The Presidential Daily Brief

Islamic State Closes in on Syrian Border Town

They’re knocking on Turkey’s door. Militants are feared to be tightening their grip on the Syria-Turkey border town of Kobane, having claimed the hill above the city and hoisted a flag. Kobane has seen intense fighting between IS and Syrian Kurds in recent weeks, with residents of all ages taking up arms. U.S.-led forces have been hitting IS targets, but reports of IS advances are raising concerns that the militants will soon control a long stretch of the border. 

BBC, CSM

Justices Clear Aisle to Gay Marriage in Five States

Cue the wedding bells. The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to review all five pending same-sex marriage cases, effectively clearing the path for gays to marry in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisonsin. Both sides of the issue had hoped the high court would decide on the constitutionality of the unions, but the justices declined. The decision effectively legalizes gay marriage in 30 states. The drumbeat grew even louder on Tuesday when a federal court struck down bans in Idaho and Nevada.

Washington Post, NYT

Nurse Tests Positive for Ebola in Madrid

Fears of Ebola’s global spread have hit European shores with reports that a Spanish nurse has tested positive for the deadly virus. The Madrid-based woman — who treated an Ebola patient — is believed to be the first person to have contracted the disease outside Africa. She reportedly helped treat a Spanish priest who died two weeks ago.

BBC

Brazil’s Rousseff Faces Runoff

Voters dealt leftist incumbent Dilma Rousseff a surprise. She came out on top yesterday, but not by enough, and must now face pro-business, center-right Social Democrat Aécio Neves in a runoff. Many expected more of a fight from environmental Socialist Marina Silva, but she slipped to third and out of contention. Rousseff is still the favorite, but Neves has been gaining momentum with pledges for change aimed at rooting out government corruption, which may mean a close second round on October 26. 

BBC, NPR, The Guardian, NYT

Hong Kong Tensions Ease

The wind seems to have been knocked from their sails. The stalemate between pro-democracy demonstrators and authorities continues, but the crowds in the streets dwindled overnight. A government deadline — and ultimatum — for dispersal came and went today, and the activists budged to allow civil servants to cross barricades and get back to work. Protesters say they’re preparing for promised government talks, which may have averted a showdown with authorities, but are planning to hold sit-ins while they negotiate.

NBC, NYT, BBC

Hostage’s Parents Release Photos, Letters 

The parents of an Indianapolis man kidnapped by Islamic State are pleading for mercy. The 26-year-old’s family released photos of Abdul-Rahman Kassig — known as Peter before converting to Islam — working as a medic in Syria, as well as a letter he wrote in captivity. Kassig, named as the next victim in last week’s execution video of a British hostage, wrote: “I’m obviously pretty scared to die, but the hardest part is … wondering if I should even hope at all.”

ABC, Indy Star

Hewlett-Packard to Divide, Conquer

They’ve decided to separate. Hewlett-Packard is about to split its operations, creating one entity for its struggling PC and hardware arm and another for its corporate services business. The tech giant plans to make the move through a tax-free distribution of shares to stockholders next year and, if all goes well, two publicly traded companies will emerge with more than $50 billion in annual revenue each. Splitting off has become popular among firms pressured to create leaner operations that can react quickly to capitalize on opportunities.

FT (sub), Reuters, BusinessWeek 

Nobel Prize Awarded for Brain Research, Biden Apologizes for Arab Insult

Nobel Prize awarded for work on brain’s GPS system. (CNN)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden apologizes for Arab dig. (Washington Post)

Officials try to identify bodies found in mass Mexican grave. (BBC)

Typhoon slams Japan after killing at least one U.S. airman in Okinawa. (AP)

Ebola supplies halted at dock in Sierra Leone. (NYT)