An Afghan government official had earlier said a delegation would meet the Taliban within the next two weeks in Europe. The militant group dubs the government an "American puppet" with no negotiating power.

The Taliban and Afghan officials have agreed on a "promise to reduce violence," Germany's envoy says. Hosted by Qatar, the German-brokered talks could also spark progress in negotiations between the US and the Taliban.

Islamic State group fighters beheaded three of Niaz Bibi's sons and shot three grandsons dead in a remote part of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province which is home to both the Taliban and a growing IS affiliate. Now Bibi, 70, is left taking care of the surviving grandchildren -- about 40 orphans in total.

Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan have announced the start of their spring fighting season despite ongoing peace pushes. The declaration is largely symbolic, as their deadly attacks have continued through the winter.

Afghan women soldiers fear the Taliban's return to politics

Tracking Mullah Omar: How the US failed to catch the former Taliban leader.

The US and Taliban have made progress on the issue of foreign troop withdrawal and counterterrorism. The US negotiator said once those issues are finalized, intra-Afghan talks and a ceasefire will be on the table.

Nadia Ghulam: Being a man was 'the only way to survive' under the Taliban.

Over 90 prominent opponents of Afghan President Ghani are meeting Taliban representatives in Moscow to discuss peace. The move has further sidelined the president and could pave the way for US exit from Afghanistan.

The US and the Taliban have made substantial headway in peace talks, representatives from both sides have said. President Donald Trump has been eager to end the 17-year US conflict in Afghanistan, America's longest war.

Earlier this month, Taliban fighters launched an attack on the Afghan city of Ghazni. After a five-day siege, government forces regained control. DW spoke to one family that fled to the capital Kabul to avoid the fighting.

The Nobel laureate and education activist returned to her native Pakistan, six years after she was shot by Taliban gunmen over her advocacy for schooling for girls.