for two years peter theo curtis was held al nusra front. peter theo curtis is now with the u.n. peacekeepers in the golan heights. mike viqueira joins us from washington d.c., good morning. curtises family thinks the u.s. and qatari government is with us. what role did they play in the release. >> the family was trying to keep this low profile and under the radar and they could better work towards securing his release, and it is exactly what happened yesterday. the family says they are grateful, and qatar. but they are saddened by the brutal killing of the james foley on the gruesome video released last week. for his part secretary of state john kerry said the united states reached out to two dozen countries, asking for help. it is reported that the curtis family reached out to the qatari government which was sfrooumental in secure -- instrumental in securing his release. the united states paid no ransom. they say it over and over. farce they are concerned or no, no third party or government paid ron some either. >>> the mentioned james foley, the news of curtis's believe comes

al jazeera has obtained pictures of peter theo curtis, captured in object 2012. he was seized by the al nusra front, which has been playing a significant role in the fight against the syrian government. he was last known to be in turkey before he disappeared. from there he planned to enter syria. now he's been handed over to a u.n. representative in a deal mediated by the government. >> reporter: in this video obtained by al jazeera. peter theo curtis appears to be reading from a script as he sent reassurances. >> i have everything i need. everything is perfect - food, clothing, friends. >>> his family credits qatar for the releasing saying they don't know the terms of the negotiation, but his mother said in a statement: peter theo curtis was taken captive by, the u.s. believes, the al nusra front. who released him to the u.n. in golan heights after two years captivity. curtis was a new name. he changed it after publishing "undercover muslim", ha changed it -- he changed it. his release came on the same day a funeral was held for james foley, the journalist behea

peter theo curtis is expected to be reunited with his family soon. peter theo curtis was held by the al qaeda-linked syrian group al nusra front. >> a government air base in north-east syria was captured by the islamic state. the is fighters stormed the base after a day of clashes. >> it is sunday night and time for our regular look at "the week ahead". we focus on the future of ferguson, missouri. 18-year-old michael brown will be laid to rest tomorrow. his father asked for a halt to the protests on monday as they bury their son. after two weeks of often violent confrontations on the city streets, the country has a great deal of healing to do. we begin with this report from diane eastabrook. [ singing ] >> reporter: at christ the king church worshippers lifted their spirits in song. but the shooting of michael brown weigh the on their minds. >> and we as a community will enter a time of mourning so that his family can bury their child. >> since the unarmed teen was shot on august 9th sz. the neighbourhood erupted in violence, then settled into an unc

peter theo curtis has been handed over to a u.n. representative in a deal mediated by qatar. >> reporter: in this video bostion based journalist peter theo curtis appears to be reading from a script. >> i have everything i need, everything has been perfect. food, clothing and friends. >> family say they do not know the terms of the negotiations, but his mother nancy said in a statement we were told by representatives of the qatari government that they were mediating for field's release on a humanitarian basis, without the payment of money. peter theo curtis was taken captive two years ago. by al nusra front, released into custody to the u.n. in golan rights after nearly two years in captivity. curtis was a new name. he changed it after publishing a book, after he faked being a muslim to get information. his release came on the same day a funeral was held for james foley, the journalist beheaded by the islamic state group. a rare moment of success. celebrated for one american who is finally headed hope. -- headed home. >> qatar's fore

an emotional statement from peter theo curtis.ture what it must be like to be in a cell and be held by these vision terrorist groups. we don't know yet how he was treated. he just volunteered the that an interview will come. to not know there are hundreds of people and not know the extent to which your mother is traveling the world and working on your behalf and how much everybody wants you to come home. he talked about how it restores his faith in the american people and understanding how, you know, without even knowing him, they were welcoming him back to the country and how pleased everybody is. it's not lost on anybody that we have watched another american citizen who did not have the joyful moment that peter theo curtis is now enjoying and how much the foley family would have wanted to have that moment and that's not lost on him either because it's tempered i what we witnessed from the foley family. thank god this family has their loved one back and peter theo curtis is with them again. there are others out there who need to

yesterday in boston two days after the 45 year-old was released by his captors. >> my name is peter theo curtis. >> reporter: officials say an al qaeda military group in syria held curtis for 22 months. this video released in july shows agony on his face an the desperation in his voice. >> my life is in very, very grave danger. i have three days to live. three days to live. >> reporter: secretary of the state john kerry says the united states reached out to more than two dozen countries seeking help from anyone who would secure his safe release. >> everybody has been so supportive and we really appreciate it. >> reporter: cameras caught up with mother nancy curt is in boston on monday after receiving word her son would finally come home. >> what do you say to everybody who has been praying for you. >> thank you very much. >> reporter: in a statement curtis said i have been so touched and moved, beyond all words. by the people who have come up to me today, strangers on the airplane, flight attendants and most of all my family to say welcome home. michelle sedonna, for cbs-3 "eyewitness news". >>

