The attempt to draw members of the Taliban into the political process in Afghanistan is a welcome step, but long overdue, the international development agency Christian Aid says. Popular participation is also needed.

A leading US church agency has renewed its call for action on urgent health services for the 1.5 million people displaced by ongoing battles between the Pakistan military and Taliban insurgents in the country’s North West region.

As two hostages are released today, the general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the Rev Dr Ishmael Noko, calls on the international community to South Korea in its efforts to secure the safe release of the remaining hostages still held by the Taliban in Afghanistan.