Explosions in subway system & bus in London
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GalvestonDuck
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TexasStooge
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TexasStooge
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Local Britons gather and grieve
By YOLANDA WALKER / WFAA ABC 8
GRAPEVINE, Texas - The British Emporium in Grapevine became a comfort zone for local Britons. Those shocked by the London bombings stopped by the shop for traditional tea and to grieve.
"Our hearts and sympathies go out to our fellow countryman in London," said shop co-owner Sheela Kadam. "At times like these, the British community really just want to gather together."
They also tried desperately to reach their loved ones and friends. Fellow co-owner Alexandra Evans got through to her sister in London by e-mail.
"You feel helpless, you know," Evans said. "You want to reach out."
She said her sister was trapped on a train for an hour, but was safe.
Kathy Holden also used to own a store. She owned the British Attic, a shop that was in Fort Worth's Santa Fe Rail Market before it closed.
Holden said it is important to reach out at a time of crisis.
"We want the British people to know here in Texas that we love America," she said. And America, we know, in turn loves us."
She said she hopes her fellow countrymen appreciate America as an ally and won't focus negative attention on the decision to join the war in Iraq.
"There are a lot of people who are against the war," she said. "Whatever your views are, we are allies together. We stand together.
By YOLANDA WALKER / WFAA ABC 8
GRAPEVINE, Texas - The British Emporium in Grapevine became a comfort zone for local Britons. Those shocked by the London bombings stopped by the shop for traditional tea and to grieve.
"Our hearts and sympathies go out to our fellow countryman in London," said shop co-owner Sheela Kadam. "At times like these, the British community really just want to gather together."
They also tried desperately to reach their loved ones and friends. Fellow co-owner Alexandra Evans got through to her sister in London by e-mail.
"You feel helpless, you know," Evans said. "You want to reach out."
She said her sister was trapped on a train for an hour, but was safe.
Kathy Holden also used to own a store. She owned the British Attic, a shop that was in Fort Worth's Santa Fe Rail Market before it closed.
Holden said it is important to reach out at a time of crisis.
"We want the British people to know here in Texas that we love America," she said. And America, we know, in turn loves us."
She said she hopes her fellow countrymen appreciate America as an ally and won't focus negative attention on the decision to join the war in Iraq.
"There are a lot of people who are against the war," she said. "Whatever your views are, we are allies together. We stand together.
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TexasStooge
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Hope it`s a false alarm.
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TexasStooge
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Britain considers response to attacks
Some Muslims in U.K. back crackdown; others say it would only hurt
By TOD ROBBERSON / The Dallas Morning News
LONDON, England – The conversation Sunday around the cash register at Hani's Carpet Store underscored the divisions in Britain, even among the country's 1.6 million Muslims, over how the government should react to the four bomb attacks that shook London on Thursday.
Junaid Abdullah says Britain's best response would be to stay the course because the country's biggest strength is its tolerant, multicultural atmosphere and broad freedoms. Jamel Tahir says the country is too liberal and too tolerant toward Muslim radicals and the preachers of violence. He favors a harsh crackdown on freedoms and the deportation of troublemakers.
The debate over Britain's response is likely to grow louder this week as Parliament weighs whether to launch an inquiry into the bombings around central London, which killed at least 49 people and injured 700, including many Muslims. Nearly 30 people are still missing as forensic and rescue teams continue sifting through subway wreckage where many bodies have yet to be recovered.
Among the responses politicians want to consider are tighter screening procedures for immigrants, issuing national identification cards and stepping up the country's already heavy reliance on closed-circuit camera surveillance. As in other European countries, politicians in Britain have considered dress codes banning Muslim girls from wearing the hijab, or headscarf, in public schools.
Muslims say they fear such proposals are a grave danger to their long-term freedoms. For the short term, they say, the biggest concern is retaliation on the streets. The Islamic Human Rights Commission reported that Muslims around the country have received thousands of threats via e-mail; it is advising Muslims to maintain a low profile on the streets.
The commission, in a statement Thursday warning of a possible "anti-Muslim backlash," advised Muslims "not to travel or go out unless necessary," and said it is "particularly concerned that women should not go out alone in this climate."
The widespread presumption is that Muslim extremists were behind the attacks even though police say they can only speculate about the identity of the attackers. They have not even ruled out the possibility that a lone bomber carried out all four attacks using timing devices.
