Ghent Siege: Hostage taken in Belgium city after armed men storm apartment Police seal area surrounding flat, unknown if linked to Sydney hostage situation. Dec 15, 2014
Sydney siege: Australian Muslim community voices 'shock and horror' at Martin Place hostage crisis Australian Muslim community condemns hostage siege by Muslim gunman at Lindt cafe in Sydney. Dec 15, 2014
China: Court clears teenager of rape and murder 18 years after execution Inner Mongolia Higher People's Court overturns conviction, giving parents $5,000 in sympathy money. Dec 15, 2014
Sydney siege: Hostage-taker calling himself 'The Brother' claims four bombs in Lindt cafe and city's banking district Australian media reports two 'hysterical' hostages speaking of their 'immediate danger' in call. Dec 15, 2014 Islamic State Isis
Sydney Siege LIVE: Three dead after commando storms Lindt cafe as shooting hostages began Five people have so far fled Lindt Chocolate Shop and Cafe in central Sydney's Martin Place as tense standoff continues. Dec 15, 2014 Isis Islamic State
Pakistan: Police arrest key 'South Asian al-Qaeda commander' in Karachi Pakistani police received intelligence that Shahid Usman was planning attacks in the city. Dec 12, 2014 Al-Qaeda Pakistan
Palestinian injures five Israelis in West Bank acid attack Palestinian assailant shot and wounded after attack on man and four children. Dec 12, 2014 Israel
Mali: Minister confirms 4 jihadists exchanged for release of French hostage Serge Lazarevic The last French hostage in North Africa was kidnapped with his business associate in 2012. Dec 12, 2014 France Mali
Nigeria Boko Haram terror: Archbishop of Jos says 'poor need protection' after bomb blasts Archbishop Ben Kwashi says Goodluck Jonathan's government must protect population. Dec 12, 2014 Boko Haram Nigeria
Mali: Senior commander of al-Mourabitoun killed in North Africa by French army Overnight raid by French forces kills Ahmed al-Tilemsi after 2011 kidnapping of two French nationals. Dec 11, 2014 France Mali Algeria
North Korea releases propaganda video of defectors forced to return leading 'happy lives' North Korea release video of nine young defectors who were repatriated via China last year. Dec 11, 2014 North Korea
China: Xinjiang capital Urumqi bans burqas amid fear of Islamic extremism Urumqi, capital of China's restive western Xinjiang region, outlaws Islamic headgear. Dec 11, 2014
Ireland considering early recognition of Palestine after symbolic motion passes Ireland becomes latest EU member to approve motion calling on recognition of Palestinian state. Dec 11, 2014 Israel
Afghanistan: Taliban suicide bomber kills six soldiers on Kabul bus Six soldiers killed and 11 wounded on outskirts of Afghan capital. Dec 11, 2014 Afghanistan
CIA torture report: Agency leaders refused to punish officer 'involved' in death of detainee BREAKING: No action against officer implicated in suspect's death as CIA wanted 'all operational information'. Dec 9, 2014
CIA lied over 'brutal torture' treatment of al-Qaeda suspects during interrogations BREAKING: Report says CIA misled Americans about methods and failed to secure vital intel to stop attacks. Dec 9, 2014 Human rights
Almost a quarter of 'people' viewing online video ads are robots used by fraudsters Investigation reveals advertisers are set to lose $6.3bn in 2015 to bot fraud. Dec 9, 2014
Philippines: 9 dead after bomb blast on Mindanao Island passenger bus BREAKING: Students from Central Mindanao University killed after bomb exploded on bus. Dec 9, 2014 Philippines Isis Islamic State
Sweden: Parts of Stockholm International Airport shut down after bomb threat in flight luggage Swedish capital's Arlanda airport closed to travellers by police after threat to one aircraft. Dec 9, 2014
Israel: Netanyahu says 'return' of 6 million Palestinian refugees an 'impossible fantasy' Israeli leader condemns Mahmoud Abbas' comments that millions are waiting to return to Israel. Dec 8, 2014 Israel