The Afghan government expelled two senior European diplomats Thursday on accusations they held unauthorized meetings with Taliban militants, officials said. The diplomats - one worked for the U.N.

By Noor Khan, Associated Press KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- U.S.-led airstrikes hit a Taliban gathering in southern Afghanistan and killed at least three senior figures of the militant group, government officials said Friday.

By Amir Shah Associated Press GHAZNI, Afghanistan -- The Taliban sought guarantees of safety from the U.N. mission in Afghanistan for possible hostage talks with South Korean officials in government-controlled territory, a purported spokesman for the militants said Friday.

KABUL, Afghanistan _ The men told the same story, of how foreign troops bombed their villages long after the Taliban fighters had left, how the bombs killed women and children, goats and sheep, and how if they had one wish, it would be for the foreigners to leave.

By Jason Straziuso, Associated Press KABUL, Afghanistan -- U.S. and NATO commanders say they have blunted the Taliban's threatened spring offensive, killing almost 40 commanders and 2,000 insurgents.