulling away and mumbling. I know that my hand stopped moving at some points," she said. "I stopped moving my lips and turned cold.” After excusing herself to go to the bathroom, she returned and told him that she “didn’t want to feel forced”. However, he resumed his persistence after they began to watch TV. The woman eventually left his apartment and cried on her way back home and told her friends over the phone how Ansari had behaved. The photographer released a text conversation between the two after their date. 23-year-old Grace* went on a date with Aziz Ansari in September. It turned out to be the worst night of her life. She told babe Ansari pulled her hand towards his penis multiple times and “kept doing it after I moved it away.” She said she remembers him asking again and again, “Where do you want me to fuck you?” Throughout the course of the night, she says she used verbal and non-verbal cues to indicate how unhappy she was. This is a conversation between them the following day where Grace tells Ansari how uncomfortable he made her feel, saying “you ignored clear non-verbal cues” and “kept going with advances.” Read the full story on babe.net. A post shared by Babe (@babedotnet) on Jan 13, 2018 at 3:49pm PST × Ansari had allegedly sent her a text about their date from the night before which read "Hey it was fun meeting you last night. I just dropped my roll of film today. Fingers crossed for some solid shots!" The woman responded: 'Last night might've been fun for you, but it wasn't for me. You ignored clear non-verbal clues; you kept going with advances. 'I want to make sure you're aware so maybe the next girl doesn't have to cry on the ride home.' Ansari allegedly replied: 'I'm so sad to hear this. Clearly, I misread things in the moment and I'm truly sorry.' Aziz has since denied the allegations saying that the encounter was completely consensual 'by all indications' he had at the time and that he "took her words to hear." He recently won a Golden Globe for his performance in Master of None making him the first Asian male to ever win a Golden Globe in Comedy. Ansari was one of many male celebrities who joined in the TIme's Up movement which seeks to provide legal support for women who have suffered sexual abuse or harassment and even wore their pin at the Golden Globes last week.

Aziz Ansari accused of sexual misconduct, denies allegations

<p>Intrepid revelers from around the world endured hours of waiting in a frigid Times Square on Sunday to witness the glittering New Year`s Eve ball make its annual descent at midnight, undeterred and perhaps reassured by a massive police presence.</p>

<p>With New York City in the grip of a bitterly cold Arctic air mass, the experience was made particularly memorable this year for hundreds of thousands of people who braved the bone-chilling conditions to witness a century-old tradition.</p>

<p>In the waning hours of 2017, the mercury had plunged to 10 Fahrenheit, with a &quot;Real Feel&quot; of 7F, according to AccuWeather.com. That made it the city&#39;s second-coldest New Year&#39;s Eve on record after 1917, when the mercury in Times Square dropped to 1F (-17C).</p>

<p>Jaden Hunter, a 13-year-old from southern New Jersey, arrived at around 6 pm, protected by a face mask and geared up for a good time.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,&rdquo; Hunter said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s pretty chilly, but we&rsquo;ve got hand-warmers and all kinds of thermal technology.&rdquo;</p>

<p>About 2 million people were expected in the vicinity of Times Square, the bow-tie-shaped plaza formed by the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue in midtown Manhattan. That was roughly same number as last year, when the temperature at midnight was a comfortable 44F (7C).</p>

<p>Still, the weather was severe enough to test the mettle of even the hardiest of partygoers.</p>

<p>Alejandro Garcia, 32, of Barcelona, Spain, said the only thing that stood between him and leaving early for a warm hotel room was his girlfriend, graduate student Gamma Elias, 28.</p>

<p>&quot;I&#39;m freezing to death out here!&quot; Garcia said, a few hours before midnight, wrapping his arms around Elias. &quot;But she wants to stay.&quot;</p>

<p>Like tens of thousands of others, the couple stood in one of dozens of fenced-in enclosures set up for blocks along the square. After hours of waiting, they were rewarded with a spectacular view of the giant ball as it made its annual, one-minute descent on the southern end of the plaza.</p>

<p>Greg Packer, 54, a retired highway maintenance manager from Huntington, New York, had a prime spot on West 43rd Street after arriving at 7 am.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It feels more like Antarctica than New York. But everybody in the world is here,&rdquo; he marveled, glancing around at the crowds in nearly every direction. &ldquo;And I&rsquo;m here.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The crowds counted down the final hours of 2017 with a lineup of live musical acts including Nick Jonas, Neil Diamond and Andy Grammer.</p>

<p>Mariah Carey returned to the Times Square stage as well, pulling off a smooth performance after the embarrassment of last year`s technical difficulties.</p>

<p>Then came the long-awaited ball drop, a tradition that dates to 1907, three years after New Yorkers started gathering en masse in Times Square to usher in the new year.</p>

<p><strong>SHOW OF FORCE</strong></p>

<p>Thousands of police were on hand, some heavily armed, others undercover. The show of force is part of a beefed-up security plan that follows a spate of attacks in the city and around the world that authorities have labeled as terrorist.</p>

<p>The NYPD provided officers with specialized training to stop any suicide bombers in response to an attempted bombing in a Times Square subway station walkway on Dec. 11.</p>

<p>Police deployed observation teams trained to spot snipers. There were also more explosive-detecting dogs and more officers positioned throughout the area this year.</p>

<p>People hoping to see musical acts and other entertainment up close in Times Square had to pass by heavily armed officers and dogs. They went through a magnetometer to check for weapons, had their bags inspected, then repeated all those steps a second time.</p>

<p>Police cars, dump trucks filled with sand and cement blocks were used to close streets, starting Sunday morning. About 125 parking garages in the area were emptied of all cars and sealed.</p>

<p>Brynn Hansen, 14, from Longmont, Colorado, appeared unfazed by the heightened security and the trying conditions. She said she was living a dream.</p>

<p>&quot;It&#39;s been on my bucket list, and now I can cross it off. It&#39;s exciting to be here.&quot;</p>


In the waning hours of 2017, the mercury had plunged to 10 Fahrenheit.

Intrepid revelers from around the world endured hours of waiting in a frigid Times Square on Sunday to witness the glittering New Year`s Eve ball make its annual descent at midnight, undeterred and perhaps reassured by a massive police presence. With New York City in the grip of a bitterly cold Arctic air mass, the experience was made particularly memorable this year for hundreds of thousands of people who braved the bone-chilling conditions to witness a century-old tradition. In the waning hours of 2017, the mercury had plunged to 10 Fahrenheit, with a "Real Feel" of 7F, according to AccuWeather.com. That made it the city's second-coldest New Year's Eve on record after 1917, when the mercury in Times Square dropped to 1F (-17C). Jaden Hunter, a 13-year-old from southern New Jersey, arrived at around 6 pm, protected by a face mask and geared up for a good time. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Hunter said. “It’s pretty chilly, but we’ve got hand-warmers and all kinds of thermal technology.” About 2 million people were expected in the vicinity of Times Square, the bow-tie-shaped plaza formed by the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue in midtown Manhattan. That was roughly same number as last year, when the temperature at midnight was a comfortable 44F (7C). Still, the weather was severe enough to test the mettle of even the hardiest of partygoers. Alejandro Garcia, 32, of Barcelona, Spain, said the only thing that stood between him and leaving early for a warm hotel room was his girlfriend, graduate student Gamma Elias, 28. "I'm freezing to death out here!" Garcia said, a few hours before midnight, wrapping his arms around Elias. "But she wants to stay." Like tens of thousands of others, the couple stood in one of dozens of fenced-in enclosures set up for blocks along the square. After hours of waiting, they were rewarded with a spectacular view of the giant ball as it made its annual, one-minute descent on the southern end of the plaza. Greg Packer, 54, a retired highway maintenance manager from Huntington, New York, had a prime spot on West 43rd Street after arriving at 7 am. “It feels more like Antarctica than New York. But everybody in the world is here,” he marveled, glancing around at the crowds in nearly every direction. “And I’m here.” The crowds counted down the final hours of 2017 with a lineup of live musical acts including Nick Jonas, Neil Diamond and Andy Grammer. Mariah Carey returned to the Times Square stage as well, pulling off a smooth performance after the embarrassment of last year`s technical difficulties. Then came the long-awaited ball drop, a tradition that dates to 1907, three years after New Yorkers started gathering en masse in Times Square to usher in the new year. SHOW OF FORCE Thousands of police were on hand, some heavily armed, others undercover. The show of force is part of a beefed-up security plan that follows a spate of attacks in the city and around the world that authorities have labeled as terrorist. The NYPD provided officers with specialized training to stop any suicide bombers in response to an attempted bombing in a Times Square subway station walkway on Dec. 11. Police deployed observation teams trained to spot snipers. There were also more explosive-detecting dogs and more officers positioned throughout the area this year. People hoping to see musical acts and other entertainment up close in Times Square had to pass by heavily armed officers and dogs. They went through a magnetometer to check for weapons, had their bags inspected, then repeated all those steps a second time. Police cars, dump trucks filled with sand and cement blocks were used to close streets, starting Sunday morning. About 125 parking garages in the area were emptied of all cars and sealed. Brynn Hansen, 14, from Longmont, Colorado, appeared unfazed by the heightened security and the trying conditions. She said she was living a dream. "It's been on my bucket list, and now I can cross it off. It's exciting to be here."

In frigid Times Square, relief arrives with New Year

<p>Twelve people were killed, including an infant, and four were critically injured on Thursday in a fire that swept through several floors of an apartment building in the New York City borough of the Bronx, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.</p>

<p>The blaze started on the first floor of the brick building and quickly spread upstairs, city Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro told reporters at a news conference with the mayor. The cause was under investigation.</p>

<p>De Blasio said the death toll ranked as &quot;one of the worst losses of life to a fire in many, many years&quot; in the city.</p>

<p>Four people were in hospital in critical condition &quot;fighting for their lives,&quot; the mayor said.</p>

<p>Authorities said firefighters rescued 12 people from the building.</p>

<p>&quot;People died on various floors of the apartment, ranging in age from 1 to over 50,&quot; Nigro told reporters. &quot;In a department that is surely no stranger to tragedy, we&#39;re shocked by the lives lost.&quot;</p>

<p>Two of the dead were found in a bathtub, according to cable news station NY1.</p>

<p>&quot;Hold your families close and keep those families here in the Bronx in your prayers,&quot; de Blasio said in a message to New Yorkers.</p>

<p>The blaze erupted shortly before 7 pm in the Belmont section of the Bronx, a primarily residential, close-knit neighbourhood known as the &quot;Little Italy&quot; of the borough, adjacent to the Bronx Zoo and Fordham University.</p>

<p>New York is going through a bitter cold snap with temperatures in the low-teens Fahrenheit and high winds, which according to one media account, stoked flames inside the building as residents flung open doors and windows.</p>

<p>Wherever fire hoses sprayed, the ground was covered with sheets of ice, according to an NY1 reporter.</p>

<p>One witness, Rafael Gonzalez, who lives across the street from the building, told television station WCBS-TV, an affiliate of CBS News, he saw some youths on a fire escape of the burning building as the fire raged.</p>

<p>&ldquo;What woke me up was the smoke, because I thought it was my building,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>No heavy damage to the exterior of the building was visible in news footage and photographs.</p>

<p>The New York City Fire Department said more than 160 firefighters responded to the four-alarm blaze.</p>

<p>Pictures posted on Twitter by the fire department showed two fire trucks with aerial ladders extended to the upper floors of a brick building bathed in floodlights, and firefighters on the fire escape outside what appeared to be a second- or third-floor unit.</p>

<p>The number of civilian fire fatalities in New York City last year dropped to 48, the fewest in the 100 years since record-keeping began, the FDNY said on its website.</p>

<p>Data on 2017 fire fatalities was not immediately available.</p>


The blaze started on the first floor of the brick building and quickly spread upstairs, city Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro told reporters at a news conference with the mayor. The cause was under investigation

Twelve people were killed, including an infant, and four were critically injured on Thursday in a fire that swept through several floors of an apartment building in the New York City borough of the Bronx, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. The blaze started on the first floor of the brick building and quickly spread upstairs, city Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro told reporters at a news conference with the mayor. The cause was under investigation. De Blasio said the death toll ranked as "one of the worst losses of life to a fire in many, many years" in the city. Four people were in hospital in critical condition "fighting for their lives," the mayor said. Authorities said firefighters rescued 12 people from the building. "People died on various floors of the apartment, ranging in age from 1 to over 50," Nigro told reporters. "In a department that is surely no stranger to tragedy, we're shocked by the lives lost." Two of the dead were found in a bathtub, according to cable news station NY1. "Hold your families close and keep those families here in the Bronx in your prayers," de Blasio said in a message to New Yorkers. The blaze erupted shortly before 7 pm in the Belmont section of the Bronx, a primarily residential, close-knit neighbourhood known as the "Little Italy" of the borough, adjacent to the Bronx Zoo and Fordham University. New York is going through a bitter cold snap with temperatures in the low-teens Fahrenheit and high winds, which according to one media account, stoked flames inside the building as residents flung open doors and windows. Wherever fire hoses sprayed, the ground was covered with sheets of ice, according to an NY1 reporter. One witness, Rafael Gonzalez, who lives across the street from the building, told television station WCBS-TV, an affiliate of CBS News, he saw some youths on a fire escape of the burning building as the fire raged. “What woke me up was the smoke, because I thought it was my building," he said. No heavy damage to the exterior of the building was visible in news footage and photographs. The New York City Fire Department said more than 160 firefighters responded to the four-alarm blaze. Pictures posted on Twitter by the fire department showed two fire trucks with aerial ladders extended to the upper floors of a brick building bathed in floodlights, and firefighters on the fire escape outside what appeared to be a second- or third-floor unit. The number of civilian fire fatalities in New York City last year dropped to 48, the fewest in the 100 years since record-keeping began, the FDNY said on its website. Data on 2017 fire fatalities was not immediately available.

