Saudis 'mediating Taliban talks'‎

Ashraf Ghani, a former finance minister of Afghanistan, has said that reconciliation talks with the Taliban are under way.

"There are people [doing] mediation in the of kingdom of Saudi Arabia and His Majesty, the King of Saudi Arabia, has been involved and others have been involved," he told Al Jazeera on Saturday. - Saudis 'mediating Taliban talks'‎
اشرف غنی: مذاکره صلح با طالبان ادامه دارد
Karzai to visit Saudi Arabia‎
با حامد کرزی رییس جمهور افغانستان در رابطه با برنامهء حکومت در مورد مصالحه با طالبان
نواز شریف: مذاکره با طالبان را باید پاکستان آغاز کند
بارک اوباما خطاب به ملت امریکا بیانیه داد

How One Woman's Cells Changed Medicine - ABCnews

In a microbiology lab at New York's Columbia University, Professor Vincent Racaniello experiments with some cells that have led to some of the greatest medical breakthroughs of the last hundred years. - How One Woman's Cells Changed Medicine

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks: reviews and more
NPR (blog) - Washington Post

WATCH: Barbara Walters Talks With Scott Brown

Cellphone Curbs May Not Decrease Car Crashes

WASHINGTON—Laws that forbid motorists from using hand-held phones or texting while driving don't appear to result in a significant decrease in vehicle crashes, according to a new study by the Highway Loss Data Institute expected to be released Friday. - Cellphone Laws May Not Reduce Car Crashes - WSJ
California's hand-held cellphone ban hasn't reduced crashes, study ...‎ - latimes

Blair Defends His Decision on Iraq War‎ -
Karzai Appeals to Taliban

Paris, Prince Jackson Pay Tribute To Michael Jackson At Grammys

MJ's children were joined onstage by cousins to accept the award on behalf of the late King of Pop. - Paris, Prince Jackson Pay Tribute To Michael Jackson At Grammys

Jackson's 3-D Tribute Is a Hit at Grammy Awards ABC News
Grammys 2010: Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Michael Jackson's Prince ... New York

Analysis: Afghans wary of distant promises - Telegraph

In the eight years since the Bonn conference laid out the foundations of post-Taliban Afghanistan, successive jamborees have only delivered disappointment.

Politicians tying themselves in knots trying to promise Afghans they will not be abandoned, while also promising domestic voters they will not stay forever, encourage the Taliban to believe it need only lie low in Pakistan for a few years to triumph. - Analysis: Afghans wary of distant promises - Telegraph

Has the West got the will to carry on shedding blood for Afghanistan?‎
Clinton says no talking to 'really bad guys' in Taliban‎
«درطرح مصالحه با طالبان باید حقوق مردم پامال نشود»

UK opposition leader opposes early withdrawal from Afghanistan‎

withdraw from Afghanistan on the basis of success and not set artificial deadlines for a pullout, Britain's opposition Conservative Party Leader David Cameron told CNN Friday. - UK opposition leader opposes early withdrawal from Afghanistan‎

Afghanistan's Abdullah: Will world return to business as usual?‎
Leading stories in today’s Afghan media
UN Radio report

'تاچر درخواست آمریکا برای اقدام علیه گروگان گیری ایران را رد کرده بود'

نامه های خصوصی مارگارت تاچر، نخست وزیر سابق بریتانیا که به تازگی انتشار یافته نشان می دهد که وی درخواست جیمی کارتر، رئیس جمهوری وقت آمریکا برای اقدام علیه گروگان گیری دیپلمات های آمریکایی در ایران یا اعتراض رسمی به این ماجرا را رد کرده بود

در میان 23 هزار و 198 نامه از پرونده های شخصی و سیاسی خانم تاچر تلگرافی دیده می شود که وی در تاریخ 14 نوامبر سال 1979 از جیمی کارتر دریافت کرده بود

در ماه مه سال 1979، یعنی قبل از اشغال سفارت آمریکا در تهران، و کمتر از دو هفته از هنگام روی کار آمدن خانم تاچر، جیمی کارتر از دولت بریتانیا خواسته بود که برای تضمین امنیت یهودیان ایرانی با مقامات این کشور تماس بگیرد

یکی دیگر از نامه های قابل توجه وی، نامه اعتراض آمیزی است که به لئونید برژنف، رهبر وقت اتحاد جماهیر شوروی نوشته شده و در ارتباط با اشغال افغانستان توسط شوروی سابق است. - 'تاچر درخواست آمریکا برای اقدام علیه گروگان گیری ایران را رد کرده بود'

بازتاب کنفرانس لندن در مطبوعات بریتانیا
کنفرانس افغانستان در لندن و موضع طالبان

World's most famous 'unseen' diamond - BBC News

"I've been privileged over the years to own some of the world's most important and famous diamonds, but I would say that the Wittelsbach-Graff is the most valuable and the most beautiful," he said. - Diamond unveiled

Rare blue diamond goes on display
BBC News - US veteran returns art album taken from Hitler's villa
Ex-PM's bitter duel with Sarkozy intensifies‎

A Look at America’s New Hope: The Afghan Tribes

For three decades now, Communism, civil war and Islamic fundamentalism have laid siege to Afghanistan’s tribes. In many ways, Afghanistan’s tribal structure is arguably the weakest it has been in the country’s history. - A Look at America’s New Hope: The Afghan Tribes - nytimes

Afghans Offer Jobs to Taliban If They Defect

Pakistan must play bigger Afghanistan role-Merkel

BERLIN, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Pakistan should be more closely involved in solving the Afghan conflict, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a newspaper interview due to be published on Sunday. - Pakistan must play bigger Afghanistan role-Merkel Reuters

Focus Must Be Protecting Civilians or 'Failure Is Certain'

First President Bush Visits Obama at White House

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former President George H.W. Bush and his son Jeb paid a social call on President Barack Obama at the White House Saturday. - First President Bush Visits Obama at White House

