11.   The Taliban religious militia made new gains against ex-government forces on Monday as it pushed further into northern Afghanistan, residents said.

12.   The Taliban Islamic militia have made major gains this week in their campaign to take the capital from forces loyal to President President Burhanuddin Rabbani.

13.   The militia has made no comment.

14.   The militia made seven demands which included better wages and permanent posts that would qualify them for retirement benefits.

15.   The militia recently made large territorial gains in a northward push from Kabul, seizing control of several towns from the anti-Taliban alliance.