Radicals active
At Hani's and other Muslim-operated stores along Edgware Road in West London, where one of the four bombs exploded, it has long been common knowledge that radical groups are active in the community. Extremists frequently can be seen passing out leaflets and trying to recruit new members among the neighborhood's youth.
To crack down on the radicals, Mr. Abdullah said, "is to turn them into heroes. That's exactly what they want. If you stop them from preaching, they only become more radical."
Mr. Tahir strongly disagreed. "I don't believe in leniency. These people have organized in the West because the West is too lenient. They can't pass out leaflets like this in Saudi Arabia because they'll be arrested, and they know it," he said. "I think this country should have the right to kick out the bad Muslims."
Both men are from Iraq and fled the country during the dictatorship of ousted leader Saddam Hussein. They praised Britain as one of the most welcoming countries in the West for Muslims and a place where a careful balance exists between freedom of religion and the right of free speech.
Nationwide, fears are rising that those freedoms could be dramatically restricted because of Thursday's attacks.
"In the name of the rule of law, democracy and human rights, we cannot accept that the rights of individuals [Arab or Muslim] be trampled upon or that populations are targeted and discriminated against in the name of the war against terrorism," Tariq Ramadan, a Muslim academic, wrote in the Guardian newspaper.
"This government has fallen over itself to extend Muslims special privileges, in spite of much opposition, including from some prominent Muslims," columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown wrote in the Independent newspaper. "Our guerrilla brothers have thanked them with a bouquet of explosives. Some gratitude."
Mr. Abdullah said the best way to fight extremism would be for the British government to introduce Islamic public schools, where teachers could instill a sense of religious moderation in students as a counterbalance to radical messages they might hear on the streets or in mosques.
Secretive cells
Massoud Shadjareh, director of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said the secretive, cell-like structure of the radical groups believed to have been involved in the London bombings and elsewhere around Europe makes it almost impossible to determine who is involved.
"I don't think even the parents of these people would know who they are," he told the British Broadcasting Corp.
The result is that all Muslims are now suspect in the eyes of non-Muslims, said Najat Ali, an ethnic Kurd. She said that since Thursday, she has noticed a marked difference in the way non-Muslims react to her on Edgware Road, where Arabic is widely spoken and it is common to see women on the streets in head-to-toe cloaks, known as abayas. Ms. Ali said she wears a headscarf whenever she goes outside.
"Everything has changed. Before Thursday, people would smile or joke with you. Now, there are no smiles, only frowns," she said. "I'm afraid someone is going to yank my hijab off my head."
Mr. Abdullah said a non-Muslim man entered his carpet shop on Friday and asked for permission to store his daypack there. Citing security concerns, Mr. Abdullah refused.
"He went crazy. He started swearing and saying all kinds of things against Islam and Muslims. Then he tried to break our window with his pack," Mr. Abdullah said.
Issam Majid, a Lebanese immigrant who operates a small grocery store around the corner from the Edgware Road subway station, where the bomb exploded, said he understands why non-Muslims would be so angry after Thursday's attacks. But he noted that Muslims were killed and injured as well.
"I easily could have been down there when it blew up. I go through that station every day," he said. "Of course I'm against this. The people who did this should burn in hell."
A police surveillance van was parked across the street with a camera pointed toward Mr. Majid's shop.
"Hey, I've got no problem with it," he said. "Whatever makes us more secure, I'm with them."
Some Muslims in U.K. back crackdown; others say it would only hurt
By TOD ROBBERSON / The Dallas Morning News
LONDON, England – The conversation Sunday around the cash register at Hani's Carpet Store underscored the divisions in Britain, even among the country's 1.6 million Muslims, over how the government should react to the four bomb attacks that shook London on Thursday.
Junaid Abdullah says Britain's best response would be to stay the course because the country's biggest strength is its tolerant, multicultural atmosphere and broad freedoms. Jamel Tahir says the country is too liberal and too tolerant toward Muslim radicals and the preachers of violence. He favors a harsh crackdown on freedoms and the deportation of troublemakers.
The debate over Britain's response is likely to grow louder this week as Parliament weighs whether to launch an inquiry into the bombings around central London, which killed at least 49 people and injured 700, including many Muslims. Nearly 30 people are still missing as forensic and rescue teams continue sifting through subway wreckage where many bodies have yet to be recovered.
