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New York bombings: Clinton criticizes Trump rhetoric – live New York bombings: Ahmad Khan Rahami in custody after shootout – live
(35 minutes later)
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Pictures and footage are emerging that appear to show the capture of the suspect in the New York and New Jersey bombings, after a shootout with police:
#BREAKING: #Linden #NJ (Union Cnty) #activeshooter. One Suspect in custody pic.twitter.com/nqzAdlRh9U
Video appears to confirm that the arrest happened in Linden, New Jersey:
#linden #nj #shooting pic.twitter.com/bhdYzMr12P
In another picture, a man is shown on a stretcher with what appears to be a wound to his upper right arm or shoulder:
#breaking the #terrorist Ahmad Rahami #linden #nj pic.twitter.com/DVo7gv1rrT
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Amber Jamieson
Amber Jamieson reports for the Guardian from Elizabeth, New Jersey, home town of the captured suspect in the New York and New Jersey bombings:
Elizabeth mayor Chris Bollwage said he was relieved to hear authorities had captured bombing suspect Ahmad Khan Rahami.
“Now hopefully a lot more questions will be answered,” said the mayor outside the home of Rahami and his family, which the FBI raided on Monday morning but found empty.
The mayor said the family had owned and operated its business, First American Fried Chicken, and lived above the modest shop on Elmora Ave, New Jersey since 2002.
The mayor spoke about how the chicken store had faced complaints and problems in 2012, when the city council and police enforced that it close at 10pm. He acknowledged that Rahami’s Muslim faith was mentioned repeatedly by Rahami in complaints about city authorities.
“He brought up his faith in the lawsuit, he brought up his faith in conversations with city officials … [but the complaint] had nothing to do with ethnicity or religious beliefs, it had to do with a lot of people hanging out in front of the store at all hours as well as congregating and code enforcement problems,” said Bollwage.
Bollwage said New Jersey senators including Corey Booker were on their way to Elizabeth for a security briefing with law enforcement at 12.30pm.
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Capture of suspect confirmed
Jamiles Lartey
Local law enforcement officials have confirmed to the Guardian that Ahmad Khan Rahami is now in custody after engaging in a shootout with police in Linden, New Jersey. One officer was injured in the incident, according to police.
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Barack Obama speaks as reports say suspect captured
President Obama is speaking now in New York. He begins by commending the first responders involved in New York and New Jersey and expressing his thanks that no one was killed. The investigation is moving rapidly, he says, and he will not comment on it as it is not his business. He will give all federal support to the investigations, he says.
He asks the public to help and the press to “try to refrain from getting out ahead of the investigation”. It does not help if false reports or incomplete investigation are out there, he says – this just as major news outlets are reporting, citing unnamed sources and without official confirmation, that the suspect in the bombings has been captured.
Obama says there is no connection seen between the stabbing attack in Minnesota and the bombs in New York and New Jersey, and again records his thanks that no one except the suspect in Minnesota was killed. The attack in Minnesota is being investigated as an act of terror.
He details actions against Islamic militants online and in Iraq and Syria, saying taking territory from them undermines their message and helps western governments “push back against their message of hate”. He makes similar points to Clinton on this effort, of course, and then goes into a long exposition of why America’s fight against extremism is so important.
No questions.
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Trump advisor: Clinton accused opponent of 'treason'Trump advisor: Clinton accused opponent of 'treason'
The Trump campaign does not like Hillary Clinton’s remarks earlier today about the billionaire’s rhetoric on the bombs in New York and New Jersey giving “aid and comfort to our adversaries”, which it says amount to an accusation of “treason”.The Trump campaign does not like Hillary Clinton’s remarks earlier today about the billionaire’s rhetoric on the bombs in New York and New Jersey giving “aid and comfort to our adversaries”, which it says amount to an accusation of “treason”.
In a statement, senior communications advisor Jason Miller said the comments “accusing Mr Trump of treason are not only beyond the pale, it’s also an attempt to distract from her horrible record on Isis.In a statement, senior communications advisor Jason Miller said the comments “accusing Mr Trump of treason are not only beyond the pale, it’s also an attempt to distract from her horrible record on Isis.
If Clinton really wants to find the real cause of Isis, she needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror. The decision to remove all American troops from Iraq in 2011, which was vigorously supported by Clinton, created the vacuum that led to the founding of Isis.If Clinton really wants to find the real cause of Isis, she needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror. The decision to remove all American troops from Iraq in 2011, which was vigorously supported by Clinton, created the vacuum that led to the founding of Isis.