AP Interview: Months Ahead Key to Afghan Fight
Karzai: Western Troops May Stay for Decade

China threatens sanctions over arms sale to Taiwan - latimes

Angered by a $6 billion U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, Beijing puts security exchanges with U.S. on hold and threatens sanctions against U.S. firms selling to Taipei. - China threatens sanctions over arms sale to Taiwan

Clinton warns China to stay the course on Iran nuclear sanctions
Afghanistan, allies to launch new effort to return Taliban to society

Why buy the Taliban?‎ - Guardian

After almost nine years of international military operations, billions of dollars in aid and thousands of Afghan and international lives, what Afghanistan needed was a new vision to deal with the complex set of problems. Instead, world leaders pledged £87m to woo the Taliban back into government. Bravo, President Karzai! Bravo, international leaders! - Why buy the Taliban?‎

Brown's talks are irrelevant to Afghanistan Nushin Arbabzadah
«چشم انداز روشن از کنفرانس لندن»
Eide: Afghans Must Be Empowered

Hamid Karzai fails Taliban who gave up arms - Sunday Times

THE room the Taliban commander Mullah Mohammad now calls home, after bringing his 21 fighters to join the Afghan government’s reintegration programme earlier this month, is barely more comfortable than the mountain redoubt he left. - Karzai fails Taliban who gave up arms

Shinwari elders support Karzai for cash
Spending on Afghan war to rise to £5 billion a year - telegraph

Afghanistan: Conference Should Link Rights to Security - HRW

Toyota Gas Pedal Fix Reportedly Gets Government OK

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to start sending parts to dealers next week to fix a sticky gas pedal problem that has tarnished its image and led to the recall of 4.2 million cars and trucks on three continents, according to people briefed on the matter. - Toyota Gas Pedal Fix Reportedly Gets Government OK

For Toyota Drivers, Confusion And Growing Anger AP
GDP Is Growing, Will Jobs Follow?

Afghanistan Condemns NATO 'Friendly Fire' Incident

A joint U.S.-Afghan force called in an airstrike on what turned out to be an Afghan army post after taking fire from there before dawn Saturday, killing four Afghan soldiers and prompting an angry demand for punishment from the country's defense ministry. - Afghanistan Condemns NATO 'Friendly Fire' Incident

Clinton: Military Action Isn't Enough In Afghanistan

U.S. Speeding Up Missile Defenses in Persian Gulf

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is accelerating the deployment of a series of new defenses against possible Iranian missile attacks in the Persian Gulf, placing special ships off the Iranian coast and antimissile systems in at least four Arab countries, according to administration and military officials.- U.S. Speeding Up Missile Defenses in Persian Gulf

Taliban Deny Meeting With a U.N. Envoy
World Briefing - Europe - United Nations - New Top Envoy in ... nytimes
‘Avatar’ Faces Traffic Jam at 3-D Screens

Four Afghan soldiers killed in friendly fire incident with NATO troops

KABUL -- Mistaking each other for the enemy, NATO forces and Afghan soldiers battled in the morning darkness Saturday in a shootout that left at least four Afghan soldiers dead and prompted the Defense Ministry to call for the perpetrators to be punished. - Afghan offical condemns 'friendly fire' incident

Taliban maintains hard-line stance, denies U.N. talks

Obama talks to House Republicans in Baltimore in rare, televised debate in - washingtonpost

BALTIMORE -- President Obama offered a muscular defense of his first year in office Friday in the most hostile of territories -- a gathering of House Republicans, who engaged him in a pointed debate that had moments of both tense drama and bipartisan comity over the stark policy differences that separate the two sides. - President Obama goes to GOP's house

Transcript: Obama's Q&A with House Republicans
Obama unveils a $33B tax-break plan to boost jobs

Afghan president plans meeting on reintegrating, reconciling with insurgents

LONDON -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Thursday that he will convene a nationwide meeting of tribal, religious and political leaders in the next few weeks to discuss reintegrating and reconciling with insurgents. Afghan government officials said Taliban members would also be welcome to attend. - Karzai talks of reconciliation : Plans meeting on Taliban U.S. officials appear unsure...

Russia offers to help NATO, but not for free
Files show 'Iron Lady' was at odds with US on Iran
Afghan corruption is the enemy. Unless it helps us.

H1N1 spreading in some areas but declining overall: WHO

GENEVA (Reuters) - The H1N1 flu is still spreading in North Africa, parts of eastern and southeastern Europe and areas of Asia, but is generally declining, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday. - H1N1 spreading in some areas but declining overall: WHO
Houston Chronicle
Canada to donate H1N1 flu vaccine, money to WHO - Xinhua

Health Buzz: Gates Pledges $10 Billion to Fund Vaccines
USA Today - New York Times - Times Online - Wall Street Journal

US economy grows at fastest rate in 6 years - washingtonpost

The U.S. economy grew at a breakneck rate of 5.7 percent at the end of 2009, the government said Friday, providing the strongest evidence yet that the nation will avoid a dip back into recession. - US economy grows at fastest rate in 6 years

US Economy: Growth Jumps 5.7%, Fastest Pace in Six Years
User Poll: Do you think the recession is truly over?
GDP Grew at Fast Pace in Q4, but Future of Recovery Clouded
Investor's Business Daily

What Toyota owners should know - latimes

Toyota stopped sales of the following models: 2009 and 2010 RAV4, 2009 and 2010 Corolla, 2009 and 2010 Matrix, 2005 to 2010 Avalon, 2010 Highlander, 2007 to 2010 Tundra and 2008 to 2010 Sequoia. - What Toyota owners should know

Toyota head apologises for huge recall -Japan's NHK - Reuters
BusinessWeek

'Any Talk of Troop Withdrawal Is Bad News for Afghanistan'

"Any talk of a deadline for troop withdrawal is bad news for Afghanistan. Those wishing to pull out are wilting under the pressure of their own impatient public, although this is understandable, because no war can be waged without public support. The withdrawal threat was necessary to encourage the Karzai government to finally take action and it makes clear that Karzai will soon no longer be under foreign protection." - 'Any Talk of Troop Withdrawal Is Bad News for Afghanistan'
Do Exit Programs for Islamists Actually Work?
Success Can Only Come in Afghanistan If We Talk to the Radicals
'We Are Prepared to Cooperate'
New Strategy?: German Military and Police Blast Merkel's Afghanistan Plan

European Parliament to Reject Bank Data Agreement with US

Early troop exit derailed by Karzai's 15-year Nato timeframe

Gordon Brown's attempts to sketch out an exit strategy from Afghanistan ran into trouble when the Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, suggested that UK troops may need to remain in his country for another 15 years. - Early troop exit derailed by Karzai's 15-year Nato timeframe

The new Afghan plan: buy off Taliban - independent

Afghanistan conference: Will the new strategy work?

The London conference on Afghanistan has set out a clearer strategy to end the war. The question now is whether it will work. - Strategy set
کنفرانس افغانستان در لندن و موضع طالبان

کنفرانس لندن: برای افغانستان یا برای کشورهای غربی؟
میلیبند: تلاش بر این است تا حمایت جهان از برنامه افغانستان جلب شود
متن سخنرانی حامد کرزی در کنفرانس بین المللی لندن

BBC - صفحه ویژه کنفرانس لندن ۲۰۱۰

نشست یک روزه لندن در باره افغانستان با صدور بیانیه ای به کار خود پایان داد. به گفته خبرنگاران و ناظران افغان شرکت کننده در نشست لندن، تفاوت این کنفرانس با نشستهای پیشتر مشابه در باره افغانستان در این بوده است که در نشست لندن موضوعات مشخصی مطرح و بررسی شد. - پایان نشست لندن درباره افغانستان

صفحه ویژه کنفرانس لندن ۲۰۱۰
کنفرانس افغانستان در لندن و موضع طالبان
کرزی: از راه های مختلف با رهبری طالبان تماس داریم
بازتاب کنفرانس لندن در مطبوعات بریتانیا

What Obama's speech means for policymakers

The president pitches a long list of initiatives in the State of the Union. The economy and job creation top his priorities. - What Obama's speech means for policymakers

Ex-British prime minister Tony Blair: The world is safer without Saddam Hussein
Times Online - The Blair defence: September 11 changed the 'calculus of risk' Guardian
The day Tony Blair gave evidence to the Iraq war inquiry- youtube

U.N. Mission Chief Met Taliban Officials - WSJ

The United Nations' top representative to Afghanistan met with Taliban officials earlier this month, amid heightened efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the eight-year-old conflict, a U.N. official said. - U.N. Mission Chief Met Taliban Officials

Taliban say no decision yet on Karzai offer of talks - Reuters
New York Times - AFP - Xinhua

Blair Defends Decision on Iraq War

Afghanistan: The London Conference

Afghan Leadership, Regional Cooperation, International Partnership

Communique - Outcomes - Watch conference footage - Speeches and transcripts
International contributions - Participants

At London Afghanistan conference, a developing script of withdrawal‎

Former Afghan Rival Pledges to Back Karzai in Rebuilding Effort‎

“I’m not serving in the government, but this is an issue of national interest,” Ghani said in an interview. “When it comes to national interest, Karzai and I are one. - Former Afghan Rival Pledges to Back Karzai in Rebuilding Effort‎

Has the West got the will to carry on shedding blood for Afghanistan?‎
Obama Ignores Key Afghan Warning‎
خلاصۀ کنفرانس لندن

Taliban's leadership council runs Afghan war from Pakistan

The Quetta shura has long been the aching achilles heel of western efforts to defeat the Taliban.
Taliban's leadership council runs Afghan war from Pakistan World ...

Afghanistan summit: Why is the US backing talks with the Taliban?‎
کلینتون: چین برای تحریم ایران 'تحت فشار' قرار می گیرد

'Any Talk of Troop Withdrawal Is Bad News for Afghanistan'

The Afghanistan conference on Thursday ended with a long list of plans and promises. But how realistic is NATO success in the war-torn country? German commentators chew over the small print on Friday. - 'Any Talk of Troop Withdrawal Is Bad News for Afghanistan'‎

Afghanistan Conference: War-Weary NATO Members Look for Morale Boost
The Afghanistan Conference: Is There a Way Out of the 'Graveyard of Empires'?

Saudi Arabia sets firm conditions for Afghan role

LONDON, Jan 28 (Reuters) - The Taliban must deny sanctuary to Osama bin Laden before Saudi Arabia will agree to act as a mediator in any Afghan peace deal, the kingdom's foreign minister said on Thursday. - Saudi Arabia sets firm conditions for Afghan role‎

Afghan Taliban leader ready to end al-Qaida ties, says former trainer‎
Afghan's new interior minister: Yes, I'll make peace with Taliban‎

Iraq inquiry hears defiant Blair say: I'd do it again

Tony Blair has said the Iraq war made the world a safer place and he has "no regrets" about removing Saddam Hussein. - I'd do it again - Blair on Iraq
The Full Story: Blair quizzed

تاکید تونی بلر بر "خطرناک" بودن برنامه هسته ای ایران
اذعان تونی بلر به اشتباهات، در جلسه کمیته تحقیق
تونی بلر در جلسه تحقیق جنگ عراق حاضر می‌شود

دو ویلپن 'نفرت' سرکوزی را محکوم کرد
اتهامات علیه نخست وزیر سابق فرانسه بی اساس است

U.S. cool to Karzai plan on Taliban - latimes

At a London gathering, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai details a peace initiative aimed at reconciling with the insurgency's top echelon. The U.S. approach is more limited.

