Alexandria (United States) (AFP) – The first trial on US soil of an alleged major figure in the Islamic State (IS) group — an accused member of the kidnap-and-murder cell known as the “Beatles” — began in earnest Wednesday near Washington. El Shafee Elsheikh, 33, is accused of involvement in the murders of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, as well as aid workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller. Foley’s parents John and Diane arrived at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia shortly before the proceedings began at 9:00 am (1300 GMT), making no comment to reporters ou…