NATO

Seven US servicemen among dead in Black Hawk crash in Kandahar - Taliban claims responsibility.

Attack came after a protest march against the reopening of Nato supply routes passed a military camp.

While the US says the drone attacks are an effective way of combating militancy, Pakistan says a large number of civilians have been affected.

Pakistan's reopening of routes for Nato troops' pullout from Afghanistan follows US apology over the killing of Pakistani soldiers last November.

Assad says Syria is at war as fighting reaches outskirts of capital Damascus.

War of words escalating but Turkey says no intention of going to war with Syria over shooting down of jet.

Although Turkey is knocking on Nato doors, military intervention over the shooting down of a Turkish jet is unlikely.

Taliban claims responsibility for attack, saying hotel was used by wealthy and foreigners for 'wild parties'.

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is reportedly being sent to Afghanistan after the incident.

In a separate incident, a British soldier was among four Nato troops reportedly killed in a bomb attack.

All major nations reaffirm commitment to withdraw their troops from Afghanistan by 2014 deadline. Despite reservations, exit strategy to proceed according to agreed timetable following landmark Nato summit in Chicago.

Thousands of protesters flood Chicago against the Afghan war, climate change and several other grievances.

Fear of Taliban militants filling the vacuum after foreign troops are pulled out will be one of the main items on the agenda.

An 18-hour fight between the militants and the Afghan security forces in Kabul ended early Monday after 36 insurgents were killed in the attacks along with eight policemen and three civilians

Taliban insurgents who were clad in female outfits were arrested by the local police.

Sergeant will be tried in military court for killing 16 Afghan villagers while they slept.