Global News

A North Korean sentenced a young American to six years of hard labor for alleged “hostile acts”, without having specified or explained the charges against him, and denying in advance any chance of an appeal.  The US accuses Pyongyang of using detained Americans as pawns in a diplomatic game.

Islamic State executes a British hostage, threatens another – that – Australia forces are heading back to the Middle East – Left-looking Sweden is primed to case aside austerity and privatization after a disastrous right-wing experiment – And much more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

Israeli top spies refuse to take part in operations against Palestinians – Pakistan arrests ten militants in the shooting of teenage education advocate Malala – Sarah Palin could have been a heartbeat from the US Presidency, instead her family is getting into drunken brawls – A major figure in Northern Ireland’s Troubles is dead – And much more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

The International Red Cross is gearing up to train 2,000 more volunteers to help combat the West African Ebola Outbreak, pushing volunteers up to 5,600.  But would that be anywhere near enough if the death toll goes from 2,300 to a doomsday scenario of millions of lives lost?

The terror threat level is raised – Scottish independence might drive capital south – Growing anger in India over the Kashmir floods – And much more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

Key Arab nations are promising to “do their share” to support US President Barack Obama’s fight against Islamic State (IS) militants.  But US Secretary of State John Kerry is downplaying the refusal of Turkey – a NATO member – to join the effort, saying the important US ally was dealing with “sensitive issues”.

Islamist militants in Syria have released 45 Fijian troops who abducted by the al Qaeda-linked al Nusra Front while serving as United Nations Peacekeepers in the Golan Heights.  All of the peacekeepers are said to be in good condition.

For the second time in a week, a newly promoted member of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s increasingly conservative inner circle is denying any memory of endorsing something for the far-right fringe.  This time, it’s a book praising Adolph Hitler’s election strategies.

The judge in Pretoria, South Africa presiding over the Oscar Pistorius trial cleared the Olympic and Paralympic athlete of the two most serious murder charges against him.  But she said Pistorius was guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide, and continued the proceeding until Friday.

Two Queenslanders are charged in an alleged terrorist recruiting scheme – The Philippines proposes a Muslim homeland – “Jaws” is dead – And much more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says that the bulk of Russian forces had withdrawn from rebel-held territory in the east, and that greatly enhances the chances for a lasting cease-fire. 

Human Rights groups are calling on the President of Gambia to reject a law to penalize “aggravated homosexuality” with a term of life imprisonment.  Despotic President Yahya Jammeh, however, is highly unlikely to be swayed by the calls of human rights organizations.

US President Barack Obama told his nation and the world that he is significantly expanding the military campaign against Sunni militants in Iraq and Syria.  But he took pains to contrast his plans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars started by his predecessor, emphasizing air strikes over “boots on the ground”.

Officials in Senegal say that the country’s only confirmed Ebola patient has recovered from the disease and is resting until he returns home to Guinea.  Authorities are monitoring 67 people who had some sort of contact with the man, but there appear to be no further infections in Senegal.

There’s more aid coming to West Africa to fight the Ebola outbreak, and there’s some already on the ground as the death toll from the killer virus grows.  Earlier this week, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said 2,296 people have died.  But with hundreds of fatalities being added with every update, it’s likely that number is already much, much worse.

Federal police raided a Queensland Islamic center and book store in Logan they say is linked to the conflict in Syria.  Two men were arrested, including the 31-year-old brother of Australia's first suicide bomber who is the founder of the center.

Australia is considering raising its terrorism threat level to the second highest alert, because of the threat posed by Islamic State (IS).  ASIO Director-General David Irvine is retiring at week’s end, but might decide to lift the level from “medium” to “high” – meaning that he thinks the chances of a terrorist attack had gone from “possible” to “likely”.

Police in Peru met with the widows of four indigenous leaders who were murdered after years of fighting illegal logging in their remote Amazon rainforest homeland.  Tribal authorities say they suspect illegal tree poachers murdered the men.

Fiji apparently jumped the gun and is backing off of claims that its 45 United Nations peacekeepers would be freed soon.  Insurgents with the al Qaeda-linked al Nusra Front took the soldiers captive while they were on duty in the Golan Heights separating Syria and Israel.

After months of fighting, failed ceasefires, and more fighting, China is acting to protect its assets in South Sudan.  Beijing is sending 700 soldiers to join the United Nations peacekeeping force in the war torn African nation.