U.S. military says more than 1,000 NATO troops, mostly from the United States, have launched a major offensive against a key Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan. Military officials say Afghan forces are also participating in the operation in Helmand province. The operation comes three days after president Barack Obama promised to deploy an extra 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, police in Pakistan say gunmen attacked a mosque Friday near the country's army headquarters, killing at least 35 people and wounding more than 40 others. Pakistani state television say authorities still are searching for the attackers. VOA correspondent Sean Maroney reports from Islamabad.

“The attack occurred in Rawalpindi just outside the Pakistani capital Islamabad, at the conclusion of Friday's prayers at the Parade Lane mosque. Regional police officer Aslam Tareen spoke to reporters shortly after this assault. He says when the prayer leader finished his sermon, two to three attackers entered the mosque's main hall and opened fire on the crowd. He says the attackers then threw hand grenades which caused huge explosions. The mosque is located in a high-security area, dominated by Pakistani military personnel with many military residential complexes and offices nearby. Security analyst and retired Brigadier-General Mahmood Shah tells VOA that retired army officers frequently visit this mosque. He also says that he suspects the country's Taliban militants who attacked the nearby army headquarters in October, are focusing on so-called 'soft targets' to create confusion and strike at the country's military. Sean Maroney, VOA News, Islamabad.”

The U.S. unemployment rate dropped in November. More than … economy lost the fewest jobs since 2007. A closely-watch report from the  Labor Department  阅读全文>>