The Pentagon officials are in the final stages of finalising a plan to send a Patriot air defense missile system to Ukraine to counter Russian aerial assaults.

US finalising plans to send Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine

US prosecutors on Tuesday accused Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of crypto currency exchange FTX, of fraud and violating campaign finance laws and a judge in the Bahamas denied him bail.

Former FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried denied bail in Bahamas court

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed legislation protecting same-sex and interracial marriage. Thousands of people gathered on the White House South Lawn to commemorate the Respect for Marriage Act becoming law.

US President Joe Biden signs historic same-sex marriage bill at White House

Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota has joined a number of Republican governors in banning the popular social media app TikTok from devices used by the executive branch of the state government. They did so due to the platform's Chinese ownership and growing national security concerns. Late on Tuesday, Burgum issued the executive order. It forbids accessing the TikTok website as well as downloading the app on devices that belong to the government or while connected to the state's network.

“TikTok raises multiple flags in terms of the amount of data it collects and how that data may be shared with and used by the Chinese government,” Burgum said in a statement.

The platform, which is controlled by the Chinese corporation ByteDance, is allegedly posing cybersecurity dangers, according to the most recent state to make such claims, North Dakota.

TikTok and some other platforms with Chinese or Russian roots have been outlawed in the state's executive branch of government, according to Republican governor of Maryland Larry Hogan. Furthermore, South Dakota's Republican governor Kristi Noem previously forbade state workers and contractors from using TikTok on state-owned smartphones, citing the app's connections to China.

Governor Henry McMaster, a Republican from South Carolina, requested last week that TikTok be removed from all state-owned devices from the Department of Administration, which oversees that department. Additionally, in August 2020, Republican governor of Nebraska Pete Ricketts stopped TikTok on government computers.

Republican members of Wisconsin's congressional delegation urged Democratic Governor Tony Evers last week to remove the video network TikTok from all state-owned devices, citing it as a national security risk. Additionally, the programme is not allowed on military smartphones according to the US armed forces.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota has joined a number of Republican governors in banning the popular social media app TikTok from devices used by the executive branch of the state government.

Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota has joined a number of Republican governors in banning the popular social media app TikTok from devices used by the executive branch of the state government. They did so due to the platform's Chinese ownership and growing national security concerns. Late on Tuesday, Burgum issued the executive order. It forbids accessing the TikTok website as well as downloading the app on devices that belong to the government or while connected to the state's network. “TikTok raises multiple flags in terms of the amount of data it collects and how that data may be shared with and used by the Chinese government,” Burgum said in a statement. The platform, which is controlled by the Chinese corporation ByteDance, is allegedly posing cybersecurity dangers, according to the most recent state to make such claims, North Dakota. TikTok and some other platforms with Chinese or Russian roots have been outlawed in the state's executive branch of government, according to Republican governor of Maryland Larry Hogan. Furthermore, South Dakota's Republican governor Kristi Noem previously forbade state workers and contractors from using TikTok on state-owned smartphones, citing the app's connections to China. Governor Henry McMaster, a Republican from South Carolina, requested last week that TikTok be removed from all state-owned devices from the Department of Administration, which oversees that department. Additionally, in August 2020, Republican governor of Nebraska Pete Ricketts stopped TikTok on government computers. Republican members of Wisconsin's congressional delegation urged Democratic Governor Tony Evers last week to remove the video network TikTok from all state-owned devices, citing it as a national security risk. Additionally, the programme is not allowed on military smartphones according to the US armed forces. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US: North Dakota governor bans TikTok in government's executive branch

Christmas decorations are lighting up the streets of New York as the city celebrates the holiday season. Nine blocks of holiday inspired art installations sparkled throughout Fifth Avenue.

Christmas decorations light up New York with holiday cheer

Winter storms have raised havoc in many parts of the United States, while some states saw blanket of heavy snow, fierce tornado have lashed several parts of the country. Watch the video to know more.

