Search results for

Pakistanis headed to the polls on Monday for much-anticipated parliamentary elections that were delayed after the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in December. But fears of violence may have kept some from voting.

Elections in Pakistan have been postponed for six weeks. The country's election commission announced Wednesday that they'll be on Feb. 18. President Pervez Musharraf defended the decision in a nationwide television address and announced that experts from Britain's Scotland Yard will help investigate Benazir Bhutto's assassination.

Political leaders in Pakistan are looking for a new president. Pervez Musharraf stepped down Monday to avoid being impeached. The Bush administration — which saw Musharraf as an important ally — is watching the search for a replacement closely. On the streets of Pakistan's cities, though, reaction to his departure is mixed.

Afghanistan's Defense Ministry says Afghan and U.S. forces foiled an attempt by the Taliban to blow up a dam on the eve of national elections. U.S. officials have not confirmed the plot against the dam in the southwestern part of Afghanistan. Afghan authorities say 20 people were arrested after a three-hour gun battle.

A wave of suicide car bombings in the southern Iraqi city of Basra leaves 68 dead and more than 100 wounded. At least 17 children are among the dead, caught on the way to school by the attacks, which occurred near three police stations. 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.

Iraq's national assembly gives approval to a partial list of Cabinet heads submitted by Prime Minister-elect Ibrahim al-Jaafari. Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds are included, with the majority of positions going to Shiites. But several key leadership posts remain vacant, including the defense and oil ministries.

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.

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.

Iraq's National Assembly endorses Prime Minister-designate Ibrahim al-Jaafari's partial list of Cabinet members. But several key positions, including the ministers of defense and oil, have still not been named amid continued squabbling among the main political factions.