Monday, August 13, 2007

** New York medics deployed in force after unverified terror threat

** US Transportation Secretary praises Minneapolis medics

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Friday night proved busy for New York EMTs, after an unverified bomb threat was discerned by authorities. NY1 (August 13) said the warning resulted in additional complements of medics, police, and firemen being deployed throughout the city. According to the news station, the alert occurred after security experts detected Internet chatter related to a possible attack by al Qaeda agents. The specifics of the hit centred around terrorists using a radioactive truck to strike at areas in New York, Miami and Los Angeles. Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said his department is continuing to monitor the situation. So far, no credible supportive information has turned up.

** US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters praised Minneapolis EMTs for their work following last week’s bridge collapse. The West Central Tribune (Martiga Lohna/Associated Press/August 12) quoted Peters as saying medical and rescue workers had done an extraordinary job. Peters made her comments Friday after visiting the site of the bridge still covered with debris. Her visit coincided with an announcement that $50 million in federal money would be made available to the city to fund both ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts.