InfoAnda - Idaho town prays for return of captured US soldier

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Maine lobsterman, victim indicted in turf war | 18 September 2009
Europe sounds alarm on illiterate, early school-leavers | 2 February 2011
Philippine volcano evacuees facing 'months away' | 19 December 2009

Zimbabwe may soon collapse, say Annan, Carter | International | | 24 November 2008

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Idaho town prays for return of captured US soldier

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: Idaho town prays for return of captured US soldier By JOHN MILLER,Associated Press Writer AP - Monday, July 20 HAILEY, Idaho - Friends and family of an Idaho soldier who was captured in Afghanistan prayed for his safe return Sunday, shaken by the image of the frightened young private in a Taliban video posted online. ADVERTISEMENT Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl, 23, was serving with an Alaska-based infantry regiment earlier this month when he vanished, just five months after arriving in Afghanistan. He was serving at a base near the border with Pakistan in an area known to be a Taliban stronghold. Bergdahl is from Hailey, a town of about 7,000 people in central Idaho where he worked as a barista and was active in ballet. A sign that hangs in the window of Zaney's River Street Coffee House says "Get Bowe Back," and a message inside asks customers to "Join all of us at Zaney's holding light for our friend." Sue Martin, owner of the coffee shop, said she knew Bergdahl as a free-spirited young man with blond hair who rode his bicycle everywhere in town and was keen to learn as much as he could about the world. "He joined the ballet. Then he joined the Army," Martin said in an interview from a room at Zaney's, which has become an impromptu meeting place for friends, acquaintances and the media since the Taliban video was shown around the world. "People have been calling and asking what they could bring to show their support." Bergdahl's family issued a statement asking people to keep the soldier in their thoughts and prayers, but told The Associated Press they were asking that the media respect their privacy. Neighbors and others in the community have known for weeks that Bergdahl had been captured, but said the family urged them not to talk about the kidnapping out of fear that publicity would compromise his safety. Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter told the AP that he had been working to keep the soldier's name quiet until it was officially released. In the video posted Saturday on a Web site pointed out by the Taliban, Bergdahl says his name and his hometown. The Pentagon confirmed his identity Sunday. "We hope and pray for our son's safe return to his comrades and then to our family, and we appreciate all the support and expressions of sympathy shown to us by our family members, our friends and others across the nation," Bob Bergdahl, the soldier's father, said in a statement issued through the Department of Defense. The family, described by neighbors as deeply private, lives six miles west of Hailey on a remote gravel county road. The humble home has a metal roof and several outbuildings, and vehicles parked in front. The family has chained and locked the front gate, and a small cardboard sign says: "No visitors." Neighbors are abiding by the family's wishes not to comment on the record about Bergdahl's capture, but described the 23-year-old as an "adventurous" soul who was educated at home, danced ballet and took part in a sport fencing club, the Sun Valley Swords. One of the directors of the Sun Valley Ballet School in Ketchum said Bergdahl performed with the group for four or five years until about 2008. "He's athletic," Jill Brennan said. "He just had a knack for it. He's a wonderful young man." In the 28-minute video, Bergdahl said he was "scared I won't be able to go home." He said he was lagging behind a patrol when he was captured, which conflicts with earlier military accounts that indicated he walked off the base with three Afghans. It wasn't clear who initially captured Bergdahl, but the U.S. command in Afghanistan said he was being held by the Taliban and condemned the video as a violation of international law. "I'm glad to see he appears unharmed, but again, this is a Taliban propaganda video," spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Christine Sidenstricker said. "They are exploiting the soldier in violation of international law." With a shaved head and dressed in a nondescript, gray outfit, Bergdahl was shown eating at one point and sitting cross-legged. He choked up when discussing his family and his hope to marry his girlfriend. "I have a very, very good family that I love back home in America," Bergdahl said. The Pentagon identified his hometown as Ketchum, which is about half the size of Hailey and about 12 miles north. His family says he grew up in Blaine County, closer to Hailey. Hailey is a mix of a working-class community and resort town, just down the road from upscale Sun Valley, a ski resort that's home to celebrities including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Hanks and Sen. John Kerry. Bruce Willis maintains a vacation home in the area and owns local businesses. Bergdahl is a member of 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based at Fort Richardson, Alaska. He entered the Army in June 2008 and was trained in Fort Benning, Ga., said