Afghan President Hamid Karzai approves of U.S. plans for a troop drawdown and said it’s a sign that Afghanistan is ready to take control of security in the war-torn nation. FULL STORY | OPPOSITION LEADER: KARZAI HINDERS PEACE

Two very wet days have robbed the Intercontinental Cup fixture between Scotland and Netherlands in Aberdeen of the chance of a result, but that did not stop the Scotland batsmen from churning out determined innings after being put into bat on day three