At least 10 mine clearers working for Halo Trust in Afghanistan’s northern province of Baghlan have been shot dead, and more than a dozen wounded. Afghan officials blamed the Taliban, saying militants “started shooting everyone” in the compound. But Halo Trust CEO James Cowan told the BBC that “the local Taliban… came to our aid and scared the assailants off”. The Taliban also denied the attack. Violence has surged since the US began to withdraw its last troops on 1 May. The departure of international troops comes amid deadlock in peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Israel’s outgoing government has said a flag march by Israeli nationalists through Jerusalem’s Old City can happen next week pending police approval. The event had been due to take place this Thursday. But organisers cancelled it after Israeli police rejected the proposed route through the Muslim Quarter, citing security concerns. Palestinians see it as a provocation. The militant group Hamas has warned the march could trigger a new round of conflict in Gaza should it proceed. At least 256 people were killed in Gaza and 13 people were killed in Israel during 11 days of fierce fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants last month.(BBC)…[+]