New York apartment fire kills 12, injures several others

<p>The United States on Tuesday unveiled federal terrorism charges against the Bangladeshi driver who detonated a bomb in a New York subway passageway, after allegedly being inspired by the Islamic State group and self-radicalising as early as 2014.</p>

<p>Akayed Ullah, 27, who migrated to the United States in 2011 and lived in Brooklyn, was hit with a five-count indictment, which includes providing material support to IS and use of weapons of mass destruction, according to the complaint.</p>

<p>He is expected to appear before a judge, most likely by video link from his hospital bed, either Tuesday or Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ullah wounded himself and three other people in the blast, which took place in the subway tunnels below the Port Authority bus terminal, not far from iconic Times Square, on Monday.</p>

<p>The explosion, which sowed panic and disrupted the morning commute during the busy Christmas tourism season, came six weeks after another immigrant, also reportedly inspired by the IS group, killed eight people on a bike path.</p>

<p>President Donald Trump has leapt on both attacks to reiterate calls for tighter US immigration, demanding an end to the visa programs that admitted Ullah and the Uzbek bike path attacker, although both appear to have only radicalised after emigrating.</p>

<p>&quot;We will end them fast. Congress must get involved immediately,&quot; Trump said Tuesday. &quot;These attacks underscore the dangers we face from around the globe.&quot;</p>

<p><strong>Chilling notes</strong></p>

<p>Ullah allegedly built the pipe bomb in his Brooklyn apartment a week before the attack, packing the device with metal screws and Christmas tree lights, and allegedly admitted planning the would-be suicide bombing for several weeks.</p>

<p>He strapped the pipe bomb to his chest, selected the time and location to &quot;maximize human casualties,&quot; admitted to being inspired by IS and wanted to avenge US policies in the Middle East, Manhattan&#39;s acting US Attorney Joon Kim told reporters.</p>

<p>En route to carrying out the attempted attack, he allegedly posted on Facebook, &quot;Trump you failed to protect your nation,&quot; according to court documents.</p>

<p>The chilling handwritten note: &quot;O America die in your rage,&quot; was found in a passport in Ullah&#39;s name, along with metal pipes, wires and screws in his Brooklyn home, Kim told reporters.</p>

<p><strong>Under radar&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>But his bomb failed to detonate as planned, leaving him with burns to his torso and hands, officials said. The three victims suffered minor complaints such as ringing in their ears and headaches.</p>

<p>Ullah began to radicalise in 2014, three years after moving to the United States, by watching IS propaganda online before starting to research how to make bombs a year ago, officials said.</p>

<p>But he operated under the radar, his name never appearing on any watch lists, and he was not previously known to law enforcement in either the United States or his Muslim-majority homeland, officials said.</p>

<p>In Bangladesh, counter-terrorism officers questioned his 25-year-old wife, whom he married in 2016 and visited in September after the birth of their son, officials said.</p>

<p>Police raided the family home in Dhaka, but neither Ullah&#39;s wife, Jannatul Ferdous Piya, nor her father are under any suspicion, officer Saiful Islam told AFP.</p>

<p>Mofazzal Hossain, a caretaker of the family apartment in Dhaka, described him as &quot;pious and a gentleman.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;He used to pray in the local mosque five times a day. He would urge us to pray and do good work,&quot; Hossain told AFP.</p>

<p>Dhaka police were investigating whether he could have been radicalised in Bangladesh, which is waging its own war against extremism and where IS claimed an assault in July 2016 that killed 22 hostages, 18 of them foreigners.</p>

<p>The FBI on Tuesday urged New Yorkers to remain vigilant during the busy holiday season in a city that has considered itself a perennial target since the Al-Qaeda hijackings brought down the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.</p>

<p>The New York Times reported that Ullah appears to have prayed regularly at the Masjid Nur Al Islam mosque, and from 2012 to 2015, held a license to drive for-hire vehicles.</p>

<p>His family issued a statement through the Council on American-Islamic Relations saying they were &quot;heartbroken&quot; by the attack and the allegations against Ullah.</p>


The United States on Tuesday unveiled federal terrorism charges against the Bangladeshi driver who detonated a bomb in a New York subway passageway, after allegedly being inspired by the Islamic State group and self-radicalising as early as 2014

The United States on Tuesday unveiled federal terrorism charges against the Bangladeshi driver who detonated a bomb in a New York subway passageway, after allegedly being inspired by the Islamic State group and self-radicalising as early as 2014. Akayed Ullah, 27, who migrated to the United States in 2011 and lived in Brooklyn, was hit with a five-count indictment, which includes providing material support to IS and use of weapons of mass destruction, according to the complaint. He is expected to appear before a judge, most likely by video link from his hospital bed, either Tuesday or Wednesday. Ullah wounded himself and three other people in the blast, which took place in the subway tunnels below the Port Authority bus terminal, not far from iconic Times Square, on Monday. The explosion, which sowed panic and disrupted the morning commute during the busy Christmas tourism season, came six weeks after another immigrant, also reportedly inspired by the IS group, killed eight people on a bike path. President Donald Trump has leapt on both attacks to reiterate calls for tighter US immigration, demanding an end to the visa programs that admitted Ullah and the Uzbek bike path attacker, although both appear to have only radicalised after emigrating. "We will end them fast. Congress must get involved immediately," Trump said Tuesday. "These attacks underscore the dangers we face from around the globe." Chilling notes Ullah allegedly built the pipe bomb in his Brooklyn apartment a week before the attack, packing the device with metal screws and Christmas tree lights, and allegedly admitted planning the would-be suicide bombing for several weeks. He strapped the pipe bomb to his chest, selected the time and location to "maximize human casualties," admitted to being inspired by IS and wanted to avenge US policies in the Middle East, Manhattan's acting US Attorney Joon Kim told reporters. En route to carrying out the attempted attack, he allegedly posted on Facebook, "Trump you failed to protect your nation," according to court documents. The chilling handwritten note: "O America die in your rage," was found in a passport in Ullah's name, along with metal pipes, wires and screws in his Brooklyn home, Kim told reporters. Under radar But his bomb failed to detonate as planned, leaving him with burns to his torso and hands, officials said. The three victims suffered minor complaints such as ringing in their ears and headaches. Ullah began to radicalise in 2014, three years after moving to the United States, by watching IS propaganda online before starting to research how to make bombs a year ago, officials said. But he operated under the radar, his name never appearing on any watch lists, and he was not previously known to law enforcement in either the United States or his Muslim-majority homeland, officials said. In Bangladesh, counter-terrorism officers questioned his 25-year-old wife, whom he married in 2016 and visited in September after the birth of their son, officials said. Police raided the family home in Dhaka, but neither Ullah's wife, Jannatul Ferdous Piya, nor her father are under any suspicion, officer Saiful Islam told AFP. Mofazzal Hossain, a caretaker of the family apartment in Dhaka, described him as "pious and a gentleman." "He used to pray in the local mosque five times a day. He would urge us to pray and do good work," Hossain told AFP. Dhaka police were investigating whether he could have been radicalised in Bangladesh, which is waging its own war against extremism and where IS claimed an assault in July 2016 that killed 22 hostages, 18 of them foreigners. The FBI on Tuesday urged New Yorkers to remain vigilant during the busy holiday season in a city that has considered itself a perennial target since the Al-Qaeda hijackings brought down the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. The New York Times reported that Ullah appears to have prayed regularly at the Masjid Nur Al Islam mosque, and from 2012 to 2015, held a license to drive for-hire vehicles. His family issued a statement through the Council on American-Islamic Relations saying they were "heartbroken" by the attack and the allegations against Ullah.

US files terror charges against New York 'subway bomber'

<p>A Bangladeshi man set off a homemade bomb strapped to his body at a New York commuter hub at rush hour on Monday, wounding himself and three others in what New York Mayor Bill de Blasio called an attempted terrorist attack.&nbsp;Mass transit systems have come under attack around the world. Here are several notable incidents:</p>

<p><strong>Sept. 15, 2017 - London</strong>: A homemade bomb on a packed rush-hour commuter train in London engulfed a carriage in flames and injured 30 people, but apparently failed to fully explode. Some people suffered burns and others were injured in a stampede to escape the station. A teenager who moved to Britain after his parents were killed in Iraq is scheduled to go on trial in March.</p>

<p><strong>June 20, 2017 - Brussels</strong>: A Moroccan national tried to detonate a suitcase bomb packed with nails and gas bottles at the Central train station. A soldier fatally shot the man, who prosecutors said was suspected of supporting the radical group Islamic State. The bomb, which partly detonated, did not hurt anyone.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>April 3, 2017 - St. Petersburg</strong>: A suicide bomber killed 16 people and wounded more than 40 on a metro train. The suspect, a native of the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan, had rented an apartment in the city a month before the attack. A little-known group called the Imam Shamil Battalion claimed responsibility and said the bomber was acting on orders from al Qaeda.</p>

<p><strong>March 22, 2016 - Brussels</strong>: A suicide bomber detonated a bomb on a train in the city&#39;s downtown Maelbeek subway station, about an hour after bomb attacks on the main airport. At least 30 people died in the attacks.</p>

<p><strong>March 29, 2010 - Moscow</strong>: Suicide bomb attacks on packed trains in two central subway stations killed at least 39 people and injured&nbsp;more. A Russian Islamist insurgent group claimed responsibility for the bombings.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>July 7, 2005 - London</strong>: Four British Islamists carried out suicide bomb attacks on three London subway trains and a bus, killing 52 people.</p>

<p><strong>March 11, 2004 - Madrid</strong>: Ten bombs packed into sports bags and detonated by cellphones tore through four commuter trains, killing more than 190 people and injuring more than 1,800. Three weeks later, seven men blew themselves up in a suburban apartment after police closed in on them.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Dec. 3, 1996 - Paris</strong>: A bomb exploded in the Port Royal station, killing four people and injuring 90.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Oct. 17, 1995 - Paris</strong>: A bomb exploded in the carriage of an express train in Paris, injuring 28 people.</p>

<p><strong>July 25, 1995: - Paris</strong>: A gas canister with black powder, nails,&nbsp;and bolts exploded on a rush-hour suburban commuter train at a station in the heart of the city&#39;s famed Latin Quarter. At least seven people died and 86 others were wounded in the blast, blamed on Algerian Islamist militants.</p>

<p><strong>March 20, 1995 - Tokyo</strong>: Members of the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult released sarin nerve gas in coordinated attacks on the subway system during the morning rush hour, killing 13 people and sickening thousands of others.</p>

<p><strong>December 1994 - New York</strong>: A firebomb exploded on a crowded subway train in lower Manhattan, injuring 48 people, including the bomber, Edward Leary, aged 50. Six days earlier, a firebomb planted by Leary went off on a subway in Manhattan&#39;s Harlem section, injuring two teenagers. Leary drew a 94-year prison sentence for the two bombings.</p>


Many transit systems have recently come under attacks around the world. Most recent on the list is an 'attempted' terrorist attack in New York

A Bangladeshi man set off a homemade bomb strapped to his body at a New York commuter hub at rush hour on Monday, wounding himself and three others in what New York Mayor Bill de Blasio called an attempted terrorist attack. Mass transit systems have come under attack around the world. Here are several notable incidents: Sept. 15, 2017 - London: A homemade bomb on a packed rush-hour commuter train in London engulfed a carriage in flames and injured 30 people, but apparently failed to fully explode. Some people suffered burns and others were injured in a stampede to escape the station. A teenager who moved to Britain after his parents were killed in Iraq is scheduled to go on trial in March. June 20, 2017 - Brussels: A Moroccan national tried to detonate a suitcase bomb packed with nails and gas bottles at the Central train station. A soldier fatally shot the man, who prosecutors said was suspected of supporting the radical group Islamic State. The bomb, which partly detonated, did not hurt anyone. April 3, 2017 - St. Petersburg: A suicide bomber killed 16 people and wounded more than 40 on a metro train. The suspect, a native of the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan, had rented an apartment in the city a month before the attack. A little-known group called the Imam Shamil Battalion claimed responsibility and said the bomber was acting on orders from al Qaeda. March 22, 2016 - Brussels: A suicide bomber detonated a bomb on a train in the city's downtown Maelbeek subway station, about an hour after bomb attacks on the main airport. At least 30 people died in the attacks. March 29, 2010 - Moscow: Suicide bomb attacks on packed trains in two central subway stations killed at least 39 people and injured more. A Russian Islamist insurgent group claimed responsibility for the bombings. July 7, 2005 - London: Four British Islamists carried out suicide bomb attacks on three London subway trains and a bus, killing 52 people. March 11, 2004 - Madrid: Ten bombs packed into sports bags and detonated by cellphones tore through four commuter trains, killing more than 190 people and injuring more than 1,800. Three weeks later, seven men blew themselves up in a suburban apartment after police closed in on them. Dec. 3, 1996 - Paris: A bomb exploded in the Port Royal station, killing four people and injuring 90. Oct. 17, 1995 - Paris: A bomb exploded in the carriage of an express train in Paris, injuring 28 people. July 25, 1995: - Paris: A gas canister with black powder, nails, and bolts exploded on a rush-hour suburban commuter train at a station in the heart of the city's famed Latin Quarter. At least seven people died and 86 others were wounded in the blast, blamed on Algerian Islamist militants. March 20, 1995 - Tokyo: Members of the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult released sarin nerve gas in coordinated attacks on the subway system during the morning rush hour, killing 13 people and sickening thousands of others. December 1994 - New York: A firebomb exploded on a crowded subway train in lower Manhattan, injuring 48 people, including the bomber, Edward Leary, aged 50. Six days earlier, a firebomb planted by Leary went off on a subway in Manhattan's Harlem section, injuring two teenagers. Leary drew a 94-year prison sentence for the two bombings.

