Breaking News: Taliban Attacks in Kabul

3:45 p.m. In addition to the coordinated bombings in Kabul, insurgents have killed a French soldier and an Afghan translator and seriously wounded another French soldier.

12:50 p.m. CNN now reporting at least 23 dead and at 69 wounded in the attacks, which now appear to have been coordinated across three ministries (justice, education, and finance) and a prison.

11:30 a.m. Reuters has updated with a summary of the twin attacks.

 

9 a.m.: At least 10 dead in the attacks on Ministry of Justice complex. Another 10 people died in the earlier suicide bombing north of Kabul.

6:45 a.m. GMT: The Ministry of Justice has been attacked by two suicide bombers and five gunmen. Police sources say at least eight people have been killed, including two of the attackers. Other assailants are still inside the building.

The attack follows another double suicide bombing north of Kabul on Wednesday.



6:15 a.m. GMT: Taliban gunmen have attacked the Ministry of Justice and another building in Kabul, Afghanistan. There are "multiple casualties", and some attackes are still inside the Ministry.

Obama on Iran: The Engagement Continues

Related Post: Transcript of President Obama's First Press Conference
Related Post: Obama Press Conference - Thumbs Up for Iran and Russia, Slapdowns for Petraeus and Pakistan

Update: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said he is ready for dialogue if change is "fundamental" and talks are based on mutual respect.

On the 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, President Obama's stance on Tehran at his first news conference last night has made headlines.

Obama maintained his long-term position, talk first but be ready to get tough. Significantly, however, he put the emphasis on the dialogue: "In the coming months, we will be looking for openings that can be created where we can start sitting across the table face to face."



The President cautioned, "There's been a lot of mistrust built up over the years, so [the discussions are] not going to happen overnight." And he made the necessary gesture towards US concerns over Iran's nuclear programme and support of "terrorist" groups.

Overall, however, Obama's comments appear to be a clear signal to Iran that he is satisfied with the opening at-distance exchanges. Both former Iranian President Hashem Rafsanjani and key politician Ali Larijani said on Monday that they were cautious but encouraged by the openings offered with speeches like Vice President Joe Biden's on Saturday. Larijani told CNN that this was "an exceptional opportunity" to improve relations.