Monday, April 15, 2013

DTN News - BOSTON MARATHON EXPLOSIONS: Deadly Attack At Boston Marathon

DTN News - BOSTON MARATHON EXPLOSIONS: Deadly Attack At Boston Marathon 
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
*NEW: An 8-year-old boy was one of two killed
*The bombs were small, with no initial sign of high-grade explosive material, an official tells CNN
*The blasts at the marathon were 50 to 100 yards apart, officials say
*Obama vows those guilty "will feel the full weight of justice"
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources CNN
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 15, 2013: Doctors are "pulling ball-bearings out of people in the emergency room," the expert said, suggesting the bombs were designed to propel shrapnel.

"Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups, will feel the full weight of justice," President Barack Obama vowed.

Boston "is a tough and resilient town," he said, adding that Americans will stand by Bostonians "every single step of the way."

'Like a huge cannon'

The terrorist attack, near the marathon's finish line, triggered widespread screaming and chaos, shattered windows and barricades and sent smoke billowing into the air at Copley Square.

The blasts were about 50 to 100 yards apart, officials said, on a stretch of the marathon course lined with spectators cheering runners through the final yards of a 26-mile, 385-yard endurance feat.

"It felt like a huge cannon," a witness told CNN about one of the blasts.

Photos from the scene showed people being carried away on stretchers. One man in a wheelchair had blood all over his face and legs.

The bombs shook buildings, sending people to seek shelter under tables, witnesses said.

Federal authorities are classifying the bombings as a terrorist attack, but it's not clear whether the origin was domestic or foreign, a federal law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation said.

A federal law enforcement official told CNN that both bombs were small, and initial tests showed no C-4 or other high-grade explosive material, suggesting that the packages used in the attack were crude explosive devices.

Running list of things we know

Another explosive device found
Authorities in Boston found at least one other explosive device that they were dismantling, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said.

Rep. Bill Keating of Massachusetts, meanwhile, said there were two more found.

One unexploded device was found at a hotel on Boylston Street near the bomb site and another unexploded device was found at an undisclosed location, Keating, a Democrat and member of the House Homeland Security committee, said, calling the bombing a "sophisticated, coordinated, planned attack."

Davis said a third blast at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library was believed to be related to the marathon bombings, but police later said that incident was believed to be fire-related. The library said all staff and visitors are safe.

It was unclear who may have planted the marathon bombs. There were no credible threats before the race, a state government official said.

There is no suspect in custody, but many people are being questioned, Davis said.

As authorities searched the scene, numerous suspicious packages were found, possibly because people fled the area, leaving items behind. Investigators were checking them.

All off-duty Boston police were called in.

The Marriott hotel at Copley Place was evacuated as a precaution.

The Lenox Hotel was also evacuated as a precaution, the Boston Globe reported.

Flights banned over Boston Marathon blast site

'Horrific day'
Crowds were in the area watching the runners take part in the world's oldest annual marathon.

It was also Patriot's Day, commemorating the opening battle of the Revolutionary War.

Within seconds, the festive occasion turned into devastation.

"This is a horrific day in Boston," Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said in a statement.

"My thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured. I have been in touch with the president, Mayor (Thomas) Menino and our public safety leaders. Our focus is on making sure that the area around Copley Square is safe and secured. I am asking everyone to stay away from Copley Square and let the first responders do their jobs."

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder spoke with FBI Director Robert Mueller and U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz, a Justice Department official said.

Holder has directed the full resources of the Justice Department to be deployed to ensure the matter is fully investigated, the official said.

The Federal Aviation Administration placed a flight restriction over the site of the blasts.

Other cities, including New York and Washington, tightened security as a result. Following standard protocol, the White House cleared out an area in front of the West Wing.

"If you see something, say something," Mark Boughton, mayor of Danbury, Connecticut, wrote on Twitter. "All cities will be on a heightened state of alertness per Homeland Security protocols."

Mike Baingon, who works at the Atlantic Fish Company in Boston, said an explosion took place in front of the restaurant and that he was right by the front door at the time.

The explosions occurred at about 2:45 p.m., more than two hours after the first of the race's nearly 27,000 runners had crossed the finish line, CNN Producer Matt Frucci reported.

The race was halted as was subway service into the area.

Runners east of Massachusetts Avenue were directed to Boston Common; those west of Massachusetts Avenue were directed to Kenmore Square, the state's emergency management agency said.

