US teenager resting after runaway trip to Iraq

FRESH from his unauthorised odyssey to Iraq, American teen Farris Hassan had a steak dinner and a night of seclusion, but he won't be going out with friends just yet, his mother said yesterday.

Inspired by a high school journalism class, 16-year-old Farris journeyed to Iraq on his own so he could immerse himself in the lives of its citizens.

He returned safely to Florida on Sunday, dodging throngs of reporters and photographers.