The Afghan leader said he plans to convene a "grand peace jirga," or council, of prominent Afghans in the next few weeks to debate what steps to take, thus lending legitimacy to the peace effort. - US cool to Karzai plan on Taliban

CNN International - Taliban to Decide Soon on Joining Afghan Talks - nytimes
YouTube - Nato to offer 300m to Taliban to drop weapons

Afghanistan: Conference Should Link Rights to Security - HRW

(London) - The Afghan government and its supporters should make human rights an integral part of the discussion of political and security strategies at the upcoming conference in London, on January 28, 2010, Human Rights Watch said today. - Afghanistan: Conference Should Link Rights to Security

International support for Afghanistan must go beyond security needs – Ban
Ban announces new UN envoy for Afghanistan on eve of London conference
Secretary-General Appoints Staffan de Mistura of Sweden Special Representative for Afghanistan

Swedish diplomat named top UN envoy to Afghanistan‎

UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. chief named a veteran Swedish diplomat on Wednesday to serve as the next top U.N. official in Afghanistan, a day ahead of a 60-nation conference in London on the nation's future. Swedish diplomat named top UN envoy to Afghanistan‎

Cameron: Afghan w/d only after basic security met - World AP ...

Talks Plot Handover to Afghan Forces

The conference also unveiled details of a "Peace and Reintegration Trust Fund" that will give insurgents "a way back into mainstream life on the condition that they renounce violence." The U.S., however, has said it wouldn't contribute. The Pentagon is reaching out to moderate Taliban with its own resources. - Wall Street Journal

West backs fund for Taliban as UN meets militants - AFP
The Guardian
War Plan for Karzai: Reach Out to Taliban - nytimes
YouTube - Afghanistan Conference Agrees on Exit Timetable

Blair set to mount spirited defence at Iraq inquiry

Tony Blair is set to mount a spirited defence when he is questioned in public for the first time about his decision to take the UK to war against Iraq. - Blair to defend record over Iraq

Tony Blair on Iraq: Key questions
US Senate backs Iran sanctions
Iraq war inquiry: Tony Blair faces six hours of questioning today

کنفرانس افغانستان در لندن و موضع طالبان - BBC

ساعاتی پیش کنفرانسی در لندن درباره افغانستان شروع شده، کنفرانسی که در آن طرح حامد کرزی ،رئیس جمهوری افغانستان برای گفتگو با طالبان به منظور پایان دادن به خشونتها در این کشوردر دستور کار قرار دارد. با این حال طالبان گفته اند تا زمانی که نیروهای خارجی در افغانستان حضور دارند، مذاکرات صلح به نتیجه نخواهد رسید. - کنفرانس افغانستان در لندن و موضع طالبان
کرزى : په پسرلي کې د سولې جرگه کوو
Taliban talks plans gather pace

سنای آمریکا تحریم صادرات بنزین به ایران را تصویب کرد

International community show 'unity and coherence' - The London Conference

The most important achievement of Afghanistan: The London Conference is the ‘unity and coherence’ of the international community behind the Afghan government’s plan to bring peace and stability to the country, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said. - International community show 'unity and coherence'

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's opening address
President Hamid Karzai's opening remarks
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's opening remarks

Afghanistan Looks to Reintegrate Former Fighters - PBS

Nations pledge $140 million for Afghan reintegration

LONDON (Reuters) - Donor countries have pledged more than $140 million toward a fund to encourage Afghan militants to renounce violence and reintegrate into mainstream society, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Thursday. - Nations pledge $140 million for Afghan reintegration‎

Analysts' View: Afghanistan: "A big shift in mood"
International community show 'unity and coherence'

Afghanistan Looks to Reintegrate Former Fighters - PBS

Afghan President Hamid Karzai announced Thursday at a donors conference in London a plan to reward Taliban members who agree to renounce violence with jobs and other help with reintegrating into society. - Afghanistan Looks to Reintegrate Former Fighters

Afghan president plans meeting on reintegrating, reconciling with ...‎
Afghanistan: The London Conference

Afghanistan: The London Conference

France's Ex-Prime Minister Is Acquitted Of Scandal

Villepin maintained his innocence throughout the trial and claimed that the case was politically motivated. Even before the verdict, he had started to explore the possibility of a new presidential campaign. - France's Ex-Prime Minister Is Acquitted Of Scandal

Clinton: Iran Leaves Penalties As Only Choice
Toyota Extends Massive Recall To Europe, China AP
Former French prime minister acquitted in slander case‎ - latimes

Karzai Sets Plans To Woo Taliban, Fight Corruption - Michele Kelemen

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and officials from dozens of countries represented at the conference said they would support Karzai, as they agreed on a timetable to transfer security duties to Afghan forces in the country's more peaceful provinces starting in late 2010 or early 2011. - Listen to the Story

Karzai Sets Plans To Woo Taliban, Fight Corruption
Talks Begin On Way Forward In Afghanistan
U.S. Backs Plan To Reintegrate Taliban In Afghanistan

Envoy: Pakistan Seeks Technology To Strike Militants

Afghan president to convene meeting on reconciliation with the Taliban - washingtonpost

LONDON -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Thursday that he will convene a nationwide meeting of tribal, religious and political leaders in the next few weeks to discuss reintegration and reconciliation with the Taliban. Afghan government officials said Taliban leaders would also be welcome to attend. - Afghan president to convene meeting on reconciliation with the Taliban

Afghanistan conference sets out plan for two-tier peace process
Voice of America - BBC News - The Hindu - Reuters

Former French Prime Minister Acquitted in Slander Trial - Wall Street Journal

PARIS—Dominique de Villepin, a former prime minister, was acquitted in a high-profile slander case that could backfire on French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

"After several testing years, my innocence has been recognized," Mr. de Villepin told reporters as he left the court. "I have no bitterness, no bitterness. ...I will look to the future and serve the French people." - Former French Prime Minister Acquitted in Slander Trial

Victory paves way for Dominique de Villepin's comeback BBC News
Former French PM Acquitted of Slandering Sarkozy

We will stay until Afghanistan is secure - Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Transition is not a code word for exit. Today’s conference will give our mission another boost We will stay until Afghanistan is secure

راسموسن خواهان " نقشه راه" سياسي روشن براي افغانستان شد
Afghanistan conference agrees on exit timetable - World AP ...