Nothing she says or does can ever un-ring that bell. The only thing we can expect from a Hillary Clinton presidency is more attacks on our homeland and more innocent Americans being hurt and killed.Nothing she says or does can ever un-ring that bell. The only thing we can expect from a Hillary Clinton presidency is more attacks on our homeland and more innocent Americans being hurt and killed.
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We will be hearing from President Obama soon…We will be hearing from President Obama soon…
At 11:30am ET, @POTUS speaks on the New York and New Jersey incidents. Watch live: https://t.co/syHezfnxW8At 11:30am ET, @POTUS speaks on the New York and New Jersey incidents. Watch live: https://t.co/syHezfnxW8
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Our reporter, Amber Jamieson, is now in Elizabeth, New Jersey and will be filing updates. In the meantime, here’s a taste of what the New York Times is reporting about the fried chicken restaurant that is being searched in connection with the hunt for Ahmad Khan Rahami, the suspect in the blasts in New York and New Jersey:Our reporter, Amber Jamieson, is now in Elizabeth, New Jersey and will be filing updates. In the meantime, here’s a taste of what the New York Times is reporting about the fried chicken restaurant that is being searched in connection with the hunt for Ahmad Khan Rahami, the suspect in the blasts in New York and New Jersey:
… the man wanted in the bombing is the son of a man named Muhammad Rahami who runs a fast-food restaurant, First American Fried Chicken, in the ground floor of their home on Elmora Avenue, neighbors said.… the man wanted in the bombing is the son of a man named Muhammad Rahami who runs a fast-food restaurant, First American Fried Chicken, in the ground floor of their home on Elmora Avenue, neighbors said.
The restaurant, which has employed Ahmad and some of his brothers, was such a persistent neighbourhood nuisance that the city forced it to close early, said Mayor J Christian Bollwage of Elizabeth. When it was opened several years ago, it stayed open all night, Mr Bollwage said.The restaurant, which has employed Ahmad and some of his brothers, was such a persistent neighbourhood nuisance that the city forced it to close early, said Mayor J Christian Bollwage of Elizabeth. When it was opened several years ago, it stayed open all night, Mr Bollwage said.
The Times adds: “It was neighbour complaints, it had nothing to do with his ethnicity or religion,” the mayor said. “It had to do with noise and people congregating on the streets.”The Times adds: “It was neighbour complaints, it had nothing to do with his ethnicity or religion,” the mayor said. “It had to do with noise and people congregating on the streets.”
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The next New York press conference, with police chiefs and mayor Bill de Blasio, will be held in the city at 12.30pm ET, according to authorities.The next New York press conference, with police chiefs and mayor Bill de Blasio, will be held in the city at 12.30pm ET, according to authorities.
In Elizabeth, New Jersey, law enforcement activity continues around a fried chicken shop and the residence above it:In Elizabeth, New Jersey, law enforcement activity continues around a fried chicken shop and the residence above it:
Police towing Infiniti outside of fried chicken restaurant that authorities are searching #ElizabethNJ pic.twitter.com/LQDqKCkcaLPolice towing Infiniti outside of fried chicken restaurant that authorities are searching #ElizabethNJ pic.twitter.com/LQDqKCkcaL
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Clinton: Trump rhetoric gives 'aid and comfort to our adversaries'Clinton: Trump rhetoric gives 'aid and comfort to our adversaries'
Asked about “lone wolf” attackers, Clinton says we should spend more time working to stop them, and then heads into some detail of how that can be done, particularly regarding online recruitment. She wants to “intercept and prevent radicalisation and recruitment” online, with help from tech companies and experts.Asked about “lone wolf” attackers, Clinton says we should spend more time working to stop them, and then heads into some detail of how that can be done, particularly regarding online recruitment. She wants to “intercept and prevent radicalisation and recruitment” online, with help from tech companies and experts.
Is this new attack or attacks an attempt by Isis to influence the presidential race and drive votes towards Donald Trump?Is this new attack or attacks an attempt by Isis to influence the presidential race and drive votes towards Donald Trump?
“I don’t want to speculate but here’s what we know,” Clinton says. “We know a lot of the rhetoric we’ve heard from Donald Trump has been seized on by terrorists” to portray a war against Islam, to “turn it into a religious conflict”. We’re not going to give Isis “exactly what it’s wanting”, she says.“I don’t want to speculate but here’s what we know,” Clinton says. “We know a lot of the rhetoric we’ve heard from Donald Trump has been seized on by terrorists” to portray a war against Islam, to “turn it into a religious conflict”. We’re not going to give Isis “exactly what it’s wanting”, she says.
