US-Taliban truce to start tonight, State Department says, beginning countdown to peace deal in Afghanistan
(WorldNews Health)

The countdown to the signing of a peace agreement between the Taliban and the United States to end the 18 years of war in Afghanistan will begin on Friday night, when the seven-day `reduction of violence` promised by the Taliban will go into effect, a senior U.S. State Department official said. The deal will be signed on Feb. 29. The official did not specify the exact hour when the reduction of violence will commence. He spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the deal and its details. Advertisement After the seven-day reduction of violence, the long sought-after peace agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban will be signed on Feb. 29 in Doha, Qatar, paving the way for a withdrawal...