InfoAnda - Rash of kidnappings hit on eve of Afghan vote |

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

Violence surges in Indian Kashmir after decline | 15 May 2010
Missing Ohio Teen Found Hiding In Boyfriend’s Apartment | 1 July 2010
Iranian group recruits volunteers to fight Israel | 30 December 2008

Apple unveils social network, new iPod and TV tool | 2 September 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Rash of kidnappings hit on eve of Afghan vote |

Edition: U.S. Article Comments (0) Slideshow Video Email Print Reprints Afghanistan Election Afghan minority leader says voters blocked Factbox: Issues in Afghanistan's election Q+A: How does the Afghan election work? U.S. grapples with making peace in Afghanistan Analysis: U.S. warily eyes Afghan election Analysis: Why can't Afghanistan tackle corruption? The contours of an Afghan settlement Next Afghan vote "not perfect" but better: U.N. Size, and lipstick, matter in Afghan election Live coverage: Afghanistan parliament election Read Palin to make high-profile visit to Iowa 1:22am EDT Warren vows end to "tricks" with consumer agency | Video 10:57am EDT Director admits Joaquin Phoenix documentary a hoax 1:45am EDT Software Update Imbues iPad With Multitasking, Printing 16 Sep 2010 New web address hints at Putin return to Kremlin 8:07am EDT Shared "Borat" star to play Freddie Mercury in movie 16 Sep 2010 Samsung launches Galaxy tablet for U.S. market 16 Sep 2010 High-tech cow earrings mark new path for Brazil 3:53am EDT Make Clothes Out of a Can With Spray-On Fabric 16 Sep 2010 Massive fish kill 16 Sep 2010 Watched Soros: Gold "not safe" Wed, Sep 15 2010 The latest in world records Thu, Sep 16 2010 Tech giants beat forecasts Thu, Sep 16 2010 NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. NASDAQ delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here. Rash of kidnappings hit on eve of Afghan vote Tweet This Share on LinkedIn Share on Facebook Factboxes Key facts and figures about Afghanistan 8:35am EDT Some issues in Afghanistan's parliamentary election 8:35am EDT Security developments in Afghanistan, Sept 17 11:17am EDT Related News Candidate among up to 19 kidnapped on Afghan election eve 8:35am EDT Q+A: How does Afghanistan's parliamentary election work? 8:35am EDT Scenarios: How Afghanistan's parliamentary poll might play out 11:01am EDT Analysis & Opinion How many al Qaeda can you live with ? Size, and lipstick, matter in Afghan election Related Topics World » Afghanistan » Related Video Afghans tighten election security Thu, Sep 16 2010 1 / 4 Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers sit in a truck in front of a poster of a candidate, in the outskirts of Kabul September 17, 2010. Afghans go to the polls on Sept. 18 in a parliamentary election where poor security and fraud will be among the major issues. Credit: Reuters/Andrew Biraj By Tim Gaynor and Hamid Shalizi KABUL | Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:17am EDT KABUL (Reuters) - Two candidates were among more than 20 people kidnapped in Afghanistan, officials said on Friday on the eve of a parliamentary election the Taliban has vowed to disrupt, a grim start to the poll despite tightened security. Reports of violence and kidnapping spread from Afghanistan's west to east, although the capital, Kabul, was relatively quiet as security forces imposed a clampdown. Noor Mohammad Noor, a spokesman for Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC), said a candidate had been kidnapped in eastern Laghman province. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the abduction. Qari Safiullah, another candidate in western Herat, had been missing for the past three days along with three campaign workers, Safiullah's family told Reuters. Eight IEC officials and 10 campaign workers were kidnapped in northwestern Badghis province. The rash of abductions came despite security preparations being ramped up across the country before the vote, a key test after a deeply flawed presidential ballot last year, and will likely test the resolve of voters in the face of Taliban threats. "We should try to do our best under the current circumstances. It is very important that the Afghan people come out and vote," Afghan President Hamid Karzai told reporters. Almost 300,000 Afghan soldiers and police will guard the poll, backed up by almost 150,000 foreign troops. On Thursday, the hardline Islamist Taliban renewed its threat to attack foreign and Afghan targets and urged voters to stay at home. Significant security failures would be a major setback, with Washington watching closely before U.S. President Barack Obama conducts a war strategy review in December which will likely examine the pace and scale of U.S. troop withdrawals. