A 22-year-old woman accused of adultery has been stoned to death in Afghanistan by a group of men identified as Taliban insurgents , an official said.

The beheaded body of a British Red Cross worker held captive in Pakistan since January was found in an orchard, with a note attached saying he was killed because no ransom was paid, police said.

An Italian journalist who was kidnapped in Afghanistan two weeks ago has been released, the Italian Foreign Ministry said today.