BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia’s president on Friday promised to lead the Balkan nation into the European Union and said the fact that Russia is arming the Serbian military doesn’t threaten that goal. President Aleksandar Vucic told The Associated Press in an interview that he wants to seek EU membership while at the same … Continue reading
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia students performed better on a national science exam than their peers in most other states. The Virginia Department of Education says that 50 percent of Virginia fourth graders met or exceeded the proficiency standard on the 2015 national science tests compared to 37 percent of fourth graders nationwide. Among eighth … Continue reading
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — A year after so much success in the red zone, Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins are about as bad as it gets in the NFL from inside the 20 right now. Heading into Sunday’s game against the visiting Cleveland Browns, the Redskins (1-2) rank 31st out of 32 teams in … Continue reading
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (AP) — A nonprofit foundation is breaking ground at Fort Belvoir for the National Museum of the U.S. Army. The event Wednesday’s marked the ceremonial start of construction for the Army Historical Foundation’s $200 million project. The organization says on its website that the Army is the only branch of the U.S. … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Supermodel Kate Upton has condemned the four Miami Dolphins players who knelt during the national anthem, writing on Instagram that their actions are “a disgrace to those people who have served and currently serve our country.” The four players — running back Arian Foster, outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins, free safety Michael … Continue reading
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Most members of a Virginia high school football team took a knee during the national anthem Friday, copying NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other professional athletes’ recent protests. The Virginian-Pilot reports (goo.gl/F0C7yf) that a majority of Maury High School’s team did not stand during the playing of “The Star Spangled Banner.” … Continue reading
TRIANGLE, Va. (AP) — President Barack Obama and the first family are hiking at Prince William Forest Park in Virginia. Their visit Sunday comes as the National Park Service’s celebrates its centennial. The president has marked the week by creating a national monument in Maine and expanding a monument off Hawaii. Admission to national parks … Continue reading
FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta (AP) — Some 8,000 workers at oil camps north of the fire-ravaged Canadian city of Fort McMurray were ordered to evacuate late Monday, May 16 as authorities continued the battle to bring wildfires under control. The mandatory evacuation zone was extended to 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of the city, whose 80,000 … Continue reading
MOSCOW (AP) — The National Guard being formed in Russia will be given broad powers to suppress riots, according to a presidential decree released Wednesday. Analysts said President Vladimir Putin’s decision to create the National Guard could reflect Kremlin fears of possible anti-government protests — or even a coup attempt — amid an economic downturn. … Continue reading
MILAN (AP) — Costume National creative director Ennio Capasa says a growing conflict in the fashion industry between marketing and innovation fueled his decision to step down from the brand he founded with his brother in 1986. Capasa and his brother, Carlo Capasa, who was Costume National’s CEO and is the president of Italy’s … Continue reading
GARDINER, Mont. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park started shipping many of its famous wild bison to slaughter Wednesday to drive down the size of the park’s herds and respond to concerns by the livestock industry over a disease carried by the animals. Thirty animals have been shipped to slaughterhouses, and officials plan to send an … Continue reading
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Widespread flooding in Louisiana and Mississippi has damaged thousands of homes, and the risk of rising water prompted additional evacuations Sunday. At least four deaths have been reported in Louisiana amid the flooding that began last week, and the National Guard has rescued nearly 3,300 residents. Two fishermen have been missing … Continue reading
CONVENT, La. (AP) — Tornadoes ripped through an RV park in Louisiana and significantly damaged nearly 100 homes and apartments in Florida, and forecasters warned that more twisters were possible Wednesday as the deadly storm system moved to the East Coast. At least three people were killed and dozens of people were injured, some critically. … Continue reading
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton are cementing their status as presidential front-runners with strong performances among demographic groups at the core of their two parties, developments that put tremendous pressure on their top rivals as the nominating contests head into delegate-rich March. Trump built a varied coalition in his … Continue reading
LOS ANGELES (AP) — President Barack Obama is granting national monument status to nearly 1.8 million acres of scenic Southern California desert, a move the White House says will maintain in perpetuity the region’s fragile ecosystem and natural resources, as well as provide recreational opportunities for hikers, campers, hunters and others. Obama, in California this … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 