Latest news with #IED
AsiaOne
a day ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Gas cylinders in car, unattended luggage: Only around 17% of bystanders noticed them in SGSecure experiments, Singapore News
Two social experiments conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in June gave a glimpse about how members of the public might respond to potential threats. The experiments, which fall under the SGSecure movement, were conducted on June 10 and 13 during peak lunch and dinner hours. They featured situations mimicking bomb threats meant to provide observations on how the public responds to potential threats that could be easily overlooked in today's fast-paced environment. The first experiment involved a dummy Improvised Explosive Device (IED) hidden in a luggage that was left in a high traffic area of Our Tampines Hub, while the second involved a car loaded with empty gas cylinders that was parked at Bishan Community Club. Based on MHA's observations, just 17.3 per cent of the 2,530 people who walked past the suspicious objects in both experiments noticed them. However, of those who noticed the suspicious object, only about 5.9 per cent intended or took steps to inform the authorities, while the majority (90 per cent) walked away without taking any action. Public's alertness low: Sim Ann The results were a stark contrast to those of the SGSecure Public Perception Survey 2024, where 88 per cent of respondents said that they would contact the relevant authorities if they spotted suspicious behaviours or items. The recent social experiments underscored "a significant gap between the public's perceived and actual level of vigilance", said MHA. "This shows that we still have some way to go in raising the public's alertness and awareness and their readiness to combat terrorism," said Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs. She was at a media event on Wednesday (July 30) where MHA launched a three-episode web series titled What Would You Do When Terror Strikes, featuring the two controlled social experiments conducted in the heartlands in mid-June. MHA said the findings point to clear opportunities to strengthen the community's vigilance and response to potential security threats. "MHA will continue to partner the community closely to deepen outreach efforts under the SGSecure movement," said the ministry. "At the same time, we encourage members of the public to stay alert to their surroundings and play an active role in keeping our shared spaces safe. Everyone has a part to play in building a strong, vigilant and prepared community." What Would You Do When Terror Strikes The three-episode web series, which premieres on the MHA YouTube channel on Wednesday (July 31), aims to educate viewers on how to respond effectively and safely during a terror incident and reinforce the importance of community vigilance. The first episode features eight local social media influencers who are put through a series of events within a simulated armed intruder attack, testing their ability and knowledge of how to react in such situations. The subsequent episodes will feature footage from the social experiments accompanied by commentary by a panel of experts — comprising representatives from the SGSecure Programme Office, Home Team Psychology Division, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force. On a whole, the series is meant to provide practical advice grounded in SGSecure advisories, such as how to assess threats, evacuate safely, administer basic first aid, or notify the authorities promptly, so that viewers will be equipped with the relevant knowledge to navigate similar situations if necessary, said MHA. [[nid:720394]]
Free Malaysia Today
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
New York man charged over explosives on subway tracks, rooftops
The accused stored five explosive devices on apartment building rooftops in Manhattan's SoHo neighbourhood. (AFP pic) NEW YORK : A New York man has been charged with making improvised explosive devices and throwing one onto subway tracks in New York City, US authorities said yesterday. Michael Gann, 55, allegedly manufactured at least seven explosive devices using chemicals ordered online and stored five devices and shotgun shells on apartment building rooftops in Manhattan's SoHo neighbourhood, according to the US attorney's office for the southern district of New York. Authorities said Gann threw one IED onto subway tracks on the Williamsburg Bridge and was arrested with a seventh device on his person early June. 'As alleged, Michael Gann built explosive devices, stored them on a rooftop in SoHo, and threw one onto the subway tracks – putting countless lives at risk,' said US attorney Jay Clayton. 'Thanks to swift work by our law enforcement partners, no one was harmed.' According to prosecutors, Gann ordered approximately two pounds of potassium perchlorate and one pound of aluminium powder – precursor chemicals to explosives – online in May, along with over 200 cardboard tubes and 50 feet of fuses. One of the devices placed on the roof of a SoHo building 'contained approximately 30g of explosive powder – approximately 600 times the legal limit for consumer fireworks', the attorney's office said. On or about June 5, just hours before his arrest while carrying an IED, he posted to Instagram: 'Who wants me to go out to play like no tomorrow?' Before making the IEDs, prosecutors said, Gann posted a message on X on March 27 tagging the POTUS account, the official handle for the president of the US. He wrote: 'I'm thinking just now here in NYC that it's too bad that the wall wasn't built before the National Guard would have to come here for the Protests and Riotation or would you just drop a bomb on this place while and because they seem to be coming and coming?' Between May and June 2025, Gann also searched online for information on bomb-making, firearms, and 3D-printed guns, as well as background checks for firearm purchases, according to the indictment. Gann, a resident of New York City's Inwood neighbourhood, faces charges of attempted destruction of property by explosives, transportation of explosive materials and unlawful possession of destructive devices. The most serious charge carries a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and maximum of 20 years.
