The sister of British hostage John Cantlie has made an appeal to Islamic State militants who're holding him.

Jessica Cantlie's spoken in a video, confirming there have been discussions with IS but says contact has been cut off.

The British photojournalist was seized in northern Syria, and over the weekend appeared in another propaganda video.

In a statement, Jessica Cantlie calls for Islamic State to restart dialogue - and refers to other British hostages killed by the terrorist group:

The British Foreign Secretary insists British airstrikes against Islamic State extremists ARE having an impact.

Philip Hammond made the comments in Iraq where he's holding talks on how to fight extremism with the country's new Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi.