وصلت سلطنتی شاهزادگان افغانستان و مصر -- نُوال ظاهر نوه محمدظاهرشاه آخرین پادشاه افغانستان با محمد علی نوه ملک فاروق آخرین پادشاه مصر عروسی کرد. -- این نخستین ازدواج یک عضو خانواده شاه سابق افغانستان با یک عضو خانواده سلطنتی غیر افغان است. -- این زوج سلطنتی در ۲۷ اوریل سال جاری در کشور ترکیه رسما نامزدی‌شان را اعلام کردند و مراسم ازدواج و جشن عروسی روز جمعه ۳۰ آگست با حضور ده‌ها عضو خانواده سلطنتی مصر و افغانستان در یکی از هتلهای شهر استانبول ترکیه برگزار شد.---- امروزه شهزاده‌ها و اعضای خانواده‌های سلطنتی برخلاف آنچه در گذشته معمول بود ظاهرا کمتر با اشراف زاده‌ها و اعضای خانواده‌های سلطنتی دیگر ازدواج می‌کنند. ---- برای همین ازدواج نوه آخرین پادشاه افغانستان با نوه آخرین پادشاه مصر توجه بیشتر رسانه‌های جهان را جلب کرده است. ---- ظاهر شاه و ملک فاروق از دوستان قدیمی یکدیگر بودند و حتی پس از بر کناری از قدرت، فرزندان و خانواده هایشان نیز ارتباط گذشته خود را حفظ کردند. --- میرویس ظاهر، آخرین پسر محمد ظاهرشاه این ازدواج را تاریخی خوانده و می‌گوید که حالا رسم و رواج و طرز دید خانواده آنها نسبت به ازدواج فرق کرده است. --- عکسهای شاهدخت نوال و خانواده اش را اینجا ببینید - BBC

Afghanistan risks becoming a battlefield for proxy wars -- President Hamid Karzai’s visit to Pakistan last week comes at the cusp of a critical phase in Afghanistan. With the international forces’ 2014 withdrawal from Afghanistan coinciding with a change in the political administration in Kabul, the pressure on all stakeholders to reach a political settlement with the insurgents is building up. - Gulfnews

Text: Obama’s Remarks on Chemical Weapons in Syria -- Following is the text of President Obama’s comments on Friday about the use of chemical weapons in Syria, as transcribed by Federal News Service - NYTimes

Obama Will Seek Syria Vote in Congress --- “I’m prepared to give that order,” Mr. Obama said. “But having made my decision as commander in chief based on what I am convinced is our national security interest, I’m also mindful that I’m president of the world’s oldest constitutional democracy.” -- Going to war with the support of the people’s representatives, he added, “I know the country will be stronger.” - nytimes

Obama and Kerry Press Case for U.S. Action in Syria -- WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Friday forcefully presented a case for a strike on Syria, as President Obama said he was considering a “limited” attack and Secretary of State John Kerry declared there was “clear” and “compelling” evidence that the government of President Bashar al-Assad had used poison gas against its citizens. - nytimes

U.S. says world cannot let Assad get away with chemical attack - (Reuters) - The United States made clear on Friday that it would punish Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the "brutal and flagrant" chemical weapons attack that it says killed more than 1,400 people in Damascus last week.

کامرون: نمی‌خواهیم وارد جنگ تمام‌عیار شویم -- نخست‌وزیر بریتانیا در جلسه پارلمان این کشور، از نمایندگان خواست از طرح حمله به سوریه حمایت کنند با این حال او تایید کرد که اطلاعات حاکی از مقصربودن حکومت سوریه در استفاده از تسلیحات شیمایی "صد در صد قطعی" نیست. -- BBC

District chief among 20 dead in suicide attack -- KUNDUZ CITY (PAN): A district chief was among 20 people killed in a suicide bombing at a mosque in northern Kunduz province on Friday morning, an official said. - Pajhwok

U.S. spy network’s successes, failures and objectives detailed in ‘black budget’ summary -- The $52.6 billion “black budget” for fiscal 2013, obtained by The Washington Post from former ­intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, maps a bureaucratic and operational landscape that has never been subject to public scrutiny. Although the government has annually released its overall level of intelligence spending since 2007, it has not divulged how it uses the money or how it performs against the goals set by the president and Congress. - Barton Gellman and Greg Miller

Treasure Land: The Mines of Afghanistan by Yuri Kozyrev -- Afghanistan's mountains are rich in untapped minerals that could prove to be a blessing — and a curse. TIME sent contract photographer Yuri Kozyrev to photograph the country with a mineral wealth worth as much as $1 trillion. - TIME

ادعای قاچاق مواد انفجاری از ایران به افغانستان - تجهیز مالی و نظامی مخالفان مسلح دولت از جانب کشورهای همسایه در ولایت هرات موضوع جدیدی نیست.بارها مخالفان مسلح دولت هنگام یکجا شدن به برنامۀ آشتی ملی در ولایت هرات این موضوع را به صراحت بیان کرده اند. - VOAnews

David Miliband pays tribute to Afghans killed working for his charity: David Miliband has sent his condolences to the families of five Afghans executed by insurgents while working for the charity he will take over next month.- Telegraph

Syria crisis: PM rules out military action after Commons defeat: David Cameron tonight suffered one of his biggest setbacks as Prime Minister after MPs refused to support Government plans to participate in military strikes against Syria. - Telegraph

Editorial - The Syria debate: two cheers for parliament: Summoned back to debate the Syrian crisis, the House of Commons distinguished itself on Thursday. It did so because of the political outcome it achieved more than because of the quality of the parliamentary occasion itself. What mattered most was not the many speeches. What really counted is summed up in the familiar constitutional phrase about the legislature holding the executive to account. For that is exactly what occurred on Thursday. The government was prevented from mounting a premature and foolish attack on Syria because it could not muster enough votes to support it. Parliament, in other words, did its job when it mattered. - Guardian

"اتحاد انتخاباتی افغانستان" رسماً اعلان موجودیت کرد - در نشستی که به مناسبت اعلام موجودیت این اتحاد در کابل برگزار شده بود داکتر عبدالله عبدالله، احمد ضیاء مسعود، جنرال عبدالرشید دوستم، عطا محمد نور، صلاح الدین ربانی، محمد یونس قانونی، محمد محقق و امرالله صالح اشتراک داشتند. --- قبل از این زلمی خلیل زاد سفیر پیشین امریکا در افغانستان،علی احمد جلالی وزیر پیشین داخله، قیوم کرزی برادر رییس جمهور کرزی و حنیف اتمر رییس شورای رهبری حزب حق و عدالت نیز در نشست های که به هدف ایجاد اتحاد انتخاباتی برگزار شده بود، شرکت کرده بودند اما در هنگام اعلام این اتحاد حضور نداشتند - azadiradio

Pak has been successful in removing Karzai's misconceptions: Sartaj Aziz: In an interview given to Dawn TV, Aziz said that the Pakistan leadership had taken considerable pains to explain to President Karzai during his recent visit to Islamabad that Afghanistan has historically had an unwanted foreign presence on its soil, and most recently in the form of the erstwhile Soviet Union and the United States. - ANI

IEC views insecurity as grave threat to elections: KABUL (PAN): The Independent Election Commission (IEC) chief on Wednesday described security problems as the main challenge to next year’s presidential and provincial council polls. - Pajhwok

.۲۳ کشته و بیش از ۶۰ زخمی در حمله گروهی طالبان در غزنی - مقامات محلی غزنی در جنوب افغانستان می‌گویند که مخالفان مسلح به دفتر تیم بازسازی ولایتی در این ولایت حمله کردند که در اثر این حمله ۲۳ تن کشته و بیش از ۶۰ زخمی شده اند. - BBC

Provincial official says Taliban kill 15 Afghan policemen in western part of the country: KABUL, Afghanistan — An Afghan official says 15 policemen have been killed and another 10 wounded in a Taliban ambush in western Afghanistan’s Farah province. - AP

Russia accuses West of jumping gun on Syria; MOSCOW — Russian officials Wednesday accused Western nations of short-circuiting the work of United Nations weapons inspectors in Syria in their eagerness to launch an attack on Damascus. - washingtonpost

U.S. rejects Syrian request that U.N. inspectors stay longer, possibly delaying military strike: President Obama said that “there need to be international consequences” for the Aug. 21 chemical strikes he said he has concluded were carried out by the Syrian government. - washingtonpost

Obama 'undecided' on action in Syria: Speaking on US television, Mr Obama said the use of chemical weapons affected US national interests and that sending a "shot across the bows" could have a positive impact on Syria's war. - BBC

د افغانستان په تاریخ کې نیمګړی څپرکی -- افغانستان د اسلامي، اسیایي او افریقایي محدودو هېوادونو له جملې څخه هغه هېواد دی چې پر(۱۲۹۸)ل کال یې خپلواکي ترلاسه کړه. هغه مهال هندوستان چې نننی پاکستان یې هم برخه و، لا هم تر ښکېلاک لاندې و، چین هم د نړیوالو زبرځواکونو د سیالۍ ډګر و او کورنۍ جګړه په کې روانه وه، خونړي انقلاب او کورنیو جګړو د روسیې وضعیت هم خراب کړی و. --- ه اسلامي نړۍ کې یوازې درې هېوادونو (ترکیې، عربستان او فارس) نسبي ازادي لرله، خو لا یې هم د افغانستان په څېر باثباته نظام نه درلود. ترکیه د خپلواکۍ ګټلو په لاره کې د غربي طرحو پر وړاندې د ګټلو په حال کې وه. - BBC - ډاکټر اشرف غني

An attack on Syria will only spread the war and killing: All the signs are they're going to do it again. The attack on Syria now being planned by the US and its allies will be the ninth direct western military intervention in an Arab or Muslim country in 15 years. Depending how you cut the cake, the looming bombardment follows onslaughts on Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Mali, as well as a string of murderous drone assaults on Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan. - Gauradian

U.S. would rely on missiles in a strike on Syria: WASHINGTON — A U.S. attack on Syria is likely to begin at night with fiery explosions at military installations, artillery batteries and headquarters near the capital, Damascus, and other government strongholds around the country, according to current and former U.S. officials. - latimes

Militants in Afghanistan launch attacks against NATO: KABUL, Afghanistan – NATO forces were struck by three attacks within 24 hours across Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday, as the Taliban redoubled efforts to drive foreign combat troops out of the country ahead of their planned withdrawal at the end of 2014. - latimes

Syria resolution dies at U.N., and British lawmakers balk: WASHINGTON — The Obama administration's move to punish Syria's government for allegedly using chemical weapons in a deadly attack last week appeared to suffer a setback Wednesday when the U.S. failed to get United Nations approval for use of force and British support was thrown into question. - latimes

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream...- "Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God's children. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood." - nytimes

The Neocon March on Damascus: Here we go again. As Americans prepare to march on Washington, Washington is preparing to march on Damascus. As part of the buildup to war, a chorus of liberal hawks and neoconservatives has issued a new manifesto in—where else?—the Weekly Standard calling upon President Obama to engage in regime change in Syria. Just as they demanded military action to topple Saddam Hussein, so they now are insisting upon the removal of Bashar al-Assad. ---- The very same crew, by and large, that declared that Iraq could be transformed into a blossoming democracy in 2003. Now it wants to duplicate its roaring success. - National Interest

French prosecutor investigates U.S. Prism spying scheme: (Reuters) - The Paris prosecutor's office said on Wednesday it had launched a preliminary investigation into the U.S. National Security Agency's Prism surveillance program after French rights groups complained it was snooping on citizens' emails and phone calls.

