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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says airstrikes in Syria and Iraq are the beginning of a "credible and sustainable" campaign to degrade and ultimately destroy the Islamic State militant group. Lt. Gen. William Mayville, director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, tells reporters at the Pentagon that future strikes can be expected. The U.S. and five Arab nations joined in airstrikes yesterday and early today against the Islamic State group's headquarters in eastern Syria. American warplanes also carried out eight airstrikes to disrupt the shadowy Khorosan Group, a network of seasoned al-Qaida veterans suspected of plotting attacks against U.S. and Western interests.
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad says he supports any international effort against terrorism. Assad appears to be trying to position his government on the side of airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition. His remarks came hours after the U.S. and five Arab allies launched air raids and missile strikes against positions of the extremist Islamic State group in northern and eastern Syria. Assad vowed to fight terrorism in all its forms. He said success won't come only through military means and that all nations must commit to stop supporting terrorism.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Police say three people have been killed in a shooting at a UPS facility in Birmingham, Alabama. They say the gunman was killed along with two other people in this morning's gunfire. The shooter is identified as an employee of the company.
FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — A fire has destroyed one of two memorials at the site where 18-year-old Michael Brown was killed by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. A resident says the fire began around 6:30 a.m. on the street where Brown was fatally shot Aug. 9 by Ferguson police office Darren Wilson. About two dozen residents gathered at the site this morning, many of them angry. One man said it was like a grave being desecrated. Police say the cause of the fire is under investigation.
PARIS (AP) — Scores of striking Air France pilots have taken their protest to the streets of Paris. They demonstrated in full uniform today outside of France's National Assembly to demand government intervention to end an eight-day standoff. The airline says about half of all Air France flights have been canceled since the strike began. The pilots are against a proposed expansion of the company's low-cost carrier.
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