Briefly

AFGHANISTAN

Taliban greet prisoner progress with truce

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani said on Tuesday that the government will release 600 Taliban inmates to pave the way for long-delayed intra-Afghan peace talks, the Presidential Palace confirmed on Twitter. The exchange of prisoners is part of a peace agreement signed between the United States and the militant group in Qatar in February. Hours after Ghani's announcement, the Taliban announced a three-day cease-fire for the upcoming Eid al-Adha starting from Friday, a Taliban spokesman said. Spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said that they declared the ceasefire so that Afghans can enjoy the festival in safety.

CHILE

Top ministers shown door in new Cabinet

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera has reshuffled key posts in his Cabinet, replacing his interior chief and five other ministers in an effort to shore up his fractious ruling coalition following a rebellion over a controversial pensions bill passed last week. Victor Perez was appointed interior minister, replacing Gonzalo Blumel, while Andres Allamand became foreign minister and Mario Desbordes took over the post of defense minister. Pinera said in a swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace in the capital Santiago that he wants the new Cabinet and all members of the ruling Chile Vamos coalition to begin a new chapter for the government and for the country.

Xinhua - Agencies