Trump’s comments have been used online for recruitment of terrorists, she continues, citing former CIA chief Michael Hayden. Trump’s rhetoric is giving “aid and comfort to our adversaries”, she says.Trump’s comments have been used online for recruitment of terrorists, she continues, citing former CIA chief Michael Hayden. Trump’s rhetoric is giving “aid and comfort to our adversaries”, she says.
She discusses her experience in office again, saying: “I know our enemies … we’re going to stay focused on what will work.” She emphasises online counter-terrorism again.She discusses her experience in office again, saying: “I know our enemies … we’re going to stay focused on what will work.” She emphasises online counter-terrorism again.
Asked about Trump’s charge that she and Barack Obama are responsible for the rise of Isis, she dismisses it as a “demagogic” point. Work matters more than rhetoric, she says, and she has done that work and will do it in future.Asked about Trump’s charge that she and Barack Obama are responsible for the rise of Isis, she dismisses it as a “demagogic” point. Work matters more than rhetoric, she says, and she has done that work and will do it in future.
You don’t hear a plan for him, you keep hearing him saying he has a secret plan, he has no plan.You don’t hear a plan for him, you keep hearing him saying he has a secret plan, he has no plan.
And that’s that. A blizzard of attempted questions, “Thank you guys” and she’s gone towards the plane for Philly.And that’s that. A blizzard of attempted questions, “Thank you guys” and she’s gone towards the plane for Philly.
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Clinton: 'campaign rhetoric' is a distractionClinton: 'campaign rhetoric' is a distraction
Now Clinton takes questions. She is asked about the suspect, an Afghan-born naturalised citizen. Clinton says we should remember the millions of peaceful such migrants and citizens and says she is in favour of tough vetting of migants, including a better visa system – she says we should remember the 9/11 attacks were not carried out by migrants, and we should not be distracted by the “campaign rhetoric coming from the other side”.Now Clinton takes questions. She is asked about the suspect, an Afghan-born naturalised citizen. Clinton says we should remember the millions of peaceful such migrants and citizens and says she is in favour of tough vetting of migants, including a better visa system – she says we should remember the 9/11 attacks were not carried out by migrants, and we should not be distracted by the “campaign rhetoric coming from the other side”.
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Clinton is now speaking.Clinton is now speaking.
Her thoughts are with those wounded in all attacks this weekend, she says. “This threat is real but so is our resolve” against the “evil twisted ideology” of her opponents.Her thoughts are with those wounded in all attacks this weekend, she says. “This threat is real but so is our resolve” against the “evil twisted ideology” of her opponents.
She says she is the only candidate in the race who has experience in the fight against Isis and has laid out her plan for continuing that fight in office. She details that plan – supporting domestic law enforcement, launching an intelligence surge, building trust between law enforcement and Muslim communities. We have to “smash” Isis in the middle east, she says.She says she is the only candidate in the race who has experience in the fight against Isis and has laid out her plan for continuing that fight in office. She details that plan – supporting domestic law enforcement, launching an intelligence surge, building trust between law enforcement and Muslim communities. We have to “smash” Isis in the middle east, she says.
“Later today I’ll discuss the threat of terrorism” with the president of Egypt and other world leaders. She asks Americans to be vigilant, to report threats and suspicions, to “choose resolve, not fear” and not to turn on each other.“Later today I’ll discuss the threat of terrorism” with the president of Egypt and other world leaders. She asks Americans to be vigilant, to report threats and suspicions, to “choose resolve, not fear” and not to turn on each other.
***WANTED FOR QUESTIONING**** RETWEET! https://t.co/B3IgarqY2D pic.twitter.com/QUjCFdtVc2***WANTED FOR QUESTIONING**** RETWEET! https://t.co/B3IgarqY2D pic.twitter.com/QUjCFdtVc2
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Clinton is due to speak to reporters soon, on the tarmac at the airport in White Plains, New York, which is hear her Chappaqua home. Appropriate preparations have been made:Clinton is due to speak to reporters soon, on the tarmac at the airport in White Plains, New York, which is hear her Chappaqua home. Appropriate preparations have been made:
Clinton has a glass of water and two lozenges at the ready as she prepares to address the media in White Plains. pic.twitter.com/KvKTVCzMjVClinton has a glass of water and two lozenges at the ready as she prepares to address the media in White Plains. pic.twitter.com/KvKTVCzMjV
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Hillary Clinton is due to speak to the press at 10am ET, so we’ll live blog that. The Democratic nominee is then due to speak in Philadelphia at noon.Hillary Clinton is due to speak to the press at 10am ET, so we’ll live blog that. The Democratic nominee is then due to speak in Philadelphia at noon.