Taliban attack Polish base in Afghanistan, seven killed: GHAZNI, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Seven people were killed in an attack claimed by the Taliban on a base operated by Polish and Afghan forces in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, officials and a Reuters witness said.

پرداختن به فرعیات، تاکتیک همیشگی پاکستان: آقای امین فرهنگ وزیر پیشین تجارت در پاسخ به اینکه آیا این سفر کرزی به پاکستان با سفرهای گذشته متفاوت خواهد بود؟ گفت: اگر تمامی سفرها و دیدارهای مقامات پاکستانی و افغانستانی را در نظر بگیریم به حدود 60 ملاقات می رسد. تمامی این مذاکرات بر روی این موضوع بوده است که نقش مثبت پاکستان در کشاندن طالبان به میز مذاکره چیست؟ اما کوچکترین قدم مثبتی در این راستا برداشته نشده است. باید دید طرف مقابل ما که پاکستان است، چه اقدامی انجام خواهد داد؟ ---- وزیر پیشین تجارت افزود: مهم است که ببینیم خواسته های افغانستان و پاکستان چیست؟ مساله مهم افغانستان، ثبات سیاسی، نابودی تروریسم و آرامش در کشور است. در کنار این مسایل راه های آزاد ترانزیتی، تجارت خارجی و سایر موارد نیز وجود دارد. درخواست های پاکستان روز به روز افزایش یافته است و حالا به اندازه ای رسیده است که هم تمایل دارد بر سیاست های افغانستان تاثیر داشته باشد و هم بر ملکیت های کشور. پاکستان همواره مسایل فرعی را بزرگ می کند و مساله اصلی را که عبارت از طالبان و مذاکرات صلح است، در فرع قرار می دهد. این تاکتیکی است که این کشور همواره از آن استفاده می کند. - afghanpaper

Hans Blix: Whether Obama in Syria or Bush in Iraq, The US Is Not the World Police: If the aim is to stop the breach of international law and to keep the lid on others with chemical weapons, military action without first waiting for the UN inspector report is not the way to go about it. This is about world police, not world law. ---- If military action is all about "punishing" Assad to satisfy public and media opinion without even hearing the UN inspectors report, it will be a sad day for international legality - huffingtonpost

U.S. Strike In Syria Would Punish Assad, Not Alter War: LONDON, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Any strike by the United States and its allies on Syria will probably aim to teach President Bashar al-Assad - and Iran - a lesson on the risks of defying the West, but not try to turn the tide of the civil war. - huffpost

Seif Al-Islam Gaddafi, Muammar Gaddafi's Son, To Stand Trial For Murder In Libya: According to filings by defense lawyers at the court, Seif al-Islam said he wants to be tried for alleged war crimes in the Netherlands, claiming that a Libyan trial would be tantamount to murder. - AP

Iranian parliament pursuing lawsuit against CIA for 1953 coup: A week after declassified CIA documents came to light verifying that the U.S. spy agency was behind a 1953 coup in Iran, parliamentarians in the Islamic Republic voted Tuesday to fast-track a lawsuit against Washington for interfering in Iranian domestic political affairs. - latimes

Civilians becoming targets in Afghanistan -- a dozen slain by Taliban: KABUL, Afghanistan -- The Taliban killed six civilians in Afghanistan, officials said Tuesday, among a dozen slain in the latest attacks that have seen ordinary people increasingly caught up in the violence, often after being accused of working with the government. - latimes

Spot fires, intense flames rage as crews fight Yosemite Rim blaze: More than 4,000 firefighters on nearly 500 fire engines were struggling to stop the massive blaze on the ground, Cal Fire said. They were being aided by 17 helicopters and a number of fixed-wing aircraft, including huge DC-10 bombers filled with fire retardant that made repeated assaults on the fire fronts. - latimes

Syria crisis: What is the legal position for military action?: Under the United Nations Charter, signed in 1945, it is illegal to go to war unless a country is defending itself against aggression or the UN has given prior approval for any action. - Telegraph

Afghanistan aid workers among 12 dead in civilian killings: Five were Afghan employees of the US-based International Rescue Committee who had beenkidnapped on Sunday. The group, which has worked in Afghanistan since 1988, is suspending its operations. The sixth victim worked for the ministry. - Guardian

Iraq opposes use of airspace to strike Syria: "We do not agree to any use of our airspace ... to attack any neighbouring country through our land," Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's spokesman told AFP, asked if Baghdad would authorise the use of its airspace in any action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. - Daily Star

Syria, the Saudi connection: The Prince with close ties to Washington at the heart of the push for war: He has been gone from the capital for eight years, but Prince Bandar bin Sultan, who as Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Washington wielded influence over no fewer than five different US presidents, has re-emerged as a pivotal figure in the struggle by America and its allies to tilt the battlefield balance against the regime in Syria. - independent.co.uk

Military strikes on Syria 'as early as Thursday,' US officials say: The U.S. could hit Syria with three days of missile strikes, perhaps beginning Thursday, in an attack meant more to send a message to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad than to topple him or cripple his military, senior U.S. officials told NBC News on Tuesday. - NBCnews

U.S., allies preparing for probable strike on Syria: (Reuters) - The United States and its allies were gearing up on Tuesday for a probable military strike against Syria that could happen within days as punishment for last week's chemical weapons attacks blamed on President Bashar al-Assad's government.

Muslim Brotherhood leaders, Mubarak face trial in Egypt: (Reuters) - Three leaders of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and the movement's former arch-foe Hosni Mubarak faced separate trials on Sunday on similar charges of involvement in the killing of protesters.

عکسهای خبری روز در 5 سنبله: - حضور اكثر جناح هاى مطرح سياست افغانستان در اقامتگاه جنرال دوستم و بحث بالاى انتخابات و آينده كشور. -- آقايان زلمى خليلزاد، على احمد جلالى، عبدالله عبدالله، يونس قانونى، احمد ضيا مسعود، حنيف اتمر، عطا محمد نور، امرالله صالح ، محقق و ديگر اشخاص مطرح سياسى در اقامتگاه ايشان در كابل حضور داشتند. - afghanpaper

Karzai brings away little from Pakistan visit: KABUL — A two-day visit to Pakistan by Afghan President Hamid Karzai ended in muted disappointment Tuesday, with no agreements or specific statements on the key issues of Taliban peace talks, prisoner releases or insurgent sanctuaries. - washingtonpost

Karzai's most dangerous game: Speculation over who, if anyone, Karzai will support in next year's election has been building for months and with formal nominations due in less than a month, the guessing game is reaching a fever pitch. Last Wednesday, for example, Afghanistan's Pajhwok news service reported that during a meeting with political party and jihadi leaders, Karzai had endorsed Abdul Rasul Sayyaf for president, a 67-year-old Pashtun Wahabist commander who is allegedly responsible for, among other things, the 1993 Afshar massacre, an operation Human Rights Watch calls a war crime. - Foreign Policy

U.S. looks to smartphones and satellites to monitor Afghan projects: WASHINGTON — As the U.S. military presence dwindles in Afghanistan, officials are finalizing a $200-million plan to use smartphones, GPS-enabled cameras and satellite imagery to monitor relief projects that will continue in areas deemed too remote or unsafe for Americans to visit. - latimes

Medal of Honor recipient urges support for PTSD: Army Staff Sgt. Ty Carter, who fought valiantly in a nightmarish Afghanistan battle, lives with post-traumatic stress disorder and asks the public to understand the disorder and its effect on troops. - latimes

Karzai Extends Pakistan Visit Aimed at Taliban Reconciliation: Afghan President Hamid Karzai extended his visit to Pakistan in order to hold further talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, as he seeks support to start negotiations with Taliban insurgents. - bloomberg

زرداری: همکاری با افغانستان برای منافع پاکستان نیز نقش حیاتی دارد: رئیس جمهور پاکستان در دیدار با همتای افغان اش گفته است: اسلام آباد به هر گونه حمایت برای صلح و ثبات افغانستان متعهد می ماند. رهبران پاکستان در دیدار روز نخست رئیس جمهور کرزی برای هر گونه همکاری در تلاش های صلح افغانستان تعهد سپرده اند. آصف علی زرداری رئیس جمهور پاکستان شام دیروز با آقای کرزی دیدار کرد و گفت: کشورش باز هم تاکید می کند که هر تلاش ممکن را برای ثبات، روند مصالحه و اتحاد افغانستان انجام خواهد داد و به گفته زرداری، چنین همکاری برای منافع پاکستان هم نقش حیاتی دارد. - رادیو آزادی

China supports U.N. investigation in Syria, urges caution: (Reuters) - China supports an independent and objective investigation by U.N. experts into allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Syria, China's foreign minister said on Monday, while urging a cautious response and political resolution to the crisis.

Syria's Assad says U.S. military will fail if it intervenes: (Reuters) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad warned Washington in an interview published on Monday in Russia that any U.S. military intervention in Syria would fail and denied that his forces had used chemical weapons.

U.S. would only act on Syria with international community: Hagel: (Reuters) - The United States would only take action on Syria in concert with the international community and with legal justification in response to the alleged chemical weapons attacks in Damascus, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Monday.

Remember bogus U.S. excuses for Iraq war before attacking Syria: - China's Xinhua: (Reuters) - An attack on Syria would be dangerous and irresponsible, and the world should remember the Iraq war was started by U.S. allegations of weapons of mass destruction which turned out to be false, China's official Xinhua news agency said on Tuesday.

Washington warns Assad over 'undeniable' chemical weapons attack: (Reuters) - The United States put Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on notice on Monday that it believes he was responsible for using chemical weapons against civilians last week in what Secretary of State John Kerry called a "moral obscenity."

Russia warns against military intervention in Syria: (Reuters) - Russia warned Western powers on Monday against any military intervention in Syria, saying the use of force without a U.N. mandate would violate international law.

