In Afghanistan, at least 34 people were killed and 17 wounded, early today when a passenger bus travelling on the Kandahar-Herat highway hit a roadside bomb. The blast took place in the Ab Khorma area of Farah province.<br />''<br />''Passengers included mainly women and children and authorities also warned that the toll may rise higher. There was no immediate confirmation from the Taliban that it was behind the blast.<br />''<br />''The attack came one day after the United Nations said civilians are being killed and wounded at a "shocking" level in Afghanistan's war.<br />'' <br />''The attack came a day after the UN said civilians are being killed and wounded at a "shocking" level in Afghanistan's war.<br />''<br />''Violence is expected to rise after the launch of official campaigning this week in the presidential election which is set for September 28.<br />''<br />''On the first official day of campaign launch on Sunday, at least 20 people were killed and 50 wounded when a suicide attacker and gunmen targeted Kabul office of Afghan President's running mate, Amrullah Saleh.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">There are also doubts whether the election will happen at all, with questions about the US-led push to forge a peace deal with the Taliban. This week United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that President Donald Trump wants to begin withdrawing troops before the vote, without confirming any deadline.</span><br />''<br />