Tuesday, September 16, 2014

World News Briefs -- September 16, 2014



US To Send 3,000 Troops To Ebola Danger Zone As Obama Administration Shuffles Military's Mission In Africa -- Daily Mail

* The Obama administration said late Monday night that the U.S. military will set up a command post in Monrovia, Liberia, the Ebola outbreak's epicenter
* 'This effort ... will involve an estimated 3,000 U.S. forces,' according to the White House
* Pentagon official says military will 'be the lead dog, and that will make a lot of people nervous. ... No one wants U.S. personnel enforcing someone else's martial law if things go south and the entire region is at risk'
* U.S. Africa Command warns servicemen and women: 'Avoid nonessential travel to Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia'
* Pentagon is drawing flak for sending 25-bed 'field-deployable hospital' that is meant to treat health care workers, not civilian victims
* The U.S. president will travel to the CDC in Atlanta on Tuesday for a briefing about his government's efforts to stem the tide overseas

The United States government is sending thousands of military troops to the west African nation of Liberia as part of the Obama administration's Ebola virus-response strategy, the White House said late Monday night.

'U.S. Africa Command will set up a Joint Force Command headquartered in Monrovia, Liberia, to provide regional command and control support to U.S. military activities and facilitate coordination with U.S. government and international relief efforts,' a statement from the White House press office said.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iraq approves US airstrike on IS targets near Baghdad: Reports.

First US strike under new IS plan.

Washington moots possible airstrikes on Syria’s air defenses.

Islamic State shoots down Syrian war plane: monitor group.

Iraq parliament rejects defense, interior minister nominees.

US-Israel accord to support coordinated air ops in Syria.

Turkey mulls 'buffer zone' against Islamic State.

Turkish govt warns Moody's and Fitch over economic assessments.

ASIA

2 Americans among 3 killed by Taliban in Afghanistan. NATO troops killed in Afghanistan.

Breakthrough in Afghan electoral impasse seen as imminent.

US reconstruction of Afghanistan most expensive in US history.

More than 30 militants killed in Pakistan's northwest.

Human Rights Watch presses for police reform in Vietnam.

Taiwan, China begin new trade talks.

New Zealand denies it was planning mass domestic spying.

Philippines orders evacuation as Mayon volcano threatens to erupt.

Typhoon Kalmaegi hits southern China.

AFRICA

Ebola outbreak: UN calls for $1bn to fight virus.

New air strikes reported in Libya.

Roadside bomb kills 6 policemen in Egypt’s Sinai.

South Sudan bans foreign workers despite looming famine.

UN takes over peacekeeping in Central African Republic.

Humanitarian aid, equipment blocked in Cameroon.

Guinea-Bissau army chief Gen Antonio Indjai sacked.

Kenyan coastal town struggles with deadly June attacks.

EUROPE

Ukraine and EU ratify landmark Association Agreement.

Ukraine crisis: Rebels granted self-rule and amnesty. Special status to E. Ukraine regions, amnesty to combatants - parliament.

Russia to boost Crimea troop numbers, worries over military build-up at borders.

Russia needs government investment to avoid recession, says former finance minister. Blocking Russian access to SWIFT network may cause 5% GDP fall — Kudrin.

No date set yet for Russia’s response to Western sanctions: Kremlin.

UK party leaders promise Scotland new powers ahead of key independence vote.

Dutch ease off austerity, will spend on military.

French prime minister to seek vote of confidence from parliament.

Pope Francis at risk of Islamic State assassination attempts in Albania: Reports.

Survivors: 500 migrants died when people smugglers rammed boat.

AMERICAS

US House leaders planning Wednesday vote on Syria.

U.S. Attorney General Holder announces plan to combat American militants.

45 million Americans still stuck below poverty line: Census.

Venezuela heads to a default reckoning.

Leftist rebels slay two oil company contractors in Colombia.

Gas production blamed for rise in Colorado, New Mexico quakes.

Wildfires threaten thousands in Northern California.

Now a tropical storm, Odile drenches Baja after slamming Mexican resorts.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

As core al-Qaida weakened, its successors spread.

Agent Storm: Inside al Qaeda for the CIA.

Al Qaeda operations chief, propagandist reported killed in airstrikes.

13 years after Sept. 11 attacks, debate on Guantanamo continues.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

OECD: Global firms need new tax rules.

OPEC may lower oil production to 29.5Mln barrels per day in 2015.

Alibaba to boost IPO size on 'overwhelming' demand.

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