KABUL, Afghanistan

More than 200 civilians killed during two-week period

More than 200 Afghans have been killed in attacks and military operations during the past two weeks, Afghan officials said Saturday, calling it the deadliest period for civilians since the war began.

Two attacks Saturday added to that toll and fueled fears that violence will climb as winter, typically a slow fighting season in Afghanistan, gives way to spring.

The latest violence comes as U.S. commanders are under heavy pressure to show signs of progress in the nine-year-old war. Insurgent groups, meanwhile, appear determined to keep the fight raging until foreign troops withdraw.

Afghan civilians are increasingly bearing the brunt of the conflict.

Nine Afghans were killed Saturday morning in Khost province, in the east, when the vehicle they were riding in set off a land mine – a type of weapon typically used to target military personnel.

Hours later, a suicide bomber detonated explosives in Faryab province, in the north, killing three people, including a child, who were watching a traditional Central Asian game called buzkashi.

Faryab Gov. Abdul Haq Shafaq blamed the Taliban. “Who else can blow themselves up?” he said. “They are targeting the innocent people.”

Saturday’s suicide bombing was the seventh in Afghanistan in the past month. Insurgents have often claimed to target security forces, but the recent bombings suggest leaders of the Taliban and other groups have become less concerned about the fallout that civilian casualties generate.

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand

Earthquake toll reaches 146 with more than 200 missing

New Zealand’s premier said the Tuesday’s 6.3-magnitude Christchurch quake may be the country’s worst disaster ever, as officials raised the toll to 146 dead and more than 200 missing while giving a grim prognosis for the city’s downtown.

Residents said prayers for the dead and missing at church services today in Christchurch and across New Zealand. But church leaders canceled a planned multidenominational service in a Christchurch park because of concerns it could block access roads for emergency services.

“As our citizens make their way to church this Sunday, they will be joined in prayer by millions around the world,” Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said. “For now we are truly comforted by the thoughts and prayers of so many.”

CAIRO

Reform panel recommends open elections, term limits

A reform panel Saturday recommended opening Egypt’s presidential elections to competition and imposing a two-term limit on future presidents – a dramatic shift from a system that allowed the ousted Hosni Mubarak to rule for three decades.

The changes are among 10 proposed constitutional amendments that are to be put to a popular referendum later this year. The proposals appeared to address many of the demands of the reform movement that help lead the uprising that forced Mubarak to step down Feb. 11.

But some Egyptians worry that the proposed changes could allow the old guard to keep its grip on power.

The most important of the eight-member panel’s proposals would greatly loosen restrictions on who could run for president, opening the field to independents and candidates from small opposition parties. That marks a drastic change from the previous system that gave Mubarak’s ruling National Democratic Party a stranglehold on who could run.

“This is a step forward,” said pro-reform Judge Ahmed Mekky.

SAN FRANCISCO

Hilly areas of city dusted with rare light snowfall

Hilly areas of San Francisco got a rare light dusting of snow, the National Weather Service said Saturday.

Snow fell briefly late Friday and early Saturday on the city’s Twin Peaks neighborhood and some other areas with higher elevations, meteorologist Mark Strobin said.

“A little bit up in the hills,” he said. “It snowed down to about 400 feet.”

But there was only rain downtown and in other other areas of the near- sea level city, and the snow that did fall disappeared rapidly.

The city last saw snow on the ground in 1976, when an inch fell.

CONYERS, Ga.

Locksmith releases toddler from time-locked bank vault

A toddler who wandered away from her mother and grandmother spent several tense hours trapped inside a time-locked bank vault and authorities pumped fresh air through vents to the crying child until a locksmith freed her, police said.

The locksmith pried the 14-month-old girl unharmed from the vault Friday night about four hours after she disappeared while visiting a grandparent who worked at a Wells Fargo bank branch in the Atlanta suburb of Conyers, police said.

Authorities said police and firefighters couldn’t free the toddler and feverishly summoned the locksmith after the child apparently strayed into the open vault as the bank was closing Friday.

Conyers Police Chief Gene Wilson said the girl was fine except for a needed diaper change

Authorities did not release the child’s name.