World News Briefs -- October 17, 2014

Obama To Name Ron Klain To Serve As Ebola Czar -- CBS

President Obama will name former White House official Ron Klain to serve as a so-called "Ebola czar" to oversee the government's handling of the virus, CBS News confirms.

Klain, who previously served as chief of staff for Vice President Joe Biden and for Vice President Al Gore, will report directly to the president's homeland security adviser Lisa Monaco and national security adviser Susan Rice, the White House said. He'll be responsible for ensuring that the American people are protected as Ebola patients are treated in this country, and for ensuring that those efforts "don't distract from the aggressive commitment to stopping Ebola at the source in West Africa," according to a White House official.

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MIDDLE EAST

ISIS fighters withdraw from Syria's embattled Kobani - RT sources. Battle for Kobani enters second month.

US still searching for credible allies in Syria.

Iraq crisis: Wave of attacks in Baghdad leave 40 dead.

Iraq imposes curfew as Islamic State marches on Ramadi.

Houthi and al-Qaeda fighters clash in Yemen.

Yemen's al Qaeda expresses support for Islamic State against 'crusade'.

Iran arms Palestinians for new war with Israel.

ASIA

After border row, India, China plan counter-terror drills to build trust.

Fresh clashes in Hong Kong as pro-democracy activists regroup.

Cambodia's convicted Khmer Rouge leaders resume genocide trial.

Myanmar rebels say military operations could end peace talks.

Stateless Rohingya deemed among world’s most persecuted.

Search widens for Nepal snowstorm survivors.

16 dead in accident at South Korean concert.

Japan and Russia leaders meet in Milan, say will continue dialogue.

Japan PM sends offering to war dead shrine, angering China.

China, Russia sign landmark energy, finance, tech deals.

AFRICA

UN: We botched response to the Ebola outbreak.

WHO declares Senegal Ebola-free.

Ebola crisis: No impact from pledges of help, MSF says.

Boko Haram, Nigeria government agree to cease-fire.

Red Crescent calls for truce in Benghazi.

At least 6 killed in northern Mali.

Ruling party leads Mozambique election.

Final arguments before Oscar Pistorius sentencing.

EUROPE

Merkel: No breakthrough yet on Russia-Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine fail to make progress in testy Milan talks. Putin says satisfied with 'Normandy format' talks in Milan.

NATO says no sign of major Russian pullback from Ukraine border.

Putin under pressure to commit to fragile peace plan for eastern Ukraine.

Poll: Support for NATO membership grows In Ukraine.

Europe's top powers deadlocked as economy sinks.

Five charged in U.K. terror plot, London police say.

Islamic State recruitment in Europe is accelerating, says U.S..

Vatican rents out Sistine Chapel to Porsche for corporate event - first time in 600-year history.

AMERICAS

Former Biden chief of staff to lead Ebola response.

FBI chief: No concern about terrorists using Ebola.

Texas worker who may have handled Ebola samples quarantined in Belize.

U.S. poll on Ebola crisis: 82% want quarantine, 66% would block entry.

Caribbean countries announce Ebola travel bans.

Rousseff falls ill after tense Brazil debate.

Powerful Hurricane Gonzalo approaching Bermuda.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Yemen’s Al Qaeda expresses support for Islamic State against ‘crusade’.

Jihadis take their kids to war; moms fight back.

Less than 4% of US drones victims in Pakistan affiliated with Al-Qaeda: Study.

New coed guard duty causing ruckus at Guantanamo high-value prison.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Google overtakes Goldman Sachs in US political donations.

Foreign holdings of US Treasury securities climb.

Islamabad replaces Manila at top of list of world’s worst airports.