Actress and activist Kristin Davis, who serves as an Ambassador for the humanitarian organization OXFAM, shares details from her trip to one of the areas ravaged by the famine.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Lee: After Vote, President Has Some Explaining to Do
Jul 19 2011
WASHINGTON – In anticipation of the House vote on the “Cut, Cap, and Balance Act,” Senator Mike Lee released the following statement:
“After the House passes the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act, as I expect them to do, the President will have to explain to the American people why he, Harry Reid, and Senate Democrats are blocking the increase in the debt ceiling they requested. So far, we have heard that the President opposes immediate spending cuts and a constitutional amendment that requires the federal government to balance it budget, which puts him directly at odds with the majority of Americans.
“Republicans have proposed a realistic compromise that gives the President what he has asked for in return for immediate spending cuts, reasonable deficit reduction over the next decade, and structural reforms that require Congress to balance its budget. We currently have 39 co-sponsors in the Senate for this compromise, all Republicans. It takes just a small number of Democrats and the President to do the right thing, protect the economy, and move past this stalemate. After the House vote, it will be up to them.”
FAA faces partial shutdown
By Ashley Halsey III,
The Federal Aviation Administration faced a partial shutdown Saturday morning as Congress adjourned Friday without approving a routine stop-gap funding measureamid partisan acrimony.
More than 4,000 FAA workers, 1,000 of them in the Washington region, and tens of thousands of airport construction workers under FAA contract faced immediate furlough. The nation’s air travel system will not be affected, with air traffic controllers remaining on the job and airline operations continuing as normal.
The funding extension would have been the 21st since the FAA’s long-term funding authorization expired in 2007. But House Republicans added provisions to their extension bill that the Senate would not accept.
“I’m very disappointed that Congress adjourned today without passing a clean extension of the FAA bill,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. “Because of their inaction, states and airports won’t be able to work on their construction projects, and too many people will have to go without a paycheck. This is no way to run the best aviation system in the world.”
Officials said lawmakers would take up the funding issue again Monday. But in the final hours before they headed home Friday, the warring members of Congress accused one another of senseless, inexcusable, astounding behavior, of playing politics and of engaging in doublespeak.
House Transportation Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-Fla.) said he included the provision to which Democrats in the House and Senate objected out of frustration over the pace of negotiations to reach agreement on long-term FAA funding plans passed by the House and Senate this year.
It cut federal subsidies for air service to several small airports in rural areas.
“In light of the nation’s pending financial disaster and soaring deficits, they couldn’t find a way to cut even a few million dollars by accepting this minor request to reduce outlandish subsidies,” Mica said.
The Senate was infuriated by the provisions because stop-gap extensions normally are bare-form legislation that simply extend funding at current levels while Congress irons out differences over a longer term.
In this case, both the Senate and House long-term FAA funding bills contain language about the rural air service subsidies — called the Essential Air Service program. Congressional staff members have been working on resolving differences between the two bills, and while some House and Senate members have held direct talks, a conference committee has not been convened.
FAA Administrator J. Randolph Babbitt said that the furlough of FAA workers would not affect the safety of air travel, but many of the agency’s functions and its ability to collect $200 million a week in tax revenues that fund its operations will halt.
“The FAA employees who will be furloughed perform critical work for our nation’s aviation system and our economy,” Babbitt said. “These are real people with families who do not deserve to be put out of work during these tough economic times.”
He said that the funding process for airport construction projects will shut down and that FAA funding for states and individual airports will halt.
Employees in 35 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico — scientists, engineers, computer specialists and others — would be furloughed. The FAA said the shutdown would affect construction projects at airports in all 50 states, with more than $5 million at risk for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which operates Dulles and Reagan National airports.
Democrats and Republicans blamed each other for the shutdown.
“The refusal by the House to extend FAA’s funding authorities is a disservice to the American public and the aviation industry,” said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV (W.Va.). “I am disappointed and stunned by their failure. We had negotiated in good faith for four months, but when senior members of the House leadership admitted that they would try to gain political ‘leverage’ over the Senate, they effectively turned the aviation system into a political prop.”
