APRNEWS - A string of Islamic State group suicide attacks in southern Syria has killed at least 40 people, mostly pro-regime fighters, in one of the jihadists' deadliest assaults in months, a monitor said Wednesday.

REUTERS - A more aggressive U.S. strategy in Afghanistan has put the Taliban on the back foot, soldiers and police say, but bloody recent attacks in Kabul show the insurgency remains potent and a prolonged stalemate looms.