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3rd person detained over foiled attack on cancelled Vienna Taylor Swift shows, official says
A third teenager has been arrested in connection with a foiled attack on now-canceled Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, Austria’s interior minister said Friday.
Gerhard Karner said an 18-year-old was taken into custody Thursday evening in Vienna after allegedly being in contact with the main suspect. Karner announced the arrest during an unrelated news conference Friday.
The 19-year-old main suspect and a 17-year-old were arrested Tuesday, while a 15-year-old was also interrogated but was not arrested. Officials had said Thursday afternoon that no additional suspects were being sought. They did not immediately offer further details Friday.
Authorities said the plot appeared to have been inspired by ISIS and al Qaeda. Investigators found bomb-making materials at one of the suspects’ homes. Officials say a suspect has confessed to planning to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue.”
Three sold-out concerts were canceled Wednesday because of the plot, devastating Swifties from across the globe. Many of them had spent thousands of dollars on travel and lodging in Austria’s expensive capital city to attend the Eras Tour shows at the Ernst Happel Stadium.
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Europe is enamored with the American superstar: The German town of Gelsenkirchen renamed itself “Swiftkirchen” before its mid-July concerts.
Concert organizers in Austria said they had expected up to 65,000 fans inside the stadium at each concert and as many as 30,000 onlookers outside, where authorities said the suspects planned to strike. The foiled attack was planned for Thursday or Friday, according to Karner.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer defended the decision to cancel the concerts, saying the arrests took place too close to the shows, scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
“I understand very well that those who wanted to experience the concert live are very sad,” Nehammer told a news conference Thursday. “Moms and dads are looking after their daughters and sons, who were full of enthusiasm and anticipation for this concert. But it’s also important that in such serious moments as now, it’s inevitable that safety comes first.”
Swift is scheduled to perform at London’s Wembley Stadium in five concerts between Aug. 15 and 20 to close the European leg of her record-setting Eras Tour.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that while he understood Vienna’s reasons for canceling, “We’re going to carry on.” Khan said the capital’s authorities were prepared for shows there following lessons learned from a 2017 attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, that killed 22 people.
Then, a suicide bomber set up a knapsack with explosives in Manchester Arena. The bomb detonated at the end of Grande’s concert as thousands of young fans were leaving the venue.
Last month, an attacker in England killed three girls and wounded 10 people in a knife attack during a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class. Swift at the time said she was ”completely in shock” over the violence.
In Austria, the main suspect confessed that he had started planning the attack in July, authorities said. The 19-year-old just a few weeks ago uploaded to the internet an oath of allegiance to the current leader of ISIS.
He was “clearly radicalized in the direction of the Islamic State [of Iraq and Syria] (ISIS) and thinks it is right to kill (what he considers) infidels,” said Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence.
Haijawi-Pirchner added that the suspect “wanted to carry out an attack in the area outside the stadium, killing as many people as possible using the knives or even using the explosive devices he had made.”
During a raid of the suspect’s home in Ternitz, south of Vienna, investigators found chemical substances and technical devices that indicated “concrete preparatory acts,” said Franz Ruf, director general for public security at the Ministry of the Interior.
Authorities said they also found ISIS and al Qaeda material at the home of the second suspect, who is 17. That suspect, who has so far refused to talk, was employed a few days ago by a company providing unspecified services at the venue for the concerts.
Both teens were arrested Tuesday. Neither of their names was released, in line with Austrian privacy rules.
The suspects had undergone clear social changes recently, authorities said. The 19-year-old had quit his job but said he “still had big plans,” while the other broke up with his girlfriend. Neither suspect appeared to have a ticket to any of the shows, Haijawi-Pirchner said.
No other suspects are being sought, though a 15-year-old who had been in contact with both suspects was also interrogated by police, Karner said.
“The situation is serious. But we can also say: A tragedy was prevented,” he said.
Concert organizer Barracuda Music said in an Instagram post late Wednesday that it had “no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety.”
Barracuda said all tickets would be refunded. The same message was posted under the Vienna dates on Swift’s official website. Austrian rail operator OeBB in the meantime said that it would reimburse fans for unused train tickets for the concerts.
Swift has not spoken publicly about the plot or canceled shows. “Taylor Nation,” a verified Instagram page widely believed to be run by her team, reposted the announcement from Barracuda Music in a “story,” which is only visible for 24 hours. Her main account has not posted anything.
Swift’s biggest fear has always been that such large-scale violence could take place at her concerts, the superstar told Elle magazine in 2019 ahead of her Lover Tour, which was ultimately canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The attack at Grande’s concert, as well as a 2017 mass shooting at an outdoor country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip where 58 people were killed, worried Swift as she prepared to circle the globe.
“I was completely terrified to go on (the Lover Tour) this time because I didn’t know how we were going to keep 3 million fans safe over seven months,” she told the magazine. “There was a tremendous amount of planning, expense, and effort put into keeping my fans safe.”
An official inquiry reported in 2023 that Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, didn’t act swiftly enough on key information and missed a significant opportunity to prevent the Manchester bombing, the deadliest extremist attack in the United Kingdom in recent years.
Terrorism expert Magnus Ranstorp, based at the Swedish Defense University in Stockholm, told The Associated Press by phone that any mass public event constitutes a potential threat now.
“We shouldn’t be surprised that these extremely popular iconic popstars that attract a massive audience will also attract terrorists that want to create fear and destruction and mayhem,” he said.
Certain boxes of waffles sold at Costco Wholesale stores in the Midwest are being recalled because they may contain plastic, according to a notice by supplier Kodiak Cakes.