Factbox: Attacks on mass transit system around the world

<p>Officials in Bangladesh are trying to track down the extended family and any known associates of Akayed Ullah, a Bangladeshi man US authorities say set off a homemade pipe bomb in a crowded New York City commuter hub on Monday.</p>

<p>&quot;Police are looking for his family, but so far they&#39;ve not been able to trace them,&quot; said Abul Khair Nadim, the Chair of Musapur Union council, a local government body in the Chittagong division in southern Bangladesh, where Ullah&#39;s family originally lived.</p>

<p>Bangladesh&#39;s police chief told Reuters late on Monday that 27-year-old Ullah had no criminal record in his home country, which he last visited in September.</p>

<p>Ullah lived with his mother, sister and two brothers in Brooklyn and was a green card holder, said Shameem Ahsan, consul general of Bangladesh in New York.</p>

<p>Ahmad Ullah, a relative of Ullah, who Reuters tracked down on Tuesday, said his cousin&#39;s father had moved to the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka with his family many years ago.</p>

<p>He said Ullah&#39;s father had passed away about five years ago, and that Ullah had been through a normal public school education in Bangladesh before moving to the United States.</p>

<p>Ullah, who had a homemade bomb strapped to his body, set off an explosion in an underground pedestrian corridor between New York&#39;s Times Square and the Port Authority Bus Terminal at rush hour, injuring himself and three others in what New York Mayor Bill de Blasio called an attempted terrorist attack.</p>

<p>A law enforcement official familiar with the investigation said investigators have found evidence that Ullah had watched Islamic State propaganda on the internet.</p>

<p>Bangladesh strongly condemned the attack in a statement saying, &quot;A terrorist is a terrorist irrespective of his or her ethnicity or religion, and must be brought to justice.&quot;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Officials in Bangladesh are trying to track down the extended family and any known associates of Akayed Ullah, a Bangladeshi man US authorities say set off a homemade pipe bomb in a crowded New York City commuter hub on Monday

Officials in Bangladesh are trying to track down the extended family and any known associates of Akayed Ullah, a Bangladeshi man US authorities say set off a homemade pipe bomb in a crowded New York City commuter hub on Monday. "Police are looking for his family, but so far they've not been able to trace them," said Abul Khair Nadim, the Chair of Musapur Union council, a local government body in the Chittagong division in southern Bangladesh, where Ullah's family originally lived. Bangladesh's police chief told Reuters late on Monday that 27-year-old Ullah had no criminal record in his home country, which he last visited in September. Ullah lived with his mother, sister and two brothers in Brooklyn and was a green card holder, said Shameem Ahsan, consul general of Bangladesh in New York. Ahmad Ullah, a relative of Ullah, who Reuters tracked down on Tuesday, said his cousin's father had moved to the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka with his family many years ago. He said Ullah's father had passed away about five years ago, and that Ullah had been through a normal public school education in Bangladesh before moving to the United States. Ullah, who had a homemade bomb strapped to his body, set off an explosion in an underground pedestrian corridor between New York's Times Square and the Port Authority Bus Terminal at rush hour, injuring himself and three others in what New York Mayor Bill de Blasio called an attempted terrorist attack. A law enforcement official familiar with the investigation said investigators have found evidence that Ullah had watched Islamic State propaganda on the internet. Bangladesh strongly condemned the attack in a statement saying, "A terrorist is a terrorist irrespective of his or her ethnicity or religion, and must be brought to justice."

Bangladesh police looking for family, associates of New York bombing suspect

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/de-blasio-wins-new-york-city-mayoral-election-23752" target="_blank">New York&#39;s mayor</a> on Monday signed into law the repeal of a 91-year-old piece of legislation that had technically banned dancing in thousands of bars, clubs and restaurants in the city.</p>

<p>The city council voted overwhelmingly on October 31 to axe the law, which had come into effect in 1926 during Prohibition and which campaigners decried as racist, saying it was used initially to crack down on Harlem&#39;s jazz clubs, where blacks and whites mixed.</p>

<p>Campaigners say it was also used historically to target Hispanics and members of the LGBT community. In the 1990s, mayor Rudy Giuliani used the law to get tough on clubs in his fight against crime.</p>

<p>&quot;It&#39;s 2017 and this law just didn&#39;t make sense. Nightlife is part of the New York melting pot that brings people together,&quot; said Mayor Bill de Blasio.</p>

<p>&quot;We want to be a city where people can work hard, and enjoy their city&#39;s nightlife without arcane bans on dancing.&quot;</p>

<p>Although the law was rarely enforced in recent years, it required public spaces that sell food and drink to acquire near impossible-to-obtain permits to authorize dancing indoors or risk a fine.</p>

<p>Yet only around 100 of New York&#39;s more than 22,000 bars, restaurants and clubs had the elusive permit.</p>

<p>Brooklyn Democratic councilman Rafael Espinal led the charge to repeal the law, saying it unfairly discriminated against small businesses.</p>

<p>&quot;Artist, musicians, businesses owners, workers and everyday New Yorkers looking to let loose will no longer have to fear the dance police will shut down their favorite venues,&quot; he said Monday.</p>

<p>A search is also now on for a &quot;nightlife mayor&quot; who can liaise between city hall, residents and the city&#39;s multi-billion-dollar nightlife industry, in order to support a safe nightlife scene that supports 300,000 jobs and attracts tourists far and wide.</p>

<p>While venues will not need a special dancing permit, the city will still require security guards and surveillance cameras in many venues.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The ban had come into effect in 1926 during Prohibition

New York's mayor on Monday signed into law the repeal of a 91-year-old piece of legislation that had technically banned dancing in thousands of bars, clubs and restaurants in the city. The city council voted overwhelmingly on October 31 to axe the law, which had come into effect in 1926 during Prohibition and which campaigners decried as racist, saying it was used initially to crack down on Harlem's jazz clubs, where blacks and whites mixed. Campaigners say it was also used historically to target Hispanics and members of the LGBT community. In the 1990s, mayor Rudy Giuliani used the law to get tough on clubs in his fight against crime. "It's 2017 and this law just didn't make sense. Nightlife is part of the New York melting pot that brings people together," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We want to be a city where people can work hard, and enjoy their city's nightlife without arcane bans on dancing." Although the law was rarely enforced in recent years, it required public spaces that sell food and drink to acquire near impossible-to-obtain permits to authorize dancing indoors or risk a fine. Yet only around 100 of New York's more than 22,000 bars, restaurants and clubs had the elusive permit. Brooklyn Democratic councilman Rafael Espinal led the charge to repeal the law, saying it unfairly discriminated against small businesses. "Artist, musicians, businesses owners, workers and everyday New Yorkers looking to let loose will no longer have to fear the dance police will shut down their favorite venues," he said Monday. A search is also now on for a "nightlife mayor" who can liaise between city hall, residents and the city's multi-billion-dollar nightlife industry, in order to support a safe nightlife scene that supports 300,000 jobs and attracts tourists far and wide. While venues will not need a special dancing permit, the city will still require security guards and surveillance cameras in many venues.

New York repeals 91-year-old dancing ban

<p>Leonardo da Vinci`s portrait of Christ <em>Salvator Mundi</em>&nbsp;sold for a record-smashing $450.3 million on Wednesday at Christie`s in New York -- more than double the old mark for any work of art at auction.<br />
<br />
The painting, only recently rediscovered and the last da Vinci left in private hands, fetched more than four times over the Christie&#39;s pre-sale estimate of about $100 million. It was more than twice the old auction record set by Picasso`s <em>Les Femmes D`Alger</em>,&nbsp;which sold for $179.4 in May 2015.<br />
<br />
<em>Salvator Mundi</em>&nbsp;was purchased by an unidentified buyer bidding via telephone after a protracted bidding war that stretched to nearly 20 minutes at the New York auction house.</p>


Leonardo da Vinci`s portrait of Christ 'Salvator Mundi' sold for a record-smashing $450.3 million on Wednesday at Christie`s in New York

Leonardo da Vinci`s portrait of Christ Salvator Mundi sold for a record-smashing $450.3 million on Wednesday at Christie`s in New York -- more than double the old mark for any work of art at auction. The painting, only recently rediscovered and the last da Vinci left in private hands, fetched more than four times over the Christie's pre-sale estimate of about $100 million. It was more than twice the old auction record set by Picasso`s Les Femmes D`Alger, which sold for $179.4 in May 2015. Salvator Mundi was purchased by an unidentified buyer bidding via telephone after a protracted bidding war that stretched to nearly 20 minutes at the New York auction house.

Da Vinci portrait of Christ sells for record $450.3 mln in New York

<p>Democrat Bill de Blasio, considered representative of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, won the New York City mayoral election, according to vote projections of local media and partial results released Tuesday night.</p>

<p>If de Blasio&#39;s victory is confirmed with the final official result, he will continue to be the mayor of the largest city in the United States for four more years.</p>

<p>Vote projections broadcast by the media half an hour after the polls closed indicate that the Democratic candidate won a clear victory at the polls against his most important rival, the Republican Nicole Malliotakis.</p>

<p>According to the partial and provisional vote count, with 72 per cent of the polling stations counted, de Blasio had so far won 65 per cent of the votes and Malliotakis 30 per cent. The remaining votes were distributed among five other candidates.</p>

<p>De Blasio, 56, stood out as a clear favorite in Tuesday&#39;s local elections, according to previous polls, which gave him support similar to the partial results that are currently being confirmed.</p>

<p>The re-elected mayor is expected to hold a press conference on Wednesday at 1pm local time (18.00 GMT), according to his office&#39;s announcement, made shortly after media projections announced his victory.</p>

<p>With this triumph, De Blasio will become the first Democrat to be re-elected as New York City mayor since the beginning of the 1980s.</p>

<p>De Blasio won his first victory in the mayoral elections in 2013, ending two decades of the Republicans&#39; municipal administration, those of Rudolph Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg.</p>

<p><em>(All the rights of the contents (text, photo, video, multimedia products and others) included in the services supplied to the user in this test are EFE-EPA property and shall be reproduced under EFE-EPA @copyright. Contents shall be reproduced only in the terms agreed with EFE and by no mean can those be redistributed, transferred or traded. User shall be held responsible for the alteration or misuse of the contents and products included in EFE-EPA services. User is compelled to follow the national law and will be the only responsible for the use or misuse of the contents provided by EFE-EPA.)</em></p>


If de Blasio's victory is confirmed with the final official result, he will continue to be the mayor of the largest city in the United States for four more years.

Democrat Bill de Blasio, considered representative of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, won the New York City mayoral election, according to vote projections of local media and partial results released Tuesday night. If de Blasio's victory is confirmed with the final official result, he will continue to be the mayor of the largest city in the United States for four more years. Vote projections broadcast by the media half an hour after the polls closed indicate that the Democratic candidate won a clear victory at the polls against his most important rival, the Republican Nicole Malliotakis. According to the partial and provisional vote count, with 72 per cent of the polling stations counted, de Blasio had so far won 65 per cent of the votes and Malliotakis 30 per cent. The remaining votes were distributed among five other candidates. De Blasio, 56, stood out as a clear favorite in Tuesday's local elections, according to previous polls, which gave him support similar to the partial results that are currently being confirmed. The re-elected mayor is expected to hold a press conference on Wednesday at 1pm local time (18.00 GMT), according to his office's announcement, made shortly after media projections announced his victory. With this triumph, De Blasio will become the first Democrat to be re-elected as New York City mayor since the beginning of the 1980s. De Blasio won his first victory in the mayoral elections in 2013, ending two decades of the Republicans' municipal administration, those of Rudolph Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg. (All the rights of the contents (text, photo, video, multimedia products and others) included in the services supplied to the user in this test are EFE-EPA property and shall be reproduced under EFE-EPA @copyright. Contents shall be reproduced only in the terms agreed with EFE and by no mean can those be redistributed, transferred or traded. User shall be held responsible for the alteration or misuse of the contents and products included in EFE-EPA services. User is compelled to follow the national law and will be the only responsible for the use or misuse of the contents provided by EFE-EPA.)