i want to start with peter theo curtis. he was not explicitly held by isis. does his experience underscore how potentially violent the situation on the ground in syria is this. >> it certainly does. as you mentioned, he was kidnapped two years ago and held by a group that is very similar to isis. actually, a group that -- shares a similar ideology but a rival of isis. it was a group that initially was considered the most extreme group in syria until isis came along with the brutality, the savagery and ellipsed even that group which was the official al qaeda affiliate. but since then, things have only gotten worse. right now, when you go through syria, between the turkish border and aleppo, for example, there are dozen of isis check points. they stop cars, they're looking to kidnap people. they're looking to round up any foreigner they can find. it is a situation of absolute lawlessness where these militants are the law, and i can't think of a more dangerous place in the world right now. >> why do you think they release them? what is in their interest? >> i th

here's abc's chief investigative correspondent brian ross. >> my name is peter theo curtis, i'm a journalist from the city of boston, massachusetts, usa. >> reporter: a hostage video sent by al qaeda in syria. and the beginning of a two-year nightmare for freelance journalist peter theo curtis and his family that has now finally ended with his release. >> he's been through so much. so many terrible things that i don't know about and don't really want to know about. >> reporter: today, curtis' mother told amy row back of abc news about the agonizing months when she did not know what would almost to her son. >> those days had to be excruciating. >> they were excruciating. it was a real roller coaster. but i was getting words of reassurance if i didn't hear something of course i would worry maybe something would go wrong. but -- you know. theo's case, it turned out all right. >> reporter: al qaeda and other terror groups have turned hostage-taking into a thriving business, putting the captive's families, their employers, and their government in the difficult positions of negotiating with people

also, we know, too, of the difficult escape attempt that was made by peter theo curtis and his one-timett shria. theo got stuck in the window. matt agonized that he had to leave him behind but yesterday release add statement saying this is the happiest day of his life knowing that peter theo curtis is finally safe. >> i can only imagine the guilt he harbored until theo was free. nick paton walsh, thank you so much. >>> the u.s. military said to be considering force against the, treatmentist group isis in syria. the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff made it clear he is prepared to launch air strikes against isis leaders in syria if, and this is a big if, if there is a direct threat to the united states. actions being considered after the beheading of american james foley and as isis militants seized a key government base inside syria. our pentagon correspondent barbara starr has more this morning. good morning, barbara. >> good morning, john. if isis threatens the united states, what does that already mean? already labeled a terrorist attack t murder of james foley. the u.s. already

peter theo curtis was released this morning. the obama administration spects him to be reunited with his family soon. patty culhane has more. >> i'm peter theo curtis... >> in this video obtained by al jazeera, boston based journalist peter theo curtis appears to be reading from a script as he septembers reassurances. >> i have everything i need. everything is perfect. >> reporter: his family credits qatar for his release, saying they don't know the exact terms, but his mother nancy said "we were repeatedly told by representatives of the qatari government that they were negotiating for release on a humanitarian basis without the exchange of money. he was taken captive by it's believed the al-nusra front. peter theo curtis was a new name, changing it after publishing "undercover muslim - a journey in yemen" it details how he faked a confertion into islam. his release coming on the same day that a funeral mass was held for james foley. the obama administration said he is working to find and free other americans. a rare moment of su

captivity show curtis agitated and fearful that nothing was being done to help him. >> my name is peter theo curtis i'm a journalist in the city of boston, massachusetts, usa. >> reporter: for nearly a year after he was kidnapped, curtis' friends and family only knew he had disappeared. for curtis, it was like he didn't exist. >> in the days following my release on sunday, i have learned bit by bit that there have been literally hundreds of people, brave, determined, and big ha big-hearted people all over the world working for my release. >> reporter: his freedom, bittersweet. it comes on the heels of the sickening murder of james foley, taken captive by isis, an al nusra front rival. peter's mother says he became close with the foley family as they worked to free their loved ones. >> these people are like family to me, you know? i didn't know jim, but i think it sounds as if he and theo had a lot in common. >> reporter: a happy yet intensely sad homecoming. curtis' freedom won with the help of the qatari government, which insists it did not pay a ransom. >> can you tell us what it feels like? >> n

