FINAL UPDATE: MAJOR TALIBAN ATTACK ON NATO/ISAF IN KABUL PUT DOWN WITH FEW CASUALTIES

Afghan police to the attack in Kabul. Photo: Reuters

UPDATE, 12:50 AM CDT, June 10 -- "Today’s clashes in Kabul ended with all of the insurgents killed by Afghan security forces. Two insurgents were able to detonate their explosive-laden vests and five others were killed by security forces. The clearance operation inside the building is underway. Five suicide vests and some weapons were left at the scene. In this incident, civilians and security forces were unharmed. The situation is back to normal." - via ISAF: NATO forces in Afghanistan Facebook page, quoting Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior (MoI).

A report from Bakhtar News says that 7 suicide attackers were killed. "General Ayoob Salangi police chief of Kabul said BNA, at 5 am, seven suicide attackers armed with heavy and light weapons attacked Kabul International Airport from two under construction buildings near the Airport. According to him, two of the attackers exploded their suicide vest and five others were killed in 3 hour clash by security forces." There were no casualties among civilians or the security forces.

UPDATE, 1:08 AM CDT, June 10 -- "Kabul police saying that all 7 bombers whom were wearing Afghan Border police (ABP) uniforms were gunned down 2 civilians injured." via Sharifullah Sahak  (@sharifsahak)

The attack focused on the US Air Force facility and a nearby detention center where  drug traffickers are held. TOLO news reports the attack is on an area that houses an ISAF/NATO command center. (Via The Australian.) In related news, the British Embassy in Kabul said on June 9 that the Afghan detainees will be handed over very soon, reports TOLO.

Earlier Reports:
June 9, 2013 -- 7:30 PM CDT -- A major terrorist offensive is occurring now at Kabul International Airport. Large explosions and gunfire have been heard, suicide bombers are intruding, and there are reports of insurgents firing rockets. Targeted areas seem to include NATO and US Air Force areas, a counter narcotics building. The attack began around 4:20 AM local time. See current time and weather in Kabul.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. "Spokesman [Zabiullah] Mujahid in a text message to journalists claiming responsibility for #Kabul attack on military side of the airport," tweeted Sharifullah Sahak ‏(@sharifsahak), a journalist working for The New York Times in Kabul.

Chicago News Bench was the first to speculate that the attack might be reprisal for the arrest of a Taliban leader today: "An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and two other extremists during an operation in Kandahar City, Kandahar province, today. The leader oversees a group of extremists involved in improvised explosive devices operations in Kandahar City. He has a history of building multiple types of IEDs and directing his subordinates to carry out attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Kandahar City." (Source: ISAF news release, 9 June 2013) 1TV Kabul apparently agrees with Chicago News Bench's assessment, later quoting the same ISAF news release. (Thanks for reading CNB, 1TV!)

"One insurgent detonated himself at compound entrance in the centre of the city at the start of fighting, which left several buildings destroyed or damaged by rocket-propelled grenades, gunfire and explosions," reports The Telegraph UK. "One policeman, two civilians and all four militants died in that attack, with the government lauding the response of the Kabul security forces for preventing further casualties."

The US embassy in Kabul was on lockdown for a while but seems to be in "all clear" status as of approximately 8:15 PM CDT. The embassy earlier confirmed an "on-going attack" in Kabul, the capitol city. The US embassy is located next to NATO's ISAF headquarters (International Security Assistance Force). SEE MAP. At 8:00 PM CDT, ISAF tweeted, "Shelter in Place lifted, Camp Lockdown still in effect at ISAF HQ."

Unique Video Documentary Examines the Sacrifices - and Physics - of D-Day Invasion of Normandy

June 6, 2013 - It was 69 years ago today that American soldiers, along with others from Allied nations, invaded the coast of Normandy in Nazi-occupied France in WWII. It was one of the deadliest days for Allies during World War Two, but one that turned the tide against Hitler's Nazi Regime. The invasion of Normandy was the biggest invasion ever made from the sea.

This video documentary (below) is a great look at the sacrifices made by so many soldiers on June 6, 1944. "Surviving D-Day: Omaha Beach 1944" not only examines the soldiers' struggles on that day, but gives us a fascinating look at "behind the scenes" factors that determined successes and failures: Magicians, the physics of water, breakfast choices and more. This is like no documentary about World War II that you've ever seen...

Chinese Weather Control?

The Chinese claim to be able to control weather. No kidding, they're promising "no rain" during their Olympics. Don't take my word for it. Check out the many news stories about it. (You don't suppose the Chi-Comms have anything to do with all the rains flooding our U.S. cities and farms, do you?) Even more amazing: These "weather control" links.

Be Prepared, Denver!

You don't have to have been a Boy Scout to know that being prepared is a good idea. Jeff Peckman wants to be prepared. Really, really, really prepared... Whether they come in peace or to destroy us, Jeff Peckman said the aliens are on their way and we need to be ready. "If some of these human beings become traumatized especially in any significant numbers, local authorities, emergency responders are just not prepared to deal with that, it's a unique situation." FULL STORY... RELATED: Denver man seeks support for citywide panel on space aliens Man asks Denver to prepare for Aliens

"Use Silenced Guns to Kill"

An American Forces Press Release shines a light on the twisted minds of al-Qaida tacticians who plan and direct murder and mayhem. "Use silenced guns to kill coalition forces at Iraqi security checkpoints, smuggle weapons in gradual shipments to reduce the risk of detection, and poison Iraq’s water supply with nitric acid to spread disease and death," says the intercepted 11-page document. The press release continues: Providing a glimpse into the proposed inner workings of al-Qaida in Iraq, the author discusses the need to split jihadists into three groups: snipers, assassination experts and martyrs. Each well-trained group should have an emir, or unit commander, at the lead. Through a series of coordinated surprise attacks, groups should work in unison to “bring down the city or the area,” he wrote. FULL RELEASE at Defenselink.mil... Big hat tip to Black Five

FRANCE: PREPARE FOR WAR WITH IRAN

Whoa, this is serious. The French don't usually say stuff like this unless they really, really mean it. And they're saying it. Loudly. The BBC reports today: French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner says the world should prepare for war over Iran's nuclear programme. "We have to prepare for the worst, and the worst is war," Mr Kouchner said in an interview on French TV and radio. Mr Kouchner said negotiations with Iran should continue "right to the end", but an Iranian nuclear weapon would pose "a real danger for the whole world". MORE... RELATED: Report from The Telegraph