Troops from the Massachusetts National Guard, already at the site as part of the marathon's security and crowd-management plan, were assisting police as well.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources CNN
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News - SPECIAL REPORT: Mountain Biking In Hong Kong By Robie Seth

DTN News - SPECIAL REPORT:  Mountain Biking In Hong Kong By Robie Seth
Source: DTN News 
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 15, 2013: Biking is a great way to enjoy Hong Kong – you will become fit and healthy. As a bonus, you will get to see the natural beauty all around us. This article provides information on Biking in both the urban and rural areas of Hong Kong, organised Biking activities and competitive Biking if you are more keen than most to be on two wheels.

UK Mountain Bike Magazine Features Hong Kong's MTB Scene

After a glowing story in the April 2013 edition of Mountain Biking UK Hong Kongers can expect to see even more tourists arriving with mega oversized luggage ready to plunder the jewels of HK. But  dont expect these new visitors to be pushing and shoving their way through the streets of TST or Causeway Bay. No way! They will be  flooding ours santuaries - the MTB trails where we seek solace!

Back in November, the HKMBA was contacted by Enrico Guala who manages the Life Cycle Team and organises many super enduro MTB races in Europe. He was planning to bring a pair of top enduro riders, Manuel Ducci and Valentina Macheda, and photojournalist, Matt Wragg. They would be here in few days to do a story featuring HK's MTB scene.  Kenneth Lam, the HKMBA Vice Chairman, volunteered to guide them around HK and make them feel at home.
Seeing as they would only be here for three days, Kenneth assumed  that they would want to explore HK's most popular trails in Tai Lam CP, but instead they wanted to hit the tight single track of Lamma Island.  The timing was perfect. The guys had just finished the annual clearing the trails of  the thick vegetation that had grown like lightening over the summer.  The massive typhoon had brought down a few big trees at the bottom of  Snakes Tail and these too were cleared. Better yet, the giant golden orb spiders that spin webs cabable of felliing riders had retreated for the winter. Lamma's trails were ready for visitors.
And what did they think of Lamma? 
... Andrew and his friends have created one of the most amazing things I've ever experienced on a mountain bike --- an oasis of singletrack barely a stones throw from one of the busiest urban areas on our planet. A small, but perfect, santuary away from the chaos.
Nothing is better than reading the story for yourself. You can pick up a copy of Mountain Biking UK at some bike shops in HK or you can buy the magazine online via sites like Zinio
Volunteers Wanted - Trail Maintenance Day - Ho Pui Trail - April 7 ~ HKMBA
On April 7, 2013 HKMBA volunteers together with AFCD will perform trail maintenance work along the last section of Ho Pui Trail as it approached the reservoir. Work will involve trail armouring and clearing activities. In addition, we are looking for a few volunteers to act as trail steward to greet riders and tell them about the new Ho Pui entrance.
Here is the official rundown of the day from the AFCD:
1. Trail improvement works at the last section of Ho Pui Trail, near the Ho Pui Reservoir.  Since the works mainly involves rock armouring and minor clearance of bamboo, experienced volunteers are preferred.  However, new volunteers are also welcome.   

2. Some volunteers can work as trail stewards who will help us to promote the new Ho Pui Trailhead and the Trail Difficulty Grading System (i.e. green circle, blue square, black diamond).  The trail steward programme can last for around 1-2 hours in the morning and the volunteers who work as trail stewards can join the trail improvement works in late morning.  Tentatively, we shall set up pull-up banners at both Ho Pui Trailhead and the end of Ho Pui Trail, and trail stewards will help us to talk to peer mountain bikers about the new Trailhead and the Difficulty Grading System.   

On 7 April, we shall all meet at 9:15am at Twisk Management Centre (shuttle bus from Tsuen Wan MTR Station will be available at 8:45am), and there will be shuttle from Twisk Management Centre to the end of Ho Pui Section.  The whole programme on 7 April will end at around 3:00pm and there will be shuttle bus to go back to Tsuen Wan MTR.   

Please send me a list of HKMBA volunteers by 28 March (Thursday).  In the list, please indicate whether they will take the Shuttle Bus from Tsuen Wan or come by themselves, and whether they would work as trail stewards.   

For the volunteer group to work effectively, it would be much preferred to limit the number of volunteers from HKMBA to 20 people.  Volunteers shall bring their own water and food.   

If there is any Rainstorm Warning (Amber, Red or Black), Thunderstorm Warning or Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal no. 3 or above being hoisted by the Hong Kong Observation at 7:30am on 7 April 2013, the whole event will be cancelled without further notice. 
Please let us know whether you would like to volunteer by emailing webeditor@hkmba.org
*Link for This article compiled by DTN News 
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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