an emotional statement from the former cell mate of peter theo curtis. e held in a cell. they planned an escape. matt tried got through, but theo got stuck. matt wrestled do i stay back in or go. one family extraordinarily happy. james foley horrifically murdered by isis. the british ambassador to the united states saying the hunt for noelly's -- foley's killer they say they are getting closer and closer. they are getting close to identifying the killer. >> curtis's mom tells cnn she spoke to her son yesterday. he told her i can't believe they let me out. quite a voyage and a journey and a home coming for him. >> speaking of emotional, all morning we've been watching this in st. louis. the services remembering michael brown, the 18-year-old boy killed more than two weeks ago. that's his mother right there, leslie mcspadden. we've been hearing from her all morning, this remarkable woman trying to find strength from others in this. >> there's quite a crowd gathered there. some four to five thousand people, some in the sanctuary. we know this is the most per

it is a morning of joy here in cambridge as peter theo curtis has returned home. y returned to him as theo. we saw a short time ago the family home and the police have set us up here and we believe they are speaking to the police down there, at least they were a little earlier. we expect him to come up to the microphones here, chat with us a few minutes, and give us an idea of how he feels now that he's home. remember, the family didn't know where he was for the first year of his captivity by an al qaeda affiliated group in syria. after the shocking death of james foley, very quickly things changed. qatar says they did not offer any ransom for his release, which is a big concern for many who don't want to see these groups garner any sort of reward for capturing journalists and releasing them for money. mrs. curtis spoke to anderson cooper last night a little bit about the difficulty in dealing with their son in captivity. >> this has been a very long road and you learn to get over the panic which is how i felt initially. sheer terror is what began when i realized h

the mother of peter theo curtis has said how much she is happy to see her son. >> i'll give him a big hug and i'll probably cry and he'll probably cry. >> peter theo curtis is in tel aviv, where u.s. authorities met him. journalists as well as human rights workers, the u.s. state department isn't giving much information on what their prospects are other than to say that they are continually reaching out to over 2 dozen countries to try to secure their release. >> our thanks to libby casey. a long time friend said curtis understood the risks he faced. peter lack has that story. >> to find more about urveght po curtis, we've gone to kirk kardashian. how long have you known peter? >> since 2003 when we met on a group bike ride in vermont. >> reporter: now you knew him just before he left on this journey in 2012. now what did you talk about before he went? were you discussing what he was going to do? >> a little bit. he wasn't very specific about where he was going, and who he was going to talk to. but i knew he was going on a reporting trip and that he was trying to explain what was happ

what are you learning about the release of peter theo curtis? >> reporter: we also just got an alert from the united nations that they have turned curtis over to the u.s. government. however, we are still working to hear more updates from the u.s. government on that particular point. we have gotten some statements in from two high ranking officials, both secretary of state john kerry as well as national security adviser susan rice and in john kerry's statement he points out that they worked closely with his mother in massachusetts who worked tirelessly for his return and u.s. worked with more than two dozen countries trying to get help, military tools, information, leverage, anything they could get from other countries in trying to secure his release. i want to read part of susan rice's statement to you. she goes onto make another point. she says "just as we celebrate theo's freedom, we hold in our thoughts and prayers the americans who remain in captivity in syria notwithstanding today's welcome news the events of the past week shocked the consc

he changed his name to peter theo curtis. peter theo curtis was a fluent arabic speaker, fluent french speaker, also spoke german and russian. october 2012, while traveling inside syria to report on the civil war there, american journalist theo curtis was abducted and ultimately held in captivity for 22 months by a group called al nusra front, al qaeda affiliated radical syrian group. theo curtis is not one of the americans held in captivity who's had his name widely publicized. jim foley's name had been publicized before he was killed in a video posted online by the radical group isis last week. theo curtis' family had taken a different approach. they decided to keep his name out of the press in the hope that that might be part of the way they could try to keep him safe as they tried to negotiate for his release. but yesterday, the curtis family was able to announce that he had been freed. and the news that he's out of captivity and in safe hands and on his way home has also freed up information about him and his captivity th

