Journalist Shelly Kittleson Freed After Kidnapping

0:00It's April 8th. This is Entertainment and Celebrity News today, powered by AI, your front row to the latest buzz. I'm Cory with the story. American journalist Shelley Kiddelsen is free after being kidnapped near Baghdad by the terrorist group Katai Pesbala. US secretaries say Marco Rubio broke the news on April 7th through a post on X, calling it a big win for getting her out safely. Rubio thanked the FBI, Department of Defense, other US agencies, and Iraqi partners like the Supreme Judicial Council for their work in making this happen. He stressed the Trump administration's promise to protect Americans anywhere on the globe. The kidnapping grabbed headlines last month when reports surfaced on March 31st about her grab near the Palestine Hotel in central Baghdad. Kiddelsen, who covers Middle East tensions for Al Monitor, sparked global worry as Iraqi searched high and low. Word from the militia, via anonymous sources, says they let her go on the condition she leaves Iraq right away.

1:00In return, Iraqi authorities freed some of their detained members, wrapping up the tent swap. Now with Kiddelsen safe, the focus shifts to her quick exit from the region and holding those responsible accountable, showing the US won't back. Down from threats like this.