US: Tornado horrors in Fort Worth, scores injured | English News | WION

After spending more than two decades of&nbsp;jail, two men in US were released&nbsp;after a true crime podcast uncovered fresh evidence that all but disproved the prosecution's case against them. One of the men was also totally exonerated. As per a press&nbsp;statement from the Georgia Innocence Project, Darrell Lee Clark and his co-defendant Cain Joshua Storey were freed from imprisonment last week after serving more than 25 years for the 1996 shooting murder of their friend Brian Bowling, who was 15 at the time, as reported by the Guardian.

The prosecution's claim that Clark and Storey had murdered Bowling with premeditation was called into question by new information from the true-crime podcast Proof. On 18 October, 1996, Bowling had been shot in the head, leading to his death.&nbsp;Bowling told his girlfriend that he was playing Russian roulette with a pistol just before his death.&nbsp;

Storey, Bowling's closest friend&nbsp;had brought the rifle over. When the pistol went off, Storey was also there in the room with Bowling.

In connection with Bowling's death, police first accused Storey of manslaughter because they believed the shooting was accidental but nonetheless unlawful. But at the family's request, authorities started looking into Bowling's death as a murder, which brings considerably more serious penalties.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-conducts-successful-test-of-hypersonic-missile-says-air-force-542489">US conducts successful test of hypersonic missile, says air force</a>

Police spoke with a woman who lived next to the Bowlings' home in order to strengthen their case. Months after the shooting, the lady said she overheard Storey and Clark discussing their plans to murder Bowling at a party. She also said that because Bowling knew too much about a theft that Storey and Clark had committed, they intended to kill him.

They also spoke with a person who had difficulty hearing and speaking who had been in a separate area of the house when the gunshot occurred. The witness allegedly saw Clark leaving the Bowlings' house and going through the backyard.

Prosecutors relied on a coroner's testimony during the trial because he claimed to have a "gut sense" that the gunshot could not have been self-inflicted in the way that it could occur if they were actually playing Russian roulette. However, since the coroner was not a medical professional, Bowling's body was never put through an autopsy.

In 1998, Storey and Clark were found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and murder. At age 17, they were both given life sentences in jail.

Podcasters Jacinda Davis and Susan Simpson of Proof started investigating Storey and Clark's case in 2021. The two spoke with the crucial witnesses who were used by the prosecution to convict Storey and Clark.

They discovered that after threatening to remove her children, authorities had really forced the lady to fabricate that she had overheard Storey and Clark discussing any potential intentions to murder Bowling. 
The Proof podcasters also learned that the second police witness had been misconstrued during the trial and was talking about a different shooting he had seen in 1976. Actually, until the shooting, the guy had never seen a boy outside the Bowling property.

Clark's attorneys filed papers in September, alleging that coercion and false evidence had been used to convict Clark.

After judges decided that the new evidence warranted a total reversal of Clark's conviction, he was freed out from the Floyd County prison. He was virtually exonerated of all charges following that conclusion.

Also watch|&nbsp;Former FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried arrested in Bahamas after US files charges

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In the meanwhile, Storey's conviction on the murder-related charges against him was vacated. However, he had previously acknowledged giving the gun to Bowling on the evening that Bowling informed his girlfriend he was playing Russian roulette.

In order to secure his speedy release, Storey made a deal with the prosecution to admit guilt to involuntary manslaughter in exchange for a sentence of 10 years that he had already served.

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After spending more than two decades of jail, two men in US were released after a true crime podcast uncovered fresh evidence that all but disproved the prosecution's case against them.