Germany's elections can heal European divisions: The blue and red posters of Germany's Eurosceptic party proclaim that "The German spring will come in autumn". But passing Berliners care little about the crisis in the euro. Stop a passerby, and you are more likely to hear worries about rising rents, or the difficulties of getting a well-paid job. - Jeevan Vasagar, in Berlin

Italian coast feeling force of Arab Spring as 1000 migrants arrive in one week: Around 1,000 migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa have landed in southern Italy in the last week alone - many of them from Egypt and Syria. Harriet Alexander talks to refugee workers and locals about the impact on Calabria. - Telegraph

محور ورځپاڼه: دپاکستان کارخانو دافغانستان دجنګ منتظره قطعه: دپېښور کارخانو دافغانستان دجګړې په منتظره قطعه بدل شوې، په زرګونو طالب اورپکي او مشران یې هلته مجلسونه کوي، وسلې اخلي ـ خرڅوي، ددوا په بوتلونو او لاسي غوټو کې چاودېدونکي توکي تر پولې دېخوا ته را قاچاق کوي. په کارخانو کې دیوه دوربین بیه یو لک او شل زره کلدارې، یوه بسته مرمۍ څلورویشت زره او یوه امریکایي تفنګچه تر یو لک او اتیا زره پاکستانۍ کلدارې پلورل کېږي. له جګړې اېستل شوي او یا په دمه تللي طالب اورپکي، چې په پېښور کې ولامبي او دجنګ دوړنې جامې بدلې کړي په سبا یې لومړی دکارخانو ننداره کوي، دلته دوی له خپلو ټولو همسنګرو سره ګوري، دجنګ خاطرې او چریکي داستانونه سره وایي. - تاند

Pakistan, Afghanistan Agree to Deeper Economic Ties: ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Monday sought an "early and full implementation" of the Transit Trade Agreement with Afghanistan and vowed to reinforce energy and communication links with its neighbor through trans-regional initiatives. - Daily Outlook

No Terror Attack can Deter India from Helping Afghanistan: Sujatha: - NEW DELHI – Indian Foreign secretary Sujatha Singh on Sunday returned from a visit to Afghanistan where she travelled to India's Consulate General in Jalalabad that was recently targeted in a suicide attack, in a clear message that no such acts of terror can impact India's strong determination to assist development efforts there. - outlookafghanistan

NATO-Afghan Post-2014 Discussions Focused on Troop Immunity and Aid: KABUL - Christopher Chambers, the NATO Senior Civilian Representative spokesman, said on Sunday that the issues of immunity for foreign troops and aid disbursement would be the central to discussions about NATO's continued partnership with the Afghan government following the end of its official combat mission in 2014. - outlookafghanistan

Afghan, Pakistani leaders meet, pledge cooperation: ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Afghan President Hamid Karzai met Monday with Pakistan’s prime minister and won a pledge of support for carrying out a joint campaign against militancy, jump-starting peace talks with the Taliban and improving economic ties. ----- But analysts questioned whether the meetings would lead to a significant breakthrough given that Karzai has only eight more months in power, insurgents retain a strong grip over both countries and many of the problems in Afghan-Pakistani relations are deeply rooted. - latimes, World

Yosemite fire burns 230 square miles; FEMA to help cover costs: Federal officials have approved California's request for aid as crews fight the Rim fire burning in and around Yosemite National Park. latimes

NSA having flashbacks to Watergate era: "This is a secret intelligence agency that's now in the news every day," said Michael Hayden, who headed the NSA from 1999 to 2005 and later led the CIA. "Each day, the workforce wakes up and reads the daily indictment." - latimes

United Nations says will contact United States over spying report: (Reuters) - The United Nations said on Monday it plans to contact the United States over a report that the U.S. National Security Agency bugged its New York headquarters and warned that countries are expected to respect the world body's diplomatic inviolability.

US Experts Want More Leadership from Germany: Germans aren't the only ones with interests at stake in next month's election. The US is watching too -- and Washington is hoping that, once the campaign is history, Germany will show more leadership on global issues. - Der Spiegel

Codename 'Apalachee': How America Spies on Europe and the UN: - President Obama promised that NSA surveillance activities were aimed exclusively at preventing terrorist attacks. But secret documents from the intelligence agency show that the Americans spy on Europe, the UN and other countries. - Spiegel.de

Karzai stresses need for Pakistani help in Taliban peace process: (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Monday stressed the need for Pakistan's help in arranging peace talks with the Taliban in a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who assured him of his support.

Landmark Chinese copper deal with Afghanistan at risk: (Reuters) - A consortium of Chinese investors has demanded a review of a landmark $3 billion deal to produce copper in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Mines said on Monday, putting at risk one of Kabul's greatest hopes for economic independence

سفر حامدکرزی به پاکستان یک روز دیگر تمدید شد: مقامات افغانستان گفته‌اند که حامدکرزی رئیس جمهوری افغانستان سفرش به پاکستان را به درخواست نواز شریف نخست وزیر این کشور برای یک روز دیگر تمدید کرده‌است. - BBC

Karzai calls for Pakistan role in Afghan peace process: Afghan President Hamid Karzai has urged Pakistan "to facilitate peace talks" between his country and the Taliban during a visit to Islamabad. - BBC

Afghan president visits Pakistan seeking help with peace process: (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived in Pakistan Monday for talks expected to focus on what happens when most foreign troops pull out of his country next year and whether or not the Afghan Taliban, in power from 1996 and 2001, will have a role.

Afghanistan Foundation Urges Karzai to Conclude Security Agreement with United States: “We are again calling on President Hamid Karzai to move expeditiously to conclude a bilateral security agreement, and new Status of Forces Agreement, with the United States prior to the 2014 withdrawal,” said Philip Smith, President and Executive Director of the Afghanistan Foundation in Washington, D.C. “This agreement is long overdue, and critical to reach, prior to the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in the coming months.” - Reuters

'خروج مهاجران غیرقانونی افغان از ایران در پانزده روز ممکن نیست': مقامات افغان می‌گویند طرح دولت ایران برای خروج مهاجران غیرقانونی افغان در پانزده روز، عملی نیست. برخی رسانه‌های افغانستان و ایران دیروز به نقل از مقامات ایرانی گزارش دادند که مهاجران افغان که مدرک قانونی ندارند، باید تا پانزده روز این کشور را ترک کنند. - BBC

Use of chemical weapons in Syria would be 'crime against humanity' – Ban: The use of any chemical weapons in Syria would amount to a “crime against humanity” and there would be “serious consequences” for the perpetrators, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, while urging an immediate investigation on this matter. - UN

افغانستان با سه متحد عمده خود قرارداد همکاری امضا می‌کند: وزارت خارجه افغانستان اعلام کرده است که ظرف دو هفته آینده با کشورهای بریتانیا، فرانسه و ایتالیا سند همکاری استراتژیک امضا می‌کند. - bbc

Italy vows long term presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014: The Italian troops will remain for a long term in Afghanistan beyond 2014, after majority of the NATO combat troops leave the country, the Italian Prime Minister said. - khaama

News Analysis: Other Nations Offer a Lesson to Egypt’s Military Leaders: LONDON — Is the era of the military big man back? In Egypt, where Gen. Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi led a populist putsch against the elected president, prison doors are swinging. - NYT

White House’s Statement on Syria Is Sharp Shift in Tone: WASHINGTON — Moving a step closer to possible American military action in Syria, a senior Obama administration official said on Sunday that there was “very little doubt” that President Bashar al-Assad’s military forces had used chemical weapons against civilians last week and that a Syrian promise to allow United Nations inspectors access to the site was “too late to be credible.” - nytimes

شيرزي : د خبرو پرځاى د دې ولايت ډاډمن کيدو په موخه عملي تدابير ونيسي: د ننګرهار والي ګل آغاشېرزي په يوې امنيتي غونډه کې د دې ولايت امنيتي ادارو ته لارښوونه کړې ، چې د خبرو پرځاى د دې ولايت ډاډمن کيدو په موخه عملي تدابير ونيسي. - خبریال

Why did this woman marry a terrorist? --- She was born Irena Horek, raised Catholic, and worked with special needs children. Then, inexplicably, she converted to Islam in her early 30s, changed her name to "Aminah," and married an al Qaeda leader. (The marriage was brokered by Morten Storm, through a series of remarkable dating videos shown on 60 Minutes this week.) - Lara Logan

NSA Officers Spy on Love Interests.: WASHINGTON—National Security Agency officers on several occasions have channeled their agency’s enormous eavesdropping power to spy on love interests, U.S. officials said. - WSJ

NSA analysts 'wilfully violated' surveillance systems, agency admits: The National Security Agency has admitted that some of its analysts deliberately abused its surveillance systems, with one analyst disciplined for using NSA resources to track a former spouse. - Guardian

.کرزی: په افغانستان کې منځمهالی حکومت نه منو: افغان ولسمشر حامد کرزي هغو راپورونو ته په تنده ژبه غبرګون وښود، چې ویلي وو امریکا او ځینې ګاونډي هېوادونه په قطر کې د افغانستان لپاره د موقت حکومت پر طرح کار کوي. - BBC

Afghanistan's Karzai says no rush to sign U.S. security pact: (Reuters) - Afghanistan is in no rush to sign a pact with the United States setting out how many U.S. troops will stay after a NATO mission ends next year and may even delay a decision until after a presidential election, President Hamid Karzai said.

Afghans Share Their Views on the West’s Influence: Jawed Nader, It’s a common misperception, reinforced by the international media, that democracy and human rights were imposed on Afghanistan after American forces ousted the Taliban in 2001. The 1964 Constitution included a bill of rights for Afghans, specifically including women. The 1977 Civil Code stipulated that girls under 16 should not be allowed to marry. The New York Times called this Afghanistan’s “Golden Age,” noting that “Afghan women not only attended Kabul University, they did so in miniskirts.” - NYT

Afghans Share Their Views on the West’s Influence: Nawa Arsala, The “Western” ways and laws in Afghanistan are not completely foreign to Afghans. Many forget that during the 1970s, Afghanistan was a flourishing and prosperous nation, with women who were teachers, nurses and entrepreneurs. The burqa was a rare sight, if seen at all. I believe that these laws are simply being reintroduced to a war-torn country that once had a taste of prosperity and democracy. - nytimes

Obama Says Law School Should Be Two, Not Three, Years: “This is probably controversial to say, but what the heck. I am in my second term, so I can say it,” Mr. Obama said at a town hall-style meeting at Binghamton University in New York. “I believe that law schools would probably be wise to think about being two years instead of three years.” - nytimes

Hagel: Obama asks for Syria military options: ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT OVER THE PACIFIC (AP) -- The Pentagon is moving naval forces closer to Syria in preparation for a possible decision by President Barack Obama to order military strikes, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel suggested on Friday. - AP National Security Writer

Copper may play key role in Alzheimer's disease: New research finds that copper in amounts readily found in our drinking water, the foods we eat and the vitamin supplements we take likely plays a key role in initiating and fueling the abnormal protein build-up and brain inflammation that are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. - latimes

N.S.A. Said to Have Paid E-Mail Providers Millions to Cover Costs From Court Ruling: WASHINGTON — The National Security Agency apparently compensated e-mail service providers “millions of dollars” for costs they incurred in the fallout from an October 2011 court ruling that an unrelated aspect of the agency’s surveillance operations violated the Constitution, according to a newly disclosed document. - nytimes

A million Syrian child refugees is 'shameful milestone': U.N.: (Reuters) - The number of Syrian children forced to flee their devastated homeland reached 1 million on Friday, half of all the refugees driven abroad by a conflict that shows no sign of ending, the United Nations said.

