West Africa Ebola outbreak could infect 20,000 people, WHO says

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• West Africa Ebola outbreak could infect 20,000 people, WHO says
• Jihadists kill dozens of captured Syrian soldiers
• FedEx Cup: Where a week can change everything
• Russian troops 'directly involved' in Ukraine conflict
• NFL increases penalties for domestic violence
• Ukraine president accuses Russian soldiers of backing rebel thrust
• UN: Ebola disease caseload could reach 20,000
• Jolie, Pitt wed privately at chateau in France
• Gun tourism grows in popularity in recent years
• Video shows Islamic State executes scores of Syrian soldiers
• US warplanes bomb targets in northern Iraq
• WHO sounds alarm over Ebola infections as deaths top 1,500
• UN: Armed group detains 43 peacekeepers in Syria
• Drugs killed Oklahoma inmate in troubled execution
• Turkey's Erdogan sworn in as president
• Telefonica prevails in battle for Vivendi's Brazil unit GVT
• Europe seeks role in postwar Gaza
• Obama to speak ahead of national security meeting
• France rules out Assad as partner in terror fight
• Leopard Serena roars on as Ivanovic stunned at US Open
• Pakistan army chief to mediate political crisis
• USC coach says Josh Shaw could return
• Movie academy to honor Belafonte, O'Hara
• Scientists dig into Ebola's deadly genes for clues
• Serena surges into US Open third round
• Governor: Utah should defend anti-polygamy law
• Shades of Pigpen: We travel with our own germs
• Apple sends out invites to Sept. 9 event
• U.S. discussing options in response to Russian involvement in Ukraine
• Suspects in New York violinist's death held
• US decries Russian action, offers no punishment
• Mystery of Death Valley's moving rocks solved
• Hundreds mourn famed Egyptian rights advocate
• UN Security Council meets on Ukraine crisis
• California environmentalists decry wildfire plan
• Manziel appears as aerobics instructor in TV ad
• Egypt militants post beheading video
• Attempt to call missing jet may alter search area
• Telecom Italia acknowledges Vivendi decision on GVT unit
• Turkey's Erdogan sworn in as president, consolidates power

West Africa Ebola outbreak could infect 20,000 people, WHO says Posted: 28 Aug 2014 01:00 PM PDT By Stephanie Nebehay and Tim Cocks GENEVA/LAGOS (Reuters) - The Ebola epidemic in West Africa could infect over 20,000 people and spread to more countries, the U.N. health agency said on Thursday, warning that an international effort costing almost half a billion dollars is needed to overcome the outbreak. The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced a $490 million strategic plan to contain the epidemic over the next nine months, saying it was based on a projection that the virus could spread to 10 further countries beyond the four now affected - Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. With the IMF warning of economic damage from the outbreak, Nigeria reported that a doctor indirectly linked to the Liberian-American who brought the disease to the country had died of Ebola in Port Harcourt, Africa's largest energy hub. "This is not a West African issue or an African issue.

Jihadists kill dozens of captured Syrian soldiers Posted: 28 Aug 2014 01:00 PM PDT BEIRUT (AP) — The Islamic State group killed more than 160 Syrian government troops seized in recent fighting, posting pictures of terrified young conscripts stripped down to their underwear before meeting their deaths in the arid Syrian countryside.

FedEx Cup: Where a week can change everything Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:59 PM PDT NORTON, Mass. (AP) — Stuart Appleby knows how one week can change everything during the FedEx Cup playoffs.

Russian troops 'directly involved' in Ukraine conflict Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:59 PM PDT Ukraine and the West said Thursday that Russian troops were actively involved in the fighting tearing apart the east of the country, raising fears of a direct military confrontation between Kiev and its former Soviet master. The UN Security Council began an emergency meeting on the growing crisis with the United States envoy Samantha Power demanding Russia "stop lying" over the conflict. President Barack Obama was due to speak in Washington at 2000 GMT Thursday as other US officials raised the prospect of fresh sanctions against Moscow over its involvement in the latest fighting. "Russia has to stop lying and has to stop fuelling this conflict," Power told the 15-member security council as European leaders urged Moscow to change course or suffer "very serious consequences."

