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Provincial officials say 2007 could be the biggest year yet for opium production in the war-torn province.
In parts of the province, bribery and intimidation are said to be rife.
Body's neutrality challenged following hard-fought Kurdish election.
Rights advocate speaks of an "extraordinarily brutal campaign", saying hundreds may have been killed in last few months.
Newspaper closure seen as latest bid by authorities to pressure journalists prior to leadership contest.
They suspect insurgents are close to taking full control of province, despite official claims that they are being pushed back.
Unemployment is driving some young men into the arms of the Taleban, while others turn to drugs and crime.
Afghans in the troubled province say many of the insurgents are not Pashtuns but incomers from other countries who behave in a high-handed and aggressive way towards local civilians.
Criminals find kidnapping an easy way to make money in the volatile south.
International forces say an air strike targeted Taleban leaders, but locals say the bombs killed hundreds of innocent civilians.