Advertisement

  1. National

US journalist released from Syria 'overwhelmed with emotion'

A US journalist released earlier this week after almost two years of imprisonment in Syria said he was "overwhelmed with emotion" because of the attention he has received upon returning home.

Peter Theo Curtis, 45, was captured in 2012 by Nusra Front and was only released on Sunday.

He said: "I suddenly remember how good the American people are, and what kindness they have in their hearts."

Meanwhile, Douglas McAuthur McCain, 33, who is suspected of fighting with Islamic State militants operating in Iraq and Syria, has been killed in the Middle East, a US security official has said.

View all 381 updates ›

US 'hasn't ruled anything in or out' on Syria air strikes

The US Defence Secretary has not ruled anything "in or out" when it comes to conducting air strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria, the Pentagon Press Secretary has said.

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel speaking at a press conference yesterday. Credit: Olivier Douliery/ABACA USA/Empics Entertainment

Asked whether Chuck Hagel had not ruled out air strikes on Syria, Rear Admiral John Kirby said, "The Secretary didn't rule anything in or out. He said that all options remain available and they do."

"I'm not going to speculate about where that might take this ... and I think you can understand why we wouldn't do that," he added.

More on this story