ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

August 20, 2014 (San Diego's East County)-- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• The 65 people who might run for president in 2016 (The Hill)
• Obama: Entire world “appalled” at ISIS execution of journalist Foley (The Hill)
• U.S. tried to rescue hostages in Syria, but couldn’t find them (CBS)
• Texas Governor Rick Perry turns self in on felony charges (USA Today)
• Could Islamic militants in Iraq bring their fight to America? (+video) (CS Monitor)
• Grand jury to mull Michael Brown case (CNN)
• Shock video: St. Louis cops gun down man (Huffington Post)
• Government Watchdogs Complain Of Closed Doors Set Up By White House (NPR)

INTERNATIONAL

• Kidnapping westerners is big business (USA Today)
• Exclusive: Islamic State militants grab new weapon - Iraqi wheat (Reuters)
•  Brazilian Presidential Candidate Campos Dies In Plane Crash (NPR)
• Rights group says Chinese police open fire on Tibetan protesters (Reuters)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

U.S.

The 65 people who might run for president in 2016 (The Hill)

...Twenty-three Democrats have been mentioned as a candidate or are eyeing a bid, according to an analysis by The Hill. The GOP side has 42. Most of the people on this list won’t run, and some have adamantly claimed that they’re not interested. But many politicians have changed their minds on seeking the White House. Before mounting his 2008 bid, then-Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) said he wasn’t running.

Obama: Entire world “appalled” at ISIS execution of journalist Foley (The Hill)

 President Obama on Wednesday vowed the United States would remain vigilant in its efforts against Islamist militants in Iraq after the brutal execution of photojournalist James Foley.

U.S. tried to rescue hostages in Syria, but couldn’t find them (CBS)

President Barack Obama sent special operations troops to Syria this summer on a secret mission to rescue American hostages, including journalist James Foley, held by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, but they did not find them, the Obama administration said Wednesday.

Texas Governor Rick Perry turns self in on felony charges (USA Today)

Gov. Rick Perry, the longest-serving governor in Texas history, turned himself in amid the cheers of supporters at the Travis County Courthouse on Tuesday to face two felony counts of abuse of power. He was not a contrite defendant.

Could Islamic militants in Iraq bring their fight to America? (+video) (CS Monitor)

 To protect Iraqi civilians, the US has struck Islamic State positions. In response, the militants – including foreign fighters, some of them Westerners – are threatening the US itself. 

Grand jury to mull Michael Brown case (CNN)

Two months. It looks like it might be that long before a local grand jury decides whether to bring charges in the death of Michael Brown -- the loud, passionate calls for swift justice notwithstanding.

Shock video: St. Louis cops gun down man (Huffington Post)

St. Louis Police Release Video Of Kajieme Powell Killing That Appears At Odds With Their Story

Government Watchdogs Complain Of Closed Doors Set Up By White House (NPR)

Inspectors general complain that they're being stiffed on the access they need to serve effectively. Four lawmakers are now demanding that the Obama administration comply with transparency requests.

INTERNATIONAL

Kidnapping westerners is big business (USA Today)

The kidnapping of Western journalists, tourists and aid workers has become a multimillion-dollar business in which hostages such as James Foley become pawns for bandits, tribesmen and militant groups looking to make a buck or score ideological points.

Exclusive: Islamic State militants grab new weapon - Iraqi wheat (Reuters)

After seizing five oil fields and Iraq's biggest dam, Sunni militants bent on creating an Islamic empire in the Middle East now control yet another powerful economic weapon – wheat supplies.

 Brazilian Presidential Candidate Campos Dies In Plane Crash (NPR)

Eduardo Campos, an economist who was running for president as the leader of the Brazilian Socialist Party, has died in a plane crash southeast of Sao Paulo. He was 49.

Rights group says Chinese police open fire on Tibetan protesters (Reuters)

Chinese police have opened fire on Tibetan demonstrators in southwestern China, wounding 10 people, after the Tibetans protested against the detention of a respected village leader, a Tibetan rights group said.