جوانان: بیکاری مشکل اصلی ماست: - جوانان می گویند در یازده سال گذشته کارهای اساسی و زیربنایی که بتواند وضعیت جوانان را بهبود بخشد، انجام نشده است. انیسه صافی از اشتراک کنندگان مراسم روز بین المللی جوانان گفت: «در ادارات کسی که در راس قرار دارد خویش و قوم خود را جمع می کند و برای شان وظیفه می دهد اما جوانانی که کسی را نمی شناسند، بی کار و بی روزگار هستند. این جوانان هم معتاد می شوند، هم دزدی می کنند و هم قاچاقبر می شوند». - صدای آلمان

Taliban to Karzai: We are not behind ongoing violence in Afghanistan: Afghan president Hamid Karzai on Friday said that Taliban leaders in Afghanistan have told him that they are unaware of the ongoing violence in Afghanistan, and they are completely without any authority. - Khaama

Soldier Gets Life Without Parole in Deaths of Afghan Civilians: The jury’s decision came after three days of wrenching testimony that painted a moment-by-moment, bullet-by-bullet account of one of the worst atrocities of the United States’ long war in Afghanistan. - nytimes

احسان الله مایار -- 94 مین سال استقلال وطن به همه مبارک - بیلانس نود و چهارسال آزادی -- afghan-german.com

Afghan Interpreters Fear For Their Lives As U.S. Troops Prepare To Withdraw: As thousands of his colleagues, Shenwary has applied for a special visa that was created to bring interpreters who had been threatened because of their support to the American war effort to the United States. However, the visa program has faced immense bureaucratic red tape. Five years since the creation of the program, only a fraction of the available visas have been granted and U.S. embassies are facing a massive backlog in handling the applications. - huffingtonpost

US soldier apologises for cowardly massacre of Afghan civilians: A decorated American soldier who gunned down 16 unarmed Afghan civilians in a night-time rampage apologised on Thursday at a sentencing hearing to determine his fate, calling the killings “an act of cowardice”. - Telegraph

Afghanistan Beats India at Cricket: Afghanistan’s cricket team inflicted a 28-run defeat on India’s under-23 team in the Asian Cricket Council’s Emerging Teams Cup in Singapore on Thursday. - WSJ

Afghanistan massacre survivors testify against Robert Bales at sentencing: Haji Mohammad Wazir took the witness stand during the sentencing of Staff Sergeant Robert Bales, to describe the impact of losing 11 family members in the attack, including his mother, wife and six of his seven children. Jurors at Joint Base Lewis-McChord south of Seattle will determine whether Bales, who pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty, is sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole or without it. - Guardian

چارواکي: د نورستان په کامدېش کې اى. اېس. اى وسله والو او خلکو ته ځانګړي کارتونه وېشي: د نوروستان ځيني چارواکي او خلک وايي، چې د دغه ولايت په ځينو سيمو کې د پاکستان د استخباراتي ادارې له لوري خلکو او وسله والو ته د دې لپاره کارتونه وېشل کېږي، څو وکولاى شي دغه هېواد ته په اسانه تګ راتګ وکړي. - سپوږمۍ رادیو

Obama proposes college-rating system that could increase affordability: BUFFALO, N.Y. — President Obama declared a crisis in the soaring cost of higher education here Thursday and unveiled a broad new plan that aims to make college education more affordable by tying federal financial aid to new college ratings.- WP

Football match allows Afghanistan to forget its woes for 90 minutes: Afghan fans go wild at victory over Pakistan, the first international football match played in capital in a decade - Guardian

Egypt's Mubarak leaves prison for house arrest: CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's former autocrat Hosni Mubarak was flown from jail on Thursday in a symbolic victory for an army-dominated old order that has overthrown and imprisoned his freely elected Islamist successor.

Secret Court Rebuked N.S.A. on Surveillance: The 85-page ruling by Judge John D. Bates, then serving as chief judge on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, involved an N.S.A. program that systematically searches the contents of Americans’ international Internet communications, without a warrant, in a hunt for discussions about foreigners who have been targeted for surveillance. - nytimes

ولسمشر کرزی: په راروانو ټاکنو کې له هیڅ ځانګړي نوماند څخه ملاتړ نه کوم: - ولسمشر کرزي دچهارشنبې په ورځ دافغان شبکې له یو شمېر غړو سره په کتنه کې وویل، چې په راروانو ولسمشریزو ټاکنو کې به له هیڅ یو ځانګړي نوماند څخه ملاتړ ونه کړي. دولسمشرۍ ماڼۍ دمعلوماتو پر اساس ولسمشر حامد کرزي دښځو دوضعیت ترڅنګ، په یو شمیر ملي مسایلو په ځانګړې توګه دولسمشرۍ راتلونکو ټاکنو په اړه هر اړخیزې خبرې وکړې. - تاند

NSA collected 56,000 emails by Americans a year: documents: (Reuters) - The National Security Agency may have unintentionally collected as many as 56,000 emails of Americans per year between 2008 and 2011 in a program that a secret U.S. court subsequently said may have violated U.S. law and the Constitution, according to documents released on Wednesday.

Divided Egypt prepares to release Mubarak from jail: Convening at the Cairo jail where Mubarak is held, the court ordered the release of the military man who ruled Egypt for 30 years with an iron fist until he was overthrown during the uprisings that swept the Arab world in early 2011. - reuters

U.N. Security Council says 'clarity' needed after alleged Syria attack: UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council said it was necessary to clarify an alleged chemical weapons attack in the suburbs of Damascus on Wednesday but stopped short of explicitly demanding a probe by U.N. investigators in Syria.

Iran says Syrian government not behind possible chemical attack: (Reuters) - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Thursday the Syrian government could not have been behind a possible chemical weapon attack on the outskirts of Damascus as President Bashar al-Assad's forces had the upper hand in the fighting.

Brother speaks warmly in court of American soldier in Afghan rampage: (Reuters) - A U.S. soldier who gunned down 16 Afghan civilians last year was an attentive father of two children and a duty-bound Army man before the attacks, his brother testified at a sentencing hearing on Wednesday.

صدر اعظم ترکیه کشورهای اسلامی و خلیجی را به “برادران حضرت یوسف” تشبیه کرد: خبرگزاری “اناتولی” ترکیه، طی گزارش امروز خود به نقل از اردوغان نوشت :”آنچه در مصر روی داد، یک کودتای نظامی آشکار بود که دست به خونریزی زده و در اثر این کودتا افرادی بدون ترحم به قتل رسیدند -- صدر اعظم ترکیه با اشاره به داستان مشهور حضرت یوسف (ع) و برادرانش، کشورهای اسلامی و خلیجی را به خاطر اعلام حمایت از مصر و کمک به این کشور در بحران کنونی، “برادران یوسف” نامید. - گران افغانستان

Afghan Election Chairman Warns About Security: "The main challenge for everyone is the security issue," Mr. Nuristani, who served as deputy defense minister and governor of Herat province under President Hamid Karzai, said in his first interview with the international press since assuming the job this month. "If the security issue deteriorates, it will be difficult to hold elections. " - WSJ

Pitch Battle Unites Afghans, Pakistanis: KABUL—Afghanistan and Pakistan routinely exchange bellicose rhetoric—and occasional gunfire—across their disputed border. On Tuesday, the neighbors squared off in a different way, sparking hopes of a more peaceful relationship. - WSJ

CIA admits role in 1953 Iranian coup: Declassified documents describe in detail how US – with British help – engineered coup against Mohammad Mosaddeq - Guardian

Afghan attorney-general retains post despite presidential anger: (Reuters) - Afghan Attorney-General Muhammad Isaaq Aloko has kept his job despite a decision by an angry President Hamid Karzai to sack him over an unauthorized approach to the Taliban, a senior Afghan official said on Tuesday.

Jury selected for sentencing of U.S. soldier in Afghan massacre: (Reuters) - A jury of six military personnel was impaneled on Tuesday for the sentencing of a decorated U.S. soldier who pleaded guilty in June to killing 16 Afghan civilians in two nighttime forays from his Army post last year, an Army spokeswoman said.

Erdogan angers U.S., Israel, Egypt with Mursi defense: (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan angered Ankara's U.S. ally, as well as regional leaders in Egypt and Israel, by accusing Israel on Tuesday of helping overthrow Cairo's Islamist president.

Pakistan Ex-Leader Charged in Bhutto Assassination: The onetime military ruler was charged in a Pakistani antiterrorism court on Tuesday with criminal conspiracy and facilitation of murder, lawyers said. Mr. Musharraf pleaded not guilty. - WSJ

کابل او واشنګټن دامنیتي تړون پر سر دخبرو له پاره نوی پلاوی وټاکه: دافغانستان او امریکا حکومتونو موافقه وکړه چې ددواړو هیوادونو ترمنځ به دامنیتي تړون پر سر خبرې اترې دنوي کاري پلاوي له خوا تر سره شي. دافغانستان له لوري به ددغه پلاوي مشري رنګین دادفر اسپنتا او اشرف غني احمدزی کوي. دافغانستان دجمهوري ریاست دمعلوماتو له مخې که څه هم لا تر اوسه دمتحده ایالاتو او افغانستان ترمنځ دامنیتي تړون پر سر خبرې اترې دتعلیق په حال کې پاتې دي، خو دواړو اړخونو موافقه کړې ده چې یو نوی کاري ټیم وټاکل شي ترڅو دغه خبرې اترې له سره ونیسي. - دویچه ویلی

US respects Afghan sovereignty: Kerry: “As you celebrate your independence, the US shares your commitment to a strong and sovereign Afghanistan where Afghans enjoy security, peace, prosperity and dignity for generations to come,” Kerry concluded. - Pajhwok

غازي امان الله خان په همدي ورځ د هېواد د خپلواکۍ اعلان وکړ: ٩٤ کاله وړاندې افغان غازي امان الله خان په همدې ورځ د خپلواکۍ اعلان وکړ -- دغه ورځ په افغانستان کې د خپلواکۍ د ورځې په توګه په شانداره مراسمو نمانځل کېده خو په دې وروستيو کې نمانځه تر ولسمشرۍ ماڼۍ محدوده سوې ده. - خبریال

Afghan attorney general's Taliban meeting put job on line: A trip by Afghanistan's attorney general to Dubai to meet Taliban representatives in an effort to broker the release of his kidnapped brother nearly cost him his job. - Guardian

Egypt's Mubarak to be freed from jail, lawyer says: (Reuters) - Egypt's disgraced former President Hosni Mubarak will be released from jail soon, after prosecutors cleared him in a corruption case, his lawyer said on Monday, dropping a new bombshell on a nation in turmoil.

King Amir Amanullah Khan, Born. June 1, 1892, Paghman Died April 25, 1960, Zürich, Switzerland. --- On February 20, 1919, Habibullah khan was assassinated on a hunting trip. He had not declared a succession, but left his third son, Amanullah, in charge in Kabul. Because Amanullah controlled both the national treasury and the army, he was well situated to seize power. Army support allowed Amanullah to suppress other claims and imprison those relatives who would not swear loyalty to him. Within a few months, the new amir had gained the allegiance of most tribal leaders and established control over the cities. - Khaama

Afghan Independence Day: Afghan Independence Day is celebrated in Afghanistan on 19 August to commemorate the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919.[1] The treaty granted complete independence from Britain; although Afghanistan was never a part of the British Empire. The British fought three wars with Afghanistan. - Wikipedia

Karzai sacks attorney general Aloko over secret Taliban meeting: According to reports, Afghan president Hamid Karzai has sacked his attorney general, Mohammad Isاaq aloko after he secretly met with the Taliban group representatives in Dubai. - Khaama Press

Afghan educators struggle for funding as US aid budget shrinks: The decision to end financing for Aid Afghanistan for Education, which provides schools for girls and women excluded from government classrooms, came despite a pledge last month to spend more than $200m (£130m) on "women's empowerment" as foreign troops head home. - Guardian

Pentagon Report on Progress in Afghanistan: A 192-page report from the Defense Department contends that significant foreign military and financial assistance will be required in Afghanistan long after the NATO mission officially ends. Related Article » - nytimes

رنج های بی پاسخ مهاجران افغان در یونان: - یونان یکی از بدترین ایستگاه های مهاجران افغان است که می خواهند خود را به دیگر کشورهای اروپایی برسانند. آنها سرپناه مناسب ندارند، در کوچه و بازار مورد پیگرد قرار می گیرند و گروه های دست راستی به لت و کوب شان می پردازند. -- رنج آورترین مشکل مهاجران افغان در یونان این است که وقتی مورد اذیت و توهین قرار می گیرند، هیچ مرجعی برای شکایت و رسیدگی به آن ندارند. افغانستان در یونان سفارت ندارد و اگر مهاجران به پولیس شکایت کنند، به مصیبت بدتری گرفتار می شوند. - DW.DE

Egypt committing state terrorism, al-Sisi and al-Assad are same: Turkish PM : Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has accused Egypt’s interim rulers of committing state terrorism and compared army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad as scores more were killed in a crackdown and hundreds were besieged in Cairo’s al-Fath Mosque by security forces.dailynews

Turkey's Erdogan slams world's 'double standards' on Egypt: (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan accused Western and Arab nations of "double standards" for failing to condemn the overthrow of former Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi, whose Muslim Brotherhood like Erdogan has Islamist roots.

