Taliban

Sughra Hussainy, a 27-year-old artist from Afghanistan, never imagined her talent in traditional Persian calligraphy would take her around the world.

A fuel tanker collided head-on with two buses. It happened between Kabul and Kandahar, on a road where drivers are known to speed to avoid militant checkpoints.

Five-year-old Murtaza Ahmadi became a sensation when a photo of him wearing a Lionel Messi jersey made from a plastic bag went viral. Now his father says the family received threatening phone calls.

A suicide car bombing was followed by an attack staged by gunmen. The attack hit during morning rush hour; the wounded included women and children, Afghan officials say.

Amid concerns about setbacks in the fight against the Taliban, President Obama has tapped Lt. Gen. John "Mick" Nicholson to take charge of international forces.

In his first appearance before a military judge on charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, Bergdahl did not enter a plea. "The accused wishes to defer for reflection," his lawyer said.

The White House said in a statement that the Taliban was responsible for the attack.

The new report says there was an uptick in Taliban attacks and casualties among Afghan forces. It also says ISIS is becoming a greater threat in that country.

Bergdahl, who was held by the Taliban for five years after he left his base in Afghanistan in 2009, could be sentenced to life in prison.

The Taliban said in a statement they have achieved all their objectives including seizing the major transportation hub of Kunduz, releasing its fighters from a prison and grabbing tons of weapons.