Mint
22-07-2025
- Mint
Ahmedabad airport gets bomb threat email. Here's what we know
The authorities at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Tuesday received a bomb threat on Tuesday, reported ANI, following which a massive search operation was launched. The local police rushed to the spot and scanned the entire airport premises with the help of cyber crime branch and other security agencies, PTI quoted Assistant Commissioner of Police, 'G' Division, VN Yadav as saying. "The threat turned out to be a hoax as nothing suspicious was found. The Airport police as well as cyber crime are conducting further investigation," he informed. Also, an airport spokesperson said the threat was 'non-specific' and nothing suspicious was found after the search. A Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad spokesperson said, as quoted by ANI, "Following the receipt of a threatening email on 22 July 2025, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, activated the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee, and the threat was assessed as non-specific." "CISF's Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad conducted comprehensive checks in line with standard security protocols. After a thorough sweep of the premises, no suspicious object or activity was found. Airport operations have continued without disruption," the spokesperson added. As per the details, in the past six months, hoax bomb threats were received by the Gujarat High Court, the Ahmedabad airport and over 20 private schools across the state. A report by PTI stated that the threat was sent via an email at around 7:30 am and claimed that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was placed inside a cigarette packet. It also claimed that the bomb could detonate at any time. However, no suspicious object has been found as of yet.
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Supreme Court declines to interfere in Telangana HC order granting bail to 4 men accused of supplying explosives to Maoists
The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by the Telangana Government challenging a Telangana High Court order that granted bail to four men accused of conspiring and supplying explosives and material such as drones to members of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist). The case was heard by a bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, who declined to interfere in the high court's order. The case was registered in the Cherla police station of Bhadradri Kothagudem district and later transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The trial court dismissed their bail petitions on November 7, 2023, and January 18, 2024. The four bail applicants are accused 1, 3, 6, and 7 in the case. In the trial court, the special public prosecutor for the NIA had contended that the offences, charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other laws, were grave and serious in nature, and since some of the accused in this case were absconding, it was not safe to grant bail. The police caught them on June 5, 2023, on the outskirts of Cherla Mandal during a vehicle check drive. They were found in possession of 'incriminating material objects, such as one drone, cortex wire bundles – 2 each 80 meters length, gelatin sticks – 10, detonators – 5. The accused 1 to 7 conspired to hand over the same to the underground cadres of proscribed organization of CPI (Maoist) i.e., accused 8 to 11 and others, for making landmine and IED firearms', the police alleged. However, while hearing the batch of petitions challenging the rejection of bail applications by the trial court, a Telangana High Court bench of Justices K Lakshman and P Sree Sudha granted them bail with certain conditions, including some general ones, bail bonds, and weekly reporting. The high court, in its order dated March 21, 2024, acknowledged the NIA's primary concern that the accused might threaten witnesses, including protected ones, and potentially disrupt the fairness of the trial. Should this occur, the special court might be unable to conduct a fair trial. In such a scenario, the NIA is free to apply for the cancellation of bail, the bench said. Rahul V Pisharody is an Assistant Editor with the Indian Express Online and has been reporting from Telangana on various issues since 2019. Besides a focused approach to big news developments, Rahul has a keen interest in stories about Hyderabad and its inhabitants and looks out for interesting features on the city's heritage, environment, history culture etc. His articles are straightforward and simple reads in sync with the context. Rahul started his career as a journalist in 2011 with The New Indian Express and worked in different roles at the Hyderabad bureau for over 8 years. As Deputy Metro Editor, he was in charge of the Hyderabad bureau of the newspaper and coordinated with the team of district correspondents, centres and internet desk for over three years. A native of Palakkad in Kerala, Rahul has a Master's degree in Communication (Print and New Media) from the University of Hyderabad and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. Long motorcycle rides and travel photography are among his other interests. ... Read More
Roya News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
'Israeli' soldier killed in Rafah building collapse: military
The 'Israeli' Occupation Forces (IOF) announced today that a soldier was killed during fighting in south Gaza yesterday. He is identified as Sgt. Maj. Vladimir Loza, of the 5th Brigade's 7020th Battalion. A preliminary probe by the 'Israeli' military revealed that he was killed after a blast caused a building to collapse in Rafah, likely due to a planted Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
