The US and the Taliban are set to begin their seventh round of peace talks on Saturday.
Negotiators from both sides will discuss ways to end the war in Afghanistan.
One US official called the talks a “make-or-break moment” to halt more than 18 years of fighting.
The discussions will be led by Zalmay Khalilzad, who is the US peace envoy for Afghanistan.
He has held six rounds of talks with the Taliban since October.
Afghanistan is preparing to hold presidential elections on September 28.
India begins voting in election as Modi seeks historic third term
India began voting on Friday in the world's largest election as Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a historic third term in office on the back of growth, welfare, his personal popularity and Hindu nationalism.
Teenager charged with terrorism over Sydney bishop stabbing
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly stabbing an Assyrian church bishop in Sydney during a church service, Australian police said on Friday, as investigations continued into a riot after the knife attack.
Kenya's military chief among 10 killed in helicopter crash
Kenya's military chief, General Francis Ogolla, was among 10 people killed when their military helicopter crashed shortly after take-off on Thursday.
Security Council to vote on Palestinian UN membership
The UN Security Council is due to vote on Thursday on a Palestinian bid for full UN membership.
Emirates said on Friday it is suspending check-in for all customers in its network travelling with onward connections through Dubai until 2359 GMT on April 19.
Dubai Airports (DXB) CEO Paul Griffiths says misinformation circulating on social media of the airport being flooded is "not the case" and the airport is 100 per cent operational.
flydubai airline cancelled flights to the Iranian capital Tehran on Friday after receiving an official alert.
