MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After twists and turns worthy of the very spy series it sprung from, a movie featuring the indomitable fictional terrorism fighter Mitch Rapp is about to hit movie screens nationwide — four years after his creator, author Vince Flynn, died from prostate cancer. “American Assassin ,” the first movie based on a Flynn … Continue reading
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (AP) — More than 450 Army National Guard soldiers from Virginia and Maryland are getting ready to deploy to the Middle East. The 29th Infantry Division, based at Fort Belvoir, is holding a departure ceremony Sunday morning. The soldiers have been training at Fort Pickett in Virginia, and will do another 30 … Continue reading
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — A former North Carolina middle school teacher has pleaded guilty to four felony counts after she was accused of driving to a northern Virginia motel in April in order to meet a 13-year-old boy for sex. The StarNews of Wilmington (http://bit.ly/2evvMRc ) reports that 24-year-old Kathleen Capitano pleaded guilty last week … Continue reading
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A 12-year-old student in Norfolk has been accused of threatening to harm his classmates. Local media outlets report that police say the unidentified Norview Middle School student was charged Thursday with threats of death or bodily injury to a person or persons on school property. Detectives say they were called to … Continue reading
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Concerned parents directed sometimes angry questions at officials after the discovery of a small amount of mercury at a Las Vegas school prompted an hourslong screening for exposure for more than a thousand children. The session with parents Thursday evening came as authorities investigated if a student brought the substance to … Continue reading
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The suicide bombing in the city of Lahore on Easter underscores how Pakistan’s Christian minority has become an easy target for the country’s Islamic militants, although Muslims also were among the victims. There are barely 2.5 million Christians in the mostly Muslim country of 180 million, and they say they worry about … Continue reading
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — In an emotional televised address, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed Monday to hunt down and defeat the militants who have been carrying out attacks like the Easter bombing that targeted Christians and killed 72 people. “We will not allow them to play with the lives of the people of Pakistan,” Sharif … Continue reading
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — After months of ferocious fighting, Afghan army units battling the Taliban in southern Helmand province are facing major restructuring and leadership changes, with several key commanders being replaced, a U.S. military official said Monday. Helmand has been a fierce battleground since last fall, with fighting taking place in 10 districts. At … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. will deploy a new special operations force to the Middle East to help fight Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Tuesday. Carter told the House Armed Services Committee that over time, these special operators will be able to conduct raids, free hostages, gather intelligence … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 