Islamic State video shows killing of US hostage Steven Sotloff
The Islamic State (IS) group has published a video showing the beheading of a man believed to be American hostage Steven Sotloff.
The two-and-a-half minute video, entitled "A second message to America", comes just two weeks after the killing of kidnapped photojournalist James Foley.
Sotloff, who disappeared in Syria last year, was shown at the end of the video of Foley's execution.
The masked militant in the video, thought to be the same man who carried out the killing of Foley, explained that the execution was again in response to the air strikes carried out by the US in Iraq.
He said: "I'm back, Obama, and I'm back because of your arrogant foreign policy towards the Islamic State [...] despite our serious warnings."
The militant also then threatened to kill a British hostage next.
A spokesman for the Sotloff family issued a statement saying that they were "grieving privately".
"There will be no public comment from the family during this difficult time."
BC