Across Asia: Afghanistan

Taliban pressed on 2 sides

Marines and Afghan units converged on a dangerous western quarter of the Taliban stronghold of Marjah yesterday, with NATO forces facing "determined resistance" as their assault on the southern town entered its second week.

Fighter jets, drones and attack helicopters hovered overhead, as Marine and Afghan companies moved on a 5- square-kilometer area of the town where more than 40 insurgents have apparently holed up.