U.S. Issues Worldwide Travel Alert

Only hours after dramatic, tragic events in and around Paris the U.S. State Department has issued a "Worldwide Caution" travel alert after recent terror attacks in France, Australia and Canada, and that, according to the State Department, "U.S. citizens need to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness."

The State Department's warning says attacks against Americans and American interests are becoming increasingly prevalent and the Department cites an increased risk of reprisals against U.S. and Western targets for the U.S.-led intervention against Islamic State militants, otherwise known as ISIS/ISIL, in Syria and Iraq.

The caution alerts travelers that, "Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests. Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas, shopping malls, and other tourist destinations both in the United States and abroad where U.S. citizens gather in large numbers, including during holidays."

Furthermore the State Department says, "U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure."

For tourists already out and about in the World, or will be quite soon, the State Department says, "U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security."

It is unclear how long this "Worldwide Caution" will last.

Charlie Hebdo Suspects Dead in Raid

It is over. The alleged Charlie Hebdo terrorists are dead after a standoff and hostage situation on Friday after French authorities raided a printing plant in Dammartin-en-Goële, which is outside of Paris near Charles de Gaulle Airport. The hostage is safe, but however one police officer was injured, according to AFP.

Saïd Kouachi, 34, and Cherif Kouachi, 32, are alleged to have gone on a massacre killing 12 people at the satirical magazine on Wednesday in one of the worst terror attacks in France since the 1995 terror attacks.

"They Wanted to Die as Martyrs" 

Mohamed Douhane, a senior police officer who was following the negotiations with the Kouachis, told The New York Times, “We have established communication with the Kouachi brothers. They said they wanted to die as martyrs. They are behaving like two determined terrorists who are certainly physically exhausted, but who want to escape with one last big show of force and heroic resistance. They feel trapped and know that their last hours have come.”

Deadly Supermarket Hostage Situation

As that incident at the printing plant was happening another hostage situation occurred at a Paris kosher supermarket.

That hostage situation at the supermarket was allegedly perpetrated by an associate of the brothers, Amedy Coulibaly, who is also suspected in killing a Paris police officer on Thursday. 

During the hostage situation Mr. Coulibaly was killed by police.

France President François Hollande says the suspect allegedly killed four people after entering the supermarket along with taking hostages. 

Several hostages were reportedly injured, and at least 15 hostages were freed, according to French media reports.

While it is unclear if the suspect chose the supermarket due to it being a Jewish store, or if the motive was simply that of convenience, Mr. Hollande called it an, "Anti-Semitic Act."

Mr. Coulibaly told French media he was apart of ISIS and a freed hostage also told French media that the suspect claimed to be apart of ISIS, but this claim has yet to be verified by authorities.

Later in the evening it was revealed that explosive devices with detonators were found in the supermarket and it is believed they were planted by the suspect.

Search For Suspect Girlfriend

French authorities are looking for Hayat Boumeddiene, believed to be the girlfriend of Mr. Coulibaly. 

French authorities are not sure how deeply involved she may be in this whole sordid affair or of her involvement in terror cells in France.

Tracking Down the Suspect Brothers 

The brothers had been located at the printing warehouse by helicopters equipped with heat sensors, according to French media. That discovery followed an intense manhunt in a heavily wooded area about 60 miles outside of Paris.

What Is Know About the Brothers' Terror Connections

Since the terror attack on Wednesday much has been revealed about the suspects.  Most notably it was revealed by American officials that Saïd traveled to Yemen in 2011 and received terrorist training from al-Qaeda’s affiliate there before returning to France.

A member of al-Qaeda branch in Yemen says they directed the brothers to attack the French magazine, according to media reports, and al-Qaeda in Yemem is subsequently taking credit for the Paris attack.

USA Today reports that both brothers may have been in Syria this past summer. 

In the U.S. both Kouachi brothers were placed on a "No Fly List."