国际英语新闻：U.S. nabs suspected fund provider in Times Square bombing plot

WASHINGTON, May 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said on Thursday authorities had arrested individuals who are suspected to have provided funds to carry out the Times Square car bombing plot in New York City early this month.

Three people were arrested earlier Thursday in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia areas. Holder said they had connections with Times Square bombing suspect Faisal Shahzad, and "may have provided him with funds."

An FBI agent enters a house where a suspect was taken into federal custody earlier in the day, in Watertown, Massachusetts May 13, 2010. Investigators arrested three people linked to the suspect in the failed Times Square bombing during raids on Thursday in suburbs of New York, Boston and Philadelphia, but officials said there was no new threat.

Holder made the remarks in an unrelated event. He also said the authorities are not yet sure of the suspects' roles, if any, in the bombing plot, and are "still trying to determine exactly what (is) the nature of" their connection to Shahzad.

"There's at least a basis to believe that one of the things that they did was provide him with funds," he said.