pull theo through, failing to do so, and having to make the terrible call to actually leave peter theo curtis behind in that cell. matthew sharia released back in august, said it was the happy es day of his life that theo curtis is free. theo curtis now being handed over to kurdish officials and good news after a week of horror after an american journalist was executed. now one american prisoner freed after two years in the hands of al qaeda. >> nancy curtis says, and i'm quoting her directly here, my heart is full at the extraordinary dedicated and credible people, too many to name individually, who have become my friends and have tirelessly helped us over these many months. please know that we will be eternally grateful. >>> and u.s. president barack obama was briefed on the kurdish release by homeland security official. the president is happily reli relieved that he is out of syria. but we continue to hold in our thoughts and prayers the americans who remain in captivity in syria and will continue to use all of the tools at our disposal to see that the remaining american hostages are freed

journalist peter theo curtis held for two years in syria has been free. he was happened over to u.n. officials in the golan heights. the obama administration administration expect curtis to be reunited with his family soon, he is being held by the al qaeda al nusra front. a peace rally is underway, featuring the parents of michael brown and trayvon martin. the funeral will take place 10 miles since he was freed. michael brown was killed by a police officer. >>> in ukraine, the morgue came under shelling as fighting continues between the military and pro-russian separatists. the military is trying to retake the rebel held city of donetsk. rebel fighters spoct the damage. the fighting has given away hundreds of resident. the government held parades, to mark the country's 1991 independence. rebels took the opportunity to mock their opponents. >> in the city of donetsk pro-russian separatist hold a ceremony. dozens of prisoners captured during month of fighting were paraded through the streets. also on show, destroyed ukranian military hardware. >> as the rest

cutter represented with this release of peter theo curtis. 's family says money did not change hands in this. the 45-year-old was being held captive by the nusra front. british officials say they have i.d.ed the islamist militantho

but today, the american journalist peter theo curtis is back in the united states. curtis spoke briefly with the reporters outside his mother's home in massachusetts. he says he's overwhelmed by emotion and grateful to be free. curtis was captured in to 12 by al nusri, an al qaeda affiliate. he says he's thankful for all efforts that went to securing his release. >> first, i want to thank you for coming out here on this beautiful wednesday morning. there have been literally hundreds of people brave, determined and big hearted people, working all over the world for my release. they've been working for two years on this. i had no idea when i was in prison, i had no idea so much effort was being expended on my behalf. now having found out, i have just overwhelmed with emotion. now total strangers are coming up to me and saying, hey, we're just glad you're home. welcome home. glad you're back. glad you're safe. great to see you. i suddenly remember how good the american people are. and what kindness they have in their hearts. and to all those people, i say a huge thank y

. >> theo curtis has just walked outside of his house. i'm going to have to interrupt you. here's peter theo curtis who was held hostage by al qaeda affiliated terrorists. he popped out of his house to hang an american flag on a tree. he's approaching the microphone to say a few words to the media and to the world. let's listen. >> first of all, i want to thank you all for coming out here on this beautiful wednesday morning. in the days following my release on sunday, i have learned bit by bit that there have been literally hundreds of people, brave determined and big hearted people all over the world working for my release. they have been working for two years on this. i had no idea when i was in prison. i had no idea that so much effort was being expended on my behalf. now having found out, i am just overwhelmed with emotion. i'm also overwhelmed by one other thing and that is that total strangers have been coming up to me and saying hey, we're just glad you are home, welcome home, glad you are back, glad you are safe. great to see you. i suddenly remember how good the american people

tragedy, the shock and horror of foley's murder earlier in the week and the release today of peter theo curtisher journalist captured in syria and held for two years. what do you know about his release and what can you tell us about him? >> i never met theo curtis. there are 30 western aid workers held. we don't know the numbers because the media blackouts on some abductions. i have heard from european government sources in two countries that some money did change hands from the qataris for the release of curtis. obviously it's a relief he's out. of course he wasn't held by the islamic state but al-nusrah and i think it is a point that they may be concerned about the fallout from james foley's murder and not so much in regards to bombing raids and runs by u.s. air force but also to have the turks to react to this who have allowed the border in many ways to be open to the jihadists and allowed them logistical space in southern turkey. they may be concerned the space will be closed down and trying to distinguish itself from the islamic state. >> let me ask you this. you know the u.s. government

