Bombers have struck multiple targets in the Afghan capital during morning rush hour, (triggering) gun battles with police and killing five people. At least 38 civilians and security forces were wounded. Officials say seven suspected Taliban militants launched an assault on mostly government buildings in central Kabul as well as the upscale Serena hotel. Security forces (battled) militants for a few hours inside a shopping center that was engulfed in flames. A Taliban spokesman later took credit for the attack and claimed 20 militants participated. Aid workers in Haiti say earthquake relief efforts are starting to make an impact, but frustration is (mounting) in Port-au-Prince where Haitians say they lack food, water and the government. Officials say field hospitals and food aid are spreading across the city while flights into the airport are increasing. The European Union, meanwhile, today pledged nearly $200 million in short-term aid to help Haiti recover from the earthquake and is earmarking almost $300 million in longer-term assistance. Individual European countries have also (pledged) more than 100 million. Lisa Bryant reports from Paris. European Union ministers meeting in Brussels have agreed to boost support for Haiti ravaged by a (devastating) earthquake that struck last week. At a news conference in Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton announced the 27 member bloc has decided to earmark roughly $197 million in short-term assistance for the Caribbean island nation. He praised the Europe's response to date. We have taken swift action. We have immediately made available more than 20 million Euros to (assist) on the ground as well as the individual member states who sent a whole range of different requirements to fulfill the needs. " EU officials announced that the bloc is also considering nearly $300 million in longer-term aid to help Haiti recover. The short-term aid is a mix of new money and money already earmarked for Haiti. It comes as relief workers struggle to reach (needy) Haitians amid logistical logjams. Lisa Bryant for VOA News, Paris. Poll monitors from Europe's largest security organization say Ukraine s presidential election Sunday was of high quality and showed (significant) progress over the past elections. The assessment from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe came today as vote tallies showed opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko headed for a runoff election next month. Five young Americans arrested in Pakistan on suspicion of trying to join militant Islamic groups alleged they are being (tortured) in custody. The five who appeared in court today shouted in English "We are being tortured" as they were transferred in a prison van. Pakistani police say they are not mistreating the prisoners and police officials said the men did not make such statements in the courtroom. A record ransom payment has secured the release of an oil tanker seized in November by Somali pirates. (Piracy) attacks off the coast of Somalia nearly doubled in 2009 from the previous year. Alan Boswell reports from Nairobi. The Maran Centaurus was the second largest vessel ever captured and was carrying an estimated 2 million barrels of oil. The pirates claim they received 5. 5 million dollars for the ship s freedom, but a separate figure places the amount dropped on the ship at 7 million dollars. Andrew Mwangura of the Kenya-based East Africa Seafarers Assistance Program says others involved in securing the deal also reportedly took home a significant sum. "Later we came to learn that they paid about $7 million, which was dropped on the ship, and $2 million was taken a separate way. I think that $2 million went maybe to the translators and others. " The Greek-flagged vessel had (onboard) 28, mostly Filipino and Greek crew members who are reported to be safe and in good condition as the ship is escorted to safe (harbor). Alan Boswell for VOA News, Nairobi. The lawyer for the Turkish man, who tried to kill Pope John Paul in 1981, says the man was (released) from prison today after nearly 30 years behind bars. The lawyer says the 52-year-old Mehmet Ali Agca will be taken to a military facility near Ankara and then to a hospital. Agca has said he will answer questions about his attack in the coming weeks. Brief look at markets. Asia-Pacific stock markets closed mixed today. I'm David DeForest, VOA News. More news on the internet at voanews. com.