Afghan officials say that at least eight people have been killed in a huge blast in the southern city of Kandahar that was caused by five car bombs strung together.

US artillery and airstrikes killed between 50 and 60 suspected Taliban militants today, the fourth day of a Nato-led offensive in southern Afghanistan, a Nato spokesman said.

US ARTILLERY and air strikes killed between 50 and 60 suspected Taliban militants yesterday, the fourth day of a Nato-led offensive in southern Afghanistan, a Nato spokesman said.