Chapter 1: What breaking news is reported from Caracas and Denver?
Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. There's breaking news at this hour. There are reports tonight of multiple explosions in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. It's not yet known what has caused those blasts, but we're continuing to monitor this news story. Also breaking, a massive five-alarm fire is underway in Denver, where an entire city block is burning.
Officials say an apartment complex under construction went up in flames. At least one firefighter has been injured, but there have been no other reports of injuries so far. Residents of nearby apartment buildings, meanwhile, have been evacuated because of the heat radiating off that fire and an overnight shelter has been set up at an event center in nearby Glendale.
State emergency management officials say the fire has caused significant power outages in Denver. A federal judge has ordered that the man accused of planting two pipe bombs in Washington, D.C. the night before the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot must remain in jail pending trial. NPR's Ryan Lucas has more on the criminal case against Brian Cole Jr.
The 30-year-old was arrested on December 4 after a nearly five-year FBI investigation. Prosecutors argue that Brian Cole Jr. is a danger to the community and that he should remain in custody as his case moves to trial. The defense team says Cole has been diagnosed with autism, that he poses no threat to the community, and that he should be released.
Now in a ruling, Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh has sided with the government and ordered that Cole remain in jail pending trial, in part because of the serious nature of Cole's alleged offense, planting two pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic National Party headquarters on January 5, 2021. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.
The FBI says it stopped a potential attack on New Year's Eve in Charlotte, North Carolina. Investigators say 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant was arrested after he shared plans with an undercover FBI employee to use knives and hammers to attack people at a local fast food restaurant.
Special Agent in Charge James Barnicle says Sturdivant was willing to sacrifice himself for the Islamic State group.
This investigation highlights the very real threat posed by people who self-radicalize online and are inspired by jihadist ideologies espoused by foreign terrorist organizations. They seek to attack soft targets with easily accessible weapons and with little to no warning.
The FBI says Sturtevant had pledged loyalty to the Islamic State. A grandmother and her five-year-old grandson have died this weekend after their poorly constructed tent caught fire in a Gaza refugee camp. Tens of thousands of Palestinians, meanwhile, are enduring bitterly cold weather in those camps. in part because housing materials are scarce.
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Chapter 2: What are the details of the criminal case against Brian Cole Jr.?
I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.