Bombings in Afghanistan and in Syria have killed at least 30 people, showing the trouble in these parts of the world shows no sign of getting better.

16 people died in the suicide car bombing outside the Supreme Court in Kabul.  More than 40 others are wounded, according to Afghan police.

The Taliban said they carried out the attack, targeting judges who “obey Western powers”.

In Damascus, two suicide bombers attacked the center of the Syrian capital, striking at a police building; one made it inside the building before detonating the device; the second waited on the street where police had ran to escape the first blast.

The attack comes as regime forces prepare an assault to recapture the northern city of Aleppo after having retaken Qusair from the rebels.

Earlier, Syrian military perched atop hills launched a barrage on the Damascus suburb of Barzeh, believed to be a rebel stronghold.