Today's papers: Mumbai Under Siege

More than a day after groups of gunmen descended on southern Mumbai and carried out a string of highly-coordinated attacks targeting "well-known symbols of India's prosperity and places where Westerners and Israelis gather," as the Washington Post summarizes, government forces were still working to gain control. The attacks have left at least 143 people dead, according to early morning wire reports, and more than 300 injured. The New York Times highlights there are widespread fears the death toll would rise since people who escaped the hotels reported "stepping around bodies." It's still not known who was behind the attacks, although it's clear the gunmen were well prepared. The Los Angeles Times hears word the militants "struck after months of reconnaissance during which they set up 'control rooms' in the targeted hotels." And the Wall Street Journal hears unconfirmed reports that the attackers had been renting an apartment for the past six months near the Jewish center that was attacked. USA Today highlights that whoever they were, the gunmen delivered "an unmistakable message: This U.S.-friendly democracy of 1.2 billion people has joined the front lines of the global war on terrorism." USAT goes big with the attacks in Mumbai, but devotes its lead spot to a look at how Iraqi government officials involved in corruption that has cost billions of dollars to U.S. taxpayers have gone unpunished partly due to an Iraqi amnesty law. Although no one thinks it would be easy to pursue corruption charges in Iraq, as a result of the law 690 corruption cases have been dismissed and it has undermined efforts to make government officials accountable for their actions. Around $18 billion, more than half of which came from U.S. taxpayers, has vanished due to corruption. To continue reading, click here.