After spending more than two decades of jail, two men in US were released after a true crime podcast uncovered fresh evidence that all but disproved the prosecution's case against them. One of the men was also totally exonerated. As per a press statement from the Georgia Innocence Project, Darrell Lee Clark and his co-defendant Cain Joshua Storey were freed from imprisonment last week after serving more than 25 years for the 1996 shooting murder of their friend Brian Bowling, who was 15 at the time, as reported by the Guardian. The prosecution's claim that Clark and Storey had murdered Bowling with premeditation was called into question by new information from the true-crime podcast Proof. On 18 October, 1996, Bowling had been shot in the head, leading to his death. Bowling told his girlfriend that he was playing Russian roulette with a pistol just before his death. Storey, Bowling's closest friend had brought the rifle over. When the pistol went off, Storey was also there in the room with Bowling. In connection with Bowling's death, police first accused Storey of manslaughter because they believed the shooting was accidental but nonetheless unlawful. But at the family's request, authorities started looking into Bowling's death as a murder, which brings considerably more serious penalties. Also read | US conducts successful test of hypersonic missile, says air force Police spoke with a woman who lived next to the Bowlings' home in order to strengthen their case. Months after the shooting, the lady said she overheard Storey and Clark discussing their plans to murder Bowling at a party. She also said that because Bowling knew too much about a theft that Storey and Clark had committed, they intended to kill him. They also spoke with a person who had difficulty hearing and speaking who had been in a separate area of the house when the gunshot occurred. The witness allegedly saw Clark leaving the Bowlings' house and going through the backyard. Prosecutors relied on a coroner's testimony during the trial because he claimed to have a "gut sense" that the gunshot could not have been self-inflicted in the way that it could occur if they were actually playing Russian roulette. However, since the coroner was not a medical professional, Bowling's body was never put through an autopsy. In 1998, Storey and Clark were found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and murder. At age 17, they were both given life sentences in jail. Podcasters Jacinda Davis and Susan Simpson of Proof started investigating Storey and Clark's case in 2021. The two spoke with the crucial witnesses who were used by the prosecution to convict Storey and Clark. They discovered that after threatening to remove her children, authorities had really forced the lady to fabricate that she had overheard Storey and Clark discussing any potential intentions to murder Bowling. The Proof podcasters also learned that the second police witness had been misconstrued during the trial and was talking about a different shooting he had seen in 1976. Actually, until the shooting, the guy had never seen a boy outside the Bowling property. Clark's attorneys filed papers in September, alleging that coercion and false evidence had been used to convict Clark. After judges decided that the new evidence warranted a total reversal of Clark's conviction, he was freed out from the Floyd County prison. He was virtually exonerated of all charges following that conclusion. Also watch| Former FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried arrested in Bahamas after US files charges In the meanwhile, Storey's conviction on the murder-related charges against him was vacated. However, he had previously acknowledged giving the gun to Bowling on the evening that Bowling informed his girlfriend he was playing Russian roulette. In order to secure his speedy release, Storey made a deal with the prosecution to admit guilt to involuntary manslaughter in exchange for a sentence of 10 years that he had already served. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US jail releases two men who spent 25 years in jail as true crime podcast challenges conviction

The man accused of making the bomb that brought down Pan Am flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988 appeared in person at the Washington DC federal courthouse.

1988 Lockerbie Bombing: Libyan man accused of making Lockerbie bomb appears in US court

The US State Department of Energy is going to announce a scientific breakthrough later today. This breakthrough can potentially provide a cheap and clean source of electricity and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

WION Climate Tracker: US to reveal fusion energy 'breakthrough'

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was arrested in the Bahamas at the behest of US prosecutors on Monday, the day before he was due to testify before Congress about the abrupt failure last month of one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges.

