Search results for

India's political leadership is about to change. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee resigned after major losses by his party in parliamentary elections. Now National Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi appears poised to claim the prime minister's chair. Hear NPR's Scott Simon and NPR's Philip Reeves.

The United States and Australia are sending hundreds more troops to Afghanistan in the run-up to September's parliamentary elections. In recent months, the Taliban and other militants have stepped up their attacks. The elections are seen as a step toward democracy, but warlords continue to hold considerable power.

Car bombs kill more than 30 Iraqis in Samarra, and more attacks wound more tha 20 American Marines in Ramadi. U.S. and Iraqi forces stepped up attacks on Fallujah, preparing for a major offensive against insurgents there. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden and NPR's Philip Reeves.

A new truce has been announced that may end the U.S. siege of Fallujah. Marine commanders say their forces will pull back, and an Iraqi unit led by one of Saddam Hussein's former generals will take over the city. Clashes between the Marines and insurgents were reported soon after the plan was announced. Hear NPR's Robert Siegel and NPR's Philip Reeves.

Sonia Gandhi tells supporters she "humbly declines" to become India's next prime minister, a post she was offered after her Congress Party's surprise win in recent parliamentary elections. Had she accepted, she would have become the nation's fourth prime minister from the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. Sources close to Gandhi say she never wanted the post. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves.

Widespread violence in Iraq is forcing hundreds of thousands of Iraqis to flee Fallujah. The people who remain are caught in the crossfire between U.S. troops and insurgents. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

Elections in Afghanistan are scheduled for Oct. 9. Interim President Hamid Karsai is the best known of 18 candidates for the presidency. Hear NPR's Scott Simon and NPR's Philip Reeves.

U.S. and Iraqi forces report more progress on the sixth day of their joint offensive in Fallujah. But insurgents have occupied large areas of Iraq's third-largest city, Mosul, the scene of more violence. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden and NPR's Philip Reeves.

In the wake of a U.S.-led invasion of Fallujah, other cities see a major upsurge in fighting elsewhere in Iraq. Insurgents seized control of major parts of the northern city of Mosul, prompting an influx of U.S. troops to restore order. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

Moving into their third day of fighting, U.S. troops in Fallujah capture close to one-third of the city. In Baghdad, kidnappers seize three family members of interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi and demand an end to the Fallujah offensive. Hear NPR's Philip Reeves.