KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Afghan government has banned “The Kite Runner” film from theaters and DVD shops, an official said Wednesday, though Afghan shop owners with stalls at U.S. military bases are still selling the movie there.

WASHINGTON — In an unusual public criticism, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he believes NATO forces currently deployed in southern Afghanistan do not know how to combat a guerrilla insurgency, a deficiency that could be contributing to the rising violence in the fight against the Taliban.

TEHRAN (FNA) A visiting Afghan official Tuesday night described Iran’s investments in his country as vital.

TEHRAN (FNA) Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Muhammad al-Sabah al-Salim al-Sabah said relations between Iran and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) states have entered a new era following presence by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the recent PGCC summit in Doha, Qatar.

TEHRAN (FNA) It appears to be business as usual for a raft of energy companies defying US sanctions against Iran. In particular, companies in Europe, Iran’s main trading partner, are leading the way, with deals on the table involving national giants Total, Eni, and others.

TEHRAN (FNA) Oil Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari here Tuesday said all new memoranda and contracts on gas export Iran had signed would take effect as of 2011.

TEHRAN (FNA) India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC) and the Hinduja Group will meet again with Iranian firms on developing oil field and a gas field in Iran and downstream projects in India a Hinduja Group official said.

TEHRAN (FNA) The National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) Managing Director Mohammad Suri said the value of products the four gas reserves of South Pars, North Pars, Golashan, and Ferdows produced a year would amount to 101 billion dollars.

TEHRAN (FNA) Hezbollah’s leader said Tuesday that any US attack on Iran would be “the biggest folly” in American history.

TEHRAN (FNA) Head of Foreign Policy Committee of Italian Parliament, Umberto Ranieri, said here on Monday that Iran acts as a bridge between West and East and it plays an influential role in the Middle East security.