Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani announced on Tuesday that a roadmap for peace negotiations between the country and the Taliban has been formed.
Speaking at a conference in Geneva, Mr Ghani said peace negotiations set to take place next spring will aim for the Taliban to take part in a "democratic and inclusive society" which ensures women's rights.
Mr Ghani said he has formed a 12-person negotiation team led by his chief of staff that will oversee the peace process which, he added, will take a minimum of five years to conclude.
The Taliban engaged in peace talks with US officials last month, but have yet to come to an agreement. The second Taliban-US meeting in as many months come as the militants step up attacks on beleaguered Afghan security forces, which are suffering an unprecedented level of casualties.
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Read more:
Afghanistan frees Hazara militia leader after protests
Afghan presidential election may be postponed to July
Taliban attacks in western Afghanistan kill at least 30 security forces
US requested release of Taliban founder to help peace talks
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The death toll among Afghan soldiers and police is nearing 30,000 since the start of 2015, Mr Ghani revealed – a figure far higher than anything previously acknowledged.
The recent surge in violence has also led to an increase in civilian deaths, most recently in Kabul where a suicide bomber killed more than 50 and injured 83. No one claimed responsibility, but the Taliban and ISIS fighters have targeted religious scholars aligned with the Afghan government in the past.
On Tuesday three US servicemen were killed by a roadside improvised explosive device in Ghazni, the Nato-led Operation Resolute Support said in a statement.
Presidential elections are due to take place in April, but last week it was announced they may be delayed until June.
In a recent report, the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) cited the Nato mission in Kabul as saying this summer's toll had been worse than ever for Afghan forces.
Mr Khalilzad told reporters on Sunday that he recognised the "complexity" of the conflict, but insisted he wanted to "make as much progress as possible as soon as possible".
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
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Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
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Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
The%20specs
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
