Building bridges

Their faces etched from years of conflict in the war-torn deserts of Helmand Province, four senior Islamic scholars step into a pod on the London Eye. As the giant wheel turns they stare in silence at the city spread beneath them; the River Thames, the Houses of Parliament and miles beyond

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Afghan market bombing kills many

At least seven people have been killed and more wounded in a suicide bombing in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, local officials say. The attack occurred in Babaji, near the town of Lashkar Gah, where farmers had gathered to receive free seeds

Kandahar offensive ‘due in June’

The Nato-led coalition in Afghanistan will launch a long-planned offensive in the southern city of Kandahar in June, military officials have said. A US military source was quoted as saying the goal was to rid the city of Taliban forces before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins in August. US troops are already leading a massive operation in Marjah, in the neighbouring province of Helmand.

Karzai in China to discuss trade

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is due to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao and other senior officials in Beijing.

War of words

By Dawood Azami BBC Pashto, Kabul The Taliban banned the internet when they were in power in Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001 declaring it immoral and un-Islamic.

Bearing fruit

Musa Qala, in northern Helmand, will shortly become the first British base in Afghanistan to be handed on to US Marines.

Afghan Taliban clash with rivals

At least 60 militants have been killed in fighting between the Taliban and a rival Islamic group, Hezb-e-Islami, in northern Afghanistan, police say. The fighting in Baghlan province erupted on Saturday morning. A number of civilians died in the crossfire.

Bearing the load

By Caroline Wyatt BBC defence correspondent Members of the Joint Helicopter Force describe their crucial role in Afghanistan, airlifting casualties and transporting troops and supplies. It’s early evening in Helmand and news comes in of a fresh casualty. A medical unit, the immediate response team (IRT), and their helicopter crew are scrambled and ready for take-off within six minutes

Real battle awaits

By Caroline Wyatt BBC defence correspondent in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan On a visit to Helmand, the head of the armed forces has said that British troops have performed superbly in Operation Moshtarak, and that the initial phase has gone well. Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup was speaking as he flew in to Showal, formerly the heartland of the Taliban’s shadow government

Dutch troops ‘to end Afghan tour’

A day after his cabinet collapsed, the Dutch prime minister says he expects Dutch troops to end their mission in Afghanistan in August as expected. "If nothing else will take its place, then it ends," Jan Peter Balkenende told Dutch television

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