Karzai: Afghanistan needs 15 years of aid - Times

President Karzai of Afghanistan warned today that his country's security forces would require another 15 years of Western support before they are able to sustain themselves. - Karzai: Afghanistan needs 15 years of aid

All eyes set on ending Afghan war - reuters
A Conference Won't Fix Afghanistan‎ - CBS

Afghan tribal gathering to bring Taliban in from cold

Karzai Says It Will Take Years to Train Afghan Forces - nytimes

LONDON — Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain opened an international conference on Afghanistan on Thursday with a warning that international efforts to end the eight-year-old war had reached a “decisive time.” - Karzai Says It Will Take Years to Train Afghan Forces

CNN International - Telegraph.co.uk - The Guardian
FACTBOX-Economic challenges facing Afghan government‎
کانفرانس لندن هم برگزار شد

Afghanistan summit: Gordon Brown says 'tide must turn' - BBC

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said mid-2011 should be the deadline for "turning the tide" in the fight against insurgents in Afghanistan. 'Tide must turn' for Afghanistan

CNN International - New York Times - Telegraph.co.uk - The Guardian
کرزی: اختیارات و مدیریت برنامه ها "افغانی" شود
کرزي : افغانستان دستش را بسوي برادران ازطلسم رها شده دراز مي کند ...

London hosts conference for Afghanistan - CNN

London, England (CNN) -- London plays host Thursday to a crucial daylong international conference to chart the future of war-torn Afghanistan. - London hosts conference for Afghanistan

60 nations will meet in London on Thursday, looking for the way ahead in Afghanistan

Factbox: What Obama said in State of the Union

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama's main focus in his State of the Union address on Wednesday was job creation but he touched on many other issues as well. - Factbox: What Obama said in State of the Union
TIME - Los Angeles Times - Reaction to the State of the Union address

Obama wants nationwide high-speed rail system

Washington (CNN) -- President Obama mentioned an $8 billion investment in high-speed train systems across the country in his State of the Union speech on Wednesday. - Obama wants nationwide high-speed rail system

High-Speed Rail Projects in US Will Get $8 Billion Under Obama Incentive - Bloomberg
Wall Street Journal

Merkel says wrong to set date to quit Afghanistan

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel refused on Wednesday to set a date for the withdrawal of German troops from Afghanistan, saying that would only encourage the Taliban. Merkel says wrong to set date to quit Afghanistan Reuters

Russia says ready to rebuild Afghanistan with Western funds
IMF, World Bank announce debt relief for Afghanistan‎

TEXT: President Obama's State Of The Union Address

In Afghanistan, we are increasing our troops and training Afghan Security Forces so they can begin to take the lead in July of 2011, and our troops can begin to come home. We will reward good governance, reduce corruption, and support the rights of all Afghans — men and women alike. We are joined by allies and partners who have increased their own commitment, and who will come together tomorrow in London to reaffirm our common purpose. There will be difficult days ahead. But I am confident we will succeed. - Text Of President Obama's State Of The Union
Obama: 'Seize Moment To Start Anew'
Speech Analysis: Afghanistan - NPR

Editorial: The Taliban Would Applaud

France has more than five million Muslim residents, the most of any Western European country. Fewer than 2,000 are said to wear full-body veils, posing no obvious threat to French identity or security. But because they are so few, they make a temptingly cheap electoral target.

Muslim-bashing has been a potent vote-getter for French far-right politicians, most notably Jean-Marie Le Pen. In a clear bid to peel off some of those votes, Mr. Sarkozy’s center-right government has spent months promoting a sometimes foolish, sometimes menacing “national debate” on French identity. No political gain can justify hate-mongering. - Editorial: The Taliban Would Applaud

Obama Vows to Restore a ‘Tested’ Nation - nytimes

WASHINGTON — President Obama said Wednesday night that leaders in Washington face a “deficit of trust,” as he used his first State of the Union address to try to restore public confidence in his administration and to convince the American people that he is intensely focused on the issues that concern them most: jobs and the economy. - Obama Vows to Restore a ‘Tested’ Nation

Text: Obama’s Address
Text: Republican Response

Afghan Tribe Vows to Fight Taliban, for U.S. Aid - DEXTER FILKINS

JALALABAD, Afghanistan — JALALABAD, Afghanistan — A large Pashtun tribe in a Taliban stronghold agreed to battle insurgents, and in exchange, the U.S. said it would channel $1 million to development projects. Afghan Tribe Vows to Fight Taliban, for U.S. Aid

United Nations: New Top Envoy in Afghanistan Named
U.S. Backs Plan To Reintegrate Taliban In Afghanistan

U.S. Wrestling With Prospect of Olive Branch for Taliban - nytimes

Ban announces new UN envoy for Afghanistan on eve of London conference

27 January 2010 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced his intention to appoint veteran diplomat Staffan de Mistura as the top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan, as he heads to London for an international conference aimed at helping the country chart its future.
Ban announces new UN envoy for Afghanistan on eve of London conference

Security Council removes five men from UN’s Taliban sanctions list
Q+A - What does Pakistan want in Afghanistan?‎

The Afghan conference: A blueprint for victory or a call to retreat?‎

London is a long way from the battlefields of the Hindu Kush but on Thursday, the British capital will see the NATO allies and the Afghan government try to hammer out a viable strategy to defeat the Taliban. - The Afghan conference: A blueprint for victory or a call to retreat?‎

Merkel gives a mixed review of Afghan mission
Merkel assures Karzai that troops will remain 'as long as necessary'
Video: Merkel and Karzai speak of a 'new phase' in Afghanistan

