US has carried out the deadliest strike in the history of its drone campaign, killing about 150 al-Shabaab fighters during a single raid in Somalia.

As many as 200 soldiers were killed in an attack on a Kenyan military camp in Somalia by al Shabaab Islamists last month.

A shocking new video appearing to show at least 30 Christians being beheaded and shot by Isis in Libya has been released.

Somaliland has become a bastion of democracy and stability compared with Mogadishu and other areas in the war-torn south, writes Christopher Adams.

China carries out more executions than any other country, a new report has estimated.

At least 10 people have died after two suicide car bombers attacked the popular Jazeera Palace hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, in a warning by an Islamist group about New Year's celebrations.

A Somali pirate "kingpin" has been arrested in Belgium after police lured him there by posing as a film crew who wanted him to star in a documentary.

Seven al-Qaeda-linked militants on a suicide mission attacked the UN compound with a truck bomb and then poured inside, killing at least 13 people before dying in the assault.

Labour's leader hints at what's beneath his calm exterior: 'You don't wear your guns on the outside'

Fragments of David Shearer's backstory were at the heart of his fight to lead Labour. For the first time aid workers fill in the gaps from two decades' work on the frontline

The Independent's Yasmin Alibhai-Brown on the shocking realities of human trafficking.

Refugees have left Christchurch in their droves.

Negotiations are continuing for the release of the sister of an Auckland man and her partner who were taken hostage by Somali pirates, with a friend of the couple hopeful a resolution will be reached soon.

Pirates operating off the coast of Somalia have begun to use aggressive new tactics including torture against captives.