جنګسالاران دا ځل واك ته پارلماني پلمه كوي: - دپارلماني نظام لپاره اساسي قانون ته دمراجعې پر ځاى دجرمني مونيخ ښار سفر كول په راتلونكي حكومت كې دواك تر لاسه كولو لپاره په ښكاره دجنګسالارانو يوه ناوړه هڅه په ګوته كوي. سياسي شنونكي وايي چې دنظام دبدلولو لپاره د اساسي قانون دتعديل لار په مخ كې ده، دغه ډلې او كسان چې دنظام دبدلولو په خاطر پردۍ دروازې ټكوي، يقيناً په دې پوهېږي چې غوښتنه يې دافغان ملت لپاره مردوده او هيڅكله دعملي وړ نه ده، نو په دې توګه دپيسو دترلاسه كولو او دځان مطرح كولو هڅه ده. دجرمني په مونيخ ښار كې دشمال ټلوالي ځينو پخوانيو قوماندانانو او دملي جبهې غړو غونډه كړې او دغونډې هدف يې هم په افغانستان كې دفډرالي نظام واكمنول او په راتلونكو ولسمشريزو ټاكنو خبرې اترې شوې دې. - خدمتگار

Was Princess Diana Murdered by the British Military?: Was Princess Diana assassinated by the British military? Scotland Yard announced this weekend that they were examining that possibility after the family of a former Special Forces operative allegedly broke the code of silence surrounding her death. - Daily Beast

Under fire, U.S. spy agency defends surveillance programs as lawful: (Reuters) - Under increasing pressure to justify electronic surveillance programs that at times capture communications of American citizens, the U.S. National Security Agency went to unusual lengths on Friday to insist its activities are lawful and any mistakes largely unintentional.

من هم با تجربه می شوم ! -- نو کار بودن اعضای کمیسیون انتخابات یک چالش نیست. کمیسون انتخابات و اعضای جدید دارای تعلیمات مسلکی هستند و انتخابات یک ساینس راکت نیست که نیاز به بلدیت و تجربه داشته باشد -- آقای نورستانی در پایان خاطر نشان کرد: گفته عده ای که من به توصیه رییس جمهور انتخاب شده ام باید بگویم من در حدود سه سال است که رییس جمهور را ندیده ام و در تماس هم با ایشان نبوده ام. - afghanpaper

EU to review relationship with Egypt in coming days: (Reuters) - The European Union will review its relationship with Egypt in the coming days, the 28-member bloc said on Sunday

An Arab Nightmare: West Dithers Over Taking a Side in Egypt: Egypt's political unravelling puts the West in a tight spot. Its reaction to this week's massacre will affect its image in the Arab world for many years to come. So far, it has been anything but assertive - der spiegel

Lessons from Afghanistan's tribal elders: A recent meeting of 200 Afghan tribal elders that I attended in Kabul illustrates why the 2014 presidential election will be pivotal to recapturing the Afghan people's trust in their government and establishing the kind of stability they -- and the international community -- crave. - Foreign Policy

افغانستان می تواند نقش رهبری کننده در بخش ذخایر معدنی در جهان داشته باشد: مقام ها در وزارت دفاع امریکا می گویند که افغانستان با ذخایر طبیعی که دارد، می تواند دراین زمینه نقش رهبری کننده مواد معدنی جهان را داشته باشد. به گفته این مقام ها، ارزش ذخایر طبيعی افغانستان، یک تریلیون دالر پیش بینی شده است. ارزش ذخایر مس، لاجورد، آهن، سلفر، نقره و سرب، مشمول این پیش بینی است. جیم بلیون که مأموریت وزارت دفاع امریکا در بخش معادن در کشور های رو به توسعه را دارد، گفته است: "بربنیاد این تخمین، افغانستان میتواند نقش رهبری کننده در بخش ذخایرمعدنی در جهان را داشته باشد." پیشتر، کانگرس امریکا نیز اعلام کرده بود که عناصر کمياب در معادن افغانستان وجود دارد. - خبرگزاری بخدی

Afghan King’s granddaughter marries Prince Muhammad of Egypt: Princess Noal Zaher, the granddaughter of Afghanistan King Zaher Shah is due to tie knot with Egypt’s Prince Muhammad Ali on 30 August this year. -- The couples are bus with impending royal wedding, after they announced their engagement on 27 April 2013. The wedding will take place at the Palace of Çirağan on the European shores of the Istanbul Strait in Turkey. - Khaama

Prince Muhammad Ali of Egypt and Princess Noal Zaher of Afghanistan prepare for their royal wedding: Princess Noal Zaher was born in 1980 in the Italian capital of Rome and her father is Mohammed Daoud Khan Pachtounyar, the fifth son of the last king of Afghanistan Zahir Shah and his queen, Homeira. -- Noal Zaher graduated from the famous French university Institut Saint-Dominique with a degree in European Business before specialising in jewellery design at Webster University in London. - hellomagazine

مصری شهزاده او افغانه شهزادګۍ واده کوي: نوال ظاهر په ۱۹۸۰ م کال داېټالیا په پلازمېنه روم کې زېږېدلې ده. شهزادګۍ نوال دمحمد داود پښتونیار لور ده چې دپخواني پاچا محمد ظاهر شاه او ملکې حمیرا پنځم زوی و. نوال ظاهر دفرانسې له مشهور پوهنتون او انستیتوټ سېنټ ډومیمنک څخه داروپایي سوداګرۍ دیپلوم ترلاسه کړی دی. هغې دلندن په وېب سټر پوهنتون کې دګاڼو دډیزان په برخه کې تخصص هم کړی دی. - گران افغانستان

Huge fire destroys 200 shops in Mazar-e-Sharif city of Afghanistan: According to police officials in northern Balkh province of Afghanistan, at least 200 shops were destroyed after a huge fire swept through two business centres in Mazar-e-Sharif city of northern Balkh province on Friday.- khaama

سرمایه گذاری سه میلیارد دالری برای ساخت مسکن در افغانستان: وزارت شهرسازی افغانستان می گوید که سه میلیارد دالر برای ساخت مسکن در این کشور برای سه سال آینده سرمایه گذاری می شود. قرار است با ایجاد 150 هزار واحد مسکونی مشکل مسکن در اکثر شهر های افغانستان حل گردد. اکثر شهر های افغانستان در سال های اخیر شاهد رشد چشمگیر جمعیت بوده اند. میلیون ها تن روستا های شان را ترک کرده اند و به برای زندگی به مراکز کلان شهر های افغانستان آمده اند. هم چنان اکثر مهاجران بازگشته به کشور نیز در شهر ها مسکن گزین شده اند. پیدا کردن مسکن در اکثر شهر های افغانستان بسیار دشوار شده است و قیمت زمین و خانه به شمول کرایه ملکیت ها افزایش قابل ملاحظه ای داشته است. اکنون وزارت امور شهرسازی این کشور از تطبیق 150 هزار واحد مسکونی در این کشور خبر می دهد. - دویچه ویلی

Afghanistan’s Rare Earth Element Bonanza: - After more than a decade of war and nation building, members of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan are heading for the exits. Although what the ISAF will leave behind is better than what was there in 2001, Afghanistan remains a battered land. However, the resources Afghanistan’s land holds — copper, cobalt, iron, barite, sulfur, lead, silver, zinc, niobium, and 1.4 million metric tons of rare earth elements (REEs) — may be a silver lining. - Alan W. Dowd

Under fire, U.S. spy agency defends surveillance programs as lawful: (Reuters) - Under increasing pressure to justify electronic surveillance programs that at times capture communications of American citizens, the U.S. National Security Agency went to unusual lengths on Friday to insist its activities are lawful and any mistakes largely unintentional.

NSA broke privacy rules thousands of times per year: report: (Reuters) - The National Security Agency has broken privacy rules or overstepped its legal authority thousands of times each year since 2008, the Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing an internal audit and other top-secret documents.

ننګرهار : د بهسودو پل د غورځيدو په حال کې دي: د بهسودو پل په ننګرهار ولايت کې هغه پول دي چې د دغه ولايت يو شمېر ولسواليو او کونړ ولايت ته پري تګ راتګ کېږي چې دوه کاله پخوا تګ راتګ کوونکو د دغه پول د خرابوالي له کبله چغې پورته کړي او له دولته يې د جوړولو غوښتنه وکړه. - خبریال

Ex-NATO Chief: 15000 Troops Should Stay In Afghanistan After 2014: WASHINGTON - The United States and its allies should immediately announce how many troops will stay on in Afghanistan after 2014, former NATO supreme commander Admiral James Stavridis argued on Wednesday - Asiaone

The 15,000 Troop Option: The 50 nations that today have troops operating in Afghanistan have collectively pledged to continue their mission well beyond 2014 and have drawn up a detailed concept of operations. But what remains under discussion is the size of the commitment.- James Stavridis | Foreign Policy

Karzai backs no particular presidential candidate: Aimal Faizi, the presidential spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News the president had started consultations and advisory meetings with political and jihadi leaders on the country’s political future, the upcoming elections and other issues of national interest. - pajhwok

For President, Karzai Floats Islamist With bin Laden Tie: - KABUL—President Hamid Karzai has suggested that the man who brought Osama bin Laden to Afghanistan could become the country's next leader, say people familiar with discussions ahead of April's presidential vote. - Wall Street Journal

A Curse on Dostoevsky by Atiq Rahimi, review: A story of crime and punishment in Kabul impresses Anthony Cummins. - By Anthony Cummins

Islamists Debate Their Next Move in Tense Cairo: With their leaders jailed or silent, Islamists reeled in shock at the worst mass killing in Egypt’s modern history. By Thursday night, health officials had counted 638 dead and nearly 4,000 injured, but the final toll was expected to rise further. - nytimes

Iran’s Parliament Grills, but Mostly Confirms, New President’s Cabinet: The proposed cabinet of Iran’s new president, Hassan Rouhani, survived its confirmation hearings largely intact on Thursday after four days of grilling by the conservative-dominated Parliament, which accused some nominees of corruption or sympathies with the outlawed opposition. - nytimes

NSA broke privacy rules thousands of times per year, audit finds: The National Security Agency has broken privacy rules or overstepped its legal authority thousands of times each year since Congress granted the agency broad new powers in 2008, according to an internal audit and other top-secret documents. - Washingtonpost

Court: Ability to police U.S. spying program limited: The chief judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court said the court lacks the tools to independently verify how often the government’s surveillance breaks the court’s rules that aim to protect Americans’ privacy. - Washingtonpost

Female Afghan MP kidnapped" A female member of the Afghan parliament has been kidnapped by insurgents in a restive province south of Kabul. - Guardian

Egypt crisis not likely to damage U.S. security interests in region: President Obama cancels a joint military exercise that was already in doubt because of Egypt's preoccupation with the domestic crisis. - latimes

Obama cancels military exercises, condemns violence in Egypt: (Reuters) - President Barack Obama announced on Thursday that the United States is cancelling joint military exercises with Egypt next month, saying normal U.S. cooperation cannot continue in light of the armed forces' bloody crackdown.