Former FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried arrested in Bahamas after US files charges

To honour five men who as teenagers were wrongfully convicted and spent years in prison over the rape of a jogger in 1989, New York City is naming a gate in Central Park after them.&nbsp;

Five Black men--including Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, and Kevin Richardson, who were 15 at the time, Korey Wise, then 16 and Raymond Santana, then 14--&nbsp;spend 13 years in prison until their convictions were overturned in 2002.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lockerbie-bombing-suspect-appears-in-court-prosecution-seeks-life-in-prison-542505">Also read |&nbsp;Lockerbie bombing suspect appears in court, prosecution seeks life in prison</a>

The city's park design was approved on Monday (Dec 12). The gate will be inscribed with "Gate of the Exonerated."&nbsp;

Sharonne Salaam, Salaam's mother said that the inscription will serve as a reminder of the difficulties wrongfully convicted people face when they try to rebuild their lives after being freed.&nbsp;

She added that this will be the first of its kind in the United States and will speak to the world about the idea of exoneration.&nbsp;

City's mayor Eric Addams called the approval a "moment of truth and reconciliation for New York City."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nyc-is-hiring-apply-if-your-dream-job-is-to-become-rat-czar-and-you-have-general-aura-of-badassery-539550">Also read |&nbsp;NYC is hiring! Apply if your dream job is to become a rat czar, have 'general aura of badassery'</a>

Addams in a statement said, "The Gate of the Exonerated symbolizes the resiliency of the Exonerated Five and all those who have been wrongfully convicted and serves as a lasting reminder of the grave miscarriage of justice that took place more than three decades ago."

Several other entrances to the park have&nbsp;been labelled to reflect groups of people in the city including, Arstians's Gate, Scholars' Gate and Stranger's Gate.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

To honour five men who as teenagers were wrongfully convicted and spent years in prison over the rape of a jogger in 1989, New York City is naming a gate in Central Park after them.

To honour five men who as teenagers were wrongfully convicted and spent years in prison over the rape of a jogger in 1989, New York City is naming a gate in Central Park after them. Five Black men--including Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, and Kevin Richardson, who were 15 at the time, Korey Wise, then 16 and Raymond Santana, then 14-- spend 13 years in prison until their convictions were overturned in 2002. Also read | Lockerbie bombing suspect appears in court, prosecution seeks life in prison The city's park design was approved on Monday (Dec 12). The gate will be inscribed with "Gate of the Exonerated." Sharonne Salaam, Salaam's mother said that the inscription will serve as a reminder of the difficulties wrongfully convicted people face when they try to rebuild their lives after being freed. She added that this will be the first of its kind in the United States and will speak to the world about the idea of exoneration. City's mayor Eric Addams called the approval a "moment of truth and reconciliation for New York City." Also read | NYC is hiring! Apply if your dream job is to become a rat czar, have 'general aura of badassery' Addams in a statement said, "The Gate of the Exonerated symbolizes the resiliency of the Exonerated Five and all those who have been wrongfully convicted and serves as a lasting reminder of the grave miscarriage of justice that took place more than three decades ago." Several other entrances to the park have been labelled to reflect groups of people in the city including, Arstians's Gate, Scholars' Gate and Stranger's Gate. (With inputs from agencies)

NYC to name Central Park gate to honour five teens wrongfully convicted of 1989 rape

The US Air Force on Monday (December 12) announced that it successfully tested a hypersonic missile. This missiles represent cutting edge, strategic weapons system that's also being developed by Russia and China.

The AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) was launched from a B-52H bomber on Friday off California's coast and "reached hypersonic speeds greater than five times the speed of sound, completed its flight path and detonated in the terminal area," the Air Force said.

"This test was the first launch of a full prototype operational missile," it added.

The US has multiple hypersonic weapons programs. The Pentagon's high-tech research body DARPA tested a different missile earlier this year.

Hypersonic missiles are being touted as a weapon that can tip the global military balance. Due to their extremely high speeds no defense system currently in wide use can successfully intercept them. Hypersonic missiles are capable of being steered to deliver nuclear weapons.

China carried out a test of a hypersonic missile last year, and Russia has used hypersonic weapons during its war in Ukraine. North Korea claims to have conducted test flights as well.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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The US Air Force on Monday (December 12) announced that it successfully tested a hypersonic missile. This missiles represent cutting edge, strategic weapons system that's also being developed by Russia and China.

