Thursday, February 26, 2015

World News Briefs -- February 26, 2015



EXCLUSIVE: First picture of the face of the angelic schoolboy who turned into reviled ISIS executioner. How polite west London pupil became bloodthirsty Jihadi John

* Mohammad Emwazi unmasked as ruthless Islamic State murderer Jihadi John
* Pictured here as a schoolboy for the first time without his notorious black mask
* Classmates in west London say he was more interested in football than Islam
* Teachers remember him as 'hard-working...everything you would ever want in a student'
* Emwazi was born in Kuwait, but moved to Britain with his family at the age of six
* He was on a terror watch list, but managed to flee to Syria in 2012


MIDDLE EAST

U.S.-led coalition launches 14 air strikes against Islamic State: statement.

ISIL seizes strategic bridge in Iraq's Anbar.

Jordan assumes leading role vs. Islamic State militants.

Insight: Jordan takes no chances in confronting homegrown Jihadis.

ISIS militants destroy ancient statues, relics in Iraq. Militants abduct more Christians, smash ancient artifacts.

Syria refugee crisis nears 'dangerous turning point':UN.

Kurds blocking return of Arabs to disputed Iraq areas: watchdog.

Kerry heading to Switzerland for next round of nuclear talks.

Yemen leader meets UN envoy in southern refuge Aden.

Axe murderer and heroin smuggler are both beheaded in Saudi Arabia, bringing the number of death sentences carried out in the kingdom to 34 this year.

Rebuilding Gaza could take a century if Israel keeps blockade.

Jordan, Israel agree $900 million Red Sea-Dead Sea project.

ASIA

NATO coalition convoy struck in Kabul.

Suicide attack 'targets Turkish embassy car' in Kabul.

Afghans in frantic search for avalanche survivors. Avalanches kill scores in Afghanistan's northeast.

Detained Maldives' ex-leader denies ordering judge's arrest.

US: China is expanding its South China Sea outposts. China doing 'large scale' reclamation in disputed islands: media.

China investors top U.S. list of 2013 national security reviews.

Sexual revolution: S. Korean court abolishes punishment for extramarital affairs.

AFRICA

Boko Haram attacks force Canadian withdrawal in Niger.

Nigeria Boko Haram: Many killed in bus station bombings. Bomb attacks kill at least 23 in north, central Nigeria.

Goodluck Jonathan visits site of Boko Haram massacre.

Nigeria's opposition will not tolerate any more vote delays: Buhari.

Somalia's al Shabaab say fire mortars at presidential palace.

NATO ready to advise Libya on security, eyes more drones.

Coalition partners threaten to challenge Ivory Coast president at polls.

Sudan's Bashir says will quit in 2020 if re-elected president. Sudanese leader says being hounded by ICC, West.

EUROPE

Ukrainian military pulls back heavy weaponry from eastern front. Ukraine, rebels start pulling back heavy weapons in the east. Ukraine begins artillery withdrawal, recognizing truce is holding.

Ukraine may lose IMF aid if conflict escalates — media.

EU-Russia-Ukraine gas talks to be held on Monday: EU.

Georgia says Russia bent on 'creeping annexation' of breakaway regions.

Greek protesters clash with police in first backlash against Syriza.

Suspected European arms traffickers extradited from Montenegro to U.S..

Spain blasts ex-PM meeting with Castro in Cuba.

France unveils reforms to tackle Muslim radicalisation.

AMERICAS

Kofi Annan in Cuba to boost Colombia-FARC peace talks.

Emergency responders investigate possible Virginia Ebola case.

Venezuela clamps down further on dissent amid deepening economic woes.

Obama to ban bullets by executive action, threatens top-selling AR-15 rifle.

Victory for Argentine leader: Judge rejects cover-up case. Argentina: President Cristina Fernandez case dismissed.

Argentina replaces head of Cabinet amid political turmoil.

UN chief backs efforts to re-launch dialogue in Venezuela.

Canada considers sending troops to Ukraine.

Mexico president in crisis is losing support of big business.

What a Homeland Security shutdown would mean: Who works & who won’t.

US inflation rate remains negative.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

UK man behind Isis beheadings identified as Mohammed Emwazi. 'Jihadi John' raised in UK, studied computers, reports say.

Paradise jihadis: Maldives sees surge in young Muslims leaving for Syria.

US: 3 accused in Islamic State plot had vocalized beliefs.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Google's quiet dominance over the 'ad tech' industry.

China's loans to Latin America 'rose to $22bn in 2014'.

Net neutrality rules passed by US regulator. Telecom industry slams FCC net neutrality move.

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