The United Arab Emirates voiced readiness Wednesday to back world efforts to confront the threat from jihadists, amid calls by Western powers for an international fight against the Islamic State.

One of two US missionaries in West Africa who survived Ebola spoke out for the first time Wednesday, thanking God for her recovery but admitting she went through “dark days.”

Gentlemen of the Press, I am constrained to address you today happenings in some sections of the media, so as to correct the erroneous and mischievous impressions being created about my person. I have restrained myself from joining issues with those making uncomplimentary comments about me regarding the Boko Haram crisis because I know that all right thinking Nigerians can see through the plot being employed to divert attention from the real issues at stake and to denigrate me in the eyes of the public. As you are aware, my name is being mentioned for obvious political reasons as a culprit over the unfortunate happenings in Borno State and some parts of the country, especially from the 2009 Boko Haram episode to date. I must say that I have been utterly embarrassed by some of the negative comments, insinuations and unfounded accusations, which were clearly misdirected, narrow and mischievous From the time I left office in 2011, I had been unfairly accused of so many things in connection with the Boko Haram sect.

President Barack Obama vowed Wednesday that the United States would not be intimidated by the beheading of a second American reporter but acknowledged the fight against the jihadists would take time.

France said Wednesday “conditions” were not in place to deliver the first of two Mistral-class warships to Russia, a move planned later this year that has sparked controversy given the crisis in Ukraine.