Among the responses politicians want to consider are tighter screening procedures for immigrants, issuing national identification cards and stepping up the country's already heavy reliance on closed-circuit camera surveillance. As in other European countries, politicians in Britain have considered dress codes banning Muslim girls from wearing the hijab, or headscarf, in public schools.
Muslims say they fear such proposals are a grave danger to their long-term freedoms. For the short term, they say, the biggest concern is retaliation on the streets. The Islamic Human Rights Commission reported that Muslims around the country have received thousands of threats via e-mail; it is advising Muslims to maintain a low profile on the streets.
The commission, in a statement Thursday warning of a possible "anti-Muslim backlash," advised Muslims "not to travel or go out unless necessary," and said it is "particularly concerned that women should not go out alone in this climate."
The widespread presumption is that Muslim extremists were behind the attacks even though police say they can only speculate about the identity of the attackers. They have not even ruled out the possibility that a lone bomber carried out all four attacks using timing devices.
Radicals active
At Hani's and other Muslim-operated stores along Edgware Road in West London, where one of the four bombs exploded, it has long been common knowledge that radical groups are active in the community. Extremists frequently can be seen passing out leaflets and trying to recruit new members among the neighborhood's youth.
To crack down on the radicals, Mr. Abdullah said, "is to turn them into heroes. That's exactly what they want. If you stop them from preaching, they only become more radical."
Mr. Tahir strongly disagreed. "I don't believe in leniency. These people have organized in the West because the West is too lenient. They can't pass out leaflets like this in Saudi Arabia because they'll be arrested, and they know it," he said. "I think this country should have the right to kick out the bad Muslims."
Both men are from Iraq and fled the country during the dictatorship of ousted leader Saddam Hussein. They praised Britain as one of the most welcoming countries in the West for Muslims and a place where a careful balance exists between freedom of religion and the right of free speech.
Nationwide, fears are rising that those freedoms could be dramatically restricted because of Thursday's attacks.
"In the name of the rule of law, democracy and human rights, we cannot accept that the rights of individuals [Arab or Muslim] be trampled upon or that populations are targeted and discriminated against in the name of the war against terrorism," Tariq Ramadan, a Muslim academic, wrote in the Guardian newspaper.
"This government has fallen over itself to extend Muslims special privileges, in spite of much opposition, including from some prominent Muslims," columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown wrote in the Independent newspaper. "Our guerrilla brothers have thanked them with a bouquet of explosives. Some gratitude."
Mr. Abdullah said the best way to fight extremism would be for the British government to introduce Islamic public schools, where teachers could instill a sense of religious moderation in students as a counterbalance to radical messages they might hear on the streets or in mosques.
Secretive cells
Massoud Shadjareh, director of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said the secretive, cell-like structure of the radical groups believed to have been involved in the London bombings and elsewhere around Europe makes it almost impossible to determine who is involved.
"I don't think even the parents of these people would know who they are," he told the British Broadcasting Corp.
The result is that all Muslims are now suspect in the eyes of non-Muslims, said Najat Ali, an ethnic Kurd. She said that since Thursday, she has noticed a marked difference in the way non-Muslims react to her on Edgware Road, where Arabic is widely spoken and it is common to see women on the streets in head-to-toe cloaks, known as abayas. Ms. Ali said she wears a headscarf whenever she goes outside.
"Everything has changed. Before Thursday, people would smile or joke with you. Now, there are no smiles, only frowns," she said. "I'm afraid someone is going to yank my hijab off my head."
Mr. Abdullah said a non-Muslim man entered his carpet shop on Friday and asked for permission to store his daypack there. Citing security concerns, Mr. Abdullah refused.
"He went crazy. He started swearing and saying all kinds of things against Islam and Muslims. Then he tried to break our window with his pack," Mr. Abdullah said.
Issam Majid, a Lebanese immigrant who operates a small grocery store around the corner from the Edgware Road subway station, where the bomb exploded, said he understands why non-Muslims would be so angry after Thursday's attacks. But he noted that Muslims were killed and injured as well.
"I easily could have been down there when it blew up. I go through that station every day," he said. "Of course I'm against this. The people who did this should burn in hell."
