(CNN) -- A message purportedly from al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri addressed militants fighting in Syria to unite. The message, more than five minutes long, was posted online on militant websites. Its authenticity could not be independently verified by CNN. In the message, Zawahiri calls upon all jihadi factions to end the infighting.

A sixth Omaha police officer involved in the arrests of three north Omaha brothers - and an alleged evidence-tampering cover-up - has lost his job.

Just interesting. Iowa and many other states are at $7.25 per hour which is the federal minimum. The highest is Washington with $9.19 per hour.

A Council Bluffs man allegedly set fire to his own home early Thursday with his mother and brother inside, police say. Jacob A. Rolfe, 21, was arrested on suspicion of arson and two counts of attempted murder. He remained at the Pottawattamie County Jail.

The CNN Electoral Map is CNN's best estimate of the key states that will likely decide the 2012 presidential election. The map will be updated as the campaign progresses. Use the map to predict which candidate will win each state and see who reaches 270 electoral votes first.