Dozens of people are still being held hostage after Mumbai was struck by terror attacks last night. Hostages were taken in the Taj and Oberoi hotels in a series of carefully planned co-ordinated attacks by gunmen targeting luxury hotels, busy restaurants, a rail station and an ultra-orthodox Jewish outreach centre The usually hectic and bustling city has ground to a halt, colleges and schools have been shut for the day and battle scenes continue between police and gunmen. Over 100 people have been killed and at least 300 injured in the attacks.
Some of the hostages held in the Taj hotel in Mumbai have since been freed by Indian commandos, but gunfire and explosions there suggest the siege continues. Several hostages have reportedly also been freed from the Oberoi hotel. It is believed that more are being held hostage in Nariman House, a tower block in the financial district of the city. At present it is unclear how many gunmen were involved but it has been reported that nine suspects have been arrested and four killed in battle scenes in the city.
A previously unknown group called the "Deccan Mujahideen" have claimed responsibility for the attacks although the truth of these claims is as yet unconfirmed. There is speculation that the perpetrators were following a strategy created by al-Qaida. A spokesman for the group has demanded the release of extremists from Indian jails, and an end to the persecution of Muslims in India.
Violence and terrorist attacks are not unfamiliar to Mumbai, but since westerners seem to have been targeted specifically this attack may be more "globalized" than previous incidents. British, Israelis and Americans seem to have been singled out by the militants, and it is reported that six foreign nationals have been killed.
The attacks have been condemned by global leaders including officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Both Gordon Brown and Barack Obama have voiced their solidarity with India against terrorism, while Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has vowed to take whatever action necessary to bring the terrorists to justice.
US troops to leave Iraq by end of 2011
The Iraqi government today voted in favour of a deal that states all 150,000 US troops must leave Iraq three years from now. According to the move which is the outcome of years of talks and negotiations between the US and Iraq, troops will be off the streets of Iraq by spring 2009 and will have withdrawn completely by the end of 2011. Sunni parties are supporting the move while Shia groups loyal to the firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr are adamantly against it. A referendum is due to be held on the deal next year. Keep up to date with the latest developments and sharpest perspectives in a world of strife and struggle.
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A European Union force will take over UN security duties in Kosovo.
Ban Ki-moon's plan to hand over UN Security Council duties in Kosovo to an EU force has been backed by all members of the Security Council. The EU force will be responsible for policing and customs when it takes over in December. After declaring independence from Serbia in February of this year Kosovo has been recognised as independent by most EU states, it is however yet to be recognised by the UN. Although Serbia has backed the Security Council handover it retains its position on Kosovo, which it continues to regard as Serbian territory.
Report warns of the growing threat of failed states
A major report has warned against the increasing danger of failed states, in which ungoverned areas serve as prime locations for terrorist activity. Arms, drugs and people trafficking as well as terrorist networks pose greater threats to domestic and global security than strong states, according to the report. Corrupt or failed states are said to outnumber successful or "strong" states and as such are more of a threat to UK national security and international security. Somalia tops the list of failed states, which also includes Ethiopia, Haiti, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
US embassy in Kabul target of suicide bomb attack
Four people were killed and eighteen more injured by a suicide car bomb attack just outside the entrance to the US embassy in Kabul earlier today where an event was being held for Thanksgiving Day. It is thought the target was a convoy of foreign troops, but civilians were also hit by the blast. No members of embassy staff were injured.
