Across Asia: Afghanistan

UN orders staff indoors

Traumatized UN staff in Afghanistan were under orders to stay home yesterday, a day after Taliban militants stormed a guest house in the capital and killed eight people, including five UN staff, in a brazen attack that is forcing the world body to re-evaluate its mission in the war-ravaged nation.

UN spokesman Aleem Siddique said at least nine UN staff were to be evacuated to Dubai yesterday. An internal UN memo ordered restrictions on movement for the rest of the week and said UN departments will be reviewing lists of personnel, suggesting some may be moved out of the country for their own safety.