Taliban leader's arrest raises hopes (AP)

US Embassy says no staff injured in Kabul attack (AP)
AP - The U.S. Embassy in Kabul has confirmed an attack by insurgents firing rocket-propelled grenades and small arms but says no personnel have been reported injured.

$360M lost to insurgents, criminals in Afghanistan (AP)
AP - After examining hundreds of combat support and reconstruction contracts in Afghanistan, the U.S military estimates $360 million in U.S. tax dollars has ended up in the hands of people...

Karzai: Afghanistan, US in contacts with Taliban (AP)
AP - President Hamid Karzai said Saturday that Afghanistan and the United States are engaged in peace talks with the Taliban, even as insurgents stormed a police station near the presidential...

Syrian security forces shoot dead 8 protesters (AP)
AP - Activists say Syrian security forces have shot dead eight people — including a 16-year-old boy — during anti-government protests.

Syrian TV: 120 security forces killed in north (AP)
AP - Syrian TV claims 120 police and security forces have been killed by armed groups in a northern town.