In London speech, will Karzai bite the hand that feeds him ... - McClatchy

Afghan reintegration plan is a "trick" - Taliban

KABUL (Reuters) - The Taliban on Wednesday dismissed an Afghan government plan aimed at persuading fighters to lay down their arms in return for cash as a "trick", saying the only solution to the war would be the withdrawal of foreign troops. - Afghan reintegration plan is a trick - Taliban World Reuters
گفتگوی بی بی سی با وکیل احمد متوکل
London meeting marks sea-change in Afghan approach Reuters
US Backs Afghan Plan to Reintegrate Taliban
Talking to the Taliban Aljazeera - Christian Science Monitor

Afghan Women Warn Against Possible Deal With Taliban

LONDON (Reuters) - Groups representing Afghan women warned the international community on Wednesday against pursuing a peace deal with the Taliban, fearing a return to the austere Islamist rule that saw women banned from education and work.

Women from a United Nations agency, the Institute for Inclusive Security and other rights' groups told reporters in London that the progress made since 2001 should not be jeopardised by courting conservative elements.

The Afghan women's groups urged the nations attending the conference to adhere to commitments to women's rights in 2001.

"Achieving true security will require more than military stabilisation; it will require women's freedom of movement and access to basic services," they said in a statement.

"Additionally, it will necessitate social change in private as well as public life."- Afghan Women Warn Against Possible Deal With Taliban

London meeting marks sea-change in Afghan approach Reuters
Britain, Japan to help reintegrate Taliban foot soldiers‎ - washingtonpost
UN eases curbs on Taliban leaders - BBC

NATO Envisions Many More Years in Afghanistan

Heads of NATO member states are fond of talking about when the alliance might begin to withdraw from Afghanistan. But a draft communiqué ahead of the conference in London makes it clear: NATO will stay in the war-torn country for years to come. It may also start paying Taliban fighters to lay down their arms. - NATO Envisions Many More Years in Afghanistan

Afghan Reinforcements: Germany Pledges 500 Extra Troops Plus Big Aid Increase
The World from Berlin: 'Afghanistan Requires a New Attempt at Nation Building' - Spiegel

In London speech, Karzai expected to lash out against West - McClatchy

"We're not going to ask for more cash. We're going to ask the international community to end nighttime raids on Afghan homes, to stop arresting Afghans, to reduce and eliminate civilian casualties. We're going to ask them not to have Afghan prisoners taken," Karzai told Al-Jazeera television early in the month. - In London speech, Karzai expected to lash out against West

In London speech, will Karzai bite the hand that feeds him ... - McClatchy
Clinton and Karzai due in London The Press Association
Washington Post - DAWN.com

UN eases sanctions on five Taliban leaders - BBC

The United Nations has removed five former Afghan Taleban officials from its sanctions list which was imposed because of alleged links to al-Qaeda.
The UN said the five would no longer be subject to international travel bans and a freeze on their assets. - UN eases curbs on Taliban leaders

Security, Taliban Dominate Istanbul Trilateral Talks - turkishweekly
Afghan aid risks 'militarisation'
روزانه 6میلیون پوند از افغانستان به خارج قاچاق میشود!!

£6m smuggled out of Afghanistan every day - Ben Farmer in Kabul

More than £6 million in cash is being smuggled out of Afghanistan every day, a report by anti-fraud investigators has revealed.

Investigators found the cash leaving Afghanistan is taken out mainly stuffed in suitcases through Kabul airport and most ended up in the United Arab Emirates. - £6m smuggled out of Afghanistan every day - Telegraph
«سالانه ملیارد ها پوند از افغانستان به خارج قاچاق می شود»

In Afghanistan, car bomb explodes outside US base - latimes
Xinhua - New York Times - Christian Science Monitor

کلید موفقیت مبارزه علیه طالبان در پاکستان است

ناتو به این باور است که می تواند در جنگ افغانستان برنده شود اما از سایر سازمان ها می خواهد که در زمینهء برقراری صلح در این کشور پیروز شوند
راسموسن این را تایید کرد که بهای عملیات در افغانستان از لحاظ مالی و جانی گزاف است اما زیان خروج از این کشور گزاف تر خواهد بود. وی گفت، امینت آنها در روم، لندن، مادرید، نیویارک و سایر پایتخت ها متکی به این عملیات است. - «کلید موفقیت مبارزه علیه طالبان در پاکستان است» - رادیو آزادی ...

«سالانه ملیارد ها پوند از افغانستان به خارج قاچاق می شود»
کنفرانس لندن و هزینه افزایش نقش هند در افغانستان

Karzai told he cannot duck corruption and stay credible‎ - guardian

Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, is under intense western pressure to take more serious action against corruption at the start of a critical conference in London about his country's future. Karzai told he cannot duck corruption and stay credible‎

The west's uncertain Afghan steps
France moves closer to Muslim face veil ban - Henry Samuel in Paris
Key US Senator Calls on NATO Allies to Send More Trainers to Afghanistan

French set to ban niqab on public transport - Times

Muslim women face a ban on full veils on French transport and in other public services by the end of this year under proposals today from a cross-party Parliamentary Commission. - French set to ban niqab on public transport

Banning the burqa unveils our nasty traits
Avatar trumps Titanic as biggest money-spinner

UN: 27 Million People Became Unemployed in 2009

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) -- Twenty-seven million people around the world lost their jobs in 2009, the U.N. labor agency said Wednesday, warning of a jobless recovery in a report released on the opening day of the World Economic Forum.

