UNGA tightens security following bombings

Islamic Extremism

The man suspected of being behind the weekend bombings and other explosive devices found in New York and New Jersey is now in police custody. Ahmad Khan Rahami, a U.S. citizen born in Afghanistan, was apprehended during a shootout in the town of Linden, New Jersey.

The man suspected of being behind the weekend bombings and other explosive devices found in New York and New Jersey is now in police custody. Ahmad Khan Rahami, a U.S. citizen born in Afghanistan, was apprehended during a shootout in the town of Linden, New Jersey.

CCTV America’s Liling Tan reports on how the events impact the UNGA.

Follow Liling Tan on Twitter @LilingTan

U.S. President Barack Obama, who is in Manhattan to attend the UN General Assembly, sought to reassure Americans following a series of bomb-related incidents over the weekend.

“I want to take a moment to reassure the people in this city, this region, and Americans across our country, that our counterterrorism and our law enforcement professionals, at every level — federal, state and local — are working together, around the clock, to prevent attacks and to keep us safe,” Obama said.

On Saturday, an explosion in Seaside Heights, New Jersey disrupted a Marine Corps charity run, and another blast at New York City’s popular Chelsea neighborhood injured 29 people. A pressure cooker device was later discovered nearby, and a backpack containing five pipe bombs was found Monday morning at a train station in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Ahmad Khan Rahami, a 28-year-old Afghan-born American citizen, was later arrested in connection with the bombings during a shootout in Linden, New Jersey .

These incidents come as world leaders are converging in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, with security already heightened to protect visiting presidents and prime ministers.

Few in the city are taking any chances especially now. While New York has the Homeland Security Division, Emergency Services, State police, the National Guard, the transportation authorities out in full force, the company managing two buildings that house 10 different UN missions is increasing its own security too. But the message is also for the public to keep their eyes out and stay vigilant. See something, say something.


President Obama delivers last speech at UNGA

At the United Nations this week many world leaders will say goodbye to U.S. President Barack Obama. It’s his last appearance at the UN. He leaves office in January.

CCTV America’s Nathan King reports the story.

Follow Nathan King on Twitter@nathanking

In eight years he has pledged many things to the international community, but has he delivered?

It was a much younger and perhaps more naive U.S. President who delivered his first speech to the UN in 2009.

“I ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed. We are doing the hard work of forging a framework to combat extremism within the rule of law,” said U.S. President Barack Obama in 2009.

Eight years on and Guantanamo is still open, although with far fewer inmates.

The war against Al-Qaeda has morphed into a war against them and ISIL, too. And the promised troop pullout from Iraq hasn’t been fully completed due to that ongoing fight that has expanded to the skies above Syria. Add to that intervention and regime change in Libya, covert drone strikes from Somalia to Pakistan, the pledges of eight years ago seem unkept.

When it comes to his work with the international community Obama’s record is more positive.