Islamic State jihadists demanded a $132m (£80m) ransom for the release of US journalist James Foley, his employer GlobalPost says.

Klaus Zapf, a German millionaire and removals entrepreneur who shunned the trappings of wealth, has died from a heart attack at the age of 62.

Opposition leader Imran Khan has refused to join talks to end days of protests in Islamabad, saying they would be "no use" unless the Prime Minister resigns.

The Pentagon says a US secret mission tried but failed to free US hostages in Syria, reportedly including murdered reporter James Foley.

The Brazilian Socialist Party names environmental campaigner Marina Silva as its new presidential candidate, replacing Eduardo Campos who died last week.

Colombian pop star Shakira's hit song Loca was indirectly copied from a Dominican songwriter's work, a US federal judge rules.

The trial of a group of cult members in China who beat a woman to death at a McDonald's restaurant opens in Yantai in Shandong province.

Thailand's junta leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led a coup in May, is named the new prime minister, after a parliamentary vote.