. >> journalist peter theo curtis expected soon to be reunited with his family. he was take on the tel aviv following his release sunday by a syrian group linked to al qaeda. the u.s. rejects paying ransoms for hostages, but it's not known whether anyone else paid curtis' kidnappers. >> his freedom comes days after another captured american journalist, james foley, was executed by the militant group isis. nick paton walsh has more. >> reporter: after a week of horror, some good news. finally an american citizen, a freelance author and journalist, a man called peter theo curtis, released sunday from an extremist group in the syrian rebel ranks known as jabhat al nusra. released after negotiation from the americans and the qutari government. it's not quite clear the technical nature of how the release occurred. he was handed over in the golan heights, an od place to be given over we also know a bit about his captivity because one of the americans he was a cellmate with, i spoke to him in august of last year and he gave me some details, quite exactly the torture the

peter theo curtis out of danger.ntelligence officials are close to finding the jihadist who murdered james foley and the advances isis is making. >>> a day of mourning in ferguson, missouri. michael brown's family preparing to say good-bye. he will be laid to rest today. we are going to bring you the mood on the streets tonight. >>> northern california rocked by the strongest earthquake in 25 years. the latest on the damage report and that damage report is growing. that's next. >>> good morning, everyone. welcome ta "early start." i'm jn

also, peter theo curtis, released in the golon heights, taken by u.s. officials to tel aviv.and dozens of people were killed in bombings around iraq today, including nine people killed in a mosque. iraq's new prime minister says he is hoping to form a government in two days. >>> iceland is lowering volcano warnings. the country has been on alert ever since the volcano started rumbling earlier this month. >>> meantime a wildfire is spreading in northern california. hundreds of people have been evacuated in trinity county. the fire has already burned 650 acres. >> i'm meteorologist dave warren. the tropics starting to look a little more active. tropical storm cristobal does not look that impressive. intensifying just a bit but not organized to look like a major threat. it is seeing wind speeds of 60 miles per hour, did increase its intensity. forecast to become a hurricane. watching that storm moving north now starting to turn to the northeast. cold front approaching for the northern plains, high pressure across the northeast, that will keep the storm off the coast out into the

. >> as far as the hostage that was released today, his name is peter theo curtis. and the state department says he's been held by an al qaeda affiliate in syria for two years. now he's been freed. secretary of state john kerry put out a statement this afternoon saying, quote, after a week marked by unspeakable tragedy, we are all relieved and grateful knowing theo curtis is coming home. meanwhile, in the search for the killer of another u.s. hostage, james foley, it may have been the killer's voice, his london accent and his online rap videos that ultimately gave him away. a senior western intelligence official tells fox that a 23-year-old british man, a bhch bdel bary. british authorities are not confirming the name publicly just yet. >> we are close. i've been in touch with my colleagues at home. we're not yet in a position to say exactly who this is, but there is very sophisticated voice identification technology and other measures that we've got that should allow us to be clear who this person is. >> intelligence officials were likely able to compare the voice

released after 22 months in captivity by al nusra front, al qaeda-affiliated group, and seeing theo curtis, peter we saw him he was in captivity looking shaggy, unshaved, unshowered and now he clearly has a clean shirt on. he is shaved and looking a heck of a lot better. he did release a statement. i want to read part of it to you. i've been so touched and moved beyond all words by the people who have come to me today, strangers on the plane, flight attendants and most of all my family to say welcome home. i am also deeply indebted to the u.s. officials who worked on my case. i especially want to thank the government of qatar for intervening on my behalf. the qataris i also should say they insist, they did not pay a ransom for mr. curtis' release. what next for him? well, he is home just a few blocks from where we are right now. his mother says she is a very good cook. we know that he loves to road pies call so i think he's going to get a good meal and a decent ride. >> we know how that picture of when they reunited yesterday, peter theo curtis and his mother nancy who has been through so much, i

visit angieslist.com today. >>> just a short time ago, american journalist peter theo curtis spoke publiclyor the first time since being freed after nearly two years in captivity. after reuniting with his mom, curtis spoke this morning with words of gratitude and also a request for privacy. >> in the days following my release on sunday, i have learned bit by bit that there have been literally hundreds of people, brave, determined and big-hearted people all over the world, working for my release. they've been working for two years on this. i had no idea when i was in prison that so much effort was being expended on my behalf. and now having found out, i am just overwhelmed with emotion. i'm also overwhelmed by one other thing. that is that total strangers have been coming up to me and saying, hey, we're glad you're home, welcome back, glad you're safe, great to see you. so i suddenly remember how good the american people are and what kindness they have in their hearts. and to all those people, i say a huge thank you from my heart, from the bottom of my heart. and, now, look, i'm so grateful