The US Air Force on Monday (December 12) announced that it successfully tested a hypersonic missile. This missiles represent cutting edge, strategic weapons system that's also being developed by Russia and China. The AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) was launched from a B-52H bomber on Friday off California's coast and "reached hypersonic speeds greater than five times the speed of sound, completed its flight path and detonated in the terminal area," the Air Force said. "This test was the first launch of a full prototype operational missile," it added. The US has multiple hypersonic weapons programs. The Pentagon's high-tech research body DARPA tested a different missile earlier this year. Hypersonic missiles are being touted as a weapon that can tip the global military balance. Due to their extremely high speeds no defense system currently in wide use can successfully intercept them. Hypersonic missiles are capable of being steered to deliver nuclear weapons. China carried out a test of a hypersonic missile last year, and Russia has used hypersonic weapons during its war in Ukraine. North Korea claims to have conducted test flights as well. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US conducts successful test of hypersonic missile, says air force

Indian tech giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has been accused of discriminatory hiring practices in the United States. The company is facing a class action lawsuit in the US over allegations of favouring Indian and South Asian candidates during its hiring practices.

Indian tech giant TCS sued in US for favouring Indian candidates in hiring practices

US airforce was planning to supply Ukraine with the older version of a predator drone. The supply took time due to Pentagon's concern over sensitive technology.

US: Pentagon unsure about sending reaper drones to Ukraine

In the latest sign of improving PlayStation 5 supply, Sony Group led a big jump in video-game hardware sales in the US last month. The Tokyo-based entertainment giant drove a 45 per cent spurt in US games hardware sales in November.

World Business Watch: Sony PlayStation 5 sales surge in US as supply woes ease

In an early Sunday morning helicopter assault in eastern Syria, the US killed two ISIS leaders, according to a statement from US Central Command.

According to CENTCOM, the attack was a unilateral US action that had "considerable preparation," and the first findings indicated that no civilians were killed or hurt.

"Anas," a local ISIS leader active in organising activities in eastern Syria, was one of the officials killed.

“The death of these ISIS officials will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out destabilizing attacks in the Middle East,” said Central Command spokesman Col. Joe Buccino.

The US reaffirmed that it was dedicated to the fight against ISIS "in conjunction with local forces," notwithstanding recent Turkish operations in northern Syria that targeted Kurdish troops, putting US people at danger and posing a destabilisation threat.

The death of ISIS commander Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al- Qurayshi was praised by the US two weeks ago. Unlike the previous commander, Hajji Abdullah, who died in a US raid in February, he was not assassinated by American forces.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In an early Sunday morning helicopter assault in eastern Syria, the US killed two ISIS leaders, according to a statement from US Central Command. According to CENTCOM, the attack was a unilateral US action that had "considerable preparation," and the first findings indicated that no civilians were killed or hurt.

In an early Sunday morning helicopter assault in eastern Syria, the US killed two ISIS leaders, according to a statement from US Central Command. According to CENTCOM, the attack was a unilateral US action that had "considerable preparation," and the first findings indicated that no civilians were killed or hurt. "Anas," a local ISIS leader active in organising activities in eastern Syria, was one of the officials killed. “The death of these ISIS officials will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out destabilizing attacks in the Middle East,” said Central Command spokesman Col. Joe Buccino. The US reaffirmed that it was dedicated to the fight against ISIS "in conjunction with local forces," notwithstanding recent Turkish operations in northern Syria that targeted Kurdish troops, putting US people at danger and posing a destabilisation threat. The death of ISIS commander Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al- Qurayshi was praised by the US two weeks ago. Unlike the previous commander, Hajji Abdullah, who died in a US raid in February, he was not assassinated by American forces. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Two ISIS officials killed by the US in helicopter raid in eastern Syria

Oil prices rose more than 1% on Monday as a key pipeline supplying the United States stayed shut while Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to cut production in retaliation for a Western price cap on its exports.

