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Noose tightens around killer’s network as UK slams US over intel leaks

MANCHESTER — Home searches across Manchester have uncovered important items for the investigation into the concert bombing, said Manchester’s police chief yesterday, as the authorities closed in on a jihadist network thought to be behind the attack.

MANCHESTER — Home searches across Manchester have uncovered important items for the investigation into the concert bombing, said Manchester’s police chief yesterday, as the authorities closed in on a jihadist network thought to be behind the attack.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said the eight suspects detained so far were “significant” arrests and said the searches will take several more days to complete.

Police have swooped in on multiple addresses in the city since Tuesday and those arrested include bomber Salman Abedi’s brothers and father. Mr Hopkins did not elaborate on the material that has been found so far.

British Prime Minister Theresa May also said progress is being made in the authorities probe into the bombing, but warned that the national threat level remains at critical level — meaning another attack may be imminent and added that “the public should remain vigilant”.

As hundreds of British soldiers protected some of the world’s most visited tourist sites in London and elsewhere, police are pressing to uncover the network that is thought to have helped Abedi on the attack Monday night after American singer Ariana Grande’s concert in Manchester Arena.

At the same time, investigators are not ruling out the possibility that he may have made the bomb himself.

The explosion killed 22 people, and injured hundreds.

Abedi’s remains were found at the scene, and the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

As investigators accelerated their probe into the assault, new details about the bomb, based on forensic photographs from the blast site and reported by The New York Times, have emerged.

It showed that the explosive device may have been hidden in a blue backpack, had been made with cunning care to inflict horrific shrapnel damage, and had even been equipped with a backup detonation system. Abedi was said to have carried the detonator in his left hand.

The initial analysis of the bomb, based on evidence photographed and collected at the crime scene and distributed by British authorities, does not specify the size or type of explosive used in the bomb’s main charge but suggests an improvised device packed with metal nuts and screws, made with forethought and care.

The authorities’ review of the blast site also showed that many of the fatalities occurred in a nearly complete circle around the bomber, whose upper torso was heaved outside the lethal ring towards the Manchester Arena entrance.

Citing unnamed federal security sources, German magazine Focus meanwhile reported that Abedi passed through Dusseldorf airport four days before the attack.

German authorities are now trying to determine whether Abedi had contact with Islamic extremists in Germany before flying to Manchester last week.

As the nation mourns, the British authorities were “furious” about repeated leaks of material shared with their United States counterparts.

US President Donald Trump yesterday in a statement pledged to “get to the bottom” of the leak of sensitive information.

Calling the recent leaks “deeply troubling”, he said he is asking the Justice Department and other agencies to “launch a complete review of this matter.”

“If appropriate, the culprit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.

He said this after Mrs May pledged to make it clear to Mr Trump that intelligence shared between law enforcement agencies “must remain secure.” AGENCIES

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