A police surveillance van was parked across the street with a camera pointed toward Mr. Majid's shop.
"Hey, I've got no problem with it," he said. "Whatever makes us more secure, I'm with them."
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TexasStooge
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Britons unite in Grapevine to mourn, heal
By DAKARAI I. AARONS / The Dallas Morning News
GRAPEVINE, Texas – After praying for the victims of Thursday's terrorist attacks in London, the nearly 30 Britons and their friends stood in stony silence as Suzanne Rowntree played "Amazing Grace" on her bagpipes.
The group had gathered Saturday at the British Emporium store in Grapevine to remember those killed and injured in the attacks and to start their own healing process in the presence of others who share their heritage.
The store's owners, Alexandra Evans and Sheela Kadam, hosted the event at the request of local Britons as well as friends and family across the Atlantic.
Byron Cain, president of the North Texas chapter of the British-American Council, presided.
Mr. Cain, an American who owns a tour company that often travels to England, said he believed the memorial service reminded the Britons that they were not alone and that their American counterparts would stand by them, just as Britain stood by the U.S. after the 9-11 attacks.
"We felt it was important to bring together a number of British ex-pats in a setting where we could offer condolences and show resolve," he said. I think the people here were comforted by the group action."
Ms. Rowntree said the memorial service touched her.
"I think it is wonderful the Americans want to support them, just as they did for us after 9-1l," said the native of Liverpool, England.
After the memorial, which included a solemn rendition of "God Save The Queen," attendees waited in line to sign a book of condolences that Ms. Evans said she would take to London next month and present to its mayor.
"I think we needed this to feel we can move on," Maureen McCrery of Euless said as she waited.
When Ms. McCrery heard about the bombings Thursday morning, she said, she bolted out of bed and turned on the television to see more. As the London native looked at images on the screen, she began sobbing.
The tragedy reminded her of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, and she said Saturday that it felt good to be in a place full of other people who shared her pain and resolve to press forward.
"We are so far away," Ms. McCrery said, wearing a shirt emblazoned with a system map of London's subway system "This makes us feel like we're close to home and grieve with those over there."
By DAKARAI I. AARONS / The Dallas Morning News
GRAPEVINE, Texas – After praying for the victims of Thursday's terrorist attacks in London, the nearly 30 Britons and their friends stood in stony silence as Suzanne Rowntree played "Amazing Grace" on her bagpipes.
The group had gathered Saturday at the British Emporium store in Grapevine to remember those killed and injured in the attacks and to start their own healing process in the presence of others who share their heritage.
The store's owners, Alexandra Evans and Sheela Kadam, hosted the event at the request of local Britons as well as friends and family across the Atlantic.
Byron Cain, president of the North Texas chapter of the British-American Council, presided.
Mr. Cain, an American who owns a tour company that often travels to England, said he believed the memorial service reminded the Britons that they were not alone and that their American counterparts would stand by them, just as Britain stood by the U.S. after the 9-11 attacks.
"We felt it was important to bring together a number of British ex-pats in a setting where we could offer condolences and show resolve," he said. I think the people here were comforted by the group action."
Ms. Rowntree said the memorial service touched her.
"I think it is wonderful the Americans want to support them, just as they did for us after 9-1l," said the native of Liverpool, England.
After the memorial, which included a solemn rendition of "God Save The Queen," attendees waited in line to sign a book of condolences that Ms. Evans said she would take to London next month and present to its mayor.
"I think we needed this to feel we can move on," Maureen McCrery of Euless said as she waited.
When Ms. McCrery heard about the bombings Thursday morning, she said, she bolted out of bed and turned on the television to see more. As the London native looked at images on the screen, she began sobbing.
The tragedy reminded her of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, and she said Saturday that it felt good to be in a place full of other people who shared her pain and resolve to press forward.
"We are so far away," Ms. McCrery said, wearing a shirt emblazoned with a system map of London's subway system "This makes us feel like we're close to home and grieve with those over there."
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streetsoldier
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TexasStooge
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TexasStooge
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streetsoldier wrote:Scotland Yard has identified four suicide bombers in the attacks on the London subway cars and one bus; raids were made in the city of Leeds at the homes of four Pakistani immigrants. More raids and possible arrests may be pending, according to reports just now coming into FoxNews.
