Nothing but runoff,say Karzai,Abdullah

President Hamid Karzai and his challenger Abdullah Abdullah on ruled out a power-sharing deal before Afghanistans November 7 runoff. Some Obama administration officials had said the US would be receptive to a deal to avoid another disruptive election both candidates agreed. It has to be held. If we dont do that,well be insulting democracy, Karzai said on CNNs Fareed Zakaria-GPS programme. Speaking on Fox News Sunday,Abdullah was asked if he were interested in a deal to avoid a runoff. No,I think I should rule it out, he replied. AP

Protest over desecration

KABUL: Riot police fired shots in the air on Sunday to disperse a demonstration in Kabul by nearly 1,000 students protesting the rumoured desecration of the Koran by US troops during an operation two weeks ago in Wardak province. Authorities have denied any such desecration. AP