The Telegraph: Residents trapped in houses as battle with Taliban in Ghazni takes its toll
Four days of ferocious fighting between Afghan forces and the Taliban over a key provincial capital has claimed the lives of about 100 Afghan policemen and soldiers and at least 20 civilians, the defense minister said Monday.
The staggering numbers provided by Gen Tareq Shah Bahrami were the first official casualty toll since the Taliban launched a massive assault on Ghazni, the capital of Ghazni province, last Friday.
The multi-pronged assault overwhelmed the city's defenses and allowed insurgents to capture several parts of it. It was a major show of force by the Taliban, who infiltrated deep into this strategic city barely 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the capital, Kabul.
The United States has sent military advisers to aid Afghan forces.
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MIDDLE EAST
Turkey crisis deepens as lira hits new low.
Erdogan vows action against 'economic terrorists' over lira plunge. Turkey accuses US of 'stab in back' as currency woes persist.
Syria's last rebel stronghold braces for major offensive.
At least 39 killed in explosion at Syrian weapons depot.
Five militants’ drones downed near Russian airbase at Syria’s Hmeymim.
Thousands attend funerals of children killed in Yemen bus attack.
Iraqi PM walks back on commitment to US sanctions on Iran.
Iran's supreme leader says neither talks nor war with United States.
Minister: Toppling Hamas is an option, Israel closer to it than ever.
'Most' Israelis and Palestinians oppose two-state solution.
Israeli PM made secret Egypt trip for Gaza talks: report.
ASIA
Afghanistan: Death toll climbs above 300 in Ghazni.
Taliban routs Afghan Commandos while overrunning remote district in Ghazni.
Korea talks: Moon to visit Pyongyang in September.
Inter-Korea engagement is a game changer, South Koreans say.
China says 'completely untrue' it has detained a million Uighurs in education centres.
China state media justify Muslim Uighur crackdown to prevent ‘China's Syria'. China's state media defends Xinjiang Muslim crackdown.
Tens of thousands rally for removal of US base off Okinawa.
Indonesia's Lombok earthquake death toll passes 430.
AFRICA
Ethiopia: Paramilitaries 'kill at least 40' in Oromia region.
Nigerian troops protest against frontline deployment.
Malian leader Keita expected to win re-election after runoff.
Mali: Soumaila Cisse rejects results as ballot counting under way.
Mnangagwa says disputed Zimbabwe election 'behind us'.
Tunisia's president vows to give women equal inheritance rights.
South Sudan 'most violent' for aid workers.
Kenya corruption: Officials arrested over $3b railway.
EUROPE
Kremlin mum on possible tit-for-tat measures in response to recent US sanctions.
Jeremy Corbyn 'wreath laying' attacked by Israeli PM.
Merkel, Putin to discuss Syria, Ukraine and energy.
Angela Merkel urges Turkey to keep hands off central bank.
Migrant ship Aquarius again searching for nation to accept refugees. Italy refuses safe harbor to migrant ship, Spain also reluctant.
Anti-immigration Norwegian minister resigns over Iran holiday security fears.
Azeri human rights activist freed after serving five years.
Hundreds hurt as Spanish festival boardwalk collapses into sea.
AMERICAS
U.S. economy seen strong in 2018, to slow in 2019: CBO.
US pushes back on foreign takeover deals.
Trump signs defense policy bill with watered-down China measures.
Trump says 'Space Force' to dominate foes, cites China.
FBI agent Strzok, who criticized Trump in text messages, is fired.
Senior Trump officials survey California fire devastation.
Massive counterprotests dwarf white nationalist rally in DC.
Venezuela 'drone attack': Maduro would accept FBI help to investigate.
The new pirates of the Caribbean: Surge in violence 'worthy of the 17th century' in the seas off Venezuela amid fears 'free-for-all' robbery, smuggling and kidnapping crime wave will lead to East Africa-style cargo ship hijackings.
Cuba begins public debate on modernizing Cold War-era constitution.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
20,000-30,000 IS fighters left in Iraq, Syria: UN report.
Jordan: Four security officers killed after storming building.
A Guantanamo guard and his detainee reunite.
Right on target: Sniper reportedly kills Daesh commander from over a mile away.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
World stocks hit one-month low as Turkish rout spreads.
Turkish lira record low ripples through global currency markets.
Russia to increase oil production in 2019 — OPEC.
Elon Musk says Saudis back Tesla buyout.
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