One of the bombers was on the London bus at the time of the incident.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u ... n_bombings
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P.K.
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This is the latest report but details are still unclear. 3 tube lines are currently closed. I believe COBRA are meeting (The goverment's emergency cabinet) so it doesn't look good.
Tube cleared after minor blasts
Minor explosions using detonators only have sparked the evacuation of three Tube stations and the closure of three lines, a BBC correspondent has said.
Police cordoned off large areas around Warren Street, Oval and one of the Shepherd's Bush Tube stations.
A route 26 bus in Hackney Road in Bethnal Green had its windows blown out by a blast. There were no injuries.
Police in London say they are not treating the situation as "a major incident yet".
One person was injured at Warren Street. There were reports the injured person may have been holding a rucksack containing the detonator.
The whole of the Northern Line has been suspended, along with the Victoria Line and the Hammersmith and City line.
A number of other stations were closed including Westminster tube station, Waterloo station and King's Cross Thameslink. There were also reports that St Paul's tube station was closed.
Tony Blair cancelled events in the afternoon and will be attending a meeting of the Cobra committee along with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
The BBC's Andrew Winstanley said devices had been found but appeared to have been dummies, containing no explosives.
London Underground went to an amber alert with trains taken to the next station and evacuated.
An eyewitness at Oval station said there had been a small bang, and a man had then run off when the Tube reached the station.
A spokesman for Stagecoach said the driver of the number 26 bus travelling through Shoreditch had heard a bang on upper deck, gone upstairs and seen the windows were blown out.
The bus driver was very shaken but said to be fine.
At Shepherd's Bush station, police told reporters that a man had threatened to blow himself up and then ran off.
Sosiane Mohellavi, 35, was travelling from Oxford Circus to Walthamstow when she was evacuated from a train at Warren Street.
"I was in the carriage and we smelt smoke - it was like something was burning.
"Everyone was panicked and people were screaming. We had to pull the alarm. I am still shaking."
The BBC's Rory Barnett said there had been no smoke on the platform at Warren St.
Liz Edwards, who works near Warren Street Underground station, said the area was full of activity.
"There are police, fire engines and ambulances all around there. A guy from our office had just come back from the station and said the police were aggressively keeping people away from the station and that you could not get anywhere near it."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4703777.stm
Tube cleared after minor blasts
Minor explosions using detonators only have sparked the evacuation of three Tube stations and the closure of three lines, a BBC correspondent has said.
Police cordoned off large areas around Warren Street, Oval and one of the Shepherd's Bush Tube stations.
A route 26 bus in Hackney Road in Bethnal Green had its windows blown out by a blast. There were no injuries.
Police in London say they are not treating the situation as "a major incident yet".
One person was injured at Warren Street. There were reports the injured person may have been holding a rucksack containing the detonator.
The whole of the Northern Line has been suspended, along with the Victoria Line and the Hammersmith and City line.
A number of other stations were closed including Westminster tube station, Waterloo station and King's Cross Thameslink. There were also reports that St Paul's tube station was closed.
Tony Blair cancelled events in the afternoon and will be attending a meeting of the Cobra committee along with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
The BBC's Andrew Winstanley said devices had been found but appeared to have been dummies, containing no explosives.
London Underground went to an amber alert with trains taken to the next station and evacuated.
An eyewitness at Oval station said there had been a small bang, and a man had then run off when the Tube reached the station.
A spokesman for Stagecoach said the driver of the number 26 bus travelling through Shoreditch had heard a bang on upper deck, gone upstairs and seen the windows were blown out.
The bus driver was very shaken but said to be fine.
At Shepherd's Bush station, police told reporters that a man had threatened to blow himself up and then ran off.
Sosiane Mohellavi, 35, was travelling from Oxford Circus to Walthamstow when she was evacuated from a train at Warren Street.
"I was in the carriage and we smelt smoke - it was like something was burning.
"Everyone was panicked and people were screaming. We had to pull the alarm. I am still shaking."
The BBC's Rory Barnett said there had been no smoke on the platform at Warren St.
Liz Edwards, who works near Warren Street Underground station, said the area was full of activity.
"There are police, fire engines and ambulances all around there. A guy from our office had just come back from the station and said the police were aggressively keeping people away from the station and that you could not get anywhere near it."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4703777.stm
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