De Blasio wins New York City mayoral election

<p>The Halloween terrorist attack in New York by Sayfullo Saipov has ignited a debate in social media between scholars of Central Asia on why there is an apparently increasing number of such attacks by Uzbeks. The New York atrocity follows similar events in Istanbul, St Petersburg and Stockholm. Four very prominent attacks within ten months give an impression and suggest a trend.</p>

<p>Certain questions naturally arise. Why so many Uzbeks? Does this simply reflect the high number of emigrants, or is it a matter of specific recruitment networks within their migrant communities? Does the combination of a more repressive environment at home with a more open environment in countries of destination matter? Maybe it&rsquo;s specific histories of conflict between certain groups and the government in Tashkent? Or, perhaps, it&rsquo;s a backlash against the foreign allies of Uzbekistan? For most of these questions, only partial answers are available &ndash; but certain things can be said.</p>

<p>The error repeatedly made across the media is to look for explanations in Uzbekistan itself, but this isn&rsquo;t about radicalisation in Uzbekistan. There are very few terrorist attacks in Uzbekistan itself, only ten out of 85,000 global incidents recorded from 2001-2016. The much-cited Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan left the country almost two decades ago, hasn&rsquo;t committed an attack there since 2004, and now fights in remnants in Afghanistan and Pakistan.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the attackers perpetrating the incidents above left Uzbekistan many years before the attacks and were &ldquo;radicalised&rdquo; after leaving. Clearly, the real explanations lie elsewhere.</p>

<p><strong>Getting out</strong></p>

<p>This is why migration matters, as it does on almost every question with regard to contemporary Central Asia. Uzbekistan has easily the largest population in Central Asia, with more than 30m citizens. Over the last 20 years, several million Uzbeks have left their home country in search of a better life abroad. In this sense, the millions of Uzbeks are part of a wider trend of predominantly young men migrating overseas. For many of them, this is a tremendous opportunity; most are assets to their new home countries. But a tiny minority fall prey to radicalisation and violence.</p>

<p>In a social media debate with other Central Asia specialists, Sarah Kendzior, a journalist and anthropologist of Uzbekistan, argued:&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote>
<p>I think the big error that people are making is that this is an &lsquo;Uzbek problem&rsquo; instead of a &lsquo;alienated man abroad susceptible to the influence of terrorist propaganda and recruitment efforts&rsquo; problem. It makes far more sense to examine the three Uzbek cases within this broader category of men.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Then there&rsquo;s the question of recruitment mechanisms among migrants. Sergei Abashin, the Russian anthropologist, has drawn attention to how the sheer extent of Uzbek migrant networks makes them an attractive target for militant groups who offer them meaning in militant religion. Uzbek author and journalist Hamid Ismailov concur; in a Facebook response to the Saipov attack, he recalled a passage from his 2014 novel where he linked the emergence of international Uzbek jihadist networks to the battle between two very violent political institutions: the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and the government of Uzbekistan.</p>

<p>Also relevant are specific security governance measures and patterns. Kendzior is correct that the things that attract Central Asians to conduct terrorist attacks and mass shootings are the same as those which attract other young men, including Europeans and Americans. This is a global phenomenon &ndash; but it&rsquo;s also true that more perpetrators come from certain places than from others. The question is why.</p>

<p><strong>Hunted abroad</strong></p>

<p>Some countries, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Uzbekistan in particular, have been very good at &ldquo;exporting&rdquo; young men who are susceptible to jihadism due to their experience of repression at home. And this repression can even follow them overseas.</p>

<p>At the University of Exeter, we record Central Asian governments&rsquo; transnational security measures against exiled citizens and opposition groups. Of these states, Uzbekistan is consistently the most likely to pursue its exiles overseas, and particularly its religious exiles. As Alexander Cooley and I discuss in our book Dictators Without Borders, the Uzbek security services informally but extensively collaborate with security services in Russia, where the vast majority of Uzbek migrants are found, and other former Soviet states.</p>

<p>The Uzbek government would say that attacks such as the ones seen this year justify its strategy, but the reverse may be true. Their transnational crackdown on peaceful groups feeds into the jihadist narrative that secularism and Islam are entirely incompatible, as well as subjecting many young men who were not previously attracted to such narratives to harsh, violent repression.</p>

<p>Moreover, despite Uzbekistan&rsquo;s appalling human rights record, some Western democracies continue to provide limited security co-operation, particularly the US. These measures too can help fuel jihadist thinking. Had the US government made an explicit policy decision many years ago not to work with the Karimov government on counter-terrorism because that government was making the situation worse, it would have undercut some of the violent, radical narratives that may draw in a figure such as Saipov.</p>

<p>The Trump administration&rsquo;s knee-jerk anti-immigration response to the Saipov attack risks exacerbating this problem, and once again affirms jihadist images of the West. Migration should be recognised as a given and a good, and not least as part of the foundation of the US itself; simply shutting it down cannot be sound policy, and it won&rsquo;t help to reduce risks elsewhere. Instead, Western governments need to push back against repressive counter-terrorism policies among the states who have &ldquo;exported&rdquo; the perpetrators of violent acts &ndash; and they must be prepared to withdraw their support from those dangerous governments who&rsquo;ve come to depend on it.</p>

<p>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/has-uzbekistans-repressive-government-helped-radicalise-its-emigrants-and-exiles-86887" rel="nofollow" target="blank">original article</a>.</p>

<p>Image Credit: EPA</p>


The repressive counter-terrorism policies of states, such as Uzbekistan are pushing many of its emigrants to paths of extremism.

The Halloween terrorist attack in New York by Sayfullo Saipov has ignited a debate in social media between scholars of Central Asia on why there is an apparently increasing number of such attacks by Uzbeks. The New York atrocity follows similar events in Istanbul, St Petersburg and Stockholm. Four very prominent attacks within ten months give an impression and suggest a trend. Certain questions naturally arise. Why so many Uzbeks? Does this simply reflect the high number of emigrants, or is it a matter of specific recruitment networks within their migrant communities? Does the combination of a more repressive environment at home with a more open environment in countries of destination matter? Maybe it’s specific histories of conflict between certain groups and the government in Tashkent? Or, perhaps, it’s a backlash against the foreign allies of Uzbekistan? For most of these questions, only partial answers are available – but certain things can be said. The error repeatedly made across the media is to look for explanations in Uzbekistan itself, but this isn’t about radicalisation in Uzbekistan. There are very few terrorist attacks in Uzbekistan itself, only ten out of 85,000 global incidents recorded from 2001-2016. The much-cited Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan left the country almost two decades ago, hasn’t committed an attack there since 2004, and now fights in remnants in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Meanwhile, the attackers perpetrating the incidents above left Uzbekistan many years before the attacks and were “radicalised” after leaving. Clearly, the real explanations lie elsewhere. Getting out This is why migration matters, as it does on almost every question with regard to contemporary Central Asia. Uzbekistan has easily the largest population in Central Asia, with more than 30m citizens. Over the last 20 years, several million Uzbeks have left their home country in search of a better life abroad. In this sense, the millions of Uzbeks are part of a wider trend of predominantly young men migrating overseas. For many of them, this is a tremendous opportunity; most are assets to their new home countries. But a tiny minority fall prey to radicalisation and violence. In a social media debate with other Central Asia specialists, Sarah Kendzior, a journalist and anthropologist of Uzbekistan, argued: I think the big error that people are making is that this is an ‘Uzbek problem’ instead of a ‘alienated man abroad susceptible to the influence of terrorist propaganda and recruitment efforts’ problem. It makes far more sense to examine the three Uzbek cases within this broader category of men. Then there’s the question of recruitment mechanisms among migrants. Sergei Abashin, the Russian anthropologist, has drawn attention to how the sheer extent of Uzbek migrant networks makes them an attractive target for militant groups who offer them meaning in militant religion. Uzbek author and journalist Hamid Ismailov concur; in a Facebook response to the Saipov attack, he recalled a passage from his 2014 novel where he linked the emergence of international Uzbek jihadist networks to the battle between two very violent political institutions: the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and the government of Uzbekistan. Also relevant are specific security governance measures and patterns. Kendzior is correct that the things that attract Central Asians to conduct terrorist attacks and mass shootings are the same as those which attract other young men, including Europeans and Americans. This is a global phenomenon – but it’s also true that more perpetrators come from certain places than from others. The question is why. Hunted abroad Some countries, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Uzbekistan in particular, have been very good at “exporting” young men who are susceptible to jihadism due to their experience of repression at home. And this repression can even follow them overseas. At the University of Exeter, we record Central Asian governments’ transnational security measures against exiled citizens and opposition groups. Of these states, Uzbekistan is consistently the most likely to pursue its exiles overseas, and particularly its religious exiles. As Alexander Cooley and I discuss in our book Dictators Without Borders, the Uzbek security services informally but extensively collaborate with security services in Russia, where the vast majority of Uzbek migrants are found, and other former Soviet states. The Uzbek government would say that attacks such as the ones seen this year justify its strategy, but the reverse may be true. Their transnational crackdown on peaceful groups feeds into the jihadist narrative that secularism and Islam are entirely incompatible, as well as subjecting many young men who were not previously attracted to such narratives to harsh, violent repression. Moreover, despite Uzbekistan’s appalling human rights record, some Western democracies continue to provide limited security co-operation, particularly the US. These measures too can help fuel jihadist thinking. Had the US government made an explicit policy decision many years ago not to work with the Karimov government on counter-terrorism because that government was making the situation worse, it would have undercut some of the violent, radical narratives that may draw in a figure such as Saipov. The Trump administration’s knee-jerk anti-immigration response to the Saipov attack risks exacerbating this problem, and once again affirms jihadist images of the West. Migration should be recognised as a given and a good, and not least as part of the foundation of the US itself; simply shutting it down cannot be sound policy, and it won’t help to reduce risks elsewhere. Instead, Western governments need to push back against repressive counter-terrorism policies among the states who have “exported” the perpetrators of violent acts – and they must be prepared to withdraw their support from those dangerous governments who’ve come to depend on it. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Image Credit: EPA

Why Uzbeks are turning into jihadis

<p>US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Thursday reiterated his call for the death penalty against the Uzbek immigrant accused of killing eight people by driving a truck down a popular Manhattan bike path in the deadliest act of suspected terrorism to strike New York City since Sept. 11, 2001.</p>

<p>Sayfullo Saipov, 29, was charged in federal court on Wednesday with acting in support of the militant group Islamic State by plowing the truck down a riverside bike trail, injuring a dozen people in addition to those killed.</p>

<p>Trump had suggested on Wednesday sending Saipov to the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba, where terrorism suspects apprehended overseas are incarcerated, but on Thursday he said doing so would be too complicated.</p>

<p>&quot;Would love to send the NYC terrorist to Guantanamo but statistically that process takes much longer than going through the Federal system,&quot; Trump said on Twitter.</p>

<p>He added: &quot;There is also something appropriate about keeping him in the home of the horrible crime he committed. Should move fast. DEATH PENALTY!&quot;</p>

<p>According to the complaint filed against him, Saipov told investigators that he had been inspired by watching Islamic State propaganda videos on his cellphone, felt good about what he had done and asked for permission to display the Islamic State flag in his room at Bellevue Hospital Center.</p>

<p>Saipov was taken to Bellevue after he was shot in the abdomen by a police officer at the time of his arrest.</p>

<p>Trump on Thursday also repeated his the call for Congress to end the Diversity Immigrant Visa program under which Saipov entered the United States in 2010, saying on Twitter: &quot;We need to make AMERICA SAFE!&quot;</p>

<p>The diversity program, signed into law in 1990 by Republican President George H.W. Bush, was designed to provide more permanent resident visas to people from countries with low U.S. immigration rates.</p>

<p>One of the two criminal counts Saipov faces, violence and destruction of motor vehicles causing the deaths of eight people, carries the death penalty if the government chooses to seek it, according to acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim.</p>

<p><strong>Tweets and the death penalty</strong></p>

<p>Trump&#39;s tweets calling for the death penalty before Saipov even had a chance to enter a plea to the charges he faces could work to the defendant&#39;s advantage by giving his lawyers a chance to argue that the president prejudiced potential jurors.</p>

<p>&quot;The defence is sure to raise this as unfair and raising questions about a jury being able to reach an impartial verdict,&quot; said James Acker, a criminal justice professor at the State University of New York in Albany who specializes in capital punishment.</p>

<p>It could be used to make an argument that a judge should not allow the death penalty as a sentencing option, Acker said, adding that &quot;the likelihood of that succeeding is very small.&quot;</p>

<p>Saipov&#39;s defence attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p>

<p>Asked by reporters whether he thought Saipov should be executed if convicted, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he categorically opposes the death penalty.</p>

<p>&quot;I believe this is an individual who should rot in prison for the rest of his life,&quot; he told a news conference.</p>

<p>Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the surviving member of a pair of ethnic Chechen brothers who killed three people and injured more than 260 when they bombed the 2013 Boston Marathon in an attack inspired by the al Qaeda militant group, was sentenced to death in 2015. He is the only inmate among the 61 people on federal death row convicted for an act charged as terrorism.</p>

<p>Senator Lindsay Graham, a Republican, on Thursday repeated his criticism of the Justice Department for charging Saipov in the courts rather than treating him as an enemy combatant.</p>

<p>&quot;I&#39;m dumbfounded as to why the Trump Administration still follows the Obama playbook when it comes to dealing with terror suspects,&quot; Graham said in a statement.</p>

<p>Kim, the federal prosecutor, said the filing of charges against Saipov in federal court does not preclude the government from later declaring him an enemy combatant, though legal experts said such a move was highly unlikely.</p>

<p>Experts also said it would be highly improbable to send Saipov to Guantanamo because a federal judge would have to agree to turn him over to a military commission, and no person has ever been sent to Guantanamo straight from U.S. soil. In addition, as a permanent legal resident of the United States Saipov has virtually the same rights as a U.S. citizen, they said.</p>

<p>Declaring an individual an enemy combatant allows investigators to interrogate the person without having a lawyer present.</p>

<p>Saipov did waive his right to remain silent or have an attorney present when he agreed to speak to investigators from his bed at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, according to the criminal complaint.</p>

<p>The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it had located another Uzbek man, Mukhammadzoir Kadirov, 32, wanted for questioning as a person of interest in the attack.</p>

<p>Five Argentine tourists, a Belgian woman, a New Yorker and a New Jersey man were killed in Tuesday&#39;s attack.</p>

<p>The attack unfolded a few blocks from the site of the World Trade Center where some 2,600 people lost their lives after suicide hijackers crashed two jetliners into the Twin Towers 16 years ago.</p>


'There is also something appropriate about keeping him in the home of the horrible crime he committed. Should move fast. DEATH PENALTY!' Trump tweeted

