WASHINGTON (AP) — Six months after the Pentagon ordered all combat jobs open to women, seven female Marines are either serving in those posts or waiting to serve, and 167 are performing noncombat duties in front-line units, according to new data obtained by The Associated Press. The numbers underscore the difficulty of integrating women into … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The latest government snapshot of school crime paints a picture of safer schools with declines in violent crime, bullying and harassment because of sexual orientation. Still, about 3 percent of students ages 12 to 18 said they were victims of crimes at school in 2014. About 1.3 million students were suspended for … Continue reading
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Ten fishermen died and three were missing after the crew of a fishing trawler abandoned their vessel in rough seas off the South African coast, rescuers said Monday. Another eight fishermen from the Cape Town trawler survived the disaster, which happened Sunday south of Hangklip, Western Cape province, the National Sea Rescue … Continue reading
BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Paul Bettany couldn’t hear anything. When the 43-year-old actor initially donned a noggin-encasing headpiece to portray the mysterious Vision in “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” in theaters Friday, Bettany could barely make out what anyone was saying around him. That isolation ended up fueling his imposing performance in the follow-up to the … Continue reading
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An American who spent nine months in a United Arab Emirates prison for his role in an online parody video is seeking a pardon and financial compensation. Shezanne Cassim, 30, of Woodbury, told The Associated Press on Thursday, April 23 that he has faced difficulty getting a job in the United States … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The recordings that Donald Sterling’s companion made of his off-color remarks cost him ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers and cost her the benefits of a sugar daddy. A judge ruled that V. Stiviano must turn over the keys to a $1.8 million house that Donald Sterling bought her and pay … Continue reading
ATLANTA (AP) — All but one of 10 former Atlanta public school educators convicted in a widespread conspiracy to inflate student scores on standardized tests were sentenced to jail time Tuesday, April 14 and the judge called the cheating scandal “the sickest thing that’s ever happened in this town.” Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry … Continue reading
FOND DU LAC, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin State Patrol trooper just three months out of the academy and working the first solo patrol of his “dream job” died in a shootout with a bank robbery suspect also believed to have killed a motorist. The robbery suspect, Steven Timothy Snyder of Michigan, also died in … Continue reading
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — After nearly a week in a prison’s mental health unit, millionaire Robert Durst — accused of killing a female friend in California 15 years ago — appeared in court Monday in New Orleans for a bond hearing on weapons charges. Durst, 71, was seated next to his lawyers, his hands shackled … Continue reading
FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — With measured remarks and a conciliatory tone, police, political leaders and civil-rights activists on Thursday, March 12 sought to tamp down tensions after two police officers were shot in front of the Ferguson Police Department during a protest. The officers were quickly released from the hospital, but St. Louis County Police … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — HBO says “Scandal” star Kerry Washington will play Anita Hill in a film about Clarence Thomas’ 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearings. The film will be titled “Confirmation,” and Washington is also among its executive producers. Hill’s sexual harassment allegations against Thomas put the issue at the center of a fierce national … Continue reading
MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Telling everyone “I’m a five-tool guy,” Will Ferrell was off on his barnstorming tour Thursday, March 12 through five Arizona spring training games. Wearing No. 19 for every team, the star of “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” ”Elf” and many other movies played shortstop for the Oakland Athletics, second base … Continue reading
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A panel of Utah lawmakers gave initial approval Thursday, February 26 to a proposal that would allow residents of the conservative state who have chronic and debilitating diseases to consume edible medical marijuana products. The legislation forbids the smoking of marijuana, but allows businesses to grow marijuana and sell pot-infused … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Three men accused of plotting to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State and wage war against the United States were arrested on terrorism charges Wednesday, February 25 federal officials said. Akhror Saidakhmetov, a Brooklyn resident and citizen of Kazakhstan, was arrested at Kennedy International Airport, where he was attempting … Continue reading
PASCO, Wash. (AP) — Four people have been shot and killed by police in recent months in this agricultural city of 68,000 in southeastern Washington, and the most recent death of an orchard worker accused of throwing rocks at officers has sparked protests after witnesses said he was running away. Antonio Zambrano-Montes’ death Tuesday, February … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 