World Business Watch: Oil rises on uncertainty over US pipeline restart, Russian supplies

A Libyan man accused of making the bomb which destroyed Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie 34 years ago is in United States custody. The US announced charges against Abu Agila Masud two years ago, alleging he had played a key role in the Lockerbie bombing on 21 December, 1988.

1988 Lockerbie bombing: Libyan man suspected of making bomb in US custody

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his government is in favour of more prisoner swaps with the United States. The comments were made in the aftermath of a high-profile prisoner exchange between the two countries featuring American basketball star Brittney Griner and Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

More prisoner swaps 'possible' with United States, says Russian President Vladimir Putin

Officials in the United States, on Sunday, announced that they have detained a suspected third conspirator for allegedly making the bomb which blew up the Pan Am flight 103 and killed 270 people over Scotland’s Lockerbie in 1988. The arrested has once again brought the over-three-decade-old terrorist attack into the spotlight as the officials continue to pursue those responsible for the attack.&nbsp; 
 
How did the Lockerbie attack happen?

On December 21, 1988, a bomb which was planted on Pam Am Flight 103 which was a Boeing 747 exploded less than an hour after the flight took off which destroyed the plane carrying passengers from nearly 21 countries. The plane departed from London’s Heathrow airport and was headed to New York.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lockerbie-bombing-us-confirms-that-alleged-bombmaker-is-in-custody-542104">1988 Lockerbie plane bombing: US confirms that alleged bombmaker is in custody</a>

The attack killed 259 people in the air and 11 on the ground and remains the deadliest terror attack on British soil, to date. Subsequently, the terrorists were connected to Libya, whose government had engaged in several hostilities with the United States and other Western countries, at the time.&nbsp;

What happened next?

Investigation into the attack has been going on for decades but it was not until at least three years after the incident that two Libyans were charged by US and British officials. On November 13, 1991, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi (48) and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah (44) were charged with 270 counts of murder, conspiracy to murder and violating Britain's 1982 Aviation Security Act. The duo was also accused of being Libyan intelligence agents.

However, at the time, the country’s leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi refused to turn them over, leading to long negotiations which concluded in 1999 after the US and Britain proposed to try the suspects in the Netherlands under Scottish law. The trial began in May 2000, before a court at Camp Zeist in the Netherlands, where the two accused had pleaded not guilty to murder.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-relief-to-family-scottish-body-refers-lockerbie-bombing-case-for-appeal-285685">In relief to family, Scottish body refers Lockerbie bombing case for appeal</a>

On January 31, 2001, Megrahi was found guilty of murder after the historic trial. The judge had recommended a minimum of two decades in jail, given the “horrendous nature of this crime”, and was later sentenced to life. However, the co-accused, &nbsp;Fhimah, was not found guilty and was free to return home. A year later, Megrahi, had appealed against the conviction which was later rejected.&nbsp; 
 
Furthermore, in 2003, his sentence was increased&nbsp;to life in prison&nbsp;after a Scottish law was changed and he was ordered to appear before&nbsp;the courts so that his punishment period could be set. Subsequently, the accused was granted a second appeal against the conviction. Five years later, Megrahi's lawyer reveals that the former Libyan intelligence agent has been diagnosed with “advanced stage” prostate cancer.&nbsp;

In July 2009, Megrahi asked the court to be released on humanitarian grounds due to his illness. The next month the Scottish court let him go and he returned home to Libya aboard a jet belonging to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who let the Lockerbie bomber go was questioned in the Scottish Parliament about his decision where he asserted that he stands by his decision and will live with the consequences.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/theres-a-long-road-to-peace-in-libya-276183">There's a long road to peace in Libya</a>

In 2011, Megrahi died at his home in Tripoli, aged 60. Meanwhile, the families of those killed filed a lawsuit against the Libyan government demanding that they be held accountable and in 2003 the regime formally accepted the responsibility for the bombing and renounced terrorism. Additionally, they also paid $2.7 billion in compensation to the families following negotiations in London.&nbsp;

In 2014, Scotland's top prosecutor, Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland pledged that he will continue to track down Megrahi's accomplices. However, until Gaddafi’s ouster, the investigation and pursuit of others responsible for the bombing largely stalled.&nbsp; 
 
What led to Mas’ud’s arrest?

