Khalil Dale was an English aid worker who for decades devoted himself to humanitarian work in some of the world's most dangerous trouble spots before meeting a brutal death in a Pakistan border town. He was abducted by armed men in January; his body was found on 29 April. His killers coldly explained that they had killed him because their demands for a ransom had not been met.

Red Cross appeals to Pakistan media not to broadcast Taliban film of Khalil Dale's death

The murder of a British aid worker whose body was found dumped in an orchard in Pakistan has been condemned by the Prime Minister as a “shocking and merciless act”.

The first case of someone being brought to Britain to have an organ removed for trafficking has been uncovered, according to a report.

Russia offered heavily-qualified support yesterday for a United Nations initiative to end the bloodshed in Syria, as opponents of President Bashar al-Assad's regime faced an intensifying struggle to oust him.

As Burma prepares for by-elections, a new report accuses the army of the rape, torture and murder of ethnic people, with Human Rights Watch (HRW) saying that the abuse of civilians has deepened since fighting against ethnic Kachin rebels in the country's north-east was triggered last year after a 17-year ceasefire. Up to 75,000 people have been forced from their homes.

The United States and Russia clashed over Syria at the U.N. today after Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the divided Security Council to speak with one voice and help the Middle Eastern nation "pull back from the brink of a deeper catastrophe."

Downing Street today welcomed reports that a Syrian minister has defected from the government of Bashar al-Assad and joined the rebels.

Red Cross convoy held up by government forces outside Homs as violence shows no signs of abating across the country

Regime resists Red Cross hopes for Homs mercy mission

Syrian authorities have blocked an aid convoy carrying emergency supplies from entering the Baba Amr district in the city of Homs, the International Committee of the Red Cross says.

Tunisia's president has said he is ready to offer asylum to Syrian leader Bashar Assad as part of a negotiated solution to the Syrian conflict.

Britain is to recognise the Syrian opposition as a "legitimate representative" of the country's people, William Hague said today.