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in Washington overnight the current strategy appeared to be working but cautioned it would take months of sustained progress before it could be declared a success. In northern Kunduz, Afghan and NATO-led troops killed a Taliban commander who was planning election attacks, the coalition said. A mosque to be used as a polling station was hit by rocket fire in Logar, south of Kabul, IEC officials said. In southern Kandahar province, the focal point of the fight against the Taliban and the birthplace of the hardline Islamists, coalition troops killed another three Taliban insurgents in the Arghandab district, a key area near Kandahar city. Observers fear security worries could lead to a low voter turnout, as it did last year when the Taliban staged dozens of attacks but failed to disrupt the process entirely. However, voter turnout was very low in the south and east where Pashtuns, Afghanistan's main ethnic group, dominate and where the Taliban has its strongest support. The United Nations' top diplomat in Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura, has said a turnout of between 5 million and 7 million out of Afghanistan's roughly 11.4 million registered voters would be considered a success. CREDIBILITY The election is also a test of credibility for Karzai after last year's poll, which HE won despite a third of his votes being thrown out as fakes. Since being re-elected, Karzai has promised to root out the endemic corruption that has been a source of great friction with his Western allies. Washington believes widespread graft weakens the central government and its ability to build up institutions like the Afghan security forces, which in turn determines when Western troops in Afghanistan will be able to leave. The West has been seeking to temper expectations of the poll. De Mistura said this week the election would not be perfect but it would be an improvement on the "massive fraud" of last year. Afghanistan's U.N.-backed Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) has warned of a "disputatious" process, with thousands of complaints expected from among the almost 2,500 candidates who fail to win one of the 249 seats in the wolesi jirga, or lower house of parliament. Last year's election and the possibility of more widespread fraud have left an underlying cynicism among many voters who feel the system benefits only the political elite. "Democracy, what's that?" said Darya Khan, a 40-year-old driver. "I'm not going to vote, the people who get elected are just in it for themselves. They are not working to benefit the country, they are not thinking about the poor." (Additional reporting by Sayed Salahuddin and Hamid Shalizi; Writing by Paul Tait; Editing by Sugita Katyal) World Afghanistan Add a Comment *We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Editorial Editions: Africa Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom United States Reuters Contact Us Advertise With Us Help Journalism Handbook Archive Site Index Video Index Reader Feedback Mobile Newsletters RSS Podcasts Widgets Your View Analyst Research Thomson Reuters Copyright Disclaimer Privacy Professional Products Professional Products Support Financial Products About Thomson Reuters Careers Online Products Acquisitions Monthly Buyouts Venture Capital Journal International Financing Review Project Finance International PEhub.com PE Week FindLaw Reuters on Facebook Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Friday, 17 September 2010
Ten die in minibus blast in southeast Turkey
Tokyo Game Show opens with focus on 3D videogames
Arabs to target Israel at U.N. atom body, resist West
Sarkozy, EU leader clash over Roma dispute |
New CEO says GM repayment to US may take 'couple of years'
Miami Herald slashes 49 jobs in latest US newspaper cutback
Taliban threaten to attack Afghanistan election
Justin Bieber 3-D Movie Gets A Release Date
UN scientists say ozone layer depletion has stopped
Motorola buys location-based software developer Aloqa
Sara Bareilles Earns #1 Billboard Album With "Kaleidoscope Heart"
Iran opposition leader's office attacked
France will dismantle 'all illegal' camps: Sarkozy
Alleged Johns Hopkins Shooting Suspect Kills Mom, Self
Afghan officials promise security for elections
EU regulators crack down on concert, sports tickets sites
Clinton says Mideast peace 'within reach'
Taxi Passenger Takes Ride On Naked Side
UK does not rule out delay to new nuclear submarines |
US toughens demands for China currency action
Whitman Breaks Record For Personal Donations To Campaign
Gates cautiously optimistic on Afghan war |
US jobless claims fall faster than expected
China editor concerned after punishment
FedEx Profits Double In 1Q But 1,700 Jobs To Be Cut
China's Alibaba says rejects offer to buy back stake
Myanmar excludes some minority areas from poll: media
Ex-Guatemalan soldier gets maximum U.S. prison term |
Case Dropped Against "Craigslist Killer"
Chinese dissident author says obstinacy beat travel ban
Seven foreigners kidnapped in Niger, five French |
CNBC's Bartiromo To Write Column for USA Today
China's Zheng faces months out
Top separatist urges sit-in protests in Indian Kashmir
Chuck E. Cheese's Recalls 1 Million Toys
Carter urges N.Korea talks, but US cautious
Motorola buys location-based software developer Aloqa
Clinton says Mideast peace 'within reach'
Audit board chief named S.Korea's new PM
Burlington Recalls Children's Jackets With Drawstrings
Hurricane Karl menaces Mexico, Igor eyes Bermuda
China calls for 'concrete actions' from Japan
Sting to open Poland's first Euro 2012 stadium
A Minute With: Disney's grown-up child star Raven-Symone
CIC says China should reduce dollar assets if Fed stays loose: DJ
India hikes interest rates for fifth time this year
US toughens demand for China currency action
Pakistan must raise billions after flood
China approves four Taiwan banks to open on mainland
Samsung aims to lead global refrigerator market
Toyota may provide hybrid technology to Daimler: reports
Taxi Passenger Takes Ride On Naked Side
Paul McCartney to reissue Wings album Band on the Run |
Pakistan to review monetary policy on Sept 29
Pact Signals More Commercial Space Travels
Estevez and Sheen find The Way after failed project |
Pakistani stocks end lower; rupee weakens, o/n rates flat
Mideast talks still under threat after Clinton visit
Pope seeks better ties with Anglicans on Britain visit
Japan PM rejigs cabinet |
US-TECH Summary
Iran sanctions working
Pakistani politician murdered outside London home: reports
Rebels kill NATO soldiers, civilians ahead of Afghan polls
LG Elec names new CEO as mobile business struggles
Karachi shuts down after politician killed in London |
City, Liverpool win as Europa League gorges on goals
Polish police arrest Chechen independence leader
Pro-privacy social network launched as Facebook rival
U.S. Lists 20 Countries Involved In Drug Production, Transit
New web address hints at Putin return to Kremlin |
US toughens demand for China currency action
U.S. Senate Committee Supports Russian Nuclear Treaty
Samsung launches Galaxy tablet for U.S. market
Dozens killed in Mexican drug shootouts: reports |
Chechen leader wanted by Russia is in Poland: activists
Obama Announces Appointments For AAPI Advisory Commission
Clash over water kills one and injures 18 in Peru |
U.S. Justifies Releasing Additional $30 Million To Colombia
Number of poor in US jumps to record 43.7 million
revamping email and getting 'more social'
Five French, two Africans kidnapped in Niger
U.S., France Agree International Sanctions Limiting Iran
Iran sanctions working: U.S. and French defense chiefs |
Tech Stocks Break Wall Street Fall
Wall Street hopes next Brazil leader politically adept |
Record Blackberry shipments in second quarter: RIM
Indians Sign MoU In Washington To Research International Migration
Child death rate down by a third since 1990: UNICEF |
Candice Bergen To Play Cuddy's Mom On "House"
U.S. looks beyond Myanmar vote for political change
Ed Gordon Returns To BET Networks With 2 Shows
U.S. poverty rate hits 15-year high
Congress Seeks to Punish China for Currency Exchange Rate
Apple, at long last, launches iPad in China
Android gains US smartphone market share: comScore
Director confesses to Joaquin Phoenix hoax
Samsung launches Galaxy tablet for U.S. market |
US-TECH Summary
Actors turned directors shine at Toronto film festival
Indian police say one dead in Kashmir shooting
Japan PM rejigs cabinet and juggles yen, debt and economy
LG Elec names new CEO as mobile business struggles |
LG Elec names new CEO as mobile business struggles
N.Zealand on tornado watch amid storm 'the size of Australia'
Exiled Pakistani politician murdered in London
Samsung launches Galaxy tablet for U.S. market
High-tech cow earrings mark new path for Brazil |
Australian Aborigines 'world's first astronomers'
New Zealand's Rokocoko signs on for World Cup
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
"Borat" star to play Freddie Mercury in movie
For horse and rider, 'eventing is ultimate test'
Two Koreas hold talks on reunions as tensions ease
Katy Perry leads U.S. singles chart with Bruno Mars on horizon