Afghanistan's future depends on foreign soldiers: U.S. commander: (Reuters) - Afghanistan's future security will remain dependent on international troops for many years after most foreign combat forces leave by the end of 2014, the U.S. commander of the NATO-led force in the South Asian country said.

رویای محمدعلی جناح: کشوری به‌نام پاکستان به تاریخ ۱۴ اگست سال ۱۹۴۷ میلادی، با تجزیه شبه قاره هند، برمبنای مذهب در همسایگی ما تشکیل شد. در واقع استعمار بریتانیا بر هند، با تجزیه شبه‌قاره به دو دولت مستقل هند و پاکستان، به پایان رسید. مرزهای این تجزیه اما بسیار خونین بود. سرزمین هند که در تساهل و شکیبایی مذهبی، شهره بود، در سال‌های اخیر سلطه‌ی بریتانیا، دست‌خوش ناآرامی‌ها و خشونت‌های مذهبی شد. از اثر این خشونت‌ها هزاران نفر به قتل رسیدند و میلیون‌ها تن دیگر آواره شدند. این دوران، یکی از دوره‌های تلخ و تراتژیک در تاریخ بشریت است. - روزنامه هشت صبح

In Egypt, mosques turn into hospitals; death toll climbs to 281: CAIRO -- Mosques turned into makeshift hospitals Wednesday as protesters injured in a deadly crackdown in Cairo were brought in, blood staining the prayer carpets. LAT

Afghan lawmaker and her three children kidnapped by Taliban: Fariba Ahmadi Kakar was travelling between Kandahar and Kabul at the weekend when gunmen swooped in and took them hostage, The Deputy Governor of the Ghazni Province, Mohammad Ali Ahmadi told NBC News.

Afghan interpreters petition delivered to Cameron: Campaigners have petitioned Downing Street to call for Afghan interpreters who worked with UK forces to be given the right to settle in Britain. - BBC

News Analysis, Arab Spring Countries Find Peace Is Harder Than Revolution: BEIRUT, Lebanon — In Libya, armed militias have filled a void left by a revolution that felled a dictator. In Syria, a popular uprising has morphed into a civil war that has left more than 100,000 dead and provided a haven for Islamic extremists. In Tunisia, increasingly bitter political divisions have delayed the drafting of a new constitution. - nytimes

Manning, Facing Prison for Leaks, Apologizes at Court-Martial Trial: FORT MEADE, Md. — Pfc. Bradley Manning, who is facing up to 90 years in prison for leaking 700,000 government files to WikiLeaks, apologized on Wednesday for the “unintended consequences of my actions.” He told the judge at his court-martial trial that while he “believed it was going to help people, not hurt people,” he now realized that what he did was wrong. - nytimes

U. S. Aid to Egypt Is Complicated - Outside The Beltway: However, when you dig a little deeper into that $1.3 billion, as was done by Shana Marshall at Foreign Policy last year, the situation gets even more complicated: - Dave Schuler

The U.S. gives Egypt $1.5 billion a year in aid. Here’s what it does.: What do we actually give to Egypt? Between 1948 and 2011, the United States has given Egypt about $71.6 billion in bilateral military and economic aid. That’s more than we’ve given to any other country over that time frame save for Israel. - Washingtonpost

Gmail Users Shouldn't Expect Privacy, Google Says In Filing: People who use Gmail and other free email systems have no reasonable expectation of privacy, according to papers filed in a U.S. district court by lawyers for Google. The filing was made in June, when Google moved to dismiss a case accusing it of breaking federal and state laws by scanning users' emails to help target its advertising campaigns. - Bill Chappell

'Bloodbath' In Cairo As Troops Move On Morsi Supporters: In what looks to be the bloodiest day since the July 3 ouster of President Mohammed Morsi, dozens of people in Cairo were killed Wednesday as government forces moved to clear Morsi's supporters from sites where they have been camped. - NPR

آیساف: امضای پیمان امنیتی به نفع افغانستان و ایالات متحده امریکا است: هنز فیلدمن، سخنگوی آیساف در افغانستان به روز (دوشنبه 21 اسد) در نشست خبری در کابل گفت که امضای پیمان امنیتی میان کابل و واشنگتن به نفع هر دو کشور است و باید در این زمینه تلاش جدی صورت بگیرد. آقای فیلدمن می گوید که در یک دهه گذشته، جامعه جهانی سرمایه گذاری های چشمگیری در افغانستان کرده و نمی خواهند این دستاورد ها از بین برود. پیشتر رئیس ارکان مشترک نظامی امریکا گفته بود که امیدوار است، توافقنامه امنیتی کابل و واشنگتن تا ماه اکتوبر سال جاری میلادی به امضا برسد. - خبر گزاری بخدی

Lawyers for U.S. soldier in Afghan rampage seek prosecutors' ouster: (Reuters) - Lawyers for a U.S. soldier who pleaded guilty in June to the slaughter of 16 Afghan civilians sought the dismissal of the prosecution team at a hearing on Tuesday, saying a document they saw could compromise the fairness of the upcoming sentencing proceeding.

Egyptian police fire tear gas at pro-Mursi protest camp in Cairo: (Reuters) - Egyptian security forces have started clearing out Cairo protest camps which have been demanding the reinstatement of deposed Islamist president Mohamed Mursi, Reuters witnesses said.

Afghanistan's pioneering female MP seeks asylum as progress for women unravels: For years she was a symbol of a new country rising from the ashes of Taliban rule, as one of the women whose voices were finally being heard after a decade of brutal oppression in Afghanistan. - Telegraph

Dutch Prince Johan Friso dies 18 months after being buried in avalanche: Prince Friso of the Netherlands, the younger brother of the King, has died aged 44 after being caught up in an avalanche last year - Telegraph

Mohamamd Hassan Sharq: born in 1925 was an Afghan politician during the communist regime of Afghanistan. Sharq became Prime Minister of the Soviet-backed government, the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan - khaama

دانفورد: امضای توافقنامه امنیتی پیام روشنی به طالبان است: جنرال جوزف دانفورد، فرمانده نیرو های ائتلاف بین المللی در افغانستان بر امضای "توافقنامه دوجانبه امنیتی" بین امریکا و افغانستان تاکید کرده است. او این توافقنامه را نشان دهنده تعهد غرب به افغانستان خوانده است. جنرال جوزف دانفورد، فرمانده امریکایی نیرو های ناتو در افغانستان روز شنبه (19 اسد / 10 آگست) در مصاحبه ای با اسوشیتد پرس، امضای "توافقنامه دوجانبه امنیتی" بین افغانستان و امریکا را با اهمیت خواند. - دویچه ویلی

U.S. diplomatic posts to reopen except in Yemen and Pakistan: U.S. diplomatic posts to reopen except in Yemen and Pakistan. latimes

AP Interview: US general says Afghan deal vital: KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The top U.S. and coalition commander in Afghanistan stressed Saturday that the signing of a stalled bilateral security agreement between America and Afghanistan was needed to send a clear signal both to the Afghan people and the Taliban that the international community remains committed to the country's future stability even as foreign forces withdraw.

افترا و تهمت به آریانا سعید نارواست : خانم سعید می گوید: " من روزانه پیام های زشت و دشنام هایی در یافت می کنم که مرا بسیار ناراحت می سازد. باور کنید، از زمانیکه به افغانستان رفت و آمد می کنم، یگانه ارادۀ من فقط و فقط خدمت و کار به مردم و وطنم بوده است. وقتی می بینم که شماری از مردم، از هنرم تعبیر نادرستی می کنند، بسیار رنج می برم." - VOA

U.S. to reopen 18 of 19 foreign posts closed amid security concerns: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Eighteen of the 19 U.S. embassies and consulates closed this month due to worries about potential terrorist attacks will reopen on Sunday, the U.S. State Department said on Friday.

US,Russia agree to work together on Afghanistan: Lavrov: "We noted that it serves our mutual interest to make sure that this country poses less serious threat in terms of terrorism, organised crime, drug industry," the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, told reporters at a joint news conference here yesterday after his talks with his American counterparts. - business-standard

فقط یک افغانستان با ثبات و قدرتمند است که می‌تواند جلوی وقوع حادثه به مثل ۱۱ سپتمبر را بگیرد: جنرال جوزف دانفورد: کابل:- قوماندان نیروهای امریکایی و ائتلافی در افغانستان در یک مصاحبه‌ تاکید کرد که لازم است امضای معاهده امنیتی دو جانبه میان افغانستان و امریکا پیام صریحی هم به مردم افغانستان و هم به طالبان ارسال کند مبنی بر اینکه جامعه بین‌المللی حتی با وجود خروج نیروهای خارجی در افغانستان متعهد به ثبات این کشور در آینده است.

NSA surveillance: the long fight to close backdoor into US communications: Senators' attempt to ensure removal of Americans' data from NSA trawls has been ongoing for more than a year - Guardian

High Blood Sugar Linked to Dementia: People with diabetes face an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, a connection scientists and physicians have worried about for years. They still can’t explain it. - PAULA SPAN

Opinion, How to Read Afghanistan: ON a sunny, crisp November day in 2008, three American civilians joined a platoon of United States soldiers on a foot patrol in Maiwand District, a flat, yellow patch of earth crowned by black-rock mountains in southern Afghanistan. The civilians were part of the Human Terrain System, an ambitious, troubled Army program that sends social scientists into conflict zones to help soldiers understand local culture, politics and economics. - nytimes

Lawless Sinai Shows Risks Rising in Fractured Egypt: In the five weeks since Egypt’s military ousted the Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi, the endemic violence here has spiraled into something like an insurgency, with mysterious gunmen attacking military and police facilities every night. - nytimes

Obama announces proposals to reform NSA surveillance: President Obama said Friday he would pursue reforms to open the legal proceedings surrounding government surveillance programs to greater scrutiny, the administration’s most concerted response yet to a series of disclosures about secret monitoring efforts. - washingtonpost

AP Interview: US general says Afghan deal vital: KABUL, Afghanistan — The top U.S. and coalition commander in Afghanistan stressed Saturday that the signing of a stalled bilateral security agreement between America and Afghanistan was needed to send a clear signal both to the Afghan people and the Taliban that the international community remains committed to the country's future stability even as foreign forces withdraw.

