Extreme militant group Islamic State, or ISIL, have released a video which they say shows the beheading of US hostage Steven Sotloff, who was taken captive near Aleppo in Syria in 2013. <br /><br />Steven Sotloff appeared at the end of a video showing the execution of fellow US journalist James Foley. <br /><br />The new video also contains threats against the life of another hostage, said to be British.<br /><br />White House spokesman Josh Earnest said US officials were checking the video for authenticity. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr Sotloff and his family,” he told journalists.<br /><br />UK Prime Minister David Cameron described the apparent beheading as an “absolutely disgusting, despicable act.”
