* The Islamic State raises most of its money domestically in Iraq and Syria by smuggling oil. * Iran reminds its citizens that the Islamic State, like Al Qaeda and the Taliban, was devised by the CIA as a counterweight to Iran. * Things found on an Islamic State laptop: Celine Dion and
* Obama to explain tonight his action plan against ISIS, likely to include more wide-ranging air strikes. * America spends $33 billion more on defense than the eight top spenders combined. * The moment a man enlists in the US armed forces, his chances of being sexually assaulted increase by a factor
* America's missile shield appears doomed. * The world is under-reacting to Ebola—WHO says it will take a "massive" response to stop the crisis within nine months. * Eating junk food creates fewer greenhouse gases than a healthy diet—but removing meat is best of all. * Louisiana&
* The production values of ISIS beheading videos—good cameras, lapel mics—underscore the group's carefully crafted message. * A group of young women recruit for ISIS on Twitter, posting about marrying jihadis and raising more. * A new Ebola vaccine shows a 100% success rate in monkey trials—researchers will
* Despite talks about a peace plan, fighting continues between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russia rebels. * Former Virginia governor and wife convicted on 11 counts of bribery, conspiracy, and extortion. * Islands around the Caribbean seek to end the jury system, often because enough good jurors can't be found. * Boy
* In a video address, ISIS threatens Putin and Russia with war in the North Caucasus. * Abbas reportedly told Netanyahu he'd cede control of the West Bank to Israel if current border talks fail. * Whites support tougher criminal laws at least partly because they overestimate black and Hispanic crime
* On the senselessness of ISIS executions. * Meant to mark the end of combat in Afghanistan, NATO's summit has new relevance in the midst of Russian aggression. * The Ebola outbreak has infected more than 3,000. * A Columbia student will carry around her dorm mattress until her rapist leaves
* Before Labor Day was all beach selfies and the death of white jeans, it was about the social advancement of common people. * Chinese government creates full-court anti-Japan press, going so far as to create angry national holidays. * Employing history of early Islam and the original caliphs, Islamic State
* Happy Labor Day: Hourly wages have flatlined over the past five years. * Sweden becomes the first Nordic country with a case of suspected Ebola—UPDATE: It's been ruled out. * About half of the Syrian population has been displaced by the nation's civil war. * South Africa attempts
* Obama takes flak for wearing a tan suit, but taupe need not be sad, nay can be sexy, shows Ryan Gosling. * The recent, relentless waves of bad news lead people to overestimate the world’s awfulness. * Russian bank offers two-hour cat loans to customers taking out a mortgage. * Tennessee