US President Donald Trump on Thursday reiterated his call for the death penalty against the Uzbek immigrant accused of killing eight people by driving a truck down a popular Manhattan bike path in the deadliest act of suspected terrorism to strike New York City since Sept. 11, 2001. Sayfullo Saipov, 29, was charged in federal court on Wednesday with acting in support of the militant group Islamic State by plowing the truck down a riverside bike trail, injuring a dozen people in addition to those killed. Trump had suggested on Wednesday sending Saipov to the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba, where terrorism suspects apprehended overseas are incarcerated, but on Thursday he said doing so would be too complicated. "Would love to send the NYC terrorist to Guantanamo but statistically that process takes much longer than going through the Federal system," Trump said on Twitter. He added: "There is also something appropriate about keeping him in the home of the horrible crime he committed. Should move fast. DEATH PENALTY!" According to the complaint filed against him, Saipov told investigators that he had been inspired by watching Islamic State propaganda videos on his cellphone, felt good about what he had done and asked for permission to display the Islamic State flag in his room at Bellevue Hospital Center. Saipov was taken to Bellevue after he was shot in the abdomen by a police officer at the time of his arrest. Trump on Thursday also repeated his the call for Congress to end the Diversity Immigrant Visa program under which Saipov entered the United States in 2010, saying on Twitter: "We need to make AMERICA SAFE!" The diversity program, signed into law in 1990 by Republican President George H.W. Bush, was designed to provide more permanent resident visas to people from countries with low U.S. immigration rates. One of the two criminal counts Saipov faces, violence and destruction of motor vehicles causing the deaths of eight people, carries the death penalty if the government chooses to seek it, according to acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim. Tweets and the death penalty Trump's tweets calling for the death penalty before Saipov even had a chance to enter a plea to the charges he faces could work to the defendant's advantage by giving his lawyers a chance to argue that the president prejudiced potential jurors. "The defence is sure to raise this as unfair and raising questions about a jury being able to reach an impartial verdict," said James Acker, a criminal justice professor at the State University of New York in Albany who specializes in capital punishment. It could be used to make an argument that a judge should not allow the death penalty as a sentencing option, Acker said, adding that "the likelihood of that succeeding is very small." Saipov's defence attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Asked by reporters whether he thought Saipov should be executed if convicted, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he categorically opposes the death penalty. "I believe this is an individual who should rot in prison for the rest of his life," he told a news conference. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the surviving member of a pair of ethnic Chechen brothers who killed three people and injured more than 260 when they bombed the 2013 Boston Marathon in an attack inspired by the al Qaeda militant group, was sentenced to death in 2015. He is the only inmate among the 61 people on federal death row convicted for an act charged as terrorism. Senator Lindsay Graham, a Republican, on Thursday repeated his criticism of the Justice Department for charging Saipov in the courts rather than treating him as an enemy combatant. "I'm dumbfounded as to why the Trump Administration still follows the Obama playbook when it comes to dealing with terror suspects," Graham said in a statement. Kim, the federal prosecutor, said the filing of charges against Saipov in federal court does not preclude the government from later declaring him an enemy combatant, though legal experts said such a move was highly unlikely. Experts also said it would be highly improbable to send Saipov to Guantanamo because a federal judge would have to agree to turn him over to a military commission, and no person has ever been sent to Guantanamo straight from U.S. soil. In addition, as a permanent legal resident of the United States Saipov has virtually the same rights as a U.S. citizen, they said. Declaring an individual an enemy combatant allows investigators to interrogate the person without having a lawyer present. Saipov did waive his right to remain silent or have an attorney present when he agreed to speak to investigators from his bed at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, according to the criminal complaint. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it had located another Uzbek man, Mukhammadzoir Kadirov, 32, wanted for questioning as a person of interest in the attack. Five Argentine tourists, a Belgian woman, a New Yorker and a New Jersey man were killed in Tuesday's attack. The attack unfolded a few blocks from the site of the World Trade Center where some 2,600 people lost their lives after suicide hijackers crashed two jetliners into the Twin Towers 16 years ago.

Trump reiterates call for death penalty for New York truck attack suspect

<p>The recent attack on a bike path in lower Manhattan once again compels us to ask: Why do people pledge allegiance to the Islamic State?</p>

<p>Sayfullo Saipov, the suspect in the attack, isn&rsquo;t a devout Muslim. He cursed and came late to prayers, according to acquaintances who talked to The New York Times. So why would he want to be a martyr?</p>

<p>As a professor of modern Middle Eastern history, I have spent the majority of my professional life studying the region, its culture, society and politics. In recent years, I have researched and written about IS and its terrorist activities. While other experts and I have long looked at how radicalisation occurs, some new ideas are emerging.</p>

<p><strong>Of lone wolves, flaming bananas and machismo</strong></p>

<p>Like this recent attack in New York, many IS attacks around the globe are carried out by individuals the media have dubbed &ldquo;lone wolves&rdquo; &ndash; that is, freelancers who act without the direct knowledge of the IS leadership. To avoid glamorising them, the RAND Corporation prefers the term &ldquo;flaming bananas.&rdquo;</p>

<p>There are two theories as to why these individuals pledge allegiance to the group. The first is that they get &quot;radicalised&quot;.</p>

<p>Radicalisation refers to a step-by-step process whereby individuals become increasingly susceptible to jihadi ideas. First, they cut themselves off from social networks such as family, which provide them with support and a conventional value system. They then immerse themselves in a radical religious counterculture. They might do this on their own, or a jihadi recruiter might bring them into the fold. Either way, the result is the same.</p>

<p>Some observers claim IS propaganda plays a key role in recruitment. Rather than presenting a religious rationale for the group&rsquo;s actions, IS propaganda tends to focus on the violence the group perpetrates. IS has even released a video game based on Grand Theft Auto 5 in which, rather than stealing cars and battling the police, the player destroys advancing personnel carriers and shoots enemy soldiers.</p>

<p>Perhaps, then, the radicalisation model is wrong or not universally applicable. Perhaps there&rsquo;s something other than religious zealotry at play.</p>

<p>Consider the widely reported story of two would-be jihadists who, before they left Birmingham, U.K., for Syria, ordered &ldquo;Islam for Dummies&rdquo; and &ldquo;The Koran for Dummies&rdquo; to fill the gaps in their knowledge.</p>

<p>Newspaper stories time and again puzzle over the problem of how it happens that individuals who go on to join IS were found in bars, even gay bars, or had western girlfriends and smoked and drank almost up to the time they committed some act of violence for the group. The most common explanation is that their dissolute lifestyle was a cover.</p>

<p>After the driver of a truck ran down and killed 84 people in Nice, France, for example, the French interior minister was at a loss to explain how someone who drank during Ramadan &ndash; which had ended a week and a half before &ndash; could have radicalised so quickly.</p>

<p>A number of experts have argued that the radicalisation model should be replaced by, or supplemented with, a different model.</p>

<p>Rather than joining a radically different religious counterculture, individuals are attracted to IS, these experts argue because its actions reaffirm the cultural values of those who are marginalised, or those who exhibit what psychiatrists call &ldquo;anti-social personality disorders.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Could it be that IS volunteers are drawn to a value system that asserts an aggressive machismo, disparages steady work and sustains the impulse for immediate gratification? Could it be that they are attracted to a culture that promotes redemption through violence, loyalty, patriarchal values, thrill-seeking to the point of martyrdom and the diminution of women to objects of pleasure?</p>

<p>In this reading, IS more closely resembles the sort of street gang with which many of its Western and Westernised enlistees are familiar than its more austere competitor, al-Qaida.</p>

<p>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-draws-lone-wolves-to-the-islamic-state-86746" rel="nofollow" target="blank">original article</a>.</p>


Terrorists are drawn IS value system that asserts an aggressive machismo

The recent attack on a bike path in lower Manhattan once again compels us to ask: Why do people pledge allegiance to the Islamic State? Sayfullo Saipov, the suspect in the attack, isn’t a devout Muslim. He cursed and came late to prayers, according to acquaintances who talked to The New York Times. So why would he want to be a martyr? As a professor of modern Middle Eastern history, I have spent the majority of my professional life studying the region, its culture, society and politics. In recent years, I have researched and written about IS and its terrorist activities. While other experts and I have long looked at how radicalisation occurs, some new ideas are emerging. Of lone wolves, flaming bananas and machismo Like this recent attack in New York, many IS attacks around the globe are carried out by individuals the media have dubbed “lone wolves” – that is, freelancers who act without the direct knowledge of the IS leadership. To avoid glamorising them, the RAND Corporation prefers the term “flaming bananas.” There are two theories as to why these individuals pledge allegiance to the group. The first is that they get "radicalised". Radicalisation refers to a step-by-step process whereby individuals become increasingly susceptible to jihadi ideas. First, they cut themselves off from social networks such as family, which provide them with support and a conventional value system. They then immerse themselves in a radical religious counterculture. They might do this on their own, or a jihadi recruiter might bring them into the fold. Either way, the result is the same. Some observers claim IS propaganda plays a key role in recruitment. Rather than presenting a religious rationale for the group’s actions, IS propaganda tends to focus on the violence the group perpetrates. IS has even released a video game based on Grand Theft Auto 5 in which, rather than stealing cars and battling the police, the player destroys advancing personnel carriers and shoots enemy soldiers. Perhaps, then, the radicalisation model is wrong or not universally applicable. Perhaps there’s something other than religious zealotry at play. Consider the widely reported story of two would-be jihadists who, before they left Birmingham, U.K., for Syria, ordered “Islam for Dummies” and “The Koran for Dummies” to fill the gaps in their knowledge. Newspaper stories time and again puzzle over the problem of how it happens that individuals who go on to join IS were found in bars, even gay bars, or had western girlfriends and smoked and drank almost up to the time they committed some act of violence for the group. The most common explanation is that their dissolute lifestyle was a cover. After the driver of a truck ran down and killed 84 people in Nice, France, for example, the French interior minister was at a loss to explain how someone who drank during Ramadan – which had ended a week and a half before – could have radicalised so quickly. A number of experts have argued that the radicalisation model should be replaced by, or supplemented with, a different model. Rather than joining a radically different religious counterculture, individuals are attracted to IS, these experts argue because its actions reaffirm the cultural values of those who are marginalised, or those who exhibit what psychiatrists call “anti-social personality disorders.” Could it be that IS volunteers are drawn to a value system that asserts an aggressive machismo, disparages steady work and sustains the impulse for immediate gratification? Could it be that they are attracted to a culture that promotes redemption through violence, loyalty, patriarchal values, thrill-seeking to the point of martyrdom and the diminution of women to objects of pleasure? In this reading, IS more closely resembles the sort of street gang with which many of its Western and Westernised enlistees are familiar than its more austere competitor, al-Qaida. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

What draws 'lone wolves' to the Islamic State

<p>New York is an intrepid city. One can&#39;t but fall in love with it. I for that matter was in complete awe. Having lived and worked there for years, I would marvel at the city&#39;s capacity to absorb the most myriad group of ethnic communities across the world. The heinous 9/11 attack did leave its scar on the city but failed to daunt its spirit. While rest of the US has become suspicious of foreigners in different degrees, NYC continues to live up to the unmatched standard of its own cosmopolitanism. An unusual mix of people, culture and religion.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">New York is an international symbol of freedom and democracy, and we will not be deterred. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYCstrong?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYCstrong</a> <a href="https://t.co/2antds3185">pic.twitter.com/2antds3185</a></p>
&mdash; Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYGovCuomo/status/925520087670493184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">New York&#39;s resilience is stronger than a cowardly act of terror. Thinking of the victims, their families, &amp; the responders who saved lives.</p>
&mdash; Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) <a href="https://twitter.com/HillaryClinton/status/925515496576962562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>No person, no group, no community own NYC. The city belongs to all New Yorkers. And who is a New Yorker? Anyone who lives there, works in the city, share the city&#39;s spirit. You don&#39;t have to be particularly white, a Jew or an American citizen to be a New Yorker. The city will embrace you. Slowly, with time, as you gain your foothold in that behemoth metropolis, if you start feeling comfortable with its peculiar ebb and flow of life, the city will suck you in. The people make New York City what it is. Not the buildings, shops, the cars or the affluence.</p>

<p>&quot;New York is very much like the movies&quot;, the Algerian-French couple pointed out to me as the sun set over the white desert, close to Jordan&#39;s border with Saudi Arabia. I agreed in politeness. But the city, in reality, is stranger than celluloid fiction.</p>

<p>In the real world, Italy may have very little to do with China; there could possibly be no overlaps between the languages, cultures, food types of the two countries but just across Mulberry Street, Little Italy and China Town co-exist. How do the residents of two blocs communicate? I have no idea. Do they fight each other? No.</p>

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<h5>Life in the City is a rich tapestry of diverse colours, designs and motifs. And that is what makes it unique. You cannot essentialise it, reduce it, box it, or simplify it.</h5>
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<p>This coexistence evident all over the city is not a doing of NYPD alone. Over years, the city has learned to live an eclectic life, slowing growing out of its more violent past. It respects stability but is not hankering for homogeneity. While one can decide to stick to one&#39;s culture and language, religion and dress, there is always the possibility of getting enriched by others who are very different. Different but no less.</p>

<p>Life in the City is a rich tapestry of diverse colours, designs and motifs. And that is what makes it unique. You cannot essentialise it, reduce it, box it, or simplify it. The City is a bundle of contradictions.</p>

<p>Yesterday&#39;s terrorist attack was a brutal blow to this richness of life, mauling to the ground the values the City stands for. Not only have we lost eight precious lives; we have jeopardised a spirit which is hard to find nowadays because there is so much hate, jingoism, and intolerance.</p>

<p>Let us for a moment not get into the number game by saying, oh, only eight died. I agree many more die in the war zones of West Asia every day. But we cannot for sake of humanity compare lives with lives. Every life lost is a loss. Let us condemn it.</p>

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<h5>How is killing these people, most of whom are tourists and immigrants, help to maul the military might of the US?</h5>
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<p><strong>Also watch:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/school-bus-with-children-inside-hit-in-new-york-attack-6467"><strong>School bus with children inside hit in New York attack</strong></a></p>

<p>The mindless terror that motivated the assassin appals me. No for god&#39;s sake don&#39;t try to convince me of the ideological underpinning of the act. It had none. It was not even prompted by an empathy for a cause. The terrorist decided to strike at the hub of New York&#39;s tourist destination. It is very much a civilian space too. It is a stone throw away from Wall Trade Center, Wall Street, Anne Frank Museum. Millions of commuter included me, travelled through that locality every day. How is killing these people, most of whom are tourists and immigrants, help to maul the military might of the US?</p>

<p>In his mindless rage, what the assassin might have missed is that such actions make the US an even more paranoid country. The current president is already hellbent to stop immigration with his exclusionary ideology that has little regard for the New York spirit. This attack will give Donald Trump one more and a very big excuse to close the doors and come down hard on other countries whose citizens he is keen on relegating to lives of eternal damnation. It is already evident from Twitter posts how hate is flowing fast and thick</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Stop letting these animals in the country!</p>
&mdash; Jose Guitian Cicero (@omgitzjose) <a href="https://twitter.com/omgitzjose/status/925589998312751104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Start deportations, entire families. Investigate all their neighbors.<br />
Ppl start paying attention who TFK lives next door! +Fk protesters!!!</p>
&mdash; ?NdRE (@cruztomahawk) <a href="https://twitter.com/cruztomahawk/status/925597499502616577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">There will be no freedom when those terrorists will kill us all??</p>
&mdash; Bina Arington (@Baring5225) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baring5225/status/925592483777593344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>My only plea today is if you wish to fight hegemony, violence, hatred, then think carefully and resist strategically. Killing innocent lives does not help whatever cause you are fighting for, it does not defeat your mighty opponent and, the worst is, you only help to bolster jingoistic responses. More importantly, you end up killing a spirit which you may actually want to champion, at least for the sake of a more tolerant world.</p>


This attack will give Donald Trump one more and a very big excuse to close the doors and come down hard on other countries whose citizens he is keen on relegating to lives of eternal damnation.

