The move by the United Nations last week to remove five former Taliban members from its official sanctions list reflects a growing belief by U.S. and international officials that some less-active leaders of the Afghan Taliban are no longer tightly linked to the al Qaeda network they sheltered before the terror attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. The decision anchors an Obama administration policy shift that would transform the Afghanistan war from a broad international conflict i...

The comments by Gen. Ashfaq Kiyani, Pakistan's army chief, however, were also a reflection of growing self confidence within the military, which increasingly recognizes its pivotal role in Mr. Obama's plan to stabilize Afghanistan. In the past week, www.mianwelfaretrust.com U.S. officials, before and after the international conference on Afghanistan which was held in London, spoke of the beginning of a period of rehabilitation of Taliban militants who are prepared to lay down their arms in...

The men tossed a tissue with some of the allegations scribbled on it to reporters as they headed to their latest hearing in court, where a judge delayed formally charging the suspects for at least two more weeks. "Since our arrest, the U.S. FBI and Pakistani police have tortured us," read the message. "They are trying to set us up. We are innocent. They are trying to keep us away from public, media and families and lawyers. Help us." Defense lawyer Tariq Asad said one suspect told the ju...

Conjoined twins survived a marathon surgery and became two little girls early Wednesday morning, CBS Sacramento reports. Since birth, 2-year-old Erika and Eva Sandoval shared much of their lower body. Their mother Aida said doctors told her early on in her pregnancy that the twins might not make it. She was told her own life could be at risk, too. ...

The attack on the convoy as it carried supplies from an airport in the southern town of Jeremie underscored the shaky safety in the streets that has added to Haitians' frustration at the slow pace of aid since the Jan. 12 earthquake. Complete Coverage: Devastation in Haiti Haiti Quake: How You can Help Most quake victims are still living outside in squalid tents of sheets and sticks and aid officials acknowledge they have not yet gotten food to the majority of those in need. Mobs have st...

The attack on the convoy as it carried supplies from an airport in the southern town of Jeremie underscored the shaky safety in the streets that has added to Haitians' frustration at the slow pace of aid since the Jan. 12 earthquake. Complete Coverage: Devastation in Haiti Haiti Quake: How You can Help Most quake victims are still living outside in squalid tents of sheets and sticks and aid officials acknowledge they have not yet gotten food to the majority of those in need. Mobs have st...

The attack on the convoy as it carried supplies from an airport in the southern town of Jeremie underscored the shaky safety in the streets that has added to Haitians' frustration at the slow pace of aid since the Jan. 12 earthquake. Complete Coverage: Devastation in Haiti Haiti Quake: How You can Help Most quake victims are still living outside in squalid tents of sheets and sticks and aid officials acknowledge they have not yet gotten food to the majority of those in need. Mobs have st...

Mexico has racked up its fair share of menacingly named outlaws in a three-year drug war: the Zetas, Aztecas and even a band of female assassins called the Panthers. Now, if the government gets its way, another name will also make the wanted list: los Twitteros. That's right. Twitter users are fast becoming public enemy No. 1, at least in Mexico City, where they have angered authorities by warning one another of roadside "alcoholimetro" - or Breathalyzer - checkpoints set up by the polic...

Conjoined twins survived a marathon surgery and became two little girls early Wednesday morning, CBS Sacramento reports. Since birth, 2-year-old Erika and Eva Sandoval shared much of their lower body. Their mother Aida said doctors told her early on in her pregnancy that the twins might not make it. She was told her own life could be at risk, too. ...

On the show, Lavigne explained that after landing her first record deal at the age of 15, www.likithane.com she was more than happy to leave high school behind. "I remember talking to my friends on the phone and they're getting ready for exams, and I was like, 'ha, ha, ha.'" I was supposed to do home schooling and I was supposed to read books, but I didn't do it. Basically I'm a high school dropout." Lavigne, whose third album "The Best Damn Thing" debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top 2...

Benedict blasted proposed laws before the British Parliament that are intended to prevent employers from denying jobs to applicants on the grounds of gender, sexuality, age or race. Current legislation exempts religious organizations, but the planned new law would effectively apply to lay people employed by churches. Benedict told the bishops that they needed to take a firm, public stand against the proposed legislation, which he said violated natural law. "Your country is well known for...

Mexico has racked up its fair share of menacingly named outlaws in a three-year drug war: the Zetas, Aztecas and even a band of female assassins called the Panthers. Now, if the government gets its way, another name will also make the wanted list: los Twitteros. That's right. Twitter users are fast becoming public enemy No. 1, at least in Mexico City, where they have angered authorities by warning one another of roadside "alcoholimetro" - or Breathalyzer - checkpoints set up by the polic...