BOSTON (AP) — A Massachusetts man has been charged with conspiring to carry out terror attacks in a shopping mall and against U.S. military personnel in Iraq. Authorities in Boston say Tarek Mehanna (TEH'-rek meh-HAH'-nah) sought training in terrorist training camps and worked with others from 2001 to 2008 on the conspiracy, which also targeted prominent U.S. politicians.

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A federal judge in Ohio has sentenced a man to 20 years in prison for a terrorist plot that the government said targeted U.S. troops. Mohammad Amawi had faced up to life in prison. He's the first defendant to be sentenced in the case. He and two other men were found guilty last year of plotting to recruit and train terrorists to kill American soldiers in Iraq.

PARACHINAR, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani soldiers are continuing a fight that is seen as a critical test of the country's campaign against Islamic extremists. They're battling for control of the hometown of Pakistan's Taliban chief, part of a major offensive targeting an insurgent stronghold along the Afghan border.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says it's "certainly possible" that President Barack Obama could announce before a scheduled new election in Afghanistan whether to send more troops into the U.S. war there. A runoff presidential election in Afghanistan is set for Nov. 7. Obama is considering how to shift strategy in the Afghanistan war, including a possible U.S. troop increase.

QUANTICO, Va. (AP) — A Marine Corps sergeant has pleaded guilty to faking war injuries to get freebies that were supposed to go to wounded warriors. Sgt. David Budwah (BOOD'-wah) pleaded guilty today to eight charges including making false statements and larceny at a court-martial hearing in Virginia. Prosecutors say Budwah was never deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, as he claimed. He has admitted bluffing his way into ballgames, concerts and other events.