NPR 2009-12-28

Federal criminal charges have been filed against Abdul Farouk Mutallab, the Nigerian man, accused of trying to trigger an explosion aboard a Northwest Airliner's jet bound for Detroit yesterday. He was arraigned 1 at the University of Michigan Hospital today where he's being treated for burns he suffered in the failed attack.  Abdul Mutallab reportedly was brought to the attention of US authorities several weeks ago by his father, but his name had not yet made it onto the government's no-fly list. More from NPR's Dina Temple-Raston.

 The suspect of Northwest flight 253 tried to ignite some sort of device as the plane circled to land above Detroit. Passengers said there was a popping noise and then smoke and flames. Flight attendants put out the flames with the fire extinguisher. Officials are trying to determine if he has any terrorist ties. They tell NPR that he claimed to have been sent by al-Qaeda to blow up the plane but they aren't sure those claims are true. Dina Temple-Raston, NPR News.

 Tighter security measures have been implemented 2 at the nation's airports and by a number of airlines following the failed bomb attack. American Airlines says it will be screening carry-on items again at the gate before boarding, Air Canada's barring passengers from accessing carry-on bags or having any item on their laps during the last hour of a flight. Air travel expert Terry Trippler says passengers can help with the process.

"Let's do whatever we can to get through that checkpoint as quickly as possible, and if it means checking all your bags except the personal item like a handbag or laptop, then do so."

Trippler says travelers should also refrain from carrying any liquids, or gels and carry-ons, even the small size that is currently permitted.

Travelers in the Midwest experienced flight delays and cancellations today not because of security but because of the snow that's been blitzing parts of that region. Gregg Cunningham is the spokesman for Chicago's Department of Aviation.

"Our snow removal teams are out and doing the best they can to keep up with the snow that's coming down, but it looks like through the remainder of the day, we will be seeing delays at all airports from Chicago.

Cunningham says hundreds of flights at Chicago's busy O'Hare Airport were canceled or delayed today.

Israeli soldiers killed a total of six Palestinians in two separate incidents this morning in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, Sheera Frenkel reports from Jerusalem.

In the predawn raid in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, Israeli soldiers opened fire on a house killing 3 three men from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs 4 Brigade. Israeli officials said the men were responsible for a shooting attack that killed an Israeli settler Thursday. Later an Israeli air strike on Gaza killed three additional Palestinian men that Israel said were trying to infiltrate 5 the border. Hamas officials denied the claim and said the men had been collecting scrapped 6 metal. Palestinian President Salam Fayyad accused Israel of purposely trying to escalate 7 violence. For NPR News, I'm Sheera Frenkel in Jerusalem.

Five years ago today, a powerful tsunami 8 swept across Asia. There were observances today to remember the more than 200,000 people who were killed in the tragedy.

This is NPR News from Washington.

A suspected US missile strike has killed three people and wounded two others in a tribal 9 region of northwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border. The area targeted is a base for militants 10 battling US and NATO forces. In Afghanistan, the New York Times reports branches of the US military's special operations forces have stepped up their counter-terrorism missions against some of that country's most dangerous groups.

Divers 11 have expanded their search in the waters off Manila for two dozen people missing since a crash of a ferryboat and a fishing vessel 12. Doualy Xaykaothao has more.

Since Thursday, search and rescue teams have been coming Manila Bay in hopes of finding a sunken ferry and its 24 missing passengers. The 79-ton ship collided with a fishing vessel two days ago in relatively 13 calm waters and clear skies. Today the Philippine Coast Guard began to use deep-sea equipment to help look for any sign of the wreckage 14 or possible survivors 15. Government ships and aircrafts are now assisting with weekend rescue operations. A spokesman for the Coast Guard said the ferry has yet to be located. The cause of the crash is still under investigation 16 but officials say preliminary reports suggest the accident may have been caused by human error. For NPR News, I'm Doualy Xaykaothao.

A string of attacks against Shiite pilgrims has killed five people in eastern Baghdad. The attacks are the latest targeting worshipers during a time of solemn religious observance. Dozens of Shiites have been killed this week and more than 100 wounded. Police say today's attacks began with a bombing near a tent offering food and drinks to Shiite pilgrims. Hours later, a bomb exploded near a line of minibuses carrying pilgrims to the holy city of Karbala.

I'm Craig Windham, NPR News in Washington.