Afghanistan

At least 12 people were killed before the start of the holiday ceasefire brokered with the Taliban.

The rise comes despite a major Afghan-US operation to wipe the terror group out on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said the fees to apply for indefinite leave to remain should be waived.

Shah Marai, AFP's chief photographer in Kabul, was killed in a second suicide bomb after rushing to the scene of the first attack.

The shooting of Ahmad Shah came on the same day as suicide bombing in Kabul and Kandahar left more than 30 dead.

So-called Islamic State said they were behind the attack that targeted people receiving their national identification cards.

The blast happened on the road toward the Sakhi shrine where people gather to celebrate the New Year festival.

The president railed against the "atrocities," adding that Washington would not engage in future talks with the group.

The attack started at 4am on Monday when a suicide bomber attacked guards providing security to a military academy.