Mark Satter
News Editor
Iraq
Extremist fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have seized a military base from Syrian forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. The move has strengthened their control of the Syria- Iraq border.
The recent military advances by ISIS have made clear the inability of local military forces to effectively engage the group in combat. The United States began airstrikes on ISIS positions in Iraq earlier this month, which has slowed but not stopped the advancement of ISIS forces.
President Obama has declined to intervene in the Syrian Civil War.
Missouri, United States
Gov. Jay Nixon (D-MO) acknowledged this week the possibility that the police officer who shot and killed unarmed black teenager Michael Brown may not be charged with any wrongdoing stemming from the incident.
Several weeks of violent protests and racial tension between law enforcement and protesters in Ferguson, Mo were sparked by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, who is white.
In an interview with CNN, Nixon said he was “confident that justice will be served” but suggested that no charges may be filed.
West Africa
Dr. Abrahim Borbor, a Liberian doctor who contracted the Ebola virus, has died, according to the Elwa Ebola Facility in Monrovia, Liberia. Dr. Borbor was given ZMapp, the same experimental drug administered to two Americans who had Ebola.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is also reporting new Ebola cases, triggering fears that the deadly virus is much more widespread than previously thought.
The DRC’s health minister, Felix Kabange Numbi, was quoted as saying “We’re going to provide essential medication in all medical institutions in the area but also free health treatment for the duration of the epidemic.”
According to the Center for Disease Control, the total number of suspected Ebola cases has surpassed 4000.
