Clinton says Taliban violence is aimed at intimidating Afghans ahead of Thursday’s election

September 30th, 2009 12 Afghans die in insurgent ambush, roadside bombKABUL — A Taliban ambush on a highway left six truckers dead, and a roadside bomb killed another six Afghans in a crowded van, the government said Monday — the latest sign that insurgent violence is spreading across the countryside. Afghanistan's civilian death toll has risen alongside that of U.S.

September 26th, 2009 Afghan civilian deaths hit record high in AugustKABUL — Rising violence ahead of Afghanistan's disputed presidential election made August the deadliest month of the year for civilians, the U.N. said, warning in a new report that attacks could spike again when the final vote results are announced.

August 25th, 2009 Afghans say they'd like to have a winner _ nowKABUL — Can we please get this over with? In the wake of partial results showing a close race between the top two candidates for president, Afghans interviewed in Kabul said Tuesday that above all that they want the race finished in one round instead of leading to a runoff. Some said they worried about another voting day marred by Taliban attacks.

August 21st, 2009 Obama praises Afghans for turning out to pollsWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has called the Afghan presidential election an "important step forward" for a country that has seen violence and instability for decades. Obama praised the Afghan people for turning out to vote in Thursday's election "in the face of intimidation" from the Taliban.

August 16th, 2009 Afghans told they can vote _ as mortar shells flyKHAWJA JAMAL, Afghanistan — The governor had good news for the Afghans who met him here Sunday: Residents in this southern village can finally register to vote in the upcoming election. The local Taliban's message was less cheery: They were busy firing mortar shells at U.S.

August 16th, 2009 Rocket attack in Afghan south wounds 2 childrenKANDAHAR, Afghanistan — A rocket attack in Afghanistan's south wounded two children Sunday, a reminder of militant violence threatening the country as the presidential election approaches. The rocket hit a shop in Kandahar city, where the children were working inside, police official Mohammad Jan said.

August 8th, 2009 Clinton: US to work with Afghan election winnerWASHINGTON —Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the U.S. is ready to work with the winner of Afghanistan's upcoming presidential election.

June 27th, 2009 Karzai invites Taliban to vote in electionKABUL — President Hamid Karzai on Saturday called on Taliban and other militants to "vote for the president they want" in Afghanistan's presidential election, while a Taliban spokesman said militants would "disrupt" the vote without harming civilians. Forty-one candidates are running for president in the Aug.

June 3rd, 2009 Man admits robbing 6 banks _ all on ThursdaysTRENTON, N.J. — If it's Thursday, it's time to rob a bank.

May 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - The United States is losing the propaganda war in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told lawmakers saying it was something that must be reversed. 'We are being out-communicated by the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

May 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The United States is working with the United Nations to rehabilitate hundreds of thousands of NWFP residents, fleeing the region because of the Pakistani Army's offensive against the Taliban, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said. "The United Nations brings relief, they (UN) bring humanitarian aid.

May 5th, 2009 KOLKATA - West Bengal's ruling Left Front Tuesday said it apprehended violence in Thursday's fourth phase of polling in the state. 'I've got specific information that some untoward incidents might take place on that day,' Left Front chairman Biman Bose said at a press conference here.

March 31st, 2009 THE HAGUE - The US Tuesday supported efforts by the Afghan government to reconcile with the moderate Taliban as part of a revamped policy to deal with the growing insurgency in the war-torn country. 'We must support efforts by the government of Afghanistan to separate the extremists of Al Qaeda and the Taliban from those who have joined their ranks not out of conviction, but out of desperation,' US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said at an international conference on Afghanistan here Tuesday.

March 28th, 2009 PATNA - In a bid to ensure free and peaceful Lok Sabha elections in Bihar, the state government has decided to take tough action against those intimidating voters, officials said Saturday. 'Troublemakers, including criminals trying to hinder the election process, would be taught a hard lesson and even the candidates indulging in intimidation of voters would not be spared,' principal secretary (home) Afzal Amanullah said, adding speedy trials will be conducted in cases of voter intimidation.

February 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Thursday wrapped up three days of meetings with Afghan and Pakistani officials aimed at coordinating efforts to stomp out Taliban activity along the two countries' borders. Clinton held a three-way meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta Thursday as part of the Obama administration's review of the situation in Afghanistan and to ensure that the three countries could exchange views.