Global News

Australia is upping its monetary contribution to the increasingly globalized effort to fight Ebola to A$8 Million.  But the medical charity that has been on the front lines plans to reject its share of that purse, saying that more personnel and equipment are urgently needed instead of cash.

The World Bank is warning that the West African Ebola Outbreak could wreck the economies of the worst-hit nations:  Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.  The cost to these fragile countries can be mitigated, but only if there’s a fast global response to contain the outbreak

The first plane load of hospital equipment from the United States will arrive in Liberia on Friday, the beginning of a US commitment to build 17 new Ebola treatment centers with 100 beds each for the troubled country.  Ebola has killed some 1,300 people in Liberia and almost 2,500 in this year’s West African Outbreak.

Australian Federal Police and local officers conducted a massive counter terrorism operation this morning, with raids in Sydney and Brisbane netting more than a dozen suspects.  ABC is reporting that a terrorist cell allegedly planned to behead a member of the public in Sydney.

The latest alleged war crime in Syria is astoundingly loathsome – Cops say an ex-con is a Cannibal Killer – Suicide by Croc – A US official hints at returning troops to Iraq – And much more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

Australia is throwing its weight behind New Zealand’s maneuver to keep Japan from resuming its Southern Ocean whale hunt.  The Kiwis are asking the International Whaling Commission to require countries that want to kill whales for so-called research to show why non-lethal methods were not an option.

The first steps towards rebuilding Gaza after the devastating war are underway.  The United Nations brokered a deal with Israel and the Palestinians to give the Palestinian Authority the lead role in rebuilding the strip, with heavy involvement from the private sector.  The UN will monitor to ensure construction materials aren’t diverted from civilian to military uses, especially the tunnels that Israel says were used for smuggling and launching terrorist attacks.

Calling it an “epidemic” that is “spiraling out of control”, US President Barack Obama unveiled his plan to step up US involvement in the fight on the West African Ebola Outbreak.  3,000 US troops are being deployed to coordinate a growing international response, as well as build 17 Ebola treatment centers for Liberia with 100 beds each.

The Russian Ruble plunged to an all-time low against the US Dollar, battered and bruised by investors worried about the impact of round after round of Western sanctions aimed at punishing Moscow for its role in the Ukraine crisis.

A new report from the United Nations marks a major accomplishment for Brazil – For the first time, Latin America’s largest country has been removed from the World Hunger Map.  The number of undernourished Brazilians has fallen by 82 percent after more than ten-years of Leftist governments.

The Prime Minister plans to avoid an important UN summit – 22 Cops are accused of running a protection racket – Is Nigeria better at condemning its own troops than fighting Boko Haram terrorists? – And much more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

The UK will devolve more powers to Scotland, will share resources between north and south, and will allow Holyrood to have the final say on National Health Service funding.  That’s “The Vow” signed by the leaders of Britain’s three majors parties, printed on the front page of a Scottish newspaper – if Scottish voters reject independence this Thursday.

US warplanes carried out two days of air strikes against Islamic State fighters near Sinjar, southwest of Baghdad.  These were the first attacks against the Sunni militants since announcing the international coalition last week.  All aircraft got in and out of the target area safely.

As many as 500 immigrants were drowned after their ship was intentionally rammed by another boat operated by human traffickers.  If the claim by two Palestinians who say they survived the disaster is verified, it means that some 700 immigrants were killed in the Mediterranean in the past week.

Former Mexican President Felipe Calderdon and the international titans of business and finance will be at the United Nations on Tuesday to brief delegates about a new report that shows that much-needed action on climate change is perfectly compatible with economic growth – and failing to act will be calamitous .

Police in Thailand blocked boats from leaving the island of Koh Tao, a popular tourist destination, after the bodies of two British visitors were found murdered on a beach near the bungalow where they’d been staying.  Investigators are questioning tourists and locals, as well as hotel and bar owners.

The UN Security Council is united in condemning Islamic State – Officials who went AWOL while Ebola ravaged West African are sacked – The Pope breaks the taboo on marrying couples who lived “in sin” – And much more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

New Zealand’s elections are coming up this weekend, and reporter Glenn Greenwald promises to through a spanner into contest.  Greenwald says he can prove that Prime Minister John Key has been “deceiving the public” over assurances on spying.

Sweden’s Prime Minister says he will hand in his and his government’s resignations, after Fredrik Reinfeldt’s center-right coalition came in second behind the center-Left bloc in the weekend elections.  But the bloc led by Social Democrat Stefan Lofven failed to win a parliamentary majority.

A boat filled with up to 250 migrants heading for Europe sank off of the Libyan coast, and scores of immigrants are feared drowned.  Only 26 people have been rescued and the rag tag fleet of private boats that passes for the Libyan Coast Guard had few resources to search for survivors.