this is bbc news — the headlines... in his first news conference, the taliban spokesman — zabihullah mujahid — tried to reassure the rest of the world afghanistan won't be used as a base for foreign fighters to spread terrorism. he also insisted women would be able to work, study, and be actively involved in society. twenty—thousand afghans are to be welcomed to the uk in the coming years as part of government plans to resettle people at risk of persecution by the taliban. the prime minister has pledged up to 5,000 can seek refuge this year saying the country owed them a "debt of gratitude". the authorities in haiti now say nearly 2,000 people are known to have died in saturday's powerful earthquake — an increase of 500 on the previous figure. the united nations children's