In Afghanistan, a vice presidential candidate escaped injury after his convoy was attacked by suspected Taliban rebels in the north of the country.

Mohammad Qasim Fahim, President Hamid Karzai's running mate, was campaigning in Kunduz province when rebels ambushed his convoy. One of Mr Fahim's bodyguards was injured. The attack comes just weeks before Afghanistan's second-ever presidential election.

It was the second attack on a candidate within the space of a week. Last Wednesday, a former Taliban commander was ambushed as he returned from a campaign engagement.