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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — President Barack Obama says U.S. forces in Iraq "do not and will not" have a combat mission as part of the effort against Islamic State militants. Obama spoke after getting a briefing from officers at U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Florida, the command that oversees military efforts in the Mideast. Under the president's plan, the U.S. role will be limited to airstrikes and training of Iraqi forces. Yesterday, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said American ground troops may be needed if Obama's current strategy fails.
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's prime minister says he doesn't want any foreign troops in his country. Haider al-Abadi (HY'-dahr ahl ah-BAH'-dee) tells The Associated Press that the U.S. aerial campaign targeting Islamic State militants who have seized parts of Iraq has been a help, but that the use of foreign ground forces is "out of the question." He says the international community should go after the Islamic State in Syria, saying the militants must be wiped out there.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman of a special House panel looking into the deadly 2012 attack in Benghazi, Libya, is promising a careful look at the facts. South Carolina Republican Trey Gowdy says the committee is reviewing new documents, interviewing new witnesses and asking new questions of individuals who've testified in previous congressional investigations. Responding to critics who say Congress has already spent too much time on the matter, Gowdy says he'd rather "risk answering the same question twice rather than risk not answering it once."
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi (ZIHG'-ee) Wilf says the team "made a mistake" by letting Adrian Peterson return after sitting out one game over his child-abuse indictment. So team officials have reversed their decision, after getting negative feedback from the community and sponsors. Team officials now say their star running back will be barred from all team activities until his legal matters are resolved. Minnesota's governor called the Peterson case an embarrassment to the team and the state, and several NFL advertisers expressed concerns about off-the-filed issues involving players.
SEATTLE (AP) — A magnitude-4.0 earthquake has rattled the Puget Sound in Washington state. The quake centered near the town of Seabeck, about 40 miles west of Seattle, was felt as far away as Everett, Olympia and downtown Seattle. The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake occurred 11 miles below ground. There are no reports of damage or injuries.
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