The recall involves Kodiak Power Waffles Buttermilk & Vanilla 40 count with the UPC code 705599019203 and a use-by date of Jan. 10, 2026, and only impacts products with the lot code 24193-WL4 and a time stamp of 12:00-23:00, according to the Park City, Utah-based company.
The recalled products were sold at Costco warehouses in 13 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
The action was initiated “due to the potential presence of soft plastic film,” according to Kodiak, which noted that no injuries or illnesses had been reported.
Those who purchased the recalled product can return it to their local Costco for a refund.
People with questions can email Kodiak at: flapjacks@kodiakcakes.com or call 801-328-4067. Messages will be returned between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mountain time, Monday through Friday.
Tyson Foods is misleading shoppers and investors over its ability to reach “net-zero” carbon emissions by 2050 as well take other steps aimed at protecting the environment.
Tyson, the world’s second-biggest meat processor, should have to curtail its climate claims or release a substantial plan to support its claims, according to a lawsuit filed on Wednesday by the Environmental Working Group. The complaint is part of an effort to “hold the biggest, most powerful contributors to the climate crisis — across industries — accountable for greenwashing,” EWG stated.
Tyson Foods has said since 2021 that it would hit net-zero emissions — the point at which the amount of greenhouse gases a company emits is offset by the emissions that are removed from the atmosphere — by 2050 by using more renewable energy and no longer contributing to deforestation.
The Arkansas-based meat company also sells a brand of “climate-friendly” beef that Tyson says is made with 10% fewer emissions than conventional meat.
A spokesperson said Tyson does not comment on litigation, but defended the company’s “long history of sustainable practices.”
The suit against Tyson was filed in Washington, D.C., which has a consumer protection law in place that lets consumer groups sue companies for false advertising.
The same claim of greenwashing — a term attributed to environmentalist Jay Westerveld that refers to making false or misleading statements about the environmental benefits of a product or service — was made in February in a suit filed by New York State Attorney General Letitia James against JBS, the world’s largest beef producer, over its claim it would reach net-zero emissions by 2040.
James’ suit against the Brazilian meat conglomerate came after Earthjustice successfully challenged JBS’ environmental messaging before an ad industry self-regulatory organization in 2023.
Livestock production accounts for 14.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions globally, with cattle responsible for two-thirds of the total, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
The Science-Based Targets Initiative, a UN-backed agency that reviews net-zero goals, is calling for the food and agricultural sector to reduce its emissions by 3% annually between 2020 and 2030.
Delta Air Lines last year dismissed as “without legal merit” a suit filed by a passenger that alleged the airline’s claim to be “the world’s first carbon-neutral airline” to be marketing spin. Coca-Cola is currently defending itself in a similar case in which the beverage make is accused of overstating its recycling efforts.
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A cooler rate climate benefits a wide range of borrowers. From prospective homebuyers to current owners looking to refinance to those saddled with high rates on personal loans and credit cards, lower rates offer a welcome economic reprieve. They also require a different approach than what many have been accustomed to in recent years. And with the Federal Reserve officially cutting its federal funds rate for the first time in four years on Wednesday, now could be that time.
For those considering borrowing from their home equity, there are multiple options available. But a home equity line of credit (HELOC) is arguably the best and most cost-effective way to do so right now, particularly compared to home equity loans and cash-out refinancing. Below, we’ll detail why you should strongly consider borrowing with a HELOC as the Fed begins to cut interest rates.
Start by seeing how low of a HELOC rate you could secure here.
Why you should open a HELOC as the Fed cuts rates
A HELOC, for much of the last two years, has arguably been a less beneficial way to borrow from your home equity than a home equity loan. That’s because the latter comes with a fixed rate that will only change if refinanced. And that was a major advantage in a climate in which rates were raised numerous times between 2022 and 2023.
But that environment looks to be changing now.
With the first rate cut since 2020 issued this week, and two additional ones likely for November and December (when the Fed meets again), a HELOC could take the preferential place of home equity loans.
That’s because HELOC rates are variable and subject to change as the rate climate does (usually every month). That’s a drawback when rates are high and rising but now becomes a distinct advantage as rates cool again. With a HELOC, borrowers will automatically see their rate fall without having to refinance on their own.
Not only will they then save with a lower rate, but they’ll also save out-of-pocket costs if they had pursued a home equity loan. That’s because home equity loans come with closing costs to refinance (1% to 5% of the loan’s value, on average). But if you pursue a HELOC, you can add those savings to what you’ve already got back with the rate drops.
It’s not a perfect trade-off, and right now, home equity loans have better rates than HELOCs (8.46% versus 9.26%). But if you’re looking to position yourself for maximum savings ahead of additional rate cuts, a HELOC may be best to open now.
Get started with a HELOC today.
Don’t forget the tax benefits
A HELOC, in addition to the variable rate nature that benefits borrowers right now, also comes with tax advantages. Specifically, you can deduct the interest paid on the line of credit if you use it for eligible home repairs and renovations. At the same time, home equity loans also come with the same tax benefit. So carefully consider your intended use before getting started and don’t make this the deciding factor considering both options offer the same tax feature.
The bottom line
A HELOC could soon become the preferential home equity borrowing option, if it isn’t already. With a variable interest rate that is set to decline as overall rates do, borrowers could be well-positioned to realize additional savings in the future without having to do any of the work (or pay for any of the costs) associated with refinancing a home equity loan. But both borrowing options do have tax benefits, and other unique features, so weigh them carefully against one another to better determine which one is the right fit for you now.