Nation

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More than 1,300 U.S. Marines are now based at an airbase southwest of the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar. The forces are already patrolling the area, hoping to cutoff any attempt by Taliban fighters to escape from the besieged city.

Despite a spike in Internet news site visitors since the Sept. 11 attacks, MSNBC.com is laying off 9 percent of its workforce, or around 18 staff members.

Aided by heavy U.S. airstrikes, anti-Taliban tribesmen pressed toward the Taliban's last remaining stronghold of Kandahar on Friday, as American officials warned of potential violence against forces in the region.