Afghanistan is a landlocked Country situated in Asia. It has a diverse population, mainly comprising of the Pashtun, Tajik and Hazara peoples. Afghanistan’s main religion is Islam. In 1979 Russian Soviet Troops invaded Afghanistan, eventually withdrawing in 1989. Many highly educated people fled Afghanistan, which led to a leadership imbalance, and fighting continued in different factions. A group called the Taliban seized Kabul in 1996, and established rule. International forces started to intervene in 2001, and are still present in the country.
Soldier from Lambeth who displayed 'sheer personal courage and startling determination' trying to help a fallen colleague in Afghanistan is awarded the George Medal for bravery... more
Deadly route through a 'bomb alley' in Afghanistan that claimed the lives of two British soldiers has been rebuilt by a team led by a woman soldier from Wimbledon... more
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth warns public to prepare for more British deaths in Afghanistan as the armed forces seek to defend areas seized from the Taliban... more
First woman soldier to be killed in Afghanistan died with three comrades in a vehicle so lightly armoured it caused 'concern' among troops, an inquest hears... more
An RAF airman who was patrolling outside Nato’s main international airbase in Afghanistan in a lightly-armoured vehicle has been killed by a hidden bomb... more
The biggest worry of the Afghan people is lack of shelter, jobs, schools, clinics and clean water. And poverty helps the insurgenct, as young Afghans join up purely because they have no options... more
Defence group Qinetiq issues its second profits warning in seven weeks, blaming the costs of the war in Afghanistan which will mean lower spending by the British and American governments... more
A newspaper photographer who suffered serious injuries in an explosion in Afghanistan which killed British journalist Rupert Hamer has been flown back to Britain... more
Sofia Coppola's boyfriend is lead singer and they won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album this year. Now, Phoenix tell Nosheen Iqbal, they are set to conquer London
Move over, Mahiki. Nightclub entrepreneurs Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling are soon to launch a new Eighties-inspired club in Chelsea, in honour of Lady Thatcher
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