Food Prices Skyrocket; Drought, Drugs Economy Blamed
26 May 2008
Pamela Constable, '', Washington Post, 25 May 2008
EXCERPT: "Since February... a combination of local drought and regional shortages has driven the price of flour here to once-unimaginable levels -- as much as $50 for a 40-pound sack. Pakistan, also worried about how to feed 160 million-plus people, has closed its borders to food exports, as have a number of other largely agricultural countries...
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New Rules of Engagement for Italy's Forces in Afghanistan
26 May 2008
'Italy says plans to make Afghan force more flexible,' Reuters AlertNet, 26 May 2008
EXCERPT: "Italy said on Monday it planned to improve the ability of its 2,400-strong contingent in Afghanistan to react rapidly to outbreaks of fighting, including redistributing some of its troops there. Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa told reporters at an EU meeting in Brussels that Italy would also reduce the size of its contingent by 250 to 300.
...
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Canada Establishing New Foreign Intelligence Unit
26 May 2008
'Canada sets up new military spy unit,' CBC News, 26 May 2008
EXCERPT: "The Canadian military has established a special intelligence unit to gather information on overseas missions, in places like Afghanistan, CBC News has learned. CBC obtained military documents that show the Canadian Forces is spending about $27 million over the next three years to purchase equipment for the new unit, which is actively recruiting soldiers.
Although...
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EU Agrees to Double Afghan Police Training Mission
26 May 2008
'', International Herald Tribune/Associated Press, 26 May 2008
EXCERPT: "The European Union agreed Monday to double the size of its police training mission in Afghanistan. The EU currently has about 230 people engaged in the mission, although officials say only about 150 are currently on the ground in Afghanistan. Although the EU made a political commitment on Monday to double the mission,...
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