Investigators are trying to determine how a small – possibly homemade - device made it past security inside Pittsburgh International Airport. The device was set off inside an airside magazine store. Sources say the device, which was about the size of a shotgun shell, was wrapped tightly in paper. When it went off, it sounded like a firecracker. No one was hurt.
According to a county police report obtained from sources, the device may have been set off by a woman upset about not getting a receipt for items purchased at the store. Allegheny County’s EOD Team was immediately on site. The Explosion and Demolition team is right now taking a look at the device to determine what it is made of.
Meantime, an airport operations employee has been fired after another security breach at the airport. Last month, airport security saw a man scale a fence and drop into the cargo area. The TSA was called immediately but County Police weren’t called for 14 minutes. The delay allowed the intruder to disappear into the darkness, never to be found. The airport fired the worker who delayed calling police.
http://kdka.com/topstories/local_story_137164938.html
Report of bomb materials in Collier causes evacuations (Florida)
May 17, 2007
Homes this afternoon have been evacuated and school buses are being rerouted because of a report of suspected bomb making materials seen in an apartment east of Naples. Members of the Collier sheriff's SWAT Team and bomb squad have been called to the apartment complex in the area of Robin Hood Circle off Radio Road, authorities said. Some apartments have been evacuated as a precaution.
At least one school bus, number 640, which is assigned to Calusa Park Elementary School, has been rerouted. The precautions were taken after a bondsman going to an apartment in the complex reported seeing what he believed could be bomb making materials inside.
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070517/NEWS0119/70517061/1002/NEWS01
Police investigate suspicious device at Shell refinery (California)
05/17/2007
MARTINEZ -- Authorities are investigating a suspicious device found in a portable restroom this afternoon at the Shell Refinery. The incident began when a contractor found the device at 3:40 p.m., said refinery spokesman Steve Lesher.
Refinery security personnel investigated. The Contra Costa Sheriff's Office and Martinez police responded, and the Coast Guard established a 500-yard safety zone in the waters near the refinery, Lesher said. Employees were instructed to avoid that area, and refinery operations not been affected, Lesher said.
DHAKA: Islamist militants in Bangladesh are preparing to launch car bomb attacks and carry out other deadly missions, one self-described militant commander said in a rare interview with a private television channel.
“After going somewhat slow following the execution of our top six leaders, we have regrouped, received funding from Saudi Arabia, acquired training and (are) now recruiting drivers to operate suicide vehicles,” he told Ekushey television (ETV). ETV aired the interview late on Wednesday night, showing the militant hooded in a black robe from head to toe, and only revealing one eye.
“I cannot give my name for security reasons,” he said, describing himself as the commander of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, an outlawed group seeking to introduce tough Islamic sharia law in Bangladesh.
Excerpted
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\18\story_18-5-2007_pg7_31
More than 700 bombs captured in central Thailand
2007-05-17
BANGKOK -- Thai police on Thursday afternoon captured more than 700 sets of powerful bombs at a residence in central province of Saraburi which is only 100 kilometers from the capital Bangkok. A squad of policemen raided the house in Muang district of Saraburi on Thursday afternoon after got clues from informants. A total of 700 sets of Power Gel explosive were found in the house, a police officer told Xinhua.
The owner of the explosive was also detained by the police and was rushed to Bangkok for investigation. The officer said the power of all the explosive could blow down a whole mountain.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-05/17/content_6114628.htm