Bombings kill 10 in Afghanistan as Kerry holds meetingsJuly 12, 2014 - 11:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Authorities in Afghanistan said at least 10 people have been killed in separate roadside bombings in the country, according to the Associated Press. The deadliest attack Saturday, July 12, happened in southern Kandahar province. Panjwayi district police chief Sultan Mohammad said a bomb struck a civilian car there, killing eight people. He blamed the Taliban for the bombing. In eastern Nangarhar province, another bomb struck a vehicle. Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said the blast in the city of Jalalabad killed a civilian and a police officer. No group immediately claimed responsibility for that blast. The violence comes during the Taliban's annual spring offensive. They are trying to undermine the Western-backed government as foreign combat troops prepare to withdraw by the end of the year. Meanwhile,U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was meeting with rival Afghan presidential candidates for a second day as the United States struggles to find a path out of the crisis enveloping the nation's elections. The prolonged uncertainty about the outcome of a runoff has jeopardized a central plank of President Barack Obama's strategy to leave behind a stable state after the withdrawal of most U.S. troops at year's end, the Associated Press says. Kerry met Saturday with the candidates, former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, after discussions Friday proved inconclusive. The top American diplomat is grappling for a plan acceptable to all that would allow the United Nations to audit extensive fraud allegations in last month's vote. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. CSTO: Armenia has not participated in secretariat’s work recently Recently Armenia has not participated in the work of the secretariat of the CSTO, Imangali Tasmagambetov said. Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. Ucom launches network modernization efforts in few regions of Armenia In particular, on March 28, the legacy Mobile Switching Subsystem will be replaced with a new one. |