Today's edition of quick hits:
* Ferguson: "Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon sought to return peace to the town of Ferguson Thursday by placing security and crowd control under the leadership of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.... 'It means a lot to me personally that we break this cycle of violence,' said Nixon, who appeared at a church in Ferguson after first speaking with President Barack Obama earlier Thursday."
* U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder issued a statement on developments in Ferguson that's worth reading in its entirety: "Like the President, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Michael Brown. While his death has understandably caused heartache within the community, it is clear that the scenes playing out in the streets of Ferguson over the last several nights cannot continue."
* Iraqi uncertainty: "Yazidi leaders and emergency relief officials on Thursday strongly disputed American claims that the siege of Mount Sinjar in northern Iraq had been broken and that the crisis was effectively over, saying that tens of thousands of Yazidis remained on the mountain in desperate conditions."
* Ukraine: "A Russian aid convoy destined for rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine resumed its disputed southward journey on Thursday, in apparent defiance of demands by the government in Kiev that the shipment be stopped."
* Ebola: "The country of Guinea became the latest to declare a public health emergency as West African nations struggle to contain a deadly outbreak of the Ebola virus that's claimed over a thousand lives."
* Austerity wasn't a good idea: "This was supposed to be the year that the European economy decisively broke free of its shackles. But after a dismal round of economic growth reports on Thursday, the main question appears to be whether the eurozone will avoid tumbling back into recession."
* Another police shooting to watch: "The police shot and killed an unarmed black man in South Los Angeles on Monday night, the Los Angeles Police Department said. The police said that the man, whom the department did not identify, had tackled an officer and lunged for the weapon in his holster before being shot at by both the officer and his partner."
* Guantanamo: "A federal judge has directed Guantanamo Bay authorities to answer some highly specific questions about the force-feeding of detainee Mohammed Abu Wa'el Dhiab. In a five-page order dated Aug. 12, U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler made public the questions she wants answered by Army Col. John Bogdan, the Gitmo commander, and by the facility's previous and current medical directors."
* K Street: "Republicans eager to challenge campaign spending limits before the Supreme Court have found their next target: a Securities and Exchange Commission rule that limits contributions from Wall Street financiers to governors and other state officials running for federal office."
* Congratulations to Chuck on his amazing new opportunity: "Chuck Todd will take the reins at NBC's 'Meet the Press,' replacing moderator David Gregory, NBC News President Deborah Turness announced Thursday."
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.