Afghanistan

As Funding Increases, Afghan Forces Range From Ragtag to Ready

KABUL, Afghanistan — Faizal Karim, a sophomore at the National Military Academy here, stood outside a classroom holding his English-language homework assignment. For a group of cadets nearby, a lecture in physics was ending. Bright-eyed, articulate and in a four-year course modeled after the United States Military Academy at West …

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Afghans protest deaths in U.S.-led raid

By RAHIM FAIEZ, Associated Press A U.S.-led raid Sunday on a suspected militant cell killed as many as six Afghans — including a woman and a teenage girl — and spawned protests by hundreds of angry Afghans chanting “Death to Bush!” The U.S. said four militants were among the dead, …

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Pakistan, Afghanistan agree for anti-terror cooperation

The News (Pakistan) – The presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed Monday to fight terrorism and deny training and financing to terrorists in both countries. Brought together by Turkish leaders, the pair issued a joint statement stressing a mutual commitment to fighting terrorism after meeting at Turkey’s presidential palace. “The …

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21 Taliban reported dead in Afghanistan

AP – Afghan and coalition forces clashed with Taliban militants Saturday in separate incidents in the east and south, killing 21 insurgents, officials said. The police and Taliban engaged in a one-hour gun battle in the Alishar district of Khost province, said Wazir Padshah, a spokesman for the provincial police. …

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Taliban claims French woman released

By ALISA TANG, Associated Press The Afghan government said it was investigating Taliban claims Saturday that the militants have released a French aid worker who was kidnapped early this month along with another French citizen and three Afghan colleagues. Purported Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi said that the French woman …

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Afghan president calls on Taliban to stop fighting

AFP – President Hamid Karzai reiterated his calls for Taliban fighters to put down their arms at a military parade Saturday that showed off Afghanistan’s newly-acquired weaponry and growing army. The president and his cabinet were among scores of dignitaries at a march-past of soldiers and equipment, much of it …

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Efforts to eradicate polio in Afghanistan move forward

Unicef – Afghanistan continues its efforts to eradicate polio in the country. In a nation-wide campaign held from 22-24 April 2007, nearly 7.3 million children were vaccinated, bringing the country – and the world – one step closer to polio eradication. Afghanistan is one of just four remaining polio-endemic countries …

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”Afghanistan’s Role in Iranian Foreign Policy”

By Dario Cristiani, The Power and Interest News Report (PINR) The United States recently accused Iran of increasing its influence in Afghanistan. General Peter Pace, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that “in the last month, we have intercepted in Afghanistan weapons that were made in …

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French hostages are well, Taliban say

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AFP) – Two French aid workers held by the Taliban in Afghanistan are well, the Islamist movement said, a day ahead of an apparent deadline for demands to be met for their freedom. The Taliban, which has beheaded several of its captives, said April 20 French troops must …

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Attacks kill 19 in Afghanistan

AFP – Fresh attacks in Afghanistan killed 19 people, including six soldiers in a roadside bombing, officials said Wednesday, as the Taliban stepped up its campaign against the government. The bomb struck an Afghan army vehicle on Wednesday in Paktika province, which is on the border with Pakistan, army commander …

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