CBS News
France police detain 13-year-old over at least 380 false bomb threats
Paris — A 13-year-old is being questioned by police in western France in connection with at least 380 false bomb threats. Police say the adolescent is suspected of having emailed or called in the threats to airports, courthouses and universities across France.
The teenager, who is believed to suffer from behavioral issues, was picked up by police on Monday. The teen, identified as a boy by local media, faces multiple charges, notably of providing false information about impending destruction and of making death threats.
Officials say there has been a huge increase in hoax threats across France since the fall of 2023. In Rennes, in western France, a series of fake warnings about bombs in the city at the start of January led investigators to detain and question a family of four from Laval, 45 miles away, on Monday.
Local police said the parents and one child were quickly excluded from the investigation and released, but the youngest child, the 13-year-old, admitted having made numerous bomb threats against institutions across the country. He was held in custody.
Mohamad Salaheldin Abdelg Alsayed/Anadolu/Getty
Local prosecutor Philippe Astruc told reporters the minor had admitted making the fake threats “as a game,” with no political or religious motivation.
The teenager used a foreign VPN to mask his IP address. The prosecutor said technical police work and international cooperation led them to the originating computer, and the family in Laval.
Two other minors have also been identified as suspects by investigators in Rennes.
France’s Justice Ministry says it has opened 192 investigations into false bomb threats so far. Officials say around 30 of them have already led to charges, most of them against minors or young adults. The Justice Ministry stressed that the majority of the threats made no mention of the situation in the Middle East or other international events.
In late 2023, as Israel ramped up its offensive against Hamas over the Palestinian militant group’s Oct. 7 terror attack, there were scores of bomb threats made against airports, museums and schools in France.
Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu/Getty
Dozens of flights had to be rescheduled as airports were evacuated. Tourists were left disappointed as famous sites, including Paris’ Louvre Museum and the Palace of Versailles, were forced to close. Thousands of schoolchildren were less upset at being sent home as classes were cancelled and schools searched.
At the time, French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti said many of the hoaxes were carried out by children who didn’t understand how serious their actions were. Nonetheless, a file was opened by police on each threat, and the minister vowed: “We will find these smart alecks.”
Dupond-Moretti also warned that parents of minors found making false bomb threats would be forced to reimburse any damages suffered by the institutions targeted.
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$100 million in federal funds released for North Carolina to rebuild roads, bridges damaged by Helene
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation released $100 million in emergency funds on Saturday for North Carolina to rebuild its roads and bridges damaged by Helene.
“We are providing this initial round of funding so there’s no delay getting roads repaired and reopened, and re-establishing critical routes,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement. “The Biden-Harris administration will be with North Carolina every step of the way, and today’s emergency funding to help get transportation networks back up and running safely will be followed by additional federal resources.”
The storm caused rampant flooding that has devastated several towns and killed more than 225 people – with CBS News confirming at least 114 people killed in North Carolina. There was more than 8 inches of rain across the western North Carolina mountains, with some areas seeing more than a foot.
Hundreds of roads across Western North Carolina remain closed, leading to an increase in air traffic as teams scour the region for survivors by air. Air traffic over Western North Carolina has increased by 300% due to relief efforts since the storm cleared, the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Mudslides blocked Interstate 40 and other highways in North Carolina and about 400 roads were closed due to damage from Helene. Interstate 40 was damaged at several locations, the Department of Transportation said.
President Biden visited the Carolinas on Wednesday, surveying the flood damage by air from Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Biden announced the federal government would cover “100%” of all debris removal and emergency protective measure costs in North Carolina for six months.
The Department of Transportation said these relief funds will allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to act more quickly to fund eligible repairs to their damaged facilities.
Li Cohen and
contributed to this report.
CBS News
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf; forecast to strengthen into hurricane headed toward Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane headed toward Florida with possible impacts to its western coast, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be at 40 mph with higher gusts and Milton is currently moving north-northeast, NHC said in an advisory.
Milton is forecast to undergo a period of rapid intensification before it makes landfall as a Category 2 hurricane across Florida’s west coast, CBS News Miami reported.
The forecast comes a little more than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and across the Southeast, killing more than 200 people and causing immense destruction. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Florida’s Big Bend where Helene struck as a Category 4 storm. Hundreds of people are still missing and Mr. Biden said the work to rebuild will cost “billions of dollars” as communities suffer still without power, running water and passable roads.
NOAA
Milton is forecast to move across the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night then across the south-central Gulf on Monday and Tuesday before reaching Florida’s west coast by the middle of the week, NHC said. Heavy rain is possible in the region starting Sunday into Monday, CBS Miami reported, and more rain and heavy winds will most likely arrive on Wednesday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will most likely be required for portions of Florida starting Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Along with the heavy rainfall, the hurricane center said to expect risks of flooding.
Residents in the area should ensure they have a hurricane plan in place, the National Hurricane Center said, follow the advice of local officials and check back for forecast updates.
