Kabul, September 17 (RHC)-- In Afghanistan, a bomb exploded today near a campaign rally for President Ashraf Ghani in the country’s northern Parwan province.  Ghani was reported safe, but the blast killed at least 24 people.

Another explosion in the capital Kabul, near the U.S. Embassy, reportedly killed at least three people.  Afghanistan is gearing up for elections later this month.

In more news from Afghanistan, NATO reported an American military member was killed Monday — the 17th so far this year.  This comes after Afghan government officials reported 85 Taliban fighters, including two senior officials, were killed Sunday in attacks by U.S.-backed Afghan forces.  The Taliban, however, says only seven fighters were killed.

Earlier this month, President Trump abruptly called off a meeting with warring parties in Afghanistan and said peace talks were “dead.”