BBC News

Afghan Exodus Gathers Pace Afghan Exodus Gathers Pace- Thousands of refugees defied border closures to escape the threat of US strikes, as the Taleban delayed a decision on extraditing Osama Bin Laden. Bin Laden's Afghan Victims Bin Laden's Afghan Victims- Kate Clark hears evidence of a scorched earth policy carried out by the Taleban to counter resistance. Airlines Suspend Sri Lanka Flights Airlines Suspend Sri Lanka Flights- Gulf Air and Emirates suspended services to Sri Lanka after a massive increase in war-risk insurance on flights to Colombo. US 'Planned Attack on Taleban' US 'Planned Attack on Taleban'- The BBC is told that the US was planning military action against Osama bin Laden and the Taleban even before last week's attacks. Karachi Protest Against US Karachi Protest Against US- Thousands of religious students in the Pakistani city of Karachi protested at possible military action by the US against Afghanistan. Letter From Afghanistan Letter From Afghanistan- An Afghan who is trapped at the Pakistan border makes a plea to the United States in a letter smuggled out to the BBC. The Taleban Military Machine The Taleban Military Machine- BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Marcos examines possible US strategies for attacking the Taleban. Who is Osama Bin Laden? Who is Osama Bin Laden?- The United States suspects Osama Bin Laden, a wealthy Saudi-born dissident based in Afghanistan, is behind a string of terrorist attacks. Anti-Taleban Faction Sides with Bin Laden Anti-Taleban Faction Sides with Bin Laden- A leading figure in Afghanistan's anti-Taleban opposition says his group would fight alongside the Taleban if the US invaded. Bangladesh Agrees to US Facilities Request Bangladesh Agrees to US Facilities Request- The caretaker government of Bangladesh agrees to a request by the United States to use the nation's airspace, airfields and port facili… Kabul Checkpoints Stem Refugee Exodus Kabul Checkpoints Stem Refugee Exodus- The Taleban set up checkpoints around Kabul to restrict movement, as refugees try desperately to escape to Pakistan. Bomb Blast in Pakistan Bomb Blast in Pakistan- At least six people were killed in a bomb explosion in the Pakistani town of Sialkot, near the Indian border. Taleban Demand Proof on Bin Laden Taleban Demand Proof on Bin Laden- The leader of Afghanistan's Taleban regime tells a meeting of senior clerics that Osama Bin Laden will not be extradited without evidence. Embassies Act on Pakistan Unrest Embassies Act on Pakistan Unrest- Western embassies in Pakistan order the families of diplomats and non-essential staff to leave the capital, Islamabad. Bring Afghans Together Urges UN official Bring Afghans Together Urges UN official- A senior United Nations official has urged the United States and its allies to bring Afghans into its coalition against Osama bin Laden. US Gets Bangladesh Backing US Gets Bangladesh Backing- Bangladesh's caretaker government agrees to a request by the US for logistical support in the event of an attack on Afghanistan. Air India Introduces Plastic Cutlery Air India Introduces Plastic Cutlery- India's international carrier, Air India, says it has replaced its steel and silver-plated cutlery with plastic. Taleban Leader Protests Bin Laden's Innocence Taleban Leader Protests Bin Laden's Innocence- The text of a message from the Taleban's supreme leader, in which he protests Bin Laden's innocence. Pakistani Traders Wary Pakistani Traders Wary- Financial market regulators in Pakistan are about to decide whether the country's stock markets should reopen for trading on Thursday. Pakistan Warns of 'Destruction' Pakistan Warns of 'Destruction'- President Musharraf says Pakistan is facing its worst crisis for 30 years over its support for the US action against Osama Bin Laden. India Angered by Musharraf 'Tirade' India Angered by Musharraf 'Tirade'- India reacts to remarks by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf telling Delhi to "lay off" exploiting the current crisis in his country. Analysis: Afghan Ruling on Bin Laden Analysis: Afghan Ruling on Bin Laden- The BBC's Islamic affairs analyst, Roger Hardy, examines the significance of the clerics' decision to ask the Saudi-born radical to leave the… Indian Muslims Oppose US Action Indian Muslims Oppose US Action- There is growing concern among India's 120 million Muslims about the degree of support Delhi is offering the US for its campaign against Osama bin… Pakistan Militants Step Up Protests Pakistan Militants Step Up Protests- Islamic hardliners across Pakistan rally against President Musharraf's decision to support the US in a possible strike on Afghanistan. Tajikistan Shuts Out Afghans Tajikistan Shuts Out Afghans- After talks with Russia, Tajikistan closes its border to Afghan refugees who are fleeing their homeland for fear of US retaliatory strikes. The Language of Conflict The Language of Conflict- BBC Middle East and Islamic affairs analyst Roger Hardy explains why the use of language has become so sensitive in the current international crisis. BBC Increases Service in Afghan Area BBC Increases Service in Afghan Area- The BBC World Service has increased its broadcasts serving Afghanistan and the surrounding region. Afghan Exodus Still Growing Afghan Exodus Still Growing- The number of people fleeing troubled Afghanistan tops one million, as fears grow of US attacks on the country. US Rejects Bin Laden Ruling US Rejects Bin Laden Ruling- The US demands that Osama Bin Laden be handed over to "responsible authorities", rejecting an apparent Taleban compromise move. India Says Taleban Recall Kashmir Militants India Says Taleban Recall Kashmir Militants- India's Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh says the Taleban leadership is calling on Afghan fighters in Kashmir to return home ahead of a …