UN: 27 Million People Became Unemployed in 2009
Clinton To Meet With Allies On Afghanistan, Yemen
Blair ignored advice that Iraq war was illegal

Obama Proposing Support for Military Families

WASHINGTON (AP) -- First lady Michelle Obama said Tuesday the president's 2011 budget will include a record $8.8 billion to support military families. - Obama Proposing Support for Military Families

Afghanistan: The London Conference - UK - Afghanistan

The conference will be co-hosted by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, President Karzai and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. It will be co-chaired by the UK Foreign Minister David Miliband, his outgoing Afghan counterpart Rangin Spanta, and UN Special Representative to Afghanistan, Kai Eide. - Ambitions - Conference programme

Political solutions top Afghan agenda - Miliband
Istanbul Afghanistan conference
Afghanistan high on agenda in Brussels

New tension flares between US, Afghan leader‎

ISTANBUL — Afghan President Hamid Karzai hit back Tuesday at stinging criticism by the US ambassador, raising new questions about ties between the two nations days ahead of a key conference in London.
But Karzai hit back at the criticism at a regional gathering in Istanbul, saying "Afghanistan is on the frontline of the war on terror" in a struggle which has cost "massive casualties." - New tension flares between US, Afghan leader‎

Bin Laden's son: No love among Qaeda-Taliban Reuters
U.S. Envoy’s Cables Show Worries on Afghan Plans

Nato says Afghanistan conference will raise millions to pay Taliban

Anders Fogh Rasmussen said it was necessary to "establish a trust to finance the reintegration programme" that would persuade the militants to lay down their weapons. - Nato says Afghanistan conference will raise millions to pay Taliban

British diplomat named Afghanistan development chief‎
Bomber Strikes Near US Base in Afghanistan - nytimes
CNN International - Los Angeles Times - AFP

U.S. Envoy’s Cables Show Worries on Afghan Plans - nytimes

WASHINGTON — The United States ambassador in Kabul warned his superiors here in November that President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan “is not an adequate strategic partner” and “continues to shun responsibility for any sovereign burden,” according to a classified cable that offers a much bleaker accounting of the risks of sending additional American troops to Afghanistan than was previously known. - U.S. Envoy’s Cables Show Worries on Afghan Plans
Document Reader: Eikenberry’s Cables
جزییات نامه های محرم آیکن بیری به واشینگتن در مورد کرزی، افشا شد
Afghan conference "decisive moment" - UK's Miliband
Guild Awards Snub ‘Avatar’

Exclusive: Obama Would 'Rather Be Really Good One-Term President'

Obama Tells Diane Sawyer That Health Care Bill Had Political Cost - Exclusive: Obama Would 'Rather Be Really Good One-Term President'

Transcript: Diane Sawyer Interviews Obama
WATCH: President Obama: The Full Interview

PUNCH: Obama to Push Middle Class Tax Credits in State of the Union

دولت افغانستان دریافت پول برای مبارزه با مواد مخدر را تکذیب کرد

آقای افضلی گفت که تا حالا یک میلیارد دلار از کمک های جامعه جهانی در زمینه مبارزه با مواد مخدر در افغانستان هزینه شده اما به گفته او، مبلغ مورد اشاره آقای هالبروک جدا از این مقدار پول بوده است
وزارت مبارزه با مواد مخدر همزمان هشدار داده که اگر جامعه جهانی برای مبارزه با مواد مخدر در افغانستان سرمایه گذاری بیشتری نکند کشت خشخاش و تولید مواد مخدر در این کشور احتمالا افزایش خواهد یافت. - دولت افغانستان دریافت پول برای مبارزه با مواد مخدر را تکذیب کرد
کابل: امريکې ٢ ميليارده ډالر نه دي مصرف کړي

کرزی و زرداری در استانبول دیدار کردند
نشریات کابل: دوشنبه 5 دلو
Karzai bid to ease Taliban curbs

Talks with Taliban loom over Pakistani-Afghan summit

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - The leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan will seek closer cooperation in the fight against militants during a summit in Istanbul on Monday, but a plan to reach out to Taliban insurgents will likely dominate the talks. - Talks with Taliban loom over Pakistani-Afghan summit
دلندن په کنفرانس کی دپاکستان دوه ګونی سیاست

UK: Talks to approve Taliban reconciliation plan
Gates Sees Fallout From Troubled Ties With Pakistan
Karzai bid to ease Taliban curbs

Obama rolls out initiatives to help middle-class families - washingtonpost

Promising repeatedly to "keep fighting" for average Americans, President Obama rolled out new proposals Monday to help struggling middle-class families, setting the stage for his first State of the Union address Wednesday night. - Obama rolls out initiatives to help middle-class families

Obama seeks to expand student loan program
Report warns of al-Qaeda resolve

AP Sources: Obama to Seek Freeze on Part of Budget - AP

Bill Gates Sets Out His Global Charitable Goals - NPR

With billions of dollars at its disposal, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has the power to make a major mark on the issues it chooses to focus on. - Listen to the Story

Bill Gates Sets Out His Global Charitable Goals
Get some help from Bill Gates - reuters

Congress Went to Denmark, You Got the Bill - CBS

(CBS) Thanks to a recently filed Congressional expense reports there's new light shed on the Copenhagen Climate Summit in Denmark and how much it cost taxpayers. - Congress Went to Denmark, You Got the Bill
Read the Congressional Expense Report
Shaken White House Looks to Regain Footing

Survey: US Religious Prejudice Strongest Against Muslims

Obama Unveils Tax Initiatives to Help Middle Class - Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON—Previewing some of the main themes of this week's State of the Union address, President Barack Obama proposed Monday an expansion of the child-care-tax credit, a cap on student-loan payments and other initiatives designed to help the middle class.

Under its proposal, the White House says all eligible families making under $115,000 a year would see a bigger dependent-care-tax credit. Families could claim up to $3,000 in expenses for one child or $6,000 for two children. Families making less than $80,000 annually could claim a maximum credit of $2,100, up $900 from current law.

Mr. Obama also proposed limiting a student's federal loan payments to 10% of his or her income above a basic living allowance, requiring all employers to give employees the option of enrolling in a direct-deposit IRA, expanding the "saver's tax credit," and adding $52.5 million to a program that helps families care for aging relatives.