NFL increases penalties for domestic violence Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:57 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — NFL players will be subject to a six-week suspension for a first domestic violence offense and banishment from the league for a second under a new policy outlined by Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Ukraine president accuses Russian soldiers of backing rebel thrust Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:55 PM PDT By Richard Balmforth and Pavel Polityuk KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's president said on Thursday that Russian troops had entered his country in support of pro-Moscow rebels who captured a key coastal town, sharply escalating a five-month-old separatist war. President Petro Poroshenko told a meeting of security chiefs that the situation was "extraordinarily difficult ... but controllable" after Russian-backed rebels seized the town of Novoazovsk in the southeast of the former Soviet republic. Earlier Poroshenko said he had canceled a visit to Turkey because of the "rapidly deteriorating situation" in the eastern Donetsk region, "as Russian troops have actually been brought into Ukraine". Russia's defense ministry again denied the presence of its soldiers in Ukraine, using language redolent of the Cold War.

UN: Ebola disease caseload could reach 20,000 Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:55 PM PDT GENEVA (AP) — The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is accelerating and could grow six times larger to infect as many as 20,000 people, the World Health Organization said Thursday. The U.N. health agency unveiled a new road map for containing the virus, and scientists are fast-tracking efforts to find a treatment or vaccine.

Jolie, Pitt wed privately at chateau in France Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:54 PM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — The wait is finally over: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Hollywood's reigning royal couple, have tied the knot.

Gun tourism grows in popularity in recent years Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:52 PM PDT LAS VEGAS (AP) — The death of an Arizona firearms instructor by a 9-year-old girl who was firing a fully automatic Uzi displayed a tragic side of what has become a hot industry in the U.S.: gun tourism.

Video shows Islamic State executes scores of Syrian soldiers Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:49 PM PDT By Sylvia Westall and Mariam Karouny BEIRUT (Reuters) - Islamic State fighters executed scores of Syrian soldiers captures when the militants seized an airbase in the province of Raqqa at the weekend, according to a video posted on You Tube on Thursday. The video, confirmed as genuine by an Islamic State fighter, showed the bodies of dozens of men lying face down wearing nothing but their underwear. An Islamic State fighter in Raqqa told Reuters via the Internet: "Yes, we have executed them all." The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors violence in the war, put the death toll at more than 120. Islamic State, a radical offshoot of al Qaeda, stormed Tabqa airbase on Sunday after days of clashes with the army and said it had captured and killed soldiers and officers in one of the bloodiest confrontations yet between the two sides.

US warplanes bomb targets in northern Iraq Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:48 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military says fighter planes have conducted five airstrikes against Islamic State targets in northern Iraq.

WHO sounds alarm over Ebola infections as deaths top 1,500 Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:45 PM PDT The World Health Organization said on Thursday that the number of Ebola cases was increasing rapidly and could exceed 20,000 before the virus is brought under control, as the death toll topped 1,500. Bruce Aylward, the WHO's head of emergency programmes, said it could take six to nine months to bring Ebola under control, by which time the number of infections could have passed 20,000. As of August 26, 1,552 people had been confirmed dead from Ebola in four countries -- Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria -- while 3,062 had been infected. Liberia was the worst affected with 694 deaths;

UN: Armed group detains 43 peacekeepers in Syria Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:44 PM PDT UNITED NATIONS (AP) — An armed group detained 43 U.N. peacekeepers during fighting in Syria early Thursday and another 81 peacekeepers are trapped, the United Nations said.

Drugs killed Oklahoma inmate in troubled execution Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:43 PM PDT OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A report on a problematic execution in Oklahoma shows lethal drugs caused the inmate to die, not a heart attack, after the state's prisons chief halted efforts to kill him.

Turkey's Erdogan sworn in as president Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:43 PM PDT ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Recep Tayyip Erdogan took the oath office as Turkey's first popularly elected president on Thursday, a position that will keep him in the nation's driving seat for at least another five years, and promptly appointed his close ally to form a new government.

