Islamic extremists behead Western hostage in Philippines

Islamic extremists in the Philippines beheaded one of three Western hostages taken captive months ago, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Monday. The Abu Sayyaf terror group had issued public threats to kill one of the hostages, demanding $6.5 million for each of them by Monday afternoon. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed the death of 68-year-old John Ridsdel of Calgary, saying, "This was an act of cold-blooded murder." The terrorists were thought to be holding more than a dozen hostages, including another Canadian, a Norwegian and a Filipino woman, as well as 14 Indonesian and four Malaysian crewmen who were abducted at gunpoint from three tugboats starting last month. The head was recovered on Jolo Island in the jungle province of Sulu. Read more...