Obama outlines proposals for reining in NSA surveillance: WASHINGTON — President Obama proposed significant new limits on the power of intelligence agencies to secretly collect vast amounts of information on Americans, responding to weeks of controversy with steps he said were designed to "ensure that the American people can trust that our efforts are in line with our interests and our values." - latimes

Muslims celebrate the end of fasting month of Ramadan, but violence casts dark shadow - AP

Assad unharmed after rebels claim attack: BEIRUT — A rebel group claimed it struck Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s motorcade with shellfire Thursday, shortly before he attended prayers in Damascus to mark a major Muslim holiday, exposing his potential vulnerability to attack despite a string of recent advances against rebel forces. - washingtonpost

14 women, children killed in Ghanikhel graveyard blast: JALALABAD (PAN): A mine blast killed seven women and as many children ahead of Eidul Fitr prayers on Thursday morning in a graveyard in the Ghanikhel district of eastern Nangarhar province, an official said. - Pajhwok

Afghan graveyard bomb kills 14: A bomb hidden in a cemetery killed seven Afghan women and seven children who had gathered to mark the festival of Eid al-Fitr at the grave of a relative, as President Hamid Karzai called for the Taliban to lay down their arms and join peace talks. - Guardian

په ننګرهار کې د اختر په لومړۍ ورځ چاودنې لږترلږه ۱۰ ښځې وژلي: په ننګرهار ولایت کې نن د کوچني اختر په لومړۍ ورځ د یوې چاودنې په نتیجه کې وېره ده چې تر لسو زیاتې ښځې او ماشومان به وژل شوي وي. - تاند

Al-Qaida remains significant threat to west – UN report -- Affiliates and self-radicalised terrorists pose ongoing threat despite damage to al-Qaida's core, authoritative report says - Guardian

Obama cancels meeting with Russia's Putin over Snowden decision: (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Wednesday abruptly canceled a Moscow summit with President Vladimir Putin planned for next month in a retaliation for Russia's decision to grant asylum to fugitive U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden.

اولین دیدار رسمی پادشاه افغانستان از اضلاع متحدۀ امریکا! -- عبدالمنان کریم -- afghan-german.com

Mullah Mohammad Omar, Taliban Leader, Says Still Willing To Start Peace Talks: KABUL, Afghanistan -- The Taliban's reclusive leader said Tuesday that his group was willing to start peace negotiations, even as he urged more attacks – including insider shootings by government security forces – on foreign troops. - huffingtonpost

آگاهان: کابل در امضای تفاهمنامه با تهران عجله نموده است: - کابل (پژواک، ١٥اسد٩٢): برخی آگاهان سیاسی می گویند که ایران با امضای تفاهمنامۀ استراتیژیک با افغانستان، در صدد اهداف پنهان در افغانستان و دنبال کردن دشمنی با امریکا است و می تواند تشنج در روابط کابل - واشنگتن را بیشتر سازد. برخی هم، امضای این تفاهمنامه را به سود افغانستان می دانند، اما در عین حال می گویند که عملی ساختن آن در حضور نیرو های بین المللی و آمریکا برای حکومت افغانستان دشوار خواهد بود. این تفاهمنامه، روز گذشته از سوی مشاور امنیت ملی افغانستان و منشی امنیت ملی ایران، در تهران امضا شد.

Malibu scion Grant Adamson killed in Swiss hot-air balloon crash: Grant Adamson, a scion of Malibu's founding family, died early Tuesday when a hot-air balloon carrying him and his family crashed near the western Swiss town of Montbovon. - latimes

Cybersecurity salaries average $116,000; D.C. seen as center: Workers in the cybersecurity industry make an average of $116,000 a year, according to a survey by an organization looking to draw more of that talent to Virginia. latimes

George W. Bush has stent surgery to ease blocked artery: Bush, 67, had a stent inserted after doctors discovered a blockage in his heart during his annual physical examination on Monday, according to his office. The nation’s 43rd president is expected to be released from care on Wednesday. - latimes

Taliban reject Afghan elections, vow to fight until troops leave: (Reuters) - The Afghan Taliban will not take part in next year's presidential elections and will wage war until foreign troops leave the country, the group's elusive leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, said in a message released on Tuesday.

Jeff Bezos, To the employees of The Washington Post: So, let me start with something critical. The values of The Post do not need changing. The paper’s duty will remain to its readers and not to the private interests of its owners. We will continue to follow the truth wherever it leads, and we’ll work hard not to make mistakes. When we do, we will own up to them quickly and completely. -- Jeff Bezos on Post purchase

George W. Bush gets stent for blocked heart artery: (Reuters) - Former U.S. President George W. Bush underwent successful surgery at a Dallas hospital on Tuesday to place a stent in a blocked heart artery.

سروبی، بیشترین خسارات را در سیلاب ها متحمل شده است: به اساس معلومات اداره مبارزه با حوادث طبیعی افغانستان سیلاب ها به شمول کابل در یازده ولایت افغانستان سرازیر گردیده اند. تازه ترین اطلاعات نشان میدهند که بیشترین خسارات ناشی از سیلاب به ولسوالی سروبی کابل وارد شده است. رادیو آزادی

US decreasing not withdrawing forces from Afghanistan: Kerry: He also told Hamid Mir that the US was decreasing and not completely withdrawing its forces from Afghanistan. “Not every single soldier will leave in 2014. We have been very clear about that. We are not withdrawing we are drawing down.” - thenews

John Kerry’s Message to Pakistan: Secretary of State John Kerry had several important messages to deliver to Pakistani leaders this week in Islamabad, but one stood out in terms of its strategic significance: The U.S. is not leaving Afghanistan any time soon. He expressed strong confidence that a security agreement will soon be signed with Kabul allowing a residual U.S. (and NATO) force to stay on after 2014. - dailybeast

افغانستان و ایران تفاهمنامه همکاری استراتژیک امضا کردند - این موافقتنامه توسط رنگین دادفر سپنتا، مشاور امنیت ملی حکومت افغانستان و سعید جلیلی دبیر شورای عالی امنیت ملی ایران امضا شده است. - BBC

Afghan Attack Adds to Regional Tensions: A bombing outside the Indian consulate in eastern Afghanistan has raised suspicions in New Delhi of Pakistani involvement, a development that could set back recent efforts to resume peace talks.- WSJ

Al Qaeda intercept is just one piece of threat intelligence: U.S. sources: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Intercepted communication between al Qaeda leaders was one component of a broader pool of intelligence that prompted a threat alert closing numerous U.S. embassies in the Middle East and Africa, U.S. sources said on Monday.

US embassy closures used to bolster case for NSA surveillance programs: Congress told that NSA monitoring led to interception of al-Qaida threats but privacy campaigners fear ulterior political motives - Guardian

White House warns some US embassies could remain closed for another month: Obama administration downplays connection between current scare and ongoing debate over NSA surveillance in the US - Guardian

Turkey's former military chief sentenced to life in prison: Retired Gen. Ilker Basbug was the highest profile person among the 275 defendants, which included other military officers, politicians, academics and journalists, Turkish media reported.

More than 120 killed in heavy flooding in Pakistan, Afghanistan: ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Heavy rains that caused flash floods and collapsed houses have killed 53 people across Pakistan over the past three days, a Pakistani official said Monday. - latimes

A French Town Bridges the Gap Between Muslims and Non-Muslims: In a country where Islamic head coverings are regulated by law and many Muslims say they have been made to feel like outsiders, Roubaix is one of just a handful of cities that have broken with a rigid interpretation of the country’s state secularism. - nytimes

Amazon’s Bezos to buy paper, sister publications for $250M: The Washington Post Co. agreed Monday to sell its flagship newspaper to Amazon.com founder and chief executive Jeffrey P. Bezos, ending the Graham family’s stewardship of one of America’s leading news organizations after four generations.

قهوه: دشمن آلزایمر، دوست قلب : نشریه تایم می‌نویسد دانه‌های قهوه معجزه می‌آفرینند. طبق این تحقیق علمی نوشیدنی جادویی قهوه جلوی سرطان پوست و آلزایمر را می‌گیرد، نارسایی قلبی و ابتلا به دیابت را کاهش می‌دهد، تمرکز را تقویت می‌کند، و خطر ارتکاب به خودکشی را پایین می‌آورد. - VOA

How Coffee Could Save Your Life: A study just released by the Harvard School of Public Health says coffee can reduce heart failure and diabetes risks, help protect the liver, and lower the risk of Alzheimer’s.- TIME

'The US has no clear answer for the future of Afghanistan': “We find the policies of our Western friends in Afghanistan neither sufficiently steady nor transparent,” Kanwal Sibal, India’s tough-talking former foreign secretary, declared at a conference on Afghanistan.

Taliban Talking Secretly to Kabul Government: ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The Taliban have held secret talks with representatives of Afghan President Hamid Karzai to try to jumpstart a peace process that stumbled and stalled at the starting gate, according to Afghan officials and a senior Taliban representative. - nytimes

Rouhani sworn in as Iran’s president: TEHRAN — Hassan Rouhani, a moderate cleric, was sworn in Sunday as Iran’s new president, officially ending the controversial eight-year, two-term presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. - washingtonpost

In Afghanistan, a second Guantanamo: KABUL — Of all the challenges the United States faces as it winds down the Afghanistan war, the most difficult might be closing the prison nicknamed “The Second Guantanamo.” - washingtonpost

Uncertain future for Afghan businesswoman as West leaves: KABUL (Reuters) - The United States and its allies have put promoting women's rights at the core of their 12-year mission in Afghanistan and Liza Ghausi Nooristani has profited nicely from their intervention.

Prominent lawyer wounded in bombing in Afghanistan's east: police: (Reuters) - A lawyer who prosecuted Taliban militants was seriously wounded by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan's east on Sunday, police said, a day after a deadly attack on the Indian consulate in the same city.

د خپلواکۍ د ۹۴ يمې کاليزې په مناسبت د افغان ملي غورځنګ خبرتیا: افغان ملي غورځنګ د خپلو تاريخي وياړونو، تاريخي اتلانو او تاريخي ورځو د نمانځنې په موخه غواړي سږکال د خپلواکۍ ۹۴ يمه کاليزه د اعليحضرت غازي نادرخان د تپې پرسر په ډېرو شاندارو مراسمو ونمانځي. - afgmilighorzang.

TOGETHER FOREVER? U.S. Reportedly Nears Post-2014 Afghanistan Deal: "We're at the point now where we concluded the text," said a senior State Department official familiar with the negotiations. "We're in a period of endgame." The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is not official. - usatoday

Pakistan and Afghanistan monsoon floods kill dozens: Eastern Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan have been hit by torrential rain, causing floods which have killed at least 80 people. - BBC

."ټاکنو کې به یوازې د خلکو غوښتنې ته درناوی وشي": د افغانستان د ټاکنو خپلواک کمیسیون احمد یوسف نورستانی د خپل مشرپه توګه وټاکه. - BBCPashto

The U.S.-Afghan game of "Chicken": The game of "Chicken" typically involves two drivers, with cars on a converging course, daring one another to either swerve out of the way or risk a head-on collision. Ideally, one driver swerves and the other wins. The danger, of course, is that both drivers will believe that the other will swerve first and they will end up colliding. In this worst-case scenario, the size of the vehicle and its capacity to absorb the impact are key. - Foreign Policy

آگاهان سیاسی: توافق‌نامه امنیتی افغانستان را از فروپاشی نجات می‌دهد: آگاهان مسایل سیاسی می‌گویند، در صورتی‌ که حکومت افغانستان موافقت ‌نامه همکاری ‌های امنیتی را با ایالات متحده امریکا امضا نکند، کشور پس از خروج کامل نیرو های خارجی با خطر فروپاشی رو به ‌روست. اما مقام‌ های حکومتی گفته‌اند در صورتی که با امضای این موافقت‌ نامه، امنیت در افغانستان تامین نشود و کشور از تعرض کشور های همسایه مصوون نباشد، امضای چنین سندی نمی ‌تواند منافع افغانستان را تضمین کند. این در حالی است که سفیر ایالات متحده امریکا در افغانستان گفته است که عجله در امضای موافقت‌نامه امنیتی بین افغانستان و ایالات متحده امریکا به نفع هر دو کشور است. جیمز کنینگهم، سفیر امریکا گفته است که با امضای این سند بسیاری موارد مبهم روشن خواهد شد. - هشت صبح

Insight: Libya's turmoil revealed in feud for custody of Gaddafi's son: (Reuters) - To his captors, the fate of Libya's most prominent prisoner, the son of ousted dictator Muammar Gaddafi, can be sealed only in one place - in the small straggling mountain town where they have kept him locked up for nearly two years.

