Islamic State’s leader has a message for his would-be killers – A French terrorist can’t live without cigarettes – Alleged cannibals are on trial in Brazil – And more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

Islamic State has released an audio recording purportedly made by the terrorist group’s leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.  This comes days after reports he might have been killed or seriously injured in a US airstrike in Iraq.  He urges attacks on Saudi Arabia, engages in the usual superlatives while calling on supports to “erupt volcanoes of jihad”, but mostly the message is:  He’s not dead yet.

British Prime Minister David Cameron is announcing new authority to combat terrorism.  Cameron says the UK could prevent British militants who leave to fight abroad from returning through special exclusion orders that could last for years.  Officials are also claiming authority to stop would-be militants from leaving the UK.  Critics question the legality of these measures.

A court in France sentenced an Islamist militant to seven-years in prison.  28-year old Flavien Moreau left to join a terrorist group in Syria – but he left after a dozen days because he missed his cigarettes, and the terrorists banned smoking.  Seriously, this happened, the French guy wouldn’t give up cigarettes.  France estimates that about 1,000 of its citizens are or were involved in Islamist militant groups.

The European Space Probe Philae is stable and sending pictures, but its mission may be limited by battery life.  The probe rough landing positioned it under a cliff on the four-kilometer wide space rock, blocking the solar power array.  One of its three feet is not in contact with the Comet’s surface, meaning that it might be on it side.

Parents of the 43 missing student teachers in Southern Mexico have begun a nationwide bus tour to protest the government’s handling of the case.  Mexico’s chief prosecutor has families them that the students are likely died, after three drug gang members confessed to killing and burning the bodies at the orders of the mayor of Iguala. The mayor and several police and other officials are under arrest. 

Civilian and military leaders in Burkina Faso have agreed on a framework to return the country to civilian rule.  Massive street protests forced President Blaise Compaore to step down and flee the country on 31 October.  But the military slid right into power, in violation of the constitution which actually did provide an order of succession in a presidential vacancy.  The new plan is to have civilians run the transition and hold elections early next year.

A United Nations investigator says there is enough evidence to hold North Korean leader Kim Jong-un accountable for “massive” human rights violations and atrocities committed by the hermit kingdom. North Korea has dismissed the UN inquiry as part of a US plot.  The UN in February released a report comparing North Korea’s treatment of its civilians to the atrocities committed by Nazis in World War II.

In Brazil, the trial has begun for three people accused of murdering at least two women, eating parts of their bodies, and using the rest to make and sell stuffed pastries.  Police arrested the man, his wife, and his mistress in the northeastern city of Garanhuns in 2012.  At the time, the defendants told police they belonged to a sect that preached “the purification of the world and the reduction of its population.”

Everyone loves Baby Orangutans!

Leaders of the recent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong plan to fly to Beijing this weekend and – assuming they’re even allowed into the mainland – will attempt to meet with Chinese leaders.  Their demand is for free elections for Hong Kong’s next leader.  Beijing says it will vet and approve candidates before they’re allowed on the ballot.  Chinese officials have thus far rebuffed their requests for a meeting.