House Republicans said responsibility for the shutdown fell to the Senate.
“It is astounding that the Senate is willing to throw the FAA into chaos in order to protect huge subsidies for a handful of passengers unwilling to drive 90 miles or less to a hub airport,” said Aviation Subcommittee ChairmanTom Petri (R-Wis.). “The Essential Air Service program should not be subsidizing non-essential flights. This is Exhibit A when it comes to wasteful spending, and if the Senate backs away from its own easy reforms like this, how is it ever going to handle the hard cuts?”
The ranking member of the House Transportation Committee, Nick J. Rahall II (D-W.Va.), whose differences with Mica have become more pronounced in recent weeks, said the blame lay with the House.
“By senselessly shutting down the FAA tonight at midnight, the House Republican leadership is willing to lay off tens of thousands of middle-class American construction workers and jeopardize billions of dollars in airport construction simply to score a few political points for tea party extremists,” Rahall said.
“Republicans are holding hostage America’s aviation system with their ‘my way or the runway’ shotgun approach to negotiating a long-term FAA reauthorization.”
More On This Story
Why would terrorists want to attack Norway?
By Robert Windrem
NBC News Investigative Producer for Special Projects
Senior U.S. officials say they cannot yet ascribe responsibility for Friday's attack on the government building in Oslo.
"What you see is what we know," said a senior administration official, who like the others spoke on condition of anonymity.
However, they and others point to several possible connections that could lead officials to consider whether al-Qaida is behind the attacks.
- Norwegian special forces have been fighting in Afghanistan for many years and Ayman al Zawahiri, al-Qaida's new leader after the death of Osama bin Laden, has been threatening Norway since 2003, warning that its participation in the U.S.-led military campaign against radical Islam in Afghanistan would result in an attack on the Norwegian homeland. Norwegian special forces operate in central Afghanistan, near Kabul.
- On July 9, 2010, three Norwegians were indicted for planning an attack on targets in Oslo, apparently Chinese targets. Two of the three, a Uighur (Chinese Muslim) and an Uzbeki, were arrested in Norway, while a third, an Iraqi with Norwegian residence, was grabbed in Germany. The detentions were coordinated with arrest in New York of Najibulla Zazi, an Afghan-American man who wanted to blow up New York City subways. The two plots were believed to have been put together by al-Qaida’s central command in Pakistan -- Osama Bin Laden and Zawahiri.
- Last week, Mullah Krekhar, founder of Ansar al Islam (the first Iraqi group affiliated with al-Qaida), was indicted in Oslo for threatening Norwegian government officials with death if he were to be deported. Krekhar took refuge in Oslo in early part of the last decade and has been seeking asylum. In comments to various news media, he threatened attacks if he was sent abroad, mainly on opposition figures who have long called for his extradition to the U.S.
- In January 2006, the Norwegian government apologized to Muslims worldwide after the publication of 12 cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad in the Norwegian newspaper Magazinet
T-Paw skating on thin ice
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Thu Jul 21, 2011 5:05 PM EDT
Lady Gaga-loving Tim Pawlenty compares himself to the Miracle on Ice in a brand new ad. For all you non-sporting buffs, that’s the legendary U.S. hockey team that went on to beat the all-mighty Soviet Union for the Olympic gold in 1980. Many still consider it one of the greatest games of all time.
In the video, which began airing in the Hawkeye State yesterday, T-Paw sets the scene by narrating from inside a skating rink. "Out here, you're tested. You face an opponent experts say can't be beat. You fight. You bleed. You prevail," said Pawlenty, drawing parallels to his own underdog campaign status. "The country's down, but we're not out. To come back we need a leader with proven record, not just rhetoric."
The former Minnesota governor said he "won" by shutting down his state’s government and taking on unions while in charge. He continues to tout that as a good thing.
