Taliban deputy spokesman has rejected allegations of harassment, saying the incident involved Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice officials in the southern city of Kandahar.

The Stand News raid raises more concerns about press freedom in the former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with the promise that its freedoms, including a free press, would be protected.

Saudi officials say they aren't bowing to outside pressure but it's clear they want this issue off the agenda now that there's a new team in the White House.