UN Mission in Afghanistan welcomes appointment of members to electoral body: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) welcomed today's appointment of the members of the new Independent Election Commission (IEC) and looked forward to working with the new commissioners as the country prepares for crucial elections in 2014.

Flash floods kill more than 40 in Afghanistan: Flash floods triggered by days of torrential rain have killed more than 40 people in Afghanistan and destroyed dozens of houses. - ABC

یوسف نورستانی رییس کمیسیون انتخابات شد: - یوسف نورستانی، در انتخابات درونی اعضای کمیسیون مستقل انتخابات به عنوان رییس این کمیسیون انتخاب شده است. او جایگزین فضل احمد معنوی رییس سابق کمیسیون مستقل انتخابات شده است. احمد یوسف نورستانی کار خود را با حامد کرزی از سال ۲۰۰۲ به عنوان سخنگو و دستیار رییس جمهور آغاز کرد و به زودی به وزارت انرژی و آب و محیط زیست رسید. او در سال ۲۰۰۶ معاون وزیر دفاع و در ۲۰۰۹ والی هرات شد. - هشت صبح

Another explosion reported in Jalalabad city of Afghanistan: An explosion has taken place in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan, which injured at least 16 people including the provincial appeal attorney chief Abdul Qayoum Khan. - KP

Deadly attacks foiled in capital Kabul, 7 suicide bombers arrested: According to NDS officials the suicide bombers and militants belonged to Haqqani terrorist Network, and were looking to carry out coordinated attacks on Afghan parliament, Afghan intelligence department, Afghan finance ministry and Serena Hotel. - Khaama Press

د جلال آباد د برید تلفات ټول ملیکان دي : په جلال آباد ښار کې دهند قونسلګرۍ پر امنيتي پوستې ډليز ځانمرګي بريد کې نه تنه ملکي وګړي وژل شوي دي. درې تنو ځانمرګو بريدګرو د شنبې په ورځ شاوخوا لس بجې لومړى خپل له چاودېدونکو توکو څخه ډک موټر ته دقونسلګرۍ امنيتي کمربند ته نږدې چاودنه ورکړه او وروسته پوليس سره ونښتل.

Karzai backers seek delay in Afghan vote: - U.S. officials say long-term support for Afghanistan, including billions of dollars in aid, could be withheld if the vote is postponed. That message, they say, has been conveyed to Karzai in private meetings. - washingtonpost

یوسف نورستاني د انتخاباتو د خپلواک کمیسون رييس وټاکل شو: - ښاغلی نورستاني په امریکا کې د ښوونې او روزنې په برخه کې لوړې زده کړې تر دوکتورا پوري کړيؤ پخوا د دفاع وزارت مرستیال، د هرات والي او د ولسمشر کرزي سلاکار پاتې شوی دی. دی د فضل احمد معنوي ځای نیسي چې تر مشرۍ لاندې یې د ۲۰۰۹ م کال د ولسمشرۍ او ورپسې د ولسي جرګې انتخابات ترسره شول. - تاند

Remarks by the President at Iftar Dinner: For Muslims, Ramadan is a time of reflection, a chance to demonstrate one’s devotion to God through prayer and through fasting. But it’s also a time for family and friends to come together -- as we do tonight -- in a spirit of love and respect, to renew our obligations to one another, as well as to renew our commitment to our neighbors and helping the most needy among us. For as the Koran teaches, whoever does an atom’s weight of good, will see its results. - The White House

Attack on Indian mission in Afghanistan raises specter of regional struggle: (Reuters) - Insurgents attacked the Indian consulate in Afghanistan's eastern capital on Saturday, killing nine people and reinforcing fears that a bloody regional power struggle will be played out in the country once most foreign troops leave.

From classrooms to suicide bombs: children's lives in Afghanistan: Child casualties in Afghanistan are rising, among them children recruited as suicide bombers by the Taliban – often with their parents' blessing.- Guardian

خلیل زاد: افغانستان دي د عراق تجربه نه تکراروي: دافغانستان دپاره دامریکا پخوانی سفیر زلمی خلیلزاد وايي چې دافغانستان ټینګار چې وايي دامریکا او افغانستان ترمنځ امنیتي قرارداد دطالبانو سره دمخامخ خبرو وروسته لاس لیکوي او یا یو شمیر نور شرایط لري یواځي پاکستان او طالبانو ته دهغه په وینا دویټو صلاحیت ورکوي چې په دې مزاکراتو کې نفوذ پیدا کړي او مزاکرات داصلي مسیر څخه دباندي وباسي.

Blast near Indian Consulate kills 9 Afghans: KABUL — An explosion outside the Indian Consulate in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad, near the border with Pakistan, killed nine Afghan civilians Saturday, local officials said. - washingtonpost

.آمریکا: موافقتنامه امنیتی با افغانستان قبل از مبارزات انتخاباتی امضا شود: جمیز دابنز نماینده ویژه آمریکا برای افغانستان و پاکستان در سفری به کابل، با مقام های افغان دیدار کرده و گفته است که کابل و واشنگتن باید برای امضای موافقتنامه دوجانبه امنیتی در هفته های آینده به توافق برسند. - BBC

Israel's President Shimon Peres turns 90: The political career of Polish-born Mr Peres spans six decades. He has served twice as prime minister of Israel.- BBC

Afghanistan's first female aeroplane pilot: With British and other NATO combat troops due to leave Afghanistan by the end of next year, Afghanistan is boosting its own military forces, including building a new Air Force virtually from scratch. - BBC

امريکا به دوه ورځي وروسته په ١٤هېوادونو کې خپل سفارتونه وتړي : وروسته له دي چې د امريکا د له لوري د امنيتي ګواښونو د را پورته کيدو خبري سوي اوس دغه هېواد د نړۍ په بېلا بېلو هېوادونو کې خپل سفارتونه تړي. - خبریال

U.S. issues worldwide travel alert over terrorism threat: The State Department plans to close embassies and consulates in a strip of countries stretching from northwest Africa east to Bangladesh, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Libya. - latimes

Turmoil in Muslim world, summer travel peak behind U.S. terror alert: As Americans pack their bags and hoist their backpacks for an end-of-summer foreign adventure, a U.S. government travel alert is urging them to be vigilant amid indications that Islamic militants are plotting terrorist strikes - latimes

Edward Snowden asylum could scuttle Obama trip to Russia: WASHINGTON –- The White House said Thursday it was “extremely disappointed” that Russia had granted Edward Snowden temporary refugee status, and said it is considering canceling an upcoming meeting between President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin. latimes

Injured Afghan girl finds a second home in U.S.: For three summers, an 11-year-old who lost an eye in an explosion has returned to North Carolina, where she has received medical treatment and bonded with an American family. - latimes

Dobbins expects security pact signing in weeks: KABUL (PAN): The bilateral security agreement (BSA) between the US and Afghanistan would be signed over the next weeks, an American diplomat said on Friday. - Pajhwok

U.S. issues global travel alert, cites al Qaeda threat: (Reuters) - The United States issued a worldwide travel alert on Friday warning Americans that al Qaeda may be planning attacks in August, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.

U.S. declares new push to defuse Egyptian crisis: (Reuters) - The United States said on Friday it would work with other nations to resolve Egypt's crisis peacefully, injecting new energy into a push to end a bloody standoff since the overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi.

Supreme court upholds Berlusconi jail sentence: (Reuters) - Italy's supreme court on Thursday upheld a jail sentence against Silvio Berlusconi for tax fraud in a devastating blow to the four-times prime minister that could throw the country's fragile coalition government into crisis.

Russia gives Snowden asylum, Obama-Putin summit in doubt: (Reuters) - Russia rejected U.S. pleas and granted American fugitive Edward Snowden a year's asylum on Thursday, letting the former spy agency contractor slip out of a Moscow airport after more than five weeks in limbo while angering the United States and putting in doubt a planned summit between the two nations' presidents.

Could Leaky Gut Be What’s Troubling You? - Leaky gut can be a difficult diagnosis to establish for a number of reasons: It's associated with a wide range of seemingly unconnected symptoms; it has a lot of different causes; there's no specific test to confirm it; and evidence tying it to other conditions can be murky. - doctoroz

A Simple Visa Request Vs. Afghan Bureaucracy: You think getting a passport or renewing your driver's license in the U.S. is a headache? Well, welcome to Afghan bureaucracy. On July 7, Kabul correspondent Sean Carberry asked producer Sultan Faizy to begin the process of renewing Sean's six-month resident visa. Here's Sultan's log of what happened:- NPR

Despite West’s Efforts, Afghan Youths Cling to Traditional Ways: KABUL, Afghanistan — Walk through the streets of Kabul and evidence of the West’s decade-long war literally clings to the Afghan youth: the American labels emblazoned on their shirts and jeans, the stylish sunglasses they wear, the cellphones they clutch to update their lives on Twitter and Facebook. - nytimes

House Votes To Cut Student Loan Rate, Sends Bill To Obama: The bill would let undergraduates borrow through the federal government's Stafford loan program at a 3.9 percent interest rate for this school year. Graduate students could borrow at 5.4 percent, and the parents of students could borrow at 6.4 percent. - AP

O.J. Simpson now waits for ruling on new trial: After five years behind bars, O.J. Simpson has won a small victory with a Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners decision - but the former NFL star won't likely be leaving prison anytime soon. - AP

اعتراض هندوها و سیک‌های افغانستان به حذف کرسی پیشنهادی آنها در مجلس: شورای مرکزی هندو وسیک‌های افغانستان و نمایندگان نهادهای مدنی در یک نشست مشترک، خواستار اختصاص یک کرسی در مجلس شورای ملی برای این اقلیت‌ها شدند. - BBC

John Kerry begins key Pakistan Nawaz Sharif talks: The closed-door talks focused on the economy and security ahead of Nato's withdrawal from Afghanistan next year, officials said. - BBC

Clean water and soap 'boost growth' in young children: Access to clean water and soap not only improves hygiene but may boost growth in young children, research suggests. - BBC

Beekeeping flourishes in Afghanistan: In Afghanistan, where 80 per cent of the population make their living from the land, only 12 per cent of which is arable, bees are not just important, they’re vital. - Telegraph