245/2018 • 27 OCTOBER, 2018 WEEKEND ISSUE
DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH
US mail bomb threats: What we know so far Authorities warned that there may be more devices in the mail system than the 12 devices
US authorities have arrested a man in Florida in connection with a total of 12 suspected pipe bombs sent to US Democrats, their supporters, and critics of US President Donald Trump. Law enforcement officials say the man is in his 50s but have released no further information. Authorities also impounded a white van said to belong to him and are currently transporting it to a government facility for analysis. Federal authorities have warned that more packages may be in the postal system. The list of targets spreads from New York, Delaware and Washington, DC, to Florida and California withdetails of the packages suggesting a pattern. The items were packaged in manila envelopes, addressed to prominent Trump critics and carried US postage stamps. The mail bomb timeline so far: October 22: The first device was found in a postbox near the New York home of billionaire businessman George Soros — a major donor to the Democratic Party. October 23:The Secret Serviceuncovered a second package addressed to Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Earlier this month Clinton had said: "You cannot be civil with a political party that wants to destroy what you stand for, what you care about." October 24 morning: Asuspected bomb en route to former President Barack Obama was intercepted in Washington DC. Another package wassent to broadcaster CNNʼs New York office, causing the entire building to be evacuated. That package was addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan — a Trump critic who had been due to ap-
pear on CNN that day. Police said they found an "envelope containing white powder" in the packaging of the device. "There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media," said CNN president Jeff Zucker. "Words matter. Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that." October 24 afternoon:It was then revealed that former Attorney General Eric Holder had been sent a suspected bomb. But the package had ended up at the office of representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Sunrise, Florida, which was listed as the return address. It was then reported that another device addressed to Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters had been found at a mail sorting facility near Washington, DC. A second suspicious package addressed to her was later discovered in Los Angeles. In June, Waters had called on supporters to harass Trumpʼs cabinet members in public. Speaking at the White House, Trump condemned "acts or threats of political violence," saying they "have no place in the United States." October 25 morning: A suspected explosive device was sent to aManhattan restaurant owned by actor Robert De Niro, a vocal Trump critic. Two officials told the Associated Press that a person working at De Niroʼs Manhattan office called police after seeing images of a package bomb sent to CNN and recalling a similar package addressed to the actor. It was later revealed that two suspected bombs weresent to former Vice President Joe Bidenin his home state of Delaware.
Support grows for EUwide arms embargo on Saudi Arabia
China, Japan willing to mend ties amid Trump challenge
Bangladesh: Beware of what you say on talk shows
Austria and the European Parliament have urged for a bloc-wide halt on arms exports to Saudi Arabia following Jamal Khashoggiʼs death. Germany also backed the proposal, but other key exporters were silent or unconvinced. As outrage over the killing of Jamal Khashoggi continues to grow, more countries within the European Union are reconsidering their weapons exports with Saudi Arabia, with Austria calling for an EU-wide ban on Friday.
Chinaʼs ongoing trade spate with the US has dominated Japan PM Shinzo Abeʼs visit to the country. The first Sino-Japanese summit since 2011 could further thaw relations between Asiaʼs two biggest economies. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Friday that Japan and China have a duty to ensure regional security. On his first bilateral visit to China, Abe added that the two countries need to normalize ties and work together on the North Korea issue.
Famous talk show hosts like Zillur Rahman and Nobonita Chowdhury, along with their guests, may have to speak more carefully when on television, as they could be jailed for giving "false" or "misleading" information. If thereʼs one thing that has turned global attention to Bangladesh over the past several years, itʼs the repeated attacks by extremists on secular bloggers, activists and public intellectuals in the country.
Investigators have arrested a man in Florida in connection with pipe bombs sent to Democrats and Trump critics. Authorities warned that there may be more devices in the mail system than the 12 devices found so far.
German jailed in Turkey on terrorism charges A Turkish court on Friday sentenced aGerman man to six years and three months in prison for membership of a terrorist organization. In addition, he received a suspended sentence of one year and eight months in jail for entering a military exclusion zone. Since last year, a number of German citizens have been detained in Turkey, putting serious strain on relations between Berlin and Ankara.