The Libyan man accused of making the bomb that killed 270 people, Abu Agila Mohammad Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, is now in custody two years after the former US Attorney General Bill Barr first announced the charges filed against him. The alleged former senior Libyan intelligence official was in Libyan custody and was charged by the US with two criminal counts related to the bombing.&nbsp;

Even though he will be the third Libyan official charged by the US he will be the first one to be tried in an American court. The court documents in the US described Mas'ud as an expert bombmaker who joined Libya's External Security Organization intelligence service in the 1970s. The accused was working approximately from 1973 to 2011 for the country’s intelligence service and was taken into custody by Libyan law enforcement after Gaddafi’s ouster.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/1988-lockerbie-bombing-libyan-man-suspected-of-making-bomb-in-us-custody-542136">1988 Lockerbie bombing: Libyan man suspected of making bomb in US custody</a>

According to the US justice department, he had worked for Libyan intelligence in various capacities and was also allegedly involved in the bombing of the LaBelle Discotheque, Germany, in 1986 which killed two US service members. The breakthrough in the case was marked by the US officials receiving a copy of Mas’ud’s interview conducted, on September 12, 2012, by the Libyan authorities soon after his arrest.&nbsp;

During the interview, the accused admitted that he had built the bomb used in the Pan Am attack and also to working with the aforementioned duo who planted the bomb. According to the FBI affidavit, the accused said that the attack was ordered by Libyan intelligence and that country’s leader Ghadafi had, “thanked him and other members of the team for their successful attack on the United States.” &nbsp;

The arrest, which was first reported by BBC, has reportedly prompted infighting among Libyan politicians which include the parliament on the east side of the country and the Government of National Unity in Tripoli. The former has accused the Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamd al-Dbeibah of taking Washington’s side due to the lack of an extradition treaty.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-clashes-death-toll-rises-to-32-159-wounded-so-far-510981">Libya clashes: Death toll rises to 32, 159 wounded so far</a>

However, there is no clarity on how the accused was taken into custody by the US but reportedly he was flown in from the Libyan city of Misrata. A Justice Department spokesperson, told Reuters, that the US has custody of the accused and that he is expected to make an initial court appearance in a federal court in Washington, the details of which trial will be released soon.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Officials in the United States, on Sunday, announced that they have detained a suspected third conspirator for allegedly making the bomb which blew up the Pan Am flight 103 and killed 270 people over Scotland’s Lockerbie in 1988.

