The United Nations says Afghanistan still faces a shortfall of $19m to fund parliamentary elections next month. A UN spokeswoman in Kabul, Ariane Quentier, said the shortfall remained despite new pledges totalling $12m in recent days. The UN drew attention to the gap last week saying international donors had failed to fully honour commitments, threatening preparations for the poll. Remnants of the former Taleban regime have vowed to disrupt the elections. The parliamentary polls will be the first since the movement was ousted in December 2001. (BBC)