until his release was announced sunday, the kidnapping of 45-year-old peter theo curtis of boston two years ago had not been publicly revealed. with more here is abc's jonathan carl. >> peter theo curtis had been held hostage by terrorists in syria nearly two years. now he is finally free. originally from massachusetts, curtis is a 45-year-old writer who goes by the name of theo padnos. spent years in syria and the middle east. held by al-nusera, a different group from isis which killed john foley. the u.s. worked with more than two dozen countries over past two years to get him freed. his family said, no ransom was paid. ♪ meanwhile in new hampshire, a memorial for jim foley. friend and family gathered to remember the journalist brutally murdered by isis and called a hero by president obama. while u.s. war planes hit more isis targ tets ets in iraq. the terror group scored a victory in syria, capturing an air base from the government. defeating isis means fighting them in syria and iraq as the top commander in afghanistan told george stephanopoulos. >> it will require a comprehensive

it is just a snapshot into peter theo curtis's first morning home. >> i'm just overwhelmed with emotion. >> and wn opens his mouth the emotion in his voice is clear. how he learned of two years of efforts towards his freedom. efforts he knew nothing about. >> there have been literally hundreds of people, brave, determined and big-hearted people o all over the world working for are release. >> he was kidnapped in serious in 2012. he was released sunday. >> total strangveome up to me saying we're just glad you're home. glad you're back. glad you're safe. >> reporter: but in his cambridge neighborhood, this photo in captivity is almost unseen until now. >> i can't imagine what his mother has gone through. >> reporter: a that is this 445-year-old's foc. >> i have bond with my mother and my family now. and i can't give you an interview and i can't gve you a talk back and forth. >> reporter: understandably so after two years in captivity. a personal story he promises he'll share later. and as a journalist curtis says he understands the media's interest in hi story, his experience over the las

psychological impact as well. >>> breaking overnight, a homecoming for freed american hostage peter theo curtisted with his family just days after being held for nearly two years by islamic militants. curtis released a state saying i've been so touched and moved beyond all words by the team who have come up to me on the airplane. strangers on the airplane, the flight attendants and most of all my family to say welcome home. i am also deeply indebted to the u.s. officials who have worked on my case. >> i don't think anybody is in the mood for celebration. you know, we're relieved, but after the events of the past week and knowing that those other children of my friends are in danger, you know, i have very conflicted emotions. >> nancy curtis appealed for privacy as theo adjusts to being home. that picture says it all, doesn't it. >> president obama promising significant improvements in the va health system, telling people at the american legion convention that change son the way and there will be consequences for past abuses. >> the misconduct we've seen at too many facilities with long wait tim

journalist peter theo curtis is back in the u.s. after being held by a syrian extremist group for nearly two years. and a stunner at the u.s. open. a 15-year-old american upsets the heavy favorite to become the youngest player to win an open match in nearly 20 years. captioning funded by cbs >>> this is the "cbs morning news" for wednesday, august 27th, 2014. good morning. good to be with you. i'm anne-marie green. a man born in chicago is believed to be the first american to die fighting for the islamic terrorist group isis. u.s. officials say they knew douglas mccain had traveled to syria to join the extremists. they also say about 100 more americans are in syria fighting. isis is also said to be holding an american woman hostage. susan mcginnis is in washington. susan, good morning. >> anne-marie, good morning. mccain was reportedly killed by rebels fighting with the free syrian army which is backed by the u.s. his death could help u.s. officials now trying to identify other americans that have joined the isis terror group. u.s.

. >>> freed american journalist peter theo curtis back on u.s. soil. this is a picture of him being reunited with his mother in boston. he was released this past sunday after being held for nearly two years in syria. curtis released a statement saying i've been so touched and moved beyond all words by the people who have come up to me today. strangers on the airplane, flight attendants and most of all my family to say welcome home. i'm also deeply indebted to the u.s. officials who have worked on my case. i especially want to thank the government of qatar for intervening on my behalf. curtis' mother said she's tempered by the fact that so many are held captive. >> i don't think anybody's in mood for celebration. we're relieved but after the events of the past week and knowing that those other children of my friends are in danger, well, i have very conflicted emotions. >> nancy curtis appealed to the media to give the family privacy. >> she's a remarkable woman, listening to her the last few days. >>> a new dire warning from the centers for disease cont

