1. Obama speaks about ISIS campaign in Iraq and Syria

2. A year after he pulled back from threatened military attacks on Syria over chemical weapons, Obama told America he now would launch airstrikes against ISIS targets in the country wracked by civil war. The nationally televised address on Wednesday night from the White House, which lasted less than 15 minutes, promised far-reaching impact that could embroil the nation in another Middle East conflict. The plan to "dismantle and ultimately destroy" the Sunni jihadists who have taunted America by beheading two captive U.S. journalists calls for what CNN chief national security correspondent Jim Sciutto described as a "tremendous turnaround" in Obama's previous policies in the region. "I have made it clear that we will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are," Obama said. "That means I will not hesitate to take action against ISIL in Syria, as well as Iraq. This is a core principle of my presidency: if you threaten America, you will find no safe haven.“ The terrorist group has gone by the names of ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and simply the Islamic State.

3. In Other News A bombshell video shows Ray Rice knocking out his now-wife on a casino elevator. Another shows him dragging her off. What is not known for certain is what the NFL knew about the incident and when the league knew it. There are conflicting stories. The NFL announced late Wednesday that former FBI Director Robert Mueller will lead an independent inquiry into the league's investigation and how it gathered evidence in the case. Mueller will have access to all NFL records, according to league spokesman Greg Aiello. Two NFL owners who are attorneys -- John Mara of the New York Giants and Art Rooney II of the Pittsburgh Steelers -- will oversee the independent probe. Oscar Pistorius cannot be found guilty of intentionally killing Reeva Steenkamp, the judge in his trial said Thursday. The judge has not issued a verdict, and the proceedings continue. Pistorius faces other possible verdicts, including culpable homicide. What this means is that under South African law, Pistorius will not be found guilty of "murder.“ According to the judge, Pistorius could not have foreseen that the person he was shooting at, who was behind the bathroom door, would die, and therefore the state has not proven an intent to kill. Pistorius' trial started six months ago, transfixing the world with graphic details of how he fatally shot Steenkamp. He fatally shot Steenkamp, his girlfriend, on Valentine's Day last year at his home in South Africa. Prosecutors charged him with premeditated murder, but he maintains he mistook her for an intruder when he fired four shots through a locked bathroom door. South Africa does not have jury trials…it is all up to the judge.