T-Paw’s going to need a miracle in Iowa at the rate he’s going now. A new WSJ/NBC pollfound a whopping 2% of GOP primary voters picked him as their first choice for president.
UPDATE: ABC Sports is reportedly not a fan of T-Paw's comeback ad for using its copyrighted footage without proper clearance.
Buddy Roemer enters 2012 race
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Thu Jul 21, 2011 6:14 PM EDT
Charles Krupa/AP
Former Gov. Buddy Roemer at an event in Bedford, N.H. on Wednesday.
"You don't want to miss this campaign. It will be something else." With those promising words, Buddy Roemer made his White House bid official earlier today, making his announcement at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.
Now the eleventh GOP candidate to enter the race, Buddy Roemer, the former four-term congressman and one-time Louisiana governor identified major problems in other candidates' campaigns. While Roemer's announcement infused unspoken campaign platforms such as eliminating "unfair foreign trade practices" and "shipping job overseas," he touched on some key themes that all candidates have addressed — job creation, balancing the budget, and controlling government spending.
But what sets Roemer apart from the other 2012 contenders is his pledge not to accept money from PAC’s and no donation more than $100. "I ask the 98 percent of Americans who never give to a presidential candidate to stand with me."
With this self-imposed fundraising limit and his lack of national name recognition, Roemer appears unlikely as a front-runner for the nomination. He did receive kind words from a former Presidential hopeful, John McCain, who tweeted
"Best of luck to @BuddyRoemer on his campaign — an old friend and a great American!"
Huntsman campaign manager quits
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Thu Jul 21, 2011 7:29 PM EDT
Brett Flashnick/AP
Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (file)
There’s been a major shake-up today at former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman’s headquarters. NBC News confirmed his presidential campaign manager Susie Wiles left, and top communications aide Matt David will be the replacement.
"Susie has served the campaign well and was vital in getting it off the ground in such a short time-frame. In just under three months Gov. Huntsman has returned from China, launched a campaign and created a strong infrastructure in the 3 early primary states,” Huntsman’s senior adviser John Weaver wrote in an email. “He's built important relationships with donors, as well as political, policy, and grassroots leaders that other candidates have been courting for half a decade."
No word on the exact reason for Wiles’ departure. Weaver said the campaign wants to move on to the next phase, "which will be more aggressive from a messaging and tactical standpoint.” While more moderate on political stances, Huntsman is still widely off the radar with voters compared to other GOP contenders.
Fellow Republican candidate Newt Gingrich has been in his shoes, but worse. Most of Newt's staff resigned in a mass exodus
Statement On 200 Days Of The House Republican Majority
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement today to mark tomorrow’s 200th day of the Republican House majority.
“Tomorrow marks 200 days of the Republican Congress. Despite their campaign promises last year, in 200 days Republicans have done nothing to create jobs. They’ve done nothing to increase America’s manufacturing base, keep Americans in their homes, or improve workers’ pay. In fact, they have contributed to the worsening employment situation.
“Creating jobs is about building America’s future. We need to put Americans back to work in construction for new bridges, roads and trains, in the green energy sector to make us more efficient and self-sufficient, in the innovative fields of bio-technology and hi-technology, and in education to ensure we have a skilled workforce ready to take on the economic opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
“Instead, we see attack after attack on the middle class, women, seniors and children, while the wealthy are shielded from any sacrifice in these difficult times. And now, the Tea Party Republicans are holding our nation’s economy hostage until they get their way – more tax breaks for the wealthy while ending Medicare.
“Creating jobs is the solution to what ails our economy. We need to work together to add jobs to the economy to ensure America’s place as the leading innovative force in the world economy. We need to stop the partisan political warfare that is holding our economy hostage and work together to grow the economy now.”
Reid Applauds Panetta’s Certification of the Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
JUL 22, ’115:08 PM
Washington, D.C. — Nevada Senator Harry Reid issued the following statement today after Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta certified that the military is ready to implement the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell:
“I congratulate Secretary Panetta and the leadership of our nation’s Armed Forces for ending a policy that prevented thousands of outstanding, qualified men and women from serving in our military just because of their sexual orientation. Our military should reflect our values as a nation, and this is an important step towards that goal.
“I applaud the Pentagon’s leadership for taking a detailed and responsible look at how to implement the repeal of this policy that unnecessarily destroyed careers and harmed our military readiness. I look forward to continue working with them to ensure that personnel policies in the post-repeal era address the needs of all of our service members. From now on, our military commanders and our nation can be sure we will have the best and brightest service members defending our nation, regardless of ethnicity, creed, or sexual orientation. This is a great victory for justice, civil rights and our national security.”
"The Can can kick back"
July 22, 2011
Student body presidents from more than 100 colleges across the country have signed onto a letter urging Congress and the White House to quickly reach a consensus on the debt ceiling crisis. The bipartisan group of leaders, who represent almost 2 million college students, called on President Obama, Leaders Reid &McConnell, Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi to support “Gang of Six” efforts to cut the deficit, reform the tax code, and preserve entitlements.“Your decisions will determine what kind of country we will inherit. So please hear us clearly: It is time to put the politics aside. It is time to put the parties aside,” the presidents wrote in their letter(below the video). “It is time to put the pledges aside. Now is the time to do what is right for the country. As fiscal commission co-chairs Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson have said – now, right now, is the moment of the truth.”
College of William and Mary student Kaveh Sadeghian, who is one of the student body presidents who signed onto the letter, spoke with CNN yesterday about the importance of reaching a bipartisan deal.
“We feel like Washington has been kind of kicking the can about this, but we’re here to show that the can can kick back,” Sadeghian said. “Our generation is going to be homeowners one day, we’re going to be parents one day, this is going to be affecting us for years to come. So this is something we feel we need to have a voice in as well.”
July 20, 2011
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama, Leader Reid, Leader McConnell, Speaker Boehner, and Leader Pelosi:
On behalf of over 1.88 million students on 115 campuses, we write to express our deep concern about
the ramifications of failing to reach a bipartisan deal to raise the debt limit.
This is not about politics. Our country and our future are in serious trouble, and the clock is ticking.
Without an immediate increase in the debt ceiling and a long-term reduction of budget deficits, our
weak economy will suffer even more. That means higher interest rates, fewer jobs and more debt. And
trust us, we already have too few jobs and too much debt.
We urge you to work together to find a solution to this problem in an aggressive yet balanced way.
We support the framework laid out by the bipartisan fiscal commission and the efforts of the
bipartisan group of leaders in the Senate as a realistic basis from which to work. Shared sacrifice and
common purpose must underpin whatever compromise is reached.
As our study of history tells us, big things get done when leaders of both parties do them together –
from establishing social security to reforming welfare. We now call on you to find the common
ground necessary to put our fiscal house in order.
While you may disagree over which party shoulders more blame for our current situation, one thing is
certain – young people will shoulder the consequences of gridlock during a time that requires bold
action.
Your decisions will determine what kind of country we will inherit. So please hear us clearly: It is
time to put the politics aside. It is time to put the parties aside. It is time to put the pledges aside. Now
is the time to do what is right for the country. As fiscal commission co-chairs Erskine Bowles and
Alan Simpson have said – now, right now, is the moment of the truth.
We not only face a potential crisis of credit, but also one of confidence in government. Your
responsibilities as the President and members of Congress must come before your political parties’
interest. In your negotiations, think about the next generation – not just the next election.
This is about our future, our education, our jobs, our families, our dreams, our country. But all we can
do about it right now is to rely on your leadership. We ask you find the courage to lead. It is why you
are there.
Sincerely,
~ 100 Student Body Presidents
"Change always scares folks."
July 22, 2011
This morning Senator Warner and Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) talked to NPR Morning Edition’s Steve Inskeep about the bipartisan deficit reduction plan proposed this week by the “Gang of Six.”
“For the last 50 years we’ve had such a strong economy that for the most part we could tinker around the edges and the machine of our economy kept moving forward.” Senator Warner said. “Well, as we’ve seen in Europe and now we have to recognize here, we’ve got to do more than tinker around the edges, and that scares folks. Change always scares folks.”
Bipartisan House Support for Gang of Six Proposal
July 20, 2011
Support is growing for the Gang of Six deficit and debt reduction plan. Northern Virginia Republican Congressman Frank Wolf and Tennessee Democrat Jim Cooper are asking House Speaker John Boehner applauding the plan and calling for the “full and immediate attention of the House of Representatives.”
Reps. Cooper and Wolf Letter to Speaker Boehner on Gang of Six
Democrats to President Obama: We stand with you against 'deceitful, mean-spirited and partisan attack' of the HALT Act
Rep. Johnson signs letter Opposing Judiciary Chair’s Bill to Limit President’s Immigration Enforcement PowersDemocratic Members of Congress held a press conference to release a letter to President Obama expressing their support for him and opposition to the HALT Act (H.R. 2497), a bill authored by Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) that will be the focus of a Judiciary Committee hearing on July 26.
“Not only does the legislation Mr. Smith introduced do nothing to reform our immigration system, but it is a blatant attack on President Obama’s use of executive power.
Why create such a blatantly partisan bill that expires at the end of his current term? Why does the bill single out this President? This is nothing more than an attack on the President’s integrity that should not go unnoticed or unopposed.
“First the Republicans denied our promising young students a path to citizenship by rejecting the DREAM Act and now they give us this cynical bill designed only to derail the progress made by the President and this country on this critical issue?
“The United States of America is a nation built by immigrants. We stand on the side of law-abiding immigrants and must have comprehensive immigration reform. We will not be distracted by this purposeless bill. It’s pure politics at its worst.”
Obama certifies repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell'
Somewhere, Lady Gaga is celebrating. President Obama has certified the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the military’s ban on openly gay soldiers. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen also signed off on the repeal, starting the clock on a 60-day waiting period until it is fully eliminated. “As of September 20,” Obama said, “service members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country.”
Erica Berube holds a sign at a rally in Portland, Maine on Sep. 20, 2010. (Photo: Gregory Rec, EPA / Landov)
Erica Berube holds a sign at a rally in Portland, Maine on Sep. 20, 2010. (Photo: Gregory Rec, EPA / Landov)President Obama has certified the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," clearing the way for gays to serve openly in the military.
Update at 5:01 p.m. ET: Here's the president's complete statement and the certification (pdf).
Update at 4:27 p.m. ET: "As of Sept. 20, servicemembers will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country," Obama said in a statement.
He was joined by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen.
Original post: President Obama has certified the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," clearing the way for gays to serve openly in military, the Associated Press reports.
The certification will take effect in 60 days. Obama signed the congressional repeal in December.
Suspect still being questioned; no charges yet
Norway is reeling from two deadly attacks on Friday that have left at least 17 people dead, many of whom are teenagers at a summer youth camp. NBC’s Martin Fletcher reports.
Amateur video shows the destruction in the streets of Oslo, Norway, following a bombing at a government building.
A bomb blast has ripped through the government headquarters in Oslo, Norway, leaving multiple people dead and many injured. A gunman is also reportedly in custody after a deadly shooting rampage occured at a Norway youth camp. NBC's Martin Fletcher has the details.
A person wounded in the shooting at the Labour Youth League summer camp in Utoya is stretchered off a helicopter at an Oslo hospital Friday.
By M. Alex Johnson, msnbc.com reporter
UPDATE 8:35 p.m. ET: Dagbladet has more details on Anders Behring Breivik, 32, who has been identified as the suspect in Friday's attacks:
Neighbors tell Dagbladet that they have seen the 32-year-old in what looked like a military uniform several times. ...
Late last night, he was still being questioned. It was not known what might have been the motive behind the attacks.
"We have not formulated a basis for charges so far. We will formulate a charge during the night when we see what comes out of the interrogation," said prosecutor Trine Dingelan to Dagbladet at 1 a.m.