New York is an intrepid city. One can't but fall in love with it. I for that matter was in complete awe. Having lived and worked there for years, I would marvel at the city's capacity to absorb the most myriad group of ethnic communities across the world. The heinous 9/11 attack did leave its scar on the city but failed to daunt its spirit. While rest of the US has become suspicious of foreigners in different degrees, NYC continues to live up to the unmatched standard of its own cosmopolitanism. An unusual mix of people, culture and religion. New York is an international symbol of freedom and democracy, and we will not be deterred. #NYCstrong pic.twitter.com/2antds3185 — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) November 1, 2017 × New York's resilience is stronger than a cowardly act of terror. Thinking of the victims, their families, & the responders who saved lives. — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 1, 2017 × No person, no group, no community own NYC. The city belongs to all New Yorkers. And who is a New Yorker? Anyone who lives there, works in the city, share the city's spirit. You don't have to be particularly white, a Jew or an American citizen to be a New Yorker. The city will embrace you. Slowly, with time, as you gain your foothold in that behemoth metropolis, if you start feeling comfortable with its peculiar ebb and flow of life, the city will suck you in. The people make New York City what it is. Not the buildings, shops, the cars or the affluence. "New York is very much like the movies", the Algerian-French couple pointed out to me as the sun set over the white desert, close to Jordan's border with Saudi Arabia. I agreed in politeness. But the city, in reality, is stranger than celluloid fiction. In the real world, Italy may have very little to do with China; there could possibly be no overlaps between the languages, cultures, food types of the two countries but just across Mulberry Street, Little Italy and China Town co-exist. How do the residents of two blocs communicate? I have no idea. Do they fight each other? No. Life in the City is a rich tapestry of diverse colours, designs and motifs. And that is what makes it unique. You cannot essentialise it, reduce it, box it, or simplify it. × This coexistence evident all over the city is not a doing of NYPD alone. Over years, the city has learned to live an eclectic life, slowing growing out of its more violent past. It respects stability but is not hankering for homogeneity. While one can decide to stick to one's culture and language, religion and dress, there is always the possibility of getting enriched by others who are very different. Different but no less. Life in the City is a rich tapestry of diverse colours, designs and motifs. And that is what makes it unique. You cannot essentialise it, reduce it, box it, or simplify it. The City is a bundle of contradictions. Yesterday's terrorist attack was a brutal blow to this richness of life, mauling to the ground the values the City stands for. Not only have we lost eight precious lives; we have jeopardised a spirit which is hard to find nowadays because there is so much hate, jingoism, and intolerance. Let us for a moment not get into the number game by saying, oh, only eight died. I agree many more die in the war zones of West Asia every day. But we cannot for sake of humanity compare lives with lives. Every life lost is a loss. Let us condemn it. How is killing these people, most of whom are tourists and immigrants, help to maul the military might of the US? × Also watch: School bus with children inside hit in New York attack The mindless terror that motivated the assassin appals me. No for god's sake don't try to convince me of the ideological underpinning of the act. It had none. It was not even prompted by an empathy for a cause. The terrorist decided to strike at the hub of New York's tourist destination. It is very much a civilian space too. It is a stone throw away from Wall Trade Center, Wall Street, Anne Frank Museum. Millions of commuter included me, travelled through that locality every day. How is killing these people, most of whom are tourists and immigrants, help to maul the military might of the US? In his mindless rage, what the assassin might have missed is that such actions make the US an even more paranoid country. The current president is already hellbent to stop immigration with his exclusionary ideology that has little regard for the New York spirit. This attack will give Donald Trump one more and a very big excuse to close the doors and come down hard on other countries whose citizens he is keen on relegating to lives of eternal damnation. It is already evident from Twitter posts how hate is flowing fast and thick Stop letting these animals in the country! — Jose Guitian Cicero (@omgitzjose) November 1, 2017 × Start deportations, entire families. Investigate all their neighbors. Ppl start paying attention who TFK lives next door! +Fk protesters!!! — ?NdRE (@cruztomahawk) November 1, 2017 × There will be no freedom when those terrorists will kill us all?? — Bina Arington (@Baring5225) November 1, 2017 × My only plea today is if you wish to fight hegemony, violence, hatred, then think carefully and resist strategically. Killing innocent lives does not help whatever cause you are fighting for, it does not defeat your mighty opponent and, the worst is, you only help to bolster jingoistic responses. More importantly, you end up killing a spirit which you may actually want to champion, at least for the sake of a more tolerant world.

Terror attacks on NYC will bolster jingoism in the US

<p>A suspected terrorist was arrested in Tunisia after he allegedly wounded two policemen in a knife attack.</p>

<p>The attack occurred near the parliament building in Tunis.</p>

<p>Tunisia&#39;s interior ministry confirmed the incident, informing, &quot;A Salafist attacked two policemen with a knife. One was struck on the forehead and the other stabbed in the neck and is in intensive care.&quot;</p>

<p>The assailant&nbsp;has been arrested, the ministry added.</p>

<p>One policeman was taken to hospital after being stabbed&nbsp;in the neck.</p>


One policeman was taken to hospital after being hit on the neck.

A suspected terrorist was arrested in Tunisia after he allegedly wounded two policemen in a knife attack. The attack occurred near the parliament building in Tunis. Tunisia's interior ministry confirmed the incident, informing, "A Salafist attacked two policemen with a knife. One was struck on the forehead and the other stabbed in the neck and is in intensive care." The assailant has been arrested, the ministry added. One policeman was taken to hospital after being stabbed in the neck.

Knife attack on 2 policemen near parliament in Tunisia

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/eight-dead-in-suspected-terrorist-truck-attack-on-manhattan-bike-path-23254">terror attack in New York</a> in which eight people have been killed.</p>

<p>&quot;Strongly condemn the terror attack in New York City. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased &amp; prayers with those injured,&quot; PM Modi tweeted.</p>

<p>A driver in a rented pickup truck mowed down pedestrians and cyclists on a bike path alongside the Hudson River in New York City on Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring about a dozen others.</p>

<p>It was the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-condemns-new-york-terrorist-attack-23255">greatest loss of life</a> from a suspected terrorist attack in New York since suicide hijackers crashed jetliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001, killing more than 2,600 people.</p>

<p>The 29-year-old suspect in Tuesday&#39;s attack was shot in the abdomen by police and taken into custody after he crashed the truck into a school bus and fled his vehicle, New York City Police Commissioner James O&#39;Neill told a news conference.</p>


"Strongly condemn the terror attack in New York City. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased & prayers with those injured," PM Modi tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the terror attack in New York in which eight people have been killed. "Strongly condemn the terror attack in New York City. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased & prayers with those injured," PM Modi tweeted. A driver in a rented pickup truck mowed down pedestrians and cyclists on a bike path alongside the Hudson River in New York City on Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring about a dozen others. It was the greatest loss of life from a suspected terrorist attack in New York since suicide hijackers crashed jetliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001, killing more than 2,600 people. The 29-year-old suspect in Tuesday's attack was shot in the abdomen by police and taken into custody after he crashed the truck into a school bus and fled his vehicle, New York City Police Commissioner James O'Neill told a news conference.

New York terror attack: My thoughts with families of deceased, tweets PM Modi

<p>US President Trump said today he has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sayfullo-saipov-was-planning-new-york-attack-for-weeks-police-23326">started the process of terminating the US green card lottery system</a> just hours after Sayfullo Saipov, an Uzbek man drove through a bike path killing eight people in lower Manhattan.</p>

<p>&quot;I am starting the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-attacker-radicalized-domestically-governor-andrew-cuomo-23315">process of terminating the diversity lottery program,&quot; Trump</a> told reporters.</p>

<p>Trump said Saipov came to the US through the visa programme.</p>

<p>Trump also said he would &#39;certainly consider&#39; sending Saipov&nbsp;to America&#39;s military detention centre in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.</p>

<p>&quot;I would certainly consider that,&quot; Trump told reporters.</p>

<p>Trump had earlier lashed out at the &#39;Diversity Visa Lottery Program&#39; blaming the Democrats and pressed for a &#39;merit-based&#39; program for immigrants to the United States.</p>

<p>&quot;The terrorist came into our country through what is called the &#39;Diversity Visa Lottery Program&#39;, a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit-based,&quot; Trump wrote in a post on Twitter, referring to the Senate Democratic leader.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, New York police said Sayfullo Saipov was planning the attack&nbsp;for weeks.</p>

<p>&quot;Based on the investigation overnight, it appears that Mr Saipov had been planning this for a number of weeks,&quot; John Miller, deputy commissioner of the New York Police Department said.</p>

<p>The police said Arabic notes referencing Islamic State were found at the New York attack site.</p>

<p>Police also added that Saipov was interviewed at the hospital but did not give details.</p>

<p>Sayfullo Saipov had never been the subject of a federal or local police probe, John Miller, deputy commissioner of the New York Police Department told reporters.</p>

<p>Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference that the New York Marathon will be held as planned. He said security will be heavily stepped up for the race involving more than 50,000 runners.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Trump said Saipov came to the US through the diversity lottery program

US President Trump said today he has started the process of terminating the US green card lottery system just hours after Sayfullo Saipov, an Uzbek man drove through a bike path killing eight people in lower Manhattan. "I am starting the process of terminating the diversity lottery program," Trump told reporters. Trump said Saipov came to the US through the visa programme. Trump also said he would 'certainly consider' sending Saipov to America's military detention centre in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. "I would certainly consider that," Trump told reporters. Trump had earlier lashed out at the 'Diversity Visa Lottery Program' blaming the Democrats and pressed for a 'merit-based' program for immigrants to the United States. "The terrorist came into our country through what is called the 'Diversity Visa Lottery Program', a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit-based," Trump wrote in a post on Twitter, referring to the Senate Democratic leader. Meanwhile, New York police said Sayfullo Saipov was planning the attack for weeks. "Based on the investigation overnight, it appears that Mr Saipov had been planning this for a number of weeks," John Miller, deputy commissioner of the New York Police Department said. The police said Arabic notes referencing Islamic State were found at the New York attack site. Police also added that Saipov was interviewed at the hospital but did not give details. Sayfullo Saipov had never been the subject of a federal or local police probe, John Miller, deputy commissioner of the New York Police Department told reporters. Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference that the New York Marathon will be held as planned. He said security will be heavily stepped up for the race involving more than 50,000 runners.

Starting the process of terminating diversity lottery program: Trump

<p>New York police said today that Sayfullo Saipov, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/arrest-of-new-york-attacker-again-highlights-uzbekistans-links-to-global-terror-23299">the man who drove a truck </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/arrest-of-new-york-attacker-again-highlights-uzbekistans-links-to-global-terror-23299">through</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/arrest-of-new-york-attacker-again-highlights-uzbekistans-links-to-global-terror-23299"> a cycle path, killing eight people</a> in lower Manhattan, was planning the attacks for weeks.</p>

<p>&quot;Based on the investigation overnight, it appears that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/timeline-unwinding-the-the-new-york-city-terror-attack-23295">Mr Saipov had been planning this for a number of weeks</a>,&quot; John Miller, deputy commissioner of the New York Police Department said.</p>

<p>The police said Arabic notes referencing Islamic State were found at the New York attack site.</p>

<p>Police also added that Saipov was interviewed at the hospital but did not give details.</p>

<p>Sayfullo Saipov had never been the subject of a federal or local police probe, John Miller, deputy commissioner of the New York Police Department told reporters.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Mayor Bill de Blasio declared New York Marathon will be held as planned.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;It will go on as scheduled. It will be<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/police-release-mugshot-of-suspect-in-new-york-truck-attack-23264"> an extraordinary event, as it always is,&quot; Mayor Bill </a>de Blasio told a news conference.</p>

<p>The beefed up security will feature more sand trucks parked to prevent vehicle attacks, extra police stationed on rooftops, and more anti-sniper units, among other steps, said NY police chief Carlos Gomez.</p>

<p>&quot;Police will be mixing in with the crowds to detect any suspicious activity,&quot; Gomez added.</p>

<p>US President Donald Trump criticized the nation&#39;s visa system in the wake of Tuesday&#39;s truck attack blaming Democrats and pressed for a &#39;merit-based&#39;&nbsp;program for immigrants to the United States.</p>

<p>&quot;The terrorist came into our country through what is called the &#39;Diversity Visa Lottery Program&#39;, a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit-based,&quot; Trump wrote in a post on Twitter, referring to the Senate Democratic leader.</p>


Police said Saipov was interviewed at the hospital but did not give details

New York police said today that Sayfullo Saipov, the man who drove a truck through a cycle path, killing eight people in lower Manhattan, was planning the attacks for weeks. "Based on the investigation overnight, it appears that Mr Saipov had been planning this for a number of weeks," John Miller, deputy commissioner of the New York Police Department said. The police said Arabic notes referencing Islamic State were found at the New York attack site. Police also added that Saipov was interviewed at the hospital but did not give details. Sayfullo Saipov had never been the subject of a federal or local police probe, John Miller, deputy commissioner of the New York Police Department told reporters. Meanwhile, Mayor Bill de Blasio declared New York Marathon will be held as planned. "It will go on as scheduled. It will be an extraordinary event, as it always is," Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference. The beefed up security will feature more sand trucks parked to prevent vehicle attacks, extra police stationed on rooftops, and more anti-sniper units, among other steps, said NY police chief Carlos Gomez. "Police will be mixing in with the crowds to detect any suspicious activity," Gomez added. US President Donald Trump criticized the nation's visa system in the wake of Tuesday's truck attack blaming Democrats and pressed for a 'merit-based' program for immigrants to the United States. "The terrorist came into our country through what is called the 'Diversity Visa Lottery Program', a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit-based," Trump wrote in a post on Twitter, referring to the Senate Democratic leader.

