An Idaho teenager has been arrested by the FBI under suspicion of attempting to carry out mass shootings at churches in support of ISIS.
Alexander Scott Mercurio, 18, was accused in a court filing of “attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organisation”.
He contacted ISIS affiliates and expressed support for the organisation and other extremist groups, according to the FBI, which cited "confidential human sources".
Mr Mercurio is also accused of spreading ISIS propaganda online.
“At the beginning of 2024, his conduct escalated to Mercurio planning to carry out a suicide attack on a church(es) in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho,” said the filing, released on Tuesday.
“His attack plan involved using flame-covered weapons, explosives, knives, a machete, a pipe and ultimately firearms.”
The FBI said it first became aware of Mr Mercurio's activities in 2021, when it was investigating a fund-raising network that uses cryptocurrency exchanges and other financial services platforms to support ISIS and other organisations operating in Syria.
It said that after Mr Mercurio was identified, an investigation of his computer revealed documents and photos showing his support for ISIS, including an image in which he appeared in front of the group's flag.
“I am going to perform a martyrdom operation very soon,” he allegedly wrote in one message. “The targets will be the various churches in my town,” he said, as he wanted to “fix” the problem of too many such places of worship in the area.
He added that he would carry out his plan in the last days of Ramadan, according to the court filing.
Mr Mercurio was arrested by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force the day before his alleged planned attack.
The FBI executed a search warrant at Mr Mercurio's family's home, CBS reported, with investigators seizing a metal pipe, butane, hand sanitiser, a machete and several firearms locked in his father's wardrobe.
A court date for the case has yet to be set.
Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks
Following fashion
Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.
Losing your balance
You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.
Being over active
If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.
Running your losers
Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.
Selling in a panic
If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.
Timing the market
Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.
The biog
Favourite book: You Are the Placebo – Making your mind matter, by Dr Joe Dispenza
Hobby: Running and watching Welsh rugby
Travel destination: Cyprus in the summer
Life goals: To be an aspirational and passionate University educator, enjoy life, be healthy and be the best dad possible.
The five pillars of Islam
If you go
The flights
The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings
The stay
Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Australia tour of Pakistan
March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi
