http://syn2.thecanadianpress.com:8080/mrss/feed/fcf7391a2f354311807f0501c16bde6a MSN - AP World Copyright © 2010-2018 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved. http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Tue, 13 May 2025 09:12:55 +0000 http://syn2.thecanadianpress.com:8080/mrss/feed/fcf7391a2f354311807f0501c16bde6a/33de7b15c55d4fe5973bce0b10555c5c 33de7b15c55d4fe5973bce0b10555c5c Mon, 06 Feb 2023 21:46:11 +0000 SHOTLIST:RESTRICTION SUMMARY: NO RESALE, REUSE OR ARCHIVE; MUST CREDIT WMAR; NO ACCESS BALTIMORE MARKET; NO USE BY U.S. BROADCAST NETWORKSWMAR - NO RESALE, REUSE OR ARCHIVE; MUST CREDIT WMAR; NO ACCESS BALTIMORE MARKET; NO USE BY U.S. BROADCAST NETWORKSBaltimore - 6 February 20231. Wide press conference2. SOUNDBITE (English) Erek Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland:"We are here this morning to announce the arrests of Sarah Clendaniel and Brandon Russell, on criminal complaints to conspire to attack our local power grid. As the criminal complaint alleges, Clendaniel and Russell conspired and took steps to shoot multiple electrical substations in the Baltimore area aiming to quote - 'completely destroy this whole city.'"3. Various poster with photographsANNOTATION: The FBI said it views the suspects as "racially or ethnically motivated extremists."4. SOUNDBITE (English) Thomas Sobocinski, FBI special agent in charge of the FBI's Baltimore field office:"The accused were not just talking but taking steps to fulfill their threats and further their extremist goals. Russel provided instructions and location information. He described attacking the power transformers as the greatest thing somebody can do. In her own words, Clendaniel said she was determined to do this. She added, 'it would lay this city to waste.' Their actions threatened the electricity and heat of our homes, hospitals and businesses."5. Officials leavingANNOTATION: In recent months, concerns about protecting the country's power grid have been heightened by attacks.6. Closeup photoSTORYLINE: Officials say a Maryland woman conspired with a Florida neo-Nazi leader to carry out an attack on several electrical substations in the Baltimore area.The arrest of Sarah Beth Clendaniel, of Baltimore County, was the latest in a series across the country as authorities warn electrical infrastructure could be a vulnerable target for domestic terrorists. It wasn't immediately clear Monday whether she had a lawyer to speak on her behalf.She conspired with Brandon Russell, recently arrested in Florida, to disable the power grid by shooting out substations via "sniper attacks," saying she wanted to "completely destroy this whole city," according to a criminal complaint unsealed Monday. The complaint also included a photo of a woman authorities identified as Clendaniel wearing tactical gear that bore a swastika and holding a rifle.U.S. Attorney Erek Barron praised investigators for disrupting hate-fueled violence."When we are united, hate cannot win," he said at a news conference announcing the charges.Authorities declined to specify how the planned attack was meant to fulfill a racist motive but suggested the defendants wanted to bring attention to their cause.Russell has a long history of ties to racist groups and Nazi beliefs, as well as past plans to attack U.S. infrastructure systems, according to the complaint. It also wasn't clear Monday whether he had a lawyer.In recent months, concerns about protecting the country's power grid have been heightened by attacks, or threatened attacks.In Washington state, two men were arrested last month on charges that they vandalized substations weeks earlier in attacks that left thousands without power around Christmastime. One suspect told authorities they did it so they could break into a business and steal money.A gunfire attack in December on substations in central North Carolina caused power outages affecting tens of thousands of customers. Law enforcement officials have said the shooting was targeted, though no arrests have been made. Lawmakers there have proposed legislation to toughen penalties for intentionally damaging utility equipment.Baltimore Gas and Electric, which controls the local power grid, thanked law enforcement and said Monday that there was no damage to any substations, that service wasn't disrupted and that there are currently no known threats to facilities."The substations are not believed to have been targeted out of any connection to BGE or Exelon, or because of any particular vulnerability," BGE said in a news release. "We have a long-standing partnership with law enforcement and state and federal regulators of the grid to secure critical infrastructure; this work is even more important now as threats have increased in recent years."===========================================================Clients are reminded: (i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service (iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory. 2 accused in plot to attack power grid in Maryland