Telefonica prevails in battle for Vivendi's Brazil unit GVT Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:41 PM PDT By Leila Abboud PARIS (Reuters) - French media company Vivendi picked Telefonica for exclusive talks over the sale of its Brazilian broadband unit GVT, spurning a rival bid from Telecom Italia . Telefonica will fold GVT into its Brazilian mobile phone carrier Vivo to create the country's biggest telecom group. Vivendi's decision deals a blow to Telecom Italia, which needed GVT to shore up its own Brazilian mobile business Tim Participações , which lacks a fixed-line network. For Vivendi, the GVT sale caps a tumultuous two-year overhaul in which it sold three telecom businesses and its video games arm to pay down debt and focus more on media and content.

Europe seeks role in postwar Gaza Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:41 PM PDT JERUSALEM (AP) — European nations are offering to help enforce the cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, a scenario that could provide key international backing for maintaining the peace and step up the pressure on Hamas militants to relinquish power.

Obama to speak ahead of national security meeting Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:37 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will speak at 4 p.m. from the White House before convening a meeting with his national security team on the militant threat in Syria and Iraq.

France rules out Assad as partner in terror fight Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:37 PM PDT PARIS (AP) — French President Francois Hollande on Thursday ruled out an international partnership with Syria's leader to fight against the Islamic State group, saying any alliance with Bashar Assad would play into the militants' hands.

Leopard Serena roars on as Ivanovic stunned at US Open Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:36 PM PDT Serena Williams eased past compatriot Vania King 6-1, 6-0 to record her 80th US Open win on Thursday but former world number one Ana Ivanovic became the second top 10 seed to suffer a shock early exit. World number one Williams, chasing a third successive New York title, her sixth in total and an 18th major, fired 25 winners past King and broke serve six times, wrapping up victory on a windswept Arthur Ashe Stadium in just 56 minutes. It was her second win over an American at the tournament this week after beating teenager Taylor Townsend and next she will face another in Varvara Lepchenko for a place in the last 16. I had fun out here, I enjoy playing out on Arthur Ashe court."

Pakistan army chief to mediate political crisis Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:33 PM PDT ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan's military has stepped in to mediate between the government and opposition protesters who have camped out in the capital for two weeks demanding the resignation of the prime minister over alleged voting fraud.

USC coach says Josh Shaw could return Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:29 PM PDT LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California coach Steve Sarkisian says he shares blame with the athletic department for publicizing cornerback Josh Shaw's bogus story about injuring his ankles while saving his nephew from drowning.

Movie academy to honor Belafonte, O'Hara Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:27 PM PDT LOS ANGELES (AP) — Harry Belafonte and Maureen O'Hara are among those who will be honored by the motion picture academy's board of governors.

Scientists dig into Ebola's deadly genes for clues Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:26 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — A single funeral caused many.

Serena surges into US Open third round Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:24 PM PDT Five-time US Open champion Serena Williams swept into the third round on Thursday with a 6-1, 6-0 thrashing of fellow American Vania King. Unperturbed by the wind swirling in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Williams took another step toward a third straight title in Flushing Meadows. The only woman to win at three straight US titles in the Open era was Chris Evert, who won four from 1975-78. Williams needed just 56 minutes to dismantle the 25-year-old, 81st-ranked King, but insisted it wasn't easy.

Governor: Utah should defend anti-polygamy law Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:24 PM PDT SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah's governor says the state should appeal a court ruling that favors the family on the TV show "Sister Wives" and strikes down key parts of a law criminalizing polygamy.

Shades of Pigpen: We travel with our own germs Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:23 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Sorry, clean freaks. No matter how well you scrub your home, it's covered in bacteria from your own body. And if you pack up and move, new research shows, you'll rapidly transfer your unique microbial fingerprint to the doorknobs, countertops and floors in your new house, too.

Apple sends out invites to Sept. 9 event Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:23 PM PDT Apple on Thursday sent out invitations to an event on September 9 near its Silicon Valley headquarters, amid rumors the tech giant will unveil a new iPhone and maybe a wearable device. Rumors about Apple's plans have been swirling for months, with many observers convinced a new-generation iPhone with a larger screen could be on the cards. Technology news website Re/code on Wednesday fueled flames of speculation with a report that Apple will finally embark on a foray into wearable computing. Apple typically updates its product cycle in the second half of the year, getting a lift from holiday sales.

