FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — Police in Ferguson, Missouri, are defending their use of tear gas and smoke bombs, after another night of chaos in the St. Louis suburb in the aftermath of the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Police say officers last night tossed tear gas to disperse a large crowd of protesters after some threw Molotov cocktails and rocks at officers. More than 10 people were arrested.

A police spokesman says it’s “scary” for officers dealing with the protests — who hear gunshots and “don’t know where they’re coming from.”

But the response is drawing criticism. Civil rights activist Al Sharpton says the Justice Department should monitor the way the police are handling the crisis. And President Obama said today that there’s no excuse for the use of excessive force by police there. He also criticized police for taking two reporters into custody.

President Barack Obama says the U.S. has broken Islamic militants’ siege on Iraq’s Sinjar Mountain, but that airstrikes will continue.

Speaking Thursday at Martha’s Vineyard, Obama also said U.S. operations helped thousands of civilians flee down the mountain, and that it’s unlikely that more airdrops of food and water will be needed.

The Islamic State group’s advance in Iraq has driven thousands of people from their homes.

 

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President Obama is on vacation at Martha’s Vineyard.  He will make a statement on the crisis in Iraq and the shooting in Missouri.