Behring Breivik for a time lived in the same street as a number of prominent white politicians on the west side of Oslo.
In spring 2009 he established a sole proprietorship in Hedmark with the purpose to cultivate various vegetables and fruit products. Investigators were examining whether the company could have had access to ingredients for explosives.
He has tried to establish a number of companies in recent years, but they all have been dissolved. One of the companies pursued the development of sales services on the Internet, while another imported goods from abroad.
UPDATE 8:13 p.m. ET: Norwegian television is reporting the identity of the suspect in the Norwegian attacks.
TV2, the country's largest broadcaster, identified him as Anders Behring Breivik, 32, describing him as a member of "right-wing extremist groups in eastern Norway." Shortly thereafter, The Telegraph newspaper of London reported the same information, quoting Norwegian Justice Minister Knut Storberget.
A man of the same name and age is identified in government business records as sole director of a company called Breivik Geofarm. In the records, the company says its business is the "growing of vegetables, melons, roots and tubers" and reports that it has 790 employees.
UPDATE 7:38 p.m. ET: Norwegian authorities are tightening security at the nation's borders and airports, Dagbladet reports. Citing police, it says Norwegians are asked to limit their use of mobile phones and have ramped up security for the royal family. It quotes a new government statement:
"Norway is characterized by an uncertain and difficult situation in connection with explosions in the city center and the shooting of young people. It is important that the citizens of Norway, to the greatest extent possible, preserve the peace in spite of the tragedies. It is important that people also follow instructions from police and other authorities."
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UPDATE 7:25 p.m. ET: Complete with pictures, the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet reports police are storming the home of the 32-year-old suspect in today's Norwegian attacks:
"Police officers in protective gear armed with machine guns arrived at 23:45 p.m. at a residential building in Oslo," the newspaper says. "A 32-year-old man has been arrested after two terrorist attacks today in Oslo and Utoya. Dagbladet has learned that the man has been living at that address."
Some media outlets are reporting a name for the suspect, but NBC News has not been able to confirm it. We'll report it here if and when we do.
UPDATE 6:55 p.m. ET: More is now coming in from people close to the investigation raising the likelihood that the attacks were home-grown and not the work of Islamic militants.
Addressing whether the 32-year-old Norwegian suspect might be affiliated with al-Qaida or another group, Oslo's acting police acting chief said at a late-night news conference: "We do not know if he was involved in an extremist environment."
And Tore Bjorgo, a professor at Norwegian Police University College — which state broadcaster NRK reported is working with police on the investigation — said the fact that the second attack was directed at a political youth organization suggested the involvement of local or European right-wing extremists.
NRK reports:
"I have consistently kept the possibility open that this might be the extreme right," Bjorgo said.
Bjorgo said the action is reminiscent of the bomb attack in Oklahoma City in 1995, where the right-wing extremist Timothy McVeigh killed 168 people with a powerful car bomb.
"It reminds me of the Oklahoma City bombing. The scenarios we have seen today are described in right-wing literature" like "The Turner Diaries" and "Hunter."
The first book deals with a bloody race war during which, among other things, the FBI's headquarters are bombed. McVeigh was carrying a copy of "The Turner Diaries" when he was arrested.
If you can read Norwegian (or want to run it through an online translator), here's the full NRK report.
UPDATE 6:25 p.m. ET: We've rounded up what we've learned about the shootings here:
Norway attacks might not be terrorism, expert cautions
Highlights:
• Friday's attacks in Olso and Buskerud could simply be the actions of a disturbed individual with no connection to al-Qaida or any other international terrorist groups, a prominent authority on Islamic militant groups said.
• Witnesses said they saw as many as 20 bodies on the island or in the water, but police said they could confirm only nine deaths for now.
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• Police say the suspected gunman is a 32-year-old Norwegian man who posed as a police officer.
• Undetonated explosives also were found at the island.
• Witnesses describe the chaos at the scene.
