The National Guard is scheduled to leave Washington next week. Police in the US Capitol say there may be a security threat on Thursday from right-wing fringe groups. AFP
The National Guard is scheduled to leave Washington next week. Police in the US Capitol say there may be a security threat on Thursday from right-wing fringe groups. AFP
The National Guard is scheduled to leave Washington next week. Police in the US Capitol say there may be a security threat on Thursday from right-wing fringe groups. AFP
The National Guard is scheduled to leave Washington next week. Police in the US Capitol say there may be a security threat on Thursday from right-wing fringe groups. AFP

Police and FBI issue warnings of possible US Capitol attack


  • English
  • Arabic

Law enforcement officials in the US said that a militia group may be plotting to attack the Capitol on March 4, the date of “true inauguration day" in fringe political circles.

“We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4,” US Capitol Police said on Wednesday.

“We are taking the intelligence seriously.”

The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI issued a joint intelligence bulletin on Tuesday about extremists discussing attacks in the Capitol from March 4 to 6.

Melissa Smislova, a senior homeland security official, told two Senate committees about the intelligence on Wednesday.

The police warning did not give details because of the “sensitive nature of this information”.

It came about two months after an attack on the Capitol by extremist supporters of former president Donald Trump, which led to at least five deaths.

Capitol Police and federal law enforcement agencies were criticised for not acting faster on intelligence that the January 6 protests could become violent.

The warning came a day after Timothy Blodgett, acting Sergeant at Arms at the House of Representatives, told politicians that Capitol Police had no indication groups would travel to Washington to protest or commit acts of violence.

But Mr Blodgett said there would be heightened security on Thursday because of conspiracies circulating among extremists.

Alaina Gertz, a spokeswoman for Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department, said the department “does not discuss operational tactics.

"However, we will continue to monitor and assess information in collaboration with our local and federal partners to ensure the public’s safety," Ms Gertz said.

In a sign of lingering tension in the US capital, about 5,000 National Guard troops remain after the January riot.

Pentagon officials said they were scheduled to leave next week unless asked to remain.

The Capitol grounds are still ringed by tall, razor wire-topped fencing with limited access points, a perimeter that was established after January 6.

The latest alerts followed warnings from US national security officials, including FBI Director Christopher Wray, that domestic extremists pose the greatest terrorist threat to the US and are intent on carrying out attacks.

They say this is especially true after the riot, which sought to disrupt the ratification of President Joe Biden’s electoral college victory.

“The problem of domestic terrorism has been metastasising across the country for a long time now and it’s not going away any time soon,” Mr Wray said in a Senate hearing on Tuesday.

The FBI declined to comment on the latest threat warning from the Capitol Police.

March 4 was the official day for presidential inaugurations until 1933, when the 20th Amendment to the Constitution gave January 20 as the day a president is sworn into office after an election, according to the Library of Congress.

People associated with the far-right conspiracy movement QAnon circulated a claim that Mr Trump would be inaugurated on March 4.

“The United States Capitol Police Department is aware of and prepared for any potential threats towards members of Congress or towards the Capitol complex,” the force said.

“We have already made significant security upgrades to include establishing a physical structure and increasing manpower to ensure the protection of Congress, the public and our police officers.”

Politicians and congressional staff are being asked to carry identification, report any threats or suspicious activity and keep emergency numbers on hand.

Tight security around the Capitol will remain in place while officials assess threats.

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S

Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900

Engine: 937cc

Transmission: Six-speed gearbox

Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm

Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Eyasses squad

Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)

Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)  

Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)

Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)

Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)

Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)

Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)

Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)

Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)

Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)

Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)         

Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)

WHAT%20MACRO%20FACTORS%20ARE%20IMPACTING%20META%20TECH%20MARKETS%3F
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Looming%20global%20slowdown%20and%20recession%20in%20key%20economies%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Russia-Ukraine%20war%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Interest%20rate%20hikes%20and%20the%20rising%20cost%20of%20debt%20servicing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Oil%20price%20volatility%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Persisting%20inflationary%20pressures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Exchange%20rate%20fluctuations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shortage%20of%20labour%2Fskills%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20A%20resurgence%20of%20Covid%3F%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope 
Defenders: John Stones, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Gary Cahill, Ashley Young, Danny Rose, Trent Alexander-Arnold 
Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph 
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets