* Afghanistan needs advanced fighter jets, tanks, armored vehicles and missiles to ensure its independence, Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Zahir Azimi said
* Kyrgyzstan's ex-president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, denied claims he ordered the mass shootings of protesters in Bishkek in April
* Russia and the United States will hold the next round of talks on drafting a child adoption agreement in Washington on December 1-3, a Russian Education Ministry official said
RUSSIA
* Russia will need $54 million within the next 12 years to protect the endangered Amur tiger, WWF Russia Director Igor Chestin said
* Russia’s ruling United Russia party has supported President Dmitry Medvedev’s initiative to encourage political competition in the country, a party official said