Afghan militants claiming to hold three UN hostages, including Irish woman Annetta Flanigan, said talks on demands including the release of Taliban prisoners had broken down today.

A militant group threatening to kill three United Nations hostages including a Northern Irish woman Annetta Flanigan said today it was talking to the Afghan government about its demand to free Taliban prisoners.

Afghanistan’s much delayed presidential election will take place on October 9, its top electoral official said today, but a parliamentary vote originally scheduled to be held simultaneously was put off until the spring.