In Afghanistan, a bomb explosion near a Defense Ministry building killed at least 40 people, and injured at least 1,000 others, including dozens of children, in the capital Kabul today, according to local reports. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing, which was followed by a gun battle with Afghan security forces.

The attack comes after a weekend of violence across the country and as U.S. and Taliban officials meet for another round of peace talks in Qatar to discuss the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Around 300 people, mostly fighters from both government and Taliban forces, were reported killed over multiple attacks Friday and Saturday. Eight election workers were among those killed in a Taliban attack on a government compound in Kandahar province Sunday. Afghanistan is currently gearing up for a presidential election at the end of September.