Sayfullo Saipov was planning New York attack for weeks: Police

<p>Thousands of merry-makers, many dressed in elaborate Halloween costumes, paraded through lower Manhattan on Tuesday, undeterred by the attack that unfolded just hours earlier when a driver mowed down dozens of people on a bike path a few blocks away.</p>

<p>Revelers who joined the 44th annual Village Halloween Parade said they were painfully aware that eight people were killed in what authorities say was an act of terrorism but carried on with the festivities to show fortitude and solidarity with the victims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;You gotta live your life, you can&rsquo;t let things like this discourage you,&rdquo; said 60-year old Michael Spain along the route. &ldquo;As sobering as they are, you still gotta come out and enjoy stuff like this - or they win.&quot;</p>

<p>Thousands of people in costumes took part in the annual celebration along Greenwich Village&#39;s Sixth Avenue, typically one of the nation&#39;s largest Halloween parades. Hundreds of uniformed police officers maintained a steady presence throughout the mile-long route.</p>

<p>&quot;Out of an abundance of caution, you will see an increase of NYPD personnel throughout NYC, including the Halloween Parade,&quot; the New York City Police Department said on Twitter.</p>

<p>Among the participants were a Rio de Janeiro-style group with the drums, witches and ghosts, and a massive D&iacute;a de los Muertos group with 12-foot-tall skeletons.</p>

<p>&quot;Tonight we&#39;re at a Halloween parade to say, you didn&#39;t win and you didn&#39;t affect us, and we&#39;re out and we&#39;re celebrating and we&#39;re doing what New Yorkers do and we&#39;re living our lives because we&#39;re not going to allow the terrorists to win. Period,&quot; New York Governor Andrew Cuomo told CNN.</p>

<p>&quot;And that&#39;s why I&#39;m here marching in the parade, not because I have a great costume.&quot; said Cuomo, who was dressed in a suit and tie.</p>

<p>Jorge Arias, the owner of a wine shop and an adjacent bar near King Street, said that the crowd was slightly smaller than in past years but not by much.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;By 5 o&rsquo;clock the street was a bit empty and last year it was already full,&rdquo; Arias, 42, said in Spanish. &quot;But now the crowds are more normal compared to last year. Maybe a little less, but almost the same.&rdquo;</p>


Revelers who joined the 44th annual Village Halloween Parade said they were painfully aware that eight people were killed in what authorities say was an act of terrorism but carried on with the festivities to show fortitude and solidarity with the victims.

Thousands of merry-makers, many dressed in elaborate Halloween costumes, paraded through lower Manhattan on Tuesday, undeterred by the attack that unfolded just hours earlier when a driver mowed down dozens of people on a bike path a few blocks away. Revelers who joined the 44th annual Village Halloween Parade said they were painfully aware that eight people were killed in what authorities say was an act of terrorism but carried on with the festivities to show fortitude and solidarity with the victims. "You gotta live your life, you can’t let things like this discourage you,” said 60-year old Michael Spain along the route. “As sobering as they are, you still gotta come out and enjoy stuff like this - or they win." Thousands of people in costumes took part in the annual celebration along Greenwich Village's Sixth Avenue, typically one of the nation's largest Halloween parades. Hundreds of uniformed police officers maintained a steady presence throughout the mile-long route. "Out of an abundance of caution, you will see an increase of NYPD personnel throughout NYC, including the Halloween Parade," the New York City Police Department said on Twitter. Among the participants were a Rio de Janeiro-style group with the drums, witches and ghosts, and a massive Día de los Muertos group with 12-foot-tall skeletons. "Tonight we're at a Halloween parade to say, you didn't win and you didn't affect us, and we're out and we're celebrating and we're doing what New Yorkers do and we're living our lives because we're not going to allow the terrorists to win. Period," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo told CNN. "And that's why I'm here marching in the parade, not because I have a great costume." said Cuomo, who was dressed in a suit and tie. Jorge Arias, the owner of a wine shop and an adjacent bar near King Street, said that the crowd was slightly smaller than in past years but not by much. “By 5 o’clock the street was a bit empty and last year it was already full,” Arias, 42, said in Spanish. "But now the crowds are more normal compared to last year. Maybe a little less, but almost the same.”

Exuberant and defiant, New Yorkers flock to Halloween parade despite attack

<p>New York governor <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-new-york-attack-trump-pushes-merit-based-us-visa-system-23312">Andrew Mark Cuomo said Uzbek national who had driven a truck </a>through a cycle path, killing eight people, was associated with Islamic State but was &quot;radicalised domestically&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;He&#39;s a depraved coward is what he is, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/timeline-unwinding-the-the-new-york-city-terror-attack-23295">and he was associated with ISIS, and he was radicalised</a> domestically, and he&#39;s a depraved coward,&quot; Cuomo said in an interview with CNN.</p>

<p>29-year-old Uzbek citizen Sayfullo Saipov drove this truck through a cycle path killing pedestrians and cyclists in New York on Tuesday afternoon.</p>

<p>New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the attack a &quot;cowardly act of terror&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Governor Andrew Cuomo had earlier said it a &#39;lone wolf&#39; attack and that there was no evidence to suggest it was part of a wider plot.</p>

<p>At least two children were killed in the attack. Sayfullo Saipov, an Uber driver was shot in the abdomen by police on the spot and taken into custody and later underwent surgery. He is reportedly still unconscious.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the New York Marathon will be held as planned, Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference. He said security will be heavily stepped up for the race involving more than 50,000 runners.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYCStrong?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYCStrong</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USA</a>???? <a href="https://t.co/6K3Xw5P87d">pic.twitter.com/6K3Xw5P87d</a></p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/925716689064427520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


29-year-old Uzbek citizen Sayfullo Saipov drove this truck through cycle path killing pedestrians and cyclists in New York on Tuesday afternoon.

New York governor Andrew Mark Cuomo said Uzbek national who had driven a truck through a cycle path, killing eight people, was associated with Islamic State but was "radicalised domestically". "He's a depraved coward is what he is, and he was associated with ISIS, and he was radicalised domestically, and he's a depraved coward," Cuomo said in an interview with CNN. 29-year-old Uzbek citizen Sayfullo Saipov drove this truck through a cycle path killing pedestrians and cyclists in New York on Tuesday afternoon. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the attack a "cowardly act of terror". Governor Andrew Cuomo had earlier said it a 'lone wolf' attack and that there was no evidence to suggest it was part of a wider plot. At least two children were killed in the attack. Sayfullo Saipov, an Uber driver was shot in the abdomen by police on the spot and taken into custody and later underwent surgery. He is reportedly still unconscious. Meanwhile, the New York Marathon will be held as planned, Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference. He said security will be heavily stepped up for the race involving more than 50,000 runners. #NYCStrong #USA???? pic.twitter.com/6K3Xw5P87d — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017 ×

New York attacker linked to IS, radicalised domestically: Governor Andrew Cuomo

<p>It was supposed to be a day of fun -&nbsp;trick-or-treating in fancy dress on the annual candy haul. But Halloween turned into a nightmare after a truck driver killed eight people in one of New York&#39;s trendiest neighborhoods.</p>

<p>In the wake of what New York&#39;s mayor called a &quot;cowardly act of terror,&quot; children were evacuated from one nearby elementary school with nervous parents after a 29-year-old man mowed down pedestrians and cyclists before smashing into a school bus.</p>

<p>&quot;It was terrible. We&#39;re here every day. This is our route to school, where we walk the dog, go to the supermarket,&quot; said Yvonne Villiguer, 52, whose nine-year-old son is dressed as the Grim Reaper, clutching a scythe.</p>

<p>October 31 normally sees TriBeCa, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Manhattan home to celebrities, wealthy families, gleaming glass condo buildings and luxury boutiques, revel in Halloween festivities.</p>

<p>But this year, children went door to door, sidestepping police and news crews a stone&#39;s throw away and hours after a 29-year-old terror suspect, identified by American television networks as an Uzbek citizen from Florida, wrought death.</p>

<p>Villiguer&#39;s initial plan was to take her son through the streets for the customary haul of candy. But in the aftermath of the attack, they restricted themselves to the nearby apartment building of some friends.</p>

<p>&quot;This has ruined the holiday,&quot; said nearby 41-year-old doorman Conce Dadd on Warren Street, just steps from the scene of the attack as he opens and closes the door to children dressed as Harry Potter and a sumo wrestler.</p>

<p>&quot;That&#39;s life. It can happen any moment. There&#39;s nothing you can do,&quot; he sighed philosophically. &quot;Only thing you can do is to punish the guy who did it.&quot;</p>

<p><strong>&#39;Super nervous&#39;</strong></p>

<p>Angelica Pinera, a 30-year-old mother in a caramel coat ran after girls aged 10 to 12 dressed up as Alice in Wonderland, Minnie the Mouse and Little Bo Beep.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The street was dark save for the bright lights of police cars and fire trucks. Many were afraid to go out asking for sweets when they heard about the attack, but children&#39;s excitement built up all year won over for others.</p>

<p>&quot;I&#39;m super nervous and sad,&quot; admitted Pinera, outside a primary school that closed its doors for safety.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;It&#39;s the last straw when something like that happens. This day is so special and with the kids near the school, it&#39;s worrisome.&quot;</p>

<p>Ilke Mancov, who lives nearby, said he was very worried about his family when he heard about the attack -&nbsp;while he was at work.</p>

<p>Some hours later, he kept a watchful eye as he stepped with his children -- one Little Red Riding Hood and one Wolf -&nbsp;past the police cordon so they could fill their bags with chocolate and candy.</p>

<p>&quot;We live a block away from where everything happened, so I was very worried,&quot; the father in his 30s told AFP.</p>

<p>&quot;There are a lot of kids because this happened in between two schools,&quot; Mancov said, pointing to an elementary school on one side and a high school on the other.</p>

<p>&quot;It hits home. New York is not the type of place where you can do anything. In fact, it is surprising that it hasn&#39;t happened more often,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>&quot;It&#39;s just how it is. It&#39;s the world we live in. If it had happened an hour later, all the kids would have been coming out of school and it would have been much much worse.&quot;</p>


It was supposed to be a day of fun - trick-or-treating in fancy dress on the annual candy haul. But Halloween turned into a nightmare after a truck driver killed eight people in one of New York's trendiest neighborhoods.

It was supposed to be a day of fun - trick-or-treating in fancy dress on the annual candy haul. But Halloween turned into a nightmare after a truck driver killed eight people in one of New York's trendiest neighborhoods. In the wake of what New York's mayor called a "cowardly act of terror," children were evacuated from one nearby elementary school with nervous parents after a 29-year-old man mowed down pedestrians and cyclists before smashing into a school bus. "It was terrible. We're here every day. This is our route to school, where we walk the dog, go to the supermarket," said Yvonne Villiguer, 52, whose nine-year-old son is dressed as the Grim Reaper, clutching a scythe. October 31 normally sees TriBeCa, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Manhattan home to celebrities, wealthy families, gleaming glass condo buildings and luxury boutiques, revel in Halloween festivities. But this year, children went door to door, sidestepping police and news crews a stone's throw away and hours after a 29-year-old terror suspect, identified by American television networks as an Uzbek citizen from Florida, wrought death. Villiguer's initial plan was to take her son through the streets for the customary haul of candy. But in the aftermath of the attack, they restricted themselves to the nearby apartment building of some friends. "This has ruined the holiday," said nearby 41-year-old doorman Conce Dadd on Warren Street, just steps from the scene of the attack as he opens and closes the door to children dressed as Harry Potter and a sumo wrestler. "That's life. It can happen any moment. There's nothing you can do," he sighed philosophically. "Only thing you can do is to punish the guy who did it." 'Super nervous' Angelica Pinera, a 30-year-old mother in a caramel coat ran after girls aged 10 to 12 dressed up as Alice in Wonderland, Minnie the Mouse and Little Bo Beep. The street was dark save for the bright lights of police cars and fire trucks. Many were afraid to go out asking for sweets when they heard about the attack, but children's excitement built up all year won over for others. "I'm super nervous and sad," admitted Pinera, outside a primary school that closed its doors for safety. "It's the last straw when something like that happens. This day is so special and with the kids near the school, it's worrisome." Ilke Mancov, who lives nearby, said he was very worried about his family when he heard about the attack - while he was at work. Some hours later, he kept a watchful eye as he stepped with his children -- one Little Red Riding Hood and one Wolf - past the police cordon so they could fill their bags with chocolate and candy. "We live a block away from where everything happened, so I was very worried," the father in his 30s told AFP. "There are a lot of kids because this happened in between two schools," Mancov said, pointing to an elementary school on one side and a high school on the other. "It hits home. New York is not the type of place where you can do anything. In fact, it is surprising that it hasn't happened more often," he added. "It's just how it is. It's the world we live in. If it had happened an hour later, all the kids would have been coming out of school and it would have been much much worse."

