Police in Northern Ireland released CCTV footage on Sunday (January 20) showing the moment a car bomb exploded in Londonderry on Saturday (January 19) evening outside the city’s courthouse.

Footage showed the driver, wearing dark clothing, parking before running away from the vehicle. A crowd of people are later seen walking past the parked car.

Two men were arrested early on Sunday over the car bomb attack in Londonderry and police were looking into whether the New IRA militant group was responsible, officers said.

The men in their twenties were detained hours after the explosion, Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton told a news conference.

Hamilton said the main focus of the investigation was on the New IRA – one of a small number of groups opposed to a 1998 peace deal that largely ended three decades of violence in the British-run province. They have carried out sporadic attacks in recent years.

Saturday’s blast came at a time when police in both Northern Ireland and European Union-member Ireland have been warning that a return to a hard border between the two after Brexit, complete with customs and other checks, could be a target for militant groups.

Politicians from all sides – including Sinn Fein, the former political wing of the nationalist Irish Republican Army (IRA) – condemned the explosion. — Reuters

Tags: explosion, London

Renowned Filipino-Spanish visual artist Maria Mari Murga (center) with Consul General Senen Mangalile (right) and Philippine Ambassador to the UK Antonio Manuel Lagdameo (left)

LONDON, United Kingdom – Renowned Filipino-Spanish visual artist Maria Mari Murga is making waves in Europe as she recently held her second solo exhibit at the Philippine Embassy in London.

Her exhibit entitled “Liwanag” showcases her masterpieces inspired by the rich Filipino culture and traditions.

An artwork by visual artist Maria Mari Murga

Her works of art highlight the day-to-day lives of Filipinos in the countryside.

Most notable was her painting of three Mindanaoan girls inspired from her recent trip back in the Philippines.

She recalled how she discovered her roots and was able to learn being a Filipino with the help of her fellow Zamboangueños.

“It’s not hard at all to study ways of living in the Philippines because Filipinos are so welcoming and charming and willing to collaborate and help,” she said.

“I believe the Filipino theme is quite powerful and authentic and has many things to be said,” she said speaking proudly about the Filipino values.

Filipino and British art enthusiasts appreciated the works of Murga and commended her as among the brilliant Filipino artists.

“I think the pictures are amazing,” said John Stern from East Malling Kent County.

The President of the Royal Society of British Artists James Horton, meanwhile, described Murga’s skills at “superb” and her exhibition as exceptionally “beautiful.”

“She just has a wonderful technique and skill of bringing life of the portraits of people. It’s a wonderful skill,” attested Dr. Geoffrey Purves of the group Chartered Architect London UK.

Philippine Ambassador to London Antonio Lagdameo couldn’t be prouder to feature Maria Mari Murga at the Philippine Embassy.

“Of course, we want to showcase our Filipino artist and Maria is one of the finer examples of our Filipino artist especially living here in the UK,” he said.

Murga’s exhibition will run until October 30 at the main hall of the Philippine Embassy, London, United Kingdom. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Dennis Damasco)

Tags: Filipino-Spanish visual artist, London, Maria Mari Murga

U.S. President Donald Trump responded to the attack in London on Tuesday morning (August 14) tweeting “These animals are crazy and must be dealt with through toughness and strength!”.

British police said they believe a man deliberately drove a car into pedestrians and cyclists on Tuesday before ramming it into barriers outside London’s parliament in what appeared to be the second terrorist attack on the building in just under 18 months.

Three people were injured after the vehicle was driven through a group of cyclists and pedestrians during the early morning rush hour before smashing into a protective barrier on a lane used for accessing parliament.

The driver, a man in his 20s, was arrested by armed officers at the scene moments later. — Reuters

Tags: Donald Trump, London, terrorism