Ghazni, Afghanistan
The Taliban this week killed two of the 23 South Korean church workers it took hostage two weeks ago. It has threatened to kill others unless the Afghan government releases a group of Taliban prisoners. Eighteen of the hostages are women; so far the Taliban has killed only men. Afghan President Hamid Karzai tried to shame the Taliban into releasing the women. “Hostage-taking and abuse of foreign guests, especially women, is against Islam and the Afghan culture,” Karzai said. “The perpetration of this heinous act on our soil is in total contempt of our Islamic and Afghan values.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Can Starmer sell himself as the 'tough on immigration' PM?Today's Big Question Former human rights lawyer 'now needs to own the change – not just mouth the slogans' to win over a sceptical public
-
UK-India trade deal: how the social security arrangements will workThe Explainer A National Insurance exemption in the UK-India trade deal is causing concern but should British workers worry?
-
Man arrested after 'suspicious' fires at properties linked to Keir StarmerSpeed Read Prime minister thanks emergency services after fire at his former family home in north London
