World News Briefs -- September 23, 2014 (Evening Edition)

Obama Hails Joint US-Arab Strikes on Islamic State Targets in Syria -- Voice of America

President Barack Obama on Tuesday hailed the coalition of Arab states that joined U.S. forces to pound Islamic State targets in Syria, calling it a sign that Middle Eastern people were “standing up for the peace and security that the people of the region and the world deserves.”

Hours earlier, U.S. forces and Arab allies hit dozens of targets, using war planes, remote drones and ship-launched cruise missiles to attack the militants in Syria for the first time.

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MIDDLE EAST

Details of the mission against militants in Syria.

Exclusive: United States defends Syria airstrikes in letter to U.N. chief.

Exclusive: U.S. told Iran of intent to strike IS militants in Syria - source.

U.S. denies Syria government given prior notice of airstrikes.

US and allies strike ISIL targets in Syria.

'Huge explosions shook the city': Twitter user breaks news of Raqqa airstrikes.

8 civilians, incl. 3 kids, killed in US-led strikes on Syria - monitor. U.S. strikes on Nusra Front in Syria kill over 50: monitoring group. US-led air strikes kill at least 70 Islamic State fighters.

Some Syrian rebels fear U.S. strikes will help Assad.

U.S. military conducts airstrikes against ISIL near Kirkuk.

Iraqi soldiers describe heavy losses as Islamic State overruns camp. Islamic militants parade captured Iraqi soldiers .

Source: Syria given advance notice of strikes. Syrian ambassador to Russia: US airstrikes on IS targets uncoordinated with Damascus.

Turkey says number of Syrian refugees reaches 150,000.

Hezbollah leader opposes U.S.-led action in Syria.

Israel downs Syrian warplane it says violated its Golan airspace. Israel says it shot down Syrian warplane over Golan Heights.

Israelis, Palestinians resume Gaza truce talks.

Israeli Army says 2 suspects killed, linked to teen abductions.

Iran nuclear deal would boost cooperation, Iranian President Rouhani says.

Iran's Rouhani says ties with Saudis deserve to be warmer.

ASIA

Exclusive: Courting Vietnam, U.S. prepares to ease arms embargo .

Philippine leader questions intent of China ships.

India, China ignore UN climate change summit.

Kerry condemns North Korea human rights abuses.

Afghanistan's Karzai, in farewell speech, takes one last swipe at US, saying America wants war.

Former US ambassador to Afghanistan reacts to Karzai’s criticisms.

Chinese and Indian troops in Himalayan standoff.

Xi’s statement of a ‘regional war’ has nothing to do with India, says China.

China sentences prominent Uyghur scholar to life in prison for 'separatism'.

Defiant students give Hong Kong leader ultimatum to respond.

China increasingly producing 'tools of torture' for export: Amnesty.

Australian 'terror suspect' killed in Melbourne.

Alibaba founder Jack Ma tops China rich list.

AFRICA

Fighting in S. Sudan threatens peace talks.

Thousands displaced by flooding in South Sudan state.

Ebola cases could reach 550,000 to 1.4 million in 4 months: CDC. U.S. forecasts more than 500,000 Ebola cases in West Africa.

Ebola 'contained in Senegal and Nigeria'.

Sierra Leone considers repeating Ebola shutdown.

Ebola has claimed 2,800 lives in 6 months, WHO study finds.

Ebola could strike 20,000 in six weeks, 'rumble on for years': study.

UN gears up for DRC offensive as Goma laments escalating violence.

Egyptian-mediated Gaza ceasefire talks resume.

Fighting, payment problems disrupt Libya's food imports.

Ghana files arbitration suit over border dispute with Ivory Coast.

EUROPE

'3,000 European jihadis' now in Syria, Iraq.

Confusion over returning French 'jihadis' suspected of Syria links.

Cameron backs US-Arab airstrikes on Syrian ISIS, vows to contribute more.

Russia condemns U.S. airstrikes on ISIS and al-Qaeda.

Ukraine rebels start pullback of heavy artillery.

Ukraine rebels plan votes in blow to Poroshenko truce.

Poroshenko says no military solution to conflict.

Russian envoy sees end to Ukraine crisis.

Bulgaria prepares for gas crisis.

Romania's spy chief quits, will run for President.

Eurozone business growth slows in September, PMI survey finds.

London overtakes Hong Kong as world’s most expensive city.

Vatican arrests former archbishop on paedophilia charges.

AMERICAS

Secret Service beefs up presence after 2 White House security incidents.

FBI watching some Americans who returned from Syria conflict.

Immigration news: A new wave of Central American kids will reach the US soon according to experts.

Police: Mexican cartels trafficking cocaine direct from Colombia.

Brazil's Rousseff edges ahead of Silva in election poll.

Argentina's Fernandez meets billionaire investor Soros in New York.

Guatemala emergency measures after deadly clash.

Venezuela seeks to quell fears of disease outbreak.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Main developments in fight against extremist group.

U.S. strikes Khorasan Group in Syria, which posed 'imminent' threat to West.

Algerian militants threaten to kill hostage unless French stop bombing ISIS.

Drone crashes in south Yemen: witnesses.

Bin Laden son-in-law gets life prison term.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Record-breaking year for contemporary art.

Norway's Yara, CF in talks to create $27.5 billion global fertilizer producer.

Obama announces US crackdown on inversion tax 'loophole'. US cracks down on companies moving overseas.

Alibaba becomes world’s largest IPO, but stock dives.