UPDATE 5:50 p.m. ET:Police have confirmed that undetonated explosives were found on Utoya island.
UPDATE 5:22 p.m.: Police say the gunman is a 32-year-old Norwegian.
Witnesses described the suspect as "blond" and "Nordic-looking." Late Friday, Knut Storberegt, Norway's royal minister of justice and the police, confirmed that he is a Norwegian; the BBC, citing police, said he was from Utoya. Police said he is also believed to have been involved in the bombing that killed seven people earlier in the day in Oslo, about 25 miles away.
Magnus Ranstorp, a specialist in militant Islamic movements and research director at the Center for Asymmetric Threat Studies at the Swedish National Defense College, cautioned that widespread assumptions that the attacks were connected to international terrorism could be wrong.
The description of the suspect and his possible involvement in bombing national government offices "point to an internal rather than external extremist," Ranstorp told Nettavisen.
"Intuitively, the bombing is al-Qaida-related, but with this attack on Utoya, this could just be a crazy person," Ranstorp said.
UPDATE 4:07 p.m. ET: Oslo police say that with the gunman in custody, Utoya island is now safe.
Inspector Bjorn Erik Sem-Jacobsen of the Buskerud police district told state broadcaster NRK that the investigation was difficult because witnesses and others who were on the island when the gunman opened fire had good reason to be suspicious of anyone in a police uniform.
"We are working to ensure that the young people out there have confidence that we are real police," Sem-Jacobsen said.
UPDATE 3:50 p.m. ET: Police said they could confirm only nine deaths in the shooting at Utoya. A police spokesman said a 10th person might may have been killed, but that was "uncertain."
Previous reports quoted multiple witnesses as saying as many as 20 people may have been killed.
Norwegian authorities said at a news conference that the gunman was not connected to the police and "has no relation to us."
UPDATE 3:35 p.m. ET: Police said they were confident they had been able to identify the gunman, whom they had in custody. They did not release his identity, but they said they had confirmed that they had "reason to believe" he was connected to the Oslo bombing.
NRK reporter Astrid Randen quoted witnesses as saying the man — described as "tall, blond and Nordic-looking" and speaking Norwegian — wore a police uniform and summoned youth campers to gather around him before he "just executed them."
People in at least 20 pleasure boats converged on the island to help with the rescue operation. One of them, André Skeie, told NRK that he saw at least a dozen "lifeless bodies" floating in the water.
Skeie said he helped remove more than 15 injured people from the island. Many of them were shot in the stomach, he said.
"It's absolutely awful. It looks like a war zone," Skeie said by phone.
UPDATE 3:12 p.m. ET: NRK is quoting witnesses as saying at least five and perhaps 20 or more people may have been killed at Utoya, some of them shot as they tried to swim to safety from the island. It stressed that police had not confirmed the accounts.
UPDATE 2:53 p.m. ET: NRK quotes police as saying they now suspect one or more bombs may be at the scene at Utoya.
UPDATE 2:51 p.m. ET: The Norwegian news agency NTB quotes witnesses describing a scene of "complete panic."
A witness said in a text message that "we are very afraid," the agency reported. "We do not know what to do. Many people are injured. We are afraid. We are waiting for help. Some are seriously injured. We cannot do anything."
Posted 2:45 p.m. ET: As speculation raged that the bombing of government buildings in Oslo, Norway, could be Islamist terrorism, a "tall, blond and Nordic-looking" man dressed as a police officer opened fire with a machine gun on a political youth conference 25 miles away, police and eyewitnesses said.
Police told NRK television that preliminary reports were least five people were injured in the shooting on the island of Utoya, which they said they believed was linked to the bombing earlier in the day.
NRK and other Norwegian media said the government had sent an anti-terrorism unit to evacuate the island, where the scene was described as chaotic. NRK reported that some terrified campers were trying to swim back to the mainland from the summer gathering, which was organized by the country's Labour Party.
"The situation's gone from bad to worse," said Runar Kvernen, a spokesman for the national police.
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