‘Taliban surrounded’ in Kandahar fight

ARGHANDAB, Afghanistan – Afghan, U.S. and Canadian troops have surrounded a pocket of some 250 Taliban fighters who have commandeered people’s homes in villages just outside Afghanistan’s major southern city, officials said Wednesday.
Hundreds of Afghans — their cars and tractors piled high with personal possessions — were fleeing the battleground about 15 miles north [...]

Afghan leader: Cut back on airstrikes

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan President Hamid Karzai is calling for the U.S. and NATO to cut back on airstrikes in the battle against Taliban and al-Qaida militants, saying too many [...]

Two NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan

KABUL (AFP) – Two NATO soldiers were killed and three others wounded in a battle with the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan that also left up to 21 militants dead, [...]

US imposes new sanctions on Iran

The US has stepped up its sanctions on Iran for “supporting terrorists” and pursuing nuclear activities. The new measures target the finances of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and three state-owned banks.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the moves were part of “a comprehensive policy to confront the threatening behaviour of the [...]

Bush asks for $46 billion more for wars

WASHINGTON – President Bush asked Congress for $46 billion more to bankroll wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and said he wants the money approved by Christmas. The fighting in Iraq, [...]