Ten people killed in the attack on Kabul Hotel - voice of America

Afghan security officer directing vehicles near the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, June 28, 2011

At least six suicide bombers and gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, late Tuesday and early reports indicate that 10 people were killed.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack of the Intercontinental Hotel.   Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, said the Group was targeting foreign guests, and that the attackers were killed or wounded at least 50 people.  However, the Taliban often exaggerates the number of victims in attacks against Western and Afghan Government targets.

The head of the Kabul police crime unit, Mohammad Zahir, said that several police officers were injured in the fighting, while witnesses reported at least three loud explosions and gunfire inside and outside the hotel.

Ministry of Interior spokesman Sidiq Sidiqqi said the suicide bombers detonated themselves or were killed and two Taliban insurgents have continued to fire from the roof Wednesday at the start.

Police blocked streets leading to the hotel, situated on a hill that overlooks the Afghan capital and said that the entire area in darkness.  Shortly after, the national army Afghan commando unit arrived on the scene.

The attack occurred on the eve of a Conference on the gradual transition of responsibility civilian and military forces to the Afghan people.

In other acts of violence Tuesday, NATO said three of its members in service are dead in attacks by insurgents and separate bomb in the South of the Afghanistan.

Also in the South, the authorities have declared a bomb killed two women and wounded a child in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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Money in motion
Philip Alexiou report combating the illegal trade in ivory of observation.

People continue to pilgrimage to Ashura (press TV)

People continue to pilgrimage to Ashura mid tight security, huge crowds of people continue to reach the Holy City of Karbala, to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (PBUH), the third Shi'ah imam.

Black flags, Draper bereavement sites throughout the city and walls were more than 28 000 police officers, who have been deployed in the whole of Karbala, particularly in the area of al-Haramain Bain, which lies between the two holy places of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) and Hadhrat Abulfazl (peace be upon him).

Motorcycles, cars and wagons pulled by animals are excluded from the Centre of the city, while each pilgrim should be personal and pat searched downwards to thwart potential terrorist attacks.

Police urged the citizens to cooperate with the security forces to remain vigilant and to inform the authorities immediately after the discovery of any suspect fully.

The security forces were also warned Hotel against for undocumented aliens and Iraqi both.

Muharram in Iraq ceremonies have been the target of many attacks over the years. The most deadly took place in 2004, when simultaneous quasies explosions in Baghdad and Karbala killed more than 170 people.

Two million people are expected to gather in Karbala Thursday, marking the Ashura - the tenth day of the month of Muharram marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of imam Husayn (grandson of the Prophet Mohammed and third imam of the Shi'a) which took place in the Islamic year 680 EC (61 AH).

MP TG.

Young people with swords took hostages at school Sydney Morning Herald (French)

17 Year old armed two swords Monday raided French nursery school and took 20 children hostage, officials said.

Later, he published most of them but was still held hostage five or six at the school of the town of Besançon, said Mayor Jean-Louis Fousseret city.

Police negotiators have been in contact with young people by telephone, and an elite police specializing in hostage situations unit has surrounded the school, he said.

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The man "would in implementing armed with two swords and stating that he wants that something", but not a did not say what exactly that Fousseret said.

The class from which he took his hostage consisted of children aged four to six years, said Mayor.

Minister of education Luc Chatel went to the city, said responsible.