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 ›

ITV News poll: Majority against sending troops into Iraq

The majority of Britons are against sending troops into Iraq but do support British involvement in humanitarian efforts, a ComRes poll for ITV News suggests.

Some 63% of British people opposed the idea of troops in Iraq, but 84% agreed with sending aid to refugees trapped on Mount Sinjar.

Proposals to deploy British helicopters to rescue civilians were supported by 73%.

Brits were also found to be more likely to support than oppose British air strikes against Islamic State militants, with 45% in favour.

Two-thirds blamed ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair and former President George Bush for the current crisis in northern Iraq in the poll of 1,088 British adults.

More on this story