February 1, 2002

Afghan leader presses Blair for more troops as governor routed
Friday February 1, 8:56 PM AFP

Afghan interim leader Hamid Karzai has reiterated pleas for more foreign security forces in Afghanistan after his handpicked governor in an eastern province was routed in heavy tribal fighting.

Kabul-backed governor loses key town
Friday, 1 February, 2002, 13:10 GMT BBC News

Khan's troops were pushed out of Gardez

A governor appointed by the new Afghan leadership has been forced out of the strategic eastern town of Gardez, after two days of clashes with local fighters in which up to 60 people were killed.

Afghans rejoice as snow blankets Kabul
By David Fox

Friday February 1, 9:05 PM

KABUL (Reuters) - Snow blanketed Kabul for the first time in years on Friday, bringing hope for an end to four years of withering drought in war-torn Afghanistan.

CNN airs defiant bin Laden's October interview
Friday February 1, 12:11 PM

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Osama bin Laden, accused mastermind of the September 11 attacks, said two weeks after the United States started hunting for him in Afghanistan that "the battle

US, Britain warn Iran on Afghan actions, say not time for new "Great Game"

Friday February 1, 8:18 AM AFP

The United States and Britain warned Iran against trying to excercise undue influence in Afghanistan, saying now was not the time for a new "Great Game."

UN refugee agency criticises Australia over asylum seekers
Friday February 1, 10:01 PM

GENEVA, Feb 1 (AFP) - The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Friday urged the Australian government to review its policy of detaining asylum seekers and voiced concern about attempts t

Afghanistan vows total war on drugs
By John Fullerton

Friday February 1, 6:33 AM

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Afghanistan's new interim government promised on Thursday to wage total war on narcotics, saying brigades of tractors would soon plough up opium poppy

Chaos in Kabul amid currency rumours
Thursday, 31 January, 2002, 14:28 GMT BBC News

Currency usually changes hands in crowded Kabul marketplaces

Afghanistan's currency markets have been plunged into chaos, amid reports that the Afghani could be abandoned temporarily for the dollar.