Afghanistan

Afghanistan conflict: US makes new push for UN-led peace process

In a letter to the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Blinken called for a 90-day reduction in violence and a transitional government formed from both sides.

Blinken also said no decision had been made about whether to stick to a planned US troop withdrawal by 1 May.

He called on President Ghani to show "urgent leadership".

Blinken's letter, a copy of which was obtained by the BBC on Sunday, reflected the difficult position the US finds itself in as it reviews whether to withdraw its last 2500 troops.

Female judges shot dead in Kabul

They were killed by unidentified gunmen on their way to work on Sunday. The deaths are the latest in a string of assassinations targeting journalists, activists and other political figures.

The violence comes as President Donald Trump continues a drawdown of US troops in the country - with only 2,500 left.

The women were shot dead in an early morning ambush, which also saw their driver wounded.

The incident happened in the Qala-e-Fathullah area of Kabul and no group has said it carried out the attack.

Australian 'war crimes': Troops to be fired over Afghan killings

They are suspected of being accessories or witnesses to the killings, or of being dishonest in testifying.

They are separate from the 19 Special Air Service troops who could face prosecution for the murders.

Australia's prime minister and top military commander have apologised.

Afghanistan called the murders unforgiveable but welcomed last week's report as a step towards justice.

26,000 Afghan children killed or maimed since 2005

Data from the UN showed at least 26,025 children were killed or maimed from 2005 to 2019, said Save the Children.

The charity has urged donor nations to protect the future of children ahead of a key meeting in Geneva on Monday.

Violence has been rising in Afghanistan amid stalled peace talks and US troop withdrawals.

Afghanistan is among the 11 most dangerous nations in the world for children, according to Save the Children.

US jet comes down in Taliban territory

Col Sonny Leggett said: "While the cause of crash is under investigation, there are no indications the crash was caused by enemy fire."

The aircraft crashed in Deh Yak district, Ghazni province, an area with a strong Taliban presence.

It is unclear how many people were on board.

Col Leggett denied Taliban claims that additional aircraft had crashed.

Taliban social media accounts have posted unverified footage showing a burnt-out plane with US Air Force markings.

CWC preview England v Afghanistan

Eoin Morgan's side have made a purposeful start to the tournament on home soil and demonstrated why they top the ICC ODI rankings in Friday's eight-wicket thrashing of West Indies.

It is in stark contrast to the fortunes of their next opponents, who are languishing at the foot of the table without a point from their opening four matches.

After previous concerns over the likes of Jos Buttler and Mark Wood, managing injuries has been England's biggest obstacle.

Bomb kills three US soldiers in Afghanistan

Three other service members were hurt, the Nato alliance said. The explosion occurred near Bagram air base, 50km (31 miles) north of the capital Kabul.

Earlier three people were killed in twin explosions in the eastern city of Jalalabad.

A total of seven US military members have died in Afghanistan in 2019. In March, two soldiers were killed.

The US has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan.

In February, the top US envoy seeking to broker peace in Afghanistan met the Taliban's co-founder in an attempt to end the 17-year conflict.

     

Herat mosque blast kills dozens in Afghanistan

The blast, which struck the Jawadia mosque, coincided with evening prayers at around 20:00 local time (15:30 GMT).

Officials said there were at least two attackers - one a suicide bomber, and another who shot at worshippers with a firearm.

A spokesperson for the local governor told the BBC the death toll could rise.

He said at least 29 people had been killed, and another 64 were injured.

Both attackers are dead, a police spokesperson told AFP news agency.

Dozens injured, killed in attack on Afghan police HQ

The attack, claimed by the Taliban, began around 6:30am (local time) when one bomber detonated a car packed with explosives at the gate of the police headquarters in Gardez city, capital of Paktia province, said Najib Danish, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry.

Four more attackers stormed the gate after the blast, with at least two quickly killed by police. The others held out against Afghan special forces that had responded to the attack, he said.

Danish put the toll at two police killed and five wounded.

Afghanistan: US soldiers 'killed by commando' in Achin district

A spokesman for the governor in Nangahar province said an Afghan commando had opened fire on the US troops during a joint operation in Achin. He was shot dead in return fire.

Another US soldier was reportedly wounded in the attack.

A spokesman for the Taliban said it had carried out the attack.

Islamic State militants also operate in the area.

Earlier, at least two Afghan policemen were killed by US forces in a so-called friendly fire incident in southern Afghanistan.