Officials in the United States, on Sunday, announced that they have detained a suspected third conspirator for allegedly making the bomb which blew up the Pan Am flight 103 and killed 270 people over Scotland’s Lockerbie in 1988. The arrested has once again brought the over-three-decade-old terrorist attack into the spotlight as the officials continue to pursue those responsible for the attack. How did the Lockerbie attack happen? On December 21, 1988, a bomb which was planted on Pam Am Flight 103 which was a Boeing 747 exploded less than an hour after the flight took off which destroyed the plane carrying passengers from nearly 21 countries. The plane departed from London’s Heathrow airport and was headed to New York. ALSO READ | 1988 Lockerbie plane bombing: US confirms that alleged bombmaker is in custody The attack killed 259 people in the air and 11 on the ground and remains the deadliest terror attack on British soil, to date. Subsequently, the terrorists were connected to Libya, whose government had engaged in several hostilities with the United States and other Western countries, at the time. What happened next? Investigation into the attack has been going on for decades but it was not until at least three years after the incident that two Libyans were charged by US and British officials. On November 13, 1991, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi (48) and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah (44) were charged with 270 counts of murder, conspiracy to murder and violating Britain's 1982 Aviation Security Act. The duo was also accused of being Libyan intelligence agents. However, at the time, the country’s leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi refused to turn them over, leading to long negotiations which concluded in 1999 after the US and Britain proposed to try the suspects in the Netherlands under Scottish law. The trial began in May 2000, before a court at Camp Zeist in the Netherlands, where the two accused had pleaded not guilty to murder. ALSO READ | In relief to family, Scottish body refers Lockerbie bombing case for appeal On January 31, 2001, Megrahi was found guilty of murder after the historic trial. The judge had recommended a minimum of two decades in jail, given the “horrendous nature of this crime”, and was later sentenced to life. However, the co-accused, Fhimah, was not found guilty and was free to return home. A year later, Megrahi, had appealed against the conviction which was later rejected. Furthermore, in 2003, his sentence was increased to life in prison after a Scottish law was changed and he was ordered to appear before the courts so that his punishment period could be set. Subsequently, the accused was granted a second appeal against the conviction. Five years later, Megrahi's lawyer reveals that the former Libyan intelligence agent has been diagnosed with “advanced stage” prostate cancer. In July 2009, Megrahi asked the court to be released on humanitarian grounds due to his illness. The next month the Scottish court let him go and he returned home to Libya aboard a jet belonging to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who let the Lockerbie bomber go was questioned in the Scottish Parliament about his decision where he asserted that he stands by his decision and will live with the consequences. ALSO READ | There's a long road to peace in Libya In 2011, Megrahi died at his home in Tripoli, aged 60. Meanwhile, the families of those killed filed a lawsuit against the Libyan government demanding that they be held accountable and in 2003 the regime formally accepted the responsibility for the bombing and renounced terrorism. Additionally, they also paid $2.7 billion in compensation to the families following negotiations in London. In 2014, Scotland's top prosecutor, Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland pledged that he will continue to track down Megrahi's accomplices. However, until Gaddafi’s ouster, the investigation and pursuit of others responsible for the bombing largely stalled. What led to Mas’ud’s arrest? The Libyan man accused of making the bomb that killed 270 people, Abu Agila Mohammad Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, is now in custody two years after the former US Attorney General Bill Barr first announced the charges filed against him. The alleged former senior Libyan intelligence official was in Libyan custody and was charged by the US with two criminal counts related to the bombing. Even though he will be the third Libyan official charged by the US he will be the first one to be tried in an American court. The court documents in the US described Mas'ud as an expert bombmaker who joined Libya's External Security Organization intelligence service in the 1970s. The accused was working approximately from 1973 to 2011 for the country’s intelligence service and was taken into custody by Libyan law enforcement after Gaddafi’s ouster. ALSO WATCH | 1988 Lockerbie bombing: Libyan man suspected of making bomb in US custody According to the US justice department, he had worked for Libyan intelligence in various capacities and was also allegedly involved in the bombing of the LaBelle Discotheque, Germany, in 1986 which killed two US service members. The breakthrough in the case was marked by the US officials receiving a copy of Mas’ud’s interview conducted, on September 12, 2012, by the Libyan authorities soon after his arrest. During the interview, the accused admitted that he had built the bomb used in the Pan Am attack and also to working with the aforementioned duo who planted the bomb. According to the FBI affidavit, the accused said that the attack was ordered by Libyan intelligence and that country’s leader Ghadafi had, “thanked him and other members of the team for their successful attack on the United States.” The arrest, which was first reported by BBC, has reportedly prompted infighting among Libyan politicians which include the parliament on the east side of the country and the Government of National Unity in Tripoli. The former has accused the Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamd al-Dbeibah of taking Washington’s side due to the lack of an extradition treaty. ALSO READ | Libya clashes: Death toll rises to 32, 159 wounded so far However, there is no clarity on how the accused was taken into custody by the US but reportedly he was flown in from the Libyan city of Misrata. A Justice Department spokesperson, told Reuters, that the US has custody of the accused and that he is expected to make an initial court appearance in a federal court in Washington, the details of which trial will be released soon. (With inputs from agencies)

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