Two members of the notorious Islamic State kidnapping cell dubbed the "Beatles" pleaded not guilty in a US court on Friday to charges of conspiring to murder four American hostages. El Shafee Elsheikh, 32, and Alexanda Kotey, 36, were flown to the US from Iraq on Wednesday to face trial for involvement in the murders of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and relief workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller. Appearing from prison by videolink, they both pleaded not guilty during a hearing in US District Court in Alexandria, Virginia and waived their right to a speedy trial. chp-cl/acb