Small Bomb set off in Times Square

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Did anyone see this?

An explosive device has caused minor damage to a military recruitment centre on New York City's Times Square.

The centre was empty and no-one was injured in the pre-dawn blast, which smashed a glass window.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the bombing did not appear to be an act of terrorism but the investigation was in its early stages.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the attack on the recruiting office was an insult to US forces personnel.

"The fact that this appears deliberately targeted at the recruiting station insults every one of our brave men and women in uniform stationed around the world," Mr Bloomberg said at a news conference.

He said New Yorkers would not be intimidated. "New York City is back and is open for business... People are going about their business, shopping, working and sightseeing."

'Not sophisticated'

New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said a witness saw a person on a bicycle wearing a backpack and acting suspiciously shortly before the blast.

Mr Kelly said the bomb was in a military ammunition case and was "not particularly sophisticated".

After the explosion in the early hours of Thursday, police cars blocked nearby streets as the bomb squad gathered evidence.

The centre is on a traffic island in the middle of the square and is surrounded by streets, theatres and restaurants. The recruiting station is one of the busiest in the US and has occasionally been the site of anti-war protests.

Witnesses staying at a Times Square hotel told the Associated Press news agency that they heard a "big bang" and could feel the building shake.

A plume of smoke was also visible after the explosion, they said.

At one point, subway trains passed through Times Square station without stopping but normal service later resumed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7280963.stm

[Dan J 277]

Did anyone see this?

An explosive device has caused minor damage to a military recruitment centre on New York City's Times Square.

The centre was empty and no-one was injured in the pre-dawn blast, which smashed a glass window.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the bombing did not appear to be an act of terrorism but the investigation was in its early stages.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the attack on the recruiting office was an insult to US forces personnel.

"The fact that this appears deliberately targeted at the recruiting station insults every one of our brave men and women in uniform stationed around the world," Mr Bloomberg said at a news conference.

He said New Yorkers would not be intimidated. "New York City is back and is open for business... People are going about their business, shopping, working and sightseeing."

'Not sophisticated'

New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said a witness saw a person on a bicycle wearing a backpack and acting suspiciously shortly before the blast.

Mr Kelly said the bomb was in a military ammunition case and was "not particularly sophisticated".

After the explosion in the early hours of Thursday, police cars blocked nearby streets as the bomb squad gathered evidence.

The centre is on a traffic island in the middle of the square and is surrounded by streets, theatres and restaurants. The recruiting station is one of the busiest in the US and has occasionally been the site of anti-war protests.

Witnesses staying at a Times Square hotel told the Associated Press news agency that they heard a "big bang" and could feel the building shake.

A plume of smoke was also visible after the explosion, they said.

At one point, subway trains passed through Times Square station without stopping but normal service later resumed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7280963.stm

Saw it on the news, surprised no one on here picked up sooner.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I wonder how the WH is describing it as "not an act of terrorism". If they catch the person who did it - I have a hard time believing they wouldn't be charged under the anti-terrorism laws.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I wonder how the WH is describing it as "not an act of terrorism". If they catch the person who did it - I have a hard time believing they wouldn't be charged under the anti-terrorism laws.

Suddenly you don't like terrorists? Interesting.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I wonder if it was a battery explosion caused by a laptop similar to the one in LAX.

[HAL 9000 96]

It is very bizzare. It is an act of terror, right?. The timing I find extremely hilarious given the current hysterical climate some folks would have us want to swallow. Either way, someone has to face the music.

[Caladan 19]

I wonder how the WH is describing it as "not an act of terrorism". If they catch the person who did it - I have a hard time believing they wouldn't be charged under the anti-terrorism laws.

"Not an act of terrorism" seems to mean either "don't panic" or "it doesn't look like there were Muslims involved." Probably they would be charged; that's not a high bar to meet these days.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Seems a little weird to me - hobby terrorism is not "real" terrorism. As I say I don't imagine this will fly if/when they catch the guy and it goes to trial.

[Mags 112]

I wonder how the WH is describing it as "not an act of terrorism". If they catch the person who did it - I have a hard time believing they wouldn't be charged under the anti-terrorism laws.

Suddenly you don't like terrorists? Interesting.

Stop the baiting, please.