An American journalist and South African teacher have been killed in Yemen, after US and Yemeni security forces launched a rescue attempt to free hostages being held by al-Qaeda militants.

US Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed the deaths of Luke Somers and Pierre Korkie, who were being detained by Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

The bid to free the hostages also saw 10 militants killed in the raid. The operation was approved following “compelling indication that Luke's life was in immediate danger,” said the Secretary of State.

US President Barack Obama condemned “the barbaric murder of Luke Somers at the hands of Al-Qa'ida terrorists”, adding that “the United States will spare no effort to use all of its military, intelligence, and diplomatic capabilities to bring Americans home safely, wherever they are located.” 

“Terrorists who seek to harm our citizens will feel the long arm of American justice,” continued Obama in a statement released on Saturday.

“There are several reasons why we had to withdraw the charges in this case and one of them is lack of cooperation of the government of Kenya, [and] another one is intimidation of witnesses for them not to be able to come forward to give us their evidence.”

“The fact that we are confronted with these challenges is really the reason why the charges are being withdrawn and no other reason. Not because we do not want to do justice in this case.”

“We will not forget the victims. We will keep trying. I will be receiving information, we will be assessing that information, and we will know what further steps we are going to try based on the information that we will receive.”

“One year ago the world lost a leader whose struggle and sacrifices inspired us to stand up for our fundamental principles, whose example reminded us of the enduring need for compassion, understanding, and reconciliation, and whose vision saw the promise of a better world.”

Israel's president Reuven Rivlin has decided not to renew his signature on a petition calling on the Israeli government to officially recognise the killing of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide, reports the Times of Israel.

According to Israel’s Channel 10 News anonymous Foreign Ministry officials welcomed the president’s “statesmanship,” with the move apparently made in light of the country’s strained relationship with Turkey.

Human Rights Watch has called for the suspension of forcible deportations to Libya amid fears of the deteriorating human rights situation in the country.

“The armed conflicts and lawlessness in Libya are giving rise to indiscriminate violence and widespread human rights abuses,” warned Human Rights Watch. It went on to say “anyone forcibly returned to any part of Libya would be exposed to a real risk of serious harm, which would constitute what is known as refoulement under international law.”

The non-governmental organisation’s statement comes as the European Union coordinator for anti-terrorism Gilles de Kerchove stated that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) could expand in to Libya. The north-eastern city of Derna is thought to be under the control of Islamist militias, some of whom have pledged allegiance to the group.

De Kerchove echoed fears raised by the commander of the US army’s Africa Command, who said that ISIS “has begun its efforts over in the east out there.” General David Rodriguez told reporters that “it’s mainly about people coming for training and logistics support right now.” 

Uruguay will take in six Guantanamo Bay detainees on humanitarian grounds and resettle them in the country, according to President Jose Mujica.

Newspaper reports in the country say the detainees, who have been held in the US facility for years without trial, are due to arrive on Tuesday.

A total of 172 men remain in the facility, with over half cleared for release but unable to leave, due to instability in their country.

The International Criminal Court has withdrawn charges against President Uhuru Kenyatta, due to a lack of evidence against the Kenyan leader.

A statement by the prosecutors said the evidence had "not improved to such an extent that Mr Kenyatta's alleged criminal responsibility can be proven beyond reasonable doubt".

On Wednesday the ICC gave prosecutors a deadline of one week to provide the court with evidence against Kenyatta, or drop the charges.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda previously accused the Kenyan government of withholding evidence, including items such as Kenyatta's bank statement. At least seven witnesses have also dropped out amidst allegations of bribery and intimidation.