New York attack 'ruins' Halloween for nervous families

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<p>Several world leaders have condemned the terrorist attack in New York in which a&nbsp;pickup driver killed eight people on Tuesday. Eleven others were seriously hurt when the truck driver struck in broad daylight just blocks from the 9/11 Memorial, on the West Side of Lower Manhattan, close to schools as children and their parents geared up to celebrate Halloween.</p>

<p>&quot;This was an act of terror and a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians, aimed at people going about their lives who had no idea what was about to hit them,&quot; said Mayor Bill de Blasio.</p>

<p>Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton tweeted &quot;New York&#39;s resilience is stronger than a cowardly act of terror. Thinking of the victims, their families, &amp; the responders who saved lives.&#39;&#39;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">New York&#39;s resilience is stronger than a cowardly act of terror. Thinking of the victims, their families, &amp; the responders who saved lives.</p>
&mdash; Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) <a href="https://twitter.com/HillaryClinton/status/925515496576962562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Television networks identified the 29-year-old as an Uzbek citizen living in Florida who had recently been staying in New Jersey, where the truck was rented. President Donald Trump denounced him as &quot;very sick&quot; and a &quot;deranged person.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">London stands in grief and solidarity with the great city of New York tonight. <a href="https://t.co/ojrxSDnZos">pic.twitter.com/ojrxSDnZos</a></p>
&mdash; Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SadiqKhan/status/925481529404424193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The United States &quot;must not&quot; allow Islamic State jihadists to &quot;return, or enter&quot; the country after being defeated overseas, Trump said, albeit as New York officials declined to link the assailant to a specific group.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our hearts are with the victims of this apparent act of terror in New York City. Thank you to all the first responders.</p>
&mdash; Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerRyan/status/925476130274054144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The FBI and New York police urged members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist the investigation, which the mayor said preliminary information suggested was a lone wolf assault.</p>

<p><br />
The attacker struck in TriBeCa, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city home to celebrities and wealthy families. In the aftermath of the attack, worried parents and children were seen evacuated from a nearby public shool.&quot;There was a smell of gunshots,&quot; said John Williams, 22, who arrived at the scene 30 seconds afterward en route to the park. &quot;There was a man lying on the ground. It looked as if he`d been shot.&quot;</p>

<p>Expressing his condolences to the victims of the attack. former president Barack Obama said that he and former first lady were thinking about the victims of the attack in New York City.New Yorkers are as tough as they come, he added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Michelle and I are thinking of the victims of today&#39;s attack in NYC and everyone who keeps us safe. New Yorkers are as tough as they come.</p>
&mdash; Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/925526988659548160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton tweeted "New York's resilience is stronger than a cowardly act of terror. Thinking of the victims, their families, & the responders who saved lives.''

Several world leaders have condemned the terrorist attack in New York in which a pickup driver killed eight people on Tuesday. Eleven others were seriously hurt when the truck driver struck in broad daylight just blocks from the 9/11 Memorial, on the West Side of Lower Manhattan, close to schools as children and their parents geared up to celebrate Halloween. "This was an act of terror and a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at innocent civilians, aimed at people going about their lives who had no idea what was about to hit them," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton tweeted "New York's resilience is stronger than a cowardly act of terror. Thinking of the victims, their families, & the responders who saved lives.'' New York's resilience is stronger than a cowardly act of terror. Thinking of the victims, their families, & the responders who saved lives. — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 1, 2017 × Television networks identified the 29-year-old as an Uzbek citizen living in Florida who had recently been staying in New Jersey, where the truck was rented. President Donald Trump denounced him as "very sick" and a "deranged person." London stands in grief and solidarity with the great city of New York tonight. pic.twitter.com/ojrxSDnZos — Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) October 31, 2017 × The United States "must not" allow Islamic State jihadists to "return, or enter" the country after being defeated overseas, Trump said, albeit as New York officials declined to link the assailant to a specific group. Our hearts are with the victims of this apparent act of terror in New York City. Thank you to all the first responders. — Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) October 31, 2017 × The FBI and New York police urged members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist the investigation, which the mayor said preliminary information suggested was a lone wolf assault. The attacker struck in TriBeCa, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city home to celebrities and wealthy families. In the aftermath of the attack, worried parents and children were seen evacuated from a nearby public shool."There was a smell of gunshots," said John Williams, 22, who arrived at the scene 30 seconds afterward en route to the park. "There was a man lying on the ground. It looked as if he`d been shot." Expressing his condolences to the victims of the attack. former president Barack Obama said that he and former first lady were thinking about the victims of the attack in New York City.New Yorkers are as tough as they come, he added. Michelle and I are thinking of the victims of today's attack in NYC and everyone who keeps us safe. New Yorkers are as tough as they come. — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 1, 2017 ×

World leaders condemn New York terrorist attack

<p>US President Donald Trump said on Twitter he had ordered the Department of Homeland Security to step up its &quot;extreme vetting program&quot; following a vehicle attack in New York.</p>

<p>&quot;I have just ordered Homeland Security to step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!&quot; Trump said, hours after a man driving a pickup truck killed eight people.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I have just ordered Homeland Security to step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/925534445393928199?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trump ran for office in 2016 pledging to crack down on illegal immigration for security reasons, and has called for &quot;extreme vetting&quot; of foreigners entering the United States.</p>


US President Donald Trump said on Twitter he had ordered the Department of Homeland Security to step up its "extreme vetting program" following a vehicle attack in New York.

US President Donald Trump said on Twitter he had ordered the Department of Homeland Security to step up its "extreme vetting program" following a vehicle attack in New York. "I have just ordered Homeland Security to step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!" Trump said, hours after a man driving a pickup truck killed eight people. I have just ordered Homeland Security to step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017 × Trump ran for office in 2016 pledging to crack down on illegal immigration for security reasons, and has called for "extreme vetting" of foreigners entering the United States.

New York terror attack: Donald Trump orders stepped up 'extreme vetting'

<p>US President Donald Trump has condemned the &quot;terrorist attack&quot; in New York that left <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/eight-dead-in-suspected-terrorist-truck-attack-on-manhattan-bike-path-23254">at least eight people dead</a> and 11 others injured.</p>

<p>&quot;Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of today&#39;s terrorist attack in New York City and their families,&quot; Trump said in a statement after a 29-year-old man, identified as Sayfullo Saipov, plowed a speeding truck through a busy bike path in Lower Manhattan today.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My thoughts, condolences and prayers to the victims and families of the New York City terrorist attack. God and your country are with you!</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/925497025386500096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;My administration will provide its full support to the New York City Police Department, including through a joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation,&quot; he said.&nbsp;Saipov, said to be from Uzbekistan, is under police custody. He was arrested after being shot in the stomach by officials of the New York Police Department.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person. Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.!</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/925474979914887168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;We offer our thanks to the first responders who stopped the suspect and rendered immediate aid to the victims of this cowardly attack. These brave men and women embody the true American spirit of resilience and courage.I will continue to follow developments closely,&quot; Trump said.</p>

<p><strong><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-york-terror-attack-my-thoughts-with-families-of-deceased-tweets-pm-modi-23258">Also Read: PM Modi condemns New York terror attack</a></strong></p>

<p>Earlier, the US president took to Twitter to decry the attack, saying &quot;we must not allow ISIS to return&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I have just ordered Homeland Security to step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!</p>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/925534445393928199?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person. Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.!&quot; Trump tweeted.</p>

<p>&quot;We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!&quot; he said in another tweet.&nbsp;</p>


"My administration will provide its full support to the New York City Police Department, including through a joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation," Trump said.

US President Donald Trump has condemned the "terrorist attack" in New York that left at least eight people dead and 11 others injured. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of today's terrorist attack in New York City and their families," Trump said in a statement after a 29-year-old man, identified as Sayfullo Saipov, plowed a speeding truck through a busy bike path in Lower Manhattan today. My thoughts, condolences and prayers to the victims and families of the New York City terrorist attack. God and your country are with you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2017 × "My administration will provide its full support to the New York City Police Department, including through a joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation," he said. Saipov, said to be from Uzbekistan, is under police custody. He was arrested after being shot in the stomach by officials of the New York Police Department. In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person. Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2017 × "We offer our thanks to the first responders who stopped the suspect and rendered immediate aid to the victims of this cowardly attack. These brave men and women embody the true American spirit of resilience and courage.I will continue to follow developments closely," Trump said. Also Read: PM Modi condemns New York terror attack Earlier, the US president took to Twitter to decry the attack, saying "we must not allow ISIS to return". I have just ordered Homeland Security to step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017 × "In NYC, looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person. Law enforcement is following this closely. NOT IN THE U.S.A.!" Trump tweeted. "We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!" he said in another tweet.

Trump condemns New York 'terrorist attack'

<p>New&nbsp;York&#39;s museum dedicated to the Al-Qaeda attacks of September 11, 2001 has drawn more than 10 million visitors in just over three years, staff said Friday.</p>

<p>The museum, which opened on the World Trade Center site in May 2014, averages 9,000 visitors a day, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum announced.</p>

<p>The accompanying memorial in an outdoor public plaza has been visited by more than 33 million people since opening in September 2011, it added.</p>

<p>&quot;Reaching this monumental milestone demonstrates the 9/11 Memorial Museum&#39;s commitment to providing an educational and meaningful experience for thousands of people every day,&quot;&nbsp;said board chairman and former<strong>&nbsp;</strong>NewYork<strong>&nbsp;</strong>mayor Michael Bloomberg.</p>

<p>Americans from all 50 US states have visited, together with people from more than 160 countries -- primarily Britain, Germany, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Spain and Australia.</p>

<p>The memorial, which consists of two reflecting pools in the footprints of the original Twin Towers, and the museum honor the 2,983 people who were killed in the 2001 attacks and the February 26, 1993 World Trade Center bombing.</p>

<p>More than 2,750 people were killed in 2001 when two passenger jets destroyed the Twin Towers, the symbol of&nbsp;New&nbsp;York&#39;s financial wealth and confidence. The remains of only 1,640 people have been identified.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


New York's museum dedicated to the Al-Qaeda attacks of September 11, 2001 has drawn more than 10 million visitors in just over three years, staff said Friday. The museum, which opened on the World Trade Center site in May 2014, averages 9,000 visitors a day, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum announced. The accompanying memorial in an outdoor public plaza has been visited by more than 33 million people since opening in September 2011, it added. "Reaching this monumental milestone demonstrates the 9/11 Memorial Museum's commitment to providing an educational and meaningful experience for thousands of people every day," said board chairman and former NewYork mayor Michael Bloomberg. Americans from all 50 US states have visited, together with people from more than 160 countries -- primarily Britain, Germany, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Spain and Australia. The memorial, which consists of two reflecting pools in the footprints of the original Twin Towers, and the museum honor the 2,983 people who were killed in the 2001 attacks and the February 26, 1993 World Trade Center bombing. More than 2,750 people were killed in 2001 when two passenger jets destroyed the Twin Towers, the symbol of New York's financial wealth and confidence. The remains of only 1,640 people have been identified.

New York:  9/11 museum draws 10 million visitors

<p>Omar Abdel Rahman, the Egyptian jihadist spiritual leader linked to the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing, died serving a life sentence in the United States on Saturday, his son told AFP.</p>

<p>Abdel Rahman, who led the militant Al-Gamaa al-Islamiya group in Egypt before immigrating to the United States, had been sentenced in 1996 for conspiring to bomb civilian targets in the country.</p>

<p>Seen as a jihadist spiritual leader, he had also been seen as inspiring the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Centre that killed six people.<br />
&quot;We have contacted the American and Egyptian authorities to repatriate&quot; his body, his son Mohamed Omar told AFP.</p>

<p>Abdel Rahman, born in 1938, had become a cause celebre for jihadists and Islamists who demanded the blind and ailing militant&#39;s freedom.<br />
Following his election victory in 2012, Egypt`s Islamist president Mohamed Morsi demanded at a rally the cleric&#39;s release.</p>

<p>Morsi was toppled by the military a year later.</p>

<p>(AFP)</p>


Omar Abdel Rahman had been sentenced to life imprisonment in 1996 for conspiring to bomb civilian targets

Omar Abdel Rahman, the Egyptian jihadist spiritual leader linked to the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing, died serving a life sentence in the United States on Saturday, his son told AFP. Abdel Rahman, who led the militant Al-Gamaa al-Islamiya group in Egypt before immigrating to the United States, had been sentenced in 1996 for conspiring to bomb civilian targets in the country. Seen as a jihadist spiritual leader, he had also been seen as inspiring the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Centre that killed six people. "We have contacted the American and Egyptian authorities to repatriate" his body, his son Mohamed Omar told AFP. Abdel Rahman, born in 1938, had become a cause celebre for jihadists and Islamists who demanded the blind and ailing militant's freedom. Following his election victory in 2012, Egypt`s Islamist president Mohamed Morsi demanded at a rally the cleric's release. Morsi was toppled by the military a year later. (AFP)

Mastermind of 1993 World Trade Centre bombing dies in detention, says son

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