Florida Quran burning sparks deaths during Afghani riots for 2 days

In Afghanistan, Saturday marked a second day of protests in the wake of a small Florida church burning a Quran publicly. Nine people died in Kandahar and more than 80 were injured during a wave of violence, which was fueled by anti-foreign sentiment. Many have said this was the last thing needed in the region after nearly a decade of war.

During Friday, 11 people were killed, including seven foreign United Nations employees in the northern town of Mazar-i-Sharif. The desecration by the U.S. church has further strained already tenuous ties between Afghanistan and the West.

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Christian aid workers killed in Hindu Kush mountains by Taliban

Christian aid workers traveling in the Hindu Kush mountains were murdered on Aug. 5th by Taliban gunmen.

Ten Christian aid workers who belonged to the International Assistance Mission were murdered in the mountains of Afghanistan on Aug. 5th by several men, described to be members of the Taliban.

One team member did survive the ambush. International Assistance Mission has operated within Afghanistan for 44 years, and was doing so with the permission of the Taliban. The driver for the ambushed team said the group was traveling through the Hindu Kush mountains when the gunmen stopped the team's vehicles, lined up the team members and began to execute them. The driver's life was reportedly spared after he shouted allegiance to Allah.

The Taliban reportedly murdered the medical aid workers because they were handing out Bibles written in Dari, the local language, according to IAM Executive Director Dirk Frans, who denied the Taliban claim.

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Central Jersey group: 'Stop endless war now'

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The Central Jersey Coalition Against Endless War is an eight-year-old group that has been protesting U.S. involvement in the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, respectively. On Saturday, June 12th, a handful of the coalition's 20 active members protested these wars at the intersection of Route 27 and South Adelaide Avenue, in Highland Park, as they have for eight years, according to coalition member Dorothy Schwartz, of Piscataway.

"People in the group come from around the Central Jersey area," Ms. Schwartz said. "I think the thing we all have in common is that we each have faith for the future, in a world without war and where there is peace." After she said that, Ms. Schwartz wondered if that remark was enough to represent the whole group. However, East Brunswick resident and fellow member Jim Fusco assured her "that's perfect."

Coalition members held up their signs to passing cars. Some cars honked in support while other motorists called out hawkish opinions like "Nuke Iran!" Nevertheless, the coalition's members continued to lobby for peace.

The day's group from the coalition included not only Ms. Schwartz and Mr. Fusco, but also: Dr. Sandra Atickes, New Brunswick; Dave Hancock, Roselle; Bernice Rosen, New Brunswick; and Paula Antebi, Highland Park.

The protest concluded after a reading of a some of the newest among the list of dead service members from the wars, read from a Blackberry by Dr. Atickes.

Far from being opposed to the interests of American service members, coalition protesters said the best way possible to support the armed forces is for the United States to depart the region, ensuring an end to military and civilian casualties.

As the group was breaking up for the day, around 1 p.m., Ms. Schwartz announced that the coalition's next meeting would take place in New Brunswick, at the Friends Meeting House, at the intersection of McHale and Nichol, at the Douglas Campus, on June 27th at 5 p.m.    -- Story and Photos by Jim Purcell

US: Peace in Afghanistan means women's rights

According to USA Today's Aamer Madhani, women's rights are a significant factor for American diplomats as Afghanistan readies for a peace conference between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

Reportedly, the American Government sees the rights of Afghan women as a vital element to a potential peace.