THE SUN.co.uk: "25 BRITS IN JET BOMB PLOTS Cops fear that 25 British-born Muslims are plotting to bomb airliners." (SNIPPET: "The 25 suspects, of Pakistani and Somali descent, were radicalised in UK mosques. Some had been to university and studied engineering or computer sciences. Others were former street gang members. Special Branch monitored them as they flew to Yemen, in the Middle East, from British airports in the spring and summer. In almost every case, their tickets were paid for in cash and bought less than a week before travel. The source added: "Imams would have promised them rewards in heaven for becoming suicide bombers prepared to kill Westerners."") (December 27, 2009)
stepping back in time...INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "FUN WITH BINARY EXPLOSIVES" (SNIPPET: "Binary explosives are bad, bad stuff. The jihadis have not yet learned how to make the stuff, but they have enough chemical engineers in their ranks that it should only be matter of time.") (January 14, 2007)
Video (CNN): "Intended Victims of Northwest Flight 253 Apprehended Islamic Terrorist" (Note: THANK YOU PASSENGER JASPER SCHURINGA for your quick action. -Cindy) (December 26, 2009)
AF.REUTERS.com: Amsterdam - "DUTCH PROBE CLAIMS OF NIGERIAN BOMBER ACCOMPLICE" (SNIPPET: "A U.S. couple on the flight, Kurt and Lori Haskell, told Reuters and other news agencies that they saw a tall, well-dressed man aged about 50 with the suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab on Friday morning at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport.") (December 28, 2009, 7:37 am GMT)
JIHAD WATCH.org (MLIVE.com, December 26, 2009): "WHO WAS THAT SHARPLY DRESSED MAN" (SNIPPET: "Haskell said he and his wife were sitting on the ground near their boarding gate in Amsterdam, which is when they saw Mutallab approach the gate with an unidentified man. Kurt and Lori Haskell are attorneys with Haskell Law Firm in Taylor. Their expertise includes bankruptcy, family law and estate planning. While Mutallab was poorly dressed,his friend was dressed in an expensive suit, Haskell said. He says the suited man asked ticket agents whether Mutallab could board without a passport. "The guy said, 'He's from Sudan and we do this all the time.'" Mutallab is Nigerian.") (December 27, 2009)
JIHAD WATCH.org (ABC NEWS): "SUSPECT IN ATTEMPTED BOMBING OF DETROIT FLIGHT HAD VISA TO ATTEND 'RELIGIOUS CEREMONY'" (SNIPPET: "The suspect was identified as Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, who according to federal documents is an engineering student at University College of London.") (December 25, 2009)
THE JAWA REPORT - blog: "FLIGHT 253 BOMBER CLAIMS AL-QAEDA IN YEMEN LINKS (Updated - Video Image of Abdulmutallab added)" (SNIPPET: "I received a copy of this video the other day. The 23rd to be exact. It was the subject of some chatter on a the boards talking about "Was it really safe to fly". No kidding.") (December 26, 2009, 07:27 am)
DAWN.com: "BRITISH EMBASSY IN YEMEN TARGETED BY AL-QAEDA" (SNIPPET: "Sanaa: The British embassy in Sanaa was the target of an al-Qaeda suicide plot foiled by Yemeni authorities last week, a defence ministry-linked website said on Thursday.") (December 24, 2009)
WASHINGTON POST.com: "SIX YEMENI DETAINEES AT GUANTANAMO BAY TO BE REPATRIATED" (SNIPPET: "The Obama administration is planning to repatriate six Yemenis held at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a transfer that could be a prelude to the release of dozens more detainees to Yemen, according to sources with independent knowledge of the matter.") (December 18, 2009, 5:04 am)
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/12/28/president-addresses-public-attempted-terrorist-attack
Home • The White House Blog
The President Addresses the Public on the Attempted Terrorist Attack
Posted by Macon Phillips on December 28, 2009 at 04:35 PM EST
Earlier today, the President addressed the public on the recent attempted terrorist attack:
Good morning, everybody. I wanted to take just a few minutes to update the American people on the attempted terrorist attack that occurred on Christmas Day and the steps we’re taking to ensure the safety and security of the country.
The investigation’s ongoing. And I spoke again this morning with Attorney General Eric Holder, the secretary of homeland security, Janet Napolitano, and my counterterrorism and homeland security adviser, John Brennan. I asked them to keep — continue monitoring the situation to keep the American people and members of Congress informed.
Here’s what we know so far: On Christmas Day, Northwest Airlines Flight 253 was en route from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Detroit. As the plane made its final approach to Detroit Metropolitan Airport, a passenger allegedly tried to ignite an explosive device on his body, setting off a fire.
Thanks to the quick and heroic actions of passengers and crew, the suspect was immediately subdued, the fire was put out, and the plane landed safely. The suspect is now in custody and has been charged with attempting to destroy an aircraft.
A full investigation has been launched into this attempted act of terrorism, and we will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable.
Now, this was a serious reminder of the dangers that we face and the nature of those who threaten our homeland. Had the suspect succeeded in bringing down that plane, it could have killed nearly 300 passengers and crew, innocent civilians preparing to celebrate the holidays with their families and friends.
The American people should be assured that we are doing everything in our power to keep you and your family safe and secure during this busy holiday season.
Since I was first notified of this incident, I’ve ordered the following actions to be taken to protect the American people and to secure air travel.
First, I directed that we take immediate steps to ensure the safety of the traveling public. We made sure that all flights still in the air were secure and could land safely. We immediately enhanced screening and security procedures for all flights, domestic and international. We added federal air marshals to flights entering and leaving the United States. And we’re working closely in this country, federal, state and local law enforcement, with our international partners.
Second, I’ve ordered two important reviews, because it’s absolutely critical that we learn from this incident and take the necessary measures to prevent future acts of terrorism.
The first review involves our watch list system, which our government has had in place for many years to identify known and suspected terrorists so that we can prevent their entry into the United States. Apparently the suspect in the Christmas incident was in this system, but not on a watch list, such as the so-called no-fly list. So I have ordered a thorough review, not only of how information related to the subject was handled, but of the overall watch list system and how it can be strengthened.
The second review will examine all screening policies, technologies and procedures related to air travel. We need to determine just how the suspect was able to bring dangerous explosives aboard an aircraft and what additional steps we can take to thwart future attacks.
Third, I’ve directed my national security team to keep up the pressure on those who would attack our country. We do not yet have all the answers about this latest attempt, but those who would slaughter innocent men, women and children must know that the United States will more — do more than simply strengthen our defenses. We will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, to dismantle and defeat the violent extremists who threaten us, whether they are from Afghanistan or Pakistan, Yemen or Somalia, or anywhere where they are plotting attacks against the U.S. homeland.
Finally, the American people should remain vigilant, but also be confident. Those plotting against us seek not only to undermine our security, but also the open society and the values that we cherish as Americans. This incident, like several that have preceded it, demonstrates that an alert and courageous citizenry are far more resilient than an isolated extremist.
As a nation, we will do everything in our power to protect our country. As Americans, we will never give in to fear or division. We will be guided by our hopes, our unity, and our deeply held values. That’s who we are as Americans; that’s what our brave men and women in uniform are standing up for as they spend the holidays in harm’s way. And we will continue to do everything that we can to keep America safe in the new year and beyond.
In his remarks, the President also addressed the events that have taken place over the last few days in Iran.