Troops battle Shiite militia in Karbala

Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007

NEWS

Troops battle Shiite militia in Karbala
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Shiite militiamen battled with U.S. and Iraqi troops Friday in the holy
city
of Karbala, and the fighting left nine people dead and nearly two dozen
wounded, local officials said.

Afghanistan clashes claim dozens of lives
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NATO and Afghan troops clashed with Taliban insurgents and called in
airstrikes, killing at least 50 suspected militants and dozens of
civilians,
including women and children, local officials and villagers said
Friday.

Afghans, Taliban negotiate over Korean hostages
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Afghan clerics and tribal elders on Friday intensified negotiations for
the
release of 22 South Koreans kidnapped a week ago by the Taliban, as the
latest
of several deadlines set by the militants approached.

MONEY

Asian markets fall after Dow's plunge
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Most Asian markets tumbled Friday in the wake of one of Wall Street's
biggest
losses of the year, with Japanese stocks also taking a hit on the yen's
recent
strength and uncertainty about weekend elections. Markets in Hong Kong,
Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines
also
fell sharply.