Former chief of staff to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and IRA negotiator, Jonathan Powell, tells Tom Clark governments need to talk to kidnappers, not pay them. But negotiations can only happen with those terrorist groups that have genuine political support.

The Canadian government is not relenting on its policy of not paying ransoms to terrorists, even after the murder of Canadian hostage John Ridsdel.

Dr. Aafia Siddiqui is sitting behind bars , serving an 86-year sentence in a Texas prison, but she has been at the centre of at least three, high-profile American hostage takings.