In the meantime, we have a statement from the Trump campaign. Senior communications adviser Jason Miller disparages the White House’s description of a “narrative fight against Isis just days after a series of apparent terror attacks on US soil”, and says:In the meantime, we have a statement from the Trump campaign. Senior communications adviser Jason Miller disparages the White House’s description of a “narrative fight against Isis just days after a series of apparent terror attacks on US soil”, and says:
Diminishing the threat the Obama administration has allowed to materialize on its watch puts us all at risk and is another reminder that we need new leadership in the fight against radical Islamic terrorism. Hillary Clinton has backed President Obama’s failed Isis strategy to the hilt, and voters should know whether she too shares the White House’s troubling assessment of the situation.”Diminishing the threat the Obama administration has allowed to materialize on its watch puts us all at risk and is another reminder that we need new leadership in the fight against radical Islamic terrorism. Hillary Clinton has backed President Obama’s failed Isis strategy to the hilt, and voters should know whether she too shares the White House’s troubling assessment of the situation.”
The “narrative fight” reference is to remarks by White House spokesman Josh Earnest on CNN this morning: “What I can tell you is that we are, when it comes to [Isis], we are in a fight, a narrative fight with them. A narrative battle.The “narrative fight” reference is to remarks by White House spokesman Josh Earnest on CNN this morning: “What I can tell you is that we are, when it comes to [Isis], we are in a fight, a narrative fight with them. A narrative battle.
“And what [Isis] wants to do is, they want to project that they are an organisation that is representing Islam, in a fight, in a war against the West, in a war against the United States. That is a bankrupt, false narrative. It’s a mythology. And we have made progress in debunking that mythology”“And what [Isis] wants to do is, they want to project that they are an organisation that is representing Islam, in a fight, in a war against the West, in a war against the United States. That is a bankrupt, false narrative. It’s a mythology. And we have made progress in debunking that mythology”
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New Jersey state police have said in a statement posted to Facebook they want to question Rahmani, wanted over the Chelsea blast on Saturday night, regarding the explosion of a pipe bomb, and the discovery of others, near the planned route of a charity 5k in New Jersey on Saturday.New Jersey state police have said in a statement posted to Facebook they want to question Rahmani, wanted over the Chelsea blast on Saturday night, regarding the explosion of a pipe bomb, and the discovery of others, near the planned route of a charity 5k in New Jersey on Saturday.
No one was hurt in that blast, which happened in a trash can, possibly because the race had been delayed by too many people wanting to register. Rahmani’s last known address, Jersey state police said, was Elizabeth, New Jersey, which is where more devices were found last night.No one was hurt in that blast, which happened in a trash can, possibly because the race had been delayed by too many people wanting to register. Rahmani’s last known address, Jersey state police said, was Elizabeth, New Jersey, which is where more devices were found last night.
Regarding possible “foreign connections” to the bombs, as discussed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on television this morning, New York Times reporter Rukmini Callimachi points out that neither al-Qaida nor Isis has yet claimed responsibility.Regarding possible “foreign connections” to the bombs, as discussed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on television this morning, New York Times reporter Rukmini Callimachi points out that neither al-Qaida nor Isis has yet claimed responsibility.
3. To date neither ISIS nor al-Qaeda (nor any other terror group that I know of) has claimed the explosions in NY and NJ3. To date neither ISIS nor al-Qaeda (nor any other terror group that I know of) has claimed the explosions in NY and NJ
An Islamic State-run news agency did claim credit for the mass stabbing at a Minnesota mall on Saturday, which is being investigated as an act of terror.An Islamic State-run news agency did claim credit for the mass stabbing at a Minnesota mall on Saturday, which is being investigated as an act of terror.
It is important to remember too that Isis has previously claimed credit for attackers with whom it had no contact.It is important to remember too that Isis has previously claimed credit for attackers with whom it had no contact.
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…and after Trump’s words on the dangers of immigration to Fox and Friends, as discussed below, there’s this from the Associated Press:…and after Trump’s words on the dangers of immigration to Fox and Friends, as discussed below, there’s this from the Associated Press:
The US government has mistakenly granted citizenship to at least 858 immigrants who had pending deportation orders from countries of concern to national security or with high rates of immigration fraud, according to an internal Homeland Security audit released Monday.The US government has mistakenly granted citizenship to at least 858 immigrants who had pending deportation orders from countries of concern to national security or with high rates of immigration fraud, according to an internal Homeland Security audit released Monday.