Republican opposition to the plans is likely to center on the impact of the automatic-enrollment proposal on small businesses, and the overall cost of the measures. House GOP Leader John Boehner complained that none of the initiatives would boost jobs. - Obama Urges Aid for Middle Class
Obama Proposes Middle-Class Plan

Obama’s Measures for Middle Class - nytimes

WASHINGTON — President Obama vowed on Monday to “reverse the overall erosion in middle class security” as he stepped up his efforts to reconnect with Americans suffering from a weak economy and high unemployment. - New York Times
Text: Obama’s Speech on Helping the Middle Class

Obama proposes new policies to help the middle class - McClatchy
Christian Science Monitor - U.S. News & World Report - Reuters
Obama needs to act like a president - Fareed Zakaria

Karzai: Taliban reconciliation has West's support‎ - washingtonpost

ISTANBUL -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the United States and Europe back his plan to invite some Taliban fighters to lay down their arms and reintegrate them into Afghan society. Karzai: Taliban reconciliation has West's support‎
Pakistani government, military wary of U.S. overtures

China Rebukes U.S. Calls to Investigate Hacking - nytimes
Op-Ed Contributor - Afghanistan Needs a Surge of Diplomacy ...
وزیر دفاع حزب محافظه کار بریتانیا:تنها جنگ راه حل افغانستان نیست

مروری به مهم ترین کنفرانسهای بین المللی در مورد افغانستان

بعد از سقوط طالبان و حمله آمریکا و متحدانش به افغانستان در سال 2001، این کشور از انزوای سیاسی بیرون آمد. از آن زمان به بعد مردم افغانستان بارها شاهد توافق نظر و اجماع بین المللی، برای کمک به افغانستان بوده اند
برجسته ترین نمونه های این اجماع را می توان در کنفرانسهای بین المللی و منطقه ای جستجو کرد که برای کمک به باز سازی افغانستان و بررسی مرحله به مرحله مشکلات این کشور برگزار شده است. - مروری به مهم ترین کنفرانسهای بین المللی در مورد افغانستان

کرزی و زرداری در استانبول دیدار کردند
وزیر دفاع حزب محافظه کار بریتانیا:تنها جنگ راه حل افغانستان نیست
نشریات کابل: دوشنبه 5 دلو

What if... Soviets hadn't fought Afghans - Dominic Sandbrook

In the spring of 1978, Ponomarev was one of a small number of Politburo members invited on to a secret commission on the problem of Afghanistan, where the local communist regime was facing a growing rebellion from tribal groups hostile to its modernisation drive. Alarmed by the growing anarchy - as well as the threat of Islamic revolution from neighbouring Iran - Soviet officials were pushing for military intervention across the Afghan border. - What if... Soviets hadn't fought Afghans

New Statesman - “The danger is being outgoverned, rather than ...
Leader: The London summit won’t bring peace to Afghanistan

آغاز دور سفر بین المللی حامد کرزی

و در آخر رئیس جمهوری افغانستان پنجشنبه آینده برای شرکت در کنفرانس بین المللی لندن در مورد افغانستان وارد انگلستان خواهد شد. در این سفر، وزرای خارجه، دفاع، داخله، مالیه و آموزش و پرورش و نیز رئیس سرویس های اطلاعاتی افغانستان حامد کرزی را همراهی می کنند. - آغاز دور سفر بین المللی حامد کرزی
RFI - کنفرانس یک روزه سوسیال دموکرات آلمان در رابطه به افغانستان

US general signals Taliban talks
تاکید آمریکا و ایتالیا بر مهار برنامه اتمی ایران

America's left-right divide: A bridge too far?

A gulf divides US Republicans and Democrats, but American voters find the idea of bipartisan politics irresistible.

The banner behind the first Republican senator in Massachusetts for 30 years did not mention the name of his party. Instead, it read The People's Seat. - American dream
Obama's party loses Kennedy seat

Scott Brown: Puzzling Out The GOP's New 'It' Boy
RFI - کنفرانس یک روزه سوسیال دموکرات آلمان در رابطه به افغانستان

US commander signals peace talks with Taliban

The top US commander in Afghanistan has said a negotiated peace with the Taliban is the way forward. Gen Stanley McChrystal told the UK's Financial Times that there had been "enough fighting" and he wanted a political solution to the conflict. - US general signals Taliban talks
US responds to 'Bin Laden tape'

China denies Google cyber attacks
U.S.: Bin Laden tape no need for alarm - Washington Times
ABC News - Aljazeera.net

The Taliban Doesn’t Seem Ready to Talk - nytimes

KABUL, Afghanistan — The last time somebody tried to make a deal with the Taliban to end the war in Afghanistan, he didn’t get far. - The Taliban Doesn’t Seem Ready to Talk

Gates Says Taliban Must Take Legitimate Afghan Role - NYTimes.com

White House Still Seeks Health Deal - Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON -- A top White House official on Sunday said President Barack Obama still wanted to extend the life of Medicare, lower prescription drug costs for seniors and give insurance tax breaks to small businesses, despite last week's setback for the health overhaul. White House Still Seeks Health Deal

Obama aides dismiss shakeup talk, but enlist help Reuters
Obama Prepares for State of Union in Evolving Political Landscape
Times Online - BusinessWeek - FOXNews - AFP

My role in promoting reform in Afghanistan - Kai Eide, Kabul

I said in an open meeting of the U.N. Security Council: "We can no longer allow the warlords and power brokers of the past, and their policy of fragmentation, to contaminate the institutions of the future." At a Nov. 5 news conference in Kabul, I said: "The first important element [of a post-election agenda] will be of course the formation of the new government. It should be composed of competent, reform-oriented personalities that can implement a reform agenda." - My role in promoting reform in Afghanistan

London draft sees 2011 start to Afghan handover
Afghanistan delays parliament poll