Accused bomber may face life term

NEW YORK — The Florida man accused of sending pipe bombs to prominent critics of U.S. President Donald Trump was indicted Friday on charges carrying a potential penalty of life in prison.

The 30-count indictment against Cesar Sayoc was handed up in Manhattan federal court, where Sayoc made an initial appearance earlier this week after he was brought to New York.

Sayoc, 56, was arrested Oct. 26 in Florida on five charges carrying a potential sentence upon conviction of nearly 50 years.

Authorities said he sent improvised explosive devices to numerous Democrats, critics of Trump and CNN.The scare heightened tensions before the crucial midterm elections, but he was arrested within days.

Prosecutors followed through on a promise to upgrade the charges with an indictment that led with five counts alleging use of a weapon of mass destruction. The document said he mailed 16 improvised explosive devices though the U.S. mail to victims across the country.

None of the devices — some of which arrived at New York addresses — exploded.

Car bombs kill 20 in Somali capital

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Four car bombs by Islamic extremists exploded outside a hotel in the capital, Mogadishu, Friday afternoon, killing at least 20 people and injuring 17, said police.

After the three explosions in front of the hotel, a fourth blast hit as medics attempted to rescue the injured.

The suicide bombs detonated near the perimeter wall of the Sahafi Hotel, which is located across the street from the Somali Police Force’s Criminal Investigations Department, said Capt. Mohamed Hussein.

Some of the victims were burned beyond recognition when one car bomb exploded next to a minibus, he said.

Somali security forces shot dead four gunmen who tried to storm through a hole blown into the hotel’s wall but did not succeed in entering, he said.