Japan PM in sweeping cabinet reshuffle
Showtime unveils bantamweight tournament
Dengue outbreak hits south China ahead of Asian Games
Director confesses to Joaquin Phoenix hoax
High school pic "Easy A" set to lead box office
"American Idol" new judges to be unveiled Wednesday
Actors turned directors shine at Toronto film festival
Crowds turn out for iPad's China launch
Benicio Del Toro invokes Che Guevara in Brazil land struggle
Corruption threatens Indonesia's economic rise: IMF
Seoul shares hit new 27-mth closing high on techs
Director admits Joaquin Phoenix documentary a hoax |
Pakistani c.bank buys back 58.45 bln rupees of govt paper
US courts Indonesia with inaugural talks
American Idol new judges to be unveiled Wednesday |
China's yuan weakens despite US anger
Borat star to play Freddie Mercury in movie |
Australian police testify for death-row convict
Director confesses to Joaquin Phoenix hoax |
PAKISTAN
High school pic Easy A set to lead box office |
Iran c.bank to open accounts at South Korean banks
Katy Perry leads U.S. singles chart with Bruno Mars on horizon |
LG Electronics CEO quits over flagging earnings
Seoul shares gain 0.3 pct; LG Elec jumps
Actors turned movie directors seek success in Toronto |
S.Korean bonds edge up in thin pre-holiday trade
Taliban kidnap candidate on eve of Afghan poll
Britain arrests five over Pope 'terrorist' threat
Rash of kidnappings hit on eve of Afghan vote |
Sarkozy 'misunderstood' Merkel on Roma: German FM
Five men arrested in London during pope visit |
Afghan election will have irregularities: Karzai
Sri Lanka accidental blast kills 25: military |
Polish police arrest Chechen independence leader
Denmark's TDC sells Swiss offshoot for 2.5 bln euros
Israeli troops kill Hamas commander in West Bank
Katy Perry Spends Second Week At #1 On Billboard Hot 100 With "Teenage Dream"
Sara Bareilles Earns #1 Billboard Album With "Kaleidoscope Heart"
Israeli troops kill Hamas commander in West Bank |
Taliban kidnap 19 officials on eve of Afghan vote
Top Belarus opposition leader says won't run in vote |
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Sudan holds first open debate on unity vs secession
France urges danger zone exit after Niger kidnap |
Karzai urges Afghans to vote, ignore Taliban
Sony hopes Facebook film befriends fans, Oscar
Danish police say bomber's target was newspaper |
Security ramped up ahead of Afghan elections
Hard hit Africa leads fall in new HIV infections: U.N. |
Security ramps up ahead of Afghan vote
US-TECH Summary
Motorola buys locator software developer Aloqa
Actors turned directors shine at Toronto festival
Sri Lanka 'jails ex-army chief Fonseka'
Over 60 killed in Sri Lanka blast
Mother, daughter killed in Calif. blast remembered
South Korea sends aid to North as reunions to resume
Sony hopes Facebook film befriends fans and Oscar
Thais pray for hospitalised king as anniversary nears
Police say Wash. acid attack self-inflicted
Coast Guard Rescues 3 Boaters In Prince William Sound
Jailed George Michael abandons bail bid
One Dead After Strong Winds Possibly Spawn NY Tornado
London Fashion Week gets under way
Mother, son dead at Johns Hopkins, doctor shot
India deploys army to quell Kashmir unrest
Feds Charge 53 In Crackdown Of Identity Theft Ring
'Halo: Reach' rings up $200 million on first day
Murkoswski To Announce Decision On Independent Bid Friday
Del Toro invokes Guevara in Brazil land struggle
Philippine president reviews bus hijacking report
BREAKING: Police Shoot Gun-Wielding Man Near U.S. Capitol
Actors turned directors shine at Toronto festival
Enbridge Restarts Pipeline Friday After Leak
Maoist leader withdraws from race to be Nepal PM
Heartwarming Comedy "$5 A Day" Comes To Blu-Ray, DVD
Increasingly literate India fuels newspaper boom
Australian pupils probed after kangaroo beaten to death
Father's Absence May Cause Early Puberty In Girls
Pakistani stocks, o/n rates end up; rupee firms
Acid Attack Story Was A Hoax
Key Australian MP upset over reforms row
Sacha Baron Cohen To Play Freddie Mercury In Film About Queen
Director admits Joaquin Phoenix documentary a hoax
China 'aims to lead world' in eco-friendly cars
Nike exec released in China soccer graft probe
Standard Chartered 'may move HQ to Far East'
Bharti picks IBM to upgrade Africa mobile network
China's central bank warns economy still faces challenges
Sony hopes Facebook film befriends fans and Oscar |
S.Korea spotted buying dlrs to curb won -dealers
Jailed George Michael abandons bail bid |
YouTube star Fred won't be changed by fame, says creator |
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		BlogMeter 1.01