The beheading of a second Canadian hostage in the Philippines by ransom-seeking Abu Sayyaf extremists has prompted a major offensive by troops in the south of the country.

The Islamic State group has released the last of some 230 Assyrian Christians kidnapped a year ago in Syria after receiving millions of dollars in ransom, Christian officials said.

Police in the UK are investigating a ransom demand sent to telecoms giant TalkTalk following the cyber attack which may have resulted in the theft of millions of customers’ bank and credit card details.

President Barack Obama is clearing the way for families of US hostages to pay ransom to terror groups without fear of prosecution.