Lt. Col. Jonathan Allen, spokesman for Fort Richardson. Bergdahl reported for duty in Alaska in October, and deployed to Afghanistan in February. In the video, Bergdahl said the date was July 14; it's clear the video was made no earlier because Bergdahl repeated an exaggerated Taliban claim about a Ukrainian helicopter that was shot down that day. He was interviewed in English and asked his views on the war, which he called extremely hard; his desire to learn more about Islam; and the morale of American soldiers, which he said was low. He was prompted by his interrogators to give a message to the American people. "Please, please bring us home so that we can be back where we belong and not over here, wasting our time and our lives and our precious life that we could be using back in our own country," he said. The circumstances of Bergdahl's capture weren't clear. On July 2, two U.S. officials told the AP the soldier had "just walked off" his base with three Afghans after his shift. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record. On July 6, the Taliban claimed on their Web site that five days earlier a "drunken American soldier had come out of his garrison" and was captured by mujahedeen. Details of such incidents are routinely held very tightly by the military as it works to retrieve a missing or captured soldier without giving away any information to captors. Afghans in contact with the Taliban told the AP that the soldier was held by a Taliban group led by a commander called Maulvi Sangin. They said the fighters decided to move him north into Taliban-controlled areas of Ghazni province. The Afghans spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of arrest or reprisal. It was impossible to independently confirm their information. A Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said the militants holding the soldier haven't yet set any conditions for his release. ___ Associated Press writers contributing to this report include: Pamela Hess, Lolita Baldor and Christine Simmons in Washington; Robert H. Reid, Kathy Gannon and Jason Straziuso in Kabul; Rebecca Boone and Keith Ridler in Boise; and Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: War On Terror Terrorism, rights on agenda for ASEAN ministersReuters - Monday, July 20 Idaho town prays for return of captured US soldierAP - Monday, July 20 Minister denies al Qaeda figures move to YemenReuters - Monday, July 20 Ruling: Court failed its duty to Muslim scholarAP - Saturday, July 18 Related Articles: World Pakistan ambush kills four police: officialsAFP - 2 hours 55 minutes ago Kids' lower IQ scores linked to prenatal pollutionAP - Monday, July 20 STIMULUS WATCH: Neediest areas not first for moneyAP - Monday, July 20 Starting to get crowded in 100-year-olds' clubAP - Monday, July 20 Civil war fear for Honduras after talks collapseAFP - Monday, July 20 Related Full Coverage War On Terror Global fight against terrorism All Full Coverage Most Popular – World Viewed Shark attack victims fight for their attackers Man who went to the moon and came back an artist World's oldest man, British WWI veteran dies at 113 Talking toy 'translates' dog barks Miniskirts, cleavage upset male SKoreans: survey View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Monday, 20 July 2009
Ahmadinejad criticized over vice president choice
Iran bails British embassy staffer
Iran hardliners criticize Ahmadinejad over deputy
Ahmadinejad's controversial VP pick quits: report
Time to talk to Taliban: Musharraf
Ahmadinejad's controversial VP pick resigns: report
Palestinian negotiator met Iranian FM: top official
Govs resist added federal expenses from Congress
SF train operator's actions come under scrutiny
Michael Jackson's boyhood home still draws curious
Friend: Slain woman, accused husband had split
Mormon 'kiss-in' in Utah leads to shouting match
3 rescued off NJ coast after fleeing burning boat
Town on SF Bay wants to photograph every car
Chances of OJ winning release? Depends who you ask
Palin: Alaska tour is thanks, not goodbye
Palin gears up to leave Alaska governor's mansion
Madonna visits family of dead Marseille stage hand
US-TECH Summary
Honduras crisis talks end in failure | International |
German's Merkel slams Swedish nuclear operator
British airlines blocking swine flu travellers
Fire destroys Anne Frank barracks in Netherlands
White House budget director expects better GDP figures
404 Not Found
Zuma names new chief for S.Africa's central bank
Fears for fate of French hostages in Somalia
Online music video site MUZU signs up global indies | Technology |
India takes firm line with Clinton on climate change
Myanmar detains dozens of opposition members
China says recent Urumqi unrest was premeditated
Rains kill 26 in Pakistan's biggest city
CORRECTED
Tiny Tuvalu says all its energy renewable by 2020
China says police killed 12 people in Urumqi unrest
NATO: Helicopter crash at Afghan base kills 16
Monsoon rain kills 16 in Pakistan: officials
AEG Live negotiates for Jackson documentary: report
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
AEG Live negotiates for Jackson documentary: report
Madonna visits victims of French stage accident
Thriller sales soar close to Eagles' Hits | Entertainment |
Online music video site MUZU signs up global indies
Online music video site MUZU signs up global indies | Entertainment |
Report: Abdul's return to 'American Idol' doubtful
Carla Bruni sings in NY at Mandela show | Entertainment |
