Global News

Thousands of students in Hong Kong have transformed a university campus into “Democracy Central”, boycotting their classes for a week in protest of Beijing’s decision to retain authority over who can and who cannot run in the upcoming elections in the former British colony.

The number of Kurdish refugees from northern Syria who have fled into Turkey to escape advancing Islamic State militants has reached 130,000.  The United Nations refugee agency says Turkey needs to care for these people.  Turkish forces for another day used tear gas on Kurdish protesters.

US airstrikes against the terrorists of Islamic State have expanded into Syria.  The move was widely expected, although some observers expected it to begin after the UN Summit in New York City.  The timing suggests that world leaders attending the meeting, including Prime Minister Tony Abbott, will have to go on the record on whether they approve or disapprove, whether they will or will not take part.

Authorities are treating very seriously a message from Islamic State (IS) leaders urging jihadis to kill Australians, among other westerners.  It comes just days after ASIO and Federal police say they broke up an IS plot to kidnap a random person off the streets of Sydney and uploaded video of a beheading on the Internet.

Turkey is shutting down most of the border crossings with Syria after 70,000 Kurdish refugees poured over the border to escape advancing Islamic State (IS) militants.  But the closures may prevent ethnic Kurds from crossing from Turkey into Syria to take up the fight against IS.

Officials deny a religious component to the worst riot at Goulburn Jail in several years – Peru goes after murderous illegal loggers – You won’t believe what happens when big, giant Sumo Wrestlers meet little babies – And much more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

The Obama Administration is predicting that the US will have allies joining in when and if airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria are to begin.  But US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power did not specify which countries will take part.

From Melbourne and seven more Australian cities all the way around the globe to New York City, hundreds of thousands of people marched in cities across the world to demand urgent action on climate change and an end to coal and gas as energy sources. 

Tens of thousands of people in central Moscow protested against the Putin government’s involvement in bloody conflict in Ukraine that’s taken more than 3,000 lives.  The government said the anti-Kremlin rally attracted barely more than that grim number, although the activists say that’s a serious underestimate.

The Russian oligarch who was once Russia’s wealthiest man but was jailed for a decade after trying to take on corruption and Russian President Vladimir Putin is breaking his silence.  Mikhail Khodorkovsky says he would lead Russia if the purpose where to spearhead major reforms.

Another roadblock tossed in front of jailed Aussie journalist Peter Greste – A massive and sudden population shift in the Syrian Civil War – What kind of cease-fire has constant shelling? – And much more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

Islamic State released almost 50 hostages – Oz steps up to help women in Iraq – Pope Francis’s new appointment signals a Left turn for the Catholic Church – And much more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

In the end, it wasn’t even close as Scotland decides to stick with the UK – America’s shooting gallery claims six more children, allegedly by the gun wielded by their own dirtbag of a grandfather – Thailand’s military ruler apologizes for blaming the victims – And much more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

The terrorist group Islamic State (IS) issued a new video featuring British hostage John Cantlie forced to act as a spokesman.  Unlike the last two videos from IS, there is no militant in a black jihadi-ninja outfit and gruesome execution at the end.

Islamic State militants back on the offensive in Syria and besieging the Kurdish city of Kobani (Ayn al-Arab in Arabic), committing massacres and kidnapping women.  Kurds are issuing a call to arms – asking their ethnic kinsmen on the Turkish side of the border to come south and join the fight.

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) is adopting New Zealand’s proposal to require countries that want to kill whales for so-called research to show why non-lethal methods were not an option.  The move throws a roadblock in front of Japan’s drive to return to whaling during the 2015-16 season.

Sierra Leone has commenced a three-day lockdown intended to stop the spread of Ebola, which has now killed more than 2,600 people in West Africa.  But the group that has been on the frontlines of the outbreak for months is expressing doubts that the plan will work.

A hostile, stone-throwing crowd in remote southeastern Guinea attacked a group of officials and journalists trying to get the word out about the risks posed by Ebola and do some disinfection work.  Eight people were killed, one more may still be missing.

Well, this ought to teach those young Iranians to watch that happiness.  An Iranian court handed down suspended sentences of 91 lashes and six months in prison to six young people who made a viral video of themselves singing and dancing along to the Pharrell Williams song, “Happy”.

Australia stops an alleged Islamic State plot to “shock, horrify, and terrify” through a gruesome murder – Fiji elects a coup leader for President – Toronto’s crack-smoking mayor now has a bigger problem than substance abuse – And much more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs: