Hoss

What's being reported is that a passport of a Syrian refugee was found at the site of one of the bombings. It is unclear if it was an attacker. From the beginning the French officials said they believed some members of ISIS slipped into the groups of refugees coming into the country. So they may be labeled a Syrian refugee, but they're as much so as I would be a schoolgirl if I jumped in line with a bunch of third graders.

Grasswire: Update: Belgian justice minister confirms “number of arrests” made in connection to Paris attacks - http://bit.ly/1kwcPRy

This argument needs to disappear. Just like the tweet above it acts like the sheer numbers are the only reason to disarm the public. That's not the case. There are many reasons people want that, but there's no legitimate argument on automobiles.

1. Important: there is NO #IS claim from Al Hayat. In #IS's official daily bulletin, there is NO mention of #Paris. http://twitter.com/charliewinter/status/665463135336296448/photo/1 #BREAKING: French president blames Islamic State group for Paris attacks Islamic State issues statement claiming responsibility for #ParisAttacks http://twitter.com/GrasswireNow/status/665482851714904065/photo/1 They're saying this is "only the beginning of the storm."

This is ridiculous.

I don't like quoting long posts but I'm fine having this double posted. I was hoping that this thread would be a break from all the bickering and a chance to just mourn. if only.

Highly unlikely. The thought is that this was an intricate attack that would've taken a long time to prepare for.

Varying reports as to whether there are still any gunmen/attackers on the loose.

BGrueskin @BGrueskin Bataclan survivor tells @CNN the attackers were speaking French. Agence France-Presse @AFP #BREAKING One of Paris attackers mentioned French military action in Syria: witness We should start getting more witness accounts now.

It's been happening at every step of the way. Muslim groups have almost universally voiced their displeasure with the attacks. There is a discussion to be had about whether enough is being done from their end, but condemnation has never been an issue. I started this thread with the intention of providing information about Paris and the attacks. Honest and fair request (NOT a demand): can we keep the politics out of this thread? This is about the attacks themselves. I don't see a need to push an agenda here.

:( Agence France-Presse @AFP #BREAKING Around 100 dead in attack on Paris concert venue: police

I'm lost on what you're trying to do here. I'm providing information as to whether or not the hostages are still in immediate danger. If you'd like to have a language war this isn't the time.

The "situation" of two attackers holding hostages is over. They're dead.

The Associated Press @AP BREAKING: Police: Assault on Paris concert hall with hostages is over, at least 2 attackers killed. Appears to be true for that specific situation. But I don't think this whole thing is over.

The attackers who were holding hostages are reportedly dead now and that situation is over. Per a few reports.

Patrick Peterson is highly overrated. Beyond that who is their second corner? Mathieu is not a corner.

A quick search says he was speculating and very clearly so.

I have no opinion on who may be attacking them. I do not know.

I feel comfortable being cautious here. There's ONE station reporting these quotes from the attackers. "Reports" aren't just people on Twitter regurgitating that info. Other stations are not reporting it. Suicide bombers can also be from any walk of life. BFMTV, the reported source of the quotes, has nothing on their website or social media in regards to attackers screaming either thing. I'm not saying this isn't. I think we should focus on widely-reported facts. This report says the attackers have been silent in executing hostages: Jim Sciutto ‏@jimsciutto 4m4 minutes ago Escaped hostage from #Bataclan tells #CNN terrorists calmly executed hostages, reloaded, executed again in silence

Before it gets out of hand with lobbing blame - there are no reports of the origin of these terrorists. There is absolutely nothing indicating that they're followers of Islam or any other religion that I have seen (not saying it's not true, but I've looked very hard for it). Some are saying on social media that the Islamic State is celebrating the attacks using "Paris on Fire," but a quick search of that term on social media doesn't turn up much.

Police have confirmed the hostage number to be "around 100." Here's a great link for live coverage in English: http://grasswire.com/live

The stadium is a madhouse right now. Fans are all over the field in a panic (understandably). It appears there was an attempted suicide bombing near the stadium. Death toll now up to 40. Reports on the number of hostages is between 60 and 100. Some appear to have escaped and described two men using pump-action shotguns on the crowd. Sound of the explosion heard on live television: https://vine.co/v/iBb2x00UVlv

Mentioned this in the Presidential Politics thread - police have confirmed at least 30 dead in a shooting and 60 hostages held in a concert hall right now. Explosion near the soccer stadium where France and Germany were playing prompted an evacuation. French president was in the stadium but has been evacuated to safety.

Yes. Absolutely. Death toll up to 30.

It appears as though Paris is under attack right now. Reports that 18 people are dead after a shooting inside of a restaurant. Multiple explosions reported in the areas around the Paris-Germany soccer match right now. Hostages taken inside of a concert hall... This is madness. Now 26 dead The Associated Press @AP BREAKING: Police: At least 26 dead in violence around Paris, hostage-taking in theater.