“The most authoritative model, at the moment, suggests a potential economic drain of as much as $32.6 billion by the end of 2015 if ‘the epidemic spreads into neighboring countries’ beyond Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, according to a recent study by the World Bank. That estimate is considered a worst-case scenario, but it does not account for any costs beyond the next 18 months, nor does it assume a global pandemic.” Meet Nina Pham, the first person to contract Ebola in the United States. Pham, a nurse who cared for Ebola-stricken Thomas Duncan, is set to receive a blood transfusion from Dr. Kent Brantly, the American missionary doctor who has recovered from the deadly virus. The CDC is reevaluating its Ebola safety guidelines after Pham contracted Ebola while reportedly following its instructions. Human clinical trials for an Ebola vaccine began today in Maryland. The World Health Organization is calling the Ebola outbreak “the most severe acute public health emergency in modern times.” And a UN medical worker being treated in Germany for Ebola has died. [NYT]
Or at least, state media released undated photos of him today. He’s shown walking with a cane and touring a new science facility. The North Korean dictator had not been seen since September 3. [WSJ]
“The Islamic State militant group may possess chemical weapons that it has already used to extend its self-proclaimed caliphate, according to photos taken by Kurdish activists and examined by Israeli researchers.” [HuffPost]
After crossing the police line, activist Cornel West was arrested on Monday. Protesters gathered in downtown St. Louis, at the St. Louis Rams game, at an upscale mall and at a political fundraiser for “Moral Monday.”
“A Russian hacking group probably working for the government has been exploiting a previously unknown flaw in Microsoft’s Windows operating system to spy on NATO, the Ukrainian government, a U.S. university researcher and other national security targets, according to a new report.” [WaPo]
The company is releasing webisodes explaining how its food is made, in part to debunk claims its burgers are made of pink slime. [USA Today]
“In a marked shift in tone likely to be discussed in parishes around the world, an assembly of Roman Catholic bishops convened by Pope Francis at the Vatican released a preliminary document on Monday calling for the church to welcome and accept gay people, unmarried couples and those who have divorced, as well as the children of these less traditional families … it is the first signal that the institutional church may follow the direction Francis has set in the first 18 months of his papacy, away from condemnation of unconventional family situations and toward understanding, openness and mercy.” [Story, Image via NYT]
WHAT’S BREWING
A hacker claims to have 7 million passwords for the popular storage service. [HuffPost]
Take that Mom and Dad. [HuffPost]
Jennifer Aniston comes in sixth after a few royals and her ex. [People]
Edward Snowden started disclosing information by sending an email to filmmaker Laura Poitras. His first email started with, “At this stage I can offer nothing more than my word. I am a senior government employee in the intelligence community. I hope you understand that contacting you is extremely high risk and you are willing to agree to the following precautions before I share more. This will not be a waste of your time.” [Wired]
Stewart targeted Gwyneth Paltrow again in the latest edition of her magazine. Hard time did a number on the lifestyle queen’s manners. [HuffPost]
Thanks to these absurd nap inventions. [HuffPost]
“People who battle stage 4 cancer are familiar with words like chemotherapy, radiation and metastasize. But words they may not hear at a hospital as often are existentialism, mindfulness, legacy and humor. Dr. Arash Asher at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles is dedicating his life to changing that.” [HuffPost]
ON THE BLOG
“The first step was recognizing the persisting sadness -- it's been longer than a week, this is more than a bad mood. The second step was making an appointment with my therapist. And the third, and probably the most important step, was sharing how I was feeling with my husband and parents (my main support system). This third step has always given me the most trouble.” [HuffPost]
BEFORE YOU GO
~ Listen to Taylor Swift’s new single that’s definitely, probably, maybe about ex Harry Styles.
~ Richard Gere and Padma Lakshmi were a secret couple for six months, but they’ve already broken up.
~ All of TV’s women love their leather jackets.
~ This is what 100 calories of your favorite food looks like -- who knew about bananas?!?
~ Here’s your dictionary for advertising-speak.
~ Sorry ladies, Zac Efron’s taken again.
~ And find out if your city makes the top 12 “rattiest” list.
Send tips/quips/quotes/stories/photos/events/scoops to Lauren Weber at lauren.weber@huffingtonpost.com. Follow us on Twitter @LaurenWeberHP. And like what you're reading? Sign up here to get The Morning Email delivered to you.