an american journalist, peter theo curtis has been freed. he was captured in october, 2012, according to information from the f.b.i. his last known location was in turkey where he had plans to enter syria to teach english. the qatari group and in march, a group of greek orthodox nuns were released after being held for three months by syrian rebels. more detail still coming through on that release. . >> to libya where violence between warring malitias continues to escalate. armed groups have lost control of the airport in tripoli. he script has denied accusations it was behind airstrikes against the capitol. it adds to a picture of chaos and confusion as dominic kane reports. >> a battle for control of tripoli airport. until this weekend, it was held by fighters who broadly support libya's new parliament. it's now in the hands of militia from mizrata who oppose this. on saturday, airstrikes were thank youed killing more than a dozen. the spokesman believes other countries are to blame. >> based upon the intelligence we have, the egyptian and

we're told that peter theo curtis was handed over to u.s. peace keepers earlier today. he was abducted by al qaeda linked in 2012. his release of course comes just days after another u.s. journalist, james foley was beheaded in that public display by the islamic terrorist group isis. we will have much more on this developing story coming up in a live report. >>> and this is a fox news alert. northern california is riding out aftershocks right now and dealing with destruction on a major scale. highly populated neighborhood hit by the strongest earthquake there in a quarter century. this is america's news headquarters. >> and i'm eric sean. good afternoon. fires, gas, and water leaks, buildings and highways heavily damaged. at least 80 people are injured. thankfully so far no reports of any fatalities. the epicenter about 6 miles from napa. the city manager there holding a news conference today. >> we have activated our emergency operation center and effective at 7:59, we declared a local emergency. the county i believe has taken a similar action. we have brought in all a

you're right, confirming that peter theo curtis had been released and his family saying they're deeply grateful to the united states government and qatari government and noting at the same time that they were very saddened at the murder of journalist james foley. the united states had been trying--according to secretary kerry, reached out to two dozen countries over the course of last two years asking for help. it was when the family through the america united nations ambassador samantha power got in touch with the qatarrys who has influence with these groups that things started to move an accelerated a great deal the release o. they said there would be no ransoms paid to terrorists and a family putting out a statement saying as far as they know they were assured by the qatari government that they did not pay a ransom either. one of these journalists, an unspecified number of american hostages held in the region have been released over the weekend. >> another example of americans and qatarrys working together for the release of hostages. this comes after journalist james foley was kill

peter theo curtis was release sunday by an extremist group competing with isis for control in syria. curtis was freed less than a week after isis murdered another u.s. reporter james foley. margaret brennan is at the state department. margaret, good morning. >> good morning. since the execution of jim foley last week, the u.s. has pressured qatar and other countries with influence to help the handful of americans still held hostage. >> my name is peter theo curtis. >> reporter: freelancer peter theo curtis was last seen in this video july 18, in it he begs for help. >> i'm in very, very grave danger. i have three days. >> reporter: militants handed curtis over to u.n. peacekeepers on sunday evening in a territory located between syria and israel. he was then picked up by diplomats from the u.s. embassy in israel. curtis's family tells cbs news they don't know how he was captured but they said in recent weeks negotiations for his release have been ongoing and led by the wealthy emirate of qatar. they say they don't know if a ransom was paid. curtis was released after nearly two years i

i can tell you the man calling himself peter theo curtis, i don't think it was clear to anyone he was held captive in syria. we know about two other american journalists missing in syria. austin tice and also steven sotlaf. as for peter theo curtis, there's been no push to get him out. there's been no public campaign happening to try and get his release, so i think everyone is taken a bit aback in washington. we've been reaching out for comment and confirmation from the state department and white house. we haven't got answers. if we do, we'll pass them along. >> i wonder, a difficult question, but we're told it was handled by the u.n. representatives. any confirmation from the united nations? >> reporter: the u.t. tells our teams in new york they are looking into it, but again, they don't have any confirmation. this really did seem to take everyone by surprise. as you know, the president has been on vacation in martha's vineyard. he will return to the white house very late this evening. so far, though, again no official comment or reaction from really anyone in the united states. whet

. >> my name is peter theo curtis. >> reporter: peter theo curtis had been held hostage by terrorists in syria for nearly two years. now he is finally free. originally from massachusetts, curtis is a 45-year-old writer who also goes by the name theo padnos and has spent the last several years in syria and elsewhere in the middle east held by an al qaeda linked group known as al nusra. this is a different group from isis, which killed american journalist james foley. secretary of state john kerry said the u.s. had worked with more than two dozen countries over the past two years to get him freed. his family said no ransom was paid. ♪ meanwhile, in new hampshire, a memorial for jim foley. friends and family gathered to remember the journalist brutally murdered by isis and called a hero by president obama, and while u.s. warplanes hit more isis targets in iraq today, the terror group scored another big victory in syria capturing a major air base from the syrian government. another reason defeating isis means fighting them in syria as well as iraq as the former top u.s. commander in afgha

