Hostages freed after six months in Yemen

Three French aid workers held hostage in Yemen by al-Qa'ida militants have been freed after nearly six months in captivity.

The kidnappers, linked to al-Qa'ida's offshoot in the region, had demanded $12m (£7.5m) and had threatened to kill the hostages if the ransom was not paid.

Yemeni officials said the Sultan of Oman had helped negotiate their release, but it was unclear if money had been paid. The workers were said to be healthy.

AP