Suicide attack prompts security rethinks
Countries world wide considering tightening security ahead of major theatre and sports events
TOKYO/SINGAPORE: Countries from the United States to Japan and Singapore are considering tightening security ahead of major theatre and sports events following a suicide bomb attack in Britain that killed at least 22 people.
Britain was on its second-highest alert level of “severe”, meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely, after the suicide bomb blast at the end of a concert by US singer Ariana Grande in Manchester on Monday.
The US Department of Homeland Security said it was closely monitoring the situation in Manchester and that the US public may experience increased security at public events.
“At this time, we have no information to indicate a specific credible threat involving music venues in the United States,” the department said in a statement.
“However, the public may experience increased security in and around public places and events as officials take additional precautions,” it said.
New York authorities stepped up security at sensitive sites and Governor Andrew Cuomo said he was ordering additional patrols at “high-profile locations” including airports and the subway “out of an abundance of caution”.
This apparent act of terrorism, targeting a concert attended by thousands of teenagers and young people, is an inexplicable and abhorrent assault on our universal values as human beings. Andrew Cuomo, New York Governor
“This apparent act of terrorism, targeting a concert attended by thousands of teenagers and young people, is an inexplicable and abhorrent assault on our universal values as human beings,” Cuomo said in a statement.
Japan said it had started gathering information.
“We have strengthened our position by establishing an information-gathering unit dedicated to international terrorism,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.
In Singapore, the organiser of Britney Spears’ concerts in June said they were considering new measures.
“We are definitely looking at tightening security. All our events are licensed by the police. It is normally advised by the licensing department on what precautions to take, how many armed guards we need. So we work closely with them,” Yogesh Mehta, project manager at IME Entertainment Group, said.
Singapore, which hosts a security summit between June 2-4 bringing together Asia-Pacific defence and military chiefs, made amendments to the Public Order Act last month.
It requires event organisers to notify the police a month beforehand if they expect more than 5,000 people to attend. And police may refuse to allow a public gathering if it has a direct political end or involves foreigners.
Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld Expo, where Ariana Grande is due to hold a concert in September, said it would enhance security measures for all concerts and events. Besides baggage inspection, there will be metal detectors, it said in a statement, adding it was also planning to introduce search dogs for any suspicious items. — Reuters
BETHLEHEM, Palestinian Territories: US President Donald Trump yesterday condemned the ‘evil losers’ behind a bomb blast at a pop concert in Britain that killed 22 people, as the attack overshadowed his trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
With his trademark blunt style, Trump vowed not to refer to attackers as ‘monsters’ any longer “because they would like that term. They would think that’s a great name.”
“So many young, beautiful, innocent people living and enjoying their lives murdered by evil losers,” Trump said after meeting Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.
“I will call them from now on losers because that’s what they are. They’re losers, and we’ll have more of them. But they’re losers just remember that.”
Children were among the at least 22 people killed and dozens injured in the suspected suicide bombing on Monday night at a pop concert by US star Ariana Grande in Britain’s deadliest extremist attack in 12 years.
Trump’s comments came after he made the short trip from Jerusalem to Bethlehem to meet Abbas, who sought to convince the unpredictable US president to remain committed to an independent Palestinian state.
On Monday, Trump made a highly symbolic visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem and met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump’s visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories is part of
So many young, beautiful, innocent people living and enjoying their lives murdered by evil losers. Donald Trump, US President
his first trip abroad as president, and follows an initial leg in Saudi Arabia, where he urged Islamic leaders to confront extremism.
He arrived in Bethlehem by motorcade, crossing a checkpoint at Israel’s controversial separation wall, and was greeted by Abbas and other dignitaries outside the city’s presidential palace.
Trump spoke of reviving longstalled peace efforts between the Israelis and Palestinians, but few specifics have emerged of how he intends to do so.
“I am committed to trying to achieve a peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and I intend to do everything I can to help them achieve that goal,” Trump said after his talks with Abbas.
Abbas reiterated his call for a two-state solution to the conflict, including an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.
“We are ready to open dialogue with our Israeli neighbours to build confidence and create a real opportunity for peace,” he said.
Security was tight for Trump’s journey to Bethlehem, a 20minute drive from Jerusalem but located across Israel’s separation wall.
The wall is part of a project begun in 2002 during the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, that is to extend some 700 kilometres once completed.
It is a stark symbol for Palestinians of Israel’s 50-year occupation of the West Bank, and in Bethlehem the wall has been covered with graffiti and street art.
Bethlehem also holds deep significance as the site where Christians believe Jesus was born and welcomes thousands of pilgrims each year for Christmas.
A banner hung in the city said ‘the city of peace welcomes the man of peace’ along with photos of Abbas and Trump.
Their talks came with hundreds of Palestinians in Israeli jails on hunger strike since April 17, which Abbas referred to in his remarks after meeting Trump.
Trump and Abbas met earlier this month at the White House.
Trump initially sparked deep concern among Palestinians when he backed away from the long US commitment to a two-state solution to the conflict.
Meeting Netanyahu in Washington in February, he said he would support a single state if it led to peace, delighting Israeli right-wingers who want to see most of the West Bank annexed.
During his election campaign, Trump also advocated breaking with decades of precedent and moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, alarming Palestinians.
He has since said the move was still being looked at. — AFP