.com | US Congress to take up fate of 1.8 million young illegal immigrants

The hopes for citizenship of 1.8 million illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children hung in the balance Monday as Congress started up debate on sweeping new immigration legislation. President Donald Trump has offered more than Democrats asked on citizenship for the so-called Dreamers, but only in exchange for tough cutbacks on overall immigration and funding for a massive wall on the Mexican border.

Howe’s folly a new black eye for Bharara, legal experts say

The following is an expanded version of the third item from my "Albany Insider" column that was cut for space from Monday's print editions: The embarrassment of seeing their star witness in the trial against former long-time Gov. Cuomo aide Joseph Percoco put behind bars for violating his cooperation deal with prosecutors could be another black eye for former crusading Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara's legacy, legal and political sources say. Prosecutors had made it clear Howe's background was one of frequent lies and crimes.

Congressman says his Journalist Protection Act is needed now

Speaking on CNN's "Reliable Sources" Sunday, Representative Eric Swalwell said his bill, which was introduced last week, aims to protect "journalists in every corner of our country if they are attacked physically while doing their job." The bill, which is called the Journalist Protection Act, would make it a federal crime to cause "bodily harm" to reporters.

Oklahoma Woman Receives Reduced Sentence After Getting Sterilized

An Oklahoma woman convicted of using a counterfeit check has received a reduced sentence after getting medically sterilized at the suggestion of the judge. The Oklahoman reports that U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot showed leniency to 34-year-old Summer Thyme Creel during her sentencing Thursday because she had surgery to prevent pregnancies.

US Navy probes alleged drug use by sailors in Japan

"Naval Criminal Investigative Service is investigating Yokosuka-based sailors for alleged drug use and distribution," the 7th Fleet said, referring to its home base southwest of Tokyo. "The Navy has zero tolerance for drug abuse and takes all allegations involving misconduct of our sailors, navy civilians and family members very seriously," it said in a comment emailed to AFP.

Two members of notorious ISIS death squad known as ‘the Beatles’ captured in Syria

An ISIS death squad became known as "the Beatles" among the people they held hostage because all four members had grown up in London before becoming radicalized and joining ISIS. The group was known for torture and execution, including the beheading of western hostages.

Illinois governor denies clemency for veteran facing deportation

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has denied clemency for a Chicago veteran who is facing deportation after serving two tours in Afghanistan with the US Army, CNN affiliate WLS reported. "It's not appropriate to go into detail on reason for a decision, but we take every review of clemency and pardon very seriously," Rauner told WLS.

Venezuela election could trigger deeper sanctions, exiles

The Venezuelan government's decision to plow ahead with early presidential elections over the objections of the opposition risks spurring more international sanctions and exacerbating an economic and social crisis driving increasing numbers of Venezuelans into exile, analysts said Thursday. Opposition politicians were meeting the day after officials announced the April 22 vote, deciding whether to challenge socialist President Nicolas Maduro in an election that several foreign nations have already vowed not to recognize - or to boycott it.

A child plays in an Ayoreo village on the edge of Santa

More than 1 million children, according to the International Labour Organization, are exploited each year in the commercial sex trade. IndyStar columnist Tim Swarens, through the support of a Society of Professional Journalists fellowship, spent more than a year investigating a lucrative business where children are abused with low risk to buyers or traffickers, despite tougher laws and heightened international awareness of the scourge.

Boys – the silent victims of sex trafficking

More than 1 million children, according to the International Labour Organization, are exploited each year in the commercial sex trade. IndyStar columnist Tim Swarens, through the support of a Society of Professional Journalists fellowship, spent more than a year investigating a lucrative business where children are abused with low risk to buyers or traffickers, despite tougher laws and heightened international awareness of the scourge.

Oakland man allegedly shoots man he believed had killed his sister

OAKLAND >> A man charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting the person he thought had killed his sister was sentenced Friday to nearly three years in federal prison, after he admitted to selling stolen guns throughout the East Bay. Diontae Valentine, who pleaded guilty to stolen gun possession and selling guns without a license, was one of eight Oakland men indicted on federal conspiracy and gun trafficking charges in December 2016, after an investigation by the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

Is Fred Warmbier Grieving or Warmongering?

North Korean cheering squads wave upon their arrival at the Korean-transit office near the Demilitarized Zone in Paju, South Korea Fred Warmbier, whose son Otto Warmbier, a student here at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, died shortly after returning from North Korea, is reportedly traveling to the Winter Olympics with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence. It's hard to imagine the incredible grief of losing a son and of having seen a son suffer.

Trump’s military parade plan sparks backlash

In this file photo taken on July 14, 2017 French Defence Minister Florence Parly, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, US First Lady Melania Trump, US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, French Senate President Gerard Larcher, the President of the French National Assembly Francois de Rugy and the Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo watch as members of the 4th Foreign Regiment march in the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris. AFP / Christophe Archambault Washington: President Donald Trump's dream of hosting a military parade in Washington was met with almost universal derision Wednesday, with critics seeing evidence of creeping authoritarianism.

Victorville prison staffing cuts put guards, public in jeopardy, union leader says

About 120 vacant jobs at the federal prisons in Victorville are expected to be lost in 2018 as the government cuts staffing nationwide. The head of the union that represents employees at the federal prison in Victorville said he plans to carry to Washington next week his concerns that nationwide staffing cuts will endanger the safety of guards, inmates and the public.