The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Taliban appear to be making progress in negotiations at least getting a response from the so-called Deputy Interior Minister and have extended the deadline on the Koreans until 12:00 noon Friday amid reports of heavy fighting throughout the country.

Egypt is stepping up efforts to control rampant piracy of copyrighted material, officials said Thursday, after the United States put the country on a watch list of 12 countries that could bring economic sanctions.

North Korean de facto head of state  Kim Jong-Nam arrived in Egypt on Thursday for a visit that will include talks with President Hosni Mubarak, the official MENA news agency reported.