In a big country 858 might not be that big a number, but that’s not going to help calm the escalating political row over immigration down, as the hunt for the suspect in the New York and New Jersey bombings goes on. That suspect, 28-year-old Ahmad Khan Rahmani, was born in Afghanistan.In a big country 858 might not be that big a number, but that’s not going to help calm the escalating political row over immigration down, as the hunt for the suspect in the New York and New Jersey bombings goes on. That suspect, 28-year-old Ahmad Khan Rahmani, was born in Afghanistan.
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Donald Trump spoke to Fox and Friends this morning and the results were … predictable.Donald Trump spoke to Fox and Friends this morning and the results were … predictable.
Asked about the bombs in New York and New Jersey, the Republican presidential nominee started off in the controversial if nonspecific tone of his first response to the news on Saturday, saying: “Well, it’s a mess and a shame and we’re going to have to be very tough … I think this is something that perhaps will happen more and more all over the country.”Asked about the bombs in New York and New Jersey, the Republican presidential nominee started off in the controversial if nonspecific tone of his first response to the news on Saturday, saying: “Well, it’s a mess and a shame and we’re going to have to be very tough … I think this is something that perhaps will happen more and more all over the country.”
Trump’s argument was of course that attacks such as this are all to do with immigration, the refusal by politicians to say the words “radical Islamic terrorism” – which he also applied to the mass stabbing in Minnesota on Saturday which is being investigated as an act of terrorism – and the failure to “knock the hell out of them”, meaning Islamic State, the rise of which was caused by Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.Trump’s argument was of course that attacks such as this are all to do with immigration, the refusal by politicians to say the words “radical Islamic terrorism” – which he also applied to the mass stabbing in Minnesota on Saturday which is being investigated as an act of terrorism – and the failure to “knock the hell out of them”, meaning Islamic State, the rise of which was caused by Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
He dodged a question about whether that meant he would send US troops to Iraq and Syria.He dodged a question about whether that meant he would send US troops to Iraq and Syria.
To take just his first points on immigration and the dangers of Syrian refugees:To take just his first points on immigration and the dangers of Syrian refugees:
“We’ve been weak,” he said, “our country’s been weak, we’ve been letting people in by their thousands and thousands and I’ve been saying you’ve got to stop it. Just last week Obama said he’s going to let 100,000 people in from Syria, 100,000. Hillary Clinton wants to increase what he’s let in, thousands and thousands, they don’t know, they can’t be properly vetted …“We’ve been weak,” he said, “our country’s been weak, we’ve been letting people in by their thousands and thousands and I’ve been saying you’ve got to stop it. Just last week Obama said he’s going to let 100,000 people in from Syria, 100,000. Hillary Clinton wants to increase what he’s let in, thousands and thousands, they don’t know, they can’t be properly vetted …
“I spoke to the best people in law enforcement, they say there is no way of vetting these people, so he let in over 100,000 additional people and now Hillary Clinton is raising it by 550% and this has been going on for a long time, thousands of people are pouring into our country, we have no idea what we’re doing, our leaders are … I don’t even say weak. I say stupid!”“I spoke to the best people in law enforcement, they say there is no way of vetting these people, so he let in over 100,000 additional people and now Hillary Clinton is raising it by 550% and this has been going on for a long time, thousands of people are pouring into our country, we have no idea what we’re doing, our leaders are … I don’t even say weak. I say stupid!”
So he did, repeatedly. Some points:So he did, repeatedly. Some points:
There was more from Trump, a lot more, and it’s viewable in the YouTube video above.There was more from Trump, a lot more, and it’s viewable in the YouTube video above.
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Reuters reports that the devices found in Manhattan and New Jersey were linked, according to a homeland security official.Reuters reports that the devices found in Manhattan and New Jersey were linked, according to a homeland security official.
There are no other details at present so it is unclear whether it is referring to all devices found since Saturday (a pipe bomb exploded on Saturday in Seaside Park, New Jersey, 11 hours before the Chelsea blast and five suspected devices have since been found in a backpack at Elizabeth train station, NJ).There are no other details at present so it is unclear whether it is referring to all devices found since Saturday (a pipe bomb exploded on Saturday in Seaside Park, New Jersey, 11 hours before the Chelsea blast and five suspected devices have since been found in a backpack at Elizabeth train station, NJ).
Additionally, it is important to note that Ahmad Khan Rahmani is only currently being sought in connection with the Chelsea explosion.Additionally, it is important to note that Ahmad Khan Rahmani is only currently being sought in connection with the Chelsea explosion.
Breaking: Explosive devices in New York and New Jersey were linked: Homeland Security official.Breaking: Explosive devices in New York and New Jersey were linked: Homeland Security official.
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