Yahoo! News - CARE Director Believed Slain in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A British aid worker kidnapped in Iraq has probably been killed, her family and officials said, in what would be the first known female hostage killed in the wave of kidnappings that have beset Iraq.

A video showing a hooded militant shooting a blindfolded woman in the head was aired by Al-Jazeera television, and Margaret Hassan 's family in London said Tuesday they believe she was the victim shown.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw backed that opinion, saying analysis of the video shows that the longtime director of CARE in Iraq has "probably been murdered, although we cannot conclude this with complete certainty."

"To kidnap and kill anyone is inexcusable," Straw said. "But it is repugnant to commit such a crime against a woman who has spent most of her life working for the good of the people of Iraq."

CARE said it was in "mourning" for the 59-year-old Briton who worked for decades providing food, medicine and humanitarian aid to Iraqis. The aid group, which has closed its Iraq operations since the kidnapping, said it was "with profound sadness" that it learned of the video.

So very sad.