the other major development, the release of peter theo curtis.ra front. senior white house correspondent jim sciutto joins me now. what do we know about the new information regarding the flights? >> what we heard from our barba barba barbarastarr that he authorized flights over syria. in line with what i was hearing earlier that the president has not made a decision to take military action against isis targets in syria but they want to use what they're calling all the tools at their disposal and, anderson, i think this underlines one key issue for the administration and, frankly, one key problem for the administration and that is that they need to identify targets before they start taking them out. >> i also need to identify correspondents better. jim acosta. not jim sciutto. it's interesting, though, because the foreign minister signaled a willingness to allow military intervention. syria doesn't have control over these areas that the u.s. would be attacking isis in and the idea that, i mean it sort of plays into the narrative syria has been say

these are brand new photos of american writer and journalist peter theo curtis. he flew from israel to new jersey, then boston on tuesday. curtis was taken by militants inside syria in 2012. he was finally let go sunday. qatar helped win his release but says a ransom was not paid. >>> it's unclear whether massive waves brought on by hurricane marie are responsible for the death of a male surfer in malibu. you see big waves and high winds on the northern pacific coast of mexico, where hurricane marie is wreaking havoc. she's expected to weaken slightly. forecasters say this could create one of the highest tides in years. swells from hurricane marie at beaches like newport could be as high as 25 feet over the next few days. >>> we are seeing chilling, new video this morning showing the moments before a 9-year-old girl accidentally shot and killed her shooting instructor earlier this week in arizona. the mojave county sheriff's department released this part of a longer video. it shows the instructor at a shooting range, demonstrating how to pull the trigger of an au

western security officials fear most. >> very disturbing insight there. >>> american journalist peter theo curtisw home, he was held hostage by militants in syria for 22 months. >> it's the complete opposite outcome of these hostage scenarios. curtis reunited with his mother in boston on tuesday, just a short time ago, she spoke with anderson cooper and thanked everyone who played a role in getting her son home including the government of qatar. >> i knew the united states government was not going to pay a ransom and did not want anybody to pay a ransom. but we were hopeful that the connection to qatar would be productive, but we didn't know. and they certainly were very gracious and tremendously helpful. you have to give credit to all the people that i don't know about in the united states government that have been working on this hard for two years. >> curtis' mother not believing that qatar paid a ransom. earlier curtis himself publicly thanked qatar for helping to negotiate his release. >> qatar's involvement raises questions about its relationship with the united states. the washington post

your world in 90 seconds. >> journalist peter theo curtis reunited with his mom, after being freed byn american hostage

miguel marquez has more for you. >> reporter: peter theo curtis, nearly two years held prisoner in syria, free. mother's relief, plain as the smile on her face. >> reporter: are you happy that he's out? >> reporter: captured late 2012 by al qaeda affiliated al nusra front as syria's civil war ramd. he covered the horrors of syria, often critical of the assad regime. al nusra's enemy. it made little difference, for nearly a year, family, friends, had no idea where he was, or what happened to him. >> i don't remember exactly how i discovered that he was being held. i think at first it was just a disappearance, and then the information slowly came out that he was being held. >> reporter: others found out after matthew shrier, held captive with curtis managed to escape in 2013. the story of their treatment terrifying to hear. >> all day long you hear people get tortured, you hear whack, whack, of their feet getting whacked and screaming and yelling. >> reporter: curtis' family gathering at his mother's cambridge, massachusetts, home, the news from theo so far? positive. >> we've heard that h

but first, miguel has more on what all they have been through. >> reporter: peter theo curtis, nearlyprisoner in syria, today, free. a mother's relief, plain as the smile on her face. >> you're happy that he's out? >> completely. >> reporter: captured late 2012 by al qaeda-affiliated al nusra front as syria's civil war raged, writing under the name theo, he covered the horrors of syria, often critical of the assad regime, al nusra's enemy. it made little difference. for nearly a year, family, friends had no y where he was or what happened to him. >> i don't remember exactly how i discovered that he was being held. i think at first, it was just a disappearance. and then the information slowly came out that he was being held. >> reporter: others found out after matthew schrier, held captive with curtis, managed to escape in 2013. the story of their treatment, terrifying to hear. >> all day long, you're hearing people get tortured. all day long, you just hear whack, whack, whack. the feet getting whacked and they're screaming and yelling. >> curtis' family, now gathering at his mother's