UN approves the Trump administration's plan for the future of Gaza
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Trump administration’s blueprint to secure and govern Gaza has won strong approval at the United Nations. It's a crucial step that provides international support for U.S. efforts to move the devastated territory toward peace following two years of war. The U.S. proposal that passed the United Nations’ most powerful body on Monday authorizes an international stabilization force to provide security in Gaza and approves a transitional authority to be overseen by President Donald Trump. It also envisions a possible future path to an independent Palestinian state. The vote endorses Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan and builds on the momentum of the fragile ceasefire he helped broker with allies.
Judge scolds Justice Department for 'profound investigative missteps' in Comey case
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge says the Justice Department engaged in a “disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps” when it secured an indictment against former FBI Director James Comey. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick said Monday those problems include “fundamental misstatements of the law” by a prosecutor to a grand jury that indicted Comey in September, the use of potentially privileged communications in the investigation and unexplained irregularities in the transcript of the grand jury proceedings. Fitzpatrick ordered the Justice Department to provide Comey’s lawyers with all grand jury materials. The indictment charges Comey with lying to Congress in September 2020 when he suggested under questioning that he had not authorized FBI leaks of information to the news media.
House expected to vote on bill forcing release of Jeffrey Epstein files
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is expected to vote on legislation to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. It's the culmination of a monthslong effort that has overcome opposition from President Donald Trump and Republican leadership. Trump now says Republicans should vote for it. It all but ensures that the House will pass the bill with an overwhelming margin. That puts further pressure on the Senate to take up the legislation. Epstein was a well-connected financier who killed himself in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in 2019 on charges he sexually abused and trafficked underage girls.
What’s next for the Epstein files after Trump’s social media posts
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he would sign a bill to force the Justice Department to release the case files it has collected on the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The House is heading toward a vote on the bill. Lawmakers are pushing past a monthslong effort by Trump and Republican leaders to stop the release. Many lawmakers say the Justice Department needs to release its case files on Epstein. They argue that the release could show that other people were aware or complicit in Epstein’s sexual abuse.
In the violence plaguing Nigeria, many say everyone — Christian or Muslim — is a potential victim
LIGARI, Nigeria (AP) — Much of northern Nigeria has been battered by conflict in a longstanding security crisis, and U.S. President Donald Trump has singled the country out for what he calls “the killing of Christians” by “radical Islamists.” Victims and church leaders echo Trump’s claims that Christians are persecuted. They say they’ve long been attacked, kidnapped or killed over their faith. But many insist the reality isn’t as simple as Trump’s narrative. Experts and residents say some attacks target Christians, but most emphasize that in the West African nation's widespread violence, everyone is a potential victim, regardless of background or belief. Nigerian conflict researcher Bulama Bukarti says of the multidimensional crisis: “In essence, it is a war against Nigeria.”
FEMA acting chief David Richardson departs after six months on the job
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The acting chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency has left his post just six months in, officials say, marking another disruption in a year of staff departures and policy changes. The Department of Homeland Security did not comment Monday on the reason for David Richardson's departure. Richardson, a former Marine Corps officer, had no prior emergency management experience when he took on the role. His leadership was questioned after he delayed responding to deadly floods in Texas. FEMA has faced major upheaval since President Donald Trump returned to office, with significant staff turnover and funding cuts.
Federal immigration agents will expand enforcement action in North Carolina to Raleigh, mayor says
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Federal immigration authorities will expand their enforcement action in North Carolina to Raleigh as soon as Tuesday. That’s according to the mayor of the state’s capital city. Mayor Janet Cowell said she didn’t know how large the operation would be or how long agents would be present. Immigration authorities haven’t spoken about it. The Democrat said in a statement that crime was lower in Raleigh this year compared to last and that public safety was a priority for her and the city council.
Off-duty pilot who tried to cut a flight’s engines midair won't serve prison time, judge rules
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge has decided that a former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to cut the engines of a passenger flight in 2023 won't serve prison time. Joseph Emerson was sentenced Monday to credit for time served and three years of supervised release. Emerson was riding in an extra seat in the cockpit of a Horizon Air flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco and was subdued by the crew. The plane landed safely in Portland. Emerson pleaded guilty or no-contest to all charges against him in September as part of plea agreements with state and federal prosecutors. In the state case he was sentenced to five years of probation, among other measures.
Man charged with murder in shooting of Oakland football coach and 'Last Chance U' star John Beam
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A 27-year-old man has been charged with murder in the shooting death of former Oakland football coach John Beam. Beam died Friday after being shot in the head at the junior college campus where he worked. The Alameda County district attorney said Monday that Cedric Irving Jr. could face a sentence of 50 years to life. He is being held without bail and is set to be arraigned Tuesday. Authorities say the incident was targeted but have not elaborated on the motive. Beam was a beloved figure in the community and was featured in the Netflix docuseries "Last Chance U." Irving has no criminal record.
Palestinian deaths in Israeli custody have surged. A prison guard describes rampant abuse
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A report by an Israeli human rights group says at least 98 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since the war in Gaza began. Physicians for Human Rights-Israel says systematic violence and denial of medical care contributed to the majority of the deaths it looked into. A former guard at the Sde Teiman military prison in southern Israel tells The Associated Press that abuse there was rampant. Israel's Prison Service says it operates in accordance with the law. The army said it is aware some detainees in its custody have died, including people with preexisting illnesses or combat-related injuries. It said allegations of abuse are assessed and violations are punished.