U.S. discussing options in response to Russian involvement in Ukraine Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:22 PM PDT The United States accused Russia on Thursday of actively fighting in eastern Ukraine in support of separatist forces and said it was considering a range of possible responses including increased sanctions. "It is clear that Russia has not only stepped up its presence in eastern Ukraine and intervened directly with combat forces, armored vehicles, artillery, and surface-to-air systems, and is actively fighting Ukrainian forces as well as playing a direct supporting role to the separatists proxies and mercenaries," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told a media briefing. In response, she said, "we have a range of tools at our disposal," adding that increased sanctions on Russia were "the most effective tool, the best tool." Psaki said the United States has seen a "pattern of escalating aggression" by Russia in Ukraine.

Suspects in New York violinist's death held Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:22 PM PDT BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Two homeless men accused of killing a concert violinist during a robbery in her rural home were ordered held without bail Thursday after a prosecutor detailed how the 61-year-old musician was shot twice and stabbed after opening her door to let them use her phone.

US decries Russian action, offers no punishment Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:21 PM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration isn't outlining any immediate punishment of Russia even as it decries President Vladimir Putin's government for the apparent invasion of Ukraine.

Mystery of Death Valley's moving rocks solved Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:20 PM PDT DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — For years scientists have theorized about how large rocks — some weighing hundreds of pounds — zigzag across Racetrack Playa in Death Valley National Park, leaving long trails etched in the earth.

Hundreds mourn famed Egyptian rights advocate Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:18 PM PDT CAIRO (AP) — Hundreds of activists, lawyers and other admirers gathered on Thursday to pay a final farewell to one of Egypt's leading civil rights advocates, a lawyer who defended Islamists, atheists and homosexuals alike and worked to hold Egypt's decades-old police state accountable for torture and abuse.

UN Security Council meets on Ukraine crisis Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:17 PM PDT The U.N. Security Council met Thursday in an emergency session on the growing crisis in Ukraine with some members expressing outrage.

California environmentalists decry wildfire plan Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:16 PM PDT FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — U.S. Forest Service officials say they tried to balance competing interests in a plan that will allow loggers to remove trees killed in a massive central California wildfire last year, but environmentalists have called it a travesty and are threatening to sue.

Manziel appears as aerobics instructor in TV ad Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:16 PM PDT CLEVELAND (AP) — Wearing spandex leggings, a headband and working out a class of exercising women as if he were Richard Simmons. No, we've never seen Johnny Football like this.

Egypt militants post beheading video Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:12 PM PDT CAIRO (AP) — An al-Qaida-inspired militant group in Egypt has posted an online video showing the beheading of four men in the Sinai Peninsula accused of spying for Israel, whose bodies were found earlier this month.

Attempt to call missing jet may alter search area Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:11 PM PDT CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Shortly after the missing Malaysian airliner disappeared from radar, airline officials on the ground tried repeatedly to call the crew of the Boeing 777 using a satellite phone that might have left clues to the jet's flight path.

Telecom Italia acknowledges Vivendi decision on GVT unit Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:09 PM PDT Telecom Italia said on Thursday it "took note" of the decision by Vivendi to enter into exclusive talks with Spain's Telefonica over the sale of the French media company's Brazilian unit GVT. Earlier, Vivendi picked Telefonica for exclusive talks over the sale of GVT, spurning Telecom Italia's rival bid. "From the start Telecom Italia has made it clear that it would take a disciplined approach to its strategy in Brazil in order to maximize the value for all its shareholders," the Italian telecoms operator said in a statement. Telecom Italia said it would continue to pursue its development and investment plans in Brazil in line with its 2014-2016 business plan.

Turkey's Erdogan sworn in as president, consolidates power Posted: 28 Aug 2014 12:09 PM PDT By Gulsen Solaker and Tulay Karadeniz ANKARA (Reuters) - Tayyip Erdogan was sworn in as Turkey's president on Thursday, cementing his position as its most powerful leader of recent times, in a step opponents fear heralds more authoritarian rule and widening religious influence in public life. Reading the oath of office in a ceremony in parliament, Erdogan vowed to protect Turkey's independence and integrity, to abide by the constitution and by the principles of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the modern secular republic. Erdogan, who had been prime minister since 2003, has consistently presented his time in office as a historic mission to transform Turkey domestically and as a regional power. "We're now more worried than ever about one-man, autocratic rule in Turkey," CHP deputy Aykan Erdemir told Reuters.

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