memeorandum: Passenger Lights Explosive on Delta Flight (Libs-R-Insane/CBS News)

10:30 PM ET, December 25, 2009

Top Items:

Man Attempts to Set Off Explosives on Plane, Law Enforcement Officials Say — Suspect Claims al Qaeda Terrorism Link, but FBI, Investigators Are Suspicious — Federal officials and police are interviewing a Nigerian man, who allegedly tried to “explode” a powdery substance aboard …

Discussion: The Hill, Associated Press, Pajamas Media, Power Line, BBC, Whiskey Fire, NO QUARTER, ChattahBox News Blog, BizzyBlog, Gothamist, DISSENTING JUSTICE, Atlas Shrugs and Jihad Watch

Scott Butterworth / Washington Post:

White House: Failed plane attack an attempted act of terrorism — A Nigerian national, claiming to be acting on behalf of al-Qaeda, is in custody in Detroit after allegedly attempting to light an incendiary device aboard a Northwest Airlines flight after it landed Friday, federal officials said.

Discussion: Little Green Footballs and AmSpecBlog

Fox News:

Passenger Ignites Explosive on Delta Flight, Al Qaeda Connection Reported — A male passenger reportedly linked to terrorist organization al-Qaeda ignited a powdery substance prior to landing on a Delta Airlines flight to Detroit Friday. The suspect is believed to be Nigerian, Fox News reported.

Discussion: Political Byline, Fausta's Blog, The Political Carnival and Riehl World View

Wall Street Journal:

Midair Bomb Attempt Fails — Man on Flight to Detroit Claims Al Qaeda Ties; Obama Tightens Security — This picture provided by J.P. Karas shows Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on the runway after arriving at Detroit Metropolitan Airport from Amsterdam on Friday.

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, LewRockwell.com Blog and AMERICAblog News

msnbc.com:

Officials: Possible terror attack on Northwest jet — Nigerian man tries to light powdery substance on Detroit flight, officials say — A 23-year-old Nigerian man tried to light a powdery substance aboard a Northwest Airlines flight before landing in Detroit on Friday, a senior U.S. counterterrorism official told NBC News.

Discussion: The Politico, Talking Points Memo, Gawker and TPM LiveWire

Ed Morrissey / Hot Air:

Breaking: Attempted terrorist attack on int'l Northwest flight? Update: Al Qaeda link? — This just popped up on the news here in the Twin Cities, and the boss has it, too: … A couple of thoughts. First, the danger must have been considered low after he was secured …

Discussion: The New Editor

Michelle Malkin:

Incident on NWA Flight 253? Update: suspect claims al Qaeda direction; Update: An attempted act of terror — Scroll for updates... Via BNONews, a passenger on Detroit-bound NWA Flight 253 was arrested in what MAY have been an attempted hijacking. Also reports that the suspect may have attenpted to light something.

Sebastian Rotella / Los Angeles Times:

Plane incident called an act of terrorism — Federal authorities say a Nigerian passenger on an Amsterdam-to-Detroit flight tried to blow up the airliner, which landed safely. The would-be bomber is injured. — Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on the runway after arriving at Detroit Metropolitan Airport from Amsterdam.

Libs-R-Insane / CBS News:

Passenger Lights Explosive on Delta Flight — 2 Hurt, 1 Detained in “Attempted Act of Terrorism” On Amsterdam-Detroit Flt. ; Man Claims al Qaeda Tie; FBI Investigating — (CBS/AP) Updated 7:50 p.m. EST — A Northwest Airlines passenger landing in Detroit on Friday tried to blow …

Discussion: Video Cafe's feed, Political Punch, Mediaite, The Political Carnival and Jihad Watch

CNN:
Explosive device ignited aboard U.S.-bound airliner

Discussion: Talking Points Memo

New York Times:
Terror Attempt Seen as Man Tries to Ignite Device on Jet

Discussion: The Atlantic Politics Channel

Paul Krugman / New York Times:

Tidings of Comfort — Indulge me while I tell you a story — a near-future version of Charles Dickens's “A Christmas Carol.” It begins with sad news: young Timothy Cratchit, a k a Tiny Tim, is sick. And his treatment will cost far more than his parents can pay out of pocket.

Discussion: Donklephant, The Confluence, Washington Monthly and Prairie Weather

Adam Nagourney / New York Times:

Debate Shows Obama Plays by Washington's Rules — WASHINGTON — Howard Dean ran for president in 2004 as the outsider ready to battle an entrenched establishment in Washington. And so, four years later, did Barack Obama. — Now, one year into Mr. Obama's presidency …

Discussion: DISSENTING JUSTICE and Prairie Weather

Ahmed Al-Haj / Associated Press:

Radical Muslim Cleric Said to Survive Airstrike — Relatives: Radical Yemeni Cleric Not Harmed in Government Air Raid on Al-Qaeda Meeting — A U.S.-born radical cleric is alive and well following reports he may have been killed in a Yemeni airstrike against suspected al-Qaida hideouts, friends and relatives said Friday.

Discussion: msnbc.com

Jim Hoft / Gateway Pundit:

82 Year-Old Pope Benedict Attacked, Knocked Down at Midnight Mass (Video) ...Update: Same Nut Tried to Attack Pope in 2008 — A crazed woman jumped the barriers at St. Peter's Basilica and attacke 82 year-old Pope Benedict XVI at Midnight Mass knocking him to the floor.

Discussion: BBC, American Power and Scared Monkeys