AEG Live negotiates for Jackson documentary: report | Entertainment |
Pop collaborations take French DJ beyond clubs
Musicians' country gathering results in Glory | Entertainment |
"Thriller" sales soar close to Eagles' "Hits"
Musicians' country gathering results in "Glory"
"Harry Potter" smashes "Spider-Man" records
Carla Bruni sings in NY at Mandela show
Pop collaborations take French DJ beyond clubs | Entertainment |
USF Star Kicker Takes A Tumble Off Skyride At Busch Gardens
Father And Daughter Perish After Plunging From Waterfall
US review calls for overhaul of Bagram prison
CIT nearing three-billion-dollar rescue deal: report
Frank McCourt, of 'Angela's Ashes' fame, dead: NYT
Thousands flee western Canadian wildfires | International |
US marks 40 years since man stepped on the moon
NATO aircraft crashes in southern Afghanistan | International |
Japan opposition keeps lead ahead of poll: survey | International |
South Korea pushes to restart nuclear talks with North | International |
Indonesia TV identifies Jakarta hotel bombing suspect | International |
Economy, rights on agenda for ASEAN ministers | International |
Nicaragua's leftist president calls for re-election | International |
Swine flu in Vietnam forces school's closure
Pakistan: 4 police officers killed in ambush
Kids' lower IQ scores linked to prenatal pollution
STIMULUS WATCH: Neediest areas not first for money
1,000 flee homes after chemical leak in China
Report: Taiwan and China to set up tourism offices
Starting to get crowded in 100-year-olds' club
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
RNC chairman attacks Obama on health care
Microsoft deal talk, optimism overshadow results | Technology |
Forest fires force thousands to evacuate in Canada
Solar eclipse pits superstition against science
US envoy to discuss NKorea with Seoul officials
Abdul's return to 'Idol' reportedly doubtful
Apollo 11 astronauts look beyond moon, toward Mars
AP source: CIT board meeting Sunday night
Idaho town prays for return of captured US soldier
Japanese stock markets closed for national holiday
New Zealand services sector lower in June-survey
Seoul shares open higher on earnings momentum
NZ investor confidence lifts off lows in Q2-survey
Unseen Jackson U.K. footage on the way
'Angela's Ashes' author McCourt dies in NYC at 78
Unseen Jackson U.K. footage on the way | Entertainment |
USF Star Kicker Takes A Tumble Off Skyride At Busch Gardens
TN Man Arrested In Multiple Homicides Tied To Domestic Dispute
Jay-Z unveils latest Blueprint for success | Entertainment |
Iraq colonel: US troops now in 'prison-like bases'
Lost love letter reunites couple after 16 years
Ayatollah warns against helping Iran's enemies | International |
LL Cool J Quarantined During Mid-Air Flight Drama
Iceland announces relaunch of rescued banks
NATO jet crashes in Afghanistan, two hurt: military
Mumbai attacker in surprise guilty plea | International |
Japan PM set to call poll as party at risk of defeat | International |
'Afghans raise flag on highest peak'
U2 Pledges $7 Million To National Music Program For Young People
Afghans raise flag on country's highest peak
Pohoda Music Festival Storm Claims 1 Life, Injures 40
Iran supremo slams 'meddling', reformers eye referendum
404 Not Found
Iraq car bombing kills three
News Anchor Legend Walter Cronkite Dies At 92
Settlers torch West Bank trees: Palestinians | International |
"Angela's Ashes" Author Frank McCourt Dies At 78
Bomb kills 11 civilians in Afghanistan: officials
Saudi Government Cancels first Jeddah Film Festival
German police catch underwear thief | International |
Fifty-six more on trial in Turkish coup plot case | International |
Report: Taiwan and China exchange tourism offices
La. menagerie keeper adds 'roo pouch to outfits
Pakistan: 5 security officers killed in northwest
One dead, six wounded in Philippine blasts
Grenade blast wounds 7 in southern Philippine city
Obama takes on health care, meets Apollo 11 crew
China's drinking culture in spotlight: state media
Trial resumes for evangelist accused of sex crimes
SKorea deciding how to inspect suspicious NK ships
NKorea shows no signs on nuke talks: US envoy
EMC takes control of Data Domain | Technology |
Locally killed is latest trend in high grade meat
Clinton touts prospects for better ties with India
Miss. shows Katrina recovery at govs' convention
EU sets hearing over Google books deal | Technology |
Obama's approval rating drops below 60 pct
IT spending forecasts improve, Cisco popular: UBS | Technology |
Thailand's exports decline for eighth month
Clinton touts prospects for better ties with India
San Miguel toll road investment, eyes Dole Food
Seoul shares at 10-mth closing high; techs, banks up =2
Samsung Elec to invest $4.3 bln in green R&D
Chinese oil firms to 'buy stake in Angola block'
Aussie MasterChef hits out at 'fix' claims
Competition aims to make Bruce Lee home a museum
Cambodia set to award Total oil exploration rights
Seoul shares at 10-mth closing high;techs, banks up
1st funeral held for Jakarta bomb victims
Jakarta hotel suicide bomber identified: reports
Jay-Z unveils latest "Blueprint" for success
Pakistani c.bank buys 5.0 bln rupees of govt paper
Harry Potter smashes Spider-Man records | Entertainment |
Korea Hot Stocks
Madonna visits workers injured in French stage collapse | Entertainment |
Unfinished Greene novel serialized in magazine | Entertainment |
Antichrist director says outrage suits me fine | Entertainment |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01