A British Royal targeted in sex and drugs blackmail plot

The full article :http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article2753447.ece

The alleged extortion attempt began on August 2 when a man telephoned the royal’s office. The caller identified himself only by his first name. He said he was aware that another man who worked on the royal’s staff had in his possession an envelope containing cocaine. The caller suggested the envelope was embossed with the royal’s personal insignia. The caller then claimed he had a video tape that showed the royal aide giving someone oral sex. He indicated that the person was the royal. The caller asked for the royal to call him and left a mobile phone number.

80 Taliban reported killed in Afghanistan
The Associated Press : Published: October 27, 2007

KABUL, Afghanistan: U.S.-led coalition forces killed about 80 Taliban fighters during a six-hour battle outside a Taliban-controlled town in southern Afghanistan, the latest in a series of increasingly bloody engagements in the region, officials said Sunday. The battle near Musa Qala in Helmand province — the world's largest poppy growing region — is at least the fifth major fight in the area since Sept. 1. The five battles have killed more than 250 Taliban fighters, a possible sign that U.S. or British forces could be trying to wrest the area back from militants.
Full article : http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/28/asia/AS-GEN-Afghan-Violence.php?WT.mc_id=rssfrontpage

Iran steps up preparations for US war
Telegraph.co.uk 01:58 28-Oct-07
U.S. Military: Iranian-Made Rockets Hit Base Near Baghdad
Fox News Channel 23:19 27-Oct-07

Rockets fired at a U.S. base southeast of Baghdad were manufactured in Iran, showing again that country’s continued logistical support for insurgents inside Iraq, U.S. military officials said on Saturday.Nobody was injured in the October 23rd attack on Combat Outpost Cashe, but one U.S. vehicle was damaged, officials said.According to the military, the 107mm rocket was made in Iran sometime in March. Troops investigating the launch site seized six rocket rails – used to aim and launch the rockets, an unfired rocket and a timing device.The seized rocket is the 40th Iranian manufactured rocket that soldiers have captured in the last four months, the military said.