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WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States has carried out two airstrikes today in eastern Syria, targeting a staging area for militants in the group Islamic State. A Pentagon spokesman says militants in the area have been moving equipment across the border into Iraq. The Pentagon tells CNN that the U.S. also struck Islamic State targets in Iraq today, including near the capital, Baghdad.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — A senior commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard says a top general and 70 advisers were on the ground in Iraq this summer, helping Kurdish fighters defend the regional capital of Irbil against Islamic State militants. He says the general "stood up to" the militants and was instrumental in preventing the fall of Irbil. The comments on Iranian state TV are Tehran's first confirmation of an Iranian military presence in the fight against the Islamic State group.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Leaders from more than 140 countries open their annual meeting today at the United Nations. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is expected to create a bleak picture when he delivers his state of the world report. Last week he said the world is facing "multiple crises," but he says it should not forget the continuing violence in Mali and the continuing volatile situation in Ukraine. President Barack Obama also addresses fellow leaders.
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The World Health Organization says an Ebola vaccine might be available in large enough quantities by the end of the year. Currently there's no licensed treatment to help control West Africa's Ebola outbreak, although scientists are testing two vaccines. Ebola is believed to have sickened more than 5,800 people in five West African countries.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A volcano in western Indonesia has erupted again. It's sent a powerful burst of hot ash into the air today, creating an avalanche of hot clouds as far as a mile away from the peak. Disaster officials say there have been no additional evacuations, but the alert status remains at the third-highest level. More than 22,000 people were evacuated from the area earlier this year after eruptions killed at least 16 people. Most have returned home.
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