READ: Bomber attacks near Times Square, disrupting city but hurting nobody

News

AN ATTACKER attempted to explode a bomb strapped to his body while on a New York subway corridor yesterday (12 Monday), sending commuters running from the smoke that filled the underground.

Luckily, the weapon failed to detonate, only injuring the attacker himself, who was rushed to hospital.

The attacker, identified by the police as Akayed Ullah, 27, was said to have been inspired to attack by ISIS.

He said that the USA’s bombing of ISIS in Syria was the reason behind his attack.

He apparently targeted the area due to its many Christmas posters and messages.

Third attack

This is the third attack in New York City since September 2016, and the second in two months, coming only weeks after eight people were killed in a truck attack.

Like the earlier two, the attack on Monday appears to have been carried out by a so-called “lone-wolf” terrorist.

If the news scares you…

Nicky Cox, editor in chief at First News, wants to try to help you understand the news when scary events happen. It can sometimes be hard to understand what is happening in the world – and why.

Don’t cover up your feelings if you are scared. Don’t worry quietly inside. Talk to someone – adults who you know, love and trust – if you are worried about frightening news events.
When there is a big event in the news, lots of inaccurate information ends up on the internet, so try to avoid it. Make sure you get your news from a trusted place like First News newspaper, First News Live! or BBC Newsround. Things that happen in the news will be talked about in the school playground or lunch hall, or in online chats. Better that you know the real facts, rather than hearing exaggerated or confused versions from other people. You need correct information, not misinformation.
Remember that terrorism has always been there – as far back as Guy Fawkes’ Gunpowder Plot in 1605. There were seven assassination attempts on Queen Victoria during her 63-year reign in the 1800s. For 30 years, Britain lived with bomb attacks from the IRA over the Northern Ireland troubles. But there is always a solution. Right now, Islamic State (known as IS or Daesh) and other terror groups are trying to frighten the world into doing what they want. But, they will be defeated. There will be a solution. In the meantime, children will continue going to school, parents will continue to go to work, families will continue to go to sports event, concerts and on holiday. Life continues.
Remember that these are extremely rare, which is why they are in the news. The likelihood of being caught up in an event like this is so, so small, you can’t even do the sum to calculate the risk.
The police are doing all they can to make sure that you are safe.
Remember, too, that there is much more good news than bad news happening. And that there are many more good people than bad people.
Hug your family a little bit closer and for a little bit longer. Love is stronger than hate.