Morning Brief: Pakistani police targeted in simultaneous attacks

Thu, 10/15/2009 - 7:55am

Top story:  In the latest in a string of terrorist attacks in Pakistan, militants dressed as police officers simultaneously attacked three law enforcement agencies in Lahore. Over 30 people were killed in the attacks, which combined gunmen and suicide bombers.

Pakistan's latest wave of violence appears to be in response to preparations for a military assault on the Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan. Pakistani authorities say the sophistication of the latest attacks suggests that new Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud is, like his predecessor Baithullah Mehsud, receiving training from al Qaeda.

Just prior to the Lahore attacks, a car bomber attacked a police station in Kohat killing 10. The Pakistani air force and U.S. drones also continued to strike targets in Waziristan on Thursday.

United Nations: The U.N. General Assembly is expected to elect Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon, Nigeria, and Bosnia to seats on the Security Council today. 


Asia

  • China has sentenced six more people to death for instigating last summer's rioting in Xinjiang.
  • North Korea accused the South Korean navy of entering its territorial waters and warned of possible naval confrontation. 
  • South Korea and the European Union have signed a multibillion dollar trade deal. 

Middle East

Africa

Europe

  • A grenade attack in Moldova wounded over 40 people. Authorities are calling it terrorism. 
  • In a speech at Moscow State University, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized Russia's human rights record. 
  • As a diplomatic gesture, Armenian President Serge Sarkisian joined Turkish President Abdullah Gul at a World Cup qualifying soccer game in Turkey.

Americas

Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images
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