Today, the African Finance Corporation (AFC) is no longer an idea, but has become a concrete reality, having received endorsements from major stakeholders and development partners. Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank who conceived the idea two years ago and has been its chief motivator, gives a progress report. Excerpts:

What is the vision behind the African Finance Corporation (AFC)?

SEOUL, Aug 24, 2007 (AFP) - A South Korean woman aid worker held by Afghanistan's Taliban gave up her chance of freedom so that another woman could be released in her place, two freed hostages have said.

Kim Gi-Na and Kim Kyung-Ja made the disclosure in an interview with Al-Jazeera TV from the military hospital where they have been staying since they returned to Seoul on August 17.

SEOUL, July 30, 2007 (AFP) - One of the 22 South Korean hostages threatened with death by Afghanistan's Taliban says they have been split into small groups which are moved frequently.

Lee Ji-Young, in a phone interview with Seoul's JoongAng Ilbo newspaper published Monday, also apologised for causing trouble.

'First of all, we feel sorry to have caused the trouble,' the 34-year-old woman said Sunday. She consulted one of her captors while giving the interview, the paper said.