British-born U.S. photojournalist is killed by his al-Qaeda captors during failed rescue attempt by American commandos in Yemen

A British-born U.S. photojournalist and a South African aid worker held hostage in Yemen by al Qaeda were 'murdered' in a failed rescue attempt, the US defence secretary has confirmed.
Luke Somers had been held hostage since September 2013 in Yemen's capital Sana'a having moved to the country two years earlier.

The 33-year-old was reportedly shot by his captors as US commandos carried out a dramatic rescue bid in the southern Shabwa province late on Friday night.
Reports have now emerged that South African hostage Pierre Korkie was also killed during the operation - a day before he was due to be released.
Mr Somers was badly wounded when commandos found him and he died from his injuries by the time he had been flown to a naval ship, a U.S. official told the New York Times.
Mr Somers' sister Lucy Somers told Associated Press that she learned of her brother's death from FBI agents at 5am this morning. 'We ask that all of Luke's family members be allowed to mourn in peace,' she said from London.
US president Barack Obama described Mr Somers' murder as 'barbaric' in a statement this morning.
'On behalf of the American people, I offer my deepest condolences to Luke's family and to his loved ones,' he said in a statement.