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BBC: Taliban threaten 70% of Afghanistan, BBC finds
Taliban fighters, whom US-led forces spent billions of dollars trying to defeat, are now openly active in 70% of Afghanistan, a BBC study has found.
Months of research across the country show how areas the Taliban threaten or control have surged since foreign combat troops left in 2014.
The Afghan government played down the report, saying it controls most areas.
But recent attacks claimed by Taliban and Islamic State militants have killed scores in Kabul and elsewhere.
Afghan officials and US President Donald Trump responded by ruling out any talks with the Taliban. Last year Mr Trump announced the US military would stay in the country indefinitely.
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MIDDLE EAST
Separatists advance on presidential palace in southern Yemen.
Yemen: At least 15 killed in a suicide car bomb. Yemen war: Deadly infighting rages in Aden. Yemen separatists surround Aden presidential palace.
UAE jet enables separatists to seize army base in Aden.
Infighting among Hadi loyalists complicates Yemen's civil war.
Russia’s Syria talks end with plan to draft new constitution.
Turkish air strikes pound Kurdish fighters in Syria.
Turkey detains top medics for anti-war statement.
Syria opposition missing from Russia's Sochi talks.
UN envoy warns Gaza facing 'full collapse'.
Saudi Arabia says settlement in anti-corruption crackdown valued at $106 bn. Saudi anti-corruption drive generates $106bn in settlements. Saudis say $107bn recovered from graft, 56 people still held.
Iran frees woman who took off headscarf - lawyer.
Tillerson, Mattis call for calming tensions in Gulf dispute.
ASIA
Trump: 'We don't want to talk with the Taliban'.
U.S. general says North Korea not demonstrated all components of ICBM.
North Korea increasing executions as sanctions strain its military, top U.S. General says.
Report: North Korea selling clothes made from Kaesong Industrial Complex.
60,000 North Korean children face starvation, Unicef warns.
Shinzo Abe to defend 'comfort women' deal during Olympics.
Anti-US base mayor leads before Okinawa election.
Chinese flights scrapped in Taiwan row.
Hopes fade for about 100 people missing from sunken Kiribati ferry.
Over 63 million women 'missing' across India. India estimates it has 21 million 'unwanted' girls.
AFRICA
Thousands fleeing DR Congo amid renewed fighting in country – UNHCR.
Nine killed in Kasai clashes in DR Congo.
Report: Nigeria military kills dozens amid communal violence.
Kenya: Huge crowds at opposition leader's 'swearing in' ceremony.
Kenya officials shut down TV coverage of opposition leader's 'swearing in'. Kenya TV networks gagged ahead of Odinga 'inauguration'.
Egypt coalition calls for boycott of March vote.
Egypt election: sole challenger to Sisi registers at last minute.
Somalia: Government plans to reduce famine threat.
South Africa will deploy military to guard Cape Town’s water once the taps are shut off.
EUROPE
Austria chancellor backs Visegrad nations on migrant quotas.
Russia does not aim to meddle in 2018 US election as CIA Chief alleges - Envoy.
EU not to strengthen sanctions after release of US ‘Kremlin List’ — official.
Putin says US sanctions list targets all Russians. Putin on US Treasury ‘Kremlin List’: ‘Dogs bark but the caravan moves on’. U.S. Treasury names 200 figures close to Vladimir Putin.
Who’s who on US Treasury ‘Kremlin List’: From PM to head of ‘the Russian Google’.
Israeli criticism sparks anti-Jewish remarks in Polish media.
Brexit will leave UK worse off in every scenario, leaked report predicts.
Catalonia: Session to re-elect Carles Puigdemont postponed.
Angela Merkel reaches 'breakthrough' with SPD on refugee family reunion.
Ireland to vote on repealing anti-abortion amendment in May.
US, Poland oppose undersea pipeline from Russia to Germany.
Pope sends sex crimes expert to Chile to investigate bishop.
Eurozone growth hit 10-year high in 2017.
AMERICAS
Trump to call for unity in address after divisive year.
Trump prepares for his 'must see TV' first State of the Union address.
Trump's first State of the Union to focus on immigration reform.
Trump administration refuses to impose new Russia sanctions despite law.
FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe, frequent target of Donald Trump, steps down.
State officials fire employee who sent false missile alert in Hawaii.
US ends ban on refugees from 'high-risk' countries.
Venezuelans ‘loot to eat’ amid economic tailspin.
Colombia suspends talks with ELN rebels over bomb attacks.
Colombia struggles to accept guerrillas' new political role.
Argentine president bans family members in government.
Tillerson to rally Americas, amid Venezuela crisis.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Stepped up violence alternately claimed by IS and Taliban.
Kabul military base attack shows ISIS and Taliban are in a brutal race.
Military defeat of ISIS can be 'measured in weeks,' top US general says.
Al Qaeda in Mali spread a video with a Colombian hostage.
ISIS releases bloody new video singing 'Kill Them All' in US and other countries.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
US stocks have biggest drop since August, led by health care.
Elon Musk sells $3.5m worth of flamethrowers in a day.
Three European banks to pay $46m for 'spoofing' market.
Volkswagen vows to end animal testing after latest diesel scandal.
IMF head warns of public frustration in Middle East, North Africa.
Facebook 'no place' for young children.
