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A4 U.S. NEWS
Wednesday 20 January 2021
U.S. soldier arrested in plot to blow up NYC 9/11 Memorial

By LARRY NEUMEISTER he expressed his frustration
NEW YORK (AP) — A U.S. with the U.S. military and
Army soldier was arrested his desire to aid the Islamic
Tuesday in Georgia on ter- State group.
rorism charges after he The criminal complaint said
spoke online about plots he then provided training
to blow up New York City's and guidance to purported
9/11 Memorial and other Islamic State fighters who
landmarks and attack U.S. were planning attacks, in-
soldiers in the Middle East, cluding advice about po-
authorities said Tuesday. tential targets in New York
Cole James Bridges of City, including the 9/11 Me-
Stow, Ohio, was in custody morial.
on charges of attempted It said he also provided por-
material support of a ter- tions of a U.S. Army train-
rorist organization — the ing manual and guidance
Islamic State group — and about military combat tac-
attempted murder of a mili- tics.
tary member, said Nicholas Bridges also diagrammed
Biase, a spokesperson for specific military maneuvers
Manhattan federal pros- to help the terrorist group's
ecutors. fighters kill U.S. troops, in-
The 20-year-old soldier, also cluding the best way to
known as Cole Gonzales, fortify an encampment
was with the Third Infantry to repel an attack by U.S.
Division out of Fort Stewart, Special Forces and how to
Georgia, when he thought wire certain buildings with
he was communicating explosives to kill the U.S.
with the Islamic State online In this Friday Sept. 11, 2020, file photo, a mourner prays over the etched name of the deceased troops, the complaint said.
about the terrorism plots, Bi- Emilio Pete Ortiz at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York. This month, according to
ase said. Associated Press the complaint, Bridges sent
Unbeknownst to Bridges, a video of himself in body
an FBI employee was in on Middle East," said William F. Bridges was scheduled to researching and consum- armor standing before an
the chat as Bridges pro- Sweeney Jr., head of New make an initial appear- ing online propaganda Islamic State flag, gesturing
vided detailed instructions York City's FBI office. ance in federal court in Au- promoting jihadists and support.
on tactics and manuals "Fortunately, the person gusta, Georgia, on Thurs- their violent ideology, au- A week later, Bridges sent
and advice about attack- with whom he communi- day. thorities said. a second video in which
ing the memorial and other cated was an FBI employ- It was not immediately They said he expressed his he used a voice manipula-
targets in New York City, Bi- ee, and we were able to clear who would represent support for the Islamic State tor and narrated a propa-
ase said. prevent his evil desires from him. group and jihad on social ganda speech in support
"As we allege today, Bridg- coming to fruition," Swee- According to a criminal media before he began of the Islamic State group's
es, a private in the U.S. ney said in a release. complaint in Manhat- communicating in October anticipated ambush of U.S.
Army, betrayed our coun- "Our troops risk their lives tan federal court, Bridges with an FBI employee who troops, the complaint said.
try and his unit when he for our country, but they joined the U.S. Army in Sep- posed as an Islamic State Fort Stewart officials had no
plotted with someone he should never face such tember 2019 and was as- group supporter in contact immediate comment Tues-
believed was an ISIS sym- peril at the hands of one signed as a cavalry scout in with the group's fighters in day, said Kevin Larson, a
pathizer to help ISIS attack of their own," U.S. Attorney Fort Stewart. the Middle East. spokesperson for the Army
and kill U.S. soldiers in the Audrey Strauss said. At some point, he began According to court papers, post.q

SAT doing away with

optional essay, subject tests

NEW YORK (AP) — The Col- The coronavirus pandemic scored separately, as were
lege Board said Tuesday it has forced the widespread the lesser required subject
will eliminate the optional cancellation of group test- tests given in specific ar-
essay from the SAT and ing sessions for the SAT eas like chemistry or foreign
do away with subject tests and rival ACT since March, languages.
amid a changing college leading numerous schools The subject tests will imme-
admissions landscape. to eliminate testing require- diately end for U.S. students
"The pandemic has high- ments for the current ad- and will be phased out for
lighted the importance missions cycle. Others have international students by
of being innovative and permanently made en- June.
adaptive to what lies trance exams an optional The optional essay will be
ahead," according to a part of applying to college. discontinued after June
statement from the not-for- The three-hour, multiple testing sessions.
profit College Board, which choice SAT measures math Nearly 2.2 million 2020 high
said it wanted to make the and English language arts school graduates took the
In this March 12, 2005, file photo, a student leaves after taking SAT more flexible and re- proficiency. SAT before the pandemic
the SAT at Upper Arlington High School in Upper Arlington, Ohio.
Associated Press duce